that thing that tries to stifle,

control, to frankly ruin your life,

i will tell you this in truth

–it lies.

 

this habit that used to help

you manage, numb or

somehow grasp control

is no longer serving you

at all,

 

and you have suspected for

quite some time that you

are presently subservient

to it–instead.

 

addiction is a monstrous

taskmaster and if you do not

confront its favorite weapon

‘denial’ and throw heart and

soul into facing   

your giant bold,

 

that hurt, that experience

the ogre that started

the pattern that you

were always desperately

trying to escape from,

 

then addiction will

likely win.

 

and i for one, would

weep if this the case

becomes, for i have

seen this devastation

up close, to the person

–and to everyone they love.

 

but i firmly believe you possess

intrinsic tools that support. and  

a source of strength supreme

that has been submerged,

 

forgotten, but is waiting

to rise to the service to

enable you for such a

time as this.

 

and now is the time to rail

against all that which

lies, take your stand,

and begin the fight of

your life.

 

because that is exactly

what is at stake,

the battle to take back

the rest of your days.

 

and do not be discouraged

if the path forward is one

that zigs and zags. as you keep

your goal of freedom in

 

sight on the horizon,

the zigs will lesson and

the zags will only correct

your path but a little bit.

 

and i believe that you

can do this

 

and that your life will ring

bright and full and joyful

with the sound of healing

and freedom.

 

—if you or anyone you care about is fighting addiction, then this is for you–with love.

Photo by Jordan Whitfield on Unsplash