What's Your Story? Submitted Stories

Here are stories submitted to us from people around the world, sorted by category.

Growing Up in An Addictive Environment

Perfect Grief
Like many adult children of addicted parents, I was taught to be a perfectionist. As a kid I tried to be a perfect student, have the...

The Mom I Never Had
I still remember the first time I heard that my mom had been admitted to the hospital for drug-related problems. I was angry, scared, sad and...

The Man My Father Was
My parents divorced when I was seven years old. This came as no surprise to everyone around them. My father had been an alcoholic...

How Long Will It Last This Time?
“So, it’s been six weeks, Mom. How long do you suppose it’s going to last this time?”...

A Sobering Place
"What will you have?" the waiter asks."A Shirley Temple," I shoot back. When I go out I always order the same drink. The sparkling Sprite with...

Finding the Healing Moments
One of the biggest challenges against the war on alcohol and drug abuse is always...

Our Children

The Genetic Saga Continues. . .
This is the continuation of my story. The first part was about my recovery (see “The Alcoholic Lottery”).

A Doctor's Irresponsibility
Kerri started to use marijuana and alcohol when she was in high school in Long Island, NY. We thought it was a “teenager thing.” In 1978, we moved to Louisiana and Kerri started college at SLU. For a short time, the future looked bright...

Definitely a Disease

Starting Early
While I have few memories of my childhood, I clearly remember being given brandy...

The Mom I Never Had
I still remember the first time I heard that my mom had been admitted to the hospital for drug-related problems. I was angry, scared, sad and...

Paying the Ultimate Price

Didn't Plan on Dying
What...

Don't Let Your Friends Die
Who among us that has lost a child through any circumstance thought they would be...

MY BRENT
I was drawn to this website when I saw Robert Shapiro on television one evening, speaking of the death of his son, Brent...

A Father's Sorrow
I found out my son was on heroin in February of 2004. It was only...

A Culture of Secrecy
From the very beginning, Heather, was "star" material. She was beautiful, bright, creative, delightful, and fun to be with. She was...

Innocence Lost
“I sat in pain on the floor for what seemed like an eternity. Then I looked into my best friend’s face and heard her voice change.I...

I Stole a Life
My name is Eric. I am a 46 year old attorney from Pennsylvania. My entire adult life has been dedicated to my...

My Daughter, Erin
My daughter, Erin, was born to a family who loved her unconditionally. As I write, tears flows down my face. I can't talk about Erin's...

Perfect Grief
Like many adult children of addicted parents, I was taught to be a perfectionist. As a kid I tried to be a perfect student, have the...

Just One Drink
There's a small cross by the side of Highway 128, near the town of Boonville. If this cross could talk, it would tell you this sad...

That Warm Night
I was invited to a party,a few roads across town. I thought I’d meet my friends there...

Siblings/Friends

I Will Not Give Up
We found her on the floor of her living room, sprawled on her stomach next to the sofa....

What She Does Not Know
My friend has a problem, and sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who notices her when she's lost and she's tormented and she's alone in the...

Last Song for Christy
Matt never did drugs. He spent his afternoons and nights riding his skateboard through backstreets of the small town that raised him. His friends...

The Journey/Recovery

All Things Are Possible
In 1984, I was employed by the City of...

A New Day
It was August of 2002 and it was...

Another Day, Another Fight
Each day is a gift. No matter how good or how bad this day is, I recognize it is a gift. My "journey to recovery" will never end...

The Alcoholic Lottery
A long time ago I was...

How Dry I Am
It seems like only yesterday that I was passed out on my couch. Night after night, week after week, I’d slip into darkness, like a ship leaving...

Under 21

My Life With Drugs
It started out when I was in 9th grade when a girlfriend got me to try...

The Final Act
Screeching tires, shattering glass,

Just One Drink
There's a small cross by the side of Highway 128, near the town of Boonville. If this cross could talk, it would tell you this sad...

Share Your Story

Each voice that is raised chips away at the stigma of this disease, increases awareness about its extent and impact, and educates others about this disease that is ravaging our country by giving it a voice - your voice!


The disease of alcohol and drug dependency, and it is a disease, is suffered in silence. Those who have it or have a special person close to them suffering from it, hide it from the world due to embarrassment, shame, and humiliation, and endured it in isolation and silence. This, despite the fact that this disease affects almost every family in America in some way from family members, loved ones, friends, co-workers and even as a taxpayer carrying the enormous social costs of this disease.


Help us in this critical mission to give the disease of alcohol and drug dependence a voice. We need your help to give those affected a safe place to come and meet others going through the same thing; and encourage honest discussion among all the parties touched by this disease. We want stories, tributes to those fighting this disease, and to honor those who have lost their battle against this disease. There are several ways for you to get involved and help yourself while helping others. Please join us in this critical mission. Click here to share your story.

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