Thankfully I did, and I believe that’s what made treatment successful and led to long-term recovery. Fortunately for me, my world crumbled when I lost a close family member. That led to a massive binge where I used more drugs than ever over a week-long period. Needless to say, I felt emotionally and physically destroyed.
Addiction, you are a tremendous liar. Writing a goodbye letter to addiction can be a powerful exercise in helping someone in recovery from substance abuse. This letter is as much a way of saying goodbye to the addiction as it is a commitment to one’s self to break free. It signals readiness to break free from alcohol or drug abuse – an incredibly cruel evil master. As a result, I know I have to leave you.
- Ending your relationship with addiction isn’t easy, but it will be the best choice you ever made.
- Pick a drug that people abuse, and the chances are high that some lasting form of emotional scar is attached...
- We had a great relationship and you did exactly that.
- It was a big part of my journey that helped me feel like I closed a chapter and took a leap into my life in recovery.
- And every time the patient smokes, they’re damaging their lungs.
Feel free to update your letter or write new ones as your life changes. Ending your relationship with addiction isn’t easy, but it will be the best choice you ever made. https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ If you are struggling to get started, we are here.
Set the Tone for the Goodbye Letter to Substance Abuse
These dedicated caregivers will take the time to get to know you as a unique individual. Additionally, they will encourage you to play an active role in all aspects of your treatment. I have been scared to let you go, but I realize now I will be leaving the worst of myself behind, and beginning a new chapter. At this point, I will make it my number one priority to keep you away. You are no longer welcome in my life. No longer will you trample through my peaceful mind.
Learn to live a Sober, Vibrant & Substance-Free Life
I thank God everyday that nobody lost their lives, but YOU should be ashamed of yourself, METH! C) YOU stole my reputation when you caused me to lie to my friends and family. It sounds like a weird thing to complain about, but you never know where your mind will go when you are newly sober.
It's like being in the most challenging relationship one could ever imagine, where the looming presence of pain sober house and turmoil constantly blocks happiness.
Apply for our Sober Living
This is my sobriety letter example, a beacon of hope for others who are struggling. But I was wrong when I believed you. You’re a tremendous liar who promised to help me when I was scared. I have realized that My health has deteriorated, my children have been taken away, and I don’t have a job to support myself. I believed your promises and lost track of things that matter. You’ve been the best thief, robbing me of my peace.
You constantly blocked me from moving forward in my life and doing productive things. You made me lose friends and other relationships. In the end, you felt like my only friend. Even though it makes all the sense in the world, saying goodbye to drugs is difficult no matter what.
Goodbye Letter to Addiction: Template & Example
I thought I would control you, but you eventually caused heartache and other problems. In those moments, you felt like a lifeline. You might desire that independence but don’t know where to start.
- It signals readiness to break free from alcohol or drug abuse – an incredibly cruel evil master.
- I’d tell myself that my stress validated my drug use.
- You sent me to the hospital more than a few times.
- A patient with ADHD may have gone undiagnosed throughout their lives.
- My pain seemed to go away, and I didn’t worry about life.
For this and many more reasons, it is now time to bid you “goodbye” forever. Recognizing those failures wasn’t enough though, my denial ran much deeper. I’d tell myself that my stress validated my drug use. I’d also surround myself with people who used more than me, so I could plausibly deny that my addiction wasn’t that bad. They understand the dangers and why they have to get off the addictive substance.
After completing the goodbye letter, encourage clients to share it with a trusted friend or family member. Seeking support and guidance from others can provide additional strength and encouragement as they continue on their journey towards recovery and healing. With this template, you'll find how to articulate your farewell to addiction, acknowledge past struggles, and embrace the promise of a brighter future. So I’m totally open to sharing my Dear John Letter. It was a big part of my journey that helped me feel like I closed a chapter and took a leap into my life in recovery. Therapists say this tool is effective because it allows you to connect to your innermost thoughts and feelings that might not come out in talk therapy.
- It’s easy to find the net negative without preaching that the drug did nothing for the patient.
- Because of my time at Icarus Behavioral Health, I was able to leave my addiction behind and become a driven, healthy individual.
- Addiction counselors often have their patients write a “goodbye letter” to their addiction.
- I spent time in prison because of you.
- I’ll never forget how I felt walking through the doors of the addiction treatment center.
Guide: Writing a Goodbye Letter to Addiction
When you make the decision to get clean, you have to be one hundred percent comfortable with your decision. You have to realize that times will be tough whether you are clean or not. Drugs and alcohol are crutches that we fall back on when we don’t have the tools to deal with life’s challenges. Because of my time in recovery, I now have those tools at my disposal. For too long, I let you control me and even hated myself at times. You made me believe I needed you to cope, to survive.
I had to get away from you but you just wouldn’t leave. So I had to try to kill myself, you weren’t helping me, you were sucking the life out of me. I managed to escape from you for 3 months, I was so happy!
As I write this, it feels like I am placing blame on external factors. I was the one that decided to have that first drink. I was the one that took that first snort of cocaine. The hardest thing for me to admit is that I did this all to myself. This opening strikes a personal tone, showing that you plan to say goodbye and get help. Incorporate gratitude for the lessons learned and the strength gained through overcoming addiction.
And I don’t blame you either anymore. I’m responsible for my own behavior now. I know I’ll never completely forget my first love – no one ever really does.
