I met my best friend Sydney in rehab. We had both had a problem with oxycodone, hers had escalated to heroin. I was lucky that I never had access to it, or I would have been in the same boat. We bonded over our similar addictions, and became a support system for each other. We both ended up transferring to different programs, but we stayed in touch, and she grew to be one of the best friends I could ask for.

She and her two young boys were living with her mom, but she began to realize that she and mom were enabling each other, and before she knew it, she had developed a drinking problem. She tried to get away from the enabling by moving in with her grandparents, but her grandpa doesn't understand addiction as she and I have been taught to understand it. He kept her on a tight leash, which only made her want to drink more. They fought, he has been verbally and mentally abusing her, getting up in her face and screaming at her, just not a good situation.

Today I sent her a message to check up on her, and she told me she's going to a 30-day detox program, because she's tired of the brain fog and depression, she's tired of relying on meds, and in part also because she wound up getting an OVI and a child endangerment charge. I don't know the story yet, but I know damned well that sometimes it takes something like that to kick an addicts butt into gear.

This community is amazing and full of people who love and support absolutely anyone who needs it, and I love that so much. I would like to surprise her when she comes out with a stack of cards, postcards, get well soon cards, any kind of support.

If you want to help, drop a comment and I'll send you my address. I plan to receive them at my house (also because I don't know how to get them to her other than in person,) and give them to her all at once. I live in Ohio, USA but cards from anywhere on the planet are welcome and requested! Please, help me help my friend get through this difficult time in her life, and come out the other side golden and transformed.