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In many cases, a drug addiction can affect more than just the addict; loved ones are also affected, and it can have a hugely negative impact on their lives. A drug rehab clinic will greatly benefit anyone suffering from addiction and help them try to overcome their problem, not just for their sake but also for their loved ones as well.
Drugs will have a clear impact on the affected individual both mentally and physically. However, many people fail to realise that an addicted loved one can affect the lives of friends and family too. Relatives will often have had very limited or no experience at all with addiction and therefore would not know how to react or deal with their addicted loved one. This can put mass amounts of strain on relationships, which can begin to deteriorate as a result. One young woman who knows just how badly the life of a loved one can be affected by an addicted family member is Chelsea Cameron, who grew up with drug-addicted parents.
So Much Potential
Eighteen-year-old Chelsea from Dundee has written an open letter to her parents who are both drug addicts thanking them for teaching her valuable life lessons. She explained that neither of her parents was ever there for her and that they always chose drugs over her. In her troubled life, Chelsea almost let her parent’s excessive drug abuse win as she became reckless and almost got excluded from school; she then realised that she had so much potential and ended up becoming head girl to prove to herself that she was worth so much more.
Eternally Grateful
In her letter, she said: Mum and dad thanks for everything. Parents, both of you, thank you for teaching me that taking drugs ruin lives, breaks families apart and gives no one a quality of life worth living. Ill be eternally grateful for this lesson you have taught me, which has a message that has stuck by me until this day and always will; I have never and will never have a desire to take harmful substances through your example. Later in the letter, she again thanked her parents for allowing her to realise that people disappoint you and that theres nothing you can do about it, before adding that life is unfair.
I Owe You
She ended her letter with, I hope one day that youll wake up and realise there is so much more the world has to offer you guys, and when that day comes, please come to find me so we can enjoy life together. Ill show you some nice restaurants I like to go to and, if youre lucky, I might take you to Germany one day. Until then, Ill dream of what my life would be like with parents to enjoy it with. Thanks for everything, I owe you.
Speaking of her childhood, Chelsea explained that it was filled with memories of her parents abusing drugs, sometimes to the point where they would pass out. She said that when she would ask her parents about what they were doing, they would lie; she believes that with the help of a drug rehab clinic, her parents could have worked on overcoming their addictions.
Encouraging Others
Chelsea wants to help others in a similar position to that which she was in and wants to show them that they do not have to suffer because of their parents addiction. The main aim of her letter was to encourage others to speak out and to make something of their life, instead of letting their parents behaviour ruin their chances of having a successful life. Her mother walked out on her when she was just fourteen and left Chelseas father, Alexander, to try and deal with his teenage daughter while battling a drug addiction himself. This proved to be extremely difficult, but with the assistance of Chelseas school and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Chelsea was able to tackle the issues in front of her and go on to lead a happier life.
Riddled with Guilt
Her mother, Tammy, agreed to speak after the letter went viral online; she admitted that she was riddled with guilt and was extremely proud of her amazing daughter. She acknowledged that her drug addiction had a huge part to play in the deterioration of her relationship with her daughter and that drugs had slowly taken over her life. She added, No child should have to go through what Chelsea did and live that kind of life. I am ashamed and upset at my behaviour and am so sorry and so proud of her.
Help from a Drug Rehab Clinic
If you are worried about a loved one and feel that their addiction could be having an adverse impact on your life, then get in touch with us here at UK Rehab. We specialise in helping individuals overcome their addiction so that they can go on to lead a happy, healthy life. We understand that it can be nerve wracking when entering a drug rehab clinic for the first time, but the most important thing to be aware of is that the affected individual will only be going to a centre that will benefit them. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us today.
Source:
Girl, 18, writes open letter thanking drug-addict parents for not being there (Metro.co.uk)
