The National Addiction Memorial honors the loved ones we’ve lost.

He’s in Heaven. 🙏🏼

I spent over a decade with Chris in a tumultuous and on-and-off relationship. Our addictions were what made it so difficult. However, I don't think I would change the years spent with him at all because I learned so much about myself through our relationship. I doubt that anyone ever knew or will know me like Chris knew me and like I knew him.

Chris' addiction caused him to hurt others emotionally. Chris' addiction caused him to be misunderstood. It caused him pain that was nearly unbearable to him. Addiction caused him to fail and stole his ambitions. Addiction caused him great depression, or perhaps depression caused him great addiction, but whatever the case, he fought an extremely powerful, terrible, deadly combination for a long time. Although he ultimately lost his fight, I would consider every single day that he lived a small victory- and every day that he was sober a great victory. And those negative things that addiction caused and/or created, were not him. Chris never meant to hurt others. Some people do, they have anger and intend to do the hurtful things that they do. However, this was not Chris. Chris loved his family, loved his friends, loved people- in general. He had compassion. He had love in his heart. Sometimes addiction can really make you the opposite of who you really are inside, that was true for me as well. When sober, he was the best guy in the world and I loved him so much. I saw the real him through the symptoms of alcoholism and that kept me loving him and hoping, believing, waiting, praying- for years. When sober, he was the best father to his kids, he was the most loving and supportive partner- the best partner- to me. He had many, many, many friends. I didn't observe it much, just heard his thoughts and feelings, but he loved his mother (SOOOOO much, I think every mother hopes to be loved by their children like her loved her), and assume he was the best son. He was always so hardworking, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone better, there wasn't a lazy bone in his body and he worked harder than anyone around him, even if he didn't have to or no one was looking. He loved hard work and working hard, and I am sure his employers would say he was the best employee.

Chris' addiction lied to him, told him and caused him to believe things that weren't true. Chris' story is an important and compelling example of how powerful addiction can be and how it can destroy the very best people, our very best young people! You don't have to be a bad person or a weak person to find yourself with addiction. You simply have to be a person born with certain genes, or a hurt/hurting person, a depressed person, an anxious/uncomfortable person, socially awkward person, a person that drinks too much and/or for too long (even happily), just about any kind of person. You simply have to be (sometimes randomly) affected. Then addiction takes over. Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to get more people- more of our fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, lovers, husbands, wives, friends- back, to take them back from Addiction and its grasp. I pray that someday, no one will have to lose the Christopher Schmidt in their life, recovery will be available/possible for and achieved by everyone!

Kelsey had these big blue eyes and when she smiled she could light up a room. She was an old soul with a tender heart. Kelsey was crazy about her older brother and sister. She always wished they were closer in age because she loved being around them. Kelsey was loved by her family and friends and I also know that she hated her heroin addiction which made her isolate from us. I feel the same... I love Kelsey beyond words but hated her addiction.

Missing someone can't be explained in words... It's the little things that go unnoticed daily that I miss the most about your Mom. Talking to you on the phone to hear about your day, "Wheel of Fortune" always brings a smile to my face, tie-dye shirts, but greater than any of these I miss your smile!!!
Addiction took you away from me, your sisters, your grandkids, and all the people you called friends. I refuse to allow mine to do the same. My greatest wish is that you could've seen me sober Mom. It's a walk I wish we could've taken together...

Christy was a beautiful soul. She fought a good fight battling CMT and other health disorders. She was often misunderstood and hurt deeply. She was a believer in Jesus Christ and I watched as she leaned on her Lord and Saviour. Her smile lit up the room and warmed hearts. She would always stop and take the time to acknowledge those who were generally overlooked. She loved animals and all of God's creation. She suffered in pain from her CMT which she took pain medication for. It was her struggle. She overcame alcoholism through the love of Christ and the love she experienced from others. RIP Christy. Never forgotten and forever loved.

I miss my mom. It’s been 6 months since she passed away peacefully in her sleep. Although she is gone physically, I know that she is around me in spirit everyday of my life. My mother struggled with opioid addiction for over 15 years, she pushed away her loved ones including her own children towards the end of her life. If I could go back in time I would try harder to get her the help she needed, but now I spend most days trying not to blame myself for her death. I know it’s not my fault deep down but it’s something I struggle with daily. Before her addiction my mom was my best friend. She was funny, quick witted and had a beautiful kind heart. I will always miss the person she used to be before addiction took over her body and personality. The one thing that I truly find comfort in knowing is that she is finally out of pain. She is in eternal rest and is at peace with her mind, body and soul. I love you Momma.

John grew up in a bad area of Las Vegas. He took care of his mom in her final years. When she passed 2 years ago, John took it hard. He distanced himself from the few family members he had and even broke off all contact with them and eventually his girlfriend and mother of his baby girl.
John lived on the street, addicted to meth... he wanted to change but, never took the necessary steps. The girl he left never gave up on him though... her mom, in California, supported her in her sobriety and relapses. Only a few days ago, she returned to Vegas and sadly learned that he had died a week before of a meth-related heart attack. If she hadn’t gone to find him... no one would have ever known what happened. He would’ve been 37 this past Tuesday.

Misty had a smile that could light up and room and a personality and heart that made you feel so loved and important. She was a mother to three children that she adored and the light of her life. Misty loved country music and to sing in the shower. She loved In-a-tub tacos and the Cowboys. She loved anything pink camo and the tv show, Grey's Anatomy (cried over the characters like they were her best friends). She loved cinnamon popcorn and Dirty Dancing. She loved her family and just being comfy in a hoody and PJ pants. She loved to be silly and make people laugh. All of these little things made her Misty and we miss every single one.

After she passed, so many people from her life on the Army bases and rehabs around the country started to post on her Facebook page about how much Misty had helped them through so many tough times in their lives and how much she was going to be missed. This truly sums up who Misty was as a person, she was so caring and wanted to give herself to make others happy.

We lost Misty a little over a year ago to her addiction that she battled for over 10 years. Since her passing, we have done everything we can to keep her story and memory going. We talk about her often and always with a smile and a laugh. Mist, please keep sending us those signs that you are okay and watching over us. We love you!

"Through us, her story continues".

Michael battled with addiction for many years. Although he struggled at times he managed to have such a wonderful life! He traveled the world, had an amazing sneaker collection, friends who would do anything for him, a family that supported him through everything and a wife who loved him until the end. Although it is heartbreaking that he is gone. In his short life he made an impact on so many people who loved him dearly. He will forever be remembered for his movie star good looks, piercing green eyes, captivating personality and contagious life. We all wish you were here Michael and we miss you so much.

Billy was a pretty amazing guy. He loved his friends and family very much, was a hard worker, but struggled with addiction to pain pills and benzos for many years before succumbing to his death at the young age of 36. He left behind 4 beautiful children, Kayla, Jack, Brianna, and Faith, who struggle every day with the loss of their father. It's still so hard to believe he is gone, even after 6 years, but our family hopes to help fight the war on addiction and the stigma associated with addiction so that no other children have to deal with the pain these courageous souls have had to face. We love you Billy always and forever. May your soul rest in Heaven forever!

We miss you every single day Bri.

Logan is my cousin. He was just 25 years old this past August. He lost his girlfriend just two weeks before his own death. He tried so hard several times to beat addiction. He had a hard time growing up in school due to severe dyslexia. Despite that he was amazing since birth. He could do so many things others could not. He could fix anything. He could make anything. He would do anything for anyone. He loved kids so much and I was blessed to have him in my sons life for 6 years. It never mattered how he felt that day if he saw my son he dropped everything and played with him until we left. My only regret is not doing that more. His smile was infectious. He was that great person who would call out of the blue just because he missed you and needed to check In. He was so adventurous and talented in so many ways. He could skateboard and dirt bike ride and anything you threw at him. He was the most caring person you’ll ever meet. And no matter what path you choose he made sure he didn’t judge you and was simply just there for you. He loved animals so much. Watching him with his doggy was just pure love. Him being gone has made an impact on so many. He is thought of constantly and missed by so many. I know he’s happy,healthy, and free. I know there will be that day I get to hug him again.

My father would have given anything to not battle addiction. He tried, and tried again. When he told me he was clean, I knew he wanted to be, and we all prayed he would stay that way. But it never did last. Each time was harder. Still, I never gave up on him.
My father lost his battle four years ago. He came to terms that he no longer could take the battle he had to deal with every single day. He took his own life.
He was always loved. Always supported. He wanted it to be different.
Addiction affects young, old, all races, all ethnicities. It’s the hardest battle to fight. But we will continue the fight for him.

Too many to name, and too many pictures to post to show how the horrors of addiction claiming so many! Families and children so broken the same and opioids are to blame. This is beginning of much needed American change.

Don Wan, Eric H. This is going out to you.

My wife Jen was the kindest most loving mother, wife, daughter, and friend. She is my soulmate and the world definitely is a worse place without her presence in it. She struggled with addiction for almost 30 years. She experienced so many horrible things in her life that fed her addiction and self loathing. But those things were not who she truly was... she was and remains the kindest most beautiful and loving human being I have ever known and she inspires me to be a better man every moment of every day. When her daughter asked me what I would miss most about her mom, my answer was simple: everything. I love you Jennifer, I love you yesterday, I love you today, I love you tomorrow, I love you eternally.

Joshua always liked to have fun plans, even as a child he would always want to have something to look forward to.  I used to call him my wild child.  He was an avid basketball player and loved the NY Knicks.  He was also a huge Yankee fan and Giants fan. Josh was in his senior year at college when the demon alcohol and pills took his life. My world has been turned upside down. He was my first born child of four, his brother and sisters miss him tremendously, as does his dad. I miss the love he showed me and his big smile. I miss him every minute of every day! I feel blessed to have had him in my life and pray he continues to send me signs.  We love you and miss you Josh!

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

Kace was a much-loved son, daddy, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. He cannot be defined by the heroin addiction that he despised and struggled to overcome. Many will judge, but those are the ones that don't understand what a powerful demon he was fighting! His family's hope is that his strong spirit and strength will be transferred to the recipients of his life-saving organs!