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

Dylan went off to college in 2010 and was introduced to the party scene. But unlike many of us, he couldn't control the use of recreational drugs. He soon became an addict, left school and his life became unmanageable to the point that he underwent rehab treatment. But he didnt think he was an addict and believed he could control his problem. In 2012, Dylan had a motorcycle accident and was prescribed painkillers. Like many, he liked them, wanted more but couldn't get them so found someone who suggested a cheap, easy alternative . . . heroin. That was the beginning of a four-year struggle that would include two more stints in rehab, five sober living facilities, four major auto accidents, three arrests for possession and numerous broken personal relationships.

In June 2016, he finally had reached his "bottom' and this time asked to go to rehab, admitting he was powerless and needed help. This time he embraced sobriety wholeheartedly and worked a solid 12-step program. Just after his 24th birthday and before his six-month sobriety anniversary, Dylan relapsed and this time it was too much for him to handle. He passed away on Nov. 29 from complications from heroin use.

Matthew struggled with his addiction for 8 years. He started late with his drugs. He started using when he couldn't cope with many things going wrong in his world. He relapsed multiple times, and was in treatment twice and detoxed many times. He tried alternative drugs, suboxone, but eventually went back to his drug of choice. He never wanted to use, but didn't know how to live without drugs at times. He told me before his passing that he was sorry for disappointing me and wanted me to be proud of him.

He struggled his whole life, as we all have.

His whole life

Started out using marijuana at a young age, hanging around the wrong kids, never really grew out of it. His girlfriend left him, he met up with another girl who was a heroin user and he started using shortly after. We struggled the struggle for 12 months, then rehab and relapse, and off to Methadone treatment, where he managed to stay clean. The relationship didn't change so he struggled with that, moving back and forth between her house and my house until I found him at my house while he was living with me.

He hated being an addict. He struggled so hard, not wanting to be a disappointment. I hope he has finally found peace.

Weed at 12 and throughout his life, then pills in high school--a knee injury while wrestling in his senior year led to prescribed opioids, then street pills and heroin.
He was ashamed of his addiction and always thought he could beat it...on his own. One of his last texts to me was...
"love u 2 Moms. Don't let fear control you. I know how bad this sounds but I promise I will not make you bury me. I'm going to out live u" ...
He didn't mean to leave us.
It was an accident. Lured by a cunning drug that destroys impulse control, and crushed under the shame and stigma of being addicted. He died in his childhood bedroom behind a lock door that my husband had to kick down.

Michael broke a  vertebrae  in his back his first year in college. He was put on opiates for pain management a few years later. Within two years the pills were not enough and he was addicted. He moved on to cheaper drugs. Drugs that were easy to get. 

He struggled with alcoholism his entire life, but ultimately lost his battle to a heroin overdose at 55.  He battled depression and was self-medicating.  But even through his struggles he displayed love, and valued & nurtured his relationships.  

She had a rough couple years and thats when her addiction went full tilt..put herself in rehab and died of an overdose while rehabbing.

He was diagnosed with Bipolar and Depression from a young age and struggled with Heroin addiction from the age of 17 to his ultimate passing at the age of 30.  He tried multiple rehabilitation methods and was able to stay clean for long periods of time but would usually start using again eventually, especially during times of hardship. This last year he was able to maintain a year sobriety and was in a wonderful place but was unable to fully beat his addiction and we lost him to an overdose earlier this year.  I think knowing his pain and struggle has permanently changed my perspective on addiction.  I witnessed his immense strength and ability to fight for so long and when you think about how many others are going through such hardships, especially those who are alone or lack support, it is heartbreaking.  I think what we can all take away from people who fight against addiction is just how much willpower and effort it takes.  

David struggled with addiction for over 25 years of his life. He started using at a very young age. Throughout the many years of his struggle with addiction he spent a lot of time incarcerated for drug related crimes. David went into rehab programs numerous times. David's fear was of everyone only remembering him as being " that guy David Rice the drug addict." He kept himself away from many family members and friends because he couldn't control the addiction. He just didn't want people to see the ugly side of what this had done to him. As time went on the addiction changed him. It caused him to become depressed and simple daily tasks that we all handle every day would sometimes make David feel overwhelmed, then giving him the excuse to use, to forget about his responsibilities in life for awhile, only to let people down around him who was once again counting on him to live what we all consider a " normal life". He really tried to be that guy. That guy who could beat this demon and show everyone he loved especially his daughter Savannah that he could be all that she needed. His family, including myself enabled David throughout his life and there were times some of us where forced to walk away from David because the pain he caused was to great. David struggled many a nights with his demons and regretted daily the pain he caused to the people he loved. David was more than that guy you knew and heard about who became a drug addict. He was a father, a son, a brother, and a friend. He would want to be remembered for the good he brought to this world and not by his short comings.

Addicted to heroin, and diagnosed with depression, three short term rehab sessions were not enough.

Daniel's addiction started in high school and continued off and on through his adult years. He was pushing four years clean at his time of death. Addiction is something has to constantly be monitored and kept in check, and unfortunately his moment of weakness cost him his life.

Danny struggled for over 16 years, trying to combat the all consuming demon of addiction. It ultimately claimed him as a casualty at the early age of 40.

He used pain meds, some times to the point of overdose at least 4 times... The last time he over did it and used fentanyl, too much of it mixed with xanex. I only put this here as a warning to anyone who might try to do the same.

I didn't know of his addiction until it killed him. Not many did. I seen all the time. Talked to him on the phone everyday. Heroin hit my generation hard. I've lost many. I know the signs. He showed none. I'll never forgive myself for not knowing. I could've saved him. I'm always thinking back, trying to see what I missed. I still can't believe that's how he died. It doesn't make since.

His struggle was unknown

Chris was unable to let people know that he couldn't handle pressure and that he struggled with anxiety. He masked all of this with drugs and alcohol! He heavily drank to unwind and when he was depressed! He detain the use of drugs to give him the high to perform!