Apr 23, 2013 | By Tim Stoddart

Mother of an Addict – Fan Submitted Poem

Personal Addiction Recovery Stories

Mother of an Addict

I am the Mother of an Addict
This is not like being the mother of a child with cancer, diabetes, or aids
This is not like being the mother of a child who is serving with honor in a foreign land
This is not like being the mother of a child who lives no more and is mourned by all

I am the Mother of an Addict
There are no marathons or fund raisers for this disease, no sweet girls selling cookies
There are no flags flying, or bumper stickers to proudly acknowledge my child’s deeds
There are only tears and silent screams, what terror will the next knock or phone call bring

I am the Mother of an Addict
I see my child and I am not glad, for though I ache to save him, with relief I let him go
I see my child with fear and suspicion, as I hear all he says and I can but endlessly hope
I see my child and wonder will I ever know him again, hold him again . . . see him again

13 responses to “Mother of an Addict – Fan Submitted Poem

  • Message Thank you for that poem. I’m the mother of an addict too. He’s 24-1/2 years old and hasn’t hit bottom yet. I just recently stopped helping (enabling) him. I made him leave the house for good, after paying for rehab and all the other stuff. He went to my parents and they let him rent a room under strict conditions. He didn’t follow through on his end and they just kicked him out today, by dinner time. It’s hard and I can’t believe I came across your poem on this particular day, when he had just burned the last bridge in our family. Anyway, I just wanted to thank the author of this poem.

  • Message32 year old son here. Sadly sometimes there is no bottom, the addiction just morphs from one stage to another until the body can’t take it anymore. It’s been 15 years-I ask myself how many years can he survive? How much can his body and brain take? Parents who have an addicted child know the kind of pain that this mother speaks of…the best we can do is to learn more about this horrible disease and keep searching for help. Have you heard of http://www.sanpatrignano.org…maybe your child will say yes to help…this is real help….

  • NameBobbi

    11 years ago

    Message I have a 21 yr old daughter addicted to herion. She’s been using introveniously for over a year that I know of and of course there were the same and other drugs before this.She thinks she’s at her bottom and I hope she is , but I know from my own experience with addiction that i’s a long road.
    The author of this poem couldnt have said it any better. As a mother of an addict I know all the feelings and fears she talks about. Thank you for the poem.

  • Chelle091487

    11 years ago

    I have seen the full content of this poem on one of my friends posts; she has since deleted it. There was more to it than what was here and each and every verse touched me in a way that only another mother of an addict could. If anyone has the full poem and could give me the link for it I would appreciate it greatly. It made me feel so much and I need that poem to help me through. Please if anyone can help…..

  • ctitmas44@gmail.com

    11 years ago

    recovery walk in philly next saturday sept 21. we do recover walk for some hope thousands will be in attendance.

  • JenniferS056

    10 years ago

    I just wanted to give you ladies hope. I am almost 26 years old and have been clean from herion since March 2010. I started using in July of 2006 and i went to jail several times rehab all of that what made me finally quit was my mom got a restraining order against me and i was sick in tired of being sick in tired. I always tell parents of addicts just know that they still love you. I remember fighying with my mom for mobey and crying after leaving but i didnt care what i had to do to get it Now i have two little girls and my mom is my best friend. Good luck to you and your children Jennifer Baltimore Md

  • just put my 29 year old in rehab for the first time 2 weeks ago I pray every day that this treatment will be successful and that he will stay clean. thank you for the poem only a mother knows the love of a child ,only a mother lies awake at night and prays that her son will recover. may you find peace and hope through this terrible disease we are suffering from may hope and the lover and grace of god be with you

  • where there is hope there is love, where there is love there is god and with god nothing is impossible

  • JANET WEBB

    8 years ago

    Thank you so much for sharing that poem. It is SO VERY TRUE. I sat and cried because it’s true. May I print that poem and share it?

  • I am diluted hope. I am alone. Its ridiculous to think I am not. I cannot believe the sorrow. If hell is worse than this… then I am ready to find out and take my chances.. My son is an addict living in a homeless shelter in Miami. I fake it all day. I was a brat twenty years ago. A stupid, arrogant fool that believed I could never raise a child like that. Now, I am forced to see how ridiculous I was. He was born this way, and I was in denial. For every mom out there that is so broken and hurting I am so sorry for your pain. Do you know how I survive? I tell myself this life is temporary. I may never find peace here, but I will someday on the other side. I have beautiful friends in my life, a caring spouse, awesome career, and another son who is healthy, mind and body. Yet, nothing in the middle of the night stops the nightmares and the pain. I try not to cry in front of anyone anymore. I know they do not know what to say… they do not have a child like mine and I am so glad they don’t. I never want anyone that I love to experience this great sadness. The poem is so true. There isn’t a bake sale at church for the addicts or the mentally ill, or their parents. I am thinking about having one.

  • My daughter was an addict for over 15 years. She overdosed 2 weeks ago, 1 day after being in jail for 7 months. She is no longer suffering with that horrible demon that would never have let her go. The Lord took her, and I am at peace with His decision.

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