Linda  

“My message for those struggling with a loved one’s addiction is keep reaching out, even when it feels like no one is listening. Let them know they are loved, they are valued, and you still have hope for them.” 

I’m Linda and the mother of a daughter who struggles with substance use disorder. As a parent, my journey has always been about family, community, and culture, and this journey included my daughter until substance use took her away. Her departure impacted every member of our family.   

I’ve learned that the most important thing to do is keep reaching out. Even if I don’t get a response, I remind my daughter that she is loved, valued, and that we are still here for her. She knows she has a family that misses her and friends who ask about her. She is reminded of past memories and that there are more memories waiting to be created. 

I’ve learned that recovery is personal for those trying to heal. It can be found in unexpected places, people or experiences, and doesn’t always follow a straight, defined path. Recovery can happen by stepping outside of one’s comfort zone, even leaving the familiarity of our small community to find a support system that works. I’ve seen it happen – people leave, build connections elsewhere, and come back stronger. It takes courage to trust yourself, to know that the choices you make for your healing are your own, and that the journey doesn’t have to be decided by what others think. 

Through all of this, I am thankful to my family. My grandchildren – her children – are my priority, but I want my daughter to know, without shame or judgment, that she is still my child and will always be loved by me. I am thankful for her brothers who reach out to her. I am thankful for my tribe and community who ask about her and want to see her well, happy and thriving. 

Being a loved one of someone in active addiction isn’t easy, but hope is what carries me forward. I hope that my daughter will find her path; hope that she’ll remember the love waiting for her. Recovery isn’t a destination; it’s a journey we can walk together, one day at a time.