Addiction diaries by Kaitlin

Addiction diaries by Kaitlin - August 2022 Scholarship Essay

What you're about to read is not a sob story, but rather the beginning of my determination to support others by sharing my story. Growing up with an alcoholic father introduced many struggles, from financial hardships to the fear of him relapsing. Throughout the years, I began to lose hope that my dad would get help. Addiction is a painful, dark disease that emotionally affects everyone surrounded. I have experienced tremendous heartache, disappointment, frustration, and tears. My family lost the simple feeling of joy in our home for too many years. We were, and often still are, in survival mode.

I had two choices: follow in my father’s footsteps or achieve something greater. His poor decisions constantly motivate me towards success. I no longer sit around and wonder why a father would choose drinking over his own daughter. Instead, I devote my time to helping my peers deal with addiction. Being a teenager living in a household with someone who suffers from addiction is a confusing situation. I’ve been able to teach others that are isolated in their own pain on how to overcome the emotional consequences when loving an addict. Everyone’s story is different, yet we all share the same chaos and devastation that addiction brings. Sharing my life story became a passion of mine, one his disease could not hold me back from. I motivate those to get through one day at a time and encourage everyone suffering to know: It’s not your fault. We are not alone. There is hope. We deserve happiness.

With the help of scholarships, my academic goal is to attend college in order to pursue my journey in guiding others to grow the courage to overcome the destruction addiction brings to their families. My passion is to share my story to show those that it will get better.