As a part of our efforts to bring awareness to the state of addiction, we asked for you – our viewers – to send your stories. Those you’ve lost, as well as stories of challenge, triumph and recovery. Below are stories of hope and inspiration from those who have been addicted.
See our Wall of Remembrance.
"Was a meth addict for 14 years. I had lost everything down to my kids, being homeless, and broken. August 14th made 3 years clean and sober. Today I have my kids back, a home, graduated college. Recovery is amazing and there are some amazing places that have helped me through my struggle. I just wish more people knew about them. I have lost so many friends to addiction this year. There is hope. Just one day at a time!!!" 
-- From Angela Farris on Twitter
"The face of addiction in recovery. Recovery is possible. It's a great achievement, a beautiful life" 
"My son receiving his recovery graduation certificate.... recovering heroin addict. I still pray every day for him! ❤" 
-- From Susan Karcher on Twitter
-- From Katie Moric on Twitter
-- From Sarah Whitson on Twitter
-- From Jenn on Twitter
-- From Carin Miller on Twitter
"I have been sober from #Opiods for 4 years. Thankfully I never moved to heroin, it was pills. #StateOfAddiction #SoberIsBeautiful" 
"This March will be 10 years. My boyfriend is now my husband of 5 years and we have two beautiful children. We bought a house 5 years ago and are successful members of society. We rebuilt our lives. It was not an easy road, and I will be forever grateful to our friends and family for their support." 
"Heroin and opiates have killed of my generation. I've lost so many people. I started using it age 15 when if you used it and people found out they would find you and beat you. I've been in over 100 detoxes every program in state of Mass overdosed many times years in jail nothing ever worked. Last few years I was suicidal and was praying for God to take my life.One day God called my name to be a voice for little girl who could not speak for her self anymore. Her name was bella bond she is my guardian angel and saved my life." 
"I had surgery in 2007 and got addicted to opiate painkillers. I didn't mean to, I didn't want to, and at the end, when everybody hated me almost as much as I hated myself, I was not even getting high. I was just trying to not be miserable, imagine having panic attacks and the flu at the same time...I went to detoxes, long term treatment, and would do well for a while, only to fall, again and again. I don't know exactly what I've done different this time, I just know that I tried one more time. If you're not sure if you can do it, just try one more time.Getting sober, this time, was the hardest thing that I've ever done. That's what makes it the best." 
"My name is Pam and I am a recovering drug addict. Prescription pills became my best friend. What started out as something fun and recreational, took me down the path of destruction. Although, getting clean and sober was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, it has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I remind myself daily there is HOPE for me and the suffering addict! I am also a parent of a child who struggles with substance abuse...My son is now 23 and has been to 3 treatment centers in two years. The good news is he is ONE year sober!"
-- From Stacy Lefkowitz