I Am Addiction Disease

Watching my son Hayden struggle eight years with Substance Use Disorder/Addiction and then losing him to Heroin overdose led me to think of how to educate others about the disease.

I wrote 'I am Addiction Disease' in a first person monologue to express how substance use disorder (disease of addiction) can begin at a young age and to help educate others on drug use and drug abuse which can become an illness. I then believed the monologue needed images to further the message and to help others understand how kids/teens can begin to struggle with the disease of addiction. So, I created the video below.

I always felt like Hayden was someone else when he was using or being consumed by a sick presence. Family must become educated on drugs and have a family plan as prevention. As a society, we must let go of shame and stigma to change and save lives. I miss my son every day and hope the information I share can help your family be better prepared.​