For an addict, the thought of partaking in drug detox and follow-up treatment can be frightening and nerve-wracking; however, this is totally normal. Some affected individuals may not feel ready to give up the substance they have been dependent on for so long, while others may feel as though they are ready but are unsure of how their body will react to withdrawal symptoms, which may put them off. Nevertheless, one woman urging all those struggling with addiction to get help is devastated mother Michelle, who recently lose her twenty-year-old daughter to an accidental overdose just one day before she was due to go for drug detox and rehab.
Stigma Surrounding Addiction
Michelle Waldorf Schwartzmier is a heartbroken mother who has recently had to deal with the death of her twenty-year-old daughter Casey, who suffered an accidental heroin overdose. Michelle had promised her addicted daughter that if anything happened to her, then she would write an honest obituary in her honour. Casey’s last wish was for her mother to speak out about how her little girl died; she wanted to challenge the stigma that surrounds addiction and to encourage others suffering drug problems to seek help and support.
Determined
Tragically, Casey was preparing to travel from her home in Pennsylvania to California to go through drug detox and rehab to overcome the addiction that was taking its toll on her life. Michelle had tried to get help for her daughter on many occasions, but this time was sure Casey was determined to beat her addiction once and for all. Michelle said, “Her suitcase is still packed. She really was driving hard for this. She meant it.” Nonetheless, instead of congratulating her little girl on overcoming her problems, she was faced with the devastating task of writing an obituary.
‘Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done’
Michelle made sure that her obituary was truthful – just as Casey wanted. She said, “She wanted to share her story if anything ever happened to her to maybe help someone else. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. It was so hard. I wanted to honour her memory. I hope I hit the right words because I feel like Casey was helping me write that.”
Although Casey wanted her mother to be brutally honest about the nature of her death, Michelle still ensured that she told everyone about all the positive things that her daughter had achieved and what a good person she was.
Struggling with Inner Demons
An excerpt from her obituary read: “Casey never wanted to be defined only by her addiction and mistakes, she was so much more than that. She made it clear if she was to ever pass as a result of it, she wanted people to know the truth with the hope that honesty about her death could help break the stigma about addicts and get people talking about the problem of addiction that is taking away so many young lives. Casey was a beautiful, intelligent child of the suburbs who fell into its grip. It can happen to anyone. She was feisty and outspoken but would do anything for anyone and always lit up the room with her smile and sense of humour, even while struggling with her demons.”
Breaking the Chains of Addiction
Later in the obituary, Michelle wrote, “Casey believed that hiding her cause of death would help no one, but if her story could help just one addict push even harder for another day of sobriety, encourage an active user to choose recovery or shine a light on this horrible epidemic, then it would be worth coming out of the shadows. She was very open about her struggles and now is not the time to change that. This strong attitude with a fierce drive and loving beautiful heart that wanted to help other addicts even in death is one of the many things that she can be defined by, not her addiction. Casey wanted to live. She had dreams of a future career, children of her own and fought hard all the way until the end, one day away from entering rehab, but couldn’t break the chains of this demon that’s wiping out a generation.”
Drug Detox to Overcome Addiction
Michelle’s heart-breaking obituary could have reduced even someone with the iciest of hearts to tears, as she spoke so fondly of her little girl. Addiction is a cruel mistress that can claim the life of anyone who allows it to; often, the only way to overcome it is to go through drug detox and rehab. Suffering from an addiction does not make the individual weak; it is an illness that can take over the person’s life without him or her even realising until it is too late for them.
Unfortunately, it was too late for young Casey, but it does not have to be for you. If you are struggling with a drug addiction and are unsure of how to overcome, get in touch with us here at Liberty House. We can provide effective treatments that start with drug detox that can be tailored to the specific requirements of each individual. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us today.
Source: Mum makes daughter’s last wish come true in heartbreakingly honest obituary after fatal drug overdose (Mirror.co.uk)