Drug Addiction Stories

I go to a wonderful church. We usually take a break between the singing part of our service and the lesson and walk around and greet visitors and say hi to our friends. I noticed her sitting on the very back pew and went over to introduce myself. “Hi, I’m Lisa, how are you today? ”

She smiled and said she was fine. “You went to Burkburnett High School, didn’t you?” she asked. I told her yes I did but it had been close to 20 years ago. She said she remembered me. “I’m Stephanie. I was in your class.” Then she said something that completely surprised me and changed my entire view of passing friendships. “You never knew this, Lisa, but you saved my life.”

Stephanie told me about the day she had decided to commit suicide. She felt like an outcast at school and hated going. She was miserable and said she had reached the point where she just did not want to try anymore. She told me I had walked up to her and given her a high five and said hello.

I felt humbled as I listened to her words. I honestly did not remember it. Still, she described everything so vividly, confessing that it was still with her and that every time she felt down, she remembered that day.

We went out to lunch after service that day, catching up on each other’s lives. She had relapsed recently but thought maybe she could make it this time if she believed in something more powerful than the heroin that kept enticing her. I introduced her to a friend who led the Celebrate Recovery group and she once again told me I was saving her life. I just felt like I was doing what anyone would do for a friend.

When Stephanie told me she was writing about this experience and asked me to share my side of it, I hesitated. I felt bad about not remembering something so important to her. She said the important thing was sharing it now so that she could perhaps give back to someone what I helped her see all those years ago so for Stephanie, I am writing this.

Oh, and Stephanie? Be proud of who you are, my friend. You have come a long way and I am just as blessed by our friendship as you are.