Swimming through the struggle

There is a saying. “You can take a man to the lake, but you can’t teach him how to fish”. The same is appropriate when it comes to people in recovery. You can take individuals to intervention, treatment and even make the right connections for them. But, unless that person is ready for recovery themselves, they won’t truly reach recovery.

On Friday September 8th, media outlets conveyed to the world that famed producer and rapper Mac Miller aka, Malcolm McCormick was found dead at age 26. This news saddened fans, and especially the recovery community. Mac stood for more than music to some. He stood for what it means to be in recovery while maintaining a balanced life.

Fans took to social media to share their heart break over Millers death. “Mac Miller really helped me find myself when I was a kid man, I’m f — — — devastated right now.. if you need help with addiction there is no shame in getting that help. F — - the stigma and all that bull — — , it’s not worth your life”, this is what one fan had to say. And there were many others’ that expressed their concern over overdosing.

According to a report taken by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, some 69,000 deaths related to drug overdose were reported in 2017. That number continues to get higher.

Mac Miller was not fully removed from his vices, and that he made evident in his music. His transparency is what gave people hope and confidence that addiction is something that can be handled with the right tools in place along with the right people around you.

His newest album “Swimming” was said to give a look into his thoughts on recovery and addiction, and how he was dealing with his demons. At this point, there has been no immediate cause of Miller’s death reported, but substance overdose is not being ruled out. Many pointing to Miller’s struggles with substance abuse in the past. In May, he was pulled over for a DUI and many are speculating his return to substance abuse may be the cause of his death. Many people are struggling with addiction. And many people are not able to get the help that they desperately need.

It’s not an issue of the availability of help. But, it seems as though people do not get the help they need because of the stigma related to those who seek assistance with substance and drug abuse. People can feel shamed and embarrassed about coming out in need of help from addiction. Those feelings are perpetuated by a very closed minded society. We (society) can change the narrative relating to drug and substance addiction. Instead of making people feel as though there is no hope, and that they can’t reach out for help. We can make people feel comfortable enough to say, “Hey, I need help… Because I’m struggling with this or that”.

If there is someone you know dealing with this very issue, make yourself available for them. You don’t have to be a professional about the topic, you only need to care enough about the person to point them in the right direction. If you need any resources, Never Alone Recovery is here to help. Let’s work together to end this stigma, and save some lives. Our hearts, positive thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mac Miller, his fans and anyone else struggling to remain in recovery.

Never Alone Recovery

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We're a team of addicts in recovery helping other addicts. Getting addiction treatment can be complicated and overwhelming. We can help you make sense of it.

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