As a mom of two with "issues" and who has been through the ringer - I want to offer hope to others who are suffering right along with your loved ones. I know the endless worry, the "what if's", and the overwhelming stress of being a mom with children with additions.

And because I've "been there" I want to share with you a bit of what I experienced to help you see that hope is a powerful weapon to have against this horrible disease.

I've been a member of DS for quite a few years but I haven't written in my journal for a long time. My last entry was in July of 2013 but even before that I hadn't written in it for a long time. My husband and I had been through a lot with our sons and their drama but had a bit of break up until that date.

At the time of that entry - I wrote that my middle son revealed to us that he had a heroin addiction. That was devastating news especially since I knew what that meant. Like I said - I had been on DS for long time, was attending a family support group, Al Anon and been an active advocate - attending seminars on the heroin problem (before I knew about my own son suffering from it) - but despite knowing what heroin can do to a person - I didn't go into a downward spiral. I didn't flip out - I didn't go into worry mode like I would have had in the past. I didn't go into the "what if's" and go into the crazy obsession of trying to fix things. What a waste of energy that would have been too.

What I did do - what I had been hearing for a long time through my support systems was to "Let Go and Let God". I prayed. He was in God's hands. During the times I'd wake up in the middle of the night thinking about my son - I prayed to God and then would fall back to sleep. All I can say is - I'm grateful that I was able to maintain my sense of serenity because like I said - the worrying would have been a waste of time. By the grace of God - soon after he told us about his problem - he managed to detox himself and stop using it.

Fast forward - since that time he was able to pay off his debts - and save a significant amount of money in the bank, he made an appointment to see a doctor to help him with his anxiety (and hopefully his drinking) and he is going back to school to finish his college degree.

Never in a million years did I expect this. This poor guy has had a very turbulent teen life and young adult life due to his depression episodes and addiction issues and yet he's been able to work toward helping himself toward getting better. I thank the dear Lord for this.

Miracles happen everyday. Some big - some small. I believe the more you pay attention to the small ones - the silver linings - and the gratitude for them - it will help you to see the light and give you the hope you need through your trials.

I have a friend whose son has been suffering with heroin for over 15 years - in and out of jail - rehab - etc. She is my mentor who has helped me with my journey of faith. Her son has a wife, children, and grandchild. He has been to jail and rehabs numerous times. He is trying so hard to get off of this drug and yet - the both of them still have faith. They pray together. It's been a real struggle but they still have hope. *She tells me that when he's in rehab and sober - he is highly regarded by his peers and has become a mentor by many. Even through his trials - he is helping others through their journeys as well.

In short - pray and don't lose hope.

God Bless.......