By Elizabeth Lawrence (aka Florence Lorence) from Lethbridge Alberta - Shared to MSTH via Facebook and reprinted with permission.

Note: Florence self identifies with the term addict and we respect her choice of language.

Be kind to the suffering addict, the only way out is not to judge, shame and take away their worth......its already gone. The only way out is to give the gift of HOPE when they are finally completely feeling spiritually empty, hopeless and the life they once enjoyed is crumbling around them .

I have been there. If it wasn’t for my mother, my father and my friends I would not be here. Sue, who knew me from a from a previous stay at Sage health centre, and a stranger brought me back from my robbed life and non spiritual hell. With the worst greyhound trip across Canada (which I tried multiple unsuccessful attempts to bail). With nothing to drink or eat for two days I suffered even more. A stranger, who knew I needed help, tucked me in and gave me my first drink. I felt every drop as if it brought me back to life, it awakened my spirit, something so simple, as I looked at the can, the sky cleared up and the sun was shining onto my hand, on that can it said "Canada Dry". I laughed because I truly was Canadian dry on a bus from Montreal to Kamloops (ticket given to me from Wayne and Karen, thank you. I’m forever grateful).

When I got off that bus that kind stranger said "you're a good person ". I cried and for the first time in a long time I had hope. He was returning home from his mother’s funeral. I now share that pain after losing my mother to cancer. I wish I could thank him and tell him he's a good person.

In sobriety, my addiction has been used against me, to deflect their own lies and issues. What helps me is going back to this time and see my worth again.

What I would like to say is: my story was about the kindness, love and hope, but it could have been the opposite with my mother, Sue, Wayne, Karen and this stranger not in it. I would have had zero treatment option, no way to get anywhere, not a good person. I would have felt worthless. This would have been my end, my life gone, love lost. There would be no hope and wouldn't have been there holding my mother’s hand when she needed me the most.

I'm sure comments on here, on Roast and Toast [local Lethbridge Facebook page where this was first posted] may become harsh. I've been commenting for months on theses posts. I have many stories and so do a lot of addicts. I personally have been told I am stupid, a “f'nb”, mean, lied about in attempts to ruin my reputation, well petty much everything right down to “let addicts die”.

I’ve been told how dare I compare addiction to cancer , if you knew me you'd know I fight both (triple negative breast cancer) and know the outcome of both diseases and do have knowledge and this is my opinion. I will not let my Mothers cries and fight for me be for nothing.

I will continue to know my truth and who I am whether I am using or not and defend other addicts whether they use or not.
I will continue to stick up for those who are hurt by hate in every sense , in every illness.
I will continue to reach out my hand
I will continue to comfort; hear their stories and I will continue to tell them they matter.

I do know there is bad people out there who are addicts and who are not addicts, but most are not bad. My heart breaks for the ones suffering in this crisis. I don't think I would have accepted help if this is the way people were reacting.

Lethbridge needs to stop talking negatively about addicts and give hope and love, compassion and understanding.

Please be a good person.

Epilogue and comment by Elizabeth to MSTH:

My mother asked me before I left for Montreal if I was tiring to race her to her grave. I truly believe I held on because I saw her pain. I cannot imagine if I had passed, she could possibly be in more pain than I saw. She saved me and I know the mothers on your site [MSTH] have pain that is unbearable, and I think so brave to fight for a cause to help other mothers, children and support with education.

We need to be louder than the ones bringing stigma that's incorrect, they are a huge part of the problem. My mother was part of saving me but I also know one person sometimes isn't enough even if their bond is strong, I wish for the mothers here and elsewhere to please don't blame themselves, you are all the best mothers especially working for this cause, your my heroes.

MSTH: Thank you Elizabeth. Your words mean a lot to us. This fight is exhausting and sometimes it’s hard to know where we make a different. Words like yours sustain us and keep us going. You are right. We need to be louder!