Dear Addiction,

I want to start by

acknowledging that this is not just a letter to you, but also to those you have affected — the countless lives you’ve touched with your heavy, toxic hand. To the individuals struggling under your weight, to the families left broken in your wake, to the communities that still carry your scars, this is as much for you as it is for me.

I have watched you destroy so many lives, just as I have seen the incredible resilience of those you’ve claimed, even as they fight for their own survival. I know that you are powerful, that you seem unshakable, and that for many, your hold feels impossible to break. But today, I want to take a moment to speak truth — not just to you, but to all who are caught in your grip: We are more than you.

Addiction, you are relentless. You manipulate and deceive, telling us that we need you, that without you, we are nothing. You don’t care who you harm, who you destroy, who you take down. And yet, even after all you’ve done, I refuse to let you win. I refuse to let you define who we are.

As the founder of The Guiding Light Charity, I have dedicated my life to helping those who have been ensnared by you. I’ve seen people broken, lost, struggling to find their way back. I’ve seen them hurt, seen them fall, and watched them pick themselves up again — not because of you, but in spite of you. And I’ve seen them rise.

Because here’s the truth, Addiction: We are stronger than you. We can rise above you. And no matter how many times you push us down, we will stand back up. You may make us stumble, you may make us feel lost, but you will never strip away our worth.

I know that those who struggle with addiction often feel alone, like they’re the only ones in the world fighting this battle. I want to remind you that you are never alone. There is always hope, and there is always a way out. The road to recovery is not easy, but it is worth it. It requires strength, courage, and the willingness to face the truth — that there is life beyond you, and that life can be better than anything you’ve promised.

At The Guiding Light Charity,

 
we stand with those affected by addiction. We walk beside them through the darkness and into the light. We remind them that recovery is possible, and that with the right support, anyone can break free. We are committed to offering that support — to showing that recovery isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving.

To those reading this, to those who are battling addiction right now: I want you to know that there is no shame in seeking help. You are not weak because you need support — you are strong because you are willing to fight. And there is a whole community out here ready to help you through it.

Addiction, you may have claimed many, but you will not claim all of us. We are resilient. We are survivors. And we will continue to fight until you are nothing but a shadow of the past.

Sincerely,

Ben Holmes

Founder, The Guiding Light Charity