I’d also surround myself with people who used more than me, so I could plausibly deny that my addiction wasn’t that bad. This opening letter to my addiction strikes a personal tone, showing that you plan to say goodbye and get help. Incorporate gratitude for the lessons learned and the strength gained through overcoming addiction.
DOs When Writing an Impact Letter to an Addicted Son
- Elephant Journal highlights some of the personal narratives written by those going through recovery.
- You should be proud of yourself for committing to your recovery journey and not frown upon it.
- In this guide, you’ll learn how to write an addiction letter to yourself step-by-step.
- Giving birth to you is one of the highlights of my life.
- In preparing your letter, think about the ways in which facing addiction has changed your life and the life of your loved one.
I have to focus on making the decision to do the right thing the next time I make a choice. If I keep making the next right choice, yes, alcoholism symptoms I will remain sober and clean. But if I make a bad decision, then I can potentially relapse. That is why it is so important that I be open, honest, and transparent in all that I do.

A Sample Goodbye Letter to Addiction
You’ve been here for a long time, and I assumed you’d never go. Say goodbye; don’t offer to connect or answer any questions. Don’t invite them to pop in and visit after you heal. You have given the recipient all the information they need. It’s not your responsibility to help with additional clarifications.
Example of an Impact Letter
- To me, drugs and alcohol were my safety, my comfort, my constant companion.
- For a long time, I felt like you made me lose everything.
- Not for your disease, but the you, I know hides deep down inside of the addict, somewhere.
- It’s a sincere acknowledgment of the challenges and a declaration of determination to move toward a life of resilience and fulfillment.
Acknowledge the recipient (alcohol) and the intent of your letter. You are setting to share the news that you intend to break free of all the lies and hurt. Keeping it clean and simple is a good way to start your letter. I’ve realized that your temporary relief isn’t worth the long-term damage. You’ve caused me more pain than joy, leading to stress and lost opportunities.
Goodbye letters have vast benefits, and among the notable advantages is their contribution to recovery. Recovering from addiction is not a one-time step, but it is a series of events that eventually lead to a better person, a healed version of you. As you write, you get to reminisce about the progress, where you almost threw in the towel but were resilient enough to keep going. Let us look at some of the contributions of goodbye letters to the recovery process.

Sense of Community Index
- Being aware of your emotions is just as important as expressing them.
- This scenario played out for years.
- This specificity can help your son better understand the consequences of his behavior and the need for change.
- Begin by downloading our Goodbye Letter to Addiction template, which provides a framework for expressing your sentiments towards addiction.
- Writing a goodbye letter to your addiction sounds like a wonderful idea.
- Oh, I know you’re all grown up, but to me, you’ll always be my baby.
Since becoming fully aware of you in 2010, I have learned quite a lot about you. In fact, understanding you, and helping others to understand you, has become my passion, my mission, and the most rewarding work of my life. You cannot be eradicated, but you can be wrestled into remission. I don’t know why you exist, but I know that you most assuredly do exist, rooted in the brains of many more people (including mine) than I ever imagined.