Across these five amazing essays the theme of love and compassion towards those struggling with addiction sounds again and again. From Illinois to Idaho, and a pair of sparkling essays from Brigham Young University.

These entrants touch on personal experiences with addiction in the family, as well as embracing faith and a Higher Power to embrace anyone suffering; with love and compassion to reduce addiction for individuals and our country as a whole.

1. BVH, Governors State University (IL)

As a child, I struggled to embrace my differences from my friends and peers in due to their fathers being present in the home and mine was addicted to crack cocaine and a mere mythical figure in my life. I desperately wanted to be like the other girls whose fathers dropped them off at school, gave them lunch money and attended the father/daughter dances.

The Reality of Addiction and Families

My reality was not the story depicted on television of single-family homes with the white picket fence, a golden retriever and my father inquiring about my grades. As a child, at times my reality was too difficult to bear, causing me to spiral into depressive episodes and pray to God that I could be a different person, any person other than the girl that stared back at me in the mirror.

Due to the fact my father was absent in my life, I strived to fill the void of being validated through him with subjecting myself to toxic relationships that furthered my downward spiral of low self-esteem.

Love and Self-Care Against Trauma

It was in reaching one of my lowest moments in life after a breakup that almost cost me my life that I realized the importance of mental health awareness, therapy and positive self-image. I realized through therapy that I was the source of the love I longed for; we can’t expect another human being to be the source of our happiness.

I also realized that it is ok, not to be ok. I needed to silence the negative voices in my mind attached to the stigma of “strong people” not needing therapy. In fact, I learned I am stronger than I ever was due to advocating for myself and receiving the help I needed through therapy. With that being said, I feel acknowledgment is the first in assisting people struggling with addiction in this country.

A person who cannot fully acknowledge they are struggling with addiction will not be able to open their mind and heart to begin the process of healing. Furthermore, research suggest that addiction is normally a result of a deeper unresolved issue, wanting to fit in with peers or simply experimenting. I believe in first striving to support persons battling addiction, we would need to incorporate licensed and trained counselors to assist in the initial task of “peeling back the layers” of motivation to use drugs.

Acknowledging Addiction and Embracing Mindfulness

Again: a person cannot change what they refuse to acknowledge. Through mindfulness, which is defined as “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique” (Oxford Dictionary), a person struggling with addiction can face address the internal and external factors that inhibit their drug use.

I also believe that repurposing the urge to use drugs would be beneficial to a person struggling with addiction. For example, instead of using drugs, incorporating other activities one would enjoy such as painting, reading and/or cooking could be a positive replacement for drug use.

2. A.M; (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)

There are two epidemics that ravage the nation like a wildfire, and these two epidemics join hand in hand to create a worse problem; drug & alcohol abuse and a social stigma against those who suffer from it.

These two problems have existed for decades, and the easy availability of over-the-counter drugs and alcohol offers an open invitation to any who takes a step into the trap.

Addiction is essentially a hijacking of the neural processes responsible for easing pain and promoting euphoria throughout the body in exchange for physical, psychological, and emotional damage over the course of years or even decades. This exchange is not worth it, and victims of addiction are well aware of that fact.

Continuing Use Despite the Consequences: Defining Addiction

But because they suffer from an addiction that can result in both psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms, they become trapped in a cycle of self-destruction layered in a thin veil of pleasure. To help individuals overcome this very real problem, there must be a reliable way for individuals to receive help anonymously and freely.

This will help promote change in the hearts and minds of those who are looking for excuses to keep feeding their addictions. Given that commonly poorer areas of living have proportionally higher levels of drug and alcohol abuse, local taxes will not be a proper solution to funding these programs. Federal taxes should be utilized to provide facilities that help cater to those who are struggling, regardless of their financial situation.

Social Healing Needed to Address Addiction

On a societal factor, any stigma that is held against drug and alcohol abusers should be carefully looked at. Anyone who suffers from addiction should know that nine times out of ten, victims despise their behavior and desperately want to change and be free of their tendencies and mental strife.

The public should better understand this desire for self improvement and be open to helping anyone they know break addiction. If someone looks the other way from a drug/alcohol abuser, they are denying that person an opportunity for change through an offer of help. Addiction of any kind can only be overcome with the support of others.

Love and Compassion to Reduce Addiction at the Root

But there is a third factor that is more serious than the other two; the source of the addiction. People rarely dive into addictive substances for recreation. Most of the time, there is a serious problem affecting them in a mental and emotional state that can only be covered up with the distraction of pleasure. If the situation causing the addiction is not resolved, then the addiction will likely come back later down the line.

That is why It is important to find spiritual freedom in Christ so that our burdens can be cast onto Him. It is one of the most important decisions on the part of the addiction victim to allow real change in their lives.

By placing a higher priority on pursuing a relationship with Jesus, victims of addictions will be prompted to change their behavior out of love, which can yield noticeable results. Even if I am not selected to win this scholarship, I hope this essay is of some sort of help to you so that you can continue to change lives for the better. Thank you.

3. KJ (Brigham Young University)

Seeing the effects of addiction firsthand is hard. Both my dad and my sister have struggled with various addictions in their life and watching it wear them away hurt. It was a major factor of my parent’s divorce and landed my sister in a lot of trouble from a young age.

Seeing their struggle taught me a lot and opened my eyes to so many people who struggle with addictions either in their own lives or the lives of someone they love.

Love as the Answer to Our Struggles with Addiction

There are two things that I truly believe would lower the number of people struggling with addiction in this country. First, I think it is so important to show love to everyone. There is such a harmful stigma around those who suffer from addictions. It’s generally believed that they are all lost causes that did this to themselves.

I really doubt the majority of people walked out their front door one day with the intention of dedicating their bank accounts, minds, and bodies to whatever substance it may be. My dad used steroids because of his low self-esteem that was made worse by untreated depression.

My sister was raised by a mom that was addicted to drugs and a grandfather that has dealt drugs since the 70s. It was all she knew. Things could have been so different if someone had reached out to them with love instead of a reprimanding hand. Addiction is impossible to tackle alone. Having even one person that supports you in your efforts to get better makes a world of difference.

Making Addiction Resources Available to All

The second thing I believe would make a huge difference is making resources more open and available to people of all ages. Like my sister, a lot of young people follow in the footsteps of their parents. Showing them that there is so much more out there for them could change their entire life trajectory.

My sister didn’t start making changes in her life until her mom went to addiction recovery, and she had a daughter to think of. The only thing she was given in school was an aggressive ‘don’t do drugs’ campaign obligatory in every gym class. Nowhere did they add resources for people that were already struggling or knew someone that was.

It is assumed in school settings that addictions are only for people in the worst places, not middle-class suburbia. Addiction recovery should be taught in every public school without the assumption that no one actually has to worry about that in their life.

Reaching out With Love and Compassion to Reduce Addiction

At the very least, we as a community should reach out to the people around us. We never know who is struggling and could use love and support. Everyone needs a reason to keep going, regardless of their circumstances. The season of giving isn’t limited to Christmas – we have a lot of love to give every single day.

University-of-Kentucky

4. A.L. (University of Kentucky)

What do I think can be done to reduce the number of people struggling with addiction in this country is something I have thought about nearly every single day. Growing up with two alcoholic parents and a sister that has overdosed twice and been brought back by Narcan and the grace of some higher power I have wished for a cure.

Family Experiences with Addiction

I have watched a handful of people I grew up with and went to school with die the last couple of years from drugs. I have learned through Appalachian studies at school how it plagues the mountain people, and it breaks my heart every time I hear of an overdose.

I have been biting my nails for years waiting for the call telling me that this time my sister didn’t wake up from her last fix or that this time my mom didn’t make it home safe driving.

Letting Love be a Guide

I have spent my whole adult life angry at my mom from not being able to hold a job or security for me and at my sister for leaving me in an undesirable household to get a fix. I am angry that my sister lost custody of my niece due to drugs, and my mom’s endless manipulation.

I often get asked why didn’t you choose the path everyone else did? How did you stay clean in a household that was so tempting? My answer is always love.

My family loves me too much to watch me suffer. I tell myself every day that addiction is a demon that is possessing my loved ones, because I know my mom and my sister would never want to hurt me the way they do.

I tell my mom every time she has a rough day and reaches for a drink that it’s okay to feel angry and overwhelmed, but that it’s not okay to numb the human emotions. I ask her how she would react if the positions were reversed, and I was drinking the trauma away? She replies that it would scare her half to death.

Support Systems and Sharing our Accomplishments

Today, my mom is still working on herself and has taken some accountability for the pain she has caused. My sister, who I say that I love her no matter all the pain she has caused me that it is okay to feel helpless sometimes, but that it is not okay to give up. My sister has partial custody of my niece and still struggles sometimes with staying clean. There is not one-step solution for anyone when it comes to addiction, but one important factor is love.

Love is not just paternal or maternal and can be given or felt by anyone. People with addiction need to have a loving support system, someone to never give up on them, and someone to fight for. What is the point of fighting if there is no one there to celebrate with you?

Love and Compassion to Reduce Addiction, as shown by an image of Brigham-Young-University-Campus

5. S.S. (Brigham Young University)

Addiction can take many different forms, whether it be substances, thoughts, behaviors, habits, or manifested in many other forms. However, often times, the loved ones of the individual may not notice the addiction or may not know how to help them.

Personally, I believe that in order to reduce the number of people struggling with addiction in this country, we need to be more open and willing to talk about addiction, and be willing to help our loved ones face it together.

Open Lines of Communication to Help End Addiction

With addiction, the entirety of an individual changes as the chemistry of their brain is affected and the physical dependence on the addiction causes this person to have a constant need for their addiction. This creates fear for the individual to quit their addiction and uncertainty for their loved ones.

However, by confronting the fact that we are all flawed, mortal human beings that all are faced with imperfections, we can better cope with addictions and can therefore provide an environment in which we talk about addiction more openly.

Creating an Environment of Love and Trust to End Addiction

By creating this environment, individuals can better trust their loved ones and create this community in which we help each other face our addictions and mistakes so that we can move on together. Life is supposed to be enjoyed, not suffered through, but it is even better when we enjoy it with others.

This community of love and trust created can help ourselves overcome addiction and can encourage ourselves to help others recognize and overcome their addiction. Change is hard, but it is possible with love.