So you shared your face with us, but what makes you YOU?

[Craiga 01453]

as long as i've "known" you, you've always touched on this part of yourself, and have been very open about it, but this was the first time you really shared what happened. craig, i can honestly say, knowing addicts myself, that your mother saved your life. i'm sure you know this, but you gave her back the life she gave you. you're incredibly strong. i have to admit, as a person with a mental illness, for me it's too easy to abuse something for that one night of forgotten peace. yet it never helps. i always have to remind myself that it never actually helps.

keep telling your story, craig. don't ever be ashamed. if my father didn't get sober, i wouldn't existed. i've lost so many friends to heroin ODs in high school; it's huge in chicago right now. addiction in this country is a mental health crisis, and needs to be treated as such. the stigma needs to end.

you're one strong dude, craigafrechette.

Thanks Taylor!!!

I've been honest and open with my past from very early on in sobriety. I came to realize it doesn't define me, but it's a part of my life and who I am. I'm not ashamed of it.

My mother and I have been very close most of my life, but especially since my late teens. She's got her demons as well. She suffers from anxiety and depression, is bipolar and agorophobic. So I've always just felt like we understood each other. She's a great mother and a great friend. Shes without a doubt the kindest, most caring person I've ever met.

I'm also not afraid to share my story because maybe, just maybe somebody reads it and they get the courage to get help. Or maybe somebody learns more about addiction and understands what a loved one may be going through. My father never understood, he always thought it was just me making bad choices. This is a DISEASE and it's real. It's killing people by the thousands EVERY day!. I OD'd and was legally dead for about 5-6 minutes. Narcan and paddles on my chest. Almost had a heart attack while they were trying to revive me.... I shot up again two days later!!!! Thats how real this is. So, if a million people judge me based on my story, but I help ONE person by sharing it, it's well worth it.

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Wow Craig. Just wow.

I want to hug you and your mom.

Thanks, I'll hug her for you next time I see her.