Another death far too young: Cory Monteith, only 31, and known for playing a teenager in Fox TV’s “Glee,” was found dead in Vancouver on Saturday.  Monteith has struggled with addiction, and recently had returned to drug rehab and seemed well after getting out.

Time, Distance and Disconnect

There’s such a disconnect with these deaths. You hear of someone dying much too young, no foul play, history of addiction and relapse. You assume it’s another relapse that went too far. But you don’t know. Toxicology screens take time. So a couple of months later, you hear that the person had drugs or alcohol in the system. But by that time, it’s no longer news. Just another sad confirmation, another famous name to add to the list of ‘oh yeah, what did they OD on?’ But think about this while it is still fresh. Monteith was so young and would seem to have it all. But the line is so thin and crossing it can happen so easily.  Drugs aren’t helping you cope. They are killing you. They may take the pain away, but that pain is still lurking and something even worse is lurking behind that pain. One hit too many, one drink too many, one wrong combination of pills and that’s it. There is no going back. No way to ease that pain, ever again.

Stay with the Fight

Fighting addiction is such a struggle. If you are lucky enough to work it out, you find your way to drug rehab. You can get the tools, and maybe figure out why you’re doing it. But it is still so hard to stay with it, and so easy to relapse. Then what? You try again. Because if you don’t, you know what is lurking. It’s not that high you were seeking or the pain you were numbing. It’s death. Please don’t give up. There are people out there who need you to keep fighting. If you or someone you love needs help with addiction, contact Lakeview Health Systems at 866.704.7692 for help with drug or alcohol rehab.