My alias is Tom, and my life has been a journey full of ups and downs. I was just a kid when my parents passed away, and I ended up in the care of my adoptive uncle, Joey. At first, things were good, but as time went on, Joey started struggling with alcohol and drugs. It got really bad.

Our home, once a happy place, became a battleground. Joey would disappear for days, leaving me alone in a silent house. We hardly talked anymore, and it felt like something was missing.

As Joey’s addiction got worse, he started selling our stuff to get money for his habits. Things we used to cherish were gone, and I felt a deep sense of loss.

Nights were the hardest. When he came back, he’d be out of control, breaking things and shouting. It was scary.

I knew I had to do something, so I took Tom to a psychiatric ward. It was really tough because it felt like I was betraying him. But I wanted to help him get better.

People in our community meant well, but they were busy with their own lives, so I felt pretty alone in all of this. It was a tough time.

I got a job, and after two months, I decided to move out. Leaving behind the chaos was the best thing I could do for myself.

Joey started his recovery journey, and I learned not to take things personally. Everyone has their struggles, and we can’t always save someone who doesn’t want to be saved. My journey has been about survival and self-discovery, and I hope Joey finds his path to healing too.

I learned the invaluable lesson of not taking things personally. I came to understand that every individual is grappling with their own personal demons, and we cannot always serve as saviors to those who are determined to navigate the labyrinth of their struggles.