Loved Ones Left with Questions and Doubt

"I've lamented his death every second since he died and will live with it the rest of my life." So says Gary Neal referring to Harrison, his seventeen year-old son, who died of an overdose while abusing prescription painkillers.

With the second anniversary of Harrison Neal's death approaching, his father still has a lot of questions and doubts. "Could I have done it better? Could I have done it different? Would the results have been different? You never know the answers to those questions because you never get a second chance. ~ CNN

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Mr. Neal is now working with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America to promote awareness of this growing problem. I will take the chance here to offer my condolences for his loss and a TDA Salute for his involvement in our cause. But as surviving/in-recovery alcoholics and addicts I think we must also pay close attention to his grief and most importantly to the self doubt and regret as a potent reminder; that our disease involves so much more than self damage and the pain inflicted upon others, especially loved ones, will often linger on for years… even after we have passed away.