The National Addiction Memorial honors the loved ones we’ve lost.

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Sadly, my Son lost his battle with Depersonalization Disorder. He slipped into depression because there is No Cure for DPD and he knew it. While searching for peace and comfort, then came the losing battle with Opioid drugs, including heroin. R.I.P.

My Most Favorite memory of my Son was the Joy he brought me with his success on the Varsity H.S. level playing basketball for West Milford H.S. in N.J. - My Son surely could hit those 3-pointers! Additionally, he was a Very Good Chess player and I loved challenging him to chess. I was devastated when he succumbed to his disorder and untimely drug use.

Please remember my Son Robert as a Kind, Loving, Sweet Soul who was highly intelligent, extremely handsome and a very good basketball player. He was also very good at Texas Hold 'em and chess. The sad part is that some cheerleader "broke his heart" during his Junior or Senior year and little did he know at the time, he could have captured the heart of Many women moving forward. He never got that chance though.

Dean was the best guy when he was sober. When he was intoxicated, he was a totally different guy. He tried so many times to stop drinking but unfortunately passed away after a long struggle with alcohol addiction.

I have many favorite memories of him. Fishing in our canoe was always so fun! And one memory I will always remember is how much he loved me. He loved me so much & was always so afraid of losing me because of his alcohol addiction. It was very difficult at times, and I often felt overwhelmed, but I continued to care for him and support him through it. I did everything I could to support him in staying sober. It always made me sad because his doctors had warned him about the serious impact of his drinking.

I miss everything about him when he was sober. Especially his love for me.

He was my big brother, my rock, the person I went to when I needed something. He was fun and funny and never gave himself enough credit. He had that magnetic kind of personality where everyone who met him loved him and wanted to be friends.

I can’t think of just one memory but one of the things I will miss the most is the connection we had. He was always smarter than me so it didn’t happen often but once in a while I could stump him. We had this sarcastic funny kind of banter between us. I could call him up out of the blue and say a random word and he would know what I meant. I’ve never had a connection like that to anyone else. I would say he was definitely one of a kind.’

He has left a Jon-sized hole in my heart I will miss our connection. It was almost like we spoke a different language that only the other could understand. We weren’t always on the best terms but when we were, I felt like nothing could ever hurt me. I had a 6 foot tall, 200 pound watch dog and wasn’t afraid to say “get em!!!” And the world just feels colder without him.

He would want people to remember his kindness, his loving and giving nature. His cleverness and intellect.

He always was listening to music with his headphones in his ears!! He had a heart of gold especially gave to those in need! He loved animals! He would make you laugh when you were down and always said “ You Got This”! when you were down.

Trying to get a snapping turtle out of the roadway and to safety so it wouldn’t be hit by a car !

His beautiful smile and blue eyes and hugs !!

He was a “Giver” even told me to pull over the car to give a homeless man with a sign money for a meal He had a beautiful soul and heart!

She was quiet, smart, loving, loved her brother Carmelo, she also had 1/2 siblings too. Her dog lobo, she had depression and anxiety. She loved her dad, an her papaw, n she loved me her grandma. I was her #1 supporter when she went to the rehab She a good kid just lost in this the cruel world. She overdosed and my son found her.

When she came to see me when she got out of rehab. She was a totally different person. I had her dog so she stopped by to see me n lobo her dog. My memory was when she was happy.

Her laugh an her goofy ness, When she went to church with me. When she would say guess what grandma! Always would say what! Then laugh. I will always miss you!

I want to remember the good times that she had with family. Her loving her dog so much, and that she knew God.

Caleb dreamed of seeing more of the world. At the time of his death, he was saving money to take his younger brother on a trip. "Just me and him," he said. Caleb was fiercely loyal to his brother and his mother, pictured with him. He loved baseball.

Caleb was my nephew. The last time I saw him, we had dinner, shared a big hug and said goodbye. After he walked away, I called him back because we forgot to take a picture. He came back for the photo and a final hug. He died less than two weeks later. I'm so grateful for that final dinner together.

His sense of humor. His distinctive, infectious laugh. His resilience.

He lived life without judgement and had fierce love for his family.

Andrew was powerful, more powerful than he believed. His physical presence was never overlooked, and all he had to do was walk into the room. The love in his heart was overflowing, especially if he considered you a brother or a friend. He was perfect

Andrew told me he had never been to a casino in all of his [then] 27 years. Me being the avid gambler that I am, couldn’t let this fact continue to be. So, we made our way to the casino and he was immediately overwhelmed by all the flashy machines sending echoes of bells and whistles and jackpots throughout the building. He decided to try his luck at a slot machine that was designed with one of those old-school pull down handles on the side. I made sure to record him popping his casino cherry!

The love that he showed me, from the very first day we met, all the way until his last moments on Earth. He loved me like no other, he fought for me, and he never left me wondering or unsure about the presence of love for me in his heart. Andrew was my protector, my best friend, and my person.

Connor, who is my son, was a very talented person. He played guitar, but he was especially gifted on the drums. He was kind and generous with his friends and family and had a great sense of humor. He is greatly missed by all who knew him.

I loved when he practiced his drums because I knew where he was, I knew he was sober, and I knew he was happy!

I miss his hugs and his laugh. I also miss his cooking. He was a great cook and liked to experiment with different things.

I think Connor would like to be remembered as a person who was kind-hearted and reliable. He truly cared about his friends and family.

She Helped so many, and loved the ones that needed extra love.

Her curly red hair

I will miss seeing her be a mother to her son and how excited she got with all his milestones.

I know that she would like to be remembered as a mother, sister, daughter and friend to so many.

Ryan was a kind and gentle person. He loved with all of his heart. He was generous and always willing to lend a helping hand. A true old soul.

I miss so many things, our talks over morning coffee being one of many.

Ryan would like to be remembered as a kind, loving, generous happy person, who loved music and dancing. I pray he’s dancing up in heaven and laughing that contagious laugh. 💙

Joe was a smart, sensitive, funny ( very funny) loyal and kind to all but especially the people he saw as the underdog. Known to have outburst of silly noises and crazy dance moves. Loved and missed by so many.

Playing Simon says while waiting for the school bus. Making me repeat silly noises and moves, only to tell me how silly I looked. Lol

I miss every thing about him

Loving, strong, determined, athletic and sensitive. Loved his family with his whole heart.

He was a lovable person who had a disease that we as a family fought to help him overcome. He loved his family deeply and yes made mistakes. The disease did not define him, his love for music and his family did

When he went into the ocean in Gloucester with my mom on her birthday and then taught my daughter (his niece) how to hoverboard

Scaring each other, him taking the last coffee pod, having him listening to music on the deck. His time spent with us. He will always be my big little brother. Our 8;15 on a 7:30 schedule. The pie in the face. His laugh. 💜

As a good person who had a disease but had family support. I picked him up from court on a Tuesday and he was gone by Thursday and he had nothing in his system. He will forever be a guardian angel

Matthew loved the outdoors, camping, and fishing. He had a wonderful sense of humor and made friends everywhere he went.

Spending time fishing with him, and our grandparents, and parents as children.

Matthew will be remembered for his humor, his love of the outdoors, and the lasting impact he had on those who knew and loved him. Even though he struggled with addiction for much of his life, he never gave up trying to become and stay sober.

He was one of the smartest people I have ever met. John had a great sense of humor, and loved making me and our children laugh.

Him taking me and the kids to our first Mardi Gras parade. He made it so fun for us, putting the kids on his shoulders so they could catch more toys and things

The long talks we used to have. We would sit and talk about anything and everything. Sometimes for hours at a time.

He would want to be remembered as a loving family man. He would never want his life to be remembered for his battles with addiction, but rather by how deeply he loved.

Drew was a very kind soul. Always reaching out to help others. He was a recovery specialist and saved many lives. He had over 3 years of sobriety and left this world a true hero by donating his organs. He saved 5 people by this ultimate gift.

One day when we were taking care of finances, he lost his wallet. As I was freaking out, he was very calm. He put his hand on my shoulder and said “Mom, are you working your program?” We both laughed.

His laugh. His kindness. His smell. EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!

As someone who made a difference in the field of recovery!

Carol was a classic beauty, generous, vicious, and completely lovable. A mother, daughter, bestie's as a sister, and a sister to her besties.

On every video that she recorded in her youth she narrated the entire process.

How she engaged with her children. We miss her laughing at herself out loud!

As a person who made a difference for the positive in the lives of those she touched.

Always able to put a smile on anyone’s face and turn the whole day around. His heart was bigger than any, and he could show love to anyone who crossed his path. To know him, was to be blessed with his presence.

His laugh, hugs, and ridiculous jokes that always got at least a chuckle out of everyone. He was always willing to try something new and have fun and be there for his family.

Ryan had it all outwardly. But inside, he never felt like he fit in. While in college, Ryan started experiencing anxiety and depression and was prescribed benzodiazepines. Then he broke his wrist skateboarding and was prescribed oxycodone. Ryan found that the drugs made him feel better. He had been inwardly facing difficulties with his addiction. He moved to another state for his job. He was there for six weeks. At first, everything was great, but then he started feeling anxious and depressed. He decided to use drugs again. He bought pills from a new friend. They were pure fentanyl, and he overdosed and died.

Everything

Ryan was a gifted soul who felt too much.