Jason Strickland 11:11am Life on the Addiction Side Life on the addiction side Is a war you fight where you’re forced to hide, From mirrors, names, and yesterday, From the person you were before the decay. It starts real quiet, a harmless taste, A promise whispered, “Just this once no waste.” But once becomes a nightly friend, And lines get crossed you swore you’d never bend. Life on the addiction side Teaches survival, not how to thrive. You learn to lie with a straight-faced smile, Call rock bottom “just a rough mile.” Time bends weird, the days collapse, Hope slips through invisible cracks. You swear you’re fine, you’ve got control, While something else is steering your soul. But here’s the truth they don’t all say Not everyone on this side stays. Some wake up tired of the fight, And choose the long road back to light. Life on the addiction side Isn’t weakness, shame, or lack of pride. It’s pain untreated, stories untold, A heart freezing while acting bold. And freedom doesn’t come with grace, It comes with tears you finally face. With shaking hands and brutal truth, With choosing life again, in proof. So if you’re here, still breathing good. You’re stronger now than you understood. Because crossing back takes guts and grit, And every day clean you earn it. Life on the addiction side May scar your past, but it doesn’t decide Who you are or who you’ll be That part, my friend, is st ill you choosing free. By Jason Strickland The Art of Poetry Community"

Life on the addiction side Is a war you fight where you’re forced to hide, From mirrors, names, and yesterday, From the person you were before the decay. It starts real quiet, a harmless taste, A promise whispered, “Just this once no waste.” But once becomes a nightly friend, And lines get crossed you swore you’d never bend. Life on the addiction side Teaches survival, not how to thrive. You learn to lie with a straight-faced smile, Call rock bottom “just a rough mile.” Time bends weird, the days collapse, Hope slips through invisible cracks. You swear you’re fine, you’ve got control, While something else is steering your soul. But here’s the truth they don’t all say Not everyone on this side stays. Some wake up tired of the fight, And choose the long road back to light. Life on the addiction side Isn’t weakness, shame, or lack of pride. It’s pain untreated, stories untold, A heart freezing while acting bold. And freedom doesn’t come with grace, It comes with tears you finally face. With shaking hands and brutal truth, With choosing life again, in proof. So if you’re here, still breathing good. You’re stronger now than you understood. Because crossing back takes guts and grit, And every day clean you earn it. Life on the addiction side May scar your past, but it doesn’t decide Who you are or who you’ll be That part, my friend, is still you choosing free. By Jason Strickland The Art of Poetry Community