From the Anthology
Writing from the Unhoused
The term “unhoused” feels like a feeble attempt to sanitize
the harsh realities of addiction and homelessness. It fails to
capture the gut-wrenching agony of losing one’s sanctuary
to the relentless grip of addiction. As the walls of my home
crumbled, so too did my sense of self-worth, leaving behind a
hollow shell consumed by shame and despair.
Addiction is a merciless foe, a relentless predator that
preys on the vulnerable and the desperate. Every day is a
battle against overwhelming cravings and a relentless inner
turmoil, a struggle waged not just against substances, but
against the demons that haunt the darkest recesses of the
mind.
I remember the ache in my chest as I watched my home slip
through my fingers, a casualty of my own self-destructive
tendencies. The familiar comfort of my surroundings
dissolved into a distant memory, replaced by the harsh reality
of the unforgiving streets. I felt like a criminal, branded by
society’s judgment, ostracized and alone in my suffering.
In the depths of homelessness, hope felt like a distant dream,
obscured by the suffocating haze of despair. But even in the
darkest moments, there were flickers of light, small glimmers
of hope that refused to be extinguished. It was found in the
kindness of strangers, in the warmth of a hot meal on a cold
night, in the shared stories of resilience and survival among
fellow travelers on the streets.
Yet, amidst the chaos and despair, there remained a stubborn
ember of hope within me. It whispered of redemption, of
second chances, of a future beyond the shackles of addiction.
And so, I took faltering steps towards recovery, guided by the
belief that I was more than the sum of my mistakes.
Losing my home to addiction was a devastating blow, a
descent into the abyss of hopelessness and despair. But it was
also a catalyst for transformation, a wake-up call that forced
me to confront the demons that had long held me captive.
And though the road to recovery is long and arduous, I walk
it with renewed determination, guided by the unwavering
belief that redemption is always within reach for those
willing to fight for it.
