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Mum's Obituary Goes Viral For Heartbreaking Honesty About Opiod Addiction

Emma Rosemurgey

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| Last updated 

Mum's Obituary Goes Viral For Heartbreaking Honesty About Opiod Addiction

Featured Image Credit: Seven Days

A mum's obituary has gone viral, thanks to its devastating honesty about the drug addiction that claimed her life.

Madelyn Ellen Linsenmeir passed away on 7th October, leaving behind her four-year-old son, after a her crippling addiction ultimately ended her life.

The 30-year-old first tried OxyContin when she started a performing arts high school at the tender age of 16, unbeknown that it would kick start a lifelong addiction to opiod drugs.

Credit: Seven Days
Credit: Seven Days
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Despite the circumstances in which Maddie died, her family refuse to view her as a 'junkie', because before that she was a human being with an incredible musical gift and a mother to the light of her life, Ayden, who she gave birth to in 2014.

"In a system that seems to have hardened itself against addicts and is failing them every day," her family wrote, "she befriended and delighted cops, social workers, public defenders and doctors, who advocated for and believed in her 'til the end. "

Detailing the heartbreaking events that led to her death, the obituary reads: "During the past two years especially, her disease brought her to places of incredible darkness, and this darkness compounded on itself, as each unspeakable thing that happened to her and each horrible thing she did in the name of her disease exponentially increased her pain and shame.

"For 12 days this summer, she was home, and for most of that time she was sober. For those 12 wonderful days, full of swimming and Disney movies and family dinners, we believed as we always did that she would overcome her disease and make the life for herself we knew she deserved. We believed this until the moment she took her last breath.

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"But her addiction stalked her and stole her once again. Though we would have paid any ransom to have her back, any price in the world, this disease would not let her go until she was gone."

Maddie's family left a powerful message for anyone who could be struggling with addiction, urging them that "every breath is a fresh start."

They also had an important lesson for anyone who would read the obituary with judgement, highlighting that drug addiction is a disease, rather than a choice or a weakness.

"Chances are very good that someone you know is struggling with it, and that person needs and deserves your empathy and support."

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They finished off with a bit of advice for anyone who works in the likes of rehabs, hospitals, prisons and courts, where drug addicts often pass through , telling them: "Treat them with the compassion and respect they deserve, thank you.

"If instead you see a junkie or thief or liar in front of you rather than a human being in need of help, consider a new profession."

Topics: Life News, Real

Emma Rosemurgey
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