Press Article:
Lynne Wallis shares her heartbreaking story of her older brother Stephen’s descent into drug addiction and eventual death at the age of 24. The journey began in south-east London in 1969 with cannabis, leading to LSD, amphetamines, and eventually heroin. Lynne recalls the shame and stigma her family faced as Stephen’s addiction spiraled out of control, leading to crimes and constant worry.
Despite numerous attempts at rehab, Stephen’s addiction ultimately led to his untimely death in a toilet cubicle at the age of 24. Lynne reflects on the guilt, questions, and survivor’s guilt she has carried since then. She explores feelings of obligation to compensate for Stephen’s struggles and the impact on her own life choices, such as not starting a family out of fear of the same fate.
It wasn’t until Lynne’s mother passed away in 2018 that she was able to confront her emotions and grieve for her brother. Visiting the site of Stephen’s death allowed her to release the guilt and shame she had been carrying for decades. She realized that Stephen’s choices were his own and that she couldn’t have prevented his destructive path.
Lynne now finds solace in memories of her brother’s positive traits and wonders what his life would have been like if he had survived. She hopes to honor his memory by sharing his story and shedding light on the impact of addiction on families. The experience has brought her a sense of closure and freed her from the burden of survivor guilt.
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