Writing poetry is one way addicts and others share the pain and turmoil that drug addiction brings into their lives. Sadness and desperation are universal themes in these poems, which often forge a strong emotional connection between the writer and the reader.
Sad Poems From an Addict's Perspective
These poems come from the perspective of the addicted invidiual and share feelings common to people fighting addiction. All of the poems in this article were written by Kelly Roper.
To Quit or Not to Quit
I should wash these pills down the drain,
But it seems easier to prolong my pain,
Because I know going through withdrawal will just about kill me.
It seems easier just to go on,
Smoking crack and popping pills until dawn,
Knowing in the end what will be, will be.
Yet somewhere deep inside,
There's a little bit of pride,
A tiny shaft of light that still reminds me.
Of the girl I used to be,
When my brain was clear and free,
I'm just not sure that I can be that girl again.
A Slow Death
As I hold the spoon to the flame,
I've got no one but myself to blame.
As I stick the needle in my skin,
I don't feel like I can ever win.
There's a moment of elation,
That follows the penetration.
But it's gone again too soon,
So I try to find my spoon.
And I'll do it all again,
Until I reach the very end.
What You See, What You Don't
Crying on the outside and dying on the inside.
That's me; that's all you can see.
But what you don't see is that it's not really me,
Or at least not the girl that I once used to be.
I'm drowning in my addiction, this is true,
But I'm desperately reaching out to you.
Won't you throw me a lifeline
And try to help me save this life of mine?
Slipping Away
There's a siren in the distance,
As the daylight is slipping away.
And she tries to put up some resistance,
As her soul is slipping away.
The siren is growing closer,
But she fears she cannot stay,
To wait for the paramedics because
Her will is slipping away.
The siren is loud and comes to a stop.
They burst through the door, not waiting to knock.
But they're too late to help; her family's in shock.
Her life has slipped away.
God Help Me
Here I am,
Right back where I began
With a crack pipe in my hand.
I know now I can't quit,
and I feel so very sick.
I can't change, not one little bit.
God help me because I cannot help myself.
Poems From a Loved One's Perspective
People who love friends and family that are addicted can also work through or express their feelings with poetry.
Your New Best Friend
You used to be my best friend.
Now meth is your best friend.
You used to hang out with me.
Now you spend all your time with meth.
We used to talk about anything and everything.
Now you have a conversation with meth I can't understand.
You've gone far beyond where I can reach you,
And I think I have to let you go.
Mommy
Mommy, wake up.
There's a needle stuck in your arm.
Mommy, wake up.
Your lips are turning blue.
Mommy, please wake up!
Your breathing sounds funny.
Mommy... Mommy?
I don't know what to do.
You Promised
You promised you'd quit.
I know that you tried,
But in the end
It turns out you lied.
You promised you'd try
to quit again.
But you weren't any more successful
that time, my friend.
This time will be different
You promised me.
You'd give up your pipe,
You'd be crack free.
But you're still smoking crack,
And I've given up hope.
You'll always love me less
Than you love your dope.
So I'm saying goodbye,
and this time I mean it.
Your promises don't turn out,
I've already seen it.
You don't care about
Your life or your health.
I cannot save you,
But I can save myself.
Giving Up
I can't watch one more day,
As you throw your life away,
Push a needle in your vein,
and slowly go insane.
Seems there's nothing I can do
To get through to you.
If you're ever going to quit,
Find your own strength to do it.
I just can't take it anymore,
So I'm walking out the door.
Don't know if I'll see you alive again,
But remember I tried to be your friend.
Poems From a First Responder Perspective
First responders often have unresolved feelings regarding their work with addicts, as well.
Too Late
Shallow breathing stops.
Officer gives her Narcan,
But it comes too late.
The EMT's Sad Surprise
She sees him passed out in his locked car,
And realizes she knew him long ago.
She remembers twinkling blue eyes,
And his voice so confident and low.
She sees the bag on the seat
And guesses what it might be.
Those blue eyes have a dazed expression,
And stillness surrounds him like a sea.
He is locked in the grip of his high
And oblivious to the world outside.
If someone hadn't called an ambulance,
They would've arrived after he died.
Her partner breaks the car window,
As she puts the gloves on her hands,
And she quickly checks his vital signs
To determine how the situation stands.
He's still alive, but just barely.
Seems he miscalculated the dose.
She helps load him into the ambulance,
Will he survive? Right now no one knows.
How did he go from that bright young man
To this junkie she almost didn't recognize?
Who could have predicted all those years ago,
She'd be here trying to save his life?
The ambulance pulls up to the ER,
And they rush to roll his gurney in.
The battle for his life is in full swing now,
But sadly, it's a fight they won't win.
Dead On Arrival
Discovered cold and blue,
Vomit crusting on the floor.
Empty prescriptions on the nightstand,
On the carpet a couple more.
Sirens as the ambulance approaches,
But there's little chance of survival.
At the emergency room he's pronounced
Dead on arrival.
More Poems About Drug Addiction
You can read more examples of sad drug poems at the following websites. Some will also accept your submissions.
- Family Friend Poems offers poems written from the viewpoint of an addict's friends and family members. Click on each poem to read its full version.
- Deep Underground has a large collection of poems about drug abuse that really tap into their writers' emotions.
- All Poetry presents a unique poem written from the perspective of the drugs themselves.
- Best Teen Poems offers poetry about drug abuse written from the perspective of teens affected by a parent's drug addiction, as well as teenage users themselves.
- Digital Poet maintains a collection of slam poetry which offers a gritty look into the minds of addicts and their struggles.
- Hello Poetry has some sad drug poems tucked away among other drug theme poems that aren't strictly about using illegal substances.
Poetry Can Be Therapeutic
Reading poems about drug abuse and the havoc it wreaks can actually help you process your feelings if you're caught in the middle of a bad situation. Try writing some poems for yourself to help release any feelings of frustration, fear or hopelessness you might have. Bringing these feelings out into the daylight can lighten your burden, and this is often a first step to finding whichever kind of help you need.
