❤️ Addiction & Recovery
When addiction touches a family, no one walks away unchanged.
These poems, songs, and stories were written for those still fighting...those still hoping...and those who refuse to give up on the people they love.
Whether you are battling addiction yourself, loving someone who is, or grieving what addiction has taken, I hope you'll find a little hope here.
THE MONSTER
The Story Behind This Poem
Addiction is often talked about as a disease, but for families it can feel like something alive—something that stalks, whispers lies, steals hope, and slowly takes over someone you love.
I wrote "The Monster" to give that feeling a face. Although this poem follows one woman's struggle, it represents countless families who have watched addiction change someone they love. It is also a poem of hope. Recovery is never easy, but every step toward the light matters.
THE MONSTER
He hounded her and stalked her
His bloodshot eyes watched her day and night
She sensed He was always there watching
And could see she was growing weary from her fight.
They told her to let him in
Just to see if she could cope.
They never told her of the Darkness,
Never told her it was the end of all hope.
At first she was terrified
When she slowly opened the creaky door to let Him in.
Just maybe He could really help her,
And maybe she was ready to begin.
He numbed her pain and made her happy,
Then he brought in His friends to join in the fun.
To feel His presence was now her only happiness;
The end of real love had now begun.
Nothing was more important—
Not her family, her kids, or even life.
She was living on the edge,
The edge of an ever-sharpened, cutting knife.
The Monster had taken over her world,
Her health, her body, her face.
Now looking in the mirror,
She noticed someone else had taken her place.
"This image is old and sick and weak!
I want to see my kids and family.
It's real love and happiness that I seek!"
"They don't love you," she heard him say,
As darkness drifted into the room.
"You know you can't stop needing me.
A little of this will help your gloom.
I knew I had you the day you let me in.
Remember, that was your choice to be my friend.
Now you belong to me, my dear,
Until the very end."
This could be the end of the story,
Another tragic, wasted life.
But against all odds she began to fight him,
With the fire of determination blazing in her eyes.
It was two steps forward, then three steps back,
As she battled every day.
She fought and fought her addiction,
Such tiny steps along the way.
It was the hardest thing she'd ever done,
And some days were tougher for sure.
But slowly she could finally see the light,
Every step, every breath hard to endure.
Her life will always be a work in progress,
A bloody fight someday she'll win.
Watch her now as she helps all of those people
Who let the Monster of Addiction
Walk right in.
© Mark Stracener
🎵 Hear "The Monster"
THE BEAST
The Story Behind This Poem
Alcohol addiction rarely begins with the intention of destroying a life. It often begins with one drink, one bad day, one celebration, or one attempt to escape the weight of the world. Over time, what once seemed like a choice quietly becomes a prison.
I wrote The Beast to capture that relentless cycle. Every morning begins with regret. Every day is filled with promises to quit. Yet by evening, the craving returns, and the Beast waits patiently in its familiar place.
This poem isn't written to condemn those who struggle with alcoholism. It was written to help us understand the battle many fight every single day—and to remind us that behind every addiction is a human being still worthy of hope.
THE BEAST
The alarm clock breaks the morning silence,
Head in hands, sore, wracked with pain.
He swore he'd never,
Ever drink like that again.
But he walked into his lair,
Didn't see him standing there.
He put his claws down deep inside;
He had nowhere left to hide.
He had to Feed the BEAST.
He walked into his workplace.
They all could tell just where he'd been.
The bloodshot eyes, they tell the story
Of his struggles and his sin.
They knew he walked into his lair,
Wouldn't see him standing there.
They knew the claws were deep inside,
And they knew he wouldn't hide.
He had to Feed the BEAST.
He's on his way home from work now,
And the craving soon begins.
The BEAST he starts to growl,
And on his face, an evil grin.
'Cause he knows he's coming to his lair.
He won't see him standing there.
He has his teeth down in his soul,
And he's lost all self-control.
And he's growing bigger still,
Going straight in for the kill.
And when his evil's done,
He knows he's not the only one
Who wants to FEED the BEAST
© Mark Stracener
🎵 Hear "The BEAST"
ADDICTION
The Story Behind This Poem
This poem isn't about a burning building. It's about the moment addiction leaves someone with nothing but impossible choices.
The fire represents the destruction addiction leaves behind—relationships, trust, health, dreams, and hope. The people below aren't simply trying to save a life; they're offering the chance for a new beginning. But addiction has a cruel way of making even freedom seem frightening.
The final question is the heart of this poem.
"Should I go back for my matches?"
For those who have never experienced addiction, the question may seem impossible to understand. For those who have lived it—or loved someone who has—it is painfully familiar. Even while standing at the edge of freedom, addiction whispers one last lie, inviting us to return to the very thing that set our lives on fire.
This poem is dedicated to everyone who has found the courage to choose the jump toward hope.
ADDICTION
Seven stories high,
I look down.
Through an open window,
I look out.
To see a view I always took for granted,
A sight I always treasured,
Now awash in black smoke.
Behind me,
My life burns.
Behind the fire beckons me,
A fire of my creation,
Burning everything dear to me.
Destruction in every room.
Saviors below me,
Beckoning me to take the plunge—
A plunge to a new beginning.
I should jump.
I want to be free from the danger.
Feeling the flames,
I step to the ledge.
Crouching to jump,
I pause to look back...
And wonder—
Should I go back for my matches?
© Mark Stracener
🎵 Hear "ADDICTION"
DAMN YOU, ADDICTION
So many people of every age and status are suffering wasted lives due to all kinds of addictions. Forgive my very blunt attitude and anger toward it. It's how I feel.
Enough. Enough!!
DAMN YOU, ADDICTION
You take, and you take,
And you take even more.
You leave your breathless victims
Unconscious and helpless on the floor.
You stalk them and hunt them
In darkness and light.
They'll never see you coming.
They'll never put up a fight.
You'll even take their children,
Their families, and everything dear—
All they loved and held close,
Until there's nothing
But hopelessness and fear.
Damn you, Addiction!
Damn you to Hell.
Damn your dark passions,
And damn your foul smell.
Your casualties mount up
Like a bloody world war.
You'll never get enough.
You want more,
And more,
And more.
I hate and despise you
With all of my might.
You've taken so much from me—
Everything in my sight.
So damn you, Addiction.
Damn you, I say.
If I could, I would mercilessly kill you,
So you'd finally...
Finally...
Finally...
Go away!!
© Mark Stracener
🎵 Hear "Damn You Addiction"
STEP BY STEP
The Story Behind This Poem
If you've walked this far through this collection, you've already seen the darkness addiction leaves behind. You've met The Monster, stood face to face with The Beast, watched lives burn, and perhaps even felt the anger of crying out, "Damn You Addiction!"
But this is where the journey begins to change.
Recovery rarely happens in one giant leap. More often, it comes through one decision... one breath... one day... one step at a time.
Step by Step isn't about pretending the road is easy. It's about believing that even the smallest step forward is still a victory. When our strength begins to fail, we discover we were never meant to walk alone.
Whether your faith is strong, fragile, or still searching, my hope is that these words remind you that there is always a hand reaching toward yours.
Just keep moving.
Step by step.
Step By Step
Continue on,
Step by step by step.
No matter what the obstacle,
No matter what lay ahead.
Keep your vision forward.
Keep your hope steadfast.
Always moving forward,
Ever onward toward the task.
Take the hand that’s there beside you.
Take Him with you on your quest.
Never letting go,
Always giving your very best.
Hold tightly.
The choice is yours to make.
When you’re uncertain,
Hold even tighter on your way.
You may let go of His grasp,
But beside you He’ll always be.
Those nail-scarred hands will protect you,
Then forever set you free.
🎵 Hear "Step By Step"