I didnt set out on writing this. It was only after reading another all too familiar tearful story, that I decided I needed to: For Aidan♡.
Drugs, alcohol and death are a few of the topics Irish people don’t like to think about and certainly not talk about, in a serious manner.
It’s only when all three of these life shattering problems come at your family, one followed directly by the other, that you allow yourself to talk about it.
Aidan was only 26 years young when he was tragically taken from us, just days before Christmas 2016.
I was almost finished my erasmus studies in Cyprus, throughout which we had kept close contact. Only the morning before the accident we had been messaging about Guns ‘n’ Roses, Maxi and me coming home for Christmas.
Despite his youth, immaculate physical health and higher than average IQ, Aidan had personal struggles that he drown out with toxins – like so many good people do. Goods days were often outweighed by bad days and that’s when he went to the off licence or convenient point of collection, to begin his ‘coping’ habit.
Sadly Aidan had been drinking the night he was killed by a car on the road.
It’s safe to say life will never be the same for us, as it isn’t for many other families. But for our parents especially, Aidans life givers, providers and protectors, life has been totally shattered. As da feels; The only way to survive now is to try to raise awareness amongst others, about the risk and heartache involved in drink and drugs;
“it can’t all have been for nothing. Aidan can’t have died for no reason. We can’t let this go, we have to talk about it and tell young people in particular that it’s just not worth it. We have to do that much for Aidan”.
This isn’t a pity post, it’s simply because it can’t all have been for nothing 😔. Just talk before you take anything. Think about the bigger picture before you drink.
journocub 
This is a great read. I’m in recovery from addiction. I only arrived home Friday just gone from a treatment centre in wexford for alcohol and drug addiction. I’ve been battling this my whole life. It’s a unbelievably difficult disease to live with. But its more so difficult for the families.
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Fair play to you Shane. Don’t give up hope. I really hope you can get through it because there’s so much more on offer 💙 things can only get better!!
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I met Aidan when he was renting a room in town. To say he has left a huge impression on my life is an understatement. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. Aidan and I had some very deep conversations and he opened up to me about his addictions. He talked and talked and you are so right, he was amazingly intelligent. I often said to him that he’d give any medical doctor a good run for their money. I was so shocked on hearing of his passing. Congratulations on a piece well written. Rooch, I think about you every day, Posh xxxx
Shane, you’ll do it. You’ve a beautiful son that needs all of his daddy not part of him. Everything passes bud xxx
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Sorry for you and your family’s loss, it’s very sad to hear of some-one so young losing their life to addiction. I have had problems with alcohol for around 20 years because I couldn’t cope with anxiety and depression. It’s hard to treat both things but I hear a lot that alcohol is only the symptom of an underlying problem. You’re right that it is really important to get the message out that addiction doesn’t sove problems, just creates them and to never be afraid to ask for help. It’s awful that your brother was let down by the system but keep awareness of it up and his life will hopefully help to change how people are treated.
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