I lost my son about 3 years ago...and my cousin died two feet away from me around three months later. I watched him bleed to death, while I was trapped inside a car, the steering wheel had pinned me into the driver's seat. It was a horrific experience...
So yes, I'd say I have experienced the pain of loss portion of your story.
But what stood out even more to me was the addiction portion.
I'm an ex heroin and meth user, so I know about addiction. Probably to well, I have been clean(sober.) For about three years. Still battling with my addiction to cigarettes.
But hey, I guess as long as I'm off those vile toxins I'm doing pretty good.