We all have chapters in our past that we wish we could rewrite. Usually, those chapters involve bad haircuts or embarrassing texts, but sometimes, they carry a weight that lingers for a lifetime. A Reddit thread recently surfaced that touched on the heaviest kind of regret imaginable. It involves addiction, loss, and the incredibly difficult question of who gets to say goodbye.
A 26-year-old man turned to the internet for advice on a situation that would make anyone’s heart ache. He wanted to know if he could attend the funeral of an ex-girlfriend. The catch is that he was the one who introduced her to the lifestyle that eventually claimed her life.
It is a story that explores the gray areas of forgiveness, recovery, and the boundaries of grief.
This is the story:
UPDATE
Reading this story brings up a swell of complicated emotions. It is easy to feel for the OP, who has worked hard to turn his life around over the last three years. The desire to say goodbye and find closure is a deeply human instinct. Everyone deserves a chance to heal.
At the same time, the heart breaks for the family left behind. They are navigating a parent’s worst nightmare. The idea of them seeing a reminder of their daughter’s struggle on such a vulnerable day is tough to swallow. It is a situation where two valid emotional needs—the OP’s need for atonement and the family’s need for peace—seem to be on a collision course.
Expert Opinion
This dilemma touches on a psychological concept often discussed in recovery circles regarding the nature of making amends.
Dr. Barton Goldsmith, writing for Psychology Today, often emphasizes that while apologizing is crucial for the person in recovery, it must not come at the expense of the other person’s well-being. The core principle of amends is to repair damage, not to create new stress.
We can also look at the “Ring Theory” of grief, a concept developed by psychologist Susan Silk. Imagine the grieving family is at the center of a small circle. The people closest to them are in the next ring, and so on. The rule is simple: Comfort goes “in” toward the center, and dumping (complaining, venting, or processing guilt) goes “out.”
By attending the funeral, the OP would essentially be bringing his own need for processing into the center ring. Even if his intentions are pure, his presence forces the family to deal with his history during their most painful moments.
Statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse show that relapse rates are high, often triggered by stress and guilt. The OP’s desire to “do this for myself” suggests he is trying to manage his own internal guilt. Experts generally advise finding a way to honor the memory of the deceased privately. This protects the family’s space and allows the recovering individual to process their emotions without causing unintentional harm.
Community Opinions
The Reddit community gathered around this post to offer what we might call “tough love.” While many users congratulated the OP on his sobriety, they were firm about protecting the family’s peace.
Most commenters felt that staying away was the only respectful choice.
![[Reddit User] − You’re not the a__hole for wanting to go, YWBTA if you did go. Your presence would not be welcomed.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wp-editor-1764689160782-1.webp "Man Asks If He Should Mourn the Ex-Girlfriend He Led Down a Dark Path")
Some users pointed out that emotions run high at funerals, which could lead to conflict.
Fellow recovering addicts chimed in to explain the difference between intent and impact.
Readers suggested gentler ways for the OP to find peace.
How to Navigate a Situation Like This
If you ever find yourself in a position where you need closure but cannot contact the family, there are safer options. You have to prioritize the mental health of the people most affected by the trauma.
Write a letter to the person you lost. Pour out all your feelings, your regrets, and your memories. Then, you can burn it or keep it in a safe place. This allows you to “speak” to them without intruding on a public service.
You can also hold your own private memorial. Go to a park you both liked or visit the gravesite weeks later. Lighting a candle in your own home is also a powerful ritual. Remember that forgiveness is often an internal job. You do not need an audience to say goodbye.
Conclusion
This story is a somber reminder that some bridges, once burned, are hard to rebuild. It highlights the difficult reality that true remorse sometimes means staying away to let others heal. The Reddit community rallied to help the OP see that his respect for the family must outweigh his need for personal closure.
What do you think about this delicate situation? Is there ever a right time for someone in the OP’s position to reach out, or is silence the ultimate kindness?
