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Grief & loss

A goodbye letter to my addiction

Write a breakup letter to the drink, the drug, the bet, the behavior or the eating disorder — what it gave, what it took, and why you're leaving.

About 20 minutes · 8 questionsNarrative therapy · Motivational
Fill it in online — freeThe print dialog can also save it as a PDF.

Grief & loss~20 minNarrative therapyMotivational

A goodbye letter to my addiction

Write a breakup letter to the drink, the drug, the bet, the behavior or the eating disorder — what it gave, what it took, and why you're leaving.

Why this helps

Letting go of an addiction or an eating disorder is a real loss, even when it's the right choice. Writing to it directly — used in many treatment programs, including 'friend and foe' letters in eating disorder care (Serpell and colleagues) — honors the loss and can strengthen your decision.

If you're writing to an eating disorder, leave out numbers — weights, sizes, calories or amounts.

1. Dear…

Dear Alcohol / Dear Ed / Dear Betting…

2. How we met, and what you were to me at first

3. What you gave me

4. What you took from me — and from the people I love

5. The promises you made and didn't keep

6. Why I'm leaving

7. What I'm choosing instead

8. My goodbye

From the Workbook on Amity Connect, via RecoveryHome.comFor reflection and practice — not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. In crisis, call or text 988.amityconnect.com/app/workbook/goodbye-letter
Keep your answers somewhere safe
This worksheet, online and private, on Amity Connect — free for individuals, built by the same team. Your answers stay yours; if you're with a recovery home that uses it, they can assign it to you and see only what you choose to share.
Open it on Amity Connect
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About this worksheet
It comes from the Amity Connect workbook, built by the same team as RecoveryHome, and is free to print and share. It's for reflection and practice — not a diagnosis, and not a substitute for professional care. Content is never written or edited by advertisers. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.

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