This is why everyone is talking about that crushing death on “Mom”

***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.***

Substance addiction is generally a taboo subject — especially in the media. However, just because the world (or even the people we are close to) isn’t talking about it doesn’t mean it’s not happening. In fact, 40 million Americans meet the clinical criteria for addiction to drugs. That’s exactly why last night’s episode of Mom is so, so important.

Emily Osment’s character in the show, Jodi, was a recovering teen addict who was taken in by Anna Faris’ character, AA sponsor Christy. Jodi had practically become a daughter to Christy, which is what made Jodi’s sudden death from an overdose all the more tragic. It was raw, real, and tackled the topic of addiction, a true and terrifying problem that is often swept under the rug, especially in the realm of media and television. The episode ended with a PSA from Faris and her co-star, Allison Janney, informing viewers who are suffering from addiction to reach out for help.

Viewers weren’t expecting the twist, but does anyone really expect an overdose? It’s a sudden and tragic occurrence that happens all too often in today’s world, which is exactly why the episode resonated so strongly with Twitter:

Mom co-creator Chuck Lorre told The Hollywood Reporter that Jodi’s fate had been set in stone from the beginning “to keep the show with at least one foot in the real world, where these things happen”:

The episode was a sobering reminder not only of how addiction can end in the worst way, but how important it is to take it seriously. If you or a loved one suffers from addiction, call 1-800-662-HELP.