Grieving Overdose Death

Michael C. was a spontaneous and creative person who lived his life with compassion and without judgment. In junior high school, he developed an interest in skateboarding and it became a huge part of his life. However, he also discovered alcohol and drugs, which may have helped with his anxiety but also changed his outlook on life. He progressed in his addiction until he died at 23 from an accidental overdose. His father, Jim, recalls a happy childhood with Michael, and how addiction grabbed a hold of his beautiful boy. Jim has found solace with his family, community groups, and his religion. He shared a book with Michael—Author Thomas Merton’s “New Seeds of Contemplation”—which has helped him cope with life, and all the beautiful and painful things it has to offer.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at grievingoverdosedeath@gmail.com

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Cherish fell in love with Mitchell who was tall and handsome soon after they met. There was a special bond they shared right from the start of their relationship. They moved in and were expecting a baby when Mitchell’s addiction became out of control. He tried rehab and was his old self but it didn’t last long, and he died from an accidental overdose in January 2019 after five years together. Cherish tells her story, how she is coping, and how others living through this tragedy need to sometimes live their lives hour-by-hour, or even minute-by-minute.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at grievingoverdosedeath@gmail.com

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Ellen’s daughter, Saige, 23, overdosed and died in an airport bathroom in 2018 waiting for an airplane to take her to a California rehab with her ticket still clutched in her hand. Addiction took over after Saige was prescribed oxycodone by her dentist after having her four wisdom teeth extracted. Ellen is working with her legislator to pass a bill for dentists to ask patients about family history of addiction and alternative pain medications before prescribing an opioid. Saige’s story will also be featured in a CBS special airing in August 2019.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at grievingoverdosedeath@gmail.com

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Vincenza’s son Michael passed away over two years ago in February 2017 from an accidental overdose when he was 27. He was the clown of the family and entertained his brother, sister and parents with the entire Monty Python script. He loved to draw, work with metal, and dreamt of traveling the country in a converted bus. Whatever he did, he was very driven and in put in his whole heart and soul. Vincenza advises others who are facing this tragedy to take one day at a time, and remember to grieve in your own time. She has found a group on-line that helps her called Helping Parents Heal. This group is dedicated to assisting bereaved parents by providing support and resources to aid in the healing process. The group allows the open discussion of spiritual experiences and evidence for the afterlife, in a non-dogmatic way. You can find them at www.helpingparentsheal.org

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at grievingoverdosedeath@gmail.com

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Alice’s husband Jeffrey passed away in September 2017 from an accidental overdose when he was in his late 50s. They were married for over 10 years when this unexpected tragedy occurred, and has caused angry feelings between her and her husband’s family. Jeffrey loved horses, traveled all over the world, and spent over 20 years in the computer industry. Alice is trying to move on and learn to live in a world without her husband by just taking it day-by-day.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at grievingoverdosedeath@gmail.com

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Brenda’s son, Garrett, died in a hotel room almost a year ago at the age of 37. His passions included cars and football. In fact, he was born on a Super Bowl Sunday. His favorite team was the Philadelphia Eagles in which Brenda still cheers on and looks forward to watching. He attended college where he studied political science and computers. Besides his mom, he leaves behind a brother and sister, and a son who recently turned 10 and lives with his mom. Brenda works with different groups to raise awareness about addiction and the stigma that surrounds it.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at grievingoverdosedeath@gmail.com.

Carol’s daughter, Melly, died at home a year-and-a-half ago at the age of 21. Melly was a petite blonde with a smile that would light up a room, and who had the cutest voice and the sweetest personality. She loved painting, gardening, shopping, make-up and hair, and had aspirations of one day being a chef. Carol feels there should be changes in how law enforcement officials handle overdoses and has reached out to her state lawmakers to adopt practices such as having a mental health professional as part of the team who responds to an overdose emergency. She also started a chapter of Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) in her community. The PAL website is palgroup.org or you can call them at 480-300-4712.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at grievingoverdosedeath@gmail.com.

James’ son, Jeffrey, died four years ago at the age of 24. Jeffrey shared in running the family’s bicycle shop and had a unique way of connecting to all people regardless of their status. He loved working in the business so much that his goal was to eventually run his own place. James says he grieves publicly about his son’s death from an accidental overdose and has organized many outreach projects in his community including dispensing Narcan from his shop. He hopes to raise awareness through his efforts.

Lea's daughter, Hannah, died three years ago when she was 21. Lea talks about how her young life was cut short after a promising career in nursing, her personal struggles after finding Hannah in her bedroom when she was unaware of her addiction, how she is coping by connecting through others with a local grief group called "You Are Not Alone", and living the life that Hannah would have wanted for her.

This podcast was created to give a voice to those who have lost someone close to them from an accidental overdose. Everyday people will be interviewed to celebrate the life of their loved one who died from an overdose and to remember this person as more than their addiction. We will explore how others cope and pass on this information to others who are grieving and feel they have nowhere to turn. Unfortunately, there are many out there and the numbers are growing everyday. If you would like to tell your story about the life of your loved one who died from an accidental overdose, the struggles you both faced, and how you are coping, please email your request to Susan Claire at grievingoverdosedeath@gmail.com.