Grieving Overdose Death

Mayson was a free spirit who was passionate about music and cooking. He was a self-taught guitar player at nine-years-old, and also learned the piano, trumpet and French horn. Even though he had a close relationship with his mother, Amanda, and his family, he had a troubled youth and was expelled from multiple schools mainly for drug use. At 22, he was living on his own, working and appeared to be doing well. However, in August 2020, Amanda received a message from a Chaplain who broke the news that her son was found deceased at his residence. She found out later that this was his sixth overdose. Amanda said she had this knowing that Mayson's life on this earth would be brief and the realization shakes her to her core. She is doing her best to move forward with a grief recovery program called The Grief Recovery Method: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/our-programs/1-on-1-support#search-block

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Kevin tried for years to free himself from his addiction but lost the battle at 41 years old in January 2019. His sister, Sherry, talks about how they stuck together like glue after suffering from abuse during their childhood. Sherry says that Kevin protected her even though he was only five years old. When Kevin felt they were finally safe, he numbed his pain from the abuse with marijuana which escalated into other drugs. Sherry tells others to be kind and show love to those in their life suffering from addiction, and help break the stigma.

Jackie was expecting to celebrate her son Jackson's 20th birthday on January 11th but instead she was called to the hospital where Jackson passed away from an accidental overdose. Jackson was an amazing kid and a gifted athlete at 6'4" and 220 lbs. He wrestled and played football throughout high school. He also loved video games, cooking, crafting, fishing and hunting. Jackie cherishes her relationship with her son and would always tell him, "I will love you forever." Jackie says to others on this journey to "just breathe" and know there are others who are a phone call away.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Carol knew her son, Penn, had issues with alcohol but never imagined he had started using other substances until he passed away from an overdose in 2017. Penn grew up in a typical household in which he was an active member of the scouts, went camping with his family, and attended church. However, he was prone to panic attack and anxiety while in high school, and felt he had depression. He attended college and eventually worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant when Carol received a visit from the police that no parent ever wants to receive. Carol finds help with her grief by sharing her story through Compassionate Friends Non-Profit Organization for Grief on Facebook.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Annie feels like she is aimlessly just making it from one day to another after her son Josh died in January 2019 when he was 33. Ten years ago after a car accident, Josh left the emergency room with a 30 day supply of Vicodin with refills. Annie says it took only a few pills for Josh to become addicted. She describes how she went through hell during Josh's active addiction, the ups the downs, the rehabs, the lies, and the pain. She says her families' lives have changed forever. She plans to walk part of the Spain Pilgrimage: Camino de Santiago in the near future in Josh's name.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Joseph's ambitions of working as an airplane mechanic were cut short after a car accident landed him in surgery where he was given pain medication. When his pain medicine prescription ran out, he searched out relief illegally. His mother, Jean, never suspected that her son had become addicted until he confessed and asked for help. It was a journey that ended when he passed away a few years later at the age of 23. Jean now helps manage a drug prevention grant for two counties to warn children about the dangers of using illegal drugs and how they can lead to addiction. She also finds help from her grief by attending meetings sponsored by GRASP (www.grasphelp.org) and Helping Parents Heal (www.helpingparentsheal.org).

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Caitlin, 22, tried to brace herself for her dad's (Sean) death since she knew of his addiction, but when her mom told her that her dad had died from an accidental overdose, her heart broke. Sean, 57, will never walk her down the aisle or hold his grandchildren. Caitlin has found solace by attending GRASP meetings http://grasphelp.org/m/ and talking about her dad with others to keep his memory alive.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

In her mom Stephanie's words, Jade was born defying convention. She lived life as an unapologetic original; and was a fiercely loyal friend and champion of her fellow woman. She loved books and detested anything that was ordinary. She was a devotee of glamour and glitter but her thousand watt smile was never outshone. Jade was 26 when she was found by her roommate after an accidental overdose leaving behind two children and a mom who is trying to find meaning in her death.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Allison told her mom, Leah, that she started using meth to help her keep up with three children, a job and everything else in her life. But then it got out of control and her mom, Leah, feels that Allison was high when she got into an accident that ended her life while driving a four-wheeler. Leah says she is in the "anger" stage and going through trauma counseling to deal with the death of her daughter and her son, Dustin, who died at four months in 1989. She recommends others use www.griefshare.com as a grief recovery support group to help in the healing of losing a loved one.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Throughout her addiction, Jillian wrote extensively about how she just wanted to be herself again. In a letter written in the last month of her life entitled "Who Am I", she wanted to use her skills as a cosmetologist to help people like themselves—a feeling that eluded her. Annmarie talks about the struggles her daughter faced during the 15 years in her addiction before she died of an accidently overdose at 31. During the last year of her life, Annmarie said she knew in her heart that her daughter wasn't going to make it. Annmarie now spends time helping others in her daughter's name and recently donated 40 blankets to the homeless in Kensington, PA.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida