Grieving Overdose Death

Catherine graduated high school at the top of her class in 2011 and, only six years later in 2017, her life was taken by an accidental overdose. She was a beautiful, intelligent, absolutely brilliant, complex human, according to her mother, Rose. Rose said she wants to share Catherine's story and spread awareness on what can be done to prevent death in case of overdose so her daughter's death is not in vain. She will fight for "The Good Samaritan Law", already passed in many states, to be passed in her home state of Texas to protect individuals from prosecution at the time they call 911 or help someone who is overdosing. She has forgiven the person who dumped Catherine's body in a remote alley without knowing for sure if she was dead or alive. But Rose says forgiving is not forgetting; it is remembering without anger. Rose has also started a Facebook page for her daughter called "For the Love of Catherine."

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

Steven relapsed after 18 years of sobriety after he was prescribed pain medication for lymphoma. He traveled from Oregon to Arizona for help, and to eventually move his family. He got the help he needed and was sober for 63 days. Unfortunately, he decided to use one last time and was found by police passed away sitting underneath a tree. Melissa who was married to Steven for 19 years says she is carrying out Steven's mission to help others and to never give up hope.

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

At a very young age, Jackson found a love of music which propelled him into a career as a musician and actor. He appeared in the 2011 film "Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer", and the ABC sitcom "The Goldbergs" as Ari Caldwell. He also performed in episodes of "Modern Family" and "Arrested Development". His music was featured in "Forever My Girl". Jodi talks about how drugs became part of her son's life, how he struggled to break free, and how he met his tragic end. A few days after recording Lord Lift Me Higher, Jackson, 20, was found unresponsive at a sober living facility from an accidental overdose.

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

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].