Grieving Overdose Death

Cathy Williams is a body-based healing and creative arts therapy expert, and founder of Intuitive Self. She helps people reconnect with their intuition through somatic and expressive arts. An award-winning author and speaker, Cathy draws on her personal healing journey to support others in reclaiming their body, mind, and heart. With over 17 years in community development and social justice, she brings compassion, creativity, and depth to her work. Cathy holds a Master of Social Science and multiple qualifications in somatic therapy, expressive arts, and trauma healing. You can find further information about Cathy as follows: Website: https://www.intuitiveself.com.au/ Website shop - with Body Wisdom ebook version for easy download: https://www.intuitiveself.com.au/category/all-products Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intuitiveself__ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Intuitive_Self

Graham loved playing soccer, spending time with family, and hanging out with friends, but everything shifted in sixth grade when he fell in with kids who got into trouble and he began using drugs and alcohol. His struggles deepened over the years as he was bullied for being gay and was introduced to heroin by a childhood friend who later died of an overdose. His mother, Wesley, remembers that when he was sober, he was witty, kind, and strikingly handsome, but under the influence he became someone she barely recognized. At 33, Graham overdosed and died alone, a loss that left Wesley wishing society and government better understood just how much it truly takes to save a child caught in addiction. Wesley is a co-author of "When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need to Know" (Sterling: 2016) Further information about Wesley can be found as follows: https://www.wesleycullendavidson.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/711397302779297 https://bsky.app/profile/wesleygrahamcullen.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/wcdwrite/ https://x.com/WesleyCDavidson https://www.instagram.com/wesleycdavidson/ Camp Good Mourning provides bereavement camp programs for children coping with the death of a parent and/or sibling https://www.campgoodmourning.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

Johnna was a fearless and capable child, but a learning disability diagnosis seemed to mark the beginning of her struggles. Her mother, Kelli, believes this led to self-esteem issues, which were worsened by incidents like being bullied in school and the loss of loved ones. These painful experiences contributed to a lifelong dependence on drugs—an addiction Johnna fiercely protected. As a nurse, Kelli used all of her resources to help. She consistently arranged for counselors and rehab centers and was always there for her daughter in a crisis. Despite her tireless efforts, Kelli's worst fear was realized in July 2024 when police arrived at her door with the news that Johnna had died at the age of 25. To cope with her grief, Kelli finds solace in listening to podcasts about loss, reading books like A Space in the Heart by Larry Carlat, and leaning on her strong relationships with family and friends. 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

Cameron was fun-loving, intelligent, compassionate, athletic, and talented who made his mom, Denise, very proud. After taking a counterfeit pill, he overdosed and lost his life when he was 23, even though his friends administered Narcan. Denise is on a mission to tell others that Narcan alone is not enough—911 must also be called. She reached out to Scott Silverman, a crisis coach, family navigator, and CEO of Confidential Recovery, an outpatient addiction program in San Diego, California. He is the author of the books "The Opioid Epidemic" and "Tell Me NO. I Dare You!" Together, Denise and Scott want to sound the alarm that the widespread distribution of Narcan is giving people a false sense of security and that 911 must also be called. Resources: Denise's message: https://www.instagram.com/narcanplus911/ Remembering Cameron: https://incelebrationofcameron.com/ Scott H. Silverman's information: https://www.yourcrisiscoach.com/ DEA information on fake pills: https://www.dea.gov/onepill 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

Joel excelled at writing. He wrote his first book when he was in the second grade and later won an award for an essay about his grandfather. He also loved to write song lyrics and developed an ability to rap when he was in high school. With his lyrics and music, he developed a following for his band, The Even Keel. Joel struggled with drugs for many years and passed away from an accidental overdose in November 2017 when he was 36. Pattie entered a time of deep depression after she lost her son and knew it was not the same as losing a child to an accident or illness. She offers grief counseling through her website for those who have experienced a loss due to addiction. Website: https://theresilientjourney.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresilientjourney Twitter: @TheResilientJo1 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FamilyGrief Partnership to End Addiction: https://drugfree.org/treatment-and-recovery/ Joel's music: https://www.reverbnation.com/theevenkeel/songs 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

Charles (also known as Buddy) was an old soul. At a very young age, he would sit and talk to his aunt like he was the same age, and he treasured his family. He loved to travel, had lots clothes, and collected all types of sneakers. He was prescribed a pain medication after a serious car accident that started him on the road to his addiction. He passed away in April 2022 when he was 34. His mother, Tawanda, copes by wearing her son's shirt every day, talking about him with others, and listening to podcasts about grief. 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

Stephen lit up any room he walked into and was the guy who made others laugh. He was a musician who played guitar and piano, a welder who used his talents to make artwork, and a world traveler. His addiction to pain medication began soon after having a wisdom tooth extracted while he was in the navy. His addiction progressed over ten years until he died from fentanyl poisoning in March 2022 at the age of 32. His mother, Andree, honors his memory by displaying a Christmas tree in her front yard for others who are grieving to place a special ornament of their loved ones. This was featured on several news outlets as follows: 2023 https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/fullertons-community-christmas-tree-honors-loved-ones-lost-to-opioids/3293487/ 2022 https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/fullerton-mother-creates-fentanyl-awareness-christmas-tree/3058803/ https://abc7.com/drug-overdose-fentanyl-christmas-trees-ornaments/12591577/ https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/human-interest/2022/12/24/fullerton-mother-honors-son-with-fentanyl-christmas-tree Soon after her son passed away, Andree woke up one morning with a tune in her head that she had never heard before. She discovered the lyrics were from a song called Full Circle by the group Half Moon Run. She feels that Stephen was trying to explain in this sign from heaven about his life with addiction. Full Circle lyrics https://youtu.be/azV0Y7v6wsg?feature=shared Cap off kneeling at the back of the church, Feeling water on your brow, if it's healing it hurts At first a sharpish pain that returns as a thought That the needle in your skin will bring you closer to god And I watch as your head turns full circle Our hope was with a coffee and a medical text It's too easy knowin' nothing blowing off the rest And the riddles in the pages leave at too much to guess And the worry cracks a fracture from your hip to your chest As I watch as your head turns full circle We got lost in the travels in the spiritual book Missed the beaches from nirvana and the way that they look And the crooks they're on the island they're killin' to keep runnin' They're running severance on the plastic and it seems to be working Is that the best that I can do? As I watch as your head turns full circle You appear even tempered though your looks will deceive And the sparks are always flying cause you drink for relief With the heart of a child and the wit of a fool It's a wonder why I don't try to build a wall around you When I watch as your head turns full circle And I watch as your head turns full circle Yeah I watch as your head turns full circle 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

David had a great job, loved hunting, sports, and was very involved with his family. His cousin, Rosalie, describes him as a "boy's boy." In April 2021, Rosalie received a call from one of his three brothers telling her the tragic news—David had passed away due to an accidental overdose. She copes with her grief by remembering her cousin through poetry. Below are two of her poems dedicated to her cousin, David. Everlasting Age In the time of aging, you no longer are. I'm where you remain, near to my heart yet physically so far. Age is just a number; time is ever lasting. With you I'm one in this year of life. Nothing pains me more than to grow apart; for current time has me as I partake in your final year. I'll try to understand your thoughts, your actions and your experiences; in each shedded tear. As I journey through this year as your everlasting age, I'll take all I can to make better days. I dread the time we no longer will be in sync. As I will be moving forward, onward the step you could not make. I can only hope that I find you one day, as I remember you always. Everlasting Days I'm no longer your everlasting age. Still looking back on the best days. Not that recent days have been bad, it's just I can never be fully glad. I keep you with me, so you can live on. You come to my mind when I hear certain songs. I can only dream of the days we are old and gray, for you'll remain your everlasting age. I move on and forward the steps you could not make. They say you are only truly gone when you are forgotten, so it's safe to say you will live on with me all my everlasting days. 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

Jessica wanted to help others and thought about working professionally as a nurse. She loved children, would help out at summer camps, and had several babysitting positions. She was always the one people would call if they needed help. When she was around 17, she was in a car accident and was prescribed opioids for her pain. She went from using opioids to other drugs and, eventually, started using heroin, and died in 2017 at 36 from fentanyl poisoning. Her older sister, Rosanne, tried everything in her power to help -- an intervention, rehabilitation, giving her a job in her salon, and a place to live. It's been a five-year journey of grief therapy, workshops, and self-care to learn how to live a new normal without her sister. For her grief, Rosanne went to "Onsite", a program that helps you gain tools to move forward https://onsiteworkshops.com/; learned "The Grief Recovery Method" through Hopeful Heart Solutions https://hopefulheartsolutions.com; and read books such as "Signs" by Laura Lynne Jackson and "Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief" by David Kessler. 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

Meggie describes how she and her three siblings were a close-knit group of four who faced everything together when they were growing up. However, in 2015, her older brother, Michael, 28, died from an accidental overdose which fueled a raging addiction in her mom and little sister, Bridget. In 2022, things took a turn for the worse when her mom died from liver failure due to drug and alcohol abuse and then, 40 days later, Bridget, 31, was found in her bed from an accidental overdose. Meggie copes with the loss of her two siblings with grief counseling and reading books such as "The Empty Room: Understanding Sibling Loss" by Elizabeth DeVita-Raeburn. 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

Jack was an excellent student, and enjoyed sports throughout his elementary and high school years. He graduated from college with a major in actuarial science and landed his first job. But his mother, Maribeth, said he worked very long hours, and although he sometimes said he enjoyed it, she thought the isolation and long hours were very stressful for him. He left his job and eventually became a bicycle courier. He suffered for 10 years from depression, and later developed an addiction to heroin. Maribeth said that Jack's pain became unbearable and he died in his home at the age of 35. Maribeth shares a tribute to her son at: https://www.forevermissed.com/jack-heston/about She also thinks about the following philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche and quoted by Joseph Campbell: "Nietzsche was the one who did the job for me. At a certain moment in his life, the idea came to him of what he called 'the love of your fate.' Whatever your fate is, whatever the hell happens, you say, 'This is what I need.' It may look like a wreck, but go at it as though it were an opportunity, a challenge. If you bring love to that moment—not discouragement—you will find the strength is there. Any disaster you can survive is an improvement in your character, your stature, and your life. What a privilege! This is when the spontaneity of your own nature will have a chance to flow." 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

Brandi had a typical childhood: she participated in sports, dance, girl scouts; went on family vacations; and had lots of family get-togethers. But as she got older, she became argumentative and got into a lot of trouble. It wasn't until her sister, Kaylee, was taking a psychology course that she determined that her sister fit the description of someone with bipolar disorder. At first Brandi smoked pot but got mixed up with opioids after this was prescribed after her second pregnancy. She passed away from an overdose at 39 after a life of struggling with addiction. Kaylee advises not to go it alone when dealing with grief, and to join a grief group or go through one-to-one counseling. 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