This post for Overdose Awareness Day is in memory of loved ones who died from intentional or accidental substance overdose. Over the years, many have told their stories here. Others have talked about their near misses–overdoses that didn’t result in their death.
So I’m highlighting the stories here today in honor of those we’ve lost to substance use disorder. And those who have survived. Here is the official Overdose Awareness Day and Week website.
Grief Support
See grief support on this page
Addiction support on this page
Lifesaving messages
Commemorate your loved one who died from an overdose or drug-related death
If you want to commemorate someone you lost to overdose or other drug-related death, leave a comment on this blog post below.
- Tell us your relation, their name and age
- Tell us about the person. What did they like to do? What was special about this person?
- You can also link to a picture or obituary.
Comments from people who’ve not commented before are held in moderation automatically and I will be sure to approve them quickly.
Articles from Emotionally Naked Tribe Members who’ve lost a loved one to overdose
Child
My mom lost her battle with addiction and my world fell apart by Miranda Booher (mother, accidental overdose)
Billy Derr’s Story by Jenny Derr (son, accidental overdose)
Separation, connection and my son’s death by drug overdose by Sara Daves (son, accidental overdose)
Remembering Daniel Louis Rafferty by Teri Rafferty (son, accidental overdose)
Sam’s Soul Journey. A mother’s grief by Lynda Harrison Hatcher (son, accidental overdose)
Dawson Pettit’s Story by Laurie Pettit (son, accidental overdose)
In memory of Thomas McCue by Vasiliki Canotas (son, accidental overdose)
Taylor Rhodes was from a normal family by Kerri Rhodes (son, accidental overdose, video)
JHW Foundation and Collegiate Recovery by Roz Watkins, Founder, JHW Foundation (son, accidental overdose)
Grief is like a chronic disease by Omar Abubaker, D.M.D, Ph.D. (son, accidental overdose)
Drug addiction was never in our family plan by Braxton Collier
Remembering Jeffrey Scott Maurer II by Ms. Dawn Burton (son, accidental overdose)
Jared’s last words by Jared Murphy Submitted by Maureen Mahaney (accidental overdose)
Jilly’s Hearts– #griefheart number 293 by Jayne and Anne Moss (daughter, accidental overdose)
My beautiful daughter, Brenna LeFleor, died of overdose by Marta LeFleor (daughter, accidental overdose)
What I want you to know… by Mary-ellen Viglis (son, intentional overdose, suicide)
Love, by Chaney’s Hands – #griefheart number 20 (daughter, intentional overdose, suicide)
Sibling
Remembering Scott Neal Zebrowski by Jill Cichowicz (sibling/twin brother, accidental overdose)
How is grief like nesting dolls? by Susan Casey, MSW, MFA (sibling, accidental overdose)
Boyfriend
My boyfriend died from a drug overdose by Victoria Kiarsis (boyfriend, accidental overdose)
Friend
Miss you Blake. Miss your sweet messages by Anne Moss Rogers (friend of Charles’s, accidental overdose)
In memory of Christopher Baker, a wonderful human being by Anne Moss Rogers (friend, accidental overdose)
Articles from Overdose Survivors
In April 2020, my life almost came to a halt by Jessica Donovan Amend
Addicted, pistol-whipped, raped. Help came from the most unlikely source by Courtney Nunnally
A Dance with the Devil. My son’s decades-long battle with addiction and recovery by Connie
Free ebook: Signs of Drug Use
Learn what I wish I’d known before I lost my son to drug-related suicide. By Anne Moss Rogers
Joyce Hann
Cousin’s son
Kyle Krawchyk was found by his mother on Mother’s Day 2015 after he failed to meet her for church and lunch. He had been in recovery. I only met him once, at my uncle’s funeral and was a little haunted by his eyes then. He was a much loved, much missed, and awesome guy.
He is one of too many.
Thank you Joyce.
SON: Levi Halter; 04-09-89 to 02-16-16. (26 yrs old)
Levi was a sweet, kind soul. He loved his family, his friends, and his two rescued cats. He was a musician with a band in college that actually was interviewed by Rolling Stone magazine! After his death I received over 400 messages from friends -most of whom I’d never met- about how he changed their lives for the better in one way or another. I knew he was special, but having those messages meant so much to me. While there’s a hole in my heart that will never be filled, I try to find peace in the fact that he’s no longer in pain.
Thank you for sharing your story of Levi. The Rolling Stone! He must have been very talented.
My son Michael Sharpe passed away March 23rd, 2018 from an accidental fentanyl overdose. Really, he was poisoned by the person who gave it to him.
Michael was a brilliant and happy person. He did suffer tremendously by an abusive father all his life.
Despite, that Michael always was an optimist. He always said,
I am lucky!” He always had a group of friends that loved him dearly. Michael got into computers when they were first coming out. He was self taught. He could do anything with a computer or a computer part. He taught many of his friends how to get started with computers.
Michael was my buddy. We got one another.
He never caused me any trouble.
Problems with addiction started when Michael was 16 and prescribed an opiate after having his wisdom teeth extracted. He later told me it was like a “light bulb” going on inside his brain and that was all he could think about from that day forward.
Michael struggled and fought this disease for 20 years. He studied it and knew it inside out.
I miss Michael so much. We talked in the phone every night and I still keep the phone next to me in the evening with some hope that he will call me.
Thank you for that beautiful tribute for your son, Michael. I’m honored you shared it. I love that he got into computers and then shared that passion with all of his friends.
I have an article I share from this site about three times a year about asking dental professionals not to prescribe any opiates for wisdom teeth removal. I’ve had people who’ve reached out because they did a search on it and they’ve chosen not to fill it or take it based on that article. At a young age, so many kids will feel that “lightbulb go off in their heads.” Younger brains are more vulnerable to the effect.