Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

A Million Other Things: Grieving a Drug Poisoning Death

Sister, father, son, niece, best friend – some of these words might be how you would describe your loved one who has died of an overdose or drug poisoning. People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) are not defined by their substance use – they are a million other things to those who love and miss them dearly. Drug poisoning and overdose deaths are stigmatized in our society. The focus is on how the person died, not who they are. Society still holds onto old notions and beliefs about drugs which come with a value judgment about people who use drugs, which further contributes to stigma. Not everyone who uses drugs is an addict and not all drug use is inherently problematic. People who use drugs deserve dignity and respect when we are remembering and honouring those who have died by overdose or drug poisoning.

Christian – “Grief in the opioid crisis”

Christian talks about looking for answers in great sadness.

Madelyn – My story

Madelyn tells her story and how she became a music therapist working in palliative care

Adrianna – Metabolizing grief

Adrianna explains metabolizing grief and grief literacy training

Claudia – Art therapy and costs

Claudia talks about how people may shy away from art therapy because of costs and how training schools can be an option

Rev. Sky – “Retraumatization”

Rev. Sky discusses trauma and re-experiencing the initial emotion had at the beginning of a loss.

Christian – “Overdose Death”

Christian talks about an overdose death not defining who that person was.

Janice – “Grief can be complicated”

Janice discusses disenfranchised grief and holding on to hurt.

Keith – “Hope”

Keith talks about time, healing and hope.

Carrie – Creating a photo narrative

Carrie explains how photography can give insight and express things that there reallhy aren’t words for. Photography can be one addtitional way in which to express and capture those moments of our sorrow, grief and pain as well as transformation and healing

Cheryl – “My story” short version

Cheryl talks about her daughter’s organ donations.

Madelyn – The power of music

Madelyn – discusses the potency of music and processing good and bad memories