Global Grief Network logoGGN Grief After Suicide, Overdose and Traumatic Loss
Global Grief Network Education Center
Module 3 of 6

Grief After an Overdose Death

About 1 hour

If you or someone you know may be in danger right nowCall 988Text 988Immediate danger: call 911

988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7 by call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans: dial 988 then press 1. Outside the US, use your local emergency number or crisis line. This program is education, not crisis care. If you are struggling as you read, please pause and reach out now.

Lessons in this module
  1. Common experiences
  2. Facing stigma
  3. Grief that started earlier
  4. Help for others

Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Lesson

Common experiences

People grieving an overdose death may feel sorrow, anger, guilt, relief, exhaustion, and fear. Many families have lived through years of worry, hope, and heartbreak before the death.

Facing stigma

Substance use disorder is a health condition, and people who live with it are loved and worthy of care. Yet grieving families sometimes hear blaming comments or feel others judge their loved one. Compassionate words matter: speak of a person who used substances or lived with addiction, not labels.

Grief that started earlier

Some families describe grieving pieces of their loved one long before the death, through broken trust, lost time, or repeated crises. This earlier grief can mix with the grief after death.

Help for others

Other family members or friends may also be using substances. If you are worried about someone, connect them with care. The SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) offers free, confidential treatment referral and information. In an emergency, call 911.

GGN reminder: A person who died of an overdose was loved and mattered. Their family's grief deserves the same care as any other grief.
GGN practiceWords without labels (about 10 minutes)

Write three sentences about a person who lived with substance use, using person-first language. Notice how the words change the feeling of the sentence. If this brings up pain, pause and reach out to someone you trust, or call or text 988.

Fictional storyFictional Story 3.1: At the funeral

At her daughter's service, Carmen overheard someone say, "Well, she made her choices." Carmen left the room shaking.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why did the comment hurt so deeply?
  2. What could a friend say to Carmen?

Discussion: The comment blamed her daughter and dismissed Carmen's grief. A friend could say, "Your daughter was loved, and she mattered. I am so sorry for what you heard," and stay with her.

Reflection Prompts

  1. What beliefs about substance use have you absorbed?
  2. How could you respond if you hear a blaming comment?
  3. Where can people find substance use support in your area?

Module 3 Quiz

Choose one answer per question, then check your answers. You need 4 of 5 correct to pass, and every critical item must be correct. You can retake it any time.