A community of peers created by the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation
"There, but for the grace of God..." - Thoughts on International Overdose Awareness Day
"There, but for the grace of God, go I."
According to some historical records, English martyr John Bradford first spoke those words as he watched a man being taken to his execution. That grace only held out for a short time, as Bradford, himself, was burned at the stake for religious heresy. Those who loved and respected him watched him burn.
When your loved one is trapped in the prison of addiction, you know there are only two ways out, and you hope and you pray that it won’t be death that finally breaks the bars and sets them free. That the grace will hold out just one more day, one more week, one more month, one more year. That you won’t have to stand, helplessly, and watch them burn.
In the United States, 100 people lose their lives to drug overdoses every day.
That’s over 36,000 people each year (nearly 15,000 of those deaths are from prescription painkillers).
36,000 people
People with mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends.
If each of those people has a Facebook account with the average number of "friends," that would mean 6,840,000 Facebook users each year are touched, at some level, by overdose loss--and that just includes U.S. overdose deaths.
Today, on International Overdose Awareness Day, let us extend grace.
Let us extend grace and compassion, instead of judgment and fear.
Let us remember those who have died.
Let us stand with those who have endured the agony of losing their loved ones.
Let us extend our support to those who are still struggling to break free from the prison of addiction.
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In loving memory of Michael (1976-2011)
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If you lost a spouse or partner who suffered with addiction, whether or not the addiction led to his/her death, I would like to invite you to join the private "Survivors of Addiction and Substance Abuse" group here on Widowed Village. You are not alone. There are others who "get it."
If you are a widowed person struggling with your own substance issues, you can find non-judgmental support in the new, private "12-Steppers" group here on this site.
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SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has a free hotline for referrals for in person services and support. Visit them online at samhsa.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP
(Widowed Village is not affiliated with SAMHSA. The above link/number is provided for information purposes only.)
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Comment
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Comment by bad ass widow on September 1, 2012 at 3:59pm -
((((hugs)))) to all who have loved and lost to addictions whether directly or indirectly. Seeing the statistics strikes fear in my heart. Knowing that there will be 36,000 people out there this year that will lose their lives and leave so many people behind to try and understand and pick up the pieces.
Thank you Krista and Widowed Village for giving us a place to come and be understood. A place where we can pick up the pieces and be loved and accepted without fear.
(((Hugs)))
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Comment by kimkirt (KK) on September 1, 2012 at 2:05pm -
In memory of my beloved husband, Steve, who overdosed on pain medication. Yesterday, with the help of a fellow widower and dear friend, I burned the remainder of those pills. It was hard to see those pills go up in flames, with the bottle as well. Knowing they were one of the last things my husband touched. I'm trying to work beyond the fact that Evil Won. I hate that so much, that the demons took him. Yes, there are only two ways out as you say and I had always hoped and prayed that it wouldn't be this way. It has brought me to my knees. I am so blessed to find people who understand. Who don't judge me for staying with an addict. Who understand that YES you can love them and realize that the loss is just as devastating. Hugs my friends.
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