When a Child Dies From Drugs: Pratical help for Parents in Bereavement.

by Pat Wittberger, Russ Wittberger

"When a Child Dies From Drugs" is written by parents to help other parents who are experiencing the ultimate tragedy of their child's death from drugs or alcohol - parents who find themselves isolated in a fathomless dark void wondering whether they will ever resurface into the real world again. This book offers strength, practical advice and an aid in grief recovery for parents and families, gleaned not only from personal experiences but also from meeting with many parents through their out-reach program,"G.R.A.S.P."(Grief Recovery After Substance Passing) Subjects covered range from the emotional trauma of learning of the child's demise and on through the guilt, denial, anger, "what-if's" and, finally, acceptance and to suggestions of how to cope daily and into a future which will never be the same. It is also illuminating to all those who know someone who has lost a loved one through drugs -What to say and do? What NOT to say and do? There is advice here for those who want to support families in grief. With personal insights this book is very much like friends reaching out to friends in compassion and kindness - friends who understand because, quite simply, the writers continue to be on the same journey as those they will comfort.

102 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2004

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but great help in dealing with grief when you've lost your child to the horrible disease of drug addiction. So many parents belong to this club that we didn't want to join.

This book was written by the founders of the group GRASP ( Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing) which is also a Facebook group that has helped me so much.

[Karen O'donnell tennenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book only weeks into my grief journey after losing my son to substance use. It helped me to understand that I am not alone and that his death does not define me just as his addiction did not define him. It's a very short, practical guide to living with this very complicated grief...almost as though the authors knew that only simple, plain, brief writing would work with people like me who could barely get through a few minutes of reading anything. I tried other books that were more philosophical or more enlightening at that time and couldn't get through them, it was too hard to process but this book was easy to read and full of practical advice. I am going to go back to it in a week or so now that I am six months into this journey and see how it reads now.

[Elaine McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two and a half weeks

This small book has helped me to begin my sad journey. I know I have a long way to go before acceptance and some form of peace. I know I am still in denial. My biggest fear is not for me but for my young adult grandsons- her sons, and the impact it will have on their lives.