From Heroin to Hope: Making Sense of the Loss of a Child

by Marsha Wiggins

Are you reeling from a child’s drug-overdose death? Are you worried you will never bounce back from this devastating loss? Do you wonder how to live in the “new normal”? In From Heroin to Making Sense of the Loss of a Child, professional counselor Dr. Marsha Wiggins describes the unique aspects of grieving a child lost to drugs, and offers compelling insights into how to navigate grief.A professor emerita of counseling at the University of Colorado Denver and retired ordained clergywoman, Dr. Wiggins shares her experience of losing her son to a heroin overdose, and relates ways she coped with this heart-breaking loss. Using grief and loss research and personal vignettes, Dr. Wiggins opens the door to healing for those suffering the agony of losing a child to addiction. In this book you will •How to recognize the normal aspects of grieving•How to cultivate resilience in the midst of emotional pain•How to make sense of this life-changing lossHeroin has claimed countless young people leaving their loved ones lost in the abyss of grief. If you need help finding your way forward in the dark, this book is for you.

211 pages, Paperback

Published September 7, 2018

Reviews

[T. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tremendous resource for me - much appreciation and gratefulness!

For me, this was the best book of help and comfort as the parent of an adult child who is living the long-term, possibly in the late stage, of her addiction.I felt the author's story mirrored many of the feelings, longings and experiences I have lived without my child in my life. Ms. Wiggins's thoughtful journey, as well as her professional insight gave this book so much substance. It is certainly well resourced and informative. I am not a religious person, but, the carefully explained thoughts on this subject, as well as the subject of spirituality was very meaningful to me. I have had so many questions about the meaning of my child's life in addiction as a mom. This is a hugely important book for me. I highly recommend it! I bought the hardcover and read it through Kindle Unlimited. This book is high quality and well edited. Just the best book for me!!! I appreciate the author writing this book. I know she helped me immensely and I am sure it will help many other parents of addicts! Any day now I know I may get that phone call of the passing of my only daughter. I have been aware of this for over 20 years. I will grab this book and hold it close to my heart to deal with the daily pain of her absence. This book and my Al Anon book will get me through this loss.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book. Wiggins is very open with her experience and effortlessly weaves that into practical explorations or working through grief. Though I am not the target audience, I learned a lot from this book and appreciated Wiggins' ability to handle a challenging topic with grace and compassion.