Grief Diaries Surviving Loss by Overdose

by Lynda Cheldelin Fell, Shannie Jenkins, Whitney O'Brien

Overview

Statisticians keep count. Politicians pass laws. Police are overwhelmed. Preachers condemn. Doctors medicate. Business looks at the bottom line.

And academia is stymied. Yet the flood of heartache and sorrow continues.

Drugs are rampant in today's world, yet nobody has answers. We only have stories. Our stories. The stories of our intelligent, kind and promising loved ones who fell victim to a villain disguised as pills, capsules, liquids, and powders that overpowered their logic, willpower, and survival instinct.

Surviving Loss by Overdose is a compilation of stories by 12 people who answered 18 questions about losing a loved one to overdose in hopes of raising awareness, educating, and inviting society to offer survivors the compassion that's often denied in a stigmatized death.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781950712076
Publisher:	Alyblue Media
Publication date:	11/18/2019
Pages:	388
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.86(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword by Elaine Faulkner

Preface by Lynda Cheldelin Fell

Introduction by Rev. Roland Johnson

The beginning of our journeys

When did the drugs start?

The first red flags

Discovering the evidence

Roles of friends

A downward spiral

Tight grip of addiction

Point of reckoning

Impact on family

Searching for help

Close calls of prior overdoses

Handling societal judgment

The day they died

Grappling with guilt

The shadow of anger

Fighting the darkness

How do we stop the epidemic?

Finding hope in the aftermath

Surviving the journey

Meet the Writers

Editorial Reviews

"CRITICALLY IMPORTANT . . . I want to say to Lynda that what you are doing is so critically important." -DR. BERNICE A. KING, Daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King

"A GOLDMINE . . . This book is a starting point for exploration, research, and most importantly, academic expansion of training for bereavement and grief specialists. -ROLAND JOHNSON III, sociologist

"HEALING . . . Grief Diaries gives voice to a grief so private, most bear it alone. These diaries can heal hearts and begin to build community and acceptance to speak the unspeakable." DIANNA VIAGIANOS ARMENTROUT, Poetry Therapist & Author

"STUNNING . . . Grief Diaries treats the reader to a rare combination of candor and fragility through the eyes of the bereaved. A stunning read full of comfort and hope." --DR. GLORIA HORSLEY, President, Open to Hope Foundation

"HOPE . . . These stories reflect the authentic voices of individuals at the unexpected moment their lives were shattered and altered forever. Moments of strength in the midst of indescribable pain, resilience in the midst of rage; hope while mired in despair." --SHERIFF SADIE DARNELL, Chair, Florida Cold Case Advisory Commission

"INSPIRATIONAL . . . Grief Diaries is the result of heartfelt testimonials from a dedicated and loving group of people. By sharing their stories, the reader will find inspiration and a renewed sense of comfort as they move through their own journey." -CANDACE LIGHTNER, Founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving

From the Publisher