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Anyone who has lost a loved one through drugs knows that society treats that death in a much different manner than a death from any other cause. There is the unspoken feeling that the individual who succumbed to drugs must have somehow been less than a good person. And for the person who has survived, surely they too must have somehow been a failure, for "letting this occur." Why were they not strong enough to stop this from happening? You were, they feel, in whatever way, partially a factor in the demise of the person you grieve.
Anyone who has gone through the anguish of losing a loved one through drugs knows the feeling. Just the loss of that person is devastating enough. But coupled with friends and associates who, try as they might not to, look at you in a different way and, you're sure, thinking less of you for what happened, make it nearly impossible to cope. Above all, they do not want to discuss it with you, feeling inadequate to really comprehend what you're going through.
But where to turn? Society has grieving groups for when a child has died from illness, accident, suicide or even murder. They have similar groups for those whose family member "- parent, sibling, spouse or partner," has passed on through disease or accident. But, oddly, there is little help available for those who have lost that special person through a misuse of drugs.
GRASP was created to offer a single source to people in this specific group, those who have lost a child, parent, spouse, partner or sibling through drugs. GRASP offers resources of many types. You're invited to explore our menu. Somewhere you will find a thought, a page, a suggestion, book or a direction, to help give you encouragement and a path in the days ahead. |
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When A Child Dies From Drugs
Practical help for parents to survive their uniquely tragic experience.This book provides strength, meaningful advice, and an aid in grief recovery.
By: Pat and Russ Whittberger
How to get your copy
More About the Book |
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"Losing Johnathan" A condensed version of the first part of this book appeared in the Boston Globe Magazine on Father's Day in 2000. The book, entitled Losing Jonathan , runs about 56,000 words. It is divided into two groups of short sections: the first series of sections explore the year before our son Jonathan's death, his battle against heroin addiction, and the close bond between parent and child. The second series then traces the curve of parental grief over the next six years, reflecting on the turbulent struggle of such experience,with particular emphasis on the difference between the interior journey of a father and a mother, husband and wife.
Purchase: www.Amazon.com or www.bn.com
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"Living When a Loved One Has Died"
By Earl A. Grossman.
"One book which we found helpful and have since given out to others is"
For children, especially siblings, this whole grieving process can not only be hurtful but confusing and even frightening. Often death is puzzling for them, and they wonder where they now fit within the sadness of parents.
Pat recently read three books, written especially for the 6-10 year olds, which explain emotions at this time
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"When Someone Very Special Dies" by Marge Heegaard
Two very special books which were primarily written for and are published as juvenile literature must be recommended since the response to them by adults has been most enthusiastic - not only because of content, but illustrations. |
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"The Next Place"
by Warren Hanson
It is so beautifully conceived by the author/illustrator that the reader or listener cannot help but be inspired and comforted. |
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"Tear Soup"
by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyern, illustrator, Taylor Bulls ,
It is as the co-title suggests "a recipe for healing after a loss" and to quote the jacket flap, "affirms the bereaved, educates the un bereaved and is a building block for children." |
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"I Am Your Disease"
by Sheryl Letzgus Mc.Ginnis
This book is a compilation of real lives , true stories of addictions supplied by the families involved.
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"Sunny's Story"
by Ginger Katz
The addiction of a young boy told through the eyes of his dog.
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"Life Between Falls"
A Travelogue Through Grief and the Unexpected."
by Julie Lange.
One mother's journey through her son's death. A must read.
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"My Daughter's Addiction"
A gripping and compelling story of one mothers journey raising her heroin addicted daughter. The autobiographical story also chronicles the murder of the author's mother in 1968; the Youth Culture of the 60's, the author's experience as a battered wife and consequent escape, and the devastating effects of that marriage and personal history on her adult daughter, a Junkie.
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Recovery® Specialist