Podcasts about substance passing

In this episode, Michele Rogers shares with us her journey of losing her son. This was a powerful conversation about what happens next as well as her experience. The biggest take away from this conversation is, this is not a parenting problem. Here is just a little of Michele's story and what she has to say:I grew up in Tidewater Virginia and later attended Saint Leo College in Florida. I had two sons, Clayton (1989) and Bradley (1992). When I divorced in 1996 I moved with my young sons to Waynesville, NC. I worked in hospitality and marketing. I met my husband in 1999 and was remarried in 2003. I became a Real Estate Broker in 2005 and worked in sales until buying a Property Management Company in 2010. My husband and I are both NC Real Estate Brokers and together with our small staff, we manage over 400 long term rental properties for our company Select Homes. When my oldest son, Clay, was in her very early 20s he had a sinus surgery and was over-prescribed pain pills. He became addicted to the pain pills and entered treatment for the first time in 2012. His pain pill addiction turned into a heroin addiction around 2015. From 2012-2018 Clay cycled in nd out of rehab, being substance free, relapsing and back to rehab. In September of 2018 after being substance free for 11 months, Clay relapsed and last his life to fentanyl.After losing my son, I knew I wanted to do something to help other family members navigate the lonely journey of having a loved one with SUD and the even lonelier grief journey after losing someone to Substance Passing. I met Lisa Falbo and we learned that we had this in common and together we started the 501(c)3 - The SHARE Project. SHARE stands for Spreading Hope and Awareness and Removing the Epidemic Stigma. We hold events including quarterly workshops to bring awareness and education of the drug epidemic. We sit on several drug awareness and prevention coalitions throughout our county and region. We facilitate two monthly support groups - SMART RECOVERY FAMILY & FRIENDS for those who have loved ones struggling with SUD and GRASP - Grief Recovery After Substance Passing. We host an annual Drug Awareness Walk and Event as well as an annual International Overdose Awareness Event. This past may we had almost 300 people attend out Annual Walk and Awareness Event.When I'm not working at my property management company  or with The SHARE Project, I enjoy traveling with my husband, Rick and spending time with my two grandsons, Elijah (8) and Wyatt (4).Additional LinksThe Share ProjectA Mother's Pledge

Anyone who has lost a loved one as a result of substance abuse knows that society treats this loss differently than a death from any other cause. Grief Recovery After Substance Passing (GRASP) was created to offer understanding, compassion, and support for those who have lost someone they love through addiction and overdose. Too many times, they suffer not only the death of the person they love but also become isolated in their grief. Today’s guest is Kathy Posey, who lost her own son, Josh, to substance addiction at the tender age of 23. In this episode, Kathy speaks candidly about her experience, her son’s struggle with addiction, and his untimely passing. She shares what she wishes she knew at the time, how she managed to take care of herself – both before and after Josh’s death – and the importance of realizing that there is no shame in addiction or overdose-related death. Kathy also explains that every person grieves differently and how starting a GRASP group helped her with her own grief process, and she shares some words of hope and advice for those dealing with grief or those who wish to support them. Tune in today! Key Points From This Episode:Kathy shares a bit about her family, herself, and her background.Talking about Kathy’s son, Josh – she describes his path and his personality.The signs Kathy and her family noticed in Josh and when they first sought treatment for him. What stands out to Kathy from her journey and what she wished she knew at the time.Kathy explains that addiction is a disease that brings a lot of shame and anxiety for parents.What Kathy found was that talking about it and educating herself helped her take care of herself.The importance of realizing that there is no shame in having a child with addiction – it has nothing to do with parenting.Kathy talks candidly about Josh’s passing and the few months prior to his death.Starting the journey of walking through grief – Kathy shares some of her key takeaways.Everyone grieves differently, and each approach is valid and understandable.Starting a GRASP group for families and how it has helped Kathy with her own grief process.It’s human nature that sharing our experience helps us feel less alone.Realizing the reality of having a child with addiction is different from the dreams of their future.Being ready for a group, finding a local group that works for the individual, and how GRASP has been affected by COVID.Advice for friends and family who want to come alongside those grieving: be there.Kathy’s story of hope: even though loss is incredibly painful, you will recover and laugh again.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:GRASP (Grief Recovery After Substance Passing)GRASP Facebook GroupMosaics of Mercy Support Group ResourcesMemorial Hermann Prevention and Recovery Center (PaRC)

We had the honor of being accompanied by Maureen Wittels. Her compassion and hope towards life was truly #inspirational. Her son, Harris Wittels who passed away from #addiction, was co-producer of NBC’s hit show Parks and Rec and of Netflix’s Master of None. Maureen has made it her mission to save people from tragedy, and thus started GRASP(Grief Recovery after a Substance Passing.)

Announcements!  Married To Doctors is having 2 live events soon! Find out the details:  Salt Lake City Boston Please consider supporting the show, every dollar helps.    Episode Notes ( For complete show notes including the transcript, please visit www.marriedtodoctors.com) Lara talks with Kelly O'Leary, a physician spouse who lost her son to opioid addiction several years ago and is now doing her best to educate parents and children about the dangers and responsibilities of using prescription drugs. About Kelly Kelly O'Leary was born and raised in South Bend, IN.  She attended Memorial School of Radiologic Technology in South Bend.  She attended Hillsborough Community College and received a degree in Radiation Therapy.  After receiving her R.T. (R) (T) she received her B.S. from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL.  Kelly worked in Florida as a CT/MRI technologist, medical marketing, application specialist and a Radiation Therapist.  She also worked in Henderson, KY and St. Louis, MO as a Radiation Therapist.  She married Dr. Timothy O’Leary a Radiation Oncologist.  They have been married for 22 years and have 2 daughters.  Meghan and Katy.  She lost her son Derek Shortz on December 15, 2014, from an opioid overdose.  Derek is from her first marriage. Currently, she is involved with GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing), Harris House, Step Ups, Loyola Academy, HOPE and NCADA.  She has been involved in planning the International Overdose Awareness Day 2018 and also a guest speaker at the event.  Since the passing of her son Derek, she has been actively involved in sharing her story.  The story has been shared in the St.Louis Medical Society magazine, Missouri State Medical magazine, AMAA, and KevinMD. She also participated in the video Prescription Opioid Epidemic in conjunction with Barbara Hover and Mercy Hospital.  She was also a guest speaker at the Missouri State meeting with Dr. JoEllyn Ryall.  Kelly was also a participant in the filming of the “Responsibility Documentary”. Senator Roy Blunt is also using her personal story in Washington DC for the opinion editorial - More Federal Support for Opioid Programs.  After speaking last year to several Missouri counties she will continue visiting 3 more alliances groups to speak on the opioid crises.  As well as local schools.  The Missouri counties will continue with our health programs “Drugs Are Not For Me” and “Pills Are Not a Party”.   She has been a stay at home mom for 21 years and was very active in her children’s schooling, activities and lives.  She spent many years volunteering at the schools her children attended.   Here are some resources from the AMA Alliance on opioid use.

Our national opioid epidemic took 50,000 lives last year.   This represents a huge challenge to policymakers as they craft legal and medical measures to combat this scourge.  But it is easy to forget the human tragedy behind every one of these deaths. In this episode, Katharine Neill Harris, fellow in Drug Policy at the Baker Institute, interviews Maureen Wittels.   Ms. Wittels is the founder of the Houston Chapter of Grief Recovery after a Substance Passing, a support group for those who have lost loved ones to substance abuse.  Ms. Wittels’ son, Harris, died from a heroin overdose at only 30 years of age.    She is committed to telling his story – and hers – in order to avoid similar tragedies in the future.

Today on RecoveryPeople we chat with Marilee Odendahl about Overdose Awareness Day in Austin, Tx.  Since losing her son to an overdose in 2007, she's become very involved in raising awareness and helping others deal with their loss.  Marilee talks about orginizations that have helped her like GRASP(Grief Recovery as Substance Passing).  Another group, Broken No More, has also played a major role in her support and purpose.  

This week Denise talks to Denise Cullen about the organization GRASP, a support group specifically for those who have lost a loved one to addiction or substance abuse. Why is this group different than other grief support groups for those who have lost children or loved ones? Listen and learn. Hear Ms Cullen’s story and […] The post Addicted to Addicts: Survival 101 – GRASP: Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Our guest tonight is Denise Cullen, Executive Director of GRASP. GRASP stands for Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing. GRASP is a support group for people who have lost a loved one as a result of drug use. The GRASP book is called When a Child Dies From Drugs.