CURRAHEE CENTER CAN HELP! YOU MAY BE GOING THROUGH THE INCREDIBLE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE THROUGH THE VERY REAL ATROCITIES OF ADDICTION. OR, SOMEONE YOU MAY KNOW NEEDS TO KNOW THAT HELP IS AVAILABLE.
SUBSTANCE/ALCOHOL ABUSE STATISTICS:
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According to the Centers for Disease Control, the leading cause of injury death in 2012 was drug overdose.
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And in 2014, the CDC reported 47,000 deaths from opioid pain relievers and heroin.
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The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence reports that there are 2.5 million alcohol-related deaths worldwide each year.
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Every day, over 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids.
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These deaths leave behind many grieving loved ones who may not have the resources to deal with the death. Following is a resource guide with advice and information for those who’ve lost a loved one to drug or alcohol addiction.
BEGINNING THE GRIEVING PROCESS
If you have lost a loved one from overdose death or alcohol abuse, access the web sites shared below. And, contact us at Currahee Center for personal support.
This two-part article on grieving after an overdose addresses how those who’ve lost a loved one to addiction often feel guilt and shame because they think they should have been able to prevent the death. Part Two of the article offers resources; to help grieving loved ones begin to deal with these feelings:
The Currahee Center offers individual counseling and support groups to address the hurt and suffering from losing a loved one through addiction.
If you don’t feel comfortable discussing your grief in person, an online grief support group might be a good option. There are online support groups and forums specifically for people who’ve lost a loved one to addiction.
Whether you’re a parent or other family member of a child who has lost a parent or sibling to addiction or the parent or family member of an older child who lost a friend to the disease, it is important to know that children may require special help in coping with death and grief.
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The Women’s and Children’s Health Network provides comprehensive information on how to help a child who’s grieving. It explains how children in different age groups—Preschool, Early Years of School, Later Primary School Years, and Teenagers—experience and express their grief. It also provides advice for parents on how to help them through this difficult time.
This article discusses the helpful benefits of journaling when grieving and touches on the fact that many people don’t take advantage of the benefits of journaling because they find it “difficult, frightening, overwhelming, or counterproductive.” It also provides tips for overcoming this aversion to journaling. For example, there are no rules when it comes to journaling–don’t worry about grammar and punctuation. And help yourself get in the habit by sticking to short amounts of time, 5 or 10 minutes to start.
Grieving is a stressful and taxing process. This article provides self-care suggestions for those who are grieving. For example, the article recommends participating in an activity you’re good at, taking a walk outside, listening to a relaxation exercise, and much more.
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And be sure to get plenty of sleep. As this article notes, sleep patterns are often disrupted by grief. It provides tips on how you can ensure you’re getting enough rest as you grieve.
Music can play a big role in guiding you through the grieving process. Making a list of your favorite songs, or eventually, well-likes songs of your loved one, can bring comfort, and calm to the periodic stress or anxiety experienced.
Those who’ve lost a loved one to an addiction may seek out ways to avoid their grief. Personal use of drugs and alcohol, throwing one’s self into work, and avoiding feelings can greatly hinder the grieving process.
GRASP offers advice on how to develop coping tools that will help you deal with the “realities of living.” GRASP recommends sticking to a regular schedule. The group stresses the importance of understanding that the grieving process is slow, and you shouldn’t try to rush yourself through it.
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Talk about it with family/friends. Talking through your grief is part of the healing process, and yet, it can be a very difficult thing to do.
Help reduce the stigma. This article points out the stigma that still surrounds drug and alcohol addiction. It encourages those who know and understand what addiction is, to inform others in order to help reduce the stigma associated with addiction. In doing so, you can play a role in making sure people get the help they need.
At your church, do you offer support groups for men and women? If so, would you like to improve in effective skills, knowledge and techniques?
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If you have been thinking about offering support groups at your church, we can help!
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Substance Abuse
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Marriage
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Co-dependency
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Women’s Issues
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Men’s Issues
To know more about scheduling support group training, contact us at b.ward@curraheecenter.org, or Coordinator@curraheecenter.org. We would be happy to discuss your interests and possible training.
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Helpful Counseling Websites
Cloud-Townsend Solutions for life- Henry Cloud PhD & John Townsend PhD-
Family Life Today- Dr, Dennis Raniey-
Focus on the Family- James Dobson, PhD –
Strong Families- John Trent, PhD-
American Association of Christian Counselors- Tim Clinton, EdD-
New Life Ministries – Steve Arterburn, MS –
Focus on the Family- James Dobson, PhD -
Hope for the Heart- Dr. June Hunt-
Key Life Network- Dr. Steve Brown -
Smalley Relationship Center- Gary Smalley, PhD –
Real Relationships- Les Parrott, PhD & Leslie Parrott, PhD
E-Counseling- Anthony Centore, PhD-
Highly Healthy Person with Walt Larimore, MD-
Storm Stress Recovery- Dwight Bain, MA-
Some people end up contemplating divorce because they wait too long to find solutions to the problems in their marriage. Couples and families are busy. Thus, the conflict is avoided until it becomes a crisis.
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Many don’t like to think they can’t solve a problem. The mindset is the problem isn’t that big. It will go away. The unresolved issues become larger than life. Yet with some assistance, you can apply the skills needed to work through the problems.
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Some couples don’t know how to fight (disagree) fairly. Often filled with the romantic notion that we can make up and all will be well.
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We live in a disposable society. If it doesn’t work, someone just leaves. Yet, the joy and satisfaction of resolving problems, and healing hurts can strengthen a couple’s relationship and, as a result, families are restored.
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The Currahee Center and Potter’s House (a department of Currahee) are here to help to provide the necessary tools for strengthening your marriage, and your family!
According to Butler County Board of Health (as of July 2014)
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Overdose by death through heroin with Fentanyl (Hamilton)
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2013 – 64 deaths
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2014 – July 1: 36 deaths
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2013 – 118 deaths, 2014 – 81 (through July 1, 2014)
According to Dr. Uptegrove – WC Coroner and Forensic Pathologist – at the May 22, 2014 – Drug Awareness Forum held at Vineyard Christian Church – “In the first quarter of 2014, there have been 13 deaths resulting from the use of heroin.” “A lot of deaths are due to the mixture of Fentanyl that is being cut with heroin.”
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In 2011 – 11.9 grams of heroin confiscated in Warren County
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In 2013 – 4,770 grams of heroin were confiscated in Warren County
2013 – 1,803 total overdoses resulting in death with any type of drug. Of those, 423 death’s are due to heroin.
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1999-2013 – there is a 440% increase in deaths by overdose in Ohio
are the leading cities in the state for overdose deaths.