- Mar 9
- Addiction
Losing a Parent to Drug Overdose
Data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that there has been a sharp increase in drug overdose deaths among adults aged 55-64, from 4.2% in 1999 to 28.0% in 2017. This massive increase in mortality has caused children to suffer.
After losing a parent to drug overdose, many children don’t get the support they require to come to terms with their grief. Whenever this happens, most kids find it hard to accept the reality of such a loss.
Effects of Losing a Parent on Children
When children lose their parents from substance abuse, their lives change forever. Losses that are related to drug abuse bring a stigma to the children. It may also impact their mental health and result in depression. If children are neglected with no means of making an income, they may resort to criminal activities.
Children mourning death from addiction require the right support to survive the grief of such an end and thrive thereafter.
Supporting Children After Losing a Parent to Drug Overdose
It’s essential to tell children the truth about the death of their loved ones because they’ll find out the truth at some point anyway. Keeping the truth from them will make them angry towards the people who lied to them when they eventually find out what happened.
Before telling children the details surrounding the loss of their loved ones, you must consider their age and their knowledge of drug abuse. If they’re not aware of the condition, you must allow them to understand the situation before describing the occurrences.
At Gateway, we have programs that support young children who are dealing with the loss of a loved one to addiction. Whether it’s a small child or a teen, we have the right program to assist them through the hard times.
Losing a Child to Overdose
Grief also fills parents who have lost a child to a drug overdose. The grieving process is often hard for any parent and may require the intervention of a professional to walk them through the pain.
Children’s deaths from addiction have increased in the last few years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fatal overdoses involving opioids increased by more than 45% between 2016 and 2017.
Surviving the Grief of an Overdose
The loss of a daughter or a son is the worst nightmare for parents. It may take a long time to heal, and you may require help to do that. At Gateway, we understand how difficult it can be to get over the death of your child. That’s why we’re here to assist. We have programs and experienced care providers who understand how to help someone deal with the death of a loved one after an overdose.
Call Gateway for Help Now
If you know a child who has lost a parent from an overdose or you’ve lost a child yourself, we can help. We have the right programs to help you deal with the grief of losing a loved one to an overdose. With us, you’ll get all the support you need to overcome your loss.
Contact us today at 877.379.6911 or complete our online form, and we’ll walk with you to the end of this challenging journey.
