Healing After Losing a Loved One to Substance Abuse

Some clients participating in treatment programs for substance abuse have lost loved ones to overdose and struggle to cope with the grief. Clinicians support clients as they process and mourn the loss. According to Frontiers in Psychology, “People with substance use disorder (SUD) are more vulnerable to complicated grieving symptoms following loss.” West Coast Recovery Centers uses evidence-based treatments, peer support, and other services to help clients heal and move forward after losing a loved one.

Families Struggle to Heal After Losing a Loved One to Substance Abuse

Family members with SUD have a higher risk of experiencing complicated grief. According to the previously mentioned article by Frontiers in Psychology, “Complicated grief (CG) has been defined as a deviation from the normal (in cultural and societal terms) grief experience in either time course, intensity, or both, entailing a chronic and more intense emotional experience, which either lacks the usual symptoms or in which the onset of symptoms is delayed.” People with complicated grief often have better outcomes if they participate in professional mental health or addiction treatment. 

Rehabilitation programs support clients in mourning by doing the following:

• Providing a space for healthy self-expression 
• Teaching coping skills to help clients manage grief more effectively 
• Offering family therapy and support services to help the whole family heal
• Providing access to self-help groups and peer support

Losing a loved one to substance abuse affects the entire family. Some families have multiple members struggling with active substance abuse. Getting treatment for remaining family members can break the cycle of addiction. The support offered by addiction recovery services provides clients and their families with the resources and tools to manage grief.  

Educating Families and Communities About the Risk of Overdose

Clients may find it easier to recover from the loss of a loved one if they understand what may have caused their family member to overdose. Clinicians educate clients about the realities of addiction, including risk factors for overdose deaths. Sometimes, understanding the context of loss helps people heal and move forward in their recovery.

Individuals who have lost loved ones to overdose may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other co-occurring health issues. West Coast Recovery Centers offers trauma-informed care and tailored treatment programs to ensure clients receive the support and services they need to recover from grief.

Individuals in recovery may honor the memory of lost loved ones by sharing their stories to educate others about the risk of overdose. A few ways people share their stories include: 

• In self-help or support group meetings 
• Online in recovery communities or forums
• At workshops or other in-person events
• While engaging with peers or the care team 

Overdose deaths have increased in the last few decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths increased from 8.2 deaths per 100,000 standard population in 2002 to 32.6 in 2022.” Talking about the risks of overdose and sharing personal stories can help people heal and may stop others from experiencing the same loss.

Entering Treatment After Losing a Loved One to Overdose

Participating in treatment is an essential step for individuals with SUD. However, treatment may temporarily trigger additional feelings of grief and loss for individuals who have lost loved ones to substance abuse. Mental health and addiction recovery professionals use evidence-based and alternative holistic therapies to help clients process the emotions related to their loss. Treatment focuses on providing clients with essential skills to manage their condition and improve their quality of life. Entering treatment is one of the best ways to avoid the long-term health side effects of chronic substance abuse. 

Mourning the Loss While Building a Healthier Future

Clients may use their loss as motivation to make healthier lifestyle choices. Some people dedicate their sobriety to a lost loved one, and it keeps them accountable and inspired to stay sober. Mourning the loss while building a healthy future is not easy. According to Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, “Loss of a loved one is a natural, universally experienced life event, and at the same time, among life's most challenging experiences.” The dedicated care team at West Coast Recovery Centers offers practical support, guidance, and grief counseling for individuals who have lost a loved one to substance abuse. 

West Coast Recovery Centers Helps Clients Heal After Losing a Loved One

Many people in the recovery community have lost loved ones to substance abuse. Becoming part of a supportive community allows clients to share their thoughts, feelings, memories, and stories with others who understand the pain and loss. Peers in recovery heal together through therapy, community events, workshops, and support groups. Addiction recovery experts use trauma-informed care and compassionate treatment to support clients healing from the loss of a loved one. West Coast Recovery Centers also offer support services, including family therapy, to help clients and their loved ones process grief together. 

Losing a family member is one of the most difficult things people experience. Grief and loss have a profound effect on a person's physical and psychological health. Individuals with SUD who have lost a loved one to substance abuse may enter treatment while still learning to cope with their grief. Loss may impact the effectiveness of treatment for SUD. West Coast Recovery Centers uses a trauma-informed approach and personalized care to help clients process their grief. Everyone has different needs, preferences, and recovery goals. The care team provides clients with the tools and resources to manage their condition while processing loss. To learn more about our programs and services, call us today at (760) 492-6509.