When a loved one dies by substance use, the grief that follows can be complicated.
Sadness, anger and guilt are often accompanied by shame, loneliness and isolation.
The stigma attached with a drug or alcohol-related death can prevent families from reaching out, sharing their stories or seeking support out of fear of judgement.
“Grief can be an incredibly isolating experience on its own,” said Jaime Bickerton, executive director of Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region.
“But when you layer that with the complexities that come with a death by substance use, families are hit with stigma twice over.”
With its Living with Loss group specifically for individuals impacted by drug or alcohol-related deaths, BFO-MR is hoping to lessen the stigma, encourage dialogue and create a safe, welcoming space for people who are grieving to share stories about their loved ones and learn to heal.
“Helping people understand that they are not alone on their grief journey is at the foundation of what we do at Bereaved Families,” Bickerton said. “There is hope and healing knowing that there are others who get it, who have walked a similar path and can empathize with what you are going through.”
BFO-MR currently offers a mixed-loss group for adults grieving the death of a loved one in Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph and Mount Forest.
The addition of a group that deals with a specific type of loss under the Living with Loss umbrella is a first for BFO-MR.
The program was previously known as GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing) and had been held in Kitchener for approximately three years when its founders, Christine Padaric and Kim Butler approached BFOMR about offering it as part of its peer support programming.
“Given the current opioid crisis and the lack of support in the community for people left behind after a death, the decision to take this on was an easy one,” Bickerton said.
“Christine is a tireless, passionate advocate and she and Kim are bereaved moms who are all too familiar with the impact this can have on a family. We are proud to be working with them to expand on the foundation they built, and ensure this program is accessible to as many as possible.”
Beginning in September, Living with Loss for adults grieving the death of a loved one by substance use is being offered the third Wednesday of every month from 7 to 9pm at The Family Centre in Kitchener. Each group is facilitated by volunteers who are themselves bereaved and focuses on a specific grief-related topic or theme.
Group dates and topics can be found at www.bfomidwest.org. This group is offered free of charge.
