FAQs Related to Family/Social Networks
What resources are available for family members/social networks following a fatal overdose?
Check out the Partnership to End Addictions grief resources page.
Here are several Massachusetts resources for loved ones of people who have died from overdose:
Support After Death from Overdose (SADOD)
Visit website for full list of in-person/virtual services throughout Massachusetts
Provides resources, information, and assistance including a free grief booklet, brochure, and support groups
Best for: Bereaved people, frontline care providers, and people in recovery or struggling with substance use
Please visit: https://sadod.org/
The Sun Will Rise Foundation
In person meetings in Massachusetts and/or Zoom (Zoom link emailed after pre-registration on Website)
Provides education, prevention, awareness, scholarships, family and recovery support, and grief support for loss due to overdose or substance use.
Best for: Anyone 18 years or older needing support for issues regarding substance use disorder, and specialized groups for parents, grandparents, partners, and more available.
Website: www.thesunwillrise.org/
Contact: 781-789-4604 or Robyn@Thesunwillrise.Org
Still Learning Still Coping
Monday evening 7:00PM-8:30PM (ET) via Zoom
Provides peer support groups
Best for: Families who have lost a loved one to substance use disorder, yet still have a loved one struggling
Website: learn2cope.org/
Contact: Peter Babineau at pbabineau@learn2cope.org or 508-245-8005
How are outreach teams engaging with family/social networks to help prevent future overdose events and meet the needs of the family/social networks?
Yes, almost all post-overdose outreach programs engage with family members of overdose survivors. The Best Practice Guidance calls for outreach training to include family who are not aware of their loved one’s overdose and providing grief supports for family. It clarifies that disclosures to family should only be made with the overdose survivor’s consent and that outreach teams should provide resources, including naloxone and support service referrals to family. Outreach teams should not promote or assist with involuntary civil commitment, but should provide information about it when asked.
Resources for family of overdose survivors include:
Learn to Cope
Provides family peer support and prevention programming that offers education, resources, and hope.
Meetings available in Spanish
Best for: Family members and friends who have loved ones with substance use disorder.
Website: learn2cope.org
In-Person meetings in Massachusetts.
Virtual Meetings via ZOOM or Phone: 508-738-5148