[Yobeth]

On Tuesday my sisterinlaw died of an accidental overdose. She was 51 years old. Such a waste. She has 2 beautiful sons - so much to live for. I never had a problem with drugs so I don't understand addiction. I just don't understand how someone could do this? Why would she take drugs when she knew her sons were coming to see her? How does someone move on from this? What can I do to help me nephews who found her dead? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Addiction is almost unspeakable in terms of the self-injury and injury to loved ones, in
my view. What a tragedy for the young boys to experience; please be sure that they
have an opportunity to have psychiatric counseling so that it might help to reduce the
shock of finding their mother dead. The memory will always be there, no doubt, but
they need help and comfort to understand the illness that their mother suffered.

They will need guidance, too, and I'm very glad that they have you to guide and
help them at this critical juncture in their lives. It would be helpful if you could
see your way clear to act as administrator of the estate in the mother's absence
so that the boys remain secure.

Prayer going up for your strength through this terrible experience and blow for the
youngsters.

I wish that I were qualified to give you advice about the suicide--if it was that, rather
than an accident--but I am not and can only advise you that I don't think people
fully understand the mind of the person who can commit suicide. It's a very
sad illness and addiction may swell into something of that nature unless it is healed
or brought into remission by therapy and self-help. It is clear that she was not able
to do that .

Take care.

[Leed]

Just to clarify one thing -- it may NOT have been a SUICIDE. Just because it was an overdose does NOT mean it was a suicide!!!

Evidently she was an addict -- and addicts eventually need more and more to achieve a "high." If she was taking pills, this is especially true -- if she was taking prescription drugs, after months/years of taking them she needed more and more of them to get high. Then sooner or later, the body just cannot tolerate that high a dosage and the organs stop working -- especially the heart and lungs. The drugs suppress the breathing and the lungs stop therefore making the heart stop. It does NOT mean she did this on purpose!!!

The trouble is, the stupid coroner will put "Suicide" on the death certificate and the kids will have to live with this forever, even if it's NOT TRUE. It probably was NOT true. I'm sure she didn't want to leave the boys behind!!

This is indeed a tragedy. I'm so sorry it happened. Addiction is a horrible disease that takes so many lives each year. She could have gotten help, but was probably too embarrassed. My heart goes out to the boys and the rest of the family. God bless them and all who suffer. Hugs, Lee

[Yobeth]

No, I don't think it was a suicide. She called my brother for help but was unable to get there for a few hours. She was just discharged from the rehab a week earlier.