What a mother wishes she knew before losing her son to fentanyl

Grieving Out Loud: A Mother Coping with Loss in the Opioid Epidemic

As a grieving mother who fought to get help for my daughter’s substance use disorder—and ultimately lost her to fentanyl—I’m often asked what advice I have, or what I wish I had done differently.

Today on Grieving Out Loud, I sit down with another grieving mother at the DEA Family Summit on Fentanyl. Kate Sloan, like so many others, learned about the deadly reality of fentanyl far too late. She’s here to share her son’s story—his battle with substance use disorder—and the hard lessons she wishes she had known sooner.

If you or someone you love is struggling, please don’t wait to get help. Fentanyl is finding its way into street drugs, and even a tiny amount can be deadly. You can find helpful resources on our website—emilyshope.charity—because time really does matter.

Also, if you have an idea for a Grieving Out Loud episode, email Angela at [email protected]

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The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices.

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For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Marley Miller