Families Bereaved by Alcohol or Drugs: Research on Experiences, Coping and Support

This book is the first to examine, in-depth, the experiences of bereaved family members following a drug and/or alcohol related death. Drawing upon a substantial research project, chapters identify the issues faced by a sizeable, yet often stigmatised and vulnerable group, which make these deaths particularly hard to grieve. These include the stresses and strains of having lived with another’s substance use, as well as the stigma that often extends to those left behind, and the difficulties of memorialising a life that may be considered unfulfilled. The book also explores the responses of service personnel and the importance of sensitive treatment to each family’s individual experience.