Learn About Peer Grief Support
Grief after a person dies from alcohol or other drugs is different for no other reason than because of how the person died. People who use substances are harshly judged, and the grief of those who care about them is often intensified by feelings of guilt, confusion, anger, blame, shame, failure, fear, helplessness, and hopelessness. Grievers commonly feel judged and that no one understands.
Peer grief support is delivered by people who have experienced this and who do understand and do not judge the bereaved. This is what makes one griever helping another work. To a bereaved person, this connection can be one of the most helpful experiences they have with their grief.
What Peer Grief Helpers Do
- We affirm that our experience of grief connects us as fellow grievers and that each person's grief is also unique.
- We create safe space for our conversations and listen to you wholeheartedly.
- We let you know that it is OK for you to feel how you feel. We see how grief touches every part of your life.
- We respect you as the expert on what is happening to you. We support your decisions and do not judge you.
- We assure you that grieving does not mean something is wrong with you. We honor your grief as part of your lifelong journey.
