Honoring Lives Lost to Addiction

August marks International Overdose Awareness Month—a time to remember the precious lives lost to overdose and to stand in solidarity with the families left behind. For many, this month is deeply personal. It’s not just a global observance—it’s a reminder of sons and daughters, siblings and friends, whose stories were cut short by substance use disorder. It’s about honoring lives lost to addiction.

Addiction does not discriminate. It affects families from every background, race, and socioeconomic status. The heartbreak of overdose is not confined to a single type of community—it reaches into homes with love, laughter, and dreams, shattering the lives of those who remain. And yet, too often, families are left to grieve in silence, carrying the added burden of stigma and shame.

It’s important to say this clearly: addiction is not a moral failure. It is a complex disease. Families affected by it do not lack love, discipline, or faith. They are often the fiercest advocates and the most courageous caretakers, doing everything in their power to help their loved ones fight a devastating battle.

International Overdose Awareness Month is about education and compassion. It’s about challenging the narrative that shames instead of supports. It is about remembering our loved ones and honoring lives lost to addiction.

Most importantly, it’s about remembrance—honoring the memory of those we’ve lost and making sure their lives are not defined by how they died, but by how deeply they were loved.

As we move through this month, may we light candles, share stories, speak their names, and continue advocating for a world that sees addiction for what it truly is—a public health crisis that demands compassion, treatment, and hope.

To every grieving parent, family member, and friend: you are not alone. We see you. We remember with you. And we stand beside you.