Outskirts Press, INC.

Letters to James After His Death by Opioid Overdose

After struggling with substance abuse for many years, James died of heroin overdose at the age of thirty-four. The year before his death he turned to a new and ‘clean’ life path in ways his family and friends had never seen. Nevertheless, in a few short weeks he relapsed and eventually overdosed and died. His death was a huge shock to those who loved him. Some months after James’ death, his dad, Jack, started writing a few letters to James as a way to reach out to him across the emptiness and loss that his death brought. The letters became a way for Jack to remember and reflect on their father and son relationship and the many ways their life paths had crossed, particularly in times of addiction. The writing continued until what had been a few letters became a large stack, which became the basis of this book. Among other things, the letters provided a medium for Jack to address his grief and to move toward healing. Most importantly, they created a means for after-death contact, including a way to affirm and express the love that they shared.