Live Inspired Podcast: Grief, Loss and the Opioid Crisis #120

John O’Leary discusses grief and loss with a friend who has been touched deeply by the opioid crisis on Live Inspired Podcast, episode 120.

Today we discuss a topic that “so many families are dealing with quietly, quietly…”

72,000 Americans died from drug overdose last year. That’s a two-fold increase in a decade.

I’m sure you’ve heard similar stats like this in the news, along with headlines including words such as “opioid crisis” + “heroine epidemic.”

Today, my friend Steve Grant joins us to share his story, how this epidemic has deeply touched his life + what it means for you on your journey to live inspired.

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Grief, Loss + the Opioid Crisis Show Notes

• Learn more about Chris + Kelly’s Hope here.
• Read the original Monday Motivation essay I wrote Let Your Life Exemplify the Power of Gratitude when I first met Steve here. Sign up to receive Monday Motivation each week in your inbox here.
• Drug addiction is “an issues so many families are dealing with quietly, quietly…”
• “I have grief, but I don’t have guilt. I did everything I could. If I could re-do something, I’d send him to a 12 – 16 month rehab program. He needed to be rewired.”
• What tips would Steve give to parents?
  • When friends come: No back packs upstairs + doors open
  • It’s important for kids to have some after-school activities
  • Always call if they are staying somewhere
  • Take the liquor out of your house
  • “Most important, keep open lines of communication, you have to be willing to talk about sensitive issues. Always have an interest in where your kids are, what they are doing and who they are doing it with.”

Enjoy thinking about a current topic through an inspired lens? Check out episode 73 with Sue Klebold, mother of Columbine High School shooter Dylan Klebold + mental health advocate. Listen to Sue’s inspired take on what we can do in the wake of growing gun violence here.

STEVE GRANT’S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? John Grisham’s book, A Time to Kill.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? I was a risk taker.

3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? A photo with my sons that is very important to him.

4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? Mickey Mantle. I’d ask about how he was so talented + ended up being an alcoholic / abusing his body so much. I think his answer would be about a lot of things we talked about today. Something controlled him that he couldn’t gain control over.

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? It’s not always as it seems.

6. What would you tell your 20-year-old self? Try harder in everything that you do.

7. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? He did everything he could to help young adults and adolescents who struggle with addiction, substance abuse and mental illness.

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If you enjoyed today’s episode: Subscribe, rate & review on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. See you here next Thursday! Live Inspired with me daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get my Monday Motivation email.