Posttraumatic growth following a drug-related death: A family perspective
Submitted by Edie
- 18 August 2022
This paper explores the experience of posttraumatic growth in families who have lost a family member to a drug-related death.
Seven family units (17 participants) were interviewed, and interviews were analysed.
Analyses revealed themes that reflected positive adaptation and growth, including
(a) reframing the loss,
(b) open dialogue and social support, and
(c) reclamation of purpose.
Themes are presented in this paper for their importance in understanding how best to manage adaptation through complicated grief.
The paper concludes that posttraumatic growth can occur once families begin a process of acceptance and receive support through the journey.
