International Overdose Awareness Day | Remembering the Lost, Fighting for the Living | Episode 37

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to remember those who died, acknowledge the grief carried by families and friends, reduce the stigma surrounding addiction, and take action to prevent another life from being lost. For Rebuild & Fulfill co-host Marc Rogala, the meaning of this day is deeply personal. Marc experienced three overdoses that resulted in hospitalization, along with others that nobody ever knew about. His final overdose occurred on July 17, 2020, when an Uber driver recognized that something was wrong and called 911. Marc’s sister found him on the kitchen floor, a police officer administered Narcan, and Marc woke up in intensive care. In this deeply personal conversation, Marc and Kelsey discuss why surviving an overdose does not automatically end an addiction, the people Marc knew who never made it into recovery, and the complicated emotions that come with surviving when others did not. They also explore the trauma experienced by parents, children, siblings, spouses, and friends, the language that can help someone accept treatment, and why recognizing addiction as an illness can replace shame with a path toward recovery. Today, we remember the people who were lost, stand beside those still struggling, support the loved ones affected, and honor the people who chose to act when someone’s life depended on it. If you believe someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, administer naloxone if available and call 911 immediately. For confidential treatment information in the United States, visit FindTreatment.gov or call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).