In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, Caroline Beidler, MSW connects with a mom who has been personally touched by overdose loss. 

Pattie Vargas lost her son, Joel, in November 2017, to overdose. After this tragic experience, Pattie went from managing a thriving consultancy firm into learning more about the disease of addiction. 

Pattie found new purpose in advocating for meaningful change in the way we address Substance Use Disorder and the accompanying stigma and trauma. She now focuses her speaking engagements, writing and podcast appearances on helping others navigate the frightening journey through addiction, finding hope for recovery, and comforting those who have lost loved ones to this disease.

Pattie is grateful to serve in many capacities within the Recovery Community including: 

·       Peer Parent Coach with The Partnership to End Addiction 

·       California State Organizing Team for The Recovery Advocacy Project 

·       Advisory Committee for the Addiction Recovery Communities of California 

·       National Ambassador with Shatterproof 

Her book is out for pre-order now:  Secrets, Scars and Heart Shaped Jars . She talks candidly about her own experience of overdose loss, how to remain resilient in the face of life's most challenging circumstances and how parents and other family members can find help. 

 Check out Caroline's latest blog article on addiction loss: Coping with Addiction Loss: Grief in the Recovery Family.