Every year on August 31, communities around the world observe International Overdose Awareness Day, a global event that raises awareness about overdose, reduces stigma around drug-related deaths, and honors the grief of families and friends who have lost loved ones. It’s also a reminder that prevention and recovery are possible, and there is always hope.
This year, CenterPointe honors International Overdose Awareness Day by sharing one woman’s journey.
Beth’s lowest point came in Las Vegas. She and her boyfriend had planned to celebrate her 52nd birthday. Instead, they used heroin, and she woke up the next morning to find that he had passed away from an overdose. Beth describes that moment as her last chance. She returned to her hometown of Lincoln and re-joined CenterPointe services for the third time in ten years. This time, she saw things differently. The loss of someone she loved gave her the push to fully commit to change.
The years leading up to that moment were filled with starts and stops. Beth lived on the streets, used drugs daily, drank heavily, and tried to manage her depression on her own. “Sometimes my depression got so bad I couldn’t stop crying. I got tired of living,” she said.
When she first connected with CenterPointe, Beth didn’t believe she could get better or that she deserved to. But with consistent support and someone walking alongside her, she began to rebuild her confidence. She learned why previous treatment attempts hadn’t worked and how to address both substance use and mental health together. “Recovery shows you can be in the worst of circumstances and still come back,” she said.
One of her biggest hurdles was finding stable housing. With a history of evictions and unpaid rent, she thought no one would rent to her again, but with the right support she was able to secure an apartment and find a job. Beth has now been sober since 2009 and continues to manage her depression.
Stories like Beth’s show why CenterPointe meets people where they are, without judgment, offering support and resources to reduce the risk of overdose. Last year, CenterPointe became home to Nebraska’s first Narcan vending machine, located at our Campus for Health and WellBeing in Lincoln. The machine provides free access to Narcan, the only medication known to reverse an opioid overdose in progress.
CenterPointe offers a full continuum of care, from treatment and therapy to crisis response, housing, and outreach. We work with people at every stage of their journey, whether they’re ready for treatment or simply need someone to talk to.
International Overdose Awareness Day is a time to remember those we’ve lost and to hold on to hope for those still finding their way. Recovery is possible, just like it was for Beth.
Learn more about our services or connect to care at centerpointe.org.
