Without a doubt, the pandemic has made it harder for people struggling with drug addiction to cope with day-to-day living. The overdose rate during COVID-19 has surged. Yet the opioid crisis ravaging our communities remains largely a private experience, frequently hidden because of misconceptions and stigma.
Tonight we share nine stories about the opioid epidemic, COVID-19, and grief. We begin with Clay’s story. Warning: some of these narratives contain references to self-harm, death, and suicide.
![A young man in sunglasses is seated on a front porch in a colorful tee shirt and high yellow socks.](https://lextimecovid19.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/09-24-Clay-Final-1-web-1-scaled.jpg)
![A woman with long wavy hair in distressed jeans and white high tops is seated on a brick stoop.](https://lextimecovid19.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/09-27-Jean-Anne-Final-web-1-scaled.jpg)
Jeane Anne
Jean Anne: “I am from Ashland, Kentucky. It borders West Virginia. I heard about a lady in Huntington that found a dead body of someone
![A woman is seated on a concrete garden bench beside a porch wearing a bun and a dusty pink woven sweater.](https://lextimecovid19.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/09-29-Stephanie-Final-web-1-scaled.jpg)
![A woman with neat, blonde and pink bangs is seated on a concrete apartment entryway beside a young man with neatly combed hair and Van Dyke style facial hair.](https://lextimecovid19.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/09-30-Hannah-and-David-Final-web-1-scaled.jpg)
Hannah and David
Hannah: “When I first took a Percocet, I was mostly ignorant about the opioid crisis. As a teenager, I had done my fair share of
![A man and woman stand closely together wearing University of Kentucky athletic wear next to a grave decorated with flowers.](https://lextimecovid19.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/10-5-Adrian-and-Callie-Final-web-1-scaled.jpg)
Adrian and Callie
Callie: “My older son Averi struggled with depression because of a bone disease. He hurt a lot. On the day he passed away, he had
![A man with shortm unkempt hair stands in a green and blue flannel shirt next to a blonde woman in a thin yellow sweater on a porch while a tan dog peeking through the rails.](https://lextimecovid19.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/10-8-Jennifer-Final-3-web-1-scaled.jpg)
Ryan and Jennifer with Blue
Jennifer: Blue Valentine It was a divine intervention. That’s the only way I can describe it. The realization of what happened left me stunned, leaving
![A woman with long dark hair parted to one side sits barefoot stooped on a limestone fence in front of a green brick building with hanging abtract painted panels.](https://lextimecovid19.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/10-8-Riley-Final-1-web-1-scaled.jpg)
![An older woman sits in a garden in a wooden rocking chair next to an antique water pump.](https://lextimecovid19.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/10-9-Shannon-Final-web-scaled.jpg)
![A woman in a gray tank top stands on a front porch featuring Fall decorations and a small American flag.](https://lextimecovid19.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/10-9-Caroline-Final-web-1-scaled.jpg)