When my son died from an overdose, my husband and I grieved differently. But we were determined to keep our marriage intact.

• My son, Alex, struggled with a drug addiction and died from an overdose.
• My husband and I grieved differently; I took a more public approach.
• We were determined not to let Alex's death destroy our marriage.

My husband Chip and I were sociology professors at Rutgers University, enjoying life in our small town in busy central Jersey. Our son, Alex, was born in 1989, and he quickly captivated us.

We were a typical suburban family, but we were not immune to the hurricane forces of misery that addiction brings.