Mum's brutally honest obituary for son who died of drug overdose

A mother in the US has opened up about her son's long battle with drug addiction in his obituary.

Christy Couvillier, who lives in Louisiana, lost her son Hunter, 22, to drug addiction on February 10.

"His family would like to speak the truth about his death," she wrote.

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"Silence would mean Hunter's death was in vain, but if one person's life is saved by his story, we would tell it a million more times."

She says her son had a "heart of gold" and always looked for the positive in "any situation".

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"Drugs offered Hunter an escape from his demons he faced throughout his life," she continues.

She speaks about her son's efforts to turn his life around.

In 2019, Hunter overdosed on heroin laced with fentanyl and was in a coma for four days.

When he woke up he said he wanted to "start a new life".

Hunter completed rehab and moved to Florida where she says he "started a new life" and was thriving.

Unfortunately her son relapsed and this time the overdose killed him.

"We know the pain of his suffering," she wrote in her son's obituary. "We know the pain of our own suffering as his family, and we know there are hundreds of other people here in our community suffering as addicts or as loved ones to them."

Of her son's drug overdose death she says: "I'm not ashamed."

She continues: "Speaking the truths (no matter the circumstances) surrounding the epidemic of drug use may be the difference between life and death for someone.

"In honor of Hunter's life, we ask that truth be spread in regards to this epidemic and awareness be raised."

If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015.