Is an overdose considered suicide?

Question

My twin sister's son in law was found dead this morning. He was 26 and left behind a beautiful little five year old daughter. He was involved in a near fatal auto accident (passenger) that almost took his life a few years ago and I think he was addicted to pain killers and sleeping pills. The coronor is saying suicide, I feel that accidental death due to overdose is what should be listed as cause of death. What do you think?

Thank you so much my first two answerers. Ryan's Mom and NaeNae. I am just staggered by the loss. I just hope his little girl, my grand niece will be okay. I am just boggled by the whole thing. thank you for your kind answers. ((((Sheri))))

Answer 1

i agree with you. i was once on oxycodone for knee pain. the pain was every day and when the medicine wore off, i took more.
it got to the point that the prescribed dosage didnot help with the
pain so i increased my dosage on my own, in other words i became addicted to the pain medication, but, my family noticed and voiced thier concern, and i had to admit i had a problem. so, i stopped taking or getting any of this medication anymore. plus, my primary care doctor recognized my problem and helped me through it. i could very well have died, but, not intentionally. my body and mind wanted the effects that i got from the meds the first time i took it, and it began to take more and more of the meds to get me there. doctors need to monitor patients that they have on pain meds. i'm truly sorry for your loss. let's hope some one learns a lesson from his addiction and following death.

Answer 2

Well from personal experience...we "saved" my sister in law just in time. She is also addicted to prescription drugs. She took too many and almost died. She did it by ACCIDENT. She was depressed and just wanted to sleep. She kept waking up and taking more not realizing how close together it was. Feeling that is was an accident will help everyone deal with it easier.
Wow, what a hard situation!!! I feel for the little child left behind.
God bless to you all!

Answer 3

I don't think it is necessarily suicide, because I have been known to pop a few extra pills when in really bad pain. My useage was definitely not suicidal. Sometimes pain just gets too much, and if he was addicted to painkillers then his tolerance kept going up and he could have had a misjudgement.

I am sorry they claimed it as suicide.

Answer 4

i would be inclined to believe with u. im sorry for ur loss. but only an artopsy could relley show the cause of death.its so sad the little girl lost her dad. but everyone give the little girl all the love u can, an the other family members also. i dont have all the answers, but ill be praying for u and ur family, that god will get u through this terrible time. god bless all of u. my thoughts are with u.

Answer 5

If someone is in such chronic pain they may think it is easier to end it. Sometimes it is an accident, and sometimes it is on purpose. If he had any kind of life insurance they will not pay if the cause of death is ruled a suicide.

Answer 6

I don't think it was an overdose. Sometimes, when we are on meds for a long time, they quit working so we take more to see if that will start them working again. I think your sister should fight this and have it ruled accidental death but I think she needs a lawyer to help her.

Answer 7

Tough call for sure. Only he will know the truth. I think that if he was taking the painkillers beyond what the prescription says, then he intentionally chose to do that (unfortunately, that's what addiction is). So indirectly I guess it would be suicide.
Sorry for your loss.

Answer 8

yes it considered accidental overdose