How a Brentwood, Tenn., family is working to break the stigma surrounding addiction

February 26, 2018 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated February 26, 2018 at 12:23 a.m.

by The Tennessean , ELAINA SAUBER

Liz Beatty and her husband Yarnell pose with a photo of their son Alex Tuesday Feb. 13, 2018, in Brentwood, Tenn.. The Beatty's son, Alex, died from an accidental drug overdose in 2016. Since he died, they've been inspired to create a greater dialogue in Williamson County about substance abuse and addiction in young people. (Larry McCormack/The Tennessean via AP)
Liz Beatty and her husband Yarnell pose with a photo of their son Alex Tuesday Feb. 13, 2018, in Brentwood, Tenn.. The Beatty's son, Alex, died from an accidental drug overdose in 2016. Since he died, they've been inspired to create a greater dialogue in Williamson County about substance abuse and addiction in young people. (Larry McCormack/The Tennessean via AP)

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Alex Beatty had struggled with drug and alcohol abuse for a decade.

For his parents, Yarnell and Liz Beatty, June 11, 2016, marks the day their lives changed forever, when the 24-year-old took a fatal mix of OxyContin and Xanax and died of an accidental overdose at their home in Brentwood.

The Beattys' story isn't uncommon in Tennessee. In 2016, 1,631 people died from opioids, a 12 percent jump from 2015.

Read more at our news partner's website, tennessean.com.

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