Wyndham families struggling to deal with a loved one’s drug or alcohol addiction will soon be able to access help close to home.
Family Drug Help – a peer-driven not-for-profit alcohol and drug support service – has joined with ReGen and Odyssey House to provide two local support programs.
Support worker John Wynde says Family Drug Help is bringing the program to Wyndham because there has been community demand for a family support group.
“Often, families feel powerless because generally they don’t understand what is going on with their loved one,” Mr Wynde said.
“They feel anger, shame and guilt because often the families think it’s their fault that their loved one is battling an addiction.
“We find that families often feel shock and isolation.”
The programs begin with a six-week short course, during which families can learn to understand addiction and addictive behaviours, and discover ways of coping.
After the short courses, a peer support group will be formed.
“The support group will provide support unconditionally because everyone is going through the same hell,” Mr Wynde said.
He said it was important to provide support services for families because it was most often their lives that were turned upside down by a loved one’s addiction.
It was not uncommon for families to feel “totally shattered” by the addiction and associated behaviours of someone they loved. “Substance abuse causes chaos within families,” Mr Wynde added.
The short course begins at Werribee on May 19, with the support group starting on July 9.
Details: 1300 660 068
