Nar-Anon Family Groups South Africa is a support group organisation for the friends and family members of addicts.
READ: There is help for drug addicts and their families
The purpose of the group is to support those indirectly affected by substance abuse and other vices.
“People come here to share their stories and experiences,” said the group leader, Mark.
“We want to give them a sense of serenity when they come here.”
Members can attend meetings as and when they want, where they will be given a 12-step programme, similar to those used by Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous support groups.
One of those who attended the meeting shared the story of how her husband’s addiction to drugs almost pulled their lives apart.
Suzanne* and her husband Mike* have been married for seven years and were together for nine before that.
Suzanne told the City Times her husband was addicted to various drugs, including Cat and marijuana, as well as to gambling and alcohol.
“Until two years ago, my husband was an addict,” Suzanne said.
“He had a bit of a problem since I met him, but it evolved from there and got worse.
“Everything in my life eventually revolved around him, and our family fell apart.
“I hated who I became and I hated who he became, due to the addiction.
“In the beginning, when I would tell him to get help and sort out his life, he denied he had a problem.
“It got to the point where we didn’t speak to each other anymore.
“One day, I’d had enough and kicked him out of the house.
“A few days later, it sank in and he realised he needed help.
“He went to rehab, but I also needed help to recover, so I came here (Nar-Anon).
Mike has now been sober for almost two years and Suzanne said things are better than ever.
“It’s still tough sometimes, but we go on and God is with us through it all,” she explained
“I am so grateful to the group for all the support during this ordeal.”
The others in attendance also shortly shared their ordeals, or congratulated Suzanne on her and her husband’s success story.
Meetings by the Benoni Nar-Anon group are held at the Benoni Northerns Tennis Club, every Tuesday and Thursday.
For more information, contact Mark on 083 453 1545 or Roxy on 082 779 0415.
*Not their real names.
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