Love and support for addicts
The importance of the support groups in drug addiction recovery is often underestimated says local Grace Family Church drug councillors.
ACCORDING to the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug use (SACENDU) statistics show that drug abuse is on the rise, particularly among youngsters. It’s estimated that more than 10 per cent (more than 5 million people) of South Africa’s population has a drug problem. Cannabis and alcohol are the most commonly abused drugs.
But among the alarming statistics and the seemingly gloomy situation, help is at hand.
This is an important part of Grace Church’s ministry which offers free addiction counselling as well as providing support for the family and friends of addicts.
Northglen News spoke to four of the counsellors who have dedicating their time to helping people with their problems. Ciaran Bates, Lee Jarret, Phil Tomlinson and Lisa Redman. As a former drug addict, Ciaran know’s first hand what it’s like to deal with the daily struggle and seduction of an addiction.
“The importance of the support groups in addiction recovery is often underestimated. When a person struggling with addiction realizes that they are not the only one with a problem and that others are going through similar situations, it makes it easier to take responsibility for the addiction and open up to treatment. We often work in connection with the 12 Steps to help addicts achieve a life of sobriety.
“There is still a stigma about addiction and a myth that it only affects poorer people, which certainly isn’t the case. Most of the people we help are youngsters. Those who don’t suffer from addiction, can’t understand the uphill battle an addict faces,” Bates said.
Lisa Redman who runs the families and friends support group said the other aspect to addiction is the stress it puts on the families who are also part of the recovery.
“Caring for addicts at home can cause high levels of emotional and mental stress. In addition to distress, disruption of employment and family life makes it extremely challenging. There’s also a stigma attached to addict’s families, people look for someone to blame and often they carry the guilt of the addicts choices,” Redman said.
The group meets every Monday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm with the families and friends support group hosted every alternate Monday. Grace Family Church, uMhlanga will also be hosting an info evening this Tuesday (4 January) from 7pm.
