As part of its 25th anniversary, the Bath-based charity Developing Health & Independence (DHI) is this month raising awareness of the many people affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol use.
Marking the 17th annual Reach Out events, DHI is joining forces with Bereavement Through Addiction to run a specialist peer support group for family members and carers who have lost a loved one to drugs or alcohol.
While there is now much greater awareness of the impact of poor mental health, the misuse of drugs and alcohol is still stigmatised, too often driving not only those struggling with addiction, but also their carers to cope alone.
The charity says its family support services are needed more than ever.
It is estimated that for every person struggling with drug and alcohol misuse, there are at least five other people around them who are affected – husbands, wives, partners, parents, children, grandchildren and friends.
DHI’s three Reach Out events in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire are all about challenging the stigma around the use of drugs and alcohol. Events will have speakers sharing their experiences of living with a loved one who uses substances.
The events are free and offer safe and welcoming spaces for people to meet, hear from others who are going through similar situations and find out about the charity’s Families Also Matter (FAM) service.
The Reach Out B&NES event will be held at The Beehive in Beehive Yard in Bath on Thursday 18th July from noon to 2pm.
The Bristol event is on Thursday 25th July at Blaise Castle Grounds, Kings Weston Road, from noon to 2pm.
The South Gloucestershire event is at DHI Warmley at 130 Tower Road North on Wednesday 31st July from noon to 2pm.
From 3rd September, the Bereavement Through Addiction group will meet from 6pm on the first Tuesday of each month at DHI’s offices at 14 St James Parade, Bath.
Richard Oram, trustee of Bereavement Through Addiction, said: “We are pleased to announce the resumption of a peer support group meeting in collaboration with DHI.
“The face-to-face meetings will be held monthly in Bath and are available to anyone who has been bereaved through addiction.
“We are a group of people who have all lost loved ones to addiction and have benefited greatly from the support of others who have been through the same trauma.”
Jenny Raynes, of Bereavement Through Addiction, said: “It is almost impossible to put into words the value of attending the monthly bereavement group, but I honestly don’t know what I would have done without it.
“My 28-year-old daughter Anna died in May 2018 from an overdose, which had a devastating impact on me and on our family relationships. Anna was a mother with two young children.
“Like all families of those with addictions, we had had to find a way of coping with extraordinarily complex situations with little knowledge or understanding of what we were dealing with. We experienced years of trauma, stigmatisation, shame, guilt and relationship difficulties with our daughter before her death.
“I have been able to get vital support from members of the bereavement group who have an immediate identification with the trauma and loss I have experienced.
“This is very powerful at a time when your loneliness and guilt can feel overwhelming.”
Rosie Phillips, chief executive of DHI, said: “Many people struggle with drugs or alcohol at some point in their lives, no matter what their background, job, family situation, or income is. Sadly, significant stigma remains and this extends to the families and carers of those who misuse drugs or alcohol.
“Many experience anxiety, depression and poor health because of the stresses and strains in their lives. Too often they suffer in silence.
“We need to challenge these stereotypes so people can talk openly and get the support they need.”
To find out more and to sign up, click here.
