Munster Express Online

Aware that families living with drug use may not be aware of the problem and that some may not recognise the signs and symptoms for some time, the South East Regional Family Support Network offers support to those families and has listed a number of stages that many go through when they do seek support.

The stages, the spokesperson said. highlight the experiences of families from the unknowing to supported learning stage, which is where the family support groups can be a tremendous help. One parent expressed her feelings in coping alone: “I was desperate, I knew he was using drugs but couldn’t tell anyone. I was afraid and embarrassed, I didn’t know what to say to him or do I thought it would go away, but it got worse. His behaviour lead to terrible arguments, the whole family became affected”.

For another parent the story changed when they found the family support group: “My husband and myself went to the family support group, it was a big step at first but it was the best step for us. We learned so much about drugs, how to help ourselves, deal with the heartbreak and suffering. That was a few years ago, we now try to help other parents in similar situations and encourage them to come to family support groups”.

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