FAMILY and friends supporting people with drug or alcohol problems will be able to attend an award winning support course next month.
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The Stepping Stones to Success program aims to help families and friends cope with their loved ones’ addictions, according to the program’s national manager Theo Chang.
“It is aimed at helping families become more resilient, take on skills, change aspects of their own lives, better cope with the journey and ultimately survive intact,” he said.
“We’re talking about families who have probably been on the journey for many years, and for some, decades.
“They would have tried everything to help the person they’re caring for from taking drugs and alcohol. Our course is about looking for healthy ways to change their own lives.”
Mr Chang said the secular course could be life changing.
“The sort of testimonials from those having done the course is that they’ve been able to build back relationships based on reality-based trust and honesty, rather than being based on expectations and agendas,” he said.
“It allows them to take a step back and disentangle themselves from the daily mishmash of users’ lives.
“For some families it’s just about being given guidance on how they can better look after themselves.”
One Bendigo resident who attended a similar course, and asked not to be named, said it had been rewarding.
“Support groups of any type just make all the difference,” they said. “I’m not being too dramatic in saying it was a
life saver.
“I’ve seen people go downhill themselves from other people’s addictions and this group can give you the support and confidence that deep down you know you need.”
The course will run at Neighbourhood House, 21 Neale Street Bendigo, on February 16 and 17 and March 2 and 3. For more information call 0402 604 354 or (02) 4782 9222.