Reaching
Out And Finding Support
Part
Three in a Series of Articles on Coping with
Drugs in the Family
Tony
Trimingham
ref:
September 99 Heroinsight
IN
PREVIOUS ARTICLES we have looked at the early
stages in the process of dealing with drugs
in families. We examined the denial that often
occurs by both the drug user and the family.
We looked at the lack of preparation in most
families for the impact of drug misuse.
We
also considered the shame impact which keeps
people from seeking help initially. We examined
the role of the family doctor, usually the first
person outside the family they turn too. Often
doctors can be very helpful but many reports
have been received where the doctor's knowledge
is inadequate and sometimes subject to the sort
of prejudice that applies to drug using elsewhere
in the community.
Family
Drug Support provides regular support meetings
to affected families as one of its ranges of
activities.
Our
support groups operate on a regular but limited
basis across Sydney. There are, of course, many
areas across the country which we cannot reach
and there are also other groups offering support.
`Tough Love' and `Nar-Anon' are examples of
such groups, but also churches and other community
groups exist in many areas.
Nar-Anon
is a well established organisation that offers
help and support in many regions. We have many
members and volunteers who belong to the Nar-Anon
or its sister 12- step organisation. We suggest
that Nar-Anon groups are appropriate for those
for whom the 12-step philosophy appeals. Tough
Love is an organisation that originated in America
and offers support on a range of matters involving
adolescents including drug and alcohol problems.
Whilst their motives are well meaning and some
situations require tough measures, my belief
is that some of their suggestions are questionable
and we have received a lot of feedback from
people who have regretted some of their hard
line actions.
Every
family needs to make their own decisions on
how to cope, and confusion is often created
by the options offered. One of our very strong
suggestions is that families consider ultimate
consequences before making major decisions.
Our
philosophy revolves around harm reduction and
maintenance of life which often polarises us
from other groups that favour the more zero
tolerance type approach. This polarisation is
unfortunate because most parent groups want
the most positive outcomes and basically agree
on many things. Within our own organisation
there are many ideas and attitudes that differ
from member to member. Our meetings are informal
and friendly with personal interaction as well
as coping skills from our Guide to Coping education
kit.
We
are considering expanding our group activities
providing there are willing people to be trained
as facilitators.
