The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, J an ua ry 1 1, 20 18 | 8 NEWS Local parents say support group made real difference A AD APT HAI.TON ALCOHOL. DRLJC and GAMBLING ASSESSMENT PREVENTION & TREATMENT SERVICES Friends and family can be important support system but they need support DAVID LEA dlea@oakvillebeaver.com As Canada struggles in the grip of an opioid crisis, a local support group re­ minds friends and families of those struggling with ad­ diction that they are not alone. Margaret (whose name is being withheld to respect privacy issues) attended ADAPT's (Alcohol, Drug, and Gambling Assessment Prevention and Treatment Services) drop-in group for more than two years during her son's struggle with drug addiction. She said the group, mod­ erated by a counsellor, lets friends and family mem­ bers of those dealing with drug or alcohol addiction share stories so they can better navigate the difficult period they are going through. "My parenting toolbox didn't prepare me for this journey, but counselling and support did," said Mar­ garet. "The group discusses how we can love without further enabling the addic­ tion." Margaret noted one of the many difficult things about having a loved one with an addiction was that she was only able to help her son when he wanted help. Accepting there are lim­ its to what friends and fami­ ly can do for their addicted loved ones is one idea the group strives to reinforce among its members and so, one of its key mantras is "We didn't cause it, we can't cure it, and we can't control it." That said, the group ac­ knowledges while addic­ tion recovery is the addict­ ed individual's challenge - friends and family can be important. Margaret said the group can also help with the in­ credible isolation friends and family can feel. There is a desire to keep the matter private and a fear that those you would normally turn to for sup­ port will not understand, she said. "You're stigmatized, the family is stigmatized, the one who is going through (the addiction) is stigma­ tized," said Margaret. "So the only people who you can really get together with for understanding are others that are like you, who are travelling that j our- ney and know the challeng­ es." Margaret said the group not only gave her support and taught her how to take care of herself during this period, but it also educated her about the disease of ad­ diction and what those who struggle in its grips go through. Another support group attendee, Emily (whose name is being withheld to respect privacy issues), ad­ mits her loved one or her family may not have sur­ vived without ADAPT and that she received invalu­ able education and guid­ ance from the support group. Jill (whose name is being withheld to respect privacy issues), has attended the group for more than a year. She started when her son was in a rehab facility for an opioid addiction. "I was at a loss at that time, felt very alone and un­ able to cope with the stress of dealing with my son's ad­ diction," she said. "It was so beneficial to be able to talk to others, who really understood what I was going through and to see that if they could get through and still laugh sometimes that I could do it, too." Group member Eliza­ beth said arguing with fam­ ily members over how to deal with her son's drug ad­ diction was tearing her family apart. She said ADAPT provid­ ed her with a safe, non-judg- mental place to reveal her challenges and listen to those of others. "I leave refreshed, reju­ venated and armed with confidence and new per­ spectives and above all, a wonderful feeling some­ thing I may have said may be encouraging someone else," said Elizabeth. Those interested in at­ tending the support group can call the ADAPT office at 905-639-6537 to register. The meetings are every other Thursday at the ADAPT office at 165 Cross Ave., Suite 203 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. =TQVe.CQ• • flyers, coupons, shopping lists. Shop Smart Get coupons for products you use and love Print coupons instantly or receive by mail - free! Redeem coupons at any major retailer in Canada. • The most inclusive & insnim iii wedding exnerience! • IX 4* & DAILY FASHION SHOWS TALEN TED EXHIBITORS RETAIL SHOPPING USE PROMO CODE METROLANDTQ RECEIVE $3 OFF ONLINE! w w w .na tiona lb rida lshow .com @ nationalbrida l D ow nload on the a n d h o id a p p o n AppStore ■ - = = / ■ ^Googleplay FUJIfILM m ich ae l hill. ... { \X B WE'IE FOR LOVE' _ Z _ le chateau Learn more at Save.ca/mobile weddingbells wp. § i ________CAN ADA________ ________GAY WEDDINGS mailto:dlea@oakvillebeaver.com http://www.nationalbridalshow.com