"Breakthrough for Families"

I have had the experience of receiving support from Lives Lived Well over a period of time since late 2015, when my child entered their rehab facility at Mirikai for their addiction and alcoholism. I engaged with the Family Support Program learning about addiction and how to give support to a loved one while they struggled with this disease. I proceeded to seek counselling from their psychologist at Banjara for around 3 years.

In 2019 I experienced a life changing situation, as I was in a car accident caused by someone driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. I sustained serious injuries and had three and a half months in hospital, recovering and had intensive rehabilitation in learning to walk again.

Due to not being able to drive for several months after my accident, I was able to, due to tele-health consults re-engage with my psychologist from Banjara. Much of my sessions were however more focused on the affects of my accident and recovering from the impact which this had on my life, as opposed to my child's issues.

However situations in 2020 and 2021, led my child to again, seeking help and re-entering rehab, this time at Logan House. They had a couple of stays at Logan House and in between times, they stayed with us.

It was during these times, that I felt I needed someone to talk with, more so in relations to my child's issues and how I could navigate this more positively.

I was informed of the Breakthrough for Families program run by Lives Lived Well. I connected with this service in late 2021. Firstly I met with a lovely lady at Beenleigh (sorry, I can't remember her name. She left the service as she was moving to live elsewhere)

Since early 2022 I have had the support from Anne who has been so helpful, understanding and compassionate in helping me navigate the struggles which can arise from loving someone with an addiction to alcohol; and drugs. I really don't know how I would've got through some tough times without the support from such a professional as Anne. She listened to me. I felt valued, heard and understood. I learnt even more about addiction and tools to help communicate my feelings and needs, as well as talk more positively with my child. Anne also was very supportive of me in my recovery. I'm very grateful.

We are very fortunate to have such services as Lives Lived Well, for both the person going through addiction and seeking recovery, as well as for Families, because it's a tough journey and there is still so much stigma around the situation of Addiction.

In my opinion more support and funding needs to be given to services such as Lives Lived Well and other organisations helping people in this area.

To everyone working at Wooloongabba and other services from Lives Lived Well, I give a big thanks on behalf of all the other parents and families who are going through the Hellish Journey of Addiction and are seeking Recovery and Support.

Keep Going.