Ballarat Community Health is helping families in Ballarat and surrounds through drug and/or alcohol addiction
International Family Drug Support Day, acknowledged on 24 February each year, first started in 2016 to draw attention to the importance of supporting families through addiction.
Ballarat Community Health recognises the important part that families and loved ones play in the recovery journey, and as such offers group counselling sessions for people who care for people with alcohol or other drug dependencies.
Manager Alcohol and Other Drug Support Services, Suzanne Powell says the service is invaluable to people who might not otherwise get any support in a tough time.
“As well as supporting the person with the addiction, BCH offers support to carers and loved ones who are also affected by addiction.”
“Family can be significantly affected by a loved one’s drug use, we are here to ensure they get the support they need,” she said.
Support services are available during business hours and after-hours services are also now running Monday & Wednesday evenings.
“Our team offer support for families and carers of people going through mental health or alcohol and other drug challenges,” she said.
“We run sessions during the day, or in the evening to make them as accessible as possilble to the community.”
“The service is FREE and helps loved ones to feel connected, understood and listened to,” Ms Powell said.
To sign up for after hours sessions, family members and carers can visit: https://bchc.org.au/afterhourscare/ and follow the prompts. There are no waiting lists and no fees to participate.
For all other services, including those during business hours, visit: https://bchc.org.au/alcohol-other-drug-services/
At BCH, we are committed to the promotion of health, prevention of illness and creation of integrated accessible services.
