You have probably heard through the media about the increasing abuse of alcohol and other drugs. I would like to tell you about our Alcohol and Other Drug Family Service which is distinctive in the respect that we focus primarily on concerned family members caught up in the turmoil that often results from a loved one’s alcoholism or other drug dependency.

Family members need our support so the addiction does not overwhelm their lives. We empower parents like Norma and Rob to practice self care, put boundaries in place and stop enabling their son or daughter’s lifestyle.

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Families like Norma and Rob’s really need your help to fund our support services.

Family members need our support so the addiction does not overwhelm their lives. We empower parents like Norma and Rob to practise self care, put boundaries in place and stop enabling their son or daughter’s lifestyle.

Norma’s story

“I never thought that at the age of 70, I would still be caring for my son at home.”

“My husband Rob and I love each of our three children. But we have always had more challenges with our youngest son Tom. Rob and I ensured they all received a good Catholic education. While our daughters Lisa and Natasha thrived and went on to university, Tom struggled from the beginning. Born three months premature, he had difficulty at school, needed remedial work and battled with low self esteem.

“Tom left school early to begin an apprenticeship as a carpenter. Unfortunately, he started experimenting with drugs – marijuana at first and then hard drugs. I was a nurse but I didn’t realise what was happening until we found syringes in Tom’s room. We were devastated - like any parents would be.

“At 19, Tom moved out with others who were using drugs. He lost his job and started spiralling out of control. After Tom lost a number of friends in a drug related car accident, he finally recognised he couldn’t survive that lifestyle. Tom returned home and at the age of 20, he got off the heavier drugs. He’s now 35, still lives at home and still has drug related problems. We try to get him to counselling – but he doesn’t believe it could help him.

“Yet it’s thanks to Centacare’s counselling that Rob and I now have a new direction in our lives.”

“My husband Rob and I know that counselling can make all the difference. It’s made us more resilient and better equipped to cope with Tom. Our counsellor Gerard at Centacare’s Alcohol and Other Drug Family Service is very compassionate and he’s enabled us to find a new direction in our lives and communicate with Tom more effectively. We had been dragged down so much by our son’s addiction. I was depressed and anxious and I felt powerless.

“We’d always fully supported Tom and done everything for him at home. He holds down a carpentry job but we drive Tom to work because he’s repeatedly lost his licence. He barely spends time with the family. Now at least he helps with the cooking occasionally and he was there for Christmas with all the family. Those little things mean a lot.

“Gerard has helped us realise we have to stop rescuing Tom and he has helped us acknowledge our own needs as a couple. Now, Rob and I have a dream. Rob used to be a dairy farmer and we would like to sell our home in town and buy some land near our daughter and grandchildren. We are trying to get Tom to the point where he can stand on his own two feet and move to a unit near his work.

“We drafted a long letter to Tom and I’m waiting for the right time to give it to him. In the letter, I tell Tom, ‘Your father and I are getting older. We would like to buy some land with a couple of cows and sheep… We would still keep in touch and we will always love you – no matter what.’

“Gerard helps us stay motivated with our goals to enable Tom to become more independent. He has helped us realise that is the best thing both for Tom and for us.”

- Norma

Centacare’s Alcohol and Other Drug Family Service is there for the long haul.

With your help, we will be able to continue to provide services free of charge to family members who are so often forgotten in the turmoil of a loved one’s addiction. We have been helping Norma and Rob on and off now for two years. It is an extremely difficult journey so we will continue to be there for them whenever they need us.

Please help us support other families like Norma and Rob’s, empowering them to move on with their lives. Please take a moment to make your tax deductible donation through completing this coupon and returning it to us, or calling us on 9287 5555, or giving online at www.centacaremelbourne.org

With best wishes

Fr Joe Caddy
Chief Executive Officer

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