Caring for the hidden victims of hard drug addiction. Angie chats with Valerie about why she wants to help others and her path she has been forced to take.
Tel 01964 530822
e mikel@y-us.org.uk
web www.y-us.org.uk
MISSION STATEMENT
Y-us? is devoted to helping and supporting the millions of family members whose lives have been devastated by one or more of them succumbing to long term hard drug addiction.
Our priority is to provide environments and events where members and appropriate guests can, with specialist support, communicate or meet in a caring and secure environment, exchange experiences and suggestions, gain comfort from the knowledge they are not alone, and realise that life can be worth living once more.
CORE BELIEFS
Hard drug addicts have many potential sources of help, but their families have few and are as much victims as the user. Often they go through years of hell and emotional stress dealing with the social, legal, medical and criminal implications of the addict¢â‚¬â„¢s behaviour, always wondering if they are at fault and whether the next fix may be the last.
Often at the back of their minds they think ¢â‚¬Å“why us?¢â‚¬, but at the end of the day the addict has a choice. The family does not.
What We Do
Y-us? is the primary source of comfort for families suffering from the effects of an addict in their midst. Mostly they think they are totally alone, have failed in their parent or sibling role, are too embarrassed to talk or seek advice, and above all afraid of their own helplessness.
The pull of substance addiction is inevitably stronger than the normal bonds of a loving family. Y-us? provides a desperately needed source of comfort, support and understanding from others in the same situation. We also welcome contributions and input from parents of teenagers and young children worried that through no fault of their own their offspring may in future be drawn into the drugs world.
How We Do It
Social events where members can communicate openly with each other on a face to face basis in secure, private and comfortable surroundings.
A forum where members can find similar comfort via arms length communication with each other.
A helpline that provides the first point of contact in desperate circumstances, manned by those with a personal understanding of the issues involved.
Outlets such as caravans or holiday cottages where in times of acute crisis members can escape their pain and relax in safety.
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