Tough love goes a long way

ToughLove® has opened support groups in Honeydew to assist families dealing with a loved one’s destructive behaviour.

The group meets every Sunday, providing a safe place for families that have been torn apart by drug, alcohol, substance, verbal or physical abuse. ToughLove® representative in Honeydew, Olivia Ferrreira said that the important thing about their group is that they try and break the stigma and shame associated with dealing with substance abuse and addiction.

“It is an environment where there is no judgment,” Ferrreira said. “Every person in the group has dealt with addiction and so when you are telling your story, you have this support system that has been there and completely understands where you are and what you are going through.”

She added that the drug and alcohol problem in South Africa is growing at an alarming rate and has dire societal consequences, including broken families, reckless road accidents and even death.

According to Ferreira, parents with children in primary school are starting to experience many problems associated with substance abuse and this problem can go right up until the child is an adult. “Violence and aggression are often present, and parents/partners start to lose hope,” she added.

Members in the group have all been through or still experience similar situations. Although the addiction may differ – the behaviour of addiction follows a similar pattern.

Details: Tough Love 086 186 8445.