Support scheme launched for carers of addicts in Essex
Data shows 82% of dependant drinkers in the UK are not receiving treatment, putting all pressure on loved ones to provide support
A support organisation in Essex has received £60,000 of funding to deliver a programme for people who are caring for a friend or loved one with addiction.
Blossome, based in Colchester, wants to shine a light on the unseen carers who provide an "invaluable" resource to those suffering from alcohol and drug misuse.
Two years of funding from Essex County Council will help to deliver ‘Cultivating Self-compassion’, a free self-compassion programme.
In the UK there are 602,391 dependent drinkers; 82% of these are not receiving treatment putting all pressure on loved ones to provide support.
Alcohol misuse is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among 15–49-year-olds, and the fifth biggest risk factor across all ages.
The training, developed by Dr Maya Campbell PhD, includes the core elements of the hugely successful ‘The Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program’, developed by Christopher K. Germer, PhD, leader in the integration of mindfulness and psychotherapy, and Kristin Neff, PhD, pioneering researcher in the field of self-compassion.
The new elements designed specifically for the Blossome community take into account the increased burden that caregivers for those suffering from addiction experience and will actively address possible trauma related issues.
Kim Moore founded the organisation after her husband died of alcoholism aged just 51.
She said: “Living with someone who suffers from alcoholism or an addiction is chaotic, unpredictable, traumatic and exhausting for a partner, family member or friend. You’re in a heightened state of anxiety, shouldering all responsibilities including family finances while you are constantly worrying about them and also trying to cover up for them too, as there’s such a stigma around addiction.
“Over time you become ill too, forgetting about your own wellbeing, your own needs are not met, your mental health and physical health decline and you become part of a never-ending spiral that is chaotic, and you feel you have no control.
“Blossome provides hope and support for people who look after someone with addiction. They may be ‘grieving’ for the person or life they once knew, or are bereaved, which comes with such complicated grief. We have a community of people who are all in the same boat. We provide online access to this community as well as a self-compassion programme to help people learn how to regulate their own emotions, turn anxiety, overwhelm and sadness into rediscovering themselves. People will learn how to make time for themselves, not feel guilty and open up to joy.”
The new self-compassion programme is available to residents in Essex, accessible online, or in person in Colchester, and will take place over six weeks.
To discover more and to sign up for the self-compassion programme and community support, visit www.blossome.support.