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@helpfordependency

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As the name suggests #helpfordependency is here to provide help and support for those suffering with substance use & addictive disorders

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It so irks me this isn’t seen as a problem, or something anybody thinks should be discussed wider. Those statistics represent children who didn’t choose addiction.

Children who didn’t take the drugs.

Children who didn’t cause the chaos.

Children who may have learnt to keep secrets, read moods, become responsible beyond their years, worry about money, worry about their parent, or simply wonder why their childhood felt different.

I was one of those children. I didn’t use heroin. But I grew up with its consequences.

There is no legislation, guidance or support for us other than a handful of charities who isn’t responsible for helping and supporting children of addicts, we as a society should and can do better!

And that is why I talk about this.

Because addiction doesn’t only happen to the person holding the needle. Its impact can reach an entire family, and sometimes the children carry that impact long after the drugs have stopped being part of their everyday lives.

I wasn’t the one who took the drugs.
But I was still affected by them.

And children like me deserve to be part of the conversation too. ❤️

#ChildOfAnAddict

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UK Mums! We all have so much in common

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Coming home from school I turned into a detective. Being home alone meant I could find answers. Answers to the questions I know but my mum denied. “No I dont do heroin don’t be ridiculous” “Oh your step dad only did it once it’s all gone”…

Even now I still examine her, almost check if she’s giving of symptoms like dilated pupils.

She used to hate hugs but then she’d get a crazy high where she’d want to just grab me then she’d flip back to being a zombie again.

I always question if things are her personality, or a common reaction to the drugs. I long to talk to my dad about my sober mum because I want to know her.

#addictionawareness #addiction #drugs #childofanaddict #consequencesbeyondbelief #rehab #heroin #abuse #mentalhealth

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You are invited!

The purpose of the evening is to bring key organisations and people with lived experience together to raise awareness around the affects of addiction on families, specifically children and we will have talks from specialist experts also. There will also be a raffle to raise vital funds for NSPCC.

We are also looking for donations towards raffle prizes if anybody would be able to help.

Please get in touch for more information. 🩷❤️🩷❤️🩷

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This is why I wrote the book, to make somebody else feel less alone. If you have read the book I’d love to have a discussion, even if you want to challenge or share your story (which I will not post and keep confidential) but others reaching out to me has helped heal me so much. It’s bittersweet as it’s sad that others have felt the pain I have, but I knew this wasn’t an issue that impacted so little like a lot of media or websites lead you to believe.

There is so much strength is numbers, and whilst I can’t guarantee you will ever fully heal, being aware and learning about your past really has helped me understanding “what happened to me” rather than always thinking “what’s wrong with me”.

Please message if you do want a copy of the book or you can find on @amazonuk @waterstones @amazon @foylesforbooks @bertsbooks and come along on the 13th July where @bookbodega and I will be donating money from the book sales to @nspcc_official

#kentbookstagrammers #bookstagram #reading #memoir #truth #addiction #trauma #healing #addiction #everychildmatters

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Celebrating the little wins. I met my local politician lately (I’ve hidden their name just as I like to hide where I live). However, we met and talked about my story. The MP had written a letter to this department to ask for changes on:

- Clearer guidance on Children’s Act 2004 for children of addicts
- More discussion around children of illegal drugs, as well as legal drugs
- More research on the affects of living with an addict as a child, and what the impact on the mental health is
- Looking at schools not stereotyping parents, eg my mum didn’t fit in the “addict” typical look, so I was ignored.

I must admit, whilst I’m happy to get a reply it felt he didn’t read the letter properly, I really highlighted the fact that funding is only for children of alcoholics (which is still really important) and not other users, but that part seems to be overlooked, as well as any discussion on policy change.

I also looked on the link they sent and it sends you to talk to frank - my best friend - not. Government funded, which hasn’t been updated in a while, and also scare mongers and doesn’t talk about being a child of an addict. It does them link @drugfamuk @adfamuk but it’s a shame the government relies on these amazing charities and cannot provide the services also. ❤️🤍❤️

My MP has wrote a response outlining my notes as above… to be continued.

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It's National #MentalHealth Awareness Week this week! Now more than ever, we're all beginning to learn about the importance of looking after ourselves mentally!

What does addiction do to our brains? How does it work?

Find out on Truetube! Watch the films in our 'Understanding Addiction' series. Here, we listen and learn from the real lives of people with dependancy issues, and how they overcame them...

FOLLOW LINK IN OUR BIO!

Additional support organisations and resources are also tagged in this post!

#Addiction #mentalhealthawareness #education #alcoholism #alcoholic #drug #drugabuse #cannabis #gambling #steroids #heroin #prescription #schoolresources #lessonplan #assembly

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WHAT IS COCAINE ANONYMOUS?
We are a Fellowship of addicts who meet together to share our hope, faith, and courage for the purpose of staying sober and helping others achieve the same freedom. Everything heard at our meetings is to be treated as confidential. There are no dues or fees of any kind. To be a member, you only have to want to quit. We also exchange phone numbers, and give and seek support from one another between meetings.

We are all on equal footing here. We are men and women of all ages, races and social backgrounds, with the common bond of addiction. The Twelve-Step program of Cocaine Anonymous is gratefully borrowed from Alcoholics Anonymous. Many years of experience have demonstrated the value of one addict helping another.

We welcome newcomers to C.A. with more genuine warmth and acceptance in our hearts than you can probably now imagine—for you are the lifeblood of our program. In great part, it is by carrying the message of recovery to others like ourselves that we keep our own sobriety. We are all helping ourselves by helping each other. #recovery #mentalhealth #fitness #health #addiction #mentalhealthawareness #healing #selfcare #anxiety #wellness #depression #love #selflove #sober #sobriety #recoveryispossible #therapy #mentalhealthmatters #soberlife #mentalillness #rehab #ptsd #addictionrecovery #trauma #hope #anxietywarrior #traumatherapy #breakthestigma #addictionawareness #recovering

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#alcoholawarenessweek Alcohol can be damaging not only to those addicted to it, but also to their families and others around them.

In this film, made with the help of @adfamuk and @helpfordependency speaks out about her experiences of growing up with an alcohol-dependant father, and how she has overcome her own difficulties to pursue a happy and healthy life.

#AlcoholAwarenessWeek #Alcoholfree #truetube #education #educational #PSHE

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Tenacity-Successful day at the Co-Op Cinderford and Longleven meeting members of the public and staff.
#book #staff #tenacity #promotions #midcountiescooperative #midcountiescooptravel #food #selfcare
👉visit www.tenacitybook.co.uk

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DO GOOD THINGS: ENCOURAGE ALL, ENHANCE OTHERS, LEND a HAND , UPLIFT ALL. EVERYTHING COMES BACK.

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