"Support from PSL"

When I discovered my son was addicted to drugs it was a bewildering and worrying time. I felt as if it must have been something I had done wrong as I was a mum and didn't feel I could share it with anyone as I would be judged. For a long time I just hoped he would find a way and "grow out of it" as he wasn't open to discussion or help and got progressively more aggressive at home. This caused my younger child to be fearful of what may happen next and I explained that if he didn't live by the simple house rules of keeping us all safe from his chosen habits then he would need to leave. He chose to leave and continued to use drugs and alcohol to mask his feelings and deal with his deteriorating mental health.

It was heart breaking to see my beautiful boy ravaged by harder drugs and a regular habit became a daily need and addiction had taken control of him. It led to attempts at suicide, which thankfully weren't successful and periods of homelessness. This further entrenched his feeling of worthlessness and it was a vicious cycle of using drugs to mask his deep depression. When he one day reached out and told me the truth of his addiction, he was brave enough to search out help with Inclusion and I heard about PSL and the support groups they offered to family and friends of anyone addicted to any substance.

At last I had somewhere safe I could speak openly about the type of drugs he was on, share the feelings of shame, guilt and powerlessness to "make it better for him"

The group and the amazing therapists at PSL have, through 1 to 1 counselling, wellness sessions and group discussion helped me through the hardest times without judgement and at any time of the day or night.

Today 9 years on and my son still has an addiction but he has a home, engages with Inclusion and is much more able to talk about his feelings. I still value the support PSL give me as I don't know how I would continue to help him stay on the "straight and narrow" and constantly be his support in budgeting, keeping healthy, eating well and offering a stable family to call when he needs to talk or visit to remind him he is loved and valued. We still have blips and the responsibility feels overbearing sometimes but PSL have helped me learn to cope in difficult situations and be able to step away and keep myself safe when I need to.

Without PSL I may have given up on him for the sake of my own sanity but with support you can find the strength to encourage your loved one without compromising your own safety and wellbeing. Thank you to all the team