New Support for Family Members of Drug Addicts

Brendalee was a wife who struggled tremendously in her marriage to an addict. She tried to find support that suited her but the 'traditional' groups didn't help her enough. So she has started her own outreach.

Brendalee was with her husband for 11 years (married for six) and is now in the process of getting a divorce, even though she still loves him very much.

You see, her husband is a drug addict. And that has made Brendalee's journey a struggle, to say the least. She had searched and found very little free and anonymous support for herself and others like her. Most everything that she encountered seemed to be focused on helping the addict, with the families pushed aside, ignored, or sometimes even lied to. (You can read much more about her particular situation on her website by clicking on the link below.)

Brendalee tried al-anon and nar-anon, both of which follow AA's 12 steps. This didn't help her. It made her feel more alone. And after 11 years, she realized that her journey more closely followed the grieving process.

That's why she has just started her own support group for families and friends of drug addicts and alcoholics. It's called OURFATES (Families of Addicts Transforming Everyone Supportively).

OURFATES is similar to al-anon and nar-anon in that it is an option to get anonymous help and support from others going through the same thing. However, OURFATES follows a unique 10 step grieving process. The website will provide information and emotional support through the exchange of stories and ideas from posting and blogging. Brendalee is also currently in the process of finalizing the location of OURFATES first support group meeting.

Brendalee's organization does NOT give professional advice or counseling. But she believes that there are thousands of people in NJ who could benefit from this option for emotional support. She knows she isn't alone in her struggles.

CLICK HERE if you would like to check out OURFATES and perhaps post your own story. This website is meant as a tool to help yourself or someone you know is struggling with a family member that is an addict.