Family Drug Support has been helping families cope with the fallout from a loved one fighting drug addiction since 1997 and it says the need for support services has grown.
Its statistics show people in the Hunter are reaching out for help, with seven per cent of its 27,000 national calls for the 2006-07 coming from the Hunter New England Health Area.
Considering the area represents about 3.5pc of the population, this figure is twice its expected rate.
There are indications this figure is set to grow.
Family Drug Support believes this call for help is because when someone is fighting drug addiction, the affect of the experience on those closest to them is often neglected.
Its aim is to help those close to people going through the cycles of treatment and recovery for a range of drugs including alcohol, amphetamines, marijuana, heroin and misuse of many prescription drugs.
Family Drug Support says, just as drug users go through a cycle of behaviour, their families also go through denial, emotional turmoil, control and chaos.
These stages tend to repeat until the family is exhausted and disconnected or until support and coping strategies are found.
The Family Drug Support program is a non-profit organisation aimed at the families of people fighting drug dependency.
Through the good work of experienced volunteers, like Newcastle region Family Drug Support facilitator Jim Bright, the program’s Stepping Stones course can help families, who need guidance and support.
Mr Bright, 60, knows the stages well after he spent 15 years helping members of his own family deal with drug-related problems.
He then decided to help others and put himself through the certificate IV in alcohol and other drugs work.
Mr Bright joined Family Drug Support four years ago, since then he has privately counselled dozens of families, taken more than 800 phone calls and dedicated more than 220 hours on the emergency support line.
Mr Bright said the Stepping Stones identified the issues families were facing and provided a road map through treatment.
“When someone discovers that a loved one is going through drug addiction, their first reaction is to try and fix it.
“Family members try to protect one another from the addiction by telling lies or keeping secrets and the whole family goes through a range of emotions like denial, guilt and anger, especially if they can’t help their loved one on their own.
“This can really tear a family apart.
“The Stepping Stones course helps families identify problems and set boundaries.”
The next course will be run at the Maryland’s Neighborhood Centre and a Windale venue on the first two weekends in September.
Group sizes are kept between 10 to12 people, so people are encouraged to phone 4782 9222 to book a place.
Families in need of help with drug-dependent loved ones can also call the 24-hour support line on 1300 368 186.