Addiction team mark first year of growth

A recovery service for families affected by alcohol and drug addiction has celebrated its first anniversary.

The Love and Light Recovery Organisation marked their inaugural year at the Pilgrim Community Centre in Airdrie.

More than 80 members and guest speakers attended the special event, with an anniversary cake taking pride of place.

The organisation “has gone from strength to strength” and is the only one of its kind in North Lanarkshire.

It now has more than 500 members and provides support to individuals with addiction issues and their families through services including a weekly recovery cafe, ongoing support and family respite.

Organiser Bill McKay told the Advertiser: “Our popularity shows us the impact that alcoholism and drug addiction have in North Lanarkshire. We have grown very big, very quickly.

“We began the event outlining the history of the charity and the services we offer to combat dysfunction in the family, followed by a talk from an addictions manager at Glasgow’s Rainbow House, who discussed the problems of addiction.

“Then we heard the testimonies of three young people in relation to how well they’ve done since coming to the charity.

“One of our members, Catriona, gave a talk on how she built a connection and bonded with her family as a result of the help she’s received from Love and Light.

“We also heard the testimony of Deniece, who spoke about her freedom from the scourge of addiction. Since coming to the charity she is now free from its grip.

“There was also a talk from one of our volunteer workers, Irene, who suffered from very low self-esteem. She discussed the responsibilities that have stood her in good stead.

“We also heard from Kuladharini, a Buddhist nun and the CEO of Glasgow’s Scottish Recovery Consortium, which has more than 100 cafes across Scotland.”

Volunteer Karen Thomson, who organises the new women’s group said: “We have a separate room where women can go, which gives them a safe place to unload their worries.

“Because to their history, a lot of women might be a bit vulnerable. That’s why we have a separate meeting.

“We have different types of people from four or five different fellowships and we connect collectively. We put out a suggestions box and the ladies are encouraged to drop anything in anonymously.”

A recent pamper day proved to be a big success, with the female members having their hair and make-up done by experts, who gave their services for free.

Karen added: “It’s about giving them empowerment.

“We help the women to find themselves and give them back the power they’ve lost through addiction by building their self-esteem, confidence and self-worth, everything they’ve been stripped of.

“A lot of the women don’t have the confidence or money to walk into a salon. “It’s all about their wellbeing. “Because their husbands or partners are working they feel responsible. It’s a built- in guilt thing. We feel it’s our responsibility. That’s why it’s womenoriented. The support they receive is priceless.”

For more information about Love and Light contact Bill McKay on 07473 102974 or Jane Chambers on 07875 634701.

Our popularity shows us the impact that alcoholism and drug addiction have in North Lanarkshire