This Carers Week, we spoke to carers with experience of looking after a loved one with addiction.
Roy’s wife Liz has been battling addiction for many years.
“For years, she been referred to as a ‘complex case’. Yes, she has complex issues but she just needs to know someone’s there who understands.
“Don’t abandon her, stick with her.”
Liz has had therapy over the years but had got to the point where a different approach was needed.
Roy added: “She was accused of refusing treatment before a different approach was put in place.”
She didn’t have any mental health support for 18 months and her drinking got worse in that time.
Roy said: “I’d had surgery on my shoulder and was given liquid morphine. I left it in the bedroom and forgot it was there. She drank the lot.
“I found my wife on the shower room floor. She had almost died.”
The couple had support from an occupational therapist who Roy credits with saving their lives.
“They were practical and down-to-earth, and they understood her.”
For Roy, communication is the most important thing.
He has received support from Escape Family Support in Ashington and Carers Northumberland.
“It’s reassuring to know we’re not the only ones going through this.”