When Rebecca first accessed the family support service at ReNew Hull, her family was in a dark place. Her husband had been struggling with addiction and his mental health for over a year, so she lived apart from him to safeguard their children.
Whilst caring for their three children alone, Rebecca struggled with anxiety because she also had to manage her husband’s suicidal thoughts and dangerous behaviour caused by his addiction.
“I was completely burnt out, and isolated. I had pulled my husband out of drug houses, talked him out of harmful situations, taken him to hospital when he went into serious alcohol withdrawal or accidentally overdosed.
“I felt I had lost the gorgeous man I married to his addiction.”
The crisis team, ambulance service, police, and drug and alcohol teams were all involved, and Rebecca took her husband to every planned appointment - desperate for him to change his behaviour.
Eventually, Rebecca’s husband went to a residential rehabilitation facility. Even though she knew he was safe there, Rebecca still felt like her life was falling apart, as her finances, career, and relationships continued to deteriorate.
It was during this time that Rebecca was referred to Forward’s ReNew family service in Hull. Unable to join the group sessions due to her caring responsibilities, Rebecca received one-to-one support that provided her with information and support.
“I learnt so much from the sessions with my case worker and now feel empowered and more aware of my husband’s addiction. My case worker was non-judgemental, kind and extremely knowledgeable.”
During her sessions at ReNew, Rebecca’s husband successfully completed rehab. The family service offered her help to better navigate the future, processing past events, and preparing her children for the changes in their lives.
“I am pleased to say that we are a success story because of ReNew. My husband is now nearly ten months sober and is addressing his issues through trauma counselling instead of alcohol.
“The support you have offered has not just helped me, it has helped my husband and our children. I will be forever grateful to the team at ReNew for helping my family though the worst time in our lives.”
