Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to take part in a “Course of sensibilisation on the social and ecological approach to alcohol related and mixed problems (Hudolin’s method)“ in Lignano in Italy. More than 40 participants from all over the world took part in this course, offered by the „European School of Alcohology and Ecological Psychiatry“. This school is associated member of IOGT International and we are proud to have this organization with us.
What did I learn?
In more than 70 countries we have “Family Clubs“, where the addicted members of the family and the relatives meet once a week. They have the possibility, to look together at what has happened the last week, address issues together and share perspectives. And there is the other possibility to get support for the next week. The visit of the group gives support, strength and sense of shelter and belonging and the other group members are supporters for a drug-free life.
And there is more.
Since the Family Club is part of the local community, there is an idea of what is necessary to help addicted people. An idea of the necessity of changing the rules of alcohol use and the norms around alcohol culture, an idea of a better world free from alcohol and other drugs.
Within the member organizations of IOGT International we have a huge work dedicated to mutual help and self-help groups. We have specialised clinics in Sweden and Germany, we have youth-work all over the world. And we all have the same goals: To get more people to work in the field of rehabilitation, to get more people to be able to solve personal, family and community problems caused by addictions to alcohol and other drugs.
All this work is part of the IOGT family. And in this family we have to work together for better conditions and environments, because it is not only necessary to help individuals but their surroundings and communities. We have to work for less alcohol and for fewer narcotic drugs, to protect people from being addicted and to get closer to our vision of life set free.
