A SUBSTANCE abuse charity will shed light on the other side of addiction and recovery, as experienced by friends and relatives, during Alcohol Awareness Week.

Swindon Wiltshire Alcohol and Drug Service (SWADS) will place the focus on the ripple effect of alcoholism on families and carers during the nationwide initiative from today until Sunday.

The organisation has provided emotional help and guidance to those caught in the crossfire of substance abuse through its support group Time4US, and is hoping to reach out to many more people “lost in the chaos” caused by a loved one’s dependence.

Chris Stickler, SWADS director, said the group had chosen to go in a different direction while remaining faithful to this year’s awareness week theme ‘Conversations about alcohol’.

“This year we are looking at recovery and featuring the people who are affected by somebody else’s drinking. The focus is on the people left behind in the chaos,” he said.

“There are hidden victims and there is help available to them.”

Anyone can attend Time4US meetings every Monday and share in confidence their struggles with the group’s experienced staff and counsellor.

By the time, they reach out for help, many have been subjected to physical or emotional abuse. SWADS worker Jo Stevenson, who runs the group, said: “They feel isolated and they can feel guilt and shame about having a loved one abusing drink or substances. They’ve had experience of abuse.

“Through the support group they learn how change in their lives can initiate change in their loved one.

“They can’t fix things for them and it’s not their fault. It’s about them learning to live their own lives rather than living in the chaos of their loved ones’ addiction.”

To kick off Alchohol Awareness Week, members of the charity’s creative programme Art Line will unveil their work at a pop-up exhibition in Theatre Square today. Visitors will receive a CD of original songs composed and recorded by recovering addicts during part of SWADS’ Music Line project.

The meaningful occupation schemes were launched to help former alcoholics or drug users through the recovery process by giving them a new focus. The exhibition will take place from noon to 2pm.

The artwork will be on display in the windows of the number nine and 10 shops for the rest of week.

SWADS, which is based in Milton Road, offers therapy for people with differing levels of drug and alcohol dependency. Call 01793 695405 or visit www.swads.org.uk