Addiction / substance dependency topic?

Don't think it helps that the whole subject is still so stigmatised. I agree with you about the overwhelming loneliness, I've never been at such a low ebb in all my life. I found MN a great support which I could access anonymously and that saved my sanity some days.

My heart really goes out to posters when I come across them on here now because they are often trying to navigate a sea of judgement... It's not easy either being an addict or having an addict in your life. Trying to take control of your situation can be a long process of realisation and can take many failures before you succeed too.

I agree. Alcohol support could be renamed Substance Misuse, and it should be clearly signposted not buried 5clicks away

Agree with you wonkylampshade I also thought I was going mad at times. Even though I had family support dealing with my dds addiction I found it one of the most lonely times of my life.

You're one of a legion legotits! It's crazy there's no proper "place" for you to post.

My xp had a crucifying addiction to pot, then codeine and finally heroin.

Nice middle class family, privately educated, expert at continuing on with his life and bluffing everyone.... Within our relationship it was hell though. It honestly nearly broke me in the end. I thought I was going mad at times.

OTC addictions are widespread.

Make it a spacious one please, I've replaced my codeine addiction with two old ones I'd quit and two nice shiny new addictions

Yes from me too, as a 'all addictions' topic and in addition to the alcohol support topic.

MNHQ, is this enough in terms of support or do you need more agreement from other posters?

Aye from me too.

Bumping again. While I agree there are loads of erroneous topics, I think this one is as important as the very important ones which allow people with a very specific issue a defined space to talk about it and seek support.

A big yes please. There are some wonderful helpful posters who really know what they are talking about and have already helped me so much but aibu is Not the place to access it.

Yes definitely.

Agreed

My point exactly! AIBU is not the place for vulnerable posters to be seeking support for a massive issue like this.

It might not be a naice problem but it's one which pervades society in every level, and ruins lives across the social spectrum.

I'm surprised there's not a topic on this. Addiction. Of all kinds.

Maybe cos it's not a naice middle-class problem

It would help the countless people suffering in silence, whether on a personal level, relationship-level, family-dynamics, etc.

Come on, Mumsnet HQ. It's 2016!

Maybe the alcohol dependency topic could be changed to "drug and alcohol dependency". But then it doesn't cover things like gambling...whereas "addiction" does.

I suppose addiction is a definitive behaviour, no matter what the dependency is, and that's what those of us who have supported/lived with addicts have struggled with and posted to ask for help and advice on.

A topic could be an invaluable resource for many people experiencing the impact of addictions on family life, and it seems a missed opportunity not to include a dedicated space for support in a site of this size and kind.

Another yes vote.

Would this replace the existing Alcohol Support topic or be in addition to? I would like to see a single topic for preference, but posters may be put off by the word addiction.

Another yes vote from me, please!

Yes from me, when my Dd1 was in the hell of drug addiction I would have loved somewhere to post and talk about it.

Yes from me

Bumping this for anyone on tonight.

I also think it would be a good idea

Yes I think it would be extremely helpful

Resurrecting this thread.

There must be loads of us who have been or are currently affected by addiction - personal, or that of a partner, parent or child; drug, alcohol, gambling, whatever.

Doesn't it make sense to have a topic which would serve as a really useful resource and save people needing help and advice having to post in AIBU, relationships or chat?

There are lots of threads by people desperately affected by addiction but they are currently hiding all over the place in different topics.

MNHQ say they will gauge interest here, so if anyone agrees please say so.