Promote Healthy Aging in Finland

Many methods of dealing with alcohol abuse focus solely on the addict. The 5-step method is filling a gap that exists for family support that does not see family members solely as supporters for their loved one but as people needing support for themselves in their own right. The Sininauhaliitto, Blue Ribbon (Blue Cross in Finland) uses this method to overcome addictions holistically in families across all generations. Especially for adults whose elderly parents show addictive behaviour it can help.

The 5-step method consists of 

1. listening non-judgmentally

2. providing relevant information 

3. exploring ways of coping

4. discussing social support

5. exploring further needs

Especially at step 4 the work of Blue Cross helps. For example, addicts and relatives can find support in self-help groups. By sharing the same experiences and feeling seen and understood, people's burdens fall off their shoulders. Hearing another story that is similar to one's own helps for the healing process. 

Two different family clubs met for a joint club night in Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä Street and Sepän Kipinä. Among other things, the topic was the dry outbreak. Dry outbreak means that the close / family members return to the previous negative oppositions and thinking habits. This is especially true for families where the problem of drug abuse has led to difficult family relationships. There may have been wounds that are not easy to heal between family members. Therefore, it helps to talk about such issues together and to promote cohesion among families.

Your donation helps for the implementation of further activities and holds young and old together. Thank you!