The Renfrewshire Drug Service Support Group recently published ‘It’s awright maw, am aff it,’ a true account of the suffering experienced through addictions.

Each account featured in the book has been written by people in Renfrewshire who have had the courage to open their hearts on having watched a loved one being consumed by the addiction of drink and drugs.

There are various chapters, titled with fictitious names, depicting the distress and helplessness felt by family members of the support group.

Members of the group came up with the idea last summer after recognising that there were few books on how drug addictions can impact the families of those people battling with them.

In an introduction to the book, it says: “You will be saddened and uplifted by some of the stories. there have been successes and failures but the one outcome has been that we all came together as a group, gradually, all affected by our distress and our inability to cope and one by one we were all drawn together by the support group. No one judges us.

“We are not the ones with the addiction but our suffering is just as acute. We are here for a common cause, to get support from each other and hope for the future. Hope is the thing we cling on to and out there, there is hope.” Renfrewshire Drug Service (RDS) offers a range of support to assist people to work towards recovery from drug addiction.

It supports clients in working towards abstinence from drugs or in controlling their drug use.

The aim of the book is to offer support to others going through the same ordeal and prove to them there can still be light at the end of the tunnel.

Each story tells the highs and lows from a love ones’ perspective in watching someone battle a serious addiction.

“You may see yourself in some of the stories or know someone who is in the same despair as we are,” the book continues. “Tears have been shed in writing the stories but they are tears of relief at being able to write about our experiences and share them with you.” Anne Logan, a spokeswoman for the group, said money raised from sales of the book will be used to keep the RDSSG afloat.

She added: “We sat down one day and suggested writing the book together, using fictitious names, to share our experiences and the terrible suffering that members of the group went through.

“Many people feel on their own and like they have nobody to turn to when they know someone battling an addiction so that’s why the group offer support to one another.

“It’s a very lonely life to live when you feel like you can’t speak about something you are struggling with.

“We hope people reading the book will be able to relate to the experiences and join a support group for help.” Around 1,000 copies of the book have been published and they will be available soon to buy at local cafes and possibly book shops.

Anyone who is interested in purchasing a copy of the book should email fsgrenfrewshire@gmail.com