Support helps break the ice

After breaking through the vice-like grip of meth addiction, Adam Lange and Jacqueline Nossifer are using their harrowing experiences to help others in the South West break the habit.

Mr Lange bravely took over the Bunbury Icebreakers pilot program almost two years ago, just four months into his own recovery.

Based at the Parade Road Police and Citizens Youth Club, the free support program requires no doctor referrals or clinical diagnosis.

“We have lived the experience and are providing someone to walk alongside people who wish to get their lives back,” Mr Lange said.

“The support from the community and other service providers has been amazing.

“Just to see the amount of people come through the program who have moved on to better lifestyles has been amazing.”

Through addiction, Miss Nossiter lost everything: her family’s trust, her children and her home.

“Pretty much my whole world collapsed around me,” she said.

After learning about the program, Miss Nossiter decided to take her first step towards recovery by attending an Icebreakers meeting. “I met Adam and he was amazing,” she said.

“He was supportive, really positive and basically built me up again from being quite depressed.

“He basically showed me that life is better when you are sober and that there is so much more to look forward to.”

Now 10 months sober, Miss Nossiter said she “owes everything” to the program and had taken on the role of support worker to give others hope.

Although it had been a challenge, the pair agreed that helping others had been a major factor in helping them to stay clean.

“Letting people know there is hope there is one of the biggest things,” Mr Lange said.

“Being able to speak to someone who has been through it and has come out the other side gives a great deal of hope to somebody in that position.”

Anyone hoping to access the service can call 0400 707 049.