A mother has told how a drug counsellor helped her family get their lives back on track after her son's drug abuse spiralled out of control.

The woman says she owes a huge debt of gratitude to Alison Ede, who works for PATCHED, a project which offers support and advice for families, loved ones and carers of substance misusers across Brighton and Hove.

She said: “Alison helped us to see that the family itself was in some way enabling my son’s behaviour. It was enlightening to see how our behaviour towards my son needed to change, to help him help himself.”

Her 21-year-old started smoking skunk aged 14 and was soon misusing stronger substances.

During his addiction, he went to prison five times and stole more than £25,000 worth of goods from the family home.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said: “My son went from being a normal, loving, family-orientated young boy, to a moody and aggressive person who was stealing from his family to pay for his drug habit.”

By chance, she heard about Miss Ede and the family underwent counselling courses. Her son has now been clean of drugs for four months.

She said: “The counselling courses at PATCHED helped my whole family, who were all really upset, see that other people were facing the same problems as us.”

Alison, who has been described as 'passionate, dedicated and caring', won last year's Home Office National Tackling Drugs Changing Life Award.

She said: “Some services miss a valuable opportunity by isolating those who will inevitably be a powerful tool to aid in all aspects of treatment of a loved one.”

As part of National Tackling Drugs Week, the search is on for more unsung heroes like Alison who make a real difference to their community.

The two overall winners will receive £10,000 to spend on developing their work.

Nomination forms can be found at www.drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/awards2009. The closing date is August 31.

For more information or advice on how to help a loved one who is misusing drugs call PATCHED free on 0800 0854 450.