A BRADFORD-based rehab clinic for people with a wide range of addictions has started a new programme of free weekly support sessions to raise awareness of addiction.

Oasis Recovery, based in Bolling Road, has run the sessions for friends and family of patients, but it now opening the sessions to anyone who wished to attend.

The aim is to break down prejudices around addiction and show people how rehab works.

Eytan Alexander, founder of UK Addiction Treatment, which runs the sessions, said: “Addiction doesn’t just affect the addict.

“It creates a ripple effect and those around them can suffer just as much as they do.

“Friends and family members need help too. They need comforting, educating and supporting just as much as the individual gripped by addiction, so that following treatment at Oasis Recovery, their support network is strong, which in turn, strengthens their recovery programme and can help avoid relapse.

“Unfortunately there’s still a negative stigma attached to addiction. We want this to end. We want to help friends, family and our local community understand more about addiction and how we can support those suffering.”

The free sessions run every Sunday from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.