About Araluen Clarke
As an Addiction Recovery Specialist, my personal experience and professional training enable me to help you & your family recover from dependency.
The Connected Center was established to help those in addiction and their families heal and recover from drug and alcohol dependency. We offer Addiction Counselling services.
My approach as Addiction Recovery Specialist
My approach is simple: loving boundaries, understanding and self-care.
When you truly understand that the addiction isn’t anyone’s fault, that you can’t control it, and that arguments and threats don’t work – that’s when you’ll stop blaming and start healing. Read more about Substance Abuse help and treatment.
I know first hand the damage dependency can do to families. My father was an alcoholic, and for four years I knew something was wrong with my husband. We had a two-year-old daughter and I was pregnant when he began to change from the man I knew and loved. I came to question everything I knew to be true. Read more about how Substance Abuse Affects Families
I had no idea that he was struggling with and hiding a methamphetamine dependency. By the time I found out, I’d had enough – I was ready to leave.
When we separated, I was devastated. I had lost my best friend; our children had lost their father. My anger and grief meant I did not seek out the support I so desperately needed. I blamed myself, which meant that though my husband was healing, I was still only just keeping my head above water. I hadn’t recognised that I was still broken – that our recovery as a family depended on my wellness too. That’s when I began my ten-year journey of recovery.
I realised that in my experience I had the opportunity to be with and understand the heartache of addiction. I could help others through this.
Consequently, I went back to study and gained a degree in alcohol and drug counselling. For eight years I worked for the Waitemata District Health Board in Community Alcohol and Drug Services with a strong and passionate focus on working with those affected by their loved ones use. I am an Addiction Recovery Specialist.
Now in the Connected Center, my focus is on using my experience to support families like mine.
Contact me today for an appointment M: 0212316272