Together Against Addiction (GGS)

The GGS consists of 5 self-help groups in the city of Bremen. Our self-help groups are for people with addictions, those at risk of addiction, and family members of people with addictions.

We are open to all people suffering from addiction because we believe that the problem of addiction – regardless of the specific type of addiction or substance – is essentially always the same.

We are politically, religiously and ideologically neutral and see ourselves as an extension of the existing range of self-help and abstinence groups.

We are not a registered association. Our groups are supported democratically by all participants. Anyone who regularly attends our groups and is interested in shaping group and leisure activities can participate and have a say at our quarterly organizational meetings.

What do we want?

• to halt our illness and find a contented, abstinent life
• to no longer let addiction or addictive substances dictate our lives, but to achieve a better quality of life through personal responsibility
• to exchange ideas with like-minded people, talk about our worries and problems, and offer each other advice, help, and support
• to make good use of our free time, to build an expanded or new environment, and to forge new friendships
• To support others on their journey to finding the path to an abstinent life

How do we want to achieve it?
Reaching the goals mentioned above alone is very difficult. Most of us have failed time and again. But together we can do it; unity makes us strong. In our meetings, which take place in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, we talk about everything that concerns the participants. Sharing experiences leads to new insights and greater awareness. We place the utmost importance on confidentiality, as nothing said in the groups should be passed on to third parties. We see a key task as contributing to meaningful and varied leisure activities. We used to use our time to satisfy our addictions. Now it's important for us to redesign our free time and fill it in a way that brings us joy and satisfaction. Through shared leisure activities, we can build a new social network in a substance-free environment. You can find more information under "Dates."

Why family members?
The GGS meetings are available to family members of people with addictions because they have usually not emerged unscathed from a long-term relationship with an addict. They have typically protected the addict for a long time, lied for them, and suffered because of the addiction. Furthermore, they often find it difficult to cope with the personality changes that come with becoming sober. Therefore, we believe it is important that family members also talk about their problems and find advice, help, and support in the meetings.