Offers of help for relatives of addicts: A ray of hope for Eichwalde

Offers of help for relatives of addicts: A ray of hope for Eichwalde

In a deeply personal story, Claudia Berger (62) from Eichwalde reports on her son's addiction problem, who consumed cannabis for over twelve years. Their experiences underscore the painful lives of relatives of addicts. Berger found support in a self-help group, which enabled her to find both emotional support and gain knowledge about the topic of addiction. She believes it is crucial that family members of addicts, who often bear a great deal of emotional burden and constant worry about their children's health and future, also receive help. This is also emphasized by Sonja Madeja, an addiction counselor from Luckau, who emphasizes the importance of boundaries and support for relatives. Thanks to these support structures, her son is now abstinent, and the self-help group continues to give Claudia strength in the difficult times.

The challenges that the relatives experience are diverse. Many parents feel left alone in their role. The insecurities and fears that come with living with a child at risk of addiction are often overwhelming. The constant alertness to possible crisis situations puts a strain on relatives' own health. According to the German Center for Addiction Issues (DHS), this emotional rollercoaster, which fluctuates between hope, fear, anger and despair, can put a strain on the entire family system. In addition, other mental illnesses such as depression or bipolar disorders can make the situation even more difficult.

New drinks market in Mittenwalde

While the issue of addiction remains present in the region, there is also good news for the local economy. In Mittenwalde, the drinks retailer Drinks Hoffmann is moving into the former Edeka building on Mittenwalder Aue. The opening is planned for early April 2026. City councilor Lothar Pehla (CDU) said that the abundance of drinks in the city's existing markets was sufficient, but the opening of the new market still shows a positive economic impulse. The renovation work on the building is scheduled to be completed by the end of March.

Summer flight schedule at BER and football anniversary

For those who love to travel, the upcoming summer will enrich flight plans at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). From the end of March, new travel connections to seaside resorts and exciting city destinations will be offered. While Ryanair has not announced any further additions to BER, an exciting long-haul route to Canada will be in their program. This new offer comes in a year in which the third division soccer team FC Energie Cottbus can also look forward to 60 years of club history. Cult coach Eduard Geyer, who led the club to the 1st Bundesliga, expressed his wish that his club could achieve promotion to the 2nd Bundesliga in its anniversary year.

Mayor Andreas Igel and other concerns of the region

There was recently a discussion in Ludwigsfeld about providing a company car for Mayor Andreas Igel. However, his application was not supported by the main committee, so he withdrew the proposed resolution and has to use a pool vehicle from the city administration for the time being. It remains uncertain whether a new application for a company car will be submitted.