For those living close to a dependent drug/alcohol user, trying to find help can be frustrating. It often seems that support is geared towards the user, when families struggle through problems too.
- There are not enough agencies to help families, but the number of them is growing. The voices of families are increasingly being heard.
Call FARS to find out about support services in your area
Or access Useful Family links to find out about organizations that offer support to family members.
- 12 Step Fellowships groups provided by Families Anonymous (for the families and friends of drug users) 0845 1200 660 - www.famanon.org.uk Al-anon (for the families and friends of someone who drinks alcohol) 020 7403 0888. www.al-anonuk.org.uk
- Many support services have grown up locally throughout the country. Adfam: the leading national organization working with and for families affected by drugs and alcohol. Has listings of what is available in your area on their website. http://www.adfam.org.uk/index.php?content=find_support_groups
- There are national help lines for families to ring to ask for support. These include:FRANK 0800 77 66 00 - href="http://www.talktofrank.com">www.talktofrank.com Parents Against Drug Addiction (PADA) 08457 023 867. www.pada.org.uk/
- There are many different needs that families may have and there is usually an organization out there that can help. Some families experience violence or have to cope with issues around prisons and the criminal justice system. Living with a drug/alcohol user is especially difficult in these circumstances and such families might want to contact the following:
If a family member is in prison, try the Prisoners’ Advice and Care Trust (PACT) on 0800 808 2003. www.prisonadvice.org.uk
As well as finding external support it is important to consider the ways in which you can support yourself. Making sure that you take care of yourself is the most important thing a family member can do.
- Become aware of what you need. Ask yourself "what will help me right now? What do I need?"
- Ask yourself how you usually meet those needs. If you don’t know how then imagine how you could or ask someone else to show you how.
- Try not to judge yourself for the needs you have. If you tend to not let yourself have your needs met try to assess if this is healthy for you or something which you feel you could address.
The source of above information is with the permission of ADFAM. For the direct link to the source of this page click on: www.adfam.org.uk/index.php?content=family_help7
