How Substance Abuse Affects Families
Addiction devastates lives and families. If someone you care about is abusing drugs or alcohol, your life is affected at every level. Negative feelings and emotions often make normal daily life seem difficult. Other people don’t always understand, which can be isolating. People often tell us that they feel stressed, guilty, ashamed and hopeless. These are some of the things people who come to us have experienced:
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Feeling distressed because a loved-one is leading a chaotic life
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Experiencing threatening behaviour from someone they love
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Feeling out of control because of someone else’s behaviour
At Families Out Loud, we also provide bereavement support. Loss is a natural part of life and in our work with families of people who have drug and alcohol issues, the death of a loved-one is a familiar concern. Sadly for some this becomes a reality, taking them on a painful but unique journey towards a place where they hope to find peace and acceptance. If you are bereaved, Families Out Loud can be alongside you during this time.
Our Services
We work with families who are affected by another person’s addiction. We understand what you are going through and how you feel because our own lives have been deeply affected in the same way. We offer online and in-person one-to-one services to suit individual needs, counselling/therapeutic support for families, peer support group sessions and specialist teen support. These services are provided by our trained professionals.
One-to-One Support
18+
only
In one-to-one sessions you can talk openly, without judgement, to one of our expert counsellors working in the field of family addiction. By talking about the issues and challenges that you and your family face, you will gain a better understanding of the situation and how to deal with it. Practical advice on coping strategies, safety and self-care will help to improve your own wellbeing, and that of the loved-ones in your life.
Peer Support Groups
18+
only
Joining a support group can be life changing. Talking to others who understand can be powerful and healing. We offer a safe environment where you can talk, listen, give or get advice. Some of the topics we cover are:
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Setting boundaries
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Being able to say “no”
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Giving back responsibility
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Detaching from chaotic behaviours
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Supporting without enabling
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Dealing with feelings of loss and hopelessness
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Keeping safe
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Looking after your own wellbeing
Get in touch to find out more about our in-person peer support groups held in Chippenham, Trowbridge, and Salisbury.
Counselling/Therapeutic Support for Family Groups
18+
only
Family sessions can promote openness, discussion and prevent misunderstandings within families. Emotional manipulation is common behaviour for drug and alcohol users and, while family members are responsible for their own actions, our professionals encourage open and constructive dialogue with a view to reaching a consensus on how the family collectively responds to a loved-one.
Bereavement
18+
only
Bereavement is a long, painful journey affecting people in many different ways. Families Out Loud provides a safe and supportive environment where a trained counsellor helps you to navigate – at your own pace – the grieving process. By working together to explore your feelings and emotions as they continually fluctuate, you can start to heal and make positive changes in a forever changed world.
Adult Services
Teen Services
Specialist Teen Support
13 - 17
year
olds
Teen Support is a specialist service offered by our expert young person’s support team. Teenagers can struggle with their emotions when someone in the family is using drugs and alcohol. It is common for them to withdraw, to struggle at school, and to exhibit changes in behaviour and extremes of mood that are difficult to manage. Support from a specialist counsellor, who encourages expression of emotions which are then heard and accepted, can help the young person realise they aren’t responsible for the actions and outcomes of their loved-one’s behaviour.
"As a member of a Families Out Loud group, I can say that the friendship and positive feedback from the other members is so positive and makes going to the group a very safe place to be."
List of Useful Contacts
We’ve pulled together a list of supportive organisations that can help you navigate the challenges of addiction and related issues. From addiction support to mental health, domestic abuse and youth services, these contacts are here to offer a listening ear and practical advice. Each entry includes phone numbers and/or web addresses, making it easy to find the help you need. Whether you’re seeking guidance or immediate assistance, these resources are ready to lend a hand.
Addiction Family Support (Previously DrugFAM)
Helping families of addicts & bereavement counselling
0300 888 3853
The Maggie Oliver Foundation
Transforming pain into power
No phone number available
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Helping people experiencing domestic abuse
0808 2000 247
Relate – mid Wiltshire
Offering relationship counselling, children & young people’s counselling & sex therapy
0300 0031781
No website available
Wiltshire IAPT Service
Offering brief psychological therapies & other services
01380 731335
Fear Free (previously Splitz Support Services)
Supporting people experiencing domestic violence
01225 775276
Motiv8
Supporting and giving opportunities to vulnerable young people
No phone number available
Off the Record Bath & North East Somerset
Offering counselling for young people
01225 312481