FAMILY AND FRIENDS SUPPORT PROGRAM

ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS

Funders:

Project Partners:

STATUS
UPDATE

Program is live and currently undergoing a formal evaluation.

Alcohol and drug use not only affects people using the drug, but it also can have an adverse impact on their family, friends and their community. Families and friends play a critical role in the recovery of people using alcohol/other drugs. However, there is little support for families and friends in this situation.

There is tremendous goodwill to be a better support person amongst families and friends, but a lack of knowledge and understanding about how to appropriately provide this support, to prevent escalation of use/experimentation to an alcohol/substance use disorder, and despair about how to help their loved one gain control (or quit) their current levels of drug use/drinking.

About

Aim

Improve access to evidence-based information about alcohol/other drugs for AFFM’s (affected family members and friends).
Provide information about how to access services and/or support for a loved one using alcohol/other drugs
Provide an online support program to assist AFFMs with the distress associated with caring for a loved one using alcohol/other drugs.

We developed the Family and Friends Support Program (FFSP) to support affected family members and friends (AFFMs) of people who use alcohol and/or other drugs (e.g., ‘ice’ crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy, prescription opiates, heroin, cannabis).

why

FFSP is a free online intervention and support package. It includes information on how families and friends can best help their loved ones and protect them from adverse impacts of their drug-using lifestyle. FFSP recognises that supporting someone who is using can be extremely stressful, and aims to assist families and friends to best manage the demands of this role.

WHO IS FFSP FOR?

FFSP is designed for people concerned about someone else’s use of alcohol and other drugs and the impact it is having on them personally. FFSP is not a substitute for clinical/medical treatment or advice. FFSP is designed for people that are over the age of 18. If you are under 18 years of age, you still may benefit from using FFSP, but may also seek help for mental health, alcohol/other drug use, or related issues via eHeadspace (https://www.eheadspace.org.au). If you are over 18 years of age, and are seeking help for your own mental health or alcohol/other drug use concerns, please contact your treating medical practitioner or crisis lines such as the Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 and the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline 1800 250 015.