The Family Recovery College: For anyone concerned about someone else’s alcohol or drug use

Susie McClue, Senior Connecting Families Development Officer, Scottish Families Affected by Drugs and Alcohol

It is estimated that only 20% of people who experience problems with alcohol and 40% of people who experience problems with drug use are in treatment. Many families take on the hidden role of supporting their loved ones, often at considerable cost to themselves.

Scottish Families is developing a new model for family recovery: the Family Recovery College. We are building on our existing work: linking, educating and empowering families, by developing and testing Scotland’s first Recovery College for families affected by alcohol and drugs.

Who supports those not in treatment?

We know that families often take on the primary role of caring for their loved ones, largely unsupported and hidden from view, due to the secrecy, shame and stigma of family addiction. Many family members themselves experience long term mental and physical health conditions, often related to the challenges and stress of their caring role. Due to the all-consuming focus on their loved one, they frequently neglect their own health and wellbeing, and miss out on opportunities for self-care and self-development.

We recognise the caring role that family members affected by alcohol and drugs have and the importance of each family member being supported in their own right.

With thanks to the Health and Social Care Alliance Self-Management Fund, the Family Recovery College will offer a free informal short course in Glasgow for anyone concerned about someone else’s alcohol or drug use. The college will support families and concerned significant others to build knowledge, skills, and confidence to support themselves and their loved one.

Recovery from problems with drug and alcohol use happens in the context of a supportive & supported community – including family, friends & loved ones.

The Family Recovery College is about working together, building connections, improving wellbeing and smashing the stigma that families and people who use alcohol and other drugs face.

We have invited family members who understand what it is to be affected by a loved one’s problems with alcohol or drug use to work in partnership with us. These family members act as course advisors and are involved in the design, development, delivery and evaluation of this pilot.

Ash Husband, Connecting Families Developing Officer, at our College Open Day in April with our excellent Course Advisors: Mel, Rachel, Shona, Frank and Allison.

Students on the course will:

• increase their positive connection with others
• improve self-care and emotional wellbeing
• improve confidence through knowledge and skills
• feel empowered to influence change in their lives and the lives of their loved one.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Family Recovery College we’d love to hear from you: 0141 465 7523/ info@sfad.org.uk.

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs

Scottish Families is a national charity working with anyone concerned about someone else’s alcohol or drug use. Our Strategic Plan 2017-20 focuses on five Outcomes – that Families are Supported, Included, Recognised, Connected to Communities and are a Movement for Change.

What do we mean by a movement for change?

We hope to create opportunities for family members to connect, share experiences, ideas and create change, where we talk about what matters to family members and what we can do together to respond to that. 

Please call our free and confidential helpline today if you have been affected by a loved one’s substance misuse. Our trained volunteers will be supportive and provide the information you need or will simply listen if you need to talk. Tel: 08080 10 10 11

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