Families

 

Currently 15 million people in the UK are affected by the addiction of a relative, which can be destructive on family life due to theft, domestic violence and poor health. The estimated cost to an addict’s family is £9,497 a year, which can lead to debt and poverty.

 

335,000 children (1 in 37) live with a parent who is addicted to drugs, which can result in them being moved to state care. 100 babies are born each month that are addicted to opiates and the children of addicts are 7 times more likely to suffer themselves later in life, as well having difficulties at school due to preoccupation with parental issues.

 

Keyworkers can discuss concerns with the family members of the addict and offer them a social assessment of their own personal, social and mental health needs. They are given written materials, such as a family support guide and are directed to self help.

 

If there are still issues, then individual family meetings can be arranged, where information and education regarding drug misuse is provided. Sources of stress can be identified and then coping strategies can be developed. This tends to consist of at least 5 weekly sessions.

 

Behavioural couples therapy can also be considered if one partner is suffering from addiction and focuses on their drug misuse and the impact it has on both of them over a minimum of 12 weekly sessions. 

 

Support groups such as Adfam and The Alcohol and Drug Service are available which provide resources for families and health professionals and offer regional support groups for the families of addicts.