Family help for alcohol and drug addiction

It can be difficult to know how to respond if your family member or a loved one is dependent on alcohol or other drugs or experiencing substance use issues. All families have different ways of coping. And it's ok to feel angry, upset or scared. There is no 'right' way to respond.

There are resources and support available to help you work through alcohol and drug issues as a family, and to assist you every step of the way.

Speak to someone about family drug or alcohol issues

If you are worried about a family member and are not sure how to help them, there are professionals you can talk to like your GP or Family Drug and Gambling Help.

You can also seek advice through DirectLine – A 24 hour, confidential telephone information, counselling and referral service for young people, adults and family members and others affected by a drug concern in the community.

For children who have parents with addiction, life can sometimes be confusing. There are some excellent online resources that can support you to have open and age-appropriate conversations with young people about what’s going on for their family members. Find out more about explaining addiction to a child.

If you are a child and your parent has an alcohol or drug addiction, it can be helpful to talk to a trusted relative, such as an aunt, uncle or grandparent, or your teacher or school counsellor.

Learn coping strategies for family drug or alcohol issues

Family Drug and Gambling Help, a program of SHARC (Self Help Addiction Resource Centre) runs a course called InFocus.

The InFocus course offers practical information, coping strategies, life skills and the opportunity for people to connect through their shared experiences.

The course is run by professionals who have also been affected by someone’s drug or alcohol use. It is generally held one evening a week over a six-week period. It provides relevant information about addiction, family responses, the change process and recovery.

Call the Family Drug Helpline Tel. 1300 660 068 for more information, or for over the phone advice and support.

Take care of yourself

It’s easy to forget about your own health and wellbeing when you are worried about a loved one. The stress of coping can take its toll physically and mentally. Take some time to take care of yourself. If you feel like you need some extra support, speak with your doctor or a counsellor.

Services for families

The following programs are targeted specifically to help families where a member has an alcohol or drug problem.

Family counselling programs (drugs and alcohol)

If someone you know is affected by addiction there is support available and things you can do to help. Many alcohol and drug treatment services provide family inclusive approaches. This approach supports young people to include their family members in assessments, planning and treatment decisions when accessing alcohol and other drug support.

Find out more about family inclusive services

Specialised drug and alcohol services

Victorian drug treatment services provide a friendly, welcoming and culturally safe environment for all clients, including Aboriginal people, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people and their families and friends. There are also specific services for older adults and people experiencing homelessness.

Family help for older people

There are many reasons older people develop alcohol or drug problems including:

• grief
• boredom
• depression
• stress related to traumatic events.

If you are concerned about an older member of your family, speak with your doctor or call DirectLine on Tel. 1800 888 236 for information about treatment options.

The Older Wiser Lifestyle (OWL) Program is an alcohol and other drug service for mature adults aged 60 and over. The service is offered by Peninsula Health and can be contacted on Tel. 1300 665 781.

Family help for different cultures

You or another family member may have special cultural or language needs. When using a health service in Victoria you have a right to be communicated with in a way that you can understand and that respects your cultural needs. A professional interpreter can be provided at no cost.

You can access interpreters by calling DirectLine or the Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice (YoDAA) service. Ask the person who answers your call to organise this. Make sure you are clear about the language or dialect you speak and mention if you would prefer an interpreter of a particular gender.

Family help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

There are Aboriginal alcohol and drug workers based in some Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations. The role of Aboriginal alcohol and drug workers is to support Aboriginals and their families in a culturally informed way.

For information about accessing Aboriginal-specific services, call DirectLine on Tel. 1800 888 236 or speak with your local Aboriginal community-controlled organisation.

Family help and homelessness

If a family member needs alcohol and drug help and they are experiencing homeless, this can be taken into account when they are undergoing assessment for alcohol or drug treatment. Supported accommodation can be provided for people who have been through a withdrawal or a rehabilitation program but need ongoing support.

You can find out about supported accommodation programs by calling DirectLine on Tel. 1800 888 236.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• A counsellor
• A social worker
• DirectLine Tel 1800 888 236
• Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice (YoDAA) Tel. 1800 458 685
• Family Drug and Gambling Help Tel. 1300 660 068
• The Older Wiser Lifestyle (OWL) Program Tel. 1300 665 781