Finding out that a loved one is struggling with drugs or alcohol can be very overwhelming and frightening. Whether you discovered it suddenly or gradually came to realise it over time, taking on the responsibility of caring for them can be incredibly difficult.
Caring for a parent, child, sibling, partner, or friend can have a deep effect on you and your entire family, bringing with it a lot of challenges. These can include:
Stigma: People often feel they can't talk to family or friends about what they're going through because they're afraid of being judged or treated differently.
Loneliness and isolation: Feelings of shame or guilt and the stress of dealing with substance use in the family can make people distance themselves from friends and family.
Stress and anxiety: Living with someone who uses substances can be unpredictable, they may be abusive or behave in ways that cause emotional harm to the people around them which can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety.
Relationships: Substance use can put a lot of strain on relationships, not just with the person using substances, but also within the family and among friends, and work colleagues.
School and work: Stress and worry about a loved one can impact your ability to concentrate which can then affect your school or work life and how well you're able to perform. Or you may need to deal with emergency situations making you seem less reliable at school or work. For some people it may mean having to give up work which can then cause financial strain and add to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Financial impacts: Caring for someone with drug or alcohol dependency can have very significant financial impacts. Sometimes these are brought about as a result of theft to support a substance habit, or paying off debts, or if the person that you’re caring for can’t work they may be relying on you financially.
Mental and physical health: The ongoing stress and feeling of losing control can lead to mental and physical health issues for family members, making it even harder to cope.
Kinship care: In some cases, it can mean taking on other responsibilities like caring for children (kinship care), which can happen suddenly and have a big impact on the whole family.
You can find out more about Kinship care here Kinship Carers | We Care You Care
All of these factors make it crucial for carers to get the right support. There are a variety of local services specifically designed to help carers affected by someone with a drug or alcohol addiction. These services understand the challenges of unpaid care and aim to support carers in maintaining and prioritising their own health and well-being.
Local support available
Like all carers you are entitled to a carers assessment from the local authority (either Middlesbrough Council or Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council). This is where your needs, rights and wellbeing as a carer are assessed and helps determine what support or services might be needed and available to you in your role as a carer. Its designed to ensure that you get the support you need to continue providing care. Find out more here: How Do Local Authorities Help Us? | We Care You Care
Teesside Mind offer a range of services for mental wellbeing. Find out more here about Teesside's leading mental health charity and meet the team. Teesside Mind supporting carers across South Tees
Carers Together offer a wide range of services, information, advice and support for carers across the South Tees. Carers Together dedicated to improving the quality of life for carers.
Peer Support Group - Branches
Carers who are members of a peer support group often say these groups are one of the most invaluable resources as they offer a space to talk about what they are going through without fear of being judged.
Branches in Middlesbrough is a peer led support group who provide opportunity for you to talk to others who are, or have experienced feelings similar to your own in supporting somebody with drug or alcohol dependency.
Recovery Connections offers support for people affected by drug or alcohol use, as well as for their carers and family members.
They run a therapist-led Bereavement Support Group on Monday evenings, 5:00–6:30pm, which is open to the wider community.
Trauma therapy is also available for anyone who has experienced substance use, whether current or in the past, or for family members of someone who has. You do not need to be accessing Recovery Connections’ services or Middlesbrough Council support to take part.
For more information or to access either service, please contact Recovery Connections on 01642 351976.
Or visit the website here recoveryconnections.org.uk - We exist to inspire, motivate, empower and support all those affected by substance misuse, to sustain long term recovery and lasting positive change.
ACT (Accessing Change Together) Middlesbrough supports anyone who is struggling with drugs and alcohol, as well as their loved ones and carers.
Accessing Change Together | Middlesbrough Council
They also offer specific training for naloxone - the overdose reversal drug. Any Middlesbrough resident can contact ACT for naloxone training via emailing recoverysolutions@middlesbrough.gov.uk
Or call the helpline on 07716 129395 (weekdays: 6pm – 10pm and weekends: 11am – 5pm).
National support organisations
Adfam is the leading families and addiction charity in England. They are there for all the millions of people affected by someone else’s drinking or drug use. These people are children, parents, friends, partners, siblings and grandparents.
The following organisations offer online peer support for families, friends and carers affected by someone else's substance use.
SMART Family & Friends Programme - UK SMART Recovery