When someone is affected by alcohol or drug use, the impact rarely stops with the individual. Families, friends, carers and wider communities can all experience the emotional, practical and financial effects.
Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a story. That is why the work of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD) is so important.
SFAD is a national charity supporting people across Scotland who are affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug use. Its work recognises that families need support in their own right—not simply as an extension of someone else’s recovery journey.
What does Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs do?
SFAD provides a range of support designed to help families feel less alone, better informed and more able to cope with the challenges they are facing.
Listening, information and practical support
Sometimes, the first step is simply having someone who will listen without judgement.
SFAD’s helpline and online support provide a confidential place for people to talk about their concerns, ask questions and receive information. The charity can also help people find appropriate local services and support.
This can be particularly valuable for someone who may not know where to turn, or who feels unsure whether their situation is “serious enough” to ask for help.
Supporting the whole family
Alcohol and drug use can affect relationships, communication, emotional wellbeing and feelings of safety within a family.
SFAD’s approach recognises that support should be available to family members, carers and others affected by someone’s substance use. Its services include one-to-one support, including Telehealth, which can make help more accessible to people who cannot attend a local service.
The charity also provides support for people living with extreme levels of anxiety, stress, exhaustion and trauma connected to the risk of drug-related harm within their family. Its Holding On service is an example of how support can be tailored to the complex realities families may face.
Bereavement support
One of the most heartbreaking experiences a family can face is losing someone where alcohol or drugs have played a part.
SFAD provides bereavement support, including access to funded counselling for eligible individuals. This recognises that grief can be complicated by trauma, unanswered questions, stigma and the circumstances surrounding a loved one’s death.
Having access to a safe, supportive space to talk can be an important part of navigating that loss.
Supporting young people
Children and young people can also be deeply affected by substance use within their family.
SFAD’s work includes initiatives designed to support young people affected by familial substance use. Its Routes programme, for example, encourages young people to express emotions, explore creativity, build confidence and work towards practical goals such as employment or further education. Young people are also involved in shaping the programme and sharing their lived experience.
This kind of support matters because young people deserve opportunities to develop their own identity, wellbeing and aspirations, regardless of the challenges happening around them.
Training, awareness and partnership working
SFAD’s contribution extends beyond direct support. The charity also works with organisations and professionals to improve understanding of the experiences of families affected by alcohol and drugs.
Its training and family-inclusive practice work help other services recognise the importance of involving and supporting families. This contributes to a more joined-up approach across health, social care, education and community services.
Why this work matters to our communities
When families receive the right support, the benefits can reach far beyond the individual receiving help.
Support can help people:
- Feel less isolated and more understood
- Develop confidence in communicating their needs
- Understand substance use and its impact
- Access appropriate local services
- Protect their own emotional wellbeing
- Find support during periods of crisis or grief
- Build stronger connections with others who have similar experiences
This is not about placing responsibility for recovery on families. It is about recognising that families matter, their experiences matter, and they deserve support in their own right.
Scotland’s approach to alcohol and drug harm increasingly recognises the importance of whole-family support, community connections and partnership working. Organisations such as SFAD play an important role in making that approach meaningful in people’s everyday lives.
My connection with SFAD
I am proud to be a counsellor who works alongside Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs in helping them support the community and the important work they do.
Being involved in this work has reinforced for me how essential it is to create spaces where people feel heard, respected and supported. Families affected by alcohol or drug use may carry enormous emotional pressures, sometimes for many years, and having access to compassionate, appropriate support can make a real difference.
I am proud to contribute to a charity that recognises the importance of family wellbeing, values lived experience and works to ensure that people do not have to face these challenges alone.
A message for anyone who may need support
If someone else’s alcohol or drug use is affecting your life, you do not have to wait until things reach crisis point before seeking help.
You may be a partner, parent, child, sibling, friend, carer or another person who is worried about someone. Whatever your relationship, your experience matters.
SFAD offers information, listening support and routes into further help. You can find out more about its services through SFAD’s official website.
If you would like to explore counselling support for yourself, I would be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.
Supporting families is not separate from supporting communities. It is an essential part of building healthier, more compassionate communities for everyone.
