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We're delighted to announce that Families Out Loud is expanding its support services, with in-person, one-to-one counselling sessions now available in Swindon for people affected by a loved one's drug or alcohol use.

When someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol use, the impact can extend far beyond the individual experiencing addiction. For family members, the constant worry, uncertainty and emotional strain can take a significant toll on both mental and physical well being.

Every September, Recovery Month provides an opportunity to celebrate people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, challenge the stigma that still surrounds addiction and raise awareness of the support available.

I initially had one-to-one sessions, two and a half years ago, which were a huge help and enabled me to put things into perspective and not to feel so overwhelmed with our situation. I was invited to go to the twice monthly group sessions which I have been going to ever since. I don't know how I would cope without our meetings.

On the second day of our life together, it was a warm, sunny evening. I was setting the table so we could have dinner in the garden. I called his name, but there was no reply. Then I found him in the summer house. He was drunk and could barely walk.

Across the country, policymakers, schools, charities and families are talking about what children need to thrive, and one message is becoming increasingly clear: children do best when the adults around them are supported too.

Support us in the Wiltshire Community Lottery

When someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, setting boundaries can feel like the hardest thing in the world. You might worry that saying no will make things worse. That it will push them away, or that it means you're giving up on them. But here's the truth: without boundaries, you risk losing yourself in the process of trying to support them. Boundaries are not about punishment.

Families Out Loud is expanding its in-person support offering in 2026 with a new series of face-to-face workshops in Chippenham, created specifically for adults affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol use.

Living with or supporting a loved one with drug or alcohol addiction can feel like walking on eggshells. You might find yourself constantly assessing their mood, second-guessing your words, or trying to avoid anything that could trigger conflict or distress.

Save the date for our summer fundraiser! Our popular fundraiser is back for 2026! Rev Up For Resilience in our annual car show to raise funds for the work we do in Wiltshire. Find out more details about the event, volunteer opportunities and how you can show your vehicles on the Rev Up For Resilience event page.

When someone develops a problem with drugs or alcohol, most of the attention understandably focuses on the person who is using. Their health, safety, and recovery become the priority. But behind that visible struggle, there is often another group of people quietly carrying a different kind of weight: their family.

When addiction enters a family, it rarely does so quietly. It may begin subtly as a change in mood, behaviour, spending, or reliability, but over time it reshapes routines, relationships, and the emotional atmosphere of the home.

When someone you love is struggling with addiction, advice often comes thick and fast.

Many family members affected by addiction describe themselves as “coping.”

When we talk about addiction, the focus is usually on the person using drugs or alcohol. Treatment plans, recovery narratives, and public conversations tend to centre one individual — their behaviour, their choices, their progress.

Families Out Loud is pleased to share our programme of face-to-face support group workshops for 2026.

Growing up in a family affected by drug or alcohol use can be an overwhelming experience for teenagers. Emotions can feel intense, confusing, and sometimes impossible to manage. At Families Out Loud, we understand that teens often carry the weight of what’s happening at home silently, struggling with feelings of guilt, fear, or responsibility for the actions of loved ones.

For many, December means celebration — gatherings, glitter, and good cheer. But for families living with addiction, it can also bring stress, anxiety, and heartbreak.

In late 2025, the UK Government announced an investment of more than £10 million to strengthen addiction research and innovation. The funding will help train the next generation of scientists and expand understanding of what drives addiction, how to prevent it, and how to support people and their families more effectively.