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Families Out Loud was recently awarded a generous £10,000 grant from Chippenham Borough Lands Charity. Our trustee and co-founder Susy Lenihan, pictured above, left, received the cheque at an event earlier this month.

Addiction thrives in silence. Many families struggling with a loved one’s drug or alcohol addiction feel ashamed, isolated, and afraid to talk about what’s really happening behind closed doors. But silence doesn’t protect anyone—it only deepens the pain.

Easter is often seen as a time of renewal, family gatherings, and hope. But for families affected by addiction, it can bring a complex mix of emotions—grief, anxiety, frustration, and sometimes even guilt. If your loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, Easter might not look like the picture-perfect celebration you once imagined. Instead, it can be a painful reminder of what has been lost, or a time when difficult family dynamics come to the surface.

Mother’s Day in the UK is a time to celebrate mums and all they do for us. It’s a day for flowers, breakfast in bed, and heartfelt “thank yous.” But for mothers with a child struggling with addiction, this day can bring a mix of emotions—love, sadness, hope, and sometimes, heartache.

If you think your teen is using or may use drugs or alcohol – firstly, don’t panic! Most young people don’t do drugs, and most of those who do won’t continue using them. One-off or even occasional use does not mean addiction. But, of course, we’d rather they didn’t do drugs or drink at all. There are many reasons why teens use substances, but try comparing it to why you do something—like when you’re choosing what to eat.

Hannah Perry sits down with the Families Out Loud marketing team to discuss her personal history with drug and alcohol addiction and recovery.

According to the American Cancer Society, substance abuse and addiction make up about 30% of all cancer deaths.

As the New Year unfolded, many people embraced Dry January and took time to reflect on their relationship with alcohol and prioritise health and wellbeing. For families affected by drug or alcohol addiction, January can be bittersweet.

We’re excited to kick off 2025 by reminding our supports that Families Out Loud is part of the Co-op Local Community Fund, giving Co-op Members a simple way to support families affected by addiction each time they shop.

Christmas and New Year closure

I’m Hannah, and I’m an alcoholic/addict.

World Kindness Day on 13 November is a lovely reminder of the positive power of small, thoughtful acts.

At Families Out Loud, we’re passionate about helping families affected by addiction find understanding, resources, and support. And now, thanks to incredible partnerships with the Co-op Local Community Fund and the Tesco Stronger Starts Grant, we’re able to continue making a difference for those who need it most.

We're thrilled to announce that Families Out Loud has made a successful application to the Tesco Stronger Starts fund.

When one person in the family is battling addiction, it affects everyone. Relationships can get strained, communication breaks down, and before you know it, the whole family dynamic is turned upside down.

I’m Hannah, and I’m an alcoholic/addict. And my recovery date is December 6th 2023.

We’re thrilled to announce that Families Out Loud has just joined easyfundraising! This exciting partnership allows you to support our vital work simply by shopping online – at no extra cost to you.

I started drinking at 14 years old to help me deal with the abuse I was subjected to. My abuser would buy me alcohol and also supplied me with cannabis. I drank to cope with my emotions and to cope with the abuse. The buying of drugs and alcohol I now understand to be part of the grooming I was exposed to.

We are thrilled to announce an exciting partnership that will make a real difference in the lives of families across Wiltshire — esteemed local housing association Selwood Housing has chosen Families Out Loud as their charity of the year for 2024. 

Today I found a email I had written April 2019 to my sister. I had been nursing my Mum after a fall. However the main content of the email was me detailing how my son (then Aged 28) was damaging my Mental Health, Finances and Relationships How I was about to buy him a van in my name, so bailiffs could not take it away from him. I had found out he had huge debts. And was making the painful decision not to engage with my son anymore So why I ask myself did it take four more yea