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In Wiltshire, families quietly live with the everyday weight of someone else’s drug or alcohol dependency.

When we talk about addiction recovery, often the spotlight falls on the individual: detox, treatment, abstinence, relapse prevention. But what about the families?

Addiction is often discussed in terms of the person using the substance. But increasingly, research and campaigns are showing something critical: the ripple effect hits families, friends and loved ones too and it’s time we recognised their need for support

When the conversation turns to addiction recovery, much attention goes to the individual with addiction,

In recent years, there’s been a marked shift in how health services and charities approach addiction: increasing focus on co-occurring mental health conditions, sometimes called ‘dual diagnosis’ or ‘co-occurring disorders’.

The mechanisms are still under investigation—but the idea is that GLP‑1 medications may help regulate reward pathways tied to addiction.

Summer is here and in the UK that often means school breaks, free time, barbecues and pressure to drink or try drugs.

When someone you love is struggling with addiction, it can feel as though your entire world has been turned upside down. The constant worry, sleepless nights, and emotional rollercoaster can leave you feeling drained, confused, and completely alone. It’s important to remember that while you may not be able to change their behaviour, you can take steps to protect your own wellbeing.

In recent years, the UK has seen a rise in the implementation of Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDACs), a progressive initiative aimed at supporting parents struggling with substance misuse while prioritising the welfare of their children.

When a loved one struggles with drug or alcohol addiction, it doesn’t just affect them—it impacts the whole family.

Have you ever felt absolutely ravenous, even when you thought you’d eaten enough? Or found yourself eating for comfort, unsure whether it was true hunger or something deeper? That might be ghrelin at play – a clever little hormone with a big influence on our relationship with food and, surprisingly, our emotional wellbeing.

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.

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.

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

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

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.