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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.

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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.

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 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.

Let’s face it—dealing with alcohol addiction in the family can be overwhelming. It’s like being on a rollercoaster you didn’t sign up for, with emotions swinging from worry and frustration to love and hope. If you’re part of a family struggling with alcohol addiction, you know this all too well. But here’s the good news: you’re not alone, and counselling for families of alcoholics can make a huge difference. Why family counselling? When one person in the family is battling ad

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,

When the conversation turns to addiction recovery, much attention rightly goes to the individual with addiction: detox, treatment programmes, medication, counselling. But there’s another part of the story that doesn’t always get enough focus: the family.

Living with a loved one’s addiction can be overwhelming. At Families Out Loud (FOL), we know that families are often left feeling isolated, helpless, and unsure where to turn.

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’.

A mother who reached out to Families Out Loud for support when her husband’s alcoholism pushed her to the brink of a nervous breakdown.

Are you in Wiltshire, feeling overwhelmed because someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction? You’re not alone and Families Out Loud is here to help, right in your area.