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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Last year I wrote about my son’s ongoing battle with drugs and how a mental disorder can lead to drug abuse.

Walking through Morrison’s and as normal, I had a browse at the Notice Board and there I saw the FOL insert.

My son was still at school when the level of his problem with drug addiction slowly became apparent.  It is very hard to describe how dreadful it feels as a parent to uncover the layers of secrets that your child is hiding from you, how you lose faith in everything you thought you knew and thought would happen. I can only say it felt as though everything I thought I knew was ripped away, and all that I believed about my family and our future was in doubt. I found support for

My son started taking drugs in his mid-teens and he’s now a 34 year old homeless drug addict who’s currently serving his fourth prison sentence.

The only thing on your mind when you are suffering from mental anguish is how to subdue the pain and find some welcome relief.

I have been asked more than once ‘why don’t you take drugs’.