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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.

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

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,

Alcohol addiction doesn’t just affect the person drinking—it affects everyone around them. When someone in your family has a problem with alcohol, it can lead to worry, confusion, hurt, and sometimes even fear. You may be trying to hold everything together while quietly falling apart yourself.

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.

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.