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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.

Save the date for our summer fundraiser! Our popular fundraiser is back for 2026! Rev Up For Resilience in our annual car show to raise funds for the work we do in Wiltshire. Find out more details about the event, volunteer opportunities and how you can show your vehicles on the Rev Up For Resilience event page.

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 someone you love is struggling with addiction, advice often comes thick and fast.

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.