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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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Addiction research continues to shed light on the unique challenges faced by young people and their families

Families Out Loud understands how overwhelming it can be to support someone dealing with drug or alcohol addiction. Trowbridge addiction support is available right here, close to home.

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.

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.

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.

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.