A person with a drug problem can have a real effect on the lives of those around them including parents, partners, children, siblings and friends. Friends and family members may feel guilty because they may think they have somehow contributed to their loved ones addiction, and may also feel guilt that they couldn’t help them. 

We understand that this can be a very stressful time for all those involved and therefore we have provided a Relatives/Carers section within our Wellbeing Portal to support you in your understanding of the issues related to drugs linking to your relative or friend.  We hope by providing this advice and information that you can gain the support for yourself and importantly for the person you have concerns or are caring for.

It is a really difficult time for you when someone you care for develops a drug addiction.  Their drug usage can cause many difficulties, not just for the person using drugs, but also for their family and friends.  When somebody you care about uses drugs to excess this can cause significant issues for the families and carers associated with the person.

Stigma and shame are often associated with drug misuse which can mean that families and carers often suffer in silence creating severe isolation, which can then result in anxiety, depression and other associated health problems.  When you discover that someone you care about is using drugs this can lead to a number of emotions including anger, worry, or even confusion.

Suggesting reducing the amount of drugs your relative/ friend is taking will not always be welcome advice, particularly if they do not believe there is an issue.  This also may be the case if you suggest they seek professional advice to help with what you see as a problem.

Trying to highlight the issue and then them acknowledging their problem with the drugs they are taking will be the first major hurdle to overcome.

We have provided important advice and information that is contained within the Patient element of the Wellbeing Portal that could be suggested to the person you are caring for as the initial starting point in their own journey in gaining help.

This may result in them in making their first steps towards abstinence by attending a specialist service following initial contact.  There may be occasions given their drug intake that you advocate on their behalf.  You really need to gain their consent before you support the process in making contact with services.  We want to help both the person you are supporting and you, as an individual, to gain the right guidance, advice and support to assist with this potentially stressful situation.  We have therefore provided Local Drug Service contact information and Carer support information later within the Getting more help section