Family Support

Why is it important to support families and concerned others?

 It's challenging living with someone using drugs and alcohol to cope with life, for example when:​

• Communication becomes stressful, especially when your loved one is under the influence

• Promises to change go unfulfilled leaving you feeling let down

• They're abstinent, but your anxiety about relapse remains

• The things you like doing keep getting put on hold because their addiction takes priority.

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Despite this, there can be an inclination to protect a loved one, for example making excuses for them to employers or friends and family and maybe paying bills after money being spent on substances.  

All of this produces some strong feelings and at times despair.  I can help you to understand and navigate these feelings.  You have a right to peace in your life!  However, to get to this you are possibly in  a better position than a drug and alcohol worker to influence change, because you are living with the substance user or are close to them.  This is especially if you are coached on how best to influence change.

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Family Support Sessions with Tom – what will it involve?
I will start by hearing about your journey.  In general terms it is a journey I know well as someone with lived experience.  I will work out with you what you want, what you have tried in the past and whether it has worked.  I will help you to understand addiction and how change is possible and what role you can play in this. I can share information about services for supporting and treating your loved one and what this involves.  I can help you process situations where your loved one is unwilling to change and explore ways to respond and decision make around this.

I work with partners, parents or friends, right up to whole families, depending on whatever combination is desired and will be productive for change.  There is the option to invite the substance user to join one of our meetings if that were to serve a purpose.

I believe that you will find me a compassionate, direct and easy person to talk to.

 

Sessions are online

60 minutes for £60 for 1:1 

60 minutes for £65 for 1:2

60 minutes for £75 for family groups up to five

90 minutes for £100 for family groups up to five.