Contact the South East Region Family Support Network Office for contact details of your local Family Support Group in Counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wexford and Waterford.

Tel: 051-312010     Email: serfsn@gmail.com

A new Men's Group and Siblings Group are also up and running in Waterford City.

  

What is Family Support?

Family support is where family members of those using drugs can come together to talk about how they have been affected. 

 

What is a Family Support Group?

A Family Support Group is a safe, confidential and non-judgemental place for the family members of drug users to come together to discuss common issues in relation to dealing with drug use within their family.

At a Family Support meeting you can:

  • Meet with others in a similar situation with whom you can relate. 
  • Obtain knowledge and information.
  • Have your own space and time out.
  • Find unity and support.
  • Learn to cope with manipulation.
  • Learn how to mind YOU.

 What does a Family Support Group do?

Family Support Groups

  •  Meet regularly, usually weekly.
  • Discuss issues arising from the problem of drug use within the family.
  • Share experiences with each other.
  • Invite guest speakers to speak on particular topics.
  • Encourage members to take care of THEMSELVES.

Some Family Support Groups offer therapeutic sessions to members such as relaxation techniques, reflexology and massage.

                                   Support for YOURSELF can help the whole family

Why should I join a Family Support Group?

Most families dealing with drug use are looking for answers.  The answers they look for initially relate to their child - where can she/he go for treatment?  In most cases, family members don't realise that they need help for themselves.  

The group can support members through difficult times sometimes just by listening, other times by sharing how they dealt with similar situations.

Commonly held misconceptions

"Drug use in the family only affects the person using, not other family members."

"Once I get help for the drug user - all my problems will end."

Unfortunately we have found that these and similar statements are untrue.  We know that drugs use affects all the family, sometimes putting a huge strain on relationships between couples and between parents and other children.