Adult Services

"I feel like I missed out on my childhood.  My mother's boyfriends used to sexually abuse me and beat me so I dropped out of school and ran away to London when I was 14"

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Family Services

Anyone with a close relation or friend who has developed problems with drugs or alcohol knows the devastating effect that this can have on relationships.  Relationships and addiction often spiral and deteriorate together. By addressing the problems that drugs and alcohol can cause, the relationship can be better understood. 

We believe families and friends of people with drug or alcohol problems do not always get the support they require.  Often people feel they need more information and acknowledgement of their experiences.  Strategies can be developed for managing their concerns. Ways can then be found to best support the friend or relative and in some cases motivate them into treatment.  The Nelson Trust has developed services for family members and friends to gain knowledge and understanding, and explore the effects of substance misuse on their relationships.  

The benefits of attending these services are:

  • increased knowledge and information about the physical, psychological and emotional consequences of addiction
  • learning different ways to manage relationships within the family context
  • awareness of alternatives to blaming self or others
  • discovering effective ways to give and receive support

The main aims of the service are to:

  • Improve family relationships and establish a support structure for all family members affected by addiction
  • Improve the mental and physical health of families as well as their emotional well-being
  • Reduce anxiety and depression within the family by meeting their needs for support and information
  • Help family networks to become self sufficient and less reliant on (mental) health services
  • Strengthen communities by endeavouring to improve family life and keep families together
  • Reduce instances of children experiencing fear, conflict, violence and neglect
  • Support, educate and prepare clients who are parents so that they are able to resume effective care of their children

For those in treatment we aim to:

  • Increase retention (planned completions) and reduce likelihood of relapse
  • Involve the family in their relative’s care plan through attendance at therapeutic sessions
  

The Family Services 

In order to meet these aims, The Nelson Trust developed the following five services addressing the unique needs of families. When referring to ‘family’, we mean people in a significant relationship with the individual who needs, or is accessing, help for their drug and/or alcohol misuse problem.

 

Family Weekend Seminars consist of 2 full days of lectures, workshops/films and support groups, designed to validate participants experience and explore what can be done to reclaim a more positive position in family relationships. People attending this weekend will gain an understanding of drug and alcohol problems and develop practical strategies that best support the family network. 

Family Focus Therapy has shown itself to be immensely helpful in facilitating explorative meaningful solution focused support for those involved with a person with a drug or alcohol problem.  It is normal for people in such relationships to feel ‘stuck’.  Within the family focus session people will discover the resources required to move forward in the relationship and identify more effective ways of relating to and empowering their relative or friend.  Communication can be explored and different prespectives can be gained, leading to improved understanding. 

Family Support Group meets monthly in the evening and is open to friends and family of people affected by drug and alcohol problems.  Differing themes are discussed within a safe and supportive environment. 

Parent and Child groups and therapy sessions focus on themes that arise from being a parent or child affected by drug or alcohol problems.  Focus on parenting skills and reattachment. These sessions are facilitated by a qualified family therapist/play therapist. 

Family Network Sessions are one off sessions are designed for an individual with their support worker (if applicable).  Each session involves a detailed look at the family and network structure.  This allows for relationship patterns and dynamics to become more visable, creating a greater understanding of the background and pathway that has led to the present.  This allows the individual to consider effective changes that will support their relationships in the future. 

All elements of the family services are facilitated by a qualified family therapist.

 

Who is it for?

Anyone with a significant relationship with a person who has been, or is presently, misusing drugs or alcohol is welcome to enquire further by contacting the family services team.  After discussion with you, we will recommend which aspect of the service is most suited to your situation.  Your friend or relative does not need to be a client of the Nelson Trust.

If you are concerned about a member of your family and want information on services available, please contact us or telephone 01453 885633.

 

To download our brochure click here