Mutual Support Programs for the Family Members of Substance Users
Mutual Support Programs for the Family Members of Substance Users
Mutual support groups are beneficial for people with substance use issues, and for their family members and loved ones. Today, we’ll review what groups are currently available for Delta residents who are coping with the substance use of someone else. As with Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, the most abundant and widespread mutual support programs for the family, are the twelve step programs Al-Anon and Nar-Anon, for the loved ones of people with alcohol issues, and of people with drug issues, respectively.
The local Al-Anon website, https://www.bcyukon-al-anon.org/, states “Any person who is troubled by another person’s drinking can attend Al-Anon meetings. This is true whether the person is still drinking or not”. The website lists two meetings in Ladner, and several in the communities surrounding Delta. Online meetings are also listed. The website also includes information about Alateen, a mutual support group for the teen-aged children of people with alcohol problems. The phone number for Al-Anon is (604)688-1716.
Nar-Anon is a support group for the family members of people with drug issues. There are in person meetings in Tsawwassen and New Westminster, as well as some virtual options in the surrounding communities. The Nar-Anon websites are: https://www.nar-anon.org/, and https://naranonbc.com/. The phone number is (604)878-8844.
Parents Forever is a local mutual support group, not affiliated with the twelve steps, for the parents of youth and adults with substance use concerns. The Vancouver-based group has been supporting families for twenty-three years, and currently has one online meeting. Anyone wanting more information about the group can contact Frances at fkenny@telus.net.
Not a support group as such, but a locally based resource, is the Coping Kit, originally available on the From Grief To Action website, is now available here. (The From Grief to Action website http://www.fgta.ca/ still has some links to useful information).
SMART Recovery also has Family and Friends meetings, which are described as “a dedicated space for those with loved ones who are struggling with addiction”. There are online meetings, and also some in person options, in Vancouver https://smartrecovery.org/family.
Healing Hearts Canada is a “free bereavement support group for those grieving the loss of a loved one to overdose or substance-use related harms”. The website is: https://www.healingheartscanada.org/. There is contact information listed there for inquiring about the availability of groups in Vancouver, Richmond, and other communities in BC. This group is associated with Moms Stop the Harm, which is a network of Canadian families impacted by substance-use-related harms and deaths (See https://www.momsstoptheharm.com/).
Families for Addiction Recovery is “a national charity founded by parents of children who have struggled with addiction from their teens”. Their “goal is long term recovery for those with addiction and their families”. The website https://www.farcanada.org/ offers free parent to parent support by phone and online meetings.
The Here to Help website states: “We’re here to help you find quality information, learn new skills, and connect with key resources in BC. Explore strategies to help you take care of your mental health and use substances in healthier ways, find the information you need to manage mental health and substance use problems, and learn how you can support a loved one”: www.heretohelp.bc.ca.