Online support groups
Online support groups available to families
It is important that families affected by someone else’s drug, alcohol or gambling problem receive the support they need and deserve. Whilst our family support map lists services that support families in different areas of the country, during COVID-19 many groups and services are not currently able to meet face-to-face.
Some organisations are now offering virtual support to families instead, including virtual support groups and online web chat services, which we have listed below:
Online support groups
An Invitation to Change online support group for families affected by their loved one’s use of addictive substances and activities. Sundays 6pm. Hosted by Dave and Tina from Birmingham UK. Zoom Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81498967810
Online 'Parenting in Recovery' support group for families every Monday at 1pm.
Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2912012970?pwd=aXl0ZFZWU1BMRk9SMDVJUEhZNzZ5QT09
➢ Meeting ID: 291 201 2970
➢ Passcode: 333214
Virtual support group for families (7.00 - 9.00pm on Thursdays) and virtual 1:1s (available Monday - Friday between 9am - 4pm)
Families Anonymous run groups for families and friends of those with a drug problem. Some of these groups are now running virtually, call their helpline on 0207 498 4680 for more information (calls are answered daily 1-4pm and 6-9pm)
Kenward Trust run a free support group twice a week via Zoom for friends, family, and loved ones of those who are misusing substances:
Tuesday - between 7:00pm- 8:30pm
Thursday- between 10:00am- 11:30am
Virtual support group for over 18's affected by someone's substance misuse. Every Tuesday 5pm to 6pm, please contact us on 0333 332 4019 for more details.
UK-wide Family & Friends Meetings are available on Monday evenings 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm and Thursday evenings 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
- USA SMART Recovery Parents Group
Hosted by Dave and Tina from Birmingham UK. Tuesdays 6pm GMT (USA 1pm ET). Zoom Meeting link: https://smartrecovery.zoom.us/j/99871856657 Meeting ID: 99871856657
(Please register with USA SMART Recovery https://smartrecovery.org/ before joining)
Facilitated by Pete
(13.00-14.30 New York)
Please register with USA SMART Recovery https://smartrecovery.org/ before joining. The following link will then give you the Zoom details.
https://www.smartrecovery.org/community/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=325&day=2021-10-4&c=6
Online webchat
Free and confidential web chat for friends and family members.
Online chat service that is open every weekday, from 1.30pm to 5.30pm, to talk about any family or parenting issue.
New online chat service, Reach Out, providing friendly help and advice to people affected by drug and alcohol issues, including loved ones and family members, available between 9am and 3pm Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
Online chatroom to talk about issues related to problem gambling with other people in similar situations. Family & Friends chatroom every Thursday at 9.30pm.
Free and confidential online chat service available: weekdays - between 10am-4pm and 6pm-9pm; and on weekends: 11am-4pm.
Social media groups
A Facebook group managed by Jo Huey for daughters of alcoholics. Jo specialises in supporting daughters of alcoholics also offering one to one sessions and online courses. If you'd like to be with others just like you, Join Jo's Daughters of Alcoholics Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/daughtersofalcoholics.
Families can also speak with other families anonymously via Adfam's online peer support forum.
If you know of any other virtual support group/web chat service that isn't listed on this page please get in touch with us at admin@adfam.org.uk.
The support options listed above are delivered by organisations that are independent from Adfam. Adfam takes no responsibility for the quality of any support you may receive via these organisations, or any others listed on our website. Any views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by Adfam.