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	<description>We support and empower families affected by drug and alcohol use</description>
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		<title>Sign up for our music-making workshop at St Bride&#8217;s!</title>
		<link>https://adfam.org.uk/blog-post/sign-up-for-our-music-making-workshop-at-st-brides/</link>
		
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		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:10:13 +0000</pubDate>
				<guid isPermaLink="false">https://adfam.org.uk/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=255612</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Adfam, in partnership with St Bride&#8217;s Church, is organising a free, creative music workshop designed especially for families affected by substance use. Led by professional musicians and workshop leaders Jessie Maryon Davies (piano) and Rosie Berzonzi (percussion), this session offers a welcoming space to connect, create, and express through music. Set within the wonderful surroundings of St Bride&#8217;s Church, and drawing on its fascinating history and musical heritage, participants will work together to write and compose an original song for this special, one-off event. When? Wednesday 6th May 2026, 10am &#8211; 12 noon Where? St Bride&#8217;s Church, Fleet St, London EC4Y 8AU RSVP here Since 1997, Adfam has held its annual Christmas Carol Concert St Bride’s Church. This much-loved event has become an important part of Adfam&#8217;s story, bringing people together to recognise and celebrate families affected by substance use while enjoying incredible music and carols. We are delighted that St Bride&#8217;s is hosting this special free workshop as part of its community engagement programme. This workshop is open exclusively to individuals with lived experience of a loved one’s substance use. At Adfam, we recognise the powerful role creativity can play in supporting wellbeing. Through shared music-making and storytelling, participants [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>New research study examines the discrimination experienced by individuals seeking treatment and their caregivers</title>
		<link>https://adfam.org.uk/blog-post/new-research-study-examines-the-discrimination-experienced-by-individuals-seeking-treatment-and-their-caregivers/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[RS_adfam]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:51:24 +0000</pubDate>
				<guid isPermaLink="false">https://adfam.org.uk/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=255604</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[A new study led by Liverpool John Moores University examines everyday discrimination experienced by individuals seeking substance use treatment, and their caregivers against a demographically matched comparison group. It found that Individuals seeking/receiving treatment for substance use, as well as individuals with caregiving responsibilities reported higher levels of everyday discrimination, with 40.7% of caregivers reported discrimination due to their caring role, while 52.5% of people seeking treatment cited substance use as the cause of discrimination. Family and friends were found to be the main sources of discrimination across both groups. These experiences also impacted people in other ways, and had indirect negative effects on wellbeing. Read the study in full at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395926001088?via%3Dihub]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>Adfam supports launch of new white paper on impact and barriers of alcohol dependence</title>
		<link>https://adfam.org.uk/blog-post/adfam-supports-launch-of-new-white-paper-on-impact-and-barriers-of-alcohol-dependence/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[RS_adfam]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:47:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<guid isPermaLink="false">https://adfam.org.uk/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=255530</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Adfam is delighted to support the launch of a new white paper with Clean State Clinic and the University of Sussex, Impact and barriers: a national survey of UK adults on alcohol dependence. The report presents key new empirical evidence on alcohol harm patterns in the UK and barriers to accessing support, with a strong focus on the harm experienced by families and need for family-inclusive pathways. Some of the key findings include: Alcohol-related harm is widespread, crossing political and geographical boundaries Nearly half of people report knowing someone they consider to be a heavy drinker, 25% of which identify a close family member While families and affected others may recognise escalating risk before formal services engage, current pathways offer limited mechanisms for family-supported intervention Systems are too reliant on individual self-identification rather than clinical need, leaving many people and their families without the support they need System capacity and stigma are key barriers to accessing support Workplace prevalence is significant, with work pressures and stress considered a key factor Download the report in full at: https://cleanslateclinic.co.uk/impact-and-barriers-a-national-survey-of-uk-adults-on-alcohol-dependence &#160;]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>First ever UK clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment published by DHSC</title>
		<link>https://adfam.org.uk/blog-post/first-ever-uk-clinical-guidelines-for-alcohol-treatment-published-by-dhsc/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[RS_adfam]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:22:34 +0000</pubDate>
				<guid isPermaLink="false">https://adfam.org.uk/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=255484</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The first ever UK clinical guidelines for the treatment of dependence on alcohol have been published by the Department of Health &#38; Social Care (DHSC): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/clinical-guidelines-for-alcohol-treatment These evidence-based guidelines have been developed by DHSC in collaboration with the devolved governments, while groups of both senior clinical experts and experts by experience advised on their content. The guidelines recommend interventions for people with harmful patterns of drinking and alcohol dependence, outlining good practice to improve outcomes for people in need. The guidelines are for clinicians and professionals who deliver alcohol interventions in specialist alcohol and drug treatment services and in hospitals and other health and care settings. They are also for other professionals, such as homelessness workers, who support people with alcohol problems in the course of their work. They provide detailed descriptions of good practice that commissioners and providers can use to inform service design and delivery, staff training and quality assurance. If you have any questions about the guidelines, contact Hazel Jordan: Hazel.Jordan@DHSC.gov.uk https://www.gov.uk/guidance/clinical-guidelines-for-alcohol-treatment]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>Adfam CE appears at Nexus LGBTQ+ breakfast event</title>
		<link>https://adfam.org.uk/blog-post/255482/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[RS_adfam]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:27:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<guid isPermaLink="false">https://adfam.org.uk/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=255482</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[On 25th November, Adfam&#8217;s Chief Executive, Viv Evans, appeared as a panellist at the Nexus LGBTQ+ breakfast meeting at GSK offices in central London, on normalising conversations about addiction, tackling stigma and supporting colleagues at work. Viv along with the other panellists shared their perspectives on what we can all do normalise conversations on addiction, both at work and outside. NEXUS LGBTQ+ was established in 2015 to bring together LGBTQ+ employee network leaders across sectors through quarterly in-person networking breakfasts hosted by different participating companies in central London. Find out more about their work and future events at: https://www.lgbtgreat.com/Nexus. &#160; &#160;]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>New IAS report: A Healthier Future: a long-term vision to tackle alcohol harm in the UK</title>
		<link>https://adfam.org.uk/blog-post/new-ias-report-a-healthier-future-a-long-term-vision-to-tackle-alcohol-harm-in-the-uk/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[RS_adfam]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:17:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<guid isPermaLink="false">https://adfam.org.uk/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=255479</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) has published new report, A Healthier Future: a long-term vision to tackle alcohol harm in the UK, developed collaboratively with more than 40 leading experts in alcohol policy, research, and treatment. The alcohol control community has long lacked a shared long-term vision for change. This report fills that gap &#8211; setting out clear national targets to halve risky drinking, expand access to treatment, and reverse record levels of alcohol deaths. It also identifies the most effective policy actions to get us there, including fairer alcohol pricing, stronger marketing regulation, clear product labelling, and renewed investment in treatment and prevention. The report provides an evidence-based roadmap to help align advocacy across the sector and strengthen calls for coordinated, cross-government action to tackle the UK’s alcohol harm crisis. Download: Full report &#8211; &#8220;A Healthier Future: a long-term vision to tackle alcohol harm in the UK&#8221; Technical Report &#8211; featuring full methodology, data and detailed findings September Alcohol Alert Podcast focused on the report and features Dr Katherine Severi (IAS) and Karen Biggs (Phoenix Futures)]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>Drug-related deaths continue to rise in 2024</title>
		<link>https://adfam.org.uk/blog-post/drug-related-deaths-continue-to-rise-in-2024/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[RS_adfam]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:27:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<guid isPermaLink="false">https://adfam.org.uk/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=255439</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that 5,565 people died from causes related to drug poisoning in England and Wales in 2024. The number of deaths recorded is a 2.1% increase from 2023, twice as high as it was in 2012, and the highest since records began in 1993. Every life lost to drugs or alcohol is a tragedy and with every life lost there will be a family left behind trying to come to terms with their loss. Losing someone you love as a result of drug or alcohol use can be emotionally devastating, challenging and isolating. If you have lost someone in this way it is important to know that you are not alone. We have listed a range of support below that is available. Earlier this week we reiterated our call on the Government to do more to support families, and the action needed to make this happen, including by increasing investment in family support, and a commitment to giving families affected by drug use access to training on how to use life saving drug naloxone in the event that a family member overdoses. Find out more here: https://adfam.org.uk/blog-post/drug-related-deaths/. Please find below [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>New Report &#8211; Taking Stock: Counting the Economic Costs of Alcohol Harm</title>
		<link>https://adfam.org.uk/blog-post/new-report-taking-stock-counting-the-economic-costs-of-alcohol-harm/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[RS_adfam]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:16:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<guid isPermaLink="false">https://adfam.org.uk/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=255435</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has launched a new report, Taking Stock: Counting the Economic Costs of Alcohol Harm, funded by Alcohol Change UK. The report argues that tackling alcohol harm must be not just a public health priority but an economic one too. Alcohol consumption has large and measurable effects on workforce productivity, increasing both absenteeism and presenteeism, and in turn, economic growth. Tackling these wider harms of alcohol will require a stronger regulatory approach and changes to alcohol pricing. It will also require employers to take greater responsibility in tackling harm by making alcohol less central to workplace culture and providing better support to those struggling with alcohol. Download the report here.]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>Snapshot of the Sector: Support for families affected by substance use </title>
		<link>https://adfam.org.uk/blog-post/snapshot-of-the-sector/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[RS_adfam]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2025 21:16:50 +0000</pubDate>
				<guid isPermaLink="false">https://adfam.org.uk/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=255166</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Snapshot of the Sector: Support for families affected by substance use Earlier this year Adfam published results from the most comprehensive survey ever undertaken into the support provided to the families and carers of people with drug or alcohol problems. Local authorities are required to help residents who are harmed by substance misuse and receive funding from central government to do so, and Adfam sought to establish the extent to which this help extended to families and carers. Through a series of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests Adfam asked all 154 local authorities in England how they used their substance misuse budget to help families and carers. With 95% of areas responding, for the first time we are able to paint a picture of the resources that local authorities in England commit to substance misuse focused family support. Worryingly half of England’s councils were unable to tell us what, if anything, they spent from their substance misuse budgets helping families and carers. In the areas that were able to provide a figure, the average spend amounted to just 1.58% of their substance misuse budget, while 13 local authorities reported that they spent nothing at all. This is the first time that these [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<title>What does ‘good’ look like in support for families affected by substance use?</title>
		<link>https://adfam.org.uk/blog-post/what-does-good-look-like/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[RS_adfam]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2025 21:05:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<guid isPermaLink="false">https://adfam.org.uk/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=255165</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[What does ‘good’ look like in support for families affected by substance use?  In 2025, Adfam conducted a short survey to understand, from both those who use and deliver family support services, what, in their opinion,  makes the best possible family support. We know that properly funded family support can improve outcomes for those affected by a loved one’s substance use, including . This includes by helping them to make better sense of their situation, enhancing their emotional wellbeing, giving them the skills to support their loved ones and find a positive way forward, and meeting others with similar experiences so they know that they are not alone.    While no two families are the same and no one approach suits everyone, there are key guiding principles that many families value, along with ways of working that great services share.  We are grateful to the many family members and carers with lived experience, volunteers, practitioners and frontline professionals, who took the time to share their experiences of what they see working best for families affected by substance use.   What ‘good’ family support entails  Among the aspects of current support identified and valued most by participants, peer support &#38; lived experience groups [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
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