Adfam is saddened to learn that Bernie Carr died on 12th June 2024. Bernie was a prominent member of the Alcohol and Families Alliance (AFA) Steering Group for many years and played a huge role in championing the AFA and the needs of families affected by substance use, whilst also being an influential advocate for people with lived experience of addiction
This research reveals that family members play a significant role helping their loved ones that are experiencing problems with their drinking or drug use to achieve and maintain recovery.
“I remember there’s a famous quote about addiction… the opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety or abstinence; the opposite of addiction is connection. And I think there’s something about that that hooked me in when I started working in the sector”.
We are so excited to announce the launch of Adfam’s new website. The site has been completely redesigned with a brand-new look and feel. It is now more engaging, interactive and easier to navigate for both families and professionals.
The Alliance of Family Support Organisations has launched its manifesto, calling on the next UK Government to ensure families affected by substance use are adequately supported.
The manifesto’s top four priorities include investing in services for children and families, tackling the affordability, availability and promotion of alcohol, reducing stigma, and the need for a new alcohol strategy.
‘Same but different’ Justina replies when asked what the differences are for families affected by substance use in Scotland. Politically, things are very different. The Scottish National Party (SNP) have led the Scottish Parliament since 2007 (including periods of minority government), and alcohol policy in Scotland has been significantly more forward-thinking than in England.
Behind familiar reporting of the latest rise in alcohol-related deaths, lies the less well known story of the bereavements these deaths entail for those who have lost a loved-one this way. Recent research is revealing that, whilst alcohol- and drug-related bereavements vary a lot, they are often severe, complex and long-lasting
“We’ve got to go for connectedness. We’ve really got to understand that no one set of professionals is going to work this. And working alongside and with the families, hearing the lived experience, hearing the voice. Now that is incredibly challenging, but I think it also has to be said that we’re not going to get anywhere if we don’t do that.”
We are really excited to announce that ultra-marathon runner and endurance athlete Frank Bingham is taking on the Speed Project later this month to raise money for Adfam! The Speed Project if you didn’t know, is a gruelling 500km race through the desert from Los Angeles to Las Vegas! The race commences from Santa Monica…