Coping with alcohol or drug use in the family can be very lonely and socially isolating
Our Family Support Groups provide an opportunity to connect with others who are having similar experiences. Our support groups operate all year round in various locations around the state.
Meeting regularly (fortnightly or monthly), they have an educational component and are a forum for you to share what’s going on for you in a supportive space. Each group is facilitated by trained volunteer family members and are supported by FDGH staff.
Family Support Group FAQs
If you are concerned about someone else’s alcohol and or drug use you are eligible to attend. The person can be a family member, friend or someone that interacts with you in your life.
Connecting with others with the same lived experience gives us a sense of not being alone. It allows us to gain insight and learn from their experiences. Our groups also have an education component where we deliver sessions on relevant topics via handouts, videos
and guests speakers.
In our experience this does not happen very often. However if it is does the anonymity clause in our opening guidelines prevents anything that is said in the room to leave the room. Anyone you see at meetings and anything that is said at the meetings, stays at the meeting
All our support groups run with the same format. The first half is an education component with a topic for the night delivered via handouts, DVD’s or guest speakers. The second half is individual sharing if you wish to, in a safe uninterrupted respectful environment.
Everyone is invited to share, however if you wish to remain silent and listen that is fine too.
We suggest that you attend 3-4 meetings before you decide if the Support Group is right for you. You don’t have to attend every meeting either – whatever works for you is what is important. Don’t overdo things either, leaving you no time for your own self care. You can contact our Helpline on 1300 660 068 or email us at supportgroups@sharc.org.au and ask to be added to the mailing list for other groups as well at any time. Different groups have different facilitators and different speakers that may interest you more and be more suited to your needs. We are here to support you in any way we can. We’ve been there and we care.
Contact the Helpline on 1300 660 068.
The Supper Club
Bereavement Group
A support group for families and friends who have lost a loved one as a result of drug and alcohol use, the Supper Club Bereavement Group provides members with support, mutual learning and hope. It is facilitated by a professionally trained grief counsellor and provides the opportunity for people to connect through their shared experiences.
Carnegie Grief and Bereavement (For family members who have lost a loved one as a result of substance use): second Tuesday of the month 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Supper Club FAQs
The Supper Club is a grief and bereavement support group for family and friends who have lost a loved one due to their substance misuse.
Many of our members felt they didn’t fit in so called “normal” bereavement groups due to the stigma attached to substance use. They sometimes felt judged as parents or partners of someone who was misusing drugs or alcohol: “People think your son died of choice. The stigma we feel could be our own perception, but we do perceive it.” Because of these feelings, members often feel very isolated. The group provides a safe space where members can express their feelings without fear of judgement: “I finally felt like I belonged and that those surrounding me understood my pain as I understood theirs.”
The Supper Club is led by a professional grief counsellor because the loss experienced by members is complex. Many can have post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms from watching their child deteriorate, from calling ambulances and police, and from letting all but the most trusted friends slip away in order to contain the stigma. The grief counsellor provides the opportunity for members to connect through their shared experiences.
At each two-hour session, The leader facilitates and fosters a group interaction that encourages learning of coping skills and mutual support. The facilitator’s role is not to provide counselling or answers. The direction the group takes is very much aligned to the needs of the members. As a member of the group you will have an opportunity to speak on your first visit, if you wish. Members’ input and contribution is encouraged and appreciated. “I was very isolated…I knew rationally that I couldn’t be the only person going through this, but at the time it seemed like it.” “I just wanted to share my experience with others and listen to other’s experiences, just to know that what I was going through was pretty normal.”
- Sharing and gaining emotional support from people who have been through a similar experience
- Mutual learning: learning about oneself from others in the group
- Reducing the stigma and isolation and gaining the sense that you are not alone and
that your grief responses are shared by others - Group cohesion: experiencing an increased sense of belonging
- Imparting of information and wisdom
- Access to a resource library, referral for bereavement counselling
The Supper Club meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 6 – 8 pm online. To enquire about The Supper Club, call the Family Drug Helpline between 9:00am – 4:15pm, 5 days a week on 1300 660 068.
Family Support Group Locations and meeting times
For further information Phone: 1 300 660 068 or Email: supportgroups@sharc.org.au