Caring for someone with alcohol or substance misuse issues?

Caring for someone with alcohol or substance misuse can be overwhelming and challenging, but support is available to help you manage the challenges and find the assistance you need.

As a carer, it's important to know that you don't have to face this alone - there are numerous resources and support systems available to help you navigate this difficult journey.

Whether you're seeking advice, practical assistance, or simply someone to talk to, local carer services and specialized organisations offer invaluable support tailored to the unique challenges of addiction.

This guide will help you find the right resources to support both you and your loved one in managing alcohol and substance misuse issues.

Talk to someone and find support for carers of alcohol and substance misuse

You may find it helpful to talk to someone about the caring you do and how this affects you and the help that may be available.

Start by contacting your Carers Trust Network Partner local carer service. They will be able to offer you a range of support and some carer services have workers that specialise in helping people who care for someone with alcohol and/or substance misuse problems.

They will give you a chance to talk to someone, find practical help and join support groups.

For more information on supporting someone with mental health and financial challenges alongside addiction, visit our mental health support for carers and financial support for carers pages.

Organisations that can help

Here are some organisations that offer valuable support for carers of individuals with alcohol and substance misuse issues:

• Adfam gives information, local support groups and helplines for anyone affected by someone else’s substance misuse. Adfam's guide for carers is a good starting point to help you answer these questions and more. 
• Al-Anon Family Groups provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking, regardless of whether that person is still drinking or not.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is for people who need help with a drinking problem.
• Frank has information about drugs and details of support.
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA) supports people with a drugs problem.
• National Association for Children of Alcoholics offers information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking.
• Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs (SFAD) provides support to family members and friends across Scotland who have been affected by the substance use of a relative or loved one. It provides information, help and support through a wide variety of resources including a helpline and message boards.
• The Royal College of Psychiatry has information for patients, carers, family and friends relating to mental health problems and disorders, including information if you are caring for someone with alcohol and/or substance misuse problems.