Time for Change Survey and Report

36 “[We need] easily accessed support for families of drug users in rural and remote [areas].” Recommendation #13 We recommend that all federal and state/territory governments invest in a diversified AOD Family Support Services sector providing families, friends, and supporters with increased access to specialised, tailored, peer-based services that are responsive to their needs. We further recommend that Australian Governments: A. Establish family-oriented AOD services that include evidence-informed support, as well as training and education programs underpinned by harm reduction and human rights- based principles. B. Commit to ensuring that health, mental health, and social support agencies have access to professionals trained in AOD family-inclusive practice. Such training will help improve service engagement and encourage help-seeking behaviour among families, friends and supporters impacted by another person's drug and alcohol dependence. C. Review and update current drug education and harm reduction programs with community members to ensure their relevance for families, friends, and supporters of people who use drugs. Research has confirmed that AOD-related shame and stigma affect not only individuals with substance dependence but also their immediate families and networks . 17 The stigma that this population experiences from other family members, friends and society alike tends to be based on the assumption that they are responsible for their relatives substance us e, 18 often leading family members to also blame themselves for their loved one’s drug dependenc e. 19 This stigma contributes to physical and psychological ill health for some family members and creates barriers to seeking help and engaging with both formal and informal support system s. 20 Findings from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) show that, on average, it takes five years for families and friends of individuals affected by substance use issues to seek help for themselve s. 21 A s a result, families of individuals with substance dependence often represent a hidden cohort with unique needs that are not well understood by the broader health system. 17 McCann TV & Lubman D (2018) Stigma experience of families supporting an adult member with substance misuse. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing 27 (2): 465-921 . Available here. 18 Corrigan PW, Watson AC & Miller FE (2006) Blame, shame, and contamination: the impact of mental illness and drug dependence stigma on family members. J Fam Psychol 20 (2): 239-246 . Available here. 19 Lindeman SK, Titlestad KB, Lorås L & Bondas T (2021) An unknown invisible intrusion. Impact of an adult family member’s problematic substance use on family life: a meta -ethnography. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy 29 (5): 464-476 . Available here. 20 McCann TV & Lubman D (2018) Help seeking barriers and facilitators for affected family members of a relative with alcohol and other drug misuse, Journal of substance abuse treatment (93): 7-14 . Available here. 21 Alcohol and Drug Foundation (2024) Help-seeking among family and friends of people who use alcohol and drugs: Survey report . Available here.