Family Drug Support Online

Community Program

 

An interactive web-based resource designed to support families and friends of people using alcohol and other drugs – particularly those in rural and remote Australia who are unable to access face-to-face support.

74% of families felt better able to cope after working through the video chapters, and 85% found the experience helpful. 

Family Survey

“Watching this series is like watching our story. It’s helped me understand our different reactions & responses to our son’s drug use, highlighted coping strategies & the importance of boundaries & self care. When & how to communicate was invaluable.”

Parent of drug user

“I found this video unbelievably helpful, I want to watch it again and again. I’d like to join a support group like this! Thank you.”

Parent of drug user

“I was nervous about the idea of going to a face to face support group, so this was a great introduction to how they work.”

Parent of drug user

 

The complete Family Drug Support Online resource is freely available at fdsonline.org.au.

Format

Online Resource

Objective

This Readymade initiative has been created in close collaboration with the not-for-profit Family Drug Support Australia. The resource is designed to provide online support for families and friends dealing with problematic drug use – particularly those who are unable to access family support groups.

Produced with support from the Commonwealth Department of Health through the National Ice Action Strategy, the resource aims to help families throughout Australia to deal with drug and alcohol issues in a way that strengthens relationships and achieves positive outcomes.

 

Audience

Families and friends of people using ice and other drugs.

Interactive Design

Visitors to the resource website first respond to a few questions which helps the system automatically set them on the most appropriate path through the resource.

Most of the webpages centre on a series of family support group meeting. Visitors progressing through the site will journey with the group participants as they share their experiences, thoughts and feelings, interact with and support each other, and develop skills for coping with the drug use of their loved ones. The group is facilitated by Family Drug Support’s CEO Tony Trimingham OAM, who shares his deep understanding of problematic drug use.

The online program is structured as sequential chapters and viewers are prompted to watch them in sequence – as the journey of the group participants unfolds over 75 minutes. The program chapters cover a range of key issues including anger and trust, skills training, including communication and boundary setting, and explains the stages of change for both the drug users and families. There is the opportunity to revisit chapters already watched, to help cement learning and the website remembers where a visitor was last and returns them to this point if they have to break their session.

The evidence-based design of the resource is informed by Family Drug Support’s extensive experience working with families. And the authentic, carefully planned approach to the documentary and other material helps the visitors empathise with, and learn from, the group participants, and helps them to appreciate that they are not alone, and there is a road map to help.

 

The online survey feedback from families working through the video chapters has been overwhelmingly positive.

Found the experience helpful

Felt better able to cope

Comments include:

“Watching this series is like watching our story. It’s helped me understand our different reactions & responses to our son’s drug use, highlighted coping strategies & the importance of boundaries & self care. When & how to communicate was invaluable.” [User age: 20-25 yrs. Relationship to user: Parent. Duration of drug use: >3 yrs]

“Very well presented, in stages so it’s easy to understand and connect the concepts. Also seeing and hearing others experiences which are like mine. Feel less desperate and alone. Also feel like a support group isn’t such an impossible scary option! Thank you.” [User age: 20-25 yrs. Relationship to user: Parent. Duration of drug use: >3 yrs]

“I found this video unbelievably helpful, I want to watch it again and again. I’d like to join a support group like this! Far out, after my journey with my son, I have not found something so helpful. Thank you.” [User age: Under 20 yrs. Relationship to user: Parent. Duration of drug use: Over 3 yrs]

“It helped to know that we are not alone, all of the chapters reinforced our own feelings, communication etc. it made me quite emotional watching this, I cannot thank you enough for allowing us to do so. Absolutely fantastic.” [User age: 26-30 yrs. Relationship to user: Parent. Duration of drug use: >3 yrs]

“I wish I had watched this two years ago. I wish I had understood and believed earlier that our son really is on drugs. I wish I had not nearly bankrupted our family paying for his further education (all lies for drugs) I am so enriched by this knowledge despite devastated by the drug use.” [User age: 20-25 yrs. Relationship to user: Parent. Duration of drug use: 1-3 yrs]

“I found it very helpful as I’ve just found out my son is a drug addict and have been feeling completed helpless in knowing what to do. I’m in fear constantly of where his aggressive behaviour the ice has caused is going to lead him, so this has given me some idea of what to expect. Thank you.” [User age: 20-25 yrs. Relationship to user: Parent. Duration of drug use: 1-3 yrs]

“It gave me much more experienced, sensible, emotionally & rationally supported information with practical techniques to put into practice for one’s self, family and addicted one. Left me with a calmness. Thank you.” [User age: 31-40 yrs. Relationship to user: Parent. Duration of drug use: >3 yrs]

“What a great series of videos. I have lost a son in 2010 due to suicide due to ice. Our family was/is still devastated and now another son is using ice, stealing, lying, broken trust. I am walking that tightrope every day. I wish we had this group in Toowoomba. I need a place to talk.”  [User age: 31-40 yrs. Relationship to user: Parent. Duration of drug use: >3 yrs]

“…made me more comfortable to attend a local group…It made me realise that I am not alone.”  [User age: >40 yrs. Relationship to user: Friend. Duration of drug use: >3 yrs]

“I found these videos so helpful with the way that I approach my alcoholic daughter, who has lived with me for a year having lost her 2 children, husband and home because of her serious drinking problem. I could relate to comments made by members of the group and it helped me so much.”  [User age: Over 40 yrs. Relationship to user: Parent. Duration of drug use: >3 yrs]

“…the themes discussed really rang true with me. The messages in the videos are really clear and I feel were more helpful to me than just reading about them. Thanks so much.”  [User age: 26-30 yrs. Relationship to user: Parent. Duration of drug use: 4-12 mths]

“I felt these videos were honest [and] a very helpful reminder on how to keep communication channels open.” [User age: >40 yrs. Relationship to user: Parent. Duration of drug use: >3 yrs]

“…very informative. I was nervous about the idea of going to a face to face support group, so this was a great introduction to how they work.” [User age: 20-25 yrs. Relationship to user: Sibling. Duration of drug use: >3 yrs]

“I wish you had a support group nearer to me – I would love to go…”  [User age: 20-25 yrs. Relationship to user: Friend. Duration of drug use: >3 yrs]

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