Addiction Family Support

Our work in suicide prevention

The work of Addiction Family Support (AFS) is rare because it addresses a hidden and much misunderstood societal need: that families, friends, carers and colleagues who are affected by a loved one’s harmful use of substances often need support in their own right. The charity’s key aims are to make a lasting positive difference to the lives of people at risk and to reach more people in need so that no-one suffers alone.

People often turn to AFS at a time of crisis when they are feeling overwhelmed, highly anxious and alone. AFS’s services comprise an accredited telephone helpline (open 7 days a week), email helpline, one-to-one telephone/video support (using the AFINet 5-Step Method intervention) and weekly/monthly group support.

Just over 3,600 people (‘clients’) were directly given support during 2024, across all services, with an average of two other people benefitting indirectly from the support given to a client. Family Support Workers and Family Support Volunteers provide around 8,000 minutes of telephone helpline support every month.

People affected by addiction often express suicidal ideation, and research has suggested that over half of all suicides are associated with alcohol or drug dependence. People bereaved by addiction (often by suicide) are at significantly greater risk of suicidal ideation than if their loved one had died from natural causes.

With each AFS client contact we record and monitor any suicide ideation or risk. All service delivery staff and volunteers have received relevant training, and we have a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy. Those clients displaying suicidal ideation or at risk of suicide are referred for a support review with one of our Family Support Workers and are provided with the appropriate support, most likely through the evidence-based 5-Step Method intervention and/or referral on to external agencies.

Our Bereavement Family Support Workers provide specialised support for those bereaved by addiction (who are vulnerable to suicide).

Our motivation for joining the NSPA

We believe in early intervention and support, so that families do not have to suffer the tragedy of a bereavement, including through suicide. 

Given the rise, year on year, of deaths from substance misuse paired with the evident lack of specialist support for families, there is an increasing need for suicide prevention support in this area. We would like to reach more people who are at risk of suicide due to the stress, anxiety and depression that often results from:

– A loved one’s harmful use of alcohol, drugs or gambling.

– The death of a loved one who was harmfully using.

– The death by suicide of a loved one who was harmfully using.

We hope that our membership of the NSPA will clarify our work in this area, raise our profile and allow us to connect with others working in the field. We are always open to collaborative work and sharing insights.

Our areas of expertise

Our areas of expertise are:

– Specialised bereavement support following the death of a loved one due to addiction, taking into account the complex circumstances and challenges. We offer evidence based psychosocial interventions that are person centred ensuring that individuals receive compassionate, non-judgmental support during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

– Addressing the stigma associated with drug and/or gambling related death, often by suicide. The high level of lived experience of our staff and volunteers is testament to this.

– Running a busy, accredited helpline 7 days a week.

– Delivering support through the evidence-based 5-Step Method intervention to individuals, couples and groups.

– Facilitating peer support for groups of people affected and bereaved.

– We maintain a balance of professional healthcare background with lived experience in the design and delivery of our services, which enhances the relevance and effectiveness of our work.

We are also committed to ongoing learning and development, contributing to sector knowledge through participation in research subgroups, piloting innovative groups, and consultations. We welcome opportunities to collaborate, influence policy, and co-create solutions to ensure that no one affected by addiction or bereavement feels invisible or alone.