Family Support
Support for everyone
We offer support to anyone in West Dunbartonshire over the age of 18yrs who is affected by someone else’s drug and alcohol use. This could be a direct family member, or even a friend or a colleague who is using substances. Glynis Boyle is the Therapeutic Family Worker for West Dunbartonshire, contact Glynis directly on 0141 9512420 Mobile: 07535 543344, or email:Glynis@Alternativeswd.org
What We Offer
Our support is person centred, and individuals are supported via 1:1 and face to face in a support group setting. In West Dunbartonshire, we offer:
- One-to-One Support
- Group Support
- CRAFT (Community Reinforcement Approach & Family Training)
- Bereavement Support
- Access to Naloxone
- Complimentary Therapies
- Family Events
We also work in partnership to provide learning and development opportunities and deliver events for the whole family. Our service also offers access to complimentary therapies, tailor to support to individual needs.
One to One Support
We offer one-to-one support, where you can speak to someone, confidentially, about a loved one you have concerns about.
We offer you time to explore the issues affecting you, creating a safe space for you to express your thoughts and feelings, helping you to come up with ideas and solutions to move forward. Common topics include improving communication, setting boundaries with your loved one and looking after yourself.
Each support session lasts around one hour and the frequency can be arranged to suit your needs.
Group Support
In West Dunbartonshire, we currently offer a weekly Family Support Meeting.
This is a facilitated peer support group, where family members are invited to share with each other any difficulties they are currently experiencing, and focus on ideas and solutions to find a way forward.
For information about our current meeting schedule get in touch or visit us on social media.
CRAFT (Community Reinforcement Approach & Family Training)
At Alternatives WCDS – Family Support Service, we use a method called CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) in our support services. We believe it gives the best possible outcomes for anyone concerned about someone else’s substance use. It teaches the best ways to make small but powerful changes in your life.
CRAFT helps you to think of things in a different way. It teaches you:
- How to talk to someone about their substance use
- How to communicate with each other more positively
- And how to set and keep boundaries for yourself
CRAFT is an intervention – based programme created by Dr Robert J. Meyers. Meyers began his work in 1976, has since released many publications, and is an internationally known speaker and trainer.
‘CRAFT has two goals. One is to teach you how to encourage your loved one to reduce their drug and/ or alcohol use and enter treatment, the other goal is to help you enhance your own quality of life’.
CRAFT is a set of 7 structured sessions and is a solution-focused, skills-based programme with a strong evidence base. It involves role-plays to help you practice new skills and has small assignments and tasks which you will be asked to do away from the sessions.
If you would like to learn more about the CRAFT principles, this is something we can deliver either 1:1 or in group settings.
C.R.A.F.T – Family Support
Feedback from a mother with an adult son:
“Thank you, for all your advice and guidance. You give me a safe space to rationalise my thoughts, worries and just being understanding, I felt so alone in my experience with my son.
Now I am learning the impact my behaviour has on all my loved ones. As well as understanding my son’s illness, I can see him as much more than his addictions.
This would often consume me, however, with your help, I’m trying to let go and not feel so hopeless in terms of my ability to see his future. I’m learning to appreciate the here and now, and all the positive things within my relationship with my son.
So, I thank you for reminding me of that. I really appreciate your genuineness and your relatability.”
Bereavement Support
If you have lost someone who used alcohol or drugs, our bereavement support is here for you. We can offer you 1-2-1 support sessions or refer you to an accredited counsellor. Our service is free and is available within both our Dumbarton and Clydebank community bases. We also have a bereavement support group that meets every second Monday. Contact us directly for more information.
Access to Naloxone
Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the effects of opioid drugs like heroin, methadone, opium, codeine, morphine and buprenorphine. It is only effective for opioid overdoses and won’t work with any other drug.
Working in partnership, we are now able to signpost anyone over the age of 18yrs to access naloxone training and naloxone kits.
Complimentary Therapies & Wellbeing Activities
Your wellbeing is important to us. We offer access to qualified therapists who can offer you access to a broad range of therapies to enhance your wellbeing, in a one to one setting or in a community group setting. Therapies include Aromatherapy, Body Massage, Reiki, Mindfulness and Yoga to name a few.
Family Friendly Events & Activities
We incorporate a whole family approach to our service and often host family inclusive events, no more hidden families.