Families, friends and loved ones can play a critical role in the recovery of people who experience alcohol and other drug problems, however they are often focused on the needs of others while they neglect their own their own health and wellbeing.

The Family and Friend Support Program (FFSP) is an online cognitive behavioural therapy program to support people who are caring for or supporting someone with alcohol and other drug use issues.

FFSP is based on a series of modules and includes information and activities on how families and friends can help their loved ones, with a specific emphasis on the person providing the support and their often unmet needs. The program is also suitable for health professionals.

For information on how to start a conversation with your loved one about their alcohol and or other drug use, tips on how to look after yourself and other resources visit our For Families mini-site.

Cost

The program is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Please note that for Health Professionals there are costs involved in the 5-step training. Details about the training can be found on the Health Professionals portal in FFSP (under the icon 5-step).

The FFSP is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health.

Family Drug Support (FDS) provides support and assistance to families throughout Australia who are experiencing difficulty with a family member using alcohol or other drugs.

FDS is a non-religious, non-judgemental and caring organisation of volunteers who have first-hand experience living with family members experiencing alcohol or drug dependency.

FDS supports families by providing information about alcohol and other drugs, dependence and treatment options, while also helping families to overcome stigma and reduce self-blame, provide mutual support and help families build skills to strengthen their relationships.

FDS provide a 24 hour, 7 days a week support line for families, support groups and meetings, the 'Stepping Stones' and 'Stepping Forward' courses, events and resources.

Find out how FDS can help you.

​​​​FASD or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a term to describe a group of conditions caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

A baby born with FASD can have life-long problems with learning, growth, behaviour, memory, language, communication and everyday living. A baby born with FASD may also have birth defects and facial abnormalities.

It is important to have information if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Avoiding alcohol and drugs throughout your pregnancy can help your baby grow strong and healthy. You can find fact sheets, videos, podcasts and other resources about FASD on the pages below.

Your Service Hub is an online directory of alcohol and other drugs support, health and welfare services. If you need support for your own or someone else's substance use, you should use terms in Find Services like:

• drug and alcohol family support
  

• drug and alcohol Aboriginal services 
  

• drug counselling
  

• drug and alcohol rehabilitation
  

• drug and alcohol residential treatment
  

Use your suburb name to narrow the search to services near you.

Not sure what service you need? Call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1800 250 015.

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The Alcohol & Drug Information Service (ADIS) is a free and confidential counselling helpline for NSW residents with concerns around alcohol and/or drug misuse and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ADIS is staffed by professional counsellors who provide education, information, counselling, support and referrals to other appropriate services in NSW.

Are you worried you could be drinking too much or consuming drugs in a way that has become a problem? Are you worried about your friends or family finding out and want to get help quickly and quietly? Are you worried about the drug use of someone close to you – maybe a family member or friend? Maybe you just want to know where someone can get help? 

ADIS clinicians understand the difficulties of speaking out, seeking help and finding appropriate drug and alcohol treatment, and use their knowledge and experience to assist you and answer questions, such as:

• How can I cut-down or stop my alcohol or drug use?
• What help can I get?
• Do I have to wait long to get help?
• Can anyone ring ADIS?
• Who do I talk to when I ring ADIS?
• Will drug and alcohol treatments be difficult?
• What is this drug doing to me?
• What are the short and long term problems that could develop if I continue using?
• Will ADIS tell anyone that I rang?
• What can I expect when I ring?
• Does ADIS record calls?

You can call ADIS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 250 015 or for Sydney Metropolitan 02 8382 1000 or alternatively you can start a Web Chat.

ADIS Web Chat is available from Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm (including public holidays).

ADIS also has a range of telephone lines offering specialised drug and alcohol information and support to particular groups.