Life with Alcohol and Drugs – Details, episodes & analysis

We speak to Claire and Jess from Routes (our young person's support service in East and West Dunbartonshire) and we talk all about our report 'If It Wasn't For Routes' which looks at the service over the last three years, what's come out of it, the research and findings, and all those sorts of things! We've also got some lovely messages at the end from some of the young people from Routes so make sure to listen out for them.

'There are no words to describe how it feels to have a young person trust you; someone who has been through so much and who doesn't necessarily trust many of the professionals in their life, because they've been through so much, but when that young person finally turns to you and says, 'Okay, yes. I'll go out with you.' Or, 'Actually, yes, I'd like you to help me with that.' Or when they come solely for your help, there are no words to describe how that feels. It's truly amazing to know that you're making a difference on such a deep level. It's fantastic.'

You can read the Routes report here - https://www.sfad.org.uk/content/uploads/2023/01/Routes-Report-2022.pdf 

Transcripts are also available here - https://www.sfad.org.uk/life-with-alcohol-and-drugs-podcast 

Daryl, our Inverclyde Family Support Development Officer here at Scottish Families, is joined by Agnes, a family member who attends our Inverclyde service.

They chat about Agnes' personal experiences with attending the support group, and her experience being a family member affected by someone else's alcohol or drug use.

'...it was so overwhelming to feel the strength of the people in that group. And even though yourself, Daryl, or Candice just chaired it, the minute you sat down it was like offloading, you're like emotional hoovers, it was offloading the stress, and you could feel that in the room. It was a really good feeling and they made me very welcome.'

We are here to support you if you are concerned about someone else's alcohol or other drug use. We can chat, offer listening support and information, and link you either into our own services or services local to you. Contact our helpline on 0808 0101011. Email is: helpline@sfad.org.uk. Or you can use the webchat on our website, at www.sfad.org.uk. 

The transcript for this episode is available here.

In this episode, we are joined by Lena McMillan - the Forth Valley Family Support Development Officer for Scottish Families, and Beverly who is a volunteer with us. They chat about our Scottish Families book group which has now been running for over a year! They take us through some of the books they have read, the importance of reading, and what their all time favourite book is. 

The Scottish Families Book Group is for anyone who is currently being supported by one of our services in Scotland. We meet on the second Thursday of every month, from 6.30pm – 8.00pm. 

For more information or to join us, please contact Lena from our team lena@sfad.org.uk 

For a transcript of this episode, please visit our website - https://www.sfad.org.uk/life-with-alcohol-and-drugs-podcast 

In this episode, we are joined by Tich Watson who is the Scottish Families Connecting Families Development Officer and John Taylor who is the Friends and Family Lead for Turning Point.

John is here to chat about his new book ‘Alcohol Stole My Mum’, he shares his experiences, journey, and the process behind writing his book.

Alcohol Stole My Mum: Order a Copy - https://alcoholstolemymum.co.uk/

Please note that there are some scenarios spoken about and language used in this podcast that may cause upset to some listeners. We believe in letting speakers tell their truthful stories and using the language that is comfortable for them.

If you are impacted by anything you hear in this podcast, you can get in touch with the services below:

Scottish Families

Helpline: 08080 10 10 11 Email: helpline@sfad.org.uk Webchat: sfad.org.uk

Scottish Women’s Aid

Helpline: 0800 027 1234 Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk Webchat: womensaid.scot

Abused Men in Scotland

Helpline: 03300 949 395 Email: support@amis.org.uk

John was speaking to us as part of our new Bound Together project. To find out more visit our website - https://www.sfad.org.uk/communities/bound-together

For a transcript of this episode, please visit our website - https://www.sfad.org.uk/life-with-alcohol-and-drugs-podcast 

In this episode, our Fundraising Manager Sarah is chatting to Christina, who took on a fundraising challenge in 2021 for Scottish Families. Sarah also gives some tips and advice if you're looking to do your own Scottish Families fundraising challenge in 2022. 

Register for an event here.

We hope you’re ready to take on a fundraising challenge this year!

• Supernova Run (18th – 20th March 2022)
• Kiltwalk 2022 (various dates and locations)
• Edinburgh Marathon Festival (28th – 29th May 2022)
• Loch Ness Marathon (2nd October 2022)

All of these events are ready to book now – just fill in our form below and our Community Fundraiser Clare will be in touch with full details on how to get involved and fundraise in 2022. clarem@sfad.org.uk

If you’re worried about somebody else’s alcohol or drug use you can contact Scottish Families on 08080 10 10 11 or by email at helpline@sfad.org.uk. We also have webchat and further information on our website www.sfad.org.uk. 

In this festive episode, we're joined by the lovely Lynne, who is our senior Family Support Development Officer, here at Scottish Families. 

We're talking all things Christmas, some bits of advice for over the Christmas period, and also we've had some family members share insight into what their Christmases are.

Our Helpline will be open over the festive period and you can find out more information here.

Thank you for listening, if you’re worried about somebody else’s alcohol or drug use you can contact Scottish Families on 08080 10 10 11 or by email at helpline@sfad.org.uk. We also have webchat and further information on our website www.sfad.org.uk.

For this special episode for Alcohol Awareness Week, we’re joined with Daryl McLeister, the Family Support Development Officer for our Inverclyde Family Support Service and Colin McIntosh, the Family Support Development Officer for our East Dunbartonshire Family Support Service. They both also run our Men’s Family Support Group!

To find out about support available in Inverclyde contact Daryl directly on 07554 686672, email: daryl@sfad.org.uk or call our National Helpline on 08080 10 10 11.

Colin McIntosh is the Family Support Development Officer for East Dunbartonshire, contact Colin directly on 07487675621, email: colin@sfad.org.uk 

Find out more about Alcohol Awareness Week here.

In this episode, we are joined with George Charlton from George Charlton Training & Consultancy Services. We’re here to talk about positive communication, a module in the programme CRAFT. CRAFT is Community Reinforcement and Family Training and is an evidence-based programme for practitioners to use with family members and carers affected by someone else’s substance use.

Seven Elements of Positive Communication - Blog Post

CRAFT 20 Minute Guide

George Charlton Twitter

Thank you for listening, if you’re worried about somebody else’s alcohol or drug use you can contact Scottish Families on 08080 10 10 11 or by email at helpline@sfad.org.uk. We also have webchat and further information on our website www.sfad.org.uk.

In this episode, we’re joined with Richard Watson from Scottish Families who shares his recovery journey for recovery month.

Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible.

'And it’s been a really great journey, do you know. And I’m still passionate about recovery, I still get involved wherever I can.'

If you're worried about someone else's alcohol or drug use, you can contact Scottish Families on 08080 10 10 11, email helpline@sfad.org.uk, or for webchat and further information on our services visit www.sfad.org.uk.

In this episode, we talk about the alcohol marketing survey which was carried about by the Scottish Families Alcohol Action Group at the beginning of 2021. Members of the group join us to discuss the findings of the recent survey and how the Covid pandemic has impacted people's alcohol use.

Host: Rebecca Bradley (Scottish Families)

Guest Speakers: Susie McClue (Scottish Families), Gemma and Simon (Alcohol Focus Scotland), Louise (Alcohol and Drugs Support South West Scotland), Beverly and Olivia.

Thank you for listening, if you're worried about someone else's alcohol or drug use, you can contact Scottish Families on 08080 10 10 11, email helpline@sfad.org.uk, or for webchat and further information on our services visit www.sfad.org.uk.