Friends and Families

There are so many families across Fife who have loved ones struggling with addiction. Whether you are a parent, a partner, a child, a carer or a friend you may feel worried, frustrated and alone. It can be very overwhelming and therefore its very important that you also get the help and support you need. Families play a very important role in helping someone recover from their addiction and accessing support will put you in a better position for supporting your loved one.


  • Learn more about substance or behavior dependency and the treatments available to them.  
  • Try and be compassionate towards them and what they are going through, this helps reduce feelings of shame which often keeps them stuck in the cycle of addiction. 
  • Stay involved in their recovery such as attending meetings with them. 
  • Get to know what their triggers are and create a trigger-free setting or environment. 
  • Speak up and express concern when there is a relapse.  
  • Be patient as it can take some time for your loved one to admit they have a problem and accept help. 
  • You can stage an intervention if you are not noticing any willingness to change 
  • It's important to strike a balance between being involved and giving them space. 
  • Learn some of the signs of overdose and access naloxone if your loved one has an opiod addiction. (see harm reduction section) 

Support in Fife:

Offer great support to all families across Fife including group meetings and one to one support: 
Website: Fife Family Support Service - SFAD
Helpline: 0808 0101 011
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Support across the UK:
Offers an anonymous online forum for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone's drug use. 
Website: Famanon 
Helpline 0207 4984 680
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Offers support for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone drinking. 
Website: Al-Anon UK | For families & friends of alcoholics
Helpline: 0800 0086 811