If you are a family member or closely associated with someone using drugs, no doubt you are worried and anxious – most people are; this is a normal reaction.

"I had no idea about drugs. I didn't even look for signs because I didn't think my child would even consider it. She had always been so anti-drugs." Sue, Parent

Many parents, friends and family feel out of control, highly stressed and desperate to fix the problem. It's normal to feel this way.

"It is really hard to see my parents coping with my brother's drug use. He is just so abusive and difficult to be around. They just run around after him all the time and I get really angry with that… I wish he would just listen to us and understand that it is destroying our lives." Penny, Sister

The other people in your family are on this journey too. No doubt it has impacted heavily on all of you. Your relationship with your partner and other relatives may have been put under extreme stress. Relationships with other children in your family may also be strained, as they may not have had the attention you and they feel was deserved. There may have been times when you felt you could deal with it and times when running away appeared to be the best solution.

You may have had to deal with the confusing array of organisations, running from one counsellor to the next, finding no one who can deal with all the issues at the same time. Perseverance does pay off.

You can call the Parent and Family Drug Support Line (08) 9442 5050 or 1800 653 203 (country callers) or the Alcohol and Drug Support Line on (08) 9442 5000 or 1800 198 024 (country callers) and speak to a counsellor or parent peer volunteer.

These support lines provide a confidential, non-judgemental telephone counselling, information and referral service for anyone concerned about their own or another person’s alcohol or drug use. You can find out more about how these support lines can help below.

The Parent and Family Drug Support Line is a confidential, non-judgemental telephone counselling, information and referral service for families and carers concerned about a loved one’s alcohol or other drug use.

Professional counsellors are available via phone 24/7.

Phone: (08) 9442 5050
Country Callers: 1800 653 203
Live Chat: 7am – 10pm, daily
Email: alcoholdrugsupport@mhc.wa.gov.au

Contact with the Parent and Family Drug Support Line is one-to-one with a professional counsellor and is confidential.

The counsellor who answers your call can:

• Listen to your concerns about your current situation
• Provide you with information about alcohol or drug use
• Provide emotional support and professional advice
• Offer to transfer you to a parent volunteer for peer support
• Talk about support options for you and your loved one
• Refer you to local services that can provide you and your family with ongoing support.

If you're unsure how to start a conversation with your child about drugs or are worried they may be using drugs you can also visit the Signs Someone is Using Meth section.

Parent support network

In addition to professional counsellors, the Parent and Family Drug Support Line has a network of trained parent peer volunteers who have experienced their own child’s alcohol or drug use and know first-hand the kind of pressures placed upon the whole family as a result.

The volunteers know how important it is to be able to talk to someone who understands the situation, someone who won’t judge them and someone who can share what worked and what didn’t for them when they were faced with similar challenges.

Parent peer volunteers are available between 8:00am and 10:00pm each day and will listen to your concerns, share coping strategies and explore options to help manage your situation.

“I couldn’t speak to anyone in my circle of friends or family about what was going on. I felt so alone with it all but talking to a counsellor and then a parent volunteer was a huge relief.  I felt I could face my life again with new eyes”. Karen, Parent

Translation support

If English is not your first language, you can get free translation support through Translating and Interpreting Service(TIS National) by phoning 131 450.

Speech or hearing difficulties

If you have speech or hearing difficulties you can contact us by phone through the National Relay Service.

The Alcohol and Drug Support Line is a confidential, non-judgemental telephone counselling, information and referral service for anyone concerned about their own or another person’s alcohol or drug use.

The service is available 24/7 via phone.

Phone: (08) 9442 5000
Country callers: 1800 198 024
Live Chat: 7am – 10pm, daily
Email: alcoholdrugsupport@mhc.wa.gov.au

Contact with the Alcohol and Drug Support Line is one-to-one with a professional counsellor and is confidential.

The counsellor who answers your call can:

• Listen to what is going on for you
• Provide you with information about alcohol or other drug use
• Provide emotional support
• Talk about treatment options
• Refer you to local services that can provide ongoing support

They can also provide:

• Interim support to individuals waiting for face-to-face counselling/treatment
• A free call-back service to socially and geographically isolated clients
• Support to health professionals working with individuals and families impacted by alcohol or other drug use

Translation support

If English is not your first language, you can get free translation support through Translating and Interpreting Service(TIS National) by phoning 131 450.

Speech or hearing difficulties

If you have speech or hearing difficulties you can contact us by phone through the National Relay Service.

The peer facilitated groups provide an opportunity for parents or guardians to discuss the stressors and strains placed upon them when a son or daughter is using alcohol or other drugs. They explore parent’s ways of coping, provide information, and offer mutual support in a friendly and non-judgemental environment. Groups are held in East Perth and Joondalup. For more information please call (08) 9442 5050.

The Be SMART program (*Self-Management and Recovery Training) comprises a closed 6-week course with the option of attending on-going Be SMART groups. The program is for parents affected by their child’s drug or alcohol use. Rather than focussing on the behaviour of their loved one, the program invites participants to spend time concentrating on themselves and their goals, an area people often report they may have been neglecting for some time. It aims to help participants develop more effective coping strategies and find a greater sense of fulfilment.

The Be SMART course:

The 6 week peer-facilitated Be SMART course is free and runs in East Perth and Joondalup. It’s a structured course and suitable for parents who are ready to focus on making changes to their own behaviour. The course assists participants to:

• Manage emotional upsets
• Change unhelpful responses
• Challenge unhelpful thinking
• Improve communication
• Set healthy boundaries
• Work on developing better functioning, support systems and lifestyle balance
• Cope and regain control

Parents who are experiencing high levels of emotional distress and who require time to off-load and talk about their stressors and strains may be better placed to attend the open peer support group prior to attending the course.

For more information please call (08) 9442 5050.

Be SMART group:

Be SMART groups are for parents who have completed the Be SMART course. They provide an opportunity for parents to practise newly acquired skills learned through having completed the Be SMART course.

Be SMART groups are led by trained peer facilitators and are held every third Thursday of the month between 6.30pm-8pm in East Perth.

If you’re unsure which group or course is most suited to your needs or you wish to register please call (08) 9442 5050.