How can Footsteps Help?

Footsteps for families are her to help out families of people who are users of drugs and alcohol. Families include: - parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, partners, etc.. in fact anyone who is affected by someone else's drug use.

Listening
Footsteps trained staff and volunteers, many of whom have experienced drug use in their own family, will listen to the problems of these family members in a Confidential environment without judging them.

Information

We will give information about drugs, drug use and about services available to help the drug user.

Support
We will support the family member even when the drug user is not ready to change their behaviour. Support them to handle the situation in the best way for their family and to regain control over their own life.

When someone uses drugs they do it because they think it helps them: –

• To feel good.
• To be part of the crowd.
• To feel confident.
• To forget their problems.

Other family members can see the drug use as a problem long before the user can. They will be worried about the health, behaviour and risks that the drug user is taking. This can lead to family arguments, stress and anxiety, loss of sleep and lack of attention for other family members.