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Effective Interventions Unit Supporting families and carers of drug users: A review
Appendix 5 Family Support Scotland Conference
Summary of Survey Responses
The aim of the survey is to provide data for the current work that is being conducted by the Effective Interventions Unit into 'family support'. The questionnaire was designed by the EIU with assistance from the Conference Steering Group whose input was greatly appreciated.
The questionnaire was designed to gather family members experiences of coping with drug use, identify how it impacted on their lives, what support they had sought to assist them, and what their views were on the priorities of offering support to families.
The survey questionnaire was completed by 51 participants during the course of the conference out of a total of 67 attendees. The exercise was voluntary and a number of people chose not to complete the questionnaire. The primary reason given was that it was too emotionally painful. Further, some attendees at the conference were workers within family support, rather than individuals coping with a family members' drug use.
It is worth remembering that all respondents were active within family support groups and that this reflects their views and not those of family members' outwith family support groups.
Of the completed forms returned, the majority were mothers of drug users.
This reflects current evidence that suggests that fathers are significantly less likely to seek support with regards to family drug use.
A third of respondents had the drug using relative living at home with the family on a frequent basis. A quarter had the drug using relative living at home with the family on an occasional basis. Almost half responded never having the drug using relative living with them.
Over three quarters of respondents stated that their physical health had suffered through coping with a relative's drug use.
Over half stated that other family members physical health had suffered.
The most frequently mentioned factors were:
- stress
- exhaustion
- heart problems
Three quarters of respondents stated that their emotional health had been affected significantly. Half of all respondents stated that other family members' emotional health had been affected significantly.
The most frequently mentioned factors were:
Three quarters of all respondents stated that their relationship with their partner had been affected.
Responses varied from:
- affecting communication with partner
- frequent arguments
- divorce/separation
Almost all respondents stated that their relationship with immediate family members had been affected.
Many respondents stated:
- They felt they had neglected other family members through attention being given to the drug user.
- There was tension within the family through family members having a different understanding
- Communication between family members had been affected
Half of all respondents stated that their employment had been affected.
Respondents stated that:
- They were less confident within work
- They felt embarrassment through others being aware of their situation
- They suffered from an inability to concentrate on work
- They'd had to take time off work because of their health being affected by the stress of drug use or through caring for the drug user
Almost all respondents stated that their own financial position had been affected.
Over half of all respondents stated that drug use had affected other family members financially.
The main factors were
- Theft from the family home or from the person
- repayment of debts
- lending money to the drug user
- costs related to caring for dependants of drug users.
Over half of all respondents stated that their social life had been affected.
The main factors were:
- Concern over leaving the drug user at home
- care implications for dependants
- reduced self confidence
- lack of energy
Seeking Support
Respondents sought support from a wide range of agencies and services. They were asked to state whether the support they had received was: ' very unhelpful', 'unhelpful', 'helpful', or 'very helpful'.
WHERE PEOPLE SEEK SUPPORT
SUPPORT VERY UNHELPFULL
NEITHER HELPFUL/UNHELPFULL
SUPPORT HELPFUL/VERY HELPFULL
Useful skills and knowledge
Respondents prioritised what skills / knowledge they perceived as being useful for family members. The top four areas identified by respondents were
1 - drug treatments & services
2 - drugs & effects
3 - addiction & relapse
4 - support services within your area
Practical Support:
Respondents prioritised what practical support would be most useful to family members. The top five areas identified by respondents were
1 - advocacy
2 - befriending
3 - child care assistance
4 - alternative therapies
5 - respite
Emotional Support:
Respondents prioritised what emotional support would be most useful to family members. The top three areas were
1 - support group
2 - counselling
3 - helpline
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