Adfam's latest research with YouGov shows that almost one in three adults in the UK have been negatively affected by the substance use of someone they know*. That’s a staggering figure, especially when we consider the huge range of harms we know can result: mental health problems, violence and abuse, relationship difficulties, financial strain, isolation and stigma.
That’s why we are launching our new manifesto, setting out five key points we’d like to see the new Government address to diminish these harms and provide families with the opportunity to thrive. We know they’re ambitious, and rightly so. These families are currently sorely neglected in policy and provision; a significant proportion of the population who are hidden in plain sight and often suffer in silence.
Current provision is very patchy. Effective support in every local area will enable families to improve their health and wellbeing, stay in work, participate in society and build and maintain positive relationships.
Research by Grandparents Plus has found that 50% of children living in kinship care do so due to parental substance misuse. Kinship carers must be given the same rights and benefits as foster carers to give them the financial support they desperately need and to safeguard the emotional wellbeing of them and the children in their care.
These children can experience neglect, physical and emotional abuse which often leads to more serious mental health problems and other negative outcomes in the future. More funding will enable children’s social care services to better identify these children and give them the support they need.
Two million adults in the UK have experienced stigma or judgment as a result of a loved one’s substance use* and this can be a barrier to them speaking out or seeking support. A national conversation is needed to change the public’s understanding and recognition of this issue.
5. The Health and Social Care Select Committee should launch an inquiry into the relationship between substance misuse, mental ill-health, and poverty in families, and should produce recommendations to prevent these negative impacts of substance use on families.
5.7 million adults in the UK have experienced mental health problems such as anxiety or depression*, whilst 2.8 million have experienced financial impacts such as debt as a result of someone else’s substance use*. This should be considered an issue of major public concern and action needs to be taken to understand how substance use contributes to a wide range of harms to families.
Following the General Election we’ll be taking our manifesto to Parliamentarians, seeking their support in turning these recommendations into practice.
You can download the manifesto on our website or pick up a copy at our Conference in London on Wednesday 4 December – tickets are available here: bit.ly/adfam-2019-conference.
Adfam is the national charity working to improve life for families affected by drugs and alcohol. It aims to empower family members and carers, support frontline workers and influence decision-makers to prevent alcohol and drugs from destroying families.
*Adfam/YouGov 2019
