Programme helps families affected by ‘hidden harm’

AS WE move out of Covid lockdown, the full impact of the past year upon family life is unknown.

For those families struggling with addiction during the pandemic we know that you don’t have to be addicted to suffer from addiction. ‘Hidden harm’ is a term coined to describe the lives of children and young people affected by parental drug and alcohol problems. In Ireland, the number of children adversely impacted upon is considerable. M-PACT recognises that the whole family can be affected by the impact of alcohol or drug misuse. The programme which has been operational in the North West since 2015, promotes a whole family approach which supports families to work together to manage how parental substance misuse has disrupted the lives of everyone within the family.

Over the course of an eight-week programme, families are offered opportunities to make positive changes and support to build resilience and coping strategies by promoting positive and honest communication. Participating parents and carers from counties Sligo and Leitrim have reported that changed attitudes to addiction has improved family functioning and a better quality of family life. Children and young people have shared that reduction in the shame and stigma of parental alcohol or drug misuse, coupled with enhanced communication has been the force for positive change.

You do not have to stop using alcohol or drugs to attend the programme but must be willing to meaningfully engage.

If you are the non-using parent and your partner will not attend this does not prohibit participation. M-PACT aims to support the entire family to create positive change. Take the first step by contacting our programme at sligoleitrim@ alcoholforum.org and/ or 085-8759313 for further information.