Tracey’s Story – Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs

Tracey reached out to Scottish Families in December 2023 via our online live chat service. Tracey was struggling to cope with her son’s alcohol use and previously had no support. She was dealing with this mostly on her own. Tracey moved to Inverclyde in 2020 whilst her loved one remained in England as they had a job down there. Tracey has family here in Inverclyde. Tracey was at a loss on what to do and how to cope and felt very alone.

Since beginning support, she has been integrated into our Family Support WhatsApp Group where she has become an active member as well as attending our weekly walk and talks. Tracey has began attending our weekly Family Support Group on a Friday and has developed relationships with others who attend as well as now actively sharing her experience with the group and supporting others who attend. Tracey has also completed CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) which she has been incredibly engaging in as well as stating herself how much she is looking forward to learning.

In Feb, Tracey completed CRAFT Session 2 & 3 whereby we complete a ‘Functional Analysis’ to gain a better understanding of her loved ones alcohol use. Session 3 focused on positive/effective communication. Tracey was so excited and positive to report back that she was able to
have a conversation with her son that previously they would have had avoided due to uncertainty on how to approach it. Tracey feels that she is developing a better understanding of her loved one, as well as being more able to focus on herself as an individual in her own right. This is being strengthen by attending SMART Family and Friends which is giving her additional tools and strategies to achieve a more balanced lifestyle.

Family member feedback:
“I knew myself I needed to seek some organisation for this, as doing it alone was breaking me as a person. I’m so grateful I found SFAD thank
you. The SFAD group has helped me open up about my son as I was alone and felt guilty. I’m not only in this group, I feel part of the group
now, I feel a relief, I can share, I can listen, either way I’m part of SFAD. I now know I have support for me. I feel a stronger mum, parent
and woman. I feel I’ve come a long way in these 7/8 months. Thank you for all you do.”