Problematic substance use can be a significant cause of stress for family members of the person using substances. This review, published in the journal Drug: Education, Prevention and Policy, examines current research in order to explore the question 'What is the impact of an adult family member's problematic substance use for family life?'

Following a systematic search, the researchers analysed the data of 15 qualitative studies.

The overarching theme was An unknown invisible intrusion, which reflects the overwhelming and pervasive impact of an adult family member's substance use on the...

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug and violence resistance educational program (PROERD) on short-term secondary outcomes, such as intentions to use drugs, attitudes toward drugs, school experience, and life skills (refusal, decision-making, and communication). Two cluster-randomized controlled trials were conducted in 30 public schools in the city of São Paulo (Brazil) with 4030 students (1727 fifth and 2303 seventh graders). The intervention group attended 10 PROERD classes conducted by trained police officers, whereas the control group received no...

Drug-related deaths can result in complex emotional turmoil for family members who are going through a grieving process at the same time as often experiencing a level of stigma.

Despite the high frequency of drug-related deaths worldwide, there is a need for knowledge around how the bereaved deal with grief and the nature and the implication of stigma surrounding a drug-related death.

This article, published in the journal of Addiction Research and Theory, gathers the views of 225 parents, siblings, children, partners, other family members and close friends on their experience of bereavement...

Abstract

Background: Family caregivers contribute to engagement in treatment and adherence, reduced substance misuse and relapse, and increased well-being of recipients with substance use disorder. However, providing care has also been associated with negative emotional and physical health outcomes for caregivers. The purpose of this integrative review was to determine what instruments are used to measure caregiver burden in informal caregivers of individuals with substance use disorder.

Methods: An integrative review framework was applied to examine empirical and theoretical literature to...

Dianova International launched an online survey gathering information about how children's needs are being addressed in adult drug treatment programmes, and by identifying ways of promoting family-centred services respectful of the needs of children, and based on a child rights perspective. The survey is addressed to 
treatment professionals and available in English, Spanish and French. 
The deadline for submitting input is 15 June 2021.

KYDA presented a poster on family therapy interventions taking place at their centre during the second Uganda Alcohol Policy Conference. Family therapy is a collection of therapeutic approaches that share a belief in family-level assessment and intervention. 

The poster details the objectives and approach used in these family therapy interventions, and presents a series of recommendations in the conclusion.