Priory’s family support programme: supporting loved ones through recovery
Offering emotional and practical support to help families navigate addiction recovery together.
Addiction doesn’t just affect the person in recovery - it impacts the entire family. At Priory, we recognise the vital role loved ones play in a person’s recovery and understand the challenges they may face along the way.
That’s why we offer a dedicated family support programme, designed to provide emotional and practical support for families adjusting to life after treatment. This free programme, which commences as soon as your loved one enters treatment and continues for 12 months following treatment, helps families support their loved one while also focusing on their own wellbeing.
Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Priory’s family support programme, how it works, and how it can make a real difference for you and your family.
Starting the addiction treatment journey
If you're worried about a loved one who’s struggling with addiction, you're not alone. It’s natural to feel unsure about how to support them, but help is available, and taking the first step can make a real difference.
You can call us on 0330 056 6023 to find out more about the support we provide and the ways we can assist your loved one. Whether you’re exploring options or just looking for guidance, we’re here to help. You can also explore our advice on staging an addiction intervention, which can be a crucial step in encouraging someone to seek treatment.
If they’ve given their consent, you can arrange their first appointment on their behalf. This could be:
- A free addiction assessment
- A consultation with a consultant psychiatrist
If they’re comfortable with it, you’re welcome to attend the appointment with them for additional support.
From there, we’ll make sure they have quick access to the most suitable addiction treatment for their needs, along with dedicated aftercare to support their recovery.
What is the family support programme?
Priory’s family support programme is a dedicated support service for families and loved ones of people who’ve completed our 28-day inpatient addiction treatment programme. It’s made up of weekly online sessions that provide a safe and supportive space for loved ones to share their experiences, gain practical tools and learn how to rebuild relationships.
The people who are invited to join our family support sessions are those who are closely involved in supporting the person in recovery. These may include:
- Spouses/partners
- Parents
- Siblings
- Adult children
- Close friends
We’ll give you all the information you need to be able to access our family support sessions when your loved one has settled into their inpatient treatment programme. You can access the family support programme during your family member’s 28-day inpatient stay and for the 12 months afterwards. It runs alongside our main aftercare programme, which the person in recovery will attend separately once they’ve finished treatment.
Our family support programme is completely free. Inpatient treatment and the first 12 months afterwards are critical and challenging times in addiction recovery, as it’s a period of significant adjustment for everyone involved. Families play a vital role in their loved one’s recovery but may also face their own challenges, such as rebuilding trust, managing expectations and coping with their own emotions.
What does the family support programme include?
Over the course of your loved one’s inpatient stay and the first 12 months afterwards, family members will be able to join weekly online sessions, held via Zoom. These sessions will last for a minimum of 1 hour each week and are led by therapists specialising in family support.
Here’s what you can expect from the family support programme:
- Expert-led weekly sessions – you’ll have weekly online sessions with experienced addiction therapists. These sessions give you a safe and supportive space to share your experiences, gain professional advice and build confidence in your ability to support your loved one
- Peer support – the sessions allow you to connect with other people in a similar situation to you, fostering a supportive community where you can offer advice, share what you’ve learned and gain valuable insights from others. This shared understanding helps to create a sense of belonging and reassurance that you’re not alone
- A focus on wellbeing - while the programme helps you to support your loved one, it also prioritises your own wellbeing. These sessions are an opportunity to invest in yourself, build resilience and feel empowered to navigate the recovery journey. To further support you, our therapists will provide you with access to additional resources, giving you the tools you need to strengthen your own mental and emotional health
- One-to-one phone support – our team is also available to speak to you outside of these sessions over the phone, providing guidance and reassurance, answering any questions you may have and encouraging you to attend the family support group for additional help and connection
How families can make the most out of the support programme
Here are some tips to help you make the most out of Priory’s family support programme:
Prioritise and commit to sessions
Family support is a crucial part of recovery. Attending regularly is key to building relationships within the group and receiving consistent support. However, we understand that life can sometimes get in the way. If you’re feeling unwell, travelling or have an important commitment that prevents you from attending, please let us know as soon as possible. If you miss sessions for 2 to 3 weeks, a therapist will check in to see how you’re doing and encourage you to continue attending.
Engage fully
Be open during sessions—share your thoughts, listen to others and take an active role in discussions. This will help you to gain more from the programme and contribute to the supportive community the group provides.
Use the resources available
Beyond the weekly sessions, Priory offers additional tools and resources, such as our family support hub, self-care hub and aftercare hub. These can help you navigate challenges outside of the sessions and reinforce what you’ve learned.
Look after yourself
While addiction treatment and aftercare focus on supporting your loved one’s recovery, it’s equally important to look after yourself too. Use the sessions as an opportunity to focus on your own emotional health and learn coping strategies that support your resilience.
Ask for extra support if needed
If you feel like you need more personalised guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out for one-to-one support from Priory’s team. We’re here to help you navigate any challenges and provide tailored advice.
Why is family support important?
Family support is a vital part of the recovery process. Addiction impacts the entire family, and our support programme helps everyone heal, adjust and move forward together. Here’s why family support matters and what families can realistically achieve:
- Maintaining the patient’s recovery - families play a crucial role in their loved one’s recovery. Through support sessions, you’ll learn how to recognise signs your loved one might be struggling, provide meaningful support and encourage healthy habits. This can significantly reduce the risk of relapse and help you create an environment that supports long-term recovery
- Emotional support and resilience - the programme provides emotional and practical benefits, offering techniques to manage stress, maintain your mental wellbeing and navigate the challenges of recovery with greater confidence. You’ll gain tools to rebuild relationships, create a sense of stability, and strengthen your emotional resilience. Most importantly, the support sessions offer reassurance that you’re not alone, helping you feel more capable and supported as you move forward
- Improved communication and stronger relationships - effective communication is key to recovery. The support sessions will help you to express yourself more openly and understand your loved one’s perspectives, leading to stronger, healthier relationships over time
- A strong support network - by connecting with others who are experiencing similar challenges, you can find encouragement, share advice and gain a sense of belonging. These connections often become a valuable source of ongoing support
- Preparation for life beyond the family support programme - by the time you’ve completed Priory’s family support programme, you’ll have developed the skills, confidence and knowledge to support your loved one effectively and maintain healthier family dynamics