Family Empowerment Program

Who is accessing online counselling for rural family members of people struggling with substance use?

An individual’s use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) can greatly impact their family and friends’ physical and mental health. Only a small percentage of Australians who seek support for AOD problems are family members or friends.

Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) is an evidence-based talking therapy that works with family and friends of people struggling with substance use.

Few drug and alcohol services provide support to family members. Craft helps families to reduce substance use, engage in treatment, and improve family wellbeing.

Study in progress

Participant recruitment ceased at the end of August 2024.

The project sought to explore the experiences of family members and friends of people using AOD in regional Australia, both in general and in relation to accessing support services. The project also sought to explore the extent to which CRAFT (renamed the Family Empowerment Program (FEP) in this project) is an effective support service to family members and friends of people using AOD.

Our podcast series

The Other Side of Addiction: Stories from the Family Empowerment Program

In this podcast, you'll meet the research team along with some clinicians and participants who were part of the trial to hear their stories, their reflections and their hopes for a support program like this.

audio 12 Episodes

Project updates

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Family Empowerment Update 1

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Family Empowerment Update 2

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Family Empowerment Update 3

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Family Empowerment Update 4

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What's next?

The final data will be collected at the end of January 2025 when the last participant completes the program and from there, the final outcomes can be measured.

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Meet the research team

Professor Julaine Allan

Professor of Rural Health (Mental Health & Addictions)

Dr Nicole Snowdon

Postdoctoral Researcher

Heidi Gray

PhD student

Additional support

Debra Fidler, Psychologist

Health in Mind Orange

Nicole Sudmalis, Psychologist/Clinical Psychology Registrar

Health in Mind

Christina Tibaldi Roberts

CTRPsych

Amanda Robinson

A Little Therapy

Ann Huntress

Banora Point Psychology

Vicki Nightingale, Psychologist

Telehealth/video conference delivery of CRAFT only across Australia, PsychSolutions Health & Wellbeing

Further support resources