Supporting rural families affected by substance use

Family members and friends of people experiencing alcohol and other drug use often face significant mental health and wellbeing challenges, particularly in rural areas where access to support services is limited. Despite this need, few evidence based programs in Australia focus on supporting those affected indirectly by substance use.

Researchers from the Charles Sturt Rural Health Research Institute (RHRI) led the development and evaluation of the Family Empowerment Program, an online counselling program adapted from Community Reinforcement and Family Training to meet the needs of rural Australians. The research trial involved

126 participants from rural communities and showed measurable improvements in depression symptoms, life satisfaction, and coping strategies. Research insights and lived experiences from the program have also been shared through the podcast series The Other Side of Addiction: Stories from the Family Empowerment Program, supporting broader awareness and understanding of family centred approaches to wellbeing in rural Australia.