The Support, Advocacy, and Family Education program is a comprehensive support system for individuals and families with a loved one who is struggling with substance use and mental illness.
Our program connects participants with addiction psychiatrists and volunteers who have their own lived experience with a family member struggling with a substance use disorder.
In addition to peer and group support, the SAFE program provides reliable education on substance use disorders and connects individuals to quality recovery resources. A highlight of the SAFE Program’s educational resources is its monthly online webinar series.
Our program adheres to full confidentiality and is completely voluntary.
For Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders
SAFE services include:
- Initial individual consultation with an Addiction Psychiatrist with goals of providing emotional support and connection to resources
- Non-clinical support from individual peers and groups made up of individuals in similar situations
- Model coping skills
- Educational resources and information on social and other support services
Peer and Group Support
Our goal is to provide an understanding, compassionate community where participants can benefit from solidarity, relatedness, and connectedness. There is unique trust established between a family member with a loved one who is struggling and a family member who has gone through this before.
All our volunteers have their own experiences which they are willing to share to validate the difficulty and stigma that exists in our society and healthcare system, while providing support on how to navigate this challenge. They can offer insight into resources that have decreased the severity and frequency of negative consequences associated with continued substance use in their family members. Volunteers also help bridge the families to different options they might consider for support for themselves.
To participate in the SAFE Program, please fill out this online form. Specify if you are making the referral for yourself or someone else and include the name of the family member looking for support, a brief description of the situation, and a best contact for reaching out.
Educational Resources
Our program provides resources to support individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. These resources include lists of local addiction treatment services, mutual aid groups, emergency crisis support, and a curated selection of reading materials.
SAFE Webinars
These monthly online seminars feature guest speakers with diverse expertise in addiction and its impact on individuals and their loved ones. These webinars provide professional and reliable insights, practical guidance, and a supportive and inspirational space for participants to come together and learn.
View the Program for Substance Use and Stigma of Addiction’s upcoming seminars on the events calendar.
SAFE Program webinars feature:
- Diverse topics: including novel treatments, harm reduction strategies, the impact of supporting someone with a substance use disorder, and the effects on family dynamics.
- Expert speakers: including clinicians, researchers, advocates, recovery experts, and peers with clinical and or lived experience in the field.
- Accessible format: webinars are educational presentations or moderated conversations with experts in the field. Participants are not required to be on camera, but audience members can submit questions for review or discussion. Recognizing the importance of accessibility, our webinars are available online, making it easy for individuals and families to participate from the comfort of their homes.
Past webinar recordings are available as a resource for those who cannot attend live conversations.
For Healthcare Professionals
Continuing Education
Our monthly SAFE Program webinar series is open to healthcare providers and may have the option for continuing education credit.
These webinars, hosted by expert speakers, serve as a tool-teaching resource for SAFE participants, healthcare providers and members of the public looking to learn more about substance use, treatment, and recovery.
Referrals
If you have a patient who may benefit from participating in our program, please fill out our online form. Include the name of the family member looking for support, a brief description of the situation, and a best contact for reaching out.
Fellowship
Our program provides a unique opportunity for addiction psychiatry fellows to lead support groups and work directly with families of those with substance use disorders.
Learn more about the addiction psychiatry fellowship.