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Support for whānau/family of loved ones using alcohol or other drugs

It's time to get some support for you

Supporting a loved one using alcohol and/or other drugs can be a long, hard, lonely, overwhelming journey but is vital to their recovery.

Family Drug Support Aotearoa New Zealand provides assistance for families, whānau and friends to deal with the alcohol and/or other drug use of their loved ones in a way that rebuilds and strengthens relationships and achieves positive outcomes for them, and for you.

Let us support you, as you support them.

Bruce*

“I particularly valued the way in which the programme assisted me to step back from the ongoing crises and objectively consider our family situation including the differing ways in which we were responding, that there was no wrong way of responding, and helped me think of new ways of supporting and responding. To consider how I was going and what my supports were."

Kate*

"I am totally, totally grateful for this programme. The knowledge we gained made us feel empowered when previously we had felt helpless. Being broken down into steps so as not to overwhelm me at that time when I was emotionally strung out was exactly what I needed. I now better understand my place on this journey."

Moana*

"Having such a skilled practitioner to talk to was a lifeline for me. I was able to ask for information on any area and be provided with good quality advice and research. The programme made me feel less isolated and it was hugely important to have someone I could confidentially and freely talk to about what was happening."

* Names have been changed to protect privacy.

Useful Information & Support

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Get to Know Us

Our Vision: a New Zealand which recognises the role played by families/whānau and friends, and supports the needs of families and communities affected by the use of alcohol and/or other drugs.

Our Mission: to assist families and friends to deal with the use of alcohol and/or other drugs in a way that strengthens relationships and achieves positive outcomes.

We are built on the Te Whare Tapa Whā model

Te Whare Tapa Whā (four cornerstones of health) was developed by leading Māori health advocate and researcher Professor Sir Mason Durie in 1984. It is a useful way to think about our health as a whare. The whare has four walls with each wall representing a different dimension of health. All four walls are needed and must be in balance for the house, (or our health), to be strong.

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physical health
Taha Tinana

Having optimal physical health provides a good base from which we can respond to our normal everyday activities.

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Taha Whānau
family health

Our families provide a sense of belonging and support, and are the backbone to strong, resilient individuals.

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Taha Hinengaro
mental health

Our mental health and emotional health are often what others notice first when things aren't going so well.

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Taha Wairua
spiritual health

Who we are, our sense of belonging, and our ability to have faith in a higher power all contribute to a strong wairua.

In order to make our services accessible to the people who need it most, we rely on funding, donations, and the kindness of our team of volunteers.

 

Become a "Friend of FDS" today and your assistance and donations will enable our organisation to continue its valuable work providing free resources, a free help line, free support group, and heavily subsidised counselling to families in need. From time to time you will receive email updates from us on ways your donation has helped. 

Help change a family's life.

Thank You to Our Partners

We wish to recognise the assistance and valued support many people and organisations have given to Family Drug Support Aotearoa New Zealand, with a special thanks to the organisations below, without whom we would not be able to provide our services to families in need:
ANZ Staff Foundation logo
Rata Foundation logo
Te Whatu Ora logo
The Lion Foundation logo
Christchurch Airport Community Fund logo
Chirp Communications logo
Wilson Parking logo
Mental Health Education and Resource Centre (MHERC) logo
Christchurch Community House logo
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