BreakThrough Dandenong – Families Understanding Addiction – Monash Health

TOPIC 1: FACTS
There is a lot of misinformation in the media and public discourse about drug use. In this first part of the session we separate fact from fiction. We provide information about what drugs are, why people use them and why they cause problems for people who use them, their families and the broader community. We help people identify if family members are using drugs and their patterns of drug use. Most importantly, we explain the process by which people decide to seek help for their drug use and how families can support these decisions.

TOPIC 2: STRATEGIES
BreakThrough isn’t just about alcohol and other drugs. We also look more broadly at the relationship between drug use and mental health and provide practical strategies to help family members discuss drug use and keep the lines of communication open. Of course, the path to recovery from drug use is not always straightforward. Managing challenging behaviours and developing strategies to keep family members safe and functioning during difficult times are also part of the program.

TOPIC 3: HELP
BreakThrough also provides families with the skills and knowledge to navigate the treatment system and obtain the best possible outcomes for their loved ones. We examine some of the barriers to seeking help and how to overcome these. All family members attending the workshop will be given information on where to get help and support following the completion of the workshop and options for ongoing support activities.