The National Family Support Network
5-Step Method Conference – 5-Step in Groups
Siobhán Maher/Robert Browne
11.11.14
What is Family Support
What is Family Support?
Family Support can be offered on a one-to-one basis or
in a group setting.
The model of family support that the Network advocates is peer
family support. This is where a number of people with a
common problem, in our case living with drug use, come
together to share their experiences.
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What does a Family Support Group do?
A Family Support Group is a safe, confidential, non judgemental
place for family members to discuss issues emerging from the
problem of drug use within the family
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The stress-strain-coping-support
(SSCS) model
(Copello, Ibanga, Orford, Templeton, Velleman)
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This model underpins the 5-Step Method. While previous
models of substance misuse have typically blamed family
members for dysfunction – the SSCS Model does not.
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In the SSCS model, family members are BOTH part of the
solution, AND also have needs in their own right.
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Family members are at the heart of the response.
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Considers how harms to individuals and families can be
reduced.
The Experience of Family Members
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How difficult it is to live with someone (as a spouse, or as a parent or as a child) when that
person misuses alcohol or drugs.
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The various impacts that the drinker or drug user has on their lives.
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How this has affected them as family members, who have to worry and often bear the brunt
of any changes in the substance misuser.
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How they often become anxious, or depressed, or how the worry seems to lead to effects on
their physical health too.
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How they cope or deal with these difficulties. From a careful examination of what they say
about how they cope, it seems that there are 3 main ways that people cope with living with a
drug or alcohol misuser.
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And people across the world have also said that the amount and type of social support that
they receive is an important influence on the well-being of the family member.
The stress-strain-coping-support
(SSCS) model
(Copello, Ibanga, Orford, Templeton, Velleman)
Developed from what family members told the ADF Group in
various research studies:
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Families experience stress as a result of someone else’s
problem drinking or drug use; this has an impact on
them.
The strain of dealing with the substance misuse leads to
physical and psychological ill health.
The strain is influenced/mediated by:
– Method(s) of coping
– Level and quality of social support
5-Step Method
Step 1: Listen, reassure and explore concerns
Allow family member to describe situation
Identify relevant stresses
Identify need for further information
Communicate realistic optimism
Identify need for future contacts
Step 2: Provide relevant, specific and targeted information
Increase knowledge and understanding
Reduce stress arising from lack of knowledge or misconceptions
Step 3: Explore coping responses
Identify current coping responses
Explore advantages and disadvantages of current coping strategies
Explore alternative coping responses
Explore advantages and disadvantages of alternative ways of coping
5-Step Method
Step 4: Discuss Social Support
Draw a social network diagram
Aim to improve communication within the family
Aim for a unified and coherent approach
Explore potential new sources of support
Step 5: Discuss and explore further needs
Is there a need for further help?
Discuss possible options with family member
Facilitate contact between family member and other sources of
specialist help
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It interrupts the negative dynamic of drug use within the
family.
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It helps family members look after their own needs.
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It helps the families of drug users to make constructive
choices.
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It helps families to reinforce the work of the service
agencies.
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It enables families to be a resource to their own
communities.
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Welcome
Ground Rules/contract
Confidentiality
Outline of group session
Self help handbook
FMQ/3 Month follow up
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Time management
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Non judgemental acceptance of others
Willingness to self-disclose
Respecting confidentiality
Recognising the available support in the group
Respecting others
Willingness to accept feedback
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Give your attention to members as they share their story
Being aware of your own body language and reactions
when listening and responding to speakers
Offering all the opportunity to speak and not allowing one
member to dominate
Encouraging calmness and serenity within the group
Make sure members leave the group with a sense of
support
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Home practice – suggest that members complete exercises
in self-help handbook
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Encourage members to read through next step and
practice new skills learned
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Encourage members to bring any unanswered questions to
the next session
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http://www.beaumont.ie/index.jsp?a=473&n=532&p=528#relaxation
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What are the two most positive outcomes of using
5-Step Method with groups?
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What blocks/barriers might present in using the
method in a group setting?
Please prioritise a maximum of 2 of each.