Priory’s family support programme: supporting loved ones through recovery
Offering emotional and practical support to help families navigate addiction recovery together.
Addiction doesn’t just affect the person in recovery - it impacts the entire family. At Priory, we recognise the vital role loved ones play in a person’s recovery and understand the challenges they may face along the way.
That’s why we offer a dedicated family support programme, designed to provide emotional and practical support for families adjusting to life after treatment. This free programme, which can commence as soon as your loved one enters treatment and continues for 12 months following treatment, helps families support their loved one while also focusing on their own wellbeing.
Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Priory’s family support programme, how it works, and how it can make a real difference for you and your family.
If you're worried about a loved one who’s struggling with addiction, you're not alone. It’s natural to feel unsure about how to support them, but help is available, and taking the first step can make a real difference.
You can call us on 0330 056 6023 to find out more about the support we provide and the ways we can assist your loved one. Whether you’re exploring options or just looking for guidance, we’re here to help. You can also explore our advice on staging an addiction intervention, which can be a crucial step in encouraging someone to seek treatment.
If they’ve given their consent, you can arrange their first appointment on their behalf. This could be:
If they’re comfortable with it, you’re welcome to attend the appointment with them for additional support.
From there, we’ll make sure they have quick access to the most suitable addiction treatment for their needs.
Priory's family support programme is available to the families and loved ones of people taking part in a range of our addiction treatment programmes. Delivered through weekly online sessions, it offers a safe and supportive space for families to share experiences, gain practical tools, and learn how to rebuild and strengthen relationships throughout the recovery journey.
The people who are invited to join our family support sessions are those who are closely involved in supporting the person in recovery. These may include:
We’ll give you all the information you need to be able to access our family support sessions when your loved one has settled into their treatment programme. You can access the family support programme during your family member’s treatment and for the 12 months afterwards. This runs alongside the aftercare support that may be available to the person in recovery, depending on the programme they’ve completed. This support is delivered separately, once their treatment has ended.
Our family support programme is completely free. Addiction treatment and the first 12 months afterwards are critical and challenging times in recovery, as it’s a period of significant adjustment for everyone involved. Families play a vital role in their loved one’s recovery but may also face their own challenges, such as rebuilding trust, managing expectations and coping with their own emotions.
Over the course of your loved one’s treatment and the first 12 months afterwards, family members will be able to join weekly online sessions, held via Zoom. These sessions will last for a minimum of 1 hour each week and are led by therapists specialising in family support.
Here’s what you can expect from the family support programme:
Here are some tips to help you make the most out of Priory’s family support programme:
Family support is a crucial part of recovery. Attending regularly is key to building relationships within the group and receiving consistent support. However, we understand that life can sometimes get in the way. If you’re feeling unwell, travelling or have an important commitment that prevents you from attending, please let us know as soon as possible. If you miss sessions for 2 to 3 weeks, a therapist will check in to see how you’re doing and encourage you to continue attending.
Be open during sessions—share your thoughts, listen to others and take an active role in discussions. This will help you to gain more from the programme and contribute to the supportive community the group provides.
Beyond the weekly sessions, Priory offers additional tools and resources, such as our family support hub, self-care hub and aftercare hub. These can help you navigate challenges outside of the sessions and reinforce what you’ve learned.
While addiction treatment and aftercare focus on supporting your loved one’s recovery, it’s equally important to look after yourself too. Use the sessions as an opportunity to focus on your own emotional health and learn coping strategies that support your resilience.
If you feel like you need more personalised guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out for one-to-one support from Priory’s team. We’re here to help you navigate any challenges and provide tailored advice.
Family support is a vital part of the recovery process. Addiction impacts the entire family, and our support programme helps everyone heal, adjust and move forward together. Here’s why family support matters and what families can realistically achieve: