ABSTRACT
Families are experts in caring for the person experiencing substance use and mental health problems and, if they are listened to, they can make a valuable contribution to the treatment regime. The professionals caring for the individual may not realise just what the family is coping with. Even though they may provide considerable care to the individual, they often fail to recognise themselves as carers or make use of carers’ services. There is sometimes an expectation that the family will be involved in the persons care simply because they live in the same house. A partner’s focus may be on parenting and sexual health, whereas a grandparent caring for the individual’s children may want information about legal and financial matters. Families do not necessarily see themselves in need of care and/or want or need a treatment programme. Many would find it bewildering and perhaps even threatening to be offered a needs assessment or care plan at a first meeting.
