DAFS (Drugs & Alcohol FAMILY Support)

DAFS (Drug & Alcohol FAMILY Support) offers mutual peer-led support to family members over the age of 18 who are affected by a loved one's addictive behaviour, be it alcohol, drugs or gambling. We offer a safe, confidential space where you can meet others who understand, gain knowledge and learn how to cope better with your situation.

Through our own lived experience of dealing with the devastating impact that addiction causes to family & friends, we can support you to help reduce feelings of isolation, guilt, fear, shame and helplessness so that you can learn about strategies to enable you to move forward, regardless of the choices your loved one makes. We meet people who are partners, parents, grandparents, adult children, siblings and friends....anybody can be affected and sadly the stigma still means that often people have no one to talk to and become more and more isolated as a result.

We are not a fix-it group - we are volunteers who care, have compassion and empathy and we are determined to bring change to people's lives. We network extensively in the local area so that other organisations know what we can offer and can refer family members to us, and we can also signpost to other services in the area who may be able to offer professional help. We organise group activities such as guest speakers, walks, well-being and fundraising events.

We are a fully inclusive service (over 18 only) and accept everybody regardless of gender, socio-economic background, race or cultural beliefs.

We have 3 fortnightly face to face groups operating in Milton Keynes: MK16, MK15 & MK4.
We have a fortnightly face to face group in Bedford: MK40.
We have a monthly face to face group in Leighton Buzzard: LU7.

We also offer an online group meeting on a monthly basis to accommodate people who may have transport difficulties, who have no childcare or who have to work shifts.

You can request to join our private Facebook page via this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MKFamilysupportgroup/?ref=share_group_link

Please get in touch - you are not alone!

If you feel that you would benefit from this free service, please complete this referral link: https://form.jotform.com/202724328118350 and somebody will contact you within 48 hours