Supporting Families Through Dependency – You Are Not Alone
When someone you love is struggling with substance use, it can feel overwhelming, isolating, and confusing. Families often carry the emotional weight of dependency too, finding themselves worrying, coping, and trying to hold everything together. Motiv8 Addiction Services understand that dependency doesn’t just affect individuals – it impacts entire families across all ages and that is why the Family Service is here to support you.
A Space for Families to Be Heard
Paula Gelling, Head of the Family Service said, ‘When families first contact our team they tell us they feel forgotten or unsure where to turn.’ Adding that ‘Our Family Service offers a Free, confidential, safe, supportive environment where you can talk openly about your experiences, gain understanding, and connect with others who truly understand. It is always about how to best support each person and that is what our team do best.’
You are not alone!
One of the ways Motiv8 supports families is through the M-PACT (Moving Parents and Children Together) programme. This proven evidence-based programme that has been in use with the Forward Trust since 2006 and is designed to bring families together in a positive and constructive way.
In short M-PACT helps families to:
- Improve communication and rebuild trust
- Better understand the impact of substance use
- Develop coping strategies and resilience
- Strengthen relationships in a supportive setting
It isn’t about blame, it’s about moving forward together.
Why It Matters
Children, parents, and other family members are all impacted by substance use in different ways. Without support, these challenges can have long-term impacts on wellbeing and relationships. By working together as a family, healing becomes possible and the cycle of dependency can be broken, which means that societally we all benefit from the family taking more positive directions as individuals and lessening the cost on society and statutory services.
Take the First Step
Paula Gelling, Head of the Family Service said ‘Reaching out can feel like the hardest part, but it’s also the most important. Whether you are looking for advice, support, or a way to reconnect as a family, we’re here to help.’ She added that ‘Motiv8 has run the M-PACT programme twice now and have seen the positive effect it has. We have a new round of M-PACT that will be starting in the autumn and want to encourage people to come forward and talk to us about the programme and our all support that is on offer.’
You are not alone, and FREE, confidential support is available now.
Motiv8 is a charity and have been supporting the Isle of Man since 1978 and our family service has been running for over 10 years, Motiv8 offers non-judgemental help and support to any island resident.
There are several easy ways to get in contact with Motiv8 to talk about your current situation or that of someone you care about, they are Freephone 0808 1624 627, WhatsApp 07624 388750 and email contact@motiv8.im, Motiv8 is also on Facebook so you can also drop a DM. Motiv8 will work with you to find the best support for each individual and can offer one to one support, group work programmes and family group support via M-PACT.
