Volunteer for FDS

Volunteer for FDS to help families and friends
of drug users as well as bereaved families.

Learn more
Support Groups

Participate in a Family Support group and
share your story with our Support Groups.

Learn more

Family Drug Support Australia

Family Drug Support provides up to date information on all aspects of alcohol and drug use relative to the families of people who use substances. FDS also operates a National 24 hr, 7 day a week telephone support service for families affected by alcohol and other drug issues.

Family Drug Support 24/7 National Support Line

Non-Executive Directors - Family Drug Support - positions available

Applications close: 5 pm on 31st May 2025

CLICK HERE FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

Stepping Stones programme videos

Stepping Stones programme.

Watch the full Stepping Stones video

FDS Online for Families

Launch Videos

FDS 1 on 1 Sessions

Request a 1 on 1 session
with our Family Drug Support staff by phone
or video call

Request 1 on 1 Session

Language Matters!

At FDS we have always tried to avoid using negative labels such as junkie, druggie, and addict which tend to shame and stigmatize people who use drugs and by association their families. We also try to avoid using common ideas and concepts which really do not help families deal with substance issues.

Purchase Tony's Book

Tony Trimingham

FDS CEO and Founder

Tony has worked for the past four decades as a counsellor, group leader and psychotherapist. Tony founded Family Drug Support in 1997 that is now a well-respected and established national service for families of people who use substances.

FDS is proudly accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.

View Certificate

Walking a Tightrope

Launch Booklet

Tightrope Walker Explanation and Balance Pole Metaphor

When someone is confronted with a major crisis, such as a breakdown of marriage or relationship, serious illness, business collapse or loss of a job, or in particular realising they have a drug problem in the family.

Donate & Help Family Drug Support

Your kind donation will help Family Drug Support continue to help families of people who use substances. FDS assists families to strengthen relationships and achieve positive outcomes.

Please Donate

News & Media

Family Drug Support - News & Media

Letter to Families
and Friends

Someone you care about is drinking or using drugs. You can see many ways he/she is creating problems in his/her life and creating harm in yours. Whether your partner, child, sibling or friend you have stood by them as he or she have tried or refused treatment.

Tough love has no
place in FDS model

There is often a debate on ‘tough love’ as an effective strategy for families dealing with alcohol and other drug issues. At FDS we believe that applying punitive strategies is not really effective and, in some cases, may lead to more problems than solutions.