FDS Insight Magazine Aug - Oct 2022

3 and practice. A scoping literature review revealed that the Stepping Stones program is the leading psycho- educational program embracing a harm reduction framework in the world! This is a big statement to make, however the research from other academics in the field identified that most of the programs available to families were directive and did not include a harm reduction framework. The Stepping Stones Program – The Family Perspective study contributes to the evidence base which demonstrates that family support is key to better outcomes for a relative using drugs or alcohol. Affected family members (AFM) play a critical role in supporting a relative experiencing substance dependence. Since 2001, FDS has delivered the psycho-educational program Stepping Stones to over 2000 families. The study explores the experience of AFM who participated in the program, with the aim of including families’ perspectives within the academic discourse, in policy and in service delivery. Fourteen AFM who attended the Stepping Stones program between 2017 and 2019 contributed to the qualitative study. Four key themes were abstracted from the data and these were: Barriers to Accessing Support Services; The Power of Connection; Empowerment through Education; and Healing Family Systems . AFM experienced a reframe of stigmatisation and the reinstatement of self-agency and efficacy through boundary setting, conflict resolution and effective communication with their relative. Coping and resilience strategies built capacity within the family system. Diversity within the group setting in relation to socio-economic status, cultural background, parenting approaches, trauma stories and family constellation reflects the non- discriminatory nature of addiction. While normalisation of the experience and relief were recurrently reported, five participants revealed that protective factors were not enough to shield their relative from substance dependence. Overall, participation in the Stepping Stones program loosened