Addictive disorders are complex and highly prevalent public health problems. In addition to the established harms caused to the person with addiction problems, addictive disorders have a profound impact on the quality of life of families. However, family members often receive little formal support, intervention, or policy priorities to help them cope effectively with the various challenges they encounter due to a relative’s addiction and related behaviours. The current chapter aims to understand the extent to which family members who are affected by a relative’s addiction problem (AFMs) are prioritized in policy and service delivery models. To do this, two research approaches are employed: first, a scoping literature review was conducted to synthesize the literature that identifies policy directives for AFMs; second, a purposive review was undertaken of relevant policy and related documents across eight countries represented in the membership of the Addiction and the Family International Network (AFINet). Our findings identify several patterns with regards to the representation of AFMs in policy and service delivery models. For example, policies, with notable exceptions, failed to adequately address the experiences and support needs of AFMs. AFMs were often vaguely mentioned or completely neglected in policy documents. There was also a stronger focus on children as opposed to the support needs of the entire family or other categories of family members such as parents, partners/spouses and grandparents. Similarly, within the treatment setting, while statements sometimes advocated for the involvement of family members in the treatment of the person with addiction problems, the support needs of AFMs are not prioritized during the treatment process. The chapter concludes by providing recommendations towards better representation of AFMs in policy, service delivery and research.

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The Political/Policy Landscape: Representation of AFMs in Policy and Service-Delivery Models

  • Candice Groenewald,
  • Dane Isaacs,
  • Jim Orford

摘要

Addictive disorders are complex and highly prevalent public health problems. In addition to the established harms caused to the person with addiction problems, addictive disorders have a profound impact on the quality of life of families. However, family members often receive little formal support, intervention, or policy priorities to help them cope effectively with the various challenges they encounter due to a relative’s addiction and related behaviours. The current chapter aims to understand the extent to which family members who are affected by a relative’s addiction problem (AFMs) are prioritized in policy and service delivery models. To do this, two research approaches are employed: first, a scoping literature review was conducted to synthesize the literature that identifies policy directives for AFMs; second, a purposive review was undertaken of relevant policy and related documents across eight countries represented in the membership of the Addiction and the Family International Network (AFINet). Our findings identify several patterns with regards to the representation of AFMs in policy and service delivery models. For example, policies, with notable exceptions, failed to adequately address the experiences and support needs of AFMs. AFMs were often vaguely mentioned or completely neglected in policy documents. There was also a stronger focus on children as opposed to the support needs of the entire family or other categories of family members such as parents, partners/spouses and grandparents. Similarly, within the treatment setting, while statements sometimes advocated for the involvement of family members in the treatment of the person with addiction problems, the support needs of AFMs are not prioritized during the treatment process. The chapter concludes by providing recommendations towards better representation of AFMs in policy, service delivery and research.