When someone’s struggling, the whole family feels it. You might be worried about a partner, child, sibling, parent or friend. You might be trying to hold things together, manage difficult conversations, or make sense of situations that feel overwhelming. You may find yourself constantly worrying, second-guessing decisions, or carrying the emotional weight of someone else’s choices.
Some days you might feel frustrated, exhausted or unsure of what to do next. Other days, you might just wish someone understood what you’re going through. Support is available for families, loved ones and carers, including culturally safe support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
You don’t have to have all the answers, and you don’t have to work it out on your own.
breakthrough for families
Breakthrough for Families is a free and flexible support program for family members, partners, friends and carers affected by someone else’s alcohol or other drug use.
Together, we’ll focus on what’s happening for you, whether that’s improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, understanding alcohol and other drug use, managing stress, or looking after your own wellbeing.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Support is tailored to your situation, your needs, and the challenges you’re facing.
What Is Breakthrough for Families?
Breakthrough for Families is a free service for family members, partners, carers and loved ones affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug use. The program provides information, education and practical support to help people better understand alcohol and other drug use, navigate challenges and access the support they need.
The service includes:
Free alcohol and other drug information sessions.
Individual support for family members.
Referrals and connections to additional services and supports.
Community information sessions are open to the general public and designed to support family members, carers, friends and loved ones seeking information, support and guidance.
How Can We Help?
Supporting someone you care about can be challenging. Working alongside an Alcohol and Other Drug Worker, you will learn strategies to support your own wellbeing, build confidence, and feel better equipped to navigate the challenges that can arise when someone you know is affected by alcohol or other drug use.
Through the program, you can:
Better understand alcohol and other drug use, including methamphetamine and other substances.
Learn about the effects, risks and harms of substance use on individuals, families and communities.
Understand the impact substance use can have on physical and mental health.
Learn practical ways to respond to difficult situations and conversations.
Develop strategies to support your wellbeing and help keep yourself and your family safe.
Explore treatment, recovery and support options available in your community.
Build the skills and confidence to navigate the treatment and support system.
Identify and overcome barriers that may be preventing you or your loved one from accessing support.
What to expect?
When you engage with the Breakthrough for Families Queensland program, you will be supported by an Alcohol and Other Drug Worker who will take the time to understand your circumstances and explore what support may be most helpful for you.
Your support journey may include:
An initial conversation to understand your situation and needs.
Information about available supports and services.
A personalised plan to identify goals and next steps.
Ongoing support sessions focused on your goals.
Assistance accessing services and community supports.
Referral support and follow-up where needed.
You will also gain:
A better understanding of alcohol, methamphetamine, and other drug use.
Greater confidence in responding to challenging situations.
Practical communication skills and relationship strategies.
Guidance on setting healthy boundaries.
Strategies to support your own wellbeing and self-care.
Stronger connections to support services and community resources.
Most importantly, you’ll be supported to focus on your own wellbeing while navigating the challenges that can arise when someone you care about is using alcohol or other drugs.
How Support is Delivered
Support is flexible and tailored to your individual circumstances. We understand that everyone’s situation is different, which is why we offer a range of options to help you access support in a way that works for you.
Depending on your needs and preferences, support may be provided through:
One-on-one sessions
Telephone support
Community-based appointments
Community information and education sessions
Our aim is to make accessing support as easy as possible, so you can receive information, guidance and support in a way that feels comfortable and practical for you.
BFFQ Information sessions
BFFQ programs also offers regular alcohol and other drug group information sessions for people in community spaces and online.
Our free information sessions focus on:
How to have a conversation with a family member, friend or loved one who is experiencing alcohol or other drug related issues.
How to set healthy boundaries and maintain them.
Understanding why people use alcohol and other drugs, including lapse, relapse, and the stages of behaviour change.
Accessing reliable and accurate information about alcohol and other drugs.
Navigating the alcohol and other drug treatment and support system.
Helping loved ones connect with health, social, and community services.
Not sure where to begin? Join our free online information session every Wednesday and take the first step towards accessing support for yourself and the people you care about.
Breakthrough for Families may be right for you if you are concerned about, affected by, or supporting someone who is experiencing issues related to alcohol or other drug use.
You may benefit from this program if you:
Want to better understand alcohol and other drug use.
Are feeling stressed, worried, overwhelmed or unsure how to help.
Would like practical tools to manage difficult conversations or situations.
Want to learn how to set healthy boundaries.
Are looking for support for your own wellbeing.
Need help navigating treatment and support options.
Would like to connect with services, resources or community supports.
When you contact us, we’ll help match you with the support option that best suits your lifestyle, preferences and goals. If another service is better suited to your needs, we can help connect you with the right support
Eligibility & Requirements
Breakthrough for Families Queensland is available to people who are affected by, or concerned about, someone else’s alcohol or other drug use, including:
Family members – parents, siblings, grandparents
Partners and significant others
Carers
Friends
Individuals seeking information, support, education, or referrals related to alcohol and other drug issues.
The program is:
Free of charge
Voluntary
Confidential
Available without a referral
Whether you’re looking for information, practical support, or someone to talk to, we’re here to help. Participation is always your choice, and you may withdraw from the program at any time.
Locations & Availability
Breakthrough for Families is delivered across a number of Queensland communities, including:
Ipswich (including Lockyer and Somerset)
Roma (including St George)
Charleville (including Cunnamulla)
Toowoomba
Mackay
Support is available Monday to Friday, with information sessions able to be delivered outside standard business hours to improve access for families and community members.
If you’re unsure whether the program is available in your area, our team can help you explore the support options available to you.
I asked everywhere I could think of to get expert help for us – lots out there for my son, but we’d almost given up finding anything for the people who love him. And then we found Drug ARM. I met people who understand our situation and all its challenges, and also got a much better understanding.
Client - photo changed for privacy
Breakthrough our way
Breakthrough Our Way is a free support program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and loved ones affected by someone else’s alcohol or other drug use.
Together, we’ll yarn about what’s happening, explore practical ways forward and support you to look after yourself while supporting someone you care about.
Developed by QAIHC and Apunipima Cape York Health Council in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Weekly Online Information Session
Join our free online session for families, carers and loved ones affected by someone else’s alcohol or other drug use. It’s an opportunity to learn more, hear practical strategies, and explore ways to support both yourself and the person you care about.
We’re not here to judge you or your loved one, or tell you what your goals should be. We’re here to listen, understand what’s important to you, and help you identify practical steps that support your wellbeing and the people you care about. You don’t need to have everything figured out to benefit from a confidential chat with one of our team.
No. You can access support whether your loved one is receiving treatment, thinking about getting help, or not interested in support at all. Our focus is on helping you navigate what’s happening and look after your own wellbeing.
That’s okay. Many people reach out because they’re worried about changes they’ve noticed, feeling unsure what to think, or wondering whether alcohol or other drugs are affecting someone they care about. You don’t need to know all the answers before seeking support.
Generally, yes. What you share with us is confidential and won’t be shared without your permission. There are a small number of situations where we are legally required to act to help keep people safe, such as concerns about child safety or serious risk of harm.
No. You can contact us directly to access support. If you’re not sure where to start, our team can talk through your situation and help identify the most appropriate support options.
Often it’s not one thing, but a pattern of changes over time. You may notice impacts on relationships, mood, physical health, work, study, finances, responsibilities or family life. If you’re concerned enough to be asking the question, it may be helpful to speak with someone about what you’re seeing. You don’t need to wait for a crisis.
If you’ve arrived here from one of our advertisements, there’s a good chance support is available near you. Depending on where you live, support may be available in person, through outreach services, over the phone, or via telehealth.
Yes. We offer information sessions as well as one-on-one support options. Some people prefer to start by learning more about alcohol and other drugs, understanding the impacts on families, and connecting with others who have had similar experiences before deciding whether they’d like ongoing support.
You can’t control someone else’s choices, but you don’t have to face the impact alone. Looking after someone else starts with looking after yourself. Whether you’re seeking guidance, practical support or simply someone who understands what you’re going through, we’re here to help.
Your go-to-source of information on the alcohol and other drugs’ stories that are making the news. Get commentary from our experts, stories of hope and transformation, and ways to get involved.
We're here to help
If you have any enquiries, feedback or suggestions regarding our services and support, we'd love to hear from you.
