Adfam is the UK national charity supporting families affected by addiction. We work with families, friends, carers, frontline practitioners, and decision-makers. We want anyone affected by someone else’s addiction to have the chance to benefit from healthy relationships and enjoy mental and physical wellbeing. We know that prejudice and stigma are barriers to recovery and cause harm. We want to see a society free from stigma towards addicts and their families.

In 2019 Adfam was commissioned by GambleAware to develop training for practitioners working with gamblers and their families based on the 5-step model. This validated model has shown promise in achieving positive outcomes through research studies. Outcomes include:
• The family member is calmer, less tolerant and more assertive.
• There is support for both the family member and the gambler.
• There are clear joint goals and plans.
• Conflict is handled in a safer environment.
• The family member has greater knowledge of how the disorder affects the gambler.
• Communication and mutual understanding are improved.
• There is greater realisation that children are also affected