AFINet Webinar Series: The Family and Friend Support Programs, March 2026

Family members and friends supporting a loved one with alcohol or other drug (AOD) use face significant psychosocial challenges, yet few mental health interventions are designed with their needs in mind. The Family and Friend Support Program (FFSP) was co-designed with affected family members and friends, using the Stress-Strain-Coping-Support Model and the 5-Step Method to create a world-first, evidence-based, web-based support tool. Pilot testing with 131 participants demonstrated that FFSP is feasible, acceptable, and has real potential to meet a critical unmet need in family-focused AOD support. This webinar walks through the co-development process, pilot testing results, and implications for future services and research.