Dublin 15 Family Support Service

Dublin 15 Family Support offers a safe space where family members can become empowered and develop a strengths-based approach while coping with drug or alcohol use in the family. We develop and maintain a health-led, harm reduction approach while working with families affected by substance misuse as per vision and goals outlines in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery (2017‑2025).

The effects of substance use on families are difficult and can be very diverse. It can cause a great deal of stress on individuals and the family unit. Family members often forget about their own needs – their physical, mental and well-being. Your time and energy can often be focused on the person close to you who is using alcohol or drugs. Over time the stress, strains and feelings loss of control can contribute to problems for families and even difficulties in coping with the situation. As a family member or carer you may need support in your own right. If you would like further support please contact Mary Morris, Family Support Coordinator, on 086 8058785 or mary@bldtf.ie or Maxine Lacey on 087 7091838 maxine@bldtf.ie or Laura Curtis on 087 9574215 or laura@bldtf.ie or call the office on 01‑824 9590.

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Expectations and the benefits

The service offers one to one support for you to explore your own needs, encouraging positive self-care and well-being. The service implements evidence-based models to support you to gain the skills to cope and understand of the effects substance misuse has on the whole family. D15 Family Support facilitates you to address the negative dynamic of drug and alcohol use within the family. It supports family members to look after their own needs and where identified, support their loved one to make constructive choices for the future. 

One to one support

A safe and non-judgemental space where you are listened to and supported. The family support worker will assist you to explore and identify your needs using a strengths-based approach. You will have access to relevant information on drugs, alcohol, and the effects substance misuse has on individuals and the family.

Alcohol supports

D15 Family Support now offers a one-to-one support service to people experiencing problematic alcohol use and living in Dublin 15.

Education/Prevention

D15 Family Support facilitates a consistent approach to under 18 drug and alcohol education with local education providers and under 18 services. We seek to prevent children from developing harmful drug and alcohol use by supporting school achievement. We do this by facilitating access to educational assessments, therapies and programmes.

Evidence base

D15 Family Support offers evidence-based models and approaches to support family members in their situation. Programmes such as the 5-Step Method, Triple P Programme, Steps 2 Cope, SMART Recovery and Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA).

Referral options

Contact Mary, Maxine or Laura to make a referral. Click here to download the referral form.

     Phone Mobile Mary 086 8058785, Laura 087 9574215, Maxine 087 7091838     Phone Office 01-824 9590
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We provide a free and confidential service. 

When you contact the D15 Family Support service you will be offered a one-to-one intake session in our family friendly centre. At this session you will meet a family support worker and agree the next steps together. Click here to meet the team. 

Let us help you. Please contact us:
    Phone Mobile Mary 086 8058785, Laura 087 9574215, Maxine 087 7091838     Phone Office 01-824 9590

Testimonials

My son had mental health issues which then went down the road of drugs and addiction. To say it has been traumatising is an understatement. We as a family were walking on eggshells on a daily basis and never knew what the day would bring. Its been scary to say the least and affected us all deeply. While trying to get help for my son I was told about the 5 Step programme so I put my name down and was given a place on the programme. I'm so delighted I did it and it's been an eye opener in as far as it taught me how to deal with different situations and how to respond and what to say. I learned a lot about myself, and my emotions, and addiction, and a whole lot more. The difference in me from the first session to the last was amazing. I felt I could cope and deal with a lot more. I enjoyed the programme and found it very educational. I would definitely recommend this programme, and I would just like to add on a personal note, I found Maxine to be excellent and very good at taking me out of my comfort zone and seeing the wood from the trees.....She's a great asset to the programme and excellent at what she does. Loved her accent too...Thanks so much for all your help and encouragement.
February 2025
Personally, I found the 5 Step intervention unbelievably helpful. Before I began the programme I was hesitant in opening up on opening up on my personal experience with a family member in addiction. Firstly, I have always struggled in allowing myself to be concerned about my own mental health, childhood experiences and trauma. But Maxine opened my eyes and helped me realise that my emotions, experience and mental well being is valid and worthy. I found the service to be extremely
welcoming and the member of staff not only to be exceedingly knowledgeable but understanding. Having someone to talk to that completely understands your personal experience has brought me great peace, and allowed me to become more confident and open to asking for help. While it took a bit longer than 5 session to finish the programme, each step helped me come to terms with my experience and grow from it. Finally, I would absolutely recommend the 5 Step intervention for families who have a loved one in addiction.
February 2025
I attended the 5-Step Method intervention in D15 Family Support service with Maxine. I have to say she made me feel very at ease from the word go. There were times it wasn’t easy as I was in crisis when I started. It’s been great having the support and guidance of Maxine who is very professional and caring. I would recommend this
intervention to anyone who has a family member in addiction, it really helped me grow and heal a lot. From a loving mother.
February 2025
I started attending with Laura around March/April of 2024. My son had been using drugs at one level or another for more than 20 years, and although now a middle-aged man was getting more involved. As we were both working in a family business the strain was getting to me and my health was deteriorating. I was desperate for help as I understood that I was unable to fix my son and my efforts were only causing friction between us.

I was recommended to the D15 Family Support Service and met with Laura who introduced me to the 5 Step plan. I was skeptical at first but after a couple of sessions I began to realise that it was helping as my stress levels were reducing. I continued with the programme and discovered that I needed to work on myself which I have done. The reduction in stress and my entire outlook and quality of life has improved to a stage where I can now continue to live a normal existence, can give support to my son and not have my life determined by his addiction.

It wasn’t a case of working hard to get to this stage but it was at a point in our sessions that I realised that I was actually changing myself, and that this change was
allowing me to have a relationship with my son, and the realisation that only he can change his life and although I am his parent I am not responsible for him.
January 2025
I recently completed my 5 Step process with Laura. I found every session to be beneficial and gave me a different perspective to view issues. I always felt supported and respected while attending these sessions, and felt there was never a communication gap due to Laura actively listening to concerns I was asking. I found certain handouts extremely beneficial. I would absolutely recommend their services to anyone who requires the support, and I’m extremely grateful to them for everything they have done for me.
December 2024
I had the pleasure of having Maxine as my Family Support Therapist. She has changed my life in a big way. From our first meeting, I felt like she really understood me, she listened carefully and gave helpful guidance that made tough things feel possible. With her support I’ve been able to face my challenges and find my strengths I didn’t know I had. Now I live a happier more meaningful life because of her. I highly recommend Maxine and the D15 Family Support Service to anyone who needs help. She’s truly amazing and a wonderful person to have by your side.
November 2024
Thanks Maxine for all the work and time you put into me. I’ve learned a lot about problem solving. You gave me the confidence to do this. I could not fail the service or the help I got and hopefully I wont be back, but if I do I know where to go thanks again.
October 2024
I have done 5 Steps with Laura at the Blanchardstown Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force over the last few months, and I cannot thank her enough for absolutely everything she has helped me through. Going here has changed me in such a positive way and my outlook on life with family members in drug/alcohol addiction. Doing the 5 Steps was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I wish I knew about this a long time ago. I would highly recommend it to anyone who feels they are struggling with how to cope with a family member in drug/alcohol addiction. Laura made me feel so comfortable and helped me through one of the toughest times of my life. I can't recommend her enough.
September 2024
For me, my world fell apart when my child told me they were addicted to drugs. My personality took me to worse case scenario, I had no inkling of what to do, how to help or even the right way to react. It took me over a year of our lives spiraling to get to the services of BLDATF. The 5 Step programme was amazing, no it didn't make my son being an addict go away but it helped me so much to be able to speak my mind without fear of recrimination. My son the addict, was getting all the help he needed to help himself and this lovely lady, counsellor, therapist, shoulder to cry on, helped give me the tools to realise my feelings were valid and worthy of discussion. It was a safe place for me to say and feel exactly what I felt with no excuses or guilt. It was a wonderful service where I could rant, rave, ask questions or just cry and cry with frustration. I would recommend anyone finding themselves in this awful, devastating, sad situation to avail of this service. The staff were discreet, no finger pointing, lovely and respectful of our circumstances. Thank you Laura, your advice and words meant so much.
September 2024
As parents, I don't know how we would have managed a very traumatic year without all the support we received from the team. The difference the support has made to our family cannot be measured in words and will never be forgotten.
September 2024