Drugs & Alcohol
Supporting Families & Friends Affected by a Loved One's Drug or Alcohol Use
You can love someone deeply and still feel overwhelmed, exhausted or unsure of what to do next.
When someone you care about is struggling with alcohol or drug use, the impact on your own emotional wellbeing can be enormous.
You may find yourself constantly worrying, trying to help, feeling responsible for their choices or wondering whether you're doing the right thing.
Over time, this can leave you feeling anxious, frustrated, helpless and emotionally drained.
But your wellbeing matters too.
I offer a safe, compassionate space where you can talk openly about what you're experiencing, make sense of difficult emotions and begin finding a healthier balance between supporting your loved one and looking after yourself.
When someone else's substance use affects your life
Living with a loved one's problematic alcohol or drug use can bring a great deal of uncertainty.
You might recognise some of these experiences:
Constantly worrying about what might happen next
Feeling responsible for someone else's wellbeing or recovery
Struggling with guilt when trying to set boundaries
Feeling angry, resentful, frightened or helpless
Finding yourself caught between helping and rescuing
Feeling emotionally exhausted or unable to switch off
Putting your own needs aside to focus on someone else
These feelings can be difficult to manage, especially when you feel you have nobody to talk to who truly understands your situation.
You don't have to manage everything on your own.
Body-based therapy recognises that stress, anxiety and past experience don’t just live in thoughts — they live in the body.
In our sessions together, we gently support your nervous system to release what has been stored, regulated and held — so you experience less reactivity, more freedom and more confidence in your daily life.
I integrate proven, experiential methods that are always paced to you and chosen for your specific needs.
Emotional Wellbeing
Managing anxiety, guilt, anger and overwhelm.
Feelings of guilt, fear, anger, sadness and resentment are common when someone you love is struggling.
Our sessions provide a space to explore these emotions without judgement, helping you feel less overwhelmed and more confident in how you respond.
A trauma-informed, body-based approach
Living with ongoing uncertainty and stress can leave your nervous system constantly on alert.
You may notice that you struggle to relax, react more strongly than you'd like or feel anxious even when things seem relatively calm.
Alongside talking through your experiences and exploring practical strategies, I integrate somatic approaches such as Clinical EFT (Tapping), breathwork and other body-based practices.
These approaches can help you work with the emotional and physical responses to stress, supporting greater emotional regulation and helping you feel more grounded.
The work is always collaborative and paced according to your individual needs.
The aim is not to change or control your loved one's behaviour, but to help you feel more supported, emotionally steady and empowered in your own life.
You don't have to do this alone
“Before starting to work with Ilaria, I felt at a loss, completely. I wanted to help my son, but I felt I had no direction. I remember having thoughts going around my head in a loop and didn't know what to do, but every session provided me with new tools, strategies and ideas to then take forward and use. Ilaria’s support made me feel like I could take back control of my life and gave me a direction. Those sessions have been a lifeline for me at a time when I didn’t have anyone to talk through my emotions or what was happening. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have someone objective who is not involved in my family dynamics, to be able to do that. With Ilaria I got my own safe space to process all of that, and for that, I will always be grateful.”
Alison L., UK
“My sessions with Ilaria have been truly life changing. I was a wreck when I approached her. I was confused, I was hurting, I was in fight/flight mode most of the time, I was “reacting” instead of “acting”. I saw her for approximately one year and I am so glad I reached out to her. She was there at every step of the way, she cared, she encouraged me and I always felt “held” my her. I can say in all honesty that I could not have never learnt to manage my emotions and dealing with my daughter if it had not been for the support received from her. Thank you!”
Sophie F., UK
How I can support you
Having worked for many years supporting individuals affected by substance use, including family members and friends, I understand how complex and emotionally challenging these situations can be.
My approach combines emotional support, practical guidance and body-based therapeutic techniques, tailored to your individual circumstances.
Understanding substance use
Exploring difficult family patterns and behaviours.
We can explore how problematic substance use affects relationships, family dynamics and emotional wellbeing, helping you gain a clearer understanding of what is happening and how it is affecting you.
Healthy boundaries
Learning to support without losing yourself.
Learning the difference between supporting someone and taking responsibility for their choices can be particularly difficult.
Together, we can explore boundaries that protect your wellbeing while allowing you to maintain a relationship with your loved one in a way that feels right for you.
Communication & self-care
We can look at ways to communicate your feelings and needs more effectively, manage difficult conversations and begin making space for your own wellbeing again.
A space only for you
Online sessions via Zoom, at your pace, with no expectation that you need to have everything figured out.
60 minutes £60 · 70 minutes £70
If this approach resonates with you, the best place to begin is by booking an initial therapy session. This gives you the opportunity to experience my approach, and see whether working together feels right for you, with no obligation to continue.
If you’d like to explore working together, you can learn more about the session options and packages on my therapy sessions page.