Family Addiction Support Network

Helping Families Help Themselves

FASN giving families a voice in the conversation about cocaine addiction on the Claire Byrne Live Show

Jackie & Gwen McKenna of FASN representing families & community drugs projects on Claire Byrne Live

After 20 years, FASN due to close its door due to lack of government funding

𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗨𝗽 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗰𝗞𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗮, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗡 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗠𝗙𝗠 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗡 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 – 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗲 €𝟳𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲’𝘀 𝗩𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁.

Our Mission

Our goal is to assist families in the North East to achieve a greater understanding of addiction, the negative impact it
has had on their ability to engage with positive life opportunities and to help them improve their own quality of life
and if they choose to, help them fulfil a positive role in the recovery of their loved one.

Can You Help?

Click Here to Donate to FASN

What SERVICES FASN PROVIDES TO FAMILY MEMBERS

w

24/7 Out of Hours Telephone Helpline



1-1 Support



5 Peer Led Support Groups



Access to Counselling



Access to Respite

k

Educational Programmes

FASN News & Events

Christmas Holiday Notice

Dec 8, 2021

Despite our offices being closed for the Christmas holidays - family members can contact us on 087 9046405

𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙚𝙨

Sep 13, 2021

𝘿𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙝𝙤𝙡 𝙤𝙧/𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙧𝙪𝙜 𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙚𝙨? 𝙒𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨. 𝘼𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙭 𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮. 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙, 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙...

“𝙄𝙛 𝙁𝘼𝙎𝙉 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙨 – 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙤 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙜𝙤 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩?”

Sep 1, 2021

𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗨𝗽 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗰𝗞𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗮, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗡 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗠𝗙𝗠 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗡 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 - 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗲 €𝟳𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴...

Pop-up COVID-19 Test Centre opening in Monaghan Town, as COVID-19 cases remain high in Monaghan.

Aug 18, 2021

18th August, 2021: A free ‘walk-in and online self-referral’ COVID-19 testing site at St. Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, Market Road, Monaghan Town, Co. Monaghan, H18 VK77 will open for 2 days on Friday, August 20th and Saturday, August 21st, as COVID-19 cases...

Press Release: Funding Crisis forcing FASN to close its doors permanently by July

Jun 22, 2021

A funding crisis is forcing the Family Addiction Support Network (FASN) to close its doors permanently by July. FASN was established in 2002 as a network of community members supporting others in the community who were affected by familial alcohol or drug use. After...

𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗡 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆: 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗮 – 𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭

Feb 24, 2021

FASN International Family Drug Support Day: Stop the Stigma - 24th February 2021 Support the Family-Change the Outcome The aim of the International Family Drug Support Day is to not only to introduce people to the work of the Family Addiction Support Network but also...

Weekly Support Groups Details – Reach Out Today for Support

Navan Support Group

Wednesday Evening, 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Facilitator: James Floyd, Contact – 042 93 55251 / 087 9046405

Drogheda Support Group

Thursday Evening, 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Facilitator: Brenda Kirwan, Contact no: 042 93 55251 / 087 9046405

Dundalk Support Group

Thursday Evening, 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Facilitator: Fiona Sheelan, Contact no: 042 93 55251 / 087 9046405

Cavan Support Group Online

Monday Evening (except bank holidays), 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Facilitator: Gearaidh Matthews, Contact no: 042 93 55251 / 087 9046405

Monaghan Support Group Online

Tuesday Evenings , 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Facilitator: Barbara, Contact no: 042 93 55251 / 087 9046405

Crossing the Threshold

A facilitator’s guide to running developmental and support groups

The book is the result of a long standing collaboration between the Family Addiction Support Network and Ger Fitzpatrick of Fusion Training and Development. Click to view more

FASN calls for more Government support and funding for vital Addiction Support Services

January 2020: Jackie McKenna, Project Coordinator FASN representing families and loved ones of people experiencing addiction issues and addressing Government at the “STAND TOGETHER”community rally in Drogheda Co. Louth to call for vital support and funding for addiction support services nationwide.

WHAT FAMILY MEMBERS SAY ABOUT FASN

The people at FASN understood everything my family and I was going through simply because they had been there too. They gave me a glimmer of hope and so and I was so glad when I attended my first family support meeting.

Family Support Member, Dundalk

I learned to look after myself and got new coping skills. It has brought me great peace, tolerance and freedom to let my family member take the consequences for the choices THEY make. Heartfelt thanks Family Support!

Family Support Member, Drogheda

Family Support became my lifeline. Each week I couldn't wait to get to my group. It became like my family. I was accepted, never criticized or judged for the way in which I handled situations. Thank you, Thank you Family Support.

Family Support Member, Cavan

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a complex disease, often chronic in nature, which affects the functioning of the brain and body.
It also causes serious damage to families, relationships, schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods.
The most common symptoms of addiction are severe loss of control, continued use despite serious consequences, preoccupation with using, failed attempts to quit, tolerance and withdrawal.
Addiction can be effectively prevented, treated and managed by healthcare professionals in combination with family or peer support.

Drug Stigma & Shame:

The truth is, addiction is a disease. A person with an addiction can’t “just stop” taking drugs. A drug or alcohol problem isn’t something to be ashamed about—it’s something to get help for.
Stigma looms over parents or family members who have a loved one struggling with a substance use disorder. Insensitive and dehumanising words like “junkie” or “druggie” can and do sting. Far too often, society has a knee-jerk reaction to those struggling with an addiction disorder.
What must be understood is that a drug or alcohol addiction is not a moral failing. It’s a disease that requires professional treatment.
Stigma causes guilt and shame and is the major component that prevents those experiencing addiction — and their loved ones — from seeking professional help.

What next?

Reach out and a Family Support Specialist will listen to you without judgement and in complete confidentially, answer your questions and talk to you about the possible next steps you can take – with our support.

Where to start?

Take the first step and reach out today.

Give us a call on 0429355251 / 0879046405

Email: info.fasn@gmail.com

Contact us through Facebook

FASN Political Campaign

‘Communities Doing It

For Themselves’

The actions of an addicted individual affect not only themselves, but those closest to them – their family, friends, loved ones and the wider community. Addiction can take its toll on everyone and FASN are calling on all TD’s and community leaders to pledge their support to FASN – who are currently providing much needed services and resources on a volunteer basis.

What do we need?

FASN are seeking a public pledge from all TD’s across all the parties to support & champion FASN, a community provider of support services for family members – wives, husbands, children, parents, grandparents, friends – all who are deeply affected by their loved one’s addiction and in NEED OF HELP. To learn more about what FASN are seeking….