What happens to those left behind after a drug or alcohol-related death? Dr Christine Valentine DrugFAM 2015 Conference Please place images and text as per the recommendations in hereWhat happens to those left behind after a drug or alcohol-related death? Dr Christine Valentine DrugFAM 2015 Conference

The research Funded by ESRC and conducted by researchers at Universities of Bath & Stirling 2012-2015 To better understand and improve support for those bereaved by substance use http://www.bath.ac.uk/cdas/research/understanding-those- bereaved-through-substance-misuse/

What we did 100 interviews with 106 adults bereaved through substance use. 6 focus groups with 40 professionals and bereaved people. Working group of 12 professionals (some also bereaved) produced practice guidelines. http://www.bath.ac.uk/cdas/research/understanding-those- bereaved-through-substance-misuse/

1. The interviews Grief could be compounded by The life: “A living bereavement” The death: Dying alone “I still feel bad that she died on her own”; coping with official procedures and insensitive responses from services “the police just came in… told me my son was dead.. and then went” The memory: “There are so many bad memories that you actually forget any good memories” The stigma: “A lot of people think well he caused his own death so you don’t get the sympathy you would get normally”

2. The Focus groups Practitioners confirmed what interviewees reported and highlighted what practitioners were up against, i.e. lack of understanding of this kind of bereavement, pressures of working in a complex, multi-agency context etc. The map (next slide) represents what both groups were up against, i.e. 40+ kinds of organisations / practitioners. This shows: how confusing it can be for bereaved people and practitioners to know where to look for support the challenges of joined-up working

This map is based on what interviewees and focus group participants said about who they were in touch with and/or who they turned to for help/support. Key:   COs – Coroner’s Officers SCO – Senior Coroner’s Officer COASA – Coroner’s Officers and Staff Association CCSS – Coroners’ Courts Support Service COPFS – Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service PF – Procurator Fiscal SFIU – Sudden Fatalities Incident Unit HVs – Health Visitors C’rs – Counsellors D+A services – Drug and Alcohol services TCF – The Compassionate Friends BTA – Bereavement Through Addiction SAMM – Support After Murder and Manslaughter SOBS – Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide SFAD – Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs FASS – Family Addiction Support Service SM – Substance Misuser D+A Tx – Drug and Alcohol Treatment FLOs – Family Liaison Officers CAB – Citizen’s Advice Bureau Occ. Health – Occupational Health CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

3. The Working Group 12 members - police officer, funeral director, senior coroner’s officer, GP, chaplain, paramedic and practitioners working for drug/alcohol treatment services and bereavement support, chaired by Peter Tasked with developing guidelines based on 5 key messages that came out of what both groups were saying

The 5 Key Messages Show kindness and compassion. Language is important. Every bereaved person is an individual. Everyone can make a contribution. Working together.