Sibling Peer Support Group for young people with a sibling using drugs: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Health
• Family Psychology
• Substance Abuse Research

Background:

• Siblings of individuals with problematic drug use are at heightened risk for substance abuse and related health issues.
• Adolescent siblings often experience isolation and a lack of tailored support systems.
• The Centre for Adolescent Health identified a need for specialized interventions for this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a Sibling Peer Support Group for adolescents aged 13-18.
• To provide support, information, and harm reduction strategies.
• To mitigate feelings of isolation among adolescent siblings of problematic drug users.

Main Methods:

• Development of a Sibling Peer Support Group model.
• Evaluation of two pilot groups involving adolescents with a family member using drugs.
• Data collection through participant self-report and parental feedback.

Main Results:

• Group members reported increased knowledge, enhanced support, and reduced isolation.
• Parents observed improved communication, understanding, and tolerance towards the family member using drugs.
• Community-level engagement included collaboration with schools, police, and local agencies, alongside a drug forum.

Conclusions:

• The Sibling Peer Support Group demonstrated positive outcomes for adolescent participants and their families.
• Recruitment of adolescents into the groups presented a significant challenge.
• A new recruitment model is proposed to address challenges and improve program accessibility.