The political policy landscape representation of AFMs in policy and service delivery models

Addictive disorders are complex and highly prevalent public health problems that threaten the health and well-being of those who experience addiction and their significant others. The 2022 World Drug Report produced by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) indicates that drug use accounted for 9% of the global substance use related disability-adjusted life years (DALY) in 2019 while drug and alcohol use collectively accounted for approximately 124 million deaths. Problem gambling has also been identified as a significant concern, with a recent systematic review finding that 0.23% of the global population has sought help for problem gambling, with higher help-seeking prevalence reported for those with increased gambling severity [2]. In addition to the established harms caused to the person with addiction problems, addictive disorders have a profound impact on the quality of life of families and significant others. Yet, as is evident throughout this book, family members often suffer in silence and with little formal support, intervention, or policy priorities to help them cope effectively with the various challenges they face due to the relative’s addiction and related behaviors.