What is the Six STEPS program?
The Six STEPS program offers six sessions focussing on Support, Tools, Empathy, Practical strategies, and a focus on Self-Care to help you cope with someone else’s substance use. These steps comprise the Six STEPS program, STEPS being an acronym of the aforementioned. The program aims to help you develop more effective coping strategies and improve well-being. It’s a closed group with each session running for two hours. Participants are expected to attend a session each week for six weeks.
Six STEPS is usually run by people who have their own lived experience of someone else’s substance use and as a result it is not a substitute for professional support. Generally, it is helpful if you have received some emotional support prior to attending as the program as it is very practically based and not aimed at supporting people through acute crisis.
The program focuses on you and your life, not the person you support. It invites you to concentrate on changing your own thinking and responses, so you can gain greater control over your own life and choices.
There is no charge for attending the program.
Six STEPS is for attendees aged 18 and over.
Program structure
The program assists participants to:
• Consider different ways of coping
• Set healthy boundaries
• Challenge unhelpful thinking
• Improve communication
• Talk to like-minded people who understand what you’re going through
The program usually runs every week for 2 hours over 6 weeks. Each week covers a different topic to help you reflect on your personal situation, things that support you and what gets in the way.
Facilitators have a lived experience of supporting someone affected by substance use and they use their own experiences to understand and assist you to move in a positive direction.
Six STEPS is available online via Zoom as well as face to face in various locations.
Further information
Six STEPS is for people wishing to regain control over their lives by learning new skills and strategies to help improve everyday functioning, overall health and wellbeing.
Although everybody is different, many people in families with alcohol and other drug issues report feeling shame, guilt, frustration, and desperation. By talking to other people who have had similar experiences, you share ideas and practice new strategies including ways of communicating in a safe and supportive group. This can help you to develop new coping skills and to feel less alone and less to blame.
People can be put off by groups due to feelings of embarrassment, fear, or that they cannot fit another thing into their life. However, for most people who attend our groups, they experience support, connection, wisdom, humour and often friendship with others who don't judge. Most attendees tell us how glad they are they made the time to put themselves first for a change.
Is the Six STEPS program right for you?
Some people find it helpful to attend a general support group or some individual counselling sessions prior to attending our program to allow time to talk through your issues. By examining these issues and experiences prior to the program you are more likely to engage with the program's topics and exercises and therefore get the best out of it.
To help you reflect on whether this program is a good fit for you right now, we invite you to think about the following questions:
• Has your life changed drastically since supporting your family member and their substance use? Have you run out of ideas to support them, as nothing you do seems to work?
• Are you ready to try something new by prioritising your own needs while maintaining connection to the person you support?
• Have you previously attended either one to one counselling or a support group in relation to this situation?
If you've answered no to any of these questions, or if you're still not sure whether this program is right for you then it's a good idea to speak to one of our facilitators prior to registering to ensure this is the right program for you.
Go to Find Support Groups and Programs to find out more!
Page last updated10 January 2025
