On May 21, 2025, Portage had the honour of taking part in the 6th annual AFINet Conference: Addiction, Family Members, and Affected Others, held at Université Laval.
A space for reflection and action for family members
The three-day event, brought together researchers, clinicians, mental health professionals, representatives from community organizations, and individuals affected by addiction.
This interdisciplinary conference, both national and international in scope, aimed to deepen understanding and improve support for the loved ones of individuals living with an addiction. It provided a valuable platform for sharing research, clinical insights, and personal stories, with a particular focus on the often-overlooked experiences of those close to someone struggling with addiction.
Topics addressed included:
- The essential role of family members in the recovery process
- The impacts of a loved one’s addiction on family and social relationships
- The importance of breaking isolation and acknowledging the suffering of loved ones
- Practical strategies to support a loved one while preserving one’s own mental health
These themes were explored through clinical seminars, expert panels, scientific presentations, and personal testimonials delivered by university researchers, renowned clinicians, and international addiction specialists.
Portage’s approach at the heart of the discussions
During this important event, Portage presented its comprehensive therapeutic approach, which focuses on individuals’ strengths, along with its program specifically designed for family members.
This program aims to:
- Equip families with tools to improve their quality of life
- Develop strategies to better support their loved one
- Foster understanding of addiction and the rehabilitation process
- Break isolation and combat stigma surrounding families impacted by addiction
Offered in a virtual format, the program combines psychoeducational workshops and discussion groups, allowing families to break taboos and connect with others facing similar challenges.
The Parents-Adolescents Group Program was also presented. This structured initiative brings parents and youth together in joint sessions to improve communication, explore family roles, and rebuild trust.
The program includes:
- Evening sessions with both parents and youth
- Guided discussions on individual needs, expectations, and roles
- Support from facilitators in a safe and compassionate environment
Collaboration, dialogue, and continuity
In addition to the presentations, the event provided a dynamic platform for dialogue among researchers, professionals, community organizations, and families. These exchanges are essential to collectively advancing practices in a more inclusive direction, better suited to the needs of families affected by addiction.
Portage would like to thank AFINet and the organizers of this 6th edition for this important initiative, as well as to all partners and participants whose contributions enriched the conversations.
About AFINet
The Addiction and the Family International Network (AFINet) is an international network of researchers, clinicians, and practitioners whose mission is to better understand the impact of addiction on loved ones, promote best intervention practices, and strengthen resources for those close to individuals living with addiction. Through its conferences and initiatives, AFINet creates a space for reflection and collaboration on this often invisible yet crucial aspect of the recovery journey.
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