A new initiative called “Creative Coping” has been launched by two Scottish organisations with the aim of helping those adversely affected by drug and alcohol abuse.
Inverclyde Family Support Service and Moving On Inverclyde aim to offer creative workshops where participants can create crafts and other items.
The sessions take place every Wednesday from 12pm and 2pm.
A statement from the Inverclyde Family Support Service reads:
“In Scotland, alcohol and drug deaths remain the highest in Europe. For families, this is daily life. It’s worry, disruption, and trying to cope with an issue that affects the whole family, not just the individual.
“Families are often the only support for their loved ones and are regularly overlooked. They manage crises, provide care, and try to hold things together, often without support for themselves. This causes stress, poor mental health, financial pressures and much more.
“There is stigma towards alcohol and drug use in Scotland, and families don’t feel able to speak to others about what is going on, even with people they trust such as friends and professionals.”
In a recent session, participants created bookmarks decorated with floral designs and pressed flowers.
Creative therapy is a form of therapy that encourages participants to express their inner-most feelings through art and design.
The participant can choose to express themselves through a multitude of different platforms including but not limited to painting, drawing, music, and dance.
There is a vast network of addiction recovery centers that utilize creative workshops in the UK.
An organization called “Addiction Recovery Arts Network” offers a hub on their website where users can see 27 different organisations that offer these services.
The new “Creative Coping” initiative differs from most of these services in that it offers support for those adversely affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol abuse.
There is also a broad network of organisations and initiatives that aim to help the loved ones of addicts, including a 12 step programme called “Families Anonymous”.
Inverclyde has some of the highest drug and alcohol abuse statistics for both men and women in Scotland.
After adjusting for age, Glasgow City, Dundee City and Inverclyde had the highest rates of drug misuse deaths in the period 2020-2024.
Inveryclyde Family Support Service Said, “In 2026, funding from Inverclyde Councils Warm Hand of Friendship Fund allowed us to bring Creative Coping to Inverclyde for the first time.
“The response from family members has been strong! Sessions have included activities like soap making, jewellery making, and woodwork, alongside food and a chance to sit and talk together. As this funding comes to an end, we are exploring new ways to fund these essential sessions in the future.”
