Liverpool dry bar The Brink has updated the scheduling of its weekly Family Support Group.

Now set to take place at the Parr Street venue every Thursday between 12-2pm, the group aims to provide support for those affected by a loved one’s misuse of alcohol and/or drugs.

Attendees will be encouraged to speak openly to share their experiences and gain an insight into the help, education and support that is currently available.

Family Support Group facilitator Catherine Emberton said: “As Action on Addiction’s flagship social enterprise, The Brink offers a refreshing space to providing continuous support and ground-breaking initiatives to disarm addiction in individuals, families, communities and society.

“Addiction devastates lives and stands as the biggest preventable killer in the UK today. Family and friends often feel stigmatised, carry guilt and shame, and feel isolated with nowhere to turn. The strain put on families may become detrimental to their own wellbeing, as often their confidence and self-esteem plummets and they can become highly anxious and chronically depressed.

“With that in mind, the Family Support Group is specifically designed to respond to the needs of families personally affected by the destructive dynamics of a relative’s misuse of drugs or alcohol.”

The Brink is the UK’s first and Liverpool’s only dry bar. In addition to offering discreet help for people suffering from alcohol and drug addictions, the award-winning venue also promotes wellbeing with its range of health food and drinks, and mind, body and soul events, whereby profits are fed directly back to the community.

General Manager of The Brink Carl Bell said: “Here at The Brink, our mission is to provide a safe, stigma-free and supportive environment for all those who come through our doors. While one-to-one counselling and group-support amongst members of the recovery community remains at the forefront of our core services, addiction is something that affects everyone who is involved, which is why we ensure dedicated support to family and loved ones.

“With the support of other people in the same situation and the whole-hearted expert help of specially trained counsellors, the Family Support Group aims to help each member of the group to feel safe, heard, understood and supported in their own right. By joining forces to create a strong unity, the group helps to enable a potentially life-changing experience for all involved.”

The Family Support Group takes place at The Brink every Thursday between 12-2pm.