New resource helps children talk about parents' drinking problems
Research shows that around 2.6 million children in the UK are living with parents who are drinking hazardously and 705,000 are living with dependent drinkers.
The Children's Commissioner for England and The Children’s Society have published the first booklet of its kind for use by children affected by a parent or carer drinking too much alcohol. It will help them to have frank discussions with teachers, professionals or an adult who they trust when they are worried about a parent or carer and the problems caused by their alcohol consumption.
When an adult is drinking too much, children and young people sometimes feel like they are on their own, that they are to blame or that no-one understands their concerns. Their home life can become volatile and unsafe, adversely affecting their school work and friendships.
'I thought I was all alone.'
The booklet, 'You are not on your own,' is a free online resource that will help them to discuss what to do and ways to keep them safe from harm. Download it from
this page on the Children's Commissioner Website.
The text is based on children's comments and children’s views are highlighted in the booklet so that they are sharing their experiences with others in similar circumstances.
'I didn’t realise there were other kids like me - I thought I was all alone.’
Boy, aged 12
'I always thought it was my fault and that I caused all this. I’m a lot older now but I know others will think that their parents don’t love ‘em, or that they don’t mean anything, or that it’s their fault, and it’s not...they’re just tied up in it and it’s part of their lives.’
Young person, aged 18
The Children’s Commissioner and The Children’s Society’s Stars National Initiative developed the booklet with children and young people following a recommendation from Alcohol Concern and The Children’s Society last year. They called on the Government to commission a resource for professionals to use with children affected by alcohol misuse in the family.
A survey of 1,000 adults revealed that eight out of ten agreed that heavy drinking among parents is a serious problem for children in the UK, and 84% agreed that a parent who drinks heavily is as harmful to a child as a parent who takes drugs.