Parents and alcohol

                 
                            Lots of people drink alcohol, and in sensible amounts it's usually fine, but drinking to excess can cause lots of problems and lasting damage to your body. If a parent is drinking too much, this can affect you too.

When does drinking alcohol become a problem?

Why is mum always drinking image If someone is drinking too much and they are not able to stop they may have a drinking problem. This problem is called alcoholism. Alcoholics can also lose control over how they act when they are drunk.

Alcoholism is an illness and so alcoholics usually need treatment to stop drinking. Up to one million children in the UK live with parents who have serious drinking problems. It's important to remember though that most people who drink do not have a problem with alcohol.

How do drinking problems start?

Doctors don’t know all the reasons why some people have drinking problems. Some start out drinking a little and end up addicted to alcohol. A person might drink to forget problems or to deal with stress or feeling upset, but then they end up needing the alcohol to feel normal. Once a person loses control over drinking, they need help to stop drinking.

What can I do if one of my parents is always drinking?

Your parents or carers should be looking after you. It's their job to keep you safe and that may not be happening if they are drinking.

It is also important to know that it's not down to you to stop a parent drinking. They need the help of professionals trained to treat alcoholism. Someone with a drink problem may pretend that everything is okay and say that they don’t need any help, so this can sometimes be a difficult thing to talk about.

It is not your fault that your parents drink. Don’t hide the bottles, or try to be perfect to stop them drinking. You don't have to keep their drinking a secret. You are never the reason why your parents drink.

If a parent or carer has a problem with drinking, then you should talk to someone you trust, so that they can get some help. You may feel comfortable speaking to a teacher, a family member, a friend’s parents or you could always speak to ChildLine. That way, things may improve for you and your parent.

Looking after yourself

If you're living with a parent or carer with a drink problem it can be very tough on you too. You might be worried about what they do when they're drunk or you might not be getting the care you need. There are lots of people that can help - you don’t have to cope on your own. Nacoa is an organisation that helps and supports children and young people living with family member who has a drink problem. You can call their helpline for free on: 0800 358 3456 or email helpline@Nacoa.org.uk.

If you are worried about someone's drinking and would like to talk you can also call ChildLine at any time on 0800 1111.
Your stories

Newsround recently did a special programme called 'Living with Alcohol', which shows how young people can be affected by their parents' relationship with drink. You can watch Living with Alcohol: A Newsround Special (this will open in a new window as you will be leaving the ChildLine website).

Alateen is for teenage relatives and friends of alcoholics. Alateen is part of Al-Anon.
Alateen