Hi there,

Home is somewhere you deserve to feel safe and supported every day. It can feel tough when it isn't like that, but you’re not alone.

Lots of adults drink occasionally, but it’s never okay for someone to make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe when they’re drinking. This includes making you watch arguments or fights. If someone’s hurting you as part of play-fighting, that’s still physical abuse.

When someone is drunk, violent, and making you feel unsafe, the most important thing is your safety. It can help to make a plan of what to do in those moments, and our counsellors can help you to do that. Remember, in an emergency you should call 999.

Seeing your parents drinking alcohol can affect you in lots of different ways as well. You might feel worried or scared, or let down when someone says they won’t drink but does. If someone is struggling to stop drinking, it can mean they need support.

You can’t stop someone drinking on your own, and it’s not your responsibility to. Organisations like Alateen can help when you’re worried about your parent’s drinking. They can give you advice and resources to help your parents and yourself.

It can also help to think about other trusted adults in your life who are there for you. Think about how it might feel if your teachers or someone at school knew how you felt about Saturdays.

You're not on your own. Childline counsellors are always here to provide support to you.

Take care,

Sam