SATURDAY ESSAY
to support children in families with an adult who is a hazardous drinker. This has to change. Last week, the All Party Group brought together dozens of ‘survivors’ – supporters of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, who run a helpline for children. Many of those volunteers have similar experiences to mine; and some much worse.
I was lucky. During the time alcohol took hold of my mum’s life, the alcohol did not result in violence at home. Many families report the opposite. Indeed, my mum worked for years while an alcoholic. She was popular. She had friends. But I always knew when she was drunk, even if others couldn’t tell.
They testified to how alcohol