The devastating impact of living with an alcoholic parent
As the government rolls out a new scheme to help children of alcoholics, we find out why it could be such a vital lifeline…
The effects of T alcoholism, binge drinking and drunken behaviour are rarely out of the headlines. But while there are many avenues of help available to those struggling with dependency, their families are often forgotten. It was recently revealed that around 200,000 children in the UK live with at least one alcoholic parent or carer – and there are around 120,000 parents in need of specialist alcohol treatment.
Inevitably this causes tension at home, but research shows that children of alcoholic parents are twice as likely to experience difficulties at school, three times more likely to consider suicide and four times more likely to become addicts themselves.
Yet, until now, there has been little support offered to them. England footballer Dele Alli revealed his plight of growing up with an alcoholic mother last week, admitting that he often missed football practise as a child due to her drinking. Eventually, he was unofficially adopted by his friend’s parents, Alan and Sue Hickford, at the age of 13. He has not seen his mother since he signed for Tottenham Hotspur for £15m in 2015. He said, “I’m very lucky to have met people who helped me through the hardest of times and have helped me grow into the person I am today.”
Earlier this year, the government announced plans to launch a £6m scheme to help the children of alcoholics – providing mental health treatment and early intervention programmes to stop them going in to care.
Dr Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Concern and Alcohol Research, says, “Dependent drinking can be immensely damaging for families, and children are often hit the hardest. They may never tell anyone about what they’re facing – there’s so much stigma surrounding heavy alcohol use that children can feel too ashamed or afraid to ask for the help they need. This new funding will allow innovative new ways to join up children’s support with treatment services and other support systems, potentially improving the lives of thousands of young people.”
Here, one young woman tells Closer how her dad’s alcoholism blighted her life...