More than 1 million children in the UK are living with parents who abuse alcohol and need urgent support, the charity group Turning Point has said, explaining that a lack of specialist services means youngsters are forced to carry the burden of the "family secret" alone.
The group estimates that up to 1.3 million children are living with parents who misuse alcohol, and the number could rise as more and more people drink at hazardous levels. In addition to worrying that their family may be broken up if they seek help, children often struggle at school and may turn to drugs, alcohol, or crime in order to cope.
They may also be responsible for running the family home or managing the family’s budget. Sue Winterburn, who manages the charity’s Base Camp support service for youngsters aged between eight and 18, said that alcohol abuse is now "endemic in society" but remains a hidden issue within families, with parents and children reluctant to seek help.
"There is a stigma attached to alcohol misuse," she added. "When people do seek help they often find it’s not available. Even when parents with an alcohol problem are identified and questions asked about other family members, there is often no follow-up."
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