I think my parent drinks too much alcohol

You cannot control (and are not responsible for) the drinking of family members, but you can get support for yourself and your family, and maybe also your parent or carer.

Living with a parent or carer who drinks too much alcohol may make you feel worried, lonely, sad, angry, confused and even embarrassed. You may also feel frustrated if they make a promise to stop and then don’t. You might not be getting the support and care from them that you need.

These feelings are completely normal, and your feelings are important.

Your parent or carer may be drinking too much alcohol if:

• They are unable to control the amount they drink
• Their behaviour changes because of their drinking
• Their drinking is causing problems in everyday family life

Seeing your parent or carer drunk can be a scary thing, especially if they become short-tempered or emotional. If your parent, or carer, or grandparent is drinking too much alcohol, it can have a direct impact on you. But you are not the reason they drink, and it is up to your parent or carer to take control of their own drinking behaviour and seek some professional support to make a change.

If you are worried about your parent's or carer's drinking, the first step is to talk to someone you trust. This could be a friend, an older sibling or a teacher.

There are also organisations that offer free and confidential advice and support to children like Nacoa, Childline, Alateen, and Adfam.