Service sees record numbers of children bereaved due to a parent’s drinking

Analysis of latest call data by Nacoa (the National Association for Children of Alcoholics) shows that requests for help from bereaved children of alcoholics have sharply risen from 29% in 2020 to 39% in 2023.

The most recent figures from Lancashire County Council showing there were 566 alcohol-related deaths recorded across Lancashire in a single year (2021).

"It's been so hard to watch my niece and her two children go through this over the years - even harder to watch them walk behind their dad's coffin last week. Thank goodness there are organisations like Nacoa to help". Helpline caller

The news comes amidst recent ONS figures showing that alcohol-specific deaths have increased 27% since 2019. Female alcohol deaths have increased 37% over five years.55% of children of alcohol-dependent parents describe facing serious mental distress through anxiety (60%), stress (51%), and depression (41%).

Also 26% of callers experienced abuse, including emotional, physical and sexual abuse and neglect.

Annual calls to the Nacoa helpline climbed to over 33,000 in 2023

Martin Richardson from the charity NACOA in the North West says it can be hugely damaging for a child growing up: "Whether it is a parent who is incapable of looking after them because they're under the influence.

"Or whether it is a situation where the alcoholic parent is going to inflict violence on them or their other parent, so the trauma of growing up in a family blighted by alcohol is enormous."

Martin added: "What alcoholism in the family home does is rob a child of their childhood.

"They're six times more likely to witness domestic violence, they grow up with extraordinary levels of anxiety, these children are going back to a home not knowing what to encounter."

MPs and charities join forces to plead with the government to reinstate the abandoned government strategy for children of alcohol-dependent parents

The Alcohol Families Alliance and the Chairs of the major alcohol APPGs have written a joint letter to health minister Rt Hon. Andrea Leadsom MP appealing to her to re-prioritise these children after all dedicated support was cut in 2021.

In the wake of each life lost lies a family struggling to pick up the pieces.

Despite the government investing £267 million into drug and alcohol treatment services, no funds were ring-fenced for dedicated services for children and families. Right now, there is no direct plan in place to support those experiencing this mental distress and abuse.

Emily, 11-years-old, has also written to the government pleading for help:

“Please change the law around alcohol and help children like me so not as many people end up like this. If you even care about lives and want to save more people, then the NHS won’t be so busy! Please I beg you! Please help Nacoa to help children of alcoholics so they can be happyer sic and have someone to understand them. I miss my dad so much and so does my brother. I would be so happy if you help us all please.”

The Right Hon. Jonathan Ashworth MP will be announced during the week as a patron of Nacoa. He is a passionate advocate for supporting children of alcoholic