A group of MP’s has this week revealed new figures showing one in five children live with a parent who drinks too much. The figures also show that children who live with problem drinkers are more likely to have alcohol issues themselves in later years. Although an action plan is now being worked on to help Britain’s 2.6 million innocent victims of alcohol addiction, this data shows that most council’s in the UK don’t have a strategy in place to tackle this issue.
This week the Public Health Agency launched an initiative with the tagline “Break the silence, reach for help” in an effort to highlight that support is available for family members affected by a loved one’s drinking and/or drug misuse and to encourage them to get help in their own right. This scheme has also highlighted that it’s not only children who may need help but also all family members.
It is comforting to know that there is help out there for innocent family members who may be dealing with this at home. Given this is such a problem for many of us it brings us to ask ourselves if we are aware of anyone who may be in this situation? And if so, should we approach the person we know or indeed prompt ourselves to make contact with an agency willing to help? The answer to that is a resounding ‘yes’. Why should anyone have to live in silence with such a damaging home life?
If you think you or anyone you know would benefit from this service you can make contact by following this link – http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/%E2%80%98break-silence-reach-help%E2%80%99
