Piers Henriques from charity Nacoa asks what's happening to the hundreds of thousands of UK children living with a heavy-drinking parent during COVID-19, and how they can get the support they need and deserve.
Nacoa has received record numbers of calls since the pandemic hit the UK. In weeks three and four of lockdown, calls doubled to our helpline compared with 2019.
"The whole Coronavirus situation has led to her ordering huge crates of beer and wine."
"There is no escape and I’m more trapped than ever."
"Coronavirus led to me being at home more and my mum’s drinking is worse than ever. I am so isolated and she is very violent, I don’t know where to turn to."
"I feel that I can usually deal with everything on my own but lockdown has made things unbearable and I’m struggling to cope."
‘Dad’s drinking again, it’s my worst nightmare come true. He blames the Corona virus which has messed things up for him.’
‘I lost my Mum to alcoholism. I feel as though my grief doesn't matter anymore now that coronavirus is everyone's priority. I'm not sure where to turn.’
‘It’s hard to focus on anything else when Covid-19 is so prominent in the media. I am more isolated than ever and a lot of my support services have stopped.’
‘Coronavirus has made finding part time work impossible, so I can’t go to the shops get some bits and pieces.’
‘My parents have been drinking more as things become more uncertain.’
‘Mum is still passed out, flopped over the kitchen table. I put the sick bowl and a glass of water and packet of headache tablets next to her hand for when she wakes up. Then I will put her to bed. It is my job.’
