Support for Children and Young People
If you’re a young person affected by a parent’s addiction, it’s important to know: you didn’t cause it, you can’t control it, and you’re not alone. It’s okay to feel worried, confused, or even scared, but there are ways to feel better and take care of yourself.
While our helpline and services are for those aged 18 and over, this page is for children and young people like you, to help you understand and cope with a parent’s addiction. You’re not alone, and support is available.
The 7 C’s of Addiction
Created by the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, The 7 C’s of Addiction, are an easy way to understand addiction and focus on what you can do for yourself:
- I didn’t Cause it
You are not responsible for your parent’s addiction. It’s not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
- I can’t Control it
No matter how much you want to help, you can’t make your parent stop. Addiction is something they have to work on themselves.
- I can’t Cure it
Addiction is like an illness, it’s not something you can fix yourself.
- But I can help take Care of myself
Your wellbeing is important. Make time for things that make you happy, like playing sports, drawing, or spending time with friends.
- By Communicating my feelings
Share how you’re feeling with someone you trust, like a teacher, school counsellor, or a family friend.
- Making healthy Choices
Focus on positive activities that help you feel good and strong.
- And Celebrating me
Take time to celebrate what makes you special. You are important, and you deserve to feel proud of yourself.
A reminder that your feelings matter, and it’s okay to focus on yourself.
Useful Contacts
If you’re looking for more help, here’s a list of organisations and services that can support children and young people affected by a parent’s addiction.
Scroll down to explore the list and find the support you need. Remember, there are people who care about you and want to help.
| Name | Description | Website | Telephone Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alateen | Part of Al-anon- a national organisation which supports teenage relatives (12-17yrs old) & friends of those with alcohol problems | www.al-anonuk.org | 020 7593 2070 |
| Carers Trust – support for young carers | Offers a range of advice and information to young carers about all sorts of issues. Helps young people find out about young carers projects in their area | www.carers.org | 0300 772 9600 |
| ChildLine | Free & confidential helpline for children & young adults in the UK. Also runs other forms of online support | www.childline.org.uk | 0800 1111 |
| Coram | Champions children’s rights and wellbeing, making lives better through legal support, expert advocacy, adoption services and therapeutic, educational and cultural programmes | www.coram.org.uk | 020 7520 0300 |
| NACOA | National Association for the Children of Alcoholics. Providesinformation, advice & support for anyone affected by parental drinking | www.nacoa.org.uk | 0800 358 3456 |
| NSPCC | UK's leading children's charity, preventing abuse and helping those affected to recover | www.nspcc.org.uk | 0808 800 5000 |
| Ormiston Trust | National charity to support the lives of children and young people | www.ormistontrust.org | 0207 266 7940 |
| Mix | A UK-based service for under 25s, offering advice on drug and alcohol use, mental health, and family issues | www.themix.org.uk | 0808 808 4994 |
| Kooth | Offer free online counselling and emotional well-being support for young people | www.kooth.com |
Helpful Books
These picture books are for younger children and are best read together with a parent, carer, or another adult you trust. They can help children make sense of addiction in the family, worries and feelings, and losing someone close.
| Title | Author | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandad’s Silly Sauce! | Louise Warrington | A gentle picture book that helps young children understand and talk about a loved one’s harmful use of alcohol. It explores changing behaviour while reassuring children that the love within their family stays strong. | Find out more |
| An Elephant in the Living Room: The Children’s Book | Jill M. Hastings and Marion H. Typpo | A gentle, illustrated book that helps children understand what is happening when someone in their family is affected by addiction. It reassures them it is not their fault and encourages them to share their feelings with trusted adults. | Find out more |
| The Huge Bag of Worries | Virginia Ironside | Jenny’s worries follow her everywhere in a big blue bag, until she finds someone to help. A funny, reassuring story that can help you start conversations with your child about worry and anxiety. | Find out more |
| I Miss You: A First Look at Death | Pat Thomas | A simple, sensitive introduction to death for younger children. It helps them understand that grief and loss are natural feelings, with full-colour illustrations on every page. | Find out more |
| The Memory Tree | Britta Teckentrup | When Fox dies, his forest friends gather to share their memories of him, and a tree grows stronger with each one. A gentle story about loss, remembering and finding comfort together. | Find out more |
| Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine | Winston’s Wish | An illustrated activity book for bereaved children, featuring the friendly characters Bee and Bear. It offers a gentle way to explore difficult feelings, balancing remembering with having fun, and can become a treasured keepsake. | Find out more |
Remember
You didn’t cause your parent’s addiction, and you can’t control or cure it. But you can take care of yourself, make healthy choices, and celebrate the amazing person you are.
If you’re unsure what to do next, show this page to a trusted adult, like a teacher or family member. They can help you take the next step. You’re never alone, and there’s always someone who cares.