12 October 2009
Addaction, the UK’s largest drug treatment agency, reveals today (Mon, Oct 12th) that 1.3 million children under the age of 16 are living in homes where one of the parents has serious drug and drink problems.
These children are living lonely and intensely difficult lives. Some are assuming the role of a parent themselves, looking after younger brothers and sisters. Others are isolated at school because of the stigma attached to their parents’ problems. Many are exposed to danger and violence associated with substance misuse.
Above all, this is a generation of children growing up in homes where problem drinking and drugs are seen as normal – something that makes them seven times more likely to become drug users or problem drinkers themselves in later life.
These children are the focus of a report launched today by Addaction. The report assesses the impact of a three-year pilot project called Breaking the Cycle, which was set up specifically to help children in drug or alcohol-abusing families and to break the cycle of substance abuse in these families.
The project, funded by Zurich Community Trust, has supported over 450 family members to reduce parental drug use and help them become better parents. The results of the pilot are impressive:
Among those families who Addaction worked with:
- 81% significantly reduced their use of drugs or alcohol;
- 81% started to put the needs of their children first;
- 86% significantly improved their skills as parents;
- 77% families were more stable and less chaotic with proper routines;
- 86% improved financial prospects by looking for work, volunteering or attending college courses.
Addaction believes Breaking the Cycle provides clear evidence that family-based interventions are an effective way to break the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse in families.
Alan Booth, Director of Marketing at Addaction, said: “These problems are heart wrenching but, through our work with families, Addaction demonstrates that families can be turned around and children given back their childhood.”
“This preventative work is a massive investment for the individual, community and society,” added Alan Booth. “With commitment and support, many families can turn their lives around.”
Addaction is campaigning for more funds to be made available to help children living with drug- or alcohol-abusing parents.
To publicise the campaign, an advertisement featuring a girl called Holly is running on buses and in underground stations across London during October. A short film about a child living with drug and alcohol abuse has been posted on Addaction’s website and on Youtube. Every scene in ‘Tom’s Eighth Birthday’ reflects real life experiences that Addaction comes across in its work with families affected by drug problems. The video can be viewed here.
Ends
For further information please contact Elliot Elam on 0207 017 2747 or email e.elam@addaction.org.uk
Notes:
You can download an executive summary, showing the results of the Breaking the Cycle project below.
Breaking The Cycle - Executive Summary
The 1.3m figure of children affected by substance misuse by a parent is based on an extrapolation. This takes substance misuse among the general adult population and looks at the number who have children under 16 years of age and develops an overall number.
Addaction works with nearly 30,000 people with drink and drug problems in over 70 project in England and Scotland. Addaction’s Breaking the Cycle project has been funded by Zurich Community Trust.
Addaction is aiming to raise £10m to support families and communities affected by drink and drug problems.
Tom’s 8th Birthday was made by Whiteboat TV