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0800 358 3456

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0800 358 3456

Nacoa

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics

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Support & advice
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About Nacoa
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About Nacoa
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We want to hear from you…

Help, advice and support for people affected by a parent’s drinking and concerned others:

Helpline: 0800 358 3456
Helpline email: helpline@nacoa.org.uk

General enquiries about the charity:

Telephone: 0117 924 8005
Email: admin@nacoa.org.uk
Post: PO Box 64, Bristol, BS16 2UH

Support us by becoming a member, volunteering, fundraising, or making a donation.

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Helpful downloads

Some mums and dads drink too much | PDF Information for people affected by their parent’s drinking | PDF #URNotAlone poster | PDF Jasper’s Wish, storybook written by Dr Jessica Munafo | PDF

Useful links

Donate Become a member Fundraise for Nacoa Raise awareness

Recent Donations

You are not alone

Remember the Six "C"s

I didn’t cause it
I can’t control it
I can’t cure it
I can take care of myself
I can communicate my feelings
I can make healthy choices

Resources you may like

Parental Substance Use: Supporting School Aged Children

By Hannah Todman and Sarah Galvani (A BASW Practice Guide)

Twinkle, Twinkle Arti

By Danielle Slade

The 1 in 5 Documentary: A film about the forgotten children of alcoholics

By John Taylor

5-Step Self-Help Handbook for Family Members

By AFINet

Nacoa lunchtime lives

By Josh Connolly and special guests

Find Your Oasis – A collection of writing from those affected

By Various

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Follow us on Twitter

Tweets by NacoaUK

nacoauk

'He had been an alcoholic my whole life but as the

'He had been an alcoholic my whole life but as the addiction worsened, his health declined too.

'He kind of just kept tracking along and then it was lockdown.

'The wheels came off for a lot of people during that time. There was nothing else to do. He passed away in 2020.

'We had to bother the authorities for alcoholism to be included as a contributing factor on his death certificate.

'This should be confronted more with families after death rather than sweeping it under the carpet.

'We need greater access to support for those struggling too, especially for children who are treated by the health world as just collateral damage.

'Government commits literally zero dedicated funding for children of alcoholics. What there was was cut in 2021. Simply a morally repugnant decision.

'It's really hard to get help. But please remember everyone that Nacoa is free, confidential and open every day over Xmas!'

💙 Nacoa Trustee @coa_amy out in force today on the BBC sharing her story to help others.

More than 8,200 people died because of alcohol in 2023 - a 42% rise on 2019 - with the North East having the highest rates.

We agree with Alcohol Health Alliance on calls for more interventions around minimum pricing, availability and marketing.

But we also need to never ever forget the pain these deaths cause for children and grown up children.

If the government are committed, as they said today, to bringing these horrific death numbers down.

We need to start by helping those who can make healthy choices for tomorrow.

Please everyone send huge love to Amy in the comments. It never is easy sharing this stuff!

Link in bio for full article

#URNotAlone

#childrenofalcoholics #adultchildrenofalcoholics #acoa #coa #adultchild #DryJanuary #RecoveryisPossible #addiction #alcoholism #FYP

@sarah_drage and @coa_amy are breaking the silence

@sarah_drage and @coa_amy are breaking the silence this Xmas.

The ‘Children or Alcoholics Podcast’ is here to shed light into the darkest corners of these kinds of hidden experiences. No time is that more needed than Xmas.

Link in bio to subscribe or just search by name in your favourite podcast app.

Please leave huge love for the girls in the comments.

Also let us know if there is anyone particularly you'd like us to feature on the pod.

#urnotalone

With huge thanks to @longtermthinkerstudios 💙🙏🔥

#childrenofalcoholics #adultchildrenofalcoholics #acoa #coa #adultchild #sober #RecoveryisPossible #addiction #alcoholism #FYP

🎄There's no time more important to spread aware

🎄There's no time more important to spread awareness for children of alcoholics.

Nacoa sees a huge increase in calls around Christmas, and the helpline will remain open EVERY DAY throughout the festive season.

We are here for anybody feeling worried or suffering with issues emerging from parental alcohol problems or a similar addictive issues.

If you can, please consider becoming a member of Nacoa for as little as £3 a month.

There is no longer any statutory support in place for COAs, so we can only provide this work when we stand as a community. We are so lucky to have all your support, especially at Xmas!

Much more needs to be done to support these most vulnerable children.

With @jonashworth in 2025, we go again to implore the government to reinstate a strategy for support.

If you've read this far, pls leave love for Jonathan in the comments. His unwavering commitment to COAs means the world.

#URNotAlone

#childrenofalcoholics #adultchildrenofalcoholics #acoa #coa #adultchild #sober #AddictionAwarenessWeek2024 #RecoveryisPossible #addiction #alcoholism #FYP @liambyrnemp @georgewfreeman @kayburley_

For children and adults affected by a parent's dri

For children and adults affected by a parent's drinking, Christmas is a time of worry and fear.

Many live in 'hope over expectation'...
We hope beyond hope that things will be better this time, but all too often know deep down that disappointment waits.

The drinking, yelling, broken promises, or violence is the same on Christmas Day as every other day. In fact, it can be worse.

That is why Nacoa’s helpline is open every day over Christmas. Offering confidential information, advice and support for anyone affected by a parent's addiction.

We receive calls from people of all ages and walks of life. Even people like you!

You can remain anonymous. We won't disclose anything you say with anybody outside of Nacoa’s trained team.

If you would prefer not to call us directly, we are available via email, online chat, or message boards.

For more information on opening times and what to expect from our service, check the link bio.

Affected by a parent’s drinking this Xmas time… #URNotAlone.

#childrenofalcoholics #Charity #NSPCC #Childline #adultchildrenofalcoholics #acoa #coa #parentaladdiction #adultchild #alanon #alateen #addiction #alcoholism #parentaladdiction #fyp

Children affected by a parent’s drinking shouldn

Children affected by a parent’s drinking shouldn’t have to suffer in silence.

Join @heislotinambombe and Nacoa in our movement to change things for some of the most vulnerable children you can imagine.

Together we are making a difference to thousands of lives.

Government cut their entire strategy for children’s alcoholics in 2021, so it is the power of THIS community which is making such a huge difference.

If you can, please become a member today for just £3 a month.

The journey starts here 🌟 link in bio.

Loti from @makelifekindcharity is making the most enormous difference across the country! Thank you!

#childrenofalcoholics #adultchildrenofalcoholics #acoa #coa #adultchild #soberoctober #RecoveryisPossible #addiction #alcoholism #FYP #aaw2024

'Even writing this fills me with dread. The stigma

'Even writing this fills me with dread. The stigma, the family I no longer speak to—what will the backlash be?

'Half of my mind tells me to hold back, while the other half insists, "This is your story to tell!"

'Lynne my therapist helped me surface emotions I didn’t even know I had about it.

'The sound of clinking bottles—one I can never forget—still sends shudders down my spine.

'Lynne listened as I cried ugly, heartbreaking tears week after week.

'About my childhood, my mam’s addiction, and the feelings of neglect from the rest of the family.

'I felt anger, grief, relief and love, all at once.

'Mam's passing was a turning point. I could finally accept that some relationships in my life were toxic.

'And breaking free from them was the best thing that happened after.

'It was time to recover.

'With Nacoa’s support, I took charge of my thoughts and started to heal.

'My mission now is to help other children of alcoholics understand their worth during their toughest times...'

Link in bio for full piece...

💙 Thank you @coa.club1810 for sharing your journey with the COA community!

Please as usual everyone leave huge love to Emma in the comments.

And celebrate that Emma has since been announced as a Nacoa trustee! 🥁🎉

As she says embracing her 'identity as the Child of an Alcoholic'.

'Owning my worth, my skills, and the person I have become in the eight years since my mam’s tragic death through alcoholism has been one of my proudest moments.'

#URNotAlone

#childrenofalcoholics #adultchildrenofalcoholics #acoa #coa #adultchild #RecoveryisPossible #addiction #alcoholism #FYP #aaw2024

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