Bottles, secrets and me

'I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There's a washing machine in my stom...

About Nacoa
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
About Nacoa
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
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‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Abie Dunlop
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Amanda Brett
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Amy Dickson
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Carolyn Jones
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Ceri Walker
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Dr Piers Henriques
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Euan Graham
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Hilary Henriques MBE
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Jamie Brett
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Jane Elson
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Josh Connolly
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Katy Stafford
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Laurence McAllister Alleyne
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Liam Tullberg
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Maya Parker MA
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Peter Irwin
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Give in celebration
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Make a donation
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More ways to give
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Thank you for signing up to Big Nacoa Walk 2024!
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Raise awareness
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Sponsored events
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Volunteering
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Nacoa Volunteer Application Form
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Nacoa: Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking
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Books, videos and media
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Nacoa professionals training
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Nacoa publications
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Research
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Some Punjabi and Sikh parents drink too much…
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Adults
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‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
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Personal experiences
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Children
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
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‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
FAQs
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Help and advice
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Information
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Personal experiences
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Concerned others & professionals
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‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
FAQs
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Help and advice
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Information
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Personal experiences
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Young people
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Books, videos and media
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
FAQs
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Help and advice
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Information
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Personal experiences
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
Topics
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’

Bottles, secrets and me.

10 green bottles…
Finally, I walk to school.
9 green bottles…
Tatty uniform and my shoes are too small.
8 green bottles…
Daydreaming withdrawn as I wonder what awaits as I walk through the door.
7 green bottles…
Maybe Maddie’s aced her test and saved the day once more.
6 green bottles…
Or maybe the bottles ran out and I’ll need to camouflage into the floor.
5 green bottles…
I walk home alone my friends don’t understand why they can’t come to play inside.
4 green bottles…
Inside my secrets are kept to keep me safe, no one knows the lies behind Mums smiling face.
3 green bottles…
I love my Mum but I know she struggles sometimes. Most nights we won’t get stories or nursery rhymes.
2 green bottles…
I heard of Nacoa, they told us there’s 1 in 5 children like me, my classmate or my cousin could be just like me.
1 green bottle…
I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach I usually have to scream and shout.

Now I know Nacoa are there if I need to talk. They have listened to me, valued me and will give me support.

Amy

This poem was published for #AddictionAwarenessWeek. To find out more, go to Taking Action on Addiction.

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

Experiences

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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