Share your experience story with Nacoa

Sharing your experience story with Nacoa helps other people affected by their parent’s drinking

| August 6, 2009

Share your experience story with Nacoa

Reading experiences of other people affected by their parent’s drinking helps you to know you are not alone. 

Hearing how other people felt as children and as adults can help us make sense of our own experiences. Whilst every family is unique, many families affected by alcohol problems face similar issues. 

Writing, also, is a healthy thing to do. So many of helpline callers feel they cannot say their feelings out loud, but find they can do so once they have them down ‘on paper’.

For many children of alcoholics, writing allows them calm and personal identity when life feels chaotic and unnerving.

Writing is a healthy thing to do.

Children of alcoholics so often are told to keep the family secret. To prioritise the interests of their parents over their own.

So the act of empathy between writer and reader creates a sense of personal connection, opens doors to better understanding, and even gives strength to those in need to reach out for help.

You can share your experience story by getting in touch with Nacoa via the Contact Us form.

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Share your experience story with Nacoa

Sharing your experience story with Nacoa helps other people affected by their parent’s ...

Share your experience story with Nacoa

Sharing your experience story with Nacoa helps other people affected by their parent’s ...

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Share your experience story with Nacoa

Reading experiences of other people affected by their parent’s drinking helps you to know you are not alone. 

Hearing how other people felt as children and as adults can help us make sense of our own experiences. Whilst every family is unique, many families affected by alcohol problems face similar issues. 

Writing, also, is a healthy thing to do. So many of helpline callers feel they cannot say their feelings out loud, but find they can do so once they have them down ‘on paper’.

For many children of alcoholics, writing allows them calm and personal identity when life feels chaotic and unnerving.

Writing is a healthy thing to do.

Children of alcoholics so often are told to keep the family secret. To prioritise the interests of their parents over their own.

So the act of empathy between writer and reader creates a sense of personal connection, opens doors to better understanding, and even gives strength to those in need to reach out for help.

You can share your experience story by getting in touch with Nacoa via the Contact Us form.

Useful links

The Nacoa Helpline Become a member of Nacoa Make a donation Contact us

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

Experiences

Martin
COAs are Superheroes

Film about a young man navigating life as an ACOA (adult child of an alcoholic). 
Charlotte
Doing hard things and allowing negative experiences to drive positive change

I wanted to give myself a challenge and push myself out of my comfort zone.
Lois
They didn’t choose to be alcoholics

No one does. It was when he retired that things really began to go downhill.

Resources you may like

Nacoa lunchtime lives

By Josh Connolly and special guests
Find Your Oasis – A collection of writing from those affected

By Various
Catch Me When I Fall

By Dr Tony Rao
Paper Therapy – COA Edition

By Various authors
BBC Hooked: Children of Addicts

By Melissa and Jade speak to Josh Connolly
The Monster Downstairs

By Camilla Tominey and others

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