Helpline experiences of a volunteer, Sue’s story

“Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

| January 11, 2014

“Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters.

They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns to ask their questions. At the end of the call the stepmother thanks me and says that she will be able to put them to bed, safe in the knowledge that they both know that their mum’s drinking is not their fault.

This was a challenging call at an equally challenging time but it felt good to know that two children could sleep better that night knowing they are not to blame and their step-mother knows she is not alone. Nacoa is here for them all.”

Sue

Helpline

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Helpline experiences of a volunteer, Sue’s story

“Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the hel...

Helpline experiences of a volunteer, Sue’s story

“Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the hel...

  • About Nacoa

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • About Nacoa

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Hello!

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Nacoa branding - style guide

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Contact us Person looking at Nacoa's website for people affected by a parent's drinking to show different ways to contact for support or to get involved with the charity to help other children of alcoholics

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Governance

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • History

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Nacoa Helpline

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Calling the helpline

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Helpline FAQs

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Managing browser history

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Monitoring & evaluation

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Policies & procedures

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Our people

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Abie Dunlop

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Amanda Brett

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Amy Dickson

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Carolyn Jones

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Ceri Walker

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Dr Piers Henriques

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Euan Graham Euan Graham

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Hilary Henriques MBE

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Jamie Brett

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Jane Elson

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Josh Connolly

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Katy Stafford

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Laurence McAllister Alleyne

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Liam Tullberg Liam Tullberg Nacoa

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Lindsay Doherty

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Maya Parker MA

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Peter Irwin

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Patrons & ambassadors

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • The Nacoa Promise

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Experiences Search Result

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Get involved

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Donate or become a member

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • About Gift Aid

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Become a corporate member

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Become a member

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Welcome new member

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Donate in memory

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Gift in your will

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Give in celebration

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Make a donation

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Thank you!

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • More ways to give

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Fundraising

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Thank you for signing up to Big Nacoa Walk 2024! Big Nacoa Walk thumbnail

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Raise awareness

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Sponsored events

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Volunteering

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Nacoa Volunteer Application Form

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Message boards

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Log In

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Message board rules of conduct

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Start a new topic

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Nacoa: Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking Nacoa UK Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • News & events

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Events

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Features

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Latest

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • News

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Privacy and cookies policy

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Research & resources

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Books, videos and media

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Nacoa professionals training

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Nacoa publications

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Research

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Widening Access

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Some Punjabi and Sikh parents drink too much…

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Support & advice

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Adults

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Books, videos and media

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • FAQs

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Help and advice

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Information

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Personal experiences

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Children

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Books, videos and media

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • FAQs

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Help and advice

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Information

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Personal experiences

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Concerned others & professionals

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Books, videos and media

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • FAQs

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Help and advice

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Information

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Personal experiences

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Young people

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Books, videos and media

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • FAQs

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Help and advice

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Information

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Personal experiences

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

  • Topics

    “Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters. They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns …

“Through all the devastation of the fire, it touches the heart when you pick up the helpline phone and you hear a step-mother asking if you could to speak to her two step daughters.

They have questions about why their mum drinks; their stepmother puts them on speaker phone and they take it in turns to ask their questions. At the end of the call the stepmother thanks me and says that she will be able to put them to bed, safe in the knowledge that they both know that their mum’s drinking is not their fault.

This was a challenging call at an equally challenging time but it felt good to know that two children could sleep better that night knowing they are not to blame and their step-mother knows she is not alone. Nacoa is here for them all.”

Sue

Helpline

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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