Nacoa helpline is open EVERY DAY over Xmas and New Year

For children affected by parental addiction, Christmas can be a time of real concern.

| December 15, 2025

Nacoa helpline is open EVERY DAY over Xmas and New Year

For most people across the UK, the holiday season is a time for coming together as a family. However, for children living in a home where addiction is a problem, Christmas can be a time of worry and fear.

Nacoa’s helpline will be open every day over Christmas. We are here for anybody feeling worried or suffering with issues emerging from parental alcohol problems or a similar addictive issues. We receive calls from people of all ages and walks of life.

Callers can remain anonymous and all contact is dealt with confidentially. So you can trust us not to discuss anything you say with anybody outside of Nacoa’s trained team.

If you would prefer not to call us, but still would like to speak with one of our counsellors, we are available via email on email or message boards. You can send messages any time of the day, any day of the week.

Our telephone helpline will be manned by helpline counsellors every day over Christmas and New Year, including Sundays.

Xmas 2025 opening times

  • 10am -7pm – Every day other than…
  • 12pm – 6pm – 24th, 25th, 29th, 30th and 31st December

Tap here to find out more about the Nacoa Helpline and our promise.

Read experience stories

Ineta – What is a ‘normal’ Christmas to you?

Tammy – To the child who loves Christmas

How to contact us

0800 358 3456

helpline@nacoa.org.uk

Message boards

‘Christmas has always been a difficult time of year in my family. Tensions were high, not knowing how drunk my mum and dad would get (who were both alcoholics) and when the arguments would start.’

Lucy

Become a member of Nacoa this Xmas

If you can this holiday season, please consider supporting our work by donating or becoming a member of Nacoa.

Membership costs as little as £3 a month. Perks include a t-shirt, training opportunities, members socials, a vote in our annual general meeting. Crucially you will help us provide a vital lifeline to some of the most vulnerable children this Christmas.

There is no specific government support for children of alcoholics either at Christmas or any time in the United Kingdom, so our members and donors are vital in our pledge to help no child feel alone.

Become a member of Nacoa UK

‘Now I know there is help for me.’

Helpline caller

To find Xmas experience stories from our members, contributors and volunteers, find Support & Advice.

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Nacoa helpline is open EVERY DAY over Xmas and New Year

For children affected by parental addiction, Christmas can be a time of real concern.

Nacoa helpline is open EVERY DAY over Xmas and New Year

For children affected by parental addiction, Christmas can be a time of real concern.

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Nacoa helpline is open EVERY DAY over Xmas and New Year

For most people across the UK, the holiday season is a time for coming together as a family. However, for children living in a home where addiction is a problem, Christmas can be a time of worry and fear.

Nacoa’s helpline will be open every day over Christmas. We are here for anybody feeling worried or suffering with issues emerging from parental alcohol problems or a similar addictive issues. We receive calls from people of all ages and walks of life.

Callers can remain anonymous and all contact is dealt with confidentially. So you can trust us not to discuss anything you say with anybody outside of Nacoa’s trained team.

If you would prefer not to call us, but still would like to speak with one of our counsellors, we are available via email on email or message boards. You can send messages any time of the day, any day of the week.

Our telephone helpline will be manned by helpline counsellors every day over Christmas and New Year, including Sundays.

Xmas 2025 opening times

  • 10am -7pm – Every day other than…
  • 12pm – 6pm – 24th, 25th, 29th, 30th and 31st December

Tap here to find out more about the Nacoa Helpline and our promise.

Read experience stories

Ineta – What is a ‘normal’ Christmas to you?

Tammy – To the child who loves Christmas

How to contact us

0800 358 3456

helpline@nacoa.org.uk

Message boards

‘Christmas has always been a difficult time of year in my family. Tensions were high, not knowing how drunk my mum and dad would get (who were both alcoholics) and when the arguments would start.’

Lucy

Become a member of Nacoa this Xmas

If you can this holiday season, please consider supporting our work by donating or becoming a member of Nacoa.

Membership costs as little as £3 a month. Perks include a t-shirt, training opportunities, members socials, a vote in our annual general meeting. Crucially you will help us provide a vital lifeline to some of the most vulnerable children this Christmas.

There is no specific government support for children of alcoholics either at Christmas or any time in the United Kingdom, so our members and donors are vital in our pledge to help no child feel alone.

Become a member of Nacoa UK

‘Now I know there is help for me.’

Helpline caller

To find Xmas experience stories from our members, contributors and volunteers, find Support & Advice.

Useful links

The Nacoa helpline Become a member of Nacoa UK Contact us Make a donation

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

In the Blood

By Arabella Byrne and Julia Hamilton
Long Going

By Sophie Calon
Dear… A book of letters from the forgotten families of addiction

By Various authors
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

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