National charity providing information, advice & support for everyone affected by a parent's drinking. Free Helpline: 0800 3583456 & helpline
@nacoa
.org.uk
Give a lifeline for children affected by a parent’s drinking.
Become a member of
@NacoaUK
today!
You get:
- a t-shirt
- event invites
- access to training programme
- Members Social+
- a say at our AGM
- and much more...
#URNotAlone
💙
‘I felt so alone growing up with alcoholism in the family. You blame yourself and wonder what you are doing wrong.
'I wish I had known Nacoa existed and you are never alone.'
So proud to announce
@VickyPattison
as a patron. Welcome to the Nacoa family!
'None of this was your fault!'
The powerful moment when Anton Du Beke opened up about the violence he suffered by his father.
@kategarraway
is so right. You are not and never were to blame. And you are not alone! 💙
He’s done it,
@JonAshworth
has crossed the line! Thank you so much to Jon and everyone who supported him and our work with those affected by a parent’s drinking. Still time to donate:
Did you know there are millions of children affected by their parent’s drinking across the UK this Xmas? Today
@DrRanj
sends his
#AdventCareMessage
to them. 🎄
'My goal is to let children of alcoholics know that they are not alone and provide them with tools to help them come out of a dark place'.
Nacoa patron
@CalumBest
speaking brilliantly on
@GMB
about helping COAs. Keep listening for announcement of a BIG event later this year.🤩
1 in 5 children are affected by their parent’s drinking during the holidays.
Remember the 6 Cs
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
A special Xmas care message from
@DrRanj
. 💙
It's
#COAWeek2019
—time to draw light to the experiences of millions of children around the world affected by their parent's drinking.
Join us to make this the biggest
#COAWeek
yet and help people know they're not alone.
‘Tonight we’ve packed the biggest room in Parliament. Children affected by parent’s drinking have been heard.’ - Hilary Henriques
@NacoaUK
CEO
Spell-binding evening of experiences from
@JonAshworth
@LiamByrneMP
@CalumBest
&
@TonyAdams
. We’ve come so far. With miles to share.
We have created an Online Resource Pack for those concerned for young people affected by their parent’s drinking during
#COVID19
social distancing.
It has loads of info and ways to help. Please share with ur place of work or social space.
#URNotAlone
🔆
A stunning
#takingactiononaddiction
launch today!
Was breathtaking to hear the Duchess of Cambridge discussing the needs of children affected by parental addiction in her speech.
Together we can make this a better country to recover from the impacts of addiction.
#URNotAlone
No words do justice for how proud we are of
@VickyPattison
speaking out for children affected by a parent's drinking.
Though
@edballs
and
@susannareid100
speak for us all when they say she is an 'outstanding spokesperson'. You are not alone! 💙
#COAWeek2023
‘Let’s take away the darkness of this thing.’ The wonderful
@CalumBest
and
@AngieBest
on raising awareness for children affected by a parent’s drinking during their challenge.
All warmest wishes to our 6
#LondonMarathon
runners today.
With you in spirit every step of the way. Imagine how many COAs will cheer you on and how many more will now know there is help and support. We're in awe of each one of you. Endless thanks. 🙏
@JonAshworth
@juiceysushi
Sad day today. In 2017, Theresa May boldly put in place a strategy for children of alcoholics.
As of today, sadly, that strategy has been completely abandoned and once again COAs are left out in the cold.
This can be a hard time for children affected by their parent's drinking. They hope things will be different this year, but worry again it will be a time of upset and isolation.
The Nacoa helpline is open every day over Xmas to talk and offer support.
#URNotAlone
#AdventCare
It’s
#COAWeek2021
! Time to raise awareness for the 2.6 million children affected by their parent’s drinking.
Share. Listen. Be kind. Join us to help them know that
#URNotAlone
. 💙
Sending love to
@CalumBest
whose dad footballing legend George Best died 13 yrs ago today.
Calum speaks out to help others feel less alone. The responses to his posts today show the lasting impact of parental alcohol problems
#AlcoholAwarenessWeek
#AAW18
On this day , 13 years ago , 2005 I lost my dad . An icon to many and a dad to me .
Not a day goes by I don’t miss him , I burst with pride being his son , and I am proud to keep the…
The 'key message for me is talk about it..I wish I'd known where I could talk to people.. Nacoa really helped me..They have no bias, no judgement.'
Such a moving and emotionally mature discussion on growing up a child of alcohol dependent with
@CalumBest
on
@5WrightStuff
now.
1 in 5 children are affected by their parent’s drinking during the holidays.
Remember the 6 Cs
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
A special Xmas care message from
@DrRanj
. 💙
At Xmas, a child of a problem drinker can be forced to deal with grown-up issues far beyond their years, which goes on to affect them throughout their lives. Today, TV star and Nacoa patron
@CalumBest
sends his
#AdventCare
message to them.
'Many children will be facing the prospect of being locked in their homes with a parent who abuses drink or drugs.'
@JonAshworth
urges
@MattHancock
to support Nacoa and services helping children affected by their parent's drinking in lockdown.
#URNotAlone
Today’s loss of one of the world’s best friends shows — everybody knows somebody whose life has been touched by addiction…
‘Jennifer one day came up and said, “We know you’re drinking. You’ve got to get help to stop.”…
🧵
#addictionawarenessweek2023
#aaw2023
'I grew up knowing all of the feelings that every child of an alcoholic becomes all too familiar with.'
Nacoa patron
@liambyrnemp
speaking so movingly at the parliamentary debate on alcohol harm last week.
Watch the full emotional speech here:
We are SO proud to announce Pokerface. A breathtaking two min film by young film-maker Alexander Kuhn.
A story of a teenage man caught between minding his dad’s alcohol problem and acting to the rest of the world that everything is fine.
#URNotAlone
During Xmas, as a child or young person with a parent who drinks too much, things can get especially tough.
MP and COA campaigner
@JonAshworth
today sends his
#AdventCareMessage
to urge anyone affected not to suffer in silence.
#URNotAlone
'It was for my old man..but, the bigger picture for me, it was for the kids out there who went through similar things as me. What Nacoa do is so epic, and so helpful.'
Our wonderful patron
@CalumBest
speaking with
@reallorraine
about why he climbed
#MontBlanc
. So proud!
'I often begged her to stop drinking, but those sober hours were precious and I didn’t want to spend them constantly pleading with her'.
Heartbreaking piece by Nacoa volunteer Ceri on alcohol and her Mum.
#URNotAlone
#alcoholawarenessweek
#aaw19
#aaw2019
It is
#COAWeek2022
! A space in time to share about what is is like to grow up with a parent who drinks too much.
Share. Listen. Be kind. Join us to help them know that
#URNotAlone
. 💙
The UK government are set to cut their landmark strategy for children of alcoholics in 12 days.
@JonAshworth
knows why this is a disastrous decision at the worst time.
Nacoa will always be there to support these vulnerable children. We should expect the same of our leaders.
Please listen to
@DrRanj
#adventcare
message, and spread the word this Christmas to anyone who is struggling with a parent drinking too much,
You are not alone, it isn’t you fault, please contact Nacoa for support, we are always here to listen 💙
#Christmas
A proud day for all with Nacoa. The first ever dedicated government support for those affected by a parent’s drinking felt a distant dream until
@LiamByrneMP
walked into our office. What a journey it's been!
Thx to all involved, especially our callers.
It is
#COAWeek2023
! Time to share about what is like growing up with a parent who drinks too much.
Listen. Be kind. And help everyone affected know that
#URNotAlone
. 💙
What's on? 👉
100ks of children in the UK live in homes where a parent's alcohol problem is kept secret from the outside world.
The silent strain causes lasting harm. Though they can't speak out for themselves, they deserve a special place in our thoughts this
#AlcoholAwarenessWeek
. 💙
'I didn't understand why my Dad didn't love me more than he loved drink. But it's not that easy.'
@VickyPattison
speaking powerfully about being the child of an alcoholic on
@BBCWomansHour
. 🙏
Her new documentary (C4, 2 Aug) will help so many know that
#URNotAlone
.
.
@mrcalumbest
speaks up so no one affected by a parent's drinking feels alone. As so many do.
If you are affected by a parent's drinking,
#URNotAlone
. Nacoa is here for you.
#CelebritySAS
. 💙
They've reached the summit of Mont Blanc! 👏 Huge congratulations to
@CalumBest
and the
#RaisetotheTop
team, who put together an amazing event to support Nacoa. Goes to show: in spite of challenges, with a little support, you can get to the top of the world 🔆
In 2018,
@Jeremy_Hunt
put in place a £6M strategy for children of alcoholics.
Three years later, the
@DHSCgovuk
abandoned its national strategy. All projects scrapped.
@CalumBest
is calling on Hunt to restore support for the most vulnerable children. 💙
We're going to Parliament tomorrow to discuss with MPs how to help children affected by a parents drinking.
What do u would help at a local or national level? What would make the difference to a child who is in struggling with a parent who drinks too much?
For children living in a home where addiction is a problem, Christmas is a time of worry and fear.
That’s why the Nacoa helpline is open every day over Christmas, 12-6pm.
Free confidential advice and support for everyone affected by a parents drinking.
It's
#COAWeek2020
🔆. Time to share experiences from the millions of children affected by their parent's drinking.
Some mums and dads drink too much...You are not alone.
In families where alcohol is a problem, the pretending that everything is okay can do as much harm as anything else.
As
#COAWeek2020
comes to a close, here's film we made with
@AlcoholChangeUK
about 'How to speak properly with ur kids about alcohol.' 🎦
@josh_ffw
We're going to the government's meeting tomorrow discussing their new project to help children affected by a parents drinking.
What do u would help at a local or national level? What would make the difference to a child who is in struggling with a parent who drinks too much?
Feeling bombarded by
#MothersDay
messages, you are not alone.
Sometimes this day is a swirl of conflict, sadness, love, loss, in no real sense of order.
Give yourself permission to feel your feelings, whatever they are. Then pls do something that makes you feel good today. 💙
Thank you everyone for participating in a stunning
#COAWeek2022
.
Sharing stories in your own time in your own language helps to process things that have happened.
It fills the world with compassion for these children who are too often mis-framed and misunderstood.
It's
#COAWeek2018
raising awareness for children affected by parental alcohol misuse. Join in the conversation to break down stigma and let those struggling know that they are not alone.
In recent years, the Nacoa helpline has seen a huge increase in requests for help from adults affected by their parent's drinking. We now receive over 20k calls per year from 18+s!
Here's ⭐️ Nacoa trustee
@katetoj
on what it's like being an ACOA.
Announcing 🚨 the theme of
#COAWeek2023
is ‘the family secret’.
When alcohol problems are in the family, rules develop—don’t talk, don’t trust, don’t feel—to keep problems hidden from the outside world.
🧵
#COAWeek
Well that's a wrap on a truly amazing
#COAWeek2023
. Thank you all who got involved!
While
#COAWeek
is over, our service keeps on. Answering around 30k calls for help per year...and climbing!
But until
#COAWeek2024
, year....🫳🎤
We need now to be especially concerned for the welfare of children affected by their parent's drinking. Social connection with the outside world is often a vital refuge for them.
Nacoa is open—here for all affected. In high demand, we are running on temporarily reduced hours.💙
Nacoa ⭐️ patron
@CalumBest
is right: 'lots of people don't want to talk about' how parental alcohol problems affect children, especially at Xmas.
But during
#AdventCare
season, we want everyone to know that they are not alone and that a parent's drinking is never your fault.
First set of eye-popping posters gone up near
@ashtongatestad
in our
#HeretoListen
poster campaign in Bristol. 👀💙💛💙💛👀
This is the first billboard campaign for children affected by their parent's drinking ever to hit the UK!
We always hear, 'I wish I'd seen someone raising funds for people like me when I was younger. I'd have known I'm not the only one!'
That's why it means so much to see
@CarolineFlint
being the first
#mastermind
contestant in aid of children affected by their parent's drinking. 🏆
30% of children who call the Nacoa helpline have spoken to NO ONE about the problems they face. Not their family, not their school. No one.
This is why it is so important to provide free accessible, confidential support, irrespective of whether their parent continues to drink.
Part 1: Social isolation and increased drinking is causing more distress and worry to children living with parents who drink too much. Nacoa is here for you all through lockdown and beyond. We cannot thank
@dreamingofeden_
, Jude and friends enough
Record numbers of parents and carers are calling Nacoa to refer their own children for help.
@josh_ffw
went on
@SkyNews
to talk about why that is and what it feels like to be a parent who knows they drink too much.
#COAWeek2020
🔆
Absolutely buzzzing to be here for
@CalumBest
's unbelievable
@MyTributegame
in Belfast in honour of Nacoa and children affected by their parent's drinking.
The beautiful game for a beautiful cause!
#URNotAlone
It’s our birthday! 🎂 28 years ago today since we first picked up the phone to somebody affected by a parent’s drinking. Thank you to everyone who has helped us along the way to answer the 100ks of calls since. We couldn’t have done it without you. 🙏
#fbf
‘My mum’s mum was an alcoholic, she passed away. My dad was an alcoholic, he passed away. Came to me, damn I was close to going down a dark road.'
'Find someone who you like or trust...and tell them what you think'.
@CalumBest
💙🔆
Did you know that across the UK there are millions of children and young people living with a parent who has a problem with alcohol? Today, TV doctor and Nacoa supporter
@DrRanj
sends his
#AdventCare
message to them.⭐️
The government confirmed last week that it is cutting ALL their dedicated support for children of alcohol-dependent parents.
Thank you
@ceri_walker_
for going on BBC News to explain why that is the wrong thing to do. 💙
🧵
‘Some of you will know I am a proud patron of
@NacoaUK
, the national charity for children affected by a parent’s drinking. I am also the child of an alcoholic…
@VickyPattison
🧵
#COAWeek
So important this week to remember that children and family of addicted parents deserve recovery too.
🙏
@SarahDrage3
for this powerful
#AddictionAwarenessWeek
experience blog.
Nacoa patron
@CalumBest
in the
@Telegraph
on why the government shouldn't abandon its landmark strategy for children of alcoholics in March.
Helpline calls to Nacoa doubled during lockdown. It's a time to step up and do the right thing.💙
‘I miss my brother, he was my twin and my best friend, but I don't miss the alcoholic.’
Honoured to have helped a little on this. That
@willyoung
is using his experiences to help others is nothing short of heroic.
‘Losing My Twin Rupert’ is on Channel 4 at 10pm tonight.
‘I support
#COAWeek
because children living with parents who drink too much need to know there is hope..there are people and places that understand.’
Today we’ll welcome England footie legend
@TonyAdams
to speak at our annual ‘David Stafford Lecture’ at the
@HouseofCommons
. 💙🔆
Happy
#fathersday
, a day to celebrate all amazing dads out there. Also sending love to all those whose dads either struggle to care or aren’t around for their children.
#URNotAlone
At Xmas, a child of a parent who drinks too much can have to deal with grown-up issues beyond their years. It affects them throughout their lives.
Today, Nacoa patron and TV star
@CalumBest
sends his
#AdventCareMessage
to say it isn't your fault and you are not alone.
it is not a betrayal of the family to talk about being affected by your parent’s drinking.
Nacoa is here confidentially with no limits or conditions.
#URNotAlone
video by ambassador
@josh_ffw
. ⭐️
Sending huge love and best of luck to all of the wonderful band of celebs led by
@CalumBest
climbing to the top of Mont Blanc to raise funds for Nacoa. To follow along and support them, go to . 🏔🔆
Tune in to
@BBCRadio4
today at 11am for a doc presented by
@CamillaTominey
exploring what it's like growing up with a parent who drinks too much.
If you're affected by your parent's drinking
#URNotAlone
. It's not your fault and Nacoa is here for you.
So proud
@CarolineFlint
will be the first ever contestant to do
#Mastermind
for children of alcoholics.
Tune in to see Caroline on the famous chair at 5.45pm on BBC One. Specialist subject: the Alien movies! 👽
Break a leg, Caroline.🤞
Nacoa patron
@VickyPattison
spoke so movingly on
@itvpeston
about why she campaigns for children affected by a parent's drinking.
Joined by
@JonAshworth
a tireless voice for these children and the dire lack of gov support.
Watch full 10min segment here:
Government cut its national strategy for children of alcoholics.
☑️Gov say they have invested £7m in services.
❌ They cut all of those services.
☑️ £530m for local authorities for treatment services.
❌ No support for children whose parents are not in treatment.
This is Hilary Henriques MBE, Nacoa co-founder and CEO. She doesn't court much attention, but it's
#IWD2019
so....
She has changed the way the government and the world thinks about children affected by their parent's drinking, period. She's an inspiration and an icon.
When there is dependency in the family, members will often cope by adopting defined roles. These often persist into adulthood and carry consequences.
That almost everyone affected by parental addiction develops huge resilience is not a justification for ignoring their needs...
‘If I’d have seen something on TV mentioning Nacoa and children of alcoholics, I’d have known I wasn’t alone.’
Because of the silence these children face,
@CamillaTominey
taking on the
#Mastermind
chair for Nacoa resonates so loudly.
Affected by a parent’s drinking
#URNotAlone
It is
#COAWeek2022
13 - 19 February. 💙
A time to share stories and the work being done to support children affected by their parent's drinking.
Get involved, share your story, share your work. 👇
Fantastic to see
@JonAshworth
&
@Jeremy_Hunt
on news today announcing £ to support children of alcohol-dependent parents. Hats off to Jon for being up early the morning after completing a sweltering
#LondonMarathon
It's not too late to show your support
'I thought if I could stop her drinking, everything would be fine.'
@jen_h_88
in a powerful, important moment of visibility and connection at last week's
#NacoaNorthernGala
.
#URNotAlone
Nacoa is here for anyone affected by their parent's drinking, whatever age wherever in the UK.
Over 50% of callers are under 25 yrs. 1/3 of have told no one about their problems. It's why protecting the helpline is so vital—we reach those who are totally isolated. 💙
As a child with a parent who drinks too much, and isn't ready to stop, you can feel there's no one to talk to. It's lonely. That's why Nacoa exists to listen.
Hear what it's like and how we help in this wonderful
#Seriously
podcast ft
@CamillaTominey
. 💙
'I learned "Don't talk, don't trust, don't feel." No one told me this. It was shown.'
Words can't do justice to how brilliant is this
#bbchooked
podcast with
@josh_ffw
. So moving, full of honesty and truth! 💙