Sarah's Story: I'm the Child of an Alcoholic

TRIGGER WARNING: Alcoholism, Mental Health and Death

• There are approx 3 million children in the UK living with and alcoholic parent (Nacoa Study)
• Kids of alcoholic parent(s) are 6x more likely to witness domestic abuse, 3x more likely to consider suicide, 2x more likely to become an alcoholic (Nacoa Study)
• Alcohol was named as the MOST harmful drug in a study that ranked 20 drugs in accordance with the harm they cause to others
• Alcohol was given a harm score of 72 out of 100 whilst Heroine and Crack Cocaine were ranked a harm score of 55 out of 100 and 54 out of 100

January is often the month when many people take a break from alcohol ("dry January"). Some do it to recalibrate after over indulging over the Christmas period and some find themselves really taking a step back and assessing their relationship with alcohol; hopeful for a healthier year ahead.

The topic of alcohol and alcoholism is often avoided. Many people laugh off the severity and facts of alcoholism in the UK because many people are too uncomfortable to reflect on their own relationship with alcohol; perhaps out of fear they themselves may have a problem with it. So, we normalise alcohol use - there always seems to be a good reason or excuse to have a drink. But it's never just ONE drink....is it.

Alcohol abuse is destroying the lives of children and families across the UK at and alarming rate. And yet, so many of us are still in denial.

Sarah Drage is a Nacoa Ambassador (National Association for Children of Alcoholics), a TED X Speaker and Mental Health Advocate. She is also the child of an Alcoholic. Sarah joins host Jennie in todays episode to share her story of growing up with an alcoholic parent, and how it negatively impacted her as a child, teenager and now adult. She details watching her father die of alcoholism and how it ravaged his mind and body, and how it has impacted her mental health and relationship with alcohol.

Many of us carry shame and embarrassment around our experience growing up around alcoholics and/or our own relationship with the drug. This episode aims to shine a light on this all too common experience and feeling(s) and take the loneliness out of it. If this sounds like you or your experience as a child of an alcoholic, you are not alone. There are so many people who share your story and are available and eager to help, listen and support.

You can find help and support from Nacoa here:Nacoa: Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking - Nacoa

You can find Sarah Drage and her work with Nacoa here: Instagram @sarah_drage

You can follow the Why Are We Whispering? Podcast on Instagram: @whywhisperpodcast and @whywhisperthewholestory

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