Adult Child’s Guide: When a Parent Misuses Alcohol or Drugs
Being an adult does not mean a parent’s drinking or drug use suddenly stops affecting you. You may still feel responsible for keeping them safe, answering every crisis, managing money, protecting siblings or trying to work out whether they have used. I created this guide specifically for adult children because you deserve support in your own right. We look at childhood roles that can follow us into adulthood, boundaries, intoxicated contact, money, grief and loyalty, overdose safety and how to find help for yourself. I have also included books and UK support information, including Nacoa, Adfam and family-support services.
This is a resource for you as the adult child — not another list of things you should be doing for your parent. Inside you will also find a personal boundaries and support-plan page, carefully chosen book recommendations and places to look for further help.
Maggie
Space to Breathe Therapy
