Across the UK, many parents will use alcohol and / or drugs in a recreational manner, seeing this as a way to enjoy time to themselves or with others. For many, whilst there may be periods of binge use, the overall impact on their daily functioning will be minimal as will the impact on children in their household. In many families, children will be educated about alcohol and drugs with views about their use being dictated by the value base and life experience of the adults in the household.
For a proportion of children and young people however, their parents or carers will be dependent on drugs and / or alcohol, and misuse of these substances can dictate the way the family functions, having significant impact on the children in the home.