Women turning to drink in struggle to be ‘supermums’

Alcohol misuse within families is an “escalating concern”, according to Turning Point, a charity providing services for people with complex issues, including drug and alcohol misuse and mental health problems.

In its new study, Bottling It Up: The Next Generation, the organisation warns that 2.6 million children in the UK are living with a parent who drink at hazardous levels.

Between 2010 and 2011, 12,248 people used Turning Point’s alcohol treatment services and nearly half were parents, of whom nearly 2,000 were mothers. The average alcohol consumption of parents was 30 units per day – 24 for mothers and 33 for fathers.

This is the equivalent of 15 glasses or three bottles of wine or up to 15 pints of beer, almost 10 times recommended limits.

The report said “a key issue was that mothers often felt under pressure to be ‘perfect’ and that alcohol was a way of coping with the demands of motherhood.

“Some said a lack of support from their partners was a trigger for their drinking. Others were drinking at least three nights a week and consuming more than 70 units - the equivalent of nearly eight bottles of wine. Their drinking was often in secret when their children had gone to bed.”

The report found that children’s mental health could be affected by parental drinking, with some developing eating disorders, depression and even psychosis in adulthood.

Children living with affected parents are also more likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol at an earlier age and are more likely to progress to problematic use, the report went on.

Of 100 parents surveyed, 28 per cent said their drinking meant their children often either missed school or found it difficult to concentrate at school.

More than half believed it had led to increased anger, anxiety and depression in their children.

A separate poll of more than 1,000 people across the country found that almost a quarter of parents are concerned about their own drinking, on a scale from slightly to very concerned.

More than half had allowed their children to drink. Of these, 77 per cent let their children drink under the age of 16.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “This report shows that Labour took their eye off the ball on tackling alcohol abuse during their 13 years in power.

“Their reckless policies, such as the decision to unleash a 24-hour drinking culture in our country, only made matters worse.

“Unlike the last Government, we have taken real action by imposing high taxes on super-strength beers and ciders and banning below-cost alcohol sales. Our alcohol strategy, which we will set out in the new year, will outline what further steps we are taking to tackle this growing problem.”