Growing up I had a parent who was an alcoholic - seemed functional during the day but as soon as they had done the school run the drink came out.
Looking back I knew it was self medicating for their own mental health issues/trauma but it was awful. It was embarrassing, exhausting and a complete impractical way to be with a child. My parent was an extremely nasty drunk too with anything making them flip out or cause an argument - I remember being pulled out of bed, called every name after the sun, been woken as much was being played too loud, not being able to do things in the evenings as I couldn’t get a lift or have people over, the constant drunken rows, having no money as booze came first, stepping over sick in the morning before school etc etc. I remember everyone starring at the school Xmas fete as they got drunk off the mulled wine and sang over the choir.
I told the school but nothing was done - my parent played it off as ‘everyone has a drink and needs to let their hair down. She’s just trying to get me into trouble as she’s not getting her pocket money this week..’
I now know a teenager going through similar. Social services/school are aware, the teenager is acting out as they’re not believed/nobody helping the situation and they’re deemed to be safe at home. I’ve heard people mention that it can’t be that bad as the parents hold down a job or the teen always is well dressed etc.
I’m just so angry - probably more so as I’ve experienced myself. If a child had highlighted that their parents are shooting up after work but still looked well presented the child wouldn’t be seen to be making a mountain over a molehill. Why isn’t more being done to help this more kid?