All children and young people have the right to grow up in a home protected from the negative consequences of drug and alcohol misuse.
The term drug or alcohol misuse describes a pattern of harmful behaviour involving the misuse or overuse of substances for mood altering purposes.
Download our free ebooksProblems arise when drugs or alcohol are over used or guidelines are not followed or when a person takes illegal drugs. If a parent has a problem with drugs or alcohol, it can be upsetting or confusing for children.
Children can be affected in different ways. Not all children show signs that the parental substance misuse is affecting them. However, if a child is affected, possible signs are:
Information for young people: