Talk to me: My parent is a functioning alcoholic — I find it difficult to accept how badly she treated us

Growing up with a parent with an addiction can be challenging: as a child of a person with an addiction, you may have taken on some parenting roles

As a child of a person with an addiction, you may have taken on some parenting roles, perhaps taking care of younger siblings, making meals, keeping the peace — all to avoid upsetting your mum. As you take on these tasks as a mother, you may rightfully sense how unfair that expectation was on you as a young child.

My mother is in her 60s and is a functioning alcoholic. When she's had a few drinks, all is well in her world. But when she's not drinking, she's difficult to be around.

It was only when I was a teenager that I realised she had a problem — it wasn't unusual to come home from school to find the house in chaos with my mum in bed recovering from a hangover. My dad finally left her when we'd all finished our education.