Almost 1 million people in Ireland grew up with a problem drinker in the home

The Adverse Childhood Experience study, carried out by Maynooth University, found a 'significant association' between post-traumatic stress disorder and having a problem drinker in the household.

Research has found that 25% of adults in Ireland — almost 1 million people — experienced living with a problem drinker as a child, according to Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI).

The Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) study, carried out by Maynooth University, also found a "significant association" between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and having a problem drinker in the household.

The paper notes the high level of alcohol use in the whole population in Ireland as a likely contributor to this ACE in particular.

AAI chief executive Dr Sheila Gilheany says "we are in denial about the harm alcohol causes to children".

"It is imperative that we start to take this issue more seriously and to realise the impact that problem alcohol use in the home is having on invisible victims of alcohol harm — children. Often when a child has mental health needs they are manifesting some trauma in the family," she said.

The AAI is now calling on the Government for help.

Dr Gilheany wants the Government "to ensure that professionals including GPs, social workers, teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health workers, must be trained in how to recognise the traits of this ACE and its impacts across the lifespan".

"It’s important to say that this is not about blaming parents. Irish society is saturated with alcohol marketing that sells a powerful myth that alcohol doesn't have any downsides.

The paper notes the high level of alcohol use in the whole population in Ireland.

"Parents are dealing with their own stresses and traumas and a lack of trauma-informed services to help people with mental health needs and substance use issues that are so common these days, leads people to use alcohol more and more,” she said.

Research presented by Trinity College Dublin Professor of Social Work & Social Policy Trevor Spratt will highlight the role of "one good adult", which can make a significant difference to the lives of these children — in particular adults associated with formal services such as teachers or youth workers, as well as trusted extended family and community members.

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Ombudsman for Children Niall Muldoon said: "Research shows that children growing up with problem alcohol use in the home are more likely to experience mental health problems, to have poor school attendance, behavioural problems, as well as substance use problems and eating disorders.

"These are stark findings that we've known about for some time. Yet often, we do not join the dots between young people's issues and their lived experiences.

We must do better as a state in understanding children’s behaviours in terms of what is going on in their lives.

"This goes beyond the small number of children who come to the attention of Tusla, CAMHS or the gardaí and as a nation, we need to acknowledge the need for our communities, schools and clubs to understand the possible traumas in children’s lives and ensure they are listened to and supported in the contexts they live in."

Ailbhe Smyth, patron of Alcohol Action’s Silent Voices initiative and who grew up with this issue, said: “Families are deeply disrupted when someone is dependent on alcohol or other substances. The trauma that permeates throughout the family can cause family members - and children in particular - to have their own mental health needs.

"Often times there can be other compounding issues such as domestic abuse which can further trap people in addiction and trauma. We need to find ways to ensure that services responding to people are able to deal with the holistic and co-occurring needs that arise and we need far more supports for children and families in order to break intergenerational trauma cycles.”