‘My mum was an alcoholic and it was a massive secret’

By Sarah McDermott
BBC News

Growing up with a parent who has a drinking problem can profoundly affect children in many ways. Children of alcoholics are more likely to suffer from depression, struggle in school, and experience abuse and violence at home. Many find that they are still deeply affected by their parent’s drinking as adults – like Becky Ellis Hamilton.

It was Saturday night and 13-year-old Becky was helping her mum, Pat, get ready to go out. Pat spent most weekends at her partner’s flat up the road, leaving Becky at home with her grandmother.

In the bathroom, Pat perched on the lid of the toilet while Becky delicately put her contact lenses in for her, then softly brushed lilac eye shadow across her mum’s eyelids and rolled a pearlescent pink lipstick around her mouth.

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