Background

It is estimated that there are currently 350,000 children of problem drug users in the UK, and more than 1 million children whose parent has a problem with alcohol.
 
A child’s physical health, emotional wellbeing, social questioning and development can be affected by parental substance use. Children can take on a caring role for their parents and younger siblings and can feel very alone, not knowing where to turn for support.
 
The new 10-year drug strategy is a welcome change to a treatment culture that was historically more focussed on adult problematic substance issues, and now there is greater investment in family substance misuse services.
 
In order to make lasting change, it is essential that problematic substance misusers who are parents are given appropriate treatment and support to reduce the harm to themselves and their children.
 

CoreKids was developed in 2001, as part of the Core Trust, in order to address the needs of the family for parents with drug and alcohol problems. This innovative model has successfully been expanded into other community-based drug and alcohol treatment services within London and Hertfordshire.