Ellie talks about her mum who has a problem with drugs and alcohol

“I realised mum was different from other mums but didn’t know why. I didn’t know at the time that I wasn’t alone; there are at least 1.2 million children and young people who are affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use.

When I found that out I felt braver and was curious to find out more information. I looked on www.talktofrank.com on my computer and found out more information such as the side effects of the drugs my mum took. This helped me when talking to mum and saying what I found hard to live with.

I spoke to a friend I trusted at school and together we went to the school nurse called Sue who got me in touch with a counsellor. My counsellor’s name is Jane and talking to her makes me feel lighter like I don’t have to carry the burden of mum’s addiction on my own. I now know it’s not my fault and I can’t control it.”