Research has consistently shown that parental alcohol misuse can have considerable negative effects on children, young people and the family environment. Children growing up in alcohol fuelled family environments often do not achieve their full potential in life, have low self esteem, lack in confidence, feel unsafe and find it difficult to trust others (Kroll and Taylor1, Gorin2, Barnard3, Forrester and Harwin4). Adding to this, the issue of parental alcohol misuse often remains hidden with many children and young people suffering and growing up in silence. Yet with this knowledge, European alcohol policy has predominantly focused on the licensing and trading of alcohol, its impact on crime and on individual health with little attention being paid to the impact of parental alcohol misuse on children, young people and families.\ud
This study aims to review and identify the main approaches adopted by EU Partners in addressing the issue of children affected by parental alcohol problems (ChAPAPs), drawing specifically on research, policy, practice and service development. This is a particularly timely study as the EU Commission is placing more emphasis on member states to protect young people and children, and the unborn child, from alcohol related harm across Europe. Many EU partners are also in the process of developing and/or updating national alcohol strategies