An evening listening to the voices of those impacted by parental problem alcohol use. Hosted by Ray D’Arcy and organised by Alcohol Action Ireland, the independent advocate for reducing alcohol harm.
This event includes contributions from:
Christine Dwyer Hickey, is a novelist and short story writer. She has published 8 novels and a short story collection. Her most recent novel, The Narrow Land won the Walter Scott Prize 2020 and the Dalkey Literary Award. Her novel Tatty first published in 2004, was Unesco One City One Book 2020. It is the story of alcoholism in a family, as told by one of its children.
Stephen Lynch, Public Affairs Manager, Channel 4 and NACOA ambassador. NACOA is a UK organisation providing support for those affected by a parent’s drinking.
Senator Frances Black, founder of the Rise Foundation, which provides services focused on family members of those with addictive behaviours.
Marion Rackard, one of the Founding Voices of Alcohol Action Ireland’s Silent Voices initiative. Marion has worked as an addiction counsellor and psychotherapist in a variety of areas within the HSE related to alcohol prevention, advocacy, treatment and trauma, for over thirty years. Marion Rackard, one of the Founding Voices of Alcohol Action Ireland’s Silent Voices initiative. Marion has worked as an addiction counsellor and psychotherapist in a variety of areas within the HSE related to alcohol prevention, advocacy, treatment and trauma, for over thirty years.
This event is part of ‘End the Silence’ – a series of activities to raise awareness of the issues around growing up with alcohol harm in the home.
We know that at least 200,000 children in Ireland are currently living with the trauma of parental problem alcohol use (PPAU) and a further 400,000 adults are living with its legacy – emotional, mental and physical health problems. Yet despite these large numbers this Adverse Childhood Experience remains a deeply hidden aspect of Ireland’s relationship with alcohol. Alcohol Action Ireland’s initiative, Silent Voices, seeks to raise awareness and put forward policy solutions to address these issues.
Silent Voices has been fostered by three individuals who experienced parental problem alcohol use growing up. The emotional trauma of this experience is significant and, for many complex reasons, is a situation very few people feel able to speak about.
During the week of October 17-21, we are organising events and leading discussions on PPAU – End the Silence. We will be hearing from a range of experts, highlighting research findings and launching a dedicated toolkit, co-produced by Alcohol Action Ireland with professionals working in the field and people with lived experience. We hope the toolkit will be used by people across Ireland beyond this week to broaden understanding of this topic and allow people access help and information that will support them in their healing.
More information here.
