One in three children 'live with binge drinking parent'

Parents are being warned about the dangers of binge-drinking Credit: Cathal McNaughton/PA Wire

Nearly one in three children lives with a parent who is a binge drinker, campaigners have warned today.

The figure equates to between 3.3 million and 3.5 million children in the United Kingdom living with at least one parent who downs six or more drinks on a single occasion for women or eight for men.

Around 93,500 babies aged under 12 months in the UK are living with a parent who is classified as a "hazardous" drinker (increasing the risk of harm to oneself or others), according to studies by the Community Research Company and used by the Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCC).

Approximately 31,000 babies under a year live with a parent who would be classified as a "dependent" drinker.

That's one in three children in the UK Credit: Daybreak

The OCC today published a report - Silent Voices: supporting children and young people affected by parental alcohol misuse - highlighting the extent of the problem.

The report's recommendations are directed at Government, policy makers, health and social care professionals, and those who commission and provide local services.

The OCC said during the last 10 to 15 years improvements have been made.

460,000 children live with a single parent who's a binge drinker Credit: Daybreak

Binge drinking in families statistics

  • 1 in 3 of children live with at least one parent who is a binge drinker (between 3.3 - 3.5 million children).

  • A fifth live a hazardous drinker (over 2.5 million children).

  • Around 79,000 babies aged under 1 years old in England are living with a parent who is classified as a prolematic drinker.

  • Around 26,000 babies under 1 in England are livign with a parent who would be classified as a dependent drinker.

  • Binge drinking: Six or more drinks on a single occasion for women; eight for men.