A story about Sophie
Sophie is ten years old.
Sophie’s mum used to drink large amounts of alcohol.
This went on for several years.
Child-parent role reversal
Mum’s drinking put Sophie at significant risk of emotional and physical harm.
Sophie cared for her mother when she was drunk.
She lived with the secrecy and anxiety that often affect children living with parents who drink.
Sophie’s grandparents tried to help their daughter and granddaughter, but they eventually despaired.
Therapeutic support makes things right
Then Barnardo’s PHAROS service in Belfast, Northern Ireland, become involved and helped Sophie through individual counselling.
The PHAROS project provided therapeutic family work and the whole family started to develop positive and safe coping strategies that prioritised Sophie’s needs.
The family decided that Sophie should stay with her grandparents while Sophie’s mum accessed treatment.
Sophie is currently settled, happy and having regular contact with her mum, who is now engaged with treatment services and making good progress.