Without alcohol I can be the father I’ve always wanted to be

"My drinking took a toll on my daughter," says Michael Andreassen, a radio host and media personality from Norway. "While she never felt unsafe, it was an incredibly lonely time for her. I'd pass out on the sofa, and she couldn't wake me. Sometimes she would lie down beside me, just to feel close. I still get emotional thinking about it. Now we talk about everything, openly and honestly. Without alcohol I can be the father to my children I've always wanted to be. I'm always there for them, and our relationship has improved significantly."

"The turning point for me came 12 years ago, when I collapsed at work. I had nothing left to give," says Michael. Alcohol, unpaid bills and mental health struggles drove him to rock bottom and forced him to confront the reality of his situation.

Rebuilding relationships - the impact of alcohol on parenting

"I've experienced many benefits, such as losing 30 kilos, becoming a personal trainer, and improving my mental health, but the greatest has been as a father - finding the strength to reach out and rebuild my relationships with my children," says Michael.

"Many parents who I speak to tell me, 'I never thought about how my children felt about my drinking, or how much I'd drink if they could decide'. The answers are eye-opening. Children perceive things differently. Even small changes in a parent's behaviour, like being louder than usual, can make them uncomfortable, while we might think we simply had a fun night. Protecting children from the impacts of alcohol creates a safe environment and allows us to give them the best versions of ourselves as parents - a comfortable and reliable space they can always depend on."

Rethinking our relationship with alcohol, knowing its harms to our health

Alcohol is often seen as something woven into how we celebrate, relax, and spend our holidays. Michael believes change is possible if we take the time to reflect on our relationship with alcohol and its role in our lives.

He encourages open conversations with family about drinking, noting that this advice applies to everyone, not just those struggling with alcohol use disorder or dependence.

"Many people worry that they won't be able to relax or have fun without alcohol, but that's simply not true. What's important is defining your relationship with alcohol. Ask yourself: What does drinking do to me? Why am I drinking? Is alcohol really that important? Be honest with yourself. This shift makes drinking a conscious choice, not just an automatic response because it's Friday or you're on vacation."

He also advocates for better labelling and public awareness regarding alcohol.

"Consumer information is readily available on everything in the grocery store, with warnings on tobacco and chemicals. Yet, there are no similar warnings for alcohol, even though it causes cancer and over 200 other diseases. It's puzzling, especially for a product that plays such an important role in our society, while many remain unaware of the associated health risks.

There should be labels - not to tell people what to do, but to present the facts so that everyone can make informed decisions."

Finding support and more information

If you or someone you know is experiencing harms from alcohol, it is important to reach out for help. You can find support on your national Ministry of Health website, or by consulting your doctor.

Michael shared his story with us for the "Redefine alcohol" campaign. This campaign is part of the WHO and European Union-funded Evidence into Action on Alcohol project (EVID-ACTION), which aims to increase awareness about harms from alcohol across 30 countries - the 27 European Union Member States and Iceland, Norway, and Ukraine - from 2022 to 2026.