Drunk parents can neglect their children, the survey says

Research carried out by the University of Edinburgh said alcohol misuse "cuts through the social classes".

Dr Angus Bancroft said while drug misuse was widely publicised, alcohol problems were more widespread.

The Scottish Executive said it was committed to helping young people get the best start in life.

Although drug misuse in Scotland is more prevalent among deprived families, alcohol problems do not respect social class and can often lead to violence, the report said.

Dr Bancroft said: "Alcohol misuse simply affects more people's lives.

Some parents failed to meet basic domestic needs or adequate emotional support Dr Bancroft

"Alcohol could be a problem on public or family ocassions, such as a school parents' evening or at Christmas."

Researchers questioned 28 teenagers and adults aged 15 to 27, from November 2002 until October 2003.

The report says many of the respondents felt their parents were unable to provide emotionally for them and as a result they had to care for their parents.

Dr Bancroft added: "In our interviews with young people who had grown up with parents affected by alcohol or drug misuse, a general sense of neglect was evident alongside a sense of the young people's own resilience and coping strategies.

Range of services

"Some parents failed to meet basic domestic needs or adequate emotional support and the young people had to rely on themselves or others to get by."

The report said children should be consulted on how best to tailor support services to help them deal with alcohol abuse in the parental home.

An executive spokeswoman said: "We want all young people to get the best possible start in life.

"That means if parents have a drug or alcohol abuse problem, social work should be recognising the problems and stepping in at an early stage and offering families the support they need.