No One Wants To Talk About ‘The Thing’

Why does no one say anything? Because no one wants to talk about the thing.

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Some Punjabi and Sikh parents drink too much…
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No One Wants To Talk About ‘The Thing’

Listen to No One Wants to Talk About ‘The Thing’ by Jacky – a moving poem about the difficulty in speaking out about addiction

No one wants to talk about ‘the thing’.

So instead, there’s just knowing looks whilst turning the other way, shrugging shoulders in dismay.

For no one wants to talk about the thing.

Because the gravity of the depravity creates a social insanity, where what goes on in front of open eyes, is explained away with audacious lies.

‘Cos no one wants to talk about the thing.

For such a thing would necessitate a reckoning, an awkward self-examination of how such humiliating degradation could fester under our very noses, ‘cos no one ever actually supposes that the thing could happen.. here.

Amongst our very own, but that is how the thing is grown, for each time a blind eye is turned, the shameful silence is being learned.

‘Smile please at the camera!’ Let the pretence belie the tense atmosphere that suffocates the truth.

WHY does no one say anything? Because no one wants to talk about the thing.

And you’ll be accused of being a trouble-maker, rather than what you are – a cycle-breaker.

If you speak up, you’ll be deterred, told ‘such a thing is just absurd!’

You sure as hell won’t be heard. Cos no one wants to talk about ‘the thing’.”

Jacky

To read more experience stories, go to Support & Advice.

You are not alone

Remember the Six "C"s

I didn’t cause it
I can’t control it
I can’t cure it
I can take care of myself
I can communicate my feelings
I can make healthy choices

Experiences

Lydia

Racing Alone

Training alone. Racing alone. A poem by Lydia to give hope to COAs.

Yasmin Feussner

It wasn’t your fault

Please know that you are not the reason for your father’s rage.

Sarah

I thought of her as selfish, but now I understand

My mum Cheryl passed away suddenly in March at just 58.

Resources you may like

Parental Substance Use: Supporting School Aged Children

By Hannah Todman and Sarah Galvani (A BASW Practice Guide)

Twinkle, Twinkle Arti

By Danielle Slade

The 1 in 5 Documentary: A film about the forgotten children of alcoholics

By John Taylor

5-Step Self-Help Handbook for Family Members

By AFINet

Nacoa lunchtime lives

By Josh Connolly and special guests

Find Your Oasis – A collection of writing from those affected

By Various

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