Pain and power
The first memory I have of my mum drinking and it being a problem, I was around 7 or 8.
The first memory I have of my mum drinking and it being a problem, I was around 7 or 8.
Adults
My mum, when sober, was the most beautiful, loving, and caring person
From around the age of nine, I began to understand that my mum was struggling with alcoholism.
From around the age of nine, I began to understand that my mum was struggling with alcoholism.
Reaching your parent’s death age
She was an alcoholic and struggled with life, but she was a human with a personality.
She was an alcoholic and struggled with life, but she was a human with a personality.
Kerfuffle
From the outside the house looked like any other, but inside was a different matter.
From the outside the house looked like any other, but inside was a different matter.
Sharing our stories is how we break the silence
My Dad’s drinking was the backdrop of my childhood, always dictating the atmosphere in our home.
My Dad’s drinking was the backdrop of my childhood, always dictating the atmosphere in our home.
A tribute to our dad
Behind his bright smile, he fought a silent battle with alcohol.
Behind his bright smile, he fought a silent battle with alcohol.
Loving my mother, fearing her drinking
When she is sober she can be the most caring, kind, loving woman in the world.
When she is sober she can be the most caring, kind, loving woman in the world.
If you grow up with an alcoholic parent, you can do anything
Paul told no one that his mum was an alcoholic but says his experience made him strong.
Paul told no one that his mum was an alcoholic but says his experience made him strong.
The last words my Dad said
I’m still angry but I know it’s not something he had control of.
I’m still angry but I know it’s not something he had control of.
I do not believe you set out to become addicted to alcohol
I often wonder what I would tell you if I had just one more day to spend with you.
I often wonder what I would tell you if I had just one more day to spend with you.
