The Child of an Alcoholic: It’s never too late to break the cycle
We had little chance of developing as healthy children.
We had little chance of developing as healthy children.
Addiction taking priority
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.
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.
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.
Why couldn’t I have a ‘normal’ mum?
Mandy’s mother was talented, loving and kind when sober. When drunk, she was a monster.
Mandy’s mother was talented, loving and kind when sober. When drunk, she was a monster.
The shame and secrecy of having an alcoholic mother
She was an alcoholic. So much shame and secrecy surrounded that word.
She was an alcoholic. So much shame and secrecy surrounded that word.
Mum wasn’t normal or like other parents
Mum would fall asleep on the sofa every night after three or four bottles of wine.
Mum would fall asleep on the sofa every night after three or four bottles of wine.
