Someone else’s survival guide
Being a COA does not have to stop you from achieving anything.
Being a COA does not have to stop you from achieving anything.
Addiction taking priority
A letter to Dad and the rest of the world
The day alcoholism was no longer just something that you lived with.
The day alcoholism was no longer just something that you lived with.
What normal looked like for me
As a COA, I grew up in an environment where every day was uncertain.
As a COA, I grew up in an environment where every day was uncertain.
A Story of Hope
I love being part of something that truly gets me.
I love being part of something that truly gets me.
Intoxicated Darkness
When my father died she would function during the daytimes as she needed to keep life going
When my father died she would function during the daytimes as she needed to keep life going
The only connection we had
I kept a journal, it was like having a personal therapist
I kept a journal, it was like having a personal therapist
The stigma continues, even after they’ve gone
We have to change the conversations around addiction and being a COA. I won’t stop trying.
We have to change the conversations around addiction and being a COA. I won’t stop trying.
Early childhood – Alcohol seeps into our lives
From the outside I was seen to be a lucky, privileged child with no right to complain
From the outside I was seen to be a lucky, privileged child with no right to complain
The idea of a calm life was not even a possibility for my family
I love my dad dearly but can’t help but feel a sense of betrayal from him .
I love my dad dearly but can’t help but feel a sense of betrayal from him .
There is nothing functional about functional alcoholism
I think my mum is a truly beautiful person.
I think my mum is a truly beautiful person.
