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.
Arguments and conflict
Adult child of an alcoholic: It really isn’t your fault
As a child, I thought my dad drank like any normal person.
As a child, I thought my dad drank like any normal person.
I grew up not knowing that my father was an alcoholic
As a child L-A saw conflict and unpredictability. She now knows it wasn’t her fault.
As a child L-A saw conflict and unpredictability. She now knows it wasn’t her fault.
I was always waiting for Hyde to reappear
I knew that when my dad had been drinking to stay out of the way.
I knew that when my dad had been drinking to stay out of the way.
Protecting my peace meant blocking my alcoholic mum
The drunk texts and hurtful late-night calls have taken a toll I can no longer bear.
The drunk texts and hurtful late-night calls have taken a toll I can no longer bear.
Never Give Up Hope
Elizabeth’s message to anyone who grew up with an alcoholic parent: Never give up hope.
Elizabeth’s message to anyone who grew up with an alcoholic parent: Never give up hope.
My ‘how to guide’: Becoming the perfect scapegoat
My family members would use my behaviour to justify the parental drinking.
My family members would use my behaviour to justify the parental drinking.
Caterpillars and Butterflies
The stigma, the family I no longer speak to—what will the backlash be?
The stigma, the family I no longer speak to—what will the backlash be?
I didn’t have a choice as a child, but I do as an adult
Everyone commented on how lovely she was but behind closed doors she was anything but.
Everyone commented on how lovely she was but behind closed doors she was anything but.
Behind closed doors, family life was chaotic
Family life was chaotic, and we would have regular police visits to our home.
Family life was chaotic, and we would have regular police visits to our home.
