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
Isolated with the family secret
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 .
Why I don’t miss my Dad at Christmas
Last Christmas was my first without my Dad.
Last Christmas was my first without my Dad.
I am the daughter of an alcoholic
You should always remember it is just as physically and emotionally draining for the carer as it is for the addicted.
You should always remember it is just as physically and emotionally draining for the carer as it is for the addicted.
Bottling everything up and unable to speak to anybody
I felt like I couldn’t speak to anybody because I was ‘just an emotional child’.
I felt like I couldn’t speak to anybody because I was ‘just an emotional child’.
Addiction: The elephant in the room
‘It’s more than shame – it’s a secret shame.’
‘It’s more than shame – it’s a secret shame.’
Bottles, secrets and me
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
‘I dial the helpline, how will the words come out. There’s a washing machine in my stomach.’
You’re so lucky
‘I would wish that just one person could have seen behind closed doors.’
‘I would wish that just one person could have seen behind closed doors.’
My mother was unflinchingly strong and alive
For everyone that has ever felt like I did; alone, helpless and overwhelmed, I would like to say that you are not strange, guilty or failing.
For everyone that has ever felt like I did; alone, helpless and overwhelmed, I would like to say that you are not strange, guilty or failing.
