Mommy, are you drunk?
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Mommy, are you drunk?
Alcoholism and other drug addiction have genetic and environmental causes. Both have serious consequences for children who live in homes where parents are involved. According to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, more than 28 million Americans are children of alcoholics and nearly 11 million of them are under the age of 18. This figure is magnified by the countless number of others who are affected by parents who are impaired by other psychoactive drugs.
Alcoholism runs in my family also. Being born predisposed to something so difficult was made even harder by the lack of education that I had received surrounding the disease of addiction growing up. The school programs we were almost null and there was no talking about it at home either. I know now this was one factor that contributed to my own submission to addiction.
It’s a fact that Alcoholism and other drug addiction tend to run in families. Children of addicted parents are more at risk for alcoholism and other drug abuse than are other children. That’s why if you are a parent who suffers from substance abuse disorder; you need to pay extra special attention to your children’s behaviors and even more attention to yours. Kids are very intuitive, trust me, they generally have an idea when something isn’t right with mommy or daddy.
Recently I had an email come from a man in Florida. His wife’s erratic behavior, nights out at the bar, and frequent glasses of wine immediately after work has led him to believe that his wife may have a serious drinking issue. He had always felt that she was hiding and sneaking her drinking but has never been able to prove it. There are no empty bottles behind the couch or Vodka bottles filled with water, just his gut telling him something wasn’t right. He asked me if I think their kids, ages 6, 10, 13 had any clue themselves as to what might be going on with mommy. So I answered him.
“More than likely.” I said. “If your gut is telling you something is wrong, usually it’s because something is wrong and it’s not just you who senses it.”
Research has shown that adolescents who perceive that a parent is using are more likely to abuse drugs themselves. My advice to him was to continue digging and asking the questions. I know he will find what he is looking for sooner or later and then take the appropriate steps to try and help his wife regain control of her life.
Here are the tools that will help you or your loved one beat addiction!
Use of substances by parents and their adolescent children is strongly correlated; generally, if parents take drugs, sooner or later their children will also. It’s just the nature of the beast. Kid’s aren’t as unaware as we sometimes we would like them to be. They observe understand, and absorb like sponges, especially at those ages as mentioned above.
If you are a parent and suffering from substance abuse disorder, please be aware that your kids probably know, are internalizing it, and trying to make sense of it all by themselves. This is bad because it leads to self-esteem issues, resentments, and bouts with depression. All this of course will most likely lead your teenage child down the same path you’re on now. So get help, because it’s time.
About me: I am Super Star (yes, that is my legal name). I have earned that name – and accomplished what many people would consider impossible – because I chose to stay sober one day at a time. I left the crack houses to mingle with Hollywood’s elite, ending up working with all of my childhood musical heroes, and have now found my purpose in life after surviving an almost 15-year battle with the disease of addiction.
Currently, I am an advocate for kids in recovery from substance abuse (and prevention as well) in Malibu, California, as well as from my home in Chicago, a sober companion to many, director of a non-profit that helps those struggling with recovery, and passionate speaker to kids about the issues of drugs and addiction.
I am also an author and musician. I am currently finishing my work on the book, “The First 30 Days to Serenity: The Ultimate Survival Guide to Staying Sober,” which can be pre-ordered here. I have also just wrapped up the recording of Serenity, a first-of-its-kind CD created in conjunction with my twin brother Rock Star solely to combat addiction. “Serenity,” was produced by a Grammy-winning producer and features many of our musical heroes, who have come together to help us tell our story in an effort to help others through their own addiction struggles. Guests on our CD include current and former members of bands such as Kiss, Heart, The Goo Goo Dolls, Dokken, Trans-Siberian Orchestra as well as many more. It rocks – musically and inspirationally – and can be found here
Pass this on if you feel it can help someone and feel free to visit us at www.rockstarsuperstarproject.com
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