After my son was found passed out behind a beer store, I found myself thinking about a social media comment that blamed parents for alcohol use disorder. The reality is far more complicated. Genetics, ADHD, emotional pain, life experiences, alcohol itself, and countless other factors shape vulnerability to addiction. This is a reflection on relapse, grief, and why blame rarely helps anyone.
Category: Alcohol: Family Recovery
While It Was Still Hopeful
Just when I start to believe everything might be OK, I find evidence suggesting I should have waited a little longer. Living with a loved one’s AUD means learning to navigate the space between hope and fear, while imagining a future where alcohol is no longer woven into every social expectation.
Holding the Line
The Roller Coaster I Never Chose One of the hardest things I have ever had to learn is that there is a difference between loving a person and participating in their crisis. For a long time, I didn’t know that difference. When someone you love has severe alcohol use disorder, every day can feel like…