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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJoe Biden talking openly about his son Hunter's addiction could save lives
Joe Biden talking openly about his son Hunter's addiction could save livesI didn't tell my dad when I was struggling and it almost cost me my life. I wish I'd seen a TV moment like Biden's
Last night during the presidential debate, I watched Joe Biden tell the world he was proud of his son conquering addiction. It might have meant nothing to most. But for the millions in recovery it was a breakthrough moment in the national conversation, a moment of admitting we exist. That addiction is a family disease.
"My son, like a lot of people you know at home, had a drug problem. He's overtaken it. He's fixed it. He's worked on it," Biden said. "And I'm proud of him. I'm proud of my son."
My dad never knew I got sober.
He passed away on May 23, 2011. At the time I was struggling. But if I'm honest, I had been absent for years leading up to that too.
On October 12, 2011, I attempted to take my own life. In a moment of clarity, I called my mother, who was, unbeknownst to me, celebrating one year of sobriety. Though we didn't have a good relationship, she talked me through it, and I haven't had a drink since. Now we joke that neither of us can back out of our sobriety or we won't share the same date anymore.
In a few days, she'll have 10 years.
My dad doesn't know any of that.
If I had cancer, people would run marathons for me. If I had diabetes, I could tell everyone and they'd share health tips. But I have a chemical reaction where my dopamine receptors take over my brain when alcohol enters my system, so instead I have to tell nobody and hope there's an open church basement near me in any town I visit. I don't get second medical opinions. I don't get the community to rally around me. I just quietly hope a system with no national organization or medical professionals is going to be there for me. And if I can go to rehab if I can afford it or if my insurance covers it regulation and licensing standards differ from state to state, and not all centers participate in national accreditation, so let's hope I picked a good one!
And why? Because it's a sickness where we think the people who get it should feel bad.
And then Joe Biden, a dad himself, went on national television and said his son had a problem and he was proud of him for conquering it.
[link:https://www.salon.com/2020/09/30/joe-biden-talking-openly-about-his-son-hunters-addiction-could-save-lives/|
yardwork
(61,418 posts)My father died from alcoholism. It is a disease that affects entire families. Recovery takes courage and humility.
Rice4VP
(1,235 posts)whatever happened to the opioid crisis?
Maraya1969
(22,441 posts)that. The same is true with addiction to food. People just get mocked at for a disease that they didn't ask for.
Thank you for your post and congratulations on your recovery!
tulipsandroses
(5,094 posts)as well as have family members with substance abuse issues. My grandfather died from cirrhosis due to his life long alcohol addiction. I never saw him in the last years of his life. Quite sad.
The writer makes an excellent point about being able to afford treatment or finding treatment. I made a thread about this last night about how Biden should use this to his favor. Trump wants to get rid of Obamacare. it pays for substance abuse treatment.
Buckeyeblue
(5,491 posts)Addiction and grief. These are personal parts of people's lives that typically men his age have avoided.
I think he will be a good president. He will be able to speak to and speak about a lot of different people.