Addiction, Treatment and Recovery

NICK NEWS WITH LINDA ELLERBEE – UNDER THE INFLUENCE: KIDS OF ALCOHOLICS

Eleven million American kids live in a family with a parent suffering from alcoholism. Countless others deal with the havoc, trauma and chaos of this family disease but aren’t currently living with the alcoholic. We are talking about one out of every four kids in the U.S.

Five of these kids share their experiences dealing with parents who are struggling with alcoholism in the Nick News with Linda Ellerbee special, “Under the Influence: Kids of Alcoholics,” which will re-air on TeenNick during National Children of Alcoholics Week on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 6:00pm, EST.

Betty Ford Children’s Program staff supported the effort to create the program. Jerry Moe was interviewed as a subject matter expert and Children’s Program staff worked with the production crew to help identify kids who could share their stories.

“It was like I was the mother,” says Kate, age 12, from New Mexico. “I have lost some of my childhood…I know things some kids my age don’t know — like maybe should not know.”

“I love my mom but she loves drinking more than me,” says Brittany, age 15, from Mattituck, NY. “I’ve tried to help my mom not to drink. I yelled and cried and begged her to stop. I have one tip. If you want the alcoholic not to drink, don’t dump the alcohol down the drain. That’s just going to make them more angry.”

“I would worry a lot about my dad,” says Matthew, age 10 from Westminster CO. “My grades were suffering because I couldn’t focus.”

Then there’s Rian, 13, from Westwego, LA. “One day (my mom) wouldn’t wake up,” Rian says. “And I started crying because I thought she was dead.”

The poignant stories told by the children in the special allow viewers to connect with the depth of the problem. Jerry Moe acknowledges it’s difficult for kids growing up in homes where there’s alcoholism because they never know what’s going to happen next. But he also says kids can cope, “by having safe people that you can talk to about what’s going on at home – by learning problem solving skills, ways to stay safe.”

The program also tells the story of hope; that alcoholics can get better. “I wondered, ‘What’s wrong with my dad? Is he sick?” says Sam, age 13, from Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Yes, his father was sick. He suffered from alcoholism, but agreed to go to rehab after an intervention. “My dad went into rehab, and I saw this place, almost surreal like. It was a place that would take in broken people, and basically taught them skills so they wouldn’t drink anymore and would stay sober. Not all the time it would work, but it worked for my dad and that’s all that matters to me.”

The Betty Ford Children’s Program is grateful to Linda Ellerbee, Nickelodeon and Lucky Duck Productions for telling this important story to kids across the country, and for permission to share the program. If you would like to receive a DVD copy of the program, please contact one of our Children’s Program offices.

Related posts:

1. Nick News Focuses on Kids of Alcoholics
2. ‘Under the Influence’ Program on Nick News Wins Emmy
3. Kudos to News Special on Kids of Alcoholics – Lesson Plan Available
4. Betty Ford Center Acknowledges Alcohol Awareness Month
5. Colorado Five Star Kids News – Fall 2011