Children of Addicted Parents Share Stories of Recovery

ALBANY, NY (02/11/2011)(readMedia)-- To raise awareness of Children of Alcoholics Week, February 13-19, through real stories of hope and recovery, New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Acting Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez today encouraged New Yorkers dealing with addiction in their family to get the help and support that is available to end the cycle of addiction.

Acting Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said, "Children of addicted parents are more at risk for alcoholism and other drug abuse than are other children. We need to prevent the history of addiction from cycling through the family. Children and families need to know there is help available through more than 1,550 prevention, treatment and recovery programs throughout the state. Individuals and families can and do recover."

Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the New York State HOPEline, 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) for information and referrals to address alcohol, drug and gambling addiction, said Acting Commissioner González-Sánchez. The OASAS website also provides information on how to get help.

Children of Alcoholics Week (COA) celebrates the recovery of the many thousands of children (of all ages) who have received the help they needed to recover from the pain and losses suffered in their childhood, and it offers hope to those still suffering from the adverse impact of parental alcohol and drug addiction through educational programs.

In an effort to break the cycle of addiction, eliminate the stigma and promote a life of sobriety and wellness, OASAS continues to promote the Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com. This year's spotlights, who are children of addicted parents, shared their inspirational story of recovery:

Izetta Briggs-Bolling of Monticello, whose recovery began on January 20, 1993, said, "I am an adult child of a substance abuser. I grew up not understanding why my mother didn't raise me as other parents raised their children. I thought she didn't love or want me. My personal journey through recovery assisted me in being able to be open and understanding of my mother's addiction. Now that she is in long term recovery, we are able to discuss patterns of behavior that lead to conflict in our relationship today. We have a strong bond and talk candidly about the past, present and future."

Gregory Pereira, of the Bronx, whose recovery began May 23, 1995, said, "Growing up I felt different, I was ashamed and confused of the insane behavior which alcohol and substance abuse caused in my household. I lived in great pain, but the way I found to medicate my own pain was to use, too. I lived in a household where they said, "do as I say, not as I do"...I ended up doing what they did. Through years of the same pain from my past and the current pain I inflicted on myself, I finally sought help. It took tremendous effort for me to become alcohol- and drug-free. I forgive my parents, I love them dearly. They are deceased now. I also know that they were too masking deeper issues. We do Recover!"

Andres Malik Rivera, of Albany, whose recovery began February 14, 2006, said, "Educate, Educate, Educate! To be aware is to be alive. As a person from an addicted family, what I have come to understand is to give my all, and never lose hope."

Acting Commissioner González-Sánchez continued, "These individuals are offering the hope of recovery for children of alcoholics – of any age. Their stories are real and serve as an inspiration to others who need to know that they too can recover, reconnect with their loved ones, and break the cycle of addiction."

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

For more information, please visitwww.oasas.state.ny.us.

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