Hiding Alcoholism: When Moms Hit Rock Bottom
- Reported, January 26, 2012
 SAN
DIEGO (Ivanhoe Newswire) --An estimated four million American women abuse
alcohol and many of them have mastered hiding their problem from loved ones.
Now, statistics show alcohol abuse among women is on the rise. We’ll introduce
you to two women who saved their families by admitting their shameful secrets.
“I’d become a functioning alcoholic,” Heather Fanning, a recovering alcoholic at
Journey Healing Centers told Ivanhoe.
Fanning feels lucky. She knows her drinking could have killed her or someone
else.
"Around my house there would be stashes and I’d drink when people weren't
watching," Fanning added.
At her worst, the working mom was drinking three shots of vodka, ten beers and
two glasses of wine every day. According to a federal study, six out of 10 women
between 18 and 44 drink alcohol. Female alcoholics have death rates 50 to 100
percent higher than male alcoholics and the number of women arrested for DUI is
up almost 30 percent. Psychologist Barbara Kelly says families need to look more
closely for signs of a functioning alcoholic.
"They hide the alcohol in places that they know people wouldn't typically look
or it sometimes is even in the nursery where their baby sleeps,” Barbara Kelly,
Ph.D., a Licensed psychologist told Ivanhoe.
Stay-at-home mom Michelle McClennen kept an immaculate home took care of her two
kids and still managed to juggle daily drinking. Moms night out became her
excuse.
“Jewelry making parties to Tupperware parties there was also Bunko, that's a
dice rolling game that's actually called drunko because you definitely drink a
lot,” McClennen said.
McClennen worked with a counselor to kick her habit. Heather found help through
an in-patient addiction center. Both say admitting they needed help was the
toughest part.
These moms are sharing their shame, and hoping to reverse the trend of women
turning to alcohol.
While the number of women arrested for DUI increased 30 percent in the past
decade, men still outnumber them four to one.
For More Information, Contact:
Alcohol Addiction & Substance Abuse
www.alcoholaddiction.org
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