Researchers and scholars working on a child’s physical and mental health have listed some negative experiences as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), among which substance abuse is at the top of the list. A child who’s grown up in a household that is filled with substance abuse, specifically alcoholism, is at risk of losing not just his precious life but the lives of the people surrounding him.
If we talk about substance abuse, alcoholism, mainly as described by the author Bobbie Bell in his book, has the potential to impact the child’s future on violence victimization and lifelong health crisis. The ugly incidents, such as the chaos within the family due to alcoholism, fighting parents, and unpredictability, when they become a part of the child’s life, it becomes normal for him to treat people around him in such a manner that can destroy the entire social system of the society.
The author has shown in his book that in the midst of it all, children feel a longing desire for stability, love, and the kind of affection they see on different TV shows. In his personal narrative, the author has shown tremendous courage and took a commendable step to talk about his life, his journey, how he witnessed family gatherings turn into battlegrounds, and how little were the moments of peace in his life.
The society has observed what happens when people like Mitchell, the violent alcoholic stepfather, and the author’s mother, battling her own demons when they start a family together, create a toxic environment that leaves scars on the young minds of their children.
In his autobiography, ‘The Boy Named Bobbie,’ when the author discusses his life and comes across this particular chapter, one particular incident stands out vividly—a night when paramedics had to intervene as the author’s mother overdosed on pills. They continue to vividly recall the scenario and the mother’s cries for help with her medication. A moment captured in time is depicted by the mother’s unsettling composure, the uneasy looks of passersby, and her helplessness in not knowing where to obtain the medication.
The author, Bobbie Bell, was fortunate that he was offered the much-needed love and attention from a sympathetic relative, offering a ray of hope and solace in the midst of the mayhem and dysfunction. In a home where such feelings were uncommon, it was a unique opportunity to feel loved and appreciated.
This story is a powerful reminder of the long-term consequences that addiction and dysfunction can have on families, particularly on the kids who are raised in them. It clarifies the critical role that love, security, and support play in a child’s development, as well as the severe effects of trauma and neglect.
The author’s life serves as a testament to the efficacy of empathy, comprehension, and the healing that results from facing and accepting the past. It is an appeal to end the dysfunctional cycle and build a loving, caring, and healing future for future generations.