The Child Of An Alcoholic Who Quit Drinking In Her Twenties

She started drinking at 14 to numb a life that was falling apart. Her parents had separated. Her uncle had died suddenly. Her mum had just been diagnosed with a terminal illness. And the only coping strategy she knew was the one her alcoholic father had modelled her whole life: drink, lie about it, and make everything look fine on the outside.

This week on One for the Road, Sober Dave talks to CeCe Reagan, a sober writer, poet, domestic abuse survivor and child of an alcoholic who quit drinking at 24 and has spent the last six years rebuilding her life across two countries.

CeCe opens up about the full story. Drinking to oblivion from her first ever party. Almost losing her life in a seven-year abusive relationship that started when she was 16. Losing her mum at 19 while still in active addiction. Trying to get sober at 23. Moving to Newcastle 16 days sober and white-knuckling her way through. Finding her people in church basements with a Geordie accent she could barely understand. And eventually using writing — poetry, journaling, letters to alcohol — to process everything she had spent a decade numbing.

If you grew up with an alcoholic, drink to numb grief or trauma, or are trying to quit drinking young, this conversation will land.

If you want to connect with me via Instagram, you can find me on the instahandle @Soberdave https://www.instagram.com/soberdave/

or via my website https://davidwilsoncoaching.com/

Provided below are links for services offering additional help and advice and for CiCi.

https://www.instagram.com/cicireagan

https://www.facebook.com/cici.reagan

www.cicireagan.com

https://alcoholchange.org.uk/https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/alcohol-support-services

https://nacoa.org.uk/

Show producer- Daniella Attanasio-Martinez

https://www.grownuphustle.com/