Jeff is a recovering gambling addict, and his adult son Michael is a member of Gam-Anon which has helped him return his own life to his own control after growing up raised by an addict.  Jeff’s own parents were addicts; his father was not only an alcoh...

Harry’s first drug experience was with alcohol. His family would use alcohol for kids’ ailments, like toothaches, etc. At age 12, he drank a bottle of sacramental wine and loved it. But at the same age, he also tried marijuana.

Fred’s family was entirely made up of alcoholics. Alcohol was present at every family event, and nobody would only have one drink. Everybody imbibed but alcohol affected Fred’s father to the point it changed his personality. When sober,

Mark refused to attend an Al-Anon meeting when his therapist first suggested it. Despite his family not being comprised of drinkers, Mark now knows his family was unhealthy. His parents, especially his father, was what is termed to be a “rage-aholic.

Matt was a young drinker; so young, in fact, he got sober at age 19. He hails from a large family of alcoholics and spent his whole young life believing that alcoholism was a normal way of life. But it also caused him to feel like an outcast – a feelin...

Jimmy’s first drink was in junior high school. He had friends whose parents kept a stocked bar and were frequently absent. As a child, he felt awkward and out of place, but the alcohol provided Jim with “the answer.

Even as a young child, Carlito would “play doctor” with anyone; he knew at that early age he was bisexual. As an adolescent that aspect of his life became more apparent to him, but he was never something he could be open about.

Pat grew up in a drinking family. Alcohol was always involved at all family social gatherings, and results were less than pleasing. Because of that, Pat vowed as a child to not drink at home, but as an adult he never lived up to his promise.

Steve always felt different from other people. He first felt that way when, as a young child, he was made to repeat kindergarten. Steve now thinks his failure to socialize or make friendships at that age was the result of his mother being an alcoholic....

Alex grew in a very conservative religious home in the Midwestern U.S., in a family which adhered to strictly traditional gender roles. But even as a young boy, Alex began to realize he was more enamored with men than women; he found himself interested...