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Calum Best has been speaking on the Lorraine Kelly Show about the effect his father’s death had on him. Callum is promoting his autobiography Second Best in which he reflects on his relationship with his famous dad George Best, Northern Ireland and Manchester United football legend.
George’s struggle with alcoholism was well documented and led to his premature death from liver disease in 2005. George was just 59 years old at the time, and Callum has admitted that the death left him ‘feeling numb’.
Cycle of Alcohol Abuse
Callum says that his family had a cycle of alcohol abuse, which began with his grandmother – George’s mother. He said that she turned to alcohol to help cope with the pressures of her son’s fame and became dependent on it. When she died, George turned to alcohol and, when George died, Callum too began to drink as a way to numb the pain.
Callum also reflected on a time during his childhood in California, where he lived with his mother, Angie. He said that when George used to come to visit, he was so excited and used to tell everyone about his famous dad and how they could all have a ‘kick around’. However, George often arrived looking dishevelled, unshaven, and wearing things such as shell suits. Callum said, “Everybody was going, ‘is that the hero?'”
Criticism
Callum has had some bad press recently, and some family members have criticised his decision for writing a book about the relationship he had with his father. However, Callum hit back by saying, “This isn’t taking away from anything that George was in football because he is a hero to many and he is a hero to me as well, but this is the journey of a father and a son that had alcohol dependency throughout their whole relationship, that’s what my story is about.”
Callum admits that he has made mistakes in his life and that he made the biggest ones after his father passed away. However, he said he is in a good place now, and that is why he can talk about his life growing up.
Growing Up with an Alcoholic Parent
Alcoholism affects the whole family; when a parent suffers from this illness, children are often profoundly affected. Children of an alcoholic parent may live in fear, especially if the parent becomes violent or aggressive when under the influence of alcohol.
As children get older, there is also a certain amount of shame and embarrassment felt, and it can be hard to understand why their parent acts the way they do. Children that grow up with an alcoholic parent are highly likely to suffer emotional problems while some will develop alcohol abuse problems themselves when they get older. The reason for this is that they have grown up watching their parent reach for alcohol every time he or she could not cope. The kids then may see this as the only way to deal with stress and pressure when they get older.
Children of alcoholics may be dealing with a lot of pent up anger towards their parent and the shame they feel because of their illness. They may become depressed, and some will perform badly in school.
Getting Help for Alcoholism
If alcoholism is affecting your family life, then Rehab Helper can be of assistance. We know how devastating alcohol abuse can be on a family, and we are here to offer advice and support to those affected by this problem. We are a free referral service and have the information you need to make your situation better. Please contact us today for free, independent advice and support.
Source:
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3013204/Calum-Best-reflects-spiral-alcohol-abuse-following-tragic-death-father.html
