Living with LDS Alcoholics

Book excerpt: Trixie grew up as the oldest sibling in her family, active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Alcoholism was present but well-hidden throughout the early years of her life and beyond, with the kind of impact on family dynamics that have been documented repeatedly and featured in novels, biographies, and movies. The unique twist here is the prohibition against alcohol in the Church, which adds another level of complexity and healing to the recovery process. How safe is it for a family in distress to openly discuss the root cause of the problem in a faith that espouses abstention and has a shadow side of making judgments? Trixie's objective in sharing her memoirs is to give others struggling with addiction consequences an enhanced hope through the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.