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brightTopic: Something to consider
I had to go for my annual check up and while waiting for the doctor his nurse, Christie, talked to me. She proudly told me that she has just written a book. I want to share the book, Christian’s Story, with you. It is something everyone can relate to. I do want to state though that there is lots of help available. You have to be open to help. Unfortunately the biggest disease is denial. However, once you admit that there is a problem in your family and you do not have to keep it a secret you will also notice that AA, Al-Anon, Alateen, Children of Alcoholics and more are available. The resource list in the book, FOR TEENAGERS LIVING WITH A PARENT WHO ABUSES ALCOHOL/DRUGS is 20 pages long. What is hard is watching the abuser of alcohol/drugs damage him/herself and hurt the family.
Why won’t daddy stop drinking?
Triumph over alcohol seen through the eyes of a child
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. – Interventions didn’t work. The first two stints in rehab didn’t work. Not even jail time could convince Christie L. Appel’s son to stop drinking. And who was most affected? His children.
Appel tells the story of what lead her son to sobriety through the eyes of her grandson in her new book, Christian’s Story. Throughout this emotional journey, Christie discovered there isn’t much assistance for children of addicts. She wants this book to help the smallest victims of addiction.
“When Keith started struggling with alcoholism it became a family problem, but we didn’t have the tools to make sense of it all,” says Appel. “It became clear that I was a co-dependent and an enabler. As a family, we all had to do our part.”
The Appel family wants Christian’s Story to bring faith and encouragement to children who have been affected by alcoholism. Their story has a happy ending and shows that miracles can happen.
“Addiction has been a generational problem with my family and it became time to draw a line in the sand,” Appel says. “It was a devastating time in all our lives, but we are recovering one day at a time.”
Alcoholism doesn’t just affect the alcoholic, but the entire family. Christian’s Story lets children know it’s not their fault and there is hope.
Christian’s Story: Our Family’s Triumph Over Alcohol
By Christie L. Appel
32 pages
Paperback 11 x 8.5, retail price: $19.99
ISBN: 9781467877213
Available at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.
About the author
Christie L. Appel is a practicing RN, CLNC at Yampa Valley Medical Associates in Steamboat Springs, CO. She was raised in Steamboat and continues to live there with her husband, Larry.Christie has a real passion for her family. She is truly blessed to be writing this story with a happy ending. By sharing this story, she tries to provide faith, hope and encouragement to all who read it.
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