Dionne’s life was shaped by chaos from the start. She grew up with a father who drank heavily and cheated on her mother, and she was forced to move schools after relentless bullying. She was desperate to be loved by the time she met her ex-husband, He battled his own addictions, and together, their lives unraveled. Dionne lost her home in a fire, drowned in debt, and discovered her husband was having affairs even whilst she was pregnant.

Her drinking escalated, even her children were begging her to stop. “You’re an alcoholic, you’re disgusting,” they would scream, hiding her car keys to stop her from having accidents.

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TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses substance abuse. Please listen with care.

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.