The Sibling Project: Episode 4 - Theresa Valentin

According to SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly 24.6 million Americans were illicit drug users in 2013.  Now just for a moment, take that number and try to imagine the number of people that were impacted by that illicit drug use. Think about the families. Think about the number of mothers, fathers, cousins, grandfathers, co-workers and best friends. Think about all the people that were pulled into and torn apart by the viscous cycle of addiction.

Clearly, the numbers are staggering and the heartache is real and we need to start talking about it. That’s why I’ve created The Sibling Project: Exploring How The Lives of Siblings Are Impacted By Addiction. Over the next several weeks, I will be speaking one on one with a group who’s voice we rarely if ever get to hear, the siblings of addicts and alcoholics. 

It is my hope, with this series of podcasts, that we can spark a new conversation that focuses on the countless number of siblings living and struggling alongside an addicted loved one. 

In this fourth episode of The Sibling Project, I'm sitting down with Theresa Valentin. Theresa grew up with two older brothers both of which struggled with addiction. One loved heroin and the other would settle for just about anything he could get his hands on. At 19, Theresa left home to get away from the chaos, a decision she says she's never regretted.