Charles Kennedy 1959-2015. Image: Wikipedia
The tragic death of Charles Kennedy this week, aged 55, is a sadly familiar story to many people who suffer with, or are close to, the illness that is addiction (yes – illness; you heard me right). Although the exact cause of death has not yet been identified, it is highly likely that it was, in some part, related to his drinking. To Kennedy’s credit, he openly admitted in a press conference in 2006 that he had a problem and that he had been seeking help for some time. A tough feat for any addict - and how much harder to do in full public gaze?
I’ve been an alcoholic for over a decade, since around 2004. “Why did you become addicted to alcohol?” people ask. Childhood trauma? Circumstance? Heredity? I don’t know; many struggle to resolve this for years. I admitted I had a problem in 2008.
