Lesson on Addiction: Loving your Child to Death
Erin Brockovich became well known for being a legal clerk and environmental activist. Her story about bringing Pacific Gas and Electric to justice for contaminating water affecting a small California town was made into a movie and was nominated for several Academy Awards. Erin Brockovich accomplished so much in her lifetime and was living proof that hard work and determination can bring success. However, what was not well known was that her daughter Elizabeth was a drug addict by the age of 16. Although Erin Brockovich was supporting her daughter as early as age 16, Elizabeth was stealing money from her family to fund her $500 a week drug habit. What some parents do not realize is that every day that they continue to support their child’s addiction; they are slowly killing their child. Unfortunately, enabling a drug addict in the family is a common practice among many family members, including the parents. Many parents are afraid of cutting off their child and begin to make excuses for their behavior. The idea of cutting off the addict from any type of financial support is a painful decision that needs to be made. For Erin Brockovich, it was one of the hardest decisions she’s ever made. To this day, Erin Brockovich continues to struggle with her relationship with her daughter. Unresolved issues regarding her daughter’s drug use still plague the relationship. Sadly, many child addicts become adults with substance abuse issues which may require drug rehabilitation. Most parents only want the best for their children and give them unconditional love and support, but sometimes the best of intentions may have deadly consequences.