Writing My Memoir About Growing Up with an Alcoholic Parent & Healing

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to write about your deepest wounds—the kind you’ve carried since childhood—and turn them into a story that can help others heal? That’s exactly the journey I’m on right now. I’m writing my memoir about growing up with an alcoholic parent and the long, messy, beautiful road to healing.

In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain to share what it’s really like to write about addiction, family dysfunction, and recovery—and why putting it all on paper is one of the most freeing things I’ve ever done.

Why I Chose to Write About Growing Up with an Alcoholic Parent

For years, I kept my story hidden. Like so many adult children of alcoholics, I carried around shame, guilt, and the belief that no one could ever understand what I went through. Writing changed everything.

At first, I wrote only for myself. No publishing deadlines, no one else reading—just me and the page. And that in itself was healing. You don’t have to share your writing for it to matter. Journaling, storytelling, or even scribbling memories on scrap paper can be a powerful release.

Over time, I realized that by sharing my truth, I could create something bigger: connection. Writing my memoir is my way of saying to others, you’re not alone. Someone else has felt this, too.

What It’s Really Like to Write About Childhood Trauma

I won’t sugarcoat it. Writing about my past is intense. Some days, after finishing a chapter, I feel emotionally drained. I need to take a long walk to clear my head.

But there’s also a surprising joy in the process. Revisiting the darkest moments has shown me just how far I’ve come. Each page reminds me that healing is possible. Writing my memoir has become a mirror of my journey—from the little girl who tried to save her mom, to the woman who finally chose to save herself.

The Power of Writing for Healing

Whether or not you plan to publish, writing can help lighten the heavy load you’ve carried for so long. Here’s why:

• It gets the pain out of your head and onto paper. Once it’s outside of you, it feels less overwhelming.
• It helps you process the past. Writing allows you to connect the dots between experiences and emotions.
• It brings clarity. When you see your story written down, you realize how strong you really are.

Even if no one ever reads your words, the act of writing can be a turning point in your healing journey.

My Hope for This Memoir

My memoir isn’t just a book about pain—it’s about hope, resilience, and what’s possible when you choose to care for yourself first. I believe that by sharing my story, others who grew up with an alcoholic parent will feel less alone and more empowered to start their own healing journey.

Watch the Behind-the-Scenes Video

If you’d rather watch than read, I shared the story about writing my memoir and the healing process in a video on my YouTube channel. You’ll hear me talk about the emotional ups and downs of writing about growing up with addiction in my home, what’s been hardest, and why it’s also been one of the most freeing experiences of my life.

🎥 Watch the video here: Behind the Scenes of Writing My Memoir

Ready to Begin Your Own Healing Journey?

If you grew up with an alcoholic parent, you don’t have to carry the weight forever. I created a free guide with the first steps that helped me release guilt, understand my feelings, and start rebuilding my self-worth.

📩 Download the free healing guide here: www.JodyLamb.com/guide

And if you’d like behind-the-scenes updates on my memoir (coming soon!) and more healing tips, sign up for my weekly newsletter: