A HARSH REALITY FOR MANY

The frank and honest interview with Charlize Theron (YOU, 3 August) unfortunately resonates with thousands of families around the world. The Al-Anon Family Groups (a sister organisation of Alcoholics Anonymous) estimates that every problem drinker affects the lives of 16 people – whether they’re family, friends, spouses, children, colleagues, grandparents or parents.

Anyone who’s lived with this dreadful disease knows the chaos that problem drinkers bring to normal homes. Alcohol has no class, exempts no profession or trade and doesn’t discriminate with regard to gender, race or religion.

As Charlize bravely says, watching her mom shooting and killing her dad wasn’t what scared her most – it was not knowing what each day would bring.

Al-Anon and its offshoots Alateen and Al-Anon Adult Children focus on the support and recovery of family of the problem drinker. There’s a meeting almost every day. A list is available on alanon.org.za. Families need to know that help is at hand and it’s free. Al-Anon offers its members help, strength and hope by sharing their own recovery.

We applaud Charlize for her courage in speaking out. BJK, EMAIL

The article on Charlize has made me realise she has nerves of steel. Most children who grow up in families dominated by domestic violence give up on their dreams prematurely.

It’s amazing how Charlize was able to compose herself and focus on her modelling career after enduring the fierce domestic violence inflicted by her dad.

She’s a true inspiration. MAHLATSE SEREPO, EMAIL