Davina McCall On How She Told Her Kids About Her Drug Addiction | HuffPost Life

'They grew up with ‘Mummy’s going to a meeting’.'

By

Life editor at HuffPost UK

Davina McCall has opened up about how she told her kids about battling a drug addiction in her twenties.

The 50-year-old presenter, who is mother to Holly, 16, Tilly, 14, and Chester, 11, with her former husband Matthew Robertson, decided to be honest with her children because she knew they would eventually find out about her former addiction.

McCall battled alcoholism and heroin addiction in her early twenties, but was spurred to seek help following a friend’s ultimatum. By 25, she was clean.

“I had to be brutally honest [with my kids] quite early on when I thought other kids might talk to them about it,” McCall said on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast. “They grew up with ‘Mummy’s going to a meeting’ - they just didn’t know it was a Narcotics Anonymous meeting.”

By the time each of her children reached about 10 or 11, she would explain what those meetings were. “I’d say, ‘Mummy had a problem but I stopped a long time ago and these meetings help me stay on the straight and narrow’.”

She said they were all “really very accepting” and has suspected that there was a deeper reason why she didn’t drink. “Kids know stuff,” she added. “I never give them credit for what they know, but they are smart like that.”

The mum-of-three said the honesty she has with her kids works both ways, and she always encourages them to reveal any issues they may have in their lives.

“I want them to know they can come to me at any age and tell me anything and we’ll work it out,” she added.

Parents speaking to their children about drug and alcohol addiction is their own choice. The National Association for Children of Alcoholics recommends children and young people remember the following Cs if they are find themselves in this situation. It may be something parents could pass on to their children: “I didn’t cause it; I can’t control it; I can’t cure it; I can communicate my feelings; I can make healthy choices.”

For information and advice:
NACOA: The National Association for Children of Alcoholics: Information and advice of kids of alcoholics and drug users, no matter your age. Free helpline: 0800 358 3456.
Parent Support Link: An organisation aiming to support and inform the families and friends of people who use drugs and alcohol. Helpline: 023 8039 9764.
Adfam: Information and support for the families of drug and alcohol users. Find advice, guidance and peer support groups online.

Before You Go

Signs Of Alcoholism

Abuse: Not Meeting Responsibilities(01 of20)

Abuse, the regular use of a substance that leads to serious psychological and/or physical disability, is shown by one or more of these symptoms during the same year:Repeated substance use to the point of not being able to meet responsibilities -- not performing well at work, being suspended from school, being repeatedly late or absent from required duties, or neglecting household tasks. (credit:Shutterstock)

Abuse: Involving Risk(02 of20)

Abuse, the regular use of a substance that leads to serious psychological and/or physical disability, is shown by one or more of these symptoms during the same year:Repeated substance use when there is risk involved, like operating equipment or driving a car while under the influence. (credit:Shutterstock)

Abuse: Difficulties With The Law(03 of20)

Abuse, the regular use of a substance that leads to serious psychological and/or physical disability, is shown by one or more of these symptoms during the same year:Repeated difficulties with the law related to substance use -- being arrested for physical aggression or drunk driving, for instance. (credit:Shutterstock)

Abuse: Personal Or Social Difficulties(04 of20)

Abuse, the regular use of a substance that leads to serious psychological and/or physical disability, is shown by one or more of these symptoms during the same year:Insisting on using the substance regardless of continued or repeated personal or social difficulties because of it, verbal or physical aggression with a loved one, or frequent arguments about the substance use. (credit:Shutterstock)

Dependence: Needing Great Amounts(05 of20)

Symptoms of alcohol dependence, a physical need to drink, are identified as three or more of the following within the same year:Needing greater amounts of alcohol to satisfy cravings. (credit:Shutterstock)

Dependence: An Inability To Reduce Use(06 of20)

Symptoms of alcohol dependence, a physical need to drink, are identified as three or more of the following within the same year:Using the substance longer than planned or more frequently and in greater amounts.An inability to reduce use, despite a sincere wish to do so. (credit:Shutterstock)

Dependence: Going Through Withdrawal(07 of20)

Symptoms of alcohol dependence, a physical need to drink, are identified as three or more of the following within the same year:Going through withdrawal when not using alcohol, with symptoms such as tremors, restlessness, and agitation. (credit:Shutterstock)

Dependence: Avoiding Withdrawal(08 of20)

Symptoms of alcohol dependence, a physical need to drink, are identified as three or more of the following within the same year:Taking a substance or a similar one to avoid the effects of withdrawal. (credit:Shutterstock)

Dependence: Spending Time On Alcohol(09 of20)

Symptoms of alcohol dependence, a physical need to drink, are identified as three or more of the following within the same year:Spending a significant amount of time trying to acquire the substance.Spending less time at work or on other activities because of substance use; a person may completely abandon previously enjoyable activities. (credit:Shutterstock)

Dependence: Drinking In The Face Of Difficulty(10 of20)

Symptoms of alcohol dependence, a physical need to drink, are identified as three or more of the following within the same year:Continuing to drink despite being aware that alcohol is causing psychological or physical difficulties. (credit:Shutterstock)

Addiction: Saying Inappropriate Things(11 of20)

Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City, helps determine the severity of alcohol addiction by asking the following questions:Does he/she frequently say inappropriate things? (credit:Shutterstock)

Addiction: Slurred Speech(12 of20)

Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City, helps determine the severity of alcohol addiction by asking the following questions:Does his/her speech slurred? (credit:Shutterstock)

Addiction: Missing Work(13 of20)

Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City, helps determine the severity of alcohol addiction by asking the following questions:Does he/she miss work? (credit:Shutterstock)

Addiction: Off Balance(14 of20)

Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City, helps determine the severity of alcohol addiction by asking the following questions:Is his/her balance off when they walk? (credit:Shutterstock)

Addiction: Trouble With The Law(15 of20)

Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City, helps determine the severity of alcohol addiction by asking the following questions:Has he/she gotten in trouble with the law, for example, with drinking and driving? (credit:Shutterstock)

Addiction: Health Problems(16 of20)

Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City, helps determine the severity of alcohol addiction by asking the following questions:Is he having health issues related to alcohol addiction, such as heartburn, liver problems, high blood pressure, or insomnia? (credit:Shutterstock)

Question To Ask: Should I Cut Down?(17 of20)

Take the CAGE questionnaire -- if the answer to two or more of the four CAGE questions is yes, it is likely you have a problem.C stands for cut-down: Do you ever feel that you should cut down on your drinking? (credit:Shutterstock)

Question To Ask: People Getting Annoyed?(18 of20)

Take the CAGE questionnaire -- if the answer to two or more of the four CAGE questions is yes, it is likely you have a problem.A stands for annoyed: Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? (credit:Shutterstock)

Question To Ask: Ever Felt Guilty?(19 of20)

Take the CAGE questionnaire -- if the answer to two or more of the four CAGE questions is yes, it is likely you have a problem.G stands for guilty: Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking? (credit:Shutterstock)

Question To Ask: Drinking To 'Recover'?(20 of20)

Take the CAGE questionnaire -- if the answer to two or more of the four CAGE questions is yes, it is likely you have a problem.E stands for eye-opener: Have you ever had to drink as soon as you wake up to steady your nerves or get over a hangover? (credit:Shutterstock)

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