Think back to your childhood—maybe you remember a classmate who misbehaved. Did you know what was happening at home? In Baleigh Cerv’s case, she struggled with living with a father who suffered from alcohol addiction and was abusive.
Unfortunately, her story is all too common. According to the latest data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, more than 46 million Americans suffer from substance use disorder. Alongside these millions are countless others who struggle with a family member or friend dealing with addiction. It’s not just spouses and parents affected—children often bear the brunt of this crisis.
Hear Baleigh’s unique perspective on America’s addiction crisis in this episode of Grieving Out Loud. You can also read Baleigh’s blog about growing up with a parent who suffered from substance use disorder here.
MEET THE GUEST
Baliegh Cerv
Baliegh Cerv is a passionate advocate for raising awareness about the impact of addiction on children. Inspired by her personal experience as the child of someone suffering from substance use disorder, she shares the story of her father, Trent Turnquist, who lost his battle with alcohol addiction in 2022. Committed to making a difference, she uses her own story to highlight the often overlooked effects of addiction on children.
Baliegh is working at a counseling center in South Dakota while completing her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, focusing on Chemical Dependency. Her dedication to this field is driven by a desire to support and uplift those affected by addiction, particularly children, and to promote understanding and empathy within the community.
