John Giordano
Like millions of other American families, ‘Honor Thy Father’ wasn’t a real popular mantra in the early days of the Giordano household. Athena and Amaron - both exceptionally bright, curious and charismatic – were rebellious adolescents. They enjoyed the freedoms most children of divorced parents do and began experimenting with drugs before they were twelve. This was very painful for their father John to observe from afar – as he dealt with his own drug addictions.
The Giordanos were a family firmly entrenched in the glamorized South Florida drug culture. Every day was like a new episode of Miami Vice – complete with the drug smugglers, collectors, dealers, exotic cars and neon lit South Beach nightlife. At seventeen, Athena ran off with a man twice her age while her younger brother traded pot for Xanax with his friends - like most kids his age traded X-Box games. For them, this was normal. At the time, their mom was denying she had a drug problem while their father, John dealt with his issues in drug rehabilitation. The family was completely eviscerated by addiction.
But something happened to John in rehab. “It is truly amazing how your life can change in mere seconds” says the celebrated author. In an instant he came to realize the true destructive forces of drugs and alcohol and what he must do. Giordano immersed himself in the study of the disease and its treatments. He began fighting back. Applying what he had learned and understanding the strength of his formidable adversary, John slowly yet skillfully began rebuilding his relationship with his addicted children. Watching them go through their addictions was the most painful experience of his life. Concurrently, John was building what has become one of the most successful addiction treatment facilities in the country: G & G Holistic Addiction Treatment Center.
Most dads celebrate Father’s Day with a burnt toast breakfast while acting surprised by the obligatory multi-colored “Father’s Day tie” present. In the Giordano household, the family gathers to shares stories of their happiness and successes during their clean and drug free years. John also takes time to talk with his extended family. Children and parents he’s helped get clean over the years often look up to John as a mentor. They call him on Father’s Day to share their happiness and stories of how their family has come together. Other families aren’t quite so fortunate:
Half of American Households are single parent.
Between 5 and 6 million adults in America have drug problems.
About three in ten Americans have alcohol problems.
Drug abuse among teens is growing exponentially.
More than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking.
More than nine million children live with a parent dependent on alcohol and/or illicit drugs.
Giordano’s message to millions of moms, dads and children who are living with addiction in their home on this Father’s Day: no-matter how bleak things appear, no-matter how bad it seems, under no circumstance give up. There is hope. John speaks from experience - his son Amaron over-dosed twice before he was old enough to drive and then tried to hang himself. Addiction can be overcome with the proper treatment and family support – as the Giordanos are living testaments. Call addiction facilities and get information on how best to approach treatment. Also check with your city or county. Often the local municipalities will provide some type of help.
CREDENTIALS:
Mr. Giordano’s acclaimed new book: “Proven Holistic Treatment For Addiction & Chronic Relapse ,” (Tate Publishing 2007 ISBN: 1-5988637-5-
John Website: http://www.holisticdrugrehab.com
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
