Growing up with mum's drinking saw Tadhg turning to booze too

Daughter inspirec comedian to stop as new book tells of addiction fight

- LARISSA NOLAN

IT'S the hidden harm that affects around half a million people in Ireland growing up with an alcoholic parent.

Now comedian, actor and recovering alcoholic Tadhg Hickey has highlighted the reality, and legacy, of addiction in the home in his book.

The Cork star was moved to tell his own story to show how mental illness is at the root of alcohol abuse.

A Portrait of the Piss Artist as a Young Man is a tragicomic memoir of how the damage caused by his late mother's drinking led to him following the same path, until he quit the booze.

The book's dedication reads: "To Mam, the cure and the cause." Tadhg, 41, told the Irish Mirror: "I never thought I would tell my story, I was trying to avoid it.

"But writing the book, I had to go there and it was the best thing I could do. I went on a complete journey with my Mam and I feel closer to her and love her more for it.

"This is my story and this is my experience of growing up with my mother.

"My siblings will have a different experience.

"I thought it would be potentially helpful to others and healing for me."

ANXIETY