Susan Sullivan`s going public about alcoholism-in a big way.
At her suggestion, ”Falcon Crest” will feature a four-segment story line in which Sullivan-as Maggie Gioberti-copes with a drinking problem.
In addition, the actress has decided to speak out about her childhood as the daughter of an alcoholic.
She recalls that because of her father`s drinking, she had been ”a little girl who became an adult at 4 1/2, who said she was always going to be in control.”
Of the upcoming ”Falcon” theme, she says, ”I wanted to explore my feelings about drinking. I found I had such a deep prejudice about people who drink too much. I had to get to a place where I had compassion for drinking.” Sullivan admits she felt hesitant about the story line, ”because it`s become cliche for TV characters to become alcoholics. And also, you have to make sure the drinking`s consistent with your character.”
But, she says, ”I wanted to show how easy it is for women to pick up a drink or two to deaden the pain, when you just don`t want to deal with a problem. And to show how, when you`re alcoholic, you just don`t see how you`re disregarding your children. You just don`t hear them the same way.”
Sullivan, who has become a member of Adult Children of Alcoholics, became aware of alcoholism`s impact on youngsters about five years ago, ”when a friend took me to an Alanon meeting. By this time my father was dead-I thought all the trauma was over. But at the meeting I was overcome emotionally and realized a whole part of the issue had been deeply buried.” She credits ACA with helping her recognize and release those deep feelings.
