"My dad, a proud recovering alcoholic and devoted Alcoholics Anonymous member, had replaced his addiction to heroin, cocaine and booze with an unlikely substitute: Afrin nasal spray, which he referred to as 'nose drops.' The more troubling addiction was how he acquired them."
"I loved my dad's free spirit, generosity and zest for life, but I wanted to be nothing like him in these moments."
"In our painfully middle-class town, I was acutely aware of our social standing. But once Dad shed his coveralls, he put effort into looking good, sporting shiny white sneakers and Levi's."
"Every weekend, he carried a wad of cash in his pocket from selling his weekly haul. I could feel his pride in his ability to provide for his family, but I could also sense his anxiety growing."
A father, recovering from substance abuse, develops an addiction to Afrin nasal spray, which he discreetly steals. This behavior occurs frequently, causing embarrassment for his child, who feels a mix of love and shame. The father works as a truck driver, embodying a gritty lifestyle while trying to maintain a polished appearance. Despite their differences, the child finds a connection through their shared commitment to appearance, while also grappling with feelings of insecurity and social standing in their middle-class town.
Read at BuzzFeed
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