President Joe Biden’s son Hunter, a longtime target of conservative attacks, investigations and conspiracy theories, wants his enemies to know one thing.
“I can survive anything,” the recovering addict wrote in an op-ed Thursday. “Except a drink or a drug.”
This message appeared in a USA Today editorial in which Biden argues conservative efforts to vilify him endanger the lives of at least 20 million Americans who live with addiction.
POLL: Should Trump be allowed to run for office?
Biden wrote that by using Hunter to get to the president, whom he said is the ultimate target, it makes it that much harder for a person thinking about getting sober to do it.
“The weaponization of my addiction by partisan and craven factions represents a real threat to those desperate to get sober but are afraid of what may await them if they do,” he wrote. “My struggles and my mistakes have been fodder for a vile and sustained disinformation campaign against [President Joe Biden.]
As the president’s son, Biden has been the subject of an impeachment hearing that has yet to prove his foreign business dealings influenced U.S. foreign policy, and criminal gun possession charges to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Biden also details humiliation tactics levied by former Trump campaign manager Steve Bannon, who published nude photos of him, and Trump's former lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who he accused in a civil lawsuit of violating his rights by sharing the contents of his laptop.
“I am not a victim,” wrote Biden. “By any standard, I grew up with privilege and opportunity, and fully accept that the choices and mistakes I made are mine, and I am accountable for them and will continue to be.”
But Biden warned of “devastating consequences” for those who might fear sobriety because of the humiliation he faced.
“Far too few will ever experience the miracle of recovery unless we change the stigma around addiction,” Biden wrote.
"For those of us who live in recovery and for those who love someone in recovery, we know how hard-fought our new found lives are in letting go of the shame and making amends.”
The opinion piece ends with a resource:
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) any time of day or night.