Joe Biden praises son struggling with addiction and mental health: 'Hunter is my heart'

[DonViejo]

By Deanna Paul July 9 at 8:54 AM

Joe Biden — the two-term vice president and a 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful — opened up about his son Hunter’s struggle with mental health in a CNN interview broadcast Monday evening.

“Hunter is my heart‚” Biden said, referring to his son, 49. “And Hunter has been through some tough times, but he’s fighting. He’s never given up. He’s the most honorable, decent person I know.”

Biden has faced increased scrutiny in recent weeks on issues from his past positions in opposition to busing children to integrate schools to his defense of the 1994 crime bill.

Hunter Biden’s setbacks have also become a point of scrutiny. He candidly discussed them for a story published by the New Yorker last week. He said he assumed his history would be aired during the presidential race, and, he told the New Yorker, he wanted to preempt circulation of piecemeal stories that would reflect poorly on his father.

“Look, everybody faces pain,” Hunter said. “Everybody has trauma. There’s addiction in every family. I was in that darkness. I was in that tunnel — it’s a never-ending tunnel. You don’t get rid of it. You figure out how to deal with it.”

Link to tweet

more
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/joe-biden-praises-son-struggling-with-addiction-and-mental-health-hunter-is-my-heart/2019/07/09/c226ea02-7d35-46b4-9715-68d78c4faa07_story.html

[redstatebluegirl]

1. I feel for him and his son.

We have it in our family and it is a horrible thing to deal with. The family is impacted as much as the user is. It has torn our family apart, nobody wants to do family Christmas anymore because my nephew will no doubt ruin it with his issues. My sister and brother in law have spent their life savings trying to help him.

Hugs to Joe and his family.

[KitSileya]

2. He really has gotten an unfair share of tragedy in his family.

While he's not on my list of favorites, I would be remiss if I do not give him kudos on how he's handled the many tragedies befallen his family. He's been through things that would have broken many a person, and still manages to not only get out of bed in the morning, but go out and try to serve others as well. I respect him a lot for that.

[Demsrule86]

3. I have a daughter who struggles with mental illness...depression...it has been very difficult. She

has been hospitalized twice...we almost lost her. No one can understand what this is like in a broken mental health system where help is hard to come by...I thank God for the ACA or she would have no coverage at all...and would probably be dead by her own hand. She is doing better the last month or so...found a caring doctor and psychologist here in Cleveland.

[Turin_C3PO]

4. The ACA saved me.

The expanded Medicaid allowed me to use it as a secondary to my Medicare primary. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to afford the co-pays on my very expensive medicines (i have cystic fibrosis).

Thank you Obama and Biden! Now all we need added is a robust public option.

Glad to hear your daughter is doing better

[Demsrule86]

10. Cystic Fibrosis ...that is tough...I am glad you are on the ACA and we sure do need

a public option. How are you doing...my friend's daughter has CF and there seems to be more treatments available...a cure may be on the horizon.

[Cha]

5. Wishing them all the best

healing for Hunter Biden

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. Wishing the best for Hunter. I lost a brother to substance abuse. I feel his pain. n/t

[Hekate]

7. There's something so lovable about Joe. The man just leads with his heart, every day. nt

[elleng]

8. 'He said he assumed his history would be aired during the presidential race,

and, he told the New Yorker, he wanted to preempt circulation of piecemeal stories that would reflect poorly on his father.

“Look, everybody faces pain,” Hunter said. “Everybody has trauma. There’s addiction in every family. I was in that darkness. I was in that tunnel — it’s a never-ending tunnel. You don’t get rid of it. You figure out how to deal with it.”'

THANK you, Hunter.

[mcar]

9. Best to Hunter

I just read an article on ESPN about Megan Rapinoe's brother, the "Brian" she wished a happy birthday to right after the championship match. He's been in and out of prison since middle school, for drug and other convictions. He's a heroin addict who has been clean for 18 months, since he saw his sister kneel the first time for the National Anthem.

Many families, regardless of privilege, have problems. I have no doubt that Hunter has been surrounded by love and support all his life and will continue to be so. His personal medical issues should have no bearing on this race.

[Demsrule86]

11. That is such a touching story...there has been (yet) no substance abuse in my family

but my husband's Dad was an acoholic. His two eldest daughters were charged with dragging him out of the bar most nights (Irish family from the other side). Neither married or had particularly happy lives...his Dad quit drinking when my husband was little he was the youngest...his Dad was 52 when he was born...could you imagine?

[Peacetrain]

12. Hoping the best for Hunter in his recovery..