A successful entertainer and mom of two, Laura Cain is the giggly, joyful female voice

of San Diego’s long-running morning radio show, “The Jeff and Jer Showgram,”

which airs weekday mornings on Star 94.1 FM. Originally from Los Angeles, Cain attended SDSU before interning for KFMB news and the Jeff and Jer morning show in 1990. They started using her on the Showgram to “do voices” because she was the only girl in the building. She officially joined the Show-gram staff in 1993, presenting news and traffic, and has been a cheerful morning presence ever since. Cain loves her job and feels blessed to have worked with such a warm and close-knit crew for so long. “We’re just like a family. It’s amazing that after 15 years, we’re still having a great time, we’re still great friends. We’ve been through births, death, marriages, divorc-

es, and then this, one of the big-

Kirsten Flournoy

18 sandiegofamily.com

A successful entertainer and mom of two, Laura Cain is the giggly, joyful female voice

of San Diego’s long-running morning radio show, “The Jeff and Jer Showgram,”

which airs weekday mornings on Star 94.1 FM. Originally from Los Angeles, Cain attended SDSU before interning for KFMB news and the Jeff and Jer morning show in 1990. They started using her on the Showgram to “do voices” because she was the only girl in the building. She officially joined the Show-gram staff in 1993, presenting news and traffic, and has been a cheerful morning presence ever since. Cain loves her job and feels blessed to have worked with such a warm and close-knit crew for so long. “We’re just like a family. It’s amazing that after 15 years, we’re still having a great time, we’re still great friends. We’ve been through births, death, marriages, divorc-

es, and then this, one of the big-

Kirsten Flournoy

18 sandiegofamily.com

gest things I’ve been through publicly.”Laura Cain’s openness and humor make her feel like a friend, so it was a shock when she announced her addiction to alcohol on-air last fall. Back at home after a four-month recovery program at the Hazelden Rehabilitation Clinic in Oregon and Sober Living by the Sea in Newport Beach, Cain’s public admission of alcoholism struck a deep chord with listeners. Laura Cain’s life seemed golden. How could this doting wife, mom to Charlie, age 7, and Evan, age 4, have a problem with alcohol?

Secret Shame“When you are in the midst of alcoholism and drug addiction it’s shameful, you hide it. I got into a pattern where I was just trying to keep up, to stay awake, and at the same time to stay numbed out to things. It’s a terrible way to go about life,” says Cain. “I knew I needed help, but how am I supposed to ask for help, being a public figure and my husband not even knowing?”

Like many alcoholics, Cain says she was never openly drunk. Over the course of a couple of years and following a string of stresses (including her father’s death and the loss of a house), her drinking day began earlier and earlier. When she found herself pouring a drink at 10:30 a.m., she realized that she had a problem.

“My whole family knew something wasn’t right with me, I just wasn’t the same as I was years before,” says Cain. “I looked bad. I was tired all the time. I just wasn’t my usual bubbly, happy self.”

One particularly bad night, a desperate Cain announced, “I just want to kill myself.”

Her husband called 911. Cain was on suicide watch for 72 hours, then she went to Hazelden. After finishing her 28-day program at Hazelden, Cain completed a 90-day treatment program at Sober Living by the Sea.

“When I look back I wonder how I

got through that for 28 days without seeing my family.” She missed her kids terribly. “It was really, really hard.”

Women Who DrinkThe National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that “Among women who drink, 13 percent have more than seven drinks per week.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no more than

one drink per day for women. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the standard size for an alcoholic beverage is 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.

Two or more drinks raise the risk of a motor vehicle crash, high blood pressure, stroke, suicide and cancer. It also increases a women’s risk of violence from domestic abuse or sexual assault.

According to the NIAAA, “Women are at greater risk than men for developing alcohol-related problems.” Their smaller bodies have less water

to dilute the alcohol in their systems, exposing them to “more of the toxic byproducts that result when the body breaks down and eliminates alcohol.”

Fluctuating hormone levels, pregnancy, menopause and social pressures can leave women vulnerable to the depression and anxiety that sometimes precede excess drinking. Financial or relationship difficulties, childhood abuse and a family history of alcoholism can also increase the incidence of drinking.

How Much is Too Much?The NIAAA states “Drinking more than seven drinks per week increases a woman’s chances of abusing or becoming dependent on alcohol.” Women who consume more than four drinks a day have an increased risk of developing alcoholism.

“Most people think of addicts and alcoholics as the town drunk or a junkie in an alley,” says Cain. She points out that addiction can happen to anyone, including those (like her) with seemingly “perfect” lives.

Mothers with Alcoholism

Nearly seven million American children ages 18 and younger live with at least one alcoholic parent. Alcoholism is a pervasive disease that affects multiple generations, ruins lives and destroys families.

Cain says addicts lie to themselves about their disease. While she managed to

function each day, care for her kids and work when drinking, she admits, “I was going through the motions, but I wasn’t present.”

Being sober and being fully present today is the best gift she can give or receive. “It’s hard on families, this disease. I’m just so glad that I didn’t lose everything.” She’s explained to her kids that she can’t drink alcohol ever again and that it’s “very bad for you.”

As they get older, she’ll face the possibility of answering some very

18 sandiegofamily.com sandiegofamily.com February 2008 San Diego Family Magazine 19

uncomfortable questions, but believes her experience will make her a better parent in their later years because she won’t be naïve.

Like all moms, Cain often wonders if she’s doing the right thing, but she knows that she’s setting a good example for her kids by making her health a priority. She says one of the worst things about recovery has been “dealing with the wreckage left behind and the breakup of my marriage,” but “you have to learn to forgive yourself.”

The Road to Recovery“The whole rehab thing came about really suddenly. It got to a point where I wanted just to kill myself. I don’t think I ever would have done it because of my kids, but I just hit a wall. Nobody understood. They couldn’t because they didn’t know. It was just this terrible feeling,” says Cain.

Get HelpWorried about your drinking or concerned for someone you know? Laura Cain advises, “Know that it’s going to be ok and that you are not a bad person. Most addicts feel like they are all alone in the world. You are not alone.”

Start by taking the quiz Are you an Alcoholic? (www.aasandiego.org/Questions.pdf ) then use the resources below.

Alcoholics Anonymous www.alcoholics-anonymous.orgAlcoholics Anonymous San Diegowww.aasandiego.orgAl-Anon Family Group Headquarterswww.al-anon.alateen.orgDietary Guidelineswww.nutrition.govNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) www.niaaa.nih.gov; 301–443–3860Oprah “Moms Who Drink Too Much”www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200404/tows_past_20040419.jhtmlSubstance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov; 800–662–HELP (4357)

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20 San Diego Family Magazine February 2008 sandiegofamily.com

At Hazelden, Cain met lawyers, doctors, PTA moms, Catholics, Mormons—people from every walk of life. She learned about the physiology of alcoholism, its root cause in her own life and how to manage it in the future: “Addiction is a disease that can affect anyone. Addicts cannot control their intake or decide when they have had enough. It never really goes away.”

Rehabilitation programs typically include medical stabilization, detoxification, abstinence and intensive talk therapy. Strict rules create a regimented lifestyle with little room for backsliding into old habits.

“They strip you down to the bare bones in order to build you back up again,” says Cain. She repeats an Alcoholics Anonymous adage: “Addicts end up in one of three places: jail, an institution or dead.” Cain says she now understands what it means to be a “grateful alcoholic” because she is so glad to be alive and sober today.

A Bright FutureLaura Cain takes each day as it comes. With every new accomplishment (she moved into her own house in Decem-ber), her sense of pride grows. Although this isn’t where she expected to be at this point in her life, she appreciates her struggle because her experience of life is so much richer now. “The reason I think I went through this is because I have to talk about it. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone,” says Cain. “I am blessed with this job that gives me an outlet to speak to people.” Morning show listeners have been overwhelmingly supportive of Laura’s recovery, sending letters and emailing her good wishes during her absence. Now, Cain looks forward to sharing more incredible, quality moments with her children and becoming more involved with San Diego’s recovery organizations as a spokesperson.

“You have to make a choice every day to keep doing the next right thing,” she says. “When I think of the future, all I see is brightness.”❖

Kirsten Flournoy is the editor of San Diego Family Magazine.

Gio/June 2007/cr

Ramona/Feb 2008/cr

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The Dinner A’fare provides recipes, ingredients and containers needed to prepare gourmet, childrenfriendly dinners. In just 2 hours you can make 12 meals to take home and leave the mess in our kitchen.

Enter Code: SDFM07 to receive an extra meal when you register for a session. Limit one per customer.

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san_diego.eps 7/6/07 5:56:43 PM

No Stand-In Chef Charge for New Moms

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Scripps Ranch. San Marcos. Eastlake. Mission Valley.

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The Dinner A’fare provides recipes, ingredients and containers needed to prepare gourmet, childrenfriendly dinners. In just 2 hours you can make 12 meals to take home and leave the mess in our kitchen.

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In Mission Valley, one block east of the 163 on Friars.

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1 Fun Jump ticket 1 Slide ticket 1 U-Pick Fruit in Season ticket

$10 packet each child receives:All of the above plus petting zoo ticket and train ride ticket

Schools, Troops,

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4 Tables for 4 hours10 Pony Ride tickets10 Hay Ride tickets

10 Fun Jump tickets10 Slide tickets

10 U-Pick Fruit tickets10 Petting Zoo tickets

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Straw Play Ground – Free Feed Animals – 25¢ & up Picnic Areas – small feeU-Pick Fruit – 299 & Up

Flower Maze – Free Corn Maze – Free

Package Deal - $12 All 6 RidesGiant Slides – 300

Petting Zoo – 250

Train Rides – 250

Pony Rides – 400 Hay Rides – 150

Fun Jump – 150

Giovanni/Feb 2008

Hay Rides

Open To The PublicNo Admission Fee

Pony RidesJump House

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Strawberries U-Pick Chemical Free

Easter

Egg Hunt

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Hwy. 67, east on Mapleview, 1st left on Ashwood, right at 4-way stop, 1st gate on left

Come to a working farm!

Jan-JuneStrawberry U-pick

Giant Slide

NEWPetting Zoo

July-SeptWatermelons U-pick

Sept-NovPumpkin Picking!

Nov-DecChristmas Trees

Ornamental Lights

20 San Diego Family Magazine February 2008 sandiegofamily.com sandiegofamily.com February 2008 San Diego Family Magazine 21

At Hazelden, Cain met lawyers, doctors, PTA moms, Catholics, Mormons—people from every walk of life. She learned about the physiology of alcoholism, its root cause in her own life and how to manage it in the future: “Addiction is a disease that can affect anyone. Addicts cannot control their intake or decide when they have had enough. It never really goes away.”

Rehabilitation programs typically include medical stabilization, detoxification, abstinence and intensive talk therapy. Strict rules create a regimented lifestyle with little room for backsliding into old habits.

“They strip you down to the bare bones in order to build you back up again,” says Cain. She repeats an Alcoholics Anonymous adage: “Addicts end up in one of three places: jail, an institution or dead.” Cain says she now understands what it means to be a “grateful alcoholic” because she is so glad to be alive and sober today.

A Bright FutureLaura Cain takes each day as it comes. With every new accomplishment (she moved into her own house in Decem-ber), her sense of pride grows. Although this isn’t where she expected to be at this point in her life, she appreciates her struggle because her experience of life is so much richer now. “The reason I think I went through this is because I have to talk about it. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone,” says Cain. “I am blessed with this job that gives me an outlet to speak to people.” Morning show listeners have been overwhelmingly supportive of Laura’s recovery, sending letters and emailing her good wishes during her absence. Now, Cain looks forward to sharing more incredible, quality moments with her children and becoming more involved with San Diego’s recovery organizations as a spokesperson.

“You have to make a choice every day to keep doing the next right thing,” she says. “When I think of the future, all I see is brightness.”❖

Kirsten Flournoy is the editor of San Diego Family Magazine.

Gio/June 2007/cr

Ramona/Feb 2008/cr

No Stand-In Chef Charge for New Moms

2 Months Before or After the Due Date!

Scripps Ranch. San Marcos. Eastlake. Mission Valley.

www.dinnerafare.com

The Dinner A’fare provides recipes, ingredients and containers needed to prepare gourmet, childrenfriendly dinners. In just 2 hours you can make 12 meals to take home and leave the mess in our kitchen.

Enter Code: SDFM07 to receive an extra meal when you register for a session. Limit one per customer.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

san_diego.eps 7/6/07 5:56:43 PM

No Stand-In Chef Charge for New Moms

2 Months Before or After the Due Date!

Scripps Ranch. San Marcos. Eastlake. Mission Valley.

www.dinnerafare.com

The Dinner A’fare provides recipes, ingredients and containers needed to prepare gourmet, childrenfriendly dinners. In just 2 hours you can make 12 meals to take home and leave the mess in our kitchen.

Enter Code: SDFM07 to receive an extra meal when you register for a session. Limit one per customer.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

san_diego.eps 7/6/07 5:56:43 PM

No Stand-In Chef Charge for New Moms

2 Months Before or After the Due Date!

Scripps Ranch. San Marcos. Eastlake. Mission Valley.

www.dinnerafare.com

The Dinner A’fare provides recipes, ingredients and containers needed to prepare gourmet, childrenfriendly dinners. In just 2 hours you can make 12 meals to take home and leave the mess in our kitchen.

Enter Code: SDFM07 to receive an extra meal when you register for a session. Limit one per customer.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

san_diego.eps 7/6/07 5:56:43 PM

No Stand-In Chef Charge for New Moms

2 Months Before or After the Due Date!

Scripps Ranch. San Marcos. Eastlake. Mission Valley.

www.dinnerafare.com

The Dinner A’fare provides recipes, ingredients and containers needed to prepare gourmet, childrenfriendly dinners. In just 2 hours you can make 12 meals to take home and leave the mess in our kitchen.

Enter Code: SDFM07 to receive an extra meal when you register for a session. Limit one per customer.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

san_diego.eps 7/6/07 5:56:43 PM

In Mission Valley, one block east of the 163 on Friars.

Groups of 10 or more children. $8 Packet each child receives:1 Pony Ride ticket 1 Hay Ride ticket

1 Fun Jump ticket 1 Slide ticket 1 U-Pick Fruit in Season ticket

$10 packet each child receives:All of the above plus petting zoo ticket and train ride ticket

Schools, Troops,

Mom’s Groups,

Daycare Groups EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS

Call for Reservations

Package 110 kids $140.00

(Additional kids $10.00 each)

4 Tables for 4 hours

10 Pony Ride tickets

10 Hay Ride tickets

10 Fun Jump tickets

10 Slide tickets

10 U-Pick Fruit tickets

Package 210 kids $160.00 (Additional kids $12.00 each)

4 Tables for 4 hours10 Pony Ride tickets10 Hay Ride tickets

10 Fun Jump tickets10 Slide tickets

10 U-Pick Fruit tickets10 Petting Zoo tickets

10 Train tickets

Call for Reservations

Straw Play Ground – Free Feed Animals – 25¢ & up Picnic Areas – small feeU-Pick Fruit – 299 & Up

Flower Maze – Free Corn Maze – Free

Package Deal - $12 All 6 RidesGiant Slides – 300

Petting Zoo – 250

Train Rides – 250

Pony Rides – 400 Hay Rides – 150

Fun Jump – 150

Giovanni/Feb 2008

Hay Rides

Open To The PublicNo Admission Fee

Pony RidesJump House

NEWTrain Rides

Strawberries U-Pick Chemical Free

Easter

Egg Hunt

March 22-23

Hwy. 67, east on Mapleview, 1st left on Ashwood, right at 4-way stop, 1st gate on left

Come to a working farm!

Jan-JuneStrawberry U-pick

Giant Slide

NEWPetting Zoo

July-SeptWatermelons U-pick

Sept-NovPumpkin Picking!

Nov-DecChristmas Trees

Ornamental Lights

20 San Diego Family Magazine February 2008 sandiegofamily.com sandiegofamily.com February 2008 San Diego Family Magazine 21