Alana Thompson Opens Up About Mama June’s Drug Abuse: ‘It’s Very, Very Hard’

Alana Thompson has opened up about what it was like dealing with her mother June “Mama June” Shannon’s substance abuse growing up.

The 15-year-old television personality, who has already starred in three different reality series, was recently featured in Teen Vogue. In her interview with Rainesford Stauffer, Alana discussed a wide variety of topics, including the struggles she went through when her 42-year-old mom was arrested on drug-related charges.

“A lot of folks in this world do not realize how many people are actually really affected by drug and alcohol [use],” said Alana, who is famously known as Honey Boo Boo on her reality shows.

Mama June’s arrest in March 2019 alongside ex-boyfriend Geno Doak caused a division within their family. The controversial matriarch gave in to her drug addiction after that as she chose to run away with Geno. While Mama June was away, Lauryn “Pumpkin” Shannon, 21, was given legal guardianship over her younger sister, Alana.

Recalling the moment she was abandoned by her mother when she was only 13, Alana admitted that it was “very, very hard” and that it was “something I’d wish on nobody, for real.”

At the peak of Mama June’s drug addiction, Alana was in the dark about what was happening with her mom’s life. In March of this year, Mama June revealed that back then she had spent almost $1 million on dope.

“When my mama got real bad with her [drug use], I didn’t know where I was going to end up,” the “Toddlers and Tiaras” alum said.

Pumpkin stepped up and took care of her younger sister at the time. At present, Alana continues to stay with Lauryn, her husband Josh Efird, 25, and their kids, Ella Grace, 3, and newborn Bentley Jameson.

Mama June went to rehab last year, and she is currently working on her relationship with her daughters. In her interview, Alana said she’s proud of herself for how far she’s come. On top of rebuilding her relationship with her mom, she’s currently in high school, and she said that she aspires to be a nurse someday.