She claims the lengthy custody dispute between Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson’s mother, Mama June Shannon, and her sister, Lauryn Eifird, was the “toughest years” of her life.
The Toddlers and Tiaras alum acknowledged in a TikTok video that she had experienced depression.
Alana, who recently attended her high school prom, acknowledges that the years between the ages of 14 and 16 were undoubtedly some of the most difficult of her life.
“I questioned whether I’d ever even graduate.” She says, “Honestly, I didn’t know what to do because I was in [a] horrible deep depression throughout those years. I’m genuinely at peace with my life right now.”
“I’m so happy I can literally say that I graduated high school with a 3.0, and in August, I will be going to my dream college to be a neonatal nurse,” the reality star continues.
Yahoo! reports that Thompson will enroll at Colorado’s Regis University in the fall. She received a scholarship worth $21,000 for her medical schooling.
“God, I’m so pleased with myself. I am not crying. You are,” Alana continues, referring to her successes.
While Mama June was detained on suspicion of possessing a prohibited substance and drug paraphernalia while Alana was only 14, she was forced to move in with her elder sister Lauryn. Alana turns 18 on August 28.
After looking after her sister for two years, Lauryn applied for custody in December 2021, according to court records that In Touch was able to obtain.
Lauryn was given sole custody on April 11, 2022, and Mama June was mandated to provide $800 in child support each month.
In March 2021, Mama June said In Touch, “Even though Lauryn didn’t have to step up as a mother figure, she did, and you know, in our family… we’ve always stuck together.”
Mama June was ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service beginning in August 2021. Sixteen months in a community correctional program were the punishment imposed on her ex.
Alana previously spoke with Teen Vogue on her mother’s drug abuse’s impact on her life.
“It’s really, very difficult. Many people in this world are unaware of the extent to which drug and alcohol use affects people. Sincerely, it’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I had no idea where I would wind up when my mother’s drug use got serious. I’m proud of how far I’ve gone and of myself,” she remarked.