Breaking News: JoJo Never Thought She Would Struggle with Addiction Like Her Parents. Then It Took Hold: ‘Super Self-Righteous’….see more

In her new memoir Over the Influence, out now, the musician and author, 33, recalls spending much of her young childhood in church basements while her parents, mom Diana and late father Joel, attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Witnessing their struggles, she thought, would prevent her from experiencing similar patterns — but she later abused alcohol and substances as a young adult.

“For a while, I was super self-righteous and thought I’d never be like my parents. I was like, ‘No, because I’m the strongest. I’m wicked strong,'” JoJo tells PEOPLE exclusively. “But then I was like, ‘Oh, what I’m doing is no better or worse.

I’m my parents’ child, and I need to be awake to what’s happening within myself.'” JoJo’s parents’ relationship began in AA meetings; Diana was an alcoholic, and Joel used substances, including pills.

They divorced when she was 5 years old, and she moved in with her mom, who soon obliged her daughter’s begging and started bringing her to local auditions for TV programs showcasing talented kids.