(Photos from left: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images,Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Friends close to Bobby Brown claim the singer says his relapse with alcohol can be traced back to one thing: his estranged relationship with daughter Bobbi Kristina.

Since losing contact with his 19-year-old daughter after the death of her mother Whitney Houston in February, Brown, 43, has been snagged twice for DUI and has checked himself into rehab for alcoholism.

RadarOnline.com reports that the “Don’t Be Cruel” singer has confided to family and friends that not having contact with his daughter has left him “depressed and empty.”

Feeling like a failure as a father, Brown reportedly says he is afraid his youngest child will grow up thinking he is a bad dad.

Well, considering that Bobbi Kristina is rumored to be dealing with her own personal hurdles, it would behoove Bobby to step away from the drink not only for himself but so he could be prepared to fight like hell and be a presence in his daughter’s life, no matter how much she avoids him. It’s the least he could do as a dad.

Contributor: Runteldat

If you were hoping that Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston’s penchant for public displays of embarrassment had escaped their daughter, Bobbi Kristina, you obviously don’t know the power of genetics.

Egypt Says So says last week Bobbi Kristina and Whitney were spotted at a restaurant in Atlanta cursing each other out.

Whatever the argument between mother and 16-year-old was about sent Nippy reeling. They say she couldn’t stop filling up her glass with white wine as the meal went on. I’m surprised Whitney didn’t steal off on her.

I could pin this on teenage angst, but when your parents are Bobby and Whitney should you get a pass?