Children of alcoholism : a survivor's manual / by Judith S. Seixas and Geraldine Youcha.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Seixas, Judith S.

Contributor:

Youcha, Geraldine.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Children of alcoholics--United States--Case studies.

Children of alcoholics.

Alcoholics--Family relationships--United States--Case studies.

Alcoholics.

Alcoholics--Family relationships.

United States.

Physical Description:

xiv, 208 pages ; 21 cm

Edition:

First Perennial Library edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Harper & Row, 1986.

Summary:

At least 22 million American adults were raised by an alcoholic parent, and nearly all of them live with scars - both psychological and physical - as a consequence. Coming from homes filled with loneliness and terror, children of alcoholics grow up unable to lead lives free from inexplicable guilt, deep insecurity, lack of self-esteem, and intense sadness. Now there is help. Children of Alcoholism exposes "the terrible family secret" and draws on interviews with over 200 survivors to share the realities of family alcoholism, such as the frequent occurrence of child abuse, the ruined family holidays, the "crazy" fantasy-like atmosphere of the alcoholic home. Filled with invaluable techniques for reversing destructive patterns - and extensive information on therapy and peer support groups - Children of Alcoholism offers objective, sympathetic advice on how to come to terms with the past and how to seek additional help if necessary.

Contents:

Part I Living in Chaos 1

1 The Terrible Family Secret 3

2 Fantasyland: Surviving in the Family 25

3 Merry Christmas and Other Disasters 34

Part II Hangovers from Childhood 45

4 Who Are You Now? 47

5 You and Your Drinking 66

6 Marriage and Closeness-for Better or for Worse 79

7 You and Your Children 91

8 You and Your Parents Now 108

Part III Climbing Out of the Trap 129

9 How Did It Happen? 131

10 Coping and Changing 146

11 Getting Help 169.

Notes:

"Perennial Library PL 7020"

Reprint. Originally published: New York : Crown, 1985.

Bibliography: pages 195-200.

Includes index.

ISBN:

0060970200

OCLC:

13124827