Unspoken Legacy: Addressing the Impact of Trauma and Addiction within the Family

by Claudia Black

Acute trauma and addictive disorders are often a result of psychological injuries experienced as a child while typically producing long-term and harmful generational consequences on loved ones and other family members. Claudia Black presents a portrait of a broken family system, exploring how addiction and trauma develop in families, their damaging repetition, and offers a roadmap for healing.

Genres: Psychology, Mental Health, Parenting, Nonfiction

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2017

About the author

Claudia Black, M.S.W., Ph.D. is a renowned addiction and trauma expert, author, and trainer internationally recognized for her pioneering and contemporary work with family systems and addictive disorders. Dr. Black's passion to help young adults overcome obstacles and strengthen families built the foundation of the Claudia Black Young Adult Center at The Meadows treatment center in Arizona. Not only is Dr. Black the clinical architect of this innovative treatment program, she is also a Senior Fellow at The Meadows. She is the author of sixteen books, most recently Unspoken Legacy and Intimate Treason.

Reviews

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exactly as you would expect.

It’s a real solid primer on (a) trauma, (b) addiction and (c) family systems.

This is pretty much the ABCs of recovery.

So it’s a bit odd that there aren’t more books out here that cover these issues and the bi-directional influences these issues almost invariably have upon one another.

That being said.

This is a book good on all of that.

And it’s rock solid.

It’s written by Claudia Black PhD.

She’s affiliated with The Meadows, which if you don’t already know, is a world famous and very well regarded Trauma, Addiction and Family Therapy program primarily located in Arizona, with other satellite locations on the west coast.

Anyway.

Dr. Black knows what she’s talking about.

The book is well researched, well crafted and concise.

Why 4 (not 5) stars?

Nothing at all in particular to complain about.

It’s really good.

It just didn’t blow me away.

And I have read a few books in a row that did.

So.

4 solid ⭐️s.

Highly recommended.

[Jule · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book with a lot of valuable information presented in an accessible and concise way. I learned a lot about trauma, how it impacts the brain, how it links to addiction, the family, oneself, shame. It also lays out a path to healing and I will revisit this book continously in order to apply it to my life. Personally, the part on addiction is not as relevant to me, so I cannot speak much to that. For addressing the life-long impacts of childhood trauma into adulthood, I now carry with me many valuable insights and lessons that I am truly grateful for. Dr. Black did a great service in writing this book and making it so applicable to life. There are also lots of compassionate reminders throughout the book to take breaks as well as lots of resources to follow-up on in suppport of one's healing journey. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking to break the vicious cycle of family trauma.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m recommending this book to clients and friends. Dr. Claudia Black is the best expert on the subject of addiction and the family. She takes the subject and in a current, relevant way makes it relatable. She synthesizes the evidence of the compound effect of addiction and trauma and leads the reader through therapeutic exercises.

[Margot Note]

"The bottom line is this: your healing and recovery are about you creating change for yourself. If that occurs, you have succeeded and your life will have deeper meaning and be more serene. If someone else heals and grows as well, that is an unexpected gift" (162).

[Cindy Crabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good intro book w solid reflection exercises. Definitely recommending to clients, etc.

[Carol Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10. Amazing and eye opening

[Sara ❥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was life-changing for me.