Children of Alcoholism: A Survivor's Manual

by Judith S. Seixas, Geraldine Youcha

If one or both of your parents were alcoholics ... you are still suffering, and you care not alone. 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. Chidren 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" fantasylike atmosphere of the alcoholic home. Childern of Alcoholism also discusses in detail how survivors can:

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 1984

Reviews

[Nikolas Toner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Judith Seixas should have gone to jail for this book. Here is a quote about incest from this book: "However, incestuous activity, even when there is drinking, cannot be entirely blamed on the drunk person, for the child who is accosted may unknowingly play a role in what actually happens." This book was published in 1985 so that's why it's so insane but wow jeez do not read this book if you are actually looking for help and support.
I'm a mostly well adjusted adult so I was reading it just to see what it was all about and it is heinously outdated. Should be pulled from library shelves. Absolutely does more harm than good.
Some of the personal stories were interesting.
Another crazy section was that alcoholism leads to poverty not the other way around. I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure desperate situations COULD lead to alcoholism. And not all alcoholism leads to poverty.
Anyway. Do not read as an actual resource. Read only as an archeological find from 1985.

[Kelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good info but often feels biased. As a child of an alcoholic and a therapist that works with clients with substance use issues, I found myself being offended at labeling of alcoholics throughout the book as well as very black and white examples. While I can relate to pieces of the information, most scenarios seemed to highlight the most severe of cases, which I struggled to connect with personally and professionally. The book is dated and that can attribute to some of that. Does well in providing basic info on avenues of help including benefits of treatment, self-help meetings and overall acknowledgement that we are not alone with this issue.

[India M. Clamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provided memorable examples of family situations and interplay in alcoholic families. Text offers hope and understanding of trauma affecting young minds that carries into adulthood and how the future picture can be ameliorated.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll get back to you on this one......

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information for suffering children of alcoholics, even recovering ones.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book made me think the author had been a fly on the wall in my house when I was growing up!

[Gwen Menz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, did I ever see myself and members of my family in this book. Very insightful - I took my yellow highlighter to many sentences. I'm so glad I decided to read it.