- Adult Children of Alcoholics
Adult Children of Alcoholics refers to individuals who have grown up in a Dysfunctional or alcoholic household. Adult Children of Alcoholics carry common characteristics into adulthood as the result of their childhood and upbringing. Adult children tend to struggle with addiction. Even without a substance problem they may take on the characteristics of an addict(www.adultchildren.org). Children of Alcoholics can refer to the
twelve-step program to assist them in the recovery process.cite book |last=Black |first=Claudia |title=It Will Never Happen to Me: Growing Up With Addiction As Youngsters, Adolescents, Adults |publisher=Hazelden |year=2001 |edition=2nd Edition |=Center City, Minnesota |isbn=1568387989 |oclc=50175563] Friends in Recovery, designed the Twelve Steps for Adult Children of Alcoholics.cite book |author=Friends in Recovery |title=The 12 steps for adult children: from addictive and other dysfunctional families |publisher=Recovery Publications |year=1989 |edition=Revised Edition |=San Diego, California |isbn=0941405087 |oclc =20073450]Dr. Janet G. Woititz identified in her book, "Adult Children of Alcoholics", thirteen primary characteristics of Adult Children of Alcoholics: [ [http://www.drjan.com/13char.html Woititz, Dr. Janet G., Adult Children of Alcoholics, Expanded Edition, HCI, 1990.] ]
*Guessing at what normal behavior is.
*Having difficulty following a project through from beginning to end.
*Lying when it would be just as easy to tell the truth.
*Judging themselves without mercy.
*Having difficulty having fun.
*Taking themselves very seriously.
*Having difficulty with intimate relationships.
*Overreacting to changes over which they have no control.
*Constantly seeking approval and affirmation.
*Usually feeling that they are different from other people.
*Extreme responsibility or irresponsibility.
*Extreme loyalty, even in the face of evidence that the loyalty is undeserved.
*Impulsivity - tending to lock themselves into a course of action without giving serious consideration to alternative behaviors or possible consequences. This impulsivity leads to confusion, self-loathing and loss of control over their environment. In addition, they spend an excessive amount of energy cleaning up the mess.See also
*
Al-Anon/Alateen
*Co-Dependents Anonymous
*Emotions Anonymous
*List of twelve-step groups
*NACoA
*Nar-Anon References
External links
* [http://www.adultchildren.org/ Adult Children of Alcoholics]
* [http://www.nacoa.org National Association for Children of Alcoholics]
* [http://www.recoveryrealm.com/ ACOA Online meetings at Recovery Realm]
* [http://www.drjan.com The Dr. Janet Woititz ACOA Resource Page]
* [http://www.guesswhatnormalis.com Being Adult Children of Alcoholics]
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