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Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families
Millions of people grew up in alcoholic and other dysfunctional families that suffer from perfectionism, workaholism, compulsive overeating, intimacy problems, depression, anxiety, and problems in expressing feelings. Some had a parent who was chronically ill, mentally ill, or had no parents at all when we were growing up. They bear a painful legacy of confusion and carried family pain — and they are at high risk of marrying an alcoholic or becoming alcoholic themselves.Both Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA's) and Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families share symptoms of codependency. They often suffer from fears of abandonment, anger, hurt, distrust, loneliness, sadness, shame, guilt, numbness, and fear. Many struggle with the ability to have fun, be emotionally intimate, or with the life-long effect of psychological "chronic shock" or dissociation. Other symptoms include depression, anxiety, tolerance of inappropriate behavior, dulled or inappropriate affect, self-defeating behavior and coping strategies, strong need to control self and others, stress-related physical symptoms, abuse or neglect of self, difficulty with intimacy and/or sexuality, eventual addictions, rages, etc.
Recovery means reaching deep inside yourself, your past, and your family of origin to deal with the issues of guilt, shame, anger, and fear of abandonment. It involves both clearing up the toxic emotions left over from painful childhood experiences, as well as learning to recognize and intervene in your own adult symptoms of codependency. In addition to healing any trauma, abuse, or neglect that may have happened, Carolyn will encourage you to empower yourself by practicing assertiveness skills, boundary and limit setting, and releasing unresolved emotional pain.