Read this when
Adult Children of Alcoholics (Expanded Edition)
You learned to hold everything together. You're allowed to put some of it down.
Who it's for
Many people who over-function in relationships, rescuing, fixing and staying too long, learned it in a home organized around someone else's drinking or chaos.
Confused about why I keep rescuing people→Understanding my patterns
Feelings it meets
What it is
Psychologist Janet Woititz's groundbreaking 1983 book describes common patterns in adults who grew up with an alcoholic parent, such as guessing at what normal is, judging themselves without mercy, taking themselves very seriously, and staying loyal even when loyalty isn't deserved. It sold around 1.8 million copies in English.
Where to find it
Bookstores and libraries; ebook available.
Before you start
Heads up: Parental alcoholism and dysfunction.
Age: Adult (nonfiction)
I have not broken your heart—you have broken it; and in breaking it, you have broken mine.Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights
