[.ca] Adult Children of Alcoholics: Expanded Edition (ISBN 1558741127)

This summed up my whole life and helped me heal:
This book crossed my path in my early twenties and helped me recognize a life pattern as the result of being born into a family of alcoholics. Due to its guidance, I joined the 12-step programs adult children of alcoholics and codependents anonymous (among others). Twenty years later, I am happily married and successfully dealing with my codependency patterns. I now set boundaries, now have self-esteem, and am able to discern whats "my stuff" and "your baggage" and don't take yours on as "my problem" any more. Thank you very much Janet Woititz! By the way, I have recommended this book to more than 500 people in my counseling work over the years. No one ever reported back that it was a waste of time.

Opened my eyes:
I swear this book was written about me. It opened my eyes to ways I deal with and approach life, so that now I feel clearer and have some answers. Anyone who has an alcoholic parent should read this book, because even if you think it didn't effect you, you might be wrong.

Great book, very helpful:
Every ACA to whom I've given this book tells me, after they've read it, "That's me." Perhaps the greatest advantage to this book is the ability it gives the reader to understand the often paradoxical world of the ACA.

Couldn't believe my eyes:
It has been quite a while since reading this book, and to be honest, I don't remember how I came into possession of it. I do remember this: When I began reading the book, I could not put it down! It felt as if the author had read my mind or perhaps I had written the book myself! For the first time, I realized WHY I felt the way I did, and that I was not crazy. So many of my questions were answered by this book. However, there were parts of it that did not apply to me but could easily apply to someone else, so read the book and see for yourself! Good luck to you!

So many . . .:
For years I would read books or see movies and think to myself, "Yeah, so? What are they complaining about?" It was always some dysfunctional family with secrets like "Prince of Tides" or McCrae's "The Bark of the Dogwood." Now I realize just how messed up the characters in those books and movies were/are. But back then I was unable to see it. Now, with the help of therapy and books such as "Adult Children," I can see the destructive patterns in myself and others. The good news is that this book and many others are out there to help people like me. The bad news is that books like this are still selling and quite well. What does that say about our society? But I don't mean to put down the fact that this book is still around for it helped me and countless others that I know. This is a great place to start if you're becoming aware of the destructive tendencies you may have.