In 1980, when the term adult child of alcoholic, ACOA, was coined, ACOAs literally came out of the woodwork, testifying in droves to confusion, resentment and hurt that the child within them still hung onto. They reported feeling, at times, like “children walking around in the bodies of grown-ups”. Both scared and relieved, they were [...]

Most of us would agree that living with addiction is a traumatizing experience for all concerned. But we are still wrapping our minds around why trauma in childhood can have such pervasive and long-term effects on our personalities and the way we live our lives. Recent research in neuroscience is helping us to decode this [...]

A long-held tenet in the treatment and recovery worlds is that alcoholism and other drug addictions are a family disease. Everyone in the family, including children, gets hurt by this cunning, powerful, and baffling illness. All too often it becomes a family legacy that gets passed from generation to generation. Where does it stop? Children’s [...]

For the budding alcoholic/addict in recovery, relapse is all too often a nanosecond away. Even for the well-seasoned soul who has practiced a clean and sober lifestyle for many years, relapse may be in a deep, dormant sleep but can be aroused with a touch of a feather. More than a year ago, I wrote [...]

The holidays, with all their trimmings, have arrived, and for many it is a time for lavish family gatherings and holiday cheer. The endless Hallmark Christmas specials stream over the airwaves and the messages they reflect are like neon signs flashing, “Joy To The World” for all those gathering around their warm and cozy fireplaces. [...]

Here we are again. No sooner have we unwrapped our last miniature Snickers from our Halloween candy stash, when we are bombarded with all things Christmas. Sometimes I think it would be nice if the holidays came around like the Olympics, every two or four years. Or if we could skip them altogether and just [...]

Many years ago I happened upon a magical island in the Mediterranean where families from all parts of Europe took their holidays. The beaches have the warmest, clearest aqua waters, there are fascinating prehistoric “taula” ruins, a bit like Stonehenge, sprinkled about, and the old towns take me back to a charming other time. I’ve [...]