Not all of the information is incredibly profound, but this is the only mental health book that has ever changed my life.

My parents are both alcoholics, I lived with only one growing up (the abuser). I had a decade-long relationship out of high school that really baffled me. I was disgusted by this person and they didn't treat me well, me being with them pushed others away, and I couldn't understand my undying loyalty to them or why I stayed out of pity instead of love. I also have issues with impulse control to some extent and I fail to take care of myself. I also had a hard time understanding why my role in the family was different from that of my siblings. I knew the answers somewhat, but having them put into clinical terms makes it so easy to identify and move forward in life. My life has done a complete 180 since I had these realizations last year. It's empowering knowing where your behaviors comes from, how to identity behaviors that don't serve you well, and how to act in a manner that doesn't allow your childhood to dictate the rest of your life.

I randomly found the first edition at a yard sale and it's a good first step towards healing. Basic info, but sometimes you have to start at the basics.

Excellent, eye opening read for anyone who has grown up with any level of familial alcohol abuse or addiction. Helps explain what happens to a persons development and self esteem when needs are not met during childhood. This book is a very good first start to understanding why you are who you are, and
what you can do to take charge if your life. Janet Woititz's words are empowering, don't be afraid to read this book!

LIKE: The book is built on observation, very few conjectures or unrealistic statements.
RECOMMEND: I don't like alcohol, my dad is AA, but I have never understood the drinking obsssion. So I grew thinking I was out of the scope of AA specially because dad stopped drinking when I was 9. But now I realized at 32 years old that I am very compulsive and cannot have a balanced approach towards work, food, shopping: it has to be always at the extreme, else is not worth the experience. So I arrived to this book and I see I comply to seven of the 13 characteristics of adult children of alcoholics. THEN I recommend this book anyone who has lived with an alcoholic person.
WHY 5 STARS: Based upon its utility for a person in similar circumstances.

Suggested to me by someone near to my heart. Glad I read it. Wish I had done so many decades ago, it would have saved me a lot of angst. 13 characteristics of Adult Children of Alcoholics clearly defined and explained. The Expanded Edition has a complete 'what to do about it' that addresses possible approaches to handling each of the 13 aforementioned characteristics that may negatively impact the life of an Adult Child of Alcoholics. I read the book, went back through it and expanded on each of the areas as to how they apply / impact me via a journal approach. It brought a lot of things to light that made sense now. I went through the 'what to do about it section' and developed an action plan for each of the 13 characteristics. Will move forward and see what happens. In the big scheme of things, it'll be better than just doing nothing or continuing along the same path expecting different results.

You didn't have to have parents whom were alcoholics to read and learn from this book. Any child raised in a dysfunctional family can relate. Don't let the title throw you off.