DOUBLE DUTY

From the best-selling author of It Will Never Happen to Me! (1982--not reviewed): an exploration of the special difficulties faced by Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOAs) who have additional problems complicating their recovery process. In her earlier book, Black (who coined the phrase ""ACOA"" back in 1977) sought to ease the isolation and shame of ACOAs. Here, her focus shifts to the unique struggle of the ACOA with a ""dual identity."" After an introductory section that explains the problems of ACOAs in general, the creation of the ACOA community, and the extra trouble in store for ""double duty"" ACOAs, Black highlights particular ""second"" identities: a history of sexual or physical abuse; physical disability; a food or chemical addiction of one's own; being a person of color, gay, lesbian, or an only child. She offers brief case histories of several ""survivors"" of each type, and in a final section offers additional advice, support, and resources for recovery. While doubts must arise about Black's posing cases of garden-variety unhappiness (e.g., an only childhood) alongside clear instances of true suffering (molestation, etc.), her sympathy and sincerity should make the book useful to those seeking help.