NOT MY FAMILY: Sharing the Truth About Alcoholism

by Maxine B. Rosenberg ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1988

One out of every three families lives with an alcohol abuser; Rosenberg met with eight children (ages 7-12) and six adults who were hungry to tell stories of how their parent's alcoholism continues to affect them. In a way, the children are luckier: the adults had to wait decades for recognition of the ""children of alcoholic parents"" pattern. Most of the interviewees are in treatment and hoping to break the chain; some of the children know one another. In some of the families, the parent's alcoholism is under control; some have separated over the issue. The family constellations are becoming well known: seeing chaos as normal; living with broken promises; or becoming a rescuer or perfectionist to compensate. With her strong rapport, Rosenberg has tapped intense emotions (e.g., the jealousy of a child whose parent still drinks toward another in group therapy whose parent has stopped), and she packs a lot in--including a multiethnic perspective (specifically, Jewish and Indian); the repetition compulsion; and the time and effort needed to overcome the problem. The stress on sharing gives this book even more warmth than Rosenberg's other problem-oriented, ""tell-it-like-it-is"" books (e.g., Being Adopted, 1984). The complex emotions depicted make a rich mix of hope and courage. Bibliography; resource lists.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1988

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 112

Publisher: Bradbury

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1988

Categories: CHILDREN'S