It Will Never Happen to Me

by Black, Claudia A.

• ISBN13: 9781568387987
• ISBN10: 1568387989
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-03-01
• Publisher: Hazelden

Summary

Here is Claudia Black's best-selling classic on the experience and legacy of being raised in an addictive household. In an all too familiar scenario, played out in millions of homes everyday, children who grow up in addictive families abide by certain rules: don't talk, don't trust, don't feel. And they take on rigid survival roles--the responsible child, the adjuster, the placater, the acting-out child--that are youthful coping behaviours which can eventually contribute to problems of depression, loneliness and addiction in adulthood.Using poignant personal stories, revealing explanations, and helpful exercises, Black helps readers gain personal insights and develop new skills that lead to a healthier, happier, more fulfilling life.While continuing to recognize alcohol as the primary addiction within families, this newly revised edition of "It Will Never Happen to Me" broadens concepts to include addictive disorders involving other drugs, money, food, sex and work.

Author Biography

Claudia A. Black, MSW, PhD, is a renowned lecturer, author and trainer internationally recognized for both her pioneering and contemporary work with family systems and addictive disorders. She designs and presents workshops and seminars, authors books and interactive journals, produces educational videos and consults to various healthcare programs in the United States and abroad. Dr. Black is currently the Clinical Consultant of Addictive Disorders for The Meadows and a Senior Fellow for the Meadows Institute in Wickenburg, Arizona. Dr. Black is the recipient of a number of National awards including the Marty Mann Award, the 1991 SECAD Award, and the NCA's Educator of the Year. She is also the past Chairperson of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, presently serving on their Advisory Board and most recently, in celebration of Al-Anon's 50th anniversary, spoke on Capitol Hill to members of Congress, constituents and representatives of various addiction and treatment organization.Black's books generate wide appeal. She is the author of It Will Never Happen To Me (two million copies sold and now in its 2nd updated edition,) Changing Course, My Dad Loves Me, My Dad Has A Disease, Repeat After Me II, It's Never Too Late To Have A Happy Childhood, The Anger Guide, Relapse Toolkit and her latest release, A Hole in the Sidewalk. Claudia has produced eighteen videos including her two latest, The History of Addiction and The Legacy of Addiction and just released two new CDs, A Time for Healing from Abandonment and Shame and Putting the Past Behind.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xiii
Introduction	1	(6)
Vignettes	7	(4)
Roles	11	(16)
Family Rules: Don't Talk, Don't Trust, Don't Feel	27	(20)
Progression of the Roles	47	(18)
Shame Circle	65	(20)
Family Violence	85	(20)
The Adult Child	105	(38)
The Child within the Home	143	(30)
Using Resources	173	(10)
Appendices	183	(14)
Problem Solving Form
Resources
Suggested Reading
About the Author	197