EP21 Conversation Hour 07 - Adult Children of Addiction - Claudia Black, PhD

The acronym ACA or ACoA has been a part of the therapy community for several decades now. As the pioneer in the framework for its meaning and influence in the recovery field , Claudia Black will discuss her history with the meaning and the value this terms offers the client. She will also offer a framework for healing the family of origin issues that often contribute to depression, anxiety, relationship conflict and addiction relapse.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the eclectic therapy process needed for the healing process for adult children

2. List seven healing steps

3. Recognize the value for addressing family of origin issues specific to the adult child of addiction

Outline:

Introduction & Tech Setup

• Diane Yapko welcomes the audience and introduces Dr. Claudia Black.

• Explains how to use chat for questions and helps participants with tech issues.

• Mentions participants (e.g., Donna, Amanda, Larry) and encourages engagement.

Dr. Claudia Black's Background

• Introduces her work in family systems and addiction.

• Started in social work during the late 1970s/80s.

• Pioneered programs for children and adult children affected by addiction.

Early Experiences & Influence

• Shared speaking experiences in Japan and with Betty Ford in the audience.

• Highlights importance of the 12-step program for adult children of alcoholics.

• Recommends it for both clients and clinicians.

Interventions for Adult Children

• Describes effective experiential methods: letter writing, Gestalt, psychodrama.

• Supports combining these with cognitive and behavioral therapy.

• Outlines treatment stages: emotional regulation, self-validation, skill-building.

• Stresses linking past experiences to current behaviors and beliefs.

Therapist Support & Resources

• Suggests starting support groups if none exist.

• Recommends using structured themes to manage group dynamics.

• Encourages therapist self-care and compassion.

• Offers books and materials for guidance (e.g., her own work).

Challenges for Adult Children Living with Addicted Parents

• Advocates for setting boundaries and managing expectations.

• Introduces the "chaos triangle" to help clients understand family roles.

• Urges therapists to guide clients in limiting their involvement in family chaos.

Building Trust in Relationships

• Recommends starting with small, consistent steps to build trust.

• Emphasizes addressing black-and-white thinking.

• Shares practical ways to help clients form healthier relationships.

Sexual Shame & Objectification

• Discusses how addiction in the home fosters sexual shame and humiliation.

• Highlights long-term effects of parental anger and name-calling.

• Stresses need to address vulnerability and fear in children from such homes.

Late-Onset Addiction

• Notes that addiction can begin in retirement due to identity loss or grief.

• Describes how emotional recovery and resilience can help prevent this.

• Stresses the impact of compounded loss and aging on addiction risk.

Advice for Educators

• Recommends books: Unspoken Legacy and Will It Ever Happen to Me?

• Encourages support for students living with addiction at home.

• Suggests building connections with community resources for resilience.

• Advises being proactive and resourceful in helping students cope.