Books and Movie Reviews
The reviewer is Stephanie Abbott, MA, editer of NACoA NETWORK and veteran writer on family addiction.
Books:
2005
Adult
Children, Adult Choices Outgrowing Codependency
By Mary Ramey, Ph.D.
How to outgrow and discard codependent behaviors is the subject.
January/February 2005
The Lowdown on
Families Who Get High: Successful Parenting for
Families Affected by Addiction
By Patricia O' Gorman Ph. D., Philip Diaz,
MSW
How to be a better parent when spouse is addicted or when you are in
early recovery. Spring 2005
2004
Addict
in the Family
By Beverly Conyers
Members of "a Twelve Step recovery group" discuss what works
for parents of addicted children.
Summer 2004
Can't
Buy My Love: How Advertising
Changes the Way We Think and Feel
By Jean Kilbourne
The addict's belief that the substance is a friend is reinforced by
advertising.
September/October 2004
Straight
Talk from Claudia Black
By Claudia Black, Ph.D.
Dr. Black recommends to recovering parents what
they should tell their kids about drugs and alcohol.
Winter 2004
The
Magic of Forgiveness: Emotional Freedom and Transformation at Midlife
By Tian Dayton, Ph.D.
The latest work by Dr. Dayton is a well
thought out explanation of the process of forgiveness.
Winter 2004
2003
Teens
Under The Influence
By Katherine Ketcham and Nicholas A. Pace, M.D.
The authors include a clear and complete
report for parents and teachers about teens today.
Fall 2003
2002
The
Turnaround Mom
By Carey Sipp
This book takes an introspective look at a newly sober woman.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, January/February 2002
2001
Cool
Parents, Drug - Free Kids: a Family Survival Guide
By Robert Holman Coombs
Offering advice to parents, this book addresses parental drinking and
use of illegal and prescription drugs.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, November/December 2001
It Will
Never Happen To Me!
By Claudia Black, Ph.D., MSW
The newly revised edition of the best seller originally published in
1981.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, November/December 2001
It's My Life
By Tian Dayton, Ph.D.
The pages of this book are full of creative exercises designed to help
teens
express feelings or look at them from a new perspective.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, September/October 2001
Healthy
Teens: Facing the Challenges of Young Lives
By Alice R. McCarthy, Ph.D.
This book is comprised of 12 chapters addressing matters of most
concern to caregivers.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, September/October 2001
Living Today
In Alateen
Published by Al-Anon Family Groups Headquarters, Inc.
In this collection of daily young COAs reveal how they cope with the
impact of someone elses arinking.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, September/October 2001
Raising the Shades
By Doug Wilhelm
This story is about 13-year-old boy who is the sole caretaker of his
alcoholic father.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, Spring 2001
Trauma and Addiction
By Tian Dayton, Ph.D.
Deviating from the current thinking about
alcoholism having a genetic component, this book examines alcoholism
as a result of trauma.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, January/February 2001
2000
Love First
By Jeff and Debra Joy
A specific course of action people can
use to effectively present reality to an alcoholic in denial.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, November/December 2000
Beyond The Influence
By Katherine Ketchum and William T. Asburys
Divided into three manageable sections (The Problem, The Solution, and
The Future), the book covers the latest information on brain chemistry,
and the genetic link, and explains the difference between treatment
that works and treatment that is basically malpractice.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, May/June 2000
1999
Deadly Persuasion
By Jean Kilbourne
This book provides information about the battle against the "toxic environment"
of our advertising culture, and about the need to advocate media literacy.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, November/December 1999
The
Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood
By Rebecca Wells
A book that gives an account of the effects of a mother's alcoholism
on her daughter.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, March/April 1999
1998
The Secret
Everyone Knows
By Cathleen Brooks
First published in 1981, this book addresses alcoholism in the family.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, March/April 1998
Life on the
Color Line
By Gregory Howard Williams
A story about the perception of race and personal values, and about
growing up with an alcoholic father in segregated Virginia. Reviewed
in NACoA NETWORK, March/April 1998
Educate
Yourself about Alcohol and Drugs
By Marcalam Schuckit, MD
Information about addiction and recovery for those who have a problem
with alcohol or other drugs, whether for themselves or family members.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, January/February 1998
1997
A Child's
View of Alcoholism
Think of Wind
By Catherine Mercury
A new and unusual book for young children of alcoholics, focused on
COA feelings rather than events.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, March/April 1997
Conversations
on Change and Growth
The Miracle of Change: the Path to Self-Discovery and Spiritual Growth
Dennis Wholey pulls together a personal collection of essays and conversations
on change.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, March/April 1997
Champions
of COAs-Selected Readings
Two reviews of books written by COA advocates Jerry Moe and Mark Werner.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, January/February 1997
1994
The Secret History
How major historic figures' alcoholism-driven decisions affected millions
of people.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, September/October 1994
Movies:
The
Runaway Bride
Julia Roberts accurately depicts the connection between alcoholism and
codependency through her role in this film as an ACOA. Reviewed in NACoA
NETWORK, September/October 1999
Monster from
Outer Space
This review summarizes the 1950's sci-fi film, "I Married a Monster
from Outer Space."
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, November/December 1995
When
A Man Tries to Love a Woman
Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan star in a new movie about a husband who struggles
in dealing with his wife's alcoholism. Recommended viewing for all insurance
providers.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, July/August 1994
Video:
Al-Anon: Video
How the support group works is explained.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, March/April 2003.
Alcohol: True
Stories
Hosted by Matt Damon
This 20-minute video urges young people to ask themselves a series of
questions before drinking alcohol.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, Summer 2002.
SAP
Today Video Library
A collection of three videos recommended to all who work with the student
population.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, Spring 2002
Double Jeopardy:
Addiction and Depression
Claudia Black, Ph.D. explains clinical depression and its interactions
with addictions.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, Fall 2002.
Children of Denial:
Growing Up With Addiction
Claudia Black, Ph.D. demonstrates the three basic rules of a troubled
family system.
Reviewed in NACoA NETWORK, Fall 2002.