The Addiction Treatment Planner
Chapter One
ADULT-CHILD-OF-AN-ALCOHOLIC
(ACOA) TRAITS
BEHAVIORAL DEFINITIONS
1. Has a history of being raised in an alcoholic home, which resulted in having
experienced emotional abandonment, role confusion, abuse, and a
chaotic, unpredictable environment.
2. Reports an inability to trust others, share feelings, or talk openly about
self.
3. Demonstrates an over-concern with the welfare of other people.
4. Passively submits to the wishes, wants, and needs of others; is too eager to
please others.
5. Verbalizes chronic fear of interpersonal abandonment and desperately
clings to destructive relationships.
6. Tells other people what they want to hear, rather than the truth.
7. Verbalizes persistent feelings of worthlessness and a belief that being
treated with disdain is normal and to be expected.
8. Reports strong feelings of panic and helplessness when faced with being
alone as a close relationship ends.
9. Cho ... read full excerpt from The Addiction Treatment Planner ebook
