ACOA Trauma Syndrome

The Impact of Childhood Pain on Adult Relationships

By: Tian Dayton

Narrated by: Elizabeth Hanley

Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Growing up in a home where there is addiction or relationship trauma puts a child at great risk for long-term, post-traumatic stress effects that adversely compromise adult relationships. Best-selling author, psychologist, and psychodramatist Tian Dayton examines this trauma through an exploration of the way the brain and body process frightening or painful emotions and experiences in childhood. She shows how these traumas can become catalysts for unhealthy, self-medicating behaviors including drug and alcohol abuse, food issues, and sex, gambling, and shopping addictions.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2012 Tian Dayton (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

I loved it

I found this book not only helpful but enjoyable! Great content and great narration. Also, this book can help a wide range of people, not just ACOA's.

Excellent Update for a Timeless Topic

What made the experience of listening to ACOA Trauma Syndrome the most enjoyable?

I do not have time to sit and read a book. I do have time to listen to one so this was the perfect version for me.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The whole book is a great read. You will find one section that provides updated content especially worthy of your attention. A contemporary review of existing medications and uses which may be pertinent for the reader (or you, or your client; wink wink). I was pleasantly surprised with these updates (Part II, Neurobiology of the ACOA Syndrome).

What does Elizabeth Hanley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narration provides a great backdrop for the content; inflection, tone, pacing etc. all bring the words on the page to life. Nice narration.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES, and I did.

Any additional comments?

This topic has had thorough review over the years, but many texts are lacking in depth of content. I found this book offering detailed content superior to most of the 'pop-psych' books similar in the '90s (when the concept became more popularized). The historical texts I have found with great content for this topic ----- On the Family - John Bradshaw ----- It will Never Happen to Me.... Claudia Black ----- Struggle for Intimacy - Janet Geringer Woititz ----- Most others over the years I have found..... less robust. This book is well worth your time!

ACOA Trauma Syndrome

I found this very informative.Growing up with both an alcoholic father and a narcissistic mother,it gave me some insights. Elizabeth Hanely was a fine narrator.

A Better Understanding

If you had an alcoholic or dysfunctional parent, this book gives you a better understanding of why you feel and behave the way you do. This book is a wonderful opportunity to gain more awareness and compassion for yourself. Understanding the trauma syndrome and working to help yourself become more emotionally sober will not only bring huge benefits to your life but to the people around you, especially your children.

Eye-opening! Insightful!

I needed help processing infrequent and unprovoked tantrums of anger (though I dared not call it that before). This book pleasantly helped me to process and recognize behaviors in myself and others. It has become a tool to help be more compassionate toward others. This is not limited to ACOAs, but to children of divorced homes, and other PTSD cases. Tian Dayton does a wonderful job of telling the story and bringing peaceful awareness of the people around you.

Mostly great material, but I hate the 12 step crap

I like this book a lot, but I hate how the author is so brainwashed by the AA doctrine. It bothers me that the author thinks everyone needs to embrace 12 step meetings, that's garbage. But other than that, a lot of great ACOA information.

Essential Information & Healing

This book is a must read for ACOAS and their loved ones. Absolutely essential to the health and well being of ACOAs. The Audible is extremely well presented. The learning is outstanding!

Good information

Good information but the performance was monotone so it was hard to listen for long periods of time.

Revealing

My life story of the results of my upbringing in a Alcoholic household that ended my Dad murdering my Mom and then killing himself.

Hugely beneficial

I appreciate the audio book version of ACOA Trauma Syndrome. It allows me to close my eyes and focus on the words and meaning rather than zoning out and moving quickly july through a written page. I am also able to rewind and listen to a passage over and over again so that I am taking away the message.

I expected something else

I expected this book to be more to the point. More concrete. Instead it was rather elusive. It still might be useful for people with advabced ACOA at the beginning of their journey, but definitely not for people who already have the basic knowledge.

Very interesting book

Very interesting book. The author is a great writer, she really knows how to put in worlds feelings and fears of ACOAS. Also, great audio narration. This books reads almost like fiction. However, I dont agree with promoting religion as a way of dealing with difficult childhood. Belonging to any other close group would have the same affect whilst religion, as I deeply believe, has much more devisive and destructive power than positive one.

Very good insights by the author unique to alcoholism

Very good insights into the damaging effects of problem drinking in families both past down directly from problem drinking within the current family and past down through behaviours and emotional abuse from a generation before .

Also draws a lot on the role of trauma and how that is acted out within relationships and families in destructive ways

Would recommend