Discusses problems faced by children growing up in an alcoholic family. Reviews four survivor roles of children of alcoholics (COAs): super-coper, scapegoat, lost child, and family mascot. Describes alcoholism as a disease of denial. Reviews the Children of Alcoholics movement begun by adult COAs to become advocates for COAs. (NB)

Explores some of the difficulties children of alcoholics experience in separating from their homes. Describes relationship fantasies used by adolescents to work through unresolved feelings about their families. Discusses the nature of these fantasy types: nurturance, self-sufficiency, incompetence, perfectionist, revenge, and…

Proposes that therapeutic efficacy of heterogeneous groups is additionally enhanced by the similarity of interpersonal dynamics and flawed communication patterns common among dysfunction families of all types. Focusing on the roles of the lost child and the mascot, presents case studies of an adult child of alcoholics and the adult child of a…

Uses data from 20 case studies of Black adult female children of alcoholic parents to discuss Family Hero role often assumed by oldest or only female child in Black alcoholism families. Explains how female-dominated survival role of Family Hero in Black families is significantly more related to racial and cultural factors than numbers alone may…

Sees many adult children of alcoholics identifying themselves in hero role, making it useful tool for uncovering negative behaviors and starting to work toward change. Describes alcoholic home and hero roles of overachiever, controller, and perfectionist. Considers usefulness of individual counseling, group therapy, family therapy, and play…