San Francisco Therapy for Adult Children of Alcoholics/Addicts (ACA)

Did you grow up in a family where a parent or caregiver was using/abusing alcohol or drugs, or engaged in an addictive behavior? Do you believe you might have problems related to the addictive behaviors in your family of origin? Are you overly sensitive or aware of how addictive behaviors impact you and others?

If you grew up in a family where a parent or family member was using/abusing alcohol or drugs, or engaged in an addictive behavior, chances are this impacted you. The term “ACA” is typically used to describe some of the consequences of being raised in a family where use of substances and associated behaviors were the primary focus. The problems experienced by an ACA can affect your relationships in profound and lasting ways. Some of the consequences are:

ACAs are more likely to have problems with anxiety, mood, behavior, relationships, and addiction. It can helpful to work with someone who understands the dynamics of growing up in a family where there was substances use/abuse or addiction if this is what you experienced.

Kirsten works extensively with the dynamics of substance abuse and recovery, including how substance use or abuse and addiction affects family functioning or the effects of growing up with caregivers who were preoccupied with substances or addictive behaviors.