Beyond Codependency : And Getting Better All the Time

New York, NY, U.S.A.: HarperCollins, 1989. Trade Paperback. Fine. First Edition. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. A Hazelden Book. Melody Beattie's ground-breaking works have provided millions of people with tools to free themselves from the ingrained attitudes and patterns that keep them from making the most of their lives. In Beyond Codependency, Beattie maps out the steps necessary to begin living authentically. They include: *Learning to accept and deal with the recycling of old behavior patterns *Incorporating positive affirmations into thinking *Finding and nurturing healthy relationships *Unleashing the healing power of gratitude *Overcoming feelings of guilt and shame *Improving relationships with children The author speaks from personal experience of recovery, offering useful suggestions that reinforce the value and power of living one day at a time. Adult children of alcoholics and drug abusers will want to peruse this encouraging sequel to Beattie's groundbreaking book on the dynamics of codependency ( Codependent No More ). She focuses here on the process of recovering from the self-defeating behaviors adopted as survival tactics by adult children of families rendered dysfunctional by parental alcoholism or similar traumas. Beattie's strength is short, sharply delineated portraits of ordinary people learning to recognize and avoid unhealthy practices--obsessive concern for the welfare of others at one's own expense, lack of self-esteem, etc. The author stresses the practical, offering possible ways to cope with difficulties and suggesting "activities" ("What would a diagram of your recovery look like?") at the end of each chapter. And Beattie maintains the sensitive, supportive tone epitomized in the opening chapter: "Let's love ourselves for how far we've come. Let's see how far we can go." 252 pages..