profile

Jody Lamb: The Empowered Path for Adult Children of Alcoholics

This might explain a lot about you

Published 2 months ago • 2 min read

THE EMPOWERED PATH FOR ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS

BY JODY LAMB

Hi, Reader!

It turns out…

Those of us who grew up with an alcoholic parent tend to have shockingly similar traits as adults.

When I first read Dr. Janet Woititz’s Adult Children of Alcoholics, it felt like she’d had a peek at my therapist’s notes.

👉Here’s the book, if you want to check it out​

I remember reading her list of 13 common characteristics of adult children of alcoholics and thinking:

“That’s me. Oh wow. That’s also me. Oh come on, that one, too?!”

Growing up in a home affected by alcoholism shapes us in ways we often don’t recognize until something or someone points it out.

Common Traits of Adult Children of Alcoholics

Do any of these sound familiar, Reader?

  • Struggling to recognize what “normal” looks like in relationships
  • Starting strong… but rarely finishing
  • Being way too hard on ourselves
  • Having a tough time relaxing or having fun
  • Craving approval yet feeling totally different from everyone else
  • Being loyal to a fault
  • Acting impulsively, then cleaning up the emotional mess afterward

For me? It was all of that plus feeling responsible for everyone and everything around me.

Then I realized….

These aren’t flaws.
They’re survival tools you learned in childhood.
And now? It’s time to let them go.

How to Change Your Adult Child of an Alcoholic Traits

What do you do with this awareness?

Here’s a simple, powerful exercise:

  1. Pick one trait you relate to
  2. Write down how it shows up in your life
  3. Name the opposite behavior
  4. Practice that opposite, even when it feels uncomfortable

My example:​
Relaxing is hard for me. Even watching a TV show feels unproductive.

So I let myself sit in that discomfort. I breathe. I stay.
Eventually, I settle in. It gets easier.

💡I even schedule time to relax now. Because it matters. It’s necessary!

This is just the beginning.​
Awareness is the first step.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone, Reader.

Hit reply and let me know what trait you're going to work on. I’d truly love to hear from you.

Resources and Recommendations

✔️

Common Characteristics of Adult Children of Alcoholics

​Read it​

📌

Best Tools and Resources for ACoA Healing

​Read it​

🌟

The 5 Common Personality Types of Children of Alcoholics

​Read it​

Tune into the Video Series

Subscribe to my YouTube channel or follow me on Instagram so you don’t miss any new videos created just for adult children of alcoholics on the healing path.

Let’s keep healing—together. 💛
​Jody

I'm rooting for you!

💛 Jody

A quick reminder

👋 Hey there! You signed up for this email because you're on a journey of creating a life you love. I’m here to support you along the way.

I’m Jody Lamb, a personal growth author dedicated to helping adult children of alcoholics break free from the past and build healthy relationships, confidence, and joy.

In this newsletter, you’ll find relatable stories, empowering insights, and practical tips to help you navigate boundaries, self-care, and the challenges that come with growing up in a dysfunctional home.

I’m so glad you’re here. 💛

P.O. Box 996, Brighton, MI 48116
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Jody Lamb: The Empowered Path for Adult Children of Alcoholics

by Jody Lamb

Grew up with an alcoholic parent? You’re not alone. Join 2,000+ readers getting twice-monthly tips, stories, and tools to heal, grow, and build a life you love. Your new chapter starts now. 💌

Read more from Jody Lamb: The Empowered Path for Adult Children of Alcoholics

THE EMPOWERED PATH FOR ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS BY JODY LAMB Hi, Reader. Do you feel like it’s your job to keep everyone happy?If someone’s upset, do you feel you need to fix it? You're not alone and there’s a reason you are this way. If you grew up in a home with an alcoholic parent—or any kind of emotional chaos—you probably learned this early: When someone’s mood shifted, everything else followed. So what did you do? You became the peacekeeper.The fixer.The one who smoothed it all over...

14 days ago • 2 min read

THE EMPOWERED PATH FOR ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS BY JODY LAMB Hey, Reader. In high school, I hoped living far from school would keep my friends from seeing my mom drunk. But one Saturday afternoon, they did.“Hi, is Jody home?”“Jodyyyy,” my mom yelled from the hallway, stumbling toward her room. I forced a smile and invited my friends in. Inside, I was burning with shame.My secret wasn’t a secret anymore. Ten years later, I stood in a liquor store, now an adult in a scratchy suit and...

28 days ago • 2 min read
Woman stands on a grassy hill under a bright sky.

THE EMPOWERED PATH FOR ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS BY JODY LAMB Hi, Reader. In high school, I looked happy. I got good grades, played sports, joined student council, babysat, and worked a part-time job. I laughed a lot. Outside of our family and a few neighbors, almost no one knew the truth:I was constantly worried about my mom and her drinking, and I was barely sleeping at night. After college, I became a total workhorse logging 70–80 hour weeks for peanuts. I smiled. I appeared to love it....

about 1 month ago • 3 min read