Center for the Healing Arts

Center for the Healing Arts pioneered the Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACoA) movement in this region. If you grew up with an alcoholic parent or caretaker, or suspect that your childhood environment was affected by addiction, we can help you to understand and to heal. Adult children of Alcoholics/Addiction (ACOA) do not grow up the same way as other children; we did not learn what other children learned and we learned far more about adult situations than any child could possibly process. While we might perform outstanding in a crisis situation (since we grew up in crisis and are thus trained to do so), we might not function well in the day-by-day process of performing life skills in parenting in relationships (ACOA's relationship model was woefully lacking) or in social situations (ACOA's tend to either over-react or under-react as we have no imprinting for stable reactions). Navigating Life as an ACOA: What defines Adult Children of Addiction and How do we Heal? Do you see yourself in any of these common ACOA thoughts and struggles: "I don't even know what it feels like to be 'normal'."