All quotes from
Dennis’ book
As youngsters we
adapt to dysfunctional family situations and adopt "survival"
strategies that work in our childhood environments but may cause us difficulty
in the outside world later on. The outside world doesn't play by the same rules
as our family, but if these strategies are all that we know, they're what we'll
use.
Healthy parents
communicate two vital messages to their children: "You are good, lovable,
capable, worthwhile, and important", and "Life is challenging, yet an
exciting and fun place to be".
Whatever the
addiction -- debt, work, sex, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, etc -- keep in mind:
it's not about the symptom.