Unspoken Legacy: Addressing the Impact of Trauma and Addiction within the Family

A far-ranging examination of how the effects of addiction and trauma in the family can reverberate for generations

Trauma and addictive disorders are often a result of psychological injuries experienced as a child. These injuries typically produce long-term and harmful generational consequences on loved ones and other family members. Claudia Black presents a searing portrait of a broken family system, exploring how addiction and trauma develop and how their damaging repetition uproots and frequently destroys one's family tree. Filled with vignettes highlighting the various causes of trauma, Dr. Black helps readers understand its physiology and psychology and gives them healing, proactive steps to build healthier relationships.

Claudia Black, PhD, is internationally recognized for her pioneering and cutting-edge work with family systems and addictive disorders. Her work with children affected by drug and alcohol addiction in the late 1970s fueled the advancement of the codependency and developmental trauma fields. Dr. Black's passion to help young adults overcome obstacles and strengthen families built the foundation of the Claudia Black Young Adult Center at The Meadows. Not only is Dr. Black the clinical architect of this innovative treatment program, she is also actively involved with the treatment team, patients, and their families.

Claudia Black has written an excellent and accessible book for anyone who wants to understand more about what trauma is and how it may have impacted their lives. Unspoken Legacy is user friendly and easy to follow as it traces the underlying, intersecting ways in which trauma can manifest. Unresolved trauma can be the pain pump that fuels both addiction and relapse. It cuts an insidious, seamless and all too often invisible path through a person or a family system that over the years and even the generations becomes overgrown, buried and hard to see. Through case examples that ring only too true, Dr. Black brings to life the myriad things we tell ourselves to either stay in denial or to express the relief that comes when light finally dawns. She elucidates both the path of illness and that of recovery, this is a book that will help many people."--Tian Dayton, PhD, Author of Emotional Sobriety

“One more time Dr. Claudia Black has written a book that is pivotal to helping people understand their history and move forward in their lives. Her gentle voice of experience and compassion offers a multitude of solutions for the problems that affect all those with addiction and trauma. Unspoken Legacy is filled with useful exercises to enable the reader to actively engage in the process of healing. Dr. Black has done an incredible job of addressing the complexity of trauma and addiction and its impact on families. Everyone from the professional to the student to those personally affected must read this book.”--Mel Pohl, MD, DFASAM, Chief Medical Officer, Las Vegas Recovery Center and author of A Day Without Pain

“Renowned addictions expert, Dr. Claudia Black has done it again! She's written a groundbreaking book to help anyone struggling with addiction or the havoc it wreaks in its path. This well-written book offers cutting-edge information about how addiction develops in families, the impact it has on one’s psychological and spiritual well-being, the powerful ways in which trauma and addiction are inextricably interconnected and, most importantly, what must happen for healing to occur. Filled with practical insights and do-it-yourself exercises, Dr. Black’s guidance is compassionate, informative, and inspirational!”--Michele Weiner-Davis, LCSW, Author of The Sex-Starved Marriage

“In this brilliant work, Dr. Claudia Black illuminates the connection between trauma and addiction, the toxic cycle of shame and fear that results, and how this can get passed intergenerationally. Most importantly, she provides a blueprint and road map for help, hope, and healing.”--Jerry Moe, MA, National Director of Children’s Programs, Hazelden Betty Ford Center

“Claudia Black’s new book is a wonderful must-have resource that’s more than helpful for the healing and recovery around trauma and addiction issues. It is a useful educational tool on so many levels, and reminds readers that everyone experiences some level of trauma in their life’s journey while reassuring them that healing is truly possible. Claudia gives many useful mindfulness examples and thoughtful advice for recovery that are truly life saving. The reader will feel safe, reassured, and will find real hope after reading this book. Unspoken Legacy offers the opportunity to develop skills and tools to live on and live well!”--Karen Phelps Moyer, The Moyer Foundation, Cofounder Camp Mariposa