Double Duty Author:Claudia Black In her continuing work with ACOAs, Dr. Claudia Black saw some people hit a baffling "wall" in their recovery. She began to realize that certain conditions and circumstances could halt an individual's progress if left unidentified. These "Double Duty and Dual Identity" issues are the intensified life experience... more »s of ACOAs who have had to contend not only with family alcoholism or dysfunction, but who have an additional dynamic that has profoundly affected their lives and their recovery. Being gay or lesbian is just such a dual identity issue.
Growing up gay or lesbian in an alcoholic home means having an even greater need to defend and protect oneself from being hurt. The unspoken messages are, "You are different; it is not okay to be who you are; you should be ashamed of who you are" -- messages that create a life of guilt and shame, ruled by secrets and denial, and missing any sense of belonging.
This helpful volume, which has been adapted from the longer work DOUBLE DUTY, is designed for the Adult Child who is gay or lesbian. You will find five life stories of recovering people, as well as Claudia Black's inspiring commentary, and her ground-breaking work on how focusing on your own individual history can help you break through the "wall" to the happiness on the other side.« less