Self-Righteous Indignation And The Adult Child Of An Alcoholic - Harriet Hunter, Award-Winning Author Of 'Miracles of Recovery' Offers 3 Powerful Ways To Personal Freedom

    WILMINGTON, NC, July 09, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Janet G. Wolititz, Ed. D., in her New York Time Bestseller, 'In Adult Children of Alcoholics', cracks open the psyche of the adult alcoholic beginning with the child that they were: riddled with suffocating pain, shame and an undernourished sense of self. Janet states, "The child of an alcoholic has no age. The same things hold true if you are five or fifty-five. AcoAs do not learn what other children learn in the process of growing up…they do not learn the day-to-day process of "doing life."

Harriet Hunter, award-winning author of "Miracles of Recovery: Daily Meditations of Hope, Courage and Faith" believes that self-righteous indignation is a survival mechanism employed by many Adult Children of Alcoholics (AcoA).

"Those of us who are AcoA understand like few others that, as children, growing up with the insanity of drugs or alcohol was a family affair, and it's affects far reaching affecting everyone. These affects didn't end with the family. Friends, acquaintances, employers‑‑anyone associated with the adult child suffered from the impact (deleted another "affect") of alcoholism. Whether their own guilt or shame, the inability to function normally without manipulation, enabling, or excuses, played a part in the home life growing up.

"We all took part in the ritual of ignoring that elephant in the middle of our life that never went away. The elephant who not only called the shots and took over the household was not discussed, acknowledged, or engaged. It was just there as we pretended that it wasn't. This silent elephant represented consequences each family member suffered as each family member grew more emotionally detached and ill themselves if for no other reason, than for the perpetual lack of honesty and denial. The only constant in the home was who would be the one to step on the elephant's toes, and the overwhelming sense of waiting for the other shoe to drop‑‑we just never knew when.

"ACoA's suffer in a manner normal people cannot begin to comprehend. Virtually anyone under the influence of drugs, alcohol, food, gambling or other life-altering addictions qualifies as an AcoA if they say they are. The AcoA manifestations were often demonstrated in abnormal ways as children that served to isolate and keep them apart from mainstream day to day operations. They were insecure, felt different from other children, and often alone or left out. With little to no self-esteem, they exhibited extreme behaviors, as suffering deep shame and self-loathing was commonplace. To the degree the AcoA absorbed the caustic energy around them, did they blame others for how they felt."

"Many AcoA's cannot describe what is normal, and without mental health or 12-step intervention, they have no idea what they feel.

"Self-righteous indignation became a survival technique. A learned tactic to ensure they are being heard, ACoAs often exhibited strong emotional reactions to their beliefs. Right or wrong, even if it was a lie, self-righteous indignation would often be the ruse that kept others at bay. For some, it was a scheme used to win through intimidation. They falsely believed that this position was bolstering their undernourished, often non-existing self-esteem. Retorts might be, "Of course I'm right! or "How Dare you do that to me!" 'Who Do you think YOU are?' or the almighty, 'What gives you the right to…?

One definition of self-righteous indignation is: Having or characterized by a certainty, especially an unfounded one, that one is totally correct.

Consider road rage. Someone cuts us off, squeezes ahead of us, makes an illegal turn and there we are—ready to scream, hit the brakes, hit the horn, curse and unleash our anger, sometimes to the point of physically engaging. We don't have to think too hard of other-type examples. They all FEEL the same, and illicit many of the same reactions.

How do we stop allowing others to live rent-free in our heads? How do we stop participating in this dangerous energy that does nothing to promote inner-peace? Hunter offers 3 important strategies.

1. We can take a step back and look at the scenario for what it really is: OUR reaction to emotional excitement of the negative type.

2. Getting out of the way helps. We STOP where we are and do not engage. To turn and walk away may be the very best solution. There is no reasoning with someone in the throes of their own implied importance. They are of the opinion that, "by God, this is MY OPINION, nothing else matters," They become overly judgmental, fearful and controlling in the self righteous belief that they are morally correct.

3. In recovery, if we are the ones promoting self-righteous anger, it would be prudent to take a close look at our behaviors. We examine motives behind our engagement. It is our responsibility to do so. It is about our thinking, our justification, our triggers."

More information and related resources are available at no charge at Hunter's website at http://www.harriethunter.org.

While there are many treatment approaches and programs, what is common to all successful individuals within any substance abuse program is the shared pain and the loneliness, oftentimes with an ongoing support system for the person battling the disease. That support system is what Harriet Hunter offers in "Miracles of Recovery: Daily Meditations of Hope, Courage and Faith."

Featuring 365-daily inspirations. Miracles of Recovery was written not just for those addicted, but for the parents, the spouses - anyone touched by the disease because addiction is absolutely a family affair. Using the foundation of 12-Steps of A.A., Miracles of Recovery embraces holistic suggestions as a practical approach for those who must face life on life's terms, clean and sober.

Encouraging and thought-provoking, Miracles of Recovery inspires with Universal Truths, "because," Harriet says, "Once we know better, we do better." Miracles of Recovery is written to show through personal examples how to achieve long-term sobriety by embracing new behavior and positive reinforcement regardless of what happens in one's life. She offers a personal, sometimes raw reflection of the truth about addiction seldom seen elsewhere.

The new book encourages readers to embrace healthy, positive thoughts by taking actions necessary to reinforce a new way of thinking. Tools necessary to maintain sobriety and change one's life through changing one's perspective are also proposed. It suggests that readers "Do life differently," through exercises, solutions, and methods to improve self-esteem, confidence, and embrace a profound sense of hope needed to succeed. The author spurs the reader to embrace the truth that, regardless of challenges life presents, "NOTHING can change the course of recovery when you keep yourself, your sobriety, and your Higher Power first in your life." In short, Miracles of Recovery offers hope where there is none through a simple program of actions for complicated people.

Hunter has received rave reviews for her work from readers and reviewers alike. Vernita Taylor of Readers Favorite stated, "Miracles of Recovery: Daily Meditations of Hope, Courage, and Faith by Harriet Hunter is a great choice if you're struggling with addiction because it offers a full year of inspiration and affirmations which I enjoyed. I see this book as a mentor or sponsor that is walking by your side and helping to lead you to a better, more improved you while teaching you how to deal with your stressors. The best teacher is someone who has been there and done that and this book doesn't disappoint. The author knows first-hand what it takes and how it feels to be addicted, and the journey to recovery. If you need help along your journey, pick up a copy of this book; it's highly recommended."

Anthony Capozzolli of Dismantled Life Podcast said, "Miracles of Recovery has been a feast for my recovering soul. Every page is filled with love and helpful insights that lead to discovery. I read each page by date and randomly turn to other pages for an additional spiritual hug when I need one. It's almost as if Harriet wrote her wonderful book for me. Page after page hits so close to home I often tear up from positive awareness and clarity of emotion."

Miracles of Recovery received the first place President's Award in nonfiction from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association.

Since her walk into recovery in 1999, Harriet has had one primary purpose: to stay sober and show others how they can achieve their miracles while staying sober with a vision and determination to never go backwards, one day at a time.

Using her experience strength and hope, Harriet strives to be a conduit of encouragement to others in their disease of alcoholism and addictions of choice, by showing them what continues to work. With practical tools, principles and promises as found in A.A., and other 12-step programs, she mirrors examples of how anyone can be free from the bondage of self, regardless of their situation.

With a purchase of a signed copy of Miracles of Recovery from her website, Hunter provides a no-charge copy of "Your Daily Reprieve; How To Maintain Long-Term Sobriety Serenely Just For Today" in PDF format.

Harriet Hunter has developed a six-module course for individuals who thrive on personal insight and emotional growth as they seek to connect the dots of their lives. Journaling with a Purpose! is a thought-provoking, sometimes intensive exercise for self-seekers who want more from lives. Its focus is both emotionally therapeutic and entertaining, as participants look inside themselves for resilient, positive changes to solutions and characteristics they expect more from. Harriet is never far away. She hosts web-based meetings, while delivering videos, offers no-charge gifts, handouts and many prompts that encourages and explains what the writer can expect with each module.

Additionally, a new Miracles of Recovery ZOOM meeting is held the 1st Fridays of the month. Read about it on her website at https://harriethunter.org/aa-and-new-zoom-meeting-miracles-of-recovery/.

Harriet Hunter is available for media interviews and speaking engagements and can be contacted using the information below or by email at [email protected]. More information, including the journaling course, no-charge audios, ebooks, handouts and other gifts can be found by visiting https://www.harriethunter.org.

About Harriet Hunter:

With over 21 years of sobriety, Harriet has worked with hundreds of women who suffer with alcoholism and drug addiction to help them find peace in active sobriety. She facilitates AA meetings for women incarcerated, and sponsors women both face-to-face and on line. Readers can find her in the global recovery site, InTheRooms.com, where she's been given her own room and brings Miracles to life each Sunday at 2;00 P.M. EST.

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