“Dr. Tian Dayton compassionately gives voice to the wounded child parts and burdens carried by adult children of addiction. This book offers not just insight but deep empathy—illuminating how internal systems impacted by addiction can find pathways toward integration, resilience, and wholeness.” —Richard C. Schwartz, PhD, founder of Internal Family Systems, author of No Bad Parts Read More…
“By interweaving personal narrative, clinical wisdom, and embodied therapeutic practices, she creates a compelling bridge between lived experience and emerging neurobiology. Her willingness to share her own history adds rare authenticity, keeping the reader engaged on a deeply personal level. Just as importantly, her decades of clinical practice bring depth, clarity, and grounded insight to complex emotional and relational dynamics. —Stephen Porges, PhD, creator of Polyvagal Theory, author of The Polyvagal Theory and Safe and Sound Read More…
By blending SE’s body-based trauma resolution with RTR’s structured emotional processing, the body finally gets to “speak” the unspeakable—completing the story not just in words, but through movement, sensation, and presence, restoring coherence between the mind, emotions, and body. The nervous system can find safety by completing decades of unresolved survival responses, offering a tangible path to healing for those whose trauma lives not just in memory, but in the body itself. —Peter Levine, PhD, developer of Somatic Experiencing® and best-selling author of Waking the Tiger Read More…
“Dr. Dayton has written the book I wish I’d had when I first began to understand how deeply childhood experiences shape us. this is required reading for understanding the full picture of recovery, repair and reclaiming our true selves.” —Aimie Apigian, MD, addiction medicine physician, author of The Biology of Trauma Read More…
“Tian’s understanding of trauma and attachment wounds, and their impact on both the individual and the family system, is only surpassed by the multitude of tools she offers the reader. This book brings the knowledge of adult children and recovery to new heights.” —Claudia Black, PhD, author of It Will Never Happen to Me and Unspoken Legacy. Read More…
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“In Growing Up with Addiction, Dr. Tian Dayton compassionately gives voice to the wounded child parts and burdens carried by adult children of addiction. This book offers not just insight but deep empathy — illuminating how internal systems impacted by addiction can find pathways toward integration, resilience, and wholeness. A deeply needed contribution to both clinical and personal transformation.”
— Richard C. Schwartz, PhD (Founder, Internal Family Systems)
“In Growing Up with Addiction, Tian Dayton offers a compassionate and insightful exploration of the intergenerational impact of relational trauma. By interweaving personal narrative, clinical wisdom, and embodied therapeutic practices, she creates a compelling bridge between lived experience and emerging neurobiology. Her willingness to share her own history adds rare authenticity, keeping the reader engaged on a deeply personal level. Just as importantly, her decades of clinical practice bring depth, clarity, and grounded insight to complex emotional and relational dynamics. This book serves as both an accessible introduction and a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand—and heal—the legacy of trauma in families.” —Stephen Porges, PhD, creator of Polyvagal Theory, author of The Polyvagal Theory and Safe and Sound
“Dr. Dayton has written the book I wish I’d had when I first began to understand how deeply childhood experiences shape us. What sets this book apart is its embodied approach; it doesn’t just explain why ACAs struggle, it shows them how to rewire their nervous systems through experiential practices. As someone who trains practitioners worldwide in addressing the impact of relational trauma on our biology, I can say this is required reading for understanding the full picture of recovery, repair and reclaiming our true selves.”—Aimie Apigian, MD, addiction medicine physician, author of The Biology of Trauma
“Growing up with Addiction is a validating and empowering book that offers a pathway to healing intergenerational trauma. ’s understanding of trauma and attachment wounds, and their impact on both the individual and the family system, is only surpassed by the multitude of tools she offers the reader. This book brings the knowledge of adult children and recovery to new heights. Thank you, Tian, for continuing to be a champion for those whose lives have been affected by living in a family impacted by addictions.”—Claudia Black, PhD, author of It Will Never Happen to Me and Unspoken Legacy
“Tian Dayton’s new book is absolutely one of the best. Her writing and clinical work has helped so many families; her work teaches and touches.”—Robert J Ackerman, PhD, founding board member of the National Association for the Children of Alcoholics and Addiction, author of Perfect Daughters and Silent Sons
“Tian Dayton is a trusted clinician and author. To change the life of a person toward greater knowledge, meaning and joy is a gift. Tian’s perspective—from her life and her ability to capture wisdom through her words—takes the reader on a journey to discovery and healing.”—Sharon Wegscheider-Cruse, founder of Onsite Workshops, author of Another Chance and Choicemaking
“Dr. Tian Dayton brings a rare blend of clinical depth, lived experience, and transformative storytelling to every page of this groundbreaking book. Dr. Dayton’s insights are grounded in decades of clinical practice and research, and she communicates with clarity, compassion, and practical wisdom that practitioners and readers alike can apply in real life. I wholeheartedly recommend this book as an essential resource for anyone dedicated to understanding and healing the impacts of trauma and addiction.”—Frances Black, senator and founder of the RISE Foundation, Ireland
“Dr.Tian Dayton picked up where Janet Woititz left off in her seminal book Adult Children of Alcoholics that, literally began the ACoA movement. Dr. Dayton makes the connection for the reader between the ACoA syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often experienced by children who grew up in addicted families long after they have left their families of origin. She answered their haunting question: “Why am I feeling the pain from my childhood now, as an adult, when I am no longer even living at home?” Those of us who understand recovery know that no one needs to accept and live out this legacy. Take this journey with Dr. Dayton—it will change your life.”—Gary Seidler, co-founder of Health Communications, Inc. publisher of Adult Children of Alcoholics and Chicken Soup for the Soul
