I Survived

I Survived: Living with the Trauma of a Dependent Parent takes the reader through the life experiences of Thomas Madigan as he grew up with an alcoholic father who struggled from alcohol abuse until his death. The trauma that he and his entire family experienced as a result of that dependency had a major impact on Tom's life. To this day, the personality traits built around that trauma continue to challenge him. Tom found success and a measure of release from the pain he experienced through counseling and support from mentors and, most specifically, through his wife, Sandee. This book will guide you through many of the current theories on the causes of alcohol dependency, his family history, personal challenges, and how it impacted his sister. It will identify the personality traits typical of children of dependent parents and how each of them were manifested in Tom and how, through his counseling and support from family and mentors, he was able to recognize and address each trait as he moved forward in his life. Tom found success personally and professionally despite his trauma, and the book provides a hopeful message for all those struggling with a dependent family member.