It’s time to rise above the chaos of the situation with your alcoholic
Stephanie McAuliffe shares her journey of growing up in a family where cocktails started by 5:00 p.m. She reveals her marriages to two alcoholics, and shows how she navigated life being surrounded by alcohol and alcoholics—and broke an unhealthy family cycle that went back at least four generations. Full of stories of survival, The Message in the Bottle is packed with support to help children and spouses of alcoholics find peace amidst the chaos.
The Message in the Bottle:
Finding Hope and Peace Amidst the Chaos of Living with an Alcoholic
Yet, we’re not talking about what’s going on.
There’s a silence because many of us grew up in families where “we don’t talk about these things.” We were taught by our parents, who were taught by theirs, to not talk about what was happening under our roof. Or we were taught to tough it out.
Customers Reviews
Utterly intense, immediately recommend
Stephanie’s book, The Message in a Bottle, is probably going to feel a bit like a rollercoaster. Even if you have little experience with alcoholism, you are there with Stephanie through her journey — the trials, the lows, the self compassion, and the growth and healing.
For those who are coping with alcoholism, or impacted by family addiction issues — Stephanie is an inspiration and a light for anyone needing wisdom in the darkness. She is a voice of catharsis and forgiveness, and does not gloss over the work required for both. Please do yourself a favor and read this book.
Essential reading for anyone impacted by alcoholism
The Message in the Bottle is a book that will change lives. It is a story of challenge, but more importantly, a story of healing. Stephanie McAuliffe shares her experience and evolution in this very human journey of overcoming a family’s legacy of alcoholism. She is a truth-teller with heart and shares her story with vulnerability and wisdom, turning the challenge into an opportunity to expand and step more fully into her purpose. This is a must-read for anyone impacted by alcoholism and addiction.
Not just for those coping with alcoholics
Stephanie McAuliffe has written the most honest, unfiltered story of coping with alcoholism that I have ever read. I was immediately struck by her straightforward language and bravery in discussing a topic that still feels “taboo” for most of society, even though it’s a growing problem. What’s more, I was stunned by the similarities between living with an alcoholic and living with a trauma survivor (Holocaust). I felt that I was getting a peek into someone else’s home that was eerily similar to mine. So even if you’re not struggling to manage life with an alcoholic, but you’re faced with coping with a family member with a different type of addiction or trauma, you’ll find value in this fantastic book. Bravo, Stephanie!
When you don’t feel like you can talk about the situation, like you don’t have a voice, the negative energy gets bottled up inside.
You’re tired. Sometimes you don’t know how you get through your day. You ache. Or you avoid the situation so you don’t have to go home.
As their drinking increases, our tendency to isolate also increases.
We’re embarrassed to be out with them because of their actions when they’re drunk.
We stop getting together with friends as couples.
Our friends often don’t get what’s going on / won’t understand, so we don’t talk with them about what’s really happening.
There’s the shame because you can’t believe you’re in the situation you’re in.
I know this all too well because I lived it. I am the 4th generation of women in my family affected by growing up and living with alcoholics.
Yes, it runs in families. And yes, we’re often attracted to what we grew up with. But that’s the old story. It is possible to break the cycle.
It’s time for a paradigm shift. It’s time for you to bring a voice to your story. It’s time for you to reclaim your energy for you. It’s time to break free, even if nothing about your relationship changes.
It is possible to rise above the chaos of the situation with your alcoholic
Your are worthy to experience the joy that is your birthright