Discover Your Adult Child

Discover Your Adult Child is a remarkable memoir depicting one man's courage, discipline, and resilience as he overcomes childhood trauma related to his father's alcoholism.

Merging personal experience with meticulous research, author Tom O'Connor also shares practical knowledge and survival skills to help other adult children of alcoholics lead happier lives. His story offers validation, empathy, and hope for a peaceful and stable future.

Through a series of heartfelt and, at times, humorous narratives, O’Connor explores what it’s like to be the child of an alcoholic.

In the United States, there are over 20 million adult children of alcoholics. As a member of this group, author Tom O’Connor spent years grappling with the instability he endured being raised by an alcoholic father and an enabling mother. Reflecting on his experiences, O’Connor relates his story of resilience, compassion and forgiveness.

Kelly Meany-All Home Cares Matters Podcast

Healing Through Trauma: Kelly Meany's Journey

I used to think I was broken—too sensitive, too emotional, too reactive, too much, or not enough. But the truth is, I wasn't hurt; I was grieving. And not the kind of grief that earns sympathy cards. I wasn't mourning someone who passed away; I was grieving someone who was right in front of me—my mom.

Kelly Meany

Aug 96 min read

O'Connor on the Reproductive Rebel Podcast

Multiple Pathways to Substance Use Disorder Recovery

Multiple Pathways to Substance Use Disorder Recovery is a highly personalized approach that focuses on strength building, individualized coping skills development, and utilizing resources. Helping the person with a SUD find their path increases buy-in tremendously.

Mary Beth O'Connor

Aug 94 min read

Rethinking Mental Health Approaches to Suicide

We have had very little success in preventing intentional injuries, especially self-harm. Worldwide, suicide rates have remained elevated. The stagnation in suicide prevention is not due to a lack of effort. With the worsening opioid crisis and the rising prevalence of depression and other mental health issues, global professional mental health experts need to focus on rethinking suicide prevention.

Rachel Gibbons, MD

Aug 76 min read

The Vital Voyage Blog

A Community of Mental Health Experts

Book Reviews

"Most trauma doesn’t scream. It whispers in adulthood. But we’re often too busy surviving to stop and listen. How to reconnect with your childhood story in 1 book. I you grew up with an alcoholic parent, you may still be carrying the weight. The people-pleasing.The fear of conflict.The pressure to be perfect.The deep sadness you can’t explain.It’s not just your past. It’s your nervous system. It’s the way you see the world.Tom O’Connor gets this because he lived it.

In his book Discover Your Adult Child, he shares a lifetime of insight through both personal experience and a professional lens.But this isn't just another memoir. It’s a mirror and a guide.

It teaches you to:

✅Understand the roots of your behaviors

✅Unlearn survival patterns that no longer serve you

✅Reclaim the freedom your childhood didn’t give you

The stories are raw. The tools are practical. The message is powerful:You’re not broken.You were trained to survive.I’m recommending this book because I believe more people need this one.Especially those in mental health, trauma healing, or coaching. Healing isn’t just a personal act; it’s generational. I’m grateful to Tom O’Connor for writing what many feel but can’t find the words to say."

~Mohammed Ali Shahzad Pakistan April 17, 2025

"Like Tom O'Connor, I was raised by an alcoholic father. I immediately identified with Tom's story. As he tells his journey of growing up in an alcoholic family, he breaks down the destructive impact of the alcoholic parent on the family. Discover Your Adult Child helped me better understand each family member's role in this dysfunctional family soup."

~Doug F. MA 2024

Tom O'Connor, Author of Discover Your Adult Child

About The Author

Tom O’Connor is a retired businessman with a B.A. in psychology. As a child of an alcoholic, he is passionate about helping individuals with adult-child syndrome, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorders to heal and live peaceful lives. He lives in Florida with his wife and two Golden Retrievers.

As the firstborn son, Tom O’Connor spent his life running away from generations of alcoholic men. Raised by an alcoholic father and an enabling mother, he spent years grappling with the volatility he endured. It was only in retirement, while researching children of alcoholics, that he discovered he was suffering from Adult-Child Syndrome (ACS)

Vital Voyage Blog

Mission Statement

Mental Health Articles for a Brighter Mind

The Vital Voyage Blog is dedicated to providing insightful and empowering articles on mental health and wellness. Our mission is to shed light on topics such as substance use disorder, trauma, adult child syndrome, suicide prevention, recovery journeys, and the future of mental healthcare. We aim to inspire hope, promote mental well-being, and foster a supportive community for those navigating their mental health journey. Add another button to go to the blog and a subscription form. Actually, there be a subscription form on each footer.

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