Emotionally Sober and Unimaginably Good: The Adult Child's Guide to Living a Happy Life

Written by an adult child of an alcoholic who has lived the struggle and found a way forward-- Emotionally Sober and Unimaginably Good is the emotional recovery guide you have been waiting for.

Millions of adults today grew up in households where one or both parents struggled with problem drinking, substance use disorder, or other dysfunctional behavior. Perhaps the most toxic aspect of such a background is that it can become an excuse for not finding true happiness and personal fulfillment. For some, this history leads to problematic adult behaviors like shirking responsibilities, lashing out at loved ones, self-sabotage, and substance misuse of their own. Others may become high achievers or perfectionists, using success as a coping mechanism and source of validation. Yet even successful adult children struggle beneath the surface--something author Megan DeMatteo knows firsthand from her experience working as a journalistic money expert while privately grappling with debt and financial shame.

Emotionally Sober and Unimaginably Good explores how DeMatteo broke free from her unhealthy emotional patterns shaped by living her childhood with an alcoholic parent. Unlike clinical takes on addiction and codependency, her story offers a raw, personal perspective that speaks directly to adult children longing for healing and emotional freedom.

Blending memoir, reporting, and practical help, DeMatteo reveals how emotional dysregulation and reactivity shaped her life in ways that both hurt her and ultimately led her to deep personal and spiritual growth. With honesty and vulnerability, she shares her rock-bottom moments and hard-won epiphanies, offering readers a clear view of a path that leads to healing. Written for every adult child who is ready to experience a more connected way of moving through the world, Emotionally Sober and Unimaginably Good provides a hopeful vision and practical steps that will help those seeking emotional recovery and a life they truly want.