Similarities between children of chemical dependents and grown-up abused children have been noted in the literature. The following specific effects of abuse have been described in detail: brainwashing, loss of trust, low self-esteem, vigilance, helplessness, unresolved events and feelings, problems related to boundary inadequacy, problems in parenting, and self-hatred. In addition, several areas for initial assessment of continuing treatment of adult children of abusive chemically dependent families have been identified and discussed. These areas include safety concerns for the adult child and other family members, educating the adult child in the nature and characteristics of abuse, establishing appropriate links between chemical dependency and violence, assessing the damage of abuse (emotional, cognitive, and spiritual), dealing with guilt and responsibility, dealing with shame and self-acceptance, and assessing the potential of the adult child to become abusive. 33 references