Veronica Ramos Clark, LCAC, a licensed clinical addiction counselor and Executive Director of Fresh Start Counseling Services, has announced the release of her new book, A Fresh Start: Breaking the Cycle, on September 22, 2026. The book combines memoir and practical guidance for adults who grew up with an alcoholic parent or in a dysfunctional home, offering both validation and tools for change.
The timing of this release is significant as societal conversations around mental health and addiction continue to grow. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States has lived with an alcoholic relative during childhood. These experiences often lead to long-term emotional and relational challenges that can persist well into adulthood. Clark's book directly addresses this often-overlooked population, providing a resource that bridges personal narrative and clinical expertise.
Clark brings nearly three decades of counseling experience to the subject. As an adult child of an alcoholic herself and one of eleven children, she understands the patterns that can develop in such environments. The book examines why the same struggles keep appearing long after childhood has ended, exploring how roles learned early in life—such as keeping the peace, taking responsibility for others, or staying quiet to avoid conflict—can continue to influence adult relationships and self-worth.
Topics include people-pleasing, conflict avoidance, grief, suppressed emotions, and the difficulty of setting boundaries. A Fresh Start invites readers to identify these patterns and consider how they want to respond differently. The intended audience includes adults who appear capable and dependable to others but feel exhausted by always being the responsible one. It also speaks to readers who want to understand recurring relationship difficulties and avoid passing destructive family patterns to another generation.
The book has received early praise. In an endorsement published on Clark's website, Patty Aubery writes, "Veronica's wisdom and compassion shine through every page. This book is a gift to anyone seeking healing and hope."
Readers can view A Fresh Start: Breaking the Cycle on Amazon and visit VeronicaRamosClark.net for book updates, information about the author, and Reading Your Story, a free companion self-assessment.
The implications of this release extend beyond individual readers. By addressing the cycle of family dysfunction, Clark's work contributes to breaking intergenerational trauma. As more people seek to understand and heal from their past, resources like this book can play a crucial role in fostering healthier families and communities. Clark's dual perspective as both a counselor and someone who has personally navigated these challenges lends credibility and relatability to her guidance.
Veronica Ramos Clark, LCAC, is a licensed clinical addiction counselor, speaker, author, and Executive Director of Fresh Start Counseling Services. She works with adult children of alcoholic and dysfunctional homes, helping them understand learned patterns and make changes in their lives.
