What’s the difference between ACA and ACoA? Is ACA part of A.A. or Al-Anon?
Adult Children of Alcoholics is known as ACA or ACoA. They both identify the same autonomous Twelve Step fellowship.
Al-Anon meetings with an adult child focus are not ACA groups. Some Al-Anon meetings are known as ACAP or Al-Anon ACoA, but they do not use ACA literature. We cooperate with Al-Anon and all Twelve Step programs, but ACA meetings use ACA literature that includes The Laundry List and The Solution in addition to the Steps and Traditions. You can order or download ACA literature on the Adult Children of Alcoholics website.
Do I have to have come from an alcoholic home to come to meetings?
No! If you can identify with The Problem or have several of the characteristics of the Laundry List ACA will benefit you.
Also see: Am I an Adult Child?
What is a “closed” meeting?
Many ACA groups hold closed meetings, which means the meeting is reserved for those identifying as an Adult Child. Guests are asked to attend an open meeting, which is open to friends and relatives of the Adult Child, as well as health care professionals, researchers, etc. For some ACA members, closed meetings offer a sense of safety and stronger identification among those sharing or speaking at the meeting.
Also see: What to Expect at Your First Meeting
Is ACA a religious organization? Is ACA available to agnostics?
ACA is a spiritual program. We have no religious hierarchy, religious script, or instructional method of worship. While we are not religious, we do not shy away from spiritual matters. The disease of family dysfunction is a spiritual dilemma. The solution includes seeking a power greater than ourselves to bring true freedom. ACA members are free to choose the God of their understanding.
In ACA, we honor the sovereign right of every member to believe or not believe as he or she wishes. The atheist and agnostic are welcome in ACA.
For more information, refer to Chapter 5 in the ACA Fellowship Text (Big Red Book)
How do you define “Higher Power”?
ACA is a spiritual program, based on no particular religion or set of beliefs but rather an understanding of a power greater than ourselves that can aid us on our path to recovery. This Higher Power is as diverse as the individuals of the group.
A lot of meetings are held at churches. Are they affiliated with those churches?
No. Tradition Seven reminds us of our need to pay our own way as a group or fellowship. While it is noble to turn away large gifts from an outside source, we cannot expect others to pay our own way at the group level. Refusing outside contributions means that we pay rent or attempt to pay rent for meeting space. Some churches and hospitals choose to offer such a meeting room free of charge. They view ACA as a positive addition to the community. To honor our Seventh Tradition, the ACA meeting should still make some payment for use of the room. We want to pay our own way to honor the Seventh Tradition and to show support of something we believe in. We want to be fully self-supporting so that ACA remains alive. We want ACA to be free of entanglement and to be available when someone reaches out for help.
What does it cost to attend an ACA meeting?
ACA is self-help, self-supporting program and according to our Seventh Tradition we finance our own way. If you are financially able we ask for a small contribution at each meeting.
What if there isn’t a meeting that’s available to me?
Unfortunately, there are many areas around the world without any ACA meetings. If you cannot find a meeting listed for your area, check out the Telephone or Internet meeting. Another option would be to start a new meeting in your area.
See also: How to Start a Meeting
Are teenagers allowed to attend ACA meetings?
ACA Teen is a newly developed concept adopted by fellowship vote in 2005. ACA Teen is for any group of Children of Alcoholics who would like to adapt the ACA program for their own purposes. ACA Teen groups should honor the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and be sponsored by an ACA group. For more information, see the Chapter 18 in the ACA Fellowship Text (Big Red Book).
Is the group accepting of all viewpoints?
Adult Children of Alcoholics has no opinion on outside issues; hence the ACA name ought never be drawn into public controversy. (Tradition 10)
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. (Tradition 12)
Who runs ACA?
For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as expressed in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern. (Tradition 2)
ACA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. (Tradition 9)
- ACA is organized globally
The website adultchildren.org serves as a resource to aid the personal recovery of ACAs around the world. The website acawso.org supports the volunteer service structure of ACA. - ACA is organized regionally
Some regional areas form Intergroups, which are service organizations composed of representatives from individual meetings to unify and serve meetings of that region. - ACA is organized locally
Each meeting has individuals who fill responsibilities that help keep the meeting running safely and smoothly, such as chairperson, treasurer, secretary, etc. These positions rotate.
Is ACA therapy?
In ACA, we do not practice therapy, but therapy with an informed counselor can be the gateway to unparalleled levels of recovery. Therapy is not a substitute for ACA recovery, which involves focused Step work with a sponsor. Many ACA members have experienced remarkable recovery without counseling. The decision to ask for extra help is up to each individual. ACA is a stand-alone program that offers a proven solution to the disease of family dysfunction.
See also: What to Expect at Your First Meeting