ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS/DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES: Big Red Book

yet, we found ourselves either being the abuser or the dependent one in most relationships we developed, including working relationships, religious relationships, and friendships.

caused us to look for love and acceptance through people-pleasing, caretaking, and approval-seeking.

Since we grew up with an orientation to fear, shame, and abandonment, we seek out situations that recreate these feelings in ourselves. This is a shocking claim, but many of us can relate to it.

When we hear we are whole at our core, we wonder, “If this is true, why do I feel so unworthy or defective? Why can’t I seem to live from the truth of my wholeness?” The ACA recovery program brilliantly, gently and progressively unravels this dilemma and gradually returns us to our birthright of being whole, of being our True Self.

1. By attending ACA meetings and working with my sponsor I am being restored to clarity and sanity. 2) I am understanding the effects of addiction and family dysfunction in my adult life today. 3) I am coming to believe that it was insane to think that I caused my parents’ addiction or dysfunction. I was the child. They were the parents. 4) I am not u