Step One, Week Four: October 4th, 2023

Reading assignment:

Yellow workbook pages 9-10 OR Big Red Book (BRB) pages 104-106

Red Book pages 573-575, the “Cross Talk” through “Fixing Others” paragraphs

Recommended weekly reading:

“The Laundry List” or “The Problem,” “The Solution,” and “The Promises” on pages 587-591 of the Red Book or in the first several pages of the yellow workbook;

“The Twelve Steps” on pages 91-92 of the Red Book (also on pages 1-2 of the workbook); and

“The Twelve Traditions” on page 592 of the Red Book

Suggested supplemental reading: 

The “New to CODA?” link on www.coda.org, which opens a document titled “Am I Codependent?”

The first 100 pages of the ACA Red Book (to be read over several weeks)

BRB (Red Book) Chapter 7

Tradition Ten (the tradition for the month of October) in depth starting on page 538 of the BRB

The Step One chapter of “A Codependent’s Guide To The Twelve Steps” by Melody Beattie (to be read over several weeks; available used on Amazon.com for around $4.00 USD.)* See ACAWSO’s Literature Policy: “It has always been accepted that ACA should remain eclectic in choosing literature. That is, ACA meetings may draw from various sources without censorship.”

“Days of Healing, Days of Joy: Daily Meditations for Adult Children” by Earnie Larson and Carol Larson Hegarty (available used on Amazon.com for around $4.00 USD.)* See ACAWSO’s Literature Policy: “It has always been accepted that ACA should remain eclectic in choosing literature. That is, ACA meetings may draw from various sources without censorship.”

This week’s step study questions are found on page 30 of the yellow workbook “Twelve Steps of Adult Children” under the heading “Unmanageable”:

1. What is my definition of being unmanageable or having an unmanageable life?
2. Do I think I can still control people, places, and things by acting right, perfect, or otherwise?
3. Do I think I have power over other people and can control their actions and thoughts?
4. Am I letting the thoughts, feelings and actions of others have power over me? (List an example if applicable.)
5. Do I allow the feelings or possible reactions of others to control me or to determine my behavior and choices? (List an example.)
6. What does it mean to be codependent?
7. Have my relationships created chaos, abuse, or predictable turmoil in my life? (List an example.

ALSO SEE: Pages 34-43 of the yellow workbook, to be completed over our several weeks of Step One work.

“Copyrighted by Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization”

Deep Dive questions:

A. How do I know when my life is unmanageable?

B. How have I sought approval and affirmation from others?

C. Do I say “yes” when I want to say “no”? What happens to my ability to manage my life when I do this?

D. Do I take care of others easily, but find it difficult to care for myself? How well do I take care of myself?

E. Do I trust my own feelings? Do I know what they are?

© Al-Anon’s Paths to Recovery Workbook