Reading assignment:
Yellow workbook pages 26 – 27; Red Book pages 22 – 23 and 27 – 34
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 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 (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 Larsen and Carol Larsen 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 32 of the yellow workbook under the heading “Denial”:
5. Did I fight with my brothers or sisters? Did I resent them? Did I protect them?
6. Do I say I am close to brothers or sisters but rarely visit them or talk to them?
7. Am I afraid to talk about my past because my siblings will challenge me or try to undermine my memories? They have told me to “Get over it.”
8. Do I minimize my parents’ behavior by saying “That was in the past. What is done is done.” Or, “I don’t look back. It does no good.”
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. Who or what in your life is making you feel crazy and causing you stress? Who do you feel victimized by? Who do you feel is now controlling you, your emotions, or some other area of your life? What situations, feelings, or realities have you been running from, denying, or avoiding?
B. What would you have to face in your own life if you stopped trying to control someone or something? What might happen if you stopped allowing someone or something to control you?
C. Who do you most want to say something to? Why do you feel you can’t say it?
© Melody Beattie’s Codependents Guide To The Twelve Steps
D. Are you able to identify any relationships that need to be significantly modified – including ending them – based on their effects on you? Which ones would you modify, in what ways, and why?
© Gregory L. Jantz Ph.D’s Healing The Scars Of Emotional Abuse
ACA Workbook Study 