This week’s reading assignment:
Yellow workbook pages 70 – 78 OR BRB pages 150 – 166
The Laundry List, on the first few pages of both the Red Book and the yellow workbook
Red Book page xxvi, “ACA Disease Model ~ Adult Child”
Red Book page 150, “A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words”
Red Book page 153, “Getting Started On Step Four”
Red Book page 302, “The Inner Child ~ True Self”
“The Problem” on page 589 of the ACA Red Book
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
Tradition Two (the tradition for the month of February) in depth starting on page 497 of the Red Book
Suggested supplemental text for 4th Step work:
The AlAnon workbook titled “Blueprint for Progress: Al-Anon’s Fourth Step Inventory,
Revised” (copyright date 2004, with the black text and deeper blue-and-white-checked cover; available from AlAnon or on Amazon.com.) 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.”
Multiple sections of the AlAnon workbook are useful for in-depth Fourth Step work. Meeting members who have already completed a yellow workbook Step Four may wish to expand your 4th Step work by journaling on the “Blueprint for Progress” questions.
This week’s step study questions are on pages 79-81 of the yellow workbook. The following questions are adapted from the Laundry List Worksheet on page 81 of the workbook:
Describe a childhood incident that might have helped create a Laundry List trait. What caused the event? How did it make you feel? (Hint: see the feelings list on pages 77-78 of the yellow workbook.) What was your Inner Chiid’s reaction? Which Laundry List trait might have developed as a result of the event?
“Copyrighted by Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization.”
Deep Dive questions:
A. Do I avoid constantly searching for hidden motives behind what other people say or do?
B. Can I give others the benefit of the doubt?
C. Do I avoid manipulating people by telling them what they want to hear instead of what I really think or feel?
D. Can I be straightforward with others, letting them know me as I really am?
E. Have I ever listed and analyzed my fears?
F. Can I accept a certain amount of insecurity in my life without fearing that everything will fall apart?
G. Have I developed some sense of my right to be treated with dignity?
H. Do I steer clear of getting others to feel sorry for me?
I. Are my responsibilities to myself kept in good balance with my desire to reach out to others?
J. Can I listen to other people’s problems without worrying about them?
K. Have I done all I can to rid myself of guilty feelings about the past?
L. Once a conflict is over and I have expressed my anger, can I let it go?
M. Do I appreciate my talents and abilities?
N. Do I act on my own behalf and set my own goals?
O. Can I resist giving in just to keep peace when my own welfare and integrity are involved?
P. Do I have a purpose in my life?
Q. Can I discipline myself in healthy and comfortable ways so that I can accomplish things?
© Al-Anon’s Blueprint for Progress Workbook
ACA Workbook Study 