This week’s reading assignment:
Red Book page 106, first paragraph
Red Book page 110, the two paragraphs beginning with “In Step Four, . . .”
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 reading:
“The Family Myth,” an article by Mark Sichel and Alicia L. Cervini, found online at http://www.psybersquare.com/family/myth.html
Friel, John and Linda, “Adult Children: The Secrets of Dysfunctional Families,” pages 82-83. 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.”
Bradshaw, John, “Family Secrets: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You.” 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.”
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:
The Family Secrets Inventory on page 82 of the yellow workbook. The following questions are adapted from the Family Secrets Inventory:
Describe one of your family’s “story lines” or images that was presented to friends and outsiders. What was the family reality beneath the story line or carefully presented public image?
“© Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization.”
Deep Dive questions:
A. In what ways do secrets hamper my recovery?
B. In what ways has denial perpetuated my {Laundry List traits}?
C. In what ways does working Step Four give me a balanced view of myself?
© Al-Anon’s Reaching for Personal Freedom Workbook
ACA Workbook Study 