Reading assignment:

Red Book pages 6 through 9, under the heading titled “Adult Children, Codependents;”

                          Red Book pg. 335, under heading titles “What is Codependence?” and “What is Para-Alcoholism?;”

                          Red Book pages 355-358, under the heading titled “Pain, Shutdown, and Survival”

Reading assignment:

Red Book pages 6 through 9, under the heading titled “Adult Children, Codependents;”

Red Book pg. 335, under heading titles “What is Codependence?” and “What is Para-Alcoholism?;”

Red Book pages 355-358, under the heading titled “Pain, Shutdown, and Survival”

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: 

Tradition Twelve (the tradition for the month of December) in depth starting on Red Book page 549

(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.”

“Codependent No More” by Melody Beattie (available used on Amazon.com for around $4.00 USD), chapters titled “Codependency” and “Codependent Characteristics.” 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 53 of the yellow workbook under the heading “Dependence and Codependence”:

6.  Do I label myself as a “giver” but secretly resent others, who do not return my favors or listen to my advice?

7.  Do I choose relationships based on people who are “beneath” me but who I can rescue and make “love me?”

8.  Do I find myself in relationships with “dangerous” men or women because I feel alive amid the intensity? Did I ignore how he or she had harmed others by thinking I was “special” and would not be harmed?

9.  Do I accept a high level of abuse from someone but don’t recognize the abuse?

10. Do I look outside myself for love and affirmation? (List an example.)

Deep Dive questions:

1. What is a healthy and loving relationship? What would that look like?
2. Do I desire healthy and loving relationships? Which needs of mine may currently be stronger than my desire for healthy and loving relationships (i.e., controlling, people-pleasing, caretaking, etc.)?
3. Where do I learn what a healthy relationship is? Where might I find some examples?

© CoDa’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Workbook

Reading assignment:

Red Book pages 6 through 9, under the heading titled “Adult Children, Codependents;”

Red Book pg. 335, under heading titles “What is Codependence?” and “What is Para-Alcoholism?;”

Red Book pages 355 – 358, under the heading titled “Pain, Shutdown, and Survival”

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: 

Tradition Twelve (the tradition for the month of December) in depth starting on Red Book page 549

Coda.org’s “Recovery Patterns of Codependence” on the “Meeting Materials” link at http://www.coda.org.

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.”

“A Codependent’s Guide To The Twelve Steps” by Melody Beattie, Step Two chapter (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.”

“Codependent No More” by Melody Beattie (available used on Amazon.com for around $4.00 USD), chapters titled “Codependency” and “Codependent Characteristics.” 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 52 of the yellow workbook under the heading “Dependence and Codependence”:

1. Do I tend to get involved in relationships with an addict or another compulsive personality such as a workaholic or sex addict?
2. Do I mislabel violent and chaotic relationships as “passionate” and “complex?”
3. Do my relationships show a pattern of intensity, indifference and fits and restarts? Is blaming others a theme in my relationships?
4. Do I mask my need to control others by appearing cheerful or helpful?
5. Do I try to get my needs of love and happiness met by people, who cannot do enough for me or who cannot meet my expectations?

“Copyrighted by Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization.”

Deep Dive questions:

A. Have you been trying to exert power or influence where you may, in reality, have none? Have you been trying to control someone or something, trying harder and harder with less and less beneficial results?

B. What is the current state of your relationships with family, friends, coworkers? Do you have any relationships, or are you feeling alone and isolated?

C. Does your mind feel clear and consistent? Who are you holding responsible for your emotions, finances, and health? Who are you holding responsible for the state of your relationships?

© Melody Beattie’s Codependents Guide To The Twelve Steps

Reading assignment:

For Question 13: Red Book pg. 336, “What is the False Self? Am I Being Phony?”, and Red Book pages 10-18, “Reviewing the Laundry List”

For Question 14: Red Book pgs 148-149, “A Word About Religious Abuse”

For Question 15: Red Book pgs 123-125, “Hitting Bottom”, and Red Book pgs. 65-73, “Hitting an ACA Bottom”

For Question 17: Red Book pg 337, “What is the Inner Child? I am Not Sure I Have an Inner Child” and Red Book pgs. 304-306, “Tools and Techniques for Connecting With Our Inner Child”      

Yellow workbook pages 44 – 50 OR Big Red Book (BRB) pages 130 – 135

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:

Tradition Eleven (the tradition for the month of November) in depth starting on page 549 of the BRB

The Step Two 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 pages 51 – 52 of the yellow workbook under the heading “Step Two Questions and Directions”:

13. Do I act like one person in the privacy of my home and another person in public? (List an example.)

14. Was there religious or spiritual abuse in my life? Can I talk about such abuse?

15. Have I injured myself physically or been involved in risky behavior and not realized this could have been an adult  child “bottom?”

16. Do I binge eat, gamble, have sex, take drugs or spend money when I feel upset or unsettled? Do I feel insane doing this? (List an example.)

17. Have I asked my Inner Child or True Self what sanity is?

“Copyrighted by Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization.”

Deep Dive questions:

A. What behaviors do I continue, expecting different outcomes?

B. How do I define “sanity”?

© Al-Anon’s Reaching for Personal Freedom Workbook

C. What are some areas of your life that may reflect unmanageability? What is your current condition in these areas: emotions, finances, spirituality, physical health, career? What are you doing for fun, pleasure, and enjoyment?

© Melody Beattie’s Codependents Guide To The Twelve Steps

Reading assignment:

Yellow workbook pages 44 – 50 OR Big Red Book (BRB) pages 130 – 135

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: 

Tradition Eleven (the tradition for the month of November) in depth starting on page 549 of the BRB

(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 51 of the yellow workbook under the heading “Step Two Questions and Directions”:

7.  What messages did my parents or relatives use to invalidate my perceptions?

8.  Did I numb my feelings or dissociate when my parents cursed, criticized or mistreated me?

9. Do I say I feel insane when in reality I am avoiding naming my feelings?

10. Do I secretly believe I am insane or believe I have an incurable brain disorder?

11. Did my parents abandon me by telling me I was emotionally ill or unstable?

12. Do I feel “crazy” but keep my feelings inside and never talk about such thoughts?

“Copyrighted by Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization.”

Deep Dive questions:

A. How often do you feel like you’re not good enough, or worthless? Where do you suppose that comes from?

© Diana Lea’s AA Powerful 12 Step Workbook

 B. Review the following Signs of Emotional Abuse list and check off which ones you experienced as a child in an alcoholic or dysfunctional home:

1. Making the person feel worthless
2. Putting the blame for one’s mistakes on the other person
3. Minimizing the other person’s point of view
4. Threatening or hinting of physical or sexual abuse
5. Going into fits of rage and anger
6. Failing to fulfill commitments or promises made or implied
7. Lying to avoid responsibility for the truth
8. Refusing to acknowledge the other person’s feelings
9. Verbally or physically humiliating the other person through inappropriate gestures, comments, or “jokes”
10. Using shame or guilt to manipulate the actions of the other person
11. Not allowing the other person to articulate his or her feelings
12. Denying the other person access to his or her personal possessions or pets
13. Withholding financial resources
14. Refusing to communicate with the other person – the silent treatment
15. Displaying extreme ranges of mood
16. Making conditional agreements in which the conditions keep changing to avoid fulfilling the agreement
17. Using a hostile or sarcastic tone of voice with the other person
18. Being critical of each action, thought, or remark of the other person
19. Viewing others as a part of that person’s own personality as opposed to individuals with their own thoughts, feelings, and opinions
20. Belittling, humiliating, marginalizing, and/or ignoring the other person

• Looking over the items you checked off, do you see any patterns emerging between what you put in the past and what is happening in the present?
• If you hesitated and tried to explain away some of the signs, why do you suppose that is?
• As you look back over what you checked off, are you able to identify the one or two signs that did the most damage to your sense of self? Why were these so damaging to you?

© Gregory L. Jantz Ph.D’s Healing The Scars Of Emotional Abuse

Reading assignment:

Yellow workbook pages 44 – 50 OR Big Red Book (BRB) pages 130 – 135

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: 

Tradition Eleven (the tradition for the month of November) in depth starting on page 549 of the BRB

The Step Two 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 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 pages 50 – 51 of the yellow workbook under the heading “Step Two Questions and Directions”:

1. What is my definition of insanity?
2. Am I recreating my family-of-origin dynamics of fear, excitement and pain in my current relationships? Am I setting up my own abandonment?
3. Am I reenacting my family system through my current relationships? While this feels “normal,” or familiar, is this a form of insanity?
4. Were my responses to the abuse in my family insanity or a defense mechanism?
5. Did I daydream or dissociate to escape my family abuse, neglect or indifference?
6. What did my parents say or do to undermine my reality when I complained about abuse or inappropriate behavior?

“Copyrighted by Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization.”

Deep Dive questions:

A. What is my concept of a Higher Power at this time?

B. What would it take to allow my concept of my Higher Power to change?

© Al-Anon’s Paths to Recovery Workbook

C. What does it feel like to ask something greater than yourself for help?

D. If you already believe in a God, write him/her a letter asking for help, guidance, and peace. If you don’t believe in a God, write a letter to the universe. Share your letter as you are willing.

© Diana Lea’s AA Powerful 12 Step Workbook

E. How have your ideas changed about what it means to be restored to sanity? Have your expectations about recovery changed? What do you expect from recovery now that is different from what you expected when you first began recovering?

© Melody Beattie’s Codependents Guide To The Twelve Steps

Reading assignment:

Yellow workbook pages 22 – 25 OR Big Red Book (BRB) pages 121 — 127

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 Eleven (the tradition for the month of November) in depth starting on page 549 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 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 33 of the yellow workbook under the heading “Powerlessness and Surrender”:

1. What am I powerless over in Step One?
2. What does surrender mean to me?
3. If I surrender does that mean I will have no choices?
4. Am I willing to admit my family is dysfunctional?
5. Am I willing to admit I am powerless over the effects of growing up in a dysfunctional home and that my life is unmanageable?

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. What does powerlessness mean to you today?

© Podenco Press’ 12 Step Workbook

B. What situations in my life have returned me to Step One?

C. What tools of our program do I use to find serenity when my life becomes unmanageable?

© Al-Anon’s Reaching for Personal Freedom Workbook

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

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 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 pages 31 – 32 of the yellow workbook under the heading “Denial”:

1. Was I forced to depend upon an abusive or neglectful parent for food and shelter?
2. Did I ignore my feelings of shame, fear and neglect to survive my childhood?
3. Did I monitor my parents’ feelings or moods to determine how I should feel? Was I only happy when my parents were happy and sad when they were sad? (List an example.)
4. Am I honest about how my parents treated me when I was growing up? Did I fear one parent or both parents?
5. ALSO SEE: Pages 34-43 of the yellow workbook, to be completed over our several weeks of Step One work.

Deep Dive questions:

A. What is the first age you remember emotional abuse taking place? What was the pattern, and who was doing it?

B. How did you cope with the emotional abuse? Do you remember what you told yourself about it?

C. How did the abuser’s actions and words make you feel about yourself?

D. In thinking about emotional abuse, how does ignoring it, denying it, or accepting it lead to perpetuating it in your own life?

© Gregory L. Jantz Ph.D’s Healing The Scars Of Emotional Abuse

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 “What is Codependence?” link on the FAQS page on www.coda.org

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 pages 30-31 of the yellow workbook “Twelve Steps of Adult Children” under the heading “Unmanageable”:

8. Has my behavior and thinking affected my job performance or my ability to relate to others?

9. What is my ACA “bottom” or bottoming out? Have I hit my bottom?

10. Has an obsession for another person, drugs, gambling, food or sex made my life unmanageable?

11. Is my manageable life actually controlling behavior, which I have mislabeled? (List an example.)

12. Am I in denial about my controlling behavior?

13. Can I recover alone?

14. Do I relate to other adult children in meetings? How?

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. In what ways does denial hamper my ability to let go of people, places, and situations?

B. How does Step One help me to let go of misplaced blame and undeserved shame?

© Al-Anon’s Reaching for Personal Freedom Workbook

C.  What signs do I see that indicate I’m in denial?

D. When do I know I’ve done enough?

E. What does surrender mean? Why do I need to surrender? Over what do I need to surrender?

© CoDa’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Workbook

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