We are glad you are here.

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Welcome to ACA which is for people who want to heal their relationship with themselves when they have grown up with families of origin affected by dysfunction and/or substance abuse. You've taken an important step by coming here, recognizing that something in your life isn't working anymore. Many of us arrived in pain, feeling like our lives were spinning out of control, or struggling with problems we couldn't solve alone.

Know that you're not alone anymore. Every person here has felt that same ache, that same realization that change was necessary. ACA offers unique tools and support to help you heal and grow.

For many of us, reading the Laundry List was like reading our own biography. If you find yourself nodding along, thinking "How did they know?", you're in the right place.

This is a special community where you can find people who really understand you like no one has before. We are glad you're here. Your journey of recovery starts now.

 ACA is a Two-Fold Path

Welcome to the community of ACA. We are a fellowship who share their experiences, strength and hope to heal. We use ACA literature and meetings to recover from the effects of a dysfunctional childhood. Literature comes to life in meetings when we share experiences; concepts we hear about in meetings can be explored through literature study. The literature provides the tools and knowledge, and meetings offer the support and practical application needed to truly integrate these concepts into our lives.

ACA Literature:

• Recognizes and validates our experiences, helping us feel seen and understood.
• Details the ACA 12 Steps, adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous, that provide a structured path for personal growth and healing.
• Emphasizes reconnecting with and reparenting our inner child who carried childhood wounds and unmet needs.

The Power of the Meeting

At the heart of ACA is our commitment to meeting with one another. We understand that recovery cannot happen in isolation. By coming together, we:

• Learn and grow using ACA literature
• Practice new behaviors leading to happier, more functional lives
• Develop and hone essential relationship skills
• Find safe environments to work through lifelong issues
• Heal through connection with others who share similar experiences
   

 Taking the First Step

By moving from identifying with ACA traits to actively participating in meetings, 

you open the door to transformation.

We recognize how challenging it can be to enter a room full of strangers and admit you belong there. Many of us have faced fears of other people and authority figures.
However, taking this "big leap" is a crucial part of the journey.

What to Expect

In your local ACA meeting, you'll find people sharing experiences that resonate with your own. This identification helps relieve feelings of isolation and provides a sense of belonging. Through verbal processing and practicing new habits, we begin to realize the promises of ACA, including:

• Developing relationships that work
• Discovering our authentic selves
• Maintaining healthy boundaries
• Learning to love and accept ourselves

Our community offers a supportive environment where you can work through the issues that have affected you throughout your life. It's through commitment to the process – and to each other – that we grow and heal. Here's some more information if you wonder what 12 Step Meetings are.

Like people, meetings have their own personalities and there are various meeting types. If your first meeting doesn’t fit you, try another meeting. Try at least 6 meetings to let the process begin working. Then decide if it’s for you.

We warmly welcome you to join us on this journey of recovery and self-discovery.