ACA WSO

09/01/2026

Yes, we experienced abuse or neglect as children, and maybe as adults, but we know that does not excuse our dysfunctional behavior now.

As we gain strength and recover, we become healing survivors and then thrivers. We gradually and sometimes more quickly, develop new capacities for healthy wellbeing in our lives. We learn that we deserve a happy, full life. We learn that we have always deserved this. We don't have to do anything to be worthy, we just ARE.

As thrivers, we now know that our Higher Power is there for us. We learn to have unconditional love for ourselves and others.

On this day I acknowledge that I am worthy and deserving of a happy, full life.

Excerpt from Daily Affirmations: Strengthening My Recovery.
Get your copy here: https://tinyurl.com/2vy873ff

09/01/2026

Applying the Program

“ACA is a proven program that can help us in every area of our lives if we apply it.” BRB p. 415

As we enter theaters and sport stadiums, we are offered a program. If we attend a conference, we will likely check the program they give us to see if there are topics of interest. Programs occupy a prominent place in our lives; we know they can offer us valuable insight into what we might experience at an event, such as who is on the team roster or whether we will see a star or a stand-in.

For ACAs, there is a program available that offers an anchor for our spiritual and emotional lives. It gives us the ‘roadmap’ missing from our childhoods that were lost in dysfunction. We’ve already tried navigating through life on our own. But we’ve fallen short of our intended destinations and experienced stormy weather with our friends, co-workers and family.

In ACA, we have found the prescription for living the rest of our lives, from the Twelve Steps to the Twelve Traditions, from finding a sponsor to being a sponsor, and from reading the BRB to doing service work. There is no trauma, no misfortune, nor virtually any life problem too great that it cannot be placed in its honest and true perspective by working the ACA program.

On this day I rededicate myself to my program and the pursuit of the priceless gift of serenity.

© COPYRIGHT ACA WSO INC.

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

Grandchildren of Alcoholics

“More and more people are identifying as grandchildren of alcoholics. Technically, these ‘GCoAs’ are ACAs. They were raised by parents who passed on the disease of family dysfunction without having alcohol in the home.”
BRB p. 56, footnote

Some of us have wandered through life wondering why we had so many problems. Our childhoods were not filled with alcoholism or addiction. And yet, there was a dark cloud over our homes. We couldn’t talk openly; we couldn’t be ourselves. There was a lot of confusing behavior. We received punishments that didn’t make sense. We had to watch out for ourselves. Sometimes our parents were available, but often they were full of rage or confusion, or they seemed to mentally “check out.”

The first time we heard the Laundry List in a meeting, we related to many of the characteristics even though no one drank or used drugs at home. We felt the need to be there. We heard others share and realized that ACA embraces all of us, simply because we walked in the door.

Working Step One gave us an opportunity to draw a family tree. We soon saw the connection: alcoholism and addiction in past generations. The disease of family dysfunction was like a legacy. This helped us stop wondering if we belonged so we could focus on recovering.

On this day, even if I can’t pinpoint where there might have been addiction in my family, I know I belong in this program. I will use all the tools available to me to recover from my family’s not-so-unique dysfunction.

© COPYRIGHT ACA WSO INC.

08/30/2026

Tradition Eight

“Sponsorship and Twelfth Step work are free, but the special worker should be paid for his or her good work. All aspects of recovery in general are free.”
BRB p. 530

We give service from a space of love in ACA so that every adult child seeking recovery may find a safe place. Many of us are truly generous with our time and expertise. And we do not expect or accept any compensation for giving a ray of hope to our fellow ACAs. We know what it is like to feel hopeless, looking for a way out. With joy in our hearts and hope in our words, we extend ourselves while seeking nothing in return.

But some requests are too big to ask members to handle for free day-in and day-out. For those jobs, we hire special workers. They staff our service center and are responsible for sending literature, maintaining our meeting list, answering calls, and otherwise providing information about ACA to anyone who wants it. They help us spread the message.

Without them, most people would have difficulty even finding a meeting. If we didn’t have a Newcomer’s booklet and other printed information, each meeting would have to create their own materials. These are essential ways the ACA message reaches those who want it. It all fits together nicely – a combination of volunteers and special workers.

On this day I will share freely with the suffering adult child who is seeking to recover. I will also feel gratitude that ACA has special workers who serve the larger fellowship.

© COPYRIGHT ACA WSO INC.

08/29/2026

Therapeutic Ideals

“There are, as well, ways to describe the manifestation of two therapeutic ideals: no excess tension in the body and a neutral reaction to symbolic associations and mental representations of trauma.”
BRB p. 622

Many of us thought there was no way out, that the process would go on and on like some weird torture game. We had no goals because we thought we didn’t deserve them. Helping others achieve their goals felt good, but it was not something that we could do on our own. We didn’t want that responsibility. It was safer to just stay small, not have any dreams or needs.

We learn in ACA that living in our bodies is a vital part of recovery. We seek ways to relieve excess body tension, perhaps by using trigger point massage in combination with yoga. We discover that we are carrying a lot of trauma in our very muscles that needs a way to work itself out. We collect the experiences of others, both in and out of the program, and we learn through reading the right material.

We worked the Steps so that we would no longer be mentally triggered by the same things repeatedly. We now seek that same relief for our bodies.

On this day I will be conscious of my physical tension and where I carry it in my body. Acknowledging this connection to my trauma is a way of beginning my journey towards complete recovery.

© COPYRIGHT ACA WSO INC.

08/28/2026

Boundaries

“I am more aware of how I overstep my boundaries, and how I try to force things to work the way I want them to work.”
BRB p. 414

We were vulnerable as children in dysfunctional homes. We experienced no one who was able to set healthy boundaries and maintain them.

In ACA we learn to see the importance of boundaries by practicing the Steps and by identifying and working on our character defects. We learn to recognize boundaries that have been crossed, including when we do it to others. We feel free when we set new boundaries. Progress happens, one day at a time.

The ACA program also helps us recognize manipulative behaviors, which is usually a companion for those with boundary issues. If we’re the manipulator, we begin to see that our attempts to change others will eventually fail; in the meantime, they’ll only complicate things. As we grow stronger, understanding boundaries places everything in perspective.

To help us stay focused, we look to Step Ten, “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.” It allows us to inventory our thoughts and actions on a regular basis. This keeps our impulsive natures in check so we recognize boundaries in everyday life.

On this day, as my identity and values become more clear, I will work to become consistent in setting my own boundaries and honoring the boundaries other people set.

© COPYRIGHT ACA WSO INC.

08/27/2026

We’ve launched a series of blog posts written by anonymous ACA members for you to read. Each week we have a new submission that covers the teachings of ACA.
Read the full blog post here: https://tinyurl.com/59e327v6
Want to submit an article of your own? Learn about our submission requirements here: https://tinyurl.com/rx8zcu2c

08/27/2026

Self-sabotage

08/26/2026

The promises - by working the program we can see the promises coming true for us. Get the printable PDF list here: https://tinyurl.com/mrxnk937