Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families (ACA) is a Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition recovery program for adults whose lives were affected by growing up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional family. [1] ACA describes itself as a spiritual (not religious) program, with the only requirement for membership being a desire to recover. [1]
About ACA
ACA helps members recover from the effects of family dysfunction by attending meetings and working the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. [1] If a parent or caregiver wasn’t alcoholic, ACA still may be a fit when there is identification with ACA patterns such as “The Problem” or “Laundry List” traits. [1]
What to expect
ACA offers in-person, online, and telephone meetings, and members are encouraged to try more than one meeting because each meeting is autonomous and can feel different. [2] If a meeting doesn’t resonate, ACA explicitly suggests trying another one. [2]
New here?
- Learn what ACA is: https://adultchildren.org/what-is-aca/ [3]
- Read the ACA FAQ (including spirituality, cost, and “Do my parents need to be alcoholics?”): https://adultchildren.org/faq/ [1]
- Browse online/telephone meetings calendar: https://adultchildren.org/virtual-meetings-calendar/ [4]
- Search meetings worldwide (in-person/online/telephone): https://adultchildren.org/meeting-search/ [2]
Global links
- ACA World Service Organization (WSO) service site: https://acawso.org/ [5]
- ACA WSO Europe (European Committee info): https://acawsoec.org/contact-us/ [6]
- Free (downloadable) ACA literature in multiple languages: https://adultchildren.org/literature/free-literature/ [7]
If you’re in immediate danger or at risk of self-harm, contact local emergency services right now.
Sources [1] FAQ | Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families https://adultchildren.org/faq/ [2] ACA Meetings | Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families https://adultchildren.org/meeting-search/ [3] Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families | https://adultchildren.org [4] Online Meetings Calendar – Adult Children of Alcoholics https://adultchildren.org/virtual-meetings-calendar/ [5] ACA WSO | Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization https://acawso.org [6] European Committee Information https://acawsoec.org/contact-us/ [7] Free Literature | Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families https://adultchildren.org/literature/free-literature/ [8] [PDF] Introduction Why We First Came to ACA Why We “Keep Coming … https://adultchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ACA_is_EN-US_LTR.pdf [9] The Solution | Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families https://adultchildren.org/solution/ [10] [PDF] Frequently Asked Questions – Adult Children of Alcoholics https://adultchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Frequently_Asked_Questions_EN-US_A4.pdf [11] Meetings – Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families https://acawsoec.org/meetings-2/ [12] The Twelve Traditions | Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional … https://adultchildren.org/traditions/ [13] Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_Children_of_Alcoholics_&_Dysfunctional_Families [14] [PDF] ACA adapted the 12 Steps, Traditions, and Concepts from AA. They … https://www.acasfbayarea.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/201017-ACA-Traditions-Workshop-1.pdf [15] Welcome Path | Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families https://adultchildren.org/welcome-path/ [16] Find A Meeting | Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families https://adultchildren.org/find-a-meeting/ [17] The Twelve Concepts of ACA – Adult Children of Alcoholics https://adultchildren.org/the-twelve-concepts-of-aca/ [18] ACA Diversity Statement – Adult Children of Alcoholics https://adultchildren.org/aca-diversity-statement/ [19] National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol Issues – SAMHSA https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline [20] Welcome – Adult Children of Alcoholics/Dysfunctional Families … https://acawsoec.org [21] italy – Adult Children of Alcoholics/Dysfunctional Families European … https://acawsoec.org/italy/ [22] Why Give to WSO – Adult Children of Alcoholics https://adultchildren.org/why-give-to-wso/ [23] Complete List of ACA Books – Adult Children of Alcoholics https://adultchildren.org/aca-literature-information/ [24] Countries – Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families https://acawsoec.org/ig-contact/ [25] The World Service Office – Adult Children of Alcoholics https://adultchildren.org/the-world-service-office/ [26] What is ACA’s WSO and Why Should I Care? https://adultchildren.org/what-is-acas-wso-and-why-should-i-care/ [27] Literature | Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families https://adultchildren.org/literature/ [28] United Kingdom – Adult Children of Alcoholics/Dysfunctional … https://acawsoec.org/united-kingdom/ [29] WSO | Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families https://adultchildren.org/tag/wso/