Hello Raven!

As you can see this thread isn't used much although it remains 'active! People will flick through the threads and post if it's relevant or perhaps you could start a thread with your story and go from there! I do qualify for the thread but I'm pretty reclusive and don't have many cognitive memories of my life to be of any help! Sorry
Take care, Morgs

Thanks Morgs

Hi Raven,
Sorry to take so long to respond, I've been on vacation. I am an ACOA. My dad was an alcoholic and I have had many of the issues that arise from having an alcoholic parent. I feel I have worked through many of the issues, although I never know quite what tense to use as I am a work in progress and to a certain extent the effects are always with you, you just get much better at managing them instead of them managing you. I did not attend any 12 step programs for the issue (I did attend Overeaters' Anonymous for a short period, so I am familiar with 12 step programs and did get some good out of it.), I just dealt with things as they came up in therapy. There was one stage in my healing where I did a lot of reading to understand the affects, especially some of the family system stuff.

Like everything else, it seems to be done by grappling with what is going on in the here and now, learning to understand your unconscious reactions and connecting them to your past. I often find that most of the battle is actually in the becoming conscious of my reactions and feelings and understanding their source. Drains them of most of their power.

If you have any specific subjects you want to talk about, feel free to bring it up.

AG

I used to take part in online ACOA meetings. I started off with Alanon but quickly moved onto ACOA. I have learned something from all te groups I have attended. As long as you stay open minded you will be able to learn. If you stay open minded you will be able to take what you like from those meetings and leave the rest.
Another thing I would do if I was you, explore what it is about 12 step programs [or the idea of it] that doesnt sit well with me. Lots can be learned from stirred up emotions. Go gently