FAQ
Q. Do I need to register?
A. No, you can come to the meeting unannounced.
A. No, you can come to the meeting unannounced.
Q. Is there any obligation?
A. No, you can come check out the program to find out if it is right for you. If it's not, we won't bother you.
A. No, you can come check out the program to find out if it is right for you. If it's not, we won't bother you.
Q. How long has the meeting been running?
A. It started in Pensacola back in 2011. We switched meeting locations over the years. Originally it was at Bellview Baptist Church. A couple years later we moved to Pathways For Change. We then moved to Sanders Beach.
A. It started in Pensacola back in 2011. We switched meeting locations over the years. Originally it was at Bellview Baptist Church. A couple years later we moved to Pathways For Change. We then moved to Sanders Beach.
Q. Should I call first to confirm that there is a meeting?
A. No need - we are consistent. Only times we are not having a meeting is if the facility where it is being hosted is closed. The facility could be closed due to weather or holiday. If that happens, we will meet online.
A. No need - we are consistent. Only times we are not having a meeting is if the facility where it is being hosted is closed. The facility could be closed due to weather or holiday. If that happens, we will meet online.
Q. Is this a religious program?
A. No, but this is a spiritual program based on action coming from love. We all identify with a Higher Power, whom some of choose to call God.
A. No, but this is a spiritual program based on action coming from love. We all identify with a Higher Power, whom some of choose to call God.
Q. How much does the meeting cost to attend?
A. Nothing. We take a 7th Tradition offering at the end of the meeting. This is called "passing the basket." The standard contribution is ONE DOLLAR.
A. Nothing. We take a 7th Tradition offering at the end of the meeting. This is called "passing the basket." The standard contribution is ONE DOLLAR.
Q. Is this a class?
A. No, it's a support meeting. We learn about ourselves by doing the 12 Steps. There is a book (The Big Red Book) and a 12-Step workbook, which we have available on site. You can use our extra books during the meeting until you are ready to buy your own. We can sell you the books on site when you are ready. You can also buy the books at www.adultchildren.org.
A. No, it's a support meeting. We learn about ourselves by doing the 12 Steps. There is a book (The Big Red Book) and a 12-Step workbook, which we have available on site. You can use our extra books during the meeting until you are ready to buy your own. We can sell you the books on site when you are ready. You can also buy the books at www.adultchildren.org.
Q. How long do I need to attend?
A. Many people throughout the world continue to attend on a weekly basis. We tend to see a springboard of relief once the person successfully attended six meetings in a row. We strongly recommend attending meetings on a regular basis after that.
A. Many people throughout the world continue to attend on a weekly basis. We tend to see a springboard of relief once the person successfully attended six meetings in a row. We strongly recommend attending meetings on a regular basis after that.
Q. Do you offer counseling?
A. We personally do not "counsel" or "give advice" because that is constituted as "fixing." ACA encourages its fellow travelers to attend regular therapy in conjunction with working our program. In our meeting, members share and there is no cross-talk.
A. We personally do not "counsel" or "give advice" because that is constituted as "fixing." ACA encourages its fellow travelers to attend regular therapy in conjunction with working our program. In our meeting, members share and there is no cross-talk.
Q. My parents not alcoholics and did not do drugs. Can this meeting still help me?
A. Absolutely! This meeting uses the term alcoholic as a general term. Many of us had drug-addicted parents, and many of our parents didn't have a substance abuse problem, but nevertheless, the household we grew up in was dysfunctional and caused just as much harm to us.
A. Absolutely! This meeting uses the term alcoholic as a general term. Many of us had drug-addicted parents, and many of our parents didn't have a substance abuse problem, but nevertheless, the household we grew up in was dysfunctional and caused just as much harm to us.
Q. What's the difference between this and Al-Anon?
A. Al-Anon is more about the person's current situation with a loved one and how it is affecting them right now. ACA is more about our childhood situation with our parents and how it affected us then and continues to affect us today. ACA helps us look closer at our past more so than any other 12-Step program.
A. Al-Anon is more about the person's current situation with a loved one and how it is affecting them right now. ACA is more about our childhood situation with our parents and how it affected us then and continues to affect us today. ACA helps us look closer at our past more so than any other 12-Step program.
Q. Do you have a headquarters?
A. Adult Children of Alcoholics is a world-wide phenomenon, with meetings located in most major cities across the globe. You can learn more about the world-wide scope of the program at www.adultchildren.org.
A. Adult Children of Alcoholics is a world-wide phenomenon, with meetings located in most major cities across the globe. You can learn more about the world-wide scope of the program at www.adultchildren.org.
