ACA Outreach for Adult Children

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The essence of service in ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families) revolves around supporting one another in taking responsibility for our own well-being. This service in ACA is grounded in the principle of "Action coming from love," which fosters emotional sobriety among participants.  

As we engage in the transformative process of re-parenting ourselves, we nurture our feelings of self-worth and adequacy. This journey enhances our trust in our ability to love and support others within the community. By simply being present to encourage fellow members of the support groups, we help them transition from frightened adult children to whole individuals who can embrace the spontaneity of a child coupled with the wisdom of a mature adult. This foundational concept lies at the heart of all forms of service in ACA, highlighting that through our collective outreach efforts, we establish a living program that offers a sane alternative to the chaos often associated with family alcoholism. (Chapter 10, BIG BOOK)  

According to ACA traditions, particularly Tradition Two, there is only one ultimate authority guiding our group purpose: a loving God expressed through our group conscience. Our leaders serve as trusted servants; they do not govern.  

Tradition Nine reminds us that ACA should not be organized; however, we can form service boards or committees that remain directly accountable to the support groups they serve.  

Examples of service in ACA include:  

• Sponsorship / Fellow Traveler  

• Group/Meeting roles (setting up meetings, greeting, serving as secretary or chairperson, making coffee, etc.)  

• Intergroup contributions (acting as group representative, secretary, handling literature, and hospitals & institutions, etc.)  

• Regional service (serving as representative, secretary, treasurer, trustee, etc.)  

• World Service Organization commitments (managing ACA history/archives, correspondence, website efforts, and public service initiatives, etc.)