Translating Recovery

ACAAANA

Translating Recovery

A newcomer's guide to ACA vocabulary.

Translating Recovery — A Newcomer's Guide to Common ACA Vocabulary and Jargon

When I walked into my first ACA meeting, I didn't understand half of what was being said. This guide is what I wish I'd had from day one.

ACA Glossary

ACAAANA

A newcomer's guide to common ACA vocabulary and jargon

D
Detachment with Love(dih-TACH-muhnt with luv)

Separating oneself from others' issues without losing empathy or love for them.

Through ACA, I've learned Detachment with Love, allowing me to care about my family without becoming enmeshed in their problems.

Difference Between ACA and Adult Child

When referring to oneself: ACAs grew up with alcoholism, while an Adult Child grew up in another dysfunctional environment that yielded similar results.

The main difference between an ACA and an Adult Child lies in the specific types of dysfunction they were exposed to during childhood.

Disidentification(dis-eye-DEN-tuh-fi-KAY-shuhn)

The process of separating oneself from the roles or behaviors learned in a dysfunctional family.

Through Disidentification, I'm learning to separate who I am from the roles I took on in my dysfunctional family.

BRB: p. 125

Dissociation(dih-soh-see-AY-shuhn)

The psychological process of disconnecting from one's thoughts, feelings, or sense of identity, often as a coping mechanism.

When my parents argued, I would use Dissociation to shield myself from pain.

BRB: p. 17, 87, 203, 253, 269, 344

Dry Drunk(DRY DRUNK)

An individual no longer drinking alcohol but still exhibiting dysfunctional behavior patterns. An individual not or no longer drinking alcohol but still exhibiting the dysfunctional behavior patterns of an alcoholic.

An individual not or no longer drinking alcohol but still exhibiting the dysfunctional behavior patterns of an alcoholic.

TR
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