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

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The Committee in Your Head(thuh kuh-MIT-ee in yor hed)

The internal voices that represent past influences and messages, both positive and negative.

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Sometimes, The Committee in My Head can be overwhelming, but I'm learning to distinguish helpful voices from harmful ones.

The Laundry List(the LAWN-dree LIST)

A list of 14 common characteristics shared by adult children who grew up in dysfunctional or alcoholic homes. Created by ACA founder Tony A., this list serves as a foundational resource helping individuals identify problematic traits and behaviors formed in childhood.

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When I first read The Laundry List, I finally felt understood, recognizing myself clearly in nearly every characteristic.

True Parent(TROO PAIR-nt)

A nurturing force, external or internal, that offers unconditional love and guidance.

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I've learned to become a True Parent to myself, offering the love and guidance I didn't receive as a child.

True Self(TROO SELF)

Your authentic identity that emerges when you've worked through your past traumas and shed self-destructive behaviors and defenses. This is the aspect of you that acts consciously in the present, rather than reacting out of past programming.

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Through ACA, I'm learning to embrace my True Self (my truth), rather than the roles I played in my dysfunctional family.

BRB: p. 31, 266, 268, 302

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Didn't find what you were looking for? Ask me anything about ACA terms and concepts.