The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I was invited to a CODA meeting by a dear friend, who feels I would get a lot out of it. Is CODA part of or associated in any way with Al-Anon? What are its pros and cons?
Thanks for any feedback!
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Peace comes from within. Do not seek it from without. Buddha
CODA is a separate program as is ACOA . We have a CODA and ACOA Board here and they may be able to address this issue in a more informative manner .
Al-Anon was established by the wife of the founder of AA when she discovered that even though he was sober she was still filled with anger and resentment. The program closely mimics AA because by living with the disease we develop many of the "isms."
It's not a part of alanon, but probably more related than other fellowships as some of the texts recommended and read in alanon are also ones in CODA. CODA deals more specifically with not allowing our self-esteem and worth to be dependent on others. It doesn't really offer tools specific to dealing with an alcoholic. Codependency often leads us to have relationships with other alcoholics, but it also develops over the course of relationships with alcoholics and trying to please them when that is an impossible job.
I'm on the CODA board, as my recovery really stems from this in my upbringing. Al anon is much more active, though. They follow the 12 steps and also read from the book Codependent No More. I live with an alcoholic but didn't grow up with it. In my recovery I realized there was something deeper going on where I needed to discover in order to recover. For me it helps to be in both programs. Hope this helps.
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Butterflies can't see their wings. They can't see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that as well. Anonymous
I do both meetings, but definitely more alamon. I usually go to one coda meetimg a week. In my local coda there isn't a lot of value on sponsorship and we don't study the steps. It's a lot looser that alamon, with more of a focus on getting "current". I love the meeting though and I learn just as much there as Allanon. Alamon definitely gives me structure though.
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I needed these behaviors in my past they helped me survive I'm finding new and better ways to not just survive but thrive
Thanks -- every single person had something really welcome to say! I will go ahead and go. It doesn't interfere with my Al-Anon meeting(s) so there is a chance it will be a good addition.
Thanks again everyone!
__________________
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it from without. Buddha
in al anon I learn about alcoholism and how I have been affected. But my issues were deeper my coda meeting is just as valuable to me I could not choose between my fellowship they work alongside each other. My coda meeting is very healthy I have done the steps there. It's a 12 step programme i try not to judge a fellowship on one meeting i would suggest trying six if it's not for you still got al anon sounds like u got nothing to loose hugs Tracy xxxx
I will go ahead and go. It doesn't interfere with my Al-Anon meeting(s) so there is a chance it will be a good addition. 