WORKING THE PROGRAM

Four major building blocks of recovery in the CoDA program are attending meetings, sponsorship, working The Twelve Steps, and following The Twelve Traditions in service.
– From Welcome to Co-Dependents Anonymous

  • Where Do I Begin?

    The journey of recovery through working the program of CoDA should start by participating in a meeting of your choosing.

    This a journey of the self, and should be taken at a pace that is true and correct for ones self; let the miracle happen at the pace it is meant to happen.

    Check out more information on codependency here!

  • What Else Can I Do?

    Perhaps you are unable to attend an in-person CoDA meeting. Online and telephone meetings are available as well.

    Working the Program can also be:

    “Working the Steps”

    Step Study Groups

    Mini-Conferences

    Prayer and/or Meditation

    Read CoDA Books and Literature

    Family of Origin Work

    Practicing Self-Care

    Find a Sponsor

  • What Does Recovery Look Like?

    Recovery from Codependency helps to create loving relationships both with others and ourselves.

    The CoDA Twelve Promises provides each individual with what miraculous change is available to us by Working the Program.

    CoDA members in recovery have shared their experience, strength, and hope and made it available to others.

    Voices in Recovery

    Co-NNections Recovery Stories

  • Why Should I Attend Meetings?

    A CoDA meeting is much more than a place to sit and tell your troubles, it is a place to meet people like yourself and to learn from those who are different from you; a place to interact with people focused on learning to have healthy and loving relationships.
    – From Fellowship Service Manual Part 2

    As we take the time to sit and listen to others share in CoDA meetings, we begin to identify with the experience, strength, and hope of others. Although their specific stories may be different from ours, we hear the truth that resonates with our experience.
    – From Attending Meetings

    Through the fellowship found in meetings by sharing and listening to others in recovery, we find we are not alone by utilizing the non-judgmental support of a Twelve Step group.

    As codependents, you may have freely given advice that was not sought by others, or have sought advice, and validation, for your actions. In CoDA, we are not here to give you advice. As strange as it may seem to not receive advice, healing does not come from following the advice of others, it takes place from the listening to the shares of others, and sharing your own experience.

  • What is "Working the Steps"?

    “It is not necessary for us to understand how or why the Steps and Traditions work, but to trust that they do.”
    – From The Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions Workbook

    Working the Twelve Steps begins with Step One, “We admitted we were powerless over others-that our lives had become unmanageable”, which is the foundation from which subsequent steps build from.

    Each Step’s questions takes us through self-discovery… learning about the self, how codependency has affected our lives and relationships, and help us develop tools to assist in our recovery.

    The Steps will have meaning to us on an individual level, for no two people will have the same path of recovery, but everyone will have the miracle of recovery happen by working each Step, one at a time.

    The CoDA Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions Workbook, found on CoRE Publications or Amazon, is a guide to working the Steps.

  • Will CoDA Work For Me?

    In CoDA, the focus is on addressing all of the relationships in your life— including the relationship with yourself.

    Do you believe that you are enough?

    Do you believe that you are worth it?

    There is no expectation to stay in any one group once you join. This is the time for your personal growth. Look around at others in recovery. Watch and listen to other CoDA members as they share. You will know what is right for you when you find it. Not everything works for everyone. You can find what works for YOU and leave the rest.

    Whether you find some personal stepping stones to get you to the next chapter of your journey, or find a place of belonging, this journey is for you.

    Within the fellowship of Co-Dependents Anonymous, we find a safe space to learn the tools to care for our own lives. We find the feelings of fear, shame, or aloneness may disappear as we share with others who seek to be seen, heard, and known.

These pages may not have been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by Co-Dependents Anonymous Inc.