The Laundry List: The ACOA Experience

by Tony A., Dan F.

The originator of the ACoA "Laundry Lists" gives an insider's view of the early days of the ACoA movement. Tony A. discusses what it means to be an adult child of an alcoholic parent and what the self-help group can do for its members. Includes stories, history and helpful information for the ACoA.

Genres: Self Help, Mental Health, Addiction, Psychology

155 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Mori · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm 100% biased, my father Tony Allen wrote this book. BUT- you need to read it, His book will help the active and recovering addict, it will help anyone who's dated and/or had a family member who dealt with addiction. Hear him speak in a radio interview here: http://adultchildren.org/speakers/onl...

[Mowry Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need to get in touch - my father Tony A raised me and passed away in 2004. My mother has widows rights and is selling the book via Amazon. I look forward to doing many things with this book in the future with an international focus especially translations. If you need to contact me - I go by Mori (Mowry as you'll read in his book, my legal spelling) Mori Allen. I have a website, please fell free to contact - google my name. Love and Light!

[Al Konetzni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a key in unwrapping the how's, why's, and way out for those who suffer from the Adult Children of Alcoholics malady. ACA founder Tony A. has given us a spiritual gift here and with the program. It works if you work it.
Great book and resource.

[Mori Glory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my new account - Mori Allen (Tony A's daughter) available through the app now (:

[Louise Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so fortunate to have known Tony A and to have had him as my therapist 1989 while in The Palm Beach Institute for 28 days of Co Dependency Treatment . I was 30 years old, there was no denying my parents were alcoholics, they had been in AA for 15 years. I had been going to Al Anon for 4 years .... The Laundry List however put everything together it answered why I was like I was , what living in an Alcoholic home had done to me and how I could begin to really heal . Will never forget something Tony said about Step 2 , he said it didn’t apply to ACOA , he said how can you restore one to sanity who never lived in sanity . Loved attending his meditation meetings and did so as part of my after care for some time. Tony A gave me hope and his book gave me a life ,

[Selena Castellanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game changer

[John Christensen]

I have no arguments with Adult Children of Alcoholics, and enjoyed the company of some. There were some illuminating moments reading Tony A's book, and the odd thing is I've forgotten just what they were. I attended quite a few ACoA meeting and what troubled me was that I didn't see a lot of people getting better. The emphasis -- at least at the meetings I attended -- on owning your pain and sharing it didn't seem to translate to feeling better and getting better.

Ultimately, I went back to the 12-step program that has served me so well -- Al-Anon (not to be confused with Alcoholics Anonymous) -- and continue to think of it as my "primary care" recovery provider.

But I respect Tony A for what he did and I hope that others in ACoA have a more encouraging experience than I did. The bottom line is we're all in this together.