What Brought Me To ACOA
My Story
By Anonymous

I know this isn't like the other stories of "why I came/went to ACoA". I just felt like sharing. I hope that's ok.

Well I'm 19 and I still live at home with my Mom and her husband. I am not in a program but hope to be involved soon. I just discovered ACoA today. I thought that maybe it could help. I know I have felt most of those things I have read about other people describing. My Mom is an Adult Child, my father an alcoholic and my stepdad is an addict and a drunk.

But somehow no one seems to see all these things. In my family alcoholism is as natural as breathing. We aren't completely miserable. There are times when we seem almost healthy.

Anyways, my point is I have lived with the idea all my life that though I have problems, alot of other people have it worse than I do. I honestly don't think that anyone had a "normal" childhood. I wonder if an ACoA meeting would help me, I feel like I really don't deserve to be there. My childhood wasn't half as bad as anyone else's.

I mentioned ACoA to my Mom and she was insulted I think though she tried to be supportive and told me that if I felt I needed it I should go. Not very reassuring but I think she feels that by me going to a meeting I am saying she was a bad parent.

Basically anyone I have said anything to says well you seem pretty normal to me, why would you want to go to one of those meetings? I guess it has something to do with the fact that they are used to seeing me as the "good kid". I was the one who did well in school and never caused much trouble, and I guess they are afraid to let go of their delusions, as am I.

It is so frustrating to be told there is nothing wrong with you when you feel that there is, but on the other hand I feel that maybe they are right, I am fine. Who knows how I feel. Anyways that is my little story. I thought by sharing I might be able to figure out if I should go or not. maybe I should go... maybe I won't.