The CoDA Recovery Program
In the Preamble, we note that our program relies “… upon the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions for knowledge and wisdom. These are the principles of our program and guides to developing honest and fulfilling relationships with ourselves and others. In CoDA, we each learn to build a bridge to a Higher Power of our own understanding, and we allow others the same privilege.”
In the Welcome of Co-Dependents document, we note that our program “…is an individual growth process. Each of us is growing at our own pace….”
There are five parts of the CoDA Recovery Program:
Attending Meetings. “A CoDA meeting is comprised of a group of people who come together around their shared desire for healthy and loving relationships…. It is a place to find sponsorship and fellowship as well as the sharing of experience, strength, and hope.”
Sharing and Fellowship. “Sharing is an integral part of meetings. Sharing gives CoDA members the time and space to be heard and to hear others speak their truth…. The aim of sharing is for individuals to look within and say what is in their hearts, and then to sit quietly, listening as others do the same.” “Fellowship is a cornerstone of CoDA recovery…. Socializing after the meeting provides an opportunity for conversations in which newcomers can ask questions, talk in more detail, and get to know other members better.”
Working the Steps. There are many ways to work the 12 Steps, including with a sponsor, co-sponsor and a step study group. One method is to use the Thirty Questions for Steps 1, 2 and 3, and the Forty Questions for Steps 4 and 5.
Sponsorship. “Sponsorship provides a relationship within which codependents learn to integrate the CoDA Steps and Traditions into their lives. Healthy sponsorship in CoDA is the antithesis of a codependent relationship.”
Service, following the Twelve Traditions. “Service work is a win-win situation because it benefits the Fellowship as well as the individuals who serve. Through service work, recovering codependents learn many lessons: to work as part of a team, accept group conscience decisions gracefully, be more direct in communicating their needs, to negotiate and compromise, be more comfortable taking on leadership roles, set healthy boundaries, and learn more about who we are. Service work provides a natural way for individuals to use their talents and creativity to meet and get to know other codependents in more depth.”
— The information on this page is based on the CoDA pamphlet: Healthy Meetings.