Dad's angel,
Yes 10 years....but like what was said above it took longer than that to hit my bottom. And the 10 years has been Alanon...not Acoa. I am just now feeling strong enough to venture into my past.
You see my son was the straw that sent me crawling to Alanon and he is still active...in fact he just went to jail. I went to 3-4 meetings a week for about 7 years and then we moved and I let meetings go. All of my worries and fears and bad behaviors began to return and that is when I found this forum. Today you all are my recovery.
Tiro...my childhood sounds alot more tame than yours...but like you it was the fellowhip of the 12 steps that has made me able to look back. If I had not had the last years in Alanon I would still be afraid, and reacting to all that went before.
Hugs,
JT