Dealing with Disagreements

Resolve the issue between the individuals involved. If one party refuses to address the issue or the other party feels unsafe, GO TO…

Recruit a neutral third party trusted by both to witness and support resolution. If resolution does not result from this and the issue is a personal one, limiting contact with that person may be best. If the issue involves CoDA principles in a CoDA group, GO TO…

Go to a local meeting group; present the issue focusing on CoDA principles.

Ask for a Group Conscience, (see FSM Sec. 2). If group does not seem to be acting according to CoDA principles GO TO….

Present the issue to the local Intergroup (if you have one) for a Group Conscience decision (see FSM Sec. 2). If the Intergroup does not seem to be acting according to CoDA principles, GO TO…

Seek additional support from your Regional group (if you have one); continue to present the issue(s). If this group does not seem to be acting
according to CoDA principles, GO TO…

Seek help from Issues Mediation Committee of CoDA World Service (imc@coda.org)

IMC will begin their process by asking if these 6 steps have been taken.

☐ Take responsibility for one’s own words and actions
☐ Keep the focus on CoDA principles rather than on beliefs about personalities
☐ Respect boundaries – CoDA unity is violated when third parties take sides in personal disagreements
☐ Use behavioral rules such as:
☑ Agree to study FSM Sec. 2 before
meeting together
☑ State issues in writing
☑ Start by agreeing on the goal being
sought from the discussion
☑ Provide equal opportunities to speak,
using timer if needed
☑ Agree on thirty second rule in groups
(see FSM, Sec 2)

The stages and principles expressed in this pamphlet will also work when dealing with a disagreement in your life.

Take a personal inventory

• Either Step 10 or Step 4
• Determine what your part is in the disagreement
• Step 11 connect with HP

Try to Solve with the person directly

• Be aware of Boundaries
• Listen
• Be open
• Be clear, concise and honest
• Use I statements
• Take responsibility for your actions and words
• Make amends if necessary

If no resolution, ask a person you both trust
to assist

• Sponsor
• Family member
• Spiritual Advisor
• Mutual Friend
• Another CoDA Member

The use of the behavioral rules found in this
pamphlet will be helpful as you work to resolve disagreements.

The IMC facilitates dispute mediation for Voting Entities, Intergroups, and other CoDA entities as needed.

Decisions at all levels of CoDA are made with the guidance of our Higher Power as expressed through the group conscience. As stated in

Tradition One:
“Our common welfare should come first. Personal recovery depends upon CoDA Unity.”

And Tradition Two:
“For our group purpose there is but one ultimate
authority—a loving Higher Power as expressed to our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.”

Thus as with all our recovery, group conscience is
about putting aside the “self” and
looking to Higher Power for guidance.