Clutterers Anonymous

Clutterers Anonymous (CLA) is a twelve-step program for people who share a common problem with accumulation of clutter. CLA says that it focuses on the underlying issues made manifest by unnecessary physical and emotional clutter, rather than hints, tips and lectures.[1] CLA had active meetings in about 70 cities in 24 states in the US, and several in England, Germany, and Iceland, as of 2011.[2][3] CLA Tradition 3 states, "The only requirement for CLA membership is a desire to stop cluttering."[2][4] Clutterers Anonymous replaces "powerless over alcohol" in the First Step of the Twelve Steps originally developed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) with "powerless over our clutter."[5] CLA was founded in May 1989 in Simi Valley, California.[4] CLA notes that there are countless reasons a person may become a clutterer or hoarder, however this program does not concern itself with the "why". Instead CLA focuses on helping those still suffering, with a path to "sobriety", in this case de-cluttering in order to restore serenity, clarity, and the ability to live a fulfilling life.

CLA-approved literature

The CLA-approved literature includes the two fundamental texts of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Alcoholics Anonymous[6] (the so-called "Big Book") and the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions[7] eight CLA-specific leaflets, and a 28-page booklet, "Is CLA for You? A Newcomer's Guide to Recovery.[8] At some meetings, CLA members read directly from both books and may replace the word "alcoholic" with "clutterer."[9]

Clutterers Anonymous is not associated with Messies Anonymous, a support group founded by Sandra Felton, which uses her copyrighted publications.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "What CLA Offers". Clutterers Anonymous. Retrieved 2014-11-17.
  2. ^ a b http://www.clutterersanonymous.org Clutterers Anonymous
  3. ^ Morford, Mark (2005-11-04). "Clutter cure begins with garbage bag". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  4. ^ a b Randazzo, Angela (1999-10-01). "Help Clearing Clutter is a Call Away". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on 2012-10-20. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  5. ^ Nazario, Sonia (1999-08-08). "Self-help: We can't help it". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  6. ^ Alcoholics Anonymous (1976). Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. ISBN 0-916856-59-3. OCLC 32014950.
  7. ^ Alcoholics Anonymous (2002). Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Hazelden. ISBN 0-916856-01-1. OCLC 13572433.
  8. ^ Clutterers Anonymous
  9. ^ LaPeter, Lenora (2004-03-15). "12 steps lead to a support group for every human flaw". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  10. ^ Boodman, Sandra G. (2002-12-12). "The Hidden World of Hoarders; Those who suffer from this little-understood psychological problem distress families, confound therapists and frustrate public authorities". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2007-06-24.