# Clutterers Anonymous > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Clutterers_Anonymous > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Clutterers_Anonymous.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clutterers_Anonymous > Source revision: 1336318389 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Clutterers Anonymous** (**CLA**) is a [twelve-step program](/source/Twelve-step_program) for people who share a common problem with accumulation of [clutter](/source/Compulsive_hoarding). 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](/source/Twelve-step_program#Twelve_Steps) originally developed by [Alcoholics Anonymous](/source/Alcoholics_Anonymous) (AA) with "powerless over our clutter."[5] CLA was founded in May 1989 in [Simi Valley, California](/source/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](/source/AA_Big_Book)") and the *[Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions](/source/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 - [List of twelve-step groups](/source/List_of_twelve-step_groups) - [Self-help groups for mental health](/source/Self-help_groups_for_mental_health) ## References 1. ["What CLA Offers"](http://clutterersanonymous.org/what-cla-offers/). *Clutterers Anonymous*. Retrieved 2014-11-17. 1. [http://www.clutterersanonymous.org](http://www.clutterersanonymous.org) Clutterers Anonymous 1. Morford, Mark (2005-11-04). ["Clutter cure begins with garbage bag"](https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/morford/article/Clutter-cure-begins-with-a-garbage-bag-2597289.php). *[San Francisco Chronicle](/source/San_Francisco_Chronicle)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121024115126/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2005%2F11%2F04%2FDDG2JFI5V11.DTL) 2012-10-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2007-06-24. 1. Randazzo, Angela (1999-10-01). ["Help Clearing Clutter is a Call Away"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121020092641/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83627305.html). *[Los Angeles Daily News](/source/Los_Angeles_Daily_News)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83627305.html) on 2012-10-20. Retrieved 2007-06-24. 1. Nazario, Sonia (1999-08-08). ["Self-help: We can't help it"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110516170152/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4507455.html). *[Chicago Sun-Times](/source/Chicago_Sun-Times)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4507455.html) on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-06-24. 1. Alcoholics Anonymous (1976). [*Alcoholics Anonymous*](https://archive.org/details/alcoholicsanonym00alco). Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. ISBN 0-916856-59-3. [OCLC 32014950](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/32014950) 1. Alcoholics Anonymous (2002). *Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions*. [Hazelden](/source/Hazelden). ISBN 0-916856-01-1. [OCLC 13572433](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/13572433) 1. [Clutterers Anonymous](http://www.clutterersanonymous.org) 1. LaPeter, Lenora (2004-03-15). ["12 steps lead to a support group for every human flaw"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080704211424/http://www.sptimes.com/2004/03/15/Worldandnation/12_steps_lead_to_a_su.shtml). *[St. Petersburg Times](/source/St._Petersburg_Times)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.sptimes.com/2004/03/15/Worldandnation/12_steps_lead_to_a_su.shtml) on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2007-06-24. 1. 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"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121026084214/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-564308.html). *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-564308.html) on 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2007-06-24. ## External links - [Clutterers Anonymous](http://www.clutterersanonymous.org) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Clutterers Anonymous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clutterers_Anonymous) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clutterers_Anonymous?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.