A.A., A Simple Program for Complex People

[Marcie]

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a simple program for complex people. Because something is simple doesn't mean that it's easy---only that it's not complicated. AA's program of recovery is based on twelve simple Steps. In addition to the Steps, every newcomer (or old-timer) who wants to stay sober is give these traditional suggestions:

1. Don't drink
2. Go to meetings
3. Read the Big Book
4. Work the Steps
5. Call your sponsor
6. Say your prayers
7. Help another alcoholic

These seven actions are supported by many AA living strategies that are expressed in simple slogans. Here are some of the most important slogans:

1. Put sobriety first
2. Take sobriety and life one day at a time
3. Keep it simple
4. Remember that it's the first drink that gets us drunk
5. Think the drink through
6. Avoid slippery places

No description of AA basics would be complete without the Serenity Prayer. It is one of the most powerful tools available to us. Many people---even those outside of AA--believe it contains the secret to a Happy and successful life. Understanding and using the Serenity Prayer has saved many alcoholics form relapse and has made their lives more peaceful and joyous.

The Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

[Marcie]

When we're new to AA, we have a lot to learn. Some of the things we hear in AA meeting may seem contradictory. And some of them are. What is said in meetings about AA is merely an AA member's opinion. It may be right, and it may be wrong. Only AA can speak for itself. AA speaks through its textbook, Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (the Twelve and Twelve), and other Conference approved literature. By reading these books yourself, you won't be misled by somebody else's misunderstanding of AA principles.

Within reason, we are entitled to "take what we want and leave the rest" as we listen in AA meetings. Even the Steps, of course, are only "suggested," but they are suggested for those who want to get and stay sober. People who don't need to get sober don't need to work the Steps. In the end, we make our own decisions about what is useful for us, but we must be careful. Our judgment is generally poor when we come into AA. We don't want to hear some of the things we need to hear. When I came into the Fellowship, there was a saying for newcomers that was more common than now. It was a slogan that was often repeated for my benefit. The expression was "Take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth." It meant that I should listen rather that talk so much or raise so many objections. Contrary to what I thought at the time, I had a lot to learn. One way to learn was to listen. That piece of advice is still sound for newcomers.

Take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth.

Yet, it isn't quite enough just to listen. We are ask to listen with an open mind. Instead of "knowing it all" and insisting on doing things our own way, we are asked to be open to something new. It is also suggested that we pray for willingness---willingness to listen, to learn, to change. We'll have to do all that to stay sober.

How It Works:

H:Honesty
O:Open-mindedness
W:Willingness

[caressa]

The steps are a way of life and even now, when I have lost my desire to drink, they are a tool that I can apply to all parts of my life.

When I first came into recovery, my attitude was "Take what you need and leave the rest." Then one day I heard a friend say, "Take what you don't need as well and put it on the shelf because one day you may be able to pass it on to someone else who does need it. I put a lot of things on the shelf that stayed there for a long time, but eventually I found a need for them. I was grateful that they were there. Many times if I had looked at them a little closer a little earlier, I would have saved myself a lot of pain.

As they say in the program, "You might not be there 'yet' but keep in mind that this is a progressive disease and before you know it, you may get there sooner than you think. The nice things with the program is that you don't always have to go to the dump or to the last house on the block, you can arrest your disease with some of yourself still in tact.

Like many others, I thought things needed to change. I wanted to change things to fit me. What made me the authority. My best thinking got me to the doors of recovery. What made me think that I know what is best for others, when I didn't know what was good for me. I had to stop blaming others and take responsibility for myself. I had to stop playing the blame game. I had to take off the blanket of denial and get honest. I wish that I could have looked at myself instead of looking at my ex-husband and my father's faults for so many years.

[majestyjo]

When the idea is not right God says "No."  

No - when the idea is not the best.  

No - When the idea is absolutely wrong.  

No - when though it may help you,  

It could create problems for someone else.  

When the time is not right God says, "Slow."  

What a castrophe it would be if God answered  

every prayer at a snap of your fingers. Do  

you know what would happen? God would  

become your servant, not your master.  

Suddenly, God would be working for you  

instead of you working for God.  

Remember: God's delays are not God's denials.  

God's timing is perfect. Patience is what we need in prayer.  

When you are not right, God says, "Grow."  

The selfish person has to grow in  unselfishness.  

The cautious person must grow courage.  

The timid person must grow in confidence.  

The dominating person must grow in sensitivity.  

The critical person must grow in tolerance.  

The negative person must grow in positive  attitudes.  

The pleasure-seeking person must grow in  

compassion for suffering people.  

When everything is all right, God says, "Go."  

Then miracles happen:  

A hopeless alcoholic is set free!  

A drug addict finds release!  

A doubter becomes as a child in his belief.  

Diseased tissue responds to treatment, and healing begins.  

The door to your dream suddenly swings  

open and there stands God saying, "Go!"  

- Original Source Unknown