The 12 Principles of AA

By humbly letting go of negative behaviors and beliefs, we create space for new growth and improved relationships with others. Though none of the following are requirements, doing step work often goes hand-in-hand with reading the Big Book, joining a support group, and attending step meetings. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority–a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A.

This step is about finding a great power to put your faith in. You shouldn’t give up hope for recovery even during setbacks because you have faith that something greater than you is looking out for your well-being. When given an outline, people release the anxiety of coming up with guidelines to follow on their own. A structure is already laid out for you when you follow AA’s 12 steps. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. If one of our articles is marked with a ‘reviewed for accuracy and expertise’ badge, it indicates that one or more members of our team of doctors and clinicians have reviewed the article further to ensure accuracy.

• It involves developing empathy, forgiveness, and a sense of connection with fellow recovering individuals and the broader community.
• I. The final responsibility and ultimate authority for A.A.
• Through these principles, individuals in recovery can develop the tools and mindset necessary to maintain sobriety, improve their relationships, and lead more fulfilling lives.
• By humbly letting go of negative behaviors and beliefs, we create space for new growth and improved relationships with others.
• As the program gained traction and more people engaged with the 12 steps, members began to recognize underlying themes within each step.
• For Wilson and Smith, surrendering to a ‘higher power’ was an integral part of their plan’s development.

How Is Recovery.com Different?

Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose–that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Discipline is the commitment to maintaining sobriety through consistent effort. It involves developing healthy habits, attending meetings regularly, and following through on recovery-related tasks.

The Twelve Steps are the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous. By taking these steps, the alcoholic experiences a spiritual awakening or psychic change sufficient to bring about lasting recovery from alcoholism. The Steps are listed beginning on Page 59 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Another important part of the twelve steps is the willingness to let go of character defects that hinder spiritual growth.

But There Are Leaders…

Like every part of a 12-step program, living up to these 12 Traditions takes work and commitment as you or someone you care about takes the journey toward lasting recovery. This anonymity is for the good of the fellowship rather than protecting the member’s identity. An example is a famous athlete or television personality—a role model—who gets into recovery and announces to the world that AA has saved his life. Then, people might think AA is useless and be less likely to seek it when they need to seek sobriety. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films. By not being highly organized, support groups keep the emphasis on true fellowship and their primary purpose.

As a whole without conferring with the Trustees of the General Service Board. On such issues our common welfare is paramount. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Service in recovery is about seeking appropriate and non-intrusive ways to help others. It’s a way of finding purpose and reinforcing our own recovery through supporting others. Willingness is about being open-minded and flexible in recovery.

Rejecting Outside Contributions

When you continue to seek guidance from a higher power you can better maintain your recovery. You will see better results if you can maintain awareness in this sense of oneness with something outside of yourself. Step 10 relates to its own principle very clearly. It’s one thing to take personal inventory and admit our wrongs one time.

If this tradition is followed, it works to keep the fellowship as a whole from engaging in public controversy, but the principle can also be applied to «all the affairs» of individual members. As the Internet became a part of daily life, members of 12-step groups naturally began gathering together online for mutual support. Many 12-step online support groups (but not all) were able to adhere to Tradition 7 and remain self-supporting, keeping outside advertising off of their websites and out of their online meetings. Even worthy projects such as starting a 12-step club or supporting a shelter for abused spouses should not be entered into as a group project, but rather as an effort of members as individuals, if they so desire. Invariably, these situations can involve struggles over finances and control and can divert a group and the fellowship away from its primary focus on recovery.

It involves giving back to the community by supporting other recovering individuals and, whenever appropriate, carrying a message of hope to those living with addiction. Acceptance means acknowledging powerlessness over alcohol and the unmanageability of life with addiction. It’s about moving past denial and facing the truth of the situation.

Tradition 5: Carrying the Message

It takes discipline to continue to do this over an entire lifetime. On the other hand, millions have acknowledged their belief that AA and its principles saved their life. By studying the program, how it works, and each of its principles, you can determine if this type of program is ideal for you.

• For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.
• Practicing your sobriety with the principle of love means that you’re not just existing for yourself but in service to the people you care about.
• A hallmark of 12-step recovery programs is the offer of anonymity to participants.
• During this step, it’s important to look to your higher power to help free you from your past.
• NOTICE ABOUT EXTERNAL LINKS This website links to other websites, including those affiliated with other organizations.

Our public relations should be guided by the principle of attraction rather than promotion. There is never need to praise ourselves. We feel it better to let our friends recommend us.

It also doesn’t mean that groups should introduce, discuss, or sell outside literature at their meeting places. We believe everyone deserves access to accurate, unbiased information about mental health and recovery. That’s why we have a comprehensive set of treatment providers and don’t charge for inclusion.

Join The Community

The AA steps are a set of guiding principles that were developed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a way to help individuals struggling with addiction achieve and maintain sobriety. The goal of the 12 steps is to provide a framework for personal growth principle of aa and spiritual development, as well as to help individuals learn to live a life free from addiction. The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are a set of guiding principles designed to help individuals recover from addiction, build spiritual connection, and lead more honest and purposeful lives. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global community of individuals who have struggled with alcohol addiction. Founded in 1935, AA has helped millions of people achieve and maintain sobriety through its peer-based recovery program. AA’s principles come from their famous Twelve Step Program.

Many people suffering from alcoholism continue to find success in recovery by participating in AA’s program. Considered each step to be a spiritual principle in and of itself. However, particularly in the 12 & 12, he outlined the spiritual principles behind each step.