TOOLS OF RECOVERY

GETTING ACTIVE WITH

THE TOOLS OF RECOVERY

We find these recovery tools useful for gaining and sustaining sobriety.

1. MEETINGS: We attend AA meetings to learn how the Program works, and to share our experiences, strengths, and hopes with each other. In meetings we learn that our struggles and troubles are not unique, and we gain the hope and assurance that we can recover and grow.
2. SHARING AT MEETINGS: Being honest and vulnerable in front of others is frightening but worth it. Many of us believe that we recover in direct proportion to our willingness to share at meetings.
3. TELEPHONING: We use the phone to contact members of our Fellowship between meetings.
4. ONE DAY AT A TIME: When we have cravings or want to drink we put it off for 15 minutes, an hour, or a day can interrupt destructive thinking and cravings. We can walk away from a drink but not from the disease.
5. DEVELOPING A SUPPORT SYSTEM: Meeting with other recovering alcoholics over coffee to discuss our program shows that we are not alone and allows us to get another perspective on our problems.
6. MAINTAINING A JOURNAL: We find that keeping a written record of our activities, thoughts, feelings and commitment helps us review our progress and remind us of where we have come from and where we want to go.
7. READING AND WORKING THE STEPS: The principles and techniques which helped restore our lives to sanity and bring a measure of serenity to us can work for us in all areas of our affairs.
8. SPONSORSHIP: As part of the surrender process, we admit our defects of character. And we ask others for help, including our AA sponsors as well as other members in the AA Fellowship. Acting as sponsors for others helps strengthen our sobriety. Helping others focus on their program can help us see where our own recovery has been and where it is to go.
9. LISTENING AND COMMUNICATING: We set aside a time each day for hearing our sponsors comments, feelings, and gratitude. Before deciding and accepting any major commitments in our lives, we consult and listen to our Higher Power for guidance.
10. BALANCING: To help build balance in our lives, each day we remember to develop personal relationships with persons other than just our sponsor. We do this by meeting AA members outside of meetings and attending AA social events. And each day we remember to nourish our spiritual growth, our creativity, and our playful attitudes.
11. CALLING A MEETING OF TWO: Any two alcoholics can call a meeting of two at any time, anywhere. A structure of raising hands, no cross talk, and closing with the Serenity Prayer guarantees being heard and often helps us regain our sense of humor.
12. READING DAILY LITERATURE: Daily reading of literature can help keep the focus on recovery.
13. SERVICE: We readily extend help to other alcoholics, knowing that assistance to others adds to the quality of our own recovery. We seek out and accept joint service positions in AA such as coffee-makers, setting up the meeting hall, cleaning up; we find that doing service builds our sense of participation in our recovery.