Rarely do individuals who fully commit to the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program experience failure in their journey to sobriety. However, those who struggle to recover often share a common trait: an inability or unwillingness to wholeheartedly embrace the straightforward principles of AA. This reluctance frequently stems from a fundamental lack of self-honesty. While some individuals may unfortunately be innately challenged in this area, hindering their capacity for the rigorous honesty demanded by the AA approach to living, many others, including those grappling with significant emotional and mental health challenges, can achieve recovery if they cultivate this crucial honesty.
The narratives shared within AA meetings offer a broad overview of our past struggles, the transformative turning point we encountered, and the positive changes we now experience. If you find yourself desiring the peace and sobriety that AA members share, and are prepared to dedicate yourself entirely to achieving it, then you are ready to embark on the specific actions that constitute the AA program.
Initially, some of these actions may seem daunting or undesirable. The temptation to seek an easier or less demanding path to recovery is understandable. Yet, countless individuals have discovered that such shortcuts do not exist within the realm of alcoholism recovery. Therefore, with the utmost sincerity, we urge you to approach this program with courage and thoroughness from the outset. Partial commitment or clinging to old beliefs will yield negligible results until complete surrender is achieved.
It is vital to remember the formidable nature of alcohol – its cunning, bewildering, and overpowering grip. Alone, overcoming this force is an immense challenge. However, there is a source of strength that surpasses all others – a Higher Power, often understood as God. Embrace the possibility of finding this power in your life now.
Half-hearted attempts at recovery prove consistently ineffective. A definitive turning point is necessary. It involves seeking divine protection and guidance with complete and unconditional surrender.
The subsequent steps are those we ourselves have undertaken, and they are presented as a suggested pathway to recovery:
[Reading of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous]
Many newcomers, upon hearing these steps, understandably exclaim, “This is too much! I can’t possibly do all of this.” It is important not to be discouraged by such initial reactions. None within the AA fellowship have attained flawless adherence to these principles. AA members are not saints striving for perfection. The essence of the program lies in a willingness to embark on a journey of spiritual growth. These steps serve as guiding principles for continuous progress, emphasizing spiritual advancement rather than the unattainable goal of spiritual perfection.
Our collective experiences as alcoholics, as detailed in personal stories and shared in meetings, particularly the experiences of those who initially identified as agnostic, highlight three critical understandings:
(a) We were indeed alcoholic and demonstrably incapable of managing our own lives effectively.
(b) It became evident that no human intervention alone possessed the power to fully alleviate our alcoholism.
(c) A connection with God, sought earnestly, could and would provide the necessary relief.
Reprinted from pages 58-60 in the book Alcoholics Anonymous.Copyright © by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. 1939, 1955, 1976, 2001.
