| Attending MeetingsMeetings are gatherings of two or more members who come together to share their experiences before and during recovery and to share the strength and hope that the program has given them. Though there are many kinds of meetings, fellowship is the basis of all of them. Meetings are an opportunity for us to understand and to share the gifts we receive through this program. Getting a SponsorSponsors are recovery members who are committed to living the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions to the best of their ability. We ask a sponsor to guide us through our program of recovery on all three levels: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Ours is a program of attraction: find a sponsor who has what you want and ask how it was achieved. A member may work with one or more sponsor and may change sponsors at will. Reading and Discussing Twelve Step LiteratureWe study the Alcoholics Anonymous, referred to as the Big Book, and the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, another AA book, to reinforce our program. By substituting the words 'addiction' or 'co- dependency', etc., for 'alcohol' others can identify closely. Read on a daily basis, the literature impresses on us certain basic truths that we have found vital to our growth. Twelve Step literature is an ever available tool that gives Insight into our problem as well as the strength to deal with it, and the knowledge that there is a solution for us. Working the Twelve StepsWith the guidance of a sponsor. TelephoneAlcoholism (addiction, co-dependency, etc) is a disease of isolation. The telephone is a means of communicating with other codependents in between meetings. The telephone is also a fink to our sponsors and, as part of the surrender process, it is a tool by which we learn to ask for help, reach out and extend the same help to others. AnonymityAnonymity is a tool as well as a tradition because it guarantees that we will place principles before personalities. Anonymity means that whatever we share with another member will be held in respect and confidence. It offers us freedom of expression and protection against gossip. What we hear at meetings should remain there. When we meet within our community, we do not Introduce each other as Anonymous members. WritingOften writing will help us clarify our thoughts and help us to get to the root of the feelings that lie behind our codependency. Some of us found that writing helps when we can't reach another member by phone. Writing is also used in our fourth step inventory and tenth step daily inventories. ServiceCarrying the message to others who still suffer is the basic purpose of our Fellowship and therefore the most fundamental form of service. Any service, no matter how small, that will help reach a fellow sufferer adds to the quality of our recovery. Putting away chairs, making coffee, setting up literature, talking to newcomers, doing whatever needs to be done in a group or for the recovery organization as a whole are ways in which we can give back what we have so generously been given. Sponsoring OthersAfter you've had some experience in the program and have been working the steps with a sponsor, the next step is to work with a newcomer in the program. |
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