There are far more than Twelve Promises written in the Big Book “Alcoholics Anonymous.”

This is a listing of only those relating to the First Step (please, some may be a stretch – utilize, don’t analyze);

First Step Promises:

1. How many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. (Title page).

2. Who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. (foreword 1st edition xiii)

3. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. (foreword 1st edition xiii)

4. We are sure that our way of living has its advantages for all. (foreword 1st edition xiii)

5. Our earliest printing voiced the hope -that every alcoholic who journeys will find the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous at his destination (foreword 2nd edition xv)

6. It also indicated that strenuous work, one alcoholic with another, was vital to permanent recovery (xvii)

7. A.A.’s had to hang together or die separately. We had to unify our Fellowship or pass off the scene.(xix)

8. Today the remarkable unity of A.A. is one of the greatest assets that our Society has.(xix)

9. It is our great hope that all those who have as yet found no answer may begin to find one in the pages of this book and will presently join us on the highroad to a new freedom. (xxi)

10. …recovery begins when one alcoholic talks with another alcoholic, sharing experience, strength, and hope. (xxii)

11. We who have suffered alcoholic torture must believe that the body of the alcoholic is quite as abnormal as his mind (xxiv)

12. We are sure that our bodies were sickened as well. (xxiv)

13. We work out our solution on the spiritual as well as an altruistic plane. (xxiv)

14. Once a psychic change has occurred, the very same person who seemed doomed, who had so many problems he despaired of ever solving them, suddenly finds himself easily able to control his desire for alcohol, the only effort necessary being that required to follow a few simple rules. (xxvii)

15. There are many situations which arise out of the phenomenon of craving which cause men to make the supreme sacrifice rather than continue to fight. (xxviii)

16. I was soon to be catapulted into what I like to call the fourth dimension of existence. I was to know happiness, peace, and usefulness, in a way of life that is incredibly more wonderful as time passes. (8:2)

17. I would enter upon a new relationship with my Creator; that I would have the elements of a way of living which answered all my problems. Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements. (13:5)

18. For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. If he did not work, he would surely drink again, and if he drank, he would surely die. Then faith would be dead indeed. With us it is just like that. (14:6)

19. It is a design for living that works in rough going. (15:1)

20. The joy of living we really have, even under pressure and difficulty. (15:2)

21. There is scarcely any form of trouble and misery which has not been overcome among us. (15:2)

22. I have seen hundreds of families set their feet in the path that really goes somewhere; have seen the most impossible domestic situations righted; feuds and bitterness of all sorts wiped out. I have seen men come out of asylums and resume a vital place in the lives of their families and communities. Business and professional men have regained their standing. (15:2)

23. There is, however, a vast amount of fun about it all. I suppose some would be shocked at our seeming worldliness and levity. But just underneath there is deadly earnestness. Faith has to work twenty-four hours a day in and through us, or we perish. (16:2)

24. Most of us feel we need look no further for Utopia. We have it with us right here and now. Each day my friend’s simple talk in our kitchen multiplies itself in a widening circle of peace on earth and good will to men. (16:3)

25. …there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful. (17:2)

26. Our joy in escape from disaster does not subside as we go our individual ways. (17:2)

27. The feeling of having shared in a common peril is one element in the powerful cement which binds us… The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism. (17:2)

28. An illness of this sort-and we have come to believe it an illness-involves those about us in a way no other human sickness can. (18:1)

29. For with it (the alcoholic illness) there goes annihilation of all the things worth while in life. It engulfs all whose lives touch the sufferer’s. It brings misunderstanding, fierce resentment, financial insecurity, disgusted friends and employers, warped lives of blameless children, sad wives and parents-anyone can increase the list. (18:1)

30. Most of us sense that real tolerance of other people’s shortcomings and viewpoints and a respect for their opinions are attitudes which make us more useful to others. Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs. (19:4)

31. The alcoholic reacts differently from normal people. We are not sure why, once a certain point is reached, little can be done for him. We cannot answer the riddle. We know that while the alcoholic keeps away from drink, as he may do for months or years, he reacts much like other men. We are equally positive that once he takes any alcohol whatever into his system, something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop. (22:3)

32. The main problem of the alcoholic centers in his mind, rather than in his body. (23:1)

33. At a certain point in the drinking of every alcoholic, he passes into a state where the most powerful desire to stop drinking is of absolutely no avail. (24:0)

34. The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink. Our so-called will power becomes practically nonexistent. We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are without defense against the first drink. (24:1)

35. There is a solution. (25:1)

36. We saw that it really worked in others. (25:1)

37. We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence of which we had not even dreamed. (25:1)

38. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves. (25:2)

39. A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, “a design for living” that really works. (28:2)

40. All of us, whateverour race, creed, or color are the children of a living Creator with whom we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as soon as we are willing and honest enough to try. (28:3)

41. The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. (30:1)

42. We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers control. All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals-usually brief-were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period we get worse, never better. (30:3)

43. To be gravely affected, one does not necessarily have to drink a long time nor take the quantities some of us have. This is particularly true of women. Potential female alcoholics often turn into the real thing and are gone beyond recall in a few years. (33:3)

44. The actual or potential alcoholic, with hardly an exception, will be absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self-knowledge. (39:1)

45. That if I had an alcoholic mind, the time and place would come-I would drink again. (41:2)

46. I saw that will power and self-knowledge would not help in those strange mental blank spots. (42:0)

47. The program of action, though entirely sensible, was pretty drastic (42:0)

48. Most alcoholics have to be pretty badly mangled before they really commence to solve their problems. (43:1)

49. The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in a few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power. (43:3)

50. If he is an alcoholic of the hopeless variety. To be doomed to an alcoholic death or to live on a spiritual basis are not always easy alternatives to face. (44:2)

51. We had to face the fact that we must find a spiritual basis of life -or else. (44:3)

52. Our human resources, as marshalled by the will, were not sufficient; they failed utterly. (45:0)

53. Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves.(45:1)

[edited to bring this post into 2009]

Post from: Blisstree

First Step Promises

Yes, I am serious… for a long time, nine years, I’ve watched as the local court system has directed folks with substance problems into the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. This court system even has a magnificent program called Drug Court that works to the benefit of quite a few people that are willing to give it a proper effort. Many AA’s felt the court “dumping” addicts into AA was a disservice to both fellowships but the challenge appeared to be that NA was weak here.

Well, there is One who has all power and something is working. Despite our feelings about addicts in AA, I can tell you that some have found their way to Narcotics Anonymous after surviving Alcoholics Anonymous! And they’re putting clean time together!

God is truly wonderful

Post from: Blisstree

Happy To Report

I stand by the door.
I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out.
The door is the most important door in the world -
It is the door through which men walk when they find God.
There is no use my going way inside and staying there,
When so many are still outside and they, as much as I,
Crave to know where the door is.
And all that so many ever find
Is only the wall where the door ought to be.
They creep along the wall like blind men,
With outstretched, groping hands,
Feeling for a door, knowing there must be a door,
Yet they never find it.
So I stand by the door.

And ends;

I admire the people who go way in.
But I wish they would not forget how it was
Before they got in. Then they would be able to help
The people who have not yet even found the door.
Or the people who want to run away again from God.
You can go in too deeply and stay in too long
And forget the people outside the door.
As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place,
Near enough to God to hear Him and know He is there,
But not so far from men as not to hear them,
And remember they are there too.

Where? Outside the door -
Thousands of them. Millions of them.
But – more important for me -
One of them, two of them, ten of them.
Whose hands I am intended to put on the latch.
So I shall stand by the door and wait
For those who seek it.

‘I had rather be a door-keeper
So I stand by the door.

Please, read the entire piece here.

[Thanks John B.]

Post from: Blisstree

I Stand At The Door

But first – regardless of the outcome I am thankful because I have been motivated. The motivation was certainly from the God I understand today. All the frills that came along with it may have hidden its meaning for a day or two but I was finally able to see the signpost. Therefore, within a couple of days the SCCSCU will be in receipt of a letter, however poorly written or not it may be, that they had requested and my disturbance with them had put off. I am still disturbed by their lack of trust in me but I have more important issues to get past.

So – from page 85 of AA’s Big Book;

“It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.”

I.E. – for me – through relatively simple consideration last night, I can remember that I am more than simply a drivers license and a motorcycle. I am certainly not a loser because those are two items not in my material inventory today. However, they are certainly within reach. There’s the line though. Being judged for what you don’t have rather than where you are striving to be.

And it’s ok. One person doesn’t know – her. One person does know – me. I am able today, by the grace of my God, to pull myself up and take care of business. And not be my own worst judge anymore.

“Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all of our activities. ‘How can I best serve Thee – Thy will (not mine) be done.’ These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will.”

I’ve never had it so good!

Post from: Blisstree

Me and H.P.

Some thoughts regarding our relationship to Alcoholics Anonymous

“The question of just how Narcotics Anonymous relates to all other fellowships and organizations is one which may generate controversy within our fellowship. In spite of the fact that we have a stated policy of “cooperation, not affiliation” with outside organizations confusion remains. One such sensitive issue involves our relationship to the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. Letters have been received by the World Service Board of Trustees asking a variety of questions about this relationship.

Narcotics Anonymous is modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. Nearly every NA community in existence has leaned to some degree on AA in its formative stages. Our relationship with that fellowship over the years has been very real and dynamic. Our fellowship itself sprang from the turmoil within AA over what to do with the addicts knocking on its doors. We will look at our roots for some perspective on our current relationship to AA.

Bill W, one of AA’s co-founders, often said that one of AA’s greatest strengths is its single-minded focus on one thing and one thing only. By limiting its primary purpose to carrying the message to alcoholics, and avoiding all other activities, AA is able to do that one thing supremely well. The atmosphere of identification is preserved by that purity of focus, and alcoholics get help.”

Which says a lot… read the entire bulletin, please.

Post from: Blisstree

NA’s Relationship To Alcoholics Anonymous

“For years I was sure the worst thing that could happen to a nice guy like me would be that I would turn out to be an alcoholic.”

I actually did not give that much consideration in my drinking days. As much as there were a couple of folks who made some mention that I might have a problem with booze, no one ever came out bluntly, until Fr. Tom, and told me I was an alcoholic. They simply whined about my drinking or told me I ought to cut back.

“Today I find it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. This proves I don’t know what’s good for me.”

Here comes the coup de grâce;

“And if I don’t know what’s good for me, then I don’t know what’s good or bad for you or for anyone. So I’m better off if I don’t give advice, don’t figure I know what’s best, and just accept life on life’s terms, as it is today – especially my own life, as it actually is. Before A.A. I judged myself by my intentions, while the world was judging me by my actions.”

Yes, yes, and… yes! But that certainly wasn’t in my belief system when I was consumed by alcohol! If you’re still drinking – is there anyone telling you that it always seems like you know what’s best for everyone except yourself? That’s what they told me…

Smart. So very smart. So smart I couldn’t get out of my own way. It took an Act of Providence!

Post from: Blisstree

Not True When We Were Drinking…

It seems like this months Daily Reflections are more on target, for me, than most other months. What today’s actually speaks to my mind is: “Count Your Blessings, Not Your Troubles”

“One exercise that I try to practice is to try for a full inventory of my blessings…”

“What did I have to be grateful for? I shut myself up and started listing the blessings for which I was in no way responsible, beginning with having been born of sound mind and body.”

Well, maybe he was born with a sound mind lol.

“I went through seventy-four years of living right up to the present moment. The list ran to two pages, and took two hours to compile; I included health, family, money, A.A. – the whole gamut.”

Instantly, I’m also grateful! I have a long way to go before I’d have to go through 74 years! Of course, family and money are still sticky issues for me and might not make it to the list, for now.

“Every day in my prayers, I ask God to help me remember my list, and to be grateful for it throughout the day. When I remember my gratitude list, it’s very hard to conclude that God is picking on me.”

God picking on me was one of those “overriding” states of mind I once had. Convinced there was something wrong with me that was hopelessly beyond repair. Thank God for AA.

Post from: Blisstree

God Isn’t Picking On Me?

PASS THIS ON!

Page 24;

“The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink.”

It doesn’t matter if they have 100 years sober in AA, tell them!

If its you spreading the lie that you chose not to drink alcohol, stop it!

Find some place else to go… or learn the truth…

“We are without defense against the first drink.”

Post from: Blisstree

Pass It On!

We’ve seen the First Step Promises, the Second Step Promises, , the Third Step Promises, and the Fourth Step Promises, now here are the Fifth Step Promises from the AA History Lovers Group at Yahoo!

1. In actual practice, we usually find a solitary self-appraisal insufficient. (72:2)

2. If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking. (72:2)

3. They took inventory all right, but hung on to some of the worst items in stock. They only thought they had lost their egoism and fear; they only thought they had humbled themselves. But they had not learned enough of humility, fearlessness and honesty, in the sense we find it necessary, until they told someone else all their life story. (73:0)

4. We must be entirely honest with somebody if we expect to live long or happily in this world. (73:4)

5. Once we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are delighted. (75:2)

6. We can look the world in the eye. (75:2)

7. We can be alone at perfect peace and ease. (75:2)

8. Our fears fall from us. (75:2)

9. We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator. (75:2)

10. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to have a spiritual experience. (75:2)

11. The feeling that the drink problem has disappeared will often come strongly. (75:2)

12. We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe. (75:2)

There won’t be any next month – there aren’t any Sixth Step Promises

[Edited and brought into the now, 2008]

Post from: Blisstree

Fifth Step Promises

It’s Okay To Be Me

“Time after time newcomers have tried to keep to themselves certain facts about their lives… they have turned to easier methods… But they had not learned enough humility.”

So, I had to find a level of humility that would lead me out of the place where I believed there was so much wrong with me nothing would ever fix it.

“Humility sounds so much like humiliation, but it really is the ability to look at myself – and honestly accept what I find.”

Not only honestly accept what I find but also find that what I find isn’t all negative and hopeless!

“I no longer need to be the “smartest” or “dumbest” or any other “est.”

Darn. Throws a whole lifetime of feeling useless, hopeless, worthless and pointless right out the window.

Have you ever heard Bill Cosby’s line about when he was growing up not knowing whether his name was “Gawd Dammit” or “Jesus Christ?” He relates it this way…

When he was a child and committed a wrong he’d hear these words shouted at him – “Gawd Dammit, will you cut that out,” or “Jesus Christ, will you stop that!!!” He couldn’t be sure of his identity. Neither could I. I was a lot of “est’s” and a lot of “less’s.”

With AA’s help, today I’m simply me – whoever me might be right now

Post from: Blisstree

There’s No Longer A Need To Be An “est.”