THE PROMISES – HAD ANY LATELY?

Without getting into the details or context of any program, religion, ideology or belief system, the following statements are quite compelling. God or any perceived higher power can be conceptualized if only to facilitate acknowledgement that you are powerless over certain things and that humility can lead to courage and empowerment. The idea is to foster self empowerment through humility and a willingness to belief that there is a higher power than self to give a higher purpose and meaning to life. Lack of positive core values so often leads to poor life decisions and harm to self and others.

There aren’t too many sure things in life except the ubiquitous ‘death’ and ‘taxes’ guarantees or warranties on material of financial goods are subject to fine print restriction. The success of the AA program is a topic of ongoing debate and research. While some studies suggest that AA has a relatively low success rate, others argue that it is an effective program for achieving and maintaining sobriety. Here are some statistics and findings that provide insight into the success of the AA program:

“IT WORKS IF YOU WORK IT” – ANONYMOUS

THE BASICS –

1. If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.
2. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
3. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
4. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
5. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
6. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.
7. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
8. Self-seeking will slip away.
9. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
10. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
11. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
12. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do forourselves

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us – sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous p83-84

SOME CONTEXT –

The AA Promises seek to help individuals remain grounded in their recovery. The first promise draws our attention to pushing through the hardships of recovery. Every day is a battle yet another day clean and sober. Every day we want to want to empower the women we serve with the tools needed for their recovery. We want to help women reconnect with children, family, friends and most importantly themselves. The second and fourth promises speaks of freedom, happiness, serenity, and peace. These are words that are part of the everyday vocabulary of the staff. I am passionate in helping women discover a new life free of drugs and alcohol. In order to help foster this change, I am sure to include positive words of hope and faith with the women. Addiction can be a time of darkness and hopelessness. Positive words of encouragement offer light from a place of darkness.

The third promise speaks strongly to me. It says “We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.” We all have a past whether its positive or negative. Our pasts can direct us towards our future. We are not defined by our past but who we become because of it. Addiction is part of our clients past but it does not dictate what they do in the future. Their addictions are a reminder of who they use to be and the work they have to do to not return to the past selves.

Lastly, the twelfth promise is the fruition of the other promises. “We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.” Your higher power provides something for you to depend on through your trials and tribulations. As a Christian, I turn to God to talk about my problems and seek refuge. For those who chose God as their higher power, I would encourage them to turn to God during the midst of their storms. Recovery is a bumpy road. However, the road is drivable with the tools of recovery and having God in the driver’s seat and faith in the passenger seat.

Some Detail and Paraphrasing –

What Are the 12 Promises of AA?
The 12 promises of AA are as follows:

1. If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are
   halfway through. This promise states that people who complete the AA program and make a
   sincere effort will begin to see changes in their lives even before they are halfway done.
2. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. People who finish the steps will
   experience relief from the suffering of addiction and feel free to pursue a new life without
   alcohol.
3. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. Those who work the program will
   gain a sense of acceptance that allows them to process their experiences, learn from them,
   and move on without guilt.
4. We will comprehend the word serenity, and we will know peace. Addiction can lead to a
   constant state of inner turmoil. The AA program helps people find a calmness that is rare
   during active using, and that many addicts have never known in their lives.
5. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit
   others. Many addicts don’t believe that other people understand what they’ve been through.
   But in AA, they often meet people who can identify with and learn from their experiences.
6. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. Addiction makes users feel worthless
   and guilty about their actions. The steps can give people a sense that their lives have a
   meaning and a purpose, particularly through helping others.
7. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Addiction leads to many
   self-centered behaviors. Helping other people find recovery can bring addicts outside of
   themselves and help them develop a genuine interest in other people.
8. Self-seeking will slip away. The tunnel vision of focusing only on oneself and drinking usually
   begins to fade as people work the steps.
9. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. AA can shift one’s perspective from
   hopeless to hope. People can begin to imagine a life where they are happy.
   • Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. Alcoholics who recover through AA
     don’t feel like they have to hide anymore or worry about how to support their addiction and
     maintain financial security.
10. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. As the AA member
    gets deeper into the recovery process, they begin to see situations more clearly and can tap
    into their inner resources.
11. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. The
    concept of a higher power is central to AA. This higher power, be it God or something else,
    becomes a guiding force in the person’s life.