Life-Saving Cliches
"If nothing changes, __________ _________"
"nothing changes"
Defined by the Oxford American Dictionary as "bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly," this character defect typically includes long-lasting anger, ill-feeling, or even hatred, and a desire to punish the perpetrator.
Resentment
The Oxford American dictionary defines this characteristic of the disease of addiction as "an illness persisting for a long time or constantly recurring"; the opposite of acute
Chronic
Feeling and expressing appreciation for what we have (however little it may be).
Gratitude
The 7th Tradition specifies that NA or AA ought not accept outside contributions, but must instead be ____-____________
self-supporting
"We will ________ ________ until you learn to ______ yourself"
What is "love you; love"
This character defect is defined by Merriam-Webster as "to put off intentionally and habitually," but it may become an even more serious problem for addicts when it's done unconsciously
Procrastination
Defined by Merriam-Webster as "a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling," This characteristic of the disease of addiction has to do with the thinking of the addict.
Obsession
Ready, eager, or prepared to do something.
Willingness
The 3rd Tradition specifies that the only requirement to become an NA or AA member is the ______ __ ____ ________
"desire to stop drinking" -or- "desire to stop using"
"Keep your _________ of the ____________ clean"
"side"; "street"
Defined by Merriam-Webster as "restless or short of temper especially under irritation, delay, or opposition," this defect of character may have us resenting being held up in any way, whether intentionally by another person or just accidentally in the normal course of events.
Impatience
Defined by the Oxford American dictionary as "an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way, especially against one's conscious wishes," this characteristic of the disease of addiction has to do with the actions of the addict.
Compulsion
Recognizing and accepting one’s own assets and liabilities/strengths and weaknesses, based upon realistic self-perception.
Humility
The 4th Tradition states that "each _________ should be autonomous, except in matters affecting ______ _________ or NA/AA as a whole"
group; other groups
"We're only as ________ as our ____________"
"sick"; "secrets"
Defined by Oxford American Dictionary as "a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck," we can also define this character defect more simply as "wanting what someone else has."
Envy
Defined by Merriam-Webster as "a recurrence of symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement," this is one of the primary characteristics of the disease of addiction itself as defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Relapsing
Nelson Mandela said that this spiritual principle was "not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."
Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom (1995).
Courage
Tradition 10 says that NA/AA has no opinion on _______ ______
"outside issues"
"Don't quit before the __________ ___________"
"miracle happens"
Though in common use it can be a synonym for "envy," in recovery it's helpful to work on the character defect highlighted by other definitions of this word: "intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness," "disposed to suspect rivalry or unfaithfulness," "vigilant in guarding a possession," or "afraid to lose what you have."
Jealousy
"A disease or physical ailment whose course in most cases is the worsening, growth, or spread of the disease... Some __________ diseases can be halted and reversed by treatment."
Progressive
When what you do is consistent with what you say, and when how you seem on the outside fits with how you feel on the inside. Maintaining conscious contact with your core values and seeking to align your behavior with your values is perhaps the most effective way to practice this.
Integrity
Tradition 11 says that AA/NA's "public relations policy is based on __________, rather than _________"
attraction; promotion