Twelve Steps
In step one the 2 key words are Powerless and unmanageable. Describe what this means to you.
once you take a drink, you lose the ability to control how much you consume
Unmanageability doesn't always mean total chaos; it includes hidden struggles like strained relationships, feelings of shame, career setbacks, or repeatedly trying—and failing—to quit drinking
Describe "13" Stepping
"stepping" refers to the unofficial, often predatory behavior that happens after those initial steps are completed.
Generally considered one year VS under one year, not gender specific either way
Why do you think God was substituted with "Higher Power?"
The term "Higher Power" (and "Power greater than ourselves") was used in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous to make the recovery program deliberately inclusive.
The phrase was designed to be broadly accessible:
What was the organization that inspired a lot of AA's ideals and methods?
The Oxford Group
Recite the first step.
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.
restore us to sanity, describe what this means to you
hope and open-mindedness. It asks you to accept that your own willpower is not enough, and to believe that help exists outside of yourself
What is the purpose of a "Men's or Woman's" meeting?
A mixed gendered meeting some are less likely to speak freely or discuss specific gender challenges
What is the difference between Religion and Spirituality?
Religion is man made
"Our primary purpose is to stay sober and _________________________________________....
...help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety."
This is the year that the first woman joined AA.
1937
Why do we have "Open & Closed" Meetings
Closed meetings are exclusively for individuals with a desire to stop drinking,
Open meetings welcome anyone—including family, friends, students, and professionals—to observe and learn about the program
Why are the traditions used?
The 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are vital because they provide the structural framework that keeps the organization unified, humble, and strictly focused on recovery. While the 12 Steps heal the individual, the Traditions ensure the groups survive by eliminating ego, financial conflicts, and external controversies.
"Acceptance is The answer. Why do you think?
Acceptance is the answer because it stops the exhausting cycle of fighting reality. Suffering often stems not from the event itself, but from our resistance to it. By accepting circumstances as they are, we conserve mental energy, reduce anxiety, and can respond with clarity.
The "12 & 12" refers to which text?
The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
The Name of one of the first institutions to allow AA meetings to come into their facility
Rockland State Hospital
Step 3 states: "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God." In your words why?
It is the act of surrendering control and choosing to rely on a Higher Power for guidance in recovery
Why are:
Every A.A. group ought to be self supporting, declining outside contributions.
Alcoholics Anonymous groups decline outside contributions and rely solely on member donations to preserve independence, prevent conflicts of interest, and avoid outside control. This principle ensures the fellowship remains singularly focused on its primary purpose without interference or commercial influence.
The beginning of the Big Book has "Thousands of men and women have recovered". Why
The book uses "recovered" in a very specific context—not as a permanent "cure". Rather, it means they have recovered from a "seemingly hopeless state of mind and body" and found a solution to stop drinking, provided they continue applying their spiritual principles.
How did the Serenity Prayer come to be used in 12 Step programs?
It was seen in an obituary and brought to Bill W's attention by a member named Jack.
First 12 Step treatment center in the world, founded by Bill Wilson and Marty Mann in 1939.
High Watch Recovery Center
Pop Quiz
What is the name of the priest who does "Chalk Talk"?
Father Joseph Martin
Why have different meetings? In your own words.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings differ so that members can find the specific peer support and format that best aids their personal recovery. Variety allows individuals to learn program fundamentals, focus on specialized topics, or share safely with specific demographic groups. [1, 2]
The diverse formats and settings offer distinct recovery benefits:
What is the Mental Phenomenon
Cognitive Dissonance: During an active craving, the brain alters reasoning processes to justify indulging. It overrides logic, causing the person to minimize the negative consequences or reason that they can handle "just one more.
The 12 Steps are for the alcoholic, the 12 Traditions are for the group and the 12 _______ are for the fellowship as a whole.
Concepts.
The Twelve Concepts of AA
Concept I: Final responsibility and ultimate authority for A.A. world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.
Concept II: The General Service Conference of A.A. has become, for nearly every practical purpose, the active voice and the effective conscience of our whole Society in its world affairs.
Concept III: To insure effective leadership, we should endow each element of A.A. —the Conference, the General Service Board and its service corporations, staffs, committees, and executives—with a traditional "Right of Decision."
Concept IV: At all responsible levels, we ought to maintain a traditional "Right of Participation," allowing a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the responsibility that each must discharge.
Concept V: Throughout our structure, a traditional "Right of Appeal" ought to prevail, so that minority opinion will be heard and personal grievances receive careful consideration.
Concept Vl: The Conference recognizes that the chief initiative and active responsibility in most world service matters should be exercised by the trustee members of the Conference acting as the General Service Board.
Concept Vll: The Charter and Bylaws of the General Service Board are legal instruments, empowering the trustees to manage and conduct world service affairs. The Conference Charter is not a legal document; it relies upon tradition and the A.A. purse for final effectiveness.
Concept VIII: The trustees are the principal planners and administrators of overall policy and finance. They have custodial oversight of the separately incorporated and constantly active services, exercising this through their ability to elect all the directors of these entities.
Concept IX: Good service leadership at all levels is indispensable for our future functioning and safety. Primary world service leadership, once exercised by the founders, must necessarily be assumed by the trustees.
Concept X: Every service responsibility should be matched by an equal service authority, with the scope of such authority well defined.
Concept Xl: The trustees should always have the best possible committees, corporate service directors, executives, staffs, and consultants. Composition, qualifications, induction procedures, and rights and duties will always be matters of serious concern.
Concept Xll: The Conference shall observe the spirit of A.A. tradition, taking care that it never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds and reserve be its prudent financial principle; that it place none of its members in a position of unqualified authority over others; that it reach all important decisions by discussion, vote, and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; that its actions never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy; that it never perform acts of government, and that, like the Society it serves, it will always remain democratic in thought and action.
Fill in the blanks:
"The first ________gets you _________. "
drink & drunk."