The 12th Step of Alcoholics Anonymous states: “Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs”. We are encouraged to carry these spiritual principles with us through our daily lives. The core principles of the program include, but are not limited to, willingness, open-mindedness, honesty, and maintaining a code of love and tolerance of others. Alcoholics Anonymous tells us that the joy of living is the theme of the 12th Step. This is the point in our program of recovery when “we turn outward toward our fellow alcoholics who are still in distress. Here we experience the kind of giving that asks no rewards. Here we begin to practice all Twelve Steps of the program in our daily lives so that we and those about us may find emotional sobriety.” As we go about our day, we may find opportunities to carry the message of sobriety to those still suffering from the disease of alcoholism. We maintain an awareness of our fellows and their suffering. When someone comes into our path who can benefit from the message of sobriety, we make ourselves open and available to help. We can offer to take them to meetings, give them phone numbers of local 12-Step fellowship branches, or simply listen. As men and women recovering from our own addictions, we are in a position to help when no one else can because we have experienced the same suffering in our addiction and alcoholism. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous tells us that, when we begin intensively working with others suffering from the disease of alcoholism “life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends—this is an experience you must not miss.” When we engage in the 12th Step, we find that it strengthens our own recovery. We give back to the program that has helped us achieve sobriety by carrying its message to men and women still suffering. There is an anonymously written poem published by Alcoholics Anonymous that tells us that we have been given the power of helping others suffering from the disease of alcoholism or addiction, and that this power “must be used unselfishly; it carries with it grave responsibility. No day can be too long; no demands upon your time can be too urgent; no case can be too pitiful; no task too hard; no effort too great. It must be used with tolerance for I have restricted its application to no race, no creed, and no denomination. Personal criticism you must expect; lack of appreciation will be common; ridicule will be your lot; your motives will be misjudged. You must be prepared for adversity, for what men call adversity is the ladder you must use to ascend the rungs toward spiritual perfection, and remember, in the exercise of this power I shall not exact from you beyond your capabilities.”
You can make the choice to change the story of your life. Oceanfront Recovery is a treatment center with a professional and compassionate staff of detoxification specialists dedicated to making the process as comfortable as possible. For more information about Drug and Alcohol Detox Programs or other treatment options, please call: (877) 279-1777
