Oh Tanya, I got that checklist I was talking about. We use it as a guide for the newcomers at the beginners Checklist Meeting on Friday nights. Here goes it, very long.
1. FIRST DRINK GETS YOU DRUNK
I always thought it was the (8th or 9th etc) drink that got me drunk
It's the 1st Drink
If I do not pick up the first drink...its IMPOSSIBLE for me to get drunk.
2. DON'T DRINK AND GO TO A MEETING
(Do I understand what this means?) This is a short way AA's say
"This is the first commitment we make in A.A.
DON'T DRINK AND GO TO MEETINGS IS NOT ENOUGH TO HAVE
CONTINUOUS SOBRIETY.
3. LETS TALK ABOUT MEETINGS
(WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEETINGS)
There are several basic types of meetings:
BIG BOOK - Learn the AA Program & How it Works.
TRADITION - Learn how the AA Fellowship is run.
STEP - Help with the 12 Steps of Recovery.
SPEAKER - Learn to listen & identify the problem.
DISCUSSION - Learn HOW to share your Experience, Strength & Hope.
STUDY - Education of the information found in AA literature.
4. WHY...90 MEETINGS IN 90 DAYS
Questions that you will be able to answer at the end of the period:
Am I an Alcoholic? Do I understand my Disease? Do I have a desire to stop drinking?
Do I want to join the Fellowship? Am I willing to work the AA Program the AA way?
5. WHY...FIND A HOME GROUP
Criteria for a good Home Group:
You feel welcome & part of the group.
The Group provides several different types of meetings.
You have a place to learn & follow the Program.
You have an over all feeling that the Group is run the AA way.
The Group has a willingness to carry the message.
You have a place where you will be able to give service.
You have a place where you can receive STABILITY, FELLOWSHIP & COMMITMENT
You have a place to celebrate your sobriety.
6. WHY...GET A SPONSOR
Good requirements for a sponsor:
Have a minimum of 1 Year continuous sobriety.
Have completed their Steps.
The same sex
Someone you feel is worthy of your trust.
Someone with whom you may share confidential information.
Someone who IS working the 12 Steps in their life.
Someone who is willing to help you work and understand the 12 Steps.
Someone who will help you develop the structure in YOUR program.
Someone from whom YOU WILL be willing to take suggestions.
Someone you can go to a meeting with at least once a week.
7. H.A.L.T. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely & Tired
WHY IS HALT IMPORTANT?
8. GET ACTIVE...WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
Arrive at meetings early & stay after in order to develop a feeling of belonging..
Work on becoming part of the Fellowship
Join a Home Group. Learn how AA works
Attend Business Meetings
Pick up chairs, tables, cups, books, etc.
Volunteer for set-up before the meeting; clean up after the meeting.
Talk with your fellow AA members
Clean up the smoking area. Do what is needed.
Support to the Groups activities
GO ON speaking commitments with your Group.
Share your experience at a meeting.
9. BE WILLING TO TAKE DIRECTION
Remain Teachable...Willingness is the key.
Pride and Ego will get you drunk every time.
Remember we need to learn new ways to:
"Deal with Life on Life's Terms."
10.DO I UNDERSTAND?
"This is a Spiritual Progam - NOT a Religious Program"
If you are having trouble with the concept of a
"Higher Power" or "The God of your understanding"
One thing that may help you is to recognize YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN "HIGHER POWER"
11.WHAT IS THE PREAMBLE? Where is it found?
WHAT ARE THE 12 STEPS? Why are the Steps important?
WHY HAVE THE TRADITIONS? Why study them?
HOW DOES IT WORK? Where is it found?
12. HOW DOES ONE DAY AT A TIME HELP ME?
The secret to sobriety is that we learn to stay sober
"24 Hours at a Time."
Sometimes we may have to break up our day into shorter periods of time. The key is that we make a commitment to our sobriety for 24 hours..
Not the rest of our lives. We can start, or re-start our "24" hours at anytime during the day. Our "24" hours do not run from midnight to midnight.
13.AM I TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY DISEASE?
WE MUST ACCEPT the responsibility for our disease.
I do not get sober and stay sober alone. It is a WE program. We stay sober with the help of our Higher Power, the Program and the Fellowship.
I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY SOBRIETY. No one can make me pick up a drink. In order to stay sober, I must get honest with myself.
If I am getting sober for other people, places or things, at some point THEY are going to disappoint me and create resentments. This will lead me back to the bottle.
What am I doing to stay sober?
14.EVERYONE IN THE ROOM SHOULD HAVE:
A plan for the next meeting they will attend.
A Big Book....A Step Book...A Sponsor & A Higher Power
Actually... This is NOT good enough.
You SHOULD BE reading the Big Book & the Step Book
Listening and Doing what your Sponsor suggests and
Talking to your Higher Power
What everyone in this room needs each day to work on their recovery is:
H.O.W. = Personal Honesty...Openness...Willingness
Remember there are no Stupid Questions in AA