The promises of aas big book hazelden betty ford foundation. Ninth step prayer higher power, i pray for the right attitude to make my amends. The 9th step promises are read out loud at the end of aa meetings, usually before the closing prayer. Breaking down step one of aa alcoholics anonymous jason.
There exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful. The tenth step of alcoholics anonymous is a natural progression from step 9, where you make amends. Its not about being sponsoredits about sponsoring others that is a predictor for recovery. When we sincerely took such a position,all sorts of remarkable things followed. The whole point of recovery, is to not only regain the self that was lost to addiction, but to redefine yourself and the kind of life you are leading. We go to meetings to learn about the steps, we find ourselves a.
The promises of recovery are found all through the big book. Or we may be tipped over in the other direction when, in rare cases, we get a cool and skeptical reception. Being all powerful, he provided what we needed, if we kept close to him and performed his work well. Step nine of aa alcoholics anonymous is the perfect time to let go of the horrible way we feel about our past and to radically repair relationships. Jun 20, 2019 step 9 is another one of the 12 steps, that initially appears most difficult, but the rewards of putting this principle into practice can be immense. The promises of recovery are not just those found after step 9. They appear in chapter 6 of alcoholics anonymous into action on pages 83 and 84. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
The 9th step promises women of grace, dignity, and sobriety. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol that our lives had become unmanageable. The nineth step promises big book alcoholics anonymous. Some of the promises are directly associated with completion of a step. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aas 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa. Much like the ninth step promises, the tenth step promises are a section of the big book where recovering alcoholics are promised peace and recovery from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. If making amends requires the person to report a past crime, he or she must be willing to go to jail to complete this step on the road to recovery.
Those of us belonging to a religious denomination which requires confession must, and of course, will want to go to the properly appointed au. Rightly and naturally, we think well before we choose the per son or persons with whom to take this intimate and con. Dec 04, 2010 watch step 1 of the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous. When you complete each of the 12 steps in the program of recovery, you will see these promises come true. The promises are from pages 8384 of the big book and cover the promises of what will happen when we diligently work the steps of the 12 step program. The big book, alcoholics anonymous, promises that if we make sincere amends for the harm we caused others, working the ninth step to the best of our ability. An overview of 9th step promises of aa the 9 th step promises are read at just about every single aa meeting. It would be easy to believe that those are the promises of the program. Eighth step prayer higher power, i ask your help in making my list of all those i have harmed. Due to the covid19 pandemic, the experience the big book meetings will be accessible online as zoom video conferences, starting sunday, march 22, 2020 at 6pm central time. I remember hearing them redundantly and feeling cheated.
Step 1 of the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous youtube. It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover as of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise. Its actually really exciting, because its the first day of a new life. We call these the ninth step promises, because theyre linked with the ninth step. You will learn the full meaning of love thy neighbor as thyself. If you are just coming into the twelve steps as you read this, remember that youre not ready to do step nine yet. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism generally known as the big book because of the thickness of the paper used in the first edition is a 1939 basic text, describing how to recover from alcoholism, primarily written by william g. Promises in every step allmost oneintwenty 02102009. Twelve step prayers alcoholics anonymous cleveland.
The first step of anything is a beginning, so the first step of the alcoholics anonymous 12 steps is the beginning of your recovery process. The big book of alcoholics anonymous includes 12 promises of sobriety that. Steps by the big book step 5 steps by the big book. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. The big book mentions that the 12 promises are being fulfilled among us sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. As related in the big book, this was aas first major test. Making amends in addiction recovery hazelden betty ford. For many people in recovery, step 11 presents a bit of a challenge.
We shall be with you in the fellowship of the spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the road of happy destiny. We do this by providing a safe, anonymous online meeting place where you. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. Remember though, these promises only apply to alcoholics working the steps. Dec 20, 2019 step 10 keeps your house clean and is not about being perfect. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of god as we understood him. A study of step 9 of the 12 step program verywell mind. Many of us have heard of the ninth step promises from page 8384 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Gods promises are all on condition of humble obedience. At some point in our sobriety, we begin to believe in the promises of sobriety laid out in the big book of alcoholics anonymous. There are, however, additional promises in the big book. A person facing this step may not understand what it means, how to apply it in his or her life, or may have shunned religion and. In their minds, when reading these promises, many oa members substitute the words alcohol liquor and alcoholic with the words food and compulsive eater, but in respect for the wishes of alcoholics anonymous, we repost these words verbatim from the big book.
The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and woman who have. Aa promises the aa big book 12step promises of recovery. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
Apr 18, 2017 alcoholics anonymous is a 12step program that, if worked thoroughly and honestly, will be a significant asset toward your recovery. The alcoholics anonymous twelve steps and twelve traditions book states. Many of us have heard of the ninth step promises from page 8384 of the big book of. The 9th step promises aa greeting card features butterflies on the front of the card with the 9th step promises from pgs. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aa s 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. Step 1 is, we admitted we were powerless over our addiction that our lives had become unmanageable. Our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book. When we do this this we gain a new perspective and the promises of the ninth step come true in our lives. The text of this document, original manuscript, was left just as it. So heres the thing, quitting alcohol and drugs is a big change. The individual must be willing to take this step no matter how severe the personal consequences. The spiritual principle involved is that of forgiveness, not only from others but forgiveness of self, which can bring healing to both parties.
No conscious contact, no world of the spirit, no promises. When a person begins their 12 step journey in alcoholics anonymous, it is with the hope that their life will change for the better as a direct result. Reprinted from the big book of alcoholics anonymous with permission of a. Step nine of aa alcoholics anonymous is the perfect time to let go of the horrible way we feel. For example, there may be a situation where the person or people weve harmed are not. Many in recovery regard the 6th and 7th steps as evidence of the programs divine inspiration, for when the book alcoholics anonymous was written only two short paragraphs were devoted to these steps.
Twelve step prayers spiritual alcoholics anonymous. As the nations leading nonprofit provider of comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment for adults and youth, the foundation has 17 locations nationwide and collaborates with an expansive network throughout health care. The big book promises all of them, so far friends of bill w. How it works 12 step online online aa meetings and 12. We react sanely and normally, and we will find that this has happened automatically. To many people, they represent the promises of aa, and so many would be surprised to know that each of the 12 steps has a promise associated with them. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Doing step nine correctly also takes courage, prudence, good judgment, and a careful sense of timing. It originated the twelve step program now used widely among addictions outside alcohol. By the time you get to this point you may be amazed at the way you have become. Nov 18, 2008 for those newcomers that are a little nervous to do a 5th step, here is some hope for you and these promises come waaaay before the promises that are often read in many meetings or as the big book says. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. The big book is one of the bestselling books of all times 30 million copies sold. Experience the big book aa meetings available online. How it works 12 step online is an online meeting place where people can work the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous as outlined in the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Everyone makes mistakes, but owning up to them settles conflict before it can fester and become blown out of proportion. This step will provide you with peace of mind, relief and liberation from the chains of regret. Some aa groups take inventory by examining the twelve traditions, one at a time, to determine how well they are living up to these principles.
The readiness to take the full consequences of our past acts, and to take responsibility for the wellbeing of others at the same time, is the very spirit of step nine. This will tempt us to argue, or to press our point insistently. Chapter 7 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, 2nd edition. The 12 promises of aa are presented as part of working step 9, which involves making amends. Breaking down step nine of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to have. Dec 07, 2018 the purpose of step 9 of alcoholics anonymous is to take action and apologize to those you have harmed with your drinking. The following is a list ofapproximately 150 promises that i compiled from the first edition of the big book. Alcoholics anonymous is a 12 step program that, if worked thoroughly and honestly, will be a significant asset toward your recovery. Step 5 5th step promises once we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are delighted. Some of the promises are inferred from the experiences of the first 100 men and women who recovered from alcoholism. Step 9 requires the recovering alcoholic to be willing to go to any lengths to make amends.
Jan 06, 2020 breaking down step seven of aa alcoholics anonymous. If we are painstaking about this phase of our development we will be amazed before we are halfway through. The promises from pages 8384 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous if we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through. These promises are only a few that appear in the big book of alcoholics anonymous.
So i see the 9th step promises as really the promises that i receive from god when i have conscious contact with him. The 9 th step promises are read at just about every single aa meeting. Almost always we want to go further and admit other defects that have made us hard to live with. Man there is hundreds more maybe we can keep a promise post running on this thread. Breaking down step seven of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. The tenth step promises are available for everyone who works for them.
While not formally called the promises, each step offers its own promise as to what the individual working it can receive. Steps by the big book step 9 steps by the big book. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. Alcoholics anonymous is well known for their 12 step program that focuses on helping people achieve sobriety, make amends, and improve the quality of their life. Dec 27, 2019 alcoholics anonymous aa is a group therapy program for people suffering from alcoholism. Also see, the original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous this is a reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. Take all 12 steps in just 4 hours download this aa big book step guide and work book. The text of this document, original manuscript, was left just as it originally appeared in 1938. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Doing the 12 steps is also referred to as working the steps, because it requires. The 10th step promises recovery from a hopeless state. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed.
We go to meetings to learn about the steps, we find ourselves a sponsor who. Alcoholics anonymous aa is a group therapy program for people suffering from alcoholism. Moving into step seven actually involves us in the personal change of actively letting go of our shortcomings, actions and feelings that are liabilities. It is our hope that this discussion will give new meaning to your sobriety. The hazelden betty ford foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Specifically, they only apply to those whove reached the ninth step. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in.
While the big book associates the 12 promises with step nine, many of us. Recoveryshop the onestop shop for meeting materials, recovery items, and 12 step gifts. The arch i build must be the result of following the specific directions in the big book. The 9th step promises of alcoholics anonymous wayside house. Chapter 6 into action of the big book contains the 9th step promises which describes the 12 step program of alcoholics anonymous. In my experience, walking around with the weight of amends that need to be taken care of really sucks. If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way. The ninth step promises are a section of the big book where recovering alcoholics are promised certain things. Step nine 85 this atmosphere of approval and praise is apt to be so exhilarating as to put us off balance by creating an insatiable appetite for more of the same. Aa promises alcoholics anonymous lionrock recovery. These meetings can be accessed go to thought and click on read more for how to accessfor free via computer, tablets and mobile devices, and also by telephone by calling the. Download pamphlets and handouts to use in big book group sessions our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book. We will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person when we see.
Step eight and step nine of aa alcoholics anonymous call this approach making amends. However, each step has promises associated with it. The 147 promises of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Recovery greeting card 9th step promises recoveryshop. If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. The ninth step promises can be found through pages 8384 in the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Aa step 9 of the 12 steps is a call for recovering alcoholics to make amends. The big book is alcoholics anonymouss primary text. But want to share the promises as they relate to the 3rd step. I explained what i thought i owed, apologized for my dishonesty, and asked how i. Breaking down step nine of aa alcoholics anonymous made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Its core treatment philosophy is based on a personal improvement plan that is outlined in 12 specific action steps. Because everyones experience is unique, the 9th step promises can occur in different ways and at different times.