Each Fellowship offers its own unique promises. One thing that they all have in common is that they all offer HOPE for a better day!
The Promises of Alcoholics Anonymous
(Reprinted with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.)
If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us – Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.
This excerpt from the book Alcoholics Anonymous, pages 83-84, is reprinted with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (“A.A.W.S.”) Permission to use this excerpt does not mean that A.A.W.S. is in any way affiliated with this program. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism only – use of this material in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after A.A., but which address other problems or concerns, or in any other non-A.A. context, does not imply otherwise.
The Promises of SLAA
(drafted by the Daytona, Florida, SLAA Group)
If you have decided to follow the suggestions in this program, a new life will begin to unfold within you. Along with this new life are promises that will guide and sustain you. They are manifested among us in sobriety, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. These are the promises we in SLAA have found:
- We will regain control of our lives.
- We will begin to feel dignity and respect for ourselves.
- The loneliness will subside and we will begin to enjoy being alone.
- We will no longer be plagued by an unceasing sense of longing.
- In the company of family and friends, we will be with them in body and mind.
- We will pursue interests and activities that we desire for ourselves.
- Love will be a committed, thoughtful decision rather than a feeling by which we are overwhelmed.
- We will love and accept ourselves.
- We will relate to others from a state of wholeness.
- We will extend ourselves for the purpose of nurturing our own or another’s spiritual growth.
- We will make peace with our past and make amends to those we have hurt.
- We will be thankful for what has been given us, what has been taken away, and what has been left behind.
The Twelve Promises of Co-Dependents Anonymous© (Reprinted with permission of the Co-Dependents Anonymous Fellowship)
I can expect a miraculous change in my life by working the program of Co-Dependents Anonymous. As I make an honest effort to work the Twelve Steps and follow the Twelve Traditions.
- I know a new sense of belonging. The feeling of emptiness and loneliness will disappear.
- I am no longer controlled by my fears. I overcome my fears and act with courage, integrity and dignity.
- I know a new freedom.
- I release myself from worry, guilt, and regret about my past and present. I am aware enough not to repeat it.
- I know a new love and acceptance of myself and others. I feel genuinely lovable, loving and loved.
- I learn to see myself as equal to others. My new and renewed relationships are all with equal partners.
- I am capable of developing and maintaining healthy and loving relationships. The need to control and manipulate others will disappear as I learn to trust those who are trustworthy.
- I learn that it is possible to mend – to become more loving, intimate and supportive. I have the choice of communicating with my family in a way which is safe for me and respectful of them.
- I acknowledge that I am a unique and precious creation.
- I no longer need to rely solely on others to provide my sense of worth.
- I trust a guidance I receive from my higher power and come to believe in my own capabilities.
- I gradually experience serenity, strength, and spiritual growth in my daily life
Copyright © 1998 Co-Dependents Anonymous, Incorporated – All Rights Reserved.
The Promises of Recovering Couples Anonymous
(Reprinted with permission of the Recovering Couples Anonymous Fellowship)
If we are honest about our commitment and painstaking about working the steps together, we will see these promises come true in our lives:
Our love will flourish as we experience mutual forgiveness. Trust in each other will return. We will learn how to play and have fun together. No matter how close to brokenness we have come, we will be able to help others by sharing our hope, strength and experience. We will be better parents, workers, helpers, and friends.
For those of you who are new to our fellowship, there are no problems that you have experienced that are not common to many of us.
Just as our love for our partners has been imperfect, we may not always be adequately able to express to you the deep love and acceptance we feel for you. Keep coming back, the process of loving and communication grows in us and with each other one day at a time.
Copyright © 2003 Recovering Couples Anonymous
The Promises of Adult Children of Alcoholics
(Reprinted with permission of the Adult Children of Alcoholics Fellowship)
- We will discover our real identities by loving and accepting ourselves.
- Our self-esteem will increase as we give ourselves approval on a daily basis.
- Fear of authority figures and the need to “people-please” will leave us.
- Our ability to share intimacy will grow inside us.
- As we face our abandonment issues, we will be attracted by strengths and become more tolerant of weaknesses.
- We will enjoy feeling stable, peaceful, and financially secure.
- We will learn how to play and have fun in our lives.
- We will chose to love people who can love and be responsible for themselves.
- Healthy boundaries and limits will become easier for us to set.
- Fears of failures and success will leave us, as we intuitively make healthier choices.
- With help from our ACA support group, we will slowly release our dysfunctional behaviors.
- Gradually, with our Higher Power’s help, we learn to expect the best and get it.
Reprinted with permission of the Adult Children of Alcoholics Fellowship
The Promises of Debtors Anonymous
(Reprinted with permission of the Debtors Anonymous Fellowship)
In the program of Debtors Anonymous, we come together to share our experience, strength and hope so that we may recover from the disease of compulsive debting. When we work D.A.’s Twelve Steps and use the D.A. Tools, we begin to receive these gifts of the program:
- Where once we felt despair, we will experience a new found hope.
- Clarity will replace vagueness; we will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
- We will live within our means, yet our means will not define us.
- We will begin to live a prosperous life, unencumbered by fear, worry, resentment, or debt.
- We will realize that we are enough; we will value ourselves and our contributions.
- Isolation will give away to fellowship; faith will displace fear.
- We will recognize that there is enough; our resources will be generous and we will share them with others and with D.A.
- We will cease to compare ourselves to others; jealousy and envy will fade.
- Acceptance and gratitude will replace regret, self-pity and longing.
- We will no longer fear the truth; we will move from hiding in denial to living in reality.
- Honesty will guild our actions toward a rich life filled with meaning and purpose.
- We will recognize a Power Greater than ourselves as the source of our abundance; we realize God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not, they are well within our means. When we work this program with integrity and to the best of our ability, one day at a time, a life of prosperity and serenity will be ours.
© 2002 Debtors Anonymous