Action is the magic word. We have found the following actions essential to our recovery.
Abstinence
We practice abstinence by not incurring unsecured debt one day at a time. Unsecured debt is any debt that is not backed up by some form of collateral, such as a car, house, etc.
Meetings
We attend meetings at which we can share our experience, strength and hope with one another. Unless we give to newcomers what we have received from D.A. we cannot keep it ourselves.
Record Maintenance
We maintain records of our daily income and expenses and of the retirement of any portions of our outstanding debts.
Anonymity
We practice anonymity, which allows us freedom of expression by assuring us that what we say at meetings or to other D.A. members at any time will not be repeated.
The Telephone
We maintain constant contact with other D.A. members by exchanging telephone numbers. We make a point of talking to other D.A. members before and after taking difficult steps in our recovery.
Pressure Relief Groups and Pressure Relief Meetings
After we have gained some familiarity with the D.A. program, we organize Pressure Relief Groups consisting of ourselves and two other persons from the group who have been abstinent for three (3) months, and who usually have more experience in the program. The group meets in a series of Pressure Relief Meetings to review our financial situation.
Spending Plans
The Pressure Relief Meeting usually results in the formulation of a spending plan, which puts our needs first, and an action plan, for resolving our debts and taking the first steps toward solvency.
Sponsor
Many of us find it extremely helpful to select a sponsor. A sponsor is an abstinent member of D.A. who is usually more experienced in working the Twelve Steps. The sponsor aids us in implementing our action plan and in working the Steps.
Business Meetings
We attend business meetings that are held monthly. Many of us have long harbored feelings that "business" was not a part of our lives, but for "others" more qualified. Yet participation in running our own program teaches us how our organization operates, and also helps us to become responsible for our own recovery.
A.A. Literature
We study the literature of Alcoholics Anonymous to strengthen our understanding of compulsive disease. We can identify with many of the situations described therein by substituting the words "compulsive debt" for "alcohol."
Awareness
We maintain awareness of the danger of compulsive debt by taking note of bank, loan company and credit card advertising and by reading news accounts of its effects.
Service
We perform service at every level: personal, meeting, Intergroup and World Service. Service is vital to our recovery. Only through service can we give to others what has been so generously given to us.
© 2002 Debtors Anonymous
