AA Promises: What They Are And What They Mean

Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, has millions of members and is one of the most effective ways to get and stay sober.[1] The promises you make in Alcoholics Anonymous serve as a beacon of hope and transformation. These commitments, often shared in the context of the Twelve Steps, outline the changes that can occur when you embrace sobriety. Let’s explore the significance of these promises, the growth they inspire, and how they can guide you toward a more fulfilling life.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, is a collection of people who share their experiences, strength, and hope with one another to help overcome alcohol addiction.[2] Founded in 1935, AA operates on the principle that individuals can support each other in achieving and maintaining sobriety through mutual aid and understanding. These are the most important components of AA:

• Twelve Steps: AA’s program is based on the Twelve Steps, a set of guiding principles that encourage personal responsibility and spiritual growth.
• Meetings: Members regularly attend meetings where they can share their experiences, listen to others, and find community.
• Anonymity: AA emphasizes confidentiality, allowing members to share openly without fear of judgment or exposure.
• Sponsorship: New members often find sponsors. Sponsors are more experienced members who provide guidance and support throughout the recovery process.
• Literature: AA has published various materials, including the “Big Book,” which outlines the program’s philosophy, personal stories, and the Twelve Steps.

The Big Book

The “Big Book,” which is titled Alcoholics Anonymous, is the foundational text of Alcoholics Anonymous.[3] It outlines the principles of AA and serves as a guide for seeking recovery from alcohol addiction. The Big Book includes:

1. Twelve steps and Twelve Traditions: The text explains the Twelve Steps, which serve as a framework for recovery, and the Twelve Traditions, which guide the organization’s operations and unity.
2. Personal stories: The Big Book includes a collection of personal narratives from those who have struggled with alcoholism.
3. Spiritual guidance: It emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth and finding a higher power as part of the recovery process.
4. Practical advice: The book offers practical suggestions for overcoming addiction, maintaining sobriety, and dealing with common challenges faced by those in recovery.
5. The promises: The promises are a set of hopeful statements found in the Big Book, specifically in the section titled “The Promises.” They describe the positive changes and benefits that can occur as individuals engage in the Twelve Steps.

The 12 Steps

The Twelve Steps of AA are designed to help you achieve and maintain sobriety. The following steps are intended to be worked through in order:[4]

• We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable: In this step, you recognize you can’t control your drinking and that your life has spiraled out of control as a result.
• Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity: This step involves acknowledging the possibility of a higher power or supportive community that can help restore clarity to your life.
• Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him: Here, you commit to seeking guidance from a higher power.
• Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves: In this step, you engage in self-reflection to identify the flaws and behaviors that contributed to your addiction.
• Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs: This step involves confessing past mistakes and acknowledging your own shortcomings to yourself, a higher power, and another person.
• We’re entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character: At this point, you prepare yourself to express a willingness to change.
• Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings: In this step, you seek help from a higher power to overcome your flaws and make positive changes in your life..
• Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all: This step involves recognizing the impact of your actions on others and preparing to repair those relationships.
• Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others: Now you’ll actively seek to reconcile with those you may have harmed.
• Continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong, promptly admitted it: In this step, you commit to ongoing self-assessment and accountability.
• Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out: This step encourages the development of a spiritual practice aimed at deepening your connection to a higher power and seeking guidance.
• Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs: Lastly, you share your recovery experience with others and strive to incorporate the principles of the Twelve Steps into your everyday life.

Summary of the AA Promises

The mission of AA promises to outline the positive changes and experiences that you may anticipate as you work through the Twelve Steps. Here’s a summary of these promises:[5]

• You will be amazed before you are halfway through: As you begin your journey of recovery, you may find unexpected joy and relief early on.
• You are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness: You can experience a sense of liberation from the burdens of addiction and discover happiness.
• You will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. As you heal, you will learn to accept your past without letting regret hold you back.
• You will comprehend the word serenity and know peace: Many people in recovery find a profound sense of calm and peace in their lives.
• No matter how far down the scale you have gone, you will see how your experience can benefit others: You might realize that your struggles can serve as a source of hope and guidance for others facing the same challenges.
• That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear: You can expect fewer feelings of worthlessness and a newfound sense of purpose.
• You will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in your fellows: Recovery often fosters greater empathy and concern for others.
• Self-seeking will slip away: As you grow in your recovery, you may become less focused on your own desires and more on helping others.
• Your whole attitude and outlook upon life will change: You might experience a significant shift in perspective, leading to a more positive and hopeful outlook.
• Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave you: Many find that their fears diminish as they develop confidence in their recovery and support from others.
• You will intuitively know how to handle situations that used to baffle you: You may find that you can approach new challenges without reverting to old habits.
• You will suddenly realize that God is doing for you what you could not do for yourself: Many come to recognize the role of a higher power in their recovery journey.

Care You Can Count On

Recovery from substance abuse is often difficult to achieve alone. That’s where groups like AA come into play. But sometimes you need even more help. Addiction treatment centers can provide you with the support you need to free yourself from alcohol abuse and reclaim your life. Get the help and support you deserve.