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Chapter 6 of Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism, more commonly referred to as Alcoholics Anonymous’ Big Book, outlines the 12 Promises of AA. These 12 positive life changes can be counted on to unfold over time for anyone who consistently follows AA’s 12 Steps.
The 12 Promises of Alcoholics Anonymous
The Promises offer hope from shame and regret that often accompany addiction. These negatives are replaced by peace, serenity, happiness, and a desire to be helpful to others.
AA Promises are intended to be used as supplements to the 12 Steps. They offer AA members insight into their own mental and emotional development as they progress toward sobriety and freedom.
What Are the 12 Promises in AA?
The 12 Promises are as follows:
- Promise 1: We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness
- Feel liberation and joy as you begin a journey to sobriety.
- Promise 2: We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it
- Don’t dwell on the past. Instead, embrace the possibilities of growth and personal transformation.
- Promise 3: We will comprehend the word serenity
- Embrace the idea of choosing serenity regardless of circumstances.
- Promise 4: We will know peace
- Feelings of inner calmness and tranquility begin emerging.
- Promise 5: No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others
- Your experiences can be a source of inspiration and hope to others even during hard times.
- Promise 6: The feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear
- Release self pity and allow self compassion to give rise to empowerment.
- Promise 7: We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows
- Shifting your focus from yourself to others will create empathy and connection to your AA peers.
- Promise 8: Self-seeking will slip away
- Selfish desires and motivations will disappear as the principles of AA encourage altruism in their place.
- Promise 9: Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change
- A shift of attitude will occur as optimism prevails.
- Promise 10: Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us
- Newly gained confidence brings stability to your interactions and your finances.
- Promise 11: We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us
- Increases in intuition and resilience allow you to meet challenges with confidence.
- Promise 12: We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves
- Divine intervention becomes the norm as you follow the guidance from your higher power.
What is the Origin of the AA Promises?
The Promises of AA initially started out as 9 Promises in the first Big Book, and were related to AA’s 9th step to make amends. They were expanded and published as 12 Promises in the second edition of the Big Book in 1955.
How to Apply the AA Promises
The 12 promises of AA can be applied to members’ lives directly. Here are some guidelines:
- Believe in the power of the promises and believe that they can work for you as they do for others.
- Consider how each promise relates to your life and goals.
- Commit to act on promises and be accountable for the actions you take.
- Be patient and realize that some promises take more time, and don’t get discouraged by this.
- Find support and connect with and gain support from other AA members and sober friends.
- Attend meetings regularly, acquire a sponsor, and be responsive to your sponsor’s guidance.
Why Are the Promises of AA Important?
A 2013 National Institutes of Health study found that embracing the 12 Promises of AA’s Big Book could encourage a mental and emotional “awakening.” You may find a change in perspective that adds to your quality of life beyond the effects of abstinence alone.
Where Can I Find Information About Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 Promises?
Information about Alcoholics Anonymous can be found on their official website, www.aa.org. A list of AA meetings near you can be found on the website as well. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, offers free assistance in locating addiction treatment and support services.
Find help online or by phone through SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1.800.662.HELP. The free phone Helpline is confidential and available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
Additional options for referral assistance include your doctor or mental health therapist, or addiction recovery directory websites such as Rehab.com.
What are the Treatment Options for Alcohol Addiction?
Options for treatment of alcohol addiction include detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and aftercare.
Detox treatment helps to manage withdrawal symptoms and safely eliminate alcohol from the body. It can be provided through inpatient care or outpatient care, depending on the individual’s needs.
Sometimes FDA approved medications are provided to ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risks of potentially serious complications. Medical detox includes round the clock inpatient care with supervision by a doctor, nurses, and therapists.
Outpatient detox does not involve 24 hour supervision. Instead, a client attends regularly scheduled meetings at a detox center or doctor’s office to receive medication and monitoring.
Inpatient treatment is an intensive care that requires overnight stays in a hospital, clinic, or freestanding drug rehab center where round the clock supervision and medical care are available. In addition to possible detox services, inpatient treatment provides a regular schedule of counseling sessions and addiction and relapse prevention education.
Many rehabs offer onsite 12 Step meetings. Some facilities offer additional options such as experiential therapies, holistic treatments, and recreational activities.
Outpatient treatment can be accessed through a standard outpatient treatment program that involves meetings at a rehab facility that take place approximately 3 to 4 hours per day for up to four days per week, for an average of ten weeks. Treatments typically involve counseling and addiction and relapse prevention education, often with 12 Step meetings.
Intensive outpatient programs provide more intensive treatment and offer 9 to 30 hours of treatment over 3 to 5 days a week for several months to a year.
Partial hospitalization programs offer the most intensive outpatient treatment available. PHP programs involve all day sessions that typically take place over 4 to 5 days a week and last about 8 to 12 weeks.
Medication assisted treatment (MAT) may also be prescribed in conjunction with counseling and other psychosocial therapies. These medications can help those in alcohol or opioid recovery manage their cravings, ease physical symptoms, and reduce relapse risk.
Aftercare involves continuing care that begins after a rehab program has ended. It provides support and resources to help clients avoid relapse.
Aftercare usually involves 12 Step meetings and alumni social events. It may include additional scheduled counseling sessions and often lasts about a year after treatment.
