The main purpose and mission of Alcoholics Anonymous members is to stay sober and help others achieve sobriety. So that even when someone has overcome their addiction, they stay within the fellowship and help others overcome their addiction, and this also keeps them from relapsing.

“Suggested” Steps

Our Twelfth Step also says that as a result of practicing all the Steps, we have each found something called a spiritual awakening… A.A.'s manner of making ready to receive this gift lies in the practice of the Twelve Steps in our program."

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 5

I remember my sponsor's answer when I told him that the Steps were "suggested". He replied that they are "suggested" in the same way that, if you were to jump out of an airplane with a parachute, it is "suggested" that you pull the ripcord to save your life. He pointed out that it was "suggested" I practice the Twelve steps, if I wanted to save my life. So I try to remember daily that I have a whole program of recovery based on all Twelve of the "suggested" Steps.

From the book Daily Reflections
© Copyright 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Serenity

Protection for All