Advice for Addicts: Developing Twelve Step Support

1. Find people with significant recovery to learn from. If you cannot find people and groups in your area, call national fellowship offices for long distance contacts. Also, each fellowship has national conferences every year at which you can meet people.

2. Remember that Twelve Step support is essential. Twelve Step support lays the foundation for the repair you need to sustain growth.

3. You must use the phone. Overcoming the fear of using the phone is critical if you are to stay in touch with group members and sponsors. It is ok to call as many times as you need–even many times in one day or one hour.

4. Be patient. Going through the stages takes time. There are no magic solutions–only time and constant use of the program principles.

5. Go to meetings consistently. Find groups that are right for you and make a commitment to them. Remember, you are building a support network for yourself.

6. Use your sponsor(s). A sponsor is someone who knows the details of what has happened to you and coaches you on using the program. You can ask for a temporary sponsor. You can have more than one sponsor.

7. Use program literature. Find program materials. Study them. Ask about whatever you don’t understand.

8. Maintain contact outside the meetings. Often more happens outside the meeting than in it. Groups often adjourn for coffee or supper. Some have standing breakfasts and lunches. Some offer retreats and open meetings. Participate in the life of the fellowship by going to these events.