12 Step Slogan Assortment

SloganZ - Recovery Slogans Slogans are wisdom written in shorthand!

Recovery Slogans Alcoholics Anonymous Slogans AA formally uses these Simple Slogans to assist members to recover during difficult periods. Easy Does It First Things First Live and let Live Think......Think.......Think One Day At a Time But for the Grace of God Principles before Personalities

Al-Anon Family Groups Slogans Al-Anon formally uses the above AA Slogans as well as these slogans to assist members to recover during difficult periods. Let go and let God This too shall pass Let it begin with me Just for today Courage to change

Overeaters Anonymous Slogans Put down the fork Nothing tastes as good as abstinence Abstinence is the most important thing in my life

Gamblers Anonymous Slogans Stay away from the first bet One day at a Time Don't gamble for Today Get to Meetings Turn it Over

Other Helpful Saying's heard around AA and other 12 Step Rooms

Reality Checks 1.

Where ever you go .......there you are

2.

You are not alone

3.

Stay sober for yourself

4.

Look for similarities rather than differences

5.

Remember your last drunk, use, bet etc

6.

Remember that addiction is incurable, progressive, and fatal

7.

It takes time to get better

8.

Depression is anger toward inward

9. The lesson I must learn is simply that my control is limited to my own behavior, my own attitudes 10.

The flip side to forgiveness is resentments

11.

The elevator is broken-------use the 'steps'

12.

It isn't the load that weighs us down------it's the way we carry it

13.

If I think, I won't drink. If I drink, I can't think

14.

Sick and tired of being sick and tired

15.

This is a selfish program

16.

I drank, ate, gambled, etc: too much---too often---too long

17.

Minds are like parachutes----they won't work unless they're open

18.

When your head begins to swell your mind stops growing

19.

A journey of a 1,000 miles begins with the first step

20.

When a person tries to control their addiction they have already lost control

Staying Abstinent 1.

Poor me.....Poor me...... Pour me a drink!

2.

It's the "first" drink that gets you drunk

3.

One alcoholic talking to another........

4.

Do it sober

5.

Every recovery from addiction began with one sober Minute

6.

The first step is the only step a person can work perfectly

7.

you are not required to like it, you're only required to DO IT

8.

Your 12 step program will work if you want it to work

9.

Keep coming back

If you want to drink-----that is your business, if you want to quit-------that is our business 11. Don't compare---identify, don't intellectualize----utilize 12. Stay away from the First Drink, Drug, Bet (apply your specific addiction here)

10.

13.

Nothing is so bad, using won't make it worse

14.

Most folks commit suicide with a knife and fork (Eating disorders)

15.

First we stayed sober because we have to... then we stay sober because we are willing to.... finally we stay sober because we want to... 16.

One drink is too many and thousand not enough

17. 18. 19. us 20.

Try not place conditions on your sobriety Bring the body and the mind will follow We all have another drunk left in us but we don't know if we have another recovery in Be as enthusiastic about recovery as you were about your addiction

Daily Living 1.

Be part of the solution, not part of the problem

2.

Use the 24-hour plan

3.

Live in the NOW

4.

Take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth

5.

To keep it (recovery), you have to give it away

6.

What goes around, comes around

7.

Keep an open mind

8.

If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere

9.

To thine own self be true

10.

There are two days in every week which we have no control over----yesterday and tomorrow. today is the only day we can change.

11.

When wallowing in your self-pity ...... get off the cross! We need the wood

12.

Learn a new dance - the old "Cross - Pot Shuffle" is out of vogue

13.

Act as if.........

14.

It is not the experience of today that drives people mad----it is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring. 15.

Get it ---give it---grow in it

16.

Every day is a gift that is why we call it the 'present'

17.

Dry and tighten up (financially)

18.

Before engaging your mouth, put your mind in gear!

19.

Recovery is an education without a graduation

20.

Easy does it, but do it

21.

When all else fails, follow directions

22.

Addicts heal from the outside in.........but feel from the inside out

23.

Stick with the winners

24.

Look after the Little Things

25.

Keep coming back..........it works if you work it

26.

Sobriety is a journey ..........not a destination

27.

We are only as sick as our secrets

28.

Share your happiness

29.

Share your pain

30.

Count your blessings

31.

We're responsible for the effort - not the outcome!

32.

Sorrow is looking back, Worry is looking around

33.

Formula for failure: try to please everyone

34.

Humility is our acceptance of ourselves

Enjoy your Recovery 1.

Sober `n` crazy

2.

How does one become an "old-timer" ? Don't drink or use and don't die!

3.

We addict's are 'gifted' people

4.

We don't carry the alcoholic/ addict - we carry the message

5.

The 12 steps tell us how it works; the 12 traditions tell us why it works.........

6.

Your 12 step program won't ...........keep you from going to hell.............nor is it a ticket to heaven............but it will...........keep u sober long enough.........for you to make up your mind...............which way you want to go! 7. The person with the most sobriety at a meeting is the one who got up earliest that morning

8.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself; It is thinking of yourself less.

Denial 1.

What if.........

2.

Yeah but......

3.

If only .......

4.

Remember when............

5.

Around recovery or "in" recovery?

6.

In action we got sympathy-----as long as our money lasted.

7. Your 12 step program never opened the gates of heaven to let you in, It did open the gates of hell to let you out 8. Danger sign: when your eyes have wandered from the alcoholic who still suffers and needs help-----to the faults of those whom the program has already helped! 9.

There are none too dumb for the 12 step program - but many are too smart

10.

I want what I want, when I want it

11.

Alcoholism is the only disease that tells you you're all right

12.

The first step in overcoming mistakes is to admit them

13. Knowledge of "the answers" never made anyone slip---it was failing to practice "the answers" that were known.

Higher Power 1.

I can't .........He can..........I think I'll let him (steps 1,2,3)

2.

If it works.........Don't fix it

3.

Recovery is not something you join, it's a way of life

4.

Expect miracles!

5.

God is never late

6.

Courage is faith that has said its prayers

7.

There is a god and I am not it

8.

Faith is a lighted doorway, trust is a darkened hall

9.

We had to quit playing god

10.

There are no atheists in foxholes

11.

Possibilities and miracles are one in the same

12.

The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you

13.

When we surrender to our higher power, the journey begins

14.

I came -I came to - I came to believe

15.

Faith without works is dead

16.

Get out of the driver's seat.......let go and let god

17.

Fear is the absence of faith

18.

When man listens, God speaks; when man obeys, God works

19.

The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us

20.

If God seems far away, who moved ?

21.

If faith without works is dead; then .........willingness without action is fantasy

22.

Turn it over, the results are in god's hand

23.

Willpower = our will-ingness to use a higher power

24.

Remember nothing is going to happen today that you and God can't handle

25.

Man's extremity is god's opportunity

26.

AA = Altered Attitudes

27.

I can't handle it God; you take over

28.

God answers "knee mails"

29.

Backsliding begins when knee-bending ends

30.

Spirituality is the ability to get our minds off ourselves

31.

There is no chemical solution to a spiritual problem

32.

Faith is our greatest gift; sharing it with others our greatest responsibility

Serenity 1.

Respect the anonymity of others

2.

Try to replace guilt with gratitude

3.

Let go of old ideas

4.

Change is a process, not an event

5.

Take what you can use and leave the rest

6.

The price for serenity and sanity is self-sacrifice

7.

You can't give away what you don't have

8.

There are 12 steps in the ladder of complete sobriety

Sponsorship 1.

Sponsors: have one-----use one-----be one

2.

When you are a sponsor, you get out of yourself

3.

If I serve, I will be served

4.

Call your sponsor

5.

Make use of the telephone therapy

6.

Call your sponsor before, not after, you take the first drink

7.

Help is only a phone call away

8.

There are no coincidences in recovery

9.

It works -------it really does !

10.

Your Big Book is your sponsor too

11.

Willingness is the key

12.

More will be revealed

13.

Be nice to newcomers .........one day they may be your sponsor

14.

"You will intuitively know" AA Promises

15.

You will be amazed

16.

12 step programs are a school in which we are all learners and all teachers

17.

No pain.........no gain

18.

You either is-------or you ain't (clean)

19.

Some of us our sicker than others

20.

We're all here because we're not all there

21.

Alcoholism / addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer

click here to read the AA Promises in full

22. The road to sobriety is a simple journey for confused people with a complicated disease 23.

Pass it on

24.

You received without cost, now give without charge

25.

It's in the book

26.

Before you say: I can't ............say I'll try

27.

Don't quit 5 minutes before the miracle happens

28.

Practice an attitude of gratitude

29.

Another friend of Bill W's ( Bill Wilson is the co-founder of AA )

30.

God will never give you more than you can handle

31.

Have a good day unless of course you have made other plans

32.

Decisions aren't forever

33.

90 meetings in 90 days.........90/90

34.

Don't drink, don't think, read the Big Book, and go to meetings

Recovery Acronyms and Word Associations 1.

H.A.L.T. - hungry, angry, lonely, tired Stop everything and get back into recovery

2.

H.O.W - honesty, open-mindedness and willingness

3.

Kiss---keep it simple sweetie

4.

Anger is but one letter away from danger

5.

Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed

6.

FEAR (f--- everything and run)

7.

Faith is spelled ...............a-c-t-i-o-n

8.

We can be positive that our drinking was negative

9.

The 7t's ---take time to think the thing through

10.

EGO - Edge God Out

11.

The 3 T's of gratitude to repay for our sobriety: our time, our talent, our treasure

12.

Keep your sobriety first, to make it last

13.

Fear stands for Frustration

Carry the Message 1.

The only thing we take from this world when we leave is what we gave away

2.

We give it away to keep it

3.

Trust god.........clean house........help others

4.

There are members who MAKE things happen there are members who WATCH things happen there are members who DON'T KNOW anything happen WHICH ARE YOU ?

Relationships 1.

Active alcoholics don't have relationships; they take hostages

2.

There is a "slip" under every skirt - ( an oldie from the politically incorrect days of AA that still is important today) 3. The lesson I must learn is simply that my control is limited to my own behavior, my own attitudes

The Tools Of Recovery 1.

12 step Meetings - Attend at least one meeting a week

2.

Plan of Recovery - Draw up a schedule of daily recovery actions with your sponsors

help

3.

Telephone - Use the telephone with other 12 step members to avoid Isolation and keep clean

4.

Sponsor - Get a sponsor and Be a sponsor

5.

Writing - Put things down on paper instead of letting them roll around in your head

6.

Service - Ste up the meeting room, chair a meeting, clean up the room after the meeting, greet newcomers.

7.

Anonymity - Practice the non use of gossip to make yourself feel better

8.

Approved Literature - Read the approved 12 step literature

Spirituality 1.

Spirituality is the ability to get our minds off ourselves

2.

Bend your knees before you bend your elbow

3.

GOD = God Orderly Direction

4.

Accept your admission and Get a new attitude

5.

There is no magic in recovery only miracles

6.

The road to disappointment is paved with expectation

7.

A "coincidence" is a miracle in which god chooses to remain anonymous

8.

It's a pity we can't forget our troubles the same way we forget our blessings

9. We are not human beings having spiritual experiences; we are spiritual beings having human experiences 10.

If it isn't God's will ............I can't make it happen

11.

If it is meant to be...........I can't stop it

12.

Pain is the touchstone of spiritual growth

13. Religion is for those who fear god.........spirituality is for those who have been to hell and back 14.

You are exactly where God wants you to be

15.

To be forgiven - we must forgive

16.

Time wasted in getting even can never be used in getting ahead

17.

Be careful what you pray for; you're liable to get it

18.

If you turn it over and don't let go of it, you will be upside down.

19.

Serenity is not freedom from the storm but peace amid the storm

20.

Trying to pray is praying

21.

Sobriety delivers everything alcohol promised

22.

God taught us to laugh again but God please don't let us forget that we once cried

23.

Faith is not belief without proof but trust without reservation

Meetings 1.

A 12 step meeting is where losers get together to talk about their winnings

2.

What you hear and see here, stays here!

3.

AA is the highest priced club in the world.........if u have paid the dues, why not enjoy the benefits ? 4.

Chair a meeting

5.

Share your experience, strength and hope, not just your garbage

6.

Isolation is a killer, use your telephone list, come to an extra meeting, reach out and help the newcomer or struggling member. 7. Each and every alcoholic / addict ----sober or not----teaches us some valuable lessons about ourselves and recovery 8.

When you do all the talking you only learn what you already know

9.

Seven days without a meeting makes one WEAK

10.

AA has a wrench to fit every nut that walks through a meeting room door

11.

12 step programs may not solve all your problems but are willing to share them

12.

The time to attend a meeting is when you least feel like going

AA Saying's 1.

Don't watch the "slippers" but watch those who don't slip closely and watch them go through difficulties and pull through 2.

Work the program from the waist up

3. Some people are so successful in AA that they turn out to be almost as good as they used to think they were when they were drinking. 4.

AA spoils your drinking!

5.

In AA we get understanding------for nothing!

6.

Anonymity is so important it's half of our name

7.

Even my worst day in sobriety / clean is better than my best day drunk / using

8.

When all else fails.........the directions are in the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous)

9.

If we don't grow, we gotta go

10.

Read AA approved literature. Other books and materials, while they may be excellent, are usually only one individuals slant on a subject.

11.

All you need to start your own AA meeting is a resentment and a coffee pot!!

12.

Why recovery never ends: the disease is alcoholISm, not alcoholWASM!

13.

The AA way of life is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions

14.

The smartest thing an AA member can say is, " help me "

15. It takes the good and bad AA meeting----the good and bad AA talk -----to make the fellowship "work" 16. 3 A's in AA-----affection (thoughtfulness) -----attention (listening) -----appreciation (gratitude) 17.

Slippers in AA use the RDP---revolving door policy

18. AA works for people who believe in god AA works for people who don't believe in god AA NEVER works for people who believe they ARE god

The AA Promises THE PROMISES If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.

1.

We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. 2.

We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.

3. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. 4.

That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.

5.

We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.

6.

Self-seeking will slip away.

7.

Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

8.

Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.

9.

We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.

10.

We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us— sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. The will always materialize if we work for them. Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition p. 84

The Addicts Paradoxes: 1.

From weakness (adversity) comes strength

2.

We forgive to be forgiven

3.

We suffer to get well

4.

We surrender to win

5.

We die to live

6.

From darkness comes light

7.

From dependence we found independence

Wolf Parable An elder Apache was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them,"A fight is going on inside me; it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego. The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person too." They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old Grandpa simply replied, "The one you feed. Are you feeding your addiction or your recovery?

Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life problems at once. I can do something for 12 hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a LIFETIME. AlAnon

A Lot of the 12 Step Slogans we have learned • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Slogans Easy does it. First things first. Live and let live. But for the grace of God. Think think think. One day at time. Let go and let God. K.I.S.S.—Keep It Simple Stupid. Act as if. This, too, shall pass. Expect miracles. I can’t, He can, I think I’ll let Him (Steps 1,2,3). If it works, don’t fix it. Keep coming back, it works if you work it. Stick with the winners. Keep on trudgin.’ Sobriety is a journey, not a destination. Faith without works is dead. Poor me, poor me, pour me another drink. To thine own self be true. I came; I came to; I came to believe (Steps 1,2,3). Live in the NOW. If God seems far away, who moved? Turn it over. A.A. = Altered Attitudes Nothing is so bad, a drink won’t make it worse. We are only as sick as our secrets. There are no coincidences in A.A.. Be part of the solution, not the problem. Sponsors: have one, use one, be one. I can’t handle it God; you take over. Keep an open mind. It works it really does! (page 88 in the Big Book) Willingness is the key. More will be revealed. You will intuitively know. You will be amazed. No pain, no gain. Go for it. Keep the plug in the jug. Do it sober.

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•

Let it begin with me. Just for today. Sober ‘n‘ crazy. Pass it on. It’s in the book. You either are or you aren’t. Before you say I can’t, say I’ll try. Don’t quit before the miracle happens. Some of us are sicker than others. We’re all here because we’re not all there. Alcoholism is an equal opportunity destroyer. Practice an attitude of gratitude. The road to sobriety is a simple journey for confused people with a complicated disease. Another friend of Bill W.’s. God is never late….always right on time. Have a good day, unless of course you have made other plans. Decisions aren’t forever. It takes time. 90 meetings in 90 days. You are not alone. Where you go, there you are. Don’t drink, read the Big Book, and go to meetings. Use the 24-hour plan. Make use of the telephone therapy. Stay sober for yourself. Look for the similarities rather than differences. Remember your last drunk. Remember that alcoholism is incurable, progressive, and fatal. Try not to place conditions on your sobriety. When all else fails, follow directions. Count your blessings. Share your happiness. Respect the anonymity of others. Share your pain. Share your gratitude. Ÿ Practical experience shows that NOTHING will so much insure immunity fromdrinking as INTENSIVE work with other alcoholics. Big Book, p89 ŸOUR VERY LIVES, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our CONSTANT thoughtof others and how we may help meet their needs. Big Book, p20 ŸDO THE RIGHT THINGS AND THE RIGHT THINGS WILL HAPPEN ŸFor if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could NOT survive the CERTAIN trials and low spots ahead. Big Book, p14 ŸKeep on the firing line of life with these MOTIVES and God WILL, (not might) keepyou unharmed. Big Book, p102

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

ŸYour MOTIVE is your PROTECTION ŸYour job now is to be at the place where you may be of MAXIMUM helpfulness to others. Big Book, p102 The good is the enemy of the best. Tradition 2 ŸWhen ALL other measure failed, work with another alcoholic WOULD save us.Big Book, p15 ŸI would be AMAZINGLY lifted up and set on my feet. It is a design for living that works in rough going. Big Book, p15 Ÿ Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? Ÿ Surrender to Win Ÿ (On holding back) The more you put in, the more you get out Ÿ COMPLETELY give yourself to THIS simple programme Ÿ Reliance not defiance Ÿ I'm not getting into the lifeboat until I know WHY this ship is sinking! Ÿ Bludgeoned into Humility by pain and unremitting suffering Ÿ Sick and tired of being sick and tired Ÿ If you're spinning your wheels, try getting out of the driver's seat Ÿ Change is not painful. It is RESISTANCE to change that is painful Ÿ Your Higher Power makes your life uncomfortable when its time for you to change Ÿ THERE ARE NO DAYS OFF! Ÿ It's alcohol-ism, not -wasm. Ÿ Great suffering and great love are A.A.'s disciplinarians; we need no others. Some of us have taken VERY hard knocks to learn this truth: Job or no job, wife orno wife, we simply do NOT stop drinking so long as we place dependence upon otherpeople (places and things) ahead of dependence on God Ÿ If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’re going to KEEP getting what you’re getting Ÿ If you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got. Ÿ If nothing changes, nothing changes. Ÿ On Arrogance: You don't know what you don't know Ÿ Take the plank out of your own eye before you take the splinter out of someone else's Ÿ You can't bullshit a bullshitter Ÿ Let go or be dragged Ÿ Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result Ÿ What makes you think it's going to be different THIS time? Ÿ Its better to be in AA pretending to be an alcoholic, than to be 'out there', pretending you're not Isolation is the dark room where we develop our 'negatives'. ŸRelapse begins long before you pick up the drink/drug. Ÿ SLIP: Sobriety loses it's priority. ŸEVERY time we are disturbed, no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with US

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

ŸPain is necessary, suffering is optional! ŸIf you hang around a barbershop long enough, eventually you'll get a haircut. ŸThoughts Become Things...choose the good ones! ŸYou move towards, and become like, that which you think about, whether it is good for you, or bad for you Ÿ"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thought. With our thoughts, we make our world." ~The Buddha ŸThe more you think about the problem, the bigger the problem gets. The more you think about the solution, the bigger the solution gets. Ÿ We don't see things as they are, we see them as WE are ŸWhat you 'see' is what you 'get' ŸI know for sure that what we dwell on is who we become ŸWhat would it look like WITHOUT the problem? ŸWhat do you want? Ÿ Stick with the winners: Have they got what you want? Do they look as though they areenjoying their sobriety? What are they like in the traffic? Are they comfortable in their ownskin? ŸFake it to make it ŸAct as if ŸOn negative self talk. If a friend spoke to you, the way YOU, spoke to you, would you hang around with them? ŸLive in the solution ŸTHE NEWCOMER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE ROOM ŸCOMPLETELY give themselves to THIS simple program. Ÿ Just do what makes you feel COMFORTABLE ŸWe are SURE God wants us to be happy, joyous and free. ŸEVERY time we are disturbed, no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with US ŸOur very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our CONSTANT thought of others andhow we may help meet their needs ŸWise people learn from their own mistakes. Smart people learn from other people’s ŸThe people that matter don’t mind, and the people that mind, don’t matter ŸWear life like a loose garment, not like a hair shirt! ŸIt’s a cinch an inch, but it’s hard by the yard ŸWhat would be the LOVING thing to do? Ÿ Stick with the winners ŸKeep on the firing line of life with these motives and God WILL, (notmight) keep youunharmed Ÿ(On choosing Sponsors) Have they got what you want? ŸDo they look as though they are enjoying their sobriety? ŸWhat are they like in the traffic? ŸAre they comfortable in their own skin? ŸThe good is the enemy of the best

• • • • • •

ŸYour job now is to be at the place where you may be of MAXIMUM helpfulness to others Ÿ Sick and tired of being sick and tired Ÿ Its better to be in AA pretending to be an alcoholic, than to be 'out there', pretending you'renot ŸIt's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice Ÿ(on talking in meetings) In a 'GENERAL' way. Not a blow by blow account! Ÿ Just do your lousy best!