The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program began in 1935 and has become one of the most successful recovery models for people struggling with addiction. Think about that: people have suffered from substance addictions since man first started crushing grapes and picking poppy and coca leaves. The AA 12-Steps have been helping people recover from all forms of addiction for 90 years. The 12-Step program emphasizes several key principles, among them is the importance of helping others and performing acts of service. These principles are essential to the program’s philosophy and are based on the belief that personal recovery depends on focusing not just on our own recovery, but on the well-being of others. This article explores why the AA program considers helping others and doing service as a vital part of recovery, looking at how these practices contribute to personal growth, the reinforcement of sobriety, and the strengthening of the 12-Step communities. Additionally, I will reflect on how these principles play a significant role in my own journey.
One of the central principles of the 12-Step program is the idea that recovery is a lifelong journey, and it is crucial to maintain a mindset of humility and support for others. By helping those who are struggling with addiction, we not only contribute to the well-being of others but also reinforce our own commitment to recovery. This principle is in the 12th Step of AA, which encourages us to “carry this message to other alcoholics” and to “practice these principles in all our affairs.”
“PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail.” (Big Book pg. 89)
In my own experience, helping others in and outside of the program plays a pivotal role in strengthening my own recovery. When I first started attending 12-Step meetings, I felt overwhelmed and uncertain about my ability to stay sober and no less be of help to others. I was afraid to participate in meetings by sharing and was way too selfish to do any service. But as I began to listen to others who were living the 12-Step program and had recovered, rather than just sitting in meetings feeling hopeless, I decided out of desperation to give the actual program a try.
Shortly after I began practicing the first 11 Steps, I realized that helping people by sharing my experiences would give me a sense of purpose.
After 8 years of being around the fellowship, I finally felt a part of something bigger than me. I was reminded of my struggles and the progress I was now making. This reflection kept me grounded in my recovery. I was given a passion for offering support to others, and I found my own motivation to live a sober life. The gratitude I feel from knowing that my experiences could help someone else keep going is incredibly powerful. I have to say that it is a gift from God, and I feel that the suffering of my own addiction now has a purpose. Probably the best purpose life has to offer is giving others hope. We say that the first 11 Steps are the preparation for the work and that the 12th Step, sponsoring others, is the work. I have to say that for myself, the 12th Step, just like the first 11, doesn’t feel like work that I must do; they are something we get to do.
Service is another essential aspect of the 12-Step program. Through service work—whether it’s leading meetings, making coffee, greeting at the door, secretary, GSR, etc, or assisting in organizing events—we contribute to the overall health of the fellowship. The act of service promotes a sense of belonging and encourages us to remain active in the recovery process.
For me, engaging in service has been a transformative experience.
When I started volunteering to lead meetings, I was initially very hesitant, unsure if I was qualified to take on such a responsibility. However, as I became more involved in service, I realized how much it anchored me to the program. It made me feel like, with God’s help, I had something to offer beyond just attending meetings for my own recovery. I was contributing to a collective effort, which provided a sense of belonging and connection to something larger than myself. This commitment has not only kept me accountable but also helped me grow as an individual. I see that others must come before myself, or there will be no self. I have to check myself to be sure that I’m living in all three sides of the triangle: Unity, Service, and Recovery. If you had asked me 30 years ago if I could see myself doing service, helping others, speaking at meetings and large conferences, and being on the board of a meeting hall, I would have said you are crazy. Today I get to do these things and speak in front of patients on a daily basis. It is amazing what God, and the 12 Steps have done in my life and countless others.
By taking on service commitments, I learned that my actions have an impact on the health of the 12-Step community.
It’s not just about me staying sober; it’s about being part of something that helps others, too. The sense of responsibility that comes with service keeps me engaged and reminds me that I am not alone on this journey. Service reinforces the idea that we are all in this together. An aspect of alcoholism/addiction is the tendency toward self-centeredness. Although it is true with most people, many alcoholics/addicts, in the throes of addiction, become consumed with their own needs, desires, and self-doubt. The AA program seeks to challenge this mindset by encouraging us to step outside of ourselves and focus on the needs of others. I was so self-centered that if I wanted to do something different than the group of people I was with, I thought it was a good idea if I did what I wanted, and they did what they wanted. Then we all would be happy. I totally missed the concept that it’s not about what we as an individual want, but more about doing something together.
Through the practice of helping others, I’ve experienced a shift in my own thinking.
In the past, my addiction made me focus only on myself—on my obsessions, my pain, and my struggles. But, through AA’s emphasis on service and helping others, I learned that the best way to heal is to focus on the needs of those around me. I have found that when I am able to show up for someone else, whether it’s by offering my experience with something or simply listening, I am able to step outside of my own self-centered thoughts and feel more connected to others. This practice has not only helped with my sobriety but also brought a sense of fulfillment that I had never experienced before. In my early recovery, I had many personal losses and life struggles; it was helping others that kept me away from picking up that drink or drug. If it had not been for sponsoring others and doing service, I don’t think I would have stayed sober.
Helping others in the program has also given me a greater appreciation for the importance of empathy.
When I see someone else struggling, I can now relate to their pain, and instead of focusing on my own difficulties, I can help them through theirs. In doing so, I find a sense of purpose and meaning that helps me stay grounded in my recovery.
For newcomers to the 12-Step fellowships, seeing others actively help and serve is a source of immense hope and inspiration. The 12-Step program’s emphasis on helping others demonstrates that recovery is not only possible but sustainable. For those just beginning their journey, the example of those who have recovered shows that change is achievable and that there is a community of people ready to offer support and share a common journey.
Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends – this is an experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives. (Big Book pg. 89)
The 12-Step program’s focus on helping others and engaging in service is not just a charitable act—it is a vital part of recovery. By helping others, we strengthen our own recovery, build a sense of community, foster selflessness, and provide inspiration for newcomers. The act of giving, whether through service or simply offering support to a fellow alcoholic/addict, is an essential element that enriches the lives of both the giver and the recipient. In my own experience, embracing these principles has not only helped me remain sober but also given me a deeper sense of connection to the 12-Step community, God, and to life itself. Ultimately, helping others and doing service in a 12-Step program is a key to achieving lasting sobriety and living a fulfilling life of connection and purpose.
Thank you, Chip James, for inspiring me to write this article. You can see more episodes of The Hanley Effect here.
Bart Ross, Recovery Services Manager
Please feel free to contact me at bross@hanleyfoundation.org.
Hanley Center has been helping people all over the country achieve wellness for more than 40 years. In addition to providing age- and gender-specific treatment for substance use and co-occurring disorders, Hanley offers a Patriots Program for first responders and veterans, a program specifically for pregnant women, and a boutique residential mental health program for adults. For information on our programs, call us today: 561-841-1033.
