‘Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure
immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.’
‘There are many helpful books also. Suggestions about these
may be obtained from one’s priest, minister, or rabbi.’
‘We earnestly pray for the right ideal, for guidance in each
questionable situation, for sanity, and for the strength to do the right thing.’
‘If sex is very troublesome, we throw ourselves the harder
into helping others.’
‘… a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our
next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such
problems.’
‘Having had the experience yourself, you can give him much
practical advice.’
‘Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment,
and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss
them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone.
Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help.’
(All quotations from ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’)
An expanded list of things I find helpful when I am bothered
by intrusive, negative thinking:
1. Do some step work (either my own or working with others).
2. Read a basic text chapter of the Big Book looking for
identification, inspiration, and instruction. If there is relevant instruction,
follow through.
3. Do the same with one of the stories at the back of the
Big Book.
4. Listen to a spiritual speaker over the Internet.
5. Read prayers or passages of spiritual literature out
loud.
6. Listen to an AA speaker tape (preferably from a step or
Big Book workshop or weekend).
7. Find someone to read the Big Book together with and take
turns sharing how we identify.
8. Find a newcomer or someone else in trouble and see what
experience I have that may be able to help them.
9. Phone a sane and experienced friend who trusts in God and
ask them to supply a more healthy view of my situation than I have and make the
decision that I will believe them not me because they are doing better than me
in that moment.
10. Go to a meeting and pray to God to show me how I can
share a solution and help out practically.
11. Pray the Step Three prayer and ask God to guide me in
constructive action for the benefit of others for the rest of the day.
12. Pray the Step Seven prayer and ask God to bring me back
to my constructive plan every time I am tempted to think unhelpful thoughts.