"One Moment In Time" "One Moment In Time"
The Basis of the Al-Anon Program
Al-Anon is based on the Twelve Steps adopted from Alcoholics Anonymous. Only one word of the Steps was changed "Al-Anon" substituted the word "others" for "alcoholics" in the Twelfth Step.
We study the Twelve Steps to help us meet and solve problems related to alcoholism. We learn constructive ways to deal with these problems so that we gradually become able to work them out.
In a broad sense, the Steps are a spiritual philosophy reflecting elements of the religions and philosophies of the world.
In their simple words, the Twelve Steps encompass a magnificent body of the ideas whose study will be rewarded by the enrichment of our characters and personalities, a deeper understanding of our relationship to others, and a sustaining confidence and serenity that will help us to live more fully each day.
The Three Legacies of Al-Anon are the following Steps, Traditions, and Concepts.
The Twelve Steps
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol -- that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God AS WE UNDERSTOOD HIM.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all person we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God AS WE UNDERSTOOD HIM, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Like Alcoholics Anonymous, there are Twelve Traditions for guidance to help Al-Anon groups sustain their unity and fellowship.
The Twelve Concepts of Service provide guidance for service in the Al-Anon fellowship.
1. The ultimate responsibility and authority for Al-Anon world services belongs to the Al-Anon groups.
2. The Al-Anon Family Groups have delegated complete administrative and operational authority to their Conference and its service arms.
3. The right of decision makes effective leadership possible.
4. Participation is the key to harmony.
5. The rights of appeal and petition protect minorities and insure that they be heard.
6. The Conference acknowledges the primary administrative responsibility of the Trustees.
7. The Trustees have legal rights while the rights of the Conference are traditional.
8. The Board of Trustees delegates full authority for routine management of Al-Anon Headquarters to its executive committees.
9. Good personal leadership at all service levels is a necessity. In the field of world service the Board of Trustees assumes the primary leadership.
10. Service responsibility is balanced by carefully defined service authority and double-headed management is avoided.
11. The World Service Office is composed of selected committees, executives and staff members.
12. The spiritual foundation for Al-Anon's world services is contained in the General Warranties of the Conference, Article 12 of the Charter.
In all proceedings the World Service Conference of Al-Anon shall observe the spirit of the Traditions:
1. that only sufficient operating funds, including an ample reserve, be its prudent financial principle;
2. that no Conference member shall be placed in unqualified authority over other members;
3. that all decisions be reached by discussion vote and whenever possible by unanimity;
4. that no Conference action ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy;
5. that though the Conference serves Al-Anon it shall never perform any act of government; and that like the fellowship of Al-Anon Family Groups which it serves, it shall always remain democratic in thought and action.
Principles of the Twelve Steps
1. Honesty
2. Hope
3. Faith
4. Courage
5. Integrity
6. Willingness
7. Humility
8. Brotherly Love
9. Self Discipline
10. Perseverance
11. Ever Presence of God
12. Service to Fellowman
Principles of the Twelve Traditions
1. Unity
2. Direction
3. Recovery
4. Understanding
5. Sharing
6. Simplicity
7. Independence
8. Selflessness
9. Service
10. Survival
11. Self Reliance
12. Humility
Principles of the Twelve Concepts
1. Responsibility
2. Reliance
3. Trust
4. Participation
5. Democracy
6. Accountability
7. Balance
8. Consistency
9. Vision
10. Clarity
11. Respect
12. Spirituality
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