IT’S A.A., NOT AAA
When I first came into the fellowship, I used the programme for emergencies only. I would wait until there was some sort of crisis, then I would try to put one or the principles into practice. The bulk of the time I did little to further my programme. Only when I was truly desperate did I work the programme.
Needless to say, I had several narrow escapes from the bottle. Ultimately, however, the time came when I waited too long to try to correct a situation and I was too upset and thirsty to want to maintain my sobriety. I’d reached a point of no return. My habit of A.A. “for emergencies only” failed me and I was drunk again.
Since that time I have realized that the A.A. principles are better practiced every day, instead of once in a while. I believe that if the programmed is practiced on a daily basis and a certain spiritual attitude is maintained, emergencies will be avoided.
When trying circumstances present themselves, we will have a spiritual reserve to call upon for the additional strength that’s needed. As it says in the Big Book, “It is easy to let up on the spiritual programme of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.”
Or, in the words of a good friend of mine, “A.A. is for maintenance; AAA is for emergencies!”.
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