Everyone is always talking about the 12 Steps in A. A. Another way of thinking about it are the 12 Mis-Steps of A. A. Here they are:
- Start missing meetings for any reason, real or imaginary.
- Become critical of the methods used by other members who may not agree with you in everything.
- Nurse the idea that someday, somehow, you can drink again and become a controlled drinker.
- Let the other fellow do the 12th Step work in your group. You are too busy.
- Become conscious of your A. A. seniority and view every new member with a skeptical, jaundiced eye.
- Become so pleased with your own views of the program that you consider yourself an “elder statesman.”
- Start a small clique within your own group, composed only of a few members who see eye-to-eye with you.
- Tell the new member in confidence that you yourself do not take certain of the 12 Steps seriously.
- Let your mind dwell more and more on how much you are helping others rather than on how much the A. A. program is helping you.
- If an unfortunate member has a slip, drop him at once.
- Cultivate the habit of borrowing money from other members; then stay away from meetings to avoid embarrassment.
- Look upon the 24-hour plan as vital to new members, but not for yourself. YOU have outgrown the need of that long, long ago.
C. L.
Chicago, Illinois
The Grapevine March 1947
Vol. 3 No. 10
Early Sobriety Group 