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1. ABSTINENCE: We practice abstinence by not incurring unsecured debt one day at a time. Unsecured debt is any debt that is not backed up by some form of collateral, such as a car, house, etc.
2. MEETINGS: We attend meetings at which we can share our experience, strength and hope with one another. Unless we give to newcomers what we have received from D.A. we cannot keep it ourselves.
3. RECORD MAINTENANCE: We maintain records of our daily income and expenses and of the retirement of any portions of our outstanding debts.
4. ANONYMITY: We practice anonymity, which allows us freedom of expression by assuring us that what we say at meetings or to other D.A. members at any time will not be repeated.
5. THE TELEPHONE: We maintain constant contact with other D.A. members by exchanging telephone numbers. We make a point of talking to other D.A. members before and after taking difficult steps in our recovery.
6. PRESSURE RELIEF GROUPS & PRESSURE RELIEF MEETINGS: After we have gained some familiarity with the D.A. program, we organize Pressure Relief Groups consisting of ourselves and two other persons from the group who have been abstinent for three (3) months, and who usually have more experience in the program. The group meets in a series of Pressure Relief Meetings to review our financial situation.
7. SPENDING PLAN: The Pressure Meeting usually results in the formulation of a spending plan, which puts our needs first, and an action plan, for resolving our debts and taking the first steps toward solvency.
8. SPONSOR: Many of us find it extremely helpful to select a sponsor. A sponsor is an abstinent member of D.A. who is usually more experienced in working the Twelve Steps. The sponsor aids us in implementing our action plan and in working the Steps.
9. BUSINESS MEETINGS: We attend business meetings that are held monthly. Many of us have long harbored feelings that "business" was not a part of our lives, but for "others" more qualified. Yet participation in running our own program teaches us how our organization operates, & also helps us to become responsible for our own recovery.
10. A.A. LITERATURE: We study the literature of Alcoholics Anonymous to strengthen our understanding of compulsive disease. We can identify with many of the situations described therein by substituting the words "compulsive debt" for "alcohol."
11. AWARENESS: We maintain awareness of the danger of compulsive debt by taking note of bank, loan company and credit-card advertising and by reading news accounts of its effects.
12. SERVICE: We perform service at every level: personal, meeting, Intergroup and World Service. Service is vital to our recovery. Only through service can we give to others what has been so generously given to us.