Post by Susan Peabody on Mar 16, 2009 18:49:25 GMT -8
Helping others is the cornerstone of 12-step programs. As you may, or may not, know, 12-step programs began with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). AA, in turn, began with a meeting between Bill W. and Dr. Bob.
In 1935, Bill was traveling for a business meeting. He felt like drinking after six months of sobriety. To avoid slipping, he called around and found someone to help him. This is how he met Dr. Bob. They stayed up all night and helped each other stay sober. Then Bill realized that the spirituality that had jump-started his sobriety, and was now being tested, was not enough. Reaching out to someone else was necessary to stay sober. This is how AA was born, and all the 12-step programs, which developed from these roots, have used this tool to promote and solidify recovery.
Helping others is easy. It may mean taking someone under your wing or being a good parent. It may mean giving advice or just listening. It may mean telling someone your story or helping them move. It may mean being a role model. It can be simple or complicated. It can be constant or occasional. Some people get into the helping professions and others just go visit a friend in the hospital. It doesn’t matter how you help others, only that you do it.