Common AA Slogans Explained

 

Different AA groups around the world will have their own favorite slogans. Here are just a few of the most common:

• Let go and let God. The advice here is to develop the capacity to let go of problems. It involves putting faith in a higher power in the belief that things will turn out as they should. The individual is not the master of the whole universe and by letting go they acknowledge this. If people try to control too much of their own life it will just mean that they are getting in the way.
• One day at a time. This is probably the most famous of all the AA slogans. It reminds the member that they have no control over tomorrow. Their only job is to do the best they can today. Attempting to fight tomorrow’s battles tends to do a lot more harm than good. There is already enough that needs doing today.
• This too shall pass. Life is constantly changing and so are the things that people will experience. Even if problems seem huge at the time they are unlikely to seem so important in the future. This slogan is a reminder to people to hang in there with the knowledge that nothing lasts forever. It is similar to the idea that “time heals all wounds”.
• Think, Think, Think. Acting rashly often leads to negative results. This catchphrase reminds people to think carefully before they do something they might later regret. *Keep coming back, it works if you work it. This slogan is usually chanted at the end of an AA meeting. It reminds people that if they stick with the program they will continue to benefit greatly from it in the future.
• We are only as sick as our secrets. Keeping things hidden can get in the way of a successful recovery. The individual needs to be completely honest and open. This emphasizes the importance of fearless moral inventory as part of the steps.
• Look for the similarities and not the differences. If people are only focused on the differences they will fail to learn from the experiences of other people. Terminal uniqueness can lead people back to addiction.
• Easy does it, but do it! People shouldn’t try to take on too much or have expectations that are too high. This doesn’t mean that they should have low expectations and not put in any effort.
• What you hear here, what you see here, when you leave here, let it stay here. This is a reminder of the importance of anonymity in the meetings. *90 meetings in 90 days. This is the advice given to newcomers to ensure that they get a good grounding in the program. It also ensures that they have adequate support during the early months of sobriety when people are particularly fragile.
• Nothing is so bad that a drink won’t make worse. Life in recovery means facing a lot of challenges. No matter how tough it gets the individual is reminded that it would be a lot worse if they were drinking.
• Stick with the winners. There are many types of people who end up in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. The meetings are open to anyone and people will have different motives for being there. Not everyone in AA has a strong recovery; some of these people may even be described asdry drunks. Hanging around with the wrong crowd can have a negative impact – especially for people who are new to recovery. This slogan then is a reminder to stick with those who will be a positive influence.
• Poor me, poor me, pour me a drink. This is a reminder about the dangers of negative thinking and how it can increase the risk of relapse.
• I came, I came to, I came to believe. This catchphrase nicely encapsulates the first three steps of the program.
• Sobriety delivers everything that alcohol promised. People will usually have turned to alcohol because they were unable to find happiness in life. In the beginning alcohol appeared to improve things, but then life became worse than ever. Sobriety gives people the chance to experience genuine happiness and freedom.

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