GET STARTED
(from
DA national
website)
Stop incurring any new unsecured
debt.
First and foremost, we suggest that you stop incurring any new
unsecured debt, one day at a time. Unsecured debt is any debt not
backed up by some form of collateral. Although refraining from
compulsive debting may be difficult and painful, it establishes a
solid foundation for our recovery.
Attend DA meetings regularly.
Attending meetings gives us a sense of hope, an opportunity to
identify with others, and a chance to meet people who can help us.
Record your expenses and your
income.
A good way to do this is to buy a small notebook or planner that
is easy to carry. Throughout each day, we write down everything we
spend and any income we receive, no matter how small the amount. Do
not be discouraged if you cannot keep perfect records. If you lose
track, begin again as soon as you can. We believe in progress, not
perfection.
Read DA literature.
You will find useful suggestions and new insights. We also find it
helpful to read these books:
A Currency of Hope, Alcoholics Anonymous, The Twelve Steps
and The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. When you
read AA literature, we suggest substituting the words "debt" and "debting"
for "alcohol" and "drinking."
The
12 Steps
We suggest that you begin by working the Twelve Steps and by
practicing the DA Tools. Because we did not arrive overnight at the
circumstances that brought us to DA, solving our problems has required
time and effort. While using the Tools of DA provides some relief from
compulsive debting, working the Steps leads to recovery.
Work the Steps.
We suggest that you work the Twelve Steps in order, preferably with a
sponsor or an experienced DA member who has worked and continues to
work the Steps to the best of his or her ability. For us, true,
long-lasting recovery results from a spiritual experience gained by
working the Steps.
Step One
We recommend beginning with Step One. The sense of despair or
"hitting bottom" we felt when we first came to DA was the first step
in our recovery. We saw that our own attempts to scheme and manipulate
our debts did not work. We admitted that we were powerless over debt.
We were ready to ask for help.
Find a sponsor.
To help you work the program, we suggest asking someone who lives the
recovery you want to be your sponsor. Sponsors help us work the 12
Steps, use the DA Tools, and carry out our Action Plans.
Ask for a Pressure Relief Meeting.
After you have recorded your income and expenses for (preferably)
30 to 45 days, attended at least six meetings, and made a commitment
to DA, we suggest that you ask two members of DA (usually a man and a
woman) to meet with you in a Pressure Relief Meeting. These two DA
members should have abstained from incurring unsecured debt for at
least 90 days and had two Pressure Relief Meetings, and if possible
they should have recovery from issues similar to yours. As the members
of your Pressure Relief Group, they will help you review your
situation and formulate a Spending Plan and an Action Plan.
Anonymity
We suggest that you practice the principle of anonymity. Who we
see and what we hear at meetings and in private conversation is kept
confidential. This principle allows all members the freedom to speak
openly and honestly without fear that our words or deeds may be used
to harm us. Please respect the anonymity of all DA members.
If you decide that DA is not for you,
keep us in mind for the future. You are always welcome. Debtors
Anonymous will be here when you need it.
