“We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help.” - pg. 84 from the chapter entitled “ Into Action” from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous
After we have gone through Above It All Treatment Center, AA, or drug addiction detox and have picked up the tools needed in order to live a sober life it is imperative that we “pay it forward” and start helping others. When we start feeling uneasy or our character defects start cropping up then nothing will insure immunity from the first drink like extensive work with a newcomer. Through providing alcohol detox to someone else we are able to get out of ourselves and are able to see things from a different perspective. Through working with others we are able to recall where we came from as well as provide hope to people with less experience , or time sober than us. When we approach life from an altruistic angle we are able to have gratitude for the things that we have as opposed to focusing on the things we don’t. When we take contrary action we are able to start over and change our perception
