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Frequently Asked Questions About Our Program: |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Our Fellowship: |
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| Frequently Asked Questions About Our Program: |
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How can R.A. be open to anyone with any problem or behavior?
Our experience is that most of our problems and behaviors result from normal instinctive drives being carried to insane extremes.
For example, eating, drinking, taking an everyday risk, feeling a normal range of emotions, etc. are natural, essential behaviors. When someone becomes an overeater, alcoholic, gambler, or depressed, etc. these normal drives are taken to insane extremes. They eat large amounts of food, drink large amounts of alcohol, bet large amounts of money, or feel suicidal.
These insane physical and mental extremes not only hurt us but hurt others as well. However, as it says in the Big Book on page 64, "We have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick. When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically."
This tells us that our problems and behaviors, whether mental or physical, are the symptoms of a spiritual illness—a sort of spiritual insanity.
To sum up, our common problem is a spiritual malady that causes normal instinctive drives to go to insane extremes. This results in all of our various symptoms—our various problems and behaviors.
How can R.A. work for any problem or behavior?
The goal of our program is to help you receive the promise of the Second Step and come "to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."
We do this by thoroughly following the pioneers' path. We work all Twelve Steps using the pioneers' original "clear-cut directions" from the Multilith Big Book.
The original Twelfth Step says that you will have "a spiritual experience as the result of this course of action." This spiritual experience will heal your spiritual malady.
Then, as the Big Book, on page 84 promises, your "sanity will have returned"; you will begin to "react sanely and normally" in every area of your life; the insane extremes of your problems and behaviors will be "removed."
What is different about being restored to sanity?
Having our sanity restored is very different from the "white knuckle, one day at a time" abstinence or sobriety that is often the goal in other programs.
In the Multilith Big Book, on page 38, the pioneers describe the difference this way, "And you have ceased fighting anything or anyone—even alcohol. For by this time your sanity will have returned. You will seldom be interested in liquor. If tempted, you will recoil from it as you would from a hot flame. You will react sanely and normally. You will find this has happened automatically. You will see that your new attitude toward liquor has been given you without any thought or effort on your part. It just comes! That is the miracle of it. You are not fighting it, neither are you avoiding temptation. You feel as though you had been placed in a position of neutrality. You feel safe and protected. You have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for you. You are neither cocky nor are you afraid. That is our experience. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition."
This paragraph is from R.A.'s Annotated Copy of the Multilith Big Book. If you have not already downloaded a copy, we urge you to do so. In the Big Book the corresponding paragraph starts on the bottom of page 84.
What does R.A. mean by "Solution Focused"?
Solution Focused means that we focus on the pioneers' "common solution", instead of our problems and behaviors.
In the Big Book, on page 17, the pioneers' say, "The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism [as well as from other problems and behaviors]."
On page 29, they go on to say that, "Further on [in the Big Book], clear-cut directions are given showing how we recovered." On page 58, they also say that, "Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path."
In other words, we focus on the pioneers' "common solution", by "thoroughly" following their "clear-cut directions" to work all Twelve Steps of our program of recovery.
Aren't other programs "Solution Focused"?
No. In many of the other Twelve Step programs it is far more common for people to focus on, and talk about, their problems and behaviors instead of the pioneers' common solution.
Why was R.A. created?
Recoveries Anonymous was created to carry our message of hope, sanity, and recovery to those who have attended one or more of the many Twelve Step programs, but, despite their best efforts, have not found the recoveries they have been looking for. However, R.A. is open to everyone, even those who have never been in any kind of program before.
R.A. is also for those who are frustrated because focusing on, and discussing, their problems and behaviors did not produce the result they want. In addition, R.A. is for those who might have found some recovery, but still feel that something is missing from their lives, their program and their recoveries.
Why is R.A. different?
Those who established Recoveries Anonymous made two important discoveries. First, the pioneers of the program wrote, "clear-cut directions" for working the Twelve Steps in the Big Book. Second, previously unsuccessful people often find the recovery they seek—or are greatly helped—when they begin to focus upon, discuss, and follow these specific directions.
In addition, our family and friends are also welcome, even encouraged, to fully participate in every aspect of our program. This is because we do not usually discuss personal problems at R.A. meetings. Experience has shown that there are many benefits when our family and friends have the option of joining in the practice of our program, and of attending our meetings. They also benefit from working our program in their own lives.
Reading R.A.'s Declaration Of Ideals will give you more information about R.A.'s distinctive nature. A copy is in R.A.'s Newcomer Guide.
Is Recoveries Anonymous for me?
R.A. is for everyone! However, it is especially for people who, despite their best efforts, have not been able to find the recovery that is available by working the Twelve Steps.
Will R.A. work for me?
Yes! Just as the pioneers of the program say in the Big Book, on page 58, "Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path." This means that if you learn how they originally worked the Twelve Steps, and then do your best to thoroughly follow their path, you will also recover.
Why do you use the word "recovered"?
We use the word "recovered" because the founders of the Twelve Step Program Of Recovery use it. In the Big Book, on page xiii, in the FOREWORD TO THE FIRST EDITION, they say that they "are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book."
Within R.A., being recovered is not an end. It is a beginning. It is a declaration, not only of fact, but also of hope. It is a decision to claim the solution, rather than to live in the problem.
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How and when did R.A.
start?
Recoveries Anonymous traces its beginning to an individual who, in June 1981, sat in a circle with twenty other people. He was at a discussion meeting in another fellowship. When it was his turn to share, he talked about something he had read the night before.
He shared his hope that what had happened for the pioneers of the program would also happen for him. He said that he hoped that God would restore his sanity and remove his obsession. Fifteen people shared after him. Every one of them said that they did not believe that this could ever happen.
He found this amazing. For the first time he could see that there were two programs. There was the problem-focused sharing he was hearing in the meetings he attended. There was also the solution that the pioneers of the program wrote about in the program literature. He began to wonder what else he didn't know about the program.
He thus started a search that led him to thoroughly follow the "clear-cut directions" that the pioneers wrote in the Big Book. This, in turn, led to his recovery.
In November of 1983 he was at another meeting. It was the night before Thanksgiving. He was in front of a group of people who were looking for a solution to their problems and behaviors. He shared that he had thoroughly followed the path that the founders of the program had followed. He had followed their "clear-cut directions" by using the Big Book as an instruction manual.
He told them that working the Twelve Steps in this way had led to his recovery. He had been restored to sanity and had stopped hurting himself and others.
Several of the people who heard him share stayed in contact with him. They saw how important what he shared was for their own recovery. They soon followed his example. They were also able to recover using the same solution.
One person in particular had a vital spiritual experience. She immediately started to carry this message of hope, sanity and recovery to others. For the first time, the people she worked with started to recover.
Now there were two people actively carrying and validating the same message of hope, sanity, and recovery to others. The number of recoveries began to grow.
In January, a group of the people who were working the program in this way started to meet. They discovered that they were members of many different Twelve Step programs. They had many different problems and behaviors.
Their experiences made it clear that the same solution would work for any problem or behavior. They found that by sharing about the common solution, instead of their personal problems or behaviors, someone with one kind of problem or behavior could help someone who had different problems or behaviors.
Recoveries Anonymous was thus formed as an independent, nonprofit corporation. A.A. has granted permission for R.A. to adapt the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions. However, R.A. is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, A.A. Except for the use of the Twelve Steps, and the Twelve Traditions, there is no connection between R.A. and any of the other anonymous organizations.
Does R.A. have membership
requirements?
R.A.'s
Third Tradition says that, "The only requirement for R.A. membership
is a desire to recover." Bill Wilson once went into more detail about
this concept in a way that we feel applies to Recoveries Anonymous, and
to any problem or behavior.
He says, "We care not whether his case is severe
or light, whether his morals are good or bad, whether he has other complications
or not. Our A.A. door stands wide open, and if he passes through it and
commences to do anything at all about his problem, he is considered a
member.... He signs nothing, promises nothing. We demand nothing. He joins
us on his own say–so."
Further, Bill says, "He is a member as long as he says he is." Finally, Bill says, "We
do not wish to deny anyone his chance to recover.... We wish to be just
as inclusive as we can, never exclusive."
Do I have to believe
in God to join R.A.?
No! You do not need to believe in God. However, you might need to "act as if" you do believe to fully follow the pioneers' "clear-cut directions." It is the actions you take, not your belief in God that will produce results.
It is your own results, your own experiences that may in time, convince you that a loving, personal God exists. However, all R.A. asks of you is an open mind, honesty, and the willingness to investigate. We simply suggest that you fully enter the experiment, and take the actions that working the program calls for. If you don't get the results you are looking for, you are free to move on to something else. If you do find the recovery you have been searching for, you can consider the experiment a success.
In the Big Book, on page 568, there is a quote from Herbert Spencer. In it, he reminds us that, "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
Is R.A. a religious
society?
No. R.A.'s
program is spiritual, not religious. Recoveries Anonymous has no connection
to any religion, religious sect, or organization. However, many religious
leaders have approved and endorsed the Twelve Steps. Our membership includes
atheists, agnostics, Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and members
of other religious organizations. All are welcome.
What is R.A. Universal
Services?
R.A. Universal
Services provides the many services that are vital to the day-to-day operation
of Recoveries Anonymous.
R.A. Universal Services is the equivalent of:
A.A. World Services, O.A.'s World Service Office, N.A.'s World Service
Office, The National Service Office of G.A., and E.A.'s International
Services, etc.
Some of these services include responding to requests
for information about our fellowship from all over the world. Helping
groups and members with program related problems and dealing with the
general public.
In addition, RAUS is responsible for maintaining
R.A.'s web site, distributing R.A.'s suggested literature, and overseeing
the creation and publication of new materials, which are designed to help us more
effectively carry R.A.'s message of hope, sanity, and recovery to those who still
suffer.
How is R.A. supported?
There are no dues or fees for membership in R.A. We adhere to the Twelve Traditions and are self–supporting through contributions. The IRS recognizes R.A. as a tax-exempt organization. Therefore, all contributions made to R.A. are deductible to the full extent of the law.
Why do you ask for
a contribution for a password to your books?
Since there are no dues or fees for membership in R.A., we need your contribution to pay for our Internet service, rent, electric, telephone, and other bills. These expenses are essential to maintaining R.A.'s Office and web site.
We do not charge for any of the materials on our web site, including the PDF versions of our books. Instead, we give the passwords needed to open our books, to thank those who support our efforts to help others.
You can do this by making a small, one time, tax-free contribution to R.A. Or, if you truly cannot afford to make a contribution at this time, by filling out our Feedback Form.
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