Building Basic Structure and Routine in Early Recovery: V

5. People in 12-step groups who maintain and grow their recovery will tell you that they were encouraged by their sponsors and other group members, that “service work” or helping newcomers by welcoming them and introducing them to others at the meetings, is a sure-fire way to become “a part of”. Volunteering to perform some simple tasks around the meeting place is a great form of “service work” and allows members new and old to stop being “apart from”. Most established groups have “service positions” to fill and there is no better way to get to know people than to serve them in some way. We will talk more later about service to others and the beauty and power of volunteerism.

6. Learn structure from other 12-step members: Besides making attendance at 12-step group meetings a priority, do more than just sit there and listen. Though it’s not a job, it may be the most important thing you do for yourself in early recovery. Why is that? No matter what you hear during the meeting, there’s bound to be something that you can learn from the person speaking. You don’t have to like the speaker. AA, for example, and other 12-step groups as well, isn’t about the person. It’s about the process of learning how you can overcome addiction and live a full, productive, and sober life.

There's a well-worn saying around 12 step groups that's a real fact, “Meeting makers make it”.

More to come!