Step Twelve
"Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs."
Practical experience shows that nothing will
so
much insure immunity from drinking as intensive
work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities
fail. This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this
message to other alcoholics! You can help when no
one else can. You can secure their confidence when
other fail. Remember they are very ill.
Life will take on new
meaning. To watch people
recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness
vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have
a host of friends -- this is an experience you must not
miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent
contact with newcomers and with each other is
the bright spot of our lives.
Perhaps you are not
acquainted with any drinkers
who want to recover. You can easily find some by asking
a few doctors, ministers, priests or hospitals. They
will be only too glad to assist you. Don't start out as
an evangelist or reformer. Unfortunately a lot of prejudice
exists. You will be handicapped if you arouse it.
Ministers and doctors are competent and you can learn
much from them if you wish, but it happens that because
of your own drinking experience you can be
uniquely useful to other alcoholics. So cooperate;
never criticize. To be helpful is our only aim.