“We cannot keep the gifts the program has given us unless we give them away to others. We share our experiences and learn from each other. None of us can survive, and the fellowship cannot endure, unless we carry the message of recovery. We have found that those who keep coming back to the fellowship have a better chance of staying clean and sober.”

– Life with Hope, second edition, pages 73-74

Giving back to others by being of service, sponsoring, and sharing experience, strength, and hope have been the crucial pieces that complete the puzzle of long-term sobriety. I have found that my chances of staying clean have increased ten-fold when I made the decision to give back to others within the program.

The thought of relapsing did not cross my mind the moment I picked up my first service commitment. Relapse was a part of my journey (as I have relapsed a handful of times), but since I began serving my fellows, I haven’t relapsed at all—not even once. There is truth that, “we must give back to others what has been freely given to us,” in order to keep the gifts of sobriety. To be of service is highly rewarding and fulfilling, based on my personal experience. It’s a beautiful feeling to be able to see a fellow addict recover, grow, and flourish—especially when we have the power to help facilitate such a transformation.

“Service” is one aspect of the symbolic triangle found in 12-Step programs, indicating its value and importance toward long-term sobriety. Without service, the three-legged stool of Service, Unity, and Recovery, would inevitably crash and fall apart. It’s crucial to my program to start serving the MA community. An important act of service includes attending and/or sharing in meetings.

Final thought: Today, I choose to be of service by sharing my experience, strength, and hope with my fellows.