12th Step Call Prep
This is a preparation checklist for AA members. It does not replace a sponsor, local shared experience, medical care, emergency services, or good judgment.
Before
- Call another AA member and, when local experience/safety suggests it, do not go alone.
- Tell another member where you are going when appropriate.
- Know what meeting options are available afterward, including online/phone meetings if necessary.
- Remember the purpose: share your experience with alcoholism and recovery, not diagnose, detox, counsel, or promise an outcome.
- Think through transportation, environment, personal safety, and whether medical or emergency help may be needed.
- If the person is leaving a facility, check whether a formal local Bridging the Gap/temporary-contact process exists rather than inventing one on the fly.
During
- Listen before trying to persuade.
- Keep the focus on alcoholism and the possibility of recovery.
- Share what happened to you, what you did, and what life is like now.
- Avoid arguments about religion, medicine, treatment, politics, or proving AA.
- If the person wants AA, help them connect with meetings and other AA members.
- Do not promise secrecy you cannot honestly keep if there is immediate danger, abuse, or serious criminal conduct.
- Do not make yourself the only person they know in AA; widen the connection when possible.
After
- Debrief with the other AA member or your sponsor.
- Decide whether a follow-up call or meeting connection is appropriate.
- Respect the person's privacy; do not turn the visit into gossip.
- Do not score the call as a success or failure based on whether the person immediately joins AA or stays sober.
- Notice anything you would do differently next time and bring that experience back to local service.
Where AA talks about this
- Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book) (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.)
- Bridging the Gap (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.)
- A.A. Guidelines — Bridging the Gap (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.)
- A.A. Guidelines on Safety and A.A. Groups (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.)
- Information About Meetings / What to Expect at an A.A. Meeting (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.)
- Can I attend a meeting online or by phone? (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.)
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