There are meetings where recovery is discussed and others where it isn’t. Not all meetings are focused on recovery, and if the meeting isn’t centered around a power greater than ourselves, the Big Book or the 12 and 12, you’re likely to hear less about lasting recovery. Instead, the discussion may revolve around all our life difficulties and the solution: rules, tools, doing more, and trying harder. "Whatever you do, just don't pick up. Keep coming back!" You’ll often find few members with more than 7 years of abstinence, and those who do generally do not radiate joy and freedom but instead focus on rule-following. These meetings tend to lack hope and joy, and their membership somber They truly have little to offer other than willpower. What people don’t realize about willpower is that it has both a positive and a negative side—each is equally powerful and cancels out the other. Relying on willpower and discipline alone is a recipe for inevitable failure and disappointment. We must have a power greater than ourselves.

True joy is found in meetings that center on a Higher Power...the only power great enough to fix our problems - step 3. Attending a meeting focused on rules and tools ie willpower is like repeatedly attending kindergarten, expecting it to provide a meaningful education—it’s missing the content necessary for growth. Rules and tools are only guidelines for a new comer. They help us by building routines and habits that aid in recovery. They will work effectively on a short term basis, but not indefinitely. They can not sustain long term growth. In contrast, literature-based meetings focussed on a higher power than sustains us. Meetings where the Big Book or the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions are discussed in depth, often highlight real recovery. Members at these meetings are alive, inspiring, happy, and thriving.

Meetings that focus mainly on problems—such as feelings, depression, and similar issues—are less likely to convey the solution or the message of lasting recovery. These meetings often focus more on the problem than on the solution. It’s crucial to seek out meetings that emphasize the solution, discussing step work, inventories, and how to "let go and let your Higher Power" handle what you cannot do for yourself. These meetings focus on healing and sharing the message with others who suffer.

The first link below leads to a resource where you can subscribe to daily emails featuring recovery speakers. These talks are refreshing, helpful, and often deeply inspiring. The best part is that you can listen to them during your commute or whenever you have time available, making it easy to incorporate them into your schedule.