The 12 Promises of Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international peer support group that brings people together through shared experience and understanding.¹ Members connect with others who recognize their drinking may be problematic and who are seeking a happier, healthier life without alcohol, often as part of a broader addiction recovery journey.¹

A central part of AA is working through the Twelve Steps, a structured approach that can support recovery from alcohol addiction, clinically known as alcohol use disorder (AUD).² Along the way, many members find encouragement in the 12 Promises of AA, which offer insight into the positive changes that can unfold throughout the recovery process.³

In this article, we’ll explore the 12 Promises of AA, what they mean, and why they matter. We’ll also discuss how to find a 12-Step program and practical ways to begin your recovery journey. For many, working a 12-Step program provides a strong foundation for achieving and maintaining sobriety through ongoing peer support.

What Are the 12 Promises of AA?

The 12 Promises of AA are a set of positive shifts mentioned in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous that AA members can experience as they work a 12-Step program.³

In AA or other 12-Step meetings, the Promises are often read at the beginning or end of the meeting.³ The Promises of AA often deliver what many call a “spiritual awakening of the educational variety.”³

The 12 Promises, as quoted from the AA Big Book are:^3,4

1. “We are going to know a new freedom and happiness.”
2. “We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.”
3. “We will comprehend the word serenity.”
4. “We will know peace.”
5. “No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.”
6. “That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.”
7. “We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.”
8. “Self-seeking will slip away.”
9. “Our whole attitude and outlook on life will change.”
10. “Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us.”
11. “We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.”
12. “We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.”

While the promises alone don’t offer sobriety, they can help members of the AA community look forward to a life of sobriety.

What Do the Promises of AA Mean?

The meaning behind the AA Promises is that one can have a better life if they follow the program’s work.³ The 12 Promises can motivate you to live a sober life by giving you something to look forward to. Working a 12-Step program may lead to positive shifts in your quality of life.³

Before committing to sobriety, your life may have felt chaotic and unmanageable. According to the AA Promises, the shift in attitude and feelings you might experience through working a 12-Step program can help you adopt a healthier outlook and find more joy and fulfillment in your life.³ The benefits of sobriety mentioned in the Promises may make staying sober worthwhile for you.³

Why Are the 12 Promises of AA Important?

The Promises of AA are important because they offer validation, hope, and motivation for people working in a recovery program.³ The Promises provide benefits that a life of drinking can’t offer you.

Below, we explore some of the most rewarding benefits of working a 12-Step program.

Living a More Peaceful Life

The Promises offer hope that you will know peace and serenity.⁴ Many people who live with alcohol use disorder or other types of substance use disorders may feel like their lives are chaotic. The promise of peace can entice people seeking a more fulfilling life to abstain from drinking.

Improvements in Psychological Well-Being

When you’re drinking excessively, your physical and mental health can suffer. If you work a 12-Step program, you may find that your psychological well-being improves.^3,4 You may experience more gratitude and an increased sense of meaning and purpose in your life.³

Freedom from Addiction/Craving

When you attend AA and become familiar with its Promises, you may experience the joy that recovery provides.³ While sobriety isn’t a guarantee through working the program, the peer support and hope that AA offers can help people get sober and stay sober. You may experience a newfound freedom from cravings and addiction that you didn’t know was possible.³

Elimination of Past Regrets

Some people, before they start treatment or a 12-Step program, may have lived a life full of regret. Past transgressions may rule their lives, and breaking free of that burden can feel challenging. The Promises offer freedom from the past, providing strength and support that can be passed along to peers.⁴

How to Find a 12-Step AA Program

If you’re attending rehab, you may start a 12-Step program. Many people become involved in AA when they begin treatment.⁵ Treatment is an individualized process with varying levels of care. What works for your recovery may look different than it does for someone else.

If you want to find an AA program near you, there are plenty of ways to find local meetings. You can search online or visit the AA website. There are more than 64,000 AA groups across the United States, so if you’re traveling, moving, or attending a treatment center outside your state of residence, you can still participate in AA meetings.⁶

Support groups such as AA are often recommended as part of a treatment plan when you attend rehab. Aftercare programs, when you complete rehab, also usually include 12-Step programs for ongoing support.

Start Your Recovery

Taking the first step toward recovery can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re exploring a peer support group like Alcoholics Anonymous or considering professional treatment, support is available at every stage of addiction recovery.

Rehab programs can provide a structured environment to help you safely stop drinking, address underlying challenges, and build a strong foundation for long-term sobriety. From detox and inpatient care to outpatient treatment and alternative support options, treatment can be tailored to meet your unique needs.

If you’re ready to make a change, finding the right support can make all the difference. Visit Recovery.com to explore treatment centers, compare programs, and take a meaningful step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.