Anti-12 Traditions

1. My personal enjoyment comes first. My access to, and enjoyment of, drugs or alcohol depends on the quality of the drug and on the maintained supply.

(Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA/NA Unity.—AA/NA)

2. For my purposes, any source or authority that supports my continued use is an expert. Any drug or alcohol-positive information is legitimate as long as it helps me to use without limits or consequence. Leaders get respect as long as they can help keep up the supply.

(For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as he may express himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.—AA/NA)

3. The only requirement for being in my group is that you use a substance, too, and will pay for it or share on occasion.

(The only requirement for AA/NA membership is a desire to stop using.—AA/NA)

4. Each of us should be able to provide our own drugs or alcohol and shall not rat out any other using friends—except for me in cases where it keeps (or gets) me out of trouble.

(Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups of AA/NA as a whole.—AA/NA)

5. Any using group has but one purpose, to carry the message to suffering sober people and help them feel better or have a good time by using drugs or drinking.

(Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the addict who still suffers.—AA/NA)

6. I shall never endorse, finance, or lend any money, drugs, or booze if it does not in some direct way benefit me. I am even better off if I can make money from my habit or my using connections. Dealing for any profit (money, power, or prestige) is a sign of strength and intelligence.

(An AA/NA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA/NA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.—AA/NA)

7. Someone else should pay for my use if possible. The best drugs or drinks are free.

(Every AA/NA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.—AA/NA)

8. People who do not use drugs have no right to lecture people who do. Experts must have been there to be accepted. Professionals are legitimate only if they support drug use. Those who support drug use or drinking are smarter than those who don’t.

(AA/NA should remain forever non-professional, but service centers may employ special workers.—AA/NA)

9. Drug and alcohol distribution should only be organized to evade prohibition and law enforcement. Manufacturers and dealers are responsible to their customers, only when it is in their interest, and only to help keep drugs available.

(AA/NA as such, ought never be organized, but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.—AA/NA)

10. The using community has a duty to strongly oppose any restrictions on drug use or drinking. My name should never be drawn into the attention of those against my use. I will point to someone else to divert attention from me if my use is at risk.

(AA/NA has no opinion on outside issue; hence the AA/NA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.—AA/NA)

11. My public relations policy is based on promotion and shame. Those who do not use are weak, not cool, and lame. While anonymous in my own use, I am free to insinuate or accuse those with fame, money, or power of using. I will use lies and peer pressure as needed. People are attracted to me and my lifestyle because I do what I want to, without letting anyone run my life.

(Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.—AA/NA)

12. Focusing on other’s use, individual secrecy, and shared wisdom among users is the foundation of all the traditions. I am always in search of the best high with the fewest consequences. My needs and desire for any substance is my guiding principle. Personalities are great when you are high.

(Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.—AA/NA)

 
Creation & Copyright Michael Visger 1996.