What is Debtors Anonymous?
Debtors Anonymous is a 12-step program developed for individuals who are suffering from problems due to continually incurring unsecured debt. Compulsive debting not only affects the individual’s finances and personal lifestyle, it also affects their spirituality. The fellowshipThis refers to the members of AA and the bonds of support between them. It is this fellowship that allows addicts to share their stories and accept each other in a world that is not always understanding. of Debtors Anonymous offers spiritual solutions to help with these problems that compulsive debtors can face. Compulsive debting is a diseaseSome refer to addiction as a disease, comparing it to physical ailments. There are similarities, as both have a detrimental influence on body and soul and are treatable through medical means. that can be managed and dealt with in this program when members choose to work the 12 steps.
Within the fellowship, members can work together to achieve serenityOne of the goals of recovery in 12-steps and many other formats is the attainment of serenity. It is dissatisfaction and disquiet which often drives addictive and destructive behavior and attaining a level of serenity nips cravings in the bud. In 12-step fellowships, this is often cultivated through... and prosperity and find solutions to stop incurring unsecured debt. Similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, the programThis refers to any official course of treatment for addiction. This could be anything from in-patient facilities, to 12-step programs to harm-reduction programs. utilizes the same 12-step process, while maintaining a focus on the cessation of incurring more unsecured debts, and also provides a similar 12-promise guide that its members can see once they begin working the program.
When did Debtors Anonymous begin?
The fellowship of Debtors Anonymous has been around for many years and has survived many struggles throughout its lifetime. The program began in 1968 when John H. and several other members of Alcoholics AnonymousThe original 12-step fellowship, formed in 1935, to help alcoholics, regain control over their lives. It remains the largest 12-step organization and has contributed to the sobriety of millions worldwide. Read more about Alcoholics Anonymous started discussing some of the issues they were facing regarding money. John H. wanted to figure out the causes and conditions of his debt problems, how they continued to develop and why his behaviors regarding money were so destructive.
The group was initially named the “Penny Pinchers,” later changed to the “Capital Builders,” and was finally renamed to Debtors Anonymous. The group focused on trying to resolve their issues by saving money or not spending money, but this still failed to prevent them from incurring new, unsecured debt. Looking for answers, the group continued attending more 12-step programs including Gamblers Anonymous, Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous, but still couldn’t find solutions to their problems.
Having issues keeping the group alive as members came and went, John H. continued holding meetings and by 1982, there were only 5 meetings in the world. The program struggled financially, one of the many challenges it overcame, and still remained small throughout the 1980s. Now, the program has more than 500 meetings in over 15 countries and offers hope and solutions for every memberAn individual who attends 12-step program meetings and has the desire to overcome addiction. that joins.
How does Debtors Anonymous work?
Debtors Anonymous utilizes the same recoveryThe process by which addicts attempt to break the hold a certain substance or behavior has on their lives. This can refer to participation in a wide variety of methods. What they all have in common, is a sense that life is improving and the addict is regaining control. process as many other self-help groups, focusing on the 12 stepsThe term "12 steps" refers to the core principles of the approach to addiction exemplified by Alcoholics Anonymous and other similar groups. The 12 steps are a set of guidelines designed to help individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. They were created by the founders of Alcoholics A... to provide solutions to debt problems for its members. The fellowship has its own literature for members, including “12 Steps, 12 TraditionsThe term "12 traditions" refers to a set of principles that guide the functioning and decision-making of 12-step recovery organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The traditions were first published in 1946 and are intended to allow the organizations to run smoothly while protecting the anon... and 12 ConceptsAs AA became an influential international organization, it grew into a collection of loosely affiliated entities. The 12 concepts are the vision of AA founder Bill W. over how the different entities involved in the fellowship should cooperate. of Debtors Anonymous” and can be purchased online. On the official website, a questionnaire is available for newcomers who may be wondering if Debtors Anonymous is the right program for them.
The fellowship works because it allows members to build a support system with other individuals suffering from the same problems and try to find solutions for these issues with incurring new debts. Because the fellowship focuses on compulsive debting as a disease that only gets worse and more progressive over time, providing solutions to these problems today can help members find some peace and serenity in their lives.
Many individuals who struggle with money or debt feel like they have tried everything to get their debt under control, so the program provides some relief for those who feel like they have lost hope. Recovery stories can be found online for newcomers to see how the program works, as well as speaker stories from Fellowship Day and the World ServiceAA and other 12-step fellowships do not normally have employees. Instead, members volunteer and take roles necessary for the operation of the different groups and the larger infrastructure of the fellowship. Common roles of service include secretary, treasurer, and chairing meetings. Conference.
Why is Debtors Anonymous effective?
Debtors Anonymous is effective because it addresses the disease of compulsive debting and provides spiritual solutions for members who are suffering from their debts and money problems. Compulsive spending is simply a symptom of the disease of debting, so once members begin to find solutions to how they can stop incurring new, unsecured debts, these symptoms will slowly begin to dissipate. Debting will begin to lose its hold over members once they have stopped incurring new debts. Instead of promising members that they will never be in debt again, Debtors Anonymous focuses on solvency, the idea of not incurring any new, unsecured debts – or any debts that are not backed up by collateral.
Once members have begun working the program and seeing its effectiveness, Debtors Anonymous offers Pressure Relief Groups/Meetings for members who have at least 90 days free of incurring new debts. These groups, which require up to 3 members, provide a place for individuals to begin writing spending plans and action plans to ensure they stay on the right path and continue working the steps towards the recovery process.
Although many of the members of Debtors Anonymous feel like they have lost hope before entering the program, newcomers can find relief once they enter the roomsA common 12-step moniker for the place where meetings are held. It can also refer to the atmosphere and fellowship in meetings. of Debtors Anonymous and know that they are not alone. Finding a solution to stop incurring new debt is possible if members of the fellowship work the program and continue to seek out solutions with the support of other members.
Common Questions about Debtors Anonymous
How much does Debtors Anonymous cost?
The fellowship of Debtors Anonymous is free to join. There are no fees or dues for membership. The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop incurring unsecured debts. While the group does not accept any outside contributions, they are self-supporting and rely solely on member’s contributions. Although the group has struggled financially in the past, members are never required to contribute.
How do I start a meeting?
Anyone can start a meeting of Debtors Anonymous as long as they have the desire to stop incurring unsecured debts. There is an official meeting registration form online and the program does request that all meeting information and contact information be provided, available, and up to date by June 30th of every year. There are free resources for meeting formats, information for newcomers and Debtors Anonymous readings available online.
Are meetings available online?
There are many Debtors Anonymous meetings still available face-to-face, even though some of these meeting locations have changed. All of the locations have been updated via the official website. For individuals who are unable to attend in-person meetings, telephone meetings can be found through the meeting directory page.
How do I know if I am a compulsive debtor?
Because it can be difficult for members to admit they suffer from compulsive debting or money problems, answering a short questionnaire can help newcomers decide whether or not they want to begin attending meetings. For many members, answering 8 or more questions with a yes is enough to consider their debting a problem.
- Are your debts making your home life unhappy?
- Does the pressure of your debts distract you from your daily work?
- Are your debts affecting your reputation?
- Do your debts cause you to think less of yourself?
- Have you ever given false information in order to obtain credit?
- Have you ever made unrealistic promises to your creditors?
- Does the pressure of your debts make you careless of the welfare of your family?
- Do you ever fear that your employer, family or friends will learn the extent of your total indebtedness?
- When faced with a difficult financial situation, does the prospect of borrowing give you an inordinate feeling of relief?
- Does the pressure of your debts cause you to have difficulty sleeping?
- Has the pressure of your debts ever caused you to consider getting drunk?
- Have you ever borrowed money without giving adequate consideration to the rate of interest you are required to pay?
- Do you usually expect a negative response when you are subject to a credit investigation?
- Have you ever developed a strict regimen for paying off your debts, only to break it under pressure?
- Do you justify your debts by telling yourself that you are superior to the “other” people, and when you get your “break” you’ll be out of debt overnight?
12 Steps of Debtors Anonymous (DA)
1. We admitted we were powerless over debt—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventoryStep 4 recommends the addict conduct “a searching and fearless moral inventory.” This involves coming to terms with the flaws which preceded addiction and those that came as a result of it. of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contactBuilding a relationship with a Higher Power is a crucial element in recovery. This involves conscious contact with a Higher Power through prayer and meditation regularly. with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to compulsive debtors, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
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12 Traditions of Debtors Anonymous (DA)
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon D.A. unity.
2. 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.
3. The only requirement for D.A. membership is a desire to stop incurring unsecured debt.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or D.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose–to carry its message to the debtor who still suffers.
6. A D.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the D.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every D.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Debtors Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. D.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Debtors Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the D.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymityAlcoholics Anonymous and all the 12 step groups modeled after it, protect the anonymity of its members. Members are forbidden from disclosing the identity of other addicts to outside sources or identifying themselves with the group on any form of public media. The idea behind this is to focus on the... at the level of press, radio, and films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
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