About DA
Membership of DA
The only requirement for DA membership is a desire to stop using any form of unsecured debt. There are no dues or fees; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.
Members share their experiences in recovery from compulsive indebtedness on a one-to-one basis, and introduce the newcomer to DA’s Twelve Steps of personal recovery (based on the Twelve Steps of AA) and its Twelve Traditions that sustain the Fellowship itself.
Meetings
At the heart of the program are its meetings, which are conducted autonomously by D.A. groups in cities and towns throughout the world.
Anonymity
Anonymity helps the Fellowship to govern itself by principles rather than personalities; attraction rather than promotion. We openly share our program of recovery, but not the names of individuals in it.
What D.A. does NOT do
D.A. does not keep attendance records or case histories, engage in or sponsor research, affiliate with “councils” or social agencies (although DA members, groups and service officers cooperate with them), offer religious services, provide housing, food, clothing, jobs, money or other social services, provide domestic or vocational counseling, provide letters of reference to parole boards, lawyers, court officials or social agencies.
D.A. does not discriminate against any prospective member. Who made the referral to DA is not what interests us… it is the compulsive debtor who elicits our concern.
Problems other than debt
Some people are compulsive spenders or compulsive shoppers. Underearning is another problem faced by many. These problems may exist separately from the problem of compulsive debt. Our primary purpose is to “stop debting one day at a time and to help other compulsive debtors to stop incurring unsecured debt.”
We service those who have a desire to stop using any form of unsecured debt, which is any debt that is not secured with some form of collateral such as a car, house, or other property.
Working the programme
After a member has gained some familiarity with the DA programme through attendance at meetings, he or she may take the following actions:
- Obtain a sponsor
- Work the Twelve Steps of DA
- Read DA literature
- Organize a pressure relief group and pressure relief meeting
Getting started
Welcome to Debtors Anonymous!
Here you can find a new way of living that offers recovery from compulsive debting and hope for a healthier, happier, more prosperous life. We suggest that you keep an open mind and attend at least six meetings as soon as possible. If you do not like one meeting, attend another. The important thing is to keep coming back.
Here are some suggestions to help you get started:
- First and foremost, we suggest that you stop incurring any new unsecured debt, one day at a time. Unsecured debt is any debt not backed up by some form of collateral. Although refraining from compulsive debting may be difficult and painful, it establishes a solid foundation for our recovery.
- To gain clarity about how we use money, we record our expenses and our income. A good way to do this is to buy a small notebook or planner that is easy to carry. Throughout each day, we write down everything we spend and any income we receive, no matter how small the amount. Do not be discouraged if you cannot keep perfect records. If you lose track, begin again as soon as you can. We believe in progress, not perfection.
- We recommend purchasing and reading D.A. literature, where you may find useful suggestions and new insights. We also find it helpful to read these books: A Currency of Hope, Alcoholics Anonymous, and The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. When you read AA literature, we suggest substituting the words debt and debting for alcohol and drinking.
- We suggest that you begin by working the Twelve Steps and by practicing the D.A. Tools because we did not arrive overnight at the circumstances that brought us to D.A., so solving our problems has required time and effort. While using the Tools of D.A. provides some relief from compulsive debting, working the Steps leads to recovery.
- We suggest that you work the Twelve Steps in order, preferably with a sponsor or an experienced D.A. member who has worked and continues to work the Steps to the best of his or her ability. For us, true, long-lasting recovery results from a spiritual experience gained by working the Steps.
- We recommend beginning with Step One. The sense of despair or “hitting bottom” we felt when we first came to D.A. was the first step in our recovery. We saw that our own attempts to scheme and manipulate our debts did not work. We admitted that we were powerless over debt. We were ready to ask for help.
- To help you work the program, we suggest asking someone who lives the recovery you want to be your sponsor. Sponsors help us work the 12 Steps, use the D.A. Tools and carry out our Action Plans.
- After you have recorded your income and expenses for (preferably) 30-45 days, attended at least six meetings, and made a commitment to D.A., we suggest that you ask two members of D.A., (usually a man and a woman) to meet with you in a Pressure Relief Meeting. These two D.A. members should have abstained from incurring unsecured debt for at least 90 days and had two Pressure Relief Meetings, and if possible they should have recovery from issues similar to yours. As the members of your Pressure Relief Group (PRG), they will help you review your situation and formulate a Spending Plan and an Action Plan.
- We suggest that you practice the principle of anonymity. Who we see and what we hear at meetings and in private conversations is kept confidential. This principle allows all members the freedom to speak openly and honestly without fear that our words or deeds may be used to harm us. Please respect the anonymity of all D.A. members.
The above essay is Conference-approved material that is reprinted with permission from the General Service Board of Debtors Anonymous; Copyright DA Intergroup UK 2008