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