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:

Unsecured Debt Record Keeping Literature The Twelve Steps Step One Sponsorship Pressure Relief Groups Anonymity

Unsecured Debt

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.

Record Keeping

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.

Literature

The Twelve Steps

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.

Step One

Sponsorship

Pressure Relief Groups

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.

Anonymity

Reprinted with permission from the General Service Board of Debtors Anonymous; Copyright DA Intergroup UK 2008

Getting Started

Daily Morning Prayer and Meditation

DA Meeting (Online)

Visibility and Vulnerability in BDA/DA