The Twelve Traditions

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT

1. Our common welfare should come first. Personal recovery depends upon Life Recovery unity.

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT

2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority- a loving God as He may express Himself through His word. Our leaders are but trusted servants. They do not govern.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 NLT

3. The only requirement for Life Recovery membership is a desire to follow Jesus.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24 NLT

4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or Life Recovery as a whole.

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2: 12-13 NLT

5. Each group has but one primary purpose- to carry its message to the person who still suffers.

6. A Life Recovery group ought never endorse, finance or lend the Life Recovery name to any related facility or outside enterprise lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

7. Every Life Recovery group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

8. Life Recovery should remain forever nonprofessional but our service centers may employ special workers.

9. Life Recovery, as such, ought never be organized but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

10. Life Recovery has no opinion on outside issues, hence the Life Recovery 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 anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.

12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.