AA Triangle: Applying Recovery, Unity, and Service In Your Sobriety Journey

January 21, 2020 - Life in Recovery - 0 Comments

If you’ve been to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, you are probably familiar with the three legacies of AA, namely: recovery, unity, and service. These three principles are represented in the logo of an AA Triangle that is placed inside a circle. The triangle is said to represent a stable balance between these three concepts, which is the answer to the three-part struggle of a person in recovery: physical, mental and spiritual. The circle, on the other hand, is a representation of openness, oneness, and wholeness.

If you are in the early stages of your sobriety journey, it can be challenging to grasp the purpose of these concepts. As you are still trying to overcome the struggles of your addiction or alcohol problems, it may be difficult to understand why these three legacies are important.

Recovery

The “Recovery” aspect of the AA Triangle is at the base of the triangle holding up the two other aspects, “Unity” and “Service”. Recovery pertains to the “12 Steps” and it is the foundation of the AA program. Without committing to recovery, the other two legacies will not really make sense if you cannot apply the 12 steps yourself. After all, it will be difficult to share and serve what you yourself are not committed to achieving.

Different people all have different timelines when it comes to approaching and completing their recovery journey. For some, it can take them less than a year to be completely sober, while there also many who take years before they can truly say that they are free from their addictions.

In recovery, it is important to acknowledge that you need to change for the better and to take the necessary actions to direct your life towards that change. Whether it means quitting on your own, going to AA meetings or seeking professional rehab treatment.

Keep in mind that the journey to long-term recovery is not easy. It will be filled with challenges and struggles. There will be times when you will feel that you want to give up but always remember that recovery is possible and it’s never too late to make that change.

Unity

Unity pertains to the fellowship that you need to develop and nurture during the recovery process.  You can do this by attending meetings and creating a supportive network of like-minded people working towards a sober new life.

Many people who go into AA meetings often do not realize the importance of being a part of a community so they tend to miss meetings or gatherings. Being part of a community is very important because it gives you a sense of belongingness. It introduces you to a much larger perspective and you get to learn from the experiences of other people as well. At the same time, by sharing your own experiences, you may not be aware that you are helping to change another person’s life.

At the Lighthouse, fellowship is seen as a significant part of a person’s sobriety journey. This is the reason why the treatment center established an Alumni Program consisting of different activities for the facility’s former clients. The program aims to create a strong fellowship between alumni members and introduce them to sober activities where they can have fun, be productive, and bond with one another.

Service

Why is it important to give back? Why do I need to serve and how does it help in my recovery process? Shouldn’t be I looking for myself first?

These are just some of the common questions asked by people who learn that service is a part of the AA triangle. Do you really benefit from rendering service towards others? The simple answer is YES. When you perform acts of service, you’re not only helping out others but at the same time, you are helping yourself. Here are the reasons why…

When you are in the position of service, you develop a sense of responsibility and you are teaching yourself to become more reliable. It does not matter how minor or small the position is.

For example, if you volunteer for a community project, you have to be there at a certain schedule and complete the volunteer work for a set period of time. Just by showing up and doing your part, this is already a big step towards your recovery.

Helping others also develops your self-esteem and gives you something to focus on. Instead of feeling useless, depressed, or upset, you will start to feel that you are more than your addiction. You can help bring positive change to the world and the lives of other people through service.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.

Contact Lighthouse Treatment Center today.