Service Work
What is it, and why do it?
I use the term “service work” often when I speak or write about my recovery. For me, it is a tool that has helped me maintain my sobriety throughout the ups and downs of my recovery. But what actually is “service work,” and what does it mean?
In 12-step programs, service work refers to volunteer work that members do for one another, for home group meetings or clubhouse, for the recovery community, or to help spread the message of hope to other people still suffering from alcoholism, addiction, or a mental health illness.
This type of volunteer work is a core principle of the AA program. But there is also a science behind the benefits of service or volunteer involvement. A number of different research studies have shown that volunteering offers significant health benefits, both physical and mental.
Some of these benefits include;
Decreased levels of chronic pain.
It helps to lower blood pressure.
Helps decrease stress, depression, and anxiety.
Increases positive, relaxed feelings because it releases dopamine.
Volunteers were more active and had more social interactions.
It can help strengthen existing relationships by participating in a shared activity.
Volunteering reduced social isolation and feelings of loneliness.
Those who volunteered reported a greater sense of purpose and life satisfaction.
Boosts self-esteem and confidence, especially if one is learning a new skill.
Experience greater increases in life satisfaction and self-esteem.
Service work and the newcomer.
When I first started attending AA meetings, My sponsor told me to get involved. She suggested I help clean up after meetings, return chairs to their original positions, or wash the coffee cups. At first, I failed to see how this was going to help my sobriety, but she was setting the stage to encourage me to develop a sense of belonging to this group. Staying after the meeting for a few minutes forced me to connect with other members, make small talk, and begin to become a part of this community. It also enabled me to shift my focus away from myself, and my problems, and it helped me gain back a little bit of self-respect.
Other activities that you, as a newcomer, can do
Arrive on time and don’t leave early.
Clean and empty ashtrays.
Attend meetings regularly.
Greet people at the door when they come in.
Make coffee or tea.
Make sure literature and book racks are stocked .
Participate in group social activities.
At the beginning or end of the meeting, read one of the readings (e.g., the AA preamble, the 9th step promises, etc.).
Answer the questions or concerns of other newcomers.
Give out coins/tokens/chips.
Participate in discussions and share your story.
“Your heartache is someone else’s hope. If you make it through, somebody else is going to make it through. Tell your story.”
AA meetings depend on the volunteer services of their members to “stay in business,” If nobody volunteers, these groups will disappear. But almost any oldtimer in the program will tell you that the benefits of this volunteer work exceed the time and energy it takes to complete them.
Some other benefits of service work for the newcomer include;
Helps to build your recovery community, making new friends to socialize with who do not drink or use mood-altering chemicals.
Helping others can help foster a sense of purpose and increase your self-confidence and self-esteem as you give hope or help to another.
As most 12-step groups have a mixture of members from different social and cultural backgrounds, you may have the opportunity to learn about other’s points of view and life experiences.
If you are shy or introverted, attending meetings can help expand your social network social network and allow you to practice social skills with others.
Volunteer activities can help keep you accountable, helping you complete your commitments and promises.
Helping others with their problems reminds us of where we have come from and the damage we have overcome.
Greater involvement
As I accrued time in AA and became more comfortable with interacting with other members, I became more involved, which in turn helped me to solidify my commitment to the group and stabilize my sobriety. One of the best things that happened for me, was that I began to replace some of the toxic guilt and shame that I was carrying by seeing how my story was not unique and could help others.
Other activities that you can get involved in (some of these may require 3, 6, or 12 months of sobriety, depending on the group’s rules);
Chairing a meeting. (opening and closing a meeting).
Performing the opening readings
Choosing a topic and leading the discussion of the topic.
Reach out to newcomers or others who are struggling with their sobriety or problems that you have experienced.
Offer to speak at or bring meetings to hospitals, prisons, rehabs, etc.. to bring the message of hope to those in need and provide them with information about support available once they leave their facility.
Offering your specific skills and talents to help the AA community, such as creating flyers, maintaining a website, or helping with finances.
Taking an official service role within a recovery group, for example, treasurer, secretary, intergroup representative, or general Service Representative
Sponsor or help others in guiding them through understanding the 12 steps, working the program.
Write a book or article, start a podcast, use social media, etc., to spread the message of your experience, strength, and hope.
“Sidenote the 11th Tradition of AA states that… “our public relations policy is based upon attraction rather than promotion; we need to maintain personal anonymity at the level of press radio and films.”
“You have to give it away in order to keep it.”
In practice, service work is actually incorporated into the structure of the 12 steps, which infers that for us to remain sober (and I would say sane), we must make some effort to continue spreading the message of recovery to others. This does not mean that you have to get involved in service work to maintain your sobriety, but it is meant as a reminder that one of the best ways to help yourself is to help others.
The key to success at service work is to find an activity that you feel comfortable doing. If you are new to the recovery community, ask your sponsor or peers for ideas of what you can do, then gradually evaluate your natural talents and expand upon them (for me, that is writing and speaking) or find a cause that you are passionate about and pursue it. It does not have to be specifically related to recovery or the 12-step program. I have a friend who rescues and rehomes large animals such as horses and pet pigs. He volunteers his time and energy to animals and the people who adopt them.
The Bottom Line
Remember, your story can inspire others. It might change someone else’s life or give them enough hope and encouragement to keep trying. I was six months sober when I hit my lowest bottom, worse than my alcoholic bottom, and the main thing that kept me sober and making it through from one day to the next were the stories and experiences that others shared with me. I came to believe that if it worked for them, it could work for me, too.
Please share this with anyone you feel it can help, and take a few minutes to check out some of the other blog entries.