Allow 15 minutes

Welcome: "Welcome to tonight's (today's) meeting. My name is __________. I am an adult with ADD, and I am your leader for tonight." [Leader reads the Welcome or Preamble.]

Prayer: "Please join me for a moment of silence, after which we will recite the Serenity Prayer."

Readings: [Leader choose from the list below. Not all readings are necessary for each meeting. Always read The Twelve Steps.]

"I have asked __________ to read the Common Symptoms."

"I have asked __________ to read the Common Traits."

"I have asked __________ to read The Twelve Steps."

"I have asked __________ to read The Twelve Traditions" (First meeting of month)

"I have asked __________ to read the Guidelines for Group Participation."

Allow 10 minutes

Introductions: "Let's take time to introduce ourselves by first name only. Begin on my left and go clockwise. If you are here for the first time, please share with us why you are here."

Contributions: "Our tradition is to be self-supporting through our own contributions. We ask for your contribution at this time."

Allow 55 minutes

Group sharing: "Our topic tonight is __________. I will share my experience, strength, and hope on the topic, and then the meeting will be open to general discussion and sharing. Please raise your hand before sharing, and introduce yourself. Limit your sharing to 3 or 4 minutes. I"ll be the timekeeper, and give you a warning when time is up. If you have a positive experience to share, please do so. It's always encouraging and uplifting to hear about one's successful experiences."

Allow 10 minutes

Conclusion: [Leader choose at least one from the list below.]

"I have asked __________ to read the Positive Qualities.

"I have asked __________ to read Milestones in Recovery.

"I have asked __________ to read The Promises.

"Are there any announcements?"

"May I have a volunteer to lead next week's meeting?"

"If you are here for the first time, and would like to add your phone number to our list, please do so. For those who have been here before, please phone those who are absent tonight to encourage their attendance at the next meeting. Contact with others is a vital part of our recovery, and serves as a helpful reminder that they are missed, and that attendance is important--for us and for them."

"Maintain contact during the week with your sponsor, recovery partner, or someone who is supportive of what you are doing. An alternative to meeting in person is talking on the telephone. You are encouraged to attend other twelve-step meetings as part of your journey."

"If we sincerely want to change our lifestyle, we use the Steps daily and continue to interact with others in recovery. Interaction with others reminds us that we are not unique--that everyone gets upset occasionally and no one is always 'right.' Through this awareness, we develop the ability to forgive, understand, and love others for who they are and where they are in their lives. We will grow to see how pointless it is to become angry, allow others to inflict emotional pain on us, and harbor resentments. If we stay committed to working the Steps and staying in contact with others, we will gain a sense of dignity and respect for ourselves and others."

Closing: "Reminder! Who you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here."

"Please join me in the closing prayer (Serenity Prayer or the Lord's Prayer)."

Step One: We admitted we were powerless over ADD--that our lives had become unmanageable.

Step Two: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Step Three: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God.

Step Four: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Step Five: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Step Six: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Step Seven: Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.

Step Eight: Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

Step Nine: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Step Ten: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

Step Eleven: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out.

Step Twelve: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

THE TWELVE STEPS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 1) We admitted we were powerless over alcohol--that our lives had become unmanageable. 2) Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3)Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 4) Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5) Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 6) Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 7) Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. 8) Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 9) Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 10) Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. 11) Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out. 12) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon ADD Anonymous unity.

Tradition Two: For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority--a loving God as God may be expressed in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

Tradition Three: The only requirement for ADD Anonymous membership is a desire to manage life with ADD.

Tradition Four: Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or ADD Anonymous as a whole.

Tradition Five: Each group has but one primary purpose--to carry its message to the adult with ADD who still suffers.

Tradition Six: An ADD Anonymous group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the ADD Anonymous name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

Tradition Seven: Every ADD Anonymous group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

Tradition Eight: ADD Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

Tradition Nine: ADD Anonymous, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

Tradition Ten: ADD Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the ADD Anonymous name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

Tradition Eleven: 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.

Tradition Twelve: Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

THE TWELVE TRADITIONS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 1) Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity. 2) For our group there is but one ultimate authority--a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern. 3) The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. 4) Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole. 5) Each group has but one primary purpose--to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. 6) An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose. 7) Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. 8) Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers. 9) A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. 10) Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. 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 our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

• We are easily distracted and have difficulty paying attention. We have a tendency to tune out or drift away.



• We are impulsive, and make hasty decisions without considering the consequences.



• We are restless, often hyperactive, and full of nervous energy.



• We have a strong sense of under achievement, and always feel that we fail to live up to our potential.



• We have difficulty in relationships.



• We are procrastinators, and have trouble getting started or feeling motivated.



• We cannot tolerate boredom, and are always looking for something to do.



• We have difficulty getting organized.



• We are impatient, and have a low tolerance for frustration.



• We have mood swings with periods of anxiety, depression, or loneliness.



• We worry excessively, and often have a sense of impending doom.



• We have trouble going through established channels or following proper procedure.



• We have many projects going at the same time, and have trouble following through with a project or task.



• We are poor observers of ourselves, and are often unaware of our effect on others.

• We tend to say what comes to mind without considering the timing or appropriateness of the remark.



• We have a tendency toward addictive behavior, and use mood-altering substances to medicate ourselves.



• We have difficulty in the workplace. We either change jobs frequently or have trouble getting along with our co-workers.



• We have a family history of ADD or other disorders of impulse control or mood.

• We have feelings of low self-esteem that cause us to judge ourselves without mercy.



• We are fearful, anxious, and insecure in many areas of our lives.



• We do not give proper attention to our physical well-being.



• We have sudden outbursts of anger, often with loss of control.



• We are resentful, and blame others for our problems and struggles.



• We are either irresponsible or we are overly responsible.



• We are perfectionists, and put undue pressure on ourselves to perform.



• We can be indifferent, and demonstrate an "I don't care" attitude.



• We use rebellion and defiance as a way to disguise the ADD traits that make us feel "different" from others.



• We are defensive and respond poorly to personal criticism or teasing.



• We have difficulty in sexual relationships, and use sex as a source of high stimulation or we consider sex uninteresting or a bothersome distraction.



• We have a compelling need for excitement and high stimulation in our lives.



• We use co-dependent and caretaking behavior to feel better about ourselves and avoid abandonment or rejection.



• We use denial as a survival tool to protect ourselves from reality.



• We use manipulation and control to manage our lives and make our ADD symptoms more tolerable.



• We tend to isolate ourselves and feel uncomfortable around other people.



• We have a strong desire to escape from the ADD characteristics that negatively affect us.

• We are intelligent, and highly motivated by intellectual challenges.



• We are creative and highly imaginative, and can express ourselves in unique ways.



• We have high energy and meet challenges with enthusiasm.



• We are intuitive and can easily sense the needs and feelings of others.



• We are resourceful, and can devise ways and means to accomplish things.



• We are warmhearted and enjoy doing things for others.



• We are humorous and have an ability to make others laugh.



• We are hardworking, and have a never-say-die approach to life.



• We are willing to take risks, and see risk-taking as a form of excitement.



• We are loyal, honest, and trustworthy.



• We are flexible, and adapt easily to change.



• We are change-agents, and like the intrigue involved in change.



• We are good observers or the world around us, and are able to find quick solutions to complicated situations.



• We are productive and effective if we like what we are doing.



• We are forgiving, and rarely hold grudges.






GROUP PARTICIPANT GUIDELINES





Recognize that your Higher Power is in charge

• Gratefully acknowledge the presence of your Higher Power and pray for guidance and direction.




Make a point of offering love in an appropriate manner

• Respect the needs of others by asking permission to express concern with a hug or a touch. Many are uncomfortable with physical contact.




Focus individual sharing on the step, exercise, or topic being worked

• Focus sharing on individual experience, strength, and hope as it relates to the materials being discussed.
• Allow equal time for everyone in the group to share.




Limit talking and allow others to share

• Keep your comments brief; take turns talking; and don't interrupt others.
• Respect each person's right to self-expression without comment.




Encourage comfort and support by sharing your own experience

• Do not attempt to advise or rescue the person sharing.
• Accept what others say without comment, realizing it is true for them.
• Assume responsibility only for your own feelings, thoughts, and actions.




Refrain from "cross talk

• Cross talk occurs when two or more people engage in dialogue that excludes others. It discourages others from participating.




Maintain confidentiality

• Keep whatever is shared within the group confidential to ensure an atmosphere of safety and openness.




Avoid gossip

• Share your own needs and refrain from talking about a person who is absent.




Refrain from criticizing or defending others

• Lovingly hold others accountable for their behavior only if they ask you to do so. Recognize that we are all accountable to our Higher Power, and it is not our place to defend or criticize others.




Come to each meeting prepared and with a supportive attitude

• Before each meeting, read the designated materials and complete any written exercises.
• Ask your Higher Power for guidance and a willingness to share openly and honestly each time you communicate with at least one other group participant.






MILESTONES IN RECOVERY



• We are using resentments, fears, and worries as a means to self-understanding, and not blaming others for our shortcomings.



• We are enjoying peace and serenity, trusting that God is guiding our recovery.



• We are gaining a healthy sense of self-esteem and accepting responsibility for our own thoughts, feelings, and actions.



• We are feeling comfortable with our impulsive nature and learning to use it in positive ways.



• We are structuring our lives to combat scattered thinking and disorganization.
• We are accepting distractibility as part of who we are and allowing ourselves extra time in our day for distractions.



• We are no longer fearful of others and have stopped isolating ourselves as a way to protect ourselves and escape from others.



• We are learning to laugh about our forgetfulness and are finding clues to help us remember where we put things and where we are going.



• We are becoming more patient and recognizing that God's timing is always right.



• We are no longer bucking the system; we are learning that we can accomplish more through cooperation than we can through resistance.



• We are taking on fewer responsibilities and trying to reduce the number of projects we have going simultaneously.



• We are using our sense of humor to feel more comfortable in social settings.







THE PROMISES




• We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.



• We will not regret the past not wish to shut the door on it.



• We will comprehend the word serenity.



• And we will know peace.



• No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.



• That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.



• We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
• Self-seeking will slip away.



• Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.



• Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.



• We will intuitively know how to handle situations that used to baffle us.



• We will suddenly realize that God is doing or us what we could not do for ourselves.






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