AA Principles Pair Share

Objective: Encourage participants to reflect on which AA beginning principle resonates most with them and practice active listening through peer sharing.


Duration: 8 minutes


Materials:

• Recovery Principles Worksheet
• Pens or pencils
  
  

Instructions:

1. Individual Reflection (2 minutes)
   • Ask participants to review the descriptions of surrender, hope, and action on their Recovery Principles Worksheet.
   • Circle the principle that resonates most and write a brief note about why it stands out to you.
     
     
2. Pair Up (1 minute)
   • Invite everyone to find a partner nearby.
3. Share Insights (4 minutes)
   • In pairs, take turns completing this prompt:
     “My principle is _____ because _____.”
   • The listening partner then summarizes what they heard before offering any supportive feedback.
4. Group Debrief (1 minute)
   • Reconvene and invite one or two pairs to share a highlight from their conversation.

Facilitation Tips:

• Encourage openness, empathy, and respect for confidentiality.
• Circulate to ensure everyone has understood the activity and to prompt deeper reflection if needed.
• Remind participants that there are no “right” answers—this is about personal connection to the principles.

Recovery Principles Worksheet

Use this worksheet to explore AA’s beginning principles—surrender, hope, and action—and plan your personal next steps. Fill in your responses thoughtfully; there are no right or wrong answers.

1. Principle Definitions

Below are the three foundational AA principles. Read each one carefully.

SURRENDER: Admitting powerlessness over substances and recognizing the need for help.

HOPE: Believing in recovery, a higher power, or the possibility of change.

ACTION: Committing to specific steps or behaviors that support sobriety.

2. Reflection: Most Resonant Principle

Which principle resonates most with you right now and why?

Answer: ____________________________________________________________

3. Personal Experience

1. Recall a time when you recognized you were powerless over substances. How did (or could) surrendering help you in that moment?

1. Describe a moment in your recovery journey when you felt genuine hope. What gave you that sense of hope?

1. List at least three specific actions you have taken or plan to take to support your recovery:

• Action 1: ________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Action 2: ________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Action 3: ________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

4. Next Steps Planning

For each principle below, identify one or two concrete next steps you will commit to in the coming week.

SURRENDER:

HOPE:

ACTION:

Take your time with this worksheet. Keep it somewhere you can review daily to reinforce surrender, nurture hope, and drive meaningful action in your recovery journey.

AA Beginnings Handout

This handout summarizes the three foundational principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that guide the beginning of recovery: surrender, hope, and action. Keep it handy as you explore these ideas in discussion and reflection.

1. SURRENDER

Definition: Admitting powerlessness over alcohol (or other substances) and recognizing the need for help beyond one’s own willpower.

Example:
When John found himself unable to stop drinking despite broken promises to himself and his family, he realized that his own efforts weren’t enough. Admitting his powerlessness led him to reach out for support and take his first meeting with humility.

AA Quote:
“We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.”
—AA Step 1

2. HOPE

Definition: Believing in the possibility of change—through a higher power, the AA community, or one’s own inner strength—and trusting that recovery is achievable.

Example:
Maria felt a spark of hope after hearing a long-time member describe years of sobriety and the peace they’d found. That story reminded her that change is possible, even when things feel overwhelming.

AA Insight:
“Faith without works is dead.”
—James 2:26
(often cited in AA to highlight the balance of belief and action)

3. ACTION

Definition: Committing to practical steps that support sobriety, such as attending meetings, working the Steps, and building a network of peers and mentors.

Example:
Lisa decided to call her sponsor every morning and put “meeting attendance” on her calendar as a non-negotiable commitment. Small, consistent actions helped her rebuild trust with herself and others.

Inspirational Quote:
“Action expresses priorities.”
—Mahatma Gandhi

Keep this handout for reference as you work through the Recovery Principles Worksheet. Reflect on how surrender, hope, and action can support your journey, and discuss any questions during our session.