Checklist – Steps One, Two, Three

This workshop goes back to basics and looks at the first three steps. It’s great for newcomers and a reminder to other members about the keeping the first three steps simple when carrying the message.

The checklists presented in the workshop are below or download as a pdf:

1. Signs that I don’t drink normally, that I get a craving for more.

• Getting drunk when I don’t intend to.
• Drinking more than the people around me.
• Unable to leave a glass with some still left in it.
• Once I start drinking, worrying there won’t be enough.
• Drinking faster than those around me.
• Last to leave the pub or party.
• Drinking more when I get home after being out drinking.
• Promising not to drink too much but getting drunk anyway.
• Feeling panicky if the grog runs out.
• Spending all the money I have on alcohol.
• Worrying about where to find/buy more alcohol.
• Forgetting to eat while drinking.
• Continuing to drink after throwing up.
• Continuing to drink and missing the last bus/train/tram home.
• Missing an important event because I’m drunk.
• Forgetting about other commitments after starting to drink.
• Using any possible means to open a bottle without a corkscrew.
• Drinking an expensive bottle that was kept aside for a special occasion.
• Trying to drink spilled alcohol.
• Drinking other people’s dregs.
• Stealing other people’s drinks.
• Borrowing money or using up all my credit to buy more alcohol.
• Begging for money to buy more alcohol.
• Flirting with someone to get them to buy me a drink.
• Doing something immoral, illegal or dangerous to get more alcohol.
• Not caring about anything else apart from drinking.
• Having to keep a large stash of grog.
• Leaving young kids alone to go and get more grog.
• Driving drunk to get more.
• Drinking things that are not meant to be drunk (metho, perfume).
• Drinking to blackout.
• Drinking until I pass out.

2. Signs I knew my drinking was abnormal and didn’t want others to know.

• Not drinking when I know there won’t be enough.
• Not drinking when I know my drinking will look out of place.
• Not going to places/functions where I’ll have to restrict my drinking.
• Not going in shouts because other people don’t drink fast enough.
• Secretly sneaking extra drinks.
• Eating mints or lozenges to conceal the smell.
• Drinking from coffee cups to hide the fact that it’s alcohol.
• Having a hidden stash of grog.
• Fearing that others will notice how much I’m drinking.
• Offering to go to the bar to get the drinks so I can get an extra one.
• Fortifying my drinks (adding vodka to beer) so no one will know.
• Drinking at sleazy bars where my drinking won’t be questioned.
• Lying about where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing.
• Lying about how much I’ve drunk.
• Denying that I’ve been drinking.
• Making up excuses for the amount I’ve drunk.
• Hiding empties.
• Making excuses to go to the supermarket when really I’m after more grog.
• Creating an argument so I can leave to go and drink.
• Putting empties in the neighbour’s bin.
• Shopping at different bottle shops to hide the amount I’m drinking.
• Making up stories to tell the shop assistant about why I buy so much grog.
• Justifying my excessive drinking.
• Blaming other people for my drinking.
• Telling myself I could stop if I wanted.
• Telling a sob story to justify my drinking.
• Acting ‘offended’ if someone questions my drinking.
• Lying to myself about how much I drink.
• Feeling guilt and remorse about my drinking.
• Drinking alone.
• Making promises to stop.

3. Signs that I’ve lost the choice in drinking, that I’m powerless over alcohol.

• Promising to have an alcohol free day but drinking anyway.
• Promising to only drink on weekends but failing.
• Resolving not to drink until a particular date but failing.
• Promising to give up ’tomorrow’ but never doing it.
• Walking/driving into the pub/bottle shop without thinking (on ‘autopilot’).
• Picking up a drink to celebrate a period of sobriety.
• Drinking on medications which shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol.
• Drinking when told not to by a doctor/health professional.
• Drinking while pregnant.
• Thinking – “this time will be different”.
• Promising not to have a drink but giving in to “just one”.
• Using excuses to drink.
• Inventing excuses to drink.
• Losing the argument with myself about whether to drink or not.
• Drinking for no reason.
• Deciding to quit and going on a binge in preparation.
• Continuing to drink despite threats of job loss.
• Continuing to drink knowing it will lead to marriage breakdown.
• Continuing to drink despite the threat of financial ruin.
• Drinking knowing it will re-trigger a serious health problem.
• Continuing to drink knowing I am hurting my loved ones.
• Continuing to drink knowing my children will be taken away.
• Continuing to drink knowing it is killing me.
• Going into rehab multiple times.
• Coming straight out of hospital/detox and drinking.
• Forgetting about the consequences of drinking.
• Relapsing when I’m happy.
• Forgetting the suffering drinking caused me and the people around me.
• Picking up a drink even though I know life is better without it.
• Seeking help by going to AA.
• Relapsing after making a commitment to AA and sobriety.
• Drinking again with the full knowledge of my alcoholic condition.

4. Signs that I’ve found hope in Alcoholics Anonymous.

• Coming to a second AA meeting.
• Being inspired by AA members.
• Feeling better after a meeting.
• Noticing the benefits of not drinking.
• Feeling uplifted by AA.
• Getting honest with myself.
• Committing to regular meetings.
• Reading the Big Book.
• Being open to suggestions heard in AA.
• Committing to 30 in 30 / 60 in 60 / 90 in 90.
• Helping out at meetings.
• Joining a home group.
• Encouraging other newcomers.
• Getting a sponsor.
• Enjoying seeing other people recover.
• Trying to be honest with others.
• Feeling hopeful.
• Believing recovery is possible.
• Returning to AA after a lapse.
• Laughing with other alcoholics.
• Appreciating the wisdom heard in the rooms.
• Sharing my story.
• Laughing at the ridiculous things we thought while drinking.
• Referring to drinking as something I did in the past.
• Looking forward to a better, sober life.
• Trying to have an open mind.
• Putting aside prejudice about spiritual ideas.
• Contemplating my own spiritual values.
• Thinking about my own conception of a power greater than me.
• Letting go of old ideas.
• Coming to believe in a power greater than myself.
• Making a commitment to a spiritual life (Step Three).

Resources

• Download Handout – Illustrated Steps – Alcoholic Checklist