Women For Sobriety Acceptance Program*

1. I have a drinking (life-threatening) problem that once had me. We now take charge of our life and our disease. We accept the responsibility.

2. Negative emotions destroy only myself. Our first conscious sober act must be to remove negativity from our life.

3. Happiness is a habit I will develop. Happiness is created, not waited for.

4. Problems bother me only to the degree I permit them to. We now better understand our problems and do not need substances as coping mechanisms.

5. I am what I think. I am a capable, competent, caring, compassionate woman.

6. Life can be ordinary or it can be great. Greatness is mine by a conscious effort.

7. Love can change the course of the world. Caring becomes all important.

8. The fundamental object of life is emotional and spiritual growth. Daily I put my life into proper order, knowing which are the priorities.

9. The past is gone forever. No longer will I be victimized by the past. I am a new person.

10. All love given returns two-fold. I will learn to know that others love me.

11. Enthusiasm is my daily exercise. I treasure all moments of my new life.

12. I am a competent woman and have much to give life. This is what I am and I shall know it always.

13. I am responsible for myself and for my actions. I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.

Alcoholics Anonymous (aa)*

Philosophy is to "Turn over" our will and our lives.
1. Higher Power concept.

2. Emphasis on alcoholism. "My name is Jean and I'm an alcoholic."

3. Keep the past vibrant in order to stay sober.

4. AA program based on religious philosophy from the Oxford Group. The Oxford Program: A. Admitted powerlessness. B. Made continuing moral inventories. C. Confess shortcoming to another and make amends. D. Pray for the power to carry this out and help others.

5. A meeting a week for a lifetime or will be drinking.

6. Emphasis on humility and dampening down ego.

7. Opposed to chemicals of all kinds, asking persons to give up medications. Not opposed to coffee.

8. Often urge members to eat candy when wanting to drink.

Women For Sobriety*

We take charge. "Our bodies ourselves."
1. Emotional and spiritual growth are fundamental.

2. Emphasis on recovery. "My name is Jean and I'm a competent woman."

3. Put past behind us to stay sober.

4. WFS program based on metaphysical philosophy, our thoughts create our world. Philosophy of WFS is also that of reality therapy.

5. Once we learn how to cope with the problems of life, we won't need a group any longer.

6. We must overcome humility and learn to find ego strengths.

7. Opposed to coffee in excess of one or two cups a day.

8. Sugar detrimental to alcoholics. Urge use of vitamins and learning about nutrition.

Older women are not immune either. An estimated one to two percent of women over 60 has a serious drinking problem. The elderly, says Dr. Sarah Saunders, a sociologist at the Addiction Research Foundation in Toronto, often begin drinking to ease their grief over a lost spouse or to ease their feelings of isolation and they usually drink alone.

*Taken from Women For Sobriety literature