Getting Started in D.A.

Stop incurring any new unsecured debt

First and foremost, we suggest that you stop incurring any new unsecured debt, one day at a time. Unsecured debt is any debt not backed up by some form of collateral (such as a house, car, or other item of value). Although refraining from compulsive debting may be difficult and painful, it establishes a solid foundation for our recovery.

Attend D.A. meetings regularly

Attending meetings gives us a sense of hope, an opportunity to identify with others, and a chance to meet people who can help us. (Find a meeting.)

Record your expenses and your income

A good way to do this is to buy a small notebook or planner that is easy to carry. Throughout each day, we write down everything we spend and any income we receive, no matter how small the amount. Do not be discouraged if you cannot keep perfect records. If you lose track, begin again as soon as you can. We believe in progress, not perfection.

Read D.A. literature

You will find useful suggestions and new insights. We also find it helpful to read these books: A Currency of Hope, The Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Debtors Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous (the "Big Book"), and the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. When you read A.A. literature, we suggest substituting the words debt and debting for alcohol and drinking. (There is also free D.A. literature at debtorsanonymous.org.

The Twelve Steps

We suggest that you begin by working the Twelve Steps and by practicing the D.A. Tools. Because we did not arrive overnight at the circumstances that brought us to D.A., solving our problems has required time and effort. While using the Tools of D.A. provides some relief from compulsive debting, working the Steps leads to recovery.

Work the Steps

We suggest that you work the Twelve Steps in order, preferably with a sponsor or an experienced D.A. member who has worked and continues to work the Steps to the best of his or her ability. For us, true, long-lasting recovery results from a spiritual experience gained by working the Steps.

Step One

We recommend beginning with Step One. The sense of despair or "hitting bottom" we felt when we first came to D.A. was the first step in our recovery. We saw that our own attempts to scheme and manipulate our debts did not work. We admitted that we were powerless over debt. We were ready to ask for help.