These 12 promises are found in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, on pages 83-84, and they describe the emotional and spiritual transformation that occurs through working the 12 Steps—particularly by the time an individual completes Step 9 (making amends). These are not lofty ideals but deeply personal experiences that countless AA members report as becoming true in their lives.
AA 12 Promises:
- We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
- We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
- We will comprehend the word serenity.
- 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 which used to baffle us.
- We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
The 12 Promises are not guarantees or rewards—they are natural outcomes. They begin to unfold as a result of honest, sustained work in the program. Many in recovery say they didn’t notice them at first, but eventually “woke up” one day, realizing these promises had become true in their lives. They reflect the internal healing that comes from righting wrongs, letting go of guilt, and developing spiritual connection and community.
These promises are proof that recovery is not just abstinence—it’s transformation.
Promise 1 affirms that you will experience new freedom and happiness. AA Promises are in fact “promises that the AA program makes when a person works the 12-step program to the best of their ability.
As you read the following, remember that these promises can come true if you only continue to nurture your recovery. Sometimes called the Promises of Step 9 of AA, the statements are technically part of Step 9, which it seeks to amend. The Big Book Promises mostly describe the change in attitude that will occur within the alcoholic, sometimes quickly and sometimes slowly. AA’s 12 pledges are one of the cornerstones of the organization, helping countless people over the years recognize, accept and recover from alcohol addiction, one day at a time.
What this promise really means is that going through the process will help us grant some control and allow something that is greater than us to help guide us. The 12 AA Promises offer a list of lights at the end of the tunnel, giving you things to look forward to as you continue on your path to recovery. This, of course, depends on working through the Twelve Steps, which can be intimidating, strange, or uncomfortable at first. This statement essentially assures followers of the 12 steps of aa that the process will lead to a life free from the burdens of alcohol and addiction, and will end all the happiness that flows from that relief.
They remind us that it’s okay to devote time to self-care, because that’s the real first step towards a better future, for everyone. If you think you may be ready to make these promises to yourself, or if you want to learn more about the Ninth Step Promises or Alcoholics Anonymous, find an AA meeting near you. Looking at them one by one can help you keep promises, making them more effective for your recovery. We strive to provide information, tools and resources to work on a 12-step program (or any program that uses 12-step principles for recovery) in the simplest and most effective way possible.
