November 19

“Some suggest calling three people every day in order to build and maintain a support system.”

Tools of Recovery, page 10

When I first came into the program, I didn’t understand why there was such an emphasis on phone calls. Who has time for that, I thought. Isn’t going to meetings enough? And who would want to hear from me anyway?

Fortunately, I was so broken that I was willing to try anything. So I started making three program calls a day: one to my sponsor and two more to friends in the program, folks who were struggling, or newcomers.

Amazingly, it worked! The very act of picking up the phone and calling someone breaks the bubble and establishes a connection with someone else. It takes me out of my head, which can be a dangerous neighborhood. And often, unexpectedly, it enables me to be of service.

Despite my early fears, no one has ever asked me why I’m calling. Every time, my calls are met with compassion and gratitude. I can’t tell you how many times the other person has said, “I really needed a call. Thank you.”

It’s important for me to make program calls every day, even when things are going well. It’s like I’m exercising a muscle, getting it ready for the day when acting out begins to look appealing again. Those are the days when the phone is at its heaviest.

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Recovery is a team effort. By making program calls, I can lean on my brothers and sisters in the program, and let them lean on me.