Rigorous honesty is the gateway to recovery in SA. At first, I thought that admitting the full extent of my problem and sharing my real history were impossible. What would others think? During Step Five, I confessed a long-held secret to my sponsor. I had expected an overly dramatic moment, but he didn’t overreact, and I also didn’t feel an overwhelming sense of relief. Instead, I felt the simple peace that comes from straightforward, honest disclosure. Through consistently practicing rigorous honesty, I finally found lasting sobriety and peace.

Dear ESSAY,

I wanted to compliment you and your staff on the October Issue. Well done!

The graphics are outstanding, and the composition of text and graphics is very impactful. The representation of our fellowship with articles from mixed sources, women, men, and international contributors is impressive and encouraging. It really is an impressive magazine. Again, well done!

My sponsor suggested that I periodically follow up with the professionals to give them an update on how the Fellowship is doing. Sometimes, this meant calling them again to give them a verbal update, but often it meant sending them an email update. I use the BCC line for these group emails. Again, I give permission to share these emails with anyone who needs them. I have gotten calls from potential newcomers in other parts of the state who were referred by a professional who had my email forwarded to them. 

This member shares how following the “no crosstalk” guidelines fosters real respect for all the members in the meeting. 

Over my 25 years in the Program, the opening of a meeting always includes a request that there be no crosstalk. I have learned that crosstalk is giving advice to others who have already shared. 

I am reminded that I speak in the “‘I,’ not ‘we’ or ‘you’” (SA 186 ).

He practices trusting truth from an infinite and caring God rather than trusting in finite, lying fears.

I get a thought.

The thought produces feelings.

I react to the feelings.

The thought was a lie.

The Steps replace the addictive process with a Program of recovery. 

This happened almost 20 years ago, when I was just beginning this recovery Program. On my way to work, I was driving slowly when the vehicle behind me suddenly sped up and hit my car. It was a very minor collision, but I thought, “I can take advantage of this and get some money out of it. I’ll just say that he damaged the entire rear part of my car. I knew that the other damages had been caused previously and were in no way the responsibility of that driver.

This member embodies the honesty necessary to make this amends from the heart. 

To every brother in SA who has treated me with respect and kindness, who notices the discomfort of being the only woman in an SA meeting or event, to those who strive every day to make SA a safe place for us, to those who have treated me like their daughter or sister, to the loving brothers who welcomed me in SA—thank you!

Her sponsor helped her admit deep resentment towards her adoptive mother. 

Rigorous is “an adjective that means extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate.” Rigorous honesty is a commitment to complete truthfulness in all aspects of life, even when it's difficult or has consequences. Phew. To become rigorously honest is a process that develops through the recovery process. This addict had no clue how to be honest at the start of her journey, and to be rigorously honest seemed impossible. 

Honesty helps him take the Steps with sincerity of heart.

Honesty starts with my heart. My head is going to think of all kinds of reasons to dodge the truth. When I was trapped in addiction, I listened to my head for reasons and excuses to continue to act out. I followed my head, but my heart was unsettled. With grace from my Higher Power, I found SA and began following my heart. My connection with my Higher Power is mostly through my heart. 

Higher Power gives her the courage to turn her whole life over to the will of God. 

When I hear the words “rigorous honesty,” all kinds of things go through my mind: bringing the inside out, sharing with others, writing Tenth Step inventories, making phone calls, and sharing honestly and sincerely in meetings. In my recovery, it has already become clear that this is absolutely necessary.