Service in Cocaine Anonymous transforms self-centred behaviour into an attitude of giving, allowing us to practise humility, gratitude, and responsibility. By contributing our time and skills—whether setting up meetings, answering hotlines, joining committees, or helping at the Area or World Service level—we give back what was freely given to us, strengthen our recovery, and support those still suffering. Service connects us with others, teaches teamwork, and provides a meaningful way to live our principles, reminding us that time spent helping is time not spent in addiction.
In addition to finding a spiritual way of life, recovery is about changing negative aspects of our personalities into positive ones. We came into the program with big egos but little or no self-esteem. We thought we were better than other people yet, at the same time, felt “less than.” We were people who took from others and abused friendships all of our lives. We had no concept of doing anything for anyone without the thought of some kind of reward. By the sheer grace of our Higher Powers, we have found several ways of unlearning such behavior in the program. One way is to be of service to the Fellowship of Cocaine Anonymous. We discovered that the best way to serve God was to serve our fellow humans, and we found humility in the process. Our self-centered behavior was gradually replaced with the “attitude of service.” We learned that service is about gratitude and learning how to contribute to our lives and the lives of others.
Why Be of Service?
• To give back what was so freely given to us;
• To take on a commitment as a symbolic way of making amends;
• To meet other recovering addicts;
• To learn how to be part of a team;
• To learn humility by doing something selfless for someone else;
• To learn skills or teach others what we know;
• To learn responsibility.