Understanding AA Slogans

Understanding AA Slogans

What insights can experts and survivors share about addiction? This RAW Recovery Podcast instalment zeroes in on something many people in 12‑step rooms see on the walls every day but might not fully grasp: AA slogans. Host Dion chats casually (with a few cat interruptions and coffee-fuelled jokes) while unpacking six familiar phrases: "One Day at a Time", "Easy Does It", "Keep It Simple", "First Things First", "Keep Coming Back", and "Fake It Till You Make It".

He explains that these sayings are more than feel‑good posters; they’re meant as quick mental anchors when fear, anger, confusion, or self‑will start taking over. As he puts it, "The AA slogans are short reminders designed to help us practise recovery when our thinking becomes complicated." The tone is direct and no‑nonsense, with Dion openly challenging excuses and defiance around the programme.

He talks about how highly intelligent people can overcomplicate simple ideas, why living "one day at a time" might shrink problems down to something manageable, and how "Easy Does It" doesn’t mean dodging responsibility, but stopping the urge to fix your whole life in one afternoon.

There’s a frank look at early recovery too: the rush to repair every relationship, the temptation to act "holier than thou", and the jealous eye some might cast on newcomers who are suddenly full of enthusiasm. Dion also clears up misunderstandings around "Fake It Till You Make It", arguing that it’s about practising new behaviours before they feel natural, not pretending everything’s fine.

With side comments from listener Martin Leisure and plenty of humour about geeky acronyms and mischievous cats, this chat suits anyone in or curious about 12‑step recovery who keeps hearing these slogans and wonders what they actually mean in day‑to‑day sobriety. Which slogan speaks to you most right now, and how could you put it into action today?