We shall lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
~Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous
We came into the program as experts in dishonesty, deceit, envy, and self-pity. Selfishness was an attitude that fitted us well. We were shameless in the ways we took advantage of other people. The victims of our selfishness most often were those who loved us and tried to help us.
Our self-importance was based on unreality and was the effect of addicted behavior. We engaged in far-out thinking that reached the heights of fantasy. Our selfcenteredness and selfishness developed within all of us a sick ego that turned into a powerhouse of grandiosity. The arrogance of an ego-driven addict was a drawback to willingness. In such a state of being, only miracles could help us.
In my addiction, my selfishness made me a “me-first” person. In recovery, I am interested in the well-
being of o
thers. This has caused my self-interest to disappear
