FRIENDSHIP

Definition of Friendship:
A state of mutual trust and support between friends.

Synonyms of Friendship:
Close relationship, alliance, close association, tie, harmony, etc

These notes are from recovery in AA and/or related 12 step programs. Readers are encouraged to click external links for more detail. We hope you find them helpful.

Love in fellowship.

Friends are people who help you be more yourself, more the person you are intended to be. Not only do we each need friends to help us grow, we need to be friends to others. To encourage and praise those who need it will help us in return. –Today’s Gift | More…

Don’t overlook the value of friendship. Don’t neglect friends.
Friends are a joy. Friends can be a comfort.

Who knows us better, or is more able to give us support, than a good friend?
Some friendships wax and wane, going through cycles throughout the years.

Some friendships last a lifetime. There are special love relationships, and there are friendships. Sometimes, our friendships – especially recovery friendships – can be special love relationships too. –The Language of Letting Go/Melody Beattie | More…

Most of us come to the Program with few genuine friends.
Like any relationship, friendship is a learning process.

Friends are there for us when we’re not there for ourselves. Friends help us gain valuable perspective on the events in our lives and our recovery. It is important that we actively cultivate friendships, for we have learned that we cannot recover alone. –Just For Today | More…

To make the world a friendly place one must show it a friendly face. We are beginning to learn that we get what we expect. –Keep It Simple 07/04 | More…

Once you make a friend, a friend never leaves you, even to death. So a friend is really hard to find.  An Elder told me he made a decision to be my friend. He said this friendship wasn’t based on my behavior or how I acted; He said the friendship was based on his decision. He decided to be my friend.–Elders s | More…

I have learned to be less negative and more positive. Your prayers become more real to you when you feel that God counts on your friendship and you count on His. –24Hours | More…

One of the beautiful aspects of AA is the bonding that develops among members. The danger in such friendships is that we may become too close in some ways.

Without realizing it, we may be making too many demands on others’ time. In such situations, we need to remember the words of Kahlil Gibran; “Let there be spaces in your togetherness.”

However, close we feel to others, we must allow them their space. We should also remember to respect others’ privacy as well as their anonymity. –Walk In Dry Places/Mel B. | More…

Once, an Elder told me he made a decision to be my friend. He said this friendship wasn’t based on my behavior or how I acted; he said the friendship was based on his decision. He decided to be my friend. This friendship has happened like he said. Even if I don’t see him for a long time, or if I get mad at him, he has never changed his decision. This is true friendship. –Elders Meditations | More…

Once you make a friend, a friend never leaves you, even to death. So a friend is really hard to find. An Elder told me he made a decision to be my friend. He said this friendship wasn’t based on my behavior or how I acted; he said the friendship was based on his decision. He decided to be my friend.–Elders Meditations | More…