“Make Use Of Telephone Therapy”
The AA concept of "telephone therapy" represents one of recovery's most accessible yet underutilized resources—the practice of reaching out to sponsors, recovery mentors, and network connections for immediate support, guidance, and accountability. This principle recognizes that recovery cannot be sustained in isolation and that the simple act of picking up the phone to connect with recovery supports can prevent relapse, provide perspective during crisis, and maintain ongoing recovery growth.
"Telephone therapy" encompasses more than crisis intervention; it includes regular check-ins with sponsors, calling recovery friends for encouragement, reaching out for accountability before making important decisions, and maintaining the vital connections that form the foundation of recovery community. The phone represents a lifeline that connects isolated individuals to the collective wisdom, experience, and support of recovery fellowship.
This self-assessment is designed to help you examine your relationship with telephone-based recovery support and connection. It explores whether you actively utilize your recovery network, identifies barriers that might prevent reaching out for support, and helps you develop stronger skills for maintaining vital recovery connections through phone contact.
Immediate Accessibility: Unlike scheduled therapy appointments or meeting times, phone contact provides 24/7 access to recovery support whenever challenges arise. This immediate accessibility can prevent small problems from escalating into major crises or relapse situations.
Crisis Intervention Capability: Phone contact allows for real-time intervention during high-risk moments when isolation, emotional overwhelm, or craving intensity could lead to relapse. The simple act of talking through difficult moments with recovery supports can provide enough stability to navigate crisis safely.
Isolation Prevention: Addiction thrives in isolation, and phone contact provides antidote to the withdrawal and disconnection that often precede relapse. Regular phone communication maintains vital recovery connections even when in-person contact isn't possible.
Accountability Maintenance: Phone check-ins with sponsors and recovery supports provide ongoing accountability that helps maintain recovery commitments and practices. Knowing someone will follow up by phone increases motivation to follow through on recovery goals.
Wisdom and Perspective Access: Phone conversations with recovery mentors and experienced recovery people provide access to collective wisdom and perspective that can guide decision-making and problem-solving during challenging situations.
How Telephone Therapy Supports Different Recovery Needs
Emergency Crisis Support: Immediate phone contact during suicide risk, overwhelming cravings, emotional crisis, or other emergency situations provides life-saving intervention and crisis stabilization.
Daily Maintenance and Check-ins: Regular phone contact maintains recovery momentum, provides accountability, and prevents gradual drift away from recovery practices and community connection.
Decision-Making Support: Phone consultation with recovery supports before major decisions provides perspective, guidance, and accountability that supports recovery-affirming choices.
Emotional Processing and Support: Phone conversations provide safe space for processing difficult emotions, working through challenges, and receiving emotional support during difficult periods.
Learning and Growth: Phone discussions about recovery literature, spiritual insights, and personal growth provide ongoing education and development that supports long-term recovery success.