There are quite a few mantras widely used by AA’ers—many you have very likely heard before—like “Easy does it”, “Keep it simple”, or “One day at a time”. But they’re more than just catchy phrases that roll off the tongue. These Alcoholics Anonymous mantras serve as reminders of the AA’s guiding principles and are intentionally short and simple so that they’re easy to recall when someone encounters difficult moments in their addiction recovery process. Another one of these popular mantras is “90 in 90” (also sometimes referred to as “90 and 90”).
What does 90 in 90 mean?
The phrase “90 in 90” applies to someone who is just starting out their recovery journey. It means attending 90 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings in 90 consecutive days, which is highly recommended for beginners newly in recovery. The principle originates from the belief that sustained engagement in recovery-oriented activities is essential for achieving lasting sobriety.
4 Essential Benefits of 90 in 90
The 90 in 90 isn’t an easy undertaking, and requires commitment, commitment, and a good amount of planning, to accomplish. Those who step up to the challenge, however, will find their efforts well rewarded.
Attending 90 meetings in 90 days establishes a strong foundation for individuals to develop and maintain abstinence from drugs or alcohol. Regular attendance at support group meetings, such as AA or NA, fosters a sense of community, accountability, and support, which have been scientifically proven to be critical for addiction recovery.
Enhanced Support System
The beginning of addiction recovery is arguably the hardest which is what makes social support in these early stages so invaluable. “90 in 90” promotes attending daily meetings, which will inevitably lead to individuals building a robust support network of other members. Support networks offer encouragement, guidance, and empathy which can go a long way towards providing motivation to stay sober. This is also important as addiction can be a highly isolating time in a person’s life and frequent social gatherings can also help to bring those walls back down.
Structure and Routine
To accomplish 90 meetings in 90 days, a person must establish a structured routine and plan out their days in advance. Such future-oriented thinking is great for addiction recovery, promoting stability and reducing the likelihood of relapse.
Increased Accountability
Goals help keep individuals accountable for their actions and mindful of the final payoff. Having the goal of achieving 90 in 90 in mind will encourage them to remain dedicated and focused on staying sober.
Exposure to Diverse Perspectives
Alcoholics Anonymous brings together people from all sorts of backgrounds. Frequently attending meetings will also quickly expose individuals to a wide range of experiences, insights, and coping strategies, expanding their understanding of addiction and recovery.
Additionally, attending meetings daily in early recovery will allow the individual to quickly experience different types of meetings (open, closed, step study, speaker meetings), which will also offer a diverse range of perspectives and recovery approaches.
This can be an illuminating expression to someone just starting out in recovery who might think that they are alone in their experiences and struggles. Remain open to different perspectives and approaches, allowing for personal growth and transformation throughout the recovery process.
How to attend 90 meetings in 90 days (and get the most out of it)
A meeting every day for 90 days is not an easy challenge, but it’s doable if you have the right mindset and make preparations in advance. Still, be flexible and compassionate with yourself during the process.
Tackle the logistics
First and foremost, you’ll need to create a schedule for yourself. This means planning out which meetings you’ll attend each day and considering the different locations and start times. Do you have private transportation? If not, you’ll need to consider public transit schedules or coordinate rides in advance. Consider other potential obstacles like work schedules or child care that could impede your ability to attend meetings.
Be an active participant
Engage actively in meetings by sharing experiences, listening attentively, and seeking advice or feedback when needed. Seek connections with other members outside of meetings, fostering supportive relationships and building a sober social network.
Celebrate milestones
Acknowledge and celebrate milestones along your journey. AA makes this easy with physical tokens and social acknowledgment, especially at the early stages. However, don’t forget to celebrate outside of the recovery community in a way that’s meaningful to you.
What if 90 in 90 just isn’t feasible for me?
Spoiler: You’ll still experience major benefits even if you don’t attend 90 consecutive AA meetings! It’s more about the intention of wanting to do better for yourself and giving yourself the resources and support you need to succeed in achieving sobriety. As the saying goes, shoot for the moon because even if you don’t succeed, you land among the stars. Begin your journey today and find an AA meeting near you.
