WSBT Q1 WSBT Call Approved Minutes
| Thursday 2nd | March 2023 | 7:00am – 3:00pm |
| Friday 3rd | March 2023 | 7:00am – 3:00pm |
| Saturday 4th | March 2023 | 7:00am – 3:00pm |
| Sunday 5th | March 2023 | 8:00am – 1.00pm |
Moment of silence followed by the “WE” version of the Serenity Prayer Personal Sharing (3-5 Minutes)
Roll Call
- Richard B., ANRT
- Chris M., ASRT
- Sarah T., ERT/WSBT Chair
- Johan T., MERT
- Clay P., MWRT/WSBT Vice Chair
- Ruby C., PNRT
- Aurora L., PSRT/WSBT Secretary
- Barry H., SWRT/WSBT Assistant Secretary
- Gary P., TAL1
- Laurie R., SWOT
- Joni E., WST
Readings
- Reading of Twelve Traditions – Aurora
- Tradition 3 & Discuss – Ruby
- Concept 3 & Discuss – Gary
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
WSBT Meeting Minutes p. 3
Chair’s Remarks
WSBT Officer Reports
Trustee Reports
WSBT Sub-Committee Reports
Trustee Conference Committee Reports
WSO Reports
CAWS Convention Reports
Place Marker / Business Items
Old Business
New Business
Correspondence Inquiries & Responses p. 11
Referrals p. 32
Attachment A – WSBT Officer Reports p. 34
Chair’s Report
Vice-Chair’s Report
Secretary Report
Assistant Secretary Report
Attachment B – Trustee Reports with Area Questionnaires p. 38
Atlantic North Regional Trustee Report
Atlantic South Regional Trustee Report
European Regional Trustee Report
Mainland Europe Trustee Regional Report
Midwest Regional Trustee Report
Southwest Regional Trustee Report
Pacific North Regional Trustee Report
Pacific South Regional Trustee Report
Trustee at Large 1 Report
World Service Office Trustee Report
World Service Trustee
Attachment C – WSBT Subcommittee Reports p. 170
External Communications
Finance
International Structure & Development (IS&D)
Legal
Long Term Planning (LTP)
NewsGram
Orientation
Trustee Election Committee (TEC)
Trustee Negotiation Committee (TNC)
Trustee Outreach
World Service Conference
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Attachment D – Trustee Conference Committee Reports p. 177
Archives
Conference
Convention
Finance
Hospitals & Institutions
Information Technology
Literature Chips & Formats
Public Information
Structure & Bylaws
Unity
Attachment E – World Service Office Reports p. 205
Chair
Vice-Chair
Treasurer
Director of Operations
Attachment F – CAWS Convention Reports p. 208
2022 Austin
2023 Atlanta
2024 Holland
2025 Phoenix
Chairs Opening Remarks
As we commence our first quarterly meeting of 2023, I always feel excited mixed with trepidation to the build-up to quarterly meetings. We have a lot of business to address, and I hope that we can all serve the fellowship well. Please do pitch in to the debates, all our voices need to be heard, it is no mistake God put this board together through the TEC. I am unable to attend to chair on Thursday and Friday due to work commitment. I feel confident our Vice Chair Clay, will do a sterling job. I will endeavour to facilitate the smooth running of our meeting from Saturday. This Board has a great depth of experience and abilities. Let’s continue with the great work this weekend.
WSBT Officer Reports (See Attachment A)
Chair (Sarah)
Reports should be submitted one week prior to quarterly to give everyone enough time to review
Vice-Chair (Clay)
Secretary (Aurora)
Ruby asked for motions in Summary of Motions to be ordered oldest to newest and there were no objections
Assistant Secretary (Barry)
Motion: to approve the WSBT Officer Reports
Passed unanimously
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Trustee Reports (See Attachment B)
- Atlantic North Region Trustee (Richard) Toronto is hosting ANRC in October 2023
- Atlantic South Region Trustee (Chris) Meeting count decline in some areas
- European Region Trustee (Sarah)
- Mainland Europe Region Trustee (Johan) Meeting starting in Nigeria, 1st Annual Mainland Convention, CA France needs legal assistance for creating CA France.
- Midwest Region Trustee (Clay)
- Pacific North Region Trustee (Ruby) Southern Alberta is hosting a social media workshop
- Pacific South Region Trustee (Aurora) New meeting in Honolulu, HI. OSA requesting fair use policy update
- Southwest Region Trustee (Barry) CAWS 25 chair is asking areas to conduct fundraising to support convention. Discussion on digital literature.
- Trustee at Large 1 (Gary)
- World Service Office Trustee (Laurie)
- World Service Trustee (Joni)
Motion: to accept WSBT Trustee reports
Passed unanimously
WSBT Subcommittee Reports (See Attachment C)
(Lead member listed first)
- External Communications (Gary/Clay)
- Finance (Laurie/Aurora/all) This committee involves all Trustees, financials are sent weekly International Structure and Development (Johan/Chris/Sarah/Laurie/Gary)
- Legal (Joni/Barry) Discussion on trademark registration for the C.A. App
- Long-term Planning (Gary/Clay/All) speaker platform discussed, please add LTP dates to calendar News Gram (Chris/Richard) Articles due April 1
- Orientation (Clay/Chris/All) 10 updated documents to review in Old Business
- TEC (Clay/Johan)
Motion: to increase TEC budget by 385.00.
Passed unanimously
TNC (Joni/Aurora/Johan/Clay/Laurie/Richard/Ruby) Approved contract for overflow hotel. TNC will follow up with WSM guidelines for reviewing contracts.
Trustee Outreach (Sarah/Clay)
World Service Conference (Laurie/Gary) N/A WSM says they meet every two years.
Motion to accept WSBT subcommittee reports
Passed unanimously
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WSBT Conference Committee Reports (See Attachment D)
(Lead member listed first)
- Archive (Joni/Richard)
- Conference (Laurie/Gary) Delegate mailing on track
- Convention (Chris/Barry) Co-Anon registration updates for suggested guidelines Finance (Aurora/Richard)
- Hospitals & Institutions (Gary/Laurie)
- IT (Richard/Clay) Have not hired special workers yet because they were not ready. The plan is to test for android at convention, test for iphone at conference. Forward questions about copyright issues to Joni.
- Literature, Chips & Formats (Barry/Aurora)
- Public Information (Ruby/Chris) C.A. was chosen to be one of the presenters of NADCP 2023
- Structure & Bylaws (Johan/Joni)
- Unity (Clay/Sarah)
Motion to accept Conference Committee reports.
Passed Unanimously
WSO Reports (See Attachment E)
WSOB Chair – Letter to fellowship regarding price increase of chips. P.O. Box mail was supposed to be forwarded to Office, but it never happened and there was mail for the past 8 months. Helpline not feasible the way PI wants it. JH2H phase I complete, phase II almost complete. P.O. Box will be a nominal cost to have mail forwarded. We cannot forward until we have been paying on time for a year. IT got passwords and access to Earl for all C.A. accounts and property. WSOB Vice Chair – no report
WSOB DOO – no report
WSOB Treasurer – International Banking is in process again. Discussion on credit card limits and spending guidelines.
Motion to accept WSO reports
Passed unanimously
CAWS Convention Reports & Updates (See Attachment F)
CAWS 2023 Atlanta (Chris)
- Great Exchange Meeting Sunday 9-11
- Meet the Boards Friday 1-3
- LTP Meeting Saturday 27th, 1:00pm – 3:00pm (impact of clash with main speaker… no speaker during that time)
- Trustee Dinner (Tal1) Friday 26th 5pm
$29,000 pre-convention fundraising, registration package cost analysis would have made it easier to review contract, registration is at 212 which is comparable to Austin. Joni will check how we add on to registration. The Great Exchange is information exchanged from convention to convention.
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CAWS 2024 Holland (Johan) Healthy committee. Registration piece, to be released in Atlanta. Committee report continues to be unformattable.
CAWS 2025 Arizona (Barry) Service resumes and planning on schedule, inflation is effecting all bids.
CAWS 2026 tbc Conference will decide
Motion to accept Convention reports received.
Passed unanimously
Place Marker / Business Items (items retained on agenda for every meeting)
- Copyright and Trademark Protection (Joni)
| Matter No. | Country | Mark | Renewal Due |
| 59628-0001 | Canada | WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE | September 30, 2027 |
| 59628-0002 | U.S. | COCAINE ANONYMOUS | September 4, 2030 |
| 59628-0003 | Canada | COCAINE ANONYMOUS | December 13, 2031 |
| 59628-0004 | U.S. | C.A. | December 20, 2028 |
| 59628-0005 | Canada | C.A. | June 12, 2032 |
| 59628-0006 | U.S. | C.A. HOPE FAITH COURAGE (logo) | April 24, 2030 |
| 59628-0007 | Canada | C.A. HOPE FAITH COURAGE (logo) | August 9, 2032 |
| 59628-0008 | U.S. | WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE | April 2, 2026 |
| 59628-0009 | Europe | COCAINE ANONYMOUS | April 1, 2026 |
| 59628-0010 | Europe | C.A. HOPE FAITH COURAGE (logo) | July 26, 2026 |
| 59628-0011 | Europe | C.A. | July 25, 2025 |
| 59628-0012 | South Africa | COCAINE ANONYMOUS | In process |
| 59628-0013 | South Africa | C.A. | In process |
| 59628-0014 | South Africa | CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE (logo) | June 30, 2027 |
- Protection for emerging Areas update – Will discuss update on registration Saturday morning 7.00.am – 1st order of business with attorney
- Suite of Documents Copyright agreement for translation completed. These are good to go documents.
- App copyright (IT) – Richard (App meeting on the 18th)
- Cease and Desist Letter – https://www.recoverlution.com/knowledge/cocaine-anonymous-information-meetings Matter closed…they have removed copyrighted items, CAUK PI will reach out to them to educate.
- Cease and Desist Letter update Amazon Coloring Book update – awaiting response from Amazon
- C.A. Logos on YouTube – Motion: to add to LTP chart how to address copyrighted materials on YouTube etc.. Passed Unanimously
- Ownership of website (Clay) – Johan to update via referral.
Motion: to take business out of order and discuss Item J after lunch.
Passed unanimously
h. Ratification of WSO Chair, Treasurer & DOO and DAL at 2nd quarterly meeting (check scope in WSM) –
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i. Project Chart (Clay) discussed active projects
j. Correspondence (Barry)
k. Referral Tracker (Barry) Reviewed open and transferred referrals and where we are with them.
Motion to transfer referral WSBT 29021-06 formsite # 9028761 from WSBT to conference committee
Passed unanimously.
Motion to extend the time to 15 minutes that this discussion is ended.
Passed unanimously
Motion to close.
Passed unanimously.
Item A under Legal
Meeting with attorney: Presentation on copyright/trademark laws
Trademarks with emerging areas, Peru is not included Madrid Protocol. Recommend we remove Peru.
Motion: to remove Peru from our ca logo trademark registrations. Passed unanimously
Motion: to file a new U.S. registration of logo and C.A. word mark in the U.S. with the following recitation:
Association services namely promoting the interests of those concerned with substance abuse. Passed unanimously
Will follow up in April. Discussion on which trademarks to file for app. Seems to be consensus on logo, C.A., and Cocaine Anonymous
Motion to table for more info regarding Canada and move online Clay, Joni
Passed unanimously
Joni will give amounts to Laurie for adjusting budget
Referral Tracker cont…
a. WSM changes regarding WSO
Motion to table and move to later
Passed Unanimously
l. Long Term Planning (Gary) reviewed recommendations form LTP Internal Globalization suggested move to LTP project chart. Reviewed a new website for ca.org.
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Motion: to transfer Internal Globalization recommendations to LTP
Passed unanimously
Motion: for the WSBT to write response asking for “a new website for ca.org” to be a more specific document of suggested must haves and wants to be brought to WSBT for approval
Passed unanimously
m. International Structure & Development (Johan) see report
n. Status of World Service Office (Laurie)
Overall update Last year, CAWS was added as additional insured. New Broker will write 4 individual policies. Employer liability is covered. Houston container needs to be added. Laurie will look into insurance for container.
Motion: to approve having the two entities CAWS and CAWSO insured together on one policy for Liability and D&O
Passed unanimously
- External company update – Phase II
- DOO/ Office Manager
- Motions from the WSO regarding WSM p 70-72
- Election / ratification process (discuss Sat morning – motion separate item)
- Succession plan update
- Clouds storage and access – update required Currently working with Cameron to move it into our cloud account.
- New bank accounts x 2 and International Bank Account International bank account is in process.
- Help line not feasible the way PI wants it…looking at alternative options
- Insurance quotes –
- Harassment training – please complete supervisor link
- Update on translation committee implementation translation committee would like all items to be housed in one area
- Update on Royalty Agreement for Keyrings
- Literature repository process
o. Trustee Election Committee. (Clay) TEC mailing will be going out tomorrow.
p. Financial Overview (Laurie) reviewed P/L 2022 and P/L 2023 and balance sheet
q. Directors and Officers Insurance Renewal (Q1) (Laurie)
r. Monitor Tax Preparation and filing (Q1) (Laurie)
Old Business Items
- Regional Restructuring (Johan) awaiting regional feedback
- Approval Revised Orientation Documents (Clay/Chris) x 10 documents
Motion to upload approved documents (policy) to ca.org
Passed unanimously
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Motion to approve the WSBT expense reimbursement guidelines and submit to ca.org website
Passed unanimously
Motion to approve the WST responsibilities and submit to ca.org website
Passed unanimously
Motion to approve the TAL responsibilities and submit to ca.org website
Passed unanimously
Motion to approve the TAL responsibilities and submit to ca.org website
Passed unanimously
Motion to approve the WSOT Responsibilities and submit to ca.org website
Passed unanimously
Motion to approve the Regional Trustee Responsibilities and submit to ca.org website (stays in committee)
Passed unanimously
Motion to remove point 4 and approve the Procedures for Recording WSBT Meetings and submit to ca.org website
Passed with substantial unanimity
Motion to approve the Policy on sign off for conference approved WSC committee materials and submit to ca.org website
Passed unanimously
Motion to approve New Trustee Orientation and submit to ca.org website
Passed unanimously
Update WSM to reflect these changes. Clay and Chris will work on it.
Motion to pull TAL document back to committee to review attendance at drug related conferences.
Passed unanimously
- S&B Process to start ballot to change Tradition 11 (Johan) working on this with Anita on S & B subcommittee.
- Recordings/uploads of members shares/pod cast WSBT LTP -Project (Gary, Joni, Johan) we don’t have a motion at this point. Gary shared process that committee came up with imperative to build guidelines and platform simultaneously
- Harassment training for Boards –complete by this weekend
- Moving Office WSBT – LTP (Sarah/Laurie/Joni/Gary/Richard) – SR17 Current office lease expires September 30, 2024.
Motion to accept the recommendation to move the office to AZ
Passed unanimously
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Motion to close
Passed unanimously
- App copyright update from (Richard IT) Committee is waiting on office for copyright information
New Business Items
- Spring Mailing (Laurie)
- WSC Virtual component update (Laurie/Gary) Conference committee has formed a subcommittee
- LCF 12 Concepts Inventory Pamphlet (Barry)
- Non-Delegate Conference Committee Chairs (Gary) discussion on costs of a non delegate chair, discussion on virtual meeting participation of non delegates
- Discussion on Referrals / Motion from WSOB (Sarah) Read Concept 8
- B2B agenda (Sarah) reviewed timelines to keep to 2 hours
- SR14 material (Sarah)
- TNC process Reviewed 2 contracts
- Review contracts
Motion to approve two contracts
Passed unanimously
- Contract from Atlanta
- TNC process suggestion from WSO Director DOCAC…..to be discussed at B2B
- Legal – CA Speaker Apps (Gary)
Motion to look into sending a cease and desist letter to Cocaine Anonymous speakers app on app stores.
Passes unainimously
- SR14 material (Sarah)- referrals, office move agenda item- carry over until April 8,2023 8-12
- Clouds storage and access speak to earl about access versus ownership
- Discuss using free google apps
- Area wants to donate money specifically for the application
Any Other Business
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Correspondence – Inquiries & Responses (Open)
NONE
Correspondence – Inquiries & Responses (Closed)
Q4-01 2022-10-18 / Question About Guidelines – Incoming Inquiry and Acknowledgement
Dear Jo,
Thank you for your inquiry. This message is to acknowledge we have received your email and to let you know the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Board of Trustees will respond to you within 30 days.
Sincerely,
World Service Board of Trustees
Cocaine Anonymous
Name – Jo P
Email Address – delegate@casw.co.uk
City – Bristol
State/Province – Bristol
Area or Region – West Country Area
Subject – Question about guidelines
Your Message – Hi there. I have been reflecting on my first conference experience, which was just mind blowing, and something that has really stuck out for me is the conversations that were happening around internal and external guidelines. I was wondering if you could let me know why a committee would choose to have a set of internal as well as external guidelines. Thank you, ILAS Jo
Q4-01 2022-10-18 / Question About Guidelines – Response
Dear Jo,
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Thank you for your inquiry. The purpose of internal guidelines is for World Service Conference Committee operations. External guidelines are guidance for the Regions, Areas, Districts, and Groups on how to do service work.
Do not hesitate to reach out to the World Service Board of Trustee (WSBT) if you have additional questions.
Sincerely,
World Service Board of Trustee
Cocaine Anonymous
Q4-03 2022-11-23 / Regarding Anonymity & Safety Online CA Meetings – Inquiry and Acknowledgement
Dear Abel,
Thank you for your inquiry. This message is to acknowledge we have received your email and to let you know the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Board of Trustees will respond to you within 30 days.
Sincerely,
World Service Board of Trustees
Cocaine Anonymous
From: Abel D.
Sent: Monday 21 November 2022 16:38
To: cawso@ca.org
Subject: Regarding Anonymity & Safety Online CA Meetings
Regarding Anonymity & Safety Online CA Meetings
Dear CA World Office,
My name is Abel, I’m an addict based in the Netherlands and a proud member of CA. I live in Numansdorp near Rotterdam and I follow and do service on the online meetings of the “Dutch Online District” and the “OSA”.
Since the beginning of my recovery, which started 1 year ago, there has been a huge discussion about the Anonymity, the online safety which are in conflict with the first tradition, the third tradition and the twelfth tradition.
We have a group of members that join the online meeting with total anonymity with no face, no voice and no name (often as zoom user). They do not participate in the meeting and sometimes when asked to introduce themselves sometimes respond in the chat; “I do not need to introduce or show myself because this is an anonymous program”.
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On the one hand there is a group that is worried about their safety within the group if such a member appears because they don’t know who or what that participant is; it could be my boss checking me out why I called in sick, It could be a man spying in a women’s meeting, It could be someone from the press wanting to write about CA or a preprogrammed bot programmed to record each meeting automatically with integrated face recognition to list every member of CA (a bit far fetched though).
This group stops sharing, is afraid to share their phone number at the end of the meeting and sometimes even re-enters the meeting with total anonymity to the group; they are handling in fear of a break in the twelfth tradition; “Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities”. They say that participating a meeting with total anonymity to the group might be a leak to “that what happens in the meeting, will stay in the meeting, and that it’s taking personalities above principles
They say, we are anonymous to the outside world and not anonymous to each other within the group. The meeting is not meant to be anonymous to each one and other within the walls of C.A.. First tradition; “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon C.A. unity”. An unknown participant is no C.A. participant within the meeting and in this way we cannot offer any help to that participant if he or she is seeking this.
Also they see that unknown participant as a liability of the safety of the group. It could be a direct hole or leak into the group’s anonymity. They do not wish to exclude or dismiss anyone based on the third tradition “The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking / a desire to stop using mind altering substances” and they can always re-enter the meeting as long as they participate, in the way that participation automatically means that he or she has the desire to stop using mind altering substances.
On the other hand there is a group that encourages that every member or participant is welcome based on the third tradition, no matter what; “The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking / a desire to stop using mind altering substances”. They say we must assume that this anonymous unknown participant must be a newcomer and might even be under the influence of mind altering substances and is therefore ashamed to show him or herself.
We see that a lot of the international meeting require a participant to show a sign of life when participating, some force you that for participating it is required to turn on your webcam during the meeting and some meetings it is just required to respond to a service member when participating.
For the online meetings we have a disclaimer which states:
In this meeting room, the standards of decency of the independent CA Dutch Online District groups apply, the service members of the meeting will supervise compliance with these rules. If the safety of the group is compromised, service members have the right to address someone and, in extreme cases, to deny access.
“Due to the technologies being used for these meetings, your anonymity, or the anonymity of others mentioned, could be compromised at a public level. You and our groups as a whole have the responsibility to consider the potential implications, and our level of participation in this meeting. Our group conscience reminds us that Anonymity is the Spiritual Foundation of all our Traditions. Additionally, in the spirit of Tradition Six, C.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics,
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organisation or institution and as such does not endorse and is not affiliated with any of the specific technology providers utilised to facilitate this meeting.”
On the District Business Meeting 2 october a extra line was voted in to remove some feelings of insecurity for the group and wrong interpretations of the anonymity in online C.A. meetings which states:
“By participating in this meeting you agree; to make yourself known and/or to give a sign of life by means; turning on your webcam or respond by voice or chat when asked to do so by someone from the service team.”
Therefore leaving it to the group’s conscience, as the second tradition states; “For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern”. to use the disclaimer within the meeting or not. As the fourth tradition states; ”That each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or C.A. as a whole.”
Final question:
Which comes first in this online situation?
The total anonymous unknown participant which places personalities above principles defended by the third tradition and that this is an anonymous program where he or she can participate in total anonymity to the group.
Or
The group’s safety which states that we are not anonymous to each other within the meeting. That this is a safe place for each other and is willing to help any in need, that it is not necessary to stay in the dark and invites every participant, no matter what condition they are in to enter the light given by C.A. using the first and twelfth tradition in response.
Kind regards,
Abel
Q4-03 2022-11-23 / Regarding Anonymity & Safety Online CA Meetings – Response
Dear Abel,
The World Service Board of Trustees (WSBT) has reviewed your inquiry. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Today’s technology is allowing us to reach more of the sick and suffering than ever before. It has become a valuable tool in helping us achieve our primary purpose and honor our 5th Tradition. In the Big Book the forward to the 4th edition states, “Modem-to-modem or face-to-face, A.A. ‘s speak the language of the heart in all its power and simplicity.” Who knew, when that was written, that modem-to-modem and face to face would come to mean the same thing.
Both factions within your group make valid points and their concerns should be heard. While technology continues to change, our traditions continue to guide us. Thank you for being aware and
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referencing them in this matter. Each group is autonomous, and it is the group conscience that is the ultimate authority.
You stated that some measures have already been put into place. Our suggestion is to continue to follow the traditions as the group decides what is best for the group moving forward.
Thank you for your service to Cocaine Anonymous.
In Love and Service,
World Service Board of Trustees / Cocaine Anonymous
Q4-04 2022-11-29 / request to use adapted version of “A Guide to the 12 Steps” – Inquiry and Acknowledgement
Dear Rachel,
Thank you for your inquiry. This message is to acknowledge we have received your email and to let you know the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Board of Trustees will respond to you within 30 days.
Sincerely,
World Service Board of Trustees
Cocaine Anonymous
Hello,
Our primary purpose group of Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous would like to request permission to adapt and use content from this page on our group website currently in development. This is the adapted content we would like permission to use. We have not requested permission from AAWS yet.
This section is not a substitute for using the Big Book and a sponsor. Its purpose is to shed light on the Twelve-Step program in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, as it relates to our addiction.
Taking the Twelve Steps prepares us to have a “spiritual awakening” or a “spiritual experience” (page 567* in Alcoholics Anonymous). These phrases refer to the change in our thinking, attitudes, and outlook that occurs after taking the Steps. This change frees us from active addiction.
Applying the Steps in our daily lives enables us to establish and improve our conscious contact with God or our Higher Power. We believe that the greatest safeguard in preventing relapse lies in consistent application of the Twelve Steps.
Newcomers often ask, “When should I take the Steps?” Page 34 of the Big Book states, “Some will be drunk [act out] the day after making their resolutions [not to act out again]; most of them within a few weeks.” The choice, ultimately, is up to each member, but a full understanding of Step One can often provide the willingness necessary to take the other eleven Steps.
STEP ONE: We admitted we were powerless over sex and love addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
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Our powerlessness operates on three levels: (1) A physical allergy to [selfish sex and love], which makes it virtually impossible for us to stop [acting out] once we start; (2) A mental obsession, which makes it impossible to recover on our own (pages 24 and 34); and (3) A spiritual malady, which separates us from our Higher Power’s ability to get and keep us recovered.
Many of us assumed that Step One meant total abstinence because we couldn’t handle sex or love at all. In fact, it really means that barring divine intervention, we are unable to stay away from that first sexual or emotional hit (pages 24 and 34), and that we will seek it out again and again, no matter how much we want to stop.
The second part of Step One refers to how we are unable to manage our lives, even when we have stopped acting out. One example of this unmanageability is being “restless, irritable, and discontented” (page xxviii; other examples are found in the second full paragraph of page 52). Step One is the foundation of the entire Twelve-Step process. Without a full understanding of what this Step means to us personally, we can’t expect to make much progress on the other eleven Steps. For more information, study Dr. Bob’s experience on pages xvi and 155 (Dr. Bob was one of A.A.’s co-founders).
Two useful questions for deciding whether we are really addicts are, “Can I stop permanently, if and when I want to?” and, “Can I control my sexual and emotional behavior once I start?” If the answer to either question is no, we probably are addicts, according to the Big Book.
STEP TWO: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
When we understand Step One and are convinced that we are addicts (page 30), we are ready for Step Two. Coming to believe in a Higher Power’s ability to restore us to sanity does not require that we believe in God. All we need is an open mind and a willingness to believe that there is a Power greater than ourselves (pages 46 and 47).
Many of us come to Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous without any religious or spiritual experience, yet are able to make a start towards what the concept of a Higher Power might mean to us. Some of us use the S.L.A.A. group as a Higher Power until we can develop a concept of our own. Any concept, no matter how inadequate we believe it to be at the time, is enough to make a start with Step Two (page 46).
The insanity referred to in Step Two is the part of our thinking that allows us to convince ourselves that we can successfully act out again. Once this “mental obsession” takes hold, we are compelled to act out over and over again, regardless of the consequences that we know will follow. It is this vicious cycle that helps us become willing to believe that perhaps a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity (page 48). Being convinced of the “three pertinent ideas” (the a-b-c’s on page 60) brings us to Step Three.
STEP THREE: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
In Step Three, we make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of our concept of God at the time. The first requirement is becoming convinced that “any life run on self-will could hardly be a success” (page 60). That text illustrates the meaning of a life run on self-will by describing the behavior of an actor who wants to run the whole show. Many of us find it useful to substitute our own name in this passage and to ask ourselves honestly whether this scenario doesn’t sound similar to the way we are running our own lives (pages 60-62). The text further suggests that this kind of self-centeredness is “the root of our troubles” (page 62). After we understand what running our lives based on self-will means and acknowledge its futility, we are asked to do the “Third-Step Prayer” on page 63 (or its equivalent), before going on to Step Four.
STEP FOUR: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
In Step Four, we examine the wreckage that is accumulating from our attempts to run the show and the things that have been blocking us from our Higher Power. By completing and analyzing our inventory (page 70), we are able to see where our natural instincts for money, sex, power, and
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prestige have gone out of control, as we attempt to satisfy them in selfish and self-centered ways (page 62). The inventory involves looking at the people we resent (page 64-67), the things we are afraid of (pages 67-68), and the people we have harmed through our misconduct. Step Four enables us to discover, own, and begin to be freed from the “bondage of self” described in the Third-Step Prayer.
STEP FIVE: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
In Step Five, we share our Fourth-Step inventory with the person of our choice (usually our sponsor) and continue to discover “the exact nature of our wrongs.” By taking this Step, we are able to identify areas where we have allowed our selfishness, our instincts, and our fears to control us. Sharing our inventory allows another human being to help us examine problems that we are unable to understand by ourselves (page 72). After completing Step Five, it is suggested that we go home and review the first five Steps of the program and our inventory to see whether we need to add any resentments, fears, or persons we have harmed (page 75). We ask ourselves whether we have withheld anything in our inventory. Have we illuminated “every twist of character, every dark cranny of the past” (page 75)? If so, we are ready for Step Six.
STEP SIX: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
In reviewing our “shortcomings,” we ask ourselves whether we find these defects of character undesirable and whether we believe God can remove them all. If we feel there are defects we’re not willing to let go of, the Big Book suggests that we pray for the willingness to have them removed (page 76).
STEP SEVEN: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
When Step Six is complete, we say the Seventh-Step Prayer to have our shortcomings removed by God as we understand God (page 76).
STEP EIGHT: Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
In Step Eight, we list all the people we have harmed, and we pray for the willingness to make amends to them all. Most of the amends we need to make are disclosed in the resentment inventory (page 67) and our sexual inventory (pages 68-70). We also include anyone else we have harmed who isn’t listed in our Fourth-Step inventory.
STEP NINE: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
In Step Nine, we make amends to the people we have harmed. The Big Book gives us examples for how to go about making these actual amends (pages 76-83). Counsel from one’s sponsor, as well as from others who’ve had experience applying this Step, is also helpful in showing us how to repair the damage we’ve caused in the past. It is through Step Nine that we’re freed from the guilt, fear, shame, and remorse that results from the harm we’ve done others. Taking this Step helps us “to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us” (page 77).
STEP TEN: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Having taken the first eight Steps and made a beginning on Step Nine, we find ourselves at Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve. Although the Twelve Steps are designed to be taken in order, it is suggested that we take Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve on a daily basis while making our Ninth-Step amends.
The last three Steps encompass much of the first nine Steps in their structure and application. Step Ten involves continuing to take personal inventory and setting right any new wrongs as we go along. The Big Book teaches us that when our shortcomings “crop up,” we deal with them by using Step Ten (page 84). The main purpose of Step Ten is to prevent us from being blocked off again from God, whose power ultimately keeps us sober (page 64).
STEP ELEVEN: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
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There are many definitions of prayer and meditation, and a detailed discussion is not practical within the confines of this page. Some basic suggestions, on pages 86-88 of the text, outline a daily and nightly routine we can apply to allow God to direct our thinking.
STEP TWELVE: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Having taken the first eleven Steps, we are now at Step Twelve and are ready to carry the message to other addicts (pages 89-103). Every time we work with another addict we are reminded just how bad it was when we first came into the program. In the newcomer, we recognize the same hopelessness, look of desperation and sheer terror that we had. We hear the unmanageability in terms of depression, misery, and unhappiness, whether openly expressed or feebly concealed. We are reminded of our own past troubles with personal relationships as we see newcomers struggle with theirs. Finally, our faith in God’s ability to restore us to sanity is reinforced, as we see God transform the life of a newcomer, right before our eyes.
In addition to carrying the message to other addicts, Step Twelve involves practicing these principles in all areas of our lives. If addicts who relapse are fortunate enough to return to the program and analyze what happened, they may find they had stopped practicing these principles in all their affairs—that they were no longer examining their motives, reviewing their days, praying, or carrying the message (pages 15 and 89).
If there were one watchword to describe how these Steps should be practiced, it would be “continuously,” for it is only through God and constant application of these principles that we can be assured of the recovery offered by Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous.
The above guide is from the Cocaine Anonymous website and pamphlet (adapted for Sex and Love Addiction) which can be found here. Page numbers referenced are from the 4th edition of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Kind Regards,
Rachel R
Q1-01 2023-01-17 / request to use adapted version of “A Guide to the 12 Steps” – WSBT Response
Dear Rachel,
Thank you for that clarification that you have obtained permission to use the A.A. steps.
Cocaine Anonymous grants permission to S.L.A.A. the use of our pamphlet wording as highlighted with a disclaimer of where it was obtained at the bottom of the page reading,
“Guide to the 12 steps” is reprinted with permission of Cocaine Anonymous World Services, Inc. Permission to reprint and adapt this wording does not mean that C.A. is affiliated with this program. C.A. is a program of recovery from Cocaine and All Other Mind-altering Substances. Use of the Steps in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after C.A., but which address other problems does not imply otherwise.
Sincerely,
World Service Board of Trustees
Cocaine Anonymous
Page 18 of 222
From: R, Rachel
Sent: Friday, November 25, 2022 11:25 AM
To: cawso@ca.org
Subject: guide to the 12 steps
Thanks for your response, I realize my request was not clear. We have permission to use the steps. THE TWELVE STEPS OF S.L.A.A. (slaafws.org)
Do we have your permission to use the content on this page highlighted in yellow, substituting the words C.A. for SLAA and cocaine for acting out to adapt for our addiction?
This pamphlet contains a description of one method for taking the Twelve Steps of Cocaine Anonymous. To help us work the Twelve Steps, Cocaine Anonymous uses a text entitled Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly referred to as the “Big Book.” When studying this text, some of us find it useful to substitute the word “cocaine” for “alcohol” and the word “using” for “drinking,” although in the process, some of us discovered that we are alcoholics as well as addicts.
Because some of our members believe there are ways to take the Steps other than the method described in the Big Book, we suggest that the reader seek guidance from a sponsor, an experienced C.A. member, or their Higher Power, to help them decide on the method that is right for them.
This pamphlet is not a substitute for using the Big Book and a sponsor. Its purpose is to shed light on the Twelve-Step program in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, as it relates to our addiction. Taking the Twelve Steps prepares us to have a “spiritual awakening” or a “spiritual experience” (page 567* in Alcoholics Anonymous). These phrases refer to the change in our thinking, attitudes, and outlook that occurs after taking the Steps. This change frees us from active addiction.
Applying the Steps in our daily lives enables us to establish and improve our conscious contact with God or our Higher Power. Many in our Fellowship believe that the greatest safeguard in preventing relapse lies in consistent application of the Twelve Steps.
Newcomers often ask, “When should I take the Steps?” Page 34 of the Big Book states, “Some will be drunk [high] the day after making their resolutions [not to use again]; most of them within a few weeks.” The choice, ultimately, is up to the reader of this pamphlet, but a full understanding of Step One can often provide the willingness necessary to take the other eleven Steps.
STEP ONE: We admitted we were powerless over cocaine and all other mind-altering substances— that our lives had become unmanageable.
Our powerlessness operates on three levels: (1) A physical allergy to cocaine, which makes it virtually impossible for us to stop using once we start; (2) A mental obsession, which makes it impossible to stay sober permanently on our own (pages 24 and 34); and (3) A spiritual malady, which separates us from our Higher Power’s ability to get and keep us sober.
Many of us assumed that Step One meant we couldn’t get high anymore because we couldn’t handle using at all. In fact, it really means that barring divine intervention, we are unable to stay away from that first hit, line, or whatever (pages 24 and 34), and that we will use again and again, no matter how much we want to stay sober.
The second part of Step One refers to how we are unable to manage our lives, even when we are sober. One example of this unmanageability is being “restless, irritable, and discontented” (page xxviii; other examples are found in the second full paragraph of page 52).
Step One is the foundation of the entire Twelve-Step process. Without a full understanding of what this Step means to us personally, we can’t expect to make much progress on the other eleven Steps. For more information, study Dr. Bob’s experience on pages xvi and 155 (Dr. Bob was one of A.A.’s co-founders).
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Two useful questions for deciding whether we are really addicts are, “Can I stop permanently, if and when I want to?” and, “Can I control the amount I use once I start?” If the answer to either question is no, we probably are addicts, according to the Big Book.
STEP TWO: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. When we understand Step One and are convinced that we are addicts (page 30), we are ready for Step Two. Coming to believe in a Higher Power’s ability to restore us to sanity does not require that we believe in God. All we need is an open mind and a willingness to believe that there is a Power greater than ourselves (pages 46 and 47).
Many of us come to Cocaine Anonymous without any religious or spiritual experience, yet are able to make a start towards what the concept of a Higher Power might mean to us. Some of us use the C.A. group as a Higher Power until we can develop a concept of our own. Any concept, no matter how inadequate we believe it to be at the time, is enough to make a start with Step Two (page 46).
The insanity referred to in Step Two is the part of our thinking that allows us to convince ourselves that we can successfully use again. Once this “mental obsession” takes hold, we are compelled to use over and over again, regardless of the consequences that we know will follow. It is this vicious cycle that helps us become willing to believe that perhaps a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity (page 48). Being convinced of the “three pertinent ideas” (the a-b-c’s on page 60) brings us to Step Three.
STEP THREE: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
In Step Three, we make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of our concept of God at the time. The first requirement is becoming convinced that “any life run on self-will could hardly be a success” (page 60). That text illustrates the meaning of a life run on self-will by describing the behavior of an actor who wants to run the whole show. Many of us find it useful to substitute our own name in this passage and to ask ourselves honestly whether this scenario doesn’t sound similar to the way we are running our own lives (pages 60-62). The text further suggests that this kind of self-centeredness is “the root of our troubles” (page 62). After we understand what running our lives based on self-will means and acknowledge its futility, we are asked to do the “Third-Step Prayer” on page 63 (or its equivalent), before going on to Step Four.
STEP FOUR: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
In Step Four, we examine the wreckage that is accumulating from our attempts to run the show and the things that have been blocking us from our Higher Power. By completing and analyzing our inventory (page 70), we are able to see where our natural instincts for money, sex, power, and prestige have gone out of control, as we attempt to satisfy them in selfish and self-centered ways (page 62). The inventory involves looking at the people we resent (page 64-67), the things we are afraid of (pages 67-68), and the people we have harmed through our misconduct. Step Four enables us to discover, own, and begin to be freed from the “bondage of self” described in the Third-Step Prayer.
STEP FIVE: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
In Step Five, we share our Fourth-Step inventory with the person of our choice (usually our sponsor) and continue to discover “the exact nature of our wrongs.” By taking this Step, we are able to identify areas where we have allowed our selfishness, our instincts, and our fears to control us. Sharing our inventory allows another human being to help us examine problems that we are unable to understand by ourselves (page 72). After completing Step Five, it is suggested that we go home and review the first five Steps of the program and our inventory to see whether we need to add any resentments, fears, or persons we have harmed (page 75). We ask ourselves whether we have withheld anything in our inventory. Have we illuminated “every twist of character, every dark cranny of the past” (page 75)? If so, we are ready for Step Six.
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STEP SIX: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
In reviewing our “shortcomings,” we ask ourselves whether we find these defects of character undesirable and whether we believe God can remove them all. If we feel there are defects we’re not willing to let go of, the Big Book suggests that we pray for the willingness to have them removed (page 76).
STEP SEVEN: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
When Step Six is complete, we say the Seventh-Step Prayer to have our shortcomings removed by God as we understand God (page 76).
STEP EIGHT: Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
In Step Eight, we list all the people we have harmed, and we pray for the willingness to make amends to them all. Most of the amends we need to make are disclosed in the resentment inventory (page 67) and our sexual inventory (pages 68-70). We also include anyone else we have harmed who isn’t listed in our Fourth-Step inventory.
STEP NINE: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
In Step Nine, we make amends to the people we have harmed. The Big Book gives us examples for how to go about making these actual amends (pages 76-83). Counsel from one’s sponsor, as well as from others who’ve had experience applying this Step, is also helpful in showing us how to repair the damage we’ve caused in the past. It is through Step Nine that we’re freed from the guilt, fear, shame, and remorse that results from the harm we’ve done others. Taking this Step helps us “to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us” (page 77).
STEP TEN: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Having taken the first eight Steps and made a beginning on Step Nine, we find ourselves at Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve. Although the Twelve Steps are designed to be taken in order, it is suggested that we take Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve on a daily basis while making our Ninth-Step amends.
The last three Steps encompass much of the first nine Steps in their structure and application. Step Ten involves continuing to take personal inventory and setting right any new wrongs as we go along. The Big Book teaches us that when our shortcomings “crop up,” we deal with them by using Step Ten (page 84). The main purpose of Step Ten is to prevent us from being blocked off again from God, whose power ultimately keeps us sober (page 64).
STEP ELEVEN: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. There are many definitions of prayer and meditation, and a detailed discussion is not practical within the confines of this pamphlet. Some basic suggestions, on pages 86-88 of the text, outline a daily and nightly routine we can apply to allow God to monitor and direct our thinking.
STEP TWELVE: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Having taken the first eleven Steps, we are now at Step Twelve and are ready to carry the message to other addicts (pages 89-103). Every time we work with another addict we are reminded just how bad it was when we first came into the program. In the newcomer, we recognize the same trembling hands, weight loss, and look of desperation and sheer terror that we had. We hear the unmanageability in terms of depression, misery, and unhappiness, whether openly expressed or feebly concealed. We are reminded of our own past troubles with personal relationships as we see newcomers struggle with theirs. Finally, our faith in God’s ability to restore us to sanity is reinforced, as we see God transform the life of a newcomer, right before our eyes.
In addition to carrying the message to other addicts, Step Twelve involves practicing these principles in all areas of our lives. If addicts who relapse are fortunate enough to return to the program and analyze what happened, they may find they had stopped practicing these principles in all their
Page 21 of 222
affairs—that they were no longer examining their motives, reviewing their days, praying, or carrying the message (pages 15 and 89).
If there were one watchword to describe how these Steps should be practiced, it would be “continuously,” for it is only through God and constant application of these principles that we can be assured of the recovery offered by Cocaine Anonymous.
Kind Regards,
Rachel R
Our primary purpose group of Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous would like to request permission to adapt and use content from this page on our group website currently in development. This is the adapted content we would like permission to use. We have not requested permission from AAWS yet.
This section is not a substitute for using the Big Book and a sponsor. Its purpose is to shed light on the Twelve-Step program in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, as it relates to our addiction.
Taking the Twelve Steps prepares us to have a “spiritual awakening” or a “spiritual experience” (page 567* in Alcoholics Anonymous). These phrases refer to the change in our thinking, attitudes, and outlook that occurs after taking the Steps. This change frees us from active addiction.
Applying the Steps in our daily lives enables us to establish and improve our conscious contact with God or our Higher Power. We believe that the greatest safeguard in preventing relapse lies in consistent application of the Twelve Steps.
Newcomers often ask, “When should I take the Steps?” Page 34 of the Big Book states, “Some will be drunk [act out] the day after making their resolutions [not to act out again]; most of them within a few weeks.” The choice, ultimately, is up to each member, but a full understanding of Step One can often provide the willingness necessary to take the other eleven Steps.
STEP ONE: We admitted we were powerless over sex and love addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Our powerlessness operates on three levels: (1) A physical allergy to [selfish sex and love], which makes it virtually impossible for us to stop [acting out] once we start; (2) A mental obsession, which makes it impossible to recover on our own (pages 24 and 34); and (3) A spiritual malady, which separates us from our Higher Power’s ability to get and keep us recovered.
Many of us assumed that Step One meant total abstinence because we couldn’t handle sex or love at all. In fact, it really means that barring divine intervention, we are unable to stay away from that first sexual or emotional hit (pages 24 and 34), and that we will seek it out again and again, no matter how much we want to stop.
The second part of Step One refers to how we are unable to manage our lives, even when we have stopped acting out. One example of this unmanageability is being “restless, irritable, and discontented” (page xxviii; other examples are found in the second full paragraph of page 52). Step One is the foundation of the entire Twelve-Step process. Without a full understanding of what this Step means to us personally, we can’t expect to make much progress on the other eleven Steps. For more information, study Dr. Bob’s experience on pages xvi and 155 (Dr. Bob was one of A.A.’s co-founders).
Two useful questions for deciding whether we are really addicts are, “Can I stop permanently, if and when I want to?” and, “Can I control my sexual and emotional behavior once I start?” If the answer to either question is no, we probably are addicts, according to the Big Book.
Page 22 of 222
STEP TWO: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
When we understand Step One and are convinced that we are addicts (page 30), we are ready for Step Two. Coming to believe in a Higher Power’s ability to restore us to sanity does not require that we believe in God. All we need is an open mind and a willingness to believe that there is a Power greater than ourselves (pages 46 and 47).
Many of us come to Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous without any religious or spiritual experience yet are able to make a start towards what the concept of a Higher Power might mean to us. Some of us use the S.L.A.A. group as a Higher Power until we can develop a concept of our own. Any concept, no matter how inadequate we believe it to be at the time, is enough to make a start with Step Two (page 46).
The insanity referred to in Step Two is the part of our thinking that allows us to convince ourselves that we can successfully act out again. Once this “mental obsession” takes hold, we are compelled to act out over and over again, regardless of the consequences that we know will follow. It is this vicious cycle that helps us become willing to believe that perhaps a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity (page 48). Being convinced of the “three pertinent ideas” (the a-b-c’s on page 60) brings us to Step Three.
STEP THREE: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
In Step Three, we make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of our concept of God at the time. The first requirement is becoming convinced that “any life run on self-will could hardly be a success” (page 60). That text illustrates the meaning of a life run on self-will by describing the behavior of an actor who wants to run the whole show. Many of us find it useful to substitute our own name in this passage and to ask ourselves honestly whether this scenario doesn’t sound similar to the way we are running our own lives (pages 60-62). The text further suggests that this kind of self-centeredness is “the root of our troubles” (page 62). After we understand what running our lives based on self-will means and acknowledge its futility, we are asked to do the “Third-Step Prayer” on page 63 (or its equivalent), before going on to Step Four.
STEP FOUR: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
In Step Four, we examine the wreckage that is accumulating from our attempts to run the show and the things that have been blocking us from our Higher Power. By completing and analyzing our inventory (page 70), we are able to see where our natural instincts for money, sex, power, and prestige have gone out of control, as we attempt to satisfy them in selfish and self-centered ways (page 62). The inventory involves looking at the people we resent (page 64-67), the things we are afraid of (pages 67-68), and the people we have harmed through our misconduct. Step Four enables us to discover, own, and begin to be freed from the “bondage of self” described in the Third-Step Prayer.
STEP FIVE: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
In Step Five, we share our Fourth-Step inventory with the person of our choice (usually our sponsor) and continue to discover “the exact nature of our wrongs.” By taking this Step, we are able to identify areas where we have allowed our selfishness, our instincts, and our fears to control us. Sharing our inventory allows another human being to help us examine problems that we are unable to understand by ourselves (page 72). After completing Step Five, it is suggested that we go home and review the first five Steps of the program and our inventory to see whether we need to add any resentments, fears, or persons we have harmed (page 75). We ask ourselves whether we have withheld anything in our inventory. Have we illuminated “every twist of character, every dark cranny of the past” (page 75)? If so, we are ready for Step Six.
STEP SIX: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
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In reviewing our “shortcomings,” we ask ourselves whether we find these defects of character undesirable and whether we believe God can remove them all. If we feel there are defects we’re not willing to let go of, the Big Book suggests that we pray for the willingness to have them removed (page 76).
STEP SEVEN: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
When Step Six is complete, we say the Seventh-Step Prayer to have our shortcomings removed by
God as we understand God (page 76).
STEP EIGHT: Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
In Step Eight, we list all the people we have harmed, and we pray for the willingness to make amends to them all. Most of the amends we need to make are disclosed in the resentment inventory (page 67) and our sexual inventory (pages 68-70). We also include anyone else we have harmed who isn’t listed in our Fourth-Step inventory.
STEP NINE: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
In Step Nine, we make amends to the people we have harmed. The Big Book gives us examples for how to go about making these actual amends (pages 76-83). Counsel from one’s sponsor, as well as from others who’ve had experience applying this Step, is also helpful in showing us how to repair the damage we’ve caused in the past. It is through Step Nine that we’re freed from the guilt, fear, shame, and remorse that results from the harm we’ve done others. Taking this Step helps us “to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us” (page 77).
STEP TEN: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Having taken the first eight Steps and made a beginning on Step Nine, we find ourselves at Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve. Although the Twelve Steps are designed to be taken in order, it is suggested that we take Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve on a daily basis while making our Ninth-Step amends.
The last three Steps encompass much of the first nine Steps in their structure and application. Step Ten involves continuing to take personal inventory and setting right any new wrongs as we go along. The Big Book teaches us that when our shortcomings “crop up,” we deal with them by using Step Ten (page 84). The main purpose of Step Ten is to prevent us from being blocked off again from God, whose power ultimately keeps us sober (page 64).
STEP ELEVEN: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
There are many definitions of prayer and meditation, and a detailed discussion is not practical within the confines of this page. Some basic suggestions, on pages 86-88 of the text, outline a daily and nightly routine we can apply to allow God to direct our thinking.
STEP TWELVE: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Having taken the first eleven Steps, we are now at Step Twelve and are ready to carry the message to other addicts (pages 89-103). Every time we work with another addict, we are reminded just how bad it was when we first came into the program. In the newcomer, we recognize the same hopelessness, look of desperation and sheer terror that we had. We hear the unmanageability in terms of depression, misery, and unhappiness, whether openly expressed or feebly concealed. We are reminded of our own past troubles with personal relationships as we see newcomers struggle with theirs. Finally, our faith in God’s ability to restore us to sanity is reinforced, as we see God transform the life of a newcomer, right before our eyes.
In addition to carrying the message to other addicts, Step Twelve involves practicing these principles in all areas of our lives. If addicts who relapse are fortunate enough to return to the program and analyze what happened, they may find they had stopped practicing these principles in all their
Page 24 of 222
affairs—that they were no longer examining their motives, reviewing their days, praying, or carrying the message (pages 15 and 89).
If there were one watchword to describe how these Steps should be practiced, it would be “continuously,” for it is only through God and constant application of these principles that we can be assured of the recovery offered by Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous.
The above guide is from the Cocaine Anonymous website and pamphlet (adapted for Sex and Love Addiction) which can be found here. Page numbers referenced are from the 4th edition of Alcoholics Anonymous.
This is the original C.A. document language “A Guide to the 12 Steps” indicating what has been approved to change by the WSBT. Everything highlighted in green will be either not be used or be changed to reflect S.L.A.A.
This pamphlet contains a description of one method for taking the Twelve Steps of Cocaine Anonymous. To help us work the Twelve Steps, Cocaine Anonymous uses a text entitled Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly referred to as the “Big Book.” When studying this text, some of us find it useful to substitute the word “cocaine” for “alcohol” and the word “using” for “drinking,” although in the process, some of us discovered that we are alcoholics as well as addicts.
Because some of our members believe there are ways to take the Steps other than the method described in the Big Book, we suggest that the reader seek guidance from a sponsor, an experienced C.A. member, or their Higher Power, to help them decide on the method that is right for them. (This section is not used)
This pamphlet is not a substitute for using the Big Book and a sponsor. Its purpose is to shed light on the Twelve-Step program in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, as it relates to our addiction. Taking the Twelve Steps prepares us to have a “spiritual awakening” or a “spiritual experience” (page 567* in Alcoholics Anonymous). These phrases refer to the change in our thinking, attitudes, and outlook that occurs after taking the Steps. This change frees us from active addiction.
Applying the Steps in our daily lives enables us to establish and improve our conscious contact with God or our Higher Power. Many in our Fellowship believe that the greatest safeguard in preventing relapse lies in consistent application of the Twelve Steps.
Newcomers often ask, “When should I take the Steps?” Page 34 of the Big Book states, “Some will be drunk [high] the day after making their resolutions [not to use again]; most of them within a few weeks.” The choice, ultimately, is up to the reader of this pamphlet, but a full understanding of Step One can often provide the willingness necessary to take the other eleven Steps.
STEP ONE: We admitted we were powerless over cocaine and all other mind-altering substances— that our lives had become unmanageable.
Our powerlessness operates on three levels: (1) A physical allergy to cocaine, which makes it virtually impossible for us to stop using once we start; (2) A mental obsession, which makes it impossible to stay sober permanently on our own (pages 24 and 34); and (3) A spiritual malady, which separates us from our Higher Power’s ability to get and keep us sober.
Many of us assumed that Step One meant we couldn’t get high anymore because we couldn’t handle using at all. In fact, it really means that barring divine intervention, we are unable to stay away from that first hit, line, or whatever (pages 24 and 34), and that we will use again and again, no matter how much we want to stay sober.
The second part of Step One refers to how we are unable to manage our lives, even when we are sober. One example of this unmanageability is being “restless, irritable, and discontented” (page xxviii; other examples are found in the second full paragraph of page 52).
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Step One is the foundation of the entire Twelve-Step process. Without a full understanding of what this Step means to us personally, we can’t expect to make much progress on the other eleven Steps. For more information, study Dr. Bob’s experience on pages xvi and 155 (Dr. Bob was one of A.A.’s co-founders).
Two useful questions for deciding whether we are really addicts are, “Can I stop permanently, if and when I want to?” and, “Can I control the amount I use once I start?” If the answer to either question is no, we probably are addicts, according to the Big Book.
STEP TWO: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. When we understand Step One and are convinced that we are addicts (page 30), we are ready for Step Two. Coming to believe in a Higher Power’s ability to restore us to sanity does not require that we believe in God. All we need is an open mind and a willingness to believe that there is a Power greater than ourselves (pages 46 and 47).
Many of us come to Cocaine Anonymous without any religious or spiritual experience, yet are able to make a start towards what the concept of a Higher Power might mean to us. Some of us use the C.A. group as a Higher Power until we can develop a concept of our own. Any concept, no matter how inadequate we believe it to be at the time, is enough to make a start with Step Two (page 46). The insanity referred to in Step Two is the part of our thinking that allows us to convince ourselves that we can successfully use again. Once this “mental obsession” takes hold, we are compelled to use over and over again, regardless of the consequences that we know will follow. It is this vicious cycle that helps us become willing to believe that perhaps a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity (page 48). Being convinced of the “three pertinent ideas” (the a-b-c’s on page 60) brings us to Step Three.
STEP THREE: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
In Step Three, we make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of our concept of God at the time. The first requirement is becoming convinced that “any life run on self-will could hardly be a success” (page 60). That text illustrates the meaning of a life run on self-will by describing the behavior of an actor who wants to run the whole show. Many of us find it useful to substitute our own name in this passage and to ask ourselves honestly whether this scenario doesn’t sound similar to the way we are running our own lives (pages 60-62). The text further suggests that this kind of self-centeredness is “the root of our troubles” (page 62). After we understand what running our lives based on self-will means and acknowledge its futility, we are asked to do the “Third-Step Prayer” on page 63 (or its equivalent), before going on to Step Four.
STEP FOUR: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
In Step Four, we examine the wreckage that is accumulating from our attempts to run the show and the things that have been blocking us from our Higher Power. By completing and analyzing our inventory (page 70), we are able to see where our natural instincts for money, sex, power, and prestige have gone out of control, as we attempt to satisfy them in selfish and self-centered ways (page 62). The inventory involves looking at the people we resent (page 64-67), the things we are afraid of (pages 67-68), and the people we have harmed through our misconduct. Step Four enables us to discover, own, and begin to be freed from the “bondage of self” described in the Third-Step Prayer.
STEP FIVE: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
In Step Five, we share our Fourth-Step inventory with the person of our choice (usually our sponsor) and continue to discover “the exact nature of our wrongs.” By taking this Step, we are able to identify areas where we have allowed our selfishness, our instincts, and our fears to control us. Sharing our inventory allows another human being to help us examine problems that we are unable to understand by ourselves (page 72). After completing Step Five, it is suggested that we go home and
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review the first five Steps of the program and our inventory to see whether we need to add any resentments, fears, or persons we have harmed (page 75). We ask ourselves whether we have withheld anything in our inventory. Have we illuminated “every twist of character, every dark cranny of the past” (page 75)? If so, we are ready for Step Six.
STEP SIX: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
In reviewing our “shortcomings,” we ask ourselves whether we find these defects of character undesirable and whether we believe God can remove them all. If we feel there are defects we’re not willing to let go of, the Big Book suggests that we pray for the willingness to have them removed (page 76).
STEP SEVEN: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
When Step Six is complete, we say the Seventh-Step Prayer to have our shortcomings removed by God as we understand God (page 76).
STEP EIGHT: Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
In Step Eight, we list all the people we have harmed, and we pray for the willingness to make amends to them all. Most of the amends we need to make are disclosed in the resentment inventory (page 67) and our sexual inventory (pages 68-70). We also include anyone else we have harmed who isn’t listed in our Fourth-Step inventory.
STEP NINE: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
In Step Nine, we make amends to the people we have harmed. The Big Book gives us examples for how to go about making these actual amends (pages 76-83). Counsel from one’s sponsor, as well as from others who’ve had experience applying this Step, is also helpful in showing us how to repair the damage we’ve caused in the past. It is through Step Nine that we’re freed from the guilt, fear, shame, and remorse that results from the harm we’ve done others. Taking this Step helps us “to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us” (page 77).
STEP TEN: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Having taken the first eight Steps and made a beginning on Step Nine, we find ourselves at Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve. Although the Twelve Steps are designed to be taken in order, it is suggested that we take Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve on a daily basis while making our Ninth-Step amends.
The last three Steps encompass much of the first nine Steps in their structure and application. Step Ten involves continuing to take personal inventory and setting right any new wrongs as we go along. The Big Book teaches us that when our shortcomings “crop up,” we deal with them by using Step Ten (page 84). The main purpose of Step Ten is to prevent us from being blocked off again from God, whose power ultimately keeps us sober (page 64).
STEP ELEVEN: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. There are many definitions of prayer and meditation, and a detailed discussion is not practical within the confines of this pamphlet. Some basic suggestions, on pages 86-88 of the text, outline a daily and nightly routine we can apply to allow God to monitor and direct our thinking.
STEP TWELVE: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Having taken the first eleven Steps, we are now at Step Twelve and are ready to carry the message to other addicts (pages 89-103). Every time we work with another addict we are reminded just how bad it was when we first came into the program. In the newcomer, we recognize the same trembling hands, weight loss, and look of desperation and sheer terror that we had. We hear the unmanageability in terms of depression, misery, and unhappiness, whether openly expressed or feebly concealed. We are reminded of our own past troubles with personal relationships as we see
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newcomers struggle with theirs. Finally, our faith in God’s ability to restore us to sanity is reinforced, as we see God transform the life of a newcomer, right before our eyes.
In addition to carrying the message to other addicts, Step Twelve involves practicing these principles in all areas of our lives. If addicts who relapse are fortunate enough to return to the program and analyze what happened, they may find they had stopped practicing these principles in all their affairs—that they were no longer examining their motives, reviewing their days, praying, or carrying the message (pages 15 and 89).
If there were one watchword to describe how these Steps should be practiced, it would be “continuously,” for it is only through God and constant application of these principles that we can be assured of the recovery offered by Cocaine Anonymous.
Q4-05 2022-12-22 / Unable to buy on C.A. website – Inq & Ack & Response
Dear Marin,
Thank you for your inquiry. This message is to acknowledge we have received your email and to let you know the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Board of Trustees has forwarded this request to the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Office and the Director of Operations for a response.
Sincerely,
World Service Board of Trustees
Cocaine Anonymous
Name – Marin L
Email Address – marin3615@hotmail.com
City – Qubec
State/Province – Quebec
Area or Region
Subject – Je ne suis pas capable d’acheter sur le site
Your Message: Je ne suis pas capable d’ajouter un jeton quand ils me disent que ma carte de crédit elle est pleine et c’est pas le cas j’aimerais que quelqu’un me rappelle 418-717-3616
merci à l’avance
Je ne suis pas capable d’acheter sur le site
I am not able to buy on the site
Je ne suis pas capable d’ajouter un jeton quand ils me disent que ma carte de crédit elle est pleine et c’est pas le cas j’aimerais que quelqu’un me rappelle 418-717-3616 merci à l’avance
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I am not able to add a token when they tell me that my credit card is full, and it is not the case I would like someone to call me back 418-717-3616 thanks in advance
Q4-06 2022-12-22 / Direct Discrimination – Inquiry and Acknowledgement
Dear William,
Thank you for your inquiry. This message is to acknowledge we have received your email and to let you know the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Board of Trustees will respond to you within 30 days.
Sincerely,
World Service Board of Trustees
Cocaine Anonymous
Name – William M
Email Address – illbill1@live.co.uk
City – FALKIRK
State/Province – Falkirk
Area or Region – Scotland
Subject – Direct discrimination
Your Message – I am a member of cocaine anonymous, who is excluded from participation in the service structure because of a disability (schizophrenia). This illness requires treatment with anti-psychotic medication (mind altering substance). I believe this disability disqualifies me from being appointed to ANY service position in CA and that this is in contravention of the UK Equality act, Section 13. subsections 1 and 2, if I am not mistaken. Please advise.
Q4-06 2022-12-22 / Direct Discrimination – WSBT Response
Dear William,
Thank you for your enquiry with regards to direct discrimination.
In Cocaine Anonymous our 3rd Tradition states the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using all mind-altering substances. Tradition 10 also states, we do not have any opinion on outside issues, the disability you refer to would apply to this.
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The World Service Manual which can be found on ca.org, outlines the requirement for most position within our structure. I would encourage you to check if you meet the requirements for the desired commitment you would like to apply for.
If you need any further assistance with the structure and how to apply for commitments, please contact your Groups Service Representative at group level, Unity Chair at District or one of the four (4) Scottish Delegates.
Kind regards
World Service Board of Trustees
Cocaine Anonymous
Q4-07 2022-12-22 / Cocaine Overdose – Inquiry and Acknowledgement
Dear Irina,
Thank you for your inquiry. This message is to acknowledge we have received your email and to let you know the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Board of Trustees will respond to you within 30 days.
Sincerely,
World Service Board of Trustees
Cocaine Anonymous
Name – Irina
Email Address – irinacenkova88@gmail.com
City – MILANO
State/Province – MI
Area or Region – LOMBARDIA
Subject – COCAINE OVERDOSE
Your Message: Good morning, I would like to know in the event of a cocaine overdose in an agitated, aggressive, paranoid subject, (33 years old) what are the first aid protocols.
Q4-07 2022-12-22 / Cocaine Overdose – WSBT Response
Dear Irina,
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Thank you for your inquiry. Cocaine Anonymous does not take an opinion and/or a stance on this matter for it is outside the program of recovery. Standing with our Tradition 10 – Cocaine Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the C.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy. In a medical emergency we suggest contacting your local authorities. Please feel free to reach out if you have any more questions.
Sincerely,
World Service Board of Trustees
Cocaine Anonymous
Q1-02 2023-01-17 Regional Restructuring Suggestion – Inq & Ack
Jonathan,
Thank you for your inquiry. Please accept our apology for not acknowledging your communication as it was overlooked during the WSBT officer changes. This message is to acknowledge we have received your email and to let you know the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Board of Trustees will respond to you within 30 days.
Sincerely,
World Service Board of Trustees
Cocaine Anonymous
From: CAWSO TREASURER <treasurer@ca.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2022 9:09 PM
To: wsbt@ca.org <wsbt@ca.org>
Subject: Regional Restructuring Suggestion
Hi Trustees!
I would like to make a suggestion that in the presentation that will be going to the fellowship on this subject of Region Restructuring. I would like to see a second pie chart that would show the new division of these regions, the meeting counts, and the percentage of the total fellowship per region.
Best regards,
Jonathan H
Treasurer
CAWSO Inc.
Q1-02 2023-01-17 Regional Restructuring Suggestion – WSBT Response
Jonathan,
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Thank you for your suggestion regarding that the presentation for the Regional Restructure be visualized to include how the regions will be structured after a potential rearrangement. We believe it is sound practice to give a clear and understandable documentation.
This document has already been sent out to the fellowship as per end of conference. Since the document was created only to get feedback from the areas regarding this and not to inform or suggest a future change of the region, we believe it to be unnecessary at this point.
We will convey your suggestion to the committee that created the document (LTP) and ask them to consider making the suggested changes in any final document will be compiled.
Sincerely,
World Service Board of Trustees
Cocaine Anonymous
Referrals – Open
WSBT 2022-04, received 2022-06-16
- Subject: To remove gender-specific terms when referring to God in the 12 Steps of Cocaine Anonymous and the 12 Traditions of Cocaine Anonymous.
WSBT 2022-05, received 2022-08-27
- Subject: Move ownership of “ca.org” domain from CAWSO to CAWS, as we do with other intellectual property, and track the registration renewal at the WSBT level, as we do with trademarks.
WSBT 2023-01, received 2023-01-17
- Subject: Guidance for handling recordings of speakers/meetings online
Referrals – Closed
S&B 2022-06 (closed – tracking)
- Subject: WSBT referral to S&B to address personal data protection
FINA 2022-01 (closed – tracking)
- Subject: WSBT referral to Finance to Increase max donation amount from $5,000 to $10,000
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Dates and Times for Conference Calls and Quarterlies 2022-2023
WSBT Conference Call:
Saturday April 8th 8am – 12pm PDT
22nd – 24th May Convention 25th – 29th May (TEC i/v to be included)
WSBT Q2 2023:Atlanta – Hosted by World Service Convention
Monday – May 22nd – 9:00a.m – 10:00am for breakfast
Tuesday – May 23rd 8:00am – 10:00pm
Wednesday – May 24th8:00am – 1:00pm
Attend Convention – ThursdayMay 25th 1:00pm – onwards
TEC interviews TBC – ThursdayMay 25th
Meet the Boards – Friday May 28th 1:00am – 3:00pm.
Trustee Lunch – FridayMay 26th4:30pm-7:30pm
Long Term Planning – SaturdayMay 27th1:00pm – 3:00pm.
Meet the Boards – SundayMay 28th 1:00am – 3:00pm.
Great Conv Exchange – SundayMay 28th 2:00pm – 4:00pm.
Monday – May 29th 1:00pm – close
25th – 27th Aug, TEC 28th – 29th Aug, Conference 30th Aug – 3rd September 2023WSBT Q3 2023: Dallas – Hosted by World Service Conference
Friday – Aug 25th 9.00am Breakfast
Friday – Aug 25th 12pm – 10pm
Saturday – Aug 25th 8am – 10pm
Sunday – Aug 27th 8am – 5pm
Tuesday – Aug 29th 8am – 10pm
Wednesday – Aug 30th 8am – 1pm
Conference 2023: WednesdayAug 30th 2pm – 10pm Orientation
Wednesday – Aug 30th 7pm – 10pm Conference
Thursday – Aug 31st 8am – 12pm Conference
Thursday – Aug 31st 1pm – 3pm Caucuses
Thursday – Aug 31st 3pm – 10pm Breakout
Friday – Sept 1st 8am – 12pm – 10pm Conference
Saturday – Sept 2nd 8am – 10pm Conference
Sunday – Sept 3rd 8am – 1pm Conference Close
Moment of silence followed by the “WE” version of the Serenity Prayer.
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For all attached reports: https://documents.historyofca.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-03-02-05-WSBT-Q1-Minutes.pdf