AA Daily Reflections are a tool used in recovery to help cultivate a positive perspective through focus, gratitude, reflection, and daily meditation. These reflections share stories of recovery success, help participants shift thinking patterns, and empower them to overcome challenges with alcohol addiction or substance use disorder. 

What Is The AA Daily Reflection? 

AA Daily Reflections are part of the Alcoholics’ Annonymous culture and supplement the teachings of The Big Book. This key piece of AA literature tells the stories of the first 100 AA participants and reveals how the movement helped them achieve lasting sobriety.[1] Many of the AA daily reflections are direct quotes from or inspired by stories from The Big Book and can be found directly on the AA website or the app, a different one each day for every day of the year.[2]

Most of the AA teachings and other resources are based on The Big Book, and it’s viewed as the central theme of their method and mission. The AA reflections are one of many tools, along with the AA Promises that are part of the AA culture. Using AA reflections in daily life is one of the practical skills AA teaches to help program participants maintain momentum in sobriety. 

Popular AA Daily Reflections

The following reflections are taken directly from the AA Daily Reflections calendar, found online. This is a sampling that serves as an example of what to expect from AA Daily Reflections. 

Hitting Bottom

“Why all this insistence that every A.A. must hit bottom first? The answer is that few people will sincerely try to practice the A.A. program unless they have hit bottom. For practicing A.A.’s remaining eleven Steps means the adoption of attitudes and actions that almost no alcoholic who is still drinking can dream of taking.

Hitting bottom opened my mind, and I became willing to try something different. What I tried was A.A. My new life in the Fellowship was a little like learning how to ride a bike for the first time: A.A. became my training wheels and my supporting hand. It’s not that I wanted the help so much at the time; I simply did not want to hurt like that again. 

My desire to avoid hitting bottom again was more powerful than my desire to drink. In the beginning, that was what kept me sober. But after a while, I found myself working the Steps to the best of my ability. I soon realized that my attitudes and actions were changing—if ever so slightly. One Day at a Time, I became comfortable with myself and others, and my hurting started to heal. Thank God for the training wheels and supporting hand that I choose to call Alcoholics Anonymous.”

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 24 | AA Daily Reflections, January 16, 2025

Living Our Amends

“Years of living with an alcoholic is almost sure to make any wife or child neurotic. The entire family is, to some extent, ill.”

“It is important for me to realize that, as an alcoholic, I not only hurt myself but also those around me. Making amends to my family and to the families of alcoholics still suffering will always be important. Understanding the havoc I created and trying to repair the destruction will be a lifelong endeavor. The example of my sobriety may give others hope and faith to help themselves.”

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 122 | AA Daily Reflections, June 13, 2025

Bringing The Message Home 

“Can we bring the same spirit of love and tolerance into our sometimes deranged family lives that we bring to our A.A. group?

My family members suffer from the effects of my disease. Loving and accepting them as they are just as I love and accept A.A. members—fosters a return of love, tolerance, and harmony to my life. Using common courtesy and respecting others’ personal boundaries are necessary practices for all areas of my life.”

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp.111-12 | AA Daily Reflections, August 23, 2024

Happiness Is Not The Point (As Bill Sees It)

“I don’t think happiness or unhappiness is the point. How do we meet the problems we face? How do we best learn from them and transmit what we have learned to others if they would receive the knowledge?

In my search “to be happy,” I changed jobs, married and divorced, took geographical cures, and ran myself into debt—financially, emotionally, and spiritually. In A.A., I’m learning to grow up. Instead of demanding that people, places, and things make me happy, I can ask God for self-acceptance. 

When a problem overwhelms me, A.A.’s Twelve Steps will help me grow through the pain. The knowledge I gain can be a gift to others who suffer from the same problem. As Bill said, ‘When pain comes, we are expected to learn from it willingly and help others to learn. When happiness comes, we accept it as a gift and thank God for it.’”

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 306 | AA Daily Reflections, April 26, 2025

Do AA Daily Reflections and Daily Meditations Actually Help With Recovery?

Self-reflection is a mindfulness practice that’s tied to numerous mental health benefits. Studies show that meditation and mindfulness can help manage stress and anxiety, navigate depression and PTSD, or even manage pain and withdrawal symptoms.[3] These benefits improve overall quality of life and enrich the recovery process.

Studies also show that mindfulness and meditation practices are also associated with several physical health benefits, including:[4]

• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Weight management
• Cancer
• Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

All of these indicators point to one core theme: When your mind is aligned with your goals, your health and wellness follow suit. This is a powerful, motivating reward for a 12-step program and addiction recovery.

How are AA daily reflections used in AA meetings?

The AA book of reflections is intended to be used as daily readings, either solo or in meetings. This practice reinforces the teachings and steps in the AA program and helps cultivate recovery as a way of life, not merely a destination. 

AA daily reflections are a look back through time at the success of those who have been where you are. They’ve had the same struggles, they’ve endured the same challenges, and have come out the other side, better, stronger, and sober. 

When the AA daily reflections are read in meetings, it generates healthy discussion and offers new insights and perspectives to all participants. This opens a new channel for connection, focus, support, and inspiration for everyone involved. 

Find Hope and Healing In Treatment and Recovery 

There are so many opportunities in life to take a different path. Maybe this is one such opportunity for you or a loved one. If you’re struggling with alcohol or substance use, there is another way. Find hope and healing through treatment, community support, and practical skill-building. Reach out today to learn more. 

Frequently Asked Questions About AA Daily Reflections