Debtors Anonymous
Summary
Debtors Anonymous is a twelve-step recovery program designed for individuals who struggle with compulsive overspending and financial mismanagement. Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, DA provides a supportive environment for people seeking to change their relationship with money, get out of debt, and build a healthier financial future. The program teaches that compulsive debting is a spiritual issue with a spiritual solution, finding relief through the twelve-step recovery principles. Membership only requires a desire to stop incurring unsecured debt, and even those not currently in debt are welcome.
Website
Addictions Treated
Compulsive Spending
Orientation
Theistic (non-specific)
Overview
The origins of Debtors Anonymous trace back to 1968 when a group of recovering Alcoholics Anonymous members, led by John H., began exploring their financial issues. Initially called the “Penny Pinchers,” they attempted to control spending through willpower. Later, as the “Capital Builders,” they focused on saving money. Despite their efforts and attending other twelve-step meetings, they realized their problems were not merely about spending or saving but about becoming financially solvent. By 1971, the group discovered that compulsive debting itself was a fundamental issue, leading to the establishment of the DA program based on AA’s twelve steps.
The group disbanded in 1973 but re-emerged in 1976 with regular meetings in New York City. By 1982, DA had expanded to five meetings, and a board of trustees was formed. This board organized the first annual meeting in September 1982, leading to the establishment of a permanent General Service Board. The fellowship initially remained New York-based, but efforts to create a national presence included establishing a World Service Conference in 1987. Despite financial challenges and regional issues, DA made significant strides, including the creation of a General Service Office in 1985 and hiring a full-time employee in 2001.
Business Debtors Anonymous (BDA) is a distinct and dynamic but not separate part of DA, created to focus on the recovery of members of the fellowship who are business owners. Together, members of BDA support one another in applying the DA principles and tools when owning and running a business.
The fellowship has continued to evolve, focusing on developing a service structure and common literature while navigating financial difficulties and member expectations. Debtors Anonymous today has more than 500 registered meetings in more than 15 countries worldwide.
Core Text
The Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Debtors Anonymous: Thirty-Six Principles of Recovery by Debtors Anonymous
Principles, Strategies, and Tools
The Twelve Steps
Debtors Anonymous uses the same twelve steps as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Sponsorship
Members are encouraged to find a sponsor, an experienced DA member who offers guidance, helps work through the steps, and provides a source of accountability and encouragement.
Anonymity
As in other twelve-step programs, confidentiality and anonymity are key, helping members feel safe in sharing sensitive financial information.
Solvency
The primary goal of DA is to achieve “solvency,” defined as avoiding new debt one day at a time. Members work to stay solvent by avoiding unnecessary borrowing and gradually paying off existing debts.
Pressure Relief Group
A unique feature of DA is the Pressure Relief Group (PRG) meeting, a session where a member meets with two other DA members to create a realistic financial plan. This plan typically involves budgeting, setting spending limits, and creating a strategy to pay off debt. The PRG meeting offers personalized support and accountability.