A Study of Tradition 8

Tradition 8 of a 12-step program says, "Twelfth step works should always be nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers." Thistraditionallows contributions to be used for support services while the groups provide only non-professional, mutual support.

Tradition 8 ensures that any time a newcomer reaches out for help, he will receive it, free of charge. Members freely share their ownexperience, strength, and hope通过新人，通过这样做，通过加强自己在过程中恢复来帮助自己。

As第12步说, "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs." There is a saying in 12-step groups, "In order to keep it, you must give it away," with the key word being "give."

非专业相互支持

很多时候，该计划的新人将参加他们的第一次会议expecting to findtrained professionals who are there to help them. What they find instead is a fellowship of equals who are gathered together for mutual support. There are no doctors, therapists, or counselors, only other members who have or have had the same problem in their lives.

That's not to say, some of those members are not doctors and professionals, but they leave those outside affiliations at the door. It's how the 12-step programs work, by giving it away in order to keep it.

This tradition is reflected in the history of AA when John D. Rockefeller, Jr. rejected a giving a large donation as it would "spoil the thing" and they must become self-supporting to be successful.

许多人不信任权威。那些想要变得清醒的人是真的。去专业的顾问与前往一群正在康复的人不同。十二步团体与专业恢复服务不同，提供了成员在分享和倾听彼此的故事中的支持。成员可以反抗没有权力。

Hiring Special Workers

Twelve-step organizations at the national, state, and regional levels may have service centers which serve the fellowships as a whole by printing and distributing literature and meeting schedules, maintaining answering services, and other tasks.

These central offices and service centers many times involve more work than volunteer service workers can provide, so some hire full- and part-time employees to do the necessary labor to keep them running smoothly. Tradition 8, therefore, allows for the "special workers" to be hired and paid a salary to do the work that volunteers cannot cover.

Special workers may be employed to keep the AA message alive around the world through printing, communications, and other technology. This is not paying for 12th-step work but paying for the services needed to support it with literature and outreach. Members understand the difference between paying for support services but not paying for professional counselors.