One Day at a Time: The Recovery Mantra That Changes Everything

I will be posting a series of shorter articles on popular AA slogans. In simple terms, slogans are short, memorable phrases meant to express a larger idea. They are not unique to AA, as marketers, politicians, and many other groups use them to communicate key principles or values in a way that resonates with an audience. By compressing complex ideas into a few words, slogans make it easier for people to recall and connect with the intended message.

The importance of slogans lies in their ability to inspire, educate, and unify. In settings like AA, slogans serve as guiding principles, offering quick reminders to help people stay focused and motivated. Ultimately, slogans are a powerful tool for reinforcing values, simplifying communication, and influencing behavior positively. In the world of addiction recovery, five simple words pack a punch more powerful than you might expect: “One day at a time.” It’s not just a catchy slogan—it’s a lifeline for millions battling addiction.

Since I used One Day At A Time (ODAAT) as the example above , it will be the focus of this first article. Picture this: You’re standing at the foot of what seems like an impossible mountain of personal transformation. The idea of never drinking again feels overwhelming. This all seems like too much to take on. That’s where “one day at a time” works its magic. Instead of facing a lifetime of sobriety, we’re just focusing on staying sober today. Just today. Right now.

In one of my favorite novels on recovery, September Remember, one of the main characters named Joe conveys it to Rick, the main character entering recovery, this way “The A.A.’s got at it another way. We’re only dry twenty-four hours. That’s all. Any dope can lay off liquor for one day.” It is believed this is the first novel to reference AA directly when published in 1945 and Bill W is represented by a fellow named Bill Griffith.

This approach isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress (sound familiar? Progress not Perfection will be another article in this series). It helps us break down the mammoth challenge of recovery into bite-sized, manageable pieces. Can you stay sober for the next hour? The next meal? The rest of today? Suddenly, the impossible becomes possible.

Alcoholics Anonymous didn’t invent simplicity, but we mastered it. This mantra does more than manage addiction—it’s a blueprint for handling life’s most daunting challenges. It teaches resilience, presence, and the power of small victories.

I used the word “mantra” rather than slogan in the last paragraph and some of the AA slogans can arguably fit into both categories. A mantra is a word, phrase, or sound that is repeated to aid in focus and being present in the moment. Mantras are often used in meditation or spiritual practices.

They are rooted in ancient traditions, used to center the mind, cultivate positive energy, and reinforce personal intentions or beliefs. They can be spoken aloud, whispered, or repeated silently, depending on the context and purpose. One Day At A Time certainly fits that category as there were days, I wore myself out repeating it. And you know what? It worked and I stayed sober that day and every single day I committed to stay sober ever since.

So, whether you’re in recovery or just trying to navigate life’s chaos, remember: You don’t have to solve everything at once. Just focus on today. One day at a time. 

When I was in rehab we were able to watch the whole series of Father Martin talks and I LOVE them! Here is his talk on ODAAT.

Father Martin – One Day At A Time