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This is the first attempt of the Fellowship of Chemically Dependent Anonymous to share its history, philosophical underpinnings and program with others in our own book. We have based our program on one proven successful for over half a century by Alcoholics Anonymous in helping alcoholics find the road to recovery and a new way of life. As the focus of our program, we have adapted A.A.’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, changing them only as they refer to chemical dependency in its entirety rather than alcohol abuse alone. We are grateful to A.A. for pointing the way for us as it has for many other anonymous groups.

The CDA First Edition Committee consisting of four members of the Fellowship first met in May 1986 at Thanksgiving Farm in Harwood, Maryland to discuss the possibility of publishing a book for CDA. We delegated various committees such as the Steps Committee, the Traditions Committee and the H.O.W. Committee to begin work on enlarging upon the fundamental principles of our program. We found a lawyer to advise us on the legalities connected with our literary endeavor.

We then made several announcements to the general membership over a period of three years requesting personal story contributions to the book. We found editors who compiled our materials and prepared it for publication. We incorporated our publishing division, CDA COMMUNICATIONS, INC., General Service Office, in October 1989. At long last, our dreams have come to fruition as we present Chemically Dependent Anonymous to the world.

The First Edition Committee wishes to thank all the individuals and committees who generously contributed their time and ideas and those who gathered or submitted material for this volume. Special thanks go to the 23 courageous recovering men and women who have been willing to share their personal stories about their addictions, their attempts at recovery and their successes in combating many varieties of substance abuse. The stories have been kept as close to their exact words as possible. Only those who have been there can so eloquently explain how they have been able to rebuild their lives. These CDA members want to give hope to others that they too may find freedom from their addictions through CDA’s own time-tested program of recovery.

The CDA First Edition Committee dedicates this book to you, the reader, with our sincere wishes that what you find herein will help you or those you are helping discover the new life of health, sanity and sobriety that CDA has to offer. May God (as you understand Him) guide you on your way.