How to Give a Recovery Open Talk

Are you recovering from an addiction in a Twelve Step program? Your experience, strength and hope can help others to recover. Giving your first open talk can feel intimidating; however, the hard work (recovery) is already in progress. Your talk is just the icing on the cake. Here are some tips to help you get ready.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Be yourself. No one is expecting you to be a stand-up comedian or a master motivational speaker. Speak sincerely. Avoid tall tales.
2. Good Orderly Direction Be honest. An open talk isn't a chance to brag or make stuff up; rather, you want to share your experience to help others. No one is there to judge you--they are listening to learn.
3. Be organized. Your talk should start with an attention getting story and then cover what life used to be like, what happened to put you at a crossroads and what life is like now in recovery.
4. Be brief. Find out from the meeting organizer how long you should speak for. Aim for five minutes under that time. Wear a watch and have a friend in the audience warn you when you're within five minutes of your allowed time.

Tips & Warnings

• Your first open talk is the toughest. After that, the process gets much, much easier.
• Review your planned talk with your sponsor. He or she might offer additional insight.
• Being anxious before public speaking is perfectly normal.
• Avoid "drunk-o-logues" or telling the expanded story of your life. Your open talk is about your recovery journey.