Overview
“Daily reprieve” is a phrase found on page 85 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and refers to the idea that sobriety is a temporary pause from a progressive disease that’s only maintained through daily “maintenance of our spiritual condition.”
Specifically, page 85 reads:
“It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all of our activities. “How can I best serve Thee - Thy will (not mine) be done.” These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will.”
Commentary
The concept of a “daily reprieve” is heavily rooted in Protestant and Calvinist theological premises that the human condition is one of fundamental sin and flawed depravity. Only by throwing oneself into the mercy of God’s guidance and grace can one hope to achieve a transformation of the self. Otherwise, the temptations that surround one in daily life can easily lead to wandering astray from divine sanctity and sanctuary. AA heavily adopts this paradigm in which alcohol, described as “cunning, baffling, powerful,” adopts the role of the Devil and alcoholism is interpreted through the human predilection to sin. The only way in which the Devil’s temptations can be warded off is through regular conscious contact with one’s Higher Power, or God, and integration with a fellowship of like-minded members. In this sense, one can never be cured of the disease of alcoholism any more than human nature can be cured of the proclivity to sin. Some have argued that this idea drives much of AA’s stickiness with individuals, who, rightly or wrongly, believe that daily engagement with AA and incorporation of its principles “in all our affairs” is a requirement to gain this reprieve. In doing so, the Higher Power, or God, can provide some degree of personal intervention.