Halfway House Harmony Anonymous (HHHA)

"For those working a program while walking on eggshells."

Step 0: What Brought Us Here — The Reality Check Step

Before we work the Steps, we face the facts.

We came to this house for a reason:

• Maybe we lost our freedom.

• Maybe we lost our home.

• Maybe we lost trust — from others or ourselves.

• Maybe we were just trying to get through probation, court, or a tough life chapter.

But deeper than that —We came here because, on some level, we couldn't do it alone anymore.

Step 0 Admission:

I admit that my way wasn't working.I admit that survival means more than just staying clean or following rules — it means learning to live with dignity, even inside a system that feels unfair.I admit that this house may be flawed, but I still have work to do — on me.

Step 0 Questions:

• What got me here — the honest, no-BS version?

• Am I here just to check a box, or am I ready to protect my peace?

• What am I most afraid of about being here?

• What am I holding onto that could block me from actually growing in this environment?

Step 0 is not about beating ourselves up.It’s about getting real, so the rest of the work actually sticks.

12 steps

Here’s the full Halfway House Harmony Anonymous (HHHA) program — structured completely by your S, 13, T, p, S, A, C system:

🏠 Halfway House Harmony Anonymous (HHHA)

"For those working a program while walking on eggshells."

S: 12 Steps of HHHA

1. We admitted we were powerless over house politics — that our peace of mind had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a power greater than house staff’s mood swings could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of that Higher Power, not the shifting rules of the house.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves — not of others, no matter how tempting.

5. Admitted to our Higher Power, to ourselves, and to another trusted person the exact nature of our fears, frustrations, and resentments regarding authority.

6. Were entirely ready to have our Higher Power remove the anger, bitterness, and helplessness we carry about inconsistent leadership.

7. Humbly asked our Higher Power for the strength to practice patience, humility, and strategic silence.

8. Made a list of all those we had harmed, including times when our own frustration fueled disrespect, and became willing to make amends.

9. Made direct amends wherever possible, except when to do so would jeopardize our safety, housing, or program.

10. Continued to take personal inventory, especially when house dynamics triggered us, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer, meditation, or mindful silence to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power, asking for the wisdom to navigate house life with dignity.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others still living in the chaos of unclear authority, and to practice these principles in all our affairs — both inside and outside the house.

13th Step Safeguard

In HHHA, we recognize that manipulative relationships — whether between residents, staff, or both — can threaten our recovery. We safeguard against:

• Residents exploiting newcomers emotionally or physically.

• Staff leveraging authority for inappropriate personal gain.

• Romantic entanglements that cloud judgment and program focus.

We remain accountable to our Higher Power, our support network, and the principles of recovery to prevent harm to ourselves or others under the disguise of "connection."

step work

"Surviving the System Without Losing Your Sanity"

Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over house politics — that our peace of mind had become unmanageable.

Questions:

• When have I let house drama or unfair rules ruin my peace of mind?

• How have I tried (and failed) to control staff reactions or vague rules?

• What does "unmanageable" look like for me — emotionally, mentally, physically?

Step 2: Came to believe that a power greater than house staff’s mood swings could restore us to sanity.

Questions:

• Do I believe something greater than house staff has real authority over my life?

• What moments have shown me that peace can exist even when the environment feels unstable?

• What does "sanity" mean to me while living here?

Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of that Higher Power, not the shifting rules of the house.

Questions:

• What fears keep me clinging to control in this house?

• How would it feel to mentally detach from house politics and focus on my program?

• What does trusting my Higher Power look like inside this environment?

Step 4: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves — not of others, no matter how tempting.

Questions:

• Where have I shown disrespect — even subtly — in this house?

• What resentments am I holding toward staff or residents?

• How do I contribute to my own stress and conflict here?

Step 5: Admitted to our Higher Power, to ourselves, and to another trusted person the exact nature of our fears, frustrations, and resentments regarding authority.

Questions:

• Who can I safely share my honest frustrations with?

• What specific fears about staff or rules am I ready to admit?

• How does keeping quiet about these feelings hurt me?

Step 6: Were entirely ready to have our Higher Power remove the anger, bitterness, and helplessness we carry about inconsistent leadership.

Questions:

• Am I truly willing to let go of the anger I feel toward this system?

• What might life feel like without constantly being bitter about staff or rules?

• What am I still holding onto — and why?

Step 7: Humbly asked our Higher Power for the strength to practice patience, humility, and strategic silence.

Questions:

• Where do I struggle to stay quiet when it's in my best interest?

• What situations test my patience the most in the house?

• How can humility protect my recovery in this environment?

Step 8: Made a list of all those we had harmed, including times when our own frustration fueled disrespect, and became willing to make amends.

Questions:

• Have I disrespected staff, residents, or myself through my words or actions?

• Where did my frustration cause harm?

• Am I willing to clean up my side, even if others never do?

Step 9: Made direct amends wherever possible, except when to do so would jeopardize our safety, housing, or program.

Questions:

• Who deserves a sincere amends from me — and how can I do that safely?

• How can I practice amends through changed behavior when words aren't possible?

• What does protecting my recovery look like during this step?

Step 10: Continued to take personal inventory, especially when house dynamics triggered us, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

Questions:

• How often do I reflect on my part after a heated moment in the house?

• Do I admit when I mess up — or do I hide behind defensiveness?

• How can I stay consistent with my recovery, even when the house feels inconsistent?

Step 11: Sought through prayer, meditation, or mindful silence to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power, asking for the wisdom to navigate house life with dignity.

Questions:

• What daily practices help me stay grounded inside this environment?

• How do I stay connected to my Higher Power when everything feels unfair?

• Where do I need more wisdom, patience, or grace to survive here?

Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others still living in the chaos of unclear authority, and to practice these principles in all our affairs — both inside and outside the house.

Questions:

• How can I support others dealing with this same halfway house dynamic?

• What tools, lessons, or survival tactics can I share from my experience?

• How do I keep these principles alive — not just in the house, but everywhere I go?

12 Traditions

Our common welfare comes first; personal recovery depends on house unity.

1. For our group purpose, a loving Higher Power may express itself through trusted servants — not unchecked staff egos.

2. The only requirement for HHHA membership is a desire to maintain your recovery, regardless of house politics.

3. Each house resident has autonomy, except in matters affecting others' recovery or peace.

4. HHHA’s primary purpose is to help residents navigate halfway house dynamics without losing their recovery.

5. HHHA ought never endorse, finance, or lend its name to house leadership disputes or retaliatory behavior.

6. Every HHHA member ought to strive for self-support, emotional balance, and personal accountability.

7. HHHA is non-professional; our support is based on experience, not titles or positions.

8. HHHA may create committees, buddy systems, or informal supports for smooth functioning, but never rigid hierarchies.

9. HHHA has no opinion on house management, outside agencies, or facility policies, to avoid distraction from our primary purpose.

10. Our public relations policy is based on personal humility and quiet strength, not loud opposition or rebellion.

11. Anonymity reminds us to focus on principles — not personalities — especially in emotionally charged environments.

12 Promises

If we practice these principles:

1. We will learn to survive house politics with grace and clarity.

2. We will no longer be trapped by emotional reactions to inconsistent authority.

3. We will intuitively know how to sidestep drama rather than fuel it.

4. We will regain control of our peace, even when control of the environment is impossible.

5. We will carry ourselves with quiet confidence, not fear.

6. We will know when to speak, when to listen, and when to simply walk away.

7. We will form connections built on respect and mutual support, not manipulation.

8. We will protect our recovery above all, regardless of house dynamics.

9. We will come to see that our Higher Power, not house staff, holds the key to our freedom.

Slogans

“Play the game, don’t let the game play you.”

1. “Document, don’t escalate.”

2. “Recovery first, house drama last.”

3. “Let their triggers be theirs.”

4. “Act like you're leaving tomorrow, but grow like you’re staying forever.”

5. “Silence speaks louder than defense.”

Acronyms

R.E.S.T. — Respect. Empathy. Silence. Tact.Your daily survival guide inside the house.

F.A.C.T.S. — Feelings Aren’t Courtroom Testimony, Sometimes.Reminder that staff feelings aren’t always fair, but they hold weight — pick your battles.

S.A.F.E. — Stay Aware, Fake Emotion.When real feelings risk consequences, play it cool — stay safe, stay sober.

Why this program makes sense from your document:

Your upload deeply explores the vague, inconsistent, emotionally-driven rules around "disrespect" in halfway houses, the power imbalance between staff and residents, and the emotional survival tactics residents need to maintain their program without unnecessary conflict or retaliation.

This fits directly under the Relational & Social Dynamics category and also overlaps with Fellowship Integrity & Service-Based Recovery, because it relates to how structure, authority, and human flaws play out in recovery environments.

Serenity Prayer

Higher Power,Grant me the serenity to accept the rules I cannot control,The courage to stand firm in my own dignity,And the wisdom to know the differenceBetween what's house drama…And what's truly my business.

step prays

Step 1 Prayer

Higher Power, help me admit that I can't control this house, its politics, or its people. Show me that peace starts within me, not from fixing them.

Step 2 Prayer

Higher Power, remind me that Your strength is greater than any staff mood or unfair rule. Restore my peace and sanity — even here.

Step 3 Prayer

Higher Power, I turn my frustration, my fear, and my daily experience in this house over to You. Guide me, not their emotions.

Step 4 Prayer

Higher Power, grant me courage to look at myself honestly. Help me inventory my part, not just blame others.

Step 5 Prayer

Higher Power, help me share my fears, my resentments, and my truth with You, myself, and someone I trust. Free me from carrying this weight alone.

Step 6 Prayer

Higher Power, I’m ready to let go of my anger, my bitterness, and my helplessness. Remove these so I can live free — even inside this house.

Step 7 Prayer

Higher Power, give me humility, patience, and strength to practice silence and grace, especially when unfairness shows up.

Step 8 Prayer

Higher Power, open my eyes to those I’ve hurt, even in my frustration. Make me willing to set things right, with courage and care.

Step 9 Prayer

Higher Power, guide me to make amends where it’s safe and healthy. Help me show changed behavior even when words can’t be spoken.

Step 10 Prayer

Higher Power, remind me to check myself daily — my triggers, my pride, my part. When I’m wrong, give me the strength to own it quickly.

Step 11 Prayer

Higher Power, help me stay connected to You. In silence, in stillness, in chaos — help me hear Your wisdom and stay steady.

Step 12 Prayer

Higher Power, awaken my spirit so I can carry this message of survival and dignity to others. Let me live these principles, not just speak them.

Categorization

Primary Category:💬 Relational & Social Dynamics

• Because this program directly addresses surviving and growing within unbalanced authority structures, house rules, and power plays.

Secondary Category:🛠️ Fellowship Integrity & Service-Based Recovery

• Because learning to maintain your program — and your peace — inside a flawed system protects not just yourself, but the integrity of the recovery message.

Why this fits:

• It equips residents to handle inconsistent, mood-driven rules without abandoning their recovery.

• It fosters respect and dignity even when respect isn't consistently shown back.

• It prevents retaliation, manipulation, and drama from derailing personal growth.