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Did you know that Rule 62 is a lifeline to many people in early recovery? During this time, life can feel like walking a tightrope. Every move is calculated. Every decision weighs heavily. For many, the fear of slipping back into old patterns creates pressure to do everything “right.”  

But somewhere along the way, a little wisdom finds its way in: you are allowed to laugh after you get sober. That truth lives inside Rule 62.  

What is Rule 62? 

Rule 62 comes from an old story within Alcoholics Anonymous. A group trying to open a recovery clubhouse created 61 strict rules. The process became so complicated that it nearly fell apart. In response, someone wrote one final guideline on a scrap of paper:

“Rule 62 — Don’t take yourself too seriously.”

It stuck. Not because it was clever, but because it was true.

 

It is a gentle reminder that recovery does not require perfection. It requires honesty. And a little humility. You can show up fully, take the process seriously, and still find time to breathe, smile, or even roll your eyes when the coffee runs out at a group meeting. Rule 62 reflects the One-Day-At-A-Time concept in 12-Step Programs and the idea of “Easy Does It.”

As noted recovery expert Jim Haggerty explains, “Similar to ‘One day at a time,’ the slogan ‘Easy does it’ reminds you that you do not have to have this entire recovery journey figured out all at once. It reminds you to proceed carefully, one step at a time, and avoid putting too much pressure on yourself.”

How Integrated Healthcare Supports Rule 62 

We understand that structure is necessary at Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC). Such a structure is the backbone of our integrated recovery programs. However, structure alone is not enough. It is not just about following rules but about finding a balance in proper measure. That is where integrated healthcare comes in.

When medical care, mental health treatment, and substance use recovery are offered together, the pressure eases. Patients do not need to explain their story three times to three providers. They do not have to feel like they are juggling separate parts of their life.

It is all connected — and we treat it that way.  

When care feels connected, people feel safer. And when people feel safer, they laugh more. They take more chances. They let themselves heal. 

You Can Let Go Without Falling Apart

Letting go of rigid expectations doesn’t mean letting go of accountability. It means you’re allowed to stop punishing yourself for being human. 

Maybe you made a joke in a group that went poorly. Perhaps you missed a session and felt embarrassed coming back. At TTC, we meet you where you are — no lectures, no judgment—instead, a hand to help you step back into the process. Indeed, we focus on replacing stigma with acceptance.

It is OK to wobble. It is OK to ask for help. That is a part of the process.  

Rule 62 and Humor as a Healing Tool

Laughter might not be listed on a prescription pad, but it is medicine just the same. It creates space. It makes room for forgiveness, especially self-forgiveness.

We have seen people laugh like they were at a comedy show in the middle of therapy, not because the topic was funny, but because something finally clicked. A moment of clarity, a flash of insight, or just the relief of not being the only one feeling a certain way. That kind of laughter? It matters.

Being Human in Early Recovery 

Recovery asks a lot. It asks for honesty, effort, patience, and time. But it does not ask you to stop being human. 

Sometimes that means crying in front of a stranger. Sometimes it means you’ve been holding your breath for years without knowing it. And sometimes, it just means laughing at yourself because you wore mismatched socks to your first job interview in sobriety. 

These are the moments that make up real life — and real recovery.

Rule 62 as an Ongoing Resource for You

So what does Rule 62 look like in practice?

• Imagine taking treatment seriously without making shame the centerpiece.
• Imagine having compassion for yourself on the bad days and not getting too proud on the good ones.
• Imagine sitting in a waiting room with your head high, even when your hands shake. 

Most of all, it means allowing yourself some grace. 

You are not a robot, and you are not broken. You are someone trying to do something courageous. If, along the way, you can laugh at yourself a little, you are probably doing something right.