By Steve K In ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’, The Doctor’s Opinion describes the alcoholic as suffering from a physical sensitivity to alcohol combined with a mind that returns to drinking despite harmful consequences. Many people in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) understandably identify with this and conclude that they were, in some sense, “born alcoholic”. Yet suggested alongside this […]
By Steve K The ‘Yellow Card’ is a widely used Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) GB Conference-approved call to conscience in relation to anonymity and confidentiality. The card is a reminder to not disclose any AA member’s identity outside of the Fellowship or to repeat any identifying private disclosures outside of AA meetings. The following words are […]
By Steve K One of the strengths of Alcoholics Anonymous (Both the Fellowship and Big Book) is that it is honest about its human origins. The Big Book was not intended to be a timeless, infallible spiritual text. The historical evidence clearly suggests that Bill Wilson intended the Big Book to be a living document, […]
By Steve K In the context of 12 Step recovery “relational sponsorship” is an ongoing recovery-based relationship that supports humility, accountability, and spiritual discernment through honest dialogue rather than authority or instruction. It’s a form a sponsorship that sometimes follows an initial introduction to the 12 Steps. It’s not written anywhere within the literature of […]
By Steve K. In the chapter ‘We Agnostics’ in the book ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’, it says: “That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral.” The 12 Steps of AA are suggested as a spiritual and moral solution to the problem of alcoholism. AA views addiction as a […]
By Steve K. In Alcoholics Anonymous, fear is treated not as a mere emotion but as a spiritual condition— “an evil and corroding thread,” woven through the lives of those who suffer from addiction. This language seems to paint fear as a moral defect, as though it were inherently wrong or incompatible with spiritual life. […]
By Steve K In relation to recovery from addiction, letting go of resentments, including feelings of hurt, anger, bitterness, and blame, is especially important, as they can often lead to a return to drinking, using, and other forms of destructive or addictive behaviour. Resentments isolate us from others through self-absorbed bitterness and a closed heart. […]
By Steve K. For thousands of years, humans have sought altered states of consciousness as a pathway to healing, meaning, and connection with the sacred. In traditional societies, plant medicines that induce hallucinations were not dismissed as illusions but embraced as tools to access the divine or to repair broken relationships between body, spirit, and […]
By Steve K. The ‘Doctor’s Opinion’ is the opening chapter of the book ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ (4th ed, pp xxv – xxxii). The main part of the chapter is written by Dr William D. Silkworth, M.D. Silkworth was considered an expert in the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction during the 1930’s and worked as the […]
By Steve K. It’s often said in meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that “you are not judged in the rooms of AA.” This statement is generally offered as a reassurance – to newcomers in particular — as an invitation to be honest, open, and vulnerable without fear of condemnation. However, at a recent meeting I […]
12-STEP PHILOSOPHY 