By Steve K. There is a common myth in recovery circles, often perpetuated by the literal interpretation of the literature, that long term sobriety equals a life of being “happy, joyous and free.” However, the reality of “life on life’s terms” often brings with it suffering and adversity and the related negative impact in terms […]
By Ingrid Mathieu, Ph.D. Is recovery in today’s AA supportive of cultivating a personal and authentic identity or in some way limiting these? Is a person’s recovery allowing the full breadth of human experience or is a bypass occurring that precludes some of the earthier nuances that might play a key role in someone’s life? […]
By Steve K. While I’m committed to the practise of spiritual principles as a part of my recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, the emphasis within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) on being accepting, compassionate, tolerant and loving etc and of “practising these principles in all our affairs”, combined with literal interpretation of fellowship literature, can lead […]
By Steve K. I’ve often heard it said in AA meetings that “I don’t know how the Twelve Steps work, but they just do.” Personally I have never found that statement particularly helpful. Taken literally, the Steps suggest that we can be healed from our illness by accepting it, by belief in God, by taking […]
By Steve K. Humility is simply having a realistic sense of oneself. A humble person accurately acknowledges both their strengths and limitations. They have the capacity to be honest and without pretence in relation to themselves. They are “right-sized” and without false pride, arrogance, or importantly, low self-esteem. They are modest and without “ego”, they […]
By Steve K. I attend a weekly AA meeting which I consider to be my “home group”, and have done so for a long period of time. I value the group and in general it has had a good balance of people experienced in recovery, as well as newer members. Recently a local residential treatment […]
By Hamilton B. The primary responsibility of sponsors is to help their sponsees work the Twelve Steps. A sponsor and sponsee have an obligation to discuss their mutual expectations, objectives, and requirements, if any, regarding the sponsorship relationship before they enter into that relationship. A sponsor shares his or her experience, strength, and hope with […]
By Steve K. The experience of surrender is the gateway to recovery from addiction. To paraphrase the first Step of the AA 12-Step program, at this moment we experience an acceptance that we lack control and that our life is unmanageable. Our ego surrenders its will through the pain and suffering of addiction. Our denial is […]
By Steve K. Humility is having a realistic view of oneself as a limited, imperfect human being, and being honest without pretence in the portrayal of oneself to others. Humility acknowledges the need for others and reaches out toward them. It requires good self-awareness and self-acceptance, and is a strength rather than a weakness. False […]
By Steve K. Spiritual development, or awakening, and reduction of our fear based ego is the main aim of the 12-Step approach to recovery from addiction. The belief is that if we change in this respect we’ll be able to let go of our addictions and live more fulfilling and satisfying lives. We will move […]
By Steve K. Trauma Informed Model of Addiction At the bottom of the addiction tree is the soil and seeds of addiction, which consists of emotional, physical, sexual, and spiritual neglect or abuse. These are combined with innate hereditary factors. This unhealthy foundation creates the tree’s roots – the very painful feeling of toxic shame […]
By Steve K. I recently became fully aware of certain unconscious motivations that have been directing, to a degree, some of my behaviour. At a conscious level I was trying to help someone early in recovery and still believe that this motive was genuine, but underlying these efforts I was also being driven by powerful […]
By Steve K. “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” And… “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.” These two Steps involve willingness, humility and practice. Step Six requires a natural willingness to be free of the character defects discovered in Steps Four and Five. The painful awareness of our […]
By Steve K and John S. Listen to the podcast: This week’s podcast features an interview with Steve K. who discusses his book, The 12 Step Philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous: An Interpretation by Steve K. Inspired by Aristotle’s “Virtue Ethics,” Stoic philosophy and the liberal principles embedded in AA history; Steve interprets the Steps from a […]
By Steve K. My reply to this question is that it can be for some of us in recovery. Specifically, those of us who have experienced high levels of shaming (rejection, neglect, and emotional or physical/sexual abuse) in the developmental years of childhood and adolescence. During my own upbringing, I experienced a lot of anger, […]
By Lisa Martinovic In battling addiction, neuroscience offers a complementary and alternative approach to twelve-step programs. Cutting-edge 21st century neuroscience and a certain Depression era, Christian-based self-help fellowship might make strange bedfellows, but they have one thing in common: when it comes to the treatment of addiction, both rely on the brain’s innate capacity for […]
