By Steve K. As someone who’s in long-term recovery from alcohol and drug dependency I’ve often reflected upon the various causal factors associated with addiction and what these suggest in terms of successful recovery. There seems to be many diverse opinions, often polarising voices, in relation to the causes, nature and treatment of addiction. There […]
By Steve K. Throughout my recovery I’ve struggled with cultivating an attitude of gratitude towards my life and circumstances. I have suffered with a depressive condition and physical health difficulties all my adult life, which have greatly influenced my viewpoint or ‘frame of reference’. I’m a long-term member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and find it […]
By Steve K. The literature of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) suggests that alcoholism is an illness of the mind, body and soul; and that by healing spiritually the alcoholic will heal mentally and bodily as well. I would also like to suggest that the alcoholic heals emotionally, and contentiously, morally, as part of the recovery process. […]
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 other drug addiction, the emphasis within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) on being accepting, compassionate, tolerant, unselfish and loving etc, and of “practising these principles in all our affairs”, combined with literal interpretation of fellowship literature, […]
By Steve K. I’ve often heard it said in AA meetings, ‘I don’t know how the Twelve Steps work – they just do.’ I have never found that statement particularly helpful. Taken literally, the Steps suggest that we can recover from our illness by accepting it, by belief in God or a higher power, by […]
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 towards 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 away […]
By Steve K. The Addiction Tree 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 for life creates the tree’s roots – the very […]
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. Step Six “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” And… Step Seven “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.” Steps Six and Seven of the 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) involve willingness, humility and practice. Step Six requires a genuine willingness to be free of […]
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 humanistic […]
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, […]
12-STEP PHILOSOPHY 