Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
This has been bothering for a week now. At last Friday's meeting, the topic was relapse - we have had an unfortunate rash of relapses in our group lately. One of our members shared that it is impossible to relapse once you have completed the first three steps. My opinion is that this is mistruth.
My personal experience is that after years of doing the 1-2-3 step waltz and continually relapsing, I have maintained 7 1/2 years of sobriety once I completed all 12 steps to the best of my ability and under the direction of a sponsor.
My understanding of the 12 step program of recovery is that it is necessary for the alcoholic to experience an entire psychic change, of less there is very little hope of his recovery (The Doctor's Opinion). Appendix II Spiritual Experience refers to the personality (or psychic) change sufficient to bring about recovery from alcoholism as a "spiritual experience" or "spiritual awakening".
Step 12 states "Having had a SPIRITUAL AWAKENING as THE result of THESE STEPS, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs." I interpret this to mean that my recovery from alcoholism is incumbent upon the completion of all 12 steps, not just the first 3 steps.
I have never read in the Big Book that of the 12 steps, only the first 3 steps were mandatory, that the rest were optional. Any thoughts on this?
My personal experience is that after years of doing the 1-2-3 step waltz and continually relapsing, I have maintained 7 1/2 years of sobriety once I completed all 12 steps to the best of my ability and under the direction of a sponsor.
My understanding of the 12 step program of recovery is that it is necessary for the alcoholic to experience an entire psychic change, of less there is very little hope of his recovery (The Doctor's Opinion). Appendix II Spiritual Experience refers to the personality (or psychic) change sufficient to bring about recovery from alcoholism as a "spiritual experience" or "spiritual awakening".
Step 12 states "Having had a SPIRITUAL AWAKENING as THE result of THESE STEPS, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs." I interpret this to mean that my recovery from alcoholism is incumbent upon the completion of all 12 steps, not just the first 3 steps.
I have never read in the Big Book that of the 12 steps, only the first 3 steps were mandatory, that the rest were optional. Any thoughts on this?
I was told there was a God, I wasn't it, I borrowed my sponsor's God& shut up.
Proceeded with 4 through 9.
The last three all day everyday.
Several years later I get on my knees put my hands to the air and ask him/her what they want me to do today.
Seems to work for me.
BTW, that's ridiculous.
I have been given a gift of sobriety and chose to accept it each day.
I've seen people "white knuckle" their sobriety with nonsense like just working the first 3 steps. That's not even half measures!
I made a decision a long time ago that if I were to become miserable sober, I would rather die drunk. The journey through the 12 Steps ain't for sissies but totally doable in order to have a life worth living.
And yeah BBH, I also required outside professional help. It did not replace my program but enhanced it.
Don't get me wrong there is a lot of good stuff in there and helped me early especially the Dr. Opinion even though I knew I had this disease but it put at ease knowing what I had to deal with. I find that people that think in meetings its not worth talking about it its not in the book I always find them to be angry people and I always look for people that are f serine and spiritually and balance. Is that judging? probably but it works for me.
My concern is with statements that are completely contrary to what is written in the BB.
HOWEVER, it is always possible to relapse even after doing all the steps if we fail to maintain a fit spiritual condition. (Pg 85)
HOWEVER, it is always possible to relapse even after doing all the steps if we fail to maintain a fit spiritual condition. (Pg 85)
HOWEVER, it is always possible to relapse even after doing all the steps if we fail to maintain a fit spiritual condition. (Pg 85)
HOWEVER, it is always possible to relapse even after doing all the steps if we fail to maintain a fit spiritual condition. (Pg 85)
HOWEVER, it is always possible to relapse even after doing all the steps if we fail to maintain a fit spiritual condition. (Pg 85)