big book awakening step 1 - bba in the ukbbaintheuk.weebly.com › uploads › 6 › 5 › 1 › 4...
Post on 24-Jun-2020
2 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
1
BIG BOOK AWAKENING
STEPS 1-2-3 QUESTION GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWER GUIDE for Steps 1- 3 These are compiled questions of the statements out of the Big Book of Alcoholics
Anonymous, that we turned into questions.
To download the most current versions of these worksheets, go to: www.BBAWorks.com NOTES: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2
CIRCLEANDTRIANGLE/PREFACEANDFORWARDS
AsIlookatthecircleandtriangleIwillconsidereachpart.Intheunitysidethefellowship.IfyouareaNEWCOMER,youcanwrite“N/A”ifitdoesn’tapply:
1. UNITYSIDE(Fellowship/TheBody)-HowamIdoingwithmymeetings?____________________________________________________________________________________
a. DoIgotoenoughmeetings?______________________________________________________b. DoIhaveahomegroup?_________________________________________________________c. DoIhaveacommitmentatameeting?DoIgototoomanymeetings?
______________________________________________________________________________d. DoIgetthereearly?_____________________________________________________________e. DoIwelcomenewpeoplebeforeorafterthemeeting?________________________________f. DoIreachout?_________________________________________________________________g. DoIhelpwithsetuporsitdown?__________________________________________________
2. RECOVERYSIDE(12-Steps/TheMind)-Howamdoinginthe12steps?
____________________________________________________________________________________
a. AmIactivelygoingthroughthe12steps?____________________________________________b. HowamIdoingwithmystep10?__________________________________________________c. HowamIdoingwithmydailypracticeof11?_________________________________________d. HaveIfinishedalltheamendsonmy8-steplist?______________________________________
3. SERVICESIDE(Spiritual/AmIworkingwithothersandcarryingthemessage?
____________________________________________________________________________________
a. AmIworkingwithotherstakingthemthroughthebigbookaswastakenthroughit?______________________________________________________________________________
b. HavealookedtoseeifthewayItakepeoplethroughtheworkiseffectiveandaretheystayingintheprogram?________________________________________________________________
c. AmIgivingthemenoughattentionandtimeamIexplainingtheprocesswell?______________________________________________________________________________
d. DoIhaveacommitmentatahospitalorinstitution?______________________________________________________________________________
4. ThepromiseisthatifactionistakeninallthreeareasIcanbewhole.DoIfeelwhole?____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Thefirstpromiseishowhundredshave“recovered”.AmI“recovered”oramI“recovering”?____________________________________________________________________________________
6. Intheforwardtothefirstadditionitsaysthatwehave“recovered”fromaseeminglyhopelessstateof
mindandbody.Isthattrueforme?______________________________________________________
3
7. Ittalksaboutmanydonotcomprehendthatthealcoholicandaddictareverysickpeople.DoI?____________________________________________________________________________________
8. InthemeetingbetweenDr.BobandBillW.intheForwardtothe2ndEdition,whatstoodouttoyou
(pagexv-xvii):________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONSIDERATION:OnpageXX,ittalksaboutthepercentageofrecoveriesandhowitusedtobe75%andnowthelastsurveytakenwasitwasabout7%.Whatdoesthatmeantome?Whatdoesthattellme?WhatcanIdotomakeadifference?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________
4
TheFirstStepTheBigBookofAlcoholicsAnonymousnevertellsusdirectlyhowtoworkthefirsttwosteps.Intheportionof‘HowIWorks”readatmanymeetings,weheat“OurdescriptionoftheAlcoholic,thechaptertotheagnostic,andourpersonaladventuresbeforeandaftermakeclearthreepertinentideas,thatwewerealcoholicandcouldnotmanageourownlives,thatprobablynohumanpowercouldhaverelievedusofouralcoholismandthatGodcouldandwouldifHeweresough.(pages58-60).Whatisnotreadisthesentencewhichfollows,“Beingconvinced,wewereatStep3.”Convincedofwhat?Theanswerisrightthere:“Convincedofthesethreepertinentideas.”Andhowdowegetconvinced?Wereadthedescriptionofthealcoholic,thechaptertotheagnostic,andthepersonalexperiencesbeforeandaftertheyarespecificallydesignedto“makeclearthesethreepertinentideas.”Intheoriginalmanuscript,itreadthatifwewerenotconvinced,“weoughttorereadthebooktothispointorelsethrowitaway.’Wecompareourexperiences;thewaywethoughtfelt,anddrank(orused)withtheexperiencesofthepeopledescribedinthebook,toseehowtheymatchup,thisishowwetakestepsoneandtwo.Relatingtotheirexperiencesmaycreateaproblemforthemodernreader.TheEnglishoftodayissignificantlydifferentfromthatof1939whenthisbookwasfirstpublished.IfyouhaveevertriedtoreadShakespeare,youareperhapsawareoftheeffecttimehasuponlanguage.GoingthroughtheBigBookinthewaydescribedhereshouldhelpyouovercomethislanguageproblem,andgiveyouanunderstandingoftheBigBookwhichisreflectedinyourownexperience.YoumaybegintoseetheBigBookinanewlight,andperhapsitwillhaverealmeaninginyourownlifetoday.MuchofthisworkbookconsistsofstatementsfromtheBigBookwhichhavebeenturnedintoquestions.Wefoundithelpfultoviewthebookinthislightratherthanasabookofanswers;theanswersyouwillfindonlyinyourownexperience,andwithinyouownheart.Forthesakeofclarity,somequestionsareparaphrasedratherthandirectlyquoted.Ifthereissomethingyourelateto,describeit,andaskyourself“whatwasmyexperiencewiththis?”“Didthishappentome?DidIfeellikethis?”“Thinklikethis?”or“Drink/uselikethis?”Thisisnota“homeworkassignment”werewetrytogetthroughitasquicklyaswecanwithaminimumeffort.Ifyouarereallyandalcoholic,and/ordrugaddict,havinganunderstandingofthesestepsmeansthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath.Thisworkbookissetuptobeusedbyalcoholicsanddrugaddict.However,someofusthoughtwewereonlyalcoholicsoronlyaddicts,andlaterdiscoveredwewereboth.Weaskyouonlytotrytokeepanopenmind.
DOCTOR’SOPINIONStep1–Physicalcraving
Pagexxv-23
1. WhyamIinterestedintheplanofrecoverydescribedinthisbook?Pg.xxv–P1-L2____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5
2. DoIbelieveconvincingtestimonymustsurelycomefromadoctorwhohadexperiencewiththesufferingsofalcoholicsandhavewitnessedtheirreturntohealth?Wouldthisbehelpfultome?Pg.xxvP1–L4____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. AmIthetyperegardedashopeless?Wantstoquitbutcan’t?pg.xxvP3–L3
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. AmIthetypewithwhomeverymethodItriedhadfailedcompletely?WhathaveItried?Pg.xxvP5-L2
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. AmIwillingtobelievethisbookhasaremedyforme?Pg.xxv1P1L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. AmIwillingtorelyabsolutelyonanythingtheysayaboutthemselvesinthisbook?
Pg.xxviP1-L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Allergy”Definition:aconditionofunusualsensitivitytoasubstance,whichinlikeamountsdoesnotaffectothersandischaracterizedbysystematicdisorders.Note:It’slikehavinganallergicphysicalreactiontostrawberries.Ican’teatthemwithoutbreakingoutinaphysicalitch,nothingtodowithwhatI’mthinking.Aswithalcohol,whenIdrinkIbreakoutinanitchtohaveanotherdrink,thenanother,thenanother.Youwillseeyourexperiencewiththephysicalpowerlessnessnotintheamountyoudrank,butinyourlackofcontrol.
5. DoIbelievethatmybodyisquiteasabnormalasmymindafterthefirstdrinkordrug?Why?Pg.xxviP2–L2_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. DidanyexplanationI’veheardeversatisfymeastowhyIcouldnotcontrolmydrinkingand/or
using?WhatdidIhear?WhathaveItoldmyself?Pg.xviP2–L7____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6
b. DoIbelievethesethingsweretruetosomeextent,infact,toaconsiderableextentwithme?Pg.xxv1P2–L10
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. DoIbelievethatmybodywassickenedaswell?Pg.xxviP2–L11__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. DoIbelieveanypictureofmewhichleavesoutthisphysicalfactorfeelsincomplete?Explain
whatthephysicalfactorlookslikewithyouwhenyoudrinkoruse?Pg.xxviP2–L12__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
e. Doesthedoctor’stheorythatIhaveanallergytoalcoholinterestme?Pg.xxviP3–L1__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
f. Doestheexplanationabouttheallergymakegoodsense?Pg.xxviP3–L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
g. DoesitexplainmaythingsforwhichIcannototherwiseaccount?Pg.xxviP3–L5
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. DoIbelieveIneedtofindaPowerwhichcanpullmebackfromthegatesofdeathandthatmustbeapowergreaterthanmyown?Explainwhy?Pg.xxviiP6–L9____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. DoIbelievethatthere-actionofalcoholonmeislikeanallergyandthereisacravingformorethat
occursafterthefirstdrinkordrug?Explainwhatthatlookslikewithyou?Pg.xxviiiP1–L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. CanIsafelyusealcohol(and/ordrugs)inanyformatall?Pg.xxviiiP1-L5__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. DidIformthehabit?Pg.xxviiiP1–L6
______________________________________________________________________________c. CouldIbreakIt?Pg.xxviiiP1–L7
______________________________________________________________________________
7
d. DidIlosemyselfconfidencethatanythinghumancouldkeepmesober?Pg.xxviiiP1–L7______________________________________________________________________________
8. DoIbelievefrothyemotionalappeal(likesomeonebeggingmetostop)neverworkedsothemessage
thatIbettergethereinthisprogramtointerestandholdme,musthavedepthandweightmorethanemotionalorintellectual?Pg.xxviiiP2–L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. DidIdrinkbecauseIlikedtheeffectofalcohol?Whatwasthateffectlikeforme?Pg.xxviiiP4–L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Wastheeffectsogreatthatafteratime,eventhoughyouknewitwasbadforyou,youcould
nottellthetrueformthefalse?(“Likeinvestingincocainetosellitorgoingtothebarforacoupleofbeers”)Pg.xxviiiP4–L2
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Didmyalcoholiclifeseentheonlynormalone?How?Pg.xxviiiP4–L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. AmIrestless(uneasy)irritable(easilyannoyed)anddiscontented(neversatisfied)untilIexperiencea
senseofeaseandcomfortwhenIpickupadrugoradrink?Pg.xxviiP2–L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. WhenIstarttodrinktochangethewayIfeel,amIabletostoponceIfellIwanttofeel?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. DoIbelievethatinrecoveryImustexperiencethesenseofeaseandcomfortthatIgotbydrinkingor
using,ifnot,willIgiveintothedesiretodrinkagain?Why?Pg.xxix____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. DoIpassthroughthewell-knownstagesofaspree,emergingremorseful,withthefirmresolutionto
neverdrinkoruseagain?WhathappenswhenImakeresolutionstonotdrinkoruse?Pg.xxixP(top)–L5____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8
a. Isthisrepeatedoverandover?Pg.xxixP(top)–L7
______________________________________________________________________________b. OrdoIhaveothersolutions?Pg.xxix
P(top)_________________________________________________________________________c. CanIstaystoppedonmyown?Pg.xxixP2–L3
______________________________________________________________________________d. DoIneedhelp?Pg.xxixP2–L3
______________________________________________________________________________
13. DoIbelievethatsomethingmorethanhumanpowerisneededtoproducetheessentialpsychic
changeandthatismyonlyanswer?Pg.xxixP3–L5________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. WhenIstartdrinking,canImentallycontrolwhenI’mgoingtostopdrinking?Pg.xxixP4–L6
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. Hasthiscravingatanytimebecomemoreimportantthanallotherinterests?(Job,family,etc.)Pg.xxix
P(top)L2____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16. WasIalwaysgoingonthewagon(swearingoff)forkeeps?Pg.xxxP2–L4
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. WasIover-remorsefulmakingmanyresolutionstoquit?Pg.xxxP2–L5__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17. WasIunwillingtoadmitthatIcannottakeadrinkordrug?Why?Pg.xxxP3–L1
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. DidIplanvariouswaysofdrinkinginanefforttocontrolmydrinking?Giveanexample.Pg.P3–
L2__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9
b. DoIbelievethatafterbeingentirelyfreefromalcoholforaperiodoftimethatIcouldtakeadrinkwithoutdanger?Why?Pg.xxxP3–L4
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
18. HaveIidentifiedmyallergytoalcoholasacravingformoreonceIstartdrinking?Pg.xxxP5–L1
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. CanIstartdrinking(using)withoutdevelopingthephenomenonofcraving?Whathappens
whenIdo?Pg.xxxP5–L2__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. DoIbelievethisallergydifferentiatesmeandsetsmeapartfromotherpeople?I’mnotlike
otherpeoplewhenitcomestoalcoholand/ordrugs?Pg.xxxP5-L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. DoIbelievetheonlyrelieftothisphysicalallergyisentireabstinence?Pg.xxxP5–L7__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. CanIdothatonmyown,justnotdrink?Pg.xxxP5-L8
______________________________________________________________________________
19. DoIfeeldoomed(whenitcomestoalcoholand/ordrugs)?Pg.xxxP6-L4________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
20. WasIlivingtodrink(oruse)?Whatdidmydaylooklike?Pg.xxxiP2–L6
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONSIDERATIONS:HowisitthatIhaveasobrietydatethatonceItakethefirstdrinksomethinghappensinbothmybodyandmymindthatmakesitvirtuallyimpossibletostop____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IfIhaveasobrietydatethatis10daysormoreandIcan’tproduceasenseofeaseandcomfortpowerfulenoughtokeepmefromtakingthefirstdrink,howisitthatIcontinuetohavethissobrietydatenomatterhowIfelt?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10
BILL’SSTORYStep1
Pg.1-topofpage91stHalfofBill’sStory
1. Didyouturntoalcohol/drugswhenyouwerelonely?Page1P1________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Weretherethigsthathappenedearlyinyourdrinking/usingcareer(ominouswarningswhichyoufailedtoheed?Pg.1P3____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Didyoudeveloptheoriesaboutyouwouldbesuccessfulinlifewhileloaded?Pg.2P2____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Didyourfriendssometimesthinkyouwerecrazy?Pg.3TopP
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Diddrinkingand/orusingbecomemoreimportantovertime?Pg.3P1
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Didyourdrinkingand/ordruggingbecomemoreseriousduringthistime?Pg.3P2
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Didyoufightwithyourspouseandfriends?Pg.3P2
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Didyoubecomealoner?Pg.3P2__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11
c. Didyoubegintodrinkand/oruseinthemorning?Pg.3P3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Didyoustarttodrinkand/ordrugtoescapefromproblems,sometimesbroughtonbythedrinking
and/ordrugging?Pg.4P1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Didyoubecomeanunwelcomehangeronatyourjob,atthebar,atthecrackhouse?Pg.5topP
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Didalcohol/drugs,atsomepoint,ceasetobealuxuryandbecomeanecessity?Explain.Pg.5P1–L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. DidIstillthinkIcouldcontroltheconsequencesofdrinkinganddrugging?How?Pg.5P1–L9
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Didlifegraduallygetworse?How?Pg.5P2–L1
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. Didyoufeelasenseofimpendingcalamity?Likesomethingbadwasalwaysabouttohappen?Pg.6P1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Didyounowhavetodrinkorgethightobeabletofunctionatall?Pg.6P1
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Didyouthinkofsuicide?Pg.6P2
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12
a. Didyoutrymixingheavysedatives(downers)withalcoholanddrugs?Pg.6,P2____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Canself-knowledgefixme?Whyorwhynot?Pg.7P2–L9
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. WasIashopelessasBill,wantedtostopdrinkingbutcouldn’t?pg.8P1–L5____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16. Didyoufeelloneliness,despairandself-pity?Pg.8P2____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Didyoueverfeelalcohol/drugswereyourmaster?Pg.8P2__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Didthis(thatyouhadnopower)scareyou?Wereyouafraid?Pg.8P2__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. Didthisfearkeepyousober?Ordidyoudrinkagainanyway?Pg.8P2__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
13
2ndHalfofBill’sStory
17. Hasyourhumanwillfailedyou?“Didyoureallydecidetostartdrinkingorusingagainordidyoujustconvinceyourselfitwasyourdecisionsoyoucouldfeellikeyouwereincontrol”?pg.11P3________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Areyoureadytoadmitcompletedefeat?Whatmeaningdoesthishaveforyou?Pg.11P3___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
18. DoyouunderstandthatyoucanchooseyourownconceptionofGod?Thatitonlyhastomakesense
toyou?Pg.12P2____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
19. DoIbelieveifIdidnotdothisworkwithothers,Iwouldsurelydrinkagain?OrlivelikeIneedadrink?Giveadescriptionofhowthatlooks.Pg.13topP–L3____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
20. AmIwillingtoabandonmyselfwiththeenthusiasmtotheideaofhelpingotheralcoholicstoasolution
oftheirproblems?Pg.15P1–L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
21. AmIwillingtoattendmeetingsfrequentlysothatthenewcomermayfindthefellowshiptheyseek?
WhatamIwillingtodo?Pg.15P2–L14____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
14
THERE’SASOLUTIONPART1–PHYSICALCRAVING
Page17–Page23
1. WasIashopelessasBill(wanttoquitbutcan’t)Pg.17P1–L3________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Isthereanyotherhopeforme?Inwhatway?Pg.17P1–L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Isthefellowshipbyitselfenoughformetostaysober?Explainyouranswer.Pg.17P2-L16__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. DoIhaveawaytostaycleanandsoberwithouthelp?Pg.17L3-P2__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. HaveIcometobelieveIsufferfromanillness:Physically?Mentally?Spiritually?Explaineachone:pg.
18P1–L1________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Diditaffectthepeoplearoundmeinawaynootherhumansicknesscan?Whowasaffected?
Pg.18P1–L2__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Diditbringmisunderstanding?Fierceresentment?Financialinsecurity?Badtermswithfamily
orfriends?Employees?Warpedlivesofblamelesschildren?Sadwivesandparents?Listwhowasaffected.Pg.18P1–L7
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. WasIunabletodiscussmysituationwithoutlyingtomyspouse,parentsorintimatefriends?
Why?Pg.18P3–L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Whenapproachingthenewcomer(youapproachingyoursponsor/steppartner)…Washe/shelikeme?pg.19topmargin:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
15
a. Didhe/sheobviouslyknowwhattheyweretalkingabout?Pg.19P5–L2____________________________________________________________________________
b. Doeshis/herwholebehaviorshoutatthenewprospectthathe/sheisaman/womanwitharealanswer?Pg.18P5L2_________________________________________________________
c. Doeshe/shehavenoattitudeofHolierthanThou?Pg.18P5L5____________________________________________________________________________
4. Isjusttheeliminationofmydrinking/druggingenough,oristhisjustabeginning?Pg.19P1-L3
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. IfIkeepon‘justnotdrinking’eventhoughmuchgoodwillresult,doIbelievethesurfaceoftheproblemwouldhardlybescratched?Why?Pg.19P2–L1
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. DoesmylifedependuponmyconstantthoughtofothersandhowImayhelpmeettheirneeds?Asa
newcomerwhatcanIdotohelp?Pg.20P(top)–L2________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. AmIcurioustodiscoverhowandwhythesepeoplehaverecoveredfromahopelessconditionofmind
andbody?Pg.20P1-L3________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. CanIusealcohol/drugsorjustleaveitalone?
Pg.20P3–L1________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. CanIjustquit?Pg.20P3–L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. CouldIhandlemyliquor?Drugs?Pg.20P3–L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. DoIhaveachoice?pg.20P3–L5__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. Ismywillpowerweak?Pg.20P3–L5__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16
e. CouldIstopifIwantedto?Pg.20P3–L6__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
f. CouldIstopforher/him?Whyorwhynot?Pg.20P3–L7
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. IfthedoctortoldmethatifIeverdrankagainitwouldkillme,couldIstop?
Pg.20P3–L8________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. DoIbelievethepeoplewhocandothesearephysicallyandmentallyverydifferentfromme?Pg.20
P4–L4________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The3TypesofDrinkers
THEMODERATEDRINKERType1:ThemoderateDrinker/Druguser.Wehaveallknownpeoplewhowouldhaveagladofwinewithdinnerandleavehalfofitonthetable,orafteracoupleofdrinks,somethinglike“Oh…I’mstartingtofeelthis,Ibetternothaveanymore”.Therewerealsopeoplewhocouldstashagramofcocaineindefinitely,ordidacoupleoflinesandquitbecausetheyhadtogotowork.
10. CouldIgiveupliquor(drugs)entirelyifIweregivenagoodreasonforit?Pg.20P5–L1________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. CanItakeitorleaveitalone?Alcohol?Drugs?Pg.20P5–L3
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Doyouhavelittletroublequittingentirelyifgivengoodreason?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________b. Canyoutakeitorleaveitalone?___________________________________________________c. Doesthisdescribeyouordoyouknowpeoplelikethis?
______________________________________________________________________________
12. AmIamoderatedrinker?User?HaveIeverbeen?Pg.20–endP5L3________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17
THEHARDDRINKERType 2: There were those people too, who we drank or used with, who were able to keep up with us. They drank as much as we did, used the same drugs we did, but something happened which caused them to stop or moderate on their own. Perhaps they got married, had a child, got a DUI, or went back to school. They grew out of it, while we continued to grow into it. Though they may have drank or used as much or more than we did, they are very different from a real alcoholic or drug addict.
13. DidIhavethehabitbadlyenoughtograduallyimpairmephysicallyandmentally?Pg.20P6-L2
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Coulditcausemetodieafewyearsbeforemytime?Pg.21P(top)L1
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. CouldIstaystoppedifgivenasufficientlystrongreason?_______________________________
Illhealth?__________________________________________________________________Fallinginlove?When?___________________________________________________________________________Changeofenvironment?When?___________________________________________________________________________Thewarningofadoctor?Pg.21P(top)L2___________________________________________________________________________
c. Ifadoctor,employer,judgeorprobationofficertoldyoustopforgood,couldyoudoit?Pg.21
P1___________________________________________________________________________
d. Ifyoufellinlove,andshe/hetoldyoutostopforgood,couldyoudoit?_________________________________________________________________________________________________
e. Ifyoumovedtoadifferentplace,couldyoustopforever?Pg.21P1______________________________________________________________________________
14. AmIaharddrinker?User?pg.21endofP(top)L7
____________________________________________________________________________________
a. Doesthisdescribeyouordoyouknowpeoplewhodidstopforreasonslikethese?Describe.Page20,P6.Page21TopP_______________________________________________________
18
THEREALALOHOLIC
15. DidIstartoffasamoderatedrinker?User?pg.21P1–L1________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. DidIbecomeacontinuousharddrinker?Druguser?Pg.21P1–L2
______________________________________________________________________________
16. DidIatsomestageofmydrinkingand/orusinglosecontroloftheamountIdrank(orused)onceIstartedtodrink?Usedrugs?Pg.21P1–L3________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. CanIstaystoppedonmyownlikethemoderateorharddrinkercan?AmIphysicallyareal
alcoholicand/oraddict?Pg.21topmargin_________________________________________________________________________________
b. Didyoudoabsurdandtragicthingswhiledrinkingand/orusing?
______________________________________________________________________________
c. WereyouarealaDr.JekyllandMyHyde?______________________________________________________________________________
d. Wereseldommildlyintoxicated?Moreorlessinsanelydrunkorhigh?Explain______________________________________________________________________________
e. Wasthepersonyoubecamewhiledrunkorhighverydifferentfromwhoyouweresober,ifsohow?_________________________________________________________________________
f. Didyoubecomedangerouslyantisocialwhenloaded?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
g. Didyouhaveaknackforgettingloadedattheworstpossibletime?______________________________________________________________________________
h. Areyouincrediblyselfishanddishonestwerealcoholanddrugswereinvolved?______________________________________________________________________________
i. Doyougotobedloadedandwakeuplookingforabottle,ajointandtherestofthecocaineorcrystal?_______________________________________________________________________
j. Didyoustashalcoholanddrugsaroundsonobodywouldgetitall?______________________________________________________________________________
k. Didyoumixdrugswithalcoholjustsoyoucouldfunction?______________________________________________________________________________
19
l. Doesthisdescriptionroughlysoundlikeyou?Inwhatways?______________________________________________________________________________
17. Whycan’tIstaystopped?Pg.22P2–L4
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. WhathasbecomeofmycommonsenseandwillpowerthatIstillsometimesdisplaywith
respecttoothermatters?Pg.22P2L5__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. DoesmyexperienceabundantlyconfirmthatonceItakeanyalcoholwhateverintomysystem,
somethinghappensbothinmybodyandmymindwhichmakesitvirtuallyimpossibleformetostopuntilIgettothatplace?Pg.22P4–L4
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
18. DoesmyexperienceabundantlyconfirmthatonceItakeanyalcohol/drugswhateverintomysystem,
somethinghappensbothinmybodyandmymindwhichmakesitvirtuallyimpossibletostopuntilIgettothatplace,itmaybe3hoursor3days?Pg.22P4________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ENDOFPHYSICALCRAVING,BEGINNINGOFMENTALOBSESSION.
20
THEREISASOLUTION–part2Step1–TheMentalObsession
Page23–29
AmImentallypowerlessoveralcoholbeforeItakethefirstdrink?
1. AretheseobservationsaboutthephysicalcravingimportanttoknowbutpointlessifIjustnevertookthefirstdrink,thatsetstheterriblecycleinmotion?(CRAVING…OBSESSION/CRAVING…OBESSION)Pg.23P1–L1________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Therefore,doIbelievethemainproblemcentersinmymindratherthaninmybody?Pg.23P1
–L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. CouldIalwaysfindanexcusetodrink?Pg.23P-L7__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. DidthismaladyofthemindhavearealholdonmeandwasIbaffled?Pg.23P2–L6__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. HaveIsufferedfromtheobsessionthatsomehow,someday,Iwillcontrolandenjoymydrinking?
Using?Pg.23P2–L7____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. DoIsuspectthisobsessionfalse?Pg.23(writeattheendofP2)__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. DoIbelieveIcanassertmypowerofwilltostaystoppedforever?Pg.23P3–L5
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. HaveIlostmentalcontroloverstayingstopped?Pg.23P4–L2__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Willmystrongestdesiretostopdrinking/usingkeepmesober?WhathaveItried?Pg.24P(top)–L3
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
21
a. HaveIlostthepowerofchoiceindrinkordidIreachapointwhereIchosenottodrink?…orwastheremoreinvolvedthanchoice?Pg.24P1–L2
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Hasmysocalledwillpowerbecomeweakandpracticallynon-existent?Pg.24P1–L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. WasIunableatcertaintimes,tobringintomymindwithsufficientforce,thememoryofthe
sufferingandhumiliationofevenaweekoramonthago?Giveanexample.Pg.24P1–L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. AmIwithoutdefenseagainstthenextdrugordrink?Pg.24P1–L7
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. DidIeverchoosenotto,butdrankanyway?Pg.24P1__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. DoIthinktheconsequencesthatfollowtakingevenaglassofbeeroralineofcokewouldstopme?
Pg.24P2–L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. IfIstarttothinkitthroughwhenthesethoughtsoccur,aretheyhazy?Pg.24P2–L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. HaveIsaidtomyselfinacasualway“itwon’thurtmethistime?”pg.24P3–L1__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. …orperhapsattimesIdidnotthinkatall?Pg.24P3-L3
______________________________________________________________________________
d. Basedonyourownexperience,isthereanyreasonwhy“thinkingthroughthefirstdrinkordrug”willeverworkinthefuture?Pg.24____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. HaveIaskedmyselfbefore“howdidIevergetstartedagain?”pg.24P3–L6
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
22
a. Hasthissortofthinkingfullyestablisheditselfinme?Pg.24P4–L1__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. HaveIplacedmyselfbeyondhumanaid?Pg.24P4–L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. DoIthinkanythinghumancanstopthatpartofmethattakesmetothefirstdrink?(Likethreatsof
losingmyjobormarriage)Pg.24P4–L3____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. DoIbelievethatthis12-stepprocessiswhat’srequiredformetochangeandthatismyonlysolution?
Explainwhy.Pg.25P1–L4____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. HaveIseenthatitreallyworkedinothers?Who?Pg.25P1–L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. HadIcometobelieveinthehopelessnessandfutilityofmylifeasIhadbeenlivingit?Pg.25P1–L5
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. WasIapproachedbyotherinwhomtheproblemhadbeensolved?Who?Pg.25P1–L7__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Isthereanythingleftformebuttopickupthesimplekitofspiritualtoolslaidatmyfeet?pg.
25P1–L9__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. DoIbelievethere’sanythinglessformethanadeepandeffectivespiritualexperiencewhichwill
revolutionizemywholeattitudetowardlife,towardmyfellowsandtowardGod’suniverse?Explain.Pg.25P2–L2____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
23
12. DoIbelievethereisanymiddleoftheroadsolutionforme?Why?(Amiddleoftheroadsolutionisanythingthatdoesn’thelpmehaveadeepandeffectivespiritualexperience)Pg.25P3–L1_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. WasIinapositionwherelifewasbecomingimpossible,andIhadpassedintotheregionfromwhichthereisnoreturnthroughhumanaid?“Whatcouldanypersontellyouordoforyouthatwouldmakeyoustopdrinkingorusing”?Pg.25P3–L3
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. DoIhaveanyalternatives:Buttogoontothebitterend,blottingouttheconsciousnessofmy
intolerablesituationasbestIcould(actingoutinotherareasofmylife);ortoacceptspiritualhelp?Explain.Pg.25P3–L5
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
13. DoIhonestlywanttoandamIwillingtomaketheefforttoacceptspiritualhelp?Howwillthatlook?Pg.25P(top)–L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. DoIbelievethatwithaprofoundknowledgeoftheinnerworkingofmymindthatrelapseis
unthinkable?Why?Pg.26P1-L11____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. DoIthinkIcanquitforeverwithoutspiritualhelp?Whyorwhynot?Pg.27P1–L2__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. DoIbelieveIhavethemindofachronic(persistent&reoccurring)alcoholic?Drugaddict?Pg.27P2–
L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16. AmIanalcoholic(drugaddict)anddoIreallywantthisprogram?Whatmakesmetherealalcoholic
and/oraddict?Pg.29P3–L6____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
24
17. IfIamanalcoholic,powerlessoveralcoholandnevergoingtoregaincontrol,doIhaveachoice?ExplainPg.29(topparagraph)____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
18. HowcanIadmitpowerlessnessoveralcohol/drugs,thensayIhaveachoicetoday,orthatIeverdid?(pg.29(topparagraph)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
19. HowisitthatIhaveasobrietydateifonceItakethefirstdrinkordrugsomethinghappensinbothmy
bodyandmindthatmakesitvirtuallyimpossibletostop?Pg.25________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
25
MOREABOUTALCOHOLISMPART1
Step1–TheMentalObsessionPage30–top37
HaveIbeenunwillingtoadmitI’marealalcoholicand/oraddict?
1. AmIbodilyandmentallydifferentfromothers?Pg.30P1–L3________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Hasmydrinkingcareerbeencharacterizedbycountlessvainattemptstocontrolmydrinking
and/orusing?Giveafewexamples.Pg.30P1–L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Hastheideathatsomehow,somedayIwillcontrolandenjoymydrinking/using,beenan
obsessionofmine?Pg.30P1–L6__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. Wasthepersistenceofthisillusionastonishing(Icouldcontrolmydrinkingandusing
astonishing)anddidIpursueitintothegatesofinsanityordeath?Pg.30P1–L9__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. HaveIlearnedthatIhadtoconcedetomyinnermostselfthatIamanalcoholic?Addict?Pg.30P2–L1
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. DoIbelievethedelusionthatI’mlikeotherpeople,evennowsober,hastobesmashed?HowI
amdifferent?Pg.30P2–L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. HaveIlosttheabilitytocontrolmydrinking/using,theamountItake,orstayingstopped?Pg.30P3–
L1________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. DoIbelievethatIwilleverrecovercontrol?Pg.30P3–L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
26
b. HaveIfeltattimesIwasregainingcontrol?How?Pg.30P3–L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. Butweren’tsuchintervals–usuallybrief–andinevitablyfollowedbystilllesscontrol,which
ledintimetodoingthingsIpromisedIwouldneverdo?Giveafewexamples.Pg.30P3–L4___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. AmIconvincedthatI’minthegripofaprogressiveillnessandoveranyconsiderableperiodI
getworse,neverbetter?Pg.30P3–L8__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Doesthereappeartobeanykindoftreatmentwhichwillmakemelikeotherpeople?Pg.30P4–L2
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Insomeinstances,hastherebeenbriefrecovery?When?Pg.31P(top)L2
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Wasn’titfollowedalwaysbyastillworserelapse?Giveanexample.Pg.31P(top)–L3____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. DoIbelievethereisnosuchthingasmakinganormaldrinkeroutofanalcoholicand/oraddict?
Pg.31P(top)–L5__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. ByeveryformofdenialandexperimentationhaveItriedtoprovemyselfanexceptiontotherule
thereforenon-alcoholicand/oraddict?Pg.31P1–L2________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. HaveItriedhardandlongenoughtodrinkanduselikeotherpeople?HowdidIfoolmyself?
Pg.31P1–L8__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
27
8. DoIbelievehavingalongperiodofsobrietywillbepowerfulenoughformetochoosewhetherIdrinkoruseagain…ornot?Pg.32L2–L13____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. DoIbelievetostopdrinking(using),theremustbenoreservationofanykind,noranylurkingnotion
thatsomeday,somehow,Iwillbeabletousealcohol/drugs,normally?Pg.33P1–L9____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. OnmyownpowercanIstaystopped?Pg.33P2–L2
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. DoIfeelIhadgoneondrinking(using)yearsbeyondthepointwhereIcouldquitonmyownwill
power?Pg.34–P1–L1________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. CouldIleaveliquorordrugs(meth,heroin,marijuana)aloneforoneyearonmyown?Pg.34–
P1–L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. DoIdesiretostopentirely?Pg34P2–L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. CanIstaystoppeduponanonspiritualbasis,bychoice?Pg.34P2–L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. HaveIlostthepowertochoosewhetherIwilldrinkornot?Pg.34P2–L5__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
e. WasIconfusedaboutmyutterinabilitytoleavealcohol(drugs)alone,nomatterhowgreatthe
necessityorthewish?Pg.34P2–L10__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. DoIbelievethementalstatesthatprecedearelapseintodrinking(using)isthecenterofmyproblem?
Pg.35P(top)–L1________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
28
13. DoIbelievethatifIfailtoenlargemyspirituallifeIwilldrink(use)again?OrlivelikeIneedadrinkordrug?Pg.35P3–L5________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Weretheretimeswhenallgoodreasonsfornotdrinkingwereeasilypushedasideinfavorofthe
foolishideathatIcouldcontrolmydrinking(using)?Example?Pg.36P3–L6____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Listbelowthe10mostinsanethingsyoueverdidwhenyouwereloaded-afteryoutookthefirstdrinkordrug:
1. ___________________________________________________________________________________2. ____________________________________________________________________________________3. ____________________________________________________________________________________4. ____________________________________________________________________________________5. ____________________________________________________________________________________6. ____________________________________________________________________________________7. ____________________________________________________________________________________8. ____________________________________________________________________________________9. ____________________________________________________________________________________10. ____________________________________________________________________________________
29
MOREABOUTALCOHOLISMPART2
Step1–TheMentalObsessionPage37-43
1. HaveIsufferedfromadistortedabilitytothinkstraightaboutmydrinking(using)toseethetruth?Pg.
37P1–L3________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. DidmybestthinkingfailtoholdmeincheckanddidmyinsaneideawinoutsoIdrankorused
anyway?Example?Pg.37L2–P8________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gobackandreviewthelistofthe10mostinsanethingsyoueverdidwhenyouwereloaded.Themostinsanethingyoueverdidisprobablynotonthislist,becauseyoudiditsober.Inalllikelihood,themostinsanethingyoudidwasthis:withthethingsonthislisthappeningwhenyougotloaded,youmadeadecisiontodrinkorusedrugsagain,andyoumadethisdecisionwhenyouwereassoberasyouarenow.
3. DoIbelieveIcouldstaystoppedonthebasisofself-knowledge?Pg.39P1–L7________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. DoIbelievethatthehumiliatingexperience,plustheknowledgeIhadacquired,(applyingallthese
thingsyouhavelearnedaboutyourselfandyourdiseaseuptothispoint)keepmesobertherestofmylife?Self-knowledgewouldfixme?Pg.40P(top)–L4________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. DoIbelievethathavinganalcoholic(addict)mind,thetimeandplacewouldcomewhenbymyself,on
myownpower–Iwilldrink(use)again?Pg.41P2–L8________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Onmyownpower,thoughImayraiseafight,wouldIsomedaygivewaytosometrivialreasonfor
havingadrink(drug)?Pg.42P(top)–L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. DoIbelievethisproblemhasmehopelesslydefeated?Pg.42P(top)–L9__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
30
b. DoIbelievemyproblemisahopelesscondition?Pg.42P1–L7__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. HasthisprocesssnuffedoutthelastflickerofconvictionthatIcoulddothejobmyself?“Ican
keepmyselfsober?”Pg.42P1–L9__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. DoIbelieveIwillhavetothrowseverallifelongconceptionsoutofthewindowtogothroughthis
programofaction?Giveanexample.“Icandothejobmyself”Pg.42P2–L6____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. DoIbelieveit’simportanttodiscoverhowspiritualprincipleswillsolveallmyproblems,andthatthis
isnotjustaboutnotdrinkingorusing?Pg.42P3–L1________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. IsthereanydoubtinmymindthatI’m100%hopeless,apartfromdivinehelp,oristhereany
othersolutionforme?What?Pg.43P3–L7__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. DoIbelieveatcertaintimesIhavenoeffectivementaldefenseagainstthefirstdrinkordrug?DoIknowwhenthattimeis?Pg.43P3–L1
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. DoIbelievethatnohumanbeingcanprovidesuchadefense?Pg.43P3–L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. MustmydefensecomefromaHighPowerotherthanhuman?Pg.43P3–L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
e. …thenhowcanIdependonthegroupasmyHigherPower?Pg.43P3___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONSIDERATIONIfIhaveasobrietydatethatis10daysormoreandIhavenoeffectivementaldefenseagainstthefirstdrink,howisitthatIcontinuetohavethissobrietydatenomatterwhatI’vethought?
31
WEAGNOSTICStep1
…andthatourliveshadbecomeunmanageablePage44,45,&52
Unmanageability,untreatedalcoholism,spiritualmalady.
Thisconditionexistsbeforeandafterthefirstdrink,drunkorsober
1. IntheprecedingchaptershaveIlearnedsomethingaboutalcoholism?WhatisthemainthingImusthavetobearealalcoholic/addict?Pg.44P1–L1________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Havetheymadeclearthedifferencesbetweenthealcoholicandthenonalcoholic?Whatarethemain
differences?Pg.44P1–L2____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. WhenIhonestlywantedtodidIfindIcouldnotquitentirely?Pg.44P1–L4
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. WhendrinkingorusingdidIhavelittlecontrolovertheamountItookafterthefirstdrink?Drug?Pg.
44P1–L5____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. AmIanalcoholic?Anaddict?Orboth?Pg.11P1–L7
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Facedwiththesetwoproblems,doIbelieveI’msufferingfromanillnesswhichonlyaspiritual
experiencewillconquerordoIhaveanyotheroptions?Explain.Pg.44P1–L7____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. AmIanalcoholic(and/oraddict)ofthehopelessvariety,onewhowantstoquitbutcan’t?pg.44P2–
L3____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
32
8. HaveIfacedthefactthatImustfindaspiritualbasisoflife–orelse…what?Pg.44P3–L5
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Inmycaseisamerecodeofmoralsorabetterphilosophyoflifesufficienttoovercomealcoholism(or
drugaddiction)oriftheywerewouldIhaverecoveredlongago?Pg.44P4–L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. DoIbelieveknowingthewayofthinkingandlivingdescribedinthisbookwillsaveme,ordoIneed
accesstoPowerfromthisprocesstoovercomealcoholism(addiction)?Pg.44P4–L2____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. HaveIfoundthatsuchcodesandphilosophiesdidnotsaveme,nomatterhowmuchItried?What
haveItried?Pg.45P(top)L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. CouldIwishtothinkandactrightandpullitoff?Pg.45P(top)L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. DidIwishtohaveabeliefsystemthatcomfortsme?Pg.45P(top)L4__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. DidIwantthesethingswithallmymightbutfoundtheneededpowerwasn’tthere?Pg.45
P(top)L5__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. Havemyhumanresources(job,education,everythingIbringtothetable,etc.),asguidedbymywill
power(mymind),notbeensufficienttocratethelifeIwant?DidIfailcompletely?Pg.45P(top)L6____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Islackofpowermyproblem(dilemma)?Pg.45P1–L1
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
33
14. MustIfindapowerbywhichIcanlive?pg.45P1–L2____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Isthisobvious?Why?Pg.45P1–L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. WhereandhowamItofindthisPower?Pg.45P1–L3__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The3rdpartofthefirststepdealswiththeunmanageabilityofthespirit.Whyisitthatnomatterwhattheconsequences,wealwaysenduptakingthefirstdrinkorthefirstline?Withoutsomethingtotaketheplaceofalcoholand/ordrugsinourlives,wearedoomed.Manyofusthoughtthatifwejuststayofftheboozeanddrugs,lifewouldbewonderful,butwelaterdiscoveredthiswasnotso.Abstinencefromdrinkingorusingalone,withoutworkingthestepsmayfeelgoodforawhile,butit’smuchlikepeeinginyourpantsonareallycoldday.Itfeelsniceandwarmforawhile,butwhenthecoldwindblowsitisobviouslynotalong-termsolution.Webecomesorestless,irritableanddiscontentthatafteratime,wecannotimaginehowgettingdrunkorhighcouldgetusanyworst,sowedo.Wesomehowfindawaytoexperienceasenseofeaseandcomfortwithoutdrinkingortakingdrugs.Thisspiritualunmanageabilityiswhattheother11stepstreat.Whenthespiritualmaladyisovercome,westraightenoutmentallyandphysically(page64).Thispartofstep1,unmanageability,hasnothingtodowithGod.Justusonourownpowertryingtorunourownlivesdrunkorsober.
15. AmIwillingtochangemypointofviewconcerningmyhumanproblemsasIchangedmypointofviewconcerningtheobsessionandthecraving?Maybetheproblemisinsideratherthantheoutside?Pg.52P2–L1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
a. Areyouhavingtroublewithpersonalrelationships?Withwhom?(Family,Fellowship,Intimate
Relationship,Friends,Work)Pg.52P2–L3____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. CanIcontrolmyemotionalnature?How?Pg.52P2–L4___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
34
c. AmIpreytomiseryanddepression?When?Pg.52P2–L5__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. CanImakealivingsatisfyingenoughtokeepmehappyorsober?Pg.52P2–L6__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
e. DoIhaveafeelingofuselessness?Inwhatway,athome,work?Pg.52P2–L6__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
f. AmIfulloffear?Whatareyouafraidof?Pg.52P2–L7__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
g. AmIunhappy?Inwhatway?Pg.52P2–L7__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
h. DoIseemunabletobeofrealhelptootherpeople?Pg.52P2–L8__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
i. Isabasicsolutionfortheseproblemsoflackofpowerimportantforme?Pg.52P2–L9__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONSIDERATION:IfIhaveasobrietydatethatis10daysormoreandIlackthepowertoliveonthenecessaryspiritualbasisoflife,howisitthatIcontinuetohavethissobrietydate,nomatterwhatformsthespiritualmaladyistaking?
top related