Comments for Stepstudy.org

Comment on Three Views of Recovery by McGowdog

McGowdog — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:35:32 +0000

Thanks Jimimac. I hope it doesn’t get any better or I’m going to feel bad for those who are stuck feeling crappy and are more deserving. Let’s spread the wealth huh?

Comment on Three Views of Recovery by Jimimac

Jimimac — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:56:36 +0000

Congrats on another year sober McGowDog ! Keep coming, it gets better !

Comment on Three Views of Recovery by McGowdog

McGowdog — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:03:43 +0000

It’s good to know what sanity is.

I don’t want booze today and I don’t have to avoid temptation.

8 years and counting. Not going for the record here, but it’s been a pretty big deal for me given my past.

Comment on Three Views of Recovery by Jeff Dakus

Jeff Dakus — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:26:39 +0000

Ok. So this is a fantastic article. Lots to think about. I sure am glad the BB says we have no monopoly on this thing. I just know that as a thumper I found and carry the message wich retuned me to sanity.

Comment on 1953 NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS by lisa

lisa — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:05:27 +0000

Very, very well said! Thank you. Maybe some will hear.

Comment on 1953 NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS by lisa

lisa — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:58:31 +0000

Thank you Noah…well said and true! If I am on the prowl to find something negative to say I can always find it and that has happened here. I am a member of Alanon and my husband is a member of both NA and Alanon. His experience was that when he went to AA years ago and was honest, he was told to leave and to go to NA. He did and has been clean for many years thru working the steps and having a HP…God. I am active in alanon and also have worked in the recovery field professionally for some time. I love many many people in AA but, as a fellowship, NA has been MUCH more supportive of Alanon than has AA, which I think is sad and weird Let’s focus on the positive in each fellowship (as I have seen miracles from ALL fellowships) and encourage people to be led to the group where they feel the strongest spiritual connection. As all of the groups are made up of mortals…I am sure there are some groups that are not as healthy as they should be…but that is a group issue NOT a whole fellowship issue. AND, it is not just in NA…there are unhealthy Alanon and AA groups as well. Let’s face it….most of us would be better off in the worst group imaginable than where our disease had us when we got here. Do we really want to be bickering in the doorway when precious newcomers come into our rooms? And that is the answer…if all we have to do is focus on perceived flaws of other fellowships we may need to ask God to provide us a newcomer to work with so we can see the disease through THEIR eyes and we could eat up some of that free time that apparently is available.

Comment on THE CONSERVATIVES by Frank M.

Frank M. — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:07:29 +0000

The question really at hand here is “why does AA work?”

Let me offer this analogy to the discussion.

If you think the god of headaches lives in willow trees, you might try to access that power by drinking a tea made from its bark. You headache goes away. You urge others to try the tea, and their headaches go away too.

Does this prove your theory about the god of headaches? If you demonstrate that historically the first men to brew willow tree bark believed this idea, does that prove the theory?

Of course not. Thorough investigation would eventually show you that there was something in the bark. We call it aspirin today.

The belief that surrendering one’s life to the God of the bible, or to his Son, or to the Spirit of the Universe can treat alcoholism is in fact a poorly tested theory, given that the program of AA involves so many practical actions too, and always has.

I suspect those actions are actually the aspirin here. And they can be describes as follows:

*Surrendering to the truth of your disease.

*Turning the decision to get loaded or not over to a reliable source of truth, something other than your own unguided thoughts and feelings of the moment.

*Applying that same principle (of surrendering to the truth) to the rest of your well-examined life.

*Practicing forgiveness and repairing the damage you’ve done.

*Maintaining contact with and a humble relationship to a reliable source of truth.

*Finding meaning and purpose in life through helping others with your experience.

Since before the big book was even published, members of AA like James Burwell have been finding sources of direction and truth other than a personal God, or any god or supernatural power at all.

That reality–that these principles work as long as your source of truth is inspirational and reliable and you surrender to it–has saved my life. And I will pass this understanding on to anyone who needs it.

Best Regards,
Frank M.

Comment on 1953 NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS by Rob

Rob — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:12:22 +0000

In reply to the post above, I would say that pretty much all alcoholics are, in fact, addicts. Alcohol is a drug after all. Most alcoholics just don’t admit/realize that they too, are addicts. The majority of the people in AA tend to not understand the difference between the fellowships. NA treats the disease of addiction, which is all encompassing. We begin by treating our addiction to drugs, but that is only the beginning. Drug use is merely a symptom of our disease. After getting clean, we see how our addiction manifests itself in many other ways, and we work on them and continue to grow.

Comment on 1953 NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS by Dan

Dan — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:54:43 +0000

I cant find a way to email you, i am deff a hopeless addict lacking power even though my power is growing. and the worst part is im 19, my tolerance kick’s 40 year addict’s tolerances to shit, my withdrawal is uncomprehendable. i know i still have a huge life ahead of me and im pretty sure ill get better because of what im making myself go through at this moment, with the help of my clinic of course. I dont know, i felt every word you said in your hopeless lacking power addict little comment thingy up I’ve finally learned to let people think they understand what im going through but they really fucking dont so i spend most of my time alone but i will be going to a meeting soon. whatever, i need help.

Comment on History of the Beginners Classes: a Speech by Wally P. by Lettie

Lettie — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:49:24 +0000

Yours is a clever way of tinhikng about it.