The Alcoholic Addict and Step 12

“Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principals in all of our affairs.”

“Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail. This is our 12th suggestion: carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail. Remember they are very ill. Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends- this is an experience you must not miss.” pg 89 working with others from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

Our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help another alcoholic achieve sobriety and that is exactly what step 12 is all about. Whether we went through a 30 day rehab program, other facilities, or did it without the help of treatment, once we seek alcohol addiction help, work the steps, and recover as a result it is then time for us to pay it forward. We give back what was freely given to us, so that others may have a shot at sobriety. There is great joy in knowing that we have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body and an even greater joy in giving that gift to someone else. It’s how we stay sober. Newcomers are our lifelines. Just like we went to any lengths to recover, we’d go to any lengths to help the newcomer. Perhaps it’s a matter of reaching our hand out, talking, meeting up with them, or maybe it’s a matter of speaking whether it be in a meeting or places such as a California alcohol rehab we make sure that we are the best example we can be and that we carry the message of recovery. Through sobriety we get to live such a blessed and amazing life. Let’s stick around and do the work, so that others may get this opportunity as well.

The Alcoholic Addict and Step 11

“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscience contact with God as we understood him. Praying only for the knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out.”

Step 11 suggests power and meditation we should be shy on this prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it- pg 86 into action from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

It is also suggested to us that when we retire at night we review our day, we ask ourselves were we resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept something to ourselves? Were we kind and loving towards all? What could we have done better? We also ask ourselves if we were thinking about what we can do for others versus thinking of only ourselves. When we wake up we also review the 24 hours ahead as well. This step is about maintaining a conscience contact with a higher power and remaining unblocked so that we may be able to help the newcomer. It is also about getting in touch with our highest self. Is and when we go to a 30 day rehab program and decide to work the steps there will be counselors available to help teach you about step 11 and the other steps, especially since these days most LA rehab programs incorporate 12 step addiction practices. This is extremely helpful in relation to the 11th step in the sense that the guidance that is needed will be available to you without having to seek it out in many different areas. In program there is a saying, “more will be revealed” and that’s exactly what the results in the 11th step. Not only do we get a conscience contact with our higher power but also with ourselves and our fellows as well. This is the core from which our peace, compassion, brotherly love, and happiness derive from.