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12 Step Help, Simplified and Not...

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A Useful Collection of 12 Step Lists And Resources, Though Slightly Irreverant At Times

The 12 steps are important to millions of people in addiction recovery. I think either you love the twelve steps or hate them, either they are critical to your recovery...or not.

This Lens is devoted to those who are having difficulty with the language or concepts behind twelve step programs.

I like to keep addiction recovery simple. I have collected several versions of the 12 step program that are simplified, some are irreverant, some very sane.

In any event I hope they help in your sobriety, and help put some personal meaning to the 12 steps.

Bonus Tip: And now I would like to invite you to access our free mini-course on the 5 most common mistakes people make in addiction recovery. To gain instant access, visit us at: http://TheRecoveryClub.com

Twelve Step Program Articles

The Principles Of The 12 Steps: It is possible to simplify the principles of the 12 steps down to a description of a one word behavior. These are the principles to be incorporated into our daily lives as 'we walk the walk'.
12 Steps Abridged Version: The 12 steps abridged version was something that popped up in hunting through my files. It certainly is a quick view of the meaning of the 12 steps from a singular point of view.
The 12 Steps Simplified: The 12 steps simplified is an interpretation of the 12 steps of AA I just love. It cuts through the verbiage and gets right to the point of each step. Whether you are super intellectual or simply get confused easily this interpretation may help:
The 12 Traditions Of Alcoholics Anonymous: The 12 traditions of alcoholics anonymous were very important in the survival of the 12 step program as we know it today. It was here that the dedication to a single minded purpose was outlined.
12 Steps Of Insanity: The 12 steps of insanity is humorous take on the 12 steps, and I love it. It gently reminds me so much of a former life. This is also a great definition of the term 'dry drunk', in case you have ever heard it and wondered what it meant.
The Ten Demandments: Insuring Misery In Relationships: It has been my experiences both personal and professional that people either active in addiction or a recovery, need help in two key areas of life. These are dealing with feelings or emotions, and dealing with relationships. If you would like to test yourself out and see some dysfunctional, but possibly all too familiar rules for relationships, read on.

Free Addiction Recovery Help Guide

12 Step Articles, Tips, Links and More. Yours For the Taking

There is a gallery of sober living and life skill information available in the Free, 103 page Resource Guide. Lot's of '10 tips to...' and 'How to' articles. These are all solution oriented. We have been in the problem long enough.
Click Here: Free Addiction Recovery Help Guide,

Who Can Join AA Or The 12 Steps?

In Alcoholics Anonymous or AA, there is only one requirement to attend any meeting.

You do not have to sign up, pay money, or even talk if you don't want to. You can go and just listen. Anominity is a tradition for 12 steps and it doesn't matter what background you come from.

There is only one requirement for attending meetings and that is: A desire to stop drinking. A desire to stop drinking.

When I first went to an AA meeting, I thought I was joining a club of some sort. I was ready for the once over by the entrance committee or meeting some eligibility or screening requirements. There are none. Just go, simply attend. You will be surrounded by people from all walks of life who share one thing in a common, alcoholism. They are heading down the path of alcohol recovery by speaking and learning from like-minded individuals.

As with anything new, there may me some awkwardness or discomfort about going to your first meeting. With empathy and caring I say 'Get over it', just go. It really is that important to successful recovery. If you know anyone involved in 12 step groups, don't be shy, give them a call and ask if you can go with them.

If you don't know where a meeting is just call information and ask for AA. In most cities and counties, they maintain an inter-group hotline to give out meeting information. You can even go to Google on your computer and search: "AA meetings (your hometown, state)", you will be amazed at the number of meetings near you that you did not know about.

I strongly suggest that you get involved and start sharing in the meetings and start working a program, as opposed to trying to learn by observation from the back row or the outside. It is one of those things you can study until the cows come home, but at some point you must take action. A thought is just a thought, an emotion just an emotion, but nothing really happens until you take action.

Bonus Tip: And to get the ball rolling if you are new, when the leader asks if there are any newcomers, raise your hand and say your name and "I'm new and can use some help". That is it. I guaranty people will approach you after the meeting to offer help. That is why they are members of Alcoholics Anonymous.

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The Original 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous:Sorry To Keep You In Suspense

12 steps of AA

The 12 Steps are a cornerstone of many peoples recovery. I think of them more as a code of good behavior and a recipe for an enriched recovery. In my case they did not get me sober, but they sure have kept me sober. Without further ado, here they are:

Step One: We admited we were powerless over alcohol that our livess had become unmanageable.

Step Two: Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Step Three: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.

Step Four: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Step Five: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Step Six: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Step Seven: Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings.

Step Eight: Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

Step Nine: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Step Ten: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it

Step Eleven: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out.

Step Twelve: 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.

12 Step Recovery Forums...Only the Best

Reda a story, tell your story

Recovery Guide Message Board: The Addiction Recovery Guide: has over 300,000 posts has categories on most major drug groups, personal success stories, family advice, diaries, and recovery mile stones. 5 *****
Sober Recovery Forum: Usually 200-300 people online, almost all discussion and stories. They are grouped in categories such as women in recovery, bikers in recovery etc. There is family support and some disease info. 5 *****
Cyber Recovery Message Board Index: This is a great index of about 60 Forums and boards. If you are into surfing titles, this may be for you. No Rating

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InspirationbyDmarie Jan 30, 2012 @ 11:46 am | delete

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Francois Jul 26, 2011 @ 1:40 pm | delete

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Lina Jun 27, 2011 @ 7:07 pm | delete

My friend told me about this 12 step help article. So, I'm here now to read the article :) Thanks for sharing

Lina
Weber Q220
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