coraltint

If I make it until later this month, I will be 10 yrs clean & sober. Same sponsor all this time. Recent fear of economic insecurity & continuing strife with the wife has led him to suggest I do a "partial" 4th step centered on my work life & marriage.

This was suggested 2 months ago, and of course I balked, stalled, procrasinated. So we set a 2 week deadline last Sunday. I'm going to start writing tonight, hopefully will get through it in a few days. I don't think I'm afraid to do it....the first one I did 9 yrs ago was very helpful.

Posting to try & get myself more accountable & just do it. (and to stall for a few more minutes.....)

shaun00

I reached a very dark place , 10 years sober and without booze.

I went back through the work, complete.

I had a new experience .... my fourth was an eye opener to say the least, id become completely self reliant and fear dominated my life again.

I reached 12 years in September last year.....i don't think i would have without re-tracing some steps.

You probably have absolutely nothing to lose, apart from some stuff that makes life uncomfortable and maybe unbearable.

2granddaughters

I like in HOW IT WORKS where it says "We stood at the turning point".

I have stood there a few times in recovery and I equate it to re-doing my 4th.

There is always things I left out of previous 4th Steps and old memories keep coming back to shed new light on matters.

Most of my AA friends have done a "handful" of 4th Steps. Things are always better after I've done it.

All the best.

Bob R

paul99

This is exactly why I have did a second 4th, and plan to do more if / as the need arises...it wasn't that I missed something in my 10th step per se, but there were things that came up over time that I completely missed on my first 4th step...old memories, hurts, etc.

coralint - congrats on your almost 10 yrs I found that remembering how freeing it was having not only finishing it but sharing it is what kept me motivated on my second one.

UncleMeat69

Don't know what method you did for your 1st. 4th. Step but I suggest you google "Joe & Charlie Worksheets" if you didn't use their paradigm last time. If you want to bypass all the rhetoric just go to the Resentment & Fear Worksheets and make copies for yourself.

The basic instructions on how to fill them out properly are on Page 64 thru 68 of the BB. I have found most sponsees I worked with usually skip Institutions & Principles. They include a helpful list to refer to.

You have made the right choice to do a 4th. now. 10 thru 15 years was a very dangerous time for me because of the BB warning about "smug complacency." I think you will find that by following the precise, clear cut directions of the BB you may have better results overall. If I bake a cake and omit half the ingredients I will end up with a pile of goo.

Congratulations on your decade.