Childhood Trauma Related Speaker Tapes
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 4
Childhood Trauma Related Speaker Tapes
Hi all! I am an active AA member, and have been in and out of the program for about a year now. As someone who experienced ongoing childhood trauma, I've had a difficult time with the language of AA and finding other members whose experiences I relate to. I've been searching for speaker tapes online that relate to childhood trauma and recovery from alcoholism, but haven't found any!
In realizing how difficult it is to search for speaker tapes by keyword, my sponsor and I have decided to create a search engine website with archived speaker tapes so that people can search for tapes on specific subjects (particularly childhood trauma and mental illness).
I'm posting on this forum in the hopes that you can post links to AA speaker tapes in this sort of category to help us get started on the archiving process! I think it'll be an amazing resource for women in AA (and men, too) who are looking for speaker tapes on themes that aren't as commonly spoken about.
Thanks!
In realizing how difficult it is to search for speaker tapes by keyword, my sponsor and I have decided to create a search engine website with archived speaker tapes so that people can search for tapes on specific subjects (particularly childhood trauma and mental illness).
I'm posting on this forum in the hopes that you can post links to AA speaker tapes in this sort of category to help us get started on the archiving process! I think it'll be an amazing resource for women in AA (and men, too) who are looking for speaker tapes on themes that aren't as commonly spoken about.
Thanks!
Recognizes the Beast
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: In the kitchen, cooking up a storm
Posts: 704
Hi Grace,
I don't know if you saw it, but Oprah did a great piece on Childhood Trauma for 60 mins last week. In it, she interview Bruce Perry. He has quite a few pieces on Youtube so you can start there.
Oprah also mentioned the ACE study, a survey conducted in the late 90's which revolutionized our ideas and practices regarding childhood trauma. There's heaps all over the internet about it. If you want to understand childhood trauma and links to addiction, or any later adult health issues, the ACE study is essential knowledge.
Finally, I highly recommend googling Gabor Mate. He was a physician on the downtown Eastside of Vancouver for 10 years, working with and treating some of the most severe cases of drug addiction in the country. He is a great advocate for the marginalized and dispossessed, essentially arguing that the War on Drugs is merely punishing people who suffered Childhood Trauma.
Hope this was informative!
I don't know if you saw it, but Oprah did a great piece on Childhood Trauma for 60 mins last week. In it, she interview Bruce Perry. He has quite a few pieces on Youtube so you can start there.
Oprah also mentioned the ACE study, a survey conducted in the late 90's which revolutionized our ideas and practices regarding childhood trauma. There's heaps all over the internet about it. If you want to understand childhood trauma and links to addiction, or any later adult health issues, the ACE study is essential knowledge.
Finally, I highly recommend googling Gabor Mate. He was a physician on the downtown Eastside of Vancouver for 10 years, working with and treating some of the most severe cases of drug addiction in the country. He is a great advocate for the marginalized and dispossessed, essentially arguing that the War on Drugs is merely punishing people who suffered Childhood Trauma.
Hope this was informative!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 4
Hi Nomi,
Thanks for the response and the resource, but we’re actually looking specifically for links to AA speaker tapes that involve trauma - a member of AA who has gotten and is sharing their story of how they got sober while also dealing with trauma and/of mental illness.
Thanks for the response and the resource, but we’re actually looking specifically for links to AA speaker tapes that involve trauma - a member of AA who has gotten and is sharing their story of how they got sober while also dealing with trauma and/of mental illness.
12 Step Recovered Alcoholic
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 6,613
You could look up Chris R, on that subject, though you may not like what he has to say. In general he talks about how any kind of trauma, childhood, war, sexual, whatever can make alcoholism much worse than it otherwise might have been but it doesn't cause alcoholism. He encourages sufferers to get treatment outside of AA, that is to say from specialised professional who know what they are doing as opposed to the amatuers you might strike in AA who can often do more harm that good.
He also made a statement, based in his experience, that victims don't recover. His meaning is clear, that unless a victim gets appropriate treatment for their trauma, they are stuck with a way of thinking and what might be regarded as a world class excuse for their behaiviour sober or drinking.
The Big book supports this idea, encouraging us to make use of professionals on the one hand, and emphasising AAs singleness of purpose on the other. AA has a great solution for alcoholism, but has no answers for trauma other than to suggest professional help.
He also made a statement, based in his experience, that victims don't recover. His meaning is clear, that unless a victim gets appropriate treatment for their trauma, they are stuck with a way of thinking and what might be regarded as a world class excuse for their behaiviour sober or drinking.
The Big book supports this idea, encouraging us to make use of professionals on the one hand, and emphasising AAs singleness of purpose on the other. AA has a great solution for alcoholism, but has no answers for trauma other than to suggest professional help.
12-Step Recovered Alkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Posts: 5,797
I've listened to 1000's (for real.... ) of recorded talks from XA speakers and lots of other sites. While I've heard speakers mention very challenging childhoods, the focus was of course on getting over the resentments they carried with them into adulthood.
I suppose like was mentioned in that first reply, Oprah or maybe Dr Phil's websites might be better sources of information if you're looking to investigate just the traumas themselves. Since the 12 steps are focused on overcoming those resentments, most of the talks you'll find will generally be focused on 4th and 5th stepping those events and working steps, 6, 7, 8 and 9 on them to outgrow the harm.
A great example of a VERY difficult youth and recovery from alcoholism comes from "Earl H." There are a lot of his talks on XA Speakers. He's a great speaker (and really funny too).
I suppose like was mentioned in that first reply, Oprah or maybe Dr Phil's websites might be better sources of information if you're looking to investigate just the traumas themselves. Since the 12 steps are focused on overcoming those resentments, most of the talks you'll find will generally be focused on 4th and 5th stepping those events and working steps, 6, 7, 8 and 9 on them to outgrow the harm.
A great example of a VERY difficult youth and recovery from alcoholism comes from "Earl H." There are a lot of his talks on XA Speakers. He's a great speaker (and really funny too).
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by Gottalife 
You could look up Chris R, on that subject, though you may not like what he has to say. In general he talks about how any kind of trauma, childhood, war, sexual, whatever can make alcoholism much worse than it otherwise might have been but it doesn't cause alcoholism. He encourages sufferers to get treatment outside of AA, that is to say from specialised professional who know what they are doing as opposed to the amatuers you might strike in AA who can often do more harm that good.
He also made a statement, based in his experience, that victims don't recover. His meaning is clear, that unless a victim gets appropriate treatment for their trauma, they are stuck with a way of thinking and what might be regarded as a world class excuse for their behaiviour sober or drinking.
The Big book supports this idea, encouraging us to make use of professionals on the one hand, and emphasising AAs singleness of purpose on the other. AA has a great solution for alcoholism, but has no answers for trauma other than to suggest professional help.
He also made a statement, based in his experience, that victims don't recover. His meaning is clear, that unless a victim gets appropriate treatment for their trauma, they are stuck with a way of thinking and what might be regarded as a world class excuse for their behaiviour sober or drinking.
The Big book supports this idea, encouraging us to make use of professionals on the one hand, and emphasising AAs singleness of purpose on the other. AA has a great solution for alcoholism, but has no answers for trauma other than to suggest professional help.
Thanks for letting me know about Chris R - I’ll definitely check out what he has to say. I’m not so much looking for speakers who share my exact views, but people who talk about these issues in general. I’m definitely an advocate for outside help, personally, but I’ve met some AA’ers who feel strongly that ‘therapy is a waste of time for an alcoholic’. I hope a database like this can help combat that kind of language.
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Join Date: Mar 2018
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Originally Posted by DayTrader
I've listened to 1000's (for real.... ) of recorded talks from XA speakers and lots of other sites. While I've heard speakers mention very challenging childhoods, the focus was of course on getting over the resentments they carried with them into adulthood.
I suppose like was mentioned in that first reply, Oprah or maybe Dr Phil's websites might be better sources of information if you're looking to investigate just the traumas themselves. Since the 12 steps are focused on overcoming those resentments, most of the talks you'll find will generally be focused on 4th and 5th stepping those events and working steps, 6, 7, 8 and 9 on them to outgrow the harm.
A great example of a VERY difficult youth and recovery from alcoholism comes from "Earl H." There are a lot of his talks on XA Speakers. He's a great speaker (and really funny too).
I suppose like was mentioned in that first reply, Oprah or maybe Dr Phil's websites might be better sources of information if you're looking to investigate just the traumas themselves. Since the 12 steps are focused on overcoming those resentments, most of the talks you'll find will generally be focused on 4th and 5th stepping those events and working steps, 6, 7, 8 and 9 on them to outgrow the harm.
A great example of a VERY difficult youth and recovery from alcoholism comes from "Earl H." There are a lot of his talks on XA Speakers. He's a great speaker (and really funny too).
Thanks for the response! That’s actually very much along the lines of what I’m looking for.... of course AA is not a place to treat trauma or mental illness, although I’ve unfortunately heard people in the program claim otherwise. But any speakers who talk about the relationship between AA, stepwork, and those issues is of interest to me, so I’ll check out Earl H.
12-Step Recovered Alkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Posts: 5,797
Originally Posted by forestgrace
of course AA is not a place to treat trauma or mental illness, although I’ve unfortunately heard people in the program claim otherwise.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: West Tn
Posts: 3,043
FG, I suspect you sit in AA meetings with a room full of people who have had childhood trauma which impacts their thinking and responses to situations.
We don't tend to talk about that issue, but i think it's a huge one which affects many of us.
We don't tend to talk about that issue, but i think it's a huge one which affects many of us.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 1,111
I saw a film this morning about childhood trauma and the very real impact it has on physical health in later life...heart disease, cancer, obesity, smoking, drug and alcohol use and much much more. Those things can't be denied. The difficulty comes because while many people who experienced trauma, go on to develop problems with alcohol...not everyone with an alcohol problem necessarily experienced childhood trauma. So folks in AA can often be averse to discussing it...especially if it's outside their experience or...is something from their own experience that they haven't confronted yet.
And of course childhood trauma is a cultural stigma in all walks of life. It ain't just AA...try it out of curiosity...just walk into any coffee group in the world and strike up a casual conversation about childhood trauma - see what reactions you get
My suggestion ... try anything by Bob Earll...if you search for "Bob Earll Codependency" that might be a good place to start. But treat your own experience as an extra complication or challenge...work the steps in AA as everyone else works them...to treat your alcoholism. Don't get too caught up in adapting the program to suit your own experience so much as your own need to work the program AND do other stuff. Seek out an understanding sponsor who has been through this kind of work themselves so can speak from a place of experience.
Good luck friend...remember you're not alone
P
And of course childhood trauma is a cultural stigma in all walks of life. It ain't just AA...try it out of curiosity...just walk into any coffee group in the world and strike up a casual conversation about childhood trauma - see what reactions you get
My suggestion ... try anything by Bob Earll...if you search for "Bob Earll Codependency" that might be a good place to start. But treat your own experience as an extra complication or challenge...work the steps in AA as everyone else works them...to treat your alcoholism. Don't get too caught up in adapting the program to suit your own experience so much as your own need to work the program AND do other stuff. Seek out an understanding sponsor who has been through this kind of work themselves so can speak from a place of experience.
Good luck friend...remember you're not alone
P
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 6,262
The incidence of people who suffer childhood sexual trauma becoming alcoholics is around 95%. It took me 20 years before I was able to include it in a qualification and when I do, so many people raise their hands to share about their own experience. It's very common but I haven't heard an AA speaker tape that includes the topic.
12 Step Recovered Alcoholic
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 6,613
It is pretty dangerous ground in a meeting because the meetings will likely have not only victims but also perpetrators of such abuse. I have seen it happen where a perpetrator decides to share about their behaviour in more specific terms (could not say about their motive) and only suceed in retraumatising a victim(s) sitting in the meeting.
"Our stories disclose in a general way" is an important guidline for what is appropriate to share in meetings.
Chris R, BTW is a great advocate for therapy.
"Our stories disclose in a general way" is an important guidline for what is appropriate to share in meetings.
Chris R, BTW is a great advocate for therapy.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: West Tn
Posts: 3,043
Originally Posted by nomis
Hi Grace,
I don't know if you saw it, but Oprah did a great piece on Childhood Trauma for 60 mins last week. In it, she interview Bruce Perry. He has quite a few pieces on Youtube so you can start there.
Oprah also mentioned the ACE study, a survey conducted in the late 90's which revolutionized our ideas and practices regarding childhood trauma. There's heaps all over the internet about it. If you want to understand childhood trauma and links to addiction, or any later adult health issues, the ACE study is essential knowledge.
Finally, I highly recommend googling Gabor Mate. He was a physician on the downtown Eastside of Vancouver for 10 years, working with and treating some of the most severe cases of drug addiction in the country. He is a great advocate for the marginalized and dispossessed, essentially arguing that the War on Drugs is merely punishing people who suffered Childhood Trauma.
Hope this was informative!
I don't know if you saw it, but Oprah did a great piece on Childhood Trauma for 60 mins last week. In it, she interview Bruce Perry. He has quite a few pieces on Youtube so you can start there.
Oprah also mentioned the ACE study, a survey conducted in the late 90's which revolutionized our ideas and practices regarding childhood trauma. There's heaps all over the internet about it. If you want to understand childhood trauma and links to addiction, or any later adult health issues, the ACE study is essential knowledge.
Finally, I highly recommend googling Gabor Mate. He was a physician on the downtown Eastside of Vancouver for 10 years, working with and treating some of the most severe cases of drug addiction in the country. He is a great advocate for the marginalized and dispossessed, essentially arguing that the War on Drugs is merely punishing people who suffered Childhood Trauma.
Hope this was informative!
Thanks for the reminder about him.
I need to listen to some more of his wisdom on youtube.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: West Tn
Posts: 3,043
Originally Posted by Gottalife
It is pretty dangerous ground in a meeting because the meetings will likely have not only victims but also perpetrators of such abuse. I have seen it happen where a perpetrator decides to share about their behaviour in more specific terms (could not say about their motive) and only suceed in retraumatising a victim(s) sitting in the meeting.
"Our stories disclose in a general way" is an important guidline for what is appropriate to share in meetings.
Chris R, BTW is a great advocate for therapy.
"Our stories disclose in a general way" is an important guidline for what is appropriate to share in meetings.
Chris R, BTW is a great advocate for therapy.
Thanks.
12-Step Recovered Alkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Posts: 5,797
Originally Posted by SoberCAH
Who is Chris R and where can i find information about him?
Thanks.
Thanks.
there are tons of Chris R (and his twin brother Myers R) talks there.
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