susanrkerr

I could really use this book to understand the steps more.

Gmoney

If you attend you local ASC I'm sure someone can direct you to getting literature. Otherwise, you can purchase it directly from NAWS.

Online Literature Sales Entrance

YouveGotStyleKi

The greatest thing I learned about Steps 1 through 3...

Step 1: I can't.
Step 2: He can.
Step 3: I'll let him.

NoelleR

I always thought that paraphrasing of the first three steps was rather cutesy; besides it can also be a bit exclusive (ie: atheists/agnostics, some jews and christians).

As for atheists & agnostics, they 'know' there is no 'he' who can, and that there is no 'him' to let....and as to some jews and christians....their god [from their understnding of the bible(sic)] doesn't do things 'for' them, but 'through' them, and to redefine god, for them, would be idolatry.

For these reasons I prefer this paraphrasing of the first three steps....:

Step 1: There's a problem;
Step 2: There's a solution;
Step 3: I get to decide which I want.


NoelleR

Megan101

I have to agree with your paraphrasing of the first three steps.

Hi I'm new to the sight. Just reading everyones stories. Hoping to find some help!!

Gmoney

Welcome Megan! Keep coming back.

GameOver

I saw these questions on page one and decided to fill them out for myself to see how well I'd do. Pretty insightful stuff. I've posted them here to share with all of you.. let me know how you think I did. I do understand I need more work just yet. Now mind you I am creeping up on 4 days now with not a single drink, not a single pill..No smoking of weed either.


1. What does the disease of Addiction mean to me? - Its something that has been gripping my life for a long, long time. I never thought of it as a disease much.. What it means now is that I really need and want to change. Rid myself of this disease for once and for all. It means having to hide my use. Hope I never get caught. I have enough stress in my life to have to worry about this disease on top of it.

2.Has my disease been active recently? How? - Well when I started my detox, I really wanted to take another pill to be rid of the pain.. But the pain is all in my head. I have more confidence in myself when I'm not on something. Just one thing I don't have to worry about anymore..

3.What is it like when I am obsessed with something?Does my thinking follow a pattern?Describe - When I am obsessed with something I have to give it my all. Really want to have it. And get it as soon as possible.

4.How does the self centered part of my disease affect my life and the lives of those around me? - I stop thinking about everything when I'm high. My worries go away. And I shut myself out from the rest of my family members. When they deserve to have me in part of their lives as much as I want them in mine.

5.How have I blamed others for my behavior? - Of course I've blamed others.. lashed out when people were asking me to do something when I was high.. or if people critcized me I would lash back out at them and say nothing is wrong with me.. When there truly was all along.

6.Do I feel I have enough info. on addiction and recovery to get my behavior under control before it gets out of hand? - I am not going to let it get out of hand anymore. And I am researching the information now as we speak and talking to folks with similar problems under SR.com. I may even go to one of these meetings on Monday.

7.What crisis brought me to recovery? - Well I have to grow up and be sober to land a job. Everyone drug tests.. But it's not even that anymore. I want to be clean for me.

8.When did I first recognize my addiction as a problem?Did I try to correct it?If so, how? If not, why? - I never knew I had a real problem till I realized addiction was part of my life everday, every minute. Eating those pills was like being in cloud 9 all day long.. But it's not how I wanted to live anymore. I have tried to correct it once or twice down the line.. here and there.. But I always went back after a period of time. Just cause I didn't care anymore.

9. Over what exactly, am I powerless? - Hopefully nothing anymore.. but I still have a ways to go. I was obviously powerless to stop when I should have years ago.

10.How has my addiction caused me to hurt myself and others? - I didn't strive hard enough to be what I always wanted to be.. And because drugs (now) and alchohol (when I was younger) I did what I had to do just to get wasted whenever I had free time. Thats what It came down to. I never strived harder to do something greater. And now it's hurting me and my family. I could be supporting them with a good job now.. but it's never too late to start fresh again. And I will now.

11.What does being unmanageable mean to me? - The lack of control and capability to handle an idea, or a task at hand.

12.Did I take drugs or act out on my addictionto change or harbor my feelings?What was I trying to change or hide? - When work I smoked weed to relax after a hard days work. Watched movies and had better concentration (I think) when playing video games. I doubt thats really the reason now. I guess I did all of this stuff to hide my past and an abusive relationship with my step-father.

13.Have I accepted the full measure of my disease? - Not yet but I am coming to terms with it. Thanks to this site and all the helpfull information I have received in the past 4 days.

14.Do I think I can still associate with people connected with my addiction? - Well my brother uses Roxi's all the time. I have no choice but to associate with him. He's where I was getting the majority of my recent DOC fix. I don't really know anyone else so I don't think that will be an issue at the present time.

15.Can I begin my recovery without complete surrender? - No. Not at all.

16.In what ways am I practicing open mindedness? - Listening to other peoples problems and asking questions. People with similar or different problems than mine.

17.Am I willing to follow my sponsors direction? - Don't have a sponsor yet.

18. Do I have a sense of my relative importance within my circle of family and friends? In society? What is that sense? - Well I hope one day my parents can finally be proud of something I did.. other than something small.. and I want my two brothers to look up to me. And I hope my old friends will one day see that I have changed.

19. Have I made peace with the fact that I am a addict? - Still coming to grips with it.. But yes. I am an addict. I have a addictive personality. And that needs to change.

20. Have I made peace with the things I will have to do to stay clean? - Well it won't be too hard for me. Stay away from people who use and stay out of the medicine cabinet. In practical terms.. these seem like pretty minute details to handle..

21. How is acceptance of my disease necessary for my recovery? - If I don't relate to having a problem then I will fall right back into the ways of the past. I must understand that I am an addict and that I can no longer do these things. For myself. For my family. For my health. For just about everything in my life. I am upset that it took this long to come to terms with it and actually try to live a sober life. But it's never too late I suppose.

22.How do I know it is time to move on? - As Rage Against The Machine once said.. 'What better place than here? What better time than now!!

23.What is my understanding of Step One? I was powerless to stop myself and that led to my years of addiction. If I were.. I wouldn't be in this situation right now.

Gmoney

Hi GameOver, welcome to SR. In NA, it is suggested that we do step work with a sponsor. A sponsor is a guide through the steps. Please don't rush yourself or get offended, but I'm sure after you've read the 1st step in the Basic Text and attended meetings, your answers will differ.

Keep coming back.

GameOver

Well we shall see then!! I was only trying to find some insight for myself. I'm in no rush.. I'm finding the tools on this sight very useful for me. What the weird thing was tho.. That was the easiest and hardest thing for me to fill out and it all just flowed out.

I'm off to a meeting on Monday night possibly then I will take it from there.

Missybuns

Gameover you are on the right track! Step work starts with step one and your determination is apparent!

It is suggested to work steps with a sponsor, after all it is difficult to spot self-deception on our own.

1. dont use
2. pay attention

Meetings led me to finding a sponsor.

Press on!
Missy

georgena

hi really admire u getting of meth by yourself how much were u on keep up the good work you husbang should count him self lucky to have a strong woman hold your head up high your cool and tips on detoxing?

stylist09

i am out of control, i am powerless over my addiction, i am no longer in control of my life, the drugs control my everymove.

ryansgirl

how do you start the steps

Gmoney

Hi Ryansgirl,

Welcome to SR!

In Narcotics Anonymous, is it suggested that the first thing we do is stop using drugs and start attending NA meetings. You don't have to be clean when you first arrive, but it is important to know that the steps won't work if you're still using. As they say, keep coming back and come back clean because that's the only way it works. While listening at meetings, you'll hear members sharing their experience, strength and hope (ES&H) on how they recover using the 12 steps. From these members, it is also suggested that you get a sponsor to guide you through the steps. At meetings you'll be able to get an NA Basic text and other literature to assist you in doing your step work.

The best way I learned to get started - during the meeting the chairperson will ask if there are any newcomers. That's when you can say, "Hi...my name is_________ and I'm looking for a sponsor!"

That's how you get started.

Be blessed,
Gmoney

Gmoney

Have you tried going to NA meetings?

truuli

i'm new... trying to post. I've relapsed after 5 1/2 years sober and really need some help.. is there a special thread for those of us who have relapsed? I feel like I am fumbling about the website right now.... any suggestions would be appreciated!

Gmoney

Hi Truuli, welcome to SR!

Sorry to hear about your relapse, but hope is alive and well. You might wanna try going to the Home Page and reading the names of the different Forums here at SR. I can't recall all of them exactly, but there's one for newcomers, introductions, alcoholics (AA), Narcotics (NA), and Substance Abuse. This is a "sub-forum" for discussion on the 12 steps (step 1), but if you're looking for ES&H related to drug addiction, I'd suggest you post in the Narcotics Addiction Forum (just click "new thread") and introduce yourself. There's a lot of experience, love and support there waiting for you.

Come on in...the water is fine.

Be blessed,

G

ldani

I know the more i work step 1 i realize i am powerless in more then just my addiction. i am powerless in how my family reacts to my use, and now my recovery. no matter what i do they will think and feel and do what they want. and right now they are still in a place where they are constantly scrutinizing everything i do. they go to alanon they understand the recovery i am working to an extent. but i swear to you the other day my mom actually said " i think you might be having to much fun with your na" seriously she said these words to me. and last night i went to a na dance and she said since i was gone for 12 hours it was like 12 meetings so i should be good for the rest of the week. lol, so today i am realizing i can't make her ubderstand or make her like what i am doing i am powerless over her and how she is going to react. and thats a big deal for me to understand that before i would have just really blown up on her but today with na i have realized that won't do anything and i have to look at what role do i play and i know its from years upon years of lies so i just give it time.

thanks family
Dani

Missybuns

welcome Dani! sounds like you are getting real and that's recovery!

Peace,
Missy

Wolfchild

i made this step very difficult for me to experience. i wrote on it with the thought that my problem was just the drug use. i had reservations that i could eventually control my life again, that if i could just figure out a better way to do things that i'd be OK, and that my life could return to "normal".

These are the very things that not only made my physical life unmanageable, but also my emotional health, my mental stability, and my spiritual condition! That God for my sponsor!! He was able to see and hear that i was in denial and trapped in self delusion. He helped me to thouroughly see, beyond all shadow of doubt, that i am not my addiction. i was not born an addict and that there was a time when my life was manageable. He helped me to understand the influence that self deceit and arrogance was having on me during this step.

The lessons i learn about myself and the disease of addiction helps to simplify my life. As i practice this step, that initial admission continues to turn into genuine acceptance. Something that i had thought was a sign of weakness has now become my greatest strength. i am an addict. i will always be an addict because of what i have done. i cannot undo that or change it any way. i can only hope to recover what i can each day by living this step and depending on a power greater than myself to help me live.