freethinking

A lot of things in AVRT make sense to me - but one thing I never got, after months of staying sober via AVRT/RR is "The Big Plan". I never *felt* it, and so I never felt I could declare it to myself and have it mean anything. Anyone encounter this? Or have any thoughts on this?

freshstart57

There is some great discussion about this, I think jkb and fini started some very useful threads about this topic and generated some interesting discussions. JKB's thread.

I see my Big Plan as being essential to recognizing my AV. It lets me distinguish those thoughts that support future drinking from the normal chaos going on in the committee upstairs. Without my BP, some of the less obvious thoughts slip past the goalie. In this way making a BP is as much a tool of AVRT as much as it is a solemn vow to permanent unconditional sobriety.

caboblanco

what is an example of a big plan?

freethinking

Thanks, FS - I am looking over those threads now...

freshstart57

Cabo, for the whole story on Big Plans and what they mean, the best place of course is the Rational Recovery website. Very simply, it is a solemn statement to never drink again, and to never change your mind. It is a statement, but also a vow, a declaration, a commitment, a revelation, a testament.

fini's great thread is http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...07-moving.html.

bookreader

freshstart57 - thanks for the links. My son is having the 12 steps pushed at him and asked for some alternatives. I have copied some of your posts and sent to him. It seems 'the big plan' is a simple declarative statement: I will not ....
but then again, nothing is simple in this arena......
b.

Nonsensical

Absolutely. If I had to quantify, I'd estimate AVRT is 80 - 85% of my personal recovery program. The BP aspect isn't included.

freethinking

Thanks Nonsensical.