Recovery and Spiritual Bypassing
While I’m committed to the practise of spiritual principles as a part of my recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction, the emphasis within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) on being accepting, compassionate, tolerant, unselfish and loving, etc, and of “practising these principles in all our affairs”, combined with literal interpretation of fellowship literature, can lead to unrealistic expectations of ourselves…
The Separate Sense of Self and Addiction
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) suggests that “selfishness – self-centeredness” (p.62) is the root cause of the alcoholic’s problems. That they are “driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking and self-pity.” (1…
My Recovery Journey – By A Twelve Step Agnostic
As a child, I had the common experience of growing up in a home with an alcoholic parent. My step-father was a daily drinker who was incapable of forming a loving relationship with me or my younger brother. When my stepfather had been drinking he seemed to resent us and was emotionally abusive…
Isolation, “I-Thou” and Addiction Recovery
Human beings have evolved with inherent needs for physical, psychological, emotional, social, and many would suggest, spiritual connection…
The Multiple Pathways to Addiction and Recovery
As someone who’s in long-term recovery from alcohol and drug dependency I’ve often reflected upon the various causal factors associated with addiction and what these suggest in terms of successful recovery. There seems to be many diverse opinions, often polarising voices, in relation to the causes, nature and treatment of addiction…
Surrender, Vulnerability and Connection
…..at this moment we experience an acceptance that we lack control and that our life is unmanageable. Our ego surrenders its will through the pain and suffering of addiction. Our denial is broken and we experience a deep self-honesty and humility. We finally admit our human limitation and that we are in need of help…
Can Anger Be An Addiction?
The recovery road is hard and long but one we choose to travel. We practice acceptance as a virtue to heal our pain, letting go of our addiction to anger…
AA Conference Approved Literature
The term “Conference-approved” relates to literature and audiovisual material that is published by AA World Services, Inc, and has been approved by Conference for this purpose. “The term has no relation to material not published by GSO. It does not imply Conference disapproval of other material about AA. A great deal of literature helpful to alcoholics is published by…
Is Addiction A Disease?
In this essay I will be specifically referring to alcohol and drug addiction or severe alcohol/substance use disorder, which is the terminology used in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5…
AA Spiritual and Religious
It is quite often stated by AA members that the fellowship is “spiritual not religious.” I do not think that this statement is entirely accurate and would suggest that in a broad sense it can be validly described as both. It can certainly be related to in this way by individual members if they are inclined to do so…