Fourth Step Suggestions and Experience

[sheeppainter]

A recent 4th step has prompted me to do what I am supposed to do...share my experiences and suggestions.

Comments

[aiwanakademie]

I am sorry if this sounds ignorant, but what is 4th step?

[sheeppainter]

Oops. I didn't mean to post it on my own page. I meant to post it on a page for recovering alcoholics/addicts.

But hell, anyone may find it useful. So I shall leave it.

In a 12-step recovery program, it is (step 4) "Made a searching and moral inventory of ourselves" where the intent is to get down to the true nature of our problems. In this case it is spiritual in nature. The forces that drive us. In an alcoholic, we are often driven by internal and deep rooted fear that it is not always easy to see. And the only way to be free from that is to identify it, and ask whatever higher source of power we have in our lives with that fear or other behaviors. It is ONLY in that way that we can remain free from the obsession of alcohol.

The 12 steps are designed to help build and maintain a spiritual way of living. Something essential for an alcoholic like me because left to my own ideas, I will drink and to drink is to die.

Hope that helps a bit.

[aiwanakademie]

So, its a way of being an active participant in processing internal issues.

I have heard of 12-step, but never really asked. I dont want to pry or seem nosey.

[sheeppainter]

Well...the 12 step process is the basis for the fellowship of AA.
And I guess thats one way of putting it.

In a nutshell...it is a process to help bring about a spiritual experience.

And I have no problem discussing this with anyone. Not nosey or prying at all.

[thespian15]

I can't say that I can understand the whole process, but I am glad that you are able to continue and still get so much from it.
Hugs, Jon