Big Book Study: Steps 8 and 9 Recovering your Spirit (Part 7 of 15)
Digest
This podcast features Karen, a recovering alcoholic since 1989, sharing her experience with steps eight and nine of the 12-step program: making amends. She details the challenges of confronting past harms, including fear, resentment, and the difficulty of approaching those affected. Her practical approach involved using index cards, script writing with her sponsor, and prioritizing face-to-face meetings. Karen emphasizes the crucial role of willingness, courage, and honesty in this process. She describes how willingness unexpectedly attracts support and guidance, sharing an example of help received from a priest during a difficult time. Therapeutic writing played a significant role in uncovering and addressing her character defects, paving the way for successful amends. The podcast concludes with Karen discussing the ongoing work of recovery, including vigilance against obsessive thinking and the importance of accountability, highlighting the lasting joy and peace she finds in her sober life.
Outlines
Making Amends: A Transformative Journey
Karen, a recovering alcoholic, shares her transformative experience with steps eight and nine of the 12-step program, focusing on the challenges and rewards of making amends for past harms. She details her practical approach, including script writing and face-to-face meetings, and emphasizes the importance of willingness, courage, and honesty.
Overcoming Obstacles and Finding Support
Karen discusses the unexpected support she received during the amends process, highlighting the role of willingness in attracting help. She also details the use of therapeutic writing to identify and address character defects, crucial for successful amends.
Maintaining Sobriety and Continued Growth
Karen discusses the ongoing work of recovery, including vigilance against obsessive thinking and the importance of accountability. She shares her continued growth and the joy she finds in her sober life, emphasizing the lasting impact of making amends.
Keywords
Steps Eight and Nine (12-step program)
These steps involve making amends for past harms and making direct amends to those harmed. This process is crucial for spiritual growth and lasting recovery in the 12-step program.
Making Amends
The process of directly apologizing and attempting to repair harm caused to others. It involves identifying those harmed, planning how to approach them, and taking responsibility for one's actions.
Recovery (from addiction)
The ongoing process of healing and rebuilding one's life after addiction. It involves addressing underlying issues, developing coping mechanisms, and building a supportive network.
Sponsorship (12-step program)
A crucial element of the 12-step program where a more experienced member guides and supports a newer member through the steps. Provides accountability and guidance.
Character Defects
Negative personality traits that hinder personal growth and recovery. Identifying and addressing these defects is essential for lasting change.
Therapeutic Writing
Using writing as a tool to process emotions, identify character defects, and prepare for making amends.
Accountability in Recovery
The importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and maintaining ongoing self-reflection and support in recovery.
Q&A
What are the key challenges in making amends, according to Karen's experience?
Karen highlights the difficulty of facing past actions, overcoming fear and resentment, and finding the courage to approach those harmed. She also emphasizes the importance of having a sponsor to guide the process.
How did Karen's approach to making amends change over time?
Initially, Karen struggled with fear and resentment, delaying the process. Over time, with the help of her sponsor, she developed a more structured approach, using index cards and scripts, and prioritizing face-to-face meetings.
What was the most significant outcome of Karen's experience with steps eight and nine?
Karen found profound freedom and a sense of peace after making amends. She experienced a significant shift in her relationships and overall well-being, leading to a more fulfilling and joyful life.
What role did sponsorship play in Karen's journey?
Karen's sponsor provided invaluable guidance, support, and accountability throughout the amends process. She helped Karen identify harms, develop strategies, and stay focused on the goal of making things right.
What advice does Karen offer to others struggling with making amends?
Karen advises seeking guidance from a sponsor or other trusted individuals, being willing to face the challenges, and remembering that the process is about taking action, not controlling the outcome. Honesty and accountability are key.
Show Notes
This is part seven of a 15 episode in-depth big book study that took place in 2009.
Part seven is about Steps 8-9 Recovering your Spirit and is presented by Karen C.
There is some Q& A at the end of this one and the questions were impossible to hear, I removed the long dead pauses and replaced them with a moment of clicks so you know it was an edit and then jumped to the answers.
Support Sober Cast: https://sobercast.com/donate
Email: sobercast@gmail.com
Event List: https://scast.us/event
Roundup, retreat, convention or workshop coming up? List the event on the Sober Cast website. Visit the link above and look for "Submit Your Event" in the blue box.
Sober Cast has 2700+ episodes available, visit SoberCast.com to access all the episodes where you can easily find topics or specific speakers using tags or search. https://sobercast.com
Table of contents
United States
