Does or has anyone else fear the 12 steps. Like how could that help? Wont doing some of these things make it worse? Or who wants to write down all the bad about themselves. Havent enough people told me the bad about me yet? Dont i beat myself up enough?
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I know exactly what you mean, I know my faults and bad traits, I roll them over and over every day. How do you stop? I hope it gets better for you. I'm here if you need to talk or just vent.
Absolutely, it’s been a life-long process of trial and error for me. I had major issues with steps 2 and 3 to start with because of religious abuse. It’s taken a lot misery, reading, learning and therapy to work through that. The first time I attempted step 4 I got like 3 resentments on paper and started thinking, why would I want to dwell and reflect on everything that pisses me off about life or worse with other lists dwell on all the good reasons I have for hating myself. So, I spent another 12 years or so in active drinking and using. However, when I was finally able to get back to the rooms and squeeze out a 4th step and sit down for a 5th it made such an impact on me I realized the answers to those why’s was because I was carrying a lot of things I didn’t need to and reacting to life in ways that made me miserable
James,
It is easy to put the cart before the horse but it just don’t work right!
If you are alcoholic everything inside of you (history of being alcoholic and believing the belief system alcohol addiction has taught us is screaming AA doesn’t work… breath in and breath out and stay relaxed take it easy. You have made it to the solution to the problem!
It is one step at a time and as time goes on we quit analyzing and begin utilizing the program (meetings reading the Big Book etc. we gain clarity the the horse comes first!
One step at a time beginning with step one (they are in order for a reason)!
Hope this helps
Ron
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I am a recovering heroine and meth addict. I am reading the big book and go to AA or NA most days. Just don’t want to bring up my past to anyone including myself. I just want to move forward but I have been told this is what I should do first
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I'm not in any way or form telling you not to go through AA, you won't know unless you try it. As for me I surrendered my all to my higher power and he healed me spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Now I only desire to worship and honor him for taking a mess like me and forming me daily without any struggles as far as addictions goes and mental illness HalleluYah hope this helps
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That's the whole point to work the steps and do the next right thing it's not easy working yet can be scary I was scared too so you're not alone or not
Working the 12 steps is like washing your underwear. (I'll give you some time to figure that out.) Only a fool will wear dirty underwear in sobriety.
Working the 12 steps is like cleaning your side of the street. Everyone likes a clean street. Only a fool, while in sobriety, will live in a dirty street. Always keep your side of the street clean.
I share this with 37+ years of sobriety. My underwear and my side of the street is ALWAYS clean.
Let that sink in.
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I resisted the 12 steps for decades. Then I finally did them thoroughly and man I’m so glad I did🙏. I stopped carrying all the weight around and got free!
Doing the 12 steps is way easier than I thought.
I’m here if you want to talk or have any questions
Through my experience being going to church and trying to stay clean, has failed me quite often. I find peace in myself and going to meetings, cause it gives me a sense of being that there’s others just like me where it as going to church that was for my spiritual, but it didn’t satisfy me completely so NA/NAA help me. not to feel alone, but lonely.
I started reading the big book and touch base with my sponsor everyday. We are going to start doing step work on Saturday
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Doing things my way never worked. I had to try something different. The steps were definitely different and so far have helped me to stay sober. Thank God!
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I really wish I could do the steps without a sponsor 
cus that's my fear finding someone who will be my sponsor and I'm going on 7mos now and I go to aleast two meeting a week but haven't found anyone who sparks my eye yet!? Anyone else having this problem
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I did for a while
I go too meetings almost everyday
You have to complete all the previous steps 1st before you can ask that question. Stop doing it your way and follow the steps, 1 step at a time
I can definitely ask them before hand if that is how I feel that’s part of being honest. As long as I still do them, these are the things I felt and thought when I agreed to do them.
The sooner you accept your past and become willing to share with others the sooner you can move on to your next step (chapter) in life.
Working on it
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While it is hard to take that deep look at ourselves, when we do it really lightens the load. At least that is my experience so far. 4-7 were an interesting ride, but I feel so much better to be through them. Now working step 9. It is also daunting but I believe I’ll feel so much better when I get through it. I wish you well on your journey.
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