Step study advice

[Lindsay_T]

So, I want to work the steps. Should I read the book and work through them? I signed up for a group, but it hasn't formed up yet and I want to get started...

[Lindsay_T]

Thanks guys. I have been to meetings and go routinely. I hear everyone, don't do it yourself. I really like hometown's advice. That I'd have an idiot for a sponsor.... LOL.
Anyway, you guys rock and I'll let you know how it goes. I want a drill sergeant that understands me, yet ya know, can still let me cry if I need to... I will look for a sponsor.
hugs, Lindsay

[IBKleen]

Hi Lindsay!

Good for you wanting to work the steps. As everyone has said, please do not attempt to do them alone. If you have not yet gotten a sponsor, I highly recommend that you do. Your first go round doing the steps can be very liberating and sometimes scary. You will need someone with experience to learn from and lean on..and not here, but up close and personal in life.

You should have trust and faith in the person you choose. Don't push it, it is not like you go through them and you are done. It will become a way of life. I did the first 3 steps for my first 2 years clean and then began my 4th step. Take it slow, embrace them and understand them.

I hope everything is going well for you. I know you have been in pain lately and I hope this will begin the emotional healing for you.

[Punkinhead75]

Hi Lindsay,  Glad to hear you want to get into the step work.  I strongly suggest you get some help with it.  Reading the books on your own is okay but having someone help you go through works best.  Make sure you find someone who is familiar and comfortable working with you.  Also step mtgs are great.  Hearing input from others on how they went through them helped me a lot.  I've been posting on the steps in here as well as the alcoholism forum.  If there's anything I can help with please let me know.  Good luck!!

[gnarly_1]

hi Lindsay.....thers a lot of good reading in the book....im sure you will be able to relate
im so sorry to here of your tragedy and recent relapse its not uncommon ...im proud of you for picking up the book and working on going to meetings ...non of us can do this alone
when im bad off phoenix has an outdoor n/a meeting with a fire pit its really layed back
and everybody is friendly ....I have pored my heart out there and found comfort and support....aftercare makes this whole thing very doable I dont know why people try to do this without it I know I couldent make it anyways its 3am and I think im in the beginning of a manic episode this is my second night with no sleep and im wired for sound so I thought I would get up and do some posting....hang in there your doing the right things now you will gain control of your addiction rather then it controlling you good luck and God bless....Gnarly    

[dominosarah]

You can read up on it but working the steps by yourself isnt recommended at all.  Just doesnt work.

Glad to hear you are getting back on track Lindsay.  Keep it going!!       sara

[Htownnofrown]

Working the steps by yourself won't cut it. You need to go to some meetings, find a sponsor, and have them take you through them. A common phrase in AA is, "when you work the steps by yourself, you have an idiot for a sponsor, and an even bigger idiot for a sponsee." And, in my experience, if there's an AA cliche for it, it's been done many times before and wasn't successful.

Have you gone to any meetings yet?