When I sponsor new people I tell them at the outset that recovery means work. That work is not only activity in AA but also action. The AA book needs to be acquired and read especially the 1st 164 pages. I make time available for my sponsees so that they start the inventory process and amends list as soon as possible. A good example is our co-founder Dr Bob, who started making amends from day 1.
I get them to our step meeting on Mondays, with AA book and writing material. During the 1st six months our new people are taken on a weekend 12 step retreat. They do their 4th & 5th step. When they return they begin work on making amends to those they harmed. Each individual item on the inventory is discussed and monitored to see how the progress is.
I find that all our new people get reconciled with their loved ones very quickly and begin the restoration process at once. The last 7 years of our current recovery group has produced very good results. We have now embarked on a family recovery program.
Great Post. The thing I see as the most work is how to get people to come to grips that the bottom line you are driving towards is a "spiritual awakening". I do like your approach because its like a springboard into the steps. Tom
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"You're in the right place. That's the door right there. Turn around."
Gonee, I like the approach also. When they're ready, willing and able; get them into the steps. This reminds me of: "rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path". AA is a program of continuous action. Action = Work, but it's worth it.
Sounds like you have some MIP happening!! Great work, great approach to recovery. Amazing what people can do when they put their energies together for a common good.
I gotta say, I really, REALLY hate work. Doesn't matter what it is or what kind. It's like simply attaching the word to anything turns it bad. I had to take a different approach. Today, I let my HP do all the work, and I practice, practice, practice. I mean really, doctors don't work medicine, they practice it, right? Yeah, I know, I did do the step work, but thank God the last one lets me practice the principles and not work the principles. Might not make sense to some, but it's something I gotta do to trick my silly little brain so it doesn't think I'm trying to make it work.
