Do not answer the questions in the rest of the book. Click the link above to download the printable 12 step guide. It opens the door to the rest of the steps and allows a person to begin the process of selfreflection step four and admitting the nature of ones wrongdoings step five. What is step 1 in narcotics anonymous na we admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become. Admit that you, of yourself, are powerless to overcome your addictions and that. The narcotics anonymous step working guides unfamiliar, we should feel free to make use of a dictionary. Breaking down step two of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. Some of us in the recovering community in the brattleboro, vermont, area found that we did better studying the big book as a group rather than on our. Breaking down step one of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol that our lives had become unmanageable. More about alcoholism, we agnostics kansas city, september 14, 2014.
Worksheets are the narcotics anonymous step working guide, first step work, step 1 work, working step four in narcotics anonymous, 12 step work questions, aas 12 steps including powerful, 2nd. Learn more about step 1 of alcoholics anonymouss 12step program to. Step by step guide for sponsors a companion to aas big book. Na book 5 living clean the journey continues hardcover. That is what the authors of the big book and millions before you did.
So declares a wellloved clergyman who happens to be one of a. Worksheets are the narcotics anonymous step working guide, first step work, step 1 work, working step four in narcotics anonymous, 12 step work questions, aas 12 steps including powerful, 2nd step and 3rd work, resentment inventory prompt. How and why just for today, reviseddaily meditations for recovering addicts the na step working guides. The first step of anything is a beginning, so the first step of the alcoholics anonymous 12 steps is the beginning of your recovery process. This guide has been prepared not as a replacement for or interference to our basic texts the big book and 12 and 12 but as a companion for the ideas and directions presented there.
It doesnt matter how difficult, lengthy, or time consuming an undertaking is, the very first step is the one that counts the most. The big book holds within it the central thesis and ideas of alcohol anonymous and the 12 step approach. Twelve step prayers spiritual alcoholics anonymous cleveland. Of all the steps, this is the one that sets the stage for recovery to happen. Whats the difference between the aa big book and the na. We do offer ebooks for sale online, and we continue to provide over half a million dollars in free or subsidize printed literature to addicts in need every year. Practice what does the big book say to each one of us about our own. Instead, members may study and work on this step many times. Wherever we do not stay current in our experience with this step, for it is not about knowledge, that is where we will relapse into drinking and using. In my view it is a better text in mny ways from the aa big book because it is more uptodate and does not have bill ws excellent but dated writing style of some seventyodd years ago. Just for today, reviseddaily meditations for recovering addicts. Consequently, resistance, rebellion and delusion, as well as the unwillingness to be rigorously honest, are some of the components that keep us from recovery, from being willing to surrender to the reality of this step. The sixth edition includes stories not previously published in earlier editions, written by narcotics anonymous members from all over the world.
Our notes, commentary, and genderinclusive changes are formatted in italics. In order for this to happen we must go directly into steps 10, 11 and 12 while doing step 9. Before coming to na, most of us tried everything we could think of. Millions of addicts across the world have derived great benefit from the. Its particularly relevant when discussing the first step of a 12 step program like alcoholics anonymous. Our minds rebel at the very thought that we have lost control. Theres drug use throughout the book alcoholics anonymous, commonly referred to as the big book. George b was a practicing dentist for 47 years and is now a graduate student in a masters degree program for addiction counseling. We could find all sorts of occult and esoteric connotations in the simple outlines, but foremost in our minds were easily understood meanings and. Step one means that we do not have to use, and this is a great freedom. Mar 25, 2020 alcoholics anonymous step 1 is the beginning of a 12step program to get and stay sober. Denying this truth was such hard work that it was a big relief finally to admit that we.
Step one we admitted that we were powerless over alcoholthat our lives had become unmanageable. Thus, when addicts read this book they can readily identify with the. You have probably heard the saying a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. Narcotics anonymous offers recovery from the effects of addiction through working a twelvestep program, including regular attendance at group meetings. The doctors opinion, we agnostics kansas city, september 1, 2014. With step two we learn that we are not alone, and tha. Other publications available from na world services it works. I admit that i am powerless over alcoholthat my life has. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered. It is the platform on which an entirely new life can be built. Step one we admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable. It includes and expands upon the readings in the little white booklet, and is the cornerstone of the narcotics anonymous program.
Each group has but one primary purpose to carry the. There is no one set way that the founders and pioneers worked the steps. Membership grew rapidly for a time and then began to decline. Aa as a fellowship and program however adheres to a singleness of purpose as explicitly stated in its fifth tradition. When i read the descriptions of what an alcoholic is in the big book i have yet to find any reference that and an unmanageable life has anything to do with whether or not a person is alcoholic or nonalcoholic.
This diagram is a handy reference for where the steps are located in the big book. Step 1 the doctors opinion bills story there is a solution more about alcoholism step 2 we agnostics steps 312 how it works into action working with others. Thorough discussion of each of the twelve steps is contained in that work. In the 12 steps of the addiction recovery program, step 1 focuses on honesty. A first of anything is a beginning, and so it is with the steps. Recovery literature in english us narcotics anonymous. I love all of the 12 steps of aa, but step two is the one that gives us hope. While a deep study of these meanings is undertaken in the recovery workbook from darkness to light. In the recovery community, the term 12 steps comes up almost constantly, in one variation or another.
Jun 17, 2016 the big book is clearwe do this to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to god and our fellow man. The third step decision may be too big to make in one leap. By terry the 1 st step on narcotics anonymous requires us to admit our powerlessness over our addiction because our lives have become unmanageable. Begin your own program by taking step one from the previous chapter, how it works. This book contains guides to working the twelve steps toward recovery.
A twelvestep program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems. Step one hope gives us something positive to look for and move towards. To enable you to find a power greater than yourself that will solve your problem. Study what do the big book authors say about the steps. Dec 20, 2012 father martin talks about step one in this video as only he can. There is a solution, we agnostics kansas city, september 7, 2014. My 12 step store online is home to the very best in recovery books and unique recovery gifts, including aa coins and medallions, recovery books and more. Although this step is the first step towards sobriety, most aa members dont do this step just one time.
Step one 3 step one we admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable. Steps by the big book is a nocharge website for people in recovery from alcohol and drugs and other addictions who wish to study the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous aa as part of a friendly, focused group, and work them according to the big book, alcoholics anonymous. Aa speaker powerless over alcohol and step 1 of alcoholism recovery part 1 of 5 duration. Practice what does the big book say to each one of us about our own actual practice of the principles of the steps in our daily lives. For more information on becoming free of addiction, visit. The first step of narcotics anonymous states we admitted we were powerless. Because this book has become the basic text for our society and has helped such large numbers.
Additional information about na recovery can be found in other na literature. When i came to narcotics anonymous and began working the 1 st step, a total transformation occurred in my life. I admit to myself that something is seriously wrong in my life. Alcoholics anonymous, or aa, begins the process of recovering from alcohol addiction with step 1, the first of 12 steps. The basic text is just that, the basic text of narcotics anonymous. The need for more specific direction was readily apparent. Here he shares insights into step two of aa, alcoholics anonymous 12 steps. The steps by the big book workbook can be downloaded for free.
These guides are meant to be used by na members at any stage of recovery, whether its our first time through the steps or weve been living with the steps as our guiding force for many years. Step six were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character. There is comfort in knowing you arent alone, that what youre feeling isnt unusual, and that there is a solution. In my view it is a better text in mny ways from the aa big book because it is more uptodate and does not have bill ws excellent but dated writing style of some seventyodd years ago, so it is better suited to younger people today. Fair use section 107 through 118 of the law title 17 u. When we fully concede to our innermost selves that we are powerless over our addiction, we have taken a big step in our recovery. Big book overview alcoholics anonymous or the big book as it is commonly called was first published in 1939 and was subtitled the story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. Other publications available from na world services. The white book, narcotics anonymous, was published in 1962. This is the standard na book on twelve step recovery for people addicted to chemicals. All references to the topics will be found in the first 164 pages of the book, alcoholics anonymous. What is step 1 in the twelve 12 step programs renascent. Many of us have had some reservations at this point, so give yourself a break and be as thorough as possible from the start. Na book 1 na basic text 6th edition standard hardcover.
Whether youre looking for aa jewelry and unique sobriety gifts for those working through na, ca, cma, or other recovery programs, you will find recovery gifts and aa books to help you. As we read in the preface to the fourth edition of the big book. It is the first text written about the experiences of the founders of the a. A twelve step workbook al kohallek goes stepping contents title page preface 3 an eye i witness account 4 useful information 6 introducing step one 9 six essential characteristics 10 step one questions 11 step two questions i am grateful for supplement list page 14 step three questions 15 introduction to step four 16. We can admit our need for help as we begin to share in our common welfare.
Known as the big book, it is in its fourth edition and is widely circulated through out the world. Each group has but one primary purpose to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. For further study, it is suggested that you get a copy of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Surrender the admission of powerlessness is a distinctly aa way of practicing certain spiritual principles that are key to recovery. Its words and interpretations are left up to the reader to use as they choose. A simple guide that works with the big book to make step work fast, concise and powerful. The book of mormon prophet ammon plainly stated the truth we discovered. As addicts, we have each experienced the pain, loneliness, and despair of addiction. In addition for sexaholics, read the step into action, the section on step 1 then do the writing. Helping others newcomers is the foundation stone of your recovery. Father martin talks about step one in this video as only he can.
He goes on to explain that any person capable of enough willingness and honesty to try re. Jason wahler is a reality tv star in recovery and undoing the stigma around addiction. Powerless and unmanageable, we agnostics kansas city, january 3, 2015. Aa the original way 12 step guide aa the original way group. Mar 14, 2012 many paths one destination 8,419 views 1. Read step 1 of the 12 steps and 12 traditions12x12 read chapter 5 of alcoholics anonymous read the step in either na, sa or ga that is specific to your program. The wisdom from the big book isnt limited to 10 quotes. To personalize the step for your study and action in the here and now, however, you may wish to rephrase it as. Our steps by the big book group sessions are not official aa meetings because we limit enrollment to a specific number of participants.
Chief among these are the discipline of surrender and the virtue of humility. Excerpts from writings about how step 1 of the 12 step program works. The fellowship still had little structure, however, and the 1960s were a period of struggle. The na book the basic text our symbol simplicity is the keynote of our symbol. Upon achieving step one the admission of powerlessness and step two agreeing that there is, in fact, a higher power, step three goes beyond words to actions. Powerless over alcohol explained by admitting that they are powerless over alcohol the individual is saying that they are unable to control their intake.
The big book is clearwe do this to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to god and our fellow man. The importance of step 1 in alcoholics anonymous is emphasized by the fact that the first quarter of the big book is focused on this first action. How and why just for today, reviseddaily meditations for recovering addicts the na step working guides sponsorship an introductory guide to na, revised. These last three steps keep us current and help us to continue to solidify the foundation of our recovery. The big book has given me that comfort and the push to move forward.