When we stop drinking or using, if we begin to understand and work the 12 Step Programme, we begin to understand ourselves so much better. When we were at the height of our drinking or using, we lost ourselves and many of us turned into someone that even those closest to us actively disliked or could no longer tolerate or be with (though they may still have loved us, they hated our behaviour). They did not recognise us from the person we used to be. As we get well again our old selves return and we become if anything an even better version of the person we used to be! Our experiences of pain and our coming together with people who have suffered equally help us to become more compassionate, broad minded and tolerant people.
12 step program and growth
We do not become an enhanced version of our old selves only because we have been through painful experiences. To grow and understand ourselves better through working the 12 Step Programme, especially once we go through our Steps 4 and 5, which help us to understand our defects of character. We cannot change these defects overnight but once aware of them we can understand how we affect others and spot our negative traits and weaknesses when they rear their sometimes quite ugly heads. And we also work hard on removing them:
Step 4: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves
Step 5: We admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs
Working our programme also gives us our self esteem back and helps us to understand the more positive aspects of our personalities too! We work hard to minimise the less pleasant aspects of our character. We
Step 6: Were entirely ready to have God remove these defects of character
Step 7: Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings
We put the debris of the past behind us so far as is possible by making a list of the people we have harmed in the past through our behaviour and making amends to them whenever possible. This enables us to begin to look forward and move on from the pain of the past.
Identification
We then live our lives on a more positive and sound foundation on a daily basis. Being aware of our behaviour. If we act negatively, putting that right on a daily basis (step 10). Our lives are also enhanced by the people we meet through being in recovery. People from all walks of life and with experience of life that some of us could never have imagined. We have one major experience in common with them which binds us together. We know the misery of active addiction. By getting to know and help these people. Whether we in the past would have perceived them to be socially superior or inferior to ourselves. Our eyes are opened wider and we benefit.
The Haynes Clinic is an alcohol rehab and alcohol addiction treatment centre which not only successfully teaches people how to stop drinking but also offers drug rehabilitation treatment.
If you or a loved one needs help for alcohol or drug addiction, please call 01462 851414.
