Self Acceptance – 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety by Dr. Allen Berger

Dr. Berger is a leader in Emotional Sobriety. His book 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety is featured prominently in the Emotional Sobriety section of the gugogs.org website. He is a Gestalt therapist with over 50 years of sobriety.  Before we do a deep dive into self acceptance with Dr. Berger’s article, it might be useful to identify signsContinue reading “Self Acceptance – 12 Essential Insights For Emotional Sobriety by Dr. Allen Berger”

The Birth of Spiritual Confidence – Grapevine Article June 2005 by Dave C.

Steps to remove the desire to drink I arrived at the doors of AA in 1983 with a problem; I just wasn’t sure what the problem was. I thought I had a drinking problem. Then someone suggested that maybe my drinking problem really reflected a thinking problem. I was sure he was wrong; I justContinue reading “The Birth of Spiritual Confidence – Grapevine Article June 2005 by Dave C.”

The Strange Mental Blank Spot – Grapevine Article by Louisa P.

An alcoholic does battle with the strange mental blank spot that separates her (and all alcoholics) from the rest of humanity Alcoholism is a physical, mental, and spiritual disease. That’s what we learn in AA. Alcoholism is merely a lack of self-discipline. That’s what most of the world thinks. Alcoholics can exert all the self-disciplineContinue reading “The Strange Mental Blank Spot – Grapevine Article by Louisa P.”

Self Knowledge Is Not Enough – Big Book pg 38/39

However intelligent we may have been in other respects, where alcohol has been involved, we have been strangely insane. It’s strong language – but isn’t it true? Some of you are thinking: “Yes, what you tell us is true, but it doesn’t fully apply. We admit we have some of these symptoms, but we haveContinue reading “Self Knowledge Is Not Enough – Big Book pg 38/39”

Step 1 What Is The Problem – The Steps We Took by Joe McQ

Joe McQ is the Joe of the well known Joe & Charlie BB studies, tapes, and retreats. He has some compelling wisdom for us about Step 1 in his book entitled ‘The Steps We Took’. Here is a short extract of the first portion of his chapter on Step 1 What is the Problem? WeContinue reading “Step 1 What Is The Problem – The Steps We Took by Joe McQ”

Living In Today – Daily Reflections December 31st

The idea of “twenty-four-hour living” applies primarily to the emotional life of the individual. Emotionally speaking, we must not live in yesterday, nor in tomorrow. AS BILL SEES IT, p. 284 A New Year: 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes — a time to consider directions, goals, and actions. I mustContinue reading “Living In Today – Daily Reflections December 31st”

3rd Step Decision – Is It My Will Or God’s Will- The Steps We Took by Joe Mcq

Most of our troubles stem from spiritual sickness; and this spiritual sickness is nothing more or less than being blocked off from God by some fear, resentment, guilt, or remorse caused by self-will.  Some people maintain that God punishes us when we do wrong, but He doesn’t have to punish us. When we live ourContinue reading “3rd Step Decision – Is It My Will Or God’s Will- The Steps We Took by Joe Mcq”

A Dose Of Reality – Grapevine Article November 2005 by Jill L.

I recently went on a Twelfth Step call with another recovering alcoholic to a woman’s home. What I saw and felt there is almost impossible to put into words, but I felt the need to try for those in the Fellowship who may be getting somewhat complacent. After many years of sobriety it’s easy toContinue reading “A Dose Of Reality – Grapevine Article November 2005 by Jill L.”

Never The Same Again – As Bill Sees It #209

It was discovered that when one alcoholic had planted in the mind of another the true nature of his malady, that person could never be the same again. Following every spree, he would have to say to himself, “Maybe those A.A.’s were right.” After a few such experiences, often before the onset of extreme difficulties,Continue reading “Never The Same Again – As Bill Sees It #209”

Denial: A Story In 3 Parts Grapevine Article May 2006 by Victoria P.

The thick wall finally cracks for this hard-drinking lawyer What It Was Like… These days, I don’t so much fall asleep as pass out. I go to work because my legal career is the Potemkin village of my denial. As long as I’m working, I’m not an alcoholic. I don’t think this, of course, becauseContinue reading “Denial: A Story In 3 Parts Grapevine Article May 2006 by Victoria P.”