FOR THOSE SEEKING GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT

I have 24 yrs of recovery via the 12-Step program of AA, along with 12-Step faith-based groups, such as Christians In Recovery (CIR) and Overcomers Outreach.

With the advent of COVID, I ceased attending in-person meetings and switched to online (Zoom) mtgs. The online meetings were very different from the in-person meetings I was accustomed to. Many of them were led by folks who did not seem to be well-seasoned in their recovery. I did, however, discover a couple of online groups that were hosted by people who had depth and wisdom.

A while after it became safe to return to in-person meetings, I returned to my home AA group, but I barely recognized it. While there were a few familiar faces, most of the old gang was gone. Many of the ones that did return eventually moved on as well. With all the "Elder Statesmen" gone, the in-person meetings were much like the online meetings. Most of the meetings had little to do with the program of recovery as laid out in the Big Book & 12&12, and had become an open discussion based on the 'Daily Reflection'.

I realize that with the plethora of recovery options available these days, that AA is perceived as old and outdated. I also realize that is why many people do not have a good understanding of the foundational principles of recovery as is recorded in the the book, 'Alcoholics Anonymous'. Yes, the language and the moral worldview put forward in the book are very different from the world we live in today.

HOWEVER, that does not invalidate the efficacy of the original program as put forth by the "one hundred men and women who recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body."  Those practices and principles still work today, when clearly understood and faithfully practiced on a daily basis.

I know this to be true because it has worked for me and others that I have met and come to know IN THE FELLOWSHIP of AA. Unfortunately, most of us who are still around are advanced in age and no longer able to work with others as we once did. Those of us who are still able, are not as well received by the younger generation.

Even "in the rooms" of AA, there is a lot of pushback when presented with the ORIGINAL program of recovery. There are those who are trying to get the book revised to meet with modern standards of language and perspective.

The program is still viable today for those seeking relief from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. But it is only viable when it is passed along to those who not only need it, but who are willing to go to any length to be free from the insane desire to repeatedly do that which destroys them from the inside-out.

The need for the ORIGINAL 12-Step program of recovery is out there and there are folks like myself who are well-seasoned not only in their sobriety, but are also well-seasoned in the 12-Step program of recovery -- and ready to "pass it on" to those who not only need it, but want is as much as a person dying of thirst wants someone to give them a cup of living water!

Please contact me if you are in need of help, or would like to help me help others in need.

Thank you.

Colorado Karl

EMAIL: focusedandfreerecovery@gmail.com

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE 👇