C.C. Nuckols cnuckols@elitecorp.org Discovery To Recovery: Science, spirituality & 12-step facilitated recovery 1.

C.C. Nuckols cnuckols@elitecorp.org
Discovery To Recovery: Science, spirituality & 12-step facilitated recovery 1

Evidence-Based Psychosocial Interventions Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Self-help group Promotes abstinence Requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking Members share their experience with anyone seeking help with a drinking problem They give person-to-person service or "sponsorship" to the person with alcohol dependence coming to AA from any source From the AA website: How does A.A. help the alcoholic? Through the example and friendship of the recovered alcoholics in A.A., new members are encouraged to stay away from a drink “one day at a time,” as the A.A.s do. Instead of “swearing off forever” or worrying about whether they will be sober tomorrow, A.A.s concentrate on not drinking right now — today. By keeping alcohol out of their systems, newcomers take care of one part of their illness — their bodies have a chance to get well. But remember, there is another part. If they are going to stay sober, they need healthy minds and healthy emotions, too. So they begin to straighten out their confused thinking and unhappy feelings by following A.A.’s “Twelve Steps” to recovery. These Steps suggest ideas and actions that can guide alcoholics toward happy and useful lives. To be in touch with other members and to learn about the recovery program, new members go to A.A. meetings regularly. Information on Alcoholics Anonymous. A.A. World Services, Inc. Available at: Accessed Sept 20, 2007.

Evidence-Based Psychosocial Interventions Efficacy of AA
1- and 3-year abstinence rates among those attending formal treatment alone and those attending formal treatment plus AA (N = 466) * * Timko C, et al. Long-term outcomes of alcohol use disorders: comparing untreated individuals with those in alcoholics anonymous and formal treatment. J Stud Alcohol Jul;61(4): OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine how the type and timing of help received over 8 years by previously untreated problem drinking individuals were linked to drinking and functioning outcomes. METHOD: At the time of the 8-year follow-up, individuals (N= 466, 51% male) had self-selected into four groups: no treatment (n = 78), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) only (n = 66), formal treatment only (n = 74), or formal treatment plus AA (n = 248). RESULTS: Individuals who received some type of help--AA, formal treatment or both--were more likely to be abstinent at 8 years than were untreated individuals. Although the AA only group was better off than the formal treatment only group at 1 and 3 years, the informally and formally treated groups were equivalent on drinking outcomes at 8 years. Similarly, despite the formal treatment plus AA group having been better off at 1 and 3 years than the formal treatment only group, the two formal treatment groups were comparable on drinking at 8 years. Both helped and untreated individuals improved between baseline and 1 year on drinking outcomes, but only formally treated individuals showed continued improvement over 8 years on drinking indices. Participation in AA or formal treatment during Year 1 of follow-up was associated with better drinking outcomes at 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who obtain help for a drinking problem, especially relatively quickly, do somewhat better on drinking outcomes over 8 years than those who do not receive help, but there is little difference between types of help on long-term drinking outcomes. * p < .05 Timko C, et al. J Stud Alcohol 2000;61:

INTRODUCTION How privileged we are to understand so well the divine paradox that strength rises from weakness, that humiliation goes before resurrection; that pain is not only the price but the very touchstone of spiritual rebirth. Knowing it's full worth and purpose, we can no longer fear adversity, we have found prosperity where there was poverty, peace and joy have sprung out of the very midst of chaos. Great indeed, our blessings! Bill Wilson

Letter to Bill From Carl Jung
Dear Mr. Wilson Your letter has been very welcome indeed. I had no news from Roland H. anymore and often wondered what has been his fate. Our conversation which he has adequately reported to you had an aspect of which he did not know. The reason that I could not tell him everything was that those days I had to be exceedingly careful of what I said. I had found out that I was misunderstood in every possible way. Thus I was very careful when I talked to Roland H. But what I really thought about was the result of many experiences with men of his kind. His craving for alcohol was the equivalent, on a low level, of the spiritual thirst of our being for wholeness, expressed in medieval language: the union with God.*

How could one formulate such an insight in a language that is not misunderstood in our days? The only right and legitimate way to such an experience is that it happens to you in reality and it can only happen to you when you walk on a path which leads you to higher understanding. You might be led to that goal by an act of grace or through a personal and honest contact with friends, or through a higher education of the mind beyond the confines of mere rationalism. I see from your letter that Roland H. has chosen the second way, which was, under the circumstances, obviously the best one. I am strongly convinced that the evil principle prevailing in this world leads the unrecognized spiritual need into perdition, if it is not counteracted either by real religious insight or by the protective wall of human community. An ordinary man, not protected by an action from above and isolated in society, cannot resist the power of evil, which is called very aptly the Devil. But the use of such words arouses so many mistakes that one can only keep aloof from them as much as possible.

These are the reasons why I could not give a full and sufficient explanation to Roland H., but I am risking it with you because I conclude from your very decent and honest letter that you have acquired a point of view above the misleading platitudes one usually hears about alcoholism. You see, "alcohol" in Latin is "spiritus" and you use the same word for the highest religious experience as well as for the most depraving poison. The helpful formula therefore is: spiritus contra spiritum. Thanking you again for your kind letter I remain Yours sincerely C. G. Jung

Psychological And Spiritual
Two different domains of human existence Psychological Domain Relative Truth Relative to a particular individual in a particular circumstance Personal Meaning Interpersonal Relationships Domain-Form Content 8

CONTENT THOUGHTS BELIEFS FEELINGS MEMORIES Leads to: Motives Opinions
Positionalities

Psychological And Spiritual
Two different domains of human existence (continued) Spiritual Absolute Truth What is eternally true now and forever Beyond any particular viewpoint Direct realization of the ultimate Timeless Unconditional Love Domain-Emptiness Context 10

CONTEXT LOVE HUMILITY GRATITUDE POWER vs. FORCE

THE ZERO POINT FIELD “HUMAN BEINGS AND ALL LIVING THINGS ARE A COALESCENCE OF ENERGY IN A FIELD OF ENERGY CONNECTED TO EVERY OTHER THING IN THE WORLD. THIS PULSATING ENERGY FIELD IS THE CENTRAL ENGINE OF OUR BEING AND OUR CONSCIOUSNESS, THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA OF OUR EXISTENCE.” McTAGGART, “THE FIELD”, PROLOGUE

THE ZERO POINT FIELD THE FIELD IS OUR HEART, OUR BRAIN, OUR MEMORY AND MUST BE TAPPED INTO TO HEAL “IT IS THE ONLY REALITY.” EINSTEIN NEWTON, DESCARTES AND SCIENCE CANNOT EXPLAIN SUBJECTIVITY-THE REALM OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND SPIRITULITY WRONG PARADIGM

THE ZERO POINT FIELD PIONEERS OF QUANTUM PHYSICS TURNED TO PHILOSOPHY AND SPIRITUALITY TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY HAD FOUND PAULI- ARCHTYPES AND THE QABBALAH BOHR- TAO AND CHINESE PHILOSOPHY SCHRODINGER- HINDU PHILOSOPHY HEISENBERG- PLATONIC THEORY OF ANCIENT GREECE

THE ZERO POINT FIELD THEY HAD DISCOVERED THAT OUR INVOLVEMENT WITH MATTER WAS CRITICAL SUBATOMIC PARTICILES EXISTED IN ALL POSSIBLE STATES UNTIL OBSERVED BY US LIVING THINGS ARE PACKAGES OF QUANTUM ENERGY CONSTANTLY EXCHANGING INFORMATION WITH THE FIELD COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS HOLY SPIRIT LIFE FORCE

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
You can either know a particles position or momentum, but not both Any attempt to observe (measure) the electron alters it There is no such ting as an independent observer (objectivity) Intention influences outcome

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
“This is the primary significance of the uncertainty principle. At the subatomic level, we cannot observe anything without changing it. There is no such thing as an independent observer who can stand on the sidelines watching nature run its course without influencing it.” Gary Zukav

Left/Right Brain JILL BOLTE TAYLOR
Right Hemisphere-Parallel Processor Left Hemisphere-Serial Processor Communicate through the Corpus Collosum 300 million axonal fibers Each hemisphere thinks differently and care about different things

Right Hemisphere The Present Moment-Right here and now
Thinks in pictures and symbols Receives sensory information that allows us to understand what the moment feels like, smells like and tastes like Sensory collage Connects to the energy all around us We are energy beings connected to everything through the consciousness of our right hemisphere

Left Hemisphere Linear and methodical
All about the past and the future Takes the collage of the present moment and categorizes and organizes the informational details It then associates this information with what we have learned from the past and projects it into the future

Left Hemisphere Thinks in language
It is the ongoing chatter in the brain It is calculating intelligence (survival and gain) It says, “I am” This separates us from everything else The “Experiencer” Ego Animal brain heritage

Left/Right Brain If disconnected from the brain chatter that connects us to the outer world the mind is silent Lose the complications of the past and future and become overwhelmed by the peacefulness of the moment The more time we spend in the inner circuitry of our right hemisphere the more peace we project into the world

ORIGINS OF ADDICTIONS AND EMOTIONAL SICKNESS (SUFFERING)
BELIEF THAT OUR PERSONALITY IS THE ESSENCE OF WHO WE ARE BELIEF THAT HAPPINESS IS OUTSIDE THE SELF INABILITY TO STAY CONSCIOUSLY IN THE MOMENT PERSONAL AND MATERIAL ATTACHMENTS

ORIGINS OF ADDICTIONS AND EMOTIONAL SICKNESS (SUFFERING)
Think of the physical , biological brain as a large computer (hardware) Throughout life (especially early life) this computer is programmed with software Software (mind or Ego) consists of all of opinions, motives and positionalities that one possesses Each time you remove a software program you get closer to TRUTH (SELF)

BELIEF THAT OUR PERSONALITY IS THE ESSENCE OF WHO WE ARE
Notion of Original Sin creates idea that some original mistake causes later suffering Sense of guilt or of being wounded Victim/Perpetrator Victim/Survivor Have done something wrong in the past and now must suffer/be punished for it Guilt is one of the chief teaching techniques Try not to make mistakes to prove not bad Buddhism-problems are impermanent and seen as opportunities

BELIEF THAT OUR PERSONALITY IS THE ESSENCE OF WHO WE ARE
HINDUISM (ADVAITA VEDANTA) ONLY ONE REAL THING IN THE UNIVERSE ALL ELSE IS ILLUSION (“MAYA”) ATMAN=SOUL=SELF BRAHMAN=GOD ATMAN=BRAHMAN THE ESSENCE OF SELF IS GOD (IMMANENT) ESSENCE IS THE GIFT OF LIFE ENERGY

SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND HEALING
The more one is in touch with SELF The more SELF can constellate SELF in others THIS RECONTEXUALIZES PATIENT’S REALITY SO THEY EXPERIENCE HEALING ON A LEVEL THAT TRANSCENDS THE EGO (Source of all Suffering) THE COMPASSION OF THE PRESENCE (SELF) ALLOWS FOR THE FEELING OF LOVE PRODUCING PEACE WITHIN AND REMOVING INNER AGONY

BELIEF THAT HAPPINESS IS OUTSIDE THE SELF
TWO PROMISES OF THE EGO “Ego’s products are valuable because they have meaning” “Content is necessary for survival and IT WILL BRING HAPPINESS” SEEKS HAPPINESS OUTSIDE OF SELF HAPPINESS IS A PART OF ONE’S ESSENCE-IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE

INABILITY TO STAY CONSCIOUSLY IN THE MOMENT THE CONCEPT OF TIME
PAST PRESENT FUTURE GUILT FEAR

INABILITY TO STAY CONSCIOUSLY IN THE MOMENT
THE FARTHER AWAY ONE IS FROM THE MOMENT THE MORE THE SUFFERING FEAR (ANXIETY) IS GENERALLY ABOUT THE FUTURE GUILT AND SHAME (DEPRESSION) IS GENERALLY ABOUT THE PAST

PERSONAL AND MATERIAL ATTACHMENTS
BUDDHISM-ALL SUFFERING IS DUE TO ATTACHMENTS AND IGNORANCE ATTACHMENTS TO… PEOPLE THINGS (FOOD, DRUGS, WORK) ALCOHOL/DRUGS WORK

Power Principles of Alcoholics Anonymous
Avoids coercion (Force) “Easy Does It” “Live and Let Live” “First Things First” Respects Freedom Individual choice Neither endorses or opposes any cause Alcoholic must diagnose him or herself

"Lord, make me a channel of thy peace—that where there is hatred, I may bring love—that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness—that where there is discord, I may bring harmony—that where there is error, I may bring truth—that where there is doubt, I may bring faith—that where there is despair, I may bring hope—that where there are shadows, I may bring light—that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted—to understand, than to be understood—to love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. Amen." -Saint Francis of Assisi Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions page 99

Honors Power Patterns (Positive Attractors) Honesty Humility Responsibility Service Tolerance Goodwill Brotherhood

Avoids Moral Judgment (Negative Attractor) No Opinions No Motives No Positionalities Exerts No Control (Force) Charts a Path “If you practice these principles in all of your affairs, you will recover from this grave and progressive fatal illness, and regain your health, self-respect and the capacity to live a fruitful and fulfilling life for yourself and others.” CHAPTER 11, ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Power Is Based On.. Power of the Group Principles over Personalities Higher Power Service To Others Humility

ONLY 31 PAGES LATER THE BEDEVILMENTS ARE REPLACED BY THE PROMISES
THE BEDEVILMENTS (page 52) THE PROMISES (page 83) We were having trouble with personal relationships. We couldn't control our emotional natures. We were a prey to misery and depression. We couldn't make a living. We had a feeling of uselessness. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. We will comprehend the word serenity and we know peace. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.

ONLY 31 PAGES LATER THE BEDEVILMENTS ARE REPLACED BY THE PROMISES
THE BEDEVILMENTS (page 52) THE PROMISES (page 83) We were full of fear. We were unhappy. We couldn't seem to be of real help to other people. And, most of all, We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how your experience can benefit others. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

EGO FUNCTIONS: STRUCTURE OF THE EGO
Western Psychotherapy Need for strong ego Defined in terms of impulse control, self-esteem and competence in worldly functioning Eastern Psychology EGO as defensive self Unreal and unnecessary Egoless Free from the constraints of the ego Ego as transitional state

Composed of positionalities that set thinking mechanisms in motion Primordial Positionalities “Ideas are significant and important” Dualistic, “There are dividing lines between opposites” Value of authorship: “Thoughts are valuable because they are mine” Thinking is necessary for control, survival depends on control

TWO PREMISES “Ego’s products are valuable because they have meaning” “Content is necessary for survival and IT WILL BRING HAPPINESS”

Achilles Heel VANITY IT CANNOT PRODUCE SUSTAINED HAPPINESS

ENDLESS SUFFERING AND LOSS
EGO Source of ENDLESS SUFFERING AND LOSS 43

EGO UNHAPPINESS MARTYRDOM GUILT INJUSTICE BEING THE VICTIM
Feeds off of: UNHAPPINESS MARTYRDOM GUILT INJUSTICE BEING THE VICTIM

“In nonduality, in no one instant can any such thing as a ‘problem', 'conflict’ or ‘suffering’ occur. These all arise in anticipation of the next instant or recall of the past. The ego appears to be the product of fear, and its purpose is to control the next instant of experience and ensure its survival. It seems to vacillate between fear of the future and regret over the past..” Hawkins, The Eye of the I. Veritas, 2001, pg 19.

No such world exists EGO
EGO pictures a world that is a projection of its own illusions and positionalities No such world exists 46

Emptiness EMPTINESS Most is Space Suffering comes from ATTACHMENTS
Suffering comes from MISCONCEPTION EMPTINESS 47

Depression Sadness Loneliness
EMPTINESS Taught that it is bad and associated with Depression Sadness Loneliness 48

Emptiness Fill the EMPTINESS with: BUT IT DOES NOT WORK! Sex Food
Alcohol Drugs BUT IT DOES NOT WORK! 49

In Not Out Instead of going Out further, decide to go In
Sort through the layers in our “Mirror of Memory” (EGO) Back to EMPTINESS 50

We derive an answer based on our Personal Level of Awareness.
51

Personal Levels Of Awareness
Level One: Toxicity/Addiction Level Two: Early Recovery Level Three: Acceptance Level Four: On-going Recovery Level Five: Spiritual Transcendence Level Six: Early Life Developmental Trauma 52

FORMAT: Personal Levels Of Awareness
Level-What is the stage of addiction or recovery? Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous- What “steps” must be completed to move forward? “EGO”- What changes must occur in the way we see the world? Treatment Approaches- What approaches will help the client move to the next level? 53

Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous Step Zero-Willingness to change
54

Level One: Toxicity/Addiction
“EGO” Egosyntonic Narcissistic Lower Brain 55

Level One: Toxicity/Addiction
Treatment Approaches Understanding the Unconscious Mind Stages of Change Precontemplation Assessment and Education Motivational Interview Intervention Motivational Crisis Understanding Desire & Pride 56

Do Not Drink/Drug To ESCAPE
Neuroleptics will relieve anxiety but client will not call for a refill Percodan script brings different response Use to Connect “life of the party”

The Power To Get One “High”
Is the Power to create a “HIGH” in the DRUG or within You?

How Does Happiness End Up Nastiness?
At one time “I” created happiness Now “I’ say that the drug makes me happy When give power to the drug it reverses the energy field People become intoxicated to experience self Once they relearn it can be experienced directly there is little actual need for the drug Function of AA

How It Starts When I first found my DOC “Chased the high”
What caused this? Dopamine-Nucleus Accumbens Glutamate-Prefrontal Cortex Both transmitters in abundance Produced maximum pleasure and stimulation (energy) 60

As Addiction Progresses
Glutamate levels go down rapidly This interferes with cognitive functioning Cognitive functions (ex. Executive Functions) do not come back until 6-8 weeks into recovery-more with stimulants Provigil 61

Addiction As A Stress-Related Disorder
How is it addict’s brain different? Stress We don’t all face the same kinds of stress Genetics Chronic Severe Stress secondary to.. Early Life Trauma Rape Undiagnosed Mental Illness Living Conditions and Lifestyle 62

Chronic Severe Stress CRAVING
Elevates Corticotrophin-Releasing Factor (CRF) Precipitates chronic increase in cortisol Shuts down Prefrontal cortex Breaks dopamine system Down regulation=Anhedonia Midbrain takes control Survival Mode CRAVING

“You have to get something to make this better”-CRAVING
Add alcohol and/or drugs Alcohol and/or drugs become the central organizing principle Tagged as #1 coping mechanism DOPAMINE 64

REQUIRES LARGE AMOUNTS OF DOPAMINE
Hedonic Capacity Normal pleasure and normal release of dopamine doesn’t work DEFECT IS A STRESS-INDUCED DYSREGULATION OF THE BRAIN’S HEDONIC (REWARD) SYSTEM REQUIRES LARGE AMOUNTS OF DOPAMINE

What Creates Large Surges of Dopamine?
DRUGS ALCOHOL FOOD SEX RELATIONSHIPS GAMBLING RAGE & VIOLENCE OVER-WORK & OVER-EXERCISE

Desire Level of Addiction
Bondage and enslavement Worldly acquisition and ownership that can become insatiable (GREED) Compulsions Constant “craving” + emotion= “Need” Results in endless pursuit, depression, anxiety and manipulation seeking satisfaction 67

Desire Excessive Desire creates inner feelings of “lack” leads to…
Constant seeking Chronic dissatisfaction Feelings of being incomplete Inner feeling of “wanting” leads to Frustration Anxiety Greed Avarice 68

GREED Desire Origin is the hunger of the animal Seen as selfish
Desire to control others is an attachment Desire blocks the SELF GREED

Desire Alcohol and Drugs are the “right direction” but the “wrong method” HOW CAN ALCOHOL AND DRUGS CREATE A FEELING ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSCIOUSNESS LEVEL OF THE HIGH 500’s (JOY)? A/D block lower energy levels “High” is the radiance of “SELF” Drugs themselves calibrate at 75 Craving is for the high of JOY

Desire Wanting more and more but enjoying it less and less
Even the pleasure disappoints Residual sense of something “lacking” So we cling to “it” hoping that by possession we can complete the act But you can never fully possess Desire will no leave us alone Downside Frustration Envy Jealousy 71

Desire Great importance given to external objects
EGO becomes infatuated with it’s own projections There is a hopefulness about the human spirit that sometimes will not accept “no” Treatment Understanding that desire can be both an ally and a foe (TRUTH) Replace “wanting” and “lack” with choice and decision 72

Desire Treatment (continued) Grief process
Working the steps Grief of loss from childhood issues Cannot deny any aspect of self as its shadow will persist Desire involves a drive for transcendence Sublimate Desire as a natural response to the reality of suffering Desire is vitality, energy and motivation What is the individuals motivation at this level of recovery? 73

Desire Treatment (continued) Surrender desires to God as they arise
Identify positionalities and surrender them “And then what? “I will be happy.” Dedicate all action to God Recontextualize what was negative so that it becomes a positive in ones life

Pride Opposite of Shame
In both real worth is not a consideration Self-worth is secondary to effort (earned) and achievement As a spiritual defect.. Attitude or positionalities Arrogance applied to beliefs, thoughts A refusal to surrender to God Sees humility as inferiority and submission as humiliation

Pride Entitlement comes from unresolved infantile narcissistic egocentricity (“BABY”) Produces lack of remorse Justifies resentments Core of evil in our world Real or perceived slight can cause incredible rage As “spiritual Pride” creates a “better than” attitude such that it is now OK to hold Negative judgement

Pride Tenacious, rigidly defended and sometimes uncorrectable (ASPD). The more the entitlement the less the level of empathy. This attitude is basically psychotic as the inner grandiosity is delusional. ENTITLEMENT

Pride Inflated EGO is vulnerable to attack
Can be deflated into shame Positions must be defended High profile creates need for constant vigilance and defense Paranoia Pride fuels denial Arrogance, personal superiority and denial block ability to grow Creates personal “neediness”

Pride Need to be constantly admired may lead to depression
Image swings on success and failure Vulnerable to depression Pride=Self-Admiration Implies others are inferior “Specialness” triggers resentment in others Recovery is impossible because character defects are denied

Pride Dark side of Pride is fragile self-esteem Treatment
ENVY LEADS TO HATE COMPETITIVENESS LEADS TO MALICE JEALOUSY LEADS TO VINDICTIVENESS Treatment Understand that Pride is based on false assumptions of one’s worth (rather die than to admit wrong) Instead of attracting positive attention and admiration it provokes attack leading to prideful “rage” and vengeance

Pride Treatment (continued)
Humility is necessary for most cases of self-deception Humility and integrity over self-deception Acknowledging God and not one’s EGO can result in gratitude Humility and acceptance leads to inner peace Seeing pride as a defect Exploit vulnerability-”Has it bought you happiness”

Inscription on the Desk Plaque of Dr. Bob
Humility is perpetual quietness of the heart. It is to have no trouble. It’s never to be fretted or vexed, irritable or sore. To wonder at nothing that is done to me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in myself, where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my father in secret. Where I can be at peace, as in a deep sea of calmness when all around and about is seeming trouble.

SEVEN DEADLY SINS These considerations were taken from pages 48, 49, 66 & 67 of the Twelve and Twelve The bold type presents definitions from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. PRIDE: An over high opinion of oneself; exaggerated self-esteem; conceit, arrogance, vanity, self-satisfaction. Have I been so proud that I’ve been scorned (disrespected) as a braggart (bragger)? Have I acted prideful, consciously or unconsciously out of fear? Have I used pride to justify my excesses in my sex conduct? Do I like to feel and act superior to others?

SEVEN DEADLY SINS GREED: Excessive desire for acquiring or having; desire for more than one needs or deserves. Have I been so greedy that I’ve been or could be labeled a thief? Do I long for the possessions of others out of fear of not getting enough? Do I let greed masquerade as ambition? LUST: To feel an intense desire, especially sexual desire; to long: after or for. Have I been lustful enough to rape, if not physically what about in my mind? Do I fear I will never have the sex relations I need? Do I have sex excursions that have been dressed up in dreams or delusions of romance?

SEVEN DEADLY SINS ANGER: A strong feeling excited by a real or supposed injury; often accompanied by a desire to take vengeance, or to obtain satisfaction from the offending party; resentment; wrath. Have I been angry enough to murder? Do I get angry out of fear when my instinctive demands are threatened? Have I enjoyed self-righteous anger in the fact that many people annoy me and that makes me superior to them? Have I enjoyed gossiping as a polite form of murder by character assassination? GLUTTONY: One who eats too much. One with a great capacity for something; as, a glutton for work. Have I been gluttonous enough to ruin my health? Do I grab for everything I can, fearing I’ll never have enough? Do I bury myself in my work, hobbies or activities?

SEVEN DEADLY SINS ENVY: To resent another for excellence or superiority in any way, and to be desirous of acquiring it. Do I agonized over the chronic (persistent or recurring) pain of envy? Does seeing the ambitions of others materialize make me fear that mine haven’t? Do I suffer from never being satisfied with what I have? Have I spent more time wishing for what others have than working towards them? SLOTH: Disinclination to action or labor; sluggishness; habitual indolence; laziness, idleness; slowness; delay. Have I been paralyzed by sloth? Do I get alarmed with fear at the prospect of work? Do I work hard with no better motive than to be secure and slothful later on? Do I loaf and procrastinate? Do I work grudgingly and under half steam?

Level Two: Early Recovery
Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 1st Step- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-that our lives had become unmanageable. 2nd Step- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity 87

Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 1st Step- Coming out of denial Powerless over the Truth Truth reverses the energy field 2nd Step- Need something more powerful than ego

“EGO” Hopeless Fear (Anger) Narcissism Narcissistic Denial 89

Treatment Approaches Management of Hopelessness Fear (Anger) Narcissism Craving Management Postacute Withdrawal Syndrome Restitution of Health Sponsorship and Home Group 90

Hopeless Cannot help themselves
Apathy No hope-no need to try (to make contact) Anhedonic and/or depressed Reduced monoamines 91

Hopeless Treatment Need energy from outside Love and carefrontation
Gender differences Therapeutic relationship Friendship 92

Fear Not from loss of drug but from loss of high energy “state”
What is sought is sought by everyone Fact is alcohol/drugs don’t work Don’t need to change directions just means Find high energy state within yourself

Treatment Of Fear (Anger)
Want energy but not feeling Disassemble Physical symptoms Can you handle them? Emotional symptoms Not experiencing fear just a bunch of symptoms “Fear is not you, it is just a symptom 94

Treatment Of Fear (Anger)
“You are bigger than your fears.” Anger and other outward expressions of fear represents a need to control what feels unmanageable PARADOX “Your fear and anger give people control over you” Vertical Integration of the brain “When you lose the fear of fear the world cannot control you!” 95

Fear (Anger) Worry, panic, anxiety and/or anger
Projections into the future “How will I change People, Places and Things?” “What’s in it for me?” “Without alcohol and drugs my life has no meaning?” Strategies to avoid fear keep us stuck in fear Locus of control still external 96

Treatment of Fear (Anger)
“I will lose my job” “And then what?” If you keep asking this question you will ultimately arrive at a fear of death. Answer is SURRENDER to God and Recontextualization of death Buddha said “There is no death” “Life Ever After”

Level Three: Acceptance
Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 3rd Step- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him. 4th Step- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5th Step- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 98

Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 3rd Step- Willingness to surrender (turn over) pain and suffering (hell) moves one up the energy field Opens a space for the “Grace of God’ “AA is the language of the heart” (Bill W) 5th Step- Capacity and attractiveness for self-destruction removed Self –hatred turns to mild regret

“EGO” Power is internalized/Ego deflated Non-judgmental Does not seek to control or change Can see and accept limitations Result of wisdom Surrendering positions Transcending perceptual distortion 100

Acceptance “And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation-some fact of my life-unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God’s world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy.” Big Book, pg 417 new edition, pg 449, old edition

Treatment Approach Guilt and Remorse Moral Inventory Internalization of Personal Power 102

Guilt-”I DID SOMETHING BAD”
Comes later and is language based and less visceral than shame Related to unacceptable behavior Consequence of the memory of regretted past actions as they are recalled Equates former self that “was” with current self that “is” Feelings of loss (youth, money, etc.) 103

Excessive Guilt And Remorse
Form of narcissism Allows “self” to be exaggerated, blown up, and the hero of tragedy Feeds the EGO The EGO blames and is a defective compass Error is inflated instead of being relinquished to a Higher Power 104

The EGO Hate is the Ego's “juice” (pay off)
It loves suffering a perceived wrong, being the martyr, being misunderstood-the endless victim Stockpiles grievances and is full of self-pity Pay off is “center stage” and sympathy Must choose forgiveness over hate True self is immune to falsehood 105

Treatment Of Guilt Guilt as opposed to lack there of (ASPD)
Humility-admitting one’s errors “My guilt stems from pride and I should not have said that to you.” We did the best we could with what we had at the time given the circumstances Reframe What did we learn from the experience? 106

Treatment Of Guilt To transcend Change context
Who you were Who you are now Who you will become if you stay the path See as part of learning and development & therefore unavoidable maybe even critical Make amends Pray to have shortcomings removed Self-forgiveness, humility and acceptance of limits Confession, moral inventory, forgiveness, renewal, rededication of our lives (no secrets) 107

Taking A Moral Inventory
First understand one’s conscience and how it works (SET INTENTION) Self-critical and perfectionistic or…. Keep you on the path Conscience should act benignly (AS TEACHER NOT PUNISHER) in the process Self-blame will increase guilt and shame Character defects are intrinsic to the ego which does not have the capacity to know the truth Accept one’s limitations in the service of humility 108

Taking A Moral Inventory
First approach from the side of the SUPER EGO (CONSCIENCE) Before uncovering unconscious material be aware that super ego houses self-hatred and guilt SUICIDE Remember the ID-deep layer of the unconscious thinks in extremes and uses extreme symbolism It doesn’t just hate but wishes to kill

Treatment Of Guilt Good deeds, selfless service and service work
Help remove character defects Dealing with unrealistic expectations Understanding the difficulty inherent in the human condition 110

Level Four: On-going Recovery
Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 6th Step- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 7th Step- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. “LETTING GO STEPS” 111

Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 8th Step- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 9th Step- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 112

Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous STEPS 6-9 Action Steps to help undo what damage we can without creating further harm

“EGO” Higher Mind Moral Ethical Motives, Opinions, and Positionalities Integrity- Not Self-service Reason and Logic Love (conditional) 114

Treatment Bringing the Prefrontal Cortex Fully on Line Utilizing Plasticity Enhancing Complexity Motives, Opinions and Positionalities Mindfulness 115

Level Four: On-Going Recovery
Bringing The Prefrontal Cortices Fully Back on Line A BETTER PARENT A BETTER PERSON A BETTER CITIZEN Becoming 116

Bringing the Prefrontal Cortices Fully Back on Line
Dorsolateral Prefrontal cortex Orbitofrontal Cortex Anterior Cingulate Cortex Therapist task-optimize plasticity 117

The Prefrontal Cortices
Coordinate the many brain activities needed to utilize: Executive Functions Set goals Make plans to attain those goals Organize steps to carry out the plans Ensure that desired outcomes are achieved Conscience Pursue Reward Within the Law 118

Bringing the Prefrontal Cortices Fully Back on Line
PFC plastic especially between 0-5 and years of age Developmental delays occur secondary to early life trauma and early onset alcohol/drug abuse. Treatment Positive role models (Sponsor) Surrogate family (Home Group) “Growing Up In AA” 119

Motives, Opinions and Positionalities (EGO)
To Feel Good by restoring self-esteem Put others down Enjoy others difficulties 120

Highly valued by the EGO Basically Worthless Vanities Without Intrinsic Value Emotionally charged leading to STRIFE DISSENT ARGUEMENT 121

Source of all MISERY, FEARS AND UNHAPPINESS Every position is inherently flawed “Sounded Good at the Time” 122

Treatment Understand the motives of the EGO Continue on the spiritual path toward SELF The SELF is All That Is Humility We are not capable of knowing anything To know is to be that which is known All else is speculation and supposition Forgiveness 123

Mindfulness Most people in therapy are preoccupied with the past and future Suffering increases as we move from the present Mindfulness is not trying to change anything but involves observing the mind, body and emotions the way they are “BE”

Mindfulness “BE” or unawareness (automatic pilot)
Mindfulness practice reveals Energy spent on daydreaming, anticipating, planning, worrying, fantasizing (EGO) Unawareness leads to engaging in the insanity of life (doing the same thing over and over) Mindful “body scan”

Level Five: Spiritual Transcendence
Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 10th Step- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. 11th Step- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. 127

Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 10th Step- Self-correction turns into a “way of life” Self-purification 11th Step- Increasing connectivity to that which is already happening (Love and Divinity) Over and above what got from alcohol/drug

12th Step- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all of our affairs No changing of mind as now committed to the course 129

“NO EGO” FORGIVING NURTURING SUPPORTIVE Small self to BIG SELF LOVE 130

Love is not something you do it is what you are Emanates from the heart Love is inclusive-unconditional It focus on the goodness in life 131

Road From the small self to SELF
WILL Relatively steady and unchanging Seat from which progress thru consciousness to transcendence occurs Seat of POWER Direct contact with Holy Spirit Where form and formless meet

Spiritual Will TOOLS HUMILITY LOVE

REFRAMES UNDERSTANDING
Spiritual Will REFRAMES UNDERSTANDING DISSOLVES DUALITY

Spiritual Will Duality is source of all suffering SELF Dissolves self

SELF Small self BIG SELF Vulnerable to flattery
Aligns with weak or negative attractor patterns BIG SELF Humble and grateful Aligns with strong attractor energy 136

Road From the small self to SELF
FORMLESS SELF Love Devotion Gratitude Humility Inspiration Faith FORM Self Ideas Thoughts Memories Conflicts Images Revenge

Road From small self To BIG SELF
Internal ladder to success What you “have” that counts Status, wealth and belongings What one “does” that counts Position and activities What one has “become” secondary to life experiences that counts “Charismatic Presence” 138

Road From small self To BIG SELF
Sense of self is identified as consciousness itself (Enlightenment) “Oneness” A condition of infinite Power (vs. Force), infinite compassion, infinite gentleness and infinite love “Higher Power” Elimination of self as finite 139

Unconditional Love Goal of most spiritually committed persons
Requires close adherence to well established spiritual disciplines From “Saying The Prayer” to “Being The Prayer” 140

References

Mutual Support Groups Women for Sobriety -- SOS -- SMART Recovery -- LifeRing Secular Recovery --

Mutual Support Groups Fundamentalist Christian MSGs like Alcoholics Victorious ( and Christians in Recovery For Moslems we have:(

Mutual Support Groups Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA) at dual recovery program for Wiccans Faces and Voices of Recovery (FaVoR) maintains an MSG section at

UK AA PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Nuckols Books and Tapes

C.C. Nuckols cnuckols@elitecorp.org Discovery To Recovery: Science, spirituality & 12-step facilitated recovery 1.

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