Week 1
Introduction to the "How It Works" Program of Recovery
If you have the disease called alcoholism, it demands to be treated daily. Treating alcoholism with addictions and resentments has increasingly harmful and even fatal side effects. Treating alcoholism with a spiritual answer has only positive and healthy side effects.
The How It Works Group Program of Recovery is the result of years of helping those who suffer from the disease of alcoholism. All are welcome that are afflicted by alcoholism—that is everyone. Let everyone decide for himself or herself if they want to be here.
The Roots of Recovery
On page 263 in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, you can read about the Oxford Group and the original 6 tenets that the 12 steps of AA originated from. The Oxford Group explains that the first step of the program is the deflation of ego. This is the experience of the How It Works group: that the ego is the last to go and the first to come back.
In the forward to the second edition, the Oxford Group's 75% recovery rate is explained by stating that, of alcoholics who came to AA and really tried, 50% got sober at once and remained that way. 25% sobered up after some relapses, and among the remainder, those who stayed on with AA showed improvement. How It Works believes that if our program is followed the way it is designed, it will provide a 100% recovery rate—a guaranteed answer for all those who suffer from alcoholism.
The Problem vs. The Solution
The How It Works group program presents the 12 steps in a most unique and effective manner, designed to provide newcomers with the tools needed to immediately stop the destructive effects of our thoughts and actions. This will then allow the alcoholic time and clarity to complete the 12 steps required to produce the psychic change for long-term recovery.
Jails, hospitals, and mental wards are full of people who suffer from this abnormal state of mind and body. The divorce rate is climbing, and homelessness is at an all-time high. People with long-term sobriety without a solid answer of recovery are turning to suicide as the only way to treat their mental illness.
Sober, it is apparent that drugs and alcohol are not the problem. They were the answer to treating this abnormal mind. The problem is our thinking—a mental illness called alcoholism. The How It Works Group program of recovery is designed to help you, through the process of the steps, experience the deflation of ego, and give you the tools to stop reacting poorly to life so you can be of real service to those around you.
The Concept of "Playing Dead"
First, we will present the concept of playing dead. This concept is single-handedly the most effective way to stop from creating more destruction and harm. This concept will help you to stop reacting to everything that goes through your mind, whether it be fancied or real.
The term or principle "play dead" has become a vital part of How It Works Group's members' program of recovery from alcoholism. We must play dead to recover from an abnormal mind and body that constantly looks for the negative and makes everything about us. The Big Book states very clearly that resentments are the number one offender and kill more alcoholics than anything else. When playing dead, we have no resentments.
Just ask yourself: how would the world get along if you weren't in it? If we are truly honest about the wreckage of our alcoholic past, the answer is: not bad. In fact, now that I'm thinking about it, most everyone would be better off. From this realization, we must start approaching life and its problems by giving rather than taking. We ask ourselves, "How can I be of help here?" rather than "What can I get?"
By playing dead, we don't take anything personally. After all, you wouldn't take anything personally if you were dead, would you? We bring this attitude into our homes, work, and social life. Addictions and resentments go away temporarily, but the abnormal state of mind and body is permanent, so we need a permanent answer to treat this permanent illness.
Playing dead helps you respond to life with the principles of patience, tolerance, consideration, respect, kindness, and love. We become a listener when playing dead, and we will see a much clearer reality without being blinded by judgment or prejudice with our eyes closed and our minds open.
Immediate Action: Steps 10 and 11
Next, we will start the steps with Steps 10 and 11. Step 10 is a tool you can use immediately to clean up any situation you create during the day, on the spot, so that there is less to clean up later. When we are wrong, promptly admitted it and straightened it out.
Step 11 will provide you a morning meditation to set the tone for your day and an evening meditation so you can get things straightened out prior to ending your day. Again, we are trying to prevent another path from being created. These are action steps, so take action. Remember, we do this every day.
Step 10: The Daily Reprieve
"Continue to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it."
Growth: We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime.
Watchfulness: Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code.
The Reprieve: We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities. "How can I best serve Thee? Thy will, not mine, be done."
God-Consciousness: If we have carefully followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow of His Spirit into us. To some extent, we have become God-conscious. We have begun to develop this vital 6th sense. But we must go further, and that means more action.
Step 11: Prayer and Meditation
Nightly Review (When we retire at night):
Was I angry or resentful today?
Was I selfish today?
Was I dishonest today?
Was I afraid today?
Do I owe an apology today?
Was I kind and loving toward all today?
Have I kept something to myself that should be discussed with another person at once?
Was I thinking of myself most of the time, or was I thinking of what I could do for others?
Did I drift into worry, remorse, or morbid reflections of the past today?
After making a review, have I asked God's forgiveness?
Have I inquired what corrective measures should be taken?
Morning Planning (On awakening):
Ask God to direct my thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives.
Ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. Relax and take it easy; don't struggle.
Conclude with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, and for freedom from self-will.
Moving Forward
As we go through each step, please note that Step 1 is the result of the deflation of ego. Step 5 will be completed with a qualified person (the book recommends a priest, minister, or rabbi). Step 9 involves suggestions and assistance from experienced group members, as we do not want to continue to harm others or ourselves.
While the steps can be completed, the treatment for the disease of alcoholism will never be completed.
Step 12: Unlike the early days, 12-step calls nowadays are rare. 12-step work is now done in meetings and support of the meetings by attendance and contribution. It's vital for the program's success. Being born with this disease of alcoholism is not your fault; however, you are responsible for treating it.
Homework
Reread what we have just read.
Read the preface and the four forewords.
Read pages 86, 87, and 88 every morning and night, and do what it says.
Daily Readings