In the year 1935, Bill Wilson (Bill W) and Dr. Robert Smith (Dr. Bob) founded the most famous program for Alcoholics that we know today as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). Over the last century, Many other 12 step programs have been created from the AA roots including; NA (Narcotics Anonymous), OA (Overeaters Anonymous), GA (Gamblers Anonymous), ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics), CODA (Codependents Anonymous), etc. Though each addictive behavior may be different in manifestation, All the Anonymous programs have a focal point in common; The 12 steps.

The original 12 steps center around admitting your powerlessness over whatever the addiction is in your life. As the steps progress, they discuss turning life around to your higher power, taking an inventory & admitting your defects, making amends and then giving away to others what was freely given to you. Recently, a parody of the 12 steps was written from “The Grapevine” and are called the 12 steps of Relapse & the 12 signs of Spiritual Awakening as listed below.  After reading, take an inventory to see if you can identify with 12 steps of relapse. If so, & you need some guidance on how to find your way to the 12 signs of spiritual awakening, call 1-201-488-6678 today!

The 12 steps of Relapse:

  1. I declare my complete control over alcohol and everything else; and further declare that my life is in perfect order.
  2. I recognize no power as great as I am; nor any person as smart as I am, and if you don’t like it come outside.
  3. I made a decision to run my life and everyone else’s life to suit only me – and I pity those who get in my way.
  4. I make a searching and through inventory of everyone other than myself – and find them woefully lacking in all respects; and I never hesitate to tell them so.
  5. I admitted to no one, including, God and Myself, that there could possibly be anything wrong with me, or my actions.
  6. I went to extreme efforts to protect and increase my defects of character-and did a little drinking besides.
  7. I continued my obnoxious arrogant air of asking no one for anything-my Big Eye was for telling, not asking.
  8. I kept a complete list of all persons who had harmed me, either real or imaginary, and swore to get even with them all.
  9. I got even where possible, except when to do so might injure me.
  10. I continued to whine about everything to everyone and, when I was right, promptly reminded them.
  11. I sought through scheming and conniving to materially improve myself – at the expense of my fellow man. I ever hesitate, when the opportunity presents itself, to bring disaster and misery to anyone who happens to cross my path.
  12. Having had a complete moral, physical, financial and spiritual breakdown, all of my remaining effort was directed toward dragging those near me – and dear to me – down to these same depths of despair; And I did a little drinking too.

12 Signs of a Spiritual Awakening

1.An increased tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.

2.Frequent attacks of smiling.

3. Feelings of being connected with others and nature.

4. Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation.

5. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past experience.

6. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

7. A loss of ability to worry.

8. A loss of interest in conflict.

9. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.

10. A loss of interest in judging others.

11. A loss of interest in judging self.

12. Gaining the ability to love without expecting anything in return.

 

If you would like to learn more about the steps and spiritual awakening, call Specialized Therapy Associates at 201-488.6678.