A Gentle Path through the Twelve Principles: Living the Values Behind the Steps

by Patrick J. Carnes

Overview

Renowned addiction expert Patrick Carnes, PhD, author of A Gentle Path through the Twelve Steps, outlines twelve guiding principles to help those in recovery develop an essential skill set for life.

Renowned addiction expert Patrick Carnes, PhD, author of A Gentle Path through the Twelve Steps, outlines twelve guiding principles to help those in recovery develop an essential skill set for life.

Twelve Steps. Twelve Traditions. And yes, Twelve Principles. The Steps outline the actions that lead to extraordinary healing. The Traditions exist as guides to the functioning of the Fellowship. Embedded in both is a series of Principles by which to measure your progress.

Anyone who lives a Twelve Step way of life will recognize the principles passed on in A Gentle Path through the Twelve Principles. They have existed among fellowships as a hidden curriculum of fundamental truths about recovery for decades, but never before have they been distilled into a succinct set of values that, when practiced, help each of us to develop an essential skill set for life. The principles--such universal touchstones for human self-realization as acceptance, awareness, responsibility, openness, honesty, courage, commitment, and meaning--are concepts that enable a deep inner study and focus to make a new life happen in recovery.

Recovery means reengineering your life with a focus on renewal. The Twelve Principles are designed to help you get there.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781592859979
Publisher:	Hazelden Publishing
Publication date:	06/12/2012
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	280
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Patrick J. Carnes, PhD, is the founder of the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) and Gentle Path Press. His extensive background in the field of addiction therapy led Dr. Carnes to develop multiple cutting-edge recovery programs aimed at treating addictive disorders. He serves as executive director of the Gentle Path Program, a residential treatment program for sexual addiction in Hattiesburg, Miss.

With more than 30 years in the sexual addiction treatment field, Dr. Carnes continues to spread his extensive knowledge as a speaker, presenter and interview subject. His assessment tools and related materials deliver an unprecedented approach to addiction recovery for practitioners of addiction treatment and sexual addicts.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction: From Steps and Rules to Principles and Recipes 1

Prologue: The Neuroscience Behind the Twelve Principles 9

Part I Making Sense 17

1 Principle One: Acceptance: What are my limits? 21

2 Principle Two: Awareness: How do I know what is real? 43

3 Principle Three: Spirituality: Am I loveable to God and others? 59

4 Principle Four: Responsibility: Who am I? 77

5 Principle Five: Openness: How do I trust? 101

Part II Creating Congruence 119

6 Principle Six: Honesty: What must improve? 121

7 Principle Seven: Courage: What risks must I take? 147

8 Principle Eight: Commitment: How am I responsible? 163

9 Principle Nine: Responsiveness: What is integrity? 179

Part III Growing Vision 193

10 Principle Ten: Trust: How do I live not knowing outcomes? 195

11 Principle Eleven: Meaning: What is the purpose of my life? 209

12 Principle Twelve: Generativity: How do I pass it on? 227

Part IV Living Into the Principles 245

13 The Twelve Principles Day by Day 247

14 Problem Solving with the Twelve Principles 253

Epilogue 263

Appendices 265

A Twelve Steps with Twelve Principles 265

B Twelve Step Support Group Information 267

C Recovery Resources from Dr. Patrick Carnes and Associates 271

Bibliography 273

About the Author 277