A Gentle Path through the Twelve Steps: The Classic Guide for All People in the Process of Recovery

by Patrick J Carnes Ph.D

Overview

A revised and expanded edition of the recovery classic by Patrick Carnes, PhD, a leading expert on addictive behaviors.

It was out of his reverence and respect for the wisdom and therapeutic value of the Twelve Steps that Carnes wrote A Gentle Path through the Twelve Steps, now a recovery classic and self-help staple for anyone looking for guidance for life's hardest challenges.

Hundreds of thousands of people have found in this book a personal portal to the wisdom of the Twelve Steps. With updated and expanded concepts and a focus on the spiritual principles that lead to lifelong growth and fulfillment, Carnes's new edition invites a fresh generation of readers to the healing and rewarding experience of Twelve Step recovery.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781592858439
Publisher:	Hazelden Publishing
Publication date:	04/13/2012
Pages:	340
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Patrick J. Carnes, PhD, is an internationally known authority and speaker on addiction and recovery issues. He has authored over twenty books including the bestselling titles Out of the Shadows: Understanding Addiction Recovery, Betrayal Bond, Don’t Call It Love, A Gentle Path Through the Twelve Steps, and A Gentle Path through the Twelve Principles.

Dr. Carnes’ research provides the architecture for the “task model” of treating addictions that is used by thousands of therapists worldwide and many well-known treatment centers, residential facilities, and hospitals. He founded IITAP (International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals), which provides CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist) training and certification as well as cutting-edge information for addiction professionals. Dr. Carnes currently serves as a Senior Fellow and Executive Director for the Gentle Path Program at The Meadows in Wickenburg, Arizona.

For more information on his work and contributions: www.patrickcarnes.com. You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter: @drpatrickcarnes

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Updated and Expanded Edition 1

Introduction to the First Edition 5

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 6

The Neuroscience of Recovery 7

Working the Program 15

Step One 27

Affirmations 30

Consequences Inventory 32

Family Tree and Addiction 37

Addiction History 42

Abuse Checklist 51

Step One for Addicts 62

Step One for Coaddicts 81

First Step Lessons 103

Reflections on the First Step 109

The Recovering Brain 111

Celebrating Your Progress 112

Steps Two and Three 113

Spiritual Care Inventory 115

Loss-of-Reality Inventory 127

Paths to Spirituality 134

Spirituality Affirmations 156

One-Year-to-Live Fantasy 159

Letter to Your Higher Power 168

Reflections on the Second and Third Steps 169

Steps Four and Five 173

Fourth Step Inventories 177

Avoiding Personal Responsibility 177

Taking Personal Responsibility 180

Misuse of Anger 183

Positive Expression of Anger 187

Paralyzed by Fear 190

Respect for Fear 193

Falling into Self-sabotage 196

Taking Healthy Risks 200

Shameful Events 203

Pride in Your Achievements 206

Losses and Painful Events 210

Learning from Sadness 213

Beliefs about Your Unworthiness 216

Self-hatred 220

Self-affirmations 223

Reflections on the Fourth Step 225

Sharing Step Five: Suggestions for the Turning Point 226

Fifth Step Reconciliation Rite 229

Reflections on the Fifth Step 231

Steps Six and Seven 233

Affirmations 235

Step Six: Removing Character Defects 238

Seventh Step Meditation 240

Personal Craziness Index 243

Part 1 Preparation 243

Part 2 Recording Your PCI 249

Part 3 Interpretation of the PCI 251

Part 4 PCI Meditation 252

When Crises Occur-Acknowledge the Chaos 254

Reflections on the Sixth and Seventh Steps 256

Steps Eight and Nine 259

Record of Those Harmed and Amends Made 263

The Healer Within 268

Meditation 273

Affirmations 279

Reflections on the Eighth and Ninth Steps 281

Step Ten 285

Partial, Convenient, and Inconvenient Recovery 286

Balanced Equations: A Ten-Day Exercise for Steps Ten and Eleven 289

Creating a Life of Congruence 290

Day 1 Happiness = Satisfaction/Desires 292

Day 2 Growth = Change/Stability 294

Day 3 Serenity = Boundaries/Options 296

Day 4 Peace of Mind = Known to Others/Known to Self 298

Day 5 Reality = Light Side/Dark Side 300

Day 6 Achievement = Vision/Plan 302

Day 7 Intimacy = Fidelity to Self/Fidelity to Others 304

Day 8 Productivity = Being/Doing 306

Day 9 Health = Awareness/Practice 308

Day 10 Spirituality = Mortality/Meaning 310

Daily Tenth Step Inventory 312

Affirmations 313

Reflections on the Tenth Step 315

Step Eleven 317

Spiritual Quest Planning Sheet 320

Spiritual Quest Debriefing 321

Reflections on the Eleventh Step 323

Step Twelve 325

Twelfth Step Guide Affirmations 327

Sobriety Worksheets 329

Gifts of the Spirit 334

Beginning Again 335

Reflections on the Twelfth Step 338

Epilogue: Getting This Far 341

Appendices 343

A The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous 343

B A Guide for Group Use 345

C The Wisdom of the Big Books 351

D Suggested Readings 355

E Twelve Step Support Group Information 359

F Recovery Resources from Dr. Patrick Carnes and Associates 367

Notes 369

About the Author 371

Editorial Reviews

"A treasure chest, a rich and powerful resource for anyone working a Twelve Step program."
--Wendy Maltz, MSW

"This book emphasizes the common themes at the heart of all Twelve Step fellowships and offers an especially clear explanation of what 'working the program' means."
--Claudia Black, PhD

From the Publisher