David A. – Big Book – NA Only Promise Workshop – 2014

About This Speaker Tape

Two speakers, David A. and David S., dismantle the idea that recovery is a sales pitch for a perfect life, arguing instead that the only guaranteed promise is freedom from active addiction. David A. maps out his history as a 'scout'—someone who entered the rooms multiple times only to give the gift back through a series of bottoms that left him homeless and penniless

. He describes the grit of 'rolling up your sleeves' to move past the hidden agenda of simply wanting his car and job back so he could use drugs successfully. David S. cuts through the noise of 'recovery by osmosis,' admitting to a history of domestic violence and a 'clean horse thief' mentality where he stayed sober but remained an angry, unmanageable man

. He traces his journey from 'Angry D.' to a man currently wrestling with gambling and a fixation on women, emphasizing that the work of the Fourth Step is about feelings and defects, not just drugs.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Opening Serenity Prayer and convention house rules.
• 5:15 David A. discusses the 'bondage of a disease' and his initial resistance to surrender.
• 10:20 David A. describes the 'scout' phase and the cycle of giving the gift of recovery back.
• 16:45 Laughter: David A. mocks the 'sales pitch' of recovery promising a suburban life with 2.6 children.
• 22:10 David A. talks about the 'Hulk Syndrome' and the danger of disconnecting from the fellowship.
• 31:00 David A. emphasizes that 'mouth must match my feet' in sponsorship.
• 42:15 David S. introduces himself and discusses the 'fourth her' (a former boss) who got rid of him.
• 51:30 David S. shares his history as 'Angry Dave' and his experience with domestic violence.
• 58:40 David S. discusses the 'clean horse thief' concept and the need for Steps 6 and 7.
• 1:05:10 David S. admits to gambling addiction and financial unmanageability.
• 1:15:20 David S. describes his experience with the 'batterers group' and the 'permission' to use.
• 1:24:00 Closing thoughts on 'working the steps or dying' and final Serenity Prayer.