Step Workshop – Part 2 of 3 – 2022 – Mark T.

About This Speaker Tape

Mark T. - Step Workshop - 2022

A three-part illness—physical allergy mental obsession and spiritual malady—is the framework Mark T. uses to strip away the 'war stories' of recovery. He argues that while trauma exists the root of the wreckage is a lethal dose of selfishness and self-centeredness. Mark describes his own history as a chronic relapser who spent $50,000 on treatment and counselors only to find that meetings alone didn't treat his alcoholism. He emphasizes a 'vigorous action' approach to the steps rejecting the idea of waiting a year to sponsor others. The narrative moves from the hopelessness of the physical craving to the 'contract' of the Third Step prayer: Higher Power removes the difficulties and in exchange Mark helps the Higher Power's kids. He warns that the spiritual malady is a permanent itch that returns the moment a person becomes complacent in their sobriety.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Mark T. sets the ground rules: this is a 12-step recovery meeting, not a formal AA meeting.
• 10:15 Mark T. discusses his history as a chronic relapser and the cost of failed treatment centers.
• 18:40 Explanation of the 'physical allergy' and the phenomenon of craving.
• 28:10 Laughter: Discussion on the 'strange mental blank spot' and the loss of power of choice.
• 36:20 Mark T. defines the 'spiritual malady' and the feeling of being uncomfortable in one's own skin.
• 45:10 The 'Three-Part Solution' triangle: Unity, Recovery, and Service.
• 55:30 Exercise on creating a Higher Power for atheists and agnostics.
• 68:15 The 'AA punch in the face': identifying selfishness and self-centeredness as the root cause.
• 75:40 Action Step: The group performs the Third Step prayer from their knees.
• 84:20 Discussion on the speed of working the steps and the example of Dr. Bob.