Steps 1, 3, 4 and 5 – Mad Dog Recovery AA Speakers Workshop – Part 1 of 2 – 1997 – Mark H.

About This Speaker Tape

Mad Dog Recovery AA Speakers Workshop - 1997

A Motel 6 in Irving Texas becomes the backdrop for Mark H.'s collapse into self-will. Despite nine years of sobriety he describes a spiral of depression and financial ruin driven by a delusional belief that he could quit his career to become a construction millionaire. He frames his recovery not as a linear path but as a constant battle against the 'reconstruction of the ego,' arguing that long-term sobriety is often killed by the righteousness of old-timers. Mark H. details a recent rigorous return to the first nine steps with friends Troy and Andy emphasizing that the spiritual life is an experiment not a theory. He warns that without a revolutionary spiritual experience the real alcoholic is destined to die and he treats the Big Book's first 174 pages as the only valid map for survival.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Opening moment of silence and Serenity Prayer.
• 2:15 Mark H. discusses the danger of living off an old inventory and the 'reconstruction of the ego'.
• 6:40 The Motel 6 collapse: Mark H. describes his delusional attempt to become a construction millionaire.
• 11:20 Laughter: Mark H. discusses the arrogance of doing a fifth step with a newcomer.
• 15:45 Discussion of the 'seven step prayer' and the necessity of making direct amends.
• 22:10 Mark H. emphasizes the 'AA Message' found in the first 174 pages of the Big Book.
• 31:00 Analysis of the 'no mental defense' concept and the stove burner metaphor.
• 38:15 The 'vulture' metaphor for fear and the feeling of uselessness.
• 45:30 Step 3 decision: The difference between what we 'want' and what we 'need'.
• 52:10 The 'shrine' of alcohol and the argument that inventory is actually fun.