Hello Step Writing Group,
I want to give you all an update and summary of where we are at in working through the steps. As agreed, we are continuing with chapters 6 “Step Zero” and 7 “Getting Sober” at least through January. We will take a group conscience this Saturday Jan 28 in regards to moving on to Step one or spending some more time building our sobriety foundation with step zero.
I have not had the opportunity to complete the reflection questions I wanted to post last week, and since it is already Wed, I have decided to just email what i have to those who have attended or shown interest in the group. If you have not yet written on Chapters 6 & 7 in the ABA text, the questions may give you somewhere to start, and if you already have, you may discover more by taking another look with these more focused questions. I also have a few suggestions if you are ready to move on. So, I will list below the writing suggestions that have already been posted, along with some new ideas.
For Writing Meeting Sat 1/28/2012
1) YOUR PERSONAL EATING DISORDER HISTORY: Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories with the group. I know I get so much out of hearing other’s experiences. No matter how many stories I hear, I never fail to be emotionally moved & inspired.
I admit, although I have written my eating disorder history in the past (the last about 3 yrs ago), I have not even started for this group. There may be others who are also still writing (and/or contemplating, praying…). I want everyone to have the opportunity to share their story, and I encourage you to keep working on it. You can share at anytime in the future, however I would like to again open the sharing time this Saturday with a few personal stories (“qualifications”), so if you would like to share yours this saturday (or if you have already shared and want to add more) please email or text me.
*NEW for WEEK 4, JAN 28
Ch. 6 & 7 FOCUSED QUESTIONS & REFLECTION:
I wrote the following questions for myself to help me reflect on what I was reading. I would like to try “going around the (virtual) room” and allowing each person to respond to given question. The idea is to generate more “discussion”, hearing our varied perspectives on the concepts presented in the text and our experiences with practical matters such as meal support & sponsors, without generating cross talk.CHAPTER 6 “Step Zero” pg 58
1. What is our “essential problem” according to the introductory paragraph of “Step Zero”?
a. What has this problem created in our lives?
b. And what role has anorexia, bulimia and our other unhealthy eating and exercise practices served in regards to our “essential problem” and the subsequent consequences of this problem?
2. Does your experience with your eating disorder support the following statement: “We saw how this disease operated out of a mental obsession that compelled us to restrict our food or to binge and purge…”
a. Can you identify some of your specific “mental obsessions”
b. What have these obsessions compelled you to do? How have they influenced your life?
c. How have your obsessions and your responses to these obsessions made you feel mentally, physically & emotionally?
3. Can you relate with the idea of a physical allergy contributing to your inability to stop restricting or bingeing and purging once you have begun?
a. Do any specific incidents, feelings or physical manifestations come to mind in relation to the concept of a physical allergy?
CHAPTER 7 “Getting Sober”
ABA defines sobriety as surrendering all feelings of control over our eating, body shape, weight and exercise. What specifically does this mean to you?
Have you been able to achieve any length of time, even if only a day, of sobriety?
Have you defined a specific sobriety plan? If yes, what is this plan? Has your sobriety evolved over time?
Do you have a “bottom-line” (i.e. I dont skip meals, I dont purge, I dont eat outside of my planned meals, etc). Some people make a list of red light, yellow light and green light behaviors. Red light behaviors are the things that you cannot do without actively being in your eating disorder (generally behaviors like purging, skipping meals, eating less than or more than what your meal support provides..) Yellow light behaviors are “risky” or “triggering” behaviors that are likely to lead to red light behaviors. Green light behaviors are those you can engage in without being at risk of relapse. If you think it may be helpful for you, identify and categorize your unhealthy and insane behaviors into red, yellow and green light groups.
Do you or did you have meal support? If yes, who was/is your meal support and how do they help you to surrender control over your food and eating? If you do or did not have someone to be your meal support, how do manage to surrender control of your food and eating?
Do you feel you have “let go” of all control around your food, body shape, weight, exercise etc?
Did you struggle or relapse several times before achieving continuous days, weeks, months of sobriety
OR
Do you continue to struggle with slips and relapses.
Is there anything you have been reluctant to surrender control of?
Can you identify any feelings, thoughts, beliefs, fears associated with the behaviors you have not been able to let go of?
Where could you use more support or accountability?
Do you have a sponsor?
If yes, how did you find your sponsor?
If No, what obstacles have you encountered, either externally or internally, in finding a sponsor or asking someone to sponsor you?
Can you honestly say you have “gone to any length” to find a sponsor? If not, what have you thought of trying, but have not yet?
**AND FINALLY, FOR THOSE READY TO MOVE ON FROM CHAPTERS 6 & 7:
The Chapter corresponding to step zero in the AA Big Book is ”The Doctor’s Opinion”.
Read and write on what you think the overall message is of the chapter.
Do your struggles with your eating disorder relate to those of the Alcoholic? How are they similar? How are they different?
Do you believe that you have a mental, physical and spiritual illness? What, if any, aspect of this idea do you struggle, even in part, to accept?
Do you agree with the idea that physical sobriety must precede spiritual and emotional healing? If you do not agree or are uncertain, are you willing to at least be open to this approach to recovery? Does this statement provoke any fears or other emotions?
If you have suggestions for other questions or topics based on Chapters 6 & 7 of the ABA text or on “The Doctor’s Opinion” in the AA Big Book, please share them with the group.
Richelle
California, USA
“And though perhaps he came to scoff, may he remain to pray.” William D. Silkworth M.D. Alcoholics Anonymous pg XXXII
