Get on the waitlist for my upcoming book: mailchi.mp/b529e312532b/the-sober-empire-book

Just got back from my first AA meeting , I have this big blue book to read so I’ll start now

Aa program has saved my life God bless aa program

I've managed to keep the obsession and compulsion at bay for a few years, but my daughter and granddaughter is moving out to their own place this weekend and I'm scared of the loneliness. Loneliness was exactly where my drinking started decades ago. The drinking thoughts have already crept back in. Thanks for your videos.

@thegymnasticgirls1927

Жыл бұрын

Hope you are doing well. Hugs to you.

@JeffScott-1978

Жыл бұрын

Get to a 12 steps program. Work the steps. Even if you're just addicted to internet, gambling or whatever. Get help. We'd love to see you with us.

@conradw3rd60

Жыл бұрын

There's online meetings too

@michelevennochi8750

5 ай бұрын

Don’t put that out there. This might have been your reservation

@Jewgirl2911

2 ай бұрын

@dionel8 I can totally relate, I believe the only reason I haven’t gone back to drinking is because I haven’t been alone in over 35 yrs and now my son is in college and I’ve finally found AA - this has been informative - I want what the program promises - I’m so tired of the obsession - it’s been in the form of food for the past 20 plus years and my health has suffered because of it. I truly believe that God (as I understand Him) put me in AA to prevent a relapse - if I take it seriously, and I’m working ok - I hope to have what the Big Book promises - what everyone boasts about - true sanity!! I’m only 45 days in so far, how are you doing? I see this was about a year ago - would love to hear from you - would you check in?

Hey I think these last 2 videos were incredible. I’ve live by this program for 3+yrs. Keep making great content the community needs more of this.

Amazing video, thank you so much! 5 days sober! Starting to feel my soul again

Thank you! AA works it really does. ❤️

Literally was left in tears. Thank you for this video.

Thanks for sharing this. Congratulations on getting this far and on choosing to be vulnerable enough to share your experience. You are definitely helping us experience the power within and finally get our awakening so please keep sharing.

I can confirm that this program works for those that want it. I am still an atheist, now happy with life and feel so free. I am now in my 18th year of sobriety.

@RaymondRAYCE

9 ай бұрын

What is your higher power if you are still an atheist? Not asking sarcastically or assuming I know. Genuinely curious.

@craigfowler7098

9 ай бұрын

@@RaymondRAYCE The entire universe

@ashpeers4500

7 ай бұрын

Yeah … so God. You atheists are hilarious

@marcc325

Ай бұрын

@@ashpeers4500 If you're "into" pantheism, sure!

Ego is the problem, same for all spiritual teachings. The 12 steps deflate the ego as much as the effort out into them. All steps build humility, the greatest tool against the ego. Step 2, also says, we are not the power greater than anything. The ego loves to think it is the power, the nature of the ego is survival, therefore it’s selfish, self centred in its core, is where all fear arises hence, it is the core problem.

@chrish7969

7 ай бұрын

When the spiritual malady is overcome we straighten out physically & mentally. Ego isn't an exclusive problem for Alcoholics. Everyone has an ego.

@chrish7969

7 ай бұрын

Lack of power, that was our dilemma.

@timallsopp9622

7 ай бұрын

@@chrish7969 yes of course, but for addicts, they are completely unaware of the ego.

@timallsopp9622

7 ай бұрын

@@chrish7969 yes, so it is worded that way for the egotistical to begin to open the door and let in the light. All power is God, or the field, or consciousness or Love and light. All faiths say the same thing once we see through the dogmatic rules of early people’s egos. The ego wants to claim that power, hangs onto the illusion of separation. God is everything or it is nothing, we are in God, God is in us. Such as proven in the double split experiment. A soul is a piece of Source. All is God

I loved the Chris R. speaking in the first video, AND the inference, that the power we WERE lacking is found within. Nicely done.

This was really really helpful!! I really enjoyed this and it really explains the steps in a different way kind of, than how my sponsor showed me. And I like it!! Why on earth does this only have 86 views??? Oh my goodness!!! This needs to be shown to every newcomer who walks into a hall!!! Like orientation at a new place of work.

Thank you for taking the time and explaining these steps the way you did. I will be saving this video to help aid in taking these steps. May you continue to help others just like you have me tonight. God Bless you sir.

Most powerful thing I've ever heard. Im being to understand now. Thank you. From the bottom of my ❤️

Love this video, thanks for making it, really inspiring ❤

Thank you for making this video

Thanks for sharing this with the world!

I'm now working on step 7

@ashpeers4500

7 ай бұрын

How are you working on step 7😂😂😂😂

@marklutz8499

Ай бұрын

None of your business?

I would love to have you as a speaker at my homegroup. Thanks for your videos i needed this right now.

you are helping me today. thank you

Love this content.. so needing on social media ♥️♥️♥️ praise God for your talent

Excellent Work 👍

Love you guys ❤

Love this video

Hi I'm Paul and I'm an alcoholic I believe I still have the spiritual maladie even though I've been sober 5 and a years because I never worked the twelve steps properly even though I went through them with a sponsor that has been sober for 35 years. It's not his fault it's mine I never was completely honest with him or made amendments properly or truly believe in a higher power , I'm glad I watched these videos it's helped me see where I'm going wrong , now I have to put a few things right and work on my own ego 👍 .

@noellegrace2313

7 ай бұрын

Hi Paul, I don't want to steer you wrong because it sounds like you've had some wonderful insights. I'm just concerned that AA can encourage us to beat ourselves up too much, and that doesn't work, at least not for me. That patronizing and oppression, the interpretation of everything is my fault, I'm innately selfish, and I have to be self deprecating and self depriving I think is something that will make people more prone to distance themselves eventually and probably relapse, because it's using the 12 step principles, such as taking responsibility, aggressively and spinning them into shame. Shame is deadly and keeps us from real progress and change. And a lot of our symptoms or I suppose "character defects" can be things we were taught or responses to trauma. Therefore, this perspective that we are selfish at the core is not true for many of us, and it's a harmful, downgrading, and oppressive message for our souls. There might be really narcissistic, manipulative people and people who committed crimes and severe abuse against others who might be a better fit for that intense and aggressive approach, but not all of us.

@paulgilraine3127

7 ай бұрын

@@noellegrace2313 I've a feeling your right, I do tend to be far to hash on myself which in turn leaves me down and depressed , I know that I stopped drinking because I joined AA but I'm not sure what I'm getting from it now , I'm finding it is making me more self conscious and that's not good for me. I dont need to remind myself that drink fucks me up every time but the danger for me is when I'm not good with my mental health I feel like fucking my self up and I don't care about anything or anybody and I don't truly know how I've got through things when I've been like that I suppose it just passes some how but at the time it feels like it's never ending when I'm not like that I'm a good family man a pretty good husband and father and have a good sense of humour but that all goes when the head goes , I think that's when I need AA but I'm not sure anymore.

I agree with you on everything.

Thank you kindly brother 🙏

@thesoberempire

2 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome.

Health Realization worked best for me but each to one's own.

@lauriesmith8631

2 жыл бұрын

Individually Chosen Recovery is a predictor of effectiveness. AA will likely work for those who feel it addresses their concerns. It can also harm and often kills people in practice because of it's singular belief that Empowerment is only found in Abstinence. For many reasons, it is important to understand Internal pain points to Intervene effectively. Health Realization, Empowerment based methods and a knowledge of our own experience of Trauma is Essential to Any effective Recovery. Video looks great. I caution all of us to find what speaks to us and works for us without the double whammy/threat of 'sinning' or 'failing' as the only alternative to salvation. Especially if that is being reinforced by people still sick and suffering from underlying neglected trauma and expressing it in a different way post-abstinence/'salvation'

@michaelwerkov3438

2 жыл бұрын

@@lauriesmith8631 ive been around recovery, writing essays, etc for like 15 years, and somehow i have never seen it as simply put as that. not only is it "most any program can work", it is, "the most effective program is the one YOU CHOOSE". i mean, i guess its like the saying "the best program is the one you do", but still there is a lot buried in the idea that the most efficacious program for each individual is the one that they choose. so few people are offered a choice, but when you have a choice of several paths, of COURSE a person is going to choose the one that best aligns with their morals or whatever. but like... fuck, leave it up to 12 steps to create a dumb situation where morals have to be considered at all

@steve002025

2 жыл бұрын

@@lauriesmith8631 I don't understand why you are linking Alcoholism to Trauma. If traumatic experiences caused alcoholism there would be alcoholics everywhere and that's not the case. Only Alcoholics have the illness of alcoholism and in most cases they have it prior to drinking irrespective of their upbringing.

@lauriesmith987

2 жыл бұрын

@@steve002025 do you Specialize in Trauma? I do. I also Specialize in Effective approaches for its resulting MH and SUD diagnosis. For 20 years. Ive also seen the far reaching and Generational outcomes of equating behaviors to moral failings and resulting criminalization of such. AA is an effecrive method...for a few. It is not and was never meant to be the only one. Even Bill W would have admitted that. Yet we rely on mandating this in the court systems, illegal loophole. Why might we do that? 🤔🤯🤦 Healing happens in many ways...but a Substance never caused as much damage as humans full of their own outwardly expressed Fears.

Thanks!

Thanks

Can you reference the names of all the movies that were in the video? Some look good to watch..

BTW, big fan. I like your work. Excellent production and well stated. Congratulations. BUT (there's always a but with assholes like me) @ 8:10 You say "Step 10 is a maintenance step." That is another one of those meeting slogans that not only is NOT in the book, it directly contradicts what the book says. "This thought brings us to Step Ten, which suggests we continue to take personal inventory and continue to set right any new mistakes as we go along. We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness." Clearly step 10 is a "GROWTH" step. "Our next" (after step 9) "function is to GROW in understanding and effectiveness." The awakenings you experienced in 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are the foundation upon which this growth occurs. 4) "Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear." Steps 6 & 7) "When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them." Step 5} "We discuss them with someone immediately..." Steps 8 & 9) "and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone." Step 12) "Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help." (page 84 anonpress.org/bb/Page_84.htm ) "God will constantly disclose more to you and to us." anonpress.org/bb/Page_164.htm God bless and thanks for you service. (sd: 10-19-1987)

@brakk727

Жыл бұрын

The maintenance allows more to be revealed. You aren’t going to grow if you stop and go back to the way you were living before doing the steps.

Love aa program it works I'm 💯 percent drug free and alcohol free

Owesome

I've seen some people hate on AA on some videos and yet not want comments on there youtube videos and i wonder why?

Admit your an alcoholic, turn your will over to God, clean house and help others! 4 steps. That's what I learned. Been sober 21 years. I've watched almost everyone fail who didn't do these 4 important steps. I've sponsored people who could just not understand that the founders got these guys sober with the help of God in 2 weeks!

How do you make amends with people that won’t talk to you ?

@marklutz8499

Ай бұрын

You don't, really. You are only responsible for the honest effort. And you change the behavior that created the need for the amends. They may not be talking to you now. But you never know what the future brings. More shall be revealed. When they are ready, so should you be.

Hi, I was wondering if you'd be interested giving me some Advice on making addiction videos. I really like your style and have been trying to figure out how to share my store this way.

Still drinking need help again so tired of drinking

Genius

one thing in this you kind of have a bit wrong and thats saying that you had to do it " for the rest of your life " well I'll just say in my experience its "one day at a time " thats all we have to worry about. Not "for the rest of our life " for some people you say it that way and they think, fuck that, I cant do that.

AA PROGRAM works .it takes work . God is in my life

Step 1

I know this is not typical, but I went to my AA meeting last Wednesday. Then another today, then another tomorrow. Will you sponsor me?

@ashpeers4500

10 ай бұрын

Trust me , you don’t want this guy as your sponsor

Bravo. Bravo. Did the work and was not down with the fellowship nor listening to fools.

Why does alcoholics anonymous have 12 steps and 12 traditions? (Evil angel number 1212? 🤔)

Well bro i am an indian your language is better easy to understand

You do all the steps, you will end back at step 1.

@XeL__

Жыл бұрын

thats the problem when the trasnformation isnt deep enough. for me its other non religious and diferetn terminologie like "intent momentum" but they say power and maintainance. for me its if i see the alchool i instantly scream NO in me and it owrk, cause i cannot not lisent the screaming order. its about how we let ego inner talk decide pathetic faith or we decide to be epci every single second and observe the ego talk conving us . brain dopamine see beer - convince ego to convince us to buy beer- "ohhh we could just get a sip" - transofrm the dopamine need trough SELF manipulative ego talk. The real self get the message from the manipulative ego that want dopamine "i have excuse to impose and order, so the true self will accept poison to itself so the ego can be calmer with the phisical mental spiritual addiction-problem, therefore "ohhh we could only drink 1 beer we deserve it" . there is no we! the true self vs the ego trip manipulation that know us very well. the demons arnt only outside !

@brakk727

Жыл бұрын

I think you end up back at step 10, 11, and 12 ( the maintenance steps). Or you can just keep drinking if you want. It’s really up to you.

Im going to clean my life up today. Im going to stop cold turkey Alot of isolation (i hate people so i will just spend me time in my bed asleep.)

@marklutz8499

Ай бұрын

Good luck. Not really recommended, especially if detoxing from alcohol. Medical attention should be sought.

Follow me on Instagram here: instagram.com/davidhmasson

I need help

You lost me between your first video and this second one. You said the original 100 got sober without a big fellowship. They also only originally had 6 steps. So I guess what I’m trying to say-is in the first video you tell how AA changed, and their statistics of keeping people clean are dropping lower and lower- and what changed. Yet, the steps themselves have even changed. Which in this video - you make no mention of. So is AA better or worse now for it?

@brakk727

Жыл бұрын

Hi Nancy, I didn’t see the first video but it sounds like he was talking about the early days. That was a growing period. By the time the Big Book was published, the 6 steps from the Oxford Group expanded to the 12 Steps. The Oxford Group was a religious group, they had the blue print for what became the AA program. The statics of people getting sober were and I believe still accurate. They are watered down today because of courts sending people to AA that don’t want to get sober and others that don’t “really try”. See the Forward to the Second Edition of the Big Book. The program is the same and it still works. Do the steps with a good sponsor and do them from the Big Book.

Do not allow yourself to either think about or talk about any real or imagined pleasure you once did get from drinking. Look for sober people and you will find them.

The Big Book calls out God and the creator as the higher power, God as we understand him. The 12 steps are designed to teach us how to die to ourselves and end the self-centeredness we all are born with. The reality is Jesus Christ is that God, we simply need to understand him by reading the scriptures, pray with humility, receive his freely given grace and see him as the creator in Genesis as well as the sin on the cross. The wages of sin is death, and Jesus is the power that resurrects us and cures the disease of alcoholism. Thank you for the well made videos David.

@brakk727

Жыл бұрын

Yes, and the 12 Steps clears the conduit to God. As an alcoholic, I lost contact with God and alcohol took His place. I needed a way to have that relationship with my Savior but didn’t know how to do it. The purpose of the 12 Steps is to put me back in touch with God. God was there but I was not open to Him. I know several atheists that are now Christians because of AA. But that’s not to say this is a Christian program.

@ashpeers4500

10 ай бұрын

You can call it Christian all you want , this prayer and meditation came from from Hinduism’ the first religion ever.

@acjohnson2067

10 ай бұрын

@@ashpeers4500 Christian prayer is not at all the same as meditation: kzread.info/dash/bejne/m5mKps5uaLS3mKQ.html

Once take my seat......expect what?

I have 19 years Jesus Rocks

I would love to debate the subject with you on ZOOM/ KZread podcasts.

@dougp4468

2 жыл бұрын

I would love to see this as well Monica but I bet they don't have the balls to do it.

@stubdo16

2 жыл бұрын

What would you debate? Whether his guidance on the 12 steps is in agreement with yours?

@johnkenny694

2 жыл бұрын

The great Debating Society! You're a Pickle , You're a Pickle.

@steve002025

2 жыл бұрын

What do you want to debate. AA works for alcoholics this is fact. AA is an evidence based program shared from people with lived experience. There would be no debate because AA doesn't need to prove anything to anyone.

@brakk727

Жыл бұрын

Not sure what the debate would be. He kind of tip toeing around the word God and maybe used the ‘Power inside of you’ instead. He explained it pretty good for people who don’t know what the Steps are about.

I am glad you are not praising Bill Wilson for he never achieved sobriety. He messed around with lsd and other mind altering drugs the remainder of his life and only experiencing abstinence from alcohol. He really became a quack of sorts. However I am grateful to God for using Wilson

@jbmoney357

Ай бұрын

Yeah, they're now finding hallucinogens are beneficial in recovery. The only requirement for membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking. You must of forgot about that!

Be cool if the big book explained it as perfectly as you just did....

@thesoberempire

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks I'm glad you liked it. That's why I'm here!

@ashpeers4500

10 ай бұрын

That’s why you get a sponsor

@marklandis5794

7 ай бұрын

The book DOES explain it perfectly, “precisely “…. It is when we stray from what is so eloquently written, that we complicate what is so clearly explained.

its not easy. its Gods love that gets us sober He is our power in all of lifes roads.

Your last video was 6mths ago . Did you relapse?

@thesoberempire

Жыл бұрын

I did not. Doing better than ever. Just took a nice to break to focus on other things. I'll be uploading a few more videos this fall.

If bill w got sober we all can get sober

what's with the music and the movie footage? really annoying tbh

@thesoberempire

Жыл бұрын

It's for dramatic effect of course.

I feel bad for watching this while drinking

@jbmoney357

Ай бұрын

You're watching it while drinking because you more than likely have an alcohol problem.

I don't recommend this video. Right off the bat..."It took fearless courage". This makes no sense. If fear is not a factor, if fear is not present then courage isn't required. Courage is always in the presence of fear. This is one of the worst descriptions of the 12 steps I've found on youtube. Talk about self-centered...he doesn't describe the 12 steps as written in the Big Book or 12 & 12, but rather his own self-centered perspective. He goes on and on about himself. He doesn't even talk about his sponsor who helped him. He doesn't even state what each step is.

@thesoberempire

Жыл бұрын

Do some inventory on me and this video my guy

The 12 steps. Is a game of manipulation. I have been followed, stalked . An just been harrast .

@marklandis5794

7 ай бұрын

What is “harrast “ and does it help with spelling and grammar? 😊

How did I not know the 12 steps program was religious for so long?

@marklandis5794

7 ай бұрын

Ummm, be cause it isn’t?

@garryanderson598

5 ай бұрын

...religious?....Spiritual yes!

You broke Tradition 11. Your still being selfish and self centered; the traditions are there for a reason. Great illustration of your journey. But you have to remember it’s your journey and although your journey has been awakened other people’s journey will be different and may be offensive to some watching this video.

@marklandis5794

7 ай бұрын

Being “offended” is not a legitimate argument. When you think about it, ANY new idea, or insight that differs from our own perspective has the propensity to offend. It is by opening our mind to new ideas that we grow as human beings.

@teamginate3400

7 ай бұрын

@@marklandis5794 Tradition 11 is for a reason, whether you break it or not it doesn’t negate the Tradition.

Sorry, but your explanations are way off, because your corner stone is not set in place. Tom.

@thesoberempire

Жыл бұрын

How do you know what my cornerstone is or isn't?

I dont understand why AMERICANS not realise YOU COME TO BELIEVE A POWER GREATER than yourself its not INSTANTLY..

AA is a sham now

@jbmoney357

Ай бұрын

Since the drug addicts took over...

@rayH357

Ай бұрын

where is your aa, what city?@@jbmoney357

@rayH357

Ай бұрын

Which City/country are you in?@@jbmoney357

@rayH357

Ай бұрын

What city/country are u in?@@jbmoney357

@rayH357

Ай бұрын

what city/country are you from?@@jbmoney357

Why...my god, why would you overload something, that is so profound and important with such cheesy imagery and narative? Are you trying to divert people from this method? The steps are no game. They are not a steping stone for you to get youtube revenue. Show some respect.

@thesoberempire

Жыл бұрын

Do some inventory on me and this video my guy

Its a cult...beware!!

@emorris5219

Жыл бұрын

Came here to say this

@murielleleblanc4377

10 ай бұрын

Contempt proper to investigation

It’s funny even after this video - people still think the meetings and the steps are the same thing 🤦‍♂️. The meetings = the fellowship. The steps = the program. The steps will give you permanent sobriety so long as you continue to work them. The meetings without the steps are like sands through an hourglass until your next drink. Step 12 - having had a spiritual awakening as the result of “these steps”… notice it doesn’t say meetings? Meetings are good - but they do not and never have and were never designed to produce the vital spiritual experience needed to overcome this disease. spiritual experience as defined in the back of the book: personality change sufficient to overcome alcoholism. The change happens through the steps - and only through the steps. Without taking inventory and making amends your conscience is dirty and your spirit is at dis-ease and without the thorough housecleaning provided in steps 4+5 and 8+9 you will remain too restless irritable and discontent to not drink. If you are alcoholic and avoid the steps long enough, you will either drink, find another substance to “take the edge off”, work the 12 steps, or blow your brains out. Sounds harsh, but I can’t think of any alternatives, if you’re alcoholic. If you aren’t, it doesn’t matter.