The Little Book: A Collection of Alternative 12 Steps

by Roger C.

"A celebration of the varieties of recovery experience" -William L. White
"A beautiful testimony to AA's living history." -Ernest Kurtz

20 Samples of alternative Steps for those in AA who are agnostic, atheist, humanist, etc.

Interpretations of the steps by Dr. Allen Berger, Stephanie Covington, Gabor Mate, and Therese Jacobs-Stewart.

An engaging and helpful History of the origins of the 12 Steps, the suggested program of recovery in AA.

Information about AA Agnostica, a web site for the growing number of men and women who have a problem with "the God bit" in AA.

73 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 20, 2013

Reviews

[Dee Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The BEST Summary of Alternative Way”S” to Express and Draw Meaning to the Individual Steps

I’ve been in AA for almost two decades and while I believe in God, I strongly oppose the notion a deity intervenes in my life. I have always found the rooms of AA strongly preach the dependence and intervention of God and while I seldom share thoughts have felt and continue to feel an outcast. Fortunately my original sponsor, a devout Catholic was accepting help lead me to recovery without changing my thoughts of God’s role in my life, but helped me change the person I had became and live more productively, which includes being more accepting, including of those working 12 Step Programs that deeply feel God in living within them and directing all the affects them. THIS BOOK HELPED ME BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW MY ORIGINAL SPONSOR LET THE STEPS WORK IN MY LIFE. I recommend this examination and explanation of the steps to everyone, especially those that have reservations about the use of the word God in their attempt(s) to be in recovery. … PS it is a very quick read and well organized. I will likely purchase a physical copy to go with my Kindle version to kept beside my Big Book and 12 Steps and 12 Traditions book I carry to meetings as a ready reference …

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a helpful resource about AA-related programs, and an alternate way of approaching the 12 Steps.
This quote is an important clarification for me: "AA is first and foremost a fellowship, 'one alcoholic talking to another,' it is not a program. It has a program, a 'suggested' program, and doesn't claim privileged insights into recovery from alcoholism."

It's the bottom line: One alcoholic talking to another, is why AA works.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who find accepting AA's WASP God of the '30's to be their greatest obstacle to starting their 12 Steps, this book is a collection of alternative Steps that might appeal. It also provides a great amount of links, references, etc to help those in need find their way.

[Erica Hendry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice to have a secular alternative

[Patrick Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, rooted in a strong foundation, belief in, and respect for AA and the steps. The message is what is important, the words can be changed. The heart of the program, one alcoholic talking to another.
I highly recommend this book to anyone in recovery or seeking recovery

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

an eye opening collection of how the 12 steps work for various worldviews. a 72 page booklet that truly is a versatile tool for every nut.

Many members have made the 12 Steps (as originally written) sacred, which is fine, if one is so-inclined, but I like books that make AA (or all Twelve Step programs) a wider tent for anyone with a desire to recover - regardless of what one does or does not believe.

I think this workbook is a great tool to add to the quiver.