We did it! Reflections on Green Step Study Guide Experience
*Editor’s note: Before there was a Workshop-15, it was called Green Step Study Guide
The new green Twelve Step Workshop and Study Guide presented an invitation to complete the 12 steps as a group in 15 weeks. We discussed it a few times but it didn’t happen. However, in the fall of 2020, after we’d become accustomed to zoom meetings, a group from Racine and Walworth counties met virtually to decide how we would do the step study.
We altered the two-hour in-person sessions to 75-minute zoom sessions and a call with a rotating partner from the group to discuss the content, share our answers to the questions, and check in on our abstinence. We also decided to rotate leadership. Each week one set of partners prepared and led the session.
After two preliminary sessions, we started in November and met weekly. Getting to know each group member outside the group via the calls and the rotating leadership was especially helpful. Each week we had to do the homework to keep up with the group going through the steps. This commitment to the group and to the step work was essential to completion.
After we completed the 12 steps, we reflected on the workshop. Participant feedback included:
- “I’ve been in OA for over 20 years. This is the first time I’ve completed the 12 steps abstinently.”
- “My abstinence was cleaner than it had been for months.”
- “I really enjoyed getting to know each other and strengthening my
recovery.” - “This took a real commitment to do the readings, writings, and calls, but
it was totally worth it.”
We enjoyed the group so much, we decided to keep meeting monthly for the rest of 2021 (9 months) to help maintain our recovery. We mostly focused on steps 10, 11, and 12, then circled back to steps 1, 2, and 3. I think we would all recommend the experience of completing the 12 steps with a group going through the green Twelve Step Workshop and Study Guide. Personally, step study groups have been the foundation for my recovery. I’ve done many. It’s what’s worked best for me and for sponsees to complete the 12 steps. The medicine OA offers comes from completing the 12 steps in order.
That’s why it’s important for the group to close to new people after it starts. Each person needs to do each step for the best process. It’s disruptive if people join in the middle.
Can I keep the commitments? Can I complete the workshop? I was terrified before my first step study group. Fears are normal, but being paralyzed by them keeps us sick. Take steps forward in your recovery, and your effort will be rewarded. This is a “we” program. Together we get better. Together we can do what we could never do before!
By OA member, Margaret
To learn more about the 12 Step Workshop, please visit the following post: https://www.oamilwaukee.org/workshop-15-the-twelve-steps/