AA speaker Dr. Mike presents a Big Book study podcast and thoughts on recovery

Thoughts on Recovery – No. 19 – Step Zero

Joe Hawk was a powerful carrier of the message. He passed away several yrs ago. He used the term step zero. He said this is when  you have received the grace of God to stop drinking but have not worked the steps. How long can one stay sober without working the steps? I wrote that the disease occurs when you are sober. So sober without program is very scary. Without the steps how do you live with anger and fear? My friend always says if nothing changes nothing changes. Another always says if I don’t change, my sobriety date will. If you are a real alcoholic the big book says you must have a spiritual way of life -or else.

How many steps do you need between you and the next drink? I think relapse is when you are living at step zero and the grace period runs out and the alcoholic drinks again. The big book says hard drinkers can stop if given sufficient reason. In the description of the alcoholic they describe different stages and degrees of alcoholism.  Once the alcoholic has lost the choice over drink he has no defense from the first drink. His defense must come from a higher power. Step zero is not drinking but no relationship with God as a result of the steps that provides the defense from the first drink.

If you are at step zero please get into the big book and work the steps out of the book.  That was the purpose of this site to help one go down the path.

 

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6 Comments

  1. Deborah Meyer on June 13, 2018 at 11:29 pm

    I have never heard about step 0. But, after reading about it, it makes perfect sense. You have to have a starting point, but unless you continue on with the Big Book and the steps, you will not make it. It only works if you work It! God help those alcoholics who are stuck in step 0. It would be terrible to be stuck there. It would be like having nowhere to go because God is not most important in your journey.

  2. SMOKEY JOE MYERD on August 6, 2020 at 1:23 am

    YOU NEED TO ACCEPT ONE WHEN YOUR FIRST DATE PUT THE NEWS
    TOGETHER IF YOU DONT FOLLOW SUGGESTIONS TO RECOVER NOT
    OPINIONS AND WORK STEPS YOU GO BACK TO STEP ZERO
    SMOKEY JOE MYERS 35.5 YEARS.
    SPEAKER AROUND THE WORLD

  3. Barbara Frohlech on March 31, 2021 at 3:19 am

    Do you know where the recording of Joe Hawk can be located to listen to it?

    • Dr. Mike on April 13, 2021 at 1:01 pm

      Tried to email u the link Barbara but wouldn’t send… a conference Prescott Arizona with Mark Houston 2003 on xa speakers

    • Anonymous on May 12, 2021 at 3:52 am

      joe hawk the work on youtube

  4. Rafael g on April 2, 2022 at 1:25 pm

    Maybe you should abbreviate his last name.

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