Powerfully Recovered! A Confirmed 12 Stepper Challenges the Movement [Paperback]

Anne Wayman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1581128762 | ISBN-13: 978-1581128765 | Publication Date: February 2001 | Edition: 2nd

In this ground breaking book, Anne Wayman, clean and sober for almost 25 years and with multiple works published by Hazelden, explores two myths that grown up in the 12 Step movement: never-ending recovery, and perpetual powerlessness.

Convinced that the 12 Steps offer the best chance for lasting recovery, she challenges the movement to acknowledge the fear behind the myths, and let them go so that the Program can reach its full potential.

Working from original source material, she explains the nature and development of the myths. She documents the damage they do to individuals and the movement as a whole, including its relative failure in areas of poverty where it is most needed.

With true compassion and understanding she shows exactly what 12 Steppers need to do to let go of the myths, and become Powerfully Recovered, as the original Program intended.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I agree that we have recovered, I've been sober in AA since 1971 - Thanks for your book. -- PD/email

Your book struck a cord. I'm American Indian... concepts of endless recovery and perpetual powerless don't go over well with many of my people. -- MT/email

From the Author

I love the Program, but I'm distressed at what has happened in the Fellowship over time. We send mixed messages about recovery and there is no need for it. The Big Book makes it clear true freedom is possible when we work the Steps.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: Universal Publishers; 2nd edition (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581128762
• ISBN-13: 978-1581128765
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

114 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best I've read on the subject, September 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Powerfully Recovered! A Confirmed 12 Stepper Challenges the Movement (Paperback)

The title hooked me - a "confirmed 12 stepper challenges the movement". I am a confirmed 12 stepper, too. After 5 years i can tell you that I have taken no more powerful action in my life than entering recovery (AA). And maybe it is just a natural phase of development to start looking a little more critically at the program and how I can continue to progress.
So, I have read just about every book on the subject. SOme books are so anti-AA that it reads like one big resentful self-pitying indulgence. This book had a much more balanced view; more respectful of what AA does accomplish. I felt validated to read some ideas that I agreed with but never felt comfortable saying out loud. The truth is - I DO feel recovered. I understand that I cannot drink alcohol and I understand the importance of nurturing my sobriety and i will continue to do that. Attending AA still nurtures my sobriety so I stll go to meetings. I feel free, though.
In recent months, I admitted to myself that I felt "addicted" to meetings. It had become more of a social club for me than a necessity. I also suspected that I was having needs met through meetings that could be met through interaction with friends and family. In a weird sort of way, AA was helping me to isolate. So, I cut back on meetings. It was hard at first, but I stuck with it. Sure enough, I can report a differnt sort of balance in my life. I seek out others to connect with - a conversation with a co-worker, a call to my mother to see how she is, that sort of thing. Emotional connecting needs can be met more than one way.
And I still enjoy the meetings I do attend.
Like lots of other people, I have job stress, parenting stress and world peace stress.... but I am more stable than I ever dared hope possible. Recovery is a miracle. This book helped to confirm that for me.

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SHE DARES TO SAY WHAT A LOT OF US ARE THINKING!, August 30, 1999

By 

Douglas and Judy Waples - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powerfully Recovered! A Confirmed 12 Stepper Challenges the Movement (Paperback)

The Fellowship and Program of Alcoholics Anynonomous saved my life. I have been clean and sober for over nineteen years. I have, however, noticed a change in the "Fellowship" (meetings) over the past few years, and the author is right on the mark. Her criticicism of the program is constructive and well-though out. It is not "change for change sake" thinking. She goes into great detail to explain why some things need to be changed to reflect the times and attitudes of the membership. I whole-heartedly agree with her philosophy of do the program, recover, and get on with the life you missed out on while in an alcoholic haze. A great read and a real page-turner. I read it in one sitting. Thanks for telling it like it is and how it could be Anne!

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The persistent myths are over, February 27, 2001

By 

narcosis (Bronte, NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powerfully Recovered! A Confirmed 12 Stepper Challenges the Movement (Paperback)

Anne Wayman explodes the myths of powerlessness and endless recovering-ness that are part of 12-Step fellowship banter, but never were "Program". Indeed, it is Wayman who clarifies some of the differences between "fellowship" and "Program". The former has gone astray into a nonsensical obsession with powerlessness over everything, and it shows in the 12-Step groups in the form of depression and weaknesses. Empowerment for men and women should be what recovery is all about, and Anne Wayman's book will help people, as it has helped me. No more the myth of powerlessness for me; I didn't buy it when I joined NA, and I don't buy it now. Thanks to Anne Wayman, I no longer feel alone and I have a clear exegetical basis for my gut feelings and personal commitment to gaining more strength and joy in my life.