Big Book Study: Steps 10 11 and 12 Seeking Peace and Freedom (Part 8 of 15)

Big Book Study: Steps 10 11 and 12 Seeking Peace and Freedom (Part 8 of 15)

Experience the emotional and inspiring tales of recovery as David P. walks through Steps 10, 11 and 12 with raw honesty and plenty of humour.

Speaking to an AA workshop in 2009, he shares how alcohol once felt like his only solution, from drinking warm beer at 12 to landing in four-point restraints after a failed suicide attempt: "Alcohol took me to a place where I was completely and utterly devoid of any hope." This talk is part of a Big Book study, but it’s far from dry theory.

David mixes line-by-line step guidance with vivid stories of crime, hospitals, rehabs, and long periods as a “dry drunk” before drinking again after 17 years. You’ll hear how he came back to AA, admitted he’d been lying about his clean time, and finally threw himself into sponsorship and the steps.

Steps 10–12 are shown in action: catching himself in selfish behaviour on the trading floor, learning to pause before speaking at home, and realising that “the vast majority of my problems were solved when I did not open my mouth.” Step 11 becomes real when a sponsor simply asks whether he ever listens after he prays.

Step 12 comes alive through his long-distance sponsorship of Kevin, an inmate whose step work by post leads to amends, service at the Salvation Army, and helping another shaking alcoholic outside a 7‑Eleven. The style is straight-talking, self-deprecating, and very Big Book-centred, aimed at people who are serious about AA recovery—whether they’re new, returning after relapse, or stuck without much step work.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the promises on pages 83–84 can apply to you, this session might leave you asking yourself: are you willing to do the work David describes?