Recovery Concepts: Principles before Personalities

Описание: Mary Von Ohlen, holistic recovery coach, discusses the saying “principles over personalities” in addiction recovery. Understand what it means and why it’s suggested that we “put principles before personalities” and where this recovery concept came from in the original 12 step recovery literature of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Mary summarizes some of the history behind the 12th tradition which introduced the idea of “principles before personalities”; how it relates to the concept of anonymity and how and why that term has changed over the course of 12 step recovery history- including the role of stigma around alcoholism, the principle of humility, and preserving the effectiveness of 12 step groups as a whole.

Understand the difference between the 12 steps and the 12 traditions, but how this recovery concept “principles over personalities” can be practically considered on the individual level as well as with the organization itself.

Most importantly, Mary explains why putting principles over personalities can be a vital concept to the newcomer in early recovery, battling against the mental component of the disease of addiction which thrives on isolation and can tend towards any excuse to abandon an effective program of recovery.

Resources mentioned:

Original Alcoholics Anonymous book (still used today): https://amzn.to/2Qob7RY

The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions book (still used today): https://amzn.to/2zKqPkQ

Documentary “The Anonymous People”: https://amzn.to/2P4gSnC

Article discussing Charlie Sheen’s false comments about AA in 2011: http://bit.ly/2NgAjaY

Contact Mary for distance coaching or to arrange a speaking engagement–
[email protected]

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