12 Step BigBook Workshop: A New Way of Life

As of September 15, 2013 Redlands' The Red Shoe Project has been the stomping ground for a 12 Step BigBook workshop, which was created for anyone struggling with an addiction of any kind. The program goes over the 12 step process for recovery and provides a support system through the process. The steps are taken from a book called Alcoholics Anonymous, known as the "BigBook" to program participants. Group members discuss the 12 step principles from the “BigBook” and share personal experiences with others. They have close, intimate discussions which allow the participants to share their stories. One participant, who chose to remain anonymous, shares that, "in a way it feels like they are closer than family." The participant has been involved with 12 step programs for 24 years, and has participated with the 12 Step BigBook workshop for the last 2 and half months. The member joined with interest in recovery for alcoholic substance abuse and supports the workshop and the principles that are shared with the group. In 1998, the workshop creator, who also requested to remain anonymous, started attending group meetings of the Al-Anon for families and friends of Alcoholics, but it wasn't until 2001 that they learned about the book Alcoholics Anonymous through a group that was already applying the principles. The organizer shares that they felt a need to spread the message after discovering this. "The changes that I saw were just miraculous...both with myself and people." The group invites anyone interested in learning about the 12 step process and experiencing it at an all day event called "A day in the Steps" that will give people the opportunity to try each of the 12 steps in a day. The event will take place on March 29th from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the River Church in Redlands, CA. The regular 12 Step BigBook workshop meets every Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at The Red Shoe Project located in Redlands, CA.