Excerpted from Progressive Recovery Through the Twelve Steps

We are women and men in recovery who have been involved in applying these ideas together as individuals and in study groups. We want to have our say about Progressive Recovery and its supplemental approach to twelve-step recovery.

We have long-term recovery, and our experience crosses all the Twelve Step programs though most of us are affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous first and foremost. In our perspective, Progressive Recovery is an idea whose time is upon us. We believe we are only the beginning of a wave of a deepening practice of twelve-step recovery. The more structured and concrete the approaches become, the more they will be utilized because of their value.

Even before we have completed our first sessions as small groups, we have more friends who are interested in getting into the next round.

We think the reason is simple.

Many of us have worked very good programs of recovery that included the Twelve Steps, sponsorship, meetings, service, and the like. And many of us have also had a great deal of therapeutic support. Still, just as Ron describes in his opening story, we find we get stuck. Something needs our attention, something that has not been addressed or resolved. While we believe in the Steps and the program of recovery, we needed that extra something.

When we were exposed to Progressive Recovery, and saw that it used a familiar foundation and language, we were willing to give it a try. Then when it made sense and began to produce results, we were convinced. It has clearly opened up possibilities we simply were unable to attain previously.

Much of this book is based on our experience and our recommendations to Ron. While he created much of the approach out of necessity, we are pleased to have been involved with his learning and to have provided feedback. We believe in it and recommend it. We also recommend you trust what Ron has to teach. There’s a great deal here to learn, and we find him to be entirely trustworthy to carry the message.

Andy D., Eric R., Maggie N., Amy H., Eve T., Michelle P., Caroline H., Joey K., Nance W., Chris A., Karen M., Steven W., Debbie M., Linda J., Susan R.