Each of these  articles relates directly to “Getting It” workbook. While the workbook was expressly written to stand on its own, reading the articles may give context or fill in gaps, especially for the newer counselor. Seasoned counselors may simply wish to take on the ideas and let me know where I am wrong. In fact, I will create a blog section for “Article Discussion!” Comments from those in recovery are welcome, too.

They are listed in the order in which they connect to the workbook.

First, “Building Motivation from Relapse” lays out the theoretical and clinical rationale for the entire book.  The eight “motivational discrepancies” correspond to the eight “realizations” the workbook helps the client to “get.”

Second, “Memory, Motivation and Maintenance” gives an in-depth look at the “memory problem” that is the focus of “Wishful Realization Number One” in the workbook.

Third, “Expletive Deleted” is the exercise which sets up three of the four “realizations” in Part II of the workbook. While it is referred to but not used in the workbook, it is highly useful and effective in its own right, might be incorporated into a group that is about to do Part II.

Fourth, “Maintenance Talk in a Maintenance Community” weaves its way through the whole workbook, especially the connection of realization and plan at the end of each “realization.”

Fifth, “A Bit of Big Book Bibliotherapy” is an exercise in its own right.  It connects “Wishful Realization Number One” (Memory) and “Wishful Realization Number Two” (Ownership), sheds further light on how AA addresses both the motivational discrepancy and the maintenance solution. Like the other exercise above, it can be used on its own in a variety of group and individual contexts, or incorporated into a group processing the workbook.

Sixth, “How the 12 steps Prevent Two Kinds of Relapse” spells out what the title describes, reinforcing how important it is to motivate clients to actually work the program.

Seventh, the as yet unpublished “My Way or the Highway” provides you and your group an exercise to prepare for “surrender,” which relates directly to multiple realizations in the workbook.

 

These articles will shed light on the workbook, and completing the workbook will illuminate these articles!