ACE's TOO HIGH and the 12-steps

Linda Schiller-Hanna 4/6/174:34 AM

I have attended 12-step groups off and on for years including Adult Children of Alcoholics, Codependents Anonymous, Adults Molested as Children, Al-Anon, Overeaters Anonymous.

Has anyone had success in introducing ACE questions into their sharing? Because it is not "sanctioned 12-step literature"....I took a "verbal beating" for doing such at last week's meeting. I handed out the questionnaire and resilience questionnaire too....before the meeting had started, but the questions started to come and then it overlapped into normal meeting time, and I got "pinged" for not following format. I love both things, but I'd like advice on a safe and appropriate way folks can share this. For several months I've mentioned my "high ACE score ...(I'm 9/11) with the briefest of reference to how I found it...but I could see members "not picking up on the details".

I know the 12-step format is sacred but I feel the ACE score perfectly informs our walk into wholeness. I'm grateful for any insights from folks who have been able to bridge these two terrific gifts to our lives successfully.

Does it need to be random? I've thought of trying to put together an event outside of our meeting.....maybe I'm just too ahead of my time!?

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Carey SippFormer Director of Strategic Partnerships

W. Joe Hicks MD posted:
Contact me to collaborate on an ACES introduction for 12 Step workers. Perhaps a group could put together a YouTube video to introduce the ACEs work and assess the amount of interest in having a speaker at an annual conference.

Dr. Hicks — What a great idea.

Linda — perhaps the three of us could collaborate.

I can think of a publishing company that does trainings for addiction counselors that might be a help in this, and a brilliant trauma therapist and “fellowship member,” who has done some fabulous educational videos. She might be willing to help as well.

For more than 20 years, when I have spoken at meetings, I’ve asked a couple of questions about family addiction and asked people to close their eyes and raise their hands, if they are comfortable allowing me to see, as the speaker, how many people grew up with that trauma. No surprises here that at most all meetings there are many hands raised.

Linda - Thank you for raising your hand and opening up this conversation. It is obviously the right time!

Carey

12/5/192:13 PM

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