Alcoholics Anonymous, the national organization supporting those trying to quit alcohol use, offers its members numerous resources. These include their journal, called the AA Grapevine [1], and their “Big Book,” which is simply called Alcoholics Anonymous. [2] However, one of the most popular texts used by members of the AA is called Drop the Rock: Removing Character Defects, from Hazelden Publishing.
This book, published in 1993, has been a guide for many years to identifying and eliminating personal failings or character defects that could be holding recovering addicts back. These defects of character are the personal challenges, fears, and resentments that could be the underlying cause of addiction.
A Brief Introduction to Drop the Rock
Drop the Rock is a book by AA members, for AA members. It was inspired by a 1976 talk by Sandy B. Sandy spoke about dropping the rock being a part of spiritual growth, and the book expands on that, creating a parable that’s now been told over and over at AA meetings. The book is focused on steps six and seven of the AA’s Twelve Step program. The Twelve Steps are widely recognized as a useful structure to help addicts work toward recovery. [3] The book focuses on steps six and seven which state that individuals: [3]
Step six: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Step seven: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
There is also a later book called Drop the Rock: The Ripple Effect by Fred H. This volume adds in step ten (Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it) and how it can be used to work step six and seven, making it easier to let go of the rock.
Although the books are available to buy online in hardcover, many AA members share free copies of the text to support each other. A sponsor may provide a copy to their sponsee to help them through tough times. The most popular version of Drop the Rock: Removing Character Defects is the second edition, which includes more personal stories and useful references. [4]
What is Drop the Rock About?
The primary story in Drop the Rock is about several Twelve Step program members who are on a boat ride to an island called Serenity. This represents the journey toward sobriety. One woman, Mary, misses the boat and tries to swim to catch up. However, she’s slow and keeps sinking. The other people on the boat keep telling her to Drop the Rock, but she doesn’t understand.
Eventually, she realized she was holding onto this weighty rock. It’s tied around her neck and made up of fear, dishonesty, and intolerance. She prays for help and manages to untie the strands holding the rock there — and lets it go. Once the rock has gone, she manages to get onto the boat and is available to help the next person struggling.
Understanding the Rock
The rock in the story is a metaphor. The person in the story is weighed down by personal aspects that limit their ability to cut their reliance on alcohol. Those aspects include self-pity, anger, resentment, and other self-defeating emotions that can lead to addictive behaviors.
The book also contains experiences from various AA members on their own experiences with dropping the rock. One man, Mike, talks about being at a St. Paul, Minnesota treatment center. He speaks about how dropping the rock is about swapping self-pity for self-esteem, and diminishing anger and resentment in his life.
Every human being has negative aspects of themselves that they struggle with. Learning which of those are weighing you down can help you understand what actions are preventing you from completing your addiction treatment. Working on those “defects” every day can help you lay the foundation for lasting recovery.
How to Drop the Rock
Letting go of the rock is difficult without help. Destructive behavior can become a habit. Even when someone is not drinking alcohol or using substances, if they can’t let go of the character defects that led to addiction in the first place, they’re always at risk of relapse. However, learning to eliminate core beliefs about yourself is not something you can achieve in twenty-four hours. It takes time, practice, and self-awareness.
In the book, the authors discuss the connection between the principles of the Twelve Step Program and each of the steps. Step six corresponds to willingness—the willingness to let go of that rock or, in other words, work to change oneself. Step seven corresponds to humility, which, in this context, is the acceptance that one has flaws and needs to work to overcome them. Working on creating this willingness to change is the root of being able to let go of negative self-belief.
The Importance of Steps Six and Seven
Every step in the Twelve Step program is important. However, steps six and seven are particularly poignant as they rely on acceptance and faith. The steps require the person to accept that they have flaws and ask a higher power to take them away. This is a crucial turning point in many recovering addicts’ journeys. Accepting that there is something you need to change about yourself is a major step forward. However, having the faith to rely on others or a higher power is also a significant milestone in any recovery journey.
What if I’m an Atheist?
Atheists and agnostics aren’t excluded from the Twelve Step program. Although the original steps use the term “God” throughout, Twelve Step programs can be adjusted to make them inclusive for anyone of any faith — or none. One example takes each of the steps in turn and transforms any mention of God into a statement on personal responsibility. [5]
Step 6 becomes: “We became ready to accept help in addressing our defects and addiction.”
Step 7 becomes: “We sought to overcome our shortcomings through an ongoing effort of self-improvement and situational analysis.”
Other content from AA resources can also be adjusted to make it non-religious. For example, you can change the Serenity Prayer to simply exclude the term “God,” or swap that term for “universal energy” or “higher power” — whatever suits your beliefs.
Getting the Right Support for Addiction Recovery
Dropping your rock isn’t something you have to do alone. The right treatment center can help you overcome any type of addiction, from alcohol to narcotics, via medical supervision, detox, and compassionate support. Reach out to Southeast Addiction Center for more information.