There are such similarities between defects of character and script. The defects of character are about dysfunctional ways of acting, feeling or thinking which cause others or me pain. Ones Script is about a life plan which represented the child’s best strategy for survival in the environment. This includes character traits, patterns of behaviour, discounting reality, redefining life according to distorted beliefs and repeated pain because what is manifested in adulthood from childhood does not work. This is because these old strategies were constructed according to the past and the decisions were made on the basis of an infants emotions and reality testing. In relation to this could we not conclude that some of this script is then defective. In other words “Defects of Character” . The only difference with script analysis is that it may go into more depth on the emotional reasoning behind the script processes. However, both script and defects of character in step 6 are about early reality testing and emotion that often does not work in contemporary life. If ones script holds much pain and defects of character then it is likely that individuals are more susceptible to go back to using. This is where there are further similarities in step 6 as it points out the need for being specific in identification of individual defects of character and the changes required to recover from them. It seems that the steps do account for life script process but may use different terminology in its understanding and language. It can see that one cure does not fit all and the approach for addressing one addiction may not work for all others. The rageaholic may need to look at anger and the passive may need to look at anger phobia. The idea that tailoring to the individual is regarded in treatment today in some recovery centres. Generally, thought most defects of character involve imbalance in the expression of and the experience of our most basic needs. We can learn so much by reflecting on defects of character and life script in learning about the self. It can give us so much information about our needs and how they are not being met and then allow us to embrace evolving as we put in action to change. All of this creates emotional resilience in a solid and humble way.
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Defects of character do not just include transgressions that would be frowned on in polite society nor more serious acts of harm. They include much that would pass as normal in many peoples eyes such as holding resentments where a good reason would seem to warrant it or self pity where that could be undserstood by a careing friend. There must be a completly honest assessment of “my part” in holding onto a resentment -not that I did not have good reason to have that emotion at the time. Also resentments can be toward self and they can be the hardest to deal with. Dispite the addicts apparent arrogance and self will there is often much self punishing in their behaviour.
Character defects are exactly equivalent to bad scripts. They can be emotionally comforting and bring security but at a painful price in the adult where they no longer serve to enable people to grow. One could go as far as to say we are addicted to our behavioual scripts as we are to substanes.
Addiction brings people to much the same place but the scripts that drive this behaviour are as different as a persons life story – my stuff is not your stuff and to treat me the same theraputically as everybody else is it would be to discount me.
As you say the difference with steps and script is that the steps reveal what the deffects are but script will give insight into the why; and an understanding of the emotional drivers behind them.