Preface to the Study Guide

Transcription

1 Preface to the Study Guide There is evidence that alcoholism has been around since the beginning of recorded history. Noah gave good signs of possibly having a problem with alcohol after the Great Flood. He reportedly drank of the wine and passed out naked in his tent. But only twice in the history of mankind has there been a group of serious drinkers who figured a way to stay physically sober. The first of these were the Washingtonians. They stayed away from drink by having meetings and telling their stories. They had no program to live by nor did they have a set of guidelines for the conduct of their Fellowship. As the result of these deficiencies, they lasted only a very short time. The life span of that Fellowship was approximately ten years -- from 1840 to somewhere around The other group of alcoholics, successful in sobriety, is known as Alcoholics Anonymous. By God s grace and mercy, the Founders of this Fellowship were given a very practical Program of action which assures permanent emotional sobriety. They also learned, through success and failure, how to preserve the Fellowship which is vital to those suffering alcoholics not yet reached. Our Founders learned from the mistakes of the Washingtonians and the alcoholics who had died, ignoring the mistakes of others who had failed. This book, Alcoholics Anonymous, was written to provide each of us with an opportunity to learn how to live and enjoy life and how we may protect the future of this Fellowship. In this Text Book for permanent sobriety, we find the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, which assure a method of escaping death by drinking or permanent insanity for chronic alcoholics. We also are given the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, which assure the unity, survival and growth of the Fellowship, so necessary for most alcoholics seeking a solution for their problems. 1

2 Foreword to the Study Guide The purpose of this Study Guide is to enable the student to understand the information the authors of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, intended to impart to each of us based on their experience and knowledge of alcoholism and their Program of Recovery. It can be used by an individual or by a group. This Guide is intended to examine the content of virtually every sentence in the basic text of the Big Book. The beginning of a paragraph is identified by the letter preceding the number of the first question of that paragraph. Some sentences contain more than one important piece of information that we will want to consider. To indicate these sentences, the questions will be indented with the number of the question followed by a lower case letter (i.e. 8-a, 8-b, 8-c, etc.). The number of the question is repeated to indicate that we are still in that one sentence. The study begins with the dust jacket. The dust jacket is reversible. On one side is the title of the book and the other side is blank so persons wishing to maintain their anonymity can simply turn it over and re-cover the book in plain white paper. The titled side also tells us what the book Alcoholics Anonymous is to members of the Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship. In the lower right-hand corner it reads, This is the Third Edition of the Big Book, the Basic Text for Alcoholics Anonymous. A similar statement is made in the middle of the Fourth Edition dust cover. The Basic Text for any subject contains the experience and knowledge of the authors so that the student can establish a foundation of understanding in and of the subject. The authors of this Basic Text Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, present their experience and knowledge of the Problem - Alcoholism, the Solution - God, as we understand Him, and the Practical Program of Action they followed that will produce recovery from alcoholism (The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous). They did such a perfect job that members of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous have been unable to improve the effectiveness of this book in the Second and Third Editions -- a remarkable truth considering that the first principal author had only four years of sobriety. The second principal author had three and one-half years. The rest of the authors had even less. This book also contains the Twelve Traditions so very vital to the survival of the Fellowship. So long as our individual groups stay within the boundaries of the Twelve Traditions, the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous will flourish. Since the students and practitioners of this Text Book rarely, if ever, return to drinking, its true authorship must have been derived from a Higher Power. It has proved to provide a Solution to all our problems. This fact is demonstrated by the large number of Fellowships that have borrowed and adapted our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions to find a solution to their particular problems which have nothing to do with drinking. It isn t enough to just have faith. We must also do good works to prove we have faith. Faith that doesn t show itself by good works is no faith at all; it is 2

3 dead and useless. This Book provides clear-cut directions on what we must do to have that faith. It does not fail. Since Bill W. was so precise in the use of the English language in his authorship of this Book, it is a good idea to keep a dictionary nearby. For example, the real problem of the chronic alcoholic is the insidious insanity that leads to the first drink. According to Webster, circa 1936: insidious - awaiting a chance to ensnare. ensnare - to lure, entice or capture. insanity - state of being insane, unsoundness of mind, derangement of mind esp. without recognition of one s illness. 3

4 Preface to the Fourth Edition 4 (Page xi) 1. Which Edition is this one? This is the fourth edition of the book Alcoholics Anonymous. 2-a. When was it first published? The first edition appeared in April 1939, 2-b. How many copies went into circulation between the First and Second Editions? and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation. 3-a. When was the Second Edition published? The second edition, published in 1955, 3-b. How many copies of the Second Edition were sold or distributed? reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies. 4-a. When was the Third Edition published? The third edition, which came off the press in 1976, 4-b. How many copies went were put into circulation? Achieved a circulation of 11,698, a. What has this book become? Because this book has become the basic text for our Society 5-b. Why? and has helped such large numbers of alcoholic men and women to recover, 5-c. Has there been a desire to make any changes in it? there exists strong sentiment against any radical changes being made in it. 6. Have there been any significant changes in the first 164 pages? Therefore, the first portion of this volume, describing the A.A. recovery program, has been left untouched in the course of revisions made for the second, third, and fourth editions. 7-a. What has been kept totally intact? The section called The Doctor s Opinion has been left intact, Just as it was

5 originally written in b. Dr. Silkworth was what to our society? by the late Dr. William D. Silkworth, our Society s great medical benefactor. 8. What three things were added to the Second Edition? The second edition added the appendices, the Twelve Traditions, and the directions for getting in touch with A.A. 9-a. What was the chief change to the Second Edition? But the chief change was in the section of personal stories, 9-b. Why were these changes made? which was expanded to reflect the Fellowship s growth. 10. What else is said about the Second Edition? (rest of paragraph) Bill s Story, Doctor Bob s Nightmare, and one other personal history from the first edition were retained intact; new versions of two stories were written, with new titles; thirty completely new stories were added and the story section was divided into three parts, under the same headings that are used now. (Page xii) 1. What part of the Big Book was left unchanged in the Third Edition? In the third edition, Part I ( Pioneers of A.A. ) was left unchanged. 2. What changes were made? (2 sentences) Nine of the stories in Part II ( They Stopped in Time were carried over from the second edition; eight new stories were added. In Part III ( They Lost Nearly All ), eight stories were retained; five new ones were added. 3-a. What has been added to the Fourth Edition? This fourth edition includes the Twelve Concepts for World Service 3-b. What has been revised? And revises the three sections of personal stories as follows. 4. How have the Story Sections been revised? (rest of paragraph) One new story has been added to Part I, and tow that originally appeared in Part III have been repositioned there; six stories have been deleted. Six of the stories in Part II have been carried over, eleven new ones have been added, and eleven taken out. Part III now includes twelve news stories; eight were removed in addition to the two that were transferred to Part I). 5

6 5-a. What is the nickname for the Basic Text, Alcoholics Anonymous? All changes made over the years in the Big Book (A.A. members fond nickname for this volume) 5-b. Why have changes been made in the Big Book? have had the same purpose; to represent the current membership of Alcoholics Anonymous more accurately, 5-c. And, hopefully, to accomplish what? and thereby to reach more alcoholics. 6. What is our hope for a person with a drinking problem as he reads this book? If you have a drinking problem, we hope that you may pause in reading one of the forty-two personal stories and think: Yes, that happened to me ; or, more important, Yes, I ve felt like that ; or, most important, Yes, I believe this program can work for me too. 6

7 Foreword to the First Edition 1-a. Who authored this book? We, OF Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 (Page xiii) 1-b. How many were there? are more than one hundred men and women 1-c. What had happened to them? who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. 2. Why did they go to the trouble to write this book? To show other alcoholics PRECISELY HOW WE HAVE RECOVERED is the main purpose of this book. 3. If we have a drinking problem and study this book, what else will we need? For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. Comment: The only thing we might want other than this Basic Text would be a dictionary published as close to 1939 as possible. Bill was very precise in the use of the English Language as it was used in the New England area at that time. The definition of some of the words he used might give a better understanding of his writing. 4. What do we think can be accomplished by reading this book? We think this account of our experiences will help everyone to better understand the alcoholic. 5. What is it that many do not comprehend? Many do not comprehend that the alcoholic is a very sick person. 6. Do we believe this book is for alcoholics only? And besides, we are sure that our way of living has its advantages for all. Comment: It is very doubtful that Bill could have conceived that the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions would be adopted and adapted by over 200 Anonymous Fellowships, including SAA, in the years following the publication of this Text book. 7. Why was it important for the authors of this book to remain anonymous? It is important that we remain anonymous because we are too few, at present to handle the overwhelming number of personal appeals which may result from this

8 publication. 8. Were the authors of this book bums? Being mostly business or professional folk, we could not well carry on our occupations in such an event. Comment: Bill, Dr. Bob, Hank P. and the others anticipated they would be overwhelmed with inquiries once the Big Book hit the book stores. Of course, that didn t happen. 9. What is our alcoholic work? We would like it understood that our alcoholic work is an avocation. 10-a. What are we told to do if we write or speak publicly? When writing or speaking publicly about alcoholism, we urge each of our Fellowship to omit his personal name, 10-b. We are told to identify ourselves as what? designating himself instead as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. 11. Are we serious about anonymity at the level of the press? Very earnestly we ask the press also, to observe this request, for otherwise we shall be greatly handicapped. 12. Are we an organization? We are not an organization in the conventional sense of the word. Note: Twelve Step Fellowships in the traditional sense are upsidedown organizations. Refer to the Twelve Concepts of Service of Alcoholics Anonymous. (Page xiv) 1. How much does it cost for membership in A.A.? There are no fees or dues whatsoever. 2. What is the only requirement for membership? The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. Comment: The word honest is missing in Tradition Three. We would have to suspect that word was omitted because by the time most alcoholics and sex addicts are ready to come to a Twelve Step Fellowship for help, they no longer have even a nodding acquaintance with honesty. 3-a. With whom are we affiliated? We are not allied with any particular faith, sect or denomination, 8

9 3-b. Who or what are we against? nor do we oppose anyone. 4. What is our single simple wish? We simply wish to be helpful to those who are afflicted. 5. For those who read this book, who do we want to hear from? We shall be interested to hear from those who are getting results from this book, particularly from those who have commenced work with other alcoholics. 6. What is it we really want to do? We should like to be helpful to such cases. 7. Who else would we like to hear from? Inquiry by scientific, medical, and religious societies will be welcomed. 9

10 Foreword to the Second Edition (pp xv - xxi) The Foreword to Second Edition provides a brief history of the first 20 years of Alcoholics Anonymous after its creation In this Foreword, Bill W. tells how, through Dr. Silkworth and the Oxford Group, he found a solution to his alcoholism. He tells how he was able to stay sober by trying to help other alcoholics. He recounts how his business venture in Akron failed and why he so desperately felt the need to find another alcoholic to talk with. This need led to his meeting with Dr. Bob, who had tried to find a way to stay sober but had failed completely. Their meeting led to the two of them believing they could stay sober if they worked together. From their combined efforts to protect their sobriety, by searching out and going to suffering alcoholics, came a fellowship of sober alcoholics from whom came the lifesaving Program of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is the content of this book. They tell how they found the acceptance and endorsement of some of the leading citizens of our country. We learn of some of the favorable publicity this little group of sober alcoholics received from some very influential news sources which led to a rapid growth of the Fellowship. We are given a glance at the recognition of some of the problems our Founders faced and how they successfully developed a set of guidelines for our conduct within our respective groups and within the Fellowship itself -- the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. We learn how successful those seeking help were when the only guide we had was this Big Book, the Basic Text for our Fellowship. It is very obvious that we are not doing nearly as well today because of the emphasis on meetings rather than the Program - (These are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program of recovery). It concludes by telling us of the hope behind the writing of this Book. 10 (Page xv) 1. From the First Edition to the publication of this Edition, what had taken place? Since the original Foreword to this book was written in 1939, a wholesale miracle has taken place. 2. What was the hope of the earliest printing? Our earliest printing voiced the hope that every alcoholic who journeys will find the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous at his destination. 3. Had this hope become a reality by 1955? Already, continues the early text twos and threes and fives of us have sprung

11 up in other countries. 4. How many years passed before the Second Edition was published? Sixteen years have elapsed between our first printing of this book and the presentation in 1955 of our second edition Historical Note: Up until 1953, this was A.A.s only book which discussed the Twelve Steps in detail. This is important to remember when we consider the success rates discussed on page xx. In 1953 A.A. published the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. The 12 & 12 does not contain instructions for working the Twelve Steps and the Steps portion of the book is based on one man's experience working the Steps as instructed by the Big Book for 15 years. Whereas the Big Book contains instructions for the Steps and was authored by the entire fellowship at the time of its publication. 5-a. During that period of time, how many A.A. groups had formed? In that brief space, Alcoholics Anonymous has mushroomed into nearly 6,000 groups 5-b. How many alcoholics had recovered? whose membership is far above 150,000 recovered alcoholics. 6. How far had A.A. spread during these sixteen years? (4 sentences) Groups are to be found in each of the United States and all the provinces of Canada. A.A. has flourishing communities in the British Isles, the Scandinavian countries, South Africa, South America, Mexico, Alaska, Australia and Hawaii. All told, promising beginnings have just been made in some 50 foreign countries and U.S. possessions. Some are just now taking shape in Asia. 7. What did many of A.A.s friends see ahead for our Fellowship? Many of our friends encourage us by saying that this is but a beginning, only an augury of a much larger future ahead. 8-a. Where was the first group formed? The spark that was to flare into the first A.A. group was struck at Akron, Ohio 8-b. When was the first group formed? in June c. Who were the principals of the first group? during a talk between a New York stockbroker and an Akron physician. Historic Note: The stockbroker was Bill W. and the physician was Dr. Bob S. 11

12 9-a. How long had Bill W. been recovered? Six months earlier 9-b. How had Bill W. been relieved of his drinking problem? the broker had been relieved of his drink obsession by a sudden spiritual experience 9-c. What had preceded Bill s recovery? following a meeting with an alcoholic friend 9-d. With whom had the friend (Ebby T.) been in contact? who had been in contact with the Oxford Groups of that day. 12 (Page xvi) 1-a. Who else had been very helpful to the Bill s recovery? He had also been greatly helped by the late Dr. William D. Silkworth 1-b. What was Dr. Silkworth s specialty? a New York specialist in alcoholism 1-c. How do we, as a Fellowship, feel about Dr. Silkworth? who is now accounted no less than a medical saint by A.A. members 1-d. Where do we find his story? and whose story of the early days of our Society appears in the next pages. 2. What vital piece of information did Bill W. learn from the doctor? From this doctor, the broker had learned the grave nature of alcoholism. 3-a. Could Bill accept the tenets of the Oxford Groups? Though he could not accept all the tenets of the Oxford Groups 3-b. What tenets could he accept? he was convinced of the need for moral inventory, confession of personality defects, restitution to those harmed, helpfulness to others, and the necessity of belief in and dependence upon God. Comment: Refer to page 292 Third Edition and page 263 Fourth Edition. These are the four tenets of the Oxford Groups put into action: Surrender, Confession, Restitution, and Service. 4-a. What had Bill done before going to Akron? Prior to his journey to Akron, the broker had worked hard with many alcoholics 4-b. What theory was Bill testing? on the theory that only an alcoholic could help an alcoholic

13 4-c. What were the results of his efforts? but he had succeeded only in keeping sober himself. 5-a. What had happened to his business venture in Akron? The broker had gone to Akron on a business venture which had collapsed 5-b. How did it affect him? leaving him greatly in fear that he might start drinking again. 6. What did he realize? He suddenly realized that in order to save himself he must carry his message to another alcoholic. 7. Who did he find as the result of his efforts? That alcoholic turned out to be the Akron physician. 8-a. What had the doctor done to try to whip his drinking problem? This physician had repeatedly tried spiritual means to resolve his alcoholic dilemma 8-b. Had it worked? but had failed. 9-a. What did Bill say Dr. Bob that had depth and weight? But when the broker gave him Dr. Silkworth s description of alcoholism and its hopelessness 9-b. Did that information help Dr. Bob find his truth in Step One? the physician began to pursue the spiritual remedy for his malady with a willingness he had never before been able to muster. 10. How successful was Dr. Bob at replicating what Bill said he had done? He sobered, never to drink again up to the moment of his death in Did this prove Bill's original theory? This seemed to prove that one alcoholic could affect another as no nonalcoholic could. (Page xvii) 1. What other important fact did it prove? It also indicated that strenuous work, one alcoholic with another, was vital to permanent recovery. 13

14 2. What did the two men then do? Hence the two men set to work almost frantically upon alcoholics arriving in the ward of the Akron City Hospital. 3. What happened with their first case? (2 sentences) Their very first case, a desperate one, recovered immediately and became A.A. number three. He never had another drink. Historical Note: This was Bill Dodson. 4. Did they quit with that success? This work at Akron continued through the summer of Were they extremely successful with others? There were many failures, but there was an occasional heartening success. 6-a. When did Bill return home? When the broker returned to New York in the fall of b. What had happened that he and Dr. Bob were unaware of? the first A.A. group had actually been formed, though no one realized it at the time. Historical Note: In three months 3 alcoholics had successfully worked the Twelve Steps, between which there were several failures. Comment: In some copies of the Big Book, the following paragraph is broken into two paragraphs. Where that is the case, the first paragraph begins as follows 14 By late 1937, the number of members having substantial sobriety time behind them was sufficient to convince the membership that a new light had entered the dark world of the alcoholic. A second small group had promptly taken shape at New York. And besides, there were scattered alcoholics who had picked up the basic ideas in Akron or New York and were trying to form A.A. groups in other cities. 7-a. Where was the second A.A. group formed? A second small group promptly took shape at New York, 7-b. When and where was the third group formed? to be followed in 1937 with the start of a third at Cleveland. 8. Were groups being formed elsewhere? Besides these, there were scattered alcoholics who had picked up the basic ideas in Akron or New York who were trying to form groups in other cities.

15 9. When did the sober alcoholics realize they had something really worthwhile? By late 1937, the number of members having substantial sobriety time behind them was sufficient to convince the membership that a new light had entered the dark world of the alcoholic. Historical Note: There had been other fellowships preceding AA that were occasionally successful at sobering up alcoholics. Among them were the Washingtonians, Oxford Groups, Salvation Army, and various and sundry temperance movements over the centuries. Their success rates were at best iffy. Twelve Step fellowships do not have a monopoly on God. We just have the most successful approach to practical spirituality in the history of addiction. 10. What did they believe it was time to do? It was now time, the struggling groups thought, to place their message and unique experience before the world. 11. What did their determination produce? This determination bore fruit in the spring of 1939 by the publication of this volume. 12. How many sober alcoholics were there at that time? The membership had then reached about 100 men and women. Historical Note: Just short of 4 years 13. Where did the name for the Fellowship come from? The fledgling society, which had been nameless, now began to be called Alcoholics Anonymous, from the title of its own book. 14. Did they realize they had a new road ahead? The flying-blind period ended and A.A. entered a new phase of its pioneering time. 15. What happened when this Book appeared? With the appearance of the new book a great deal began to happen. 16-a. What noted clergyman reviewed the Book? Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, the noted clergyman, 16-b. What did the noted clergyman think of this Book? reviewed it with approval. 15 (Page xviii) 1. What happened in the Fall of 1939? In the fall of 1939 Fulton Oursler, then editor of Liberty printed a piece in his

16 magazine, called Alcoholics and God. 2-a. What results did that produce? This brought a rush of 800 frantic inquiries 2-b. Where had Alcoholics Anonymous established an office? into the little New York office which meanwhile had been established. 3-a. How many inquiries were answered? Each inquiry was painstakingly answered, 3-b. How were they answered? pamphlets and books were sent out. 4. How did the fellowship include these remote alcoholics? Businessmen, traveling out of existing groups, were referred to these prospective newcomers. 5. What were the A.A. s surprised to learn? New groups started up and it was found, to the astonishment of everyone, that A.A. s message could be transmitted in the mail as well as word of mouth. 6. How many alcoholics were on their way to recovery by the end of 1939? By the end of 1939 it was estimated that 800 alcoholics were on their way to recovery. Historical Note: 800 inquiries 800 on their way to recovery. This was 9 months (+/-) after their last report of What happened in the spring of 1940? In the spring of 1940, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. gave a dinner for many of his friends to which he invited A.A. members to tell their story. 8. What was the result of this dinner? News of this got on the world wires; inquiries poured in again and many people went to the bookstores to get the book Alcoholics Anonymous. 9. What was the estimated membership in March, 1941? By March 1941 the membership had a shot up to 2,000. Historical Note: 18 months since their last report of a. Who wrote an article about A.A. in March, 1941? Then Jack Alexander wrote a feature article in the Saturday Evening Post. 10-b. What were the results of this article? And placed such a compelling picture of A.A. before the general public that alcoholics in need of help really deluged us. 16

17 11. By the end of 1941, how many members were there? By 1941, A.A. numbered 8,000 members. Historical Note: This is 9 months after their previous report of Was Alcoholics Anonymous now a recognized entity? (2 sentences) The mushrooming process was in full swing. A.A. had become a national institution. 13. What period did A.A. then enter? Our Society then entered a fearsome and exciting adolescent period. 14. What was the question that was later answered by our First Tradition? The test that it faced was this: Could these large numbers of erstwhile erratic alcoholics successfully meet and work together? 15. What question gave rise to our Second, Third, Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Traditions? Would there be quarrels over membership, leadership and money? 16. What question called for our Eighth and Twelfth Traditions? Would there be strivings for power and prestige? 17 (Page xix) 1. Was unity a great concern of early A.A.? Would there be schisms which would split A.A. apart? 2. Were these concerns valid? Soon A.A. was beset by these very problems on every side and in every group. 3. What conviction came from this period? But out of this frightening and at first disrupting experience the conviction grew that A.A. s had to hang together or die separately. 4. What did they realize they must do? We had to unify our Fellowship or pass off the scene. 5. What did the principles, for which they were searching, produce? (Read the entire paragraph.) As we discovered the principles by which the individual alcoholic could live, so we had to evolve principles by which A.A. groups and A.A. as a whole could survive and function effectively. It was thought that no alcoholic man or woman could be excluded from our Society; that our leaders might serve but never govern; that each group was to be autonomous and there was to be no professional class of therapy. There were to be no fees or dues; our expenses

18 were to be met by our own voluntary contributions. There was to be the least possible organization, even in our service centers. Our public relations were to be based upon attraction rather than promotion. It was decided that all members ought to be anonymous at the level of press, radio, TV and films. And in no circumstances should we give endorsements, make alliances, or enter public controversies. 6. Where in this book do we find these lifesaving principles? This was to be the substance of A.A. s Twelve Traditions, which are stated in full on page 564 of this book. 7-a. Did these prove to be laws? Though none of these principles had the force of rules or laws, 7-b. Did the Fellowship approve of them? they had become so widely accepted by 1950 that they were confirmed by the first International Conference held in Cleveland. 8. What is one of our greatest assets? Today the remarkable unity of A.A. is one of the greatest assets that our Society has. 9-a. What was happening as we were learning how to overcome our internal difficulties? While the internal difficulties of our adolescent period were being ironed out, 9-b. Did the public come to accept A.A.? public acceptance of A.A. grew by leaps and bounds. 18 (Page xx) 1. What were the two main reasons for public acceptance? For this were two principal reasons: the large number of recoveries, and reunited homes. 2. Were people impressed? These made their impressions everywhere. 3. As a general statement, what percentage of alcoholics who were willing to try the Program actually found sobriety? Of alcoholics who came to A.A. and really tried, 50% got sober and at once stayed that way; 25% sobered up after some relapses, and among the remainder, those who stayed on with A.A. showed improvement. Rhetorical Question: Are we seeing that level of success today? Answer: Fellowship wide, A.A. is seeing only a 5% success rate

19 according to statistics from Box 459, Dallas Intergroup of A.A., and Houston Intergroup of A.A. Rhetorical Question: Why not? 4. What did thousands of alcoholics do? Other thousands came to a few A.A. meetings and at first decided they didn t want the program. 5. What did great numbers of these folks finally do? But great numbers if these - about two out of three - began to return as time passed. 6. What was another reason for the acceptance of A.A.? Another reason for the wide acceptance of A.A. was the ministration of friends - friends in medicine, religion, and the press, together with innumerable others who became our able and persistent advocates. 7. Was this support important to the early growth of A.A.? Without such support, A.A. could have made only the slowest progress. 8. Where can we find some of the recommendations made by early supporters of A.A.? Some of the recommendations of A.A. s early medical and religious friends will be found further on in this book. 9. Are Twelve Step Fellowships a religious movement? Alcoholics Anonymous is not a religious organization. 10-a. Do Twelve Step Fellowships have a particular point of view? Neither does A.A. take any particular medical point of view, 10-b. With which two professional fields do Twelve Step Fellowships cooperate? though we cooperate widely with men of medicine as well as with men of religion. 11. Is sex addiction more prevalent in particular segments of society, origins, cultures, etc.? Alcohol being no respecter of persons, we are an accurate cross section of America, and in distant lands, the same democratic evening-up process is now going on. 12. What religious affiliations find Twelve Step Fellowships acceptable? By personal religious affiliations, we include Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Hindus, and a sprinkling of Moslems and Buddhists. 19

20 13. Do women make up a reasonable percentage of the A.A. membership? More than 15% of us are women. 14. At what rate is A.A. growing? At present, our membership is pyramiding at the rate of abut twenty per cent per year. Comment: Here, we will find discrepancies ranging from 7-20% (Page xxi) 1. Has A.A. made a significant impact on the many alcoholics in our world? So far, upon the total problem of several million actual and potential alcoholics in the world, we have made only a scratch. 2. Does A.A. hope, someday, to completely solve the alcoholic problem? In all probability, we shall never be able to touch more than a fair fraction of the alcoholic problem in all its ramifications. 3. Does A.A. claim to have the only solution for alcoholism? Upon therapy for the alcoholic himself, we surely have no monopoly. 4-a. What is the great hope of Alcoholics Anonymous? Yet it is our great hope that all those who have yet found no answer 4-b. Where is this hope to be found? may begin to find one in the pages of this book 4-c. They will then do what? and will presently join us on the high road to a new freedom. 20

21 Foreword to the Third Edition 21 (Page xxii) 1-a. When was the Third Edition first printed? By March 1976, when this edition went to the printer, 1-b. How many members were estimated? the total worldwide membership of Alcoholics Anonymous was conservatively estimated at more than 1,000,000, 1-c. How many groups were estimated? with almost 28,000 groups meeting in over 90 countries. 2. Was A.A. reaching more and a wider range of alcoholics? Surveys of groups in the United States and Canada indicate that A.A. is reaching out, not only to more and more people, but to a wider and wider range. 3. Was the number of women members increasing? Women now make up more than one-fourth of the membership; among newer members, the proportion is nearly one-third. 4. Was A.A. reaching younger alcoholics? Seven percent of the A.A. s surveyed are less than 30 years of age among them, many in their teens. 5. Was A.A. finding that the Program was effective for all alcoholics, regardless of anything and everything? The basic principles of the A.A. program, it appears, hold good for individuals with many different lifestyles, just as the program brought recovery in those different nationalities. 6. Was the Program of A.A. finding its way into distant lands and being translated into different languages? The Twelve Steps that summarize the program may be called los Doce Pasos in one country, les Douze Estapes in another, but they trace exactly the same path to recovery that was blazed by the earliest members of Alcoholics Anonymous. 7. Has the growth of the Fellowship changed the simplicity of the Program? In spite of the great increase in size and the span of this Fellowship, at its core it remains simple and personal.

22 8. What is the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous really about? Each day, somewhere in the world, recovery begins when one alcoholic talks with another alcoholic, sharing experience, strength, and hope. 22

23 The Doctor's Opinion The Doctor s Opinion was written by William D. Silkworth, M.D. To many recovered alcoholics, this section of the Big Book is considered to be the most important as it describes alcoholism in terms that make sense to the real alcoholic. From this description, the alcoholic learns the exact nature of the disease of alcoholism and how hopeless this condition of mind and body seems to be. We are told why alcoholics are unable to control the amount they drink once they have taken the first few drinks. But more important, we are told why it is that they cannot manage their decision to not take the first drink once they have made a firm decision, pledge, vow, promise, etc. to never drink again. He also expresses his belief, based on his observations, in the effectiveness of the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous as a method of assuring the essential entire psychic change which he believed to be the only solution for the seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Dr. Silkworth was trained in Neurology and lost his practice as the result of the stock market crash of He met Charlie Townes who was in search of a physician to direct his hospital, Townes Hospital, which specialized in the treatment of alcoholics and drug addicts. Dr. Silkworth accepted the position for a stipend of $40.00 a week. His plans were to re-enter private practice when he could afford to do so, but the time never came. He devoted his entire career to a practice of helping alcoholics. Many thousands of alcoholics were directed to Alcoholics Anonymous because of his faith in our way of life. Without Dr. Silkworth s opinion of alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous would not have happened. It is only when we clearly understand a problem that we may be able to find a solution. Bill W. understood the hopelessness of his alcoholism from Dr. Silkworth s opinion. Dr. Bob understood the hopelessness of his alcoholism after Bill W. explained Dr. Silkworth s opinion to him. If an alcoholic really wants to stop drinking for good and all, he must fully concede to his innermost self that he has a hopeless condition of mind, body and spirit. This is the first step in recovery and the Doctor s Opinion gives us the knowledge necessary to surrender to that truth. Very simply, from this section of the Big Book, we learn why it is that the real alcoholic has a body that can never get enough alcohol and a mind that will not let the alcoholic leave it alone. Note: The FOREWORD TO FOURTH EDITION advanced the page numbers for THE DOCTOR S OPINION by two (2) and will be so noted. 23

24 24 Third (Page xxiii) - Fourth (Page xxv) 1. What do we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe about this book? WE OF Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the medical estimate of the plan of recovery described in this book. 2. What is the source of some of the convincing testimony in this book? Convincing testimony must surely come from medical men who have had experience with the sufferings of our members and have witnessed our return to health. 3-a. Who gave Alcoholics Anonymous this opinion of alcoholism? A well-known doctor, 3-b. What was his position? chief physician at a nationally prominent hospital specializing in alcoholic and drug addiction, gave Alcoholics Anonymous this letter: Historical Note: Charles B. Townes Hospital. 4. What was Dr. Silkworth s specialty? I have specialized in the treatment of alcoholism for many years. 5. How did Dr. Silkworth describe the patient (Bill W.) he attended in 1934? In late 1934 I attended a patient who, though he had been a competent businessman of good earning capacity, was an alcoholic of a type I had come to regard as hopeless. 6. What happened during Bill s third course of treatment? In the course of his third treatment he acquired certain ideas concerning a possible means of recovery. Historic note: Bill did not meet Dr. Silkworth his first trip to Towns Hospital. His second visit was his first meeting with the good Doctor. 7. As part of Bill s recovery, what did he try to impress upon other alcoholics? As part of his rehabilitation he commenced to present his conceptions to other alcoholics, impressing upon them that they do likewise with still others. Comment: For those who claim there are no musts in Alcoholics Anonymous, this is the first must in our Basic Text. 8. His work was the basis for what? This has become the basis of a rapidly growing fellowship of these men and their

25 families. 9. How many did Dr. Silkworth say had recovered by 1939? This man and over one hundred others appear to have recovered. 10. How many did Dr. Silkworth know from his personal experience? I personally know scores of cases who were of the type with whom other methods had failed completely. 11. Why do these facts seem to be of extreme medical importance? These facts appear to be of extreme medical importance; because of the extraordinary possibilities of rapid growth inherent in this group they may mark a new epoch in the annals of alcoholism. 25 Third (Page xxiv) - Fourth (Page xxvi) 1. Did Dr. Silkworth believe this Program would work for many others? These men may well have a remedy for thousands of such situations. 2. Did Dr. Silkworth have complete confidence in recovered alcoholics? You may rely absolutely on anything they say about themselves. Very truly yours, William D. Silkworth, M.D. Comment: This is truly a remarkable comment from a Doctor who believed in Bill and his dedication to our Program of Recovery. Dr. Silkworth put his reputation on the line for alcoholics like us. This is one instance where we see the Hand of Fate at work. 3. What did the authors of this Book request of Dr. Silkworth? The physician who, at our request, gave us this letter, has been kind enough to enlarge upon his views in another statement which follows. 4. In Dr. Silkworth s enlarged statement, what fact does he confirm that suffering alcoholics must believe? In this statement he confirms what we who have suffered alcoholic torture must believethat the body of the alcoholic is quite as abnormal as his mind. 5. What didn t satisfy us? It did not satisfy us to be told that we could not control our drinking just because we were maladjusted to life, that we were in full flight from reality, or were outright mental defectives.

26 6. Was there any truth in them? These things were true to some extent, in fact, to a considerable extent with some of us. 7. Of what are we sure? But we are sure that our bodies were sickened as well. 8. What must be included to make the picture of alcoholism a complete one? In our belief, any picture of the alcoholic which leaves out this physical factor is incomplete. 9. Which part of the doctor s theory is of interest to alcoholics? The doctor's theory that we have an allergy to alcohol interests us. 10. Is our opinion considered valuable? As laymen, our opinion as to its soundness may, of course, mean little. 11. As ex-problem drinkers, what of his theory interests us? But as ex-problem drinkers, we can say that his explanation makes good sense. Comment: And if it didn t make sense to us, his opinion would be worthless 12. What does it do for us? It explains many things for which we cannot otherwise account. Rhetorical Question: How about an answer to why it is when we decide to limit ourselves, we can never get enough? And how about why it is when we have sworn off for good and all, we can t manage our most sincere decision to stay stopped? 13. Do we favor hospitalization for the very sick alcoholics? Though we work out our solution on the spiritual as well as an altruistic plane, we favor hospitalization for the alcoholic who is very jittery or befogged. 14. What is often necessary before we can begin to work with a person? More often than not, it is imperative that a man's brain be cleared before he is approached, as he has then a better chance of understanding and accepting what we have to offer. Historic Note: Dr. Bob had his own recipe for sobering up. It consisted of a can of stewed tomatoes, Karo syrup and sauerkraut juice. That would make an alcoholic puke big time. 26

27 27 Third (Page xxv) Fourth (Page xxvii) 1. Who should be interested in what is contained in this book? The subject presented in this book seems to me to be of paramount importance to those afflicted with alcoholic addiction. 2-a. What was Dr. Silkworth s position? I say this after many years experience as Medical Director of one of the oldest hospitals in the country 2-b. His hospital specialized in what? treating alcoholic and drug addiction. 3. Did Dr. Silkworth believe the material in this book was of sufficient substance to warrant his contribution? There was, therefore, a sense of real satisfaction when I was asked to contribute a few words on a subject which is covered in such masterly detail in these pages. 4. What did Dr. Silkworth say that doctors believed to be of importance to alcoholics? We doctors have realized for a long time that some form of moral psychology was of urgent importance to alcoholics, but its application presented difficulties beyond our conception. 5. With everything the medical profession had going for them, what were the doctors not equipped to do? What with our ultra-modern standards, our scientific approach to everything, we are perhaps not well equipped to apply the powers of good that lie outside our synthetic knowledge. Question - Did he believe that the medical profession had the ability to really help the real alcoholic? Answer - Your observation from the preceding 2 sentences: No, of course not. 6. What was it that one of the leading contributors (Bill W.) of this book wanted to do with the ideas he had acquired? Many years ago one of the leading contributors to this book came under our care in this hospital and while here he acquired some ideas which he put into practical application

28 at once. 7-a. What privilege did Bill request of Dr. Silkworth? Later, he requested the privilege of being allowed to tell his story to other patients here, and 7-b. Was Dr. Silkworth really supportive of the deal? with some misgiving, we consented Comment: If you would like to see how little this attitude has changed over the years since Bill was doing Twelfth Step work, walk up to the Information Desk of your local hospitals and tell them you are an alcoholic and would like to visit some of their patients. 8. How did he feel about the cases that he reviewed after Bill W. did his thing? The cases we have followed through have been most interesting; in fact, many of them are amazing. 9. How did Dr. Silkworth view recovered alcoholics? The unselfishness of these men as we have come to know them, the entire absence of profit motive, and their community spirit, is indeed inspiring to one who has labored long and wearily in this alcoholic field. 10. What do recovered sex addicts believe in? They believe in themselves, and still more in the Power which pulls chronic alcoholics back from the gates of death. Comment: On this page, Dr. Silkworth mentions moral psychology, followed by powers of good and finally Power. He recognized our need for a Higher Power and expressed his acceptance of this fact in the foregoing fashion. 11. Did Dr. Silkworth believe that hospitalization for the sick alcoholic is appropriate? Of course an alcoholic ought to be freed from his physical craving for liquor, and this often requires a definite hospital procedure, before psychological measures can be of maximum benefit. 28 Third (Page xxvi) Fourth (Page xxviii) 1-a. What did Dr. Silkworth believe to be the cause of the sex addicts out-of-control acting out or sprees (powerlessness)? We believe, and so suggested a few years ago, that the action of alcohol on these chronic alcoholics is a manifestation of an allergy;

29 1-b. Does this phenomenon exist with normal people? that the phenomenon of craving is limited to this class and never occurs in the average temperate drinker. Comment: Powerless over the body due to the allergy is the first half of Step One. Admitted we were powerless over our addiction... 2-a. How much alcohol can a real alcoholic safely use? These allergic types can never safely use alcohol in any form at all; Comment: True addictions are permanent. We will carry it to our grave, hopefully sober. 2-b. Once the sex addict has passed into the hopeless state, what happens? and once having formed the habit and found they cannot break it, once having lost their self-confidence, their reliance upon things human, their problems pile up on them and become astonishingly difficult to solve. 3. Can emotional pleading help an sex addict see the truth? Frothy emotional appeal seldom suffices. Comment: Frothy emotional appeal makes us feel guilty so we go act out a little to feel better. 4. What type of message can help a sex addict? The message which can interest and hold these alcoholic people must have depth and weight. 5-a. In what must the sex addict's ideals be grounded? In nearly all cases, their ideals must be grounded in a power greater than themselves, 5-b. Since sex addiction destroys lives, what can happen if our ideals ARE grounded in a Higher Power? if they are to re-create their lives. 6. What would cause psychiatrists to accept and recommend the Twelve Step Program? If any feel that as psychiatrists directing a hospital for alcoholics we appear somewhat sentimental, let them stand with us a while on the firing line, see the tragedies, the despairing wives, the little children; let the solving of these problems become a part of their daily work, and even of their sleeping moments, and the most cynical will not wonder that we have accepted and encouraged this movement. 29

30 7. What did Dr. Silkworth believe could do a more effective job in helping alcoholics? We feel, after many years of experience, that we have found nothing which has contributed more to the rehabilitation of these men than the altruistic movement now growing up among them. 8. Why do sex addict men and women act out? Men and women drink essentially because they like the effect produced by alcohol. Comment: If you will go to pages 83 & 84, and put the words, When I had a few drinks in front of the Ninth Step Promises, you may be able to recognize the effect the alcoholic gets from the first few drinks. 9-a. Does the sex addict understand why he acts out? The sensation is so elusive that, 9-b. Does acting out cause problems or injuries as Dr. Silkworth terms them? while they admit it is injurious 9-c. What is the real problem with the sex addict? they cannot after a time differentiate the true from the false. Comment: This is a rather unusual way of saying we can never again rely on our mind to keep us from starting to act out. 10. What is normal to the sex addict? To them, their alcoholic life seems the only normal one. Comment:: Those who don t go on sprees the way we do must have something wrong with them. We think they are the abnormal ones. 11-a. In the absence of addictive sexual behavior, how does the sex addict feel? They are restless, irritable and discontented, 11-b. What can they experience from acting out a little bit? unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks- 11-c. What effect do sex addicts see others experience when they engage in the same behaviors? drinks which they see others taking with impunity. 30 Third (xxvii) Fourth (Page xxix)