Here are some of the methods we have tried: Drinking beer only, limiting the number of drinks, never drinking alone, never drinking in the morning, drinking only at home, never having it in the house, never drinking during business hours, drinking only at parties, switching from scotch to brandy, drinking only natural wines, agreeing to resign if ever drunk on the job, taking a trip, not taking a trip, swearing off forever (with and without a solemn oath), taking more physical exercise, reading inspirational books, going to health farms and sanitariums, accepting voluntary commitment to asylums-we could increase the list ad infinitum. After doing that, he must decide for himself whether he wants to go on. Even so has God restored us all to our right minds. Unless the reason is understood, there may be an emotional upset. Arrangements were also made with the chief psychiatrist of a large public hospital to select still others from the stream of misery which flows through that institution. To this man, the revelation was sudden. He is the fellow who goes to bed so intoxicated he ought to sleep the clock around. Program, the very first page of the Big Book clearly states that is not the case! Assume on the other hand that father has, at the outset, a stirring spiritual experience. Many of us have heard of the Ninth Step Promises from page 83-84 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. He is a real Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. For the next few years fortune threw money and applause my way. The book: Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism is often referred to in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings (AA) as the Big Book.The text got this name because the first edition of the book had rather thick pages, making the book even thicker than its content would suggest. He left us a note saying you were the best boss he ever had, and that you were not to blame in any way.. If your decision is yes, whether the reason be humanitarian or business or both, then the following suggestions may be helpful. If he cannot or does not want to stop, he should be discharged. Neither should the family hysterically plead with him to do anything, nor should they tell him much about you. Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program of recovery: Many of us exclaimed, What an order! He may either plunge into a frantic attempt to get on his feet in business, or he may be so enthralled by his new life that he talks or thinks of little else. There is a complete failure of the kind of defense that keeps one from putting his hand on a hot stove. Before taking drastic action which might implicate other people we secure their consent. When they talked of a God personal to me, who was love, superhuman strength and direction, I became irritated and my mind snapped shut against such a theory. Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. I have never seen one single case recover, where that state of mind existed to the extent that it does in you. Our friend felt as though the gates of hell had closed on him with a clang. But it is better to meet God alone than with one who might misunderstand. Ask them to remember, when they are impatient, the blessed fact of his sobriety. Understanding our work, he can do this with an eye to selecting those who are willing and able to recover on a spiritual basis. It is harder to go to an enemy than to a friend, but we find it much more beneficial to us. Have we skimped on the cement put into the foundation? First, there were many. We needed to ask ourselves but one short question. He will be able to take a position with such a man which is eminently fair and square. Most alcoholics have to be pretty badly mangled before they really commence to solve their problems. BIG BOOK INDEX FIRST 164 PAGES 4 SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARAGRAPH(S) Step 9 76 Through 84 3 Ending in 1 Step 10 84 Through 85 2 & 2 Step 11 85 Through 88 3 Step 12 89 (Chapter 7) Trust In God 68 2 Unpaid Debts 78 2 When In Doubt 164 1, 2 & 3 Viewed on any device capable of viewing PDFs. They should be thankful he is sober and able to be of this world once more. He need not, and often should not show it to his alcoholic prospect. Though he is now a most effective member of Alcoholics Anonymous, he still smokes and drinks coffee, but neither his wife nor anyone else stands in judgment. Some chapters are devoted to specific audiences, and others are more general in nature. Sometimes a new man is anxious to proceed at once. We found the Great Reality deep down within us. We had a new Employer. It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it. Yet early next morning he searches madly for the bottle he misplaced the night before. In time they will see that he is a new man and in their own way they will let him know it. Most of us have believed that if we remained sober for a long stretch, we could thereafter drink normally. That was the last honest manual labor on my part for many a day. They will always materialize if we work for them. We think of their needs and work for them. We have traveled a rocky road, there is no mistake about that. Copy. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. The title page says it all. We all know that the first 164 pages of the big book are the meat and potatoes this books first 164 is only 90 pages! What had happened? Preface / Forward to the 1st Edition. Im sorry I got disturbed. Common words are needed to keep the book to a reasonable size and an affordable cost. If she knows in a general way that we have been wild, should we tell her in detail? If your God is not Powerful enough to heal your alcoholic mind, fire His ass and start praying to a God that will transform us to recovered status. As I drank, the old fierce determination to win came back. Aint it grand the wind stopped blowin?. This is the first step in recovery. Patience and good temper are most necessary. Counsel with persons is often desirable, but we let God be the final judge. The right kind of man, the kind who recovers, will not want this sort of thing. They think we do not have enough of it, or that it isnt the right kind. Still you may say: But I will not have the benefit of contact with you who write this book. We cannot be sure. We were usually as definite as this example: We went back through our lives. But somehow, we couldnt quite step ashore. Hearts are broken. (Bill wrote on the very last page of the first 164 pages: "We realize we know only a little"). If you take it, your past will be forgotten and the fact that you went away for treatment will not be mentioned. That was natural, but let us think a little more closely. His alcoholic problem was taken away. This should be an entirely personal affair which each one decides for himself in the light of past associations, or his present choice. We believe a man should be thoroughly probed on these points. The 164 and More Book, eBook, and Web Site are all CONCORDANCES which display passages from the Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous, the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, and the A.A. Grapevine (A.A. Preamble only). Let them praise his progress. Seeing is believing to most families who have lived with a drinker. Showing others who suffer how we were given help is the very thing which makes life seem so worth while to us now. No wonder an alcoholic is strangely irrational. They are questions for each individual to settle for himself. When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. He is not likely to get far in any direction if he fails to show unselfishness and love under his own roof. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Of those who keep on, a good number will become true alcoholics after a while. Potential alcoholic that I was, I nearly failed my law course. Would I have it? Furthermore, Adobe has removed this feature from Acrobat Reader version X released in late 2010. A man of thirty was doing a great deal of spree drinking. I can find "alcoholic" on the web site, but not in the book. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death. About the Big Book. That is one of mans magnificent attributes. Aside from fellowship and sociability, the prime object was to provide a time and place where new people might bring their problems. You may think our illustration is too ridiculous. Big Book Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book This is the year that the first woman joined AA. We have sometimes reflected more than Jim did upon the consequences. He is the Principal; we are His agents. Thus you may succeed in interesting him in alcoholism. That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral. Base Territorial: In fact, I have been trying to produce some such emotional rearrangement within you. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. He has just returned from a three-months leave of absence, has taken a cure, looks fine, and to clinch the matter, the board of directors told him this was his last chance., The only answer I could make was that if the man followed the usual pattern, he would go on a bigger bust than ever. Our next thought is that you should never tell him what he must do about his drinking. Surprisingly enough, we find such convictions no great obstacle to a spiritual experience. If a mere code of morals or a better philosophy of life were sufficient to overcome alcoholism, many of us would have recovered long ago. In a matter of fact way he told how two men had appeared in court, persuading the judge to suspend his commitment. We are not saints. According to the Big Book, how many copies were sold of the. But he must see the danger of over-concentration on financial success. The very first page of our basic text tells us that, contrary to misinformation in the A.A. Fellowship, alcohlics can recover from alcoholism. At such moments we forget that alcoholism is an illness over which we could not possibly have had any power. God alone can judge our sex situation. The first principle of success is that you should never be angry. He will be less likely to drink again, and anything is preferable to that. He is striving to recover fortune and reputation and feels he is doing very well. While a general guideline is one page is 500 words (single spaced) or 250 words (double spaced), this is a ballpark figure. He had stepped from bridge to shore. Dont let him get away with it. Reminding ourselves that we have decided to go to any lengths to find a spiritual experience, we ask that we be given strength and direction to do the right thing, no matter what the personal consequences may be. I've heard from many newcomers and in several chat rooms where people say their sponsors told them to only read the 1st 164 pages. We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Seeing this, and meaning to be helpful, his wife commenced to admonish him about it. Tell him you have been worried, though perhaps needlessly. Actually, he may be helping you more than you are helping him. Both you and the new man must walk day by day in the path of spiritual progress. Here they are, the 82 occurrences of the word Must found In Alcoholics Anonymous 4th edition THE DOCTORS OPINION 1) PAGE xxiii: After 21 years of sobriety and about 14 devoted to the program in the book I have found out a simple fact. As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. He might have a chance. But urge upon a mans family that he has been a very sick person and should be treated accordingly. If he wishes to talk, let him do so. They in turn might work with others. Some men cannot or will not get over alcoholism. We liked it. Many of these books are written in . When dealing with such a person, you had better use everyday language to describe spiritual principles. We are sorry for what we have done and, God willing, it shall not be repeated. At this point, it might be well to explain alcoholism, the illness. This is the Great Fact for us. He tries every known means to get the jay-walking idea out of his head. Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as the "Big Book," presents the A.A. program for recovery from alcoholism. For the leading contributor. But it isnt so difficult. She may insist on knowing all the particulars. You and your husband will find that you can dispose of serious problems easier than you can the trivial ones. We can look the world in the eye. After such an approach many take up their beds and walk again. Resentment grows. Everyone became resigned to the certainty that I would have to be shut up somewhere, or would stumble along to a miserable end. But we could not. We have seen others slip when the family came back too soon. Two: Your husband is showing lack of control, for he is unable to stay on the water wagon even when he wants to. My schoolmate visited me, and I fully acquainted him with my problems and deficiencies. In the first flush of spiritual experience they forgave each other and drew closer together. We were now at Step Three. This dream world has been replaced by a great sense of purpose, accompanied by a growing consciousness of the power of God in our lives. I vaguely sensed I was not being any too smart, but felt reassured as I was taking the whiskey on a full stomach. When resentful thoughts come, try to pause and count your blessings. Young Picture Books aim for the 2 to 5-year-old. However intelligent we may have been in other respects, where alcohol has been involved, we have been strangely insane. The spiritual aspect of the program is by no means camouflaged but it is not made too obvious at first. Any A.A. who has not experienced the joys and satisfaction of helping another alcoholic regain his place in life has not yet fully realized the complete benefits of this fellowship. (A.A. Broadcast in Self Help; Tue, May 6, 2014 10:00PM UTC Part 2. The text of the 1st 164 pages of Alcoholics Anonymous. Father, coming suddenly to life again, often begins to assert himself. I honestly doubted whether, on balance, the religions of mankind had done any good. That was two months ago and the result was self-evident. His wife is one of those persons who really feels there is something rather sinful about these commodities, so she nagged, and her intolerance finally threw him into a fit of anger. Once we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are delighted. But the actual or potential alcoholic, with hardly an exception, will be absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self- knowledge. Both saw that they must keep spiritually active. The other day an approach was made to the vice president of a large industrial concern. Inwardly he would give anything to take half a dozen drinks and get away with them. Young people may be encouraged by this mans experience to think that they can stop, as he did, on their own will power. People of faith have a logical idea of what life is all about. The more hopeless he feels, the better. Selfish and inconsiderate habits have kept the home in turmoil. But we arent a glum lot. I saw that my friend was much more than inwardly reorganized. This combination soon landed me on the rocks. Here was love, applause, war; moments sublime with intervals hilarious. We must be willing to make amends where we have done harm, provided that we do not bring about still more harm in so doing. As we shall see, he now means a great deal to his community, and the major liabilities of thirty years of hard drinking have been repaired in four. The first 164 pages walk us through the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Sunlight of the Spirit: 1 (page 66) Supreme Being: 1 (page 46) Spirit, world of the: 1 (page 84) His Spirit: 1 (page 85) Total references to God in one form or another: 281. We think each family which has been relieved owes something to those who have not, and when the occasion requires, each member of it should be only too willing to bring former mistakes, no matter how grievous, out of their hiding places. The rule is we must be hard on ourself, but always considerate of others. Of course, this chapter refers to alcoholics, sick people, deranged men. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. To some extent we have become God-conscious. Frequently, you have felt obliged to tell your husbands employer and his friends that he was sick, when as a matter of fact he was tight.
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