The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

by Alcoholics Anonymous

other alcoholics if they would remain sober, that motive became secondary.

It was transcended by the happiness they found in giving themselves for others. They shared their homes, their slender resources, and gladly devot...

They were willing, by day or night, to place a new man in the hospital an...

interested. One man and his wife placed their large home at the disposal of this strangely assorted crowd. This couple has since become so fascinated that they have dedicated their home to the word.

Many a distracted wife has visited this house to find loving and understanding companionship among women who knew her problem,

own wayward mate might be hospitalized and approached whe...

He succumbed to that gay crowd inside, who laughed at their own misfortunes and understood

Surrender

The expression on the faces of the women, that indefinable something in the eyes of the men, the stimulating and electric atmosphere of the place, conspired to let him know that here was haven at last.

problems, the absence of intolerance of any kind, the informality, the genuine democracy, the uncanny understanding which these people had were irresistible.

They had seen miracles, and one was to come to them. They had visioned the Great Reality — their loving and All Powerful Creator.

[

Cleaning up old scrapes,

helping to settle family differences, explaining the disinherited son to his irate parents, lending money and securing jobs for each other, when justified — these are everyday occurrences. No one is too discredited or has sunk too low to be welcomed cordially — if he means business. Social distinctions, petty rivalries and jealousies — these are laughed out of countenance.

Being wrecked in the same vessel, being restored and united under one God, with hearts and minds attuned to the welfare of others, the things which matter so much to some people no longer signify much to them.

Perl Jam

There are the same fast friendships, there is the same helpfulness to one another as you find among our western friends.

us who travel drop in as often as we can. This practice enables us to lend a hand, at the same time avoiding certain alluring distractions of the road, about which any travelling man can inform you. [4] Thus we grow. And so can you, though you be but one man with this book in your hand. We believe and hope it contains all you will need to begin. We know what you are thinking. You are saying to yourself: “I’m jittery and alone. I couldn’t do that.” But you can. You forget that you have just now tapped a source of power much greater than yourself. To duplicate, with such backing, what we have accomplished is only a matter of willingness, patience and labor.

discovered the joy of helping others to face life again,

He will show you how to create the fellowship you crave.

Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven’t got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us. Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the

Study. A reading of the last portion of the book on Page 164 is a fitting way to end your Step study team. Haven’t you really had the benefit of a contact with those who wrote this book. Don’t you know now what you should really rely on? ASSIGNMENT: Find some new members of Alcoholics Anonymous who need this program and do another Step team study with them.

wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. May God bless you and keep you — until then. [

Deliberately

wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. May God bless you and keep you — until then. [

Surrender

I was between Scylla and Charybdis now, because if I did not drink my stomach tortured me, and if I did, my nerves did the same thing.

It was really a horrible nightmare,

promises which seldom kept me sober even through the day, though I was very sincere when I made them.

looked like a pig,

so I began to fortify my beer with straight alcohol.

alcoholics seem to have the gift of picking out the world’s finest women.

It was the day before Mother’s Day and I had come home plastered, carrying a big potted plant which I set down on the table and forthwith went upstairs and passed out.

six

expected in these uncertain times.

I spend a great deal of time passing on what I learned to others who want and need it badly. I do it for four reasons: Sense of duty. It is a pleasure.

Because in doing so I am paying my debt to the man who took time to pass it on to me. Because every time I do it I take out a little more insur...

I did not get over my craving for liquor ...

I had abused it so frightfully that it was withdrawn.

If you think you are an atheist, an agnostic, a skeptic, or have any other form of intellectual pride which keeps you from accepting what is in this book, I feel sorry for you. If you still think you are strong enough to beat the game alone, that is your affair.

Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!

or else

And here’s the definition: Showing or expressing too much emotion especially in a foolish or annoying way

universe.

And here’s the definition: Showing or expressing too much emotion especially in a foolish or annoying way

Bestial thoughts crystallize into habits of drunkenness and sensuality, which solidify into circumstances of destitution and disease: impure thoughts of every kind crystallize into enervating and confusing habits, which solidify into distracting and adverse circumstances: thoughts of fear, doubt, and indecision crystallize into weak, unmanly, and irresolute habits, which solidify into circumstances of failure, indigence, and slavish dependence: lazy thoughts crystallize into habits of uncleanliness and dishonesty, which solidify into circumstances of foulness and beggary: hateful and condemnatory thoughts crystallize into habits of accusation and violence, which solidify into circumstances of injury and persecution: selfish thoughts of all kinds crystallize into habits of self-seeking, which solidify into circumstances more or less distressing. On the other hand, beautiful thoughts of all kinds crystallize into habits of grace and kindliness, which solidify into genial and sunny circumstances: pure thoughts crystallize into habits of temperance and self-control, which solidify into circumstances of repose and peace: thoughts of courage, self-reliance, and decision crystallize into manly habits, which solidify into circumstances of success, plenty, and freedom: energetic thoughts crystallize into habits of cleanliness and industry, which solidify into circumstances of pleasantness: gentle and forgiving thoughts crystallize into habits of gentleness, which solidify into protective and preservative circumstances: loving and unselfish thoughts crystallize into habits of self-forgetfulness for others, which solidify into circumstances of sure and abiding prosperity and true riches.

conscious or unconscious,

resented

pride prevented me from listening to them, and caused only resentment

realized both of them knew what they were talking about because you can see things and smell things when you’re drunk, that you can’t other times, and, if I had thought they didn’t know what they were talking about,

Part of that program is that we take it to someone else, that needs it and wants it. Now, if you don’t want it, we’ll not take up your time, and we’ll be going and looking for someone else.” The next thing they

calmly and without any reservations.

and I finally came to the conclusion, that if I didn’t want to quit, I certainly ought to want to, and that I was willing to do anything in the world to stop drinking.

So, after reviewing these things and realizing what liquor had cost me, I went to this Higher Power which, to me, was God, without any reservation, and admitted that I was completely powerless over alcohol, and that I was willing to do anything in the world to get rid of