There is a solution. Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation. But we saw that it really worked in others, and we had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet. We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence of which we had not even dreamed. The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God's universe. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves. If you are as seriously alcoholic as we were, we believe there is no middle-of-the-road solution. We were in a position where life was becoming impossible, and if we had passed into the region from which there is no return through human aid, we had but two alternatives: One was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could; and the other, to accept spiritual help. This we did because we honestly wanted to, and were willing to make the effort.
Bill writes, For a moment I was alarmed, and called my friend, the doctor [Silkworth], to ask if I were still sane. He listened in wonder as I talked. Finally he shook his head saying, 'Something has happened to you I don't understand. But you had better hang on to it. Anything is better than the way you were.' The good doctor now sees many men who have such experiences. He knows that they are real....
"While I lay in the hospital the thought came that there were thousands of hopeless alcoholics who might be glad to have what had been so freely given me. Perhaps I could help some of them. They in turn might work with others. My friend Ebby, who carried the message of recovery to Bill had emphasized the absolute necessity of demonstrating these principles in all my affairs. Particularly was it imperative to work with others as he had worked with me." Faith without works was dead, he said. "And how appallingly true for the alcoholic! For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. If he did not work, he would surely drink again, and if he drank, he would surely die. Then faith would be dead indeed. With us it is just like that."
AA Big Book, Foreword to the First Edition:
We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than 100 men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book.
Recovered does not mean 'cured.' However, there is treatment for us through this program. If we are honest about our disease with ourselves, another human being, and God, and do other certain things the program asks of us, we do not Ever have to drink again. Our program promises this, and it has been just the case for millions of AA's. Why not you? Do not feel overwhelmed as 'there is so much to do, I can't go through with it, I'll never be able to stop drinking or work all those steps.' Stop that! :) Believe me, it is a lot harder to stay drunk than it is to get and stay sober. Step out in faith. Nothing else had worked for me to get sober, and I tried everything in the world. I could get sober, sure, but I could not stay sober until I found AA. You will soon find you cannot stay in AA, just by being 'around' AA. AA and a belly full of booze just do not mix. Our Big Book tells us that AA just becomes a 'design for living.' It is not something we have to 'struggle' with every day. It becomes a way of life, and is a blessing when lived this way. Yes, there will be trials and tribulations, but we will be able to face them head on, sober, rather than running to hide from them in the bottle. When sober, the problems are still there, and we are still more baffled on how to deal with them. You will often hear in AA, 'There is nothing so bad that a drink will make better.' Tis' true.
AA does not just consist of meetings or group therapy sessions. There is a difference in the fellowship of AA and the program of AA. The only requirement for membership in AA is the desire to stop drinking. However, if you want to recover from alcoholism and self-bondage, there are things one must do. AA gives us an exact set of instructions to follow to find the freedom we seek. We need meetings to be with those we can relate to, and share our common illness. Let us not forget our program: Our Common Solution.
All personal opinions I share, are just that. They come from my own experience, strength and hope I have found in this program.
TT
Bill writes, For a moment I was alarmed, and called my friend, the doctor [Silkworth], to ask if I were still sane. He listened in wonder as I talked. Finally he shook his head saying, 'Something has happened to you I don't understand. But you had better hang on to it. Anything is better than the way you were.' The good doctor now sees many men who have such experiences. He knows that they are real....
"While I lay in the hospital the thought came that there were thousands of hopeless alcoholics who might be glad to have what had been so freely given me. Perhaps I could help some of them. They in turn might work with others. My friend Ebby, who carried the message of recovery to Bill had emphasized the absolute necessity of demonstrating these principles in all my affairs. Particularly was it imperative to work with others as he had worked with me." Faith without works was dead, he said. "And how appallingly true for the alcoholic! For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. If he did not work, he would surely drink again, and if he drank, he would surely die. Then faith would be dead indeed. With us it is just like that."
AA Big Book, Foreword to the First Edition:
We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than 100 men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book.
Recovered does not mean 'cured.' However, there is treatment for us through this program. If we are honest about our disease with ourselves, another human being, and God, and do other certain things the program asks of us, we do not Ever have to drink again. Our program promises this, and it has been just the case for millions of AA's. Why not you? Do not feel overwhelmed as 'there is so much to do, I can't go through with it, I'll never be able to stop drinking or work all those steps.' Stop that! :) Believe me, it is a lot harder to stay drunk than it is to get and stay sober. Step out in faith. Nothing else had worked for me to get sober, and I tried everything in the world. I could get sober, sure, but I could not stay sober until I found AA. You will soon find you cannot stay in AA, just by being 'around' AA. AA and a belly full of booze just do not mix. Our Big Book tells us that AA just becomes a 'design for living.' It is not something we have to 'struggle' with every day. It becomes a way of life, and is a blessing when lived this way. Yes, there will be trials and tribulations, but we will be able to face them head on, sober, rather than running to hide from them in the bottle. When sober, the problems are still there, and we are still more baffled on how to deal with them. You will often hear in AA, 'There is nothing so bad that a drink will make better.' Tis' true.
AA does not just consist of meetings or group therapy sessions. There is a difference in the fellowship of AA and the program of AA. The only requirement for membership in AA is the desire to stop drinking. However, if you want to recover from alcoholism and self-bondage, there are things one must do. AA gives us an exact set of instructions to follow to find the freedom we seek. We need meetings to be with those we can relate to, and share our common illness. Let us not forget our program: Our Common Solution.
All personal opinions I share, are just that. They come from my own experience, strength and hope I have found in this program.
TT
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