The Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous): Difference between revisions
referring to this paragrah as "the twelve promises" is incorrect. |
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* the "Ninth Step Promises" in Chapter 6 "Into Action" preceding the 10th Step. |
* the "Ninth Step Promises" in Chapter 6 "Into Action" preceding the 10th Step. |
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The main goal of the book, according to many reports, is to make it possible for the reader to find a [[Higher Power|power greater than himself]] to solve his problem. The writers indicate that an alcoholic "of our type" can under no circumstances become a moderate drinker: only abstinence can lead to recovery. By way of |
The main goal of the book, according to many reports, is to make it possible for the reader to find a [[Higher Power|power greater than himself]] to solve his problem. The writers falsely indicate that an alcoholic "of our type" can under no circumstances become a moderate drinker: only abstinence can lead to recovery. By way of hearsay, the example is provided of a man who, after 25 years sobriety, began to drink moderately and within two months landed in hospital. The myth is: once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. |
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In the book it is written that it is impossible to quit drinking by oneself. A new attitude or set of values also would not help. Whosoever is an alcoholic must admit that he can not help himself alone. Only a "higher power" could help. An example of a man named Fred is given, who had no control over his drinking, but finally leads an "infinitely more satisfying life" than before thanks to the previously unexplained spiritual principles of AA. |
In the book it is written that it is impossible to quit drinking by oneself. A new attitude or set of values also would not help. Whosoever is an alcoholic must admit that he can not help himself alone. Only a "higher power" could help. An example of a man named Fred is given, who had no control over his drinking, but finally leads an "infinitely more satisfying life" than before thanks to the previously unexplained spiritual principles of AA. They claim "many doctors and psychiatrists" confirm the effects of AA, but except for the doctor who wrote the introduction, none are cited. Instead "one of these men" is quoted, who works in a "world-renowned hospital", that "for most cases, there is no other solution" than a spiritual solution.<ref name="bbo3">[http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_bigbook_chapt3.pdf Big Book Online, Chap. 3]</ref> |
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{{Quote|Quote: Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power.''<ref name="bbo3"/>}} |
{{Quote|Quote: Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power.''<ref name="bbo3"/>}} |
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Revision as of 03:50, 9 September 2010
| Author | Bill W. & Dr. Bob |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. |
| Publication place | United States of America |
| ISBN | 1893007162 |
| OCLC | 408888189 |
Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism (more generally known as The Big Book because of its relative size) is a non-fiction book originally published in 1939 by Bill W. (William Griffith Wilson) and Dr. Bob (Robert Holbrook Smith). Together they founded the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) fellowship. The book serves as the the basic text of AA. There has been a series of reprints and revisions, as well as translations into dozens of languages. The second edition (1955) consisted of 1,150,000 copies. The book is published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. and is available through AA offices and meetings, as well as through booksellers. The 4th Edition (2001) is also freely available online.[1]
Synopsis
The book[2] consists of over 400 pages. The life story of Bill W. remains to be read in its contents. The personal experiences of some alcoholics are detailed as well as the series of solutions which evolved to become the twelve step program. How to use the twelve steps is explained using examples and anecdotes. Some chapters target a specific audience. One chapter is devoted to agnostics, while another is named "To Wives" (the first AA members were only men), and still another is for employers. The second part of the book (whose content varies from edition to edition) is a collection of personal stories, in which alcoholics tell their stories of addiction and recovery.
Frequently mentioned sections are:
- the "Twelve Steps" at the beginning of Chapter 5 "How It Works"
- the "Twelve Traditions" in the Appendix
- the "Ninth Step Promises" in Chapter 6 "Into Action" preceding the 10th Step.
The main goal of the book, according to many reports, is to make it possible for the reader to find a power greater than himself to solve his problem. The writers falsely indicate that an alcoholic "of our type" can under no circumstances become a moderate drinker: only abstinence can lead to recovery. By way of hearsay, the example is provided of a man who, after 25 years sobriety, began to drink moderately and within two months landed in hospital. The myth is: once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.
In the book it is written that it is impossible to quit drinking by oneself. A new attitude or set of values also would not help. Whosoever is an alcoholic must admit that he can not help himself alone. Only a "higher power" could help. An example of a man named Fred is given, who had no control over his drinking, but finally leads an "infinitely more satisfying life" than before thanks to the previously unexplained spiritual principles of AA. They claim "many doctors and psychiatrists" confirm the effects of AA, but except for the doctor who wrote the introduction, none are cited. Instead "one of these men" is quoted, who works in a "world-renowned hospital", that "for most cases, there is no other solution" than a spiritual solution.[3]
Quote: Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power.[3]
References
This article was translated from the German Wikipedia article January 27, 2010.
- ^ http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/
- ^ Alcoholics Anonymous (2001). Alcoholics Anonymous (4 ed.). New York City: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. ISBN 1-893007-16-2.
- ^ a b Big Book Online, Chap. 3
- Ernest Kurtz (1979). Not-God: a history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Hazelden Publishing. 363 pp.