Our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book. Aa is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. The big books answer to relapse prevention big book. Maybe if i only drank beer i wouldnt get into so much trouble. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. The original version of the big book included bills story, a description of alcoholism, the 12 steps, a letter to agnostics and an outline for recovery. We think that such a view is selfcentered and in direct con. Mar 14, 2017 a little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous more on alcoholism. A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous more on alcoholism.
Quickly find the contact information for any aa chapter in the u. The first 164 pages of the big book is the outline for recovery, which constitute the program of recovery. Oct 12, 2017 one of many good places to begin is in alcoholics anonymous aka the big book, specifically chapter 4, we agnostics. May 21, 2008 this has left historians and aa members divided over some important questions. By the very act of critiquing chapter 4, we agnostics, i admittedly commit aa heresy. A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous more. One of many good places to begin is in alcoholics anonymous aka the big book, specifically chapter 4, we agnostics.
For the serious student of the aa big book, what follows are some recommendations from the author of this study guide in the approach to take when utilizing this supplemental material. Is this the christian god, or can we really take this to mean a god of our own understanding. This makes bills story one of the most important chapters in the big book. The big book study seriespart 9 chapter 7 working with others. A perspective on more about alcoholism chapter 3 of the big. The purpose of this study guide is to enable the student to better 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. Our notes, commentary, and genderinclusive changes are formatted in italics. Some people have recovered from alcoholism, though, and the big book offers a suggested outline that seems to help a few. There was another part of bills story that impacted me. These 12 steps are outlined in chapter 5, how it works, of the big book.
The fourth edition includes most of the original content. 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. As was the case for many of us before we entered aa, of course. Based on the readily available reference material, bill wilson was the author of the chapter of the big book titled. Words contained within the first 164 pages of the big book. Chapter three is devoted entirely to step one, chapter four is. I see that i am quite a bit like these people, but if i can just quit drinking for a while ill be ok.
The most detailed book summary of alcoholics anonymous. What is it that you have in your hand, that leads these first aa members to believe you can grow the fellowship. Here he shares insights into step two of aa, alcoholics anonymous 12 steps. All sections of this country and many of its occupations are represented, as well as many political, economic, social, and reli. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. Breaking down step two of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous.
Working with otherstoday we begin chapter 7 working with others which is of course the suggestion of the 12th step. Giving, rather than getting, will become the guiding principle. Bill notes in this point of bills story that he was beginning to fear for his own sanity. When we read the doctors opinion and chapter 1 bills story we are looking at the problem. 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. Download pamphlets and handouts to use in big book group sessions our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book.
Youre point is why i dont think it is alwasy useful to share our war stories in aa meetings as there will always be people who go well that hasnt happened to me so i am not as bad. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation. Why would bill capitalize the word fellowship here and not anywhere else in the big book. In its chapter, we agnostics, the big book outlines its attitude toward spiritual and religious matters. Alcoholics anonymous is often referred to as a 12step program, and aa is the basis for many other 12step programs that have been established. Read read chapter 5, how it works, on the fear inventory. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aa s 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa. By lifeline editor june 4, 2014 lifeline big book, chapter 6 chapter 6, titled into action, is in my experience a guide for the steps 5 through 11 in the program we call alcoholics anonymous. The big book is an outline for recovery, never claiming to be a cure or a certain solution for everyone and anything. Bearing in mind that step 12 is fundamentally the special insight of bill wilson when alone, on the verge of relapse as he wandered up and down the lobby of the. First time i read it, i said, well, golly, i havent lost everything. What three things do you need to duplicate the results of this chapter in your own community. Action in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12.
Read the book alcoholics anonymous from the frontispiece through the end of chapter 11 a vision for you pg 164. Big book sponsorship 12 step recovery from any and all. Chapter three is devoted entirely to step one, chapter four is devoted to step two, chapter five introduces us to the rest of the steps, with instructions for step three beginning on page sixty. It basically tells his life from when he was an officer in wwi and then his progression into alcoholism and then his visit from ebby thatcher and his sobriety. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either. These step study guides and worksheets have been used by thousands of aas, nas, alanons, oa overeaters, cas, gas and other 12 step recovery program members that use the 12 steps as instructed in the book, alcoholics. Reading guide for there is a solution amethyst recovery center. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. It originated the twelvestep program now used widely among addictions outside alcohol.
His is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. Can someone give me a summary of alcoholic anonymous. Where are the steps outlinedlaid out in the big book. Hear recovered addict and big book mucker, cameron f. Helping others newcomers is the foundation stone of your recovery. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. Aa big book with questions for discussion emotional. Download the full version to access these features.
The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism, is a collection of texts used by members of the alcoholics anonymous fellowship the book has undergone four revisions since william wilson, also known as bill w. Outline the program of action, explaining how you made a selfappraisal, how you straightened out your past and why you are now endeavoring to be helpful to him. Henry ford once made a wise remark to the effect that experience is the thing of supreme value in life. Aa big book with questions for discussion hi everyone. The big book is alcoholics anonymouss primary text. A much more detailed outline of the big book is found in a schematic outline of the big book as found at.
Chapter 1 is bills story one of the cofounders of aa. Jason wahler is a reality tv star in recovery and undoing the stigma around addiction. The second edition, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies. Practical experience shows that nothing will so much.
The big book is one of the bestselling books of all times 30 million copies sold. We agnostics is the fourth chapter of alcoholics anonymous, or the fifth if you include the doctors opinion. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aas 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism. The big book is structured and laid out in a very particular manner. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Our written materials are not official aa literature. Reading guide for we agnostics amethyst recovery center. It is the first text written about the experiences of the founders of the a. Aa big book free for alcoholics anonymous for ios free. A perspective on more about alcoholism chapter 3 of the. Alcoholics anonymous or the big book as it is commonly called was first published in 1939 and was subtitled the story of how many thousands of men and.
As discussed in the previous chapter, selfwill is not sufficient for overcoming. Hello everyone donna s grateful alcoholic from nj i love this chapter, as it tells mea hopeless alcoholic, that there is a solution. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Assume on the other hand that father has, at the outset, a stirring spiritual experience. The big book is well over 400 pages long and contains numerous chapters. A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous. Lets take a look at the table of contents from the book alcoholics anonymous affectionately referred to as the big book.
With step two we learn that we are not alone, and tha. All references to the topics will be found in the first 164 pages of the book, alcoholics anonymous. Chapter 2 there is a solution w e, of alcoholics anonymous, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as bill. I have been reading the book alcoholics anonymous for most of my nearly 17 yrs of recovery last drink jan 30, 1994, although the first time i read it was 1977. The big book study seriespart 9 chapter 7 working with. Outline in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12.
Big book overview alcoholics anonymous or the big book as it is commonly called was first published in 1939 and was subtitled the story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. Jul 18, 2012 hello everyone donna s grateful alcoholic from nj i love this chapter, as it tells mea hopeless alcoholic, that there is a solution. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. The message in chapter 2 is really about a spiritual awakening, which the great psychiatrist carl jung defined as a complete change in ideas, emotions, and attitudes.
It is here in the big book that tells me i am not alone and there are others like me. For further study, it is suggested that you get a copy of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. This has left historians and aa members divided over some important questions. 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.
The steps helped each of the cofounders of aa in their own recovery from alcoholism and have continued to help countless. The point is that aa, the twelve steps, and the big book itself, are there to help you to find a power greater than yourself, which will help you solve your problem. Step 1 the doctors opinion bills story there is a solution more about alcoholism step 2 we agnostics steps 312 how it works into action working with others. 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. I can relate to a time in my life when i had everything going well for me and my habit got the best of me and caused me to lose my employment. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. The book alcoholics anonymous, aka the big book, is the basic text for the aa program of sobriety. I love all of the 12 steps of aa, but step two is the one that gives us hope. Most of us have been unwilling to admit we were real alcoholics. A fourth study guides are distilled right out of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. This diagram is a handy reference for where the steps are located in the big book. I havent gotten to the point where i must have alcohol upon waking up.