[nandm]

2.

The subject presented in this book seems to me to be of paramount importance to those afflicted with alcoholic addiction.

What could be more important to a practicing alcoholic than the hope of a solution? We decieve ourselves about what the problem with our lives really is. We think our spouse is the problem or our children or the pressures on the job. Though we may have many troubles, the one we must address first is our alcoholism.

Definition:
Paramount: First and foremost. Primary.

3.

I say this after many years experience as Medical Director of one of the oldest hospitals in the country treating alcoholic and drug addiction.

This doctor's many years of experience lends weight to his endorsement of this program of recovery.

*Historical Note:
The doctor has been at Town's Hospital for approximately nine years at the time he wrote this letter.

5-7.

We doctors have realized for a long time that some form of moral psychology was of urgent importance to alcoholics, but its application presented difficulties beyond our conception. What with our ultra-modern standard, our scientific approach to everything, we are perhaps not well equipped to apply the powers of good that lie outside our synthetic knowledge.
About four years ago one of the leading contributors to this book came under our care in this hospitatla and while here he acquired some ideas which he put into practical application at once.

If doctors were able to relieve us of our alcoholism, they would. If we do not respond to medical care, we may be beyond human help. Dr. Silkworth perceived that a complete change in an alcoholic's ideas and attitudes about life is what is needed for recovery. He thus concedes that medical science is nto effective at bringing forth this change. The doctor further concedes that this may be beyond the realm of human ability.

Bill W. was under Dr. Silkworth's care at Town's Hospital when Ebby T. showed him this simple program of action. This together with the knowledge of the physical aspects of alcoholism and the pactice of carrying the solution to others led to Bill W's recovery. Now that we are being presented with the solution are we willing to put the program into practical application at once?

10-12

The unselfishness of these men as we have come to know them, the entire absence of profit motive, and their community spirit, is indeed inspiring to one who has labored long and wearily in this alcoholic field. They believed in themselves, and still more in the Power which pulls chronic alcoholics back from the gates of death.
Of course an alcoholic ought to be freed from his physical craving for liquor, and this often requires a definate hospital procedure, before psychological measures can be of maximum benefit.

For these exact reason Alcoholics Anonymous is phenomenally successful at carrying this solution to millions of suffering alcoholics.

Medical science is skilled at drying drunks out. Keeping them dry is the difficulty. Quitting is not our problem, many of us are very good at quitting, having done it many, many times. Our problem is that we can't stay quit.

Definition:
Chronic: 1. Habitual. 2 Physical and psychological disorders resulting from repeated and excessive use of alcohol.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
A companion to the Big Book
By Frank D.