3-4
Quote:
|
We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations, and affairs.
|
If alcohol was the cause of our problems, quitting drinking would solve them. Why doesn't it? The reason many alcoholics drink is that we think it is a solution to our problems. ONce we remove our failed solutions (drinking) we are left to face the underlying causes. We learn to face and successfully deal with life's problems by practicing the steps of this simple program of action.
9-12
Quote:
Many could recover if they had the opportunity we have enjoyed. How then shall we present that which has been so freely given us?
We have concluded to publish an annonymous volume setting forth the problem as we see it. We shall bring to the task our combined experience and knowledge.
|
The study of how to most effectively carry this message is the most worthwhile study we can make. To prevent this message from being diluted or misinterpreted and to carry it to as many people as possible was the reason Alcoholics Anonymous was published, but were thinking of us and how they could best meet our needs.
This opportunity we now enjoy is the legacy of the first one hundred men and women. This gift has been freely given to us by our sponsors, and by the people in meeting, not only those who share their experience, strength, and hope, but also those who set up, clean up, run the meetins, answer the phones, and work at the district, area, and world levels doing service of all kinds.
13-17
Quote:
|
This should suggest a useful program for anyone concerned with a drinking problem. Of necessity there will have to be discusssion of matters medical, psychiatric, social, and religious. We are aware that these matters are, from their very nature, controversial. Nothing would please us so much as to write a book which would contain no bais for contention or argument. We shall do our utmost to achieve that ideal.
|
The authorse do not tell us what we ought to do, but rather show us what they have done to recover. The authors leave it up to us to decide what it is that we need to do. This is not to say that AA is a program of suggestions, but rather it is a suggested program which if adopted as a way of life can lead an alcoholic to recovery. When they speak of medical, psychiatric, social, and religious topics, we try to avoid contempt prior to investigation (387:1). We investigate first, then we decide.
Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
a companion to the Big Book
Frank D.