Big Book Quote

[newby1961]

"Many a man, yet dazed from his hospital experience, has stepped over the threshold of that home into freedom. Many an alcoholic who entered there came away with an answer. He succumbed to that gay crowd inside, who laughed at their own misfortunes and understood his."

~Alcoholics Anonymous 1st Edition A Vision for You pg-160
c-Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, INC.

[awuh1]

This passage has an interesting meaning after reading the book “Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers”. The book tells about the typical (pre 1939) process to bring a newcomer into the program in Akron. Typically, after initially speaking to the new man, Dr. Bob would admit him to the hospital for detox. While there he would be visited by many sober alcoholics. They would describe their own past drinking and tell the patient how utterly hopeless they had been to overcome it. They would also laugh and joke with each other and tell the new guy how great it was now that they were sober. For several days there would be a parade of them through his room. Quite naturally the man at some point would ask how they managed to stay sober, but they would not tell him. When the man was practically begging for an answer Dr. Bob would enter (typically alone as I remember) and confirm that the man was truly ready for the solution. Dr. Bob would then instruct the man to get on his knees for they were about to pray!

From what I remember reading , very few refused the instruction to do so, not even those who, to that point, had no religious convictions!
So....

Originally Posted by newby1961

"Many a man, yet dazed from his hospital experience, has stepped over the threshold of that home into freedom. Many an alcoholic who entered there came away with an answer. He succumbed to that gay crowd inside, who laughed at their own misfortunes and understood his."

~Alcoholics Anonymous 1st Edition A Vision for You pg-160
c-Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, INC.