Chapter Seven: Working With Others

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The authors take for granted that we will be restored to sanity by the application of the principles outlined in this book. They are also certain that we will receive the same benefits from taking these steps as they received.

The result of working A.A.'s Twelve Steps is a spiritual awakening. To broaden and deepen our spirituality becomes our focus. "Faith without works is dead." The study and practice of how to carry this message can be the most worthwhile effort of our lives. Working with others is an experience we must not miss. Through a great deal of trial and error the early members worked out a method for approaching a practicing alcoholic. If we follow the instructions given here we stand the greatest chance of success.

The end of our indifference to spiritual principles allows us to see the great opportunity we have to carry the message that we have so freely been given. The ability to be be truly useful and the actions we take to do this fill our lives with purpose and meaning. The promose of a fellowship growing up around us is a promise of true satisfaction in life.

The authors walk us through the initial contacts so that we may be of maximum use in helping the alcoholic to find the solution offered through the practice of the Twelve Steps. Step by step instructions are given on how to best help the family of the alcoholic. Guidance is also offered to help us arrange the intial visit and to present the solution in a way that will be most successful.

Working With Others begins by explaining the practical considerations behind the suggestion to carry the message (89:1-5). The benefits of carrying the message are detailed (89:7-10). Ways to find a prospect are suggested (89:11-13). We are cautioned to avoid arousing prejudice (89:14-19). Important considerations for qualifying the prospect & timing our approach (90:1-91:12). The importance of gaining our prospect'c confidence and ways to accomplish this are illustrated (91:13-92:6). Detailed are ways to most effectively present the foundation concepts of hopelessness (92:7-18), and hope of a solution (92:18-93:7). We are again counseled to avoid arousing prejudice (93:8-94:1). Ways to present the program of action (94:2-16), and introduce the fellowship (94:18) are explained. Successful techniques for carrying the message are illustrated (95:1-96:12) such as; being helpful (96:13-98:3), avoiding enabling (98:4-11), dealing with domestic problems (98:12-100:17), and avoiding intolerance (103:2-12). The reasons for all this effort is made clear; spiritual fitness protects us from drinking (100:18-103:1).

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Step Twelve: Carrying this message to other alcoholics protects us from drinking

The First Visit: God gives us the ability to be useful to alcoholics. We practice proven techniques for helping alcoholics.

The Second Visit: Having had the experience ourselves we can be helpful to an alcoholic who is ready to begin practicing the Twelve Steps.

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1

Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.

DEFINITION:
Practical: resulting from practice

This is not a theory. It works. The vast experience of AA members the world over proves it to be true. If you want to recover from alcoholism nothing you can do will be of more help than working with other alcoholics. Intensive work is what is called for, not mere causual association. Working through the steps with our sponsors, studying this program with our AA group and helping another alcoholic to recover are all examples of intensive work with other alcoholics.

2

It works when other activites fail.

If we are having a hard time staying sober and are wondering what it is we have to do, here is clear-cut direction. Explaining the theories and ideas that are the foundation of our new lives to a newcomer will do more than anything else to help us understand them for ourselves. We have to give it away to get it.

3

This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this message to other alcoholics!

The message that this book carries to alcoholics is that there is a method by which we may recover (17:12-14). On their last visit Dr. Bob cautioned Bill W. to "Keep it simple." By this he meant that we should not dilute the message of this book with any other messages. Let us work the AA program and not be distracted by other influences. Let us study, practice, and master this program before we delve off into other issues.

4

You can help when no one else can.

We know why we were byond human aid. We were blinded from the truth by the illusion of self-sufficiency. We were blocked from God by our character defects. We were so selfish and self-centered that we could find justifications for our most bizarre behaviors. Now we have found a real solution to the problem God, can make us very effective at presenting it to alcoholics.

5

You can secure their confidence when others fail.

Our past becomes transformed by God into our greatest asset. It helps others to identify with us. We know what it is like to be in the seemingly hopeless state of mind and body that is alcoholism. We know what it is like to have our problems pile up on us to the point that we despair of a solution. We know what it is to be beyond human aid. We also know how to recover from this stae. This chapter is concerned with the study of how we may most effectively carry this message to those who suffer from alcoholism (89:6). Alcoholics are spiritually, mentally and physically ill. If we just dry out nothing changes with our spiritual and mental conditions. If we try to adjust mentally our physical and spiritual states take us back into insanity. We must attack the problem in all three planes.

7

Life will take on new meaning.

Replacing our slothful indifference to our spiritual responsibilities and the welfare of others with intensive work with other alcoholics brings meaning and purpose to our lives. Nothing we do will bring us more satisfaction and fulfillment than attempting to be of real service to others. Whether we are successful or not our attempt to repay this wonderful gift we have received fills our heart with gratefulness for the opportunity to be a part of God's great plan.

11-19

Perhaps you are not acquainted with any drinkers who want to recover. You can easily find some by asking a few doctors, ministers, priests, and hospitals. They will be only too glad to assist you. Don't start out as an evangelist or reformer. Unfortunately a lot of prejudice exists. You will be handicapped if you arouse it. Ministers and doctors are competent and you can learn much from them is your wish, but it happens that because of your own drinking experience you can be uniquely useful to other alcoholics. So cooperate; never criticize. To be helpful is our only aim.

We find few things are as rewarding as the study of how best to carry this message. The directions begin here. We should use our common sense. How would we have reacted to an evangelist or reformer? Probably we would have rejected everything they had to say as we would not have trusted their motives. We alcoholics are cynical and look very closely to find hidden motives. We should not attempt to justify our attempts to gain power or moral authority over others as trying to be helful. If we haveno other agenda than to be helpful we are certain to be much more successful as God will be able to work through us without us getting in the way.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.

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2-3

If he does not want to stop drinking, don't waste time trying to persuade him. You may spoil a later opportunity.

This is a program for people who want it. There are unfortunately many who need to recover but do not want to. We wish to attract the prospect to our solution rather than waste our time with promotion. Timing our approach to reach the prospect when the desire to stop is likely to be strongest is our best plan. After a binge alcoholics many times regret their actions and truly wish they had the power to stop drinking altogether. This is the best time to approach them with the promises of a real solution. The key is that they must want to quit drinking for good.

9-15

Usually it is wise to wait till he goes on a binge. The family may object to this, but unless he is in a dangerous physical condition, it is better to risk it. Don't deal with him when he is very drunk, unless he is ugly and the family needs your help.. Wait for the end of the spree, or at least for a lucid interval. Then let his family or a friend ask him if he wants to quit for good and if he would go to any extreme to do so. If he says yes, then his attention should be drawn to you as a person who has recovered. You should be described to him as one of a fellowship who, as a part of their own recovery, try to help others, and who will be glad to talk to him if he cares to see you.

Stopping drinking has to be our own idea. We alcoholics are obstinate. We resist taking directions from others. The directions here are to wait until the prospect is emerging remoseful from a spree and truly wants to quit drinking once and for all.

17

Neither should the family hysterically plead with him to do anything, nor should they tell him much about you.

"Frothy emotional appeals seldom suffice" (xxvi:3). Waiting until the alcoholic comes off a binge may be the best time to suggest they seek a solution. The hopelessness of their current state is most clear at this time. Resistance to the truth will be low at this time. If our message has depth and weight we will be most likely to gain their attention.

19

You might place this book where he can see it in the interval.

This book has a proven record of being able to transmit the message of recovery to alcoholics. It is laid out in such a manner as to present us with information we need in the sequnece we need to understnad it. First the hopelessness of our physical condition is explained. Next, a story of an alcoholic tells what it was like, what happened and what it is like now. Hope of a solution is given to us followed by a chapter that illustrates the mental state that condemns an alcoholic to continue drinking despite the ever worsening consequences. These chapters help us to take our first step towards recovery.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D

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