1
Having perservered with the rest of the program, they wondered why they fell.
This explains why we need to take all of the steps in order. As we work the following steps our understanding of the previous ones broadnes and deepens. Picking and choosing which steps we prefer to take produces little or no results. This is a suggested program, not a program of suggestions. Each subsequent step depends and builds upon our experience with each of the earlier steps. Few who have not admitted powerlessness will be willing to abandon their old way of life and adopt a new one. Few who are unwilling to believe in a Power greater than themselves will decide to turn their will and life over to the care of God. Why do a moral inventory if we are not seeking to be rid of those aspects of ourselves that block us from God? What admissions can we make to God, ourselves and another person if we have not developed the insight to recognize the real problem? We need to take all the steps to successfully overcome alcoholism.
2-5
We think the reason is that they never completed their house cleaning. They took inventory all right, but hung on to some of the worst items in stock. The only thought they had lost their egoism and fear; they only thought they had humbled themsleves. But they had not learned enough humility, fearlessness and honesty, in the sense we find it necessary, until they told someone else all their life story.
The authors are being polite and trying to avoid making judgments of us. Let us not fool ourselves into believing that they are referring to someone else. Cross out the word "they" in every sentence and replace it with "I". We need to learn the benefits of this way of life first hand. We need to have our own individual spiritual experiences. Practicing the fifth step enables us to directly experience this spiritually based way of life and to reap its benefits.
6-17
More than most people, the acloholic leads a double life. He is very much the actor. To the outer world he presents his stage character. This is the one he likes his fellows to see. He wants to enjoy a certain reputation, but knows in his heart he doesn't deserve it.
The inconsistency is made worse by the things he does on his sprees. Coming to his senses, he is revolted at certain episodes he vaguely remembers. These memories are a nightmare. He trembles to think someone might have observed him. As fast as he can, he pushes these memories far inside himself. He hopes they will never see the light of day. He is under constant fear and tension --- taht makes for more drinking.
This is a description of an alcoholic. We can see how well we fit this description. We are egomaniacs with inferiority complexes. Our drinking causes us many embarrassments, but our egotistic outlook sets us up for humilation and remorse even when we are sober. If drinking was the cause, we would no longer suffer this fear and tension when we quit drinking. We have much more work to do if we are to develop the degree of humility necessary to gain release from the humilations caused by our self-centerdness.
21-23
We have seldom told them the whole truth, nor have we followed their advice. Unwilling to be honest with these sympathetic men, we were honest with no one else. Small wonder many in the medical profession have a low opinion of alcoholics and their change for recovery!
We lie to those who try to help us to prevent them from interfering wiht our self-will. We hate to be opposed and obstinately refuse to follow advice. This is why this book is written in such a soft, non-judgmental language. We would reject any advice the authors tried to give us and the truth would hurt our feelings. The authors, being alcoholics themselves, knew this and thus make no judgments and offer no advice. We are free to decide whether to follow their successful example or not.
Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D