Originally Posted by
tomsteve 
after the jack alexander article about AA was published in the Saturday evening post, a flood of requests for the big book came in. there were many,many people that got sober with nothing more than the big book. no other people in AA around them to take them through the steps.
although I encourage anyone who feels AA will help to go to meetings and get a sponsor, it is possible for a person to get sober without someone taking them through the steps. it happens quite often.
I have used the 12 steps with a priest as someone to confess wrong-doings to. That's just another take on the 12 steps which to me basically follow the traditional Christian method of an examination of conscience, repentance, confession and reparation (all in the knowledge we need God's healing).
Just another take on the 12 steps. I really appreciated the Big Book as well - lots of wisdom between its covers).