With the doctors opinion, Bills Story, and chapters 2 and three, we can find out what alcoholism is and whether it is our problem.
Once we have the information we can take step one, the instructions for which are on page 30. " we learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholic. This is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people, or presently maybe, has to be smashed."
The last sentence is what tripped me up repeatedly. What it means is can I see the true nature of my problem, which is that I can never ever drink safely.
I am an alcoholic and can never drink safely. In that statement lies the true motivation for the rest of the steps.
The AA program as described on the Big Book is very simple. Some rehabs and some sponsors like to make a meal of it, but for most alcoholics of my type, it's a no brainer.