Big Book Quote
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Big Book Quote
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"...the actual or potential alcoholic, with hardly an exception,
will be absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self
knowledge. This is a point we wish to emphasize and re-emphasize, to
smash home upon our alcoholic readers as it has been revealed to us
out of bitter experience."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 1st. Edition,
More About Alcoholism, pg. 39~
"...the actual or potential alcoholic, with hardly an exception,
will be absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self
knowledge. This is a point we wish to emphasize and re-emphasize, to
smash home upon our alcoholic readers as it has been revealed to us
out of bitter experience."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 1st. Edition,
More About Alcoholism, pg. 39~
Life the gift of recovery!
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Home is where the heart is
Posts: 7,061
Knowledge of the problem does not equal a solution. This is why alcoholics seem hopeless. We return to drink knowing full well we can not control it. We return to drink even when we have compelling reasons not to. We return to drink when we sincerely desire not to. Self-knowledge is just one more human resource we attempt to draw on in our battle for control.
Many people believe our alcoholism to be a psychiatric problem and do not recognize the physical aspect. We mistakenly believe that self-knowledge will solve our problem. We seek out counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists hoping to find an answer. When self-knowledge fails, we begin to lose our self-confidence.
Our very best thinking will not prevent us from drinking. It never has before, why would it begin to work now?
Painful memories, fear of humiliation, and self-knowledge will not deter an alcoholic from drinking. Eventually the time will come when these memories, fears, and knowledge will not be strong enough to overcome the desire to drink.
The hopelessness we feel when we realize that willpower and self-knowledge can not keep us sober is the result of our mistaken belief that these are the only resources available to us. We are attempting to use the wrong tools to accomplish our goal of staying sober. Willpower and self-knowledge are effective when applied in the appropriate circumstances. The authors hope that we will be willing to set aside willpower and self-knowledge and pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools that are explained in the Big Book. These tools have proven to be wonderfully effective at overcoming alcoholism.
Many people believe our alcoholism to be a psychiatric problem and do not recognize the physical aspect. We mistakenly believe that self-knowledge will solve our problem. We seek out counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists hoping to find an answer. When self-knowledge fails, we begin to lose our self-confidence.
Our very best thinking will not prevent us from drinking. It never has before, why would it begin to work now?
Painful memories, fear of humiliation, and self-knowledge will not deter an alcoholic from drinking. Eventually the time will come when these memories, fears, and knowledge will not be strong enough to overcome the desire to drink.
The hopelessness we feel when we realize that willpower and self-knowledge can not keep us sober is the result of our mistaken belief that these are the only resources available to us. We are attempting to use the wrong tools to accomplish our goal of staying sober. Willpower and self-knowledge are effective when applied in the appropriate circumstances. The authors hope that we will be willing to set aside willpower and self-knowledge and pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools that are explained in the Big Book. These tools have proven to be wonderfully effective at overcoming alcoholism.
IO Storm
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 18,436
I raised my hand..the one with the wrist band on it..in an inpatient rehab meeting
and admitted for the first time.."I am Sherry, and I am an alcoholic."
I drank again within a few weeks after release. Self knowledge wasn't enough.
I read books. I read the Big Book. I went to meetings. It was suggested to
me to get a sponsor.. to drop the BF who couldn't stay sober..
Another rehab. More self self knowledge. I stopped smoking weed. Aha!
Now I can do it. No. It wasn't until..I gained the tools Honesty, Openness, and
the Key..the Willingness to try..(to go to any lengths) was I able to overcome
my disease on a daily basis.
and admitted for the first time.."I am Sherry, and I am an alcoholic."
I drank again within a few weeks after release. Self knowledge wasn't enough.
I read books. I read the Big Book. I went to meetings. It was suggested to
me to get a sponsor.. to drop the BF who couldn't stay sober..
Another rehab. More self self knowledge. I stopped smoking weed. Aha!
Now I can do it. No. It wasn't until..I gained the tools Honesty, Openness, and
the Key..the Willingness to try..(to go to any lengths) was I able to overcome
my disease on a daily basis.
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