Episode 117 in this episode of sober speak, jimmy d shares an anecdotal history of the origin of the big book. Page 4 the major changes to the big book editions have been in the selection of personal stories so that they represent a good crosssection of the aa membership. Being sober versus being in recovery psychology today. Most of these fortunate ones have had little or no acquaintance with delirium, with hospitals, asylums, and jails. Those who stay sober on living sober are people who can stay sober under their own power. Since sober colleges clients range from the ages of 17 to 26, finding and relating to the messages that are subtly sprinkled throughout the big book is actually quite difficult. It is not even mentioned in the first 164 pages of the big book. It is referred to as the big book because of how thick it was when it was published in 1939. They prove to almost anyones satisfaction that its never too late to try alcoholics anonymous. The big book friends is an informal discussion group where men and women interested in the big book of alcoholics anonymous daily discuss the pages of the big book. All ten have now passed away of natural causes, having maintained complete sobriety.
In my understanding of our recovery program i hope that i have passed the stage of criticising fellow members on how they stay sober. Many tried everythinghospitals, special treatments, sanitariums, asylums, and jails. Today i am 33 years sober and grateful beyond words. Living sober is by far the best aa book the only one i could recommend. It is common in aa lore to hear claims that the big book is the second most printed. Page 149 the little company and the two employees 29. I do not have black and blue marks on me that i dont know how they got there. Apr 06, 2018 the big book was given to me on september 8, 1986. But in their hearts they really do not know why they do it. Some will be drunk the day after making their resolutions. Disclaimer before everyone freaks out, keep in mind that these books are just the opinion of the author. The wisdom from the big book isnt limited to 10 quotes.
He almost immediately got drunk and was replaced by harry brick a different slant he was underage to join the army in ww i. I remember when it was published, back in 1975, when i had been sober for seven years. If you need to talk than talk and if you are feeling weary find refuge in the big book, your sponsor, a trusted friend, family member of confidante. We intentionally kept the book book and the na simple text off the list to broaden the scope. Sober in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. This is a help to study the big book, to fill in some of the missing facts, answering some questions. A big book trivia of some missing facts clean and sober. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics. There are at least three other ardently backed pretenders to the throne when it comes to one of the most successful experiments of the last century. There are lots of my family sober in the fellowship and they will stay sober as i will stay sober in mine. A good deal of what the masters share about their triumphs over alcohol is supported by findings of experts whose research doesnt always make its way to the general public. Second, to get sober and to stay sober, you dont have to swallow all of step two right now. They do not work hard at changing their attitudes, beliefs, and behavior. At the start it was alright, i think that if you spend a lot of time going to meetings in your early days, it can take you away from the people you hung around with.
Big book personal stories part iii they lost nearly all. Youve never met me and for all you know i could be a big, fat liar. Recoveringfromrecovery leaving aa and staying sober. The big book serves as the foundation for the alcoholics anonymous 12step program. Photo for the washington post by whitney curtis 4 of 4. Photo for the washington post by whitney curtis 4 of 4 meeting apps, like zoom, have helped bring groups. If anyone suspects they have a problem with alcohol, they do, demonte added. But thats hardly the most interesting part of this story. From your findings, when did the story of six steps first start getting told. Is alcoholics anonymous the greatest business failure of all.
Now sober for years, they tell us how they got well. I wont be running toward or away from cold beer or warm carbs. They are filled with wonderful information on allthings recovery related. Lets read the big book and get into these steps living sober works for non alcoholics. You can only live one day at a time, and if you do a good job of that, you will succeed. Second, to get sober and to stay sober, you dont have to swallow all of step. I was 36, divorced with 2 children, and hopelessly addicted to alcohol.
Big book personal stories part iii they lost nearly. Part of that program is that we take it to someone else who needs it and wants it. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. I will put in this wayif you need to go to three meetings a day, go to three meetings a day. Alcoholics anonymous aa was founded in 1935 by bill wilson known as bill w. The living clean book does a great job of finding key points in the basic text and elaborating on them. We, of alcoholics anonymous, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as bill. Works publishing edit wilson began work on the book, and as financial difficulties were encountered, the first two chapters, bills story and there is a solution. By any means necessary what it really takes to stay sober. Sobriety in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. I read and study the book every day and i still cant find anywhere where it instructs us to stay sober one day at a time.
The journey through addiction to recovery is a deeply personal experience, with no two people going though the same process to reach sobriety. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and. Every day we were able to stay sober was another gift from a. The book is published by alcoholics anonymous world services. We hailed living sober as conferenceapproved literature, which described what we knew as the true aa the aa that works the. According to his story in the big book, he first got sober in february 1937. But of all the alcoholics wilson tried to help, not one stayed sober. Quotes from alcoholics anonymous minnesota recovery. The main object of the big book alcoholics anonymous. Though you may be able to stop for a considerable period, you may yet be a potential alcoholic. Ten years after i got sober, my breakdown spiritual. The big book has given me that comfort and the push to move forward. There have been a lot of books about meth, but breedloves book really nails it.
If you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the hotline is a confidential and convenient solution. Biographies of the authors of the stories in the big book. Big book personal stories part ii they stopped in time pp. The denver young peoples groups were pioneers in young adults coming into. But they often suspect they are down for the count. Though they knew they must help other alcoholics if they would remain sober, that motive became secondary. When the alcoholic foundation was established in the spring of 1938, he was appointed as a trustee. The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. Jan 15, 2017 living sober is filled with practical advice on how to stay away from the first drink and lead a happy and productive life in sobriety. Its words and interpretations are left up to the reader to use as they choose. These alcohol addiction stories, talks, prayers and worksheets are some of the best ways to benefit you in recovery. There is the obsession that somehow, someday, they will beat the game. Heaven help the writer who refers to bill wilson as the founder of alcoholics anonymous.
You will even get stories from bill wilson the founder of alcoholics anonymous. Start listening to more than 100 hours of audio regarding big book stories you wouldnt want to miss. I dont know about anyone else, but i cant stay sober under my own power, ive tried and failed every time. Nov 14, 2014 the following is an excerpt from the big book. Is alcoholics anonymous the greatest business failure of. Id bet nine out of 10 of us wont even answer, and well just. Filled with little known facts and stories this episode is sure to enlighten the listener. This is the site for the yes crowd, youth enjoying sobriety. Outlining the steps and traditions that make aa famous, as well as numerous stories about recovering addicts who have been through the process, the big book has helped guide millions into a life of sobriety.
Occasionally depression can creep back into my life. For example, the acronym, halt which stands for dont get too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired there is a chapter on each of these issues. The book they wrote, alcoholics anonymous the big book, is the basic text for aa. Once this malady has a real hold, they are a baffled lot. We do this through links to alcoholics anonymous world services, and links to books like the big. I did like so many others before me and leafed through the pages with extreme skepticism. And for all the men and women, guys and gals, like myself who have struggled over the years trying to stay clean and sober, only to drink and use again as i did, i say you might be the same as i was. Sober nation strives to give the suffering addict all the.
Big book personal stories part iii they lost nearly all pp. The story of how many thousands of men and women have. Debunking the bad science behind 12step programs and the rehab industry cowritten with zachary dodes, he casts a. One of the easiest, most practical ways of keeping sober is the daybyday plan, the 24hour plan. If you would like to become a member, please send a blank email to.
Is alcoholics anonymous the greatest business failure of all time. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism generally known as the big book because of the thickness of the paper used in the first edition is a 1939 basic text, describing how to recover from alcoholism, primarily written by william g. The inevitable outraged protests are not just on behalf of aas official cofounder dr. I dont know why, but i really liked reading strungout stories when i. The book was done with a series of workshops beginning in denver, co. It is plain for everybody to see that each sober a. Both big book zealots and aas harshest critics will have a problem with this. For others like me, just read the book, attend a meeting and find a sponsor.
Now, these are all very good ideas but they are not the program of recovery. There are no words to explain why it happened or how it happened. Some drinkers have excuses with which they are satisfied part of the time. Posted with permission from alcohol research documentation, inc. How did the pioneers stay sober without the big book. The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies. Indeed, sobriety and life are full of ups and downs. The book they wrote, alcoholics anonymous the big book, is the basic text for aa on how to stay sober, and it is from the title of this book that the group got its name. Many sober alcoholics who are not in recovery will experience a transfer of addictions that could involve a new addiction to food, sex, shopping, romantic relationships, etc. The original members of aa, between 1935 and 1939 went to only one meeting per week, and that meeting wasnt an aa meeting they were oxford group meetings. Org is to help the alcoholic still suffering by carrying the message of what living sober is like, and where it can be found in the st. It was written by bill wilson and other members of the early fellowship. Lone liness, great physical and mental agonythese were the common lot. Sober for good examines the common threads among recovery stories of people who have resolved drinking problems in many different ways.
I use the hyannis format the big book step study groups use dr opinion and chapter 3 is step one we look up word definitions and write them out as we go also. It describes methods for staying sober that were developed by aa members after publication of the big book in 1939. It was transcended by the happiness they found in giving themselves for others. Calls to any general hotline nonfacility will be answered by behavioral health innovators. I am happy for anyone who gets sober however they do it. If you desire a sponsor, get some phone numbers and find one. And that is one of the reasons, coins are being used to celebrate sobriety nowadays in those groups. What you probably dont know about the big book is that it played an integral role in. Dec 21, 2011 now, these are all very good ideas but they are not the program of recovery. If thats the case, there is a way to stop, she said. Just pick something that fills your time, and that you enjoy.
Although i have credited aa with giving me a place to go in my early days, which was helpful, i also feel it held me back in my recovery after a while. Living sober the little big book that you may not know about. Usually we go thru those chapters together and the sponsee goes thru them at home. There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. We do this through links to alcoholics anonymous world services, and links to books like the big book, the 12 steps and 12 traditions, and more. Just compare it to our big book and see for yourself. Sober living personal stories by locals who gave up.
It includes stories of how many women and men have recovered from alcoholism. For me, this means that if i stay in fit spiritual condition boundaries, vulnerability, honesty, authenticity, connection to god, healthy food, exercise, and sleep i will experience the miracle of neutrality. There is comfort in knowing you arent alone, that what youre feeling isnt unusual, and that there is a solution. So the volunteer sober person let the coin and the literature with the phone number next to the alcoholics so that, if they need help, they could use it, that is to say, they use it to call aa. We think few, to whom this book will appeal, can stay dry anything like a year. In that setting, consider that, over in the corner, sits an old timer who has been around aa for over half a century. They bear witness that release from alcoholism can really be per manent. May 31, 2019 for me, this means that if i stay in fit spiritual condition boundaries, vulnerability, honesty, authenticity, connection to god, healthy food, exercise, and sleep i will experience the miracle of neutrality. Bob and the nine men and women who here tell their stories were among the early members of a. Biographies of the authors of the stories in the big book last names are included only of deceased members the short biographies of the various authors of the stories in the back of the book alcoholics anonymous have been graciously supplied by nancy o. Some were drinking heavily, and there had been occasional serious episodes. The big book has given me that comfort and the push to.
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