We know so much more today

Contributed by Vasu


While there is a tendency to believe that "we know so much more today," which we do in almost every area of our society, that appears not to be true where recovery from alcoholism is concerned. The truth is that "alcoholism" has not changed since the beginning of recorded history. God certainly has not changed since 1939. And, nobody has demonstrated a more successful program of recovery than the action of the Twelve Steps Program of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is so clearly outlined in the book, "ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS". So, what's new?

Before taking a look at what is so often heard in meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, let's examine some of the statements made by the Authors of this Basic Text. For example:

"We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book." AA, pg. xiii

(Note: PRECISELY - "Exactly or sharply defined or stated. Minutely exact; not varying in the slightest degree from truth." Webster's Collegiate Dictionary - circa 1936.)

So, let's examine the TRUTH!

" If you are an alcoholic who wants to get over it, you may be asking - 'What do I have to do?' It is the purpose of this book to answer such questions specifically. We shall tell you what we have done." AA, pg. 20

"Lack of power was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power?
Well, that is exactly what this book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself that will solve your problem." AA, pg. 45

"Further on, clear-cut directions are given showing how we recovered." AA, pg. 29

There is a Spiritual Axiom that applies to recovery from alcoholism:
"Noah, an amateur, with God's guidance, built the Ark. Professionals, with all their smarts, built the Titanic."

Now, let's review what is so often "Heard" in the meetings.

Heard - "Don't be so hard on yourself."
BB - "The rule is we must be hard on ourselves, but always considerate of others."
AA, pg. 74

Heard - "Alcoholism is a problem of denial."
(Note: Denial - "Refusal to admit the truth. - Webster's Collegiate Dictionary - circa 1936.) Sure sounds like lying, doesn't it? Alcoholics are real good at that.
BB - "Whatever the definition of the word may be, we call it plain insanity." AA, pg. 37

"However intelligent we may have been in other respects, where alcohol has been involved, we have been strangely insane." AA, pg. 38

"Again it was the old, insidious insanity--that first drink." AA, pg. 154

And what is the hope of Step Two? That we can find a Power greater than ourselves that could restore us to sanity.

Heard - "It is my opinion that ......." or
"I don't know anything about the Big Book but here is the way I do it.'
BB - "We have concluded to publish an anonymous volume setting forth the problem as we see it. We shall bring to the task our combined experience and knowledge. This should suggest a useful program for anyone concerned with a drinking problem."
AA, pg 19
(Note: The Big Book is based solely on the experience and knowledge of the first one hundred recovered alcoholics. The Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous has been unable to find any way to improve on its effectiveness since it was first published. It contains no opinions because one thing the early members learned was that opinions have the power to kill alcoholics.)

Heard - "My sponsor told me that, if in making an amend I would be harmed, I could consider myself as one of the 'others' in Step Nine."
BB - "Reminding ourselves that we have decided to go to any lengths to find a spiritual experience, we ask that we be given strength and direction to do the right thing, no matter what the personal consequences might be." AA, pg. 79

Heard - "Be good to yourself."
BB - " The rule is we must be hard on ourself, but always considerate of others."
AA, pg. 74

Heard - "Never pray for patience. You'll regret it if you do."
BB - "So clean house with the family, asking each morning in meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love." AA, pg. 83

Heard - "Alcoholics Anonymous is a self-help program."
BB - "We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves." AA, pg. 84
It would appear from this that it is a God-help program.

Heard - "We don't work the steps, we just take them."
BB - "Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us-sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. But they will always materialize if we work for them." AA, pg. 84
"If he did not work, he would surely drink again." AA, pg. 15
"On each of these occasions we worked with him, reviewing carefully what had happened." AA, pg.35
"Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well." AA, pg. 63

"It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it." AA, pg. 86

"Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity form drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail." AA, pg. 89

"Now we try to put spiritual principles to work in every department of our lives."
AA, pg. 116

And there are more for serious students to find.

Heard - "Oh, just turn it over."
BB - "Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid." AA, pg. 14

Heard - "Your Higher Power can be whatever you want It to be; a door knob, a Dr. Pepper can, a light bulb, just any old thing.

BB - "Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." AA, pg. 59 (A door knob?)

"Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a Power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves." AA, pg. 45 (A Dr. Pepper can?)

"The great fact is this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences* which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God's universe. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute
certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way that is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us that we could never do by ourselves." AA, pg. 25 (A light bulb?)