Dr. Bob's Story: A Central Tenet Of Alcoholics Anonymous

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism, is a foundational text for those seeking to understand and overcome alcoholism. First published in 1939, the book offers a detailed account of the disease and a practical guide to recovery through the 12-step program. The book is divided into two parts: the first includes personal stories of individuals who have struggled with alcoholism, including the story of Dr. Bob, one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, and his many years as an active alcoholic. The second part offers a more structured approach to recovery.

Dr Bob's Nightmare

"Dr Bob's Nightmare" is a chapter in the book *Alcoholics Anonymous*, also known as "The Big Book", which was first published in 1939. The book was written by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Bill W. and Dr Bob, and outlines a 12-step program for recovering from alcoholism.

In "Dr Bob's Nightmare", Dr Bob describes his journey with alcoholism, from his first experiences with alcohol in college to his eventual sobriety. He reflects on his selfishness and self-will, which he believes contributed to his alcoholism:

> "My whole life seemed to be centered around doing what I wanted to do, without regard for the rights, wishes, or privileges of anyone else; a state of mind which became more and more predominant as the years passed."

Dr Bob also recounts how he would hide alcohol around his house, even going so far as to hide bottles in a fur-lined glove on the back airing porch during winter. He describes how his drinking affected his career, and how he was able to maintain his job despite his struggles. He also mentions his involvement with the Oxford Group in Akron, which sparked his interest in spiritual matters and led to his meeting with Bill W.

The chapter provides a candid and personal account of Dr Bob's struggles with alcoholism and his path to recovery. It offers insight into the experiences and challenges faced by those battling addiction and serves as a source of hope and encouragement for those seeking to overcome alcoholism.

Dr Bob's alcoholism

Dr. Bob Smith was a co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and a physician specialising in colorectal surgery. He struggled with alcoholism for many years, recognising his problem and checking himself into hospitals and sanitariums in an attempt to stop drinking. He was encouraged by the introduction of Prohibition in 1919, but soon discovered that the exemption for medicinal alcohol meant he could continue to drink excessively.

Dr. Bob's drinking affected his work and his marriage. He would hide alcohol around his home, in the coal bin, the clothes chute, and even in old trunks and chests. He would register at hotels under a false name and hide out in private clubs. He once passed out after coming home drunk on the day before Mother's Day. Despite his struggles, he seemed to be able to recover from drinking more easily than his peers, rarely suffering from hangovers or nausea.

In 1933, Dr. Bob attended a lecture by Frank Buchman, the founder of the Oxford Group, a spiritual movement based on the "Four Absolutes" of honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love. He began attending local meetings of the group in an attempt to overcome his alcoholism, but it was not until he met Bill Wilson on 12 May 1935 that he was able to stop drinking. Wilson was also an alcoholic who had found a way to stay sober by helping other alcoholics. After speaking with Wilson, Dr. Bob stopped drinking and invited Wilson to stay at his home.

Dr. Bob relapsed a month later but was able to stop drinking again with Wilson's help. He remained sober from 10 June 1935 until his death in 1950. During that time, he helped more than 5,000 alcoholics, offering his medical services free of charge. He worked with Wilson to develop a system for helping alcoholics, and when they realised their method had helped over 40 men stay sober for more than two years, they decided to write a book to spread their message further. This book, "Alcoholics Anonymous", was first published in 1939 and became a foundational text for those seeking to understand and overcome alcoholism. It outlines a 12-step program for recovery and includes personal stories of individuals who have struggled with alcoholism.

Dr Bob meeting Bill W

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as Alcoholics Anonymous, was first published in 1939. It was written by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Bill W. and Dr. Bob, and is considered a foundational text for those seeking to understand and overcome alcoholism. The book offers a detailed account of the disease of alcoholism and a practical guide to recovery through the 12-step program.

Bill W. and Dr. Bob met in May 1935 and shared their stories of alcoholism with each other. At the time, Bill W. had already been introduced to the Oxford Group, a spiritual movement based on the "Four Absolutes" of honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love. Through his experiences with the Oxford Group, Bill W. had come to understand alcoholism as a malady of the mind, emotions, and body, a concept he shared with Dr. Bob.

Dr. Bob, a physician, had not previously considered alcoholism to be a disease. However, he was convinced by Bill W.'s ideas and soon achieved sobriety, never drinking again. This marked the beginning of their work together, as they immediately set out to help other alcoholics at Akron's City Hospital. Their efforts were successful, and they were able to help many men achieve sobriety.

The idea for the Big Book developed when Bill W. and Dr. Bob realized that their approach had helped numerous individuals maintain sobriety for extended periods. They wanted to share their message with a wider audience and provide hope and guidance to those struggling with alcoholism. The book was written with the financial support of Charles B. Towns, an expert on alcoholism and drug addiction who was a strong supporter of AA.

The birth of Alcoholics Anonymous

In May 1935, Bill W. met Dr. Bob, and the two shared their stories with one another. They began working together to help alcoholics recover, and their collaboration evolved into a mutual support group. By the time they met, Dr. Bob had achieved sobriety, and together with a patient from Akron City Hospital, they formed the foundation of what would become AA.

The idea for the book that would become the basis for the organisation's name came when Bill W. and Dr. Bob realised their system had helped over 40 men maintain sobriety for more than two years. The book was meant to spread their message far and wide. With financial support from Charles B. Towns, an expert on alcoholism and drug addiction, Wilson started writing the book in 1938.

In early 1939, the fellowship published its foundational text, "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism", commonly known as "The Big Book". The book introduced the Twelve-Step program, outlined AA's philosophy, and included the case histories of 30 individuals who had achieved recovery. The Twelve Steps were influenced by the Oxford Group's six steps and various readings, including William James's "The Varieties of Religious Experience".

The Big Book offers a detailed account of alcoholism and a practical guide to recovery through the Twelve-Step program. It is divided into two parts: the first includes personal stories of individuals who struggled with alcoholism, and the second provides a structured approach to recovery. The book has been printed over 40 million times, translated into 70 languages, and is one of the best-selling books of all time, with 30 million copies sold.

The twelve-step program

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, written by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Bill W. and Dr. Bob, is a foundational text for those seeking to understand and overcome alcoholism. The book, first published in 1939, offers a detailed account of the disease and a practical guide to recovery through the 12-step program. The 12-step program provides a structured and gradual process for recovery from addiction.

The first step in the 12-step program is admitting that one is powerless over alcohol and that their lives have become unmanageable. This is followed by seeking help from a "higher power" and others, which can include nature or simply the collective power of people helping each other. The program emphasizes the importance of making amends for past wrongs and taking personal inventory, admitting when one is wrong. It also encourages prayer and meditation to improve conscious contact with a higher power.

The program fosters a sense of belonging and support, with alcoholics supporting other alcoholics by sharing their experiences, strength, and hope. This helps reduce the isolation, shame, and stigma associated with addiction. The shared approach improves motivation and commitment, with regular meetings and the support of sponsors. The steps offer healing, forgiveness, and a new direction in life, providing tools and resources to cope with stress, cravings, and triggers.

The final step in the program is to use one's own sobriety to reach out and help other struggling alcoholics, carrying the message of recovery to them. The program emphasizes that recovery is an ongoing process and that a new attitude or set of values is not enough to sustain it. It requires a continuous commitment to the principles and practices outlined in the 12 steps.

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