Mason Delacroix
Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as the Big Book, is a foundational text for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its 12-step program for recovery from alcoholism. First published in 1939, the book was written by William G. Bill W. Wilson, one of the founders of AA, and recounts the stories of men and women who have recovered from alcoholism. The Big Book serves as a general guidebook for those working towards recovery through AA and its programs, with the goal of committing to a specific program of recovery for alcohol addiction that includes embracing the notion of a higher power. The book has received widespread acclaim, with Albert Ellis calling it complex and profound, and TIME Magazine designating it as one of the most influential books written in English.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Published | 1939 |
| Author | William G. "Bill W." Wilson |
| Purpose | To show how the first 100 people of A.A. got sober |
| Number of Editions | 4 |
| Language | Translated into over 70 languages |
| Chapters | 9+ |
| Content | Personal stories of AA participants, recovery experiences, 12 steps, actions to be taken |
| Accessibility | Designed to be accessible to anyone |
| Copies Sold | Over 21 million |
| Acclaim | Designated as one of the most influential books written in English by TIME Magazine |
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What You'll Learn
The book's purpose
The purpose of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book Workbook, also known as "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism", is to serve as a general guidebook for those working towards recovery from alcoholism through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its 12-step program. The book was first published in 1939 and was written by William G. "Bill W." Wilson, one of the founders of AA, with the help of various editors.
The Big Book outlines the AA program of recovery and is designed to be accessible to anyone. It includes chapters that are devoted to specific audiences, such as wives and employers, and others that are more general. For example, Chapter 2, "There is a Solution", introduces the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous as a diverse group of alcoholics who have lost the power of choice when it comes to drinking and whose common solution involves a profound spiritual experience. Chapter 5, "How It Works", presents the Twelve Steps and provides direction on taking the first four steps. Chapter 6, "Into Action", focuses on taking Steps Five through Eleven to maintain physical sobriety and personal transformation.
The book also includes personal stories of AA participants and their recovery experiences. The first edition included the stories of the first 100 people of AA and how they got sober. New stories have been added to each edition, with the fourth edition including twenty-four new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery in the early years of the 21st century.
The major goal of the book is to get individuals to commit to a specific program of recovery for alcohol addiction that includes embracing the notion of a "higher power". This concept has evolved over time, with the initial reference to the God of Christianity being generalized to allow individuals from all backgrounds to relate and interpret the concept in their own way. The Big Book is not meant to be a therapeutic approach to alcoholism, but rather a set of principles and practices that have helped millions of people with addictions.
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The 12-step program
The 12 steps are as follows:
- Admitting powerlessness over alcohol and that life has become unmanageable
- Believing that a Power greater than oneself, or a higher power, could restore sanity
- Making a decision to turn one's will and life over to the care of God as understood
- Making a moral inventory of oneself
- Admitting to God, oneself, and another human being the exact nature of one's wrongs
- Being ready to have God remove character defects
- Humbly asking Him to remove shortcomings
- Making a list of all persons harmed and being willing to make amends
- Making direct amends to those people, except when doing so would harm them or others
- Taking inventory and admitting when wrong
- Seeking conscious contact with God through prayer and meditation, asking only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out
- Having a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps and carrying this message to other alcoholics
The 12 steps foster a sense of belonging and support, with alcoholics supporting other alcoholics. They share their experiences, strength, and hope, reducing isolation, shame, and stigma. The program offers tools and resources to cope with stress, cravings, and triggers, and provides a new direction in life. The final step is to use one's own sobriety to help other struggling alcoholics.
The Big Book also includes stories of men and women who have overcome alcoholism, providing inspiration and a connection to the historic roots of AA. The book has been well-received by critics and is considered a basic text for recovery from alcoholism, with over 21 million copies of the first three editions distributed.
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Personal stories
The Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, was first published in 1939 and written by William G. \"Bill W.\" Wilson, one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It was originally written to show other alcoholics how the first 100 people of AA recovered from alcoholism. The book is considered the basic text of AA and has been translated into over 70 languages.
The book consists of over 400 pages and includes the personal stories of some alcoholics, as well as a series of solutions that evolved to become the twelve-step program. The personal stories in the book have been changed over time to reflect the growing and diverse fellowship. The fourth edition includes twenty-four new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery from alcoholism.
The book is easy to read and connect with on a deeply personal level. It is not just about getting sober, but about changing your life. It teaches daily practices that allow you to begin enjoying life, embracing each new day, and finding a community of support.
The first chapter of the fourth edition is titled "Bill's Story" and recounts co-founder Bill W.'s descent from a successful stockbroker to a hopeless alcoholic. It also explains how a visit from an old friend inspired his recovery and planted the seeds of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Another notable chapter is "We Agnostics", which highlights a pathway to recovery for alcoholics who are atheist or agnostic while addressing the resistance some alcoholics may feel toward spirituality.
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Overcoming addiction
The Big Book serves as a general guidebook for those working towards recovery through AA and its programs. It is designed to be accessible to anyone and outlines a 12-step recovery program. The book includes personal stories of AA participants and their recovery experiences, with new stories added to each edition. The steps are spiritual in nature, and the book encourages individuals to embrace the notion of a "higher power." Over time, this concept has become more generalized to accommodate the diverse beliefs of AA members.
The 12 steps are designed to help individuals find or maintain recovery from substance use disorders. They provide direction and daily practices that allow individuals to begin enjoying life, embrace each new day, and find a community of support. The steps are not just about getting sober but about changing your life. The Big Book is easy to read and connect with on a personal level, and it has helped millions of people recover from alcoholism.
In addition to the Big Book, AA has developed numerous adjunctive aids, including books on negotiating the 12 steps, reflections to read and think about during the day, and other texts that help individuals better understand and apply the principles of the Big Book in their daily lives.
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The 'higher power' concept
"Higher Power" (HP) is a term used in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other twelve-step programs. The term is intentionally non-specific and non-religious, allowing members to interpret it in their own way. This is because Alcoholics Anonymous is not tied to a particular religion or spiritual tradition. The concept of a "power greater than ourselves" is a cornerstone of the twelve-step program and is mentioned several times in the Big Book.
The Big Book, first published in 1939, is the basic text of Alcoholics Anonymous. It outlines the AA program of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. The book was written by William G. "Bill W." Wilson, one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, with the help of various editors. The idea for the book came about when Bill W. and Dr. Bob realised their system had helped over 40 men stay sober for more than 2 years, and they wanted to spread their message further.
The Higher Power concept is a key element of the Big Book and the twelve-step program. In the book, the term "God as we understand him" is used, as well as "your own conception of God". This reflects the idea that the Higher Power can be anything that the individual believes is greater than themselves, such as God, nature, science, or even the twelve-step program itself. The only conditions are that the Higher Power is loving and caring and able to relieve the individual of their alcoholism.
For some, the concept of a Higher Power may be difficult to grasp, especially for those who are atheist or agnostic. Chapter 4 of the Big Book, "We Agnostics", addresses this resistance to spirituality and provides a pathway to recovery for those who do not believe in a traditional God. The book emphasises that the Higher Power can be anything greater than the individual's addiction to alcohol, and that finding a power greater than alcohol is a crucial step in recovery.
The Higher Power concept has been criticised by some nonreligious advocacy groups, who view it as fundamentally religious. However, Alcoholics Anonymous maintains that it is not trying to convert anyone to a particular religion and that the Higher Power concept is open to interpretation. The program is about finding a power greater than oneself and using that power to achieve a happy and meaningful life, free from alcoholism.
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Frequently asked questions
The Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, also known as "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism", is a foundational text of AA and its 12-step program. The book was first published in 1939 and serves as a general guidebook for those working towards recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous and its programs.
The Big Book is designed to be accessible to anyone and outlines a specific program of recovery for alcohol addiction that includes embracing the notion of a "higher power". It also contains the personal stories of AA participants and their recovery experiences.
The book is based on the experiences of the first 100 people of AA and how they got sober. It also includes the personal story of AA co-founder Bill W. and how a visit from an old friend inspired his recovery and planted the seeds of Alcoholics Anonymous.
