Mason Delacroix
Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as the Big Book, is an anonymous text first published in 1939. The book's subtitle is The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism. The book was written by Bill W., one of the co-founders of the A.A. movement, and Dr. Bob, and details their experiences with alcoholism and the program's early days. The book has sold 30 million copies, and in 2012, the Library of Congress designated it as one of 88 Books that Shaped America.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Subtitle | The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism |
| First Published | 1939 |
| Author | Bill W. |
| Publisher | Alcoholics Anonymous World Services |
| Number of Editions | 4 |
| Number of Copies Sold | 30 million |
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What You'll Learn
The book's subtitle
The book Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly known as The Big Book, was first published in 1939. The book's subtitle is The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism. The Big Book is considered the basic text of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and has been translated into dozens of languages. It is also available in American Sign Language (ASL).
The book was written by Bill W., one of the co-founders of AA, and Dr. Bob, and details their experiences with alcoholism and the program's early days. The book's purpose was to show other alcoholics how the first 100 members of AA recovered from their addiction. The Big Book is divided into two parts: the first includes personal stories of individuals who have struggled with alcoholism, while the second part offers a more structured approach to recovery through the 12-step program.
The 12-step program outlined in the book has become the basis for many other recovery programs, including those for codependency, drug addiction, overeating, sex addiction, and gambling addiction. The book has sold millions of copies and is considered one of the best-selling books of all time. It has helped countless people struggling with addiction and has had a significant impact on the field of addiction recovery.
The Big Book has undergone several revisions since its original publication, with the second edition being released in 1955 and the third edition in 2001. The fourth edition, published in 2001, is available online and includes updates to reflect the increasing diversity and global reach of AA. The book continues to be a valuable resource for individuals seeking recovery from alcoholism and a source of inspiration for other self-help groups.
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The book's purpose
The book Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as "The Big Book", was first published in 1939. It is the foundational text of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its 12-step program for recovery from alcoholism. The book was written primarily by one of AA's founding members, William G. Wilson (often referred to as Bill W.).
The book's main objective is to enable readers to find a power greater than themselves to solve their problems. This is a departure from the initial concept of a "higher power", which represented the God of Christianity. As AA's membership diversified, the notion of a higher power became more generalized to accommodate individuals from all backgrounds.
The Big Book is considered a basic text for AA and has been translated into dozens of languages. It has sold millions of copies and is considered one of the best-selling books of all time. It has been praised as "complex and profound" and has been credited with helping millions of people with addictions.
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The book's structure
The book Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly known as The Big Book, was first published in 1939. The book is divided into two parts. The first part includes personal stories of individuals who have struggled with alcoholism, while the second part offers a more structured approach to recovery. The book has been described as "complex and profound", and it is considered a foundational text for those seeking to understand and overcome alcoholism.
The Big Book has had numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. The second edition, published in 1955, consisted of 1,150,000 copies. The third edition was published in the late 20th or early 21st century, and the fourth edition was published in 2001. The fourth edition includes a foreword that notes the increasing diversity and global reach of Alcoholics Anonymous, with over two million members worldwide.
The book is structured as a series of chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of alcoholism and recovery. The first chapter, "Bill's Story", recounts the story of co-founder Bill W.'s descent into alcoholism and his subsequent recovery. The second chapter, "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. The third chapter, "More About Alcoholism", explores the disease of alcoholism in more detail.
The subsequent chapters of The Big Book offer a more structured approach to recovery, presenting the A.A. program for recovery from alcoholism. The book introduces the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and the twelve-step method widely used to treat addictions. The book also includes a Doctor's Opinion, in which Dr. William D. Silkworth discusses the physical "allergy" and "phenomenon of craving" characteristic of alcoholism, as well as the "psychic change" necessary for recovery.
The Big Book also includes a variety of personal stories from members of Alcoholics Anonymous, such as "Doctor Bob's Nightmare", "Alcoholic Anonymous Number Three", "Women Suffer Too", and "Jim's Story". These stories provide a candid and deeply personal perspective on the struggle with alcoholism and the journey of recovery.
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The book's impact
The book Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as "the Big Book," has a subtitle that reads: "The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism." This subtitle underscores the book's primary purpose, which is to share the personal stories and experiences of individuals who have successfully overcome their struggles with alcoholism.
Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, has had a profound and far-reaching impact since its publication. Its influence extends beyond just those struggling with alcoholism, impacting treatment approaches, shaping support group structures, and influencing popular understanding of addiction.
The book has played a pivotal role in shaping how society understands and addresses alcoholism. Prior to its publication, alcoholism was often viewed as a moral failing or a lack of willpower. The personal stories shared in the book helped shift societal perceptions, humanizing those struggling with addiction and presenting it as a disease that could be treated. This reframing has had a lasting impact on how addiction is viewed and addressed, fostering greater empathy and understanding.
AA's influence can also be seen in the widespread adoption of its 12-step program as a treatment modality. The program, first outlined in the book, provides a comprehensive framework for recovery, emphasizing acceptance, surrender to a higher power, moral inventory, amends, and ongoing support. This structured approach has been adapted and expanded upon, forming the basis of numerous treatment programs for various addictions and behavioural issues. The 12 steps have provided a roadmap for individuals seeking recovery, offering hope and a clear path forward.
The book has also left an indelible mark on the support structures available to those in recovery. The concept of Alcoholics Anonymous groups, where individuals can meet, share experiences, and support one another, has become synonymous with mutual aid. These groups provide a safe and non-judgmental space, allowing members to connect, form meaningful relationships, and hold each other accountable. The success of this model has led to the creation of numerous similar support groups, addressing a wide range of issues, from substance abuse to mental health concerns.
Additionally, Alcoholics Anonymous has had a profound impact on the understanding and treatment of addiction within the medical community. The book's emphasis on shared experiences and the power of peer support has influenced medical professionals, leading to a greater appreciation for the role of community and peer-based interventions. This has resulted in more holistic treatment approaches that recognize the importance of social connections and mutual aid in the recovery process.
The book's influence extends beyond those directly impacted by alcoholism, shaping popular culture's understanding of addiction and recovery. The concepts and language introduced in the book have permeated media representations, with terms like "hitting rock bottom" and "one day at a time" becoming part of the cultural lexicon. This has helped to further normalize discussions around addiction and recovery, fostering greater awareness and empathy in popular culture.
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The book's authors
The book Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as "The Big Book", was first published in 1939. It was written primarily by Bill Wilson (Bill W.), one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), with additional chapters by Henry Parkhurst and Marty Mann. Wilson was a former Wall Street businessman whose career and life collapsed due to his chronic alcoholism.
The idea for the book was born when Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith (Dr. Bob), another co-founder of AA, realized that their system had helped over 40 men stay sober for more than two years. They wanted to spread their message of recovery far and wide. Wilson began writing the book in 1938 with financial support from Charles B. Towns, an expert on alcoholism and drug addiction. The book was written mostly in the Calumet Building in Newark, New Jersey, the site of the first headquarters of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Big Book outlines the now-renowned Twelve Steps recovery program, which has been widely used to treat not only alcoholism but also other addictions such as heroin and marijuana addiction, overeating, sex addiction, and gambling addiction. It also includes personal stories of "experience, strength, and hope" from Wilson, Dr. Bob, and other early members of AA. The book's main objective is to help alcoholics find a power greater than themselves to overcome their inability to stay sober.
Since its initial publication, The Big Book has been translated into numerous languages and sold millions of copies, becoming one of the best-selling books of all time. It is considered the basic text of AA and is still read at most AA meetings today. The book has gone through several editions, with updates made to reflect the changing membership and growth of AA over time.
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Frequently asked questions
The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism.
The book, also known as the 'Big Book', was first published in 1939 and is considered the basic text of AA. It offers a detailed account of alcoholism 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, and the second offers a more structured approach to recovery.
Yes, the fourth edition of the book, published in 2001, is freely available online.
