The Recovery Program of Alcoholics Anonymous
By Dick B.
Can You Succeed Today with the Big Book, 12
Steps, and Original Program?
I have, and so can you
The Success of Early A.A. as Reported in
Alcoholics Anonymous
"Of alcoholics who came to A.A. and
really tried, 50% got sober at once and remained that way;
25% sobered up after some relapses, and among the
remainder, those who stayed on with A.A. showed
improvement." [Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How
Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from
Alcoholism, 4th ed. (New York,
N.Y.: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 2001),
page xx]
The Alcoholics Anonymous Original
"Program"
DR. BOB and the Good
Oldtimers
-
An alcoholic must realize that he is an
alcoholic, incurable from a medical viewpoint,
and that he must never drink anything with
alcohol in it.
-
Not only must he want to stop drinking
permanently, he must remove from his life other
sins such as hatred, adultery, and others which
frequently accompany alcoholism. Unless he will
do this absolutely, Smith and his associates
refuse to work with him.
-
He must have devotions every morning–a “quiet
time” of prayer and some reading from the Bible
and other religious literature. Unless this is
faithfully followed, there is grave danger of
backsliding.
-
He must be willing to help other alcoholics get
straightened out. This throws up a protective
barrier and strengthens his own willpower and
convictions.
-
It is important, but not vital, that he meet
frequently with other reformed alcoholics and
form both a social and a religious comradeship.
-
Important, but not vital, that he attend some
religious service at least once weekly. [DR.
BOB and the Good Oldtimers (New York,
N.Y.: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc,
1980), 128-36—especially 131.]
There’s not one suggestion in the Big Book,
the Twelve Steps, or the highly successful original program as
summarized by Frank Amos to Rockefeller that won’t assure your
recovery if you thoroughly follow that path. They did it from
1939-1950. I did it, and you can do it. Just come with us, go
where we go, do what we do, and get what God has to offer.
Ask an oldtimer today who believes in
God, asked for His help, went to any lengths to get it, grew in
spiritual understanding and love, and gave himself to others in
love and service.
Gloria Deo
dickb@dickb.com
http://www.dickb.com/index.shtml
| 
