The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism generally known as the big book because of the thickness of the paper used in the first edition is a 1939 basic text, describing how to recover from alcoholism, primarily written by william g. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of be ing honest with themselves. Chapter 4 we agnostics i n the precedingchapters you have learned something of alcoholism. The original manuscript of the big book alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous, chapter 5 how it works pages 5864 the first and second edition book alcoholics anonymous is in public domain in the united states. These 12 steps are outlined in chapter 5, how it works, of the big book. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous this is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism is often referred to in alcoholics anonymous meetings aa as the big book. After you have read and accepted the first 3 steps begin your work on the 4th step. Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Alcoholics anonymous, chapter 5 how it works the first and second edition book alcoholics anonymous is in public domain in the united states. In that case, a sponsor will be happy to walk you through the big book, then youll have an experience with how it works and the preceding chapters. The introduction delves into how it works, to maintain healthy sobriety.
Silkworth aa big book aa anonymity statement anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions. Of the many drinking types described in the big book by no means comprehensively, the big book suggests its 12 step spiritual program of action will work for only one. A searching, fearless moral inventory as it is expressed in chapter 5 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.
Chapter 5 how it works rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Because this book has become the basic text for our society and has helped such large numbers of alcoholic men and women to recovery, there exists a sentiment. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. Is this the christian god, or can we really take this to mean a god of our own understanding. Study guide that explores solutions for alcoholics and drug addicts. Aa is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. Chapter 2 there is a solution w e, of alcoholics anonymous, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as bill. We suggest you do this as we have done it in the chapter on alcoholism. Aa speaker turn our will and our lives over to the care of god new 20 duration. It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover.
Our activities in behalf of women who drink are on the increase. We hope we have made clear the distinction between the alcoholic and the nonalcoholic. Chapter 4 we agnostics page 40 for either case, atheist or agnostic, we are going to have to find some way to have this spiritual experience, and to use this power greater than human power. The big book was originally published in 1939 by bill w. The purpose of this study guide is to enable the student to better understand the information the authors of the book, alcoholics anonymous, intended to impart to each of us based on their experience and knowledge of alcoholism and their program of recovery. Chapter 5 how it works is titled the twelve steps for some reason and it only goes up to the part where it says being convinced, we were at step 3. Outlining the steps and traditions that make aa famous, as well as numerous stories about recovering addicts who have been through the process, the big book has helped guide millions into a life of sobriety. May 21, 2008 this has left historians and aa members divided over some important questions.
The big book the main 164 pages, prayers, personal stories, and more. Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now. Whether youre new to aa, or youre a seasoned veteran, this is the easiest and most useful app to aid in your recovery. You can search the alcoholics anonymous big book for phrases, key words, etc. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. It is common in aa lore to hear claims that the big book is the secondmost printed book of alltime, second only to the bible.
There is every evidence that women regain their health as readily as men if they try our suggestions. Together they founded the alcoholics anonymous aa fellowship. There has been a series of reprints and revisions, as well as. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. The big book serves as the foundation for the alcoholics anonymous 12step program.
Silkworth aa big book aa anonymity statement anonymity is. Alcoholics anonymous, chapter 5 how it works youtube. If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get itthen you are ready to take certain steps. Oct 12, 2017 one of the ways to do so would be to honestly look at how nonbelievers atheist, agnostics, freethinkers, humanists, secularists, etc. Admitted to god, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Drs opinion 4th edition p xxv bills story chapter 1 p 1 16 there is a solution chapter 2 p 16 30 more about alcoholism chapter 3 p 30 43 we agnostics chapter 4 p 44 57 how it works chapter 5 p 58 71 into action continue reading big book of alcoholics anonymous.
In its chapter, we agnostics, the big book outlines its attitude toward spiritual and religious matters. For the serious student of the aa big book, what follows are some recommendations from the author of this study guide in the approach to take when utilizing this supplemental material. The big book of alcoholics anonymous and 12step programs across the world have helped millions of people recover from addictions. An excerpt in large type from chapter 5 of the big book. This is a reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. One of many good places to begin is in alcoholics anonymous aka the big book, specifically chapter 4, we agnostics. The big book of alcoholics anonymous and 12 step programs across the world, have helped millions of people recover from addictions.
Original manuscript chaper 6 into action alcoholics anonymous alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr. Audio big book ideal for those who find difficulty reading, an audio version of the big book in mp3 format. Skipping this chapter for any reason would be a serious oversight and one that might hinder, rather than help. However, it sounds like for your po, your gonna have to settle for writing an opinion on what youve read. Read read chapter 5, how it works, on the fear inventory. This has left historians and aa members divided over some important questions. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. This is a gross inaccuracy as approximately 30 million total copies have been printed. This is the second edition of the book alcoholics anonymous, which made its first appearance in april 1939. Give him an account of the struggles you made to stop. Study guide that explores solutions for alcoholics and drug addicts c. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Original manuscript chaper 5 how it works alcoholics anonymous alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr.
We wish to make the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous part of our lives by collaborating with a power greater than ourselves an inner. Zip file 534 k self extracting word document 584 k download ms word document 1. An alcoholic reading through the big book of alcoholics anonymous for the first time might be tempted to skip over chapter 8 since it is titled to wives but on further examination, will find that it was actually written by bill w. Mar 14, 2011 alcoholics anonymous big book video chapter five how it works alcoholics anonymous, doninlondon, life works in recovery, addiction and recovery, alcoholic, alcoholism. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous. Overview preface preface chapter 1 bills story chapter 2 there is a solution chapter 3 more about alcoholism chapter 4 we agnostics chapter 5 how it works chapter 6 into action chapter 7 working with others chapter 8 to wives chapter 9 the family afterward chapter 10 to employers chapter 11 a vision for you. A portion of chapter 5 from the aa big book before writing on the 3rd step, it behooved me to allow readers unfamiliar with big book of aa to read from themselves bills understanding of the problem and solution. But what we have said applies quite as much to women. We wish to make the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous part of our lives by collaborating with a power greater than ourselves an inner knowing, our own best and highest nature. These are posted as an aid to the blind, those who have difficulty reading or who are remote from meetings either in prison or in hard to reach places. The revelations about hank parkhursts role in particular cast a welcome and inclusive light on his critical importance, as he is shown to be a true unsung hero. To this end we ask ourselves two primary questions.
Read the book alcoholics anonymous from the frontispiece through the end of chapter 11 a vision for you pg 164. Chapter 8 to wives w ith few exceptions, our book thus far has spoken of men. Marty mann 19041980 wrote the chapter women suffer too in the second through fourth editions of the big book. This book can be used in drug and alcohol treatment centers, institutions, 12step group meetings, and for those seeking to recover from addiction from home. Writing the big book details the chapterbychapter authoring of alcoholics anonymous and provides a revealing anthology of its primary contributors. Apr 06, 2018 the kindle version is not the big book. If he is alcoholic, he will understand you at once. How it works aa big book chapter 5 aa big book big book of aa alcoholics anonymous doctors opinion how it works aa preamble alcoholism recovery 4th edition 3rd edition 2nd edition alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr. A desire to stop drinking is the only requirement for aa membership. Chapter 5, the big book of alcoholics anonymous study guide.
Date change the workshop will begin 311 rather than 34 as originally posted. This page, which includes the twelve steps, is often read at the start of meetings. Were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character. The text got this name because the first edition of the book had rather thick pages, making the book even thicker than its content would suggest. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. If you have a drinking problem, we hope that you may pause in reading. Alcoholics anonymous is often referred to as a 12step program, and aa is the basis for many other 12step programs that have been established. Chapter 5 how it works r arely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. The free version features the full text of the big book, prayers, personal stories, podcasts, meeting finder, and more. Now it is time for you to work on yourself by reading and rereading chapter 5. A portion of chapter 5 from the aa big book promises. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed. It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover as of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. Aa step one 20 questions test worksheet a 20question test that was used by many a.
This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism, is a collection of texts used by members of the alcoholics anonymous fellowship. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. More than 300,000 copies of the first edition are now in circulation. Read from aa big book, chapter 5, how it works, page 7071, adapted to compulsive overeating. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot. Alcoholics anonymous, chapter 5 how it works pages 58. Whatever our protestations, are not most of us concerned with ourselves, our resentments, or our selfpity.