There is something better to be found, but one has to give up to find it Dr. Harry M. Tiebout, phychiatrist and friend of AA, said, “. . .The two essential ingredients to maintaining sobriety are . . . the preservation of a reduced ego and the continued presence of humility. ” In the followingContinue reading “Beyond the Self – Grapevine Article September 1970 By M.D. B.”
Category Archives: AA History
Mashup – Bill W’s Last Relapse from Bill’s Story in the Big Book and AA Comes of Age
Big Book Chapter: Bill’s Story Pages 6,7 My brother-in-law is a physician, and through his kindness and that of my mother I was placed in a nationally-known hospital for the mental and physical rehabilitation of alcoholics. Under the so-called belladonna treatment my brain cleared. Hydrotherapy and mild exercise helped much. Best of all, I metContinue reading “Mashup – Bill W’s Last Relapse from Bill’s Story in the Big Book and AA Comes of Age”
What Is Sponsorship – AA Pamphlet Questions & Answers On Sponsorship
You can access this important AA pamphlet in its totality by clicking here. Here is a high level excerpt from this pamphlet that establishes a basic understanding of what sponsorship is and how critical it has been been and continues to be in A.A. What is sponsorship?Alcoholics Anonymous began with sponsorship. When Bill W., onlyContinue reading “What Is Sponsorship – AA Pamphlet Questions & Answers On Sponsorship”
Sponsorship Goes Both Ways – May 1998 Grapevine Article AA General Services Office
A.A.’s program of recovery is spiritual, but the hands-on action of two drunks – one sober, the other new or returning from a slip-helping each other is what glues it together, as our co-founders quickly found out. Looking back on their relationship some years later, Bill W. observed, “Dr. Bob did not need me forContinue reading “Sponsorship Goes Both Ways – May 1998 Grapevine Article AA General Services Office”
Anonymity – May 1975 Grapevine Article by C.H.
In an effort to build public understanding of AA’s Anonymity Traditions, the trustees’ Public Information Committee prepared this article for release to newspapers and wire services. WHY ARE Alcoholics Anonymous members anonymous alcoholics? Why are all those people who used to be so noisily unconcerned about making public fools of themselves so passionately interested in anonymity? (“Anonymity”Continue reading “Anonymity – May 1975 Grapevine Article by C.H.”
Keeping the Meeting Alive – Grapevine Article July 1991 by Kathryn K
At a recent meeting of our home group on the First Tradition, it was suggested that one of the ways we could actively promote the principle of unity was to draft a letter sharing our recent experiences with readers of the Grapevine. About three years ago, two people sat down in a church at aContinue reading “Keeping the Meeting Alive – Grapevine Article July 1991 by Kathryn K”
The Back-Slider – Big Book Story from 1st Edition by Walter B
When I was graduated from high-school the World War was on in full blast. I was too young for the army but old enough to man a machine for the production of the means of wholesale destruction. I became a machine-hand at high wages. Machinery appealed to me anyway, because I had always wanted toContinue reading “The Back-Slider – Big Book Story from 1st Edition by Walter B”
Loss Is Gain – AA’s Humble Beginnings – Big Book pages 153 – 155
In every case, pain had been the price of admission into a new life (12&12 step 7 page 75) Years ago , in 1935 , one of our number made a journey to a certain western city . From a business standpoint , his trip came off badly . Had he been successful in hisContinue reading “Loss Is Gain – AA’s Humble Beginnings – Big Book pages 153 – 155”
AA 12 Principles
Here are one version of the principles that underlie each of AA steps. This is not definitive but one presentation that is generally accepted about what principles may be useful in the practice of these in “all of our affairs”. Step 1. Honesty Step 2. Hope Step 3. Faith Step 4. Courage Step 5. IntegrityContinue reading “AA 12 Principles”
Big Book Story – 2nd Edition ‘He Thought He Could Drink Like a Gentleman’
I WAS BORN in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1889, the last child of a family of eight children. My parents were hard working people. My father was a railroad man and a Civil War veteran. I can remember that in my childhood, he was ill at ease with the children because he attempted to assert anContinue reading “Big Book Story – 2nd Edition ‘He Thought He Could Drink Like a Gentleman’”