This is the edition of the big book currently being printed. Big book author doctor, alcoholic, addict died after complications from heart surgery at 7. The story is known by two names, doctor, alcoholic, addict or acceptance was the answer depending on which edition you bought. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous. Original manuscript which went out to the fellowship a few months prior to the publication of the big book 1938. An allergy is an abnormal reaction to any food, liquid or substance. This is good news because im on the lookout for aa talks to help me sleep, especially because i used to drink to fall asleep. Choice in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Author of doctor, alcoholic, addict aa grapevine, july 1995 dr.
The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. Md, not all that many know that dr paul o wrote one of the stories in the book known as alcoholics anonymous. His remarks on acceptance, which appear on pages 449 and 450, pages 417 418, fourth ed. I attended my very first alcoholics anonymous meeting when i was just 19 years old. It was retitled in part to recogize the concept of acceptance to the aa program. Listen to chris raymer, a recovered alcoholic addict from texas, talk about the big book of a. The book is published by alcoholics anonymous world services. In the book alcoholics anonymous big book, drug use is mentioned as part of the alcoholics experience or illness. Pauls story doctor, alcoholic, addict was published in the third edition of the big book. There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. Because increasingly since the 1970s, there has been considerably discussion in aa to limit membership and discussion to alcoholusing alcoholics only.
My sponsor suggested i type it up and put it somewhere in the house where i see it all the time. Many recovering alcoholics work the 12 steps with a sponsor. Paul o, doctor, alcoholic, addict, published in the 3rd edition was changed in the 4th edition to acceptance was the answer. These readings describe the nature of the alcoholic. The big book on page xxiv the doctors opinion says that an alcoholic has an allergy to alcohol. The chapter doctor, alcoholic, addict from the third edition is now titled this. An aa member, customarily of the same gender, whom you would ask to help you work your aa program. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. The book has undergone four revisions since william wilson. Alcoholics anonymous aa is an international mutual aid fellowship with the stated purpose of enabling its members to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.
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 strong. I didnt know when i walked into the meeting that it was led by dr. Pauls story is one of the most frequently quoted in. What are your thoughts about addicts in aa instead of na.
The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation. The big book talks about feeling restless, irritable and discontent. Substituting other drugs for alcohol is not sobriety and brings as many and really just the same problems as before. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Formerly known as doctor, alcoholic, addict addiction treatment works. Acceptance is the answer aa speakers 12step youtube. Sep 17, 2015 doctor, alcoholic, addict as he puts it, dr.
A personal story on page 407 called acceptance was the answer is also wellknown among aa membership. They bear witness that release from alcoholism can really be per manent. This is the official website of the general service office g. Big book sponsorship similarly contends that medical science has found that there is sound reasoning in the doctors opinion. Click below to view overflow memorial postings since may 22, 2000. In the third edition of the alcoholics anonymous big book since 1976, paul o. Acceptance i know some people get really tired of the big book quotes. The big book of alcoholics anonymous the world famous eye. The 12 promises of aa begin on page 83 of the fourth edition of the big book. The guide is presented as per the last paragraph on the back cover. Paul, writer of the big book story, acceptance was the answer, formerly titled doctor, alcoholic, addict. In late 1934 i attended a patient who, though he had been a competent businessman of good earning ca. How did you come to write the story thats in the big book. Having lived in ca for number oof years i had the good fortune to know dr.
And she would never, never take that morning drink. I have specialized in the treatment of alcoholism for many years. The big book provides background on the history of aa, including the founders, bill w. The big book serves as the foundation for the alcoholics anonymous 12step program. I have provided a link in a couple of places on this page for your convenience, so you can get to the search page. Elder statesmen versus the bleeding bleating deacons big. Because this book has become the basic text for our.
It was founded 75 years ago by bill wilson and dr bob smith in akron ohio. Paul is quotable, ironic, and makes you think twice with a smile on your face. Miracles in progress 12 step recovery forums alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous doctor, alcoholic, addict. Dr paul o aa author of big book story doctor, alcoholic, addict 1981 acceptance talk. The whytehouse is, i hope, a way to find that special phrase or saying etc. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading alcoholics anonymous big book. The book details stories of other recovering alcoholics who have found sobriety through the program as well. Pauls story, doctor, alcoholic, addict is published in the third edition of the big book. Alcoholics anonymous is a worldwide, nonprofit organization for people suffering from alcoholism. Examples are in the chapter doctor, alcoholic, addict, written by member paul o, and also in chapter two, there is a solution p. The fourth edition includes twentyfour new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery from alcoholism in a. The process includes believing in a power greater than yourself, admitting past mistakes, making amends to people you have harmed through alcoholism and continuing to focus on spiritual growth. The aa program of recovery is set forth in the twelve steps aa was founded in 1935 in akron, ohio. He wrote an article for the grapevine on why doctors shouldnt prescribe pills for alcoholics, and because he had a dual problem was asked to write his story for the big book.
Alcoholics anonymous also known as the big book in recovery circles sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. I have read that the 3rd edition is the unchanged original text of the 1939 print but that part ii has more stories for those who are not sure they are alcoholics. The second edi tion, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,000 copies. Alcoholic addiction xxv or xxvii 1st edition the doctor s opinion dr. Elder statesmen versus the bleeding bleating deacons. Printer friendly i dont know what edition of the big book you all have. Bobs nightmare 171 171 window of opportunity 421 aa number three 182 182 he had to be shown 193 he thought he could drink like a gentlemen. I thought my problem was that i had been married to a drunk. My friend, who was only 19 herself, took me to a meeting in san juan capistrano, california. These members realized a 72% success rate from 19341938 died sober using this spiritual program of action. Interview with the author of doctor, alcoholic, addict. 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.
A wellknown doctor, chief physician at a nationally prominent hospital specializing in alcoholic and drug addiction, gave alcoholics anonymous this letter. So alcoholics anonymous and narcotics anonymous typically explain the spiritual malady as what an addict and alcoholic feel while sober, before ever using drugs or alcohol. All i did is read a selection from doctor, alcoholic, addict, a chapter in aas big book famous for the phrase, and acceptance is the answer to. 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. The big book on page xxiv the doctor s opinion says that an alcoholic has an allergy to alcohol. Please help spiritual recovery stay alive by donating at this link and well love you forever. If nine out of ten people have one reaction and one out of ten people have a different reaction, then the reaction of the one out of ten is. The big book lays out the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous and includes personal stories of those who found recovery in the program. They stopped in time the physician wasnt hooked, he thought he just prescribed drugs medically.
The doctors opinion is an important part of the big book, as it details a physicians view of alcoholism and recovery. There are two defining symptoms of alcoholism given in the book. The story was retitled, acceptance was the answer for the fourth edition, and is found at page 407. They stopped in time the physician wasnt hooked, he thought he just prescribed drugs medically indicated for his many ailments. Interview with the author of doctor, alcoholic, addict aa. This is the third edition of the book 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 the book has undergone four revisions since william wilson, also known as bill w. When i am disturbed, it is because i find some person, place, thing, or situation some fact of my life unacceptable to me. Apr 17, 20 on page 449 paul, thru the guidance of my higher power makes the statement which has saved many lives in our program from that fatal decision. Aa is nonprofessional, selfsupporting, and apolitical. Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now.
The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies. Paul oligher, author of the doctor, alcoholic, addict containing the famous page 449 and a sample of his brilliance in interpreting the a. Chris raymer, aa big book, ca speaker, talk about carrying the message to the addict that still suffers hear renowned addiction speaker, mark houston from texas, a recovered alcoholicaddict, speak on 12 step spirituality living in the spirit. The recent attempt at censorship of the big book by changing the title of the chapter doctor, addict, alcoholic does not change the truth. Apr 29, 2017 in the book alcoholics anonymous big book, drug use is mentioned as part of the alcoholics experience or illness. Original aa members documented their experience in the big book. He did not introduce himself as an alcoholic and addict, and was irritated by people who want to broaden a. It is referred to so often in meetings that it is almost a supplement to the first 164 pages. Minerva studioshutterstock those who enter recovery at a stepbased treatment center will often be handed a copy of alcoholics anonymous also known as the big book almost as soon as they are admitted and.
In the fourth edition the story is called acceptance was the answer. He is the author of acceptance is the answer in the big book. Part i pioneers of aa acceptance was the answer previously doctor, alcoholic, addict 439 407 dr. 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. It was from his chapter that i got a lot of the basic foundation for my codependency recovery. Alcoholic addiction xxv or xxvii 1st edition the doctors opinion dr.
The story is known by two names, doctor, alcoholic, addict or acceptance. Reading guide for the doctors opinion amethyst recovery. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics. If nine out of ten people have one reaction and one out of ten people have a different reaction, then the reaction of the one out of ten is abnormal. Click here to download are you an addict in mp3 format. Its only membership requirement is a desire to stop drinking. This chapter which used to be called doctor, alcoholic, addict was written by a man named dr. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. This is a list of the big book personal story authors, and either where they got sober or where they were from. The big book also provides other information and methods of support for alcoholics and their families. As it grew in size and popularity from over 100 members in 1939 to over 2 million members worldwide. In the newest revision of the aa big book, the story that was most important to me in the book had its title change to remove the word addict. 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.
And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. Acceptance was the answer the alcoholics guide to alcoholism. It is based on the big book, and a 12 step process. This excerpt above is from a share or a personal story at the back of the big book. Your story in the bigbook is not nearly as great as hearing you in person. Big book kindle edition by world services, alcoholics anonymous, wilson, bill. What the big book really says by jay westbrook on december 29, 2014 in living in recovery, living with addiction alcoholics anonymous, and the myriad of other 12step programs, can be invaluable to the recovering alcoholic or addict. Jan 03, 2017 the recent attempt at censorship of the big book by changing the title of the chapter doctor, addict, alcoholic does not change the truth. Aa step one 20 questions test worksheet a 20question test that was used by many a. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a. It is my hope that you will find this site useful to you and our friends of bill w. Take this selfassessment test and determine what type of drinker, user, or obsessivecomplusive you might be.
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