Big Book Sponsorship for permanent recovery from all addictions

A.A. Myths: The Myth of Sponsorship

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:32:00-0400

No where in the first 164 pages of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous does it tell the newcomer or any other member of A.A. to get a sponsor.

I hear it all the time in the rooms of A.A., "Get a sponsor", "Call your sponsor everyday", and "Don't make any decisions until you talk to your sponsor".

I heard one fellow in the rooms of A.A. say, "My sponsor told me to call him everyday." He replied, "But you're out of town for the next two weeks?" His sponsor replied, "I said, you're to call me everyday. I didn't say I would talk to you everyday!"

Incredible! I couldn't believe my ears when I heard this pathetic 'bromide' touted as a sound strategy for helping the newcomer recover. Furthermore, I hear other "sponsees" share about how dependent they are on their sponsors for advice and counselling on medical, psychological, financial, legal, and relationship matters. "They won't make any decisions about anything until they talk to their sponsors." It's no wonder why the rooms of A.A. are wrought with co-dependent members unable to function independently without being hand-held and spoon-fed their sponsor's "pap" for some indefinite amount time in the program of A.A.

I believe one of the biggest reasons A.A. recovery rates have plummeted from its stellar 50% to 75% success rates of the 1940's to a dismal 10% or less success rate in the rooms today is due to poor and ineffective sponsorship.

Bill W. writes: "Though three hundred thousand have recovered in the last twenty-five years, maybe half a million more have walked into our midst, and then out again. We can't well content ourselves with the view that all these recovery failures were entirely the fault of the newcomers themselves. Perhaps a great many didn't receive the kind and amount of sponsorship they so sorely needed. We didn't communicate when we might have done so. So we AA's failed them." (AAGrapevine. The Dilemma of No Faith. 1961. Vo. 17 No. 17).

Working with Others

"Any A.A. who has not experienced the joys and satisfaction of helping another alcoholic regain his place in life has not yet fully realized the complete benefits of this fellowship." (A.A. Sponsorship Pamphlet. 1944. Clarence S.)

Question: What does the Big Book reference 123 times in the first 88 pages? Answer: Alcoholics working with other alcoholics. And, by working with another alcoholic, the Big Book doesn't mean a "sponsor", it specifically means two alcoholics working together, putting the A.A. Program into action.

How it important is it for A.A. members to work newcomers? Our Big Book says:

"Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail. This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail. Remember they are very ill." (Alcoholics Anonymous. 89)

"This seemed to prove that one alcoholic could affect another as no nonalcoholic (non-addict) could. It also indicated that strenuous work, one alcoholic (recovered member) with another (newcomer), was vital to permanent recovery." (Alcoholics Anonymous. 3rd ed. xvi)

"We have recovered, and have been given the power to help others." (Alcoholics Anonymous. 132)

"But if you are shaky you had better work with another alcoholic instead." (Alcoholics Anonymous. 102)

"Helping others is the foundation stone of your recovery. A kindly act once in a while isn't enough." (Alcoholics Anonymous. 97)

What is the Function of the Big Book?

"To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary." (Alcoholics Anonymous. 3rd ed. xiii)

"Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power? Well, that's exactly what this book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem." (Alcoholics Anonymous. 45)

Spiritual Dependence NOT Sponsor Dependence

Another thing I hear it all the time is, "Who is your sponsor?" When I reply, "I don't have a sponsor", I get an endless tirade of, "You know a person who sponsors them self, has a fool for a sponsor". Now, when I came into the program, I had someone sit down with me and show me how to work the steps. After working the steps he then told me to show others how to work steps. And, that's what I have been doing for the past several years, teaching others how to work the Twelve Steps and how to teach others to teach others to work the Twelve Steps. Occasionally, I will call the man who showed me "How It Works" to sometimes clear some Step Five work or discuss approaches on Step Nine, but mostly I call to talk about working with newcomers. And, he sometimes calls me to clear up some Step Five work or some other aspect of the program, but mostly he call me to discuss working with others.

No where in first 164 pages of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous does it ever recommend that I call a "sponsor". When I need direction or guidance, the Big Book is very clear about who I should contact: "...he (Bill W.) was convinced of the need for moral inventory, confession of personality defects, restitution to those harmed, helpfulness to others, and the necessity of belief in and dependence upon God." (Alcoholics Anonymous. 3rd ed. xvi)

"But there is One who has all power that One is God. May you find Him now! (Alcoholics Anonymous." 59) "Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director." (Alcoholics Anonymous." 62)

In the evening:

After making our review we ask God's forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken. (Alcoholics Anonymous. 86)

In the morning:

We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these conditions we can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for after all God gave us brains to use. (Alcoholics Anonymous. 86)

During the day:

In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. (Alcoholics Anonymous. 86)

We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. (Alcoholics Anonymous. 87)

The role of the Big Book Sponsor is to teach the newcomer how to work a Twelve Step Program and show them how teach other newcomers to do the same.

Dr. Silkworth writes: "In the course of his (Bill W.) third treatment he acquired certain ideas concerning a possible means of recovery. As part of his rehabilitation he commenced to present his conceptions to other alcoholics, impressing upon them that they must do likewise with still others. This has become the basis of a rapidly growing fellowship of these men and their families. This man and over one hundred others appear to have recovered." (Alcoholics Anonymous. 3rd ed. xxiii)

The Big Book gives explicit instructions on how to approach and work with the newcomer:

But the ex-problem drinker who has found this solution, who is properly armed with facts about himself, can generally win the entire confidence of another alcoholic in a few hours. Until such an understanding is reached, little or nothing can be accomplished. (Alcoholics Anonymous. 18)

That the man who is making the approach has had the same difficulty, that he obviously knows what he is talking about, that his whole deportment shouts at the new prospect that he is a man with a real answer, that he has no attitude of Holier Than Thou (that means we are not saints nor are we crusaders or mission makers), nothing whatever except the sincere desire to be helpful; that there are no fees to pay (that means the program is freely given to others and that there is to be no professional class of therapy or counselling), no axes to grind (we're not here to have windy arguments or frothy debates with the newcomer), no people to please (that means no ass-kissing), no lectures to be endured (that means we are not here to judge or run your life)-these are the conditions we have found most effective. (Alcoholics Anonymous. 18-19)

In the 1940's, the A.A. Beginners' Meetings 's provided a safe and structured environment where newcomers TOOK all Twelve Steps and recovered from alcoholism, as well as a place where those who had been through the Steps learned how to sponsor those who were just starting on their spiritual journeys. The Beginners' Meetings fostered participatory sponsorship and many newcomers were sponsored by two or more A.A. members, the sponsor and his or her apprentice(s). The term the early A.A.'s used to describe this relationship was co-sponsorship.

Key Concepts from the 1940's Beginner's Meetings

Wally P., author of the book, "Back to Basics: The Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners' Mettings" and an A.A. archivist, interviewed many of the A.A. pioneers from the 1940's about the early program of A.A.

Here is what Wally discovered about A.A. sponsorship in the 1940's:

1. Put barriers between the newcomer and Step Twelve. Help the newcomer get to Step Twelve as quickly as possible, so they can experience the life-changing spiritual awakening that occurs as the direct result of taking the Steps. Reassure the newcomer that our program of recovery will relieve their alcoholism/addiction. Show the newcomer that the process is simple, straightforward and that it really works.

The program takes only a few hours to a week at best to learn. Bill W. started working with other alcoholics as soon as he finished his last treatment which was a 5 to 7 day stay in the hospital back in the 1930s.

"My wife and I abandoned ourselves with enthusiasm to the idea of helping other alcoholics to a solution of their problems....I soon found that when all other measures failed, work with another alcoholic (addict) would save the day." (Alcoholics Anonymous.15)

"...the broker had worked hard with many alcoholics on the theory that only an alcoholic could help an alcoholic, but he had succeeded only in keeping sober himself. He suddenly realized that in order to save himself he must carry his message to another alcoholic." (Alcoholics Anonymous. 3rd ed. xvi) "Hence the two men (Bill W. and Dr. Bob) set to work almost frantically upon alcoholics arriving in the ward of the Akron City Hospital." (Alcoholics Anonymous. 3rd ed. xvii)

Ebby T. was only 60 days sober when he passed the solution over to Bill W.

"But he (Ebby T.) did no ranting. In a matter of fact way he told how two men had appeared in court, persuading the judge to suspend his commitment. They had told of a simple religious idea and a practical program of action. That was two months ago and the result was self-evident. It worked! (Alcoholics Anonymous. 9)

2. It's the responsibility of the Sponsor to call the newcomer! Demonstrate that you are there for the newcomer by checking in with them on a regular basis. Remember, the newcomer is very ill and needs your encouragement and support.

I've heard many sponsors tell their sponsees to call them everyday as a way of showing their willingness and if the fail to do so, they're fired by their sponsors. I understand the notion of trying to gauge the newcomer's willingness, but measuring the newcomer's willingness by their ability to phone daily is like a doctor telling their patient, "you have a terminal disease and I need to treat you daily, so you must call on me daily to make sure I give you the remedy." That's not the way it works. The doctor realizes the patient is sick and it is the doctor who calls on the patient regularly to see that their remedy is administered as required. It's the same way with the suffering alcoholic. Their minds and bodies are sick. It's our responsibility as recovered alcoholics to call on the newcomer, to make sure the newcomer gets our common solution so that they too may recover.

3. Read the appropriate parts of the "Big Book" to the newcomer. The newcomer is in no physical or emotional condition to read, let alone comprehend, the "Big Book" by them self. Therefore, read and explain the appropriate parts of the book to the newcomer, specifically those 50 or so passages that pertain directly to taking the Twelve Steps.

This is an approach the "Muckers" of the Greater Toronto area developed in the early 1990's. The Muckers focus is the Big Book; they use no other text. The emphasis is on the first 89 to 103 pages of the Big Book, which have not been altered since originally published in 1939. The process of one alcoholic or addict guiding another through the Book takes between 24 and 30 hours, usually done in 2 - 3 hour sessions, typically over a period of 2 - 3 weeks. In the process, the newcomer circle words and highlight passages and writes comments and notes in the margin of their Big Book. That's way they are called Muckers, because they muck up the Book! During this period of "being booked", the individual actually performs the first 11 steps of the program. By teaching it the "Mucker" method to other newcomers they complete Step Twelve.

4. The healing is in the sharing not in the writing. Sit down with newcomer and guide him or her through the Fourth Step inventory. If necessary, write the inventory while the newcomer does the talking. this will help relieve any anxiety or apprehension the newcomer may have about this part of the program.

So often I hear of alcoholics relapsing on Step Four. Why? Because they're sponsors cut them loose and tell them to go do an inventory. Most alcoholics are either too jittery and sick to write out their inventory, or too afraid to look at the carnage of their past, so they relapse instead. By taking the Step Four and Five journey together, both recovered alcoholic and the newcomer can uncover the character defects and make efficient headway to Steps Six and Seven.

5. Assist the newcomer with his or her amends. Work together on the newcomer's amends. Be the first person the newcomer sees after an amends is made. Once again, when I work with newcomers, I assist them in mapping out their list of amends and how to possibly make them.

6. Share guidance with the newcomer. Show the newcomer that you believe in and are practicing two-way prayer on a daily basis. Again, I am always doing Step Three and Seven prayers with newcomers and encouraging them to meditate on the answers rather than calling me for advice.

7. Co-sponsor the next newcomer. Have the newcomer accompany you as you work with the next person. This way, the newcomer will gain confidence in his or her ability to guide others through the recovery process.

One of Cleveland, Ohio A.A. founders, Clarence S. writes in a pamphlet on A.A. sponsorship: "Additional information for sponsoring a new man can be obtained from the experience of older men in the work. A co-sponsor, with an experienced and newer member working on a prospect, has proven very satisfactory. Before undertaking the responsibility of sponsoring, a member should make certain that he is able and prepared to give the time, effort, and thought such an obligation entails. It might be that he will want to select a co-sponsor to share the responsibility, or he might feel it necessary to ask another to assume the responsibility for the man he has located." (A.A. Sponsorship Pamphlet. 1944. Clarence S.)

Thus we grow. And so can you, though you be but one man with this book in your hand. We believe and hope it contains all you will need to begin. We know what you are thinking. You are saying to yourself: "I'm jittery and alone. I couldn't do that." But you can. You forget that you have just now tapped a source of power much greater than yourself. To duplicate, with such backing, what we have accomplished is only a matter of willingness, patience and labor. (Alcoholics Anonymous.162-163)

Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends -- this is an experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives. (Alcoholics Anonymous. 89)

Cameron F. Toronto, ON

P.S. How do you work with newcomers? Let us know, we like to hear about your experiences working with newcomers.

References

Alcoholics Anonymous: the Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism. New York City: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, 2001.

S. Clarence. 1944. A.A. Sponsorship Pamphlet. http://silkworth.net/aahistory/aapamplet_clarences.html

Who are the Muckers in A.A. and C.A? http://www.bigbooksponsorship.org/index.cfm?Fuseaction=ArticleDisplay&ArticleID=480

12 Steps in 4 Hours Workbook. 2012. http://www.bigbooksponsorship.org/4-hour-12-steps.pdf

Newcomers, How do you read your Big Book? 2008. http://www.bigbooksponsorship.org/blog/index.cfm/2008/7/8/Newcomers-how-do-you-read-your-Big-Book

P., Wally. Back to Basics?: the Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners' Meetings?: "Here Are the Steps We Took-- " in Four One-hour Sessions. Tucson, AZ: Faith with Works Pub. Co., 1998. http://www.aabacktobasics.org

Relapse was unthinkable...How did it happened?

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:15:00-0400

Having worked with alcoholics and addicts from all over the world, the reasons for relapse amongst those with sobriety time seems to always point to same conditions--they stopped working their program. This is blog a synopsis of their stories.

I got sober and clean working the Twelve Steps and that was a miracle in my life, because for years the only thing on my mind, morning, noon and night, was how do I get high, stay high and get higher. The desire to drink or use drugs was gone. Life was great. Family relationships improved. I started working again and I even made a little money. Then I went on cruise control. I got cocky and complacent. My program began to waver.

The first principle I let go of was unselfish work with other alcoholics and addicts. This was my Twelveth Step. Intensive work with other alcoholics and addicts was too strenuous. I was too busy to carry the message to other suffering alcoholics and addicts, so I stopped working with newcomers and having fellowship with other recovered alcoholics and addicts.

Next to go was Step Eleven. First, I stopped meditating (listening to God) and eventually I also stopped praying to God (talking to God). My conscious contact with God diminished. What used to be an intuitive direction became muddle confusion.

Next, Step Ten ceased to be part of my daily routine. Why bother with the minutia of daily life. I stopped watching for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment and fear. I stopped asking God for guidance. I stopped discussing my shortcomings with others. I didn't bother to clean up my mistakes or make amends for my wrongdoings nor did I bother to turn my thoughts to someone I could help.

When I quit working my daily program of action, my spiritual fitness began to wane. I no longer had a burning desire to clean up my past and set matters right. I discarded my Step Eight list of people I had harmed and ceased to make any further direct amends as suggested in Step Nine. Guilt, shame and remorse over the things I had done in the past began to creep back into my thoughts disturbing my peace of mind and serenity.

When I gave up prayer and meditation, Step Seven ceased being a part of my evening prayer and meditation. I no longer asked God to remove my defects of character nor did I ask God to give me strength to be honest, pure, unselfish and loving. With that, I ceased doing Step Six. I failed to see the futility and the fatality my character defects and their terrible destructiveness. My shortcomings were no longer objectionable and became unwilling to let them go.

I no longer did confessed my shortcomings with others (Step Five) because I also stopped taking a fearless and moral inventory of myself (Step Four). Resentments, fears, and harms to others began to pile up and I once again became blocked from the sunlight of the spirit.

Next, I stopped doing my Step Three Morning Prayer and meditation. I no longer turned my will and my life over to God. I had better ideas. A hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking and self-pity drove me to selfishness and self-centered behaviours. I gave up searching for the great reality deep down within me. I became unwilling to believe in a Power Greater than myself. I lost my Step Two and lack of power became my dilemma once more.

Without power, I had no defense against the first drink or drug. My sound reasoning failed to hold me in check. The insane idea won out. All had gone well for time and relapse was unthinkable, but I failed to enlarge my spiritual life and to my consternation, I found myself drunk and high in a very short time. I was once again powerless over alcohol and all mind altering substances and my life had become unmanageable. I was back to Step One.

Recovery is not a short sprint...it's a marathon for life!

It has been my experience of working with hundreds of alcoholics and addicts around the world is that most untreated alcoholics/addicts will fail because "half measures avail us nothing". Easier softer ways often prevail and many are baffled as to why they relapse. Ultimately, if they be alcoholics or addicts of the hopeless variety, it's because they do not thoroughly follow our program of action.

AA Myth: Bill wished he could have changed "rarely" to "never."

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:21:00-0400

A rumor has persisted for years in the fellowship of AA that Bill wished he could have changed "rarely" to "never." This is a myth.

In a letter to Les V., dated May 25, 1961 Bill W. stated: "Concerning your comment about the use of the word 'rarely' in Chapter Five of the Big Book. My recollection is that we did give a considerable thought at the time of writing. I think the main reason for the use of 'rarely' was to avoid anything that would look like a claim for a 100% result. Assuming of course that an alcoholic is willing enough and sane enough, there can be a perfect score on such character. But since willingness and sanity are such illusive and fluctuating values, we simply didn't like to be too positive. The medical profession could jump right down our throats...I do remember thinking about it a lot."

In addition, the following question and response were made at the 1970 General Service Conference, as part of the "Ask-It" Basket questions. Bill was, of course, still living at this time and was able to respond:

Q. Has Bill ever said, "If there was any change he would make in the Big Book, it would be to change the world 'rarely' to 'never' at the start of Chapter Five"? A. "No, Bill said he had never considered this" (1970 General Service Conference Report, p. 31).

The Myth of "Don't make any major decisions for the first year in recovery"

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:43:00-0400

I hear this advice being given to the newcomer all the time. In most cases, if they be real alcoholics or addicts, they die with this kind of counsel. "Easy does it" is a variation of this theme. If you want to kill newcomers, if that is your intention, then by all means, go on using it, but if you're here to be helpful, STOP USING IT, it's not what our program is about.

Our program is comprised of 12 Steps, ALL OF WHICH ARE MAJOR DECISIONS!

Step 1: Admit I'm powerless and my life is unmanageable? This was a MAJOR point of awareness and realization to me and one of the most important decisions I made in my life.

Step 2: Coming to the realization that only a spiritual power can restore me to sanity seems to me like another MAJOR realization. No middle of the road solution, either I go on to the bitter end or I accept spiritual help.

Step 3: Turn my will and life over to God, as I understand it! Sounds like a MAJOR decision to me.

Step 4 and 5: Made a fearless moral inventory, looked at my part and confessed my defects to another person! That was a MAJOR move in my life!

Step 8 and 9: Made amends, restitution, and set right the wrongs I had made in my life where ever possible - This was a huge decision and undertaking in my life and IT SAVED MY LIFE!

Step 10 and 11: Every day for the rest of my life, continue to take inventory, confess defects, set right wrongs and pray and meditate -- Another MAJOR decision!

Step 12: Practice the principles of the program in all my affairs and to carry the message to the seemingly hopeless. To give unselfishly of myself to alcoholics and addicts and show them the way out - WOW, this was the BIGGEST decision I ever made and it continues to work in my life everyday.

If I follow the advice of "no major decisions in the first year of recovery", then working the 12 Steps of the program are out and for me NOT to work the 12 Steps everyday in my life is to die.

"Meeting Makers Make It", "Keep coming back", "Wait for the Miracle to happen", "No major decisions in the first year", these mottos or slogans, in my experience, are not only, NOT part of our program, they actually harm others, deluding the newcomer into easier softer ways.

What does our Big Book tell us? There's a great article entitled: "That Ain't In the Big Book". It's a great guide to sorting out what our Big Book program of recovery tells us to do versus the rhetoric, and advice-mongering we get in the rooms. Check it out, it just my save your life or the newcomer's life.

From the Bleating Deacon's Corner: My Ideal Group

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:58:00-0400

A.A. Grapevine, November 1962, Vol. 19 No. 6

ONE of the fine old groups in my area is having a discussion meeting at which the subject is "My Idea of the Ideal AA Group." This is a group which I am seldom able to attend, but this challenging subject has moved me to a lot of reflection. Since I cannot go to the particular meeting I am going to record my random thoughts on paper, at least for my own benefit.

Here are my notions about the ideal AA Group:

It should have lots of George. You know George. He is the fellow we "Let do it." He just sort of moves in quietly and does things without being asked. Who wants to come early each week to get the chairs and other things arranged, frog up a pot of coffee for the ones who may want a spot before the meeting, and do a score of other little chores? Who wants to hang around each week to mop up, turn out the lights and lock the door? George does it. He is cheerful, eager and friendly. Probably he is the only one who has spoken to each and every one in the room before the meeting breaks up. And is he appreciated? When we talk in high sounding phrases about developing a fine sense of giving without hope of reward, why not save our breath and just point our index finger at George? You know something? He's the happiest guy around.
There should be a liberal sprinkling of dedicated old-timers--the finest symbols we have of what we like to call "good solid AA." They are the living proof to us all that this thing really works. Their mere presence inspires us all. They need our help too, let's not forget. They know better than do we, that this ailment of ours is chronic and incurable. That's why they are with us. Are we properly grateful to them?
There should be a sprinkling of dedicated high quality Twelfth Step workers, for to them we owe the constant trickle of newcomers. Why do they do so much sponsoring? Just because they are at all times ready, willing and able? No! It's because they have learned that we are helped through helping others, in direct proportion to the quality and effectiveness of the help we give. And so, when people begin to think of "Who would be a good man in this situation," it's one of these.
There should be a steady trickle in that precious stream of newcomers. What could we possibly do without them? Where would we be without the Twelfth Step? In them we see the slow but certain miracle take place all over again under our very eyes. As we watch and help them grow, we literally start at the bottom of the ladder and each time we take those steps again our footing is a little surer, our understanding a little deeper and our surrender a little more complete. Only in this way do we make any progress at all.
There should be a plentiful supply of excellent leads by people of varying periods of sobriety, diverse drinking experiences, high and low and medium bottom drunks and other distinctive characteristics--our leads, with the frank testimony of our members, represent the crux of our success.
There should be a liberal sprinkling of serious minded, deep thinkers about our program. They make the comments that represent the frosting on our excellent cake. They induce us all to think and meditate and try to broaden our understanding. That is a must if we would make progress. Continuous striving for truth and understanding does not lead to all the answers but it does mean progress toward two other attainable goals. One is a knowledge of our true selves and hence some degree of humility. The other is that when we reach a maximum in understanding we know how very much we shall never understand. From there our faith and surrender can really take over. But we need these thoughtful people as a reminder, to keep us thinking.
There should be a group atmosphere which approaches perfection in tolerance, kindliness and understanding. The kind of atmosphere in which the sober alcoholic feels completely happy and at home. The kind of atmosphere in which each one keeps saying over and over to himself, subconsciously perhaps, "Here I belong."

These are only a few of the attributes that I think of for the ideal group. And it occurs to me that I wouldn't fit at all. All these people would be further along than I am on the high road to sobriety. I might begin to think that I was as good as they were. I couldn't afford that. Who would I help? How could I stay sober without helping others?

Then too, on leads, I have found that I am helped by the lead that's off the beam. And what about the trouble makers? Could there be an AA group without one now and then? Would an AA group seem homelike if there wasn't an occasional brush fire to put out? I don't know. I'm confused.

C. R.
Ashland, Ohio

Alcoholics Anonymous archivist, author conducts sessions here

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:49:00-0400

'BACK TO BASICS' - Saturday, June 11, 2011, By Roland Stoy, The Daily Reporter, Photo by Roland Stoy

OVID TOWNSHIP - From Chicago, Detroit, Fort Wayne and Kalamazoo they came last Saturday to Lockwood Community Church, where the Monroe Street Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Group of Coldwater hosted a "Back to Basics" program on the 12 Steps.

The guest was Wally P., who made a decision to carry the message to others 22 years ago in the home of the late Dr. Robert Smith, who along with Bill Wilson was a co-founder of AA in 1935.

Wally, anonymous here due to AA tradition, said he had traveled to the home of Smith in Akron "on a whim," and found himself with a people, each with 40 (or more) years of sobriety. There he discovered AA meetings as they were held in the 1940s. This particular meeting happened once a year.

"I had a conversion and Dr. Bob's living room," he said. "I had been divinely directed to be at that place at that time. . . That's when I decided to carry the message for the rest of my life."

He came away with a commitment to research "beginners' meetings" that took problem drinkers through the steps in four one-hour sessions, as they came into the program.

"In the process, they discovered a God of their understanding and a new way of living based on the guidelines of trust God, clean house and help others," Wally said.

Welcoming all to the "1946 re-enactment" meeting, he gave an overview and said the program is "a spiritual way of life" that begins with the first step, which is surrender, with acceptance of "powerlessness" over alcohol.

The next session dealt with steps to, three and four and the necessity of grasping the concept of a "higher power," before taking a moral inventory of the self along the lines of a business ledger with assets and liabilities.

Session three, steps five through nine, was putting the program into action: Acknowledging wrongs, dealing with character defects, and be willing to have God remove them before going on to make amends to people where ever necessary.

"This is the payoff. This is what it is all about," said Wally as he went into session four. "Among the blessings are that we can watch people grow spiritually before our very eyes."

Going over steps 10, 11 and 12, he said people can begin to live lives of honesty, purity, unselfishness and love.

"There is security in recovery, and helping and working with others," Wally said.

He conducted another session on Sunday afternoon, specifically on Step 11 (titled), "How to Listen to God."

Not everyone in the crowd was alcoholic or of some other addiction.

Richard Bowerman was there because he was part of the jail ministry in Branch County and in Angola.

Noting that if alcohol and drugs are not the primary reason people are in jail, he said they are often a major contributing factor.

"I'm just here to find out anything that will help me get through to the guys in jail," he said.

Wally said an "angel on the ground" got through to him many years ago and put them on the path that led him to Smith's house.

He came back from the Vietnam War addicted to opiates, and for years went from city to city, drug to drug. He said he could leave drugs alone, but alcohol ruled him.

"Alcohol kicked my (behind)," he said.

Wally has a bachelor's degree in research chemistry and a masters in statistics, but the statistic that matters most to him is that he is shared "Back to Basics" with 500,000 people, and estimates 300,000 people are alive (today) because of it.

Wally thanked the crowd of over 100 profusely Saturday as he wrapped up that day. "You are my inspiration," he said. "You make all of this worthwhile."

What is the history behind AA's Responsibility Statement?

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:19:00-0400

The Responsibility Statement reads:

"I am Responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible."

It was written for the 1965 A.A. International Convention in Toronto . I have enclosed an article titled, 'How I am Responsible became a part of A.A.', from the GSO newsletter, Box 4-5-9. The article identifies former AA trustee, Al S. as the author of the Responsibility Statement. In the souvenir book for the 1965 Convention, Dr. Jack Norris writes: "..We must remember that AA will continue strong only so long as each of us freely and happily gives it away to another person, only as each of us takes our fair share of responsibility for sponsorship of those who still suffer, for the growth and integrity of our Group, for our Intergroup activities, and for AA as a whole. It is in taking responsibility that real freedom and the enduring satisfactions of life are found. AA has given us the power to choose - to drink or not to drink - and in doing so has given us the freedom to be responsible for ourselves. As we become responsible for ourselves, we are free to be responsible for our share in AA, and unless we happily accept this responsibility we lose AA. Strange, isn't it?"

In a Grapevine article in October 1965, the Responsibility Statement is discussed, and Bill W. expresses his views: Two major thoughts stood out in the remarks of the many speakers, alcoholic and nonalcoholic, at AA's July Toronto Convention. The first was admiration and gratitude for AA's startling success in sobering up hundreds of thousands of lost-cause drunks. The other was concern that the success which has come to AA over the thirty years since its start in Akron, Ohio in 1935 would not lead us to any complacency about the size of the job still to be done. The theme of the Convention was: Responsibility. "I am responsible. . .when anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that: I am responsible." AA's co-founder, Bill, in his talk to over 10,000 attending the major sessions of the Convention, stressed the need for cooperation with all who work on the problem of alcoholism, the more than 100 agencies in the United States and Canada alone now engaged in research, alcohol education and rehabilitation. "Too often, we have deprecated and even derided these projects of our friends just because we do not always see eye to eye with them," Bill said. "We should very seriously ask ourselves how many alcoholics have gone on drinking simply because we have failed to cooperate in good spirit with these many agencies. No alcoholic should go mad or die merely because he did not come straight to AA in the beginning." "The first concern of AA members should be with problem drinkers the movement is still unable to reach," Bill said. He estimated that there are 20 million alcoholics in the world today, five million in the U.S. alone. "Some cannot be reached because they are not hurt enough, others because they are hurt too much," he declared. "Many sufferers have mental and emotional complications that seem to foreclose their chances. Yet it would be conservative to estimate that at any particular time there are four million alcoholics in the world who are able, ready and willing to get well if only they knew how. When we remember that in the 30 years of AA's existence we have reached less than ten per cent of those who might have been willing to approach us, we begin to get an idea of the immensity of our task and of the responsibilities with which we will always be confronted."

There have been two Advisory Actions from the General Service Conference regarding the Declaration of Responsibility since it was introduced. In 1971, the Conference recommended that: The Literature Committee, following the general feeling of the Conference, reaffirm both the spirit and the wording of the "I am Responsible" Declaration from the International Convention held in Toronto in 1965. And in 1977, the Conference recommended that: The Responsibility Declaration not be changed, as it was made at the 1965 International Convention in Toronto.

G.S.O. Archives

The history behind reading The Lord's Prayer at 12 Step meetings

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:35:00-0400

It is mentioned in Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers that the prayer was used from the very beginning in the Fellowship, at least as early as 1938 and 1939. In those days there was no AA literature, so the early groups relied heavily on existing prayers, and on the Bible and Oxford Group literature, for inspiration and guidance. Bill W. commented several times in his correspondence about the early use of the Lord's Prayer. He wrote a letter to a member in 1959 in which he stated: "This practice probably came from the Oxford Groups who were influential in the early days of A.A. You have probably noted in A.A. Comes of Age what the connection of these people with A.A. really was. I think saying the Lord's Prayer was a custom of theirs following the close of each meeting. Therefore it quite easily got shifted into a general custom among us." Bill also wrote the following in a 1955 letter: "Of course there are always those who seem to be offended by the introduction of any prayer whatever into an ordinary A.A. gathering. Also it is sometimes complained that the Lord's Prayer is a Christian document. Nevertheless, this Prayer is of such widespread use and recognition that the argument of its Christian origin seems to be a little far-fetched. It is also true that most AA's believe in some kind of god and that communication and strength is obtainable through his grace. Since this is the general consensus, it seems only right that at least the Serenity Prayer and the Lord's Prayer be used in connection with our meetings. It does not seem necessary to defer to the feelings of our agnostic and atheist newcomers to the extent of completely hiding 'our light under a bushel.' However, around here, the leader of the meeting usually asks those to join him in the Lord's Prayer who feel that they would care to do so. The worst that happens to the objectors is that they have to listen to it. This is doubtless a salutary exercise in tolerance at their stage of progress." As Bill's 1955 letter indicates, recitation of the Lord's Prayer at meetings has clearly been controversial in some circles almost since the beginning. The GSO has responded to letters on this issue since the 1940s and 1950s. It is continually addressed in articles in Box 459 and the AA Grapevine, and has often been asked about at the General Service Conference. For example, at the 1962 Conference, in one of the Ask-It Basket questions, this subject was broached: "Question: What is the procedure for dealing with individuals who refuse to stand during recitation of the Lord's Prayer? Answer: Participation--or non-participation-in recitals of the Lord's Prayer should be considered a matter of personal conscience and decision."

G.S.O. Archives

Twelve Step Sponsorship...Its Opportunities and Its Responsibilities.

Tue, 10 May 2011 14:37:00-0400

If you are looking to become a sponsor please review the following information so you can get a clear understanding of role in the sponsor/sponsee relationship.

A brief history of sponsorship: The idea of sponsorship was born in AA, the original 12 step fellowship. The book "Living Sober" an AA publication, describes how the term "sponsor" came about.

In the earliest days of AA, the term "sponsor" was not in the AA jargon. Then a few hospitals in Akron, Ohio and New York began to accept alcoholics (under that diagnosis) as patients -- If a sober A.A. member would agree to "sponsor" the sick man or woman. The sponsor took the patient to the hospital, visited him or her regularly, was present when the patient was discharged, and took the patient home and then to the AA meeting. At the meeting, the sponsor introduced the newcomer to other happily non drinking alcoholics. All through the early months of recovery, the sponsor stood by, ready to answer questions, or to listen whenever needed.

Though there is no true references to the word sponsorship with in the first 164 page of the AA Big Book "Alcoholics Anonymous" it is mentioned in several of the personal stories that are contained later in the book. The early history of AA tells us that even Bill W. had a sponsor who's name was Edwin T. Thatcher who was born 1896, and died in 1966.

Bill Wilson was constantly amazed at the growth and apparent success that Cleveland was having in sobering up alcoholics. He visited there every time that he went to Ohio. Bill later wrote in A.A. Comes of Age:

Yes, Cleveland's results were of the best. Their results were in fact so good, and A.A.'s membership elsewhere was so small, that many a Clevelander really thought A.A.'s membership had started there in the first place. The Cleveland pioneers had proved three essential things: the value of personal sponsorship; the worth of the A.A.'s Big Book in indoctrinating newcomers, and finally the tremendous fact that A.A., when the word really got around, could now soundly grow to great size.

Clarence was a dynamo. He wanted the best for himself and "his boys" in A.A. He refined the art of A.A. sponsorship to the point that Nell Wing, Bill Wilson's secretary, commented to the author that Clarence was probably the "one man responsible for sponsorship as we know it today."

Sponsorship has since become one of the foundations of the recovery programs for of all the 12 step fellowships and one of the greatest blessings of membership. With it we can help one another to succeed and arrest the disease called addiction one day at a time regardless of the nature.

So just What does a sponsor do?

In some ways, a sponsor is like a:

good friend
teacher
tutor
experienced guide
older brother/sister

A sponsor is someone who has been where we want to go in our twelve step program and knows how we can best get there. Their primary responsibility is to help us work the 12 steps by applying the principles of the program to our lives. They lead us by example as we see how the program works in their lives through sharing their personal experiences and stories of where they were and where they are now. We start to learn how to become sober by listening and doing the footwork that our sponsor shows us on a daily basis. In time we make these new changes a habit which helps us to remain sober one day at a time.

AA defines a sponsorship in this way: "An alcoholic who has made some progress in the recovery program who shares that experience on a continuous, individual basis with another who is attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through AA"

AA Sponsorship Pamphlet (1944) by Clarence Snyder

This is the first pamphlet ever written concerning sponsorship. It was written by Clarence H. Snyder in early 1944. Its original title was to be "AA Sponsorship...Its Obligations and Its Responsibilities." It was printed by the Cleveland Central Committee under the title:

"AA Sponsorship . . . Its Opportunities and Its Responsibilities."

PREFACE

Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is a potential sponsor of a new member and should clearly recognize the obligations and duties of such responsibility.

The acceptance of an opportunity to take the AA plan to a sufferer of alcoholism entails very real and critically important responsibilities. Each member, undertaking the sponsorship of a fellow alcoholic, must remember that he is offering what is frequently the last chance of rehabilitation, sanity or maybe life itself.

Happiness, Health, Security, Sanity and Life of human beings are the things we hold in balance when we sponsor an alcoholic.

No member among us is wise enough to develop a sponsorship program that can be successfully applied in every case. In the following pages, however, we have outlined a suggested procedure, which supplemented by the member's own experience, has proven successful.

PERSONAL GAINS OF BEING A SPONSOR

No one reaps full benefit from any fellowship he is connected with unless he wholeheartedly engages in its important activities. The expansion of Alcoholics Anonymous to wider fields of greater benefit to more people results directly from the addition of new, worth-while members or associates.

Any AA who has not experienced the joys and satisfaction of helping another alcoholic regain his place in life has not yet fully realized the complete benefits of this fellowship. On the other hand, it must be clearly kept in mind that the only possible reason for bringing an alcoholic into AA is for that person's gain. Sponsorship should never be undertaken to :

Increase the size of the group
For personal satisfaction and glory
Because the sponsor feels it his duty to re-make the world.

Until an individual has assumed the responsibility of setting a shaking, helpless human being back on the path toward becoming a healthy useful, happy member of society, he has not enjoyed the complete thrill of being an AA

SOURCE OF NAMES

Most people have among their own friends and acquaintances someone who would benefit from our teachings. Others have names given to them by their church, by their doctor, by their employer, or by some other member, who cannot make a direct contact.

Because of the wide range of the AA activities, the names often come from unusual and unexpected places. These cases should be contacted as soon as all facts such as: marital status, domestic relations, financial status, drink habits, employment status and others readily obtainable are at hand.

IS THE PROSPECT A CANDIDATE?

Much time and effort can be saved by learning as soon as possible if :

The man really has a drinking problem?
Does he know he has a problem?
Does he want to do something about his drinking?
Does he want help?

Sometimes the answers to these questions cannot be made until the prospect has had some AA instruction, and an opportunity to think. Often we are given names, which upon investigation, show the prospect is in no sense an alcoholic, or is satisfied with his present plan of living. We should not hesitate to drop these names from our lists. Be sure, however, to let the man know where he can reach us at a later date.

WHO SHOULD BECOME MEMBERS?

AA is a fellowship of men and women bound together by their inability to use alcohol in any form sensibly, or with profit or pleasure. Obviously, any new members introduced should be the same kind of people, suffering from the same disease.

Most people can drink reasonably, but we are only interested in those who cannot. Party drinkers, social drinkers, celebrators, and others who continue to have more pleasure than pain from their drinking, are of no interest to us.

In some instances an individual might believe himself to be a social drinker when he definitely is an alcoholic. In many such cases more time must pass before that person is ready to accept our program. Rushing such a man before he is ready might ruin his chances of ever becoming a successful AA. Do not ever deny future help by pushing too hard in the beginning.

Some people, although definitely alcoholic, have no desire or ambition to better their way of living, and until they do...AA has nothing to offer them.

Experience has shown that age, intelligence, education, background, or the amount of liquor drunk, has little, if any, bearing on whether or not the person is an alcoholic.

PRESENTING THE PLAN

In many cases a man's physical condition is such that he should be placed in a hospital, if at all possible. Many AA members believe hospitalization, with ample time for the prospect to think and plan his future, free from domestic and business worries, offers distinct advantage. In many cases the hospitalization period marks the beginning of a new life. Other members are equally confident that any man who desires to learn the AA plan for living can do it in his own home or while engaged in normal occupation. Thousands of cases are treated in each manner and have proved satisfactory.

SUGGESTED STEPS

The following paragraphs outline a suggested procedure for presenting the AA plan to the prospect, at home or in the hospital.

QUALIFY AS AN ALCOHOLIC

1. In calling upon a new prospect, it has been found best to qualify oneself as an ordinary person who has found happiness, contentment, and peace of mind through AA Immediately make it clear to the prospect that you are a person engaged in the routine business of earning a living. Tell him your only reason for believing yourself able to help him is because you yourself are an alcoholic and have had experiences and problems that might be similar to his.

TELL YOUR STORY

2. Many members have found it desirable to launch immediately into their personal drinking story, as a means of getting the confidence and whole-hearted co-operation of the prospect.

It is important in telling the story of your drinking life to tell it in a manner that will describe an alcoholic, rather than a series of humorous drunken parties. This will enable the man to get a clear picture of an alcoholic which should help him to more definitely decide whether he is an alcoholic.

INSPIRE CONFIDENCE IN AA

3. In many instances the prospect will have tried various means of controlling his drinking, including hobbies, church, changes of residence, change of associations, and various control plans. These will, of course, have been unsuccessful. Point out your series of unsuccessful efforts to control drinking...their absolute fruitless results and yet that you were able to stop drinking through application of AA principles. This will encourage the prospect to look forward with confidence to sobriety in AA in spite of the many past failures he might have had with other plans.

TALK ABOUT "PLUS" VALUES

4. Tell the prospect frankly that he can not quickly understand all the benefits that are coming to him through AA. Tell him of the happiness, peace of mind, health, and in many cases, material benefits which are possible through understanding and application of the AA way of life.

SHOW IMPORTANCE OF READING THE BIG BOOK

5. Explain the necessity of reading and re-reading the AA Big Book. Point out that this book gives a detailed description of the AA tools and the suggested methods of application of these tools to build a foundation of rehabilitation for living. This is a good time to emphasize the importance of the twelve steps.

QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS IN AA

6. Convey to the prospect that the objectives of AA are to provide the ways and means for an alcoholic to regain his normal place in life. Desire, patience, faith, study and application are most important in determining each individual's plan of action in gaining full benefits of AA

INTRODUCE FAITH

7. Since the belief of a Power greater than oneself is the heart of the AA plan, and since this idea is very often difficult for a new man, the sponsor should attempt to introduce the beginnings of an understanding of this all-important feature.

Frequently this can be done by the sponsor relating his own difficulty in grasping a spiritual understanding and the methods he used to overcome his difficulties.

LISTEN TO HIS STORY

8. While talking to the newcomer, take time to listen and study his reactions in order that you can present your information in a more effective manner. Let him talk too. Remember...Easy Does It.

TAKE TO SEVERAL MEETINGS

9. To give the new member a broad and complete picture of AA, the sponsor should take him to various meetings within convenient distance of his home. Attending several meetings gives a new man a chance to select a group in which he will be most happy and comfortable, and it is extremely important to let the prospect make his own decision as to which group he will join. Impress upon him that he is always welcome at any meeting and can change his home group if he so wishes.

EXPLAIN AA TO PROSPECT'S FAMILY

10. A successful sponsor takes pains and makes any required effort to make certain that those people closest and with the greatest interest in their prospect (mother, father, wife, etc.) are fully informed of A.A., its principles and its objectives. The sponsor sees that these people are invited to meetings, and keeps them in touch with the current situation regarding the prospect at all times.

HELP THE PROSPECT ANTICIPATE THE HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE

11. A prospect will gain more benefit from a hospitalization period if the sponsor describes the experience and helps him anticipate it, paving the way for those members who will call on him.

CONSULT OLDER MEMBERS IN AA

These suggestions for sponsoring a new man in AA teachings are by no means complete. They are intended only for a framework and general guide. Each individual case is different and should be treated as such. Additional information for sponsoring a new man can be obtained from the experience of older men in the work. A co-sponsor, with an experienced and newer member working on a prospect, has proven very satisfactory. Before undertaking the responsibility of sponsoring, a member should make certain that he is able and prepared to give the time, effort, and thought such an obligation entails. It might be that he will want to select a co-sponsor to share the responsibility, or he might feel it necessary to ask another to assume the responsibility for the man he has located.

Step Five and the properly appointed authority

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 21:26:00-0400

Step Five suggest that we, "...go to the properly appointed authority whose duty it is to receive it...We often find such a person quick to see and understand our problem"(A.A. p.74).

There is a scene in the HBO series, "The Sopranos" where the heroin addict, Christopher Moltisanti , tells another member of the fellowship, JT Dolan, his inventory of murders he has committed. At the end of the scene, Christopher kills JT, presumably because he knows too much.

All too often, "sponsors" want to know and hear all sorts of details from the confessor on Step 5. The sponsor ends up playing the role of lawyer, doctor, therapist, marriage counselor, financial planner, and who knows what else with a newcomer.

The minute we put our work on a service plane, the alcoholic commences to rely upon our assistance rather than upon God (A.A. p. 98).

Is it the role of the sponsor to hear such intimate details?

Our Big Book tells me to prepare a written fearless and thorough moral inventory.

I recognize my moral inventory when looking at the part I played in my resentments, fears and harms to others. I discover the truth about myself. I learn that I have been selfish, self-seeking, fearful, jealous, envious, greedy, lustful, hateful, slothful, slanderous, arrogant, self-loathing, intolerant, inconsiderate, impatient, and dishonest.

These are the character defects or shortcomings I confess to another person. Someone who is a close-mouthed, understanding friend who is quick to see and understand my problem. Such parts of my story I tell to someone who will understand, yet be unaffected. Someone who can keep a confidence (A.A. p. 74). Someone who will not try to change my plan. I pocket my pride and I illuminate every twist of character, with-holding nothing.

The recovered alcoholic who showed me how to work the 12 Steps, said, "You are to give NOR receive names and details. You and others can't wipe names and details. The point being, if someone tells me the names and details of certain events, I find I cannot forget them. Furthermore, I end up becoming a garbage can for other people's wrong-doings.

I often hear in the rooms, "what's goes on here, stays here." I don't believe it! There is no confidentiality in the "rooms". Everyone knows who is relapsing, who's fucking whom and so on. I knew of a fellow who blurted out in one of the 12 Step rooms that he fucked a 13 year old crack whore. Everyone in the group became judgmental and shunned him. He committed suicide within a year. Moreover, there is no legal (i.e. lawyer/client privilege) protection for the newcomer who shares intimate criminal details of people, places and things he/she has done.

If you read the story, "He Sold Himself Short", in the Big Book, you will read the story of Earl T. the man who founded Chicago A.A. Earl met with Dr. Bob one afternoon, and worked his entire program in four hours! When they came to Step Four, this was how it was handled:

"Dr. Bob led me through all of these steps. At the moral inventory (Step 4), he brought up some of my bad personality traits or character defects, such as selfishness, conceit, jealousy, carelessness, intolerance, ill-temper, sarcasm and resentments. We wen over these at great length and the he finally asked me if I wanted these defects of character removed. When I said yes (Step 6), we both knelt at this desk and prayed, each of us asking to have these defects taken away" (Step 7). (p. 287 in 2nd and 3rd editions and p. 258 in 4th edition.)

When I work with newcomers on Step Four and Five, I used the Big Book as my instruction manual. What I hear is a written, moral inventory. I do not engage in an archaeological dig on the newcomer. I hear their column four, their part in their resentments, fears and harms to others. I hear the moral side, not all the specifics. Therefore, following the Big Book's instruction on taking the Step Five to the properly appointed authority, I instruct the newcomer to do the following:

1) Criminal details need to be discussed with a lawyer. Whatever is discussed with your lawyer remains privileged and cannot be disclosed to a third party. That's for the newcomer's protection. I will hear the moral inventory, such as dishonesty, selfishness, self-seeking, inconsideration, etc., but no names or details -- I encourage the newcomer to work that out with the lawyer when working on Step Eight and Nine.

2) Psychological/emotional details need to be discussed with a professional therapist. Traumatic situations that have created emotional/psychological damage should be handled by someone, that is a therapist or psychologist who is trained to safely unravel such situations. For example, if a 45 year old man was molested as an eight year old boy, I will ask them to look at their part in it. NOT as an eight year old innocent who has been assaulted, that traumatic incident should be dealt professionally with a therapist. But, I will hear their moral inventory, that is their part as a 45 year old man who continues to play the victim and blame everyone and everything on a 37 year old event. I will hear their moral inventory of selfishness, self-pity, victimization, blame, suspicion, intolerance, etc.

3) Medical matters need to be discussed with a medical doctor. Too many sponsors try to play doctor with their sponsees. If you're on meds, such as antidepressants and you want to get off them. Tell your doctor and work out a plan, but follow your doctor's instructions. If you don't like what your doctor is telling you, get a second opinion from another doctor. But, sponsors have no authority advising newcomers on what meds they should or should not be taking.

4) The properly appointed authority for a newcomer's moral inventory, is a priest, or minister, or a spiritually fit 12 Step sponsor.

I have used this approach for more than seven years now, with more than 600 experiences of working with newcomers of all ages, addictions, and circumstances. It works! Furthermore, it protects the newcomer and sponsor from potentially disastrous situations.

What's been your experience hearing Step Fives?

Clarifying Questions for Relapsers

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:15:00-0400

Can't stay sober? Wondering why meetings aren't working? Try working the program!

Here are some clarifying questions to get you started on your way back to recovery:

Has it been a while since you've taken another alcoholic through the Steps? How long?
Has it been a while since you have gone through the steps? How long?
Have you ever taken all of AA's Twelve Steps?
Have you done more than one 4th Step inventory? Have you omitted anything?
Have you completed all your 9th Step amends wherever possible? What remains to be done?
Is there something wrong in your life that you will not face and make right? What is it?
Is there a habit or indulgence you will not give up? What is it?
Is there a person you will not forgive? Who is it?
Is there a wrong relationship in your life you will not give up? What or Who is it?
Is there a restitution you will not make?
Is there something God has already told you to do that you will not obey? What is it?
Are you working with the disciplines and practices of steps Ten and Eleven (self-examination, meditation and prayer)... consistently... EVERY DAY?

On pages 14 and 15 of the Big Book of A.A., Bill W. writes, "For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. If he did not work, he would surely drink again, and if he drank, he would surely die. Then faith would be dead indeed. With us it is just like that."

Sponsorship: A Dying Art...Chicago Group Suggests A Revival Is Overdue

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 19:35:00-0400

A.A. Grapevine, February 1953 Vol. 9 No. 9

(Editor's Note: From the Metropolitan Rotating Committee the following "Message of Sponsorship" has been received. Issued as a letter to all of Chicago's 5,000-plus AAs, it reminds us that the Big Book says: "Practical experience shows us that nothing will so insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics." To provide space for an interesting approach to sponsorship received from a Canadian AA, we have abridged the letter somewhat.)

IN the early days of the Chicago Group, sponsorship was done most thoroughly. Indeed, groups elsewhere in the country spoke of the "Chicago system" of sponsorship.

The picture has changed. Perhaps it is a natural result of growing big. At any rate, the old style of sponsoring, with the sponsor utterly devoted to his prospect, is seen infrequently.

There is no way of checking the probable large number who have failed because of the lack of proper effort by their sponsors. CHICAGO'S SUGGESTED PROGRAM

1. Responsibility is the first principle of good sponsorship; the sponsor is the one who assumes responsibility for the person seeking help. If one is unable to devote the time and attention essential to good sponsorship, one should not undertake, at least without a strong co-sponsor, such an assignment.

2. Sponsorship must be approached with the most serious attitude. AA is a life or death matter to the alcoholic seeking help; if we fail, the new man or woman has been denied the good chance he could have had with another sponsor. Prepare yourself for the first call on a prospect by re-reading the chapter in the book, "Working With Others."

3. Visit the new prospect as soon as possible after he calls for help; presenting the recovery program to him at the psychological moments he reaches for it may be the factor that saves his life.

4. On your first visit, tell the prospective AA, frankly and simply, some of your own story--with enough Pauses that he may chime in with some of his own experiences and reactions. Let him ask questions. Explain how AA works, but keep your presentation brief and simple. Do not wear out your welcome. . .when he becomes restless take your leave, making an appointment to see him again as soon as practicable.

5. In presenting the program to a prospect, don't thrust your personal views upon him. Tell him about the AA program as it is presented in the book, and let him do his own interpreting, especially in regard to the spiritual aspects. He will get the views of many other AA's, in addition to yours, at meetings and in conversations. Out of all that, with what guidance you can give him, he will find a way to apply AA principles to his own life and problems.

6. Be prepared to sacrifice much of your time for a considerable period to give the prospect the greatest possible chance. Make yourself available to him daily for counsel and companionship.

7. See that the prospect becomes acquainted with many other AA's, so that he may get a broad picture of the AA program and find his own interpretation and application of its principles. Make the prospect truly your friend. Give of yourself without stint in trying to help him. Invite him to your home, preferably for a meal.

8. See that your prospect immediately gets a copy of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous; it is best that he buy a copy. Ownership of the book once was a virtual symbol of AA membership; regular reading and rereading of the book is recommended practice for every AA as a tool of recovery.

9. Do not take on, in your enthusiasm, more prospects than you can properly handle. AA is strong medicine. It affords the recovered alcoholic a unique opportunity to serve his fellow man. The temptation to run up a big score of saved souls is strong. But one new member a year well-sponsored is a better result than 50 given the once-over lightly.

10. Emphasize the importance of regular attendance at meetings by precept and example. Even if you have grown careless about going to meetings, it is your responsibility to accompany the prospect to several such (and this may save you from a relapse).

Sponsorship...Lessons from the Old-timers

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 18:24:00-0400

A.A Grapevine, May 1950 Vol. 6 No. 12 & June 1950 Vol. 7 No. 1

The Chairman tackles a tough question

THE chairman had just opened the regular weekly closed meeting when Doc slipped quietly into the room. His lips were white and his hands trembled as he lighted his cigarette. "Ole Bill just hung himself in the jail," he muttered. "Fine sponsor I turned out to be."

The chairman eyed Doc, "I had another topic in mind to kick around tonight, but on the strength of Doc's sad report, and his personal reaction, perhaps we'd better give some thought to the subject of sponsorship. . .

"Let's see, Doc. You've been dry eight months. Ole Bill was your first pigeon and you went all out for the old boy. You gave him the wet-nurse treatment, and good. Net result--two months sobriety, a bad slip and an alcoholic's death for Ole Bill. . .For you, Doc, a sense of frustration and defeat. But don't loose sight of the thrill you had in helping another alky try to regain his rightful place in life. That he failed to benefit from your enthusiasm and sincere effort to help, doesn't make you a failure as a sponsor, Doc.

"You assumed your responsibility. You fulfilled your obligation to AA and showed your gratitude for your sobriety. You did the job of sponsoring Ole Bill in the way you thought best. Each case is different and has to be treated accordingly. But there are certain basic thoughts pertaining to sponsorship. . .With your permission I'll act as Mr. AA Anthony and try to give you my opinions to your questions on this most important AA activity. . .Let's have 'em."

"Give us a couple reasons how sponsorship should NOT be used."

"First--for personal satisfaction; second--to increase the membership role of the group, and third--by the member who's doing the sponsoring not to 'play God.' In other words, the only reason for bringing another alcoholic into AA is for the prospect's own gain."

"How does one become a sponsor?"

"He answers a Twelfth Step call and his prospect looks to him for guidance and help in working the Program. Or, you may be asked to take over some newcomer who is not getting along too well with his present sponsor, or some member of AA may say, 'I'd like you to be my sponsor.' "

"Can a man sponsor a woman, and vica versa?"

"Yes. Many successful recoveries have been recorded with man and woman sponsorships. Usually the initial call is made by a man-and-woman team, for the obvious sake of propriety."

"How soon after a person has come on the AA Program can they become a sponsor?"

"I've heard of persons being dry one day and going on a Twelfth Step call, with excellent and enduring results for both parties."

"What are some of the important things to find out about a prospect?"

"As soon as possible learn if he has a drinking problem. Does he know he has a problem. Does he want to do something about this drinking. Does he honestly want help--for himself, not because of the pleadings of family and boss."

"Should you dig into his personal life?"

"Absolutely. Get to the root of his marital, financial and employment situations, his age, domestic relationships and drinking habits. Assure him you're not prying, but you want to help straighten out his problems, and talking them over with someone who understands how he collected them, will release him from his alcoholic loneliness."

"Does a person's education, intelligence, background, age or quantity of liquor consumed, have any bearing on whether or not he is an alcoholic?"

"Experience has taught us--no."

"Is hospitalization always necessary?"

"No. However hospitalization affords an opportunity for drying out, and time to clear away the cobwebs. Physical condition will usually answer your question."

"What's the best way to gain the confidence of your prospect?"

"Qualify yourself as just an ordinary person, who had a drinking problem, but found happiness and regained self respect in a new way of life offered by following the AA Program."

"Should you pitch right into your own personal drinking story?"

"In most cases you will want to relate at least part of your drinking life. But do so in a manner that will describe you as an alcoholic, rather than the main character in a series of drunken parties and incidents. Give him the true picture."

"He's tried all the usual means for controlling drinking, and is skeptical about AA being able to do any more than the others?"

"Show him how you too tried various so-called controlled drinking plans, all to no avail. Tell him how you learned through AA that you drank from compulsion, that you had a disease, now recognized as alcoholism."

"Is it wise to point out the benefits he can get from becoming a member of AA?"

"It is providing you don't give him the impression that he's about to take a ride on the Glory Train. He must not expect to start at the top, or even the middle of the ladder, but rather at the bottom. Because its here, and only here that he'll learn about humility and self-honesty--two prime requisites for progress on the AA program."

"Should you try to explain the Twelve Steps?"

"First I'd tell him about the importance of reading the Big Book. In this he'll find a picture of himself on many pages of the personal stories. He'll also find an explanation of the AA Program and the AA tools--the Twelve suggested Steps of Recovery. Should he ask for more, tell him your own interpretation of the Steps."

"How about the Spiritual Phase of the Program?"

"Use your own judgement based on your observations of the prospect. You know how you felt about this part of the Program. Sound him out regarding his religious faith--if any, and try to explain what we mean by a Power Greater than ourselves. . .God as we understand Him. You can point out that you personally had never been able to stay sober working on your own, but that asking for guidance and outside help has made it simpler for you."

"Isn't it good to let your prospect tell you about his drinking?"

"Definitely. Encourage this. It will give you an insight into his habit pattern and will give you an opportunity to present the AA Program more effectively. Also, it will release the pressure on him. . .This is the way to arrive at a common denominator."

"How about getting him to a meeting?"

"Arrange this as soon as possible. If you can't accompany him, select someone whom you think will be compatible. Get him to several meetings, and quick. Tell him he can pick the group in which he feels most comfortable. Impress upon him that he's welcome at any meeting, and can change his home group at any time he wishes."

"How about the prospect's family?"

"The most important move after talking with the prospect is to contact his family. Explain the principles of the AA Program. Also impress them with the idea that their boy has to do this for himself, and no one else. Point out that he is a sick man, but advice them that he shouldn't be babied. See that they get to an open meeting and hear first hand some of the miracles performed through an honest working of the program. Try to keep in touch with them and seek their confidence regarding the progress of the prospect. Always bear in mind that the ones most interested in your pigeon have been through a lot of punishment themselves, and that they too have to make readjustments."

"Is co-sponsoring practical?"

"An experienced older member in company with a new AA makes a most effective sponsoring team. The terror, loneliness and anguish of compulsive drinking is still fresh in the new AA's memory. He is closer to the actual drinking problem than the older member. He can gain the immediate confidence of the prospect. Then the older member can take over and interpret the working of the program, giving the full benefit of his experience."

"Can a sponsor turn his responsibility of a new man over to another?"

"If conditions indicate that the original sponsor can't fulfill his responsibility he can select another man or woman, to assume his sponsorship. Explain to the prospect what's going on. Maybe he'd like to select someone in his group to whom he has taken a liking."

"Is it part of a sponsor's work to get a job, clothing and a place to live for the prospect?"

"If your pigeon is really down to rock bottom, the sponsor should try to help him get going again. In the case of a man who has recently lost his job, it may be indicated for the sponsor to contact the prospect's former boss and have a talk with him, and possibly get the man reinstated. Avoid making any promises, or in any way committing yourself as to the man's newfound desire to live the good life. He will have to prove himself. Some bosses take a lot of explaining before they agree to try "once more", while others are in full accord and understand the Program."

"How long should you wet nurse a pigeon before you let him go on his own?"

The chairman smiled. "Brother, that is the 64 buck question. In fact, it brings us right back to where we started this discussion tonight. . .With Doc's treatment of Ole Bill.

"All I can offer on that score is not to knock yourself out trying to keep a guy sober. You've got to think of yourself, first. If you've given your prospect the fundamentals and he honestly wants to stay sober, he'll work the Program, and all he'll require from you is friendship, and a shoulder to pour his troubles out on occasionally."

R.G.M. Grand Rapids, Michigan

Every Day Is Christmas

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:34:00-0400

AA Grapevine, December 1952, Vol. 9 No. 7

THE seventeenth Christmas for Alcoholics Anonymous is here. Considering all that has happened since AA's first Christmas in 1935, no words can portray the meaning of Christmas 1952. The only thing of which we're really sure is that we have given of ourselves, and have received gifts that no imagination can fully describe. Guided, we are sure, by an all generous and wise Providence, AA's message of hope has been carried into nearly every corner of the earth. The Christmas drama of giving and receiving has been re-enacted everywhere and still goes on.

Many of us in AA are of the Christian faith, though not all. We have Jews who look to Jehovah; agnostics who hopefully look to the AA group as their Higher Power; and there are Indians upon our Western plains who regard the Great Spirit as their guide. Now that we have opened tiny beachheads on the shores of Asia, we have no doubt that some of our brothers and sisters there reverence Buddha and others Allah. It is a comforting fact of our life together that none of these differences has ever disturbed us. Indeed, it can be said that they have, in some subtle and mysterious way, bound us even more firmly together. The insurance of that bond is our common kinship in suffering, and our universal release from it by the kind of giving that demands no reward.

So, by whatever name we may call it, the spirit of Christmas is in us all. How best to give and how to receive with ever more gratitude is our common aim. We'd like to practice the spirit of Christmas the year around. Therefore, we shall especially ask ourselves at this season: "What more can we find in order that we shall have more to give?" Since personal example is one of the great energies by which AA spreads, let's have a quick look at the life of a man who became able to practice the spirit of Christmas every day in the year.

He was born in Italy centuries ago. The age in which he lived was almost as confused and baffling as our own. His first attempt at living was just like ours. He ran away from life as fast as he could, and by nearly the same means. Few, it was said, could romance more gaily than he, shake the dice with Dame Fortune with more abandon, nor clatter his wine flagon on the table more loudly. He probably had a pretty good time doing it, too, at least for a while. Bit by bit, though, he got fed up. During a long siege of illness he hit bottom, even as we alcoholics do.

One day he said to himself, "Suppose that in all things I try henceforth to do exactly as my Master would have done." This was the vision that gripped him, and he set foot on the new highroad. Some of his friends were amused, and others were deeply concerned. Some said it wasn't practical; others thought he had gone out of his mind. But by living one day at a time, teaching and sharing as he went, with no thought of reward for himself, he started a movement that deeply affected the whole world of his day; it reached into every level of society. He gave all he had, and that inspired others to do likewise. He brought true comfort where there had been none.

And how did he do this? The prayer he so often spoke tells us. Here it is:

"Lord make me a channel of Thy Peace That where there is hatred. . . I may bring love That where there is wrong. . . I may bring the spirit of forgiveness That where there is discord. . . I may bring harmony That where there is error. . . I may bring truth That where there is doubt. . . I may bring faith That where there is despair. . . I may bring hope That where there are shadows. . . I may bring light That where there is sadness. . . I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may seek rather to Comfort. . .than to be comforted To understand. . .than to be understood To love. . .than to be loved For. . .it is by self-forgetting. . .that one finds It is by forgiving. . .that one is forgiven It is by dying. . .that one awakens to Eternal Life."

The lesson that Francis leaves us is clear and no example could be brighter. "Freely ye have received; Freely give" and. . .a Merry Christmas!

Bill W.

On Simplicity, of Faith, of Living, of Outlook

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 01:04:00-0400

AA Grapevine, October 1944, Vol. 1 No. 5

Editorial:

The A.A. program itself is simple. Why do too many of us try to read complexities and mysteries into the 12 steps?

In our drinking days our lives were complex and confused. We were unable to be honest with ourselves and we rationalized our wrong position with all the tricks of evasion and equivocation. We added jealousy, resentment and intolerance to the tangled pattern of our lives. Our greatest longing was for relief, for deliverance from a way of living that had become too complex to endure without the treacherous aid of alcohol.

Our introduction to A.A. at once offered that freedom, if we desired it without reservation and were willing to follow a few steps whose greatest appeal to our bewildered spirits was their simplicity. One of the main differences between A.A. and other programs of sound living is the ease with which a newcomer can grasp its principles, and with which the oldest member can live each day in harmony with himself and his neighbors by practicing the simply stated 12 steps.

Kipling might have written this expressly for A.A.: Not as a ladder from Earth to Heaven, not as a witness to any creed, but simple service simply given to his own kind in their common need.

If each individual member wholeheartedly and unquestioningly accepts the program in the simple form it was given us, without straining for effects and methods of practice to elaborate it, we will have even-tempered groups with only enough organization to insure against over-organization.

Earl T. - Chicago