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. 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. Some of the promises are directly associated with completion of a step. I practice the 12 step program as outlined in the big book of alcoholics anonymous, the original recipe for recovery as practiced by the original 100 who recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Todays aa meetings meetings alcoholics anonymous nh. In order for this to happen we must go directly into steps 10, 11 and 12 while doing step 9. Our goal is to explore the causes of alcoholic relapse, specifically, the causes set forth by the big book, alcoholics anonymous. Downloadable group workbook companion to the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous aa, for adults who desire information on alcoholism and addiction recovery. The big book is clearwe do this to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to god and our fellow man. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous. Many in recovery regard the 6th and 7th steps as evidence of the programs divine inspiration, for when the book alcoholics anonymous was written only two short paragraphs were devoted to these steps. Recovery shop is the home to the aa big book index bookmark. A twelve step workbook al kohallek goes stepping caution.
To their surprise, a bunch of alcoholics discovered and demonstrate a. Our goals are to live the spiritual process through which sobriety is obtained and enhanced, and to publish at no charge our experience for other recovering alcoholics. The whytehouse is, i hope, a way to find that special phrase or saying etc. Especially, as that word gets used by individuals who embrace traditional religious concepts of what it means to them. The 12 steps is the solution for alcoholic addiction referred to in chapter 2, of the book, alcoholics anonymous, titled there is a solution. We are the big book bunch group of alcoholics anonymous. However, as noted in the big book, this decision has little effect unless you, at once, start on your written step 4 inventory. Over the years many lists of virtues that correspond to each of the twelve steps and their underlying spiritual nature have been printed in local area aa newsletters and on pocket cards. Big book of aa all 12 steps understand and complete one step at a time in recovery with alcoholics anonymous. It also uses words that the meanings have changed, literally, and this changes the meanings of the underlying concept of the lessons the book is meant to deliver also, the big book is a text book, although written more like a novel, isnt meant to be.
Confessions of a big book sponsor big book sponsorship. Steps by the big book step 5 steps by the big book. It is not a step workbook that is up to the reader and sponsor but it does get a person focused in on the information and power of the words and stories. By making a list of the people we harmed and becoming willing to make amends, we take action toward healing the past with others and learning how to live in the world. It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aa s 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa.
Some surefire causes of relapse taken from the big book. The result of taking the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous is a spiritual awakening. Scriptures for step 7 6 scriptures for step 8 6 scriptures for step 9. The big book the main 164 pages, prayers, personal stories, and more. Chapter 7 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, 2nd edition. St matthews episcopal church 738 pinellas point dr s. The following is a list ofapproximately 150 promises that i compiled from the first edition of the big book. As noted in the big book, the wording of the step 3 prayer is optional.
One difference is that the big book prayer includes. It was written in 1939 and the terminology was different then. You will need the big book of alcoholics anonymous large print or hard cover. The big book study movement is outside of the structure of alcoholics anonymous in ireland. Online local group meetings alcoholics anonymous miami. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aas 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa. Our origins are the students of the big book group, which has met in woodland hills, california since december of 1985. The sbbb study guide is for those in recovery from the disease of addiction who wish to work the 12 steps by the big book, alcoholics anonymous. Jan 05, 2020 breaking down step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous. It is dedicated to those who want recovery from alcoholism, but have difficulty with the word god. The 12 steps of aa are the principles of the program that we practice, as listed in the big book, pages 59 and 60. Big book this site is neither endorsed nor approved by alcoholics anonymous world services, inc.
Closed aa big book study obbst open aa big book study osst open 12 step study csst. You will need the big book of alcoholics anonymous large print or hard cover recommended and the big book awakening workbook. Alcoholics anonymous step four has prepared you for step five, and by finding the courage to overcome that fear of rejection or the shame of your confession, you experience honesty on a deeper level than in your first step of admission, and you break the pattern of. It is my hope that you will find this site useful to you and our friends of bill w. You can purchase a bba workbook at any bba meeting. It is a necessary step toward recovery and spiritual wellbeing. I have provided a link in a couple of places on this page for your convenience, so you can get to the search page. Breaking down step seven of aa alcoholics anonymous.
Links to more information about integrity and the 5th step. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. This is the second edition of the book alcoholics anonymous, which made its first appearance in april 1939. The world will then turn happy and be free to concentrate on culture and character. Step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous is the beginning of the process of making amends, forgiving others and possibly being forgiven by them, in addition to forgiving ourselves. Crystal beach community church 626 crystal beach ave.
The big book of alcoholics anonymous can be purchased at aa central or a bba meeting. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. We say this, because we are told in the big book that some alcoholics are perfectly well balanced and sane in all areas of their lives except for the insanity regarding alcohol. The free version features the full text of the big book, prayers, personal stories, podcasts, meeting finder, and more. Modest humility is necessary in accomplishing alcoholics anonymous step 7. The big book serves as the foundation for the alcoholics anonymous 12step program.
Because this book has become the basic text for our society and has helped such large numbers of alcoholic men and women to recovery, there exists a sentiment. More than 300,000 copies of the first edition are now in circulation. Bbss meetings bbss groups and meetings are primarily found along the eastern seaboard of the united states. Working on the seventh step requires constant thoughtfulness and commitment to being honest, courageous and humble. By working the twelve step program as described in the big book of alcoholics anonymous, i have had a spiritual awakening. Steps eight and nine are concerned with personal rela tions. Going through the big book of alcoholics anonymous can sometimes be a struggle. Indeed, the attainment of greater humility is the foundation principle of each of a. The big book holds within it the central thesis and ideas of alcohol anonymous and the 12 step approach.
George b was a practicing dentist for 47 years and is now a graduate student in a masters degree program for addiction counseling. The big book bunch unofficial written materials on the big book. Are you ready to trust god and step out in faith by sharing your 5th step with him. Breaking down step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous. These last three steps keep us current and help us to continue to solidify the foundation of our recovery. Step seven humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book.
Whether youre new to aa, or youre a seasoned veteran, this is the easiest and most useful app to aid in your recovery. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. Excerpted from taking step twelve by the big book bunch. Meetings alcoholics anonymous district 66, golden triangle. The original draft of the big book said the result was a spiritual experience. Step seven 71 will be such abundance that everybody can have all the security and personal satisfactions he desires. When you discover a prospect for alcoholics anonymous, find out all you can about him.
The index bookmark features 25 of the key topics from the big book of alcoholics anonymous with corresponding page numbers. On the next page is a modified 3rd step prayer which i recommend. Big book meeting, closed, discussion, online, speaker, step meeting, temporary closure, wheelchair access 7. If he does not want to stop drinking, dont waste time trying to persuade him. The 12 steps are referred to in the big book, on page 58, where it is written, rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed out path. None of the contributors had been sober more than a couple of years at the time.
Breaking down step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. It is provided as a public service by the naples area intergroup of a. The big book bunch 12 step workbook we are the big book bunch group of alcoholics anonymous. It also uses words that the meanings have changed, literally, and this changes the meanings of the underlying concept of the lessons the book is meant to deliver. There are, however, additional promises in the big book. Step 7 we are going to change it up a little and post a big book study workshop that took place in 2011, each speaker is presenting for about an hour on one step. Critique of chapter 5 of the big book step 4 aa agnostica. It introduces the third edition which will likely be. Westword the calgary intergroup also publishes a monthly newsletter for calgary aa members featuring articles, service and event information. So it is that we fi rst see humility as a necessity. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. Aas 12 steps, including powerful 4th step worksheets ima pastal pen name how to order copies of this book or have a complete. Jun 17, 2016 the big book is clearwe do this to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to god and our fellow man.
Here are the 12 steps we took, which are suggested as a program of recovery the 12 steps are found on pages 5960, alcoholics anonymous, the big book the 12 steps are referred to in the big book, on page 58, where it is written, rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed out path. Many other areas of our lives may be unmanageable but that is not what step one is about. Known as the big book, it is in its fourth edition and is widely circulated through out the world. S ince this step so specifi cally concerns itself with humility, we should pause here to consider what humility is and what the practice of it can mean to us. At the time of writing the big book, women were viewed as less than rather than equal to or, in many cases, superior to. In order to benefit from this step, you will need to approach god as you understand him with an attitude of accomplishing something special with modesty instead of arrogance. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous. Why dont you go home and get the big book and open it at. Closed aa big book study obbst open aa big book study osst open 12 step study csst closed 12 step study osp. Doing whats suggested in this workbook may cause you to let go of some parts of your personal reality. This is a study guide to the book alcoholics anonymous. 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.