The purpose of the Twelve Step Companion is to provide support and guidance, as we work with others reading the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, and taking the actions suggested.
Page numbers referred to are for the Fourth Edition.
This is the story of how
Many thousands of men and women
Have recovered from alcoholism.
This title page of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous tells us pretty much all we need to know about the program.
The A.A. program has brought hope for a new life to millions of alcoholics.
They are now living productive, useful, and happy lives.
Step Twelve says: “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
I was just over two weeks sober when after a meeting two responsible members of A.A. carried this message from the Twelve Step program of recovery to me.
Our conversation ended with two questions:
They asked me “Are you done yet?” Done feeling the way you feel.
Done trying, and failing, to do life on you own.
I said “Yes, I’m done!”
They asked me “Do you have a plan?”
I said “Well I had a plan but it’s obviously not working, so no, I don’t have a plan.”
It seems simple now, but those were probably the two hardest questions I ever had to answer.
Arnold, who gave me a Big Book, asked me to give him a call after I read the book.
I call Arnold after I read the book that week, and then he and some other sober alcoholics took me through the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
I was under a month sober when I finished my first set of steps. I started out on a new path in life.
A path that is not just about being sober, but also about living a happy and useful life.
Working the steps, I found the solution that ended my alcoholic nightmare my life had become!
The same solution millions of others have found, if you are willing to take action, and work at doing the steps.
In Love and Service,
Daniel O