Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
Author: Alcoholics Anonymous
List Price: $12.00
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ISBN: 0916856011
Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services (September, 1996)
Sales Rank: 6,618
Average Customer Rating: 3.89 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
A lifelong lifeline to recovery
Who could have predicted that a couple of near-lost alcoholics in the 1930's would lay the spiritual foundation for recovery from the hell (no exaggeration) of alcoholism and, later, other mind-bending drugs? But Bill W. and Dr. Bob did and, some 70 years later, literally millions of sufferers worldwide have taken to "the program" heart and soul and have found the simple serenity of sobriety. Affectionately called The Big Book by "members" of the AA fellowship and those in other self-help programs inspired by the AA prototype, anything and everything that the addict who's become sick and tired of being sick and tired is here, and recovery is for the taking. With a spiritual (not religious) cornerstone as the foundation, we come to understand why we must put ourselves in the hands of the god of our understanding, why contact with Him daily is an essential lifeline and how we keep the privilege of sobriety by going into service for the addict who stills suffer. AA's 12 steps don't demand a recovery program as prescribed by someone else and recognizes that what works in recovery for one person may not work for another. Thus, the miracle! The diligent program of recovery - and it's wise to practice the 12 steps daily - is backed by the 12 "traditions" of the fellowship that explain why each of the 12 steps is mandatory for survival itself. In a press interview shortly before his death, Bill W. was asked how AA works. "Pretty good. Thanks for asking," was his answer. And that's the miracle and grace of the program and its fellowship. The individual's recovery program is unique to him and of his own making. To those still suffering with active addiction, their families, children and others impacted by the addict's sickness, this book is the lifeline. Grab it!
Rating: 5 out of 5
It works
I have plenty of issues, to be sure, but substance abuse is not among them. So I can't tell you if this book can help you stop drinking. I can tell you that the 11 of the 12 steps that don't directly address alcohol strike me as little short of a godsend in the struggle against whatever particular thing is screwing up your life.Now, it's a statistically demonstrable fact that AA doesn't work for everyone. (Although how many people who leave can honestly say they've worked the Steps to the best of their ability?) But it sure seems to be the best treatment for alcoholism that anyone has come up with so far.
Rating: 1 out of 5
12x12 confusion
This book confuses the newcomer to AA, and flatly contradicts much of what is written in the basic text of our society, Alcoholics Anonymous. It was written against the advice of one of our co-founders (and after his death.) Furthermore, it was never designed to be a textbook on the steps. It is an interpretive commentary on the steps and traditions. Unfortunately, it is given to people as a textbook. There are no directions given in this book. If you want to get sober and happy, read the book Alcoholics Anonyous - it has all the directions you need. Similar Products
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