AA is a spiritual program. It is not a self help program (a popular but inaccurate conception) as the individual is urged to NOT rely on himself to solve the problem but to develop a relationship with a God of his own understanding to solve his or her problem. A very key element in AA is the idea that the individual does not have to "subscribe" to any particular God, but a God of ones own understanding.
I urge anyone seeking a more fulfilling, happier, contented life to try the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Dealing with Depression? Anxiety? Constant worry? Continued anger? All these problems can be relieved through a spiritual awakening attained by the practice of AA's 12 steps.
The 12 step Program is simple but demands some work. It is so simple a summary as brief as this can give the reader a clear idea of how it works.
- There is exists a personal issue or problem which one has no will power to combat but wishes to relieve. Problems such as addiction, obsession, habitual criminal behavior, anxiety, depression etc..
- The solution is a spiritual awakening or experience. The spiritual experience will bring about a relationship with God sufficient enough for God to enter ones live and give relief.
- To attain the desired relation with God sufficient to bring about relief one simply just follows the 12 steps which are instructions to bring about the desired spiritual awakening within an individual.
- Summary of the original AA program here.
Alcoholics drink because they have alcoholism. To search for "why" they drink is a fruitless effort if they wish to stop. Those with alcoholism no matter what SELF KNOWLEDGE they may have in the nature of emotions, feelings, inner workings lack internal will to combat the desire to drink. ( see page 26, and read the story " A certain American business man had ability, good sense, and high character )
(A) The problem is Alcoholism
Alcoholism has 2 components.
1) Allergy of the body - manifests itself in a overwhelming compulsion in the alcoholic to consume more alcohol once the first drink is ingested.
2) Obsession of the mind - the alcoholic mind, prior to the first drink "forgets" the pain of the past or "blanks out" the numerous reasons from experience why a drink should not be taken. This thinking AA defines as insanity as it's not sane that alcoholics continue to drink even though countless episodes before have resulted in pain, suffering and the myriad of undesirable problems.
( more examples can be found in the chapter "More about alcoholism")
PLEASE STUDY (not just read) MORE ABOUT ALCOHOLISM
"unmanageable" and "insanity" refer to the lack of choice that the mind of the alcoholic affords concerning whether to drink again
Therefore we see the conclusion:
"The main problem of the alcoholic centers in his mind" (page 23 Big Book)
(B) The solution is a spiritual awakening
(read Appendix II from Alcoholics Anonymous) and "There is a solution" chapter of the big book.
The spiritual awakening will give freedom from the Obsession of the mind component of Alcoholism and the alcoholic will find it is almost effortless and automatic to avoid drink. Many believe this to be a miracle which has been granted from a Power Greater than themselves, or Higher Power or the convenient and commonly used term "God".
(C) The plan of action is the 12 steps
To achieve the desired spiritual awakening one only needs to take the 12 steps with as much effort, determination as one can muster and the desired spiritual awakening will be achieved giving freedom from Alcohol and a new way of life which includes peace, happiness and new purpose. The AA Book authors mention being "Rocketed into a Forth Dimension of Existence".
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