The big book of alcoholics anonymous and twelve step programs across the world have helped millions of people recover from addictions. You may rely absolutely on anything they say about themselves. The publication of this book has not been authorized or endorsed by, and does not imply affiliation with alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. The anonymous press study edition of alcoholics anonymous black gilded anonymous on. Alcoholics anonymous big book reference edition for. Aa big book study edition alcoholics anonymous big book. The doctors opinion on alcoholism november 2011 youtube. He had consulted the best known american psychiatrists. Convincing testimony must surely come from medical men who have had experience with the sufferings of. As part of his rehabilitation he commenced to present his conceptions to. The doctors opinion an explanation of addictive illness found in the big book of alcoholics anonymous dawn farm lecture series november 15, 2011 2. The doctors opinion the doctors opinion contains two letters written by william d.
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 as of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. Convincing testimony must surely come from medical men who have had experience with the sufferings of our members and have witnessed our return to health. The big book of alcoholics anonymous and twelve step programs across the world have helped millions of people recover from addictions, in large part because of doctor silkworth. We of alcoholics anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the medical estimate of the plan of recovery described in this book. The big book of alcoholics anonymous the doctors opinion. The doctor s description of alcoholism shows clearly the dire physical condition of the alcoholic. We the people demand one of the three following things of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc 1. First published in 1939, alcoholics anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. Doctor in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. It takes a lot for a person to first admit to having a drinking problem, and. William duncan silkworth henceforth be removed from all printings of the big book. The preface and foreword describe the history of the big book and its role in the alcoholics anonymous program.
The doctors opinion on alcoholism revisited november 2011 1. The ez big book of alcoholics anonymous was written by a longtime aa member who has been a professional writer all her life. Amid covid19, we are still open and offering online addiction treatment options. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics. Medical in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. The aa program of recovery is set forth in the twelve steps aa was founded in 1935 in akron, ohio. The doctors opinion gives a brief description of the phenomenon of craving that alcoholics develop when they ingest alcohol that most other people dont. Step 1 doctors opinion alcoholics anonymous aa my last. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the doctors opinion. I have tried to identify all that i could find to identify for myself and other readers of the big book, alcoholics anonymous, here.
This also has been kept intact, just as it was originally written in 1939 by the late dr. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. I would suggest that you crack open the big book youve said that you have an electronic copy of it, so thats good and start with the doctors. This is the second edition of the book alcoholics anonymous, which made its first appearance in april 1939.
The doctors opinion is an important part of the big book, as it details a physicians view of alcoholism and recovery. The anonymous press study edition of alcoholics anonymous black gilded. Clearly, that is an opinion rather than an accurate census, but it is one that is put forward by someone who has done a tremendous amount of research in aa archives around the country over the years. The big book of alcoholics anonymous the world famous eye. This is the only rule in the big book, though in the doctors opinion xxix dr.
Most of the information comes from aaws published or other recovery oriented literature. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous this is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. This aa big book study edition includes the original foreword, the doctors opinion and dr. Far from being a text book of incontrovertible instructions or rules the big book is, in fact, a story book, it says so in its very title, alcoholics anonymous the story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. We demand that the chapter the doctors opinion of the. The doctors opinion from the big book of alcoholics anonymous being read aloud. These men may well have a remedy for thousands of such situations.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Petition we demand that the chapter the doctors opinion. Nov 04, 2010 alcoholics anonymous, the doctors opinion the first and second edition book alcoholics anonymous is in public domain in the united states. Preface aa big book preface aa big book big book of aa alcoholics anonymous doctor s opinion how it works aa preamble alcoholism recovery 4th edition 3rd edition 2nd edition alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr.
A certain american business man had ability, good sense, and high character. We of alcoholics anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the medical estimate of the plan ofrecovery described in this book. The text of the first 164 pages of alcoholics anonymous, unchanged since they first came off press in 1939, evolved from a process of furious debate and wise compromise in may 1938, when cofounder bill w. Where in alcoholics anonymous big book are drugs mentioned. The doctors opinion we of alcoholics anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the medical estimate of the plan of recovery described in this book. Mar 22, 2015 the doctor s opinion from the big book of alcoholics anonymous being read aloud. Alcoholics anonymousthe big bookhas served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. Study guide that explores solutions for alcoholics and drug addicts kindle edition by c. The doctors opinion, bills story, how it works, there is a solution, more about alcoholism, we agnostics, into action, working with others and a vision for you. Preface aa big book preface aa big book big book of aa alcoholics anonymous doctors opinion how it works aa preamble alcoholism recovery 4th edition 3rd edition 2nd edition alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr. In many bbss meetings, only members who have worked the 12 steps according to this structure are permitted to share. Towns hospital for drug and alcohol addictions in new york city, where he had treated, one of the founding members of aa, bill w. More than 300,000 copies of the first edition are now in circulation. The big book of alcoholics anonymous and 12step programs across the world have helped millions of people recover from addictions, in large part because of doctor silkworth.
Alcoholism through a doctors eyes the new york times. This is a study guide to the book alcoholics anonymous. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism is the official book for the alcoholics anonymous fellowship and available for those at gatehouse sober community.
Alcoholics anonymous aa is an international mutual aid fellowship with the stated purpose of enabling its members to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. Nov 26, 2009 the doctors opinion on alcoholism revisited november 2011 1. A wellknown doctor, chief physician at a nationally prominent hospital specializing in alcoholic and drug addiction, gave alcoholics anonymous this letter. But as exproblem drinkers, we can say that his explanation makes good sense.
To many recovered alcoholics, this section of the big book is considered to be the most important as it describes alcoholism in terms that make sense to the real alcoholic. Within 3 years, the e book sold over 15,000 copies worldwide without any marketing. Minerva studioshutterstock those who enter recovery at a stepbased treatment center will often be handed a copy of alcoholics anonymous also known as the big book almost as soon as they are admitted and. Its only membership requirement is a desire to stop drinking. The anonymous press is not affiliated with alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Alcoholics anonymous original manuscript signed by bill w. His view that the basis of alcoholism is a physical allergy was radical change to the prevailing views of the time. Mar 22, 2009 that s where bill wilson first found out he was an alcoholic. The doctor s opinion from the big book of alcoholics anonymous being read aloud.
This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. The doctors opinion on alcoholism revisited november 2011. This program will describe a physicians view of alcoholism, as presented in the literature of alcoholics anonymous and updated with the. The explicit musts found in alcoholics anonymous 3rd. Bob was sober a few months less than three years, and. Alcoholics anonymous big book reference edition for addiction treatment this is a comprehensive study of the big book of alcoholics anonymous with hundreds of questions asked and answered. The doctors opinion w e ofalcoholics anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the medical esti mate of the plan of recovery described in this book. We demand that the chapter the doctors opinion of the big book. This video is part of the aa big book basic training.
A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous. This tells us that the big book of alcoholics anonymous is an instruction manual for the program by which they recovered. There is also some brief writing by bill wilson, the founder of alcoholics anonymous. Aa is nonprofessional, selfsupporting, and apolitical. The big book step study bbss format, based upon an aa meeting format originated in hyannis, mass. You can search the alcoholics anonymous big book for phrases, key words, etc. A small percentage is based on word of mouth information. A rich resourse to learn and understand alcholism and also a study of the 12 steps. Pocketsized convenience of the program of action, 4th edition. This version is wonderful to hand out to my sponsees, and i keep a copy on my person at all times. Study guide that explores solutions for alcoholics and drug addicts.
This excerpt of the alcoholics anonymous big book lets you get your hands on pages that could help you with alcohol addiction. After they have succumbed to the desire again, as so many do, and the phenomenon of craving develops, they pass. Doctor silkworth was the first in his field to look at alcoholism and drug addiction in a disease model that he called an allergy of the body, and an obsession of the mind. Reading guide for the doctors opinion amethyst recovery. Alcoholics anonymous big book audioread aloud duration. It is dedicated to those who want recovery from alcoholism, but have difficulty with the word god. We can trust the opinion of a physician with qualifications such as these. Can be used by for groups, for sponsors and as a stand alone.
Keefe april, 2009 abstract alcoholics anonymous aa and alanon groups have helped a lot of people become sober, and to deal with an alcoholic family member. Thats where bill wilson first found out he was an alcoholic. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. With the appearance of the new book a great deal began to happen. Nov 18, 2014 the doctors opinion an explanation of addictive illness found in the big book of alcoholics anonymous dawn farm lecture series november 18, 2014 herbert malinoff, md, facp, fasam specialist in chronic pain and addictive illness medical director, pain recovery solutions, pc attending physician, saint joseph mercy hospital, ypsilanti, mi. The anonymous press study edition of alcoholics anonymous. Aa, alcoholics anonymous, has but one solution for the deadly disease of alcoholism. The doctors opinion began on page 1 in the first edition of the big book 4th edit. Doctors in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. An introduction to the big book gatehouse sober community.
The doctors appraisal of the program suggested in the book lends authority to what the authors have to say. Moreover, it needs to be understood by alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. The doctor s theory that we have an allergy to alcohol interests us. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation. Silkworth helped many alcoholics in the early days of the fellowship of alocoholics anonymous. Dec 28, 2011 content verified as being uptodate by twelvedrawings in 2018. Alcoholics anonymous, from the title of its own book. Normal in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Chapter two is the doctor s opinion from the big book of alcoholics anonymous. The second edition, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies. Big book alcoholics anonymous homepage healthyplace. 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. Big book of alcoholics anonymous summary free essays.
Rely upon the twelve traditions the long form for clarification of what aa is and what aa is not. Alcoholics anonymous the big book has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. It is based on a scientific paper written by dr william d silkworth in 1937. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. His is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. Silkworths original statement, there have been added, in the. Reading guide for the doctors opinion amethyst recovery center. Bobs story paragraph numbers along side the text for easy reference. In april of 1939, alcoholics anonymous printed 4,730 copies of the big book and thousands of those copies still survive today. He also explains his theory of why alcoholics are unable to control their drinking. The dust cover of the fourth edition quotes a letter written by bill w. Many thousands have benefited from the big book and its simple but profound explanation of the doctrines behind alcoholics anonymous, which was founded in 1935 by bill wilson and dr.
Preface to the big book of alcoholics anonymous, 2nd edition. Be advised that other ideas and interpretations, which are consistent with. Colorful video illustrations help breakdown and clarify hundreds of the aa. Especially, as that word gets used by individuals who embrace traditional religious concepts of what it means to them. Opinion in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Alcoholism is a threefold malady that affects us mentally, physically, and spiritually. This is the official website of the general service office g. We of alcoholics anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the medical estimate of the plan of recovery described in. The doctor s opinion gives a brief description of the phenomenon of craving that alcoholics develop when they ingest alcohol that most other people dont. The doctor s opinion we of alcoholics anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the medical estimate of the plan of recovery describedi nt his book. The text of the first 164 pages of alcoholics anonymous, unchanged since they first came off press in 1939, evolved from a process of furious debate and wise compromise. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. To overcome and survive the disease and live happy, joyous and free, we must study and learn what the solution is and what we have to do to obtain it.
It explains many things for which we cannot otherwise account. The rule is we must be hard on ourself but always considerate of others. This specifically includes any comments by the author of this study guide of the. The chapter the doctor s opinion was added after the rest of the aa book was written in 1938. Following the forewords, there appears a section called the doctors opinion. What is the doctors opinion from the alcoholics big book. Study guide that explores solutions for alcoholics and drug addicts c. This version includes only the first 164 pages without the personal stories of the book alcoholics anonymous, fourth edition. The explicit musts of the big book page 1 the explicit musts found in alcoholics anonymous 3rd. These are intended for further study and should not be taken out of context. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. Silkworth, who worked at towns hospital in new york city. As laymen, our opinion as to its soundness may, of course, mean little. A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous the doctors opinion.