Published in 1939 the book “Alcoholics Anonymous”, which is often referred to as the “Big Book”, contains chapters detailing personal stories of individuals who struggled with alcoholism as wells as chapters directed to employers and topics devoted to specific audiences such as the agnostics. Containing well over 400 pages the book got its nickname because its first edition had rather thick pages, making the book even thicker than its content suggested. Written primarily by Bill Wilson, one of the co-founders of AA, the text found in Alcoholics Anonymous explains A.A.’s philosophy and methods, the core of which is the now well-known Twelve Steps of recovery. Bill’s own problems with alcoholism are also detailed in his book along with the struggles of his friend and AA co-founder Dr. Bob Smith. The twelve steps are explained using examples and anecdotes and its reasoning is that once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. The book contends that:
- It is impossible for an alcoholic to quit drinking alone
- New attitude or set of values is not enough
- Whosoever is an alcoholic must admit that they cannot help themselves alone
- Only a “higher power” and the community can help
The main goal of the “Big Book” is to make it possible for readers to find a higher power to help them solve the problem they are facing. It is worth noting that whereas initially, the higher power concept was represented by God of Christianity, over the years, the notion of a higher power became more generalized, and it has changed into a spiritual attitude to allow individuals from all different backgrounds to benefit from the program. For individuals who have never read the “Big Book” and are interested in knowing the contents of the book, a partial table of contents for the fourth edition is presented below:
Preface Foreword to First Edition
Foreword to Second Edition
Foreword to Third Edition
Foreword to Fourth Edition
The Doctor’s Opinion
CHAPTERS
Bill’s Story
There Is a Solution
More about Alcoholism
We Agnostics
How It Works
Into Action
Working with Others
To Wives
The Family Afterward
To Employers
A Vision for You
PERSONAL STORIES
How Forty-Two Alcoholics Recovered from Their Malady
PART I – Pioneers of AA
PART II – They Stopped in Time
PART III – They Lost Nearly All
APPENDICES
The AA Tradition
Spiritual Experience
The Medical View on AA
The Lasker Award
The Religious View on AA
How to Get in Touch with AA
12 Concepts (Short Form)
Readers interested in reading any one of these chapters to learn more about the Big Book and AA can find an online PDF version of any of these chapters here.
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Medical Reviewer
Dr. Balta is the Medical Director at FCR for more than 10 years. Dr. Balta is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, Certified Psychoanalyst. As well, as having Psychiatric Training at The Albert Einstein School of Medicine Psychiatric Residency Program In New York City and Psychoanalytic Training at The William Alanson White Institute in New York City. While working in New York City, gained funding Grants for the treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders from SAMHSA , HRSA and the City of New York.
