"alcoholism" in the Big Book

This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism.

In the following chapter, there appears an explanation of alcoholism, as we understand it, then a chapter addressed to the agnostic.

Physicians who are familiar with alcoholism agree there is no such thing as making a normal drinker out of an alcoholic.

We have heard of a few instances where people, who showed definite signs of alcoholism, were able to stop for a long period because of an overpowering desire to do so.

This is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it—this utter inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or the wish.

We told him what we knew of alcoholism and the answer we had found.

We, who have been through the wringer, have to admit if we substituted alcoholism for jay-walking, the illustration would fit us exactly.

we knew about alcoholism.

Let him tell you about it: “I was much impressed with what you fellows said about alcoholism, and I frankly did not believe it would be possible for me to drink again.

Well, just that did happen and more, for what I had learned of alcoholism did not occur to me at all.

Alco_9781893007161_6p_01_r6.qxd 8/13/07 10:55 AM Page 44 I n the preceding chapters you have learned something of alcoholism.

If a mere code of morals or a better philosophy of life were sufficient to overcome alcoholism, many of us

Post-war disillusionment, ever more serious alcoholism, impending mental and physical collapse, brought him to the point of self-destruction.

(b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism.

Nor are we afraid of disclosing our alcoholism on the theory it may cause financial harm.

We are not cured of alcoholism.

We suggest you do this as we have done it in the chapter on alcoholism.

Continue to speak of alcoholism as an illness, a fatal malady.

But you may talk to him about the hopelessness of alcoholism because you offer a solution.

Maybe you have disturbed him about the question of alcoholism.

In our belief any scheme of combating alcoholism which proposes to shield the sick man from temptation is doomed to failure.

Some of them rose out of ignorance of alcoholism.

Perhaps your husband has been living in that strange world of alcoholism where everything is distorted and exaggerated.

read this book or at least the chapter on alcoholism.

Thus you may succeed in interesting him in alcoholism.

Show him your copy of this book and tell him what you have found out about alcoholism.

alcoholism.

Sometimes there are cases where alcoholism is complicated by other disorders.

Some men cannot or will not get over alcoholism.

If God can solve the age-old riddle of alcoholism, He can solve your problems too.

Another feeling we are very likely to entertain is one of resentment that love and loyalty could not cure our husbands of alcoholism.

At such moments we forget that alcoholism is an illness over which we could not possibly have had any power.

We know there are difficult wives and families, but the man who is getting over alcoholism must remember he did much to make them so.

New acquaintances who know nothing of alcoholism might be made and thoughtful consideration given their needs.

When we see a man sinking into the mire that is alcoholism, we give him first aid and place what we have at his disposal.

Here were three exceptional men lost to this world because I did not understand alcoholism as I do now.

This seemed to me like an opportunity to be helpful, so I spent two hours talking about alcoholism, the malady, and described the symptoms and results as well as I could.

You now know more about alcoholism.

At this point, it might be well to explain alcoholism, the illness.

Whether your employee likes it or not, he will learn the grim truth about alcoholism.

I have been learning something about alcoholism.

Alcoholism may be causing your organization considerable damage in its waste of time, men and reputation.

But alcoholism —well, they just don’t believe they have it.

He might be shocked if he knew how much alcoholism is costing his organization a year.

Our hope is that when this chip of a book is launched on the world tide of alcoholism, defeated drinkers will seize upon it, to follow its suggestions.

He told how he lived in constant worry about those who might find out about his alcoholism.

Said one of the visitors, “We’re giving you a treatment for alcoholism.”