"drinkers" in the Big Book

Drinkers are like that.

Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs.

Why can’t he?’’ “Why don’t you drink like a gentleman or quit?’’ “That fellow can’t handle his liquor.’’ “Why don’t you try beer and wine?’’ “Lay off the hard stuff.’’ “His will power must be weak.’’ “He could stop if he wanted to.’’ “She’s such a sweet girl, I should think he’d stop for her sake.’’ “The doctor told him that if he ever drank again it would kill him, but there he is all lit up again.’’ Now these are commonplace observations on drinkers which we hear all the time.

Moderate drinkers have little trouble in giving up liquor entirely if they have good reason for it.

Some drinkers have excuses with which they are satisfied part of the time.

In a vague way their families and friends sense that these drinkers are abnormal, but everybody hopefully awaits the day when the sufferer will rouse himself from his lethargy and assert his power of will.

Certain drinkers, who would be greatly insulted if called alcoholics, are astonished at their inability to stop.

In the early days of our drinking we occasionally remained sober for a year or more, becoming serious drinkers again later.

Perhaps you are not acquainted with any drinkers who want to recover.

Drinkers will not stand for it.

Drinkers like to help other drinkers.

Normal drinkers are not so affected, nor can they understand the aberrations of the alcoholic.

They often jeopardize their own positions by trying to help serious drinkers who should have been fired long ago, or else given an opportunity to get well.

Unhappy drinkers who read this page will understand!

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.