Good Morning!

We're on page 17 - Chapter 2 - "There is a Solution."

One of the literary devices that Bill employs on this page relates to
events that are familiar to the reader. Remember that the book was
published in 1939 when the Titanic was still a relatively recent
memory for many.

"We are like the passengers of a great liner the moment after rescue
from shipwreck when camaraderie, joyousness and democracy pervade the
vessel from steerage to Captain's table. Unlike the feelings of the
ship's passengers, however, our joy in escape from disaster does not
subside as we go our individual ways."

"Steerage" was the bottom of the ship - the cheap seats -
accommodations for lower-class passengers. Of course, the elite
gathered by invitation only at the glamorous "Captain's table." The
two extremes would never mix with one another. But to those who were
miraculously rescued from the icy, terrifying ocean, these
differences became nothing more than unimportant details.

Now here's the message -- the WARNING -- that Bill and the first one
hundred wanted to pass on: "But that in itself would never have held
us together as we are now joined."

So, what is it that binds us together? Look at the following
paragraph:

"...we have discovered a common solution [a spiritual awakening
through the 12 Steps]. We have a way out on which we can absolutely
agree, upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action."

It is The AA Program of action that binds us together.

Page 20, paragraph 1:

"Doubtless you are curious to discover how and why, in the face of
expert opinion to the contrary, we have recovered from a seemingly
hopeless state of mind and body."

The top of the next paragraph is the answer:

"It is the purpose of this book to answer such questions
specifically."

In other words, we should be using this book as a text book or set of
directions for in these pages we will be shown how to get, and stay,
sober.

The following four paragraphs go on to describe the misconceptions of
alcoholism held by the public at large and to describe people who
have drinking problems but who are not real alcoholics: moderate
drinkers and certain types of hard drinkers.

Page 21: "The real alcoholic" - In paragraph 1, Bill discusses the
craving and lack of control that the real alcoholic develops. This
repeats ideas presented in "The Doctor's Opinion."

Turn to page 22, paragraph 2 - Here the powerlessness and insanity of
alcoholism
is defined.

"What has become of the common sense and will power that he still
sometimes displays with respect to other matters?"

In short, the human will is not operative. We drink, continuing to
expect different results. Alcoholics do not have the power of
choice –
common sense and willpower are useless.

What is it that causes alcoholics to drink when they don't want to?
Broken shoelace? Not enough meetings? Page 23, paragraph 1 -

"These observations would be academic and pointless if our friend
never took the first drink, thereby setting the terrible cycle in
motion. Therefore, the main problem of the alcoholic centers in the
mind rather than in his body."

It is our struggle with the mental obsession that we will lose that
causes us to drink; the circumstances themselves matter little.

Turning to page 24, we have italicized writing, used sparsely in the
book, always used to emphasize a point –

"The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost
the power of choice in drink. Our so-called will power becomes
practically nonexistent. We are unable, at certain times, to bring
into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the
suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are
without defense against the first drink."

The following paragraph - "There is the complete failure of the kind
of defense that keeps one from putting his hand on a hot stove."

Let's pause here to consider this: How many times has this point, the
lack of common sense regarding alcohol or the lack of defense against
the first drink, been made?

We must also note that in the last paragraph on page 24 we are told
that the alcoholic "...has probably placed himself beyond human
aid... ." Is fellowship enough? Going to meetings morning, noon, and
night? Talking to a sponsor everyday? Daily telphone calls?

Here's our situation: The mental obsession to drink is relentless;
human power is ineffective against it. What will help us to overcome
this obsession and prevent us from picking up the first drink?

More with our next post!

Jim

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