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We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed. We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers control. All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals—usually brief—were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. pg. 30 AA Alcoholics Anonymous
This information in Is A.A. for You? is for anyone who may have a problem and
for those in contact with loved ones who have.
This sheet tells what to expect from AA Alcoholics Anonymous .
It describes what A.A. is, what A.A. does,
& what A.A. does not do.
We decided to try and face up to what alcohol had done to us. Here are some of the questions we tried to answer honestly.
If we answered YES to four or more questions, we were in deep trouble with our drinking. See how you do. Remember, there is no disgrace in facing up to the fact that you have a problem.
Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but only lasted for a couple of days?
Most of us in A.A. made all kinds of promises to ourselves and to our families. We could not keep them. Then we came to A.A.
A.A. said: "Just try not to drink today." (If you do not drink today, you cannot get drunk today.)
Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking-- stop telling you what to do?
In A.A. we do not tell anyone to do anything. We just talk about our own drinking, the trouble we got into, and how we stopped. We will be glad to help you, if you want us to.
Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?
We tried all kinds of ways. We made our drinks weak. Or just drank beer. Or we did not drink cocktails. Or only drank on weekends. You name it, we tried it. But if we drank anything with alcohol in it, we usually got drunk eventually.
Have you had to have an eye-opener upon awakening during the past year?
Do you need a drink to get started, or to stop shaking? This is a pretty sure sign that you are not drinking "socially."
Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?
At one time or another, most of us have wondered why we were not like most people, who really can take it or leave it.
Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?
Be honest! Doctors say that if you have a problem with alcohol and keep on drinking, it will get worse -- never better. Eventually, you will die, or end up in an institution for the rest of your life. The only hope is to stop drinking.
Has your drinking caused trouble at home?
Before we came into A.A., most of us said that it was the people or problems at home that made us drink. We could not see that our drinking just made everything worse. It never solved problems anywhere or anytime.
Do you ever try to get "extra" drinks at a party because you do not get enough?
Most of us used to have a "few" before we started out if we thought it was going to be that kind of party. And if drinks were not served fast enough, we would go some place else to get more.
Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk when you don't mean to?
Many of us kidded ourselves into thinking that we drank because we wanted to. After we came into A.A., we found out that once we started to drink, we couldn't stop.
Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking?
Many of us admit now that we "called in sick" lots of times when the truth was that we were hung-over or on a drunk.
Do you have "blackouts"?
A "blackout" is when we have been drinking for hours or days which we cannot remember. When we came to A.A., we found out that this is a pretty sure sign of alcoholic drinking.
Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?
Many of us started to drink because drinking made life seem better, at least for a while. By the time we got into A.A., we felt trapped. We were drinking to live and living to drink. We were sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Did you answer YES four or more times?
If so, you are probably in trouble with alcohol. Why do we say this? Because thousands of people in A.A. have said so for many years. They found out the truth about themselves — the hard way. But again, only you can decide whether you think A.A. is for you.
Try to keep an open mind on the subject. If the answer is YES, we will be glad to show you how we stopped drinking ourselves. Just call. We can show you how we stay sober, one day at a time.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
Participation is 100% anonymous. We do not report your participation to anyone and we do not repeat anything you say. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
As anonymity is the “spiritual foundation of all our Traditions,” AA Alcoholics Anonymous observe anonymity at all times.
In 2013, the 63rd General Service Conference affirmed that “the Internet, social media, and all forms of public communications are implicit in the last phrase of the short form of Tradition Eleven, which reads: ‘…at the level of press, radio, and films.'"
In simplest form, this means that A.A.s do not publicly identify themselves as A.A. members using their full names and/or full-face images.
Modern communication in AA Alcoholics Anonymous is flowing and advancing in high-tech, relatively open-ended and evolves quickly. Protecting anonymity is a major concern for members, who are accessing the Internet in ever-growing numbers.
When we use digital media, we are responsible for our own anonymity and for protecting that of others. When we post, text, or blog, we should consider whether we are breaking our anonymity or the anonymity of our fellow AAs.
"None of us would be here today if somebody hadn't taken time to explain things to us, to give us a little pat on the back, to take us to a meeting or two, to do numerous little kind and thoughtful acts in our behalf.
So let us never get such a degree of smug complacency that we're not willing to extend, or attempt to extend, to our less fortunate brothers (and sisters) that help which has been so beneficial to us." - Dr. Bob
To keep it, you have to give it away.
Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. – (Big Book How It Works, p.58)
Our Twelve Steps,... resolve themselves into the words “love” and “service.” We understand what love is, and we understand what service is. So let's bear those two things in mind, always.
Let us also remember to guard our tongue, and if we must use it, let's use it w
... Most responsible for our growth as a fellowship and most vital to our continuity, I would say, (is) the “Concept of Anonymity.”
Anonymity has two attributes essential to our individual and collective survival; the spiritual and the practical.
On the spiritual level, anonymity demands the greatest discipline of which we are capable; on the practical level, anonymity has brought protection for the newcomer, respect, the support of the world outside, and security.
Since the book, Alcoholics Anonymous first appeared in 1939, this basic text has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism.
Currently available in the General Service Conference-approved Fourth Edition, the Big Book contains the stories of the co-founders, as well as many members of diverse backgrounds who have found recovery in the worldwide Fellowship.
Buy your copy at the TARA Club.
Literature published by A.A. World Services, Inc. is a resource for the recovering alcoholic and for anyone who wants to find out about Alcoholics Anonymous, its history, and how it works. General Service Conference-approved literature reflects the group conscience of the Fellowship of A.A. and includes the book Alcoholics Anonymous (affectionately known by members as the Big Book.
AA literature may be purchased in the TARA Club office.
Al-Anon members are people, just like you, who are worried about someone with a drinking problem. Family members have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others who have faced the same or similar problems.
Do you live with or have an:
Grandchild in an Alcoholic Home
Al-Anon can help. Check Announcements and the Weekly Meeting Schedule for TARA Club Al-Anon based resources.
Our personal situations and experiences may be different, but we share as equals because of what we have in common: our lives have been affected by another person's drinking.
Al-Anon is a mutual support group.
We can find understanding and support when we share our common experiences with each other.
Some come to Al-Anon because their spouse or partner has struggled with alcoholism.
For others, the problem drinker is a parent, child, grandchild, brother, sister or close friend.
Many who come to Al-Anon are in despair, feeling hopeless, unable to believe that things can ever change. We want our lives to be different, but nothing we have done has brought about change. We all come to Al-Anon because we want and need help.
In Al-Anon members share their own experiences, strengths, and hopes with each other. You will meet others who share your feelings and frustrations, if not your exact situation. We come together to learn a better way of life.
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