Getting Started in AA

391 Pages·1995·0.84 MB·English

by  Hamilton B.

title: Getting Started in AA
author: B., Hamilton.
publisher: Hazelden Publishing
isbn10 | asin: 1568380917
print isbn13: 9781568380919
ebook isbn13: 9780585300153
language: English
Alcoholics Anonymous--Handbooks,
subject manuals, etc, Alcoholics--Rehabilitation--
Handbooks, manuals, etc.
publication date: 1995
lcc: HV5278.B3 1995eb
ddc: 362.29/286
Alcoholics Anonymous--Handbooks,
manuals, etc, Alcoholics--Rehabilitation--
subject:
Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Page iii
Getting Started in AA
*
Hamilton B.
*This work contains only the ideas, experiences, and suggestions collected
by the author. It is not an official publication of Alcoholics Anonymous
World Services, Inc., nor does it necessarily represent the policies or
practices of the AA Fellowship.
Page iv
Hazelden
Center City, Minnesota 55012-0176
©1995 by Hamilton B.
All rights reserved. Published 1995
Printed in the United States of America
No portion of this publication may be
reproduced in any manner without the
written permission of the publisher
L C C -P D
IBRARY OF ONGRESS ATALOGING-IN UBLICATION ATA
B.,Hamilton.

GettingstartedinAA/byHamiltonB.

p. cm.

Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.

ISBN56838-091-7

1.AlcoholicsAnonymousHandbooks,manuals,etc.2.Alcoholics

RehabilitationHandbooks,manuals,etc.I.Title.

HV5278.B31995

362.29'286dc20 95-24001

CIP

The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions are reprinted with
permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Permission to reprint this material does not mean that Alcoholics
Anonymous has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication,
nor that AA agrees with the views expressed herein. The views
expressed herein are solely those of the author. AA is a program of
recovery from alcoholism. Use of the Twelve Steps in connection with
programs and activities that are patterned after AA, but that address
other problems, does not imply otherwise.
The following publishers have generously given permission to use
quotations from copyrighted works: From Getting Better: Inside
Alcoholics Anonymous, copyright 1988, by William Morrow &
Company, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the author. From Bill W.,
copyright 1975, by Robert Thomsen. Reprinted by permission of
HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. From Lois Remembers, copyright 1979,
by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Reprinted by
permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.
Page v
ToMissHelenGreenwood(19071995)withprofoundgratitude.A

giftedhighschoolteacherwhotaughtwritingandaloveofEnglish

withdevotion,dedication,andinspiration,sheforeverchangedmy

viewoftheworldandofmyself.Deononfortuna.
Page vii
CONTENTS
Dedication v
Preface xii
The Easy Way to Use This Book xv
Part 1: AA Basics 1
1. Don't Drink 5
2. Go to Meetings 7
3. Read the Big Book 11
4. Work the Steps 13
The First Three Steps 16
Steps Four Through Ten 19
Steps Eleven and Twelve 20
5. Call Your Sponsor 22
6. Say Your Prayers 27
Twelve Steps and Spiritual Awakening 28
Prayer and Meditation 29
7. Help Another Alcoholic 32
8. Put Sobriety First 35
9. Take Sobriety and Life One Day at a Time 37
10. Use the Serenity Prayer 39
11. Remember: It's the First Drink That Gets Us Drunk 42
Page viii
12. Think the Drink Through 44
13. Avoid Slippery Places 46
14. Use AA Slogans 48
Accept Life on Life's Terms 48
Easy Does It . . . But Do It 49
Keep Coming Back 49
Keep It Simple 50
Let Go and Let God 50
Live and Let Live 51
Progress, Not Perfection 51
This, Too, Shall Pass 52
Turn It Over 53
Easing God Out (E.G.O.) 53
Go with the Flow 54
People, Places, and Things 54
Principles Before Personalities 54
Stick with the Winners 54
Part 2: AA Meetings and Groups 55
15. AA Groups 57
The First AA Groups 57
How to Become an AA Group Member 58
Home Group 58
Group Officers 59
Group Conscience 59
Group Names 60
Service in Groups 60
AA Clubs 61
16. AA Meetings 63
The First AA Meeting (1935) 63
Types of Meetings 63
Size and Length of Meetings 66
"Bad" Meetings 66
AA's Meeting in Print 68