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  Hatchery House

Recovery Course


    What Makes the big book the AUTHORITATIVE source for recovery?


    Important: Each evaluation on this page is separate and based on a chapter from the Big Book of AA. After you finish each evaluation for a particular chapter press green submit  button at the bottom of the test. 

    BEFORE YOU START  THIS IS AN OPEN BOOK ASSESSMENT, AND THE 'QUESTION MARKS' NEXT TO CERTAIN QUESTIONS ARE HELPFUL HINTS. 

    The book Alcoholics Anonymous was written, edited and agreed upon by  the first one hundred men and women who inadvertently formulated the first and only successful method of recovery. This process became the first pattern in history whereby an alcoholic could follow some simple actions and be sure to get, and remain sober. Simply put, they noticed this process could be replicated. They also noticed it worked 100% of the time if people took a precise set of actions.

    Though Bill Wilson penned the book all of those in the first one hundred had input and review of the textbook. The first one hundred wanted to be sure the book described in detail what had successfully worked for them. Remember the world had had religious, psychological, and medical men trying to solve the riddle of alcoholism for ages with very little success. In fact, there was no set model of treatment that had ever successfully worked. The methods those first one hundred discovered marked an epoch and shift in human history.  This collection of people with recovery successes decided it would be wise to document the process. Therefore, what they found was a set method that worked every time when it was followed precisely. Our object here, is to be sure the person wishing to be free of the craving and obsession of drugs or alcohol get the same directions and precise set of actions that have proven to be the only sure method of permanent recovery. 

    On the topic of the first 100 and since there was no AA group at the time of the books writing some readers of the may ask, who were these first 100? The first 100 were comprised of 100 closely knit people that had come together and recovered using this certain method. This occurred between 1935 to 1939. These 100 attended the Oxford Groups (a Christian fellowship). But, had also come to understand from Dr. Silkworth's findings that alcohol addiction and addiction in general was a disease. A few regular members of Oxford Group met specifically for alcohol problems at separate meetings in addition their regular Oxford Group meetings.

    Here we make a couple references to the Big Book to emphasize the number of people involved and helped in writing it, or had influence in the book's writing. The Big Book on page 51 "
    When many hundreds of people are able to say that the consciousness of the Presence of God is today the most important fact of their lives, they present a powerful reason why one should have faith." and page 17  "WE, OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as Bill. Nearly all have recovered. They have solved the drink problem."  this tells us that they had seen something that really worked to get the alcoholic recovered. So, we hope this sheds some light on where the first one hundred came from. The Big Book remains the only proven method. "it works it really does" 

    We should mention that Dr. Bob and Bill began helping each other by reading the Bible. Additionally, Bill was equipped with the knowledge from Dr. Silkworth that there existed an allergy in real alcoholics that did not exist in other people. "They were convinced that the answer to their problems was in the Good Book (Bible)." DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, p. 96. 

    To be thorough, frequent progress reports and  support are important covering the Big Book. Many sponsors will help this process. Our form is designed to be sure the Big Book is thoroughly covered. Therefore, we have created an online evaluation tool. In this page you will see fields you fill in with the answers you get from the Big Book. This lets you know you are getting all the detailed  instructions to effect the needed recovery skills.  When this happens and you APPLY the knowledge you have learned the problem is removed. You won't be fighting or struggling with the illness; the craving and obsession for alcohol or drugs will be gone.

    READ OR LISTEN TO AUDIO OF THE PREFACE  TO THE BIG BOOK


    READ OR LISTEN TO AUDIO OF THE FOReWoRD TO THE BIG BOOK​

    Note that in the Foreword to the First Edition, the Big Book states:

    "To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book." On page 29 at the end of Chapter 2 it says, "Further on, clear-cut directions are given showing how we recovered."  These statements point out what you are about to undertake.
    Give a synonym or explanation.
    To regain the strength, composure or sanity,
    Hint there were 100 people involved in input, review and editing the book.

    READ OR LISTEN TO AUDIO OF THE DOCTOR'S OPINION 

    NOTE:
    On the first page of Dr. Silkworth's Chapter entitled The Doctor's Opinion. The qualifications of the Dr. Silkworth are as follows.
    ​
    He is:
    1. The Chief Physician
    2. Of a Nationally Known Hospital 
    3. A Specialist in Alcoholism
    4. A Specialist in Drug Addiction

    BEFORE YOU START  THIS IS AN OPEN BOOK ASSESSMENT, AND THE 'QUESTION MARKS' NEXT TO CERTAIN QUESTIONS ARE HELPFUL HINTS. 


    NOTE: 
    Dr. Silkworth seems to be describing two distinct types of alcoholics on the first page of The Doctor's Opinion. There was the "type" he had come to regard as hopeless. This must mean there was a type he had successfully treated. Science now knows there is the acute alcoholic and chronic alcoholic.  Moreover, with modern genetic research such as, the Human Genome Project and The Hapmap project science now knows genetics are involved in igniting abnormal reactions to alcohol and/or drugs in certain people i.e. "the real alcoholic" (page 21).

    These genetic studies support the observations made by Dr. Silkworth and medical colleagues long ago. Whereby they stated "We believe, and so suggested a few years ago, that the action of alcohol on these chronic alcoholics is a manifestation of an allergy; that the phenomenon of craving is limited to this class and never occurs in the average temperate drinker."  In addition to the Doctor's Opinion please read: Alcohol and Other Drug Dependence by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.  It is just a few pages that explain much on the latest genetic evidence which supports the findings of Dr. Silkworth. 
    Obsession the state of being obsessed with something. an idea or thought that preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind.
    Simple Definition of allergy : a medical condition that causes someone to react differently after eating, touching, or breathing something that is harmless to most people.
    Though we work out our solutions on the spiritual as well as an altruistic plane, we favor hospitalization for the alcoholic who is very jittery or befogged. More often than not, it is imperative that a man's brain be cleared before he is approached, as he has then a better chance of understanding and accepting what we have to offer. B.B. XXIV, XXV
    We believe, and so suggested a few years ago, that the action of alcohol on these chronic alcoholics is a manifestation of an allergy; that the phenomenon of craving is limited to this class and never occurs in the average temperate drinker. B.B. XXVI
    Simple Definition of craving a very strong desire for something. In this context after one has taken into his or her body a chemical such as alcohol.
    Relating to the psyche : psychogenic lying outside the sphere of physical science or knowledge. immaterial, moral, or spiritual in origin or force.
Submit

    Read or listen to audio of Chapter 1, Bill's Story, and  prepare for the online evaluation and how applies to your life.

    om·i·nous ˈämənəs adjective giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious. "there were ominous dark clouds gathering overhead" synonyms: threatening, menacing, baleful, forbidding, sinister, inauspicious, unpropitious, unfavorable, unpromising;
    Then I got a promising business opportunity. Stocks were at the low point of 1932, and I had somehow formed a group to buy. I was to share generously in the profits. Then I went on a prodigious bender, and that chance vanished. I woke up. This had to be stopped. I saw I could not take so much as one drink. I was through forever. Before then, I had written lots of sweet promises, but my wife happily observed that this time I meant business. And so I did. Shortly afterward I came home drunk. There had been no fight. Where had been my high resolve? I simply didn't know. It hadn't even come to mind. Someone had pushed a drink my way, and I had taken it. Was I crazy? I began to wonder, for such an appalling lack of perspective seemed near being just that.
    The remorse, horror and hopelessness of the next morning are unforgettable. The courage to do battle was not there. My brain raced uncontrollably and there was a terrible sense of impending calamity. I hardly dared cross the street, lest I collapse and be run down by an early morning truck, for it was scarcely daylight. An all night place supplied me with a dozen glasses of ale. My writhing nerves were stilled at last. A morning paper told me the market had gone to hell again. Well, so had I . The market would recover, but I wouldn't. That was a hard thought. Should I kill myself? No-not now. Then a mental fog settled down. Gin would fix that. So two bottles, and-oblivion.
    My brain raced uncontrollably and there was a terrible sense of impending calamity.
    Simple Definition of oblivion : the state of something that is not remembered, used, or thought about any more or the state of being unconscious or unaware or the state of not knowing what is going on around you.
    Was he unsure he would stay sober? Or, was he sure he would stay sober?
Submit

    READ OR LISTEN TO AUDIO The Chapter There is a Solution, AND  PREPARE FOR THE ONLINE EVALUATION AND HOW APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

    But what about the real alcoholic? He may start off as a moderate drinker; he may or may not become a continuous hard drinker; but at some stage of his drinking career he begins to lose all control of his liquor consumption, once he starts to drink.
    Therefore, the main problem of the alcoholic centers in his mind, rather than in his body.
    Therefore, the main problem of the alcoholic centers in his mind, rather than in his body. p. 23
    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. One needs to get the steps done quickly.
    NOTE: On pages 26 and 27 The American Businessman's name was Rowland Hazard. He came from a very well-to-do family. He spent one year with Dr. Carl Gustav Jung a Swiss psychiatrist; arguably one of the most renown and respected psychiatrist in history. During his one year with the doctor, Rowland did not drink.  But, as soon as he left the care of doctor Jung he got drunk. This is what we call "Rowland Hazard Syndrome". While under the care of others a person can often stay sober for very long periods. 
    To Whom It May Concern: I have specialized in the treatment if alcoholism for many years. In late 1934 I attended a patient who, though he had been a competent businessman of good earning capacity, was an alcoholic of a type I had come to regard as hopeless.
    Note: Spiritual Experience, is referred to once again on page 27. 

    Re-read the first paragraph on page 25 starting with "There is a Solution" and the second one which says, "The great fact is this and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life." The rest of this paragraph is an outstanding summary of what happens in this program.

    In conjunction with the above two paragraphs, read and really try to understand Appendix II, Spiritual Experience, page 569.
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    READ OR LISTEN TO AUDIO THE CHAPTER more about alcoholism, AND  PREPARE FOR THE ONLINE EVALUATION AND HOW APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

    Crux definition: a main or central feature
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    READ OR LISTEN TO AUDIO THE CHAPTER We Agnostics, AND  PREPARE FOR THE ONLINE EVALUATION AND HOW APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

    See page 62
    * Note: The main object of this book is to enable you to find a power greater than yourself which will solve your problem.
    We found, too, that we had been worshippers. What a state of mental goose-flesh that used to bring on! Had we not variously worshipped people, sentiment, things, money, and ourselves? B.B. p. 54
    See page 55
    See page 55
    With ministers, and the world's religions, I parted right there. When they talked of a God personal to me, who was love, superhuman strength and direction, I became irritated and my mind snapped shut against such a theory. B.B. p. 10
    It began to look as though religious people were right after all. Here was something at work in a human heart which had done the impossible. My ideas about miracles were drastically revised right then. B.B. p 11
    * Note that the Book at this point again refers you to Appendix II, Spiritual Experience.
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    READ OR LISTEN TO AUDIO THE CHAPTER How It Works, AND  PREPARE FOR THE ONLINE EVALUATION AND HOW APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

    (If you do, you are not.)
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    READ OR LISTEN TO AUDIO THE CHAPTER Into Action, AND  PREPARE FOR THE ONLINE EVALUATION AND HOW APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

    Misgivings definition: a feeling of doubt about something. Diffident definition: lacking confidence: very careful about acting or speaking
    We watch for them when they occur we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. B.B. p. 84
    W.A.T.C.H.
    Watch, Ask, Talk, Cease, Help 
    ​memorize this


    Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. B.B. p. 84
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IMPORTANT :
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Sponsorship Guide
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    READ OR LISTEN TO AUDIO THE CHAPTER the family afterwards, AND  PREPARE FOR THE ONLINE EVALUATION AND HOW APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

    Alcoholics who have derided religious people will be helped by such contacts. B.B. 131
    see page 133
    See page 125
    So we think cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness. Outsiders are sometimes shocked when we bust into merriment over a seemingly tragic experience out of the past. But why shouldn’t we laugh? We have recovered, and have been given the power to help others. B.B. p. 133
    Simple Definition of neurotic medical : having or suggesting neurosis : often or always fearful or worried about something : tending to worry in a way that is not healthy or reasonable.
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    READ OR LISTEN TO AUDIO THE CHAPTER Working With Others, AND  PREPARE FOR THE ONLINE EVALUATION AND HOW APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

    Hint: these are listed in the first sentence of each paragraph on pages 91 through 94 of the Big Book.
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    ​READ OR LISTEN TO AUDIO THE CHAPTER A Vision For You, AND  PREPARE FOR THE ONLINE EVALUATION AND HOW APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE.

    Simple Definition of sally : a clever and funny remark : a sudden attack in which a group of soldiers rush forward against an enemy
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