Our acceptance of the doctor s hypothesis is based on over 60 years of successful treatment founded on this model of alcoholism, coupled with the program of action outlined in this book. A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous the doctors opinion. These members realized a 72% success rate from 19341938 died sober using this spiritual program of action. Please ignore anything in the group sessions or this workbook that you feel contradicts what you find in the big book. In 1939 when the big book was written the correct diagnosis for that reaction was an allergy. If so, they are invited to freely partake of any useful material being offered in this study guide of the aa big book.
Each day in our big book study group a leader will take you through a section of the alcoholics anonymous big book. We the people demand one of the three following things of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc 1. In that brief space, alcoholics anonymous has mushroomed into nearly 6,000 groups whose membership is far above 150,000 recovered alcoholics. Sbbb refers to this steps by the big book workbook. The 12 promises of aa are presented as part of working step 9, which involves making amends. The principles in the twelve steps as listed in step. At any rate, discounting someone else s truth can be a slippery slope as facts can be declared, but truth, especially spiritual in nature, is open to the interpretation of each individual, as the big book teaches. We can trust the opinion of a physician with qualifications such as these. Nov 26, 2009 the doctors opinion on alcoholism revisited november 2011 1. If you use a pocketsize big book, keep in mind that page numbers quoted for the doctors opinion and the appendices wont be accurate for your pocket edition.
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. Herbert malinoff, md, facp, fasam specialist in chronic pain and addictive illness medical director, pain recovery. An explanation of addictive illness found in the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Read about the history of the big book and whats inside the book. The doctors opinion was page one and the basic text ended at page 179. The section called the doctors opinion has been kept intact, just as it was originally written in 1939 by the late dr.
This program will describe a physicians view of alcoholism, as presented in the literature of alcoholics anonymous and updated with the. Chapter two is the doctor s opinion out of the big book. Alcoholics anonymousthe big book has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. The aa promises are found on pages 8384 of chapter 6, into action in alcoholics anonymous, also known as the big book written by bill wilson and dr. Alcoholic selftest using the big book this study of the book alcoholics anonymous was used as the foundation for this test. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. A bunch of people contributed to it so collectively, the author can be cited as alcoholics anonymous.
Silkworths original statement, there have been added, in the appendices, a number of the medical and religious endorsements which have come to us in. Alcoholics anonymous big book kindle edition by wilson. The doctors opinion is an important part of the big book, as it details a. Convincing testimony must surely come from medical men who have had experience with the sufferings of our members and have witnessed our return to health. How do i cite alcoholics anonymous big book apastyle in. Doctor silkworth was the first in his field to look at alcoholism and drug addiction in a disease model that he called, an allergy of the body, and an obsession of the mind. But as exproblem drinkers, we can say that his explanation makes good sense. Somehow i managed to drag my mattress to a lower floor, lest i suddenly leap. This is the second edition of the big book, new and revised. In my opinion, calling alcoholism an allergy is a good comparison, but it does break down if you push the analogy too far. We of alcoholics anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the medical estimate of the plan of recovery described in this book. Most of the information comes from aaws published or other recovery oriented literature. If you have a drinking problem, we hope that you may pause in reading. Informally known as the big book with its first 164 pages virtually.
Alcoholics anonymous aa promises the rewards of recovery. The doctors opinion xxv the subject presented in this book seems to me to be of paramount importance to those afflicted with alcoholic addiction. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a. The 2 nd edition big book was introduced 16 years later at the historic 1955 international convention in st louis. Alcoholism is a threefold malady that affects us mentally, physically, and spiritually.
The doctors opinion w e ofalcoholics anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the medical esti mate of the plan of recovery described in this book. The doctors opinion we of alcoholics anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the medical estimate of the plan of recovery described in this book. Original aa members documented their experience in the big book. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. Mar 22, 2009 the doctor s opinion gives a brief description of the phenomenon of craving that alcoholics develop when they ingest alcohol that most other people dont. Page number differences in the big book page numbers in the big book alcoholics anonymous are generally consistent between the third and fourth editions.
When i need a mental uplift, i often think of another case brought in by a physician prominent in new york. We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type, are in. Medical in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Chapter two is the doctor s opinion from the big book of alcoholics anonymous. That was the last honest manual labor on my part for many. A wellknown doctor, chief physician at a nationally prominent hospital specializing in alcoholic and drug addiction, gave alcoholics anonymous this letter. I personally am convinced that the allergy diagnosis in the doctor s opinion of the big book is rooted in solid science, not in metaphor or outdated medicine. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either. Considerations from the preface, forwards and the doctors opinion. The instructions are for the candidate to read the book from the beginning through chapter 4 and then answer the questions with your sponsor. A draft fourth edition of the big book, alcoholics anonymous be developed and a progress report be brought to the 1998 conference literature committee, keeping in mind the 1995 advisory action that. Chapter four is a history of the oxford group and the 12 steps. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book.
In presenting the doctors postulate aa said the doctors theory that we have an. A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous the. In the course of his third treatment he acquired certain ideas concerning a possible means of recovery. As part of his rehabilitation he commenced to present his conceptions to other. I have tried to identify all that i could find to identify for myself and other readers of the big book, alcoholics anonymous, here. We do offer e books for sale online, and we continue to provide over half a million. Nov 18, 2014 the doctors opinion an explanation of addictive illness found in the big book of alcoholics anonymous dawn farm lecture series november 18, 2014 herbert malinoff, md, facp, fasam specialist in chronic pain and addictive illness medical director, pain recovery solutions, pc attending physician, saint joseph mercy hospital, ypsilanti, mi. Oct 22, 20 dwayne the rock johnson s speech will leave you speechless one of the most eye opening speeches duration. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. A small percentage is based on word of mouth information.
This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. However, differences do occur in the doctors opinion and the appendices. Annotated aa handbook a companion to the big book by frank d. Read from aa big book, the doctor s opinion, pages xxixxxx, adapted to compulsive overeating. Some people get over allergies, but we learn later in the big book, that alcoholics never get over alcoholism. It has become a regular shelf item among those who believe in god, understand the importance of the bible. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976. Considerations from the preface, forwards and the doctor s. The doctors opinion on alcoholism revisited november 2011 1.
Here are just a few of the ways a newcomer can experience their big book. The doctors opinion the doctors opinion contains two letters written by william d. Overeaters anonymous 12 step workbook pdf workbook pdf overeaters anonymous 12 step workbook pdf. Alcoholics anonymous big book kindle edition by wilson, bill, smith, dr. To many recovered alcoholics, this section of the big book is considered to be the most important as it describes alcoholism in terms that make sense to the real alcoholic. Provided to youtube by cdbaby the doctor s opinion alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous. The big book of alcoholics anonymous the world famous eye. The chapter the doctors opinion we discuss letters from dr william d. The big book loop is a study group which has as its mission to provide an additional area of recovery and support to coes. We demand that the chapter the doctors opinion of the big.
The doctors opinion study questions alcoholics anonymous. The big book of alcoholics anonymous and twelve step programs across the world have helped millions of people recover from addictions. Minerva studioshutterstock those who enter recovery at a stepbased treatment center will often be handed a copy of alcoholics anonymous also known as the big book almost as soon as they are admitted and. This also has been kept intact, just as it was originally written in 1939 by the late dr. Nov 01, 2019 the aa promises are found on pages 8384 of chapter 6, into action in alcoholics anonymous, also known as the big book written by bill wilson and dr. The doctors opinion an explanation of addictive illness found in the big book of alcoholics anonymous dawn farm lecture series november 15, 2011 2. Recovering alcoholics regularly refer to the big book as they progress in recovery, and they use it to help new members as they begin their recovery process. He is usually longwinded, repeats himself frequently, and has an opinion on just about anything or.
My life as asober alcoholic and subsequent study of aa through living its principles in my daily life. Ive been instructed to reread the doctor s opinion in the big book by my sponsor. Chapter six is study guide two and offers some of the 12 steps that apply. I noticed that they mention the word craving several times in this section. On february 25, changing hands, one of the great bookstores in the world, is sponsoring the book doctors to come out to the wild west to put on pitchapalooza. Alcoholics anonymous and mental health issues if you are a member of aa with a cooccurring mental health diagnosis, such as. Chapter three breaks down the early history of doctor silkworth, doctor bob, and bill wilson. If nobody had the strength to ask for help, groups like aa and na would cease to exist. Alcoholics anonymous aa is an international mutual aid fellowship with the stated purpose of. Reading guide for the doctors opinion amethyst recovery.
The columbia report notes that there may be additional doctors who have a. Silkworth who contributed greatly to our young fellowship in its adolescence. As laymen, our opinion as to its soundness may, of course, mean little. Aa promises the aa big book 12step promises of recovery. William d download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Bill renumbered the pages of the 2 nd edition so that page one began with bills story instead of the doctors opinion. The doctors theory that we have an allergy to alcohol interests us. If the page number is different between editions, 164 and more lists the fourth edition page number first. Read the preface, forewords to the first, second, third and fourth edition plus the doctors opinion. Recovery literature in english us we offer all available information pamphlets and na booklets here, in all currently available languages, in order to serve our members and potential members. I say this after many years experience as medical director of one of the oldest hospitals in the country treating alcoholic and drug addiction.
The doctor s theory that we have an allergy to alcohol interests us. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous this is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous. Towns hospital for drug and alcohol addictions in new york city, where he had treated, one of the founding members of aa, bill w. For the serious reader, the author recommends you do not skip this portion. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading alcoholics anonymous big book. My assignment right now is reading the doctor s opinion and going paragraph by paragraph and writing my feelings on whats said. What is the doctors opinion from the alcoholics big book. The doctors opinion is an important part of the big book, as it details a physicians view of alcoholism and recovery. Buy your notebook and write down your own reaction to the material you have read. In that setting, consider that, over in the corner, sits an old timer who has been around aa for over half a century. The doctors opinion on alcoholism revisited november 2011.
Reading guide for the doctors opinion amethyst recovery center. The big book includes an assertion first made in the second edition, which. You will find the big book itself on this page by chapters as well as a link to the latest edition of aabb. The irrationality of alcoholics anonymous the atlantic. Frequently asked questions abstinence afflicted aggregate alcohol alcoholic alcoholics anonymous alcoholism all addictions allergy amends anonymous atheist audio avocation big book big book meeting bill s story bill w. After the foreword is a section called the doctors opinion, which details. The doctors opinion an explanation of addictive illness found in the big book of alcoholics anonymous dawn farm lecture series november 18, 2014 herbert malinoff, md, facp, fasam specialist in chronic pain and addictive illness medical director, pain recovery solutions, pc attending physician, saint joseph mercy hospital, ypsilanti, mi. The doctors opinion contains two letters written by william d.
The doctor s appraisal of the program suggested in the book lends authority to what the authors have to say. Read this and get immediate medical attention for anyone suspected of having alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Itll be a great conference, with lots of top drawer publishing professionals. Ill ask my sponsor when i talk to her again but i thought i might be able to get an explanation here tonight or before i talk to her. These comments will be read aloud to the group at the next meeting, and will be read verbatim, without adlibbing. Study guide that explores solutions for alcoholics and drug addicts c. Alcoholics anonymous believes that recovery is a lifelong process, so the big book is a continual companion in a recovering alcoholics life. Alcoholic addiction xxv or xxvii 1st edition the doctor s opinion. Suggested origins of na phrases william white papers. First published in 1939, alcoholics anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease.
The twelve steps are the heart of the oa recovery program. The first 164 pages of the big book, alcoholics anonymous, the preface, the forewords, the doctor s opinion, dr. Joe and charlie aa speakers there is a solution from the joe and charlie big book. Stepbystep guide for sponsors a companion to aas big book. It explains many things for which we cannot otherwise account.
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