03/20/2020
1. The Story of How One Hundred Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism. (Title Page)
2. WE, OF Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and woman who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To show other alcoholics PRECISELY HOW WE HAVE RECOVERED is the main purpose of this book. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. We think this account of our experiences will help everyone to better understand the alcoholic. Many do not comprehend that the alcoholic is a very sick person. And besides, we are sure that our way of living has its advantages for all. (Forward to First Edition)
3. On the other hand - and strange as this may seem to those who do not understand- once a psychic change has occurred, the very same person who seemed doomed, who had so many problems he despaired of ever solving them, suddenly finds himself easily able to control his desire for alcohol, the only effort necessary being that required to follow a few simple rules. (Doctors Opinion)
4. Nearly all have recovered. They have solved the drink problem. (pg 17)
5. But, there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful. (pg 16)
6. The feeling of having shared in a common peril is one element in the powerful cement which binds us... The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism. (pg 17)
7. There is a solution. (pg 25)
8. But we saw that it really worked in others, and we had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. (pg 25)
9. We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence of which we had not even dreamed. (pg 25)
10. The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God's universe. (pg 25)
11. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. (pg 25)
12. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves. (pg 25)
13. We, in our turn, sought the same escape with all the desperation of drowning men. What seemed at first a flimsy reed, has proved to be the loving and powerful hand of God. A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, "a design for living" that really works. (pg 28)
14. Further on, clear-cut directions are given showing how we recovered. (pg 29)
15. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs. (pg 60)
