Alcoholism & the Twelve Steps

Alcoholism has been around for hundreds of thousands of years. It is even mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. One of the U.S. founding fathers, Benjamin Rush, had determined that that chronic excessive drinking was an uncontrollable disease. In the 1800’s, the U.S. was marked by excessive alcoholic intake and gave rise to the Temperance Movement and groups like the Washingtonians. These groups were established to limit or remove alcohol consumption. The principles they embodied were significant but not complete. Their efforts were eventually thwarted because of lack of anonymity, and diversions with money and prestige.

In the 1930’s two men struggling with their alcohol addiction met in Akron, Ohio. Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith helped each other remain sober through sharing their experience with alcohol. They furthered this approach with other alcoholics finding that as they helped others remain sober it also enabled them to maintain their sobriety. Over time they had obtained principals and ideas from the Oxford Group, other prominent scholars, and theologians as well as divine inspirations and adopted a program of recovery known as the Twelve Steps. They learned from the mistakes of the Washingtonians and not only created a program of recovery but imbued it with additional principles (Traditions) that would be able to sustain the program over time and provide a service structure (Concepts) that could help multitudes of people in this nation and throughout the world. The program of Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) has flourished helping millions of men and women suffering from the disease of alcohol. It is still considered one of the most effective ways for an alcoholic to maintain sobriety today.

In the early years of AA, alcoholics would gather for meetings and conferences with their wives. The wives would congregate together as well but in separate meetings to discuss their difficulties. Although there was no formal structure to these meetings it was soon discovered that alcoholism was a family disease because it negatively affected them and was not limited to the alcoholic. By working the same twelve steps of Alcoholic Anonymous, many wives also found serenity regardless of whether the alcoholic was still drinking or not. Around 1950, Bill Wilson ventured out to see how the AA program was progressing throughout the country and to his surprise he found these “nonalcoholic” meetings springing up here and there. He mentioned to Lois that a central office could be set up to support these groups. By 1951 there were 87 such groups across the globe. A letter was sent out as part of a “group conscience” to further this venture. In 1961, the first Al-Anon World Service Conference was conducted. Since then, Al-Anon and many other 12 Step programs have flourished as well.

What can we expect to get out of a 12 Step program? About as much as we put into it! There isn’t just one way to find serenity. Everybody has their own journey. We can only work the program for ourselves. A 12 Step program is a journey of self-discovery and action. We all work at a pace that we feel is safe.

#alcoholism #twelvesteps #aahistory