A big part of figuring out how to stay clean and sober is learning how other people manage to do it. That's exactly why the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, was written why back in 1939. A small group of alcoholics thought that maybe they could help each other-and help other alcoholics-by sharing their own stories about the disease and how they overcame it. It turns out that a lot of the stuff they wrote about back then holds true for alcoholics and addicts today.

Of course, some of the language in the Big Book is dated. And some of the stories sound like they're from a different century-which they are. But the basic messages about getting honest with yourself, accepting help from others, and finding some kind of spiritual support are as powerful and relevant as ever. Big Book Unplugged, written for teens and young adults, is a simple, concise, and often humorous guide to using the incredible book that has given millions of people around the world a new chance for a happy life.

Chapter 2

THERE IS A SOLUTION

Alcoholism is the only disease that tries to convince you that you don't have it.

So what's the purpose of the Big Book? It's simple: The Big Book provides solutions to what we couldn't fix. It tells us how to recover from the seemingly hopeless condition of addiction. Our own efforts at fixing things didn't work. Yet, this chapter promises that we're capable of taking steps that will work.
Even though the Big Book was written decades ago, its advice still holds true today. It has stood the test of time. The solutions offered in the Big Book work for people of all ages and all walks of life. They formed the foundation of the AA Fellowship.

Radical Thinking

The authors call alcoholism an illness in chapter 2. That was radical thinking sixty years ago when the book was written. Back then, society viewed an alcoholic as a moral failure. Alcoholism was treated with ignorance and misunderstanding. Thankfully, much has changed. Today, many people know alcoholism or drug addiction is a disease. Like other diseases, alcoholism can be passed down in families. Likewise, alcoholics and addicts need medical treatment.

The solution to recovery remains the same now as years ago. Even with the advance in society's attitudes, no one understands the addict better than another addict. Perhaps that's because our illness is unlike other illnesses. It tends to hurt and anger those around us rather than stir up sympathy and compassion. We need that special understanding offered by other addicts, or our fellows. Those who have found "the solution" can usually "get through" to using alcoholics or addicts because they understand in a way few others can. That's the bond upon which our Twelve Step Fellowship is based and by which the message spreads.

Chapter 2 tells us that at some point addicts can no longer stop drinking or drugging once they've taken that first drink or hit. They've lost control. The drugs now control them.

Willpower won't work. Our resolve isn't strong enough. Staying clean can't happen through some trick of the mind. The addiction is too powerful, and we lose the power of choice.

Yet, most of us were not ready to give up alcohol and drugs. We tried to find some trick to drink or use without the consequences. We've got a name for that too: denial.

Why do addicts act like this? Why, when they know from experience the problems that using causes, do they use again?

That's the wrong question. We can't answer it. Truth be told, most of us have no idea why we kept using.

The better question is, "What do I have to do to recover from this seemingly hopeless condition?" That's where the solution comes in.

Simple, but Not Easy

By now, you're no doubt asking, what the heck is this "solution" they keep talking about?

It's simple. The solution is to change. Through a spiritual experience, we overhaul our way of looking at and being in the world. We surrender our plans and submit to God's will. We turn from self-centeredness and begin a life of service to others.

It's simple, but not easy. At first, most didn't like the requirements-self-searching, leveling of pride, confession of shortcomings. Since our way hadn't worked, we were willing to try it, especially when we saw how it had worked for others.

There was no middle road or shortcut. It was drink until we dropped, or surrender. Stay with the problem, or embrace the solution.

The solution, we found, was nothing short of a miracle, especially considering our doubts. Surrendering to God brings relief. God can do for us what we could never do by ourselves.

Not only has God liberated us from our addiction, God has given us the grace to change our attitude and approach to life. Cutting out the drugs is just the beginning. The solution lies in applying the principles we've discovered to every aspect of our lives. (More on these principles and working the Steps in later chapters.) The solution is more than a means to quit using, it's a "design on living."

This design is drawn from the paradox that we cannot keep what we have unless we give it away. In helping others, we help ourselves. Service, particularly helping the addict who is still suffering, becomes the foundation of sobriety. In fact, our very lives depend on helping others. That gives our lives purpose. And it keeps us sober.

Instead of looking out for ourselves, we try to be useful to others. We talk to other addicts about what we know. We share our own painful experience with others who need to know they aren't alone. That can give our lives purpose. And it keeps us sober.

More God Stuff

So what's with the spiritual experience? Chapter 2 defines a spiritual experience as a new way of looking at life. We throw away old ideas and attitudes that hurt us and others.

Appendix 2, in the back of the Big Book, further describes what the authors mean by a "spiritual experience." Some people had sudden, dramatic spiritual experiences. But most people had slow, subtle transformations. Sometimes they happened so slowly that others spotted the changes before the individual was even aware of them. Eventually the individual realized that he or she no longer carried the old outlook.

These positive changes didn't occur solely through the individuals' efforts. God did for them what they couldn't do for themselves. Slowly, surely, they were transformed into happy people. Tapping into this resource-this Power greater than themselves-is the essence of spiritual experience.

The authors of the Big Book say that religion alone won't supply this vital spiritual experience. They also stress that there are many ways to tap into the spiritual source. Just as there are many paths up the same mountain, there are many ways to discover a Higher Power. The key is to be open and willing.

In fact, willingness, honesty, and open-mindedness are the keys to recovery. Willingness, honesty, and open-mindedness unlock a whole new life.

The Big Book also offers hope. We can experience a new life if we do these things:

• face our problems honestly
• keep our minds open to spiritual concepts
• beware of attitudes of intolerance and denial

Remember, sometimes the answers to our problems don't come in the form we expect. And sometimes we may be looking for ways to keep using. So be honest about your motives. And be willing to accept the help of other recovering people.

© 2003 Hazelden Publishing

Tags: Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Teens