Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail. This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail. Remember they are very ill.
Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends - this is an experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.
Perhaps you are not acquainted with any drinkers who want to recover. You can easily find some by asking a few doctors, ministers, priests or hospitals. They will be only too glad to assist you. Don't start out as an evangelist or reformer. Unfortunately a lot of prejudice exists. You will be handicapped if you arouse it. Ministers and doctors are competent and you can learn much from them if you wish, but it happens that because of your own drinking experience you can be uniquely useful to other alcoholics. So cooperate; never criticize. To be helpful is our only aim. (AA, pg. 89)
I cannot think of a more crass and glaring example of "seeking lower companions" than the charity which wraps up and defines the Twelfth Step.
How many alcoholics have I run into, whether in secular meetings or in Celebrate Recovery groups, who shared the message with others, yet still ended up drinking?
This program is the last thing that a person needs when it comes to dealing with the real issues that frustrate a man's life.
"Remember, they are very ill" -- what manner of arrogance ever moved someone to be so judgmental?
I am convincned now more than ever that Bill and his ilk perpetuated this program just so that they could feel better about themselves. The whole operation is just foolish and fraudulent, from beginning to end.
A man's problems should not be the source of life and value for another. "Being needed" is a nettlesome trend and an unacceptable outcome. We are called to proclaim the truth to people, for it is is the truth that sets people free.
I cannot think of a more crass and glaring example of "seeking lower companions" than the charity which wraps up and defines the Twelfth Step.
How many alcoholics have I run into, whether in secular meetings or in Celebrate Recovery groups, who shared the message with others, yet still ended up drinking?
This program is the last thing that a person needs when it comes to dealing with the real issues that frustrate a man's life.
"Remember, they are very ill" -- what manner of arrogance ever moved someone to be so judgmental?
I am convincned now more than ever that Bill and his ilk perpetuated this program just so that they could feel better about themselves. The whole operation is just foolish and fraudulent, from beginning to end.
A man's problems should not be the source of life and value for another. "Being needed" is a nettlesome trend and an unacceptable outcome. We are called to proclaim the truth to people, for it is is the truth that sets people free.
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