Notes on the Big Book – There is a Solution

Chapter Two – There is a Solution

The fellowship of AA exists. The bond to this fellowship, that which binds us, rests, in part, on our feeling of having shared a common peril.

However, that fact alone would not have keep us together.

The fact is that a common solution has been found.

One who has had the same problem of drinking can communicate with someone who is still actively engaged in the illness. Achieving a sense of relatedness is necessary to be of assistance. “Until such an understanding is reached, little or nothing can be accomplishd.”

Seeing past the sense of despair and hopelessness and to a real answer, is necessary for the active alcoholic. This can be created by the one who offers his or her help.

To stop drinking is merely the beginning of the work.

It is more important to demonstrate the principles of our work in our homes, work and daily affairs.

The work rests partially on being of services to others, depending “upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs.”

Even in the face of knowing that drinking could kill someone that person may drink anyway.

“Moderate drinkers have little trouble in giving up liquor entirely if they have good reason for it.”

A “real alcoholic” loses control of his liquor consumption once he starts to drink again.

This individual will create and build things and have a bright outlook only to destroy and pull the structure down upon himself.

“Perhaps there never will be a full answer to these questions. Opinions vary considerably as to why the alcoholic reacts differently from normal people. We are not sure why, once a certain point os reached, little can be done for him. We cannot answer the riddle.”

The main problem of the alcoholic is in his mind, not his body. Asking one for a reason for his drinking will only produce a variety of reasons.

In truth, alcoholics do not really know why they drink. “Some drinkers have excuses with which they are satisfied part of the time. But in their hearts they really do not know why they do it.”

Most alcoholics have lost their power of choice in drinking.

We forget the negative consequences of past drinking. We drink again.

Not getting that ones drinking always has negative consequences puts the individual at risk, at risk for dying or going permanently insane.

There is a solution, of self searching.

The solution is to eventuate in having a spiritual experience, in our establishing a close relationship with God.

We can either continue to drink or “accept spiritual help.”

“They appear to be in the nature of huge emotional displacements and rearrangements. Ideas, emotions, and attitudes which were once the guiding forces of the lives of these men are suddenly cast to one side, and a completely new set of conceptions and motives begin to dominate them. In fact, I have been trying to produce some such emotional rearrangement within you.”

“We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by which faith can be acquired. If what we have learned and felt and seen means anything at all, it means that all of us, whatever our race, creed, or color are the children of a living Creator with whom we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as soon as we are willing and honest enough to try.”

Forming or establishing a relationship with God is the solution.

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