Alcoholism Support Group

altruism
One entry found.

* Main Entry: al·tru·ism
* Pronunciation: \ˈal-trü-ˌi-zəm\
* Etymology: French altruisme, from autrui other people, from Old French, oblique case form of autre other, from Latin alter
* Date: 1853

1 : unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others


— al·tru·ist \-trü-ist\ noun

— al·tru·is·tic \ˌal-trü-ˈis-tik\ adjective

— al·tru·is·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

AA was described as Altruistic movement in its early History and it still applies today. In the Doctors Opinion it says;We work out our solution on the spiritual as well as the altruistic plane, we favor hospitalization for the alcoholic who is very jittery or befogged.

When AA was in its infancy, Bill Wilson would go out looking for end stage alcoholics and would bring them into the home he shared with his wife Lois, trying to get them sober. He knew his "talk therapy" had worked for him and he wanted to share that with the world. Unfortunately, for the first six months he did this, no one he brought home stayed sober. Some of them would steal from Bill and his wife Lois. He became very disillusioned and threw his hands up in the air and told Lois he was done with the experiment of AA. "No one's staying sober Lois. I've had enough. I'm not doing this anymore," Bill cried out in frustration!

It was Lois who had the eureka moment which would shape the future of AA. She said simply, "You did, Bill. You stayed sober."

This is a fundamental truth about AA also. There is no guarantee that sharing your experience, strength and hope will get the still suffering alcoholic sober...but it will keep YOU sober. That is why the newcomer is so important to us alcoholics, because he or she is our lifeline to our own future sobriety.

The idea of working with other alcoholics is paramount to your future success in sobriety, according to the basic tenets of AA. Don't undervalue any kind of contact. You don't have to sponsor someone to benefit from this. Just sharing in a meeting or over coffee will eventually improve the quality of your sobriety. Trust in the process.

I certainly respect your view there, Bato, yet there is far more to the story you have told!

>> [Bill] He knew his "talk therapy" had worked for him and he wanted to share that with the world.

What is the "talk therapy" you have mentioned? Acccording to Bill, here is what had worked for him (just as it had fitst been offered to Ebby):

"... a simple religious idea (Step Three) and a practical program of action (Steps Four thru Nine)." (page 9)

>> ... for the first six months ... no one [Bill tried to help] stayed sober.

True.

>> [Bill] became very disillusioned and threw his hands up in the air and told Lois he was done with the experiment of AA.

Bill could not possibly have said that as there was no A.A. at that time! Nevertheless, yes, Bill was quite frustrated ... then Silky told him to stop preaching -- no lectures, moralizing, etc. (page 18) -- and to just begin sharing his own actual experience with spiritual recovery from chronic alcoholism ...

>> There is no guarantee that sharing your experience, strength and hope will get the still suffering alcoholic sober...but it will keep YOU sober.

Not necessarily. I doubt any human being could continue doing that forever if nobody else ever got any real help.

>> ... the newcomer is so important to us alcoholics, because he or she is our lifeline to our own future sobriety.

Not so. The newcomer is the future of A.A., and for the sake of those yet to follow after even him or her.

>> Just sharing in a meeting or over coffee will eventually improve the quality of your sobriety.

Maybe, or maybe not. One must first have something of true value to share.

A.A. PREAMBLE

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self supporting through our own contributions. A. A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

We are average Americans. All sections of this country and many of its occupations are represented, as well as many political, economic, social, and religious backgrounds. We are people who normally would not mix. But there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful. We are like the passengers of a great liner the moment after rescue from shipwreck when camaraderie, joyousness and democracy pervade the vessel from steerage to Captain´s table. Unlike the feelings of the ship´s passengers, however, our joy in escape from disaster does not subside as we go our individual ways. The feeling of having shared in a common peril is one element in the powerful cement which binds us. But that in itself would never have held us together as we are now joined. BB pg 17

Well I'm annoyed! I've just done 12 bloody steps and found my Higher Power through a sponsor taking me through the Big Book! admittedly my life has changed beyong all recognition, and I niether think of nor want another drink of alcohol, but if I'd known all I had to do was help another alkie and be nice I wouldn't have bothered! guess thats me complicating things again! should have kept it simple! Damn!

Your comments make your point, Blues, but your noisy sarcasm blows it on away like so much chaff in the wind.

Bato is always respectful, Blues, and some of us could learn at least that from her.

I apologise for my sarcasm Bato, it wasn't directed at you.

Ah, much better ... if I might dare to presume to say so!

leejosepho: These are Clancy I's ideas, although I wholeheartedly agree with them. He told the story about Bill and Lois and qualified it by saying that he had been told the story by Lois herself. If you disagree, you can take it up with Clancy. ;-)

I do not attempt to analyse every aspect of AA in this post. I certainly don't feel that I need to defend anything that I've written here. I trust the veracity of my sources and that is enough for me.

bluesaway:

I'm just talking about the primary purpose here and what inspired Bill Wilson's vision for AA. (Dr. Bob's, too.) I wholeheartedly support you in doing step work with your sponsor. It is a vital passage of recovery.

I honestly believe that the difference between surviving and thriving in AA recovery is tied up in whether you honour the primary purpose or not. All other things AA flow from it, IMO.