Position of Neutrality

In this insightful exploration of Step 1 from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, Joe McDonald delves into the transformative journey from darkness to light, illustrating the profound shift that occurs when embracing recovery. Reflecting on a pivotal passage, Joe highlights the moment of clarity that precedes the awakening into a new dimension of existence. Joe recounts, “How dark it is before the...

In this insightful exploration of Step 1 from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, Joe McDonald delves into the crucial moment of clarity that many experience in their journey to recovery. Reflecting on the passage, Joe highlights how addiction often leads to celebrating prematurely, which then spirals into further loss and regret. Joe recounts, “I was to share generously in the profits. Then I went...

In this insightful exploration of Step 1 from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, Joe McDonald delves into the perils of self-medication. Reflecting on the passage, Joe highlights how easily individuals can be caught in the cycle of addiction, often exacerbated by attempts to manage symptoms with other substances like Valium or Ativan. Joe humorously recounts, “The doctor thought you may have had a...

In this profound discussion of Step 1 from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, Joe McDonald explores the intense loneliness and despair that comes with addiction. Joe delves into the vivid imagery used in the Big Book: “No words can tell of the loneliness and despair I found in that bitter morass of self-pity.” He shares his personal insights, emphasizing the struggle and the feeling of being stuck...

In this powerful exploration of Step 1 from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, Joe McDonald delves into the harsh reality of relapse and its devastating effects. Joe discusses the experience of a person who, after having some clean time, drank once more and faced a rapid decline in moral and bodily health, akin to going off a ski jump. The Big Book vividly illustrates this descent: “But it was not...

In this segment, Joe McDonald delves into Step 1 of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, exploring the fundamental truth of admitting powerlessness over alcohol and the subsequent need for a higher power to restore us to sanity. Joe expands on the core message, highlighting the journey of a man who, against all odds, found life and sobriety through the realization that God dwells within, providing t...

Some of the things we’ve heard over the years in the fellowships are absolute nonsense and can be harmful. Under our roof, we ensure a different approach. The power of recovery is found deep within you—experienced as peace, happiness, and a sense of direction flowing from within. It’s sensory and relevant to your life; it’s the power to live. We want you to understand that we don’t care about your...

In this segment, we dive into Step 12 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, focusing on the human connections and understanding required to help others on their recovery journey. When your conversation is calm, compassionate, and filled with understanding, you may make a friend and awaken them to the realities of alcoholism. The more hopeless they feel, the more likely they are to follow your...

In this segment, we explore the profound insights of Step 12 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, focusing on the compelling analogy between jaywalking and addiction. Just as a jaywalker takes increasingly risky chances until they’re inevitably hit by a car, our addiction follows a similar pattern. We start off thinking we’re just having a good time, only to find ourselves needing to get lit...

In this segment, we dive into the profound insights of Step 12 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. We explore the inherent power and persuasiveness of substances like alcohol and drugs, emphasizing why it’s crucial not to try and persuade someone to stop drinking if they’re not ready. The authors caution us that trying to compete with the force of addiction can spoil future opportunities fo...

Position of Neutrality is a study of the manner of living suggested by the founders of A.A. which was recorded in the book Alcoholics Anonymous. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism.

But I got to do my best to bring that about, yes? So actually, he may be helping you more than you’re helping him. Make it plain that he is under no obligation to you, that you hope only that he will try to help other alcoholics when he escapes his own difficulties. How do I make what I thought was a wasted life purposeful and useful if I don’t go out and avert suffering for others with that exper...

Come on, where’s my addicts? Doesn’t that make perfect sense? I ain’t waiting for an up; I’m going out there and shagging me one.” So, Jim goes out into the woods where carburetor car buyers, who don’t go to dealerships, hang out. On his way, he passes a roadside place with a bar. Not a concern, because he does not pick up no matter what. He orders a sandwich and a glass of milk. Then the thought...

You may have to act a good Samaritan every day if need be.” What does this mean? The Good Samaritan wasn’t supposed to help at all, but he couldn’t walk by a brother or neighbor lying beaten and bloodied. He picked him up, bandaged him, put him on his own animal, took him to an inn, and paid his rent. He said, “I’ll be back in a few days, and I’ll clear up for him.” We may have to do that every da...

If you announce yourself a new person and the whole swarm hits you, you won’t get a word in edgewise. I need them to ask why I’m there and who sent me. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous advises, ‘Tell him enough about your drinking habits, symptoms, and experiences to encourage him to speak of himself.’ Do you know your drinking habits, symptoms, and experiences? It’s not just about what it was...

Suggest how important it is that he places the welfare of other people ahead of his own. Make it clear that he’s not under pressure and need not see you again if he doesn’t want to. Reassure him that you won’t be offended if he wants to call it off, as he has helped you more than you’ve helped him. As the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states, ‘Practical experience shows that nothing will so muc...

He may rebel at the thought of a drastic house cleaning which requires discussion with other people. Do not contradict such views. Tell him that you once felt as he does but you doubt whether you’d have made much progress had you not taken action. On your first visit, tell him about the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. If he shows any interest, then lend him a copy of your book. The Big Book sh...

Let us warn you in advance though we’re liable to be perceived by you a little differently than other meetings of twelve-step fellowships you may have attended. The primary reason is that we intend for you to have a different experience here. What we do is take a look at the suggested instruction for a step or so a week directly out of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. The process described by...

Let us warn you in advance though we’re liable to be perceived by you a little differently than other meetings of twelve-step fellowships you may have attended. The primary reason is that we intend for you to have a different experience here. What we do is take a look at the suggested instruction for a step or so a week directly out of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. The process described by...

In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, it acknowledges that some people are religious and believe they have sinned beyond redemption, while others are atheists or agnostics assuming the power to do better is within them. It’s important to address these groups separately. For those who are religious, it’s about understanding that we don’t rely solely on our own understanding, as the Bible says, ‘...

In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, we read about Jim the car guy. Jim didn’t even start drinking until he was middle-aged and found he was good at it—so good that he lost the car dealership he owned because of his drinking. When we pick up on Jim’s story, he’s having to work for the dealership he once owned. The authors describe how Jim felt a little agitated on his way to work. How many of...

In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, it says, ‘So that’s the experience we want to share with them.’ Just because I think I’m doing this, knowing my history, doesn’t mean I’m free from the insanity of the first drink. When they talk about the insanity of the first one, I’m certifiable at the point I take one, knowing my history. So, at this stage, don’t refer to this book unless he has seen it...

In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, it says, ‘Helping others is the foundation stone of your recovery.’ My sponsor once told me those were the twelve-step promises, but he didn’t tell me it was a job description. He said, ‘That’s the best you got coming, son, the way you live.’ Fact is, it is the best I had coming. The most rewarding experiences of my life are lifting somebody up out of deplo...

In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, it says, ‘We seldom allow an alcoholic to live in our homes for long at a time. It’s not good for him and sometimes creates serious complications in the family.’ The most rewarding experiences of my life are lifting somebody up out of deplorable conditions and watching them sail. Though an alcoholic does not respond, there’s no reason why you should neglect...

In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, it recounts another trip to the asylum for Jim. Any of you relate to thinking it would be harmless to oops? The other guy they talk about—well, we don’t need to get into it. Do you relate to those things? If he’s alcoholic, he’ll understand you at once. So the good news is we’re communicating. The bad news is you just caught alcoholism. But there is a solut...