Aa meeting topics from the big book

What the big book really says by jay westbrook on december 29, 2014 in living in recovery, living with addiction alcoholics anonymous, and the myriad of other 12step programs, can be invaluable to the recovering alcoholic or addict. I particularly liked the suggestion to go to three basic aa meetings every week. Im especially interested in topics for beginner meetings. The aa pioneers proved that action, not knowledge, produced the spiritual awakening that resulted in recovery from alcoholism. My 10 favorite lines from the big book of alcoholics. Mar 01, 2020 for signing in please call contact ideally 24 hours before the meeting at the latest. Smf56 suggested topics for discussion meetings alcoholics. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism, is a collection of texts used by members of the alcoholics anonymous fellowship the book has undergone four revisions since william wilson, also known as bill w. The joy of life is squeezed out of them by fear of failure, criticism, betrayal, change, rejection, loneliness, poverty, growing old, getting sick, losing ones job, and saying what is on their mind. All references to the topics will be found in the first 164 pages of the book, alcoholics anonymous. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous.

Can anyone point me to a good long list of discussion topics for aa meetings. The premise of the book describes the 12 step program that has been widely applied to other forms of. Big book studies are especially valuable for newcomers. Aa promises the aa big book 12step promises of recovery. Step meetings, some groups will discuss the traditions so that, every thirteenth meeting the group focuses on a tradition.

According to the alcoholics anonymous big book, the only requirement to become a member of a. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. Aa big book with questions for discussion emotional. Honesty in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. When aa isnt enough because the success of aa depends on the participants willingness to initiate change is his or her own life, the program cant really help those who arent yet ready to own up to their problem and take corrective action. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous. The big book and aa deals mainly with providing a solution leading to a psycic change via the 12 steps and fellowship of aa. The big book has given me that comfort and the push to move forward.

This months special section is on getting through tough times in sobriety. Big book study meetings are generally closed and are specifically designed to help improve our understanding of the book, alcoholics anonymous. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics. There is comfort in knowing you arent alone, that what youre feeling isnt unusual, and that there is a solution. In addition to the five suggestions above, many groups report that their beginners meetings include discussions of these topics. Meeting types and descriptions alcoholics anonymous in. Closed meetings, open meetings, discussion meetings, lead meetings, big book meetings, 12 step meetings. An article by a renowned aa historian and archivist, writes about the principles of the 12 steps and where the 12 steps principles come from. A blog about recovery from alcohol and the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous, personal shares. Ask if there are any newcomers with 30 days or less. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. Some groups choose to read on the 1st meeting of the month.

The 12 promises of aa begin on page 83 of the fourth edition of the big book. Bs big book step study the focus is on some aspect of the 12 steps from the big book. Is it ok to use nonconference approved literature in. As the term suggests, meetings of this type are open to alcoholics and their families and to anyone interested in solving a personal drinking problem or helping someone else to solve such a problem. Aa meeting topics in the big book and suggested topics for a. Fear in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. Meetings these are suggested topics from the big book of alcoholics anonymous, as a guide to selecting a meeting topic for discussion meetings. We believe and hope it contains all you will need to begin. As an experienced aa member wellversed in the groups literature, he knows that all meetings deal with topics related to the big book. It is my hope that you will find this site useful to you and our friends of bill w.

This is a closed meeting of alcoholics anonymous, for alcoholics only. Certain topics and discussions support this purpose, but others have little or no bearing on sobriety and may even discourage wary newcomers from ever returning to an aa meeting. All meetings are located in building 3752, except the womens aa meeting each day a new beginning on saturday which is located in building 3810, rheinlandpfalz army library. Most open meetings follow a more or less set pattern, although distinctive variations have developed in some areas. Literature suggested topics for discussion meetings smf56 suggested topics for discussion meetings printing a single copy of this item is permitted, in accordance with the a. Big book alcoholics anonymous is a must have app for those who want give up drinking alcohol. Apr 11, 2019 the following are the most common aa meetings. To assist our next meeting, i thought i would post what we read today until the end of the chapter, with the questions from in 1 documen. I would pick a topic that sounded cool and unique, and get nothing but crickets. The individual sections of this study guide material reflect ideas, emotions and attitudes you might hear from the. This is by no means an exhaustive list of meeting types, but it does give a general sense of the choices available. These are suggested topics from the big book of alcoholics anonymous, as a guide to selecting a meeting topic for discussion meetings.

Other groups read from the big book weekly and discuss each chapter as they go along. Jan 03, 2018 alcoholics anonymous speakers aa speakers. The sbbb study guide is for those in recovery from the disease of addiction who wish to work the 12 steps by the big book, alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous also known as the big book in recovery circles sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism is often referred to in alcoholics anonymous meetings aa as the big book.

Hope in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Members meet periodically to discuss their problems and to provide support to other members. Mental, spiritual and physical disease readings from as bill sees it can inspire sharing on discussion topics. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. You are encouraged to read the reference pages and comment on the topic of acceptance. It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover. Patience in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Taking a more positive view of fear can be helpful when dealing with it. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a. I have provided a link in a couple of places on this page for your convenience, so you can get to the search page. But my meeting format is chairs choice the chairperson chooses the topic and format of each meeting and i think that the topic has a part in how the meeting plays out. The december 2006 issue of grapevine included an article i wrote. The big book says, here are the steps we took not here are the steps we read and talked about. Instead of viewing this emotion as the enemy it can be seen as a helpful guide in life.

Or at your discretion, you may choose a portion of the big book to be read. Apr 08, 2016 those individuals who belong alcoholics anonymous or to one of the other 12 step fellowships will be able to discuss their fears with a sponsor or in the meetings. A personal story on page 407 called acceptance was the answer is also wellknown among aa membership. How sad it is to see people spend their lives haunted by fear. There are no membership dues or fees, thus the group relies on member donations for support to cover expenses.

This app has it all aa topics with big book passages is the perfect tool for your sobriety. Read about what the alcoholics anonymous big book is and learn about the details of the 12step program. And so can you, though you be but one man with this book in your hand. It is explained in further detail in the first three chapters of the big book, and in the a. The wisdom from the big book isnt limited to 10 quotes. In the case of big books, a number of meetings in the area give new members a copy to keep for their own use. What is a topic for an aa meeting that goes deeper than.

I know a large part of what makes a meeting good is the people who go, and we have a great group i wouldnt have made it my home group otherwise. The book alcoholics anonymous, affectionately known by members as the big book, is the textbook for the original 12step recovery program now known by the same name. There are detailed instructions from both former alcoholics and professional narcologists. One hour, closed, women only, literature meeting thursday 7. Using the big book and the back to basics beginners meeting book, we share our experience, strength, and hope with each other to help others to recover from alcoholism. On page 88, the authors of the big book wrote, it worksit really does. There is then a discussion of how the pages have proven useful to each member.

Eye opener thursday meeting format big book study chairpersons instructions for use in aa meetings hosted at. In addition to the five suggestions above, many groups report that their beginners meetings include discussions of these. The first step meetings i went to were entertaining, but i already knew how to drink. In order to be as helpful and inclusive as possible, some of these are repetitive as in turning it over and step three, which basically is turning it over, or in economic insecurity and money, which encompasses economic insecurity. Aa big book with questions for discussion hi everyone. Have one of the members read how it works from chapter 5 of the big book. Ive found the material on the aa website as well as at the grapevine. Includes icebreakers for sales meetings, team building, complete strangers, introducing a topic, staff meetings, groups over 20, outdoor settings, and more. In 1977, some members met in a tulsa, ok hotel room for a discussion of the big book. If there is a newcomer attending for the first time, the group may change the topic to focus on the first three steps. Enter through glass door, between madison and 5th ave. Then, i started to focus on passages from the big book, but that was a little too random and didnt feel sincere. Some have objected to doing this because they say only aa approved books can be used in meetings.

Once we have this change, the problem no longer exsists for us provided we maintain our spritual condition. Given that alcoholics anonymous program of recovery is the steps here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program of recovery. Promises on page 83 the promises in big book page 83 that are read in many aa meetings. Several pages may be read aloud by a volunteer or members may take turns reading a portion of the big book. Acceptance act as if action addictive personality adversity. Browse the directory of online meetings alcoholics anonymous. The purpose of this study guide is to enable the student to better understand the information the authors of the book, alcoholics anonymous, intended to impart to each of us based on their experience and knowledge of alcoholism and their program of recovery.

These meetings use a reading from the book alcoholics anonymous, commonly called the big book, to spark discussion. May 29, 2008 pity those who fear what they shouldnt and fear not what they should. The whytehouse is, i hope, a way to find that special phrase or saying etc. The text got this name because the first edition of the book had rather thick pages, making the book even thicker than its content would suggest. In order to be as helpful and inclusive as possible, some of these are repetitive as in turning it over and step three, which basically is turning it over. Big book workshop on aas 12 steps, as presented by dallas b. Aa speakers amazing big book step study part 1 of 5. If you are new and unfamiliar with the big book bb many of us change the words alcohol to food, alcoholic to compulsive overeater. It contains a number of materials that in theory can help potential patients in getting rid of an addiction. I lead a topic meeting weekly and really struggled with picking topics. The alcoholics anonymous group chairperson is responsible for choosing discussion topics for a given meeting. My hope is that this book will help every aa meeting get started on the right foot, regardless.

Meeting opens with selected reading from aa approved literature, followed by topic discussion of the steps. Aa meetings open, closed, big book, 12x12, speaker. Toledo aa meetings schedule toledo aa meetings there are over 530 aa meetings in northwest, ohio, and southeast, michigan every week. Aa meeting topics out of big book aa discussion meeting topics oxford, ms aa we, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Descriptions of speaker meetings, big book study vs. Step study meetings are focused on studying the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous, the core of the program. If three drinks felt good, six drinks would be even better. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Browse the next available or search for the right one for you. The big book of alcoholics anonymous verywell mind. Find a meeting meeting changes for your information all groups orientation other minnesota meetings smoking meetings directory listing policy minneapolis directory this directory is not to be used as a mailing list or for any form of solicitation or commercial venture.

My group sometimes reads from the original manuscript of the big book because many of us favor the more forceful language it uses. The big book, alcoholics anonymous some groups discuss one chapter from the big book each week. The reference pages are taken from the 4th edition of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. The fourth edition includes twentyfour new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery from alcoholism in a. Alcoholism12 step support discussion topics for aa meeting hello all. Time limit of 3 minutes per share with a 5 minute introduction to the step being discussed. We meet every day at this time to stay connected with the fellowship. Readings from as bill sees it can inspire sharing on discussion topics.

Its words and interpretations are left up to the reader to use as they choose. During any such meeting to study the aa big book, you would expect to encounter a wide variety of viewpoints on the portions under consideration. The most interesting meeting i went to as a newcomer was when they talked about how their lives had changed sisnce workign the 12 steps. Here, youll find an online copy of the 12 steps that you can download to print, or to save on your. A member can be of any age, sex, religion, race or class. About aa meetings alcoholics anonymous great britain.