The Twelve Promises of Alcohol

This little exercise came from The Idiot’s Guide To The AA Big Book. This pamphlet is an abridged version of the Big Book Awakenings Workbook by Dan Sherman (A’H) for Steps 1-3.

 

Many of us searched for years for the answer to the question of “Why did I use?”

Some of us found it the last place I ever thought to look: In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

We did have to rephrase a few lines though. (Thanks to Dan S. for the idea.)

If we are painstaking about this phase of drinking alcohol, we will be amazed before we are half way through.

When drinking, we are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.

When drinking alcohol we will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

When drinking, we will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.

No matter how far down the scale we have gone, when drinking alcohol, we will see how our experience can benefit others.

When drinking alcohol, that feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.

When drinking alcohol, we will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.

When drinking alcohol, Self-seeking will slip away.

When drinking alcohol, our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

When drinking alcohol, fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.

When drinking alcohol, we will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.

We will suddenly realize that alcohol was doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

The problem with these promises was that in the end, they became lies. We had to seek a new Higher Power.

Say this out loud, and please share your experience with this exercise with the group.

Personal note: For those who may not already know, Dan Sherman sadly passed away this year. He was an inspiration and a tireless servant of “carrying the message of recovery to those who still suffer.”  May his memory be a blessing.

Dan was aware of this health condition and made arrangements for his workbook to continue to be available after he passed.

If anyone would like to know how to obtain his workbook, here is the link:  http://bigbookawakening.com/dear-recovery-community/

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday!