Written by Clarence H. Snyder, January 1972 Alcoholics Anonymous is not a "booze cure" or a psychological means of controlling one's excessive or obsessive drinking. A.A. is a program, a life-changing program, and, in a great part, we owe our inception as a fellowship to our origin in the Oxford Group movement during the mid 1930's. The Oxford Group was designed as a Life Changing program- and we in A.A. have for our own uses and affiliation, modified their program, chiefly by designing … [Read more...]
Marty Mann and the Evolution of Alcoholics Anonymous
By Sally Brown Marty Mann is scarcely a household word today, yet she is arguably one of the most influential people of the 20th century. Marty's life was like a blazing fire, but was nearly extinguished by personal tragedy and degradation. She rose to a triumphant recovery that powered a historic, unparalleled change in our society. Through her vision and leadership, the attitude of America toward alcoholism was changed from a moral issue to one of public health. This was a tremendous shift, … [Read more...]
Emmet Fox and Alcoholics Anonymous
One of the very early recovering alcoholics who worked with co-founder Bill W. was a man named Al, whose mother was secretary to Emmet Fox, a popular lecturer on New Thought philosophy. When the early groups were meeting in New York, members would frequently adjourn after a meeting and go to Steinway Hall to listen to Fox’s lecture. To this day there are AA groups that distribute Fox’s pamphlets along with Conference-approved AA literature. An account sets forth in “Dr. Bob and the Good … [Read more...]
Bill Wilson: A Christmas Greeting
(From Bill and Lois Wilson) Dear Friends: As we stand together, looking back on 1957, we see among us a heartening growth in numbers and in spirit. Our global unity is something for wonder. The world around us is everywhere our friend. That we of AA can really have and hold such blessings in this time of great fear and conflict – this time when all men and women stand at history’s most fateful crossroads – is almost beyond belief. Nevertheless we do have these blessings. The sum of … [Read more...]
Timeline of AA Historic Events
1877 (July) – William D. Silkworth M.D. is born in Brooklyn NY 1879 (August) – Dr. Bob, AA’s co-founder, was born in St. Johnsbury VT 1881 (March 21) – Anne R., Dr. Bob’s wife, is born 1890 (August) – E.M. Jellinek, Ph.D., author of “The Disease Concept of Alcoholism” & creator of the “Jellinek Curve”, was born 1891 (March 3) – Lois W. is born 1893 (December 27) – Rev. Sam Shoemaker was born. He was head of the U.S. Oxford Group movement & minister of Calvery Church in … [Read more...]
Samuel M. Shoemaker: What The Church Can Learn From Alcoholics Anonymous
The following is offered for your study only because it was written in 1955 and presented by Samuel M. Shoemaker, a minister of the Gospel, a world-recognized Christian intellectual and an early friend of Bill W. and Dr. Bob. If you find it helpful, the next time somebody wants to change the program or its' purpose to further their ends, feel free to quote Dr. Shoemaker from the following or Bill W. who said, "Sometimes the good is the enemy of the best." "... God chose what is foolish in the … [Read more...]
History Of AA Overview
Click the image below to download a presentation of the history and personalities behind Alcoholics Anonymous... … [Read more...]
Dr. Silkworth: Some writings by & about “The little doctor who loved drunks.”
William Duncan Silkworth, M.D. (For those of you who don’t know, Silky wrote the two letters included in “The Doctor’s Opinion” in the Big Book. He worked at Towns Hospital in New York City, where he helped Bill W. & many early AA members detox from alcohol for the last time.) WILLIAM DUNCAN SILKWORTH, MD (1873-1951) The Roundtable Of AA History, January 10, 1998 Doctor William D. Silkworth, called, "the little doctor who loved drunks", began an indispensable contribution to … [Read more...]
Dr. Silkworth: A Challenge to the Catholic Clergy
The Prevention of Alcoholism By William D. Silkworth, M.D. New York City Rensselaer, 1950 The "Blue Book" -National Clergy Conference on Alcoholism, 1960 Alcoholism, because it is such a profound social problem, has become the subject of considerable scientific and lay research. Many theories are being advanced as to what it is and why alcoholics are the way they are. It has become a very lucrative source of discussion for many. Out of a phantasmagoria of conflicting and often … [Read more...]
Dr. Silkworth: Alcoholism as a Manifestation of Allergy
By W. D. Silkworth, New York, N.Y. 293 CENTRAL PARK WEST -MEDICAL RECORD MARCH 17, 1937 Alcoholism is considered by many physicians a chronic condition that gradually unfolds itself to a dismal end. They feel that it is a state of mind and advise these patients that it is up to them to discontinue their accustomed drug, which it is assumed they can do by merely making up their minds to do so. Proper attention is not given to the psychological problem as well as the physical condition of … [Read more...]
Dr. Silkworth: Reclamation of the Alcoholic
By William D. Silkworth, M.D., New York, N.Y. Medical Record, April 21, 1937 The allergic nature of true alcoholism has been postulated in a previous paper (1). We there endeavored to show that alcohol does not become a problem to every person who uses it, and that the use of alcohol in itself does not produce a chronic alcoholic. Of those who are able to drink with impunity, however, a certain number will sooner or later develop this anaphylaxtic condition, in which the tissue cells are … [Read more...]
Dr. Silkworth: A New Approach to Psychotherapy in Chronic Alcoholism
By W.D. Silkworth, M.D. New York, New York JOURNAL-LANCET, Vol.46, July, 1939 The beginning and subsequent development of a new approach to the problem of permanent recovery for the chronic alcoholic has already produced remarkable results and promises much for the future this statement is based upon four years of close observation. As this development is one, which has sprung up among alcoholic patients themselves and has been largely conceived and promoted by them, it is felt that this … [Read more...]
Dr. Silkworth: Psychological Rehabilitation of Alcoholics
By William D. Silkworth, M.D. The Medical Record, July 19, 1939 (This is the expanded article from Silky, parts of which can be found in "The Doctor's Opinion" in the Big Book.) In a study of carefully recorded histories of alcoholics in our hospital, two important facts appear to be outstanding. Expressed briefly, they are: 1) A majority or our patients do not wish to have an alcoholic problem. They lead busy lives & would like to enjoy the fruits of their efforts, but they … [Read more...]
Dr. Silkworth: A Highly Successful Approach To The Alcoholic Problem
Confirmed in Medical and Sociological Results By William D. Silkworth New York, N.Y. Medical Record, Vol. 154, , August 1941 Contemporary literature contains a wealth of information about chronic alcoholism, with here and there accounts of satisfactory methods of treatment. While we assume that these methods must represent some progress, yet as long as physicians are consulted in increasing numbers by worried mothers and heartsick wives and thousands of letters are written by victims … [Read more...]
Dr. Silkworth: Slips and Human Nature
By William Duncan Silkworth, M.D. The mystery of slips is not so deep as it may appear. While it does seem odd that an alcoholic, who has restored himself to a dignified place among his fellowmen and continues dry for years, should suddenly throw all his happiness overboard and find himself again in mortal peril of drowning in liquor, often the reason is simple. People are inclined to say, "there is something peculiar about alcoholics. They seem to be well, yet at any moment they may turn … [Read more...]