Your Third Legacy, December, 1950, Dr Bob and Bill

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PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

The Book Is Born, October, 1945, Bill W

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PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

Cults: Useful resources (continued)

10 Things you need to know about cults, from the Cult Avoidance Society.

http://www.cultavoidancesociety.org/index.html

I thought this video of Paul Morantz gave some useful info.

Paul Morantz on Cults, Confession and Mind Control http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RXEis52yQs

Singer’s Six Criteria

from Cults in Our Midst, Jossey-Basse,1995

1) Controlling an individual’s time and thought content

2) Creation of sense of powerlessness

3) Manipulation of system of rewards, punishment, and experiences to promote learning of new belief system

4) Manipulation of system of rewards, punishment, and experiences to inhibit a person’s previous life values and beliefs

5) Closed system of logic and an authoritarian structure

6) Indoctrination performed on an uniformed individual

(Bullet points from Releasing the Bonds Video 6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1-JfYTAo8

(For more an extensive description see “Singer’s Six Conditions” Cults in Our Midst, Jossey-Basse, 1995, pages 64-69) Cults In Our Midst by Margaret Thaler Singer is available on amazon books.com http://www.amazon.com/Cults-Our-Midst-Continuing-Against/dp/0787967416/####  and amazonbooks.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/####?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=cults%20in%20our%20midst

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

"Rules Dangerous, But Unity on Public Policies Vital", September, 1945, Bill W

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PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

Modesty One Plank for Good Public Relations, August, 1945, Bill W

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PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

aacultwatch forum daily reflections

Extracts from our forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/aacultwatch under thread: “aacultwatch forum daily reflections”

“Ebby had told his story simply, without a hint of evangelism. Although Bill continued to drink, Ebby’s visit caused something to change inside him." (Pass It On page 115)

“I saw that my friend was much more than inwardly organised. He was on a different footing… … …The word God still aroused some antipathy. When the thought was expressed that there might be a God personal to me this feeling intensified. I didn’t like the idea. I could go for such conceptions as Creative Intelligence, Universal Mind or Spirit of Nature but I resisted the idea of a Czar of the Heavens… … My friend suggested what then seemed a novel idea “Why don’t you choose your own concept of God?” – Bill W. (Alcoholics Anonymous “Big Book” page 12)

"A few days later, Ebby returned, and he brought Shep C with him. Shep, an active Oxford Group member, delivered himself a forthright message - as Bill put it: ‘He gave me the Oxford Group boast, aggressively and with all the punch he could pack. I didn’t like it at all. When they were gone, I took to the bottle and really punished it.’ ” (Pass It On page 116)

“Thank God for that. And I never pushed A.A. on anyone. Dr. Bob used to always say to me ‘Madeline, whatever you do, whoever you talk to, don’t push’…… ‘Don’t push. Just tell them that you found yourself in A.A. and how grateful you are and how things have changed. Talk about yourself. Then tell them If you need help, want help, Join A.A.” – Madeline V. ( Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers page 284)

“1939

“Early in 1939, Jack D. one of Bill Wilson’s New York pigeons, who had sobered up and gone home to Cleveland, and went to Youngstown to see an old buddy. This was Norman Y., who was totally blind from bootleg liquor and had lost his wife, family, and job. 'I was living in the basement of an apartment building, and had a mattress on the floor.' Norman said in 1977, ' I knew I was a alcoholic, but it took two hours before Jack could get me to admit I was powerless over alcohol... ... ... They talked a little bit about the Oxford Group, a little bit about Dr. Bob and Bill. They were using the Lord's Prayer... ... ... .... ... They all had jobs.' Norman said. 'Later one of the men came up to me and said, 'Let me tell you something, you blind old bat. You got no more intention of staying sober than the man on the moon. The only reason you come here is to get acquainted with these people so that you can beg. The thing for you to do is stay the hell away.' ' That was my first A.A. meeting. I went back to that mattress and I lay down and said, 'I'm gonna get drunk and go out and kill that bastard. I'll kill his wife, then kill him. No I wont. I'll kill the whole damn A.A.'... ... ...... ... ....'Then something said to me, 'You go, and go there regular. And don't take any material help from any of them'... ... In fact, when Norman finally got a job, in 1940, helping other blind people, he started to put aside ten percent of his salary to pay for speaking trips, contributions at meetings, and other A.A. expenses." (Dr. Bob and The Good Old Timers page 182-183)

“ Yet another minority was the handicapped. Norman Y., the blind A.A., had the Big Book done in Braille in 1940 and sent out from the Cleveland Library to other blind members,'There were 19 of us corresponding back then,' he said. The odd thing is, Norman never read the book himself. ‘I never read a word in A.A.’ he said. ‘You don’t have to read. You don’t have to have all these pamphlets they put out. You can learn to live this program by learning to think. A.A. is a wonderful thing to know and apply.’ he said, ‘- but in your life. You’ve got to live it out in the street. You see somebody having a little problem, help them, no matter who they are. That’s A.A.” – Norman Y. (Dr. Bob and The Good Old Timers page 249-250)”

“The Oxford Groupers had clearly shown us what to do. And, just as importantly, we had learned from them what not to do as far as alcoholics were concerned. We had found that certain of their ideas and attitudes could not be sold to alcoholics. For example, drinkers would not take pressure in any form, excepting from John Barleycorn himself. They always had to be led, not pushed. They would not stand for the rather aggressive evangelism of the Oxford Groups. And they would not accept the principle of ‘team guidance’ for their own personal lives.” (A.A. Comes of Age page 74)

"Neither Dr. Bob nor Sister Ignatia ever recorded the exact time they started treating alcoholics at St. Thomas Hospital." (Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers page 185)

“Bob and Sister Ignatia began to work more and more closely through the fall of 1939 in getting drunks into St. Thomas for treatment. One thing worried her, however: Alcoholics Anonymous seemed closely connected with the Oxford Group. ‘At the time, I feared we might become involved with a religious sect of some kind,’ Sister Ignatia recalled. She then asked Father Vincent Haas, a newly ordained priest, to investigate the meetings for her… … … Fortunately, the group had moved to Kings School by this time, and father Haas was favorably impressed.” (Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers” page 189)

“On the second day of the New Year, 1940, Dr. Bob wrote Bill: ‘Have finally shaken off the shackles of the Oxford Group.’" (a choice of words indicates his attitude then) (Dr. Bob and The Good Old Timers page 218)”

(Our emphases) 

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

A.A.'s Tradition of Self-Support, October, 1967, Bill W

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PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

Hastings and Eastbourne cult groups

We quote:

“Hi Fellas,

I think this group has had a mention on your site before, [see here and here] however I feel it warrants inclusion on your cult group where to find. It is a personality led group rather than principle led, the personality in question is one Tim P. of Hastings you can hear his wonderful story on the Sidcup into action website where he refers to other AA groups in his locality as 'Devil worshippers' The reason I am writing this is when aahastings.co.uk was typed into my search this group's website came up. When the new intergroup of Hastings and Rother started up this group was not included because the group (in the shape of Tim P.) flatly refused to stop violation of traditions by numerous goings on at the meeting, and their obvious affiliation with Primary purpose although Tim P. refutes this. Literature sold there comes from The Paradise publishing company [Paradise Research Publications – see below]. Big book dictionary etc. etc. Gary B workshop DVD whoever Gary B is? Tim P's American sponsor I believe. They also combine the group with al-anon and C.A. with all donations going in one pot. They have sent out workshop flyers for their group and amazingly enough there is not a single mention of AA on them! The website of this group has a map reference using Google and this problem has already been addressed at conference i.e. the use of outside enterprises! There would not be a problem if they called it the Tim P. club they can even use the triangle and circle as we no longer have copyright. Anyhow fellas if this isn't a cult group well then I'm not an alcoholic!!

….....Keep up the good work”

and:

“Cult activity in East Sussex started with the Hastings Saturday night group. Initially the group was taken over by Tim P with the aid of cultists coming down from Kent: Gravesend and Strood areas. At the time the locals voted with their feet, left Tim and co. to brainwash the newcomers. The Eastbourne cult group was connected to the Hastings Saturday night group and the "There is a solution group" in Purley, North East Surrey Intergroup, which as you know is connected to the Primary Purpose Group of AA Dallas. Newcomers in the Eastbourne cult group were also taken to the Hastings and Purley cult groups. The Eastbourne cult group was using the Dallas primary purpose big book study guide and literature by Dick B. (published by Paradise Research publications Inc)[Dick B is a self proclaimed 'AA historian' whose agenda is essentially aimed at returning AA to its alleged uniquely (and therefore exclusive) fundamentalist Christian roots]”

 

Comment: It's interesting to note that this cult group (ejected by East Sussex Intergroup and subsequently rejected apparently by Hastings and Rother IG) is still listed under the latter intergroup in the online directory. Clearly the AA website “Meeting Finder” is no longer a reliable guide to AA groups (and hasn't been for some time in fact!). We'll be adding these two groups to our Cult: Where to Find (GB)

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our usual thanks to our reporters for the information 

Respecting Money, November, 1957, Bill W

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Cults: Useful resources (continued)

Cult Psychology

. Doctrine is Reality

. Reality is Black and White/ Good vs. Evil

. Elitist Mentality

. Group Will over Individual Will

. Strict Obedience: Modeling the Leader

. Happiness through Good Performance

. Manipulation through Fear and Guilt

. Emotional Highs and Lows

. Changes in Time Orientation

. No Way Out!

(Bullet points from Releasing the Bonds Video 6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1-JfYTAo8

Lifton’s Thought-reform Model

Robert Jay Lifton’s eight criteria (From chapter 22 of Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism, Norton, 1961)

. Milieu Control

. Mystical Manipulation

. The Demand for Purity

. The Cult of Confession

. The Sacred Science

. Loading the Language

. Doctrine Over Person

. The Dispensing of Existence

(Bullet points from Releasing the Bonds Video 6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1-JfYTAo8 For an extensive description of Lifton's Eight Criteria see Appendix in “Combatting Cult Mind Control” by Steven Hassan M.Ed. LMHC, available on amazon books.com http://www.amazon.com/Combatting-Cult-Mind-Control-Best-selling/dp/0892813113/####?ie=UTF8&qid=1356030212&sr=1-1 and amazonbooks.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/Combatting-Cult-Mind-Control-Best-selling/dp/0892813113/####?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356192854&sr=1-1

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Last Seven Years Have Made A.A. Self-Supporting, August, 1947, Bill W

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Lack of Money Proved A.A. Boon, June, 1947, Bill W

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PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

Cults: Useful resources (continued)

Webster’s definition of ‘Cult’

1. Religious practice

2. A usually small or narrow circle of persons united by devotion or allegiance to some artistic or intellectual program, tendency, or figure (as one of limited popular appeal)”.

By this definition, most groups can be regarded as a cult. Also, cults can be benign and even positive in nature.

“A “Destructive” Cult

Any authoritarian pyramid-shaped organization (religious, political, psychotherapy/educational or commercial) which practices

1. deceptive recruitment

2. employs mind control to keep its followers dependent and obedient to the leader and the doctrine. A distinct continuum from benign to abusive and violent.”

(Bullet points from Releasing the Bonds video 5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO1L-GYDZqo

Mind Control Vs Brainwashing.

Brainwashing is coercive

. Physical imprisonment

. Use of torture, overt coercion

. At the beginning, brainwashers are viewed as the enemy

. Produces compliant behavior/false confessions

“Mind Control

. Subtle and sophisticated

. Voluntary participation and cooperation

. At the beginning mind controllers are viewed as friends/benign

. Produces new identity/internalization of new beliefs”

(Bullet points from Releasing the Bonds video 5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO1L-GYDZqo

Comment: Look for the similarities!

Cheers 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Trustee Vote Fixes Policy On Gift Funds, June, 1946, Bill W

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Cults: Useful resources (continued)

“Common problems of victims of cult mind control:

1. extreme identity confusion

2. dissociative states –“floating” (getting triggered back into cult mode)

3. panic and anxiety attacks

4. depression

5. P.T.S.D.

6. psychosomatic symptoms (headaches, backaches, asthma, skin problems)

7. problems with decision-making – dependency

8. retarded psychological development- loss of psychological power

9. Guilt and anxiety

10. fear, panic attacks, phobias

11. sleep disorders/nightmares

12. eating disorders

13. sexual problems

14. lack of trust/ fear of intimacy and commitment- people and work

15. harassment and threats

16. grieving loss of friends, family

17. spiritual “rape” of the soul”

 (Bullet points from Releasing the Bonds videos 4 and 5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRilcewoD3E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO1L-GYDZqo

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous) 

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Seeking Guidance for Safe Use of Money, May, 1946, Bill W

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A.A. is not big business, November, 1950, Bill W

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Cults: Useful resources (continued)

Video: “Releasing the Bonds” Steven Hassan M.Ed. LMHC speaking to the Ex-Mormon Foundation. October 2008

Releasing the Bonds 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az4tE2eLoKc

Releasing the Bonds 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPe55DPTFQE

Releasing the Bonds 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngrmpUSCcjM

Releasing the Bonds 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRilcewoD3E

Releasing the Bonds 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO1L-GYDZqo

Releasing the Bonds 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1-JfYTAo8

Releasing the Bonds 7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0zogRV-OX8

Releasing the Bonds 8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdVUDQqlRPY

Releasing the Bonds 9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8bVdttKH_M

Releasing the Bonds 10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQEFZidFUDs

Releasing the Bonds 11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d8FJnDnCDU

Releasing the Bonds 12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwzzFSWMk0Y

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor 

Our Anonymity Is Both Inspiration and Safety, March, 1946, Bill W

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A Tradition Born of Our Anonymity, January, 1946, Bill W

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Cults: Useful resources (continued)

“Steven Alan Hassan (born 1954) is a licensed mental health counselor and a Cult Expert. In 1978 Hassan was one of the first people to develop and do exit counselling, and is the author of three books on the subject of undue influence and destructive cults, and what he describes as their use of mind control, thought reform, and the psychology of influence in order to recruit and retain members.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Hassan 

“Combatting Cult Mind Control” by Steven Hassan M.Ed. LMHC is available on Amazon books.com http://www.amazon.com/Combatting-Cult-Mind-Control-Best-selling/dp/0892813113/####?ie=UTF8&qid=1356030212&sr=1-1 and amazonbooks.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/Combatting-Cult-Mind-Control-Best-selling/dp/0892813113/####?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356192854&sr=1-1 

Combating Cult Mind Control is an ideal companion to “The Twelve Concepts for World Service” and “The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” for all newcomers and those who are serving in the AA service Structure. It gives practical advice to anyone leaving a cult group and any AA sponsor who may be sponsoring someone suffering with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or post cult trauma resulting from their involvement with a cult group.

Steven Hassan's website: Freedom of Mind Resource Center http://www.freedomofmind.com/ 

For documentation on Alcoholics Anonymous, use search terms 'alcoholics anonymous' on Freedom of Mind Group Database http://freedomofmind.com/Info/index.php 

The Twelve Concepts for World Service online: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/en_bm-31.pdf 

 The Twelve Traditions online: http://www.aa.org/twelveandtwelve/en_tableofcnt.cfm 
The Twelve Traditions (Short Form) The Twelve Traditions (long form) online: http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_appendicei.cfm 
AA Tradition How It Developed online: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-17_AATraditions.pdf 

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Let's Be Friendly With Our Friends.. .On The Alcoholism Front, March, 1958, Bill W

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Let's Be Friendly With Our Friends... Press, Radio, Television, October, 1957, Bill W

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Cults: Useful resources (continued)

“Janja Lalich is Professor of Sociology at California State University, Chico, known for her study of the inner workings of cults.”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janja_Lalich

 "Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults And Abusive Relationships" by Janja Lalich PhD. and Madeleine Tobias M.S., R.N., C.S., is available from amazonbooks.com http://www.amazon.com/Take-Back-Your-Life-Relationships/dp/0972002154  and amazonbooks.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/Take-Back-Your-Life-Relationships/dp/0972002154/####?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356182862&sr=1-3

“There are cults, for example, that focus their recruitment activities in drug-rehabilitation programs, Alcoholics Anonymous, and other twelve-step programs, as that milieu tends to be a ripe hunting ground for potential members.” (Extract, Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults And Abusive Relationships" p 91) 

“In cases where alcohol or substance abuse was or is a problem, attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous may help. However, we caution you to proceed into the 12-step world with your eyes open and your antennae up. Despite its successes, this is an area rife with abuses and incompetencies. Hustlers use 12-step programs as a hunting ground for income and glory. Some counselors and group leaders are not credentialed. Some programs are fronts for cults. Even a well-meaning program may inadvertently promote long-term victimization. Although these groups are set up to reduce codependency, many participants become completely dependent on their 12-step meetings and friends.” (Extract, Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults And Abusive Relationships" p194)

 “Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults And Abusive Relationships" is an ideal companion to “The Twelve Concepts for World Service” and “The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” for all AA newcomers and those who are serving in the AA service Structure. It gives practical advice to anyone leaving a cult group and any AA sponsor who may be sponsoring someone suffering with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or post cult trauma as a result of being involved in a cult group.

The The Twelve Concepts for World Service online: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/en_bm-31.pdf 
The Twelve Traditions online: http://www.aa.org/twelveandtwelve/en_tableofcnt.cfm 
The Twelve Traditions (Short Form) The Twelve Traditions (long form) online: http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_appendicei.cfm  
AA Tradition How It Developed online: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-17_AATraditions.pdf “

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Let's Be Friendly With Our Friends... .The Clergymen, September, 1957, Bill W

See also Links and downloads

Cults: Useful resources

Beginning our series:

“Michael D. Langone, is an American counseling psychologist who specialises in research about "cultic" groups and psychological manipulation. He is executive director of the International Cultic Studies Association, editor of the journal Cultic Studies Review.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Langone

“Founded in 1979, the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is a global network of people concerned about psychological manipulation and abuse in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments. ICSA is tax-exempt, supports civil liberties, and is not affiliated with any religious or commercial organizations.”

"ICSA's mission is to apply research and professional perspectives on cultic groups to educate the public and help those who have been harmed." http://www.icsahome.com/

ICSA documentation on Alcoholics Anonymous: http://www.google.com/cse?cx=001799989780590661597%3A5b8gyda5z5a&ie=UTF-8&q=alcoholics+Anonymous&sa0=Search#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=alcoholics%20Anonymous&gsc.page=1

Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups –Revised, Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.

http://icsahome.com/infoserv_respond/faq_whatisacult.asp?Subject=Characteristics+Associated+with+Cultic+Groups+-+Revised#More

Videos: 05 - Michael Langone: Overview - First Part http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU1H9Irjka8  
06 - Michael Langone: Overview - Second Part http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdRqUV4v6ww   
Michael Langone- Deradicalization Conference Session III Speaker IV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qk_lCXMnz4

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Let's Be Friendly With Our Friends.. .The Physicians, August,1957, Bill W

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Let's Be Friendly With Our Friends... .The Psychiatrists, July, 1957, Bill W

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aacultwatch forum daily reflections

Extracts from our forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/aacultwatch under thread: “aacultwatch forum daily reflections”

“Extract from the “Therapeutic Mechanism of Alcoholics Anonymous”, by Dr. Harry M. Tiebout. M.D. The American Journal of Psychiatry, January 1944:

“Characteristic of the so-called typical alcoholic is a narcissistic egocentric core, dominated by feelings of omnipotence, intent on maintaining at all costs its inner integrity. While these characteristics are found in other maladjustments, they appear in relatively pure culture in alcoholic after alcoholic. In a careful study of a series of cases, Sillman reported that he felt he could discern the outlines of a common character structure among problem drinkers and that the best terms he could find for the group of qualities noted was ‘defiant individuality’ and ‘grandiosity’. In my opinion these words were accurately chosen… … … This experience I label for want of a better term, a ‘psychological awakening.’… … … In retrospect, it is apparent that the patient became aware of his basic ego centricity. For the first time he was able to penetrate behind the façade of his rationalisations and defence reactions and to see that always hitherto he had put himself first. He was literally unaware that other souls existed except insofar as they affected him… … … While one can question the permanence of this new pattern, there can be no question as to the fact that the experience itself occurred…. … … The narcissistic component in the character is submerged, at least for the time being… … Regardless of his final conception of that power, unless the individual attains in the course of time a sense of the reality and nearness of a Greater Power, his egocentric nature will re- assert itself with undiminished intensity, and drinking will again enter into the picture…” (AA Comes of Age, Appendix E:b, page 309-317)

“Good service leaders together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing them are at all levels indispensable for our future functioning and safety.” – Bill W. 1962 (Concept IX)

“Some will be willing to term themselves ‘problem drinkers’ but cannot endure the suggestion that they are in fact mentally ill” (Step Two, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions page 33)

“Jud O., who came into A.A. in 1939, recalled, ‘If there were any alcoholics who happened to get near the Akron area, they always tried to arrange to see Bob Smith.” (Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers page 230)

“As if to illustrate the danger, Jud O. noted that in 1969 he picked up a drink one week before his 30th anniversary… … ‘Jud? He was the rock of Gibraltar,’ said Kate P..” (Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers page 290)

“..but getting straightened out was the hardest thing I ever did. It took me three years. On the other hand, it convinced other people that the original idea was correct: No matter how long you don’t drink, the next one is right round the corner. It never lets you go. Dr. Bob was right: ‘The first one will get you.’ ” – Jud O. (Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers page 291)

“It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on out laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.” 1939 (Alcoholics Anonymous “Big Book” page 87)”

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)