Don’t Drink and Go To Meetings? The “Two-Step Illusion” Let’s ask Bill Wilson!

Of course the sponsor points out that our friend’s life is still unmanageable even though he is sober, that after all, only a bare start on A.A.’s program has been made. More sobriety brought about by the admission of alcoholism (Step 1) and by attendance at a few meetings (Step 12) is very good indeed, but it is bound to be a far cry from permanent sobriety and a contented, useful life. That is just where the remaining Steps of the A.A. program come in. Nothing short of continuous action upon these as a way of life can bring the much-desired result. – p. 39-40 (Twelve & Twelve)

We temporarily cease to grow because we feel satisfied that there is no need for all of A.A.’s Twelve Steps for us. We are doing fine on a few of them. Maybe we are doing fine on only two of them, the First Step and that part of the Twelfth where we “carry the message.” In A.A. slang, that blissful state is known as “twostepping.” And it can go on for years. The best-intentioned of us can fall for the “two-step” illusion. Sooner or later the pink cloud stage wears off and things go disappointingly dull. – p. 113 (Twelve & Twelve) What often takes place in a few months could seldom have been accomplished with years of self-discipline. – p. 569 (Big Book 3rd Edition)

From “A Newcomer Asks” What advice do you give new members?

In our experience, the people who recover in A.A. are those who: (a) stay away from the first drink; (b) attend A.A. meetings regularly; (c) seek out the people in A.A. who have successfully stayed sober for some time; (d) try to put into practice the A.A. program of recovery.

In other words don’t pick up the first drink, join a home group, get a sponsor and work the steps!

“There is an easy way and a hard way to recovery from alcoholism. The hard way is by just going to meetings.” – Dr. Bob Smith

It’s the steps we take, not the meetings we make….. BBSG-SONJ