VOL. I, NO. 1, JUNE, 1944 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 1.50; COPY, 15c May we remind those who see, read and possess a copy of this paper but who are not members of A.A. of the meaning of those two initials – – and ask them to respect our anonymity? Please do not quote or reprint without our permission.

of the Clinics, the latter will limit their TWO YALE SAVANTS activity solely to the guiding of alcoholics lishing clinics in other cities. The indications are that there is a wide interest in the re- STRESS ALCOHOLISM to those facilities which according to diagnosis seem to be the most promising in the habilitation of alcoholics and that only direction is needed to give it full display. AS TRUE DISEASE individual case. Such guidance is being prac- The problem of the alcoholic is too great to ticed at present at the Clinics in bringing be solved by any one person or even by any At the launching of The Grapevine, we wish suitable cases into contact with the local one organization. The cooperation of all into express our heartiest congratulations and groups of Alcoholics Anonymous. It goes dividuals and all organizations, based on best wishes for the success of this new pub- without saying that one of our objectives is mutual respect and understanding of each lication. The invitation to contribute a note to further interest and confidence in Alco- other’s aims, is needed to bring success to the on the Yale Plan Clinics to the first issue of holics Anonymous among those who have not efforts of all those who are interested in bringyour Journal, confirms our belief in the close heard of it or who are inadequately informed. ing back the alcoholic into the life of the relation between the interests of Alcoholics The contacts of the Clinics with the courts, community. Anonymous and the broad studies we have with various departments of State govern- New Haven, Connecticut undertaken on all aspects of alcoholism. ment and with civic agencies will contribute Howard W. Haggard The first Yale Plan Clinics, which are at greatly to bring about adequate understand- E. M. Jellinek New Haven and Hartford, were established ing of the nature of alcoholism, of the utilizaby the Laboratory of Applied Physiology of tion of the existing, and the development of Yale University in cooperation with the Con- needed, facilities. “GRAPEVINE” IN BOW necticut Prison ‘Association. This most re- The Clinics in giving physical examinations cent venture does not stand by itself, but is to all alcoholics who come for advice bring In a big smoke-filled room six ink-stained closely integrated with the researches and to their attention physical ailments which all wretches sipped at their Cokes as I shot queseducational activities of the Laboratory. too frequently are neglected. The treatment tion after question at them. These three activities represent a broad of such ailments does not lie within the activi- “All right,” I said, “The stork didn’t bring scheme in which rehabilitation of the alco- ties of the Clinics, but the Clinics facilitate this paper. Nobody found it in a rose bush. holic and the prevention of inebriety are contacts with hospitals or private practition- It didn’t just grow like Topsy. Come clean, equal goals. ers. now. How’d it all begin?” “Well,” the six The Clinics serve several purposes and it is The Clinics have been in operation only two began, “It was just something that was in the bard to say which purpose ranks first. As months and thus a report on “results” is not air. Everybody, at some time or other, has long as the general public is not aware of justified. It is, however, worth reporting that had the bright idea: let’s have an A.A. paper! the fact that alcoholism is a disease, the most out of 70 alcoholics who up to date have Then—bang—Cleveland had one; so why not important object of the Clinics is to spread availed themselves of the Clinics, 22 have us, here in the Metropolitan area? We figured this idea until it is fully accepted. For the come without being “referred,” but solely to take the paper out of the talking stage and time being, this object may be placed ahead from their own desire for help. The re- put it into print.” With that the six shut up. of the guidance of alcoholics. Another object mainder have been sent by their relatives, by In the silence that followed I looked these is to further the development of community the courts, social agencies, hospitals, and people over. Very average. A cashier; a resources which could he utilized in the re- private practitioners. Local groups of Alco- radio script writer; an author; a bookseller; habilitation of alcoholics. At present, in holics Anonymous have sent four men cither an art director; a wife and mother of two. many cases therapy must be undertaken at for diagnosis of nervous complications or for “Do you realize,” I said, “that you people the Clinics because of the scarcity of other physical examination. Numerous inquiries are sticking your necks out to here? Starting resources. But when those facilities shall have been received from court officers and a paper up all by your little selves. Not puthave been developed, based, perhaps, on municipal administrators throughout the ting it to a vote and all that kind of thing.” recommendations coming from the experience country concerning the feasibility of estab- (Continued on page. 8)

wives are—they’ve got to feel they’re the EDITORIAL: most influential factor in a husband’s life. Point is, during all the years my wife tried to get me to quit 1 just got worse—then I The Shape of Things to Come catch up with A.A. and zingo—I get completely dried up and obviously like the pro- In the book Alcoholics Anonymous there is a chapter called “A Vision for cedure. So I’m afraid she feels there must be You”. Wandering through it recently, my eye was caught by this startling something lacking in my affection or why couldn’t I have quit just for her? paragraph written a short live years ago. “Someday we hope that every It’s obvious at the meetings that others in alcoholic who journeys will find a Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous at A.A. have been a lot smarter about this angle his destination. To some extent this is already true. Some, of us are sales- and maybe can help with a couple of suggestions. Jim D. men and go about. Little clusters of twos and threes and fives of us have sprung up in other communities through contact with our two large cen- Dear Grapevine: I’ve been in A.A. a year and a month and I’m so happy, so glad at ters—” Rubbing my eyes I looked again. A lump came into my throat. last, to he alive. A year and a month ago I “Only five years,” I thought. “Then but two large centers—little clusters wanted to die—although I didn’t do anything of twos and threes — travelers who hoped one day to find us at every about it except go on drinking, which is a pretty good way. My career, for I happen destination.” to be a writer, was at a standstill, and my way Could it be that only yesterday this was just a hope—those little clusters of living, my habits and emotions were as of twos and threes, those little beacons so anxiously watched as they flick- distorted as the view I used to see of myself in the bottom of a glass. ered, but never went out. Now, very, very slowly, I am becoming the And today—hundreds of centers shedding their warm illumination upon person I’m supposed to be. Normal habits the lives of thousands, lighting the dark shoals where the stranded and and pleasures come back slowly. Things like hopeless lie breaking up—those fingers of light already stretching to our enjoying food, gardening, going to the theatre, spending an evening with friends while conbeach heads in other lands. scious—all these habits had to be reformed, Now comes another lighted lamp—this little newspaper called “The Grape- like a paralytic learning the re-use of his vine”. May its rays of hope and experience ever fall upon the current of limbs. Just the other day I said to myself; our A.A. life and one day illumine every dark corner of this alcoholic “All right—you’re fifteen years behind in your life. Fifteen years behind in your career. world. Thank God you came into A.A. when you The aspirations of its editors, contributors and readers could well be voiced did. Now you can begin, slowly, and get your in the last words of “A Vision for You”. “Abandon yourself to God as you life back.” Perhaps some of you know this experience of discouraged impatience. Perunderstand God. Admit your faults to Him and your fellows. Clear away haps you’ve been sober a certain number the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find, and join us. We of months and are beginning to say, “Well, shall be with you, in the Fellowship of The Spirit, and you will surely meet so what?” Don’t go out and get drunk, as I came so near doing a month ago. Weather some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. May God bless you this let-down period between first getting truly and keep you—until then.” sober and getting yourself adjusted to life Bill and living. Work like a beaver with an extra spurt of effort in, for and with A.A. That’s the solution. I am sure of it. I had to Points of View: write this because I’m so grateful again to A.A. for seeing me through these “growing pains”. Felicia G. The Grapevine, welcomes letters from its making personal contacts for help with their reader-members. Please survey, however, the individual problems will welcome this means size of the sheet and keep your notes brief, of communicating with experienced A.A.s. because we’d like to print a f a i r cross-section, For example, I can hardly buttonhole a INTER GROUP MEETING IN MANHATTAN; Capitol with as little cutting as possible. fellow-member at a meeting and bluntly say: Hotel, 51st Street and 8th Avenue, Walnut “My wife is jealous of you!” Yet that’s pretty Room; every Tuesday evening at 8:30. Room Dear Grapevine: I was surely glad to learn much the situation which bothers me quite a open from 5:30. For all other meeting inthat A.A. is planning to publish a “house- lot. What 1 mean is that my Missus doesn’t formation watch group news on our Metroorgan”. I think a lot of newer members, like understand. She’s delighted with the results politan Circuit page, and check each issue for myself, who might incline to be shy about of the past six months, but you know how changes of time and location.

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It was then proposed that we elect a new president. This caused a few minutes of confusion and discussion which finally resolved itself into a motion, which was carried, that we do not accept the present president’s resignation, but carry on as we are until the Inter Group proposal is decided upon, at which lime, another meeting will be held and the fate of the corporation will then be discussed. It was moved and seconded that a vote of thanks be sent to the president for the “mag- Above is my version of the title “Alcoholics Anonymous” which you re- nificent job” he has done. quested for publication. So far as using my name, 1 am very proud of The acting president suggested that, we had been renting 24th Street on a month to the fact that I am a member of A. A. so yon may use my name as the author month basis, which on May 1st, would beof the enclosed if you wish. Wishing you all a lot of luck and a large cir- come a day to day basis, it might be curryculation for “The Grapevine”. “Yours for Victory”, Stewart A. S, ing out the twelfth step if we released the Club Home to the newly-formed Merchant Marine A. A. ‘s who are anxious to take a A. A. GOES TO SEA CORPORATION MEETS five year lease. A motion was made that we give up the Club House as of June 1st and Or rather the merchant seamen have discov- The semi-annual corporation meeting was look up new quarters, unless, of course, we ered A. A. ! Just over a year ago, Dr. Florence held at the 24th Street Club House on April decide to re-lease the club ourselves. Powdermaker, a well-known psycho-analyst, 18th, 1944 at 8: 00 P. M. Fifty-two members sent us a patient—who promptly dried up, attended (A. A. s who have been dry a year or CENTRAL COMMITTEE pleasing the good doctor no end. Then Dr. more). At the continuation of the semi-annual cor- Powdermaker put on a Naval uniform and The secretary read the minutes of the last poration meeting Wednesday night, May 10, took up the problems of tired or shell-shocked meeting (September 29, 1943) and these were the Acting President pro tem called the roll seamen. Oddly enough she found that many voted to be accepted, as read. of groups represented and asked for a report of them had just the same problem we land- Due to illness of the president, the vice- of their decision in regard to the Inter Group lubbers are cursed w i t h . . . they were alco- president took the chair and suggested that proposal. It was established that 10 groups holics and they wanted the worst way to get we dispense with the current business, for the had approved the new Central Committee over it. She tried the A. A. literature on them moment, in order to hear the new proposal and had appointed representatives. As this — the book and the pamphlets — and it of the Inter Group Committee. This was read seemed an adequate nucleus for proceeding, worked! and was followed by a discussion which it was moved, seconded, and voted that a Cen- When there got to be about 40 of them, those brought to light the following facts: (1) — tral Committee be formed. The officers of who were still ashore put their heads together. Only a minority of those present had fore- the present Corporation then tendered their Like the rest of us, they wanted to help others knowledge of the proposed organizational resignations and it was moved t h a t an adrecover—but they felt they had a special field change, (2)—the proposal was too lengthy journment be culled while the members of in other seamen. They know seamen, and and involved to be digested and voted on at the Central Committee retired upstairs to they know that most regular seamen look on the meeting, (3)—it was felt that it should be select new Corporation officers and a temlandlubbers as almost a race apart. Their put up to the membership, at large, through porary Central Committee Chairman. The name for us is “shore people”, and they don’t the individual groups. It was, therefore, Corporation meeting reconvened at 10: 00 and easily feel at home with us. Add that to the moved and voted that the following resolu- the selections of the Central Committee were alcoholic apartness—and you have something. tion be put into effect: “Resolved—that, submitted to the Corporation members for So they figured they’d catch more seamen if though the corporation approves the basic their approval, which was promptly forththey had their own group—for seamen only. ideas expressed in the plan submitted by the coming. The new Corporation President took But we’re sure that will be only at the begin- Inter Group Committee, it, the plan, or a the chair and after a brief discussion a moning—they’ll find, as we did, that alcoholics condensation thereof, be submitted to the tion was made to adjourn; the motion was are buddies under the skin, no matter what various groups for their approval. If and seconded and carried. their profession or background, and as a mat- when this approval is forthcoming, it is sugter of fact the original delegation who came gested that each group select its two repre- BUCOLIC N O T E S . . . . to tell us of their plans and ask our co-opera- sentatives to the new Central Committee and “Sister Francis’ ” friends will be glad to know tion, were instantly absorbed, to their own, send their decision to the corporation secre- that High Watch Farm, Cornwall Bridge, and our, intense pleasure. tary. ” Conn., near Kent, which many A. A. ‘s have vis- But if and when they form their own group A motion was made to dissolve the corpora- ited and where some found their first contact and get their own clubhouse, we wish them tion, but was withdrawn when it was pointed with us, is open again. Two of our Manhatall the luck in the world—as one drunk to out that this could not be done without many t a n group members are going up the first of another, fellows in A. A. legal complications t a k i n g several months. June to run it d u r i n g the Summer months.

CENTRAL OFFICE NOTES A. A. GOES ISLAND- HOPPING BY MAIL May 1st was moving day for the Central office About 400 letters were written to the groups, into larger quarters on Lexington Avenue Oct. 8, 1943 mostly group problems. The balance was misnear Grand Central Terminal, a much more cellaneous. 2—Six hundred telephone and Naval Cantonment, Honolulu, Hawaii accessible spot to out-of-town visitors. (New telegraph messages. 3—About 100 out-of- Alcoholics Anonymous address—P. O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, town A. A. members visited the office. 4— Dear Sirs: New York 17, N. Y. ) We are already national Something like 400 bookkeeping entries. 5— I have been an alcoholic for 10 years. Three in scope and certain to become world-wide. Over 5000 A. A. pamphlets and 672 A. A. months ago, on July 8th, I went to the hospi- Hence this seems a most appropriate time to books, about a ton of material, were wrapped tal for alcoholism. It was the third time in explain what the Central Office has been do- and shipped. 6—A detailed monthly report that same h o s p i t a l . . . While there a nurse ing, and how well the Trustees and its staff was made to the Trustees. 7—In addition, told me of your organization. I went to the have managed. Being somewhat responsible the Secretary participated in several confer- Public Library and found your a d d r e s s . . . for the creation of the Central Office, I feel ences on future publicity and spent a week I have since talked it over with a number of I have never made enough effort to let every- on the road visiting six of the A. A. Groups alcoholic patients in this same hospital, and one know just how much it does. with which she corresponds. also with the doctors and nurses there, and Actually the Central Office belongs to all A small but very willing staff of four turned I have decided that we have the material to Groups everywhere; it is your good-will and out this large volume of work. Our Central form a branch of your organization in Honofinancial support which makes it possible; Office has nearly always been understaffed. l u l u . . . I am assured of the co-operation of it is one of your main contacts with the gen- Our condition right now is such that a good the Mental Health Bureau of the Territory eral public and it is one of your principal piece of publicity would throw us weeks be- of Hawaii, and I’m sure we can make a sucmeans of carrying the 12th step of the A. A. hind on those vital first inquiries. We should cess of it. I am enclosing postage. Will you program to untold thousands of alcoholic sick have more help—perhaps two more typists please send me all the information you can people who don’t yet know they can get well. before long. on the organization. In matters pertaining to the office, the About the offer of A. A. pins to the member- Respectfully yours, Trustees are your Service Committee; its Sec- ship—those pins supposedly designed and ap- E. G. retary is your National Secretary. proved by me! The offer was made by Royal On October 19th the Central Office received In the month of March alone, for example, Incentives, a perfectly reputable firm, which and answered the above letter. The answer the work turned out by the secretary and her was sold a “bill of goods” by an alcoholic covered one sheet of typewriting paper, three assistants (including some overtime) who has had a rather hectic A. A. career. Of single-space, on both sides, in order that it was as follows: 1—They wrote 2, 695 personal course I knew nothing whatever of this deal. might be light-weight enough to go Air Mail letters. Approximately 2, 000 of these were Royal Incentives, recognizing the mistake, is with a pamphlet enclosed. That one sheet of answers to first inquiries of alcoholics and sending all groups a letter of explanation and paper constituted as clear, as concise, and as their families averaging 100 words each. apology. As ever, Bill. comprehensible a picture of A. A.: what it is, how it works, and what kind of people make it the amazing thing it is, as the Editors have DO YOU KNOW ? ever seen. Now we know how the Central Office creates groups!

What the Purpose of the Foundation Is: Shop – Nov. 16, 1943 -, Pearl Harbor Answer: —The Alcoholic Foundation is com- Mr. Leonard V. Harrison, Chairman. Gentlemen: prised of seven trustees, four of whom (a (Mr. Harrison is identified with Commun- Received your Air Mail letter enclosing one majority) are non-alcoholics but keenly in- ity Service—the combined charities of pamphlet 4 weeks ago, and your package of terested in the problem of alcoholism, and New York City. ) literature t o d a y . . . We have not yet had a three of whom are members of A. A. These Mr. Willard S. Richardson, Treasurer. meeting. I have been visiting the prospects trustees maintain the Central Office, our Na- (Before his retirement, religious secretary armed with only one pamphlet and a handful tional Headquarters, where inquiries concern- to Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. ) of bus tokens. There are some problems peing A. A. from all parts of the world are Mrs. Livingston Farrand. culiar to this p l a c e . . . in dealing with answered and from which office our literature (Distinguished wife of Livingston Farrand, permanent residents and transient workers. is mailed. Besides maintaining this Central former President of Cornell University. ) Although I believe that alcoholics are usually Office, the trustees of the Foundation have Dr. Leonard V. Strong, Jr. more broadminded than others, we are taking charge of all national publicity, and consult (A physician most helpful to A. A. from its precautions to see that the effort we are makwith the A. A. group on matters of national beginning. ) ing is not isolated in either group. There are policy. None of the trustees receives any Two of the present A. A. members of the 6 who have promised to make the effort. compensation for his or her services. board are from the New York Metropolitan Three of them are permanent residents and The non-alcoholic trustees are: Area, the third from Akron, Ohio. (Continued on. page 8)

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Mail Call for All A. A. ‘s in the Armed Forces When the idea of bringing out a New York Metropolitan A. A. paper was I’ve earned my breaks. —I should hate to have anything happen to me now, before I have a conceived, one of the first thoughts was that it might prove particularly chance to do something, however small, helpful to our members in the Service. If anyone doubts what such a paper worth-while w i t h my life. ” (This man had can mean to these men, here, we think, is the answer. Corporal Hugh B., worried about not getting the spiritual side. now in England, had no knowledge of our project when he wrote one of us of the program. Ed. ) recently: “Your letter of ten days ago was much appreciated and was one of, if not the, most newsy A. A. letters I have received. Certainly was inter- THE WORDS OF A* DANGLING MAN esting to hear about the boys and gals all over the world. Made me think “Off Again, On Again Finnegan” has a new that we should have a monthly publication. —Think it over!” lot of loyal rooters: the “You’re In—You’re The records kept by our Central Office show approximately 300 A. A. mem- Out” selective service inductees, aged twentybers now in Service, with some 40 coming from the New York area and be- six to thirty-eight. longing to various Metropolitan Groups. These figures, due to constant For the past six months, on alternate Tuesdays, the Home Editions of the paper you changes, are probably not complete. Of the New York crowd, the files in- read had us in the Army or Navy “within a dicate 26 are in the Army, 9 in the Navy, and 5 scattered between the month”, but by Seven Star Final time, one of Merchant Marine and other auxiliary services. Eleven are known to be the two Washington authorities (the one who hadn’t had a press interview earlier in the commissioned officers and the remainder are serving in the ranks. day) was quoted as saying that men over These men, and in a few cases, women, are as a rule cut off rather abruptly twenty-six would probably not be called from any direct contacts with the Groups and are often subject to disturb- “until later in the year. ” And so it goes, and ing new influences and unusual temptations to take that fatal first drink. so we go—crazy! But wait: Easy Does It. How thankful I’ve They, it would seem, face a harder battle in their recovery than most of us, been for having that little “punch-line” benefiting, as many of us do, from almost daily association with our fel- pounded into my daily living. To me, that’s low members. Yet frequently they come through unscathed! We would a first “first step. ” It keeps me from jumping at conclusions, making snap judgments, belike to give you a few examples of their clear thinking along A. A. princi- coming excited or irritated over the way ples: things “seem” to be. It cautions me to cut my pace, mentally, and make certain things are A Navy lieutenant (j. g. ) who joined A. A. hectic but I have really improved on the as they may seem. over two years ago, wrote us recently from a ‘Easy Does It’ department. I know who to It permits, above all, the serenity that comes, South Pacific Island — “Your mention of thank for that too. —So Flushing has a sep- with reflection, as I repeat the process of John N. — (an A. A. of even longer standing, arate group now—That is wonderful!” turning my will and my life over to the care now a lieutenant in the Army. Ed. ) “caused of My Higher Power. me to investigate—He was evacuated for * Again we quote our naval correspondent—”I Does that sound simple? Or do you think stomach trouble two days before I looked I’m putting down one little word after anshould like to address an A. A. gathering now, him up and for four months he had been only other here because that’s what our program as I have a perspective that few get the ophalf a mile from my camp. Such is life!” tells me I should do? Well, I’ll tell you, if, portunity to enjoy, having been completely (Both these men have had fine records of twelve months ago, I had been riding the apart from the Group for nearly a year, and sobriety with A. A. and have now seen consid- Selective Service Merry-go-round (without it is easy to see the fundamentals closely, and erable service at an advanced base. What an A. A. ) two things would have happened: (1) determine the main factors—I think even A. A. meeting that would have been. Ed. ) My wife would have been relieved at the prosmore closely than when one is steeped in A. A. work with daily contact. It is easier to pect of my being in service, preferably in * see how the program works into every day Timbuctoo (if that’s at the other end of the In December, John N. —, the Army lieutennormal life too. ” world); and (2) I would have been a ripant, had written—”We have arrived at a New Island and are set up in a coconut grove. * roaring, hell — bent — for — another — drink, psychoneurotic alcoholic. Your letter was most welcome. How often Once more, from Bob H., now an Army serthese days I think of the fine times I had in geant overseas, written last Thanksgiving Today, I’m sober and not in service. A. A. and the wonderful people I have met. Day—”When I think of myself just eighteen Tomorrow, I may be in service, I don’t know. The whole thing means an awful lot to me months ago, I realize, too, just how much I But I do know that tomorrow I’ll be sober, and I thank God for being allowed to be a have to be thankful for. I’ve been more for- through the Grace of God and Alcoholics part of it – – – My work is interesting but tunate than most—maybe some day I’ll feel Anonymous. David R.

TIME ON YOUR HANDS? The Pleasures of Reading This column will deal specifically with one or two “time fillers” in each issue, but we Intellectual stimulus, philosophical fortification and wholesome distraction want to cover the kind of thing you are most will he found in a collection of three hooks, superficially diverse but hav- interested in. We hope, therefore, that you ing a common denominator, published in a compact volume as part of will send in requests for information and The Modern Library under the title of The Consolation of Philosophy, The that you will also send facts about your own first hook which bears the title of the volume, was written by Boethius, a interesting hobbies and occupations, be they Roman office-holder of the fourth century and philosopher by avocation. intellectual, practical or just plain fun. His discourses are agreeably set forth in the form of a dialogue with Lady THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS in Manhattan, Long Island, New Jersey, Westchester and Connec- Philosophy. The second book is The Imitation (or the following) of ticut have Adult Education courses, (for the Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, technically a man of the cloister but soon small sum of 1. 00 in most cases) in pracadopted by the world as a meditative poet and mystical psychologist. No tically everything, from Political Science to Public Speaking. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY and greater inspiration for those who would “go home again” has ever been N. Y. U. have extension courses (catalogues on written. request) in such diverse and ambition-pro- The third book, Religio Medici (the religion of a physician), is the work voking things as Geology, Music Appreciation, of Sir Thomas Browne, seventeenth century physician. It is a full bodied Short Story Writing, and many etcs. THE LIGHTHOUSE, 111 East 59th Street and the and humanly inconsistent discussion of those matters which have troubled AMERICAN RED CROSS, 3 15 Lexington Avenue, spirits everywhere and in every time. The doctor wrote candidly, sometimes give courses in reading and typing Braille quaintly and often amusingly, if not intentionally so (he says that man is and you will find an amazingly varied list of other ways you can help your country by callthe whole world and woman, the rib, the crooked piece of man! Biologic- ing your local RED CROSS or CIVILIAN DEFENSE ally, however, he is less orthodox p. 398). But he also speaks of that har- VOLUNTEER OFFICE (War Council). The NEW mony in things which both he and Bill call the “music of the Spheres”. YORK HOSPITAL FUND, 370 Lexington Avenue, Each in his way, all three writers strove for and undoubtedly attained wants men and women for messengers, elevator operators, ward, clinic and dietary aides. equableness of life and serenity of spirit. Royal S. THE WAR MANPOWER COMMISSION, 11 West Good Night, Sweet Prince, by Gene Fowler; Viking Press, 3. 50. A biog- 42nd Street, wants men and women volunteers raphy of John Barrymore worthy of thoughtful perusal by all alcoholics. to join the U. S. CROP CORPS for summer and fall harvesting and work in canneries. Appli- Written with sympathetic understanding, the book, to this reviewer, makes cations should be made now at the U. S. EMthese points: 1—The fire of genius may survive alcoholism, but the genius PLOYMENT SERVICE, 124 East 28th Street. This dies. 2—The strength of a self-sufficient ego is a weakness in fighting would seem an ideal way to rebuild one’s alcoholism. Jack R. health and help Uncle Sam at no expense. There is a fascinating place in the Village Further Reading Pleasures: Consolation of Philosophy, Modern Library called THE CLAY CLUB, 4 West 8th Street, #226, 95c. The New Testament (Authorized King James Version, Pocket where long suppressed artistic ambitions can Edition) 25c. The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis, Macmillan, 1. 50. materialize into Greek vases or undraped nudes by playing around with hunks of wet Christian Behavior by C. S. Lewis, Macmillan, 1. 00. The Case of Chris- clay. THE HAYDEN PLANETARIUM, Central Park tianity by C. S. Lewis, 1. 00. West and 81st Street, gives courses in Celestial Navigation and Star Identification, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6: 30 to 8: 30. Ounces of Prevention The cost is $5. 00 for ten lessons. The METRO- POLITAN MUSEUM OF ART offers concerts in the Keep an indexed notebook of member’s definite statement that you won’t take a drink. Morgan Wing each Sunday at 3: 45 P. M. and names with you: for phoning and writing Make a hospital call. When you feel low, get in the Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park, (Fifth Ave- A. A. s. Call a member when you have jitters, to the next, meeting, anywhere in the area; or nue Bus No. 4 marked Cloisters takes you to depression, discouragement, r e s e n t m e n t s . . . go to one of the A. A. luncheons. Never let the door) religious and secular music of the When you can’t sleep, write a letter to an A. A. yourself get hungry. For that five o’clock middle ages can be heard Sundays and Tuesin Service or on the road and out of touch. time try a light snack, a frosted chocolate. days at 3: 30 P. M. A booklet of the museum’s Put a habit-forming reminder in your shaving See our Time on Your Hands C o l u m n . . . and lectures and special exhibitions will be sent or make-up k i t . This starts the day with a send us your own Ounces of Prevention. on request.

A L O N G THE M E T R O P O L I T A N C I R C U I T BROOKLYN. Well, you know how Brooklyn is. thereafter, the Jackson Heights-Flushing hospital, we are sending a delegation to talk Trees grow there, and so does A. A., but they folks commenced their meetings in Flushing. with some World War No. 2 veterans. The don’t talk so much about it. We think it bears So 1944 sees three well-established groups on letter from the hospital authorities says that repeating that A. A. started there, right on Long Island w i t h , at a rough count, a t o t a l they have heard of A. A., and t h a t they would Clinton St. in Bill’s house. There are still membership of 125, all offspring of that first like to know more about it. plenty of A. A. ‘s around who attended their little Forest Hills group, who, incidentally, Six new members have come in, in the last first meeting there. Then Bill and Lois moved along with new members still meet in the two weeks. Hempstead group meets at 177 and for a long time there were no meetings Fountain Room of the Forest Hills Inn every Jackson St., Monday and Friday. in Brooklyn. Monday at 8: 30 P. M. Two years ago last February, A. A. in New THE NEW MANHATTAN GROUP. A meeting of all NORTH. JERSEY NOTES. As we went to press, York had grown enough so that split-offs were Manhattanites and other A. A. s living in the bright prospects of a sell-out attended the becoming common. And there was Brook- Metropolitan area, but affiliated with no su- South Orange group’s spring dance which lyn, big enough all on its own to have been burban group, was called at the 24th Street was held May 13 at the Maplewood Women’s having meetings at the home of one of its clubhouse on Thursday, A p r i l 13th. New Club. Four such social affairs a year are on members—now big enough to “hire a hall”. York’s senior representatives on the Inter the Jerseyites’ schedule. The others include The St. George Hotel is the present “hall”, Group Committee presided. The chair read an uproarious Hallowe’en party, a New Year’s where an open meeting is held every Friday a comprehensive history of the expansion of Eve dinner-dance and a shindig on St. Patat 8: 30 P. M. Closed meetings (for alcoholics A. A. in the Metropolitan area, from the time rick’s Day. which is always a dangerous time only) on Wednesday evenings at the home of the meetings at Bill’s house in Brooklyn for ‘slips’. They also run other socials, like of one of its members. Brooklyn is growing! u n t i l today. The M a n h a t t a n Group was then the all-day summer picnic out in the country formed to co-ordinate the work of A. A. on and the Christmas Day reception. In recent ELIZABETH, N. J. The group is one of many this little Island. The members participating weeks North Jersey members have spoken that started in South Orange. Captain Gus then elected a Chairman, to serve six months; before several luncheon clubs, such as the Steffens of the Elizabeth Police Dept. started a Deputy Chairman, to serve a year and to South Orange Rotary, the Newark and Irvingtrying to rehabilitate some local drunks automatically succeed the Chairman; a Sec- ton Kiwanis and the Trenton Optimist clubs. known us the “Bottle Gang”. Then A. A. retary, and a Treasurer. The name “Manhat- An A. A. group among the inmates of the stepped in. Result: a growing group. The tan Group of Alcoholics Anonymous” was State Reformatory for Women at Clinton, N. Mayor and other officials furnished a perfect adopted—and the newest A. A. Group in this J., has been undertaken under the direction meeting place gratis. Now there is also the area was in business for itself. of the Morristown Group. The entire opera- PLAINFIELD), N. J. group — an outgrowth of tion is handled by the inmates, the A. A. peo- Elizabeth. So A. A. grows. MOUNT VERNON. Early in 1943 about fifteen ple assisting with literature, counsel and admembers of the While Plains Group, residing vice. Similarly, a group within the New FLUSHING. Formerly an integral part of the in southern Westchester County, decided Jersey State Prison at Trenton is in the ex- Forest Hills group, the Flushing group held there was need for a Group in that area. The perimental singe. This unit was suggested by its first meeting in Flushing on March 4, 1943, first meeting was held February 4, 1943, at a prisoner who wrote in to the Foundation and has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth the Westchester Women’s Club, 110 Crary office. Literature, etc. has been provided and since. There are now about 35 names on the Avenue, Mount Vernon, where weekly Mon- North Jersey A. A. members have contacted rosier. The group meets Thursday evenings day evening meetings have since been held. the prison authorities with offers of help. at the Good Citizens League Hall, corner The Group now has eighty active members, of Union St. and Sanford Ave. promptly at exclusive of those on duty with the armed WHITE PLAINS. Wednesday, May 17th, marks 8: 30 (A. A. time). services and those who since have established the third anniversary of A. A. in White Plains, residences elsewhere. N. Y. The whole thing started back in 1941 FOREST HILLS. Among the eight or ten shaky when a handful of 24th Street members held Recently separate open meetings were held characters who attended the first meeting of a dinner meeting in Howard Johnson’s to diswith the Medical Associations of Mount Verthe Forest Hills Group some three years ago, cuss plans for a Westchester Group. We feel non and Yonkers. an A. A. dry six months was an absolute that the cooperation of 24th Street and the authority on all twelve steps and a “one- THE NASSAU-SUFFOLK group started holding Central Office has aided immeasurably in our yearer” was a complete phenomenon. With its meetings in Hempstead about a year ago. growth. The Grapevine should go far in this their small membership there was l i t t l e The group originally started with about 15 direction, too, and should be a tremendous aid chance of not hearing the same speakers at members from the Forest Hills group. At a in cementing metropolitan group relations. In least every two weeks, so these men became closed meeting last night the Secretary re- u n i t y there is strength! Good luck and keep very well acquainted indeed. ported that we have 63 members on the list. ’em rolling! (We mean the presses. ) Open In two years this group had grown so there Hempstead is now meeting on Monday night, meetings, Wednesday, 8: 30 P. M., Westchester were enough Nassau and Suffolk residents to instead of Tuesday (open meetings). Republican Headquarters, Marline and Malaunch their own group in Hempstead. Shortly At the request of a Long Island Veterans’ maroneck Avenues.

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Cut This Out and Mail to: program of A.A. are not enough. It is those (Continued from page 1) THE GRAPEVINE of us who are really trying to put into prac- “Sir, we don’t think you’ve got the correct P. O. Box 328 tise the 12 steps who are succeeding. Now that we are holding meetings 1 feel sure that slant,” the bookseller said thoughtfully, “We Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. Herewith 1.50 for one year’s subscription more of us will be able to put them into six are sort of garage mechanics, servicing practise. the paper. We don’t write it. That’s t h e to The Grapevine (Monthly) About my own case. 1 have for years con- creamy part for every Jack and Doris of A.A. For additional subscriptions enclose separate who can lay their hands on some news and sheet with name and address clearly printed. sidered myself an agnostic. After reading the A.A. literature, especially the part about an a pencil stub. We wrestle with the punctua- Checks payable to The Grapevine. tion, if any. Hammer for copy as the deadline alcoholic who wanted to get well not being Total Enclosed able to afford the luxury of a closed mind, creeps up. Paste up the dummy, and hope PLEASE PRINT I began asking myself what I really believed. for the best.” “Very neat,” I said, “and I The more I thought and worked with others wish you luck. But what’s the paper going to the nearer to faith 1 came . . . The psychiatric talk about?” social worker at Hospital, who has been “About us Alcoholics, naturally!”, the mother trying to help me since July to quit drinking of two said, “About A.A.’s whole design for has remarked at the great change in me since living. There’s going to be a big, full page (Continued from page 4) on local group doings (there’s a Grapevine 1 became acquainted with A.A. When 1 told 3 are workers from the mainland. It is quite her of my new source of strength she sug- reporter in every group right now with his a representative group. One lawyer, one radio gested that maybe that strength had been pencil at the ready). And we’re planning to telegraph operator, one member of a Federal lying latent in me all along. I told her I get all the big general stuff on alcoholism commission, one electrician, one carpenter, didn’t really know what the source of strength into the paper. Best of all, we think, is the and myself—a small-boat builder, aged 32. was, but that I did know the formula I had Servicemen’s Letter page . . .” 1 am enclosing $5.00. Please send me a copy used to tap it, and that was humble, sincere, “Now you’re talking,” I said with satisfaction. of the book Alcoholics Anonymous and some unselfish prayer . . . “Thanks,” the cashier said coldly. “We also more pamphlets. If there is any left it is my Yours in A.A., hope to have a column on books and the donation to the Foundation. E.G. theater and films and radio and magazine Sincerely yours, (TO BE CONTINUED NEXT MONTH) articles which have to do with A.A. or the E.G. 12 steps, or constructive living in general.” Dec. 14, 1943 CONFERENCE ON ALCOHOLISM “And,” said the author, “a section called ‘Do You Know?’ which will pin down in print Shop -, Pearl Harbor?’ On April 19th, a one-day conference on “Al- the things new members wonder about.” Dear — : coholism, Prevention & Cure” was held in “Anything else?”, 1 asked, reaching for my You may definitely stick a pin in Honolulu Lansing, Michigan, at Michigan State Col- hat. “Oh yes!”, the six said, “Two things, on your map. Tonight we had a meeting of lege. It was sponsored by the Michigan Tem- particularly. There’ll be a write-up on the the entire group for the first time. There perance Foundation (!) and Yale University Central Office. And a letters-to-The-Grapevine were supposed to be 7—but only 5 came. All School of Alcoholic Studies, and the last where everybody can sound off—pro and con have been sober with the help of the A.A. —on anything that seems to need saying out program for a time varying from over a speech of the day was on Alcoholics Anonyloud.” month to 1 week before their first meeting. mous. The speaker was a doctor from De- The meeting was so interesting to everyone “That positively all?” I asked, rising. “No! troit, a member of the Detroit group. We are Aren’t you going to ask us how long we six we had trouble leaving in time to get home told he did a swell job, and that the confer- are going to slick at this thing?” before curfew. And not bragging (much) I don’t think there are any more intelligent 5 ence was followed by an A.A. banquet, at “Go on. Go on,” I said nervously. “Simple,” people in Honolulu who meet as a group than which some 75 A.A.s and their wives, from the six said, “We hang on for a trial spin of we had there tonight . . . One reason that 8 different Michigan towns, AND Chicago, three months while the Metropolitan A.A.’s I am so optimistic about our little group is were present. That, of course turned into a make up their minds whether they want a that every one of them sought the help. There paper or not. If the verdict’s No—we bow regular A.A. meeting. These state-wide gethas been no evangelism, no compulsion. All out.” “And if the verdict’s Yes?”, I asked, togethers Seem to be gathering in frequency. eyeing all six sharply. “We still bow out; and of us really want to quit . . . Please don’t The Public Health Commissioner of the State hand the paper to fresh new blood,” they said. think you’re presuming to give me advice. We have not been able to contact any old of Michigan addressed himself particularly “Well, it still looks like a cabal to me,” I members here. If ever there was a place to the A.A.’s present, and we think one re- said in my most suspicious manner. “Think where the blind are leading the blind, that mark of his is worth quoting: “You’re listen- I’ll write a letter to The Grapevine demanding place is Honolulu right now. We not only ing here to doctors, psychiatrists, sociologists to know how come you six think you can get will accept any advice you care to give, we’re and educators . . . but don’t pay too much a paper going!” begging for it . . . I have had several bitter attention to them! You people in A.A. are “We’ll print it, sir. Goodbye; and kindly disappointments . . . I have discovered that doing a fine job in coping with this problem don’t slam the door,” was the last I heard a desire to stop and mere knowledge of the directly. Keep on doing it in your own way!” the six say.

VOL. I, NO. 2, JULY, 1944 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 1.50; COPY, 15c May we remind those who see, read and possess a copy of this paper but who are not members of A.A. of the meaning of those two initials – – and ask them to respect our anonymity? Please do not quote or reprint without our permission.

about the intangible glories of this life. That R E S E A R C H C O U N C I L CHARMING IS THE makes them charming companions. WORD FOR ALCOHOLICS They are imaginative, and that helped to The Research Council on Problems of Alcomake them alcoholics. Some of them drank hol held an Evening Institute on “The Treat- Down at the very bottom of the social scale to flog their imagination on to greater efforts. ment and Prevention of Alcoholism” on June of A.A. society are the pariahs, the untouch- Others guzzled only to black out unendurable 20th. Many A.A.s were present, some attendables and the outcasts, all under-privileged visions that rose in their imagination. But ing Bill’s talk “The A.A. Approach to the and all known by one excoriating epithet— when they have found their restoration, their Problem of Alcoholism” at 5 P.M., and a relatives. imagination is responsive to new incantations, good number listening to Dr. Harry Tiebout’s I am a relative. I know my place. I am not and their talk abounds with color and light “Psychotherapy of the Non-Psychotic Alcocomplaining. But I hope no one will mind if and that makes them charming companions, holic” at 6 P.M. Dr. Tiebout , as most Metro- I venture the plaintive confession that there too. politan A.A.s know, uses much that he says are times, oh, many times when I wish. I had They are possessed of a sense of humor. Even he learned from A.A. in his treatment, and been an alcoholic. By that I mean that I wish in their cups they have been known to say he spoke along lines familiar to us. I were an A.A. The reason is that I consider damnably funny things. Often it was being Reporters covering the 11 other lectures tell the A.A. people the most charming in the forced to take seriously the little and mean things of life that made them seek escape in a us that A.A. was favorably mentioned in all world. bottle. But when they have found their re- cases, notably by Dr. Jellinek, speaking on Such is my considered opinion. As a journalstoration, their sense of humor finds a blessed “The Yale Clinic Plan.” He said that about ist it has been my fortune to meet many of the freedom and they are able to reach a god-like one-third of the Clinic ‘ s active patients had people who are considered charming. I numstate where they can laugh at themselves, the been referred to A.A. and were now affiliated ber among my friends stars and lesser lights very height of self conquest. Go to the meet- with us. Speaking of referrals to A.A., we of stage and cinema; writers are my daily ings and listen to the laughter. At what are have it on the authority of Mr. Carleton diet; I know the ladies and gentlemen of both they laughing? At ghoulish memories over Healy, Vice-President of Hiram Walker, Inc., political parties; I have been entertained in which, weaker souls would cringe in useless in “A Program of Legal and Industrial Conthe White House; I have broken bread with remorse. And that makes them wonderful trols for the Prevention of Alcoholism,” that kings and ministers and ambassadors; and I say, after that catalog, which could be ex- people to be with by candlelight. ‘more tavern keepers should refer alcoholics tended, that I would prefer an evening with to A.A.!’ No doubt they ‘ d like to get rid of And they are possessed of a sense of universal my A.A. friends to any person or group of them, too. Dr. Hinenburg’s paper, “A Practitruth. That is often a new thing in their persons I have indicated. hearts. The fact that this at-one-ment with cal Hospital Program for the Local Com- God’s universe had never been awakened in munity,” told of the difficulty in getting gen- I asked myself why I consider so charming them is sometimes the reason why they drank. eral hospitals to accept alcoholics, although these alcoholic caterpillars who have found The fact that it was at last awakened is almost his study showed that it would be a pertheir b u t t e r f l y wings in Alcoholics Anonyalways the reason why they were restored to fectly practical and financially feasible mous. There are more reasons than one, but: I can name a few. the good and simple ways of life. Stand with scheme to allot at least 2% of their space for The A.A. people are what they are, and they them when the meeting is over, and listen as this, and even that amount would do much were what they were, because they are sensi- they say the “Our Father”! good. “Inertia and resistance prevents anytive, imaginative, possessed, of a sense of They have found a Power greater t h a n them- thing being done, although the problem cries humor and an awareness of universal truth. selves which they diligently serve. And that out for solution and we can no longer ignore They are sensitive, which means that they gives a charm that never was elsewhere on it with safety.” are hurt easily, and that helped them become land and sea; it makes you know that God It seemed generally agreed t h a t the lack of alcoholics. But when they have found their Himself is really charming, because the A.A. scientific effort and interest in alcoholism is restoration , they are still as sensitive as ever; people reflect His mercy and His forgiveness. due to the ‘general assumption that alcoholresponsive to beauty and to truth and eager Fulton Oursler (Continued on page 8)

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that since he hit A.A. “something good was EDITORIAL: always happening to him!” Anyway, it looks as if there had really been a need, or at least a wish, in many places for such a publication, On Cultivating Tolerance and we the Editors are deeply gratified at such a heart-wanning response. It makes all those hideously late nights worthwhile! During nine years in A.A. I have observed that those who follow the Alco- Dear Grapevine: You’re on! We (the Cleveholics Anonymous program with the greatest earnestness and zeal, not only land Central Bulletin) will be glad to swap, maintain sobriety, but often acquire finer characteristics and attitudes as and a stencil is being cut tonight so you will well. One of these is tolerance. Tolerance expresses itself in a variety of be receiving our issue next week . . . . Your start was a splendid one and all who read ways: in kindness and consideration toward the man or woman who is just your articles were impressed w i t h the air of beginning the march along the spiritual path; in the understanding of sincerity and true A.A. humility and strengththose who perhaps have been less fortunate in educational advantages, and building essence of them . . . . We have about in sympathy toward those whose religious ideas may seem to be at great 950 subscribers to our paper and we just about cover our costs w i t h the help of a few variance with our own. I am reminded in this connection of the picture of outside donations. We mail about 70 free a hub with its radiating spokes. We all start at the outer circumference and copies to our service men. Heartily yours, approach our destination by one of many routes. The Editors of The Central Bulletin.

To say that one spoke is much better than all the other spokes is true only Dear Grapevine: Those who think a wife’s troubles are over when her husband joins in the sense of its being best suited to you as an individual. Human nature A.A., just don’t know! As an alcoholic’s wife, is such that without some degree of tolerance, each one of us might be in- I’d like to tell you. My husband, for instance, clined to believe that we have found the best or perhaps the shortest spoke. still stays out until all hours. True, he’s holding another alcoholic’s head instead of a bottle Without some tolerance we might tend to become a bit smug or superior— —but he still neglects his family even though which of course is not helpful to the person we are trying to help, and may the bills are paid on the first of the month. be quite painful or obnoxious to others. No one of us wishes to do any- He still has his ups and downs and fits of depression, even though they don’t last as long thing which might act as a deterrent to the advancement of another—and and he now recognizes them for what they are a patronizing attitude can readily slow up this process. worth. In short, our life together didn’t auto- Tolerance furnishes, as a by-product, a greater freedom from the tendency matically smooth out into a placid lily pond just because he sobered up. Not all at once. to cling to preconceived ideas and stubbornly adhered-to opinions. In Where once our troubles made the breach beother words it often promotes an open-mindedness which is vastly import- tween us an ever-widening chasm, now each ant—in fact a prerequisite to the successful termination of any line of difficulty draws us closer together. Of course that didn’t happen over night. When my hussearch, whether it be scientific or spiritual. band first joined A.A., it seemed as if he were These, then, are a few of the reasons why an attempt to acquire tolerance being taken further away from me than ever. should be made by each one of us. Dr. Bob of Akron And by perfect strangers, too. Even though both of us had been badly hurt by the disease of alcoholism, he was the only one who was “improving.” He was getting something out Points of View of his new associations—I was left out in the cold. I couldn’t even be a member. The words “sympathetic understanding” were be- Editor’s Note: Probably the most exciting tabula, Ohio; 4 from Fulton, N. Y.; 3 from g i n n i n g to make me seethe. Why shouldn’t I, moment in the early life of “The Grapevine” Chicago; and many individual ones from who had borne the brunt in the past, rate a after its actual birth, came w i t h the first batch Washington, D. C., Akron, Ohio; Bridgeport, little of that commodity? Was I always to be of mail. We couldn’t believe it! This puny Conn., Cleveland, Harrisburg, Pa. and other left out, first through his drinking, then parainfant had apparently given such a lusty yell points where A.A. has taken root. And some doxically enough, through his drying up? on emerging that it had been heeded right of the letters moved us deeply: the one for Suddenly, one day, I had a revelation. Take across the country. There were fat letters, instance from the four wives of A.A.s in the alcohol out of the picture and I had pretty and t h i n is what they held: 34 subscriptions Fulton, N. Y. who were giving the subscrip- much the same problems, of character and of from Philadelphia; 19 from San Diego, Cal.; tions to their husbands for Father’s Day, and living, that he had. So, if alcoholics could 11 from Madison, Wis.; 9 from Kansas City, the one from the man who had “scooped his have their twelve steps, why couldn’t I? I Mo.; 7 from Alexandria, Va.; 6 from Kent, group” because it was his day to pick up the flew to the book, took pencil and paper, and Ohio; 6 from Los Angeles, Cal.; 4 from Ash- m a i l and he found The Grapevine- he said (Continued on page 8)

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BILL’S T R I P S O U T H Bill and Lois have returned from a two weeks’ trip through the South, as guests of eight A.A. groups: Jacksonville, Miami, Daytona and Tampa, Florida; A t l a n t a , Georgia; Birmingham, A l a b a m a ; and Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee. The Miami Herald, Bill tells us, divided its front page nearly equally between t h e war and A.A. on the day of the meeting; result, over four hundred people attended. Two days were spent in Atlanta, where elaborate plans had been made (naturally—they’re alcoholics, too!) including a luncheon at which Bill spoke before one hundred selected doctors, ministers, and leading business-men, another luncheon of a combination of civic groups sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and an open meeting w h i c h was a t t e n d e d by t h e Mayor, members of the Governor’s staff, and many other local notables. In Birmingham, besides the usual open A.A. Fighting a Pint Pot meeting, Bill was asked to address the monthly guest-luncheon of the town’s swankest luncheon-club, which had already contracted Drawn by George Cruikshank, the great caricaturist, in the early 1840s. to hear the Governor of Alabama on t h a t date. Cruikshank knew a lot about alcoholics; among other things, he said t h a t a man The Governor, believe it or not, was put off cannot be taught ‘how much strong drink is too much, for in some excitable sys- until the next month so that the gathering tems the very first drop of strong drink takes away the power of self control’. could hear about Alcoholics Anonymous straight from the mouth of its First Member. Among those listening were the Mayor of Birmingham, the ex-Governor of Alabama, and several members of Congress. They’d THE BROOKLYN GROUP SEMINAR ON ALCOHOL come to hear Bill talk, not the other way ’round! WORKS CLOSELY WITH The 1944 session of Yale University’s School of Alcohol Studies will open on July 7th and HOSPITAL PATIENTS continue through August 4th. The object of these summer sessions is to make the findings A. A. AT CAMP P E A R Y The Brooklyn Group has succeeded in establishing close relations with Brooklyn State of scientific research on all phases of alcohol Operation of the plan (Alcoholics Anony- Hospital. They held their first A.A. meeting available for actual use by communities all mous), at Camp Peary, an officer from the within the institution late in May, and they over the country. Civic activities for the care base declared, at a big open meeting in Richwent about it in a very sound manner. and r e h a b i l i t a t i o n of alcoholics have been al- mond, already has resulted in much good in A leader and four speakers went over to con- most non-existent in the past, and this is its aid to officers in solving the problem of duct the meeting. All members of the Brook- largely due to lack of knowledge. Navy men getting drunk on leave and overlyn Group, they had all at one time or other The aim of the school is to furnish such staying their liberty. The A.A. group at the been patients in Brooklyn State, so they were knowledge to a selected group of students base, he said, occupy the same barracks and able to speak to the men from a thorough (social workers, ministers and church workers, live with their problem, in close contact, seekknowledge and understanding of how it felt teachers and school administrators, doctors ing the solution among themselves. to be ‘guests’ of a state institution. and medical students, etc.) who can qualify This is part of a write-up of a semi-public These meetings will be regular weekly occur- as leaders in their communities. Last year meeting held in Richmond, Va. on May 16th rences, and they plan always to draw the there were six members of Alcoholics Anony- —the first meeting of its kind to be held speakers from ex-patients of the Hospital, mous from various parts of the country who there. Several ministers and physicians a t thereby giving the men still within the walls attended the school. This year there will be tended as special guests. Tom B. of New York a tangible picture of hope for themselves. “If ten or fifteen A.A.s. Bill will again be a lec- and While Plains was the invited guest we can do it, you can do it” is the basis on turer on “The Fellowship of Alcoholics speaker. The article appeared in the Richwhich this important experiment is being Anonymous,” speaking at 7:30 p.m., Thurs- mond Times-Dispatch, Wednesday, May 17, tried. day, August 3rd. 1944.

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CENTRAL OFFICE NOTES: The Honolulu Story Continued from the June Issue Jan. 7, 1944. Next I heard another member, whom I’ll call of the unaccounted ones, a boy called H. After Shop — Pearl Harbor D, was off. This really hurt. It was he who being dry 6 weeks, he’d talked himself into Dear Central Office: instituted our dinners together, and we all the idea that it would be O.K. to put a little Received your letter of Dec. 27 and the list had high hopes for him. When we contacted whiskey in some hot lemonade he was drinkof groups yesterday, and your letter of Dec. him first he was fresh off a binge . . . didn’t ing for a cold. With that start he landed in 29 with the clippings, today. You have no have money for room rent or even the next the hospital in bad shape. I went to see him. idea how much your letters mean. . . . I was meal. We helped him, out and he went to He told me he knew A.A. had the right feeling very low yesterday. All has not been work. He repaid us, not only the money we answers for him and had been analyzing himclear sailing in Honolulu. On Thursday, Dec. had loaned him, but he was the making of the self with the help of the doctor and nurses 30, we had a meeting—5 people present out of organization here; his enthusiasm seemed con- (they’re all cooperating with us in that hos- 9 expected. Two phoned in good reasons, but tagious to the rest of us. You can imagine pital) to see where he’d failed to apply the 2 more were unaccounted for. However, we my disappointment when I heard he was program correctly. I left my copy of the book all felt pretty confident; then things began to drinking. He’d been a professional man with with him, and went back to see him yesterday happen the very next day. a fine educational background, including post- —found him with 2 other alkies deeply ab- One of the 5 started drinking again. We’ll graduate work in Europe . . . once a leader in sorbed in a discussion of the book. One of call him B—and I really like the fellow a his field in a Western city. There he became them said he’d be out and at our next meetgreat deal. He has a university education, alcoholic. He had himself committed to a ing—the other was a woman. and has traveled all over the world. He state mental hospital, and after his release I am especially pleased about the woman. stopped off in Honolulu 14 years ago, after managed to get an appointment with a C.C.C. She’d read the book through, and told me her a t r i p to the Far East, for a 2-weck vacation, outfit—but started drinking their medical al- story. It seems she started drinking heavily and started on a binge that didn’t end until he cohol and was discharged. More hospitals and while still in her teens, and—became an alwas broke and stranded here. He became a sanitoriums—more jobs lost—then the war coholic in her twenties. She became a contypical tropical tramp: 14 years of drinking, started and he volunteered for work in the noisseur of sanitoriums all over the U.S. Came jails, hospitals, and getting fired from one job Islands. Men in his profession were so badly here, hoping to quit by changing localities. after another. For a year before the war he needed his record was overlooked, but a Has sobered up in almost every hospital in slept on a lauhala mat on a platform built in month or so passed and he started d r i n k i n g Honolulu, some of them several times. Rea banyan tree. The war, with blackout and again. Of course the day soon came when he cently quit for a couple of months and thought curfew, chased him out of his aerial roost, and couldn’t trust himself on the job. Flown to she had it licked . . . but soon was feeling too with jobs plentiful he began to make sincere Honolulu, to the Territorial Mental Health good, took that fatal first drink and then went efforts to beat the jinx. So far he’s lost every Clinic, he sobered up temporarily—but for ahead and drank herself back in the hospital. bout, but some of us who have been successful the last 15 months he’s been around here pull- She says she’ll be at the meeting next week, so far in A.A. have won his confidence, and ing one drunk after another. He’s worked as so maybe we’ve made a start among the lady he has the two main requisites for sobriety: a painter, a cab driver ( t i l l he smashed the alcoholics in Honolulu. he freely admits he’s alcoholic (has read and cab on a bender), a common laborer, or any- However, even after that visit, I wasn’t feeling studied all he could find on his problem), and thing else he could pick up in his sober inter- too well. I was too discouraged. I even had he sincerely wants to quit. As he’s asking for vals. some vague idea of calling up the others and help, we’ll naturally continue to do everything Well, that left 3 from the meeting of 5: Pete, telling them our next meeting was off. So I we can for him. Dick, and me. Meanwhile I’d checked on one (Continued on page 8)

Do You Know: THAT A. A. LUNCHEONS BUILD MORALE Although It seems alcoholics shouldn’t drink New members will find at the luncheons an as the members explore and settle an i n f i n i t e together—or at all, for that matter—they are unsurpassed opportunity to make lasting variety of topics with the gusto, assurance and deriving considerable benefit and pleasure friendships with more experienced members fluency characteristic of their kind. Quite infrom eating together. Virtually every section and to absorb invaluable pointers on the work- dispensable to many of us in the A.A. school of M a n h a t t a n is the scene of one or more A.A. ings of the Program. We think that there is of reorientation have been these midday assoluncheon groups which meet regularly at con- no better way to learn what makes A.A. tick ciations with kindred spirits whose visible venient times and places throughout the week. than by taking part in these very relaxed ses- growth in the art of living is a friendly chal- The ritual of breaking bread at a common sions. A striking and attractive feature of the lenge to emulation. Any alcoholic will be board never fails to produce that good fellow- gatherings is their air of friendliness. On the quietly and warmly welcomed into the comship sometimes attributed solely to the glass other hand you’ll find the conversation panionship of these small units. The group and the bottle. free from sentimentality and affectation, secretaries tell when and where.

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Mail Call for All A. A.s in the Armed Forces In our first issue we told of the near reunion on a South Pacific island of two veteran A.A. members, one a Navy, the other an Army, lieutenant. Our ONCE AGAIN, EASY DOES IT Navy friend now writes—”Have been having a few A.A. reunions out here on my own. Finally ran into John N., who has returned to this isle after an “Dear Bud: I feel like a rat not having answered your letter long ago; I’m afraid I’m absence of several months. We see each other frequently and reminisce not a very good correspondent. At least I can about the real old days. In addition to Johnny, I had a reunion with the now tell you where I am—Maui is the spot, master of a Liberty ship which came in here a short while ago—he was a the Hawaiian Islands the locale. This must be almost anti-climactic for you to hear, as I’m member of the Frisco group and out on the ship we just left the South sure by this time you have pictured me any- Pacific and were right back in the old atmosphere. Both of us agreed that where but here—probably down under, in a jungle surrounded by Japs. However, I’m in without the Group, neither would be here. Such reunions as these do won- no hurry; I’ll probably get there soon enough. ders for people who have been more or less completely cut off, and living Meanwhile this is a grand spot, and I feel very in a world apart. Give my best to all the old gang, and tell them to start lucky indeed to be here. This climate just those letters coming!” (That closing sentence should give us pause for suits me, the scenery, flowers, etc., are lovely, the swimming superb, and recreational facilithought. Ed.) ties are excellent. As far as I’m concerned, these Islands are all they’re cracked up to be and more. I’ve seen Pearl Harbor, done Honowho need the program. You say you prefer lulu, swum at Waikiki, and lolled around the the “bottle drunks” and the Salvation Army Royal Hawaiian. Even so, I’ll take Maui. The South Pacific lads are, it seems, our most bums. Someone else wants to deal with “digni- “I’ve had several letters from Bob D., and prolific correspondents, and the following re- fied drunks,” whatever they are. The need for these, together with yours, have kept me cent letter from Navy Lieutenant Bob W. to this thing is far beyond the question of per- pretty well posted on doings in New York. a fellow-member of a New Jersey Group con- sonalities but we still have to remember that Was sorry to learn t h a t the new Club House tains so much sound A.A. philosophy that we we and our prospects are human beings, so it fell thru; but no doubt this will be only a are quoting it, in as far as space permits, behooves us to present our merchandise as question of time. I was interested, too, to learn verbatim— attractively as possible. If you work more of the proposed—shall I say “Trade” publica- “Dear Tom: Life has been very full and inter- effectively with one kind, which is quite liketion. Sounds intriguing, if it can be worked esting for the past few months. I am still liv- ly, and someone else does better with another, out. Give my best to Ed C., Bob D., Chase, ing the way you expect me to and if I was I say full steam ahead on that basis. The Bill C., John, and all the rest, including the ever templed I am sure the memory of those underlying need and the answer to it will gals. Best regards, Bob H.” who mean so much to me would intervene and remain the same and we will all be happier put a halt to such ideas. There are plenty of because we will be doing our best work. Some (On receipt of Bob’s letter, we immediately boys who aren’t doing themselves any good of the groups will probably die off if the got in touch with the Central Office which will out here but it is quite easy to get a “don’t leadership isn’t there, but they will merge send him by Air Mail the address of the Honogive a damn” altitude when you’re so far from with stronger groups. lulu group (see story in this and previous any civilization. There will be more than ever “I didn’t mean to get going on that subject issue). As a veteran A.A., “dry” for two years, for us to do when this is over, Tom. but I am enthusiastic about the development. we believe he can he of invaluable assistance It seemed to me at times that the South to that fledgling group which is t r y i n g so hard “News about the new groups is very interest- Orange meetings were getting so large as to to consolidate its beachhead, and t h a t he, in ing. Personally I think it is a healthy sign. be somewhat awesome to new members who turn, will be pleasantly surprised to find A.A. Every great philosophy of living, Christianity, were naturally a little shy. One of the most has now reached the H a w a i i a n Island’s. Ed.) Mohammedanism, or what have you, has grown because the original leader has multi- important holds on the new man is making plied himself by creating other strong leaders him feel that he has a real part in the scheme. who in turn did the same thing. Whether you “When you get a chance, please give me the conceive of A.A. in the category of a religion late news. You can do a lot of good for your First reactions to The Grapevine received or not, it certainly is a plan of life for those SOUTH SEAS BRANCH, you know. One of the from A.A.s in Service are favorable. Accordof us who need it and it will spread only as extra dividends of A.A. is that you get to know ingly, we urge all members to send in interestfast as capable leaders develop to organize in such damned fine people. Sincerely, Bob.” ing data, especially from members overseas, such a way that it will be accessible to as many (We, too, wonder who the “dignified drunks” expressing ideas dealing w i t h the Program, as possible. Some are more effective with cer- are and think it would be restful 12th Step methods of handling their special problems, tain types than others but there are all types work to contact a few. Ed.) or amusing incidents of Service life.

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TIME ON YOUR HANDS The Pleasures of Reading The heated term is among us and the “ole swimmin’ hole” sends forth its appeal, so Advice direct from hell. Human-relation pointers given by Screwtape, a gather your t r u n k s or m i d r i f f model and hie yourself to one of the many Jersey or Long senior devil, to a favored nephew operating on earth are amusingly set forth Island beaches for a dose of vitamin-giving by C. S. Lewis in “Screwtape Letters.” (Macmillan Co. 1.50). Readers will sunshine, or take a train to Rye and PLAYLAND. laugh at the shrewd portrayal of soft spots, alibis and rationalizations sug- This beach is particularly recommended, especially on week days. If you can snatch gested by Screwtape in the battle between His Father, Satan, and The only an hour or two or want some lessons, try Enemy, God. They will appreciate the clever inverse presentation of time- the ST. GEORGE POOL, or the DALTON SWIMMING proved Christian philosophy and counsel. Mr. Lewis, a Fellow of Magda- SCHOOL, 19 West 44th Street. . . . Would you rather sit at home with your feet on a cake of lene College, is one of England’s popular contemporary writers and radio ice and a fan blowing cool zephyrs over your speakers. “The Case for Christianity” (1.00) and “Christian Behavior” fevered brow? Pick a cool day, go to the USO (1.00) offer straight treatment of the very real, every — day value of right headquarters in the Empire State Building living. All three volumes are well worth-while and easy to read. Mel C. and get a scrapbook complete with instructions for making. It’s fascinating work with Don’t let the name ‘Lindbergh’ scare you off. “The Steep Ascent,” by Anne plenty of opportunity for individual inspiration. . . . Now that sobriety has set in, you may Morrow Lindbergh (Harcourt, Brace & Co. 2.00), has no political content. want a picture of the shiny new smiles None whatsoever. It is the story of an adventure into the realm of the wreathing the faces of the several members spirit, as experienced by a young American woman while making a danger- of your family. Two schools are recommended by the Eastman Kodak Company: the SCHOOL ous flight over the Alps with her English husband. Honest and searching, OF MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY, 136 East 57th Street “The Steep Ascent” is written in words of almost biblical simplicity and and the NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF PHOTOGRAPHY, with a rare and moving sincerity. Maeve S. 10 West 33rd Street. . . . Are your ambitions bucolic? Send to the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF When interest in Alcohol becomes objective and is no longer the pressing AGRICULTURE, Washington, D. C., for a cataissue of our drinking days many of us A.A.s are interested to discover the log of booklets available on farming or write to the MEDLOCK FARM, Centre Square, “Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol.” (4 Hillhouse Ave., New Haven, Pennsylvania, for an outline of their 12 lesson Conn. 3.00 annually). Here appear articles relating to all the various phases course in Home Farming. . . . THE PAN-AMERIof research as they pertain to alcohol. Research in medicine, physiology, bio- CAN INSTITUTE, 130 West 42nd Street, offers lessons in Spanish for 2.00, 1.50 or 1.20 an chemistry, sociology, psychology, pathology, and statistics when concerned hour in a series of ten, depending on whether with problems and knowledge of alcohol are published in the “Journal.” one, two or three persons attend, or 1.00 an In addition, legal problems are dealt with by the Law Editor and current hour per person for a class of six (Portuguese slightly higher), and of course, there is always books and current literature of all languages are reviewed. Also, outstand- the good old BERLITZ, SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES, ing works of the past on alcohol, still of interest in modern times but gen- 630 Fifth Avenue…. Last and very important, erally unavailable, are republished. Yale University, through the Labora- too, if you are suffering from the heat, remember that the poor devil just off a binge with tory of Applied Physiology, is responsible for providing this valuable clearthe screaming meemies is suffering more, so— ing-house of the latest scientific work on that subject of vital interest to us. don’t wallow in self-pity, go to the CLUB Martha H. HOUSE, 3341⁄2 West 24th Street. Ask the secretary in charge what you can do to help. The “Alcoholics Anonymous,” (Works Publishing Co., Box 459, Grand Central best way to cure your own troubles is to listen Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. 3.50). to the other fellow’s.

HEARD AT MEETINGS Inter Group: “An alcoholic is a man with two self.” M a n h a t t a n : “When I look at a new prospect feet firmly planted in mid-air.” Manhattan: “Time heals all cuts; time also I say to myself, ‘If you don’t take a drink, Greenwich: “A.A. is like an umbrella. It cuts all heels.” feller, you’ll be where I am, and if I do take a won’t work unless you put it up.” Inter Group: “The twelve steps are a matter drink, I’ll be where you are—in no time flat’.” While Plains: “An alcoholic is a person who of long, slow work. One can’t go from a heel Nassau: “The surest way to lose your health finds he has nothing in common with him- to a halo in twelve easy lessons!” is to keep d r i n k i n g to other people’s.”

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A L O N G THE M E T R O P O L I T A N C I R C U I T BROOKLYN. The Brooklyn Group took over the salutary effect on their morale. Happily, our music by a celebrated swing orchestra. A meeting on Sunday, June 11th, at Monclair, Secretary has located a new apartment, a diffi- dazzling floor show was staged by our local New Jersey, and about twenty loyal Brooklyn cult feat in these days. Mrs. L. would like to talent. The bevy of graceful dancing beauties rooters went along in support of their speak- hear from anyone having k n i t t i n g wool of any were the hit of the evening. A third generaers. The open meetings of the Brooklyn color or weight or in any quantity, with which tion of A.A. was born in Westchester County Group continue to be held, at 8:30 p.m., on to make squares, which in turn are made into on June 4th. We, an offspring of White Plains, Friday evenings, at the Hotel St. George and afghans and donated to the wounded boys at regret the loss of some of our most active the attendance is rapidly increasing. Mem- St. Albans Hospital. At a recent meeting the members who have formed the new NEW bers from other groups are cordially invited. Group was delightfully regaled by the story ROCHELLE GROUP. We do, however, wish them of “Sandy Hook,” greatest of all A.A. cats. success. Their departure will leave a few What did he do? For complete details, get in vacant seats at our meetings, so we invite all touch with Fred S., care of this station. you Inter Groupers to pay us a visit. NEW GROUP IN EAST ORANGE. We started a couple of months ago with a membership of ten, meeting on Sundays and Wednesdays at 507 Main Street, East Orange. The spot is the MANHATTAN. The newly-formed Manhattan NASSAU-SUFFOLK GROUP. The June issue of Executive Chambers of the Orange Realtors Group got under way with a bang at the 24th The Grapevine reported that open meetings Association—quite swank quarters, carpeting Street Club House, Thursday, June 8th, at 8:30 were held at Hempstead, every Monday night. and over-stuffed furniture with perfect acous- p.m. (Same place, same time every week.) It Open meetings are now held every Friday tics. It has been remarked t h a t even the most was a closed meeting with a difference, and night and closed meetings on Monday nights, dismal talk has provoked the proper interest the reaction was extremely favorable. More at 177 Jackson St., Hempstead, L. 1., 8:30 p.m. because of the surroundings. All manner of stimulating, was the consensus. Instead of de- Every meeting shows the steady, healthy transportation is available to within 25 feel voting the entire time to open discussion, growth of the group. Our secretary added of our location. The membership has now there were two speakers—Bob W. and Clay F. three more names at last Friday’s meeting. A more than doubled and recruits are t u r n i n g Then the chairman, Tom B., gave over the number of birthdays have been celebrated up regularly. evening to questions and answers. “What does during the past few months. Volume #1 of The a drunk do to overcome his terrific response Grapevine was a sell-out; our Treasurer, Walto those terrific liquor ads?” This from a ler A., exhausted our (quota of copies shaky male in the last row, attending his first “pronto.” Walter offered to autograph the ELIZABETH HIGHLIGHTS. A meeting was led and A.A. get-together. Up front a man turned first edition at fifty cents per copy, but found run by our lady A.A.ers—nothing but the best. quietly around in his seat. “I write those ads!” no buyers. Watch us grow. T. J.’s guest, the Miami Fire he said. “They no longer bother me.” That Ball, was a rare treat. Plainfield has a new man has been coming regularly to meetings, meeting place on the lop floor of the Babcock talking about alcohol and alcoholism, hearing Bldg. Meetings are held every Friday night, about it. As the subject became more intel- NEW JERSEY GROUPS. All the Jersey groups with coffee and cake served. The Rahway lectualized for him, his emotional response held a general open meeting on Monday, June Kiwanis Club, with a fine attendance, was told gradually diminished, dissolved completely in 5th, at the Elks Club, Newark, similar to the by two of our ambassadors why we click. Next time. At least, he said, where his work was New York Metropolitan Inter Group meetings. on the list to be told is the Elizabeth Kiwanis. concerned! About three hundred and fifty persons were present and it is expected that further meetings of this type will be held, although no decision has been reached as to regular dates FLUSHING FLASHES. The first issue of The MOUNT VERNON GROUP NEWS. A special open for such meetings. The New Jersey groups Grapevine was a sell-out here and many mem- meeting to which the clergy, medical profes- have also adopted the policy of having an bers have articles to contribute. Thursday sion, court and probation officers, and social interchange of speakers at their various meetnight meetings continue to be interesting, en- workers were invited, was held on May 22nd. ings. lightening and well attended; a goodly num- It was very successful and the interest aroused ber are newcomers. Closed meetings are has brought us a deluge of inquiries for further usually held on the second Friday of the information. Invitations have been received month at the home of one of the members. for guest speakers to the Rotary, Kiwanis, and INTER GROUP MEETING IN MANHATTAN; Capitol A closed meeting for the ladies was held in Lions Club luncheons. The cooperation we Hotel, 51st Street and 8th Avenue, Walnut the home of Violet S. in Jackson Heights, have received from the Courts has been most Room; every Tuesday evening at 8:30. Room Wednesday, May 31st. Several nights a week gratifying. Our A.A. Night Club staged a gala open from 5:30. For all other meeting inone of our talented members visits Veterans performance on May 27th. Every table was formation watch group news on our Metro- Hospitals and sketches wounded boys and pre- taken and we enjoyed refreshments served by politan Circuit page, and check each issue for sents them w i t h their portraits. This has a an efficient staff of waiters, and dancing to changes of time and location.

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(Continued from page 4) (Continued from page 2) (Continued from page 1) went back and talked with Pete. He works set about, devising a set of tools for the A.A.A.s ism is not a disease, but a crime and a sin.’ w i t h me now, and there’s one alkie who’s (Auxiliary A.A.s). Next, instead of my usual Dr. A n t o n Carlson, President of the Research really going to town in A.A. He was afraid morning wallow in self-pity, I began to put Council, also President of the American Asthat I’d start drinking over the disappoint- my plan into action. I started, like any A.A., sociation for the advancement of Science, ments . . . he reminded me of the little white honestly looking for my own faults, instead made this statement in his closing address, card you sent me and told me I should pray of concentrating on my husband’s. adding t h a t this was a large assumption, for for the serenity to accept things I couldn’t Almost immediately, the miracle began to if it. were a crime or a sin (and current legchange, He said we were playing for too high happen! The sympathetic understanding, islation means just this) it would mean that stakes personally to let the failure of others which I thought lacking, was there. It had the individual is in control of his sobriety or throw us too. . . . been there all the time, while I turned my inebriety, whereas medicine knows well t h a t I am now l i v i n g in the Central Y.M.C.A, and back and sought it in another direction. For t h i s is not true of the alcoholic. our meetings are held in the same building. the first time in years, Harmony entered our Some high-lights that emerged: “City hos- I went there and waited in the lobby. D came front door, not as a polite caller, but. as a p i t a l s offer only temporary First Aid.” “The in first, a little the worse for wear, but still permanent resident. All this happened, not difference between a normal drinker and an sure A.A. had his answer and still determined because my husband had stopped drinking alcoholic: the first has satiety before intoxito find it. Then the second unaccounted-for and had gone through a personality change, cation, the second intoxication before satiety.” absentee from our last meeting came in, sober but because I went through a personality “The alcoholic is like the man from Ghent but shaky. Pete and Dick came in. They felt change too. And, although our problems were who jumped on a horse and rode off in all that, although it was too bad about the others, not always the same, we were now attacking directions.” “The alcoholic has a velvety the program was working swell for them, and them with the same set of tools. They worked! personality.” they thought the rest would soon be finding That’s why I’m passing on my personal twelve their way around too. And the new man who steps, hoping they may help another through had met H in the hospital came too. In all we were 6, and we really had an inspiring the trying period of readjustment. They are: GRAPEVINE FINANCES 1. I admitted that I was powerless to help my meeting. husband with his alcoholic problem. (Very The Editors of The Grapevine feel that its All the A.A.s in Honolulu say, bruising to the pride, but humility is easier to readers and contributors are entitled to know Aloha live with.) E.G. the costs of putting the paper out. Our first 2. I came to believe that a Power greater Jan. 12, 1944. issue cost $187.10 of which $86.00 went for than myself could help both of us with our Shop — Pearl Harbor several problems. the printing of 1200 copies; $79.38 paid for Dear Central Office: 3. I made a decision to turn my will and my the masthead and the Alcoholics Anonymous A big part of the troubles I told you of have life over to God, as I understood Him. cut, and $21.72 included postage, the Post been ironed out. We’re back on the beam and 4. I made a searching and fearless moral in- Office box rent, mailing wrappers, etc. Since overloaded with inquiries and calls for help. ventory of myself. In fact we’re overworked and delighted. I can 5. I admitted to God, to myself, and to an- some of these costs are non-recurring (the count up 15 people who are definitely under other human being the exact nature of the masthead and the lettering for instance), the influence of A.A., and I’m so thrilled at faults I found and the wrongs these caused. and other costs will rise (postage and stathe progress we’re making that if I don’t shut 6. I was entirely ready to have God remove tionery, etc.) we estimate that future issues myself off, this letter will turn into another all of these defects of character. will probably run around $150.00 per issue. one of those manuscripts. And I must get my 7. I humbly asked Him to remove my short- If the entire run of any issue sells out: 1. on sleep. I can sleep now, thanks to A.A. comings. Yours, a copy basis (15c)—revenue will be $180.00; 8. I made a list of all the harm I had done, E.G. 2. on a subscription basis (121⁄2c)— revenue however unwittingly, and of all the mean and (To be continued next month) will be $150.00. However about 600 copies spiteful things I had deliberately done when I had tried to help and found I couldn’t, or of the first, issue were distributed free, and Cut This Out and M a i l to: when I was feeling sorry for myself. free copies will continue to be sent to all The Grapevine 9. I made amends wherever possible. service men and women whose addresses we P. O. Box 328 10. I continued to take personal inventory can get. Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. and when I was wrong, promptly admitted it.. To break even on future issues it is esti- Herewith 1.50 for one year’s subscription 11. I sought through prayer and m e d i t a t i o n mated we would need: 1000 copy sales-— to The Grapevine ( M o n t h l y ) to improve my conscious contact with God, as $150.00, OR 1200 subscriptions—$150.00, or For additional subscriptions enclose separate I understood Him, praying only for knowl- a combination of the two producing t h a t sheet with name and address clearly printed. edge of His will for me and the power to carry amount. We do not expect to achieve that Checks payable to The Grapevine. that out. immediately, but as the first three issues Total Enclosed 12. Having had a s p i r i t u a l experience as the have been underwritten by the Editors, and PLEASE PRINT result of these steps (and one does), I tried we have already received some donations Name to carry t h i s message to other A.A.A.s, and to from interested friends of The Grapevine, Address practice these principles in all my affairs. we guess we’ll get along. Just t h o u g h t you all An anonymous wife would like to know! Ed.

VOL. I, NO. 3, AUGUST, 1944 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 1.50; COPY, 15c May we remind those who see, read and possess a copy of this paper but who are not members of A.A. of the meaning of those two initials • • and ask them to respect our anonymity? Please do not quote or reprint without our permission.

ALCOHOLICS GIVE spinning around and around and never getting started to tell you about. And now you see out until the friendly hand, no longer tremb- why. God was nearer that night than I have FAM0US P R O D U C E R ling, released him. ever known Him. He was actually to be seen The similarity of the pattern all the speakers at work. His ways were not for that evening MOVING EXPERIENCE had lived was revealing. Old John is not very mysterious. His presence shone in many faces. original. He seems to have only two or three It isn’t often we actually meet God. There are a few unforgettable experiences that holds. When these no longer work he is licked. Arthur Hopkins take permanent place in memory and become Apparently his strongest hold is to convince a continuing source of enrichment—the first dollar I wa8 given as a child and which I the opponent that he is really a harmless old fellow who can be handled the next time— LIVES AND MAN-HOURS promptly spent on an ugly hassock, as a but it is always the next time. SAVED BY COAST A. A. present for my mother; the day I left home When the opponent finally discovers that Old for preparatory school, accompanied by my John’s assurance is a sly come-on, he is start- We all know that A.A. saves lives. But in nndemonstrative and taciturn father, expect- ing one from the floor that will eventually war-time, and in the country that is “the ing some words of advice, but hearing nothing knock Old John flat. arsenal of democracy,” man-hours saved in until my foot was on the car step when he It is the helping hand that points out the war industries also save lives—soldiers’ lives. said: “Don’t make a damn fool of yourself”; opening in Old John’s defense. The helping And A.A. is saving man-hours, too—in big the middle-of-the-night visit when the hospital hand knows because he, too, had been vic- chunks. The Central Office has recently heard attendants could not keep him out of my room timized. from an A.A. who is employed by the Maribecause he had to see for himself that I was Other helping hands. Anonymous hands, take time Commission in one of the largest Kaiser alive; the day when as a cub reporter in Cleve- hold. shipyards, to work with alcoholics. In other land I established the identity of the mysteri- Someone suggests that maybe God would be words, A.A., through this member, saves ous slayer of McKinley; the day just a little glad to help him. Later on, the surprised man-hours, to save lives, to win the war. ° later when I was assigned to cover Theodore aspirant not only finds help but at the same The leading newspaper of Richmond, Cal. Roosevelt’s hasty inauguration at the Ansley time finds God. If this was the road he had ran an editorial about it: “Through the work Wilcox home in Buffalo and saw Elihu Root, to travel to find God, then the whole torturing of a little-known organization, thousands of in tears, administer the oath, nearly everyone journey ceases to be a shameful memory. Any man-hours and the abilities and self-respect in the room crying, but not Teddy; the night trip that ends in God’s presence is worth any and lives of many men and women employed my first play opened in New York and was a torture, even any pain inflicted on others. at the Richmond shipyard are being saved. success: the night I presented John Barry- Then comes die third step. The helping hands This organization, known as Alcoholics Anonymore in “Hamlet.” There are a few more, but have told him that they found the way to mous, a non-profit organization composed of in recent years the most unforgettable experi- fortify themselves was to help others. So the alcoholics who have conquered their desire ence was a meeting at Webster Hall of Alco- aspirant becomes a helping hand, an Anony- for drink, has worked on 300 cases through holics Anonymous. mous hand. Now he is in the stream of geo- and in conjunction with the Welfare Depart- Light-hearted people told with such a sense metrical progression—one helps one, two ment of the Permanente Hospital. Alcoholic* of freedom among friends the degradations help two and so on until now thousands are Anonymous is credited with saving 600,000 experienced in a hopeless and tenacious battle helping thousands and ultimately it will be man-hours in one year. One man, who was with John Barleycorn, and how out of the hundreds of thousands. Old John has no way addicted to the use of intoxicants, who lost dark came a friendly hand, an understanding of coping with geometrical progression. So many hours from his job, called on Alcoholics hand, that once had tremblingly raised many far as he is concerned this springing on him Anonymous. He alone was responsible for the a desperately needed hooker, seeking with the of an old law is a dirty trick. The only laws shipyards saving 8000 man-hours per ship in same old poison to be freed from the tortures he ever knew could be broken. Where do they suggesting improved methods of doing work. of the same old poison. get this geometrical progression stuff? There are alcoholics working in the Richmond It all had a caged squirrel sound, the prisoner This was the unforgettable experience I (Continued on page 8)

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EDITORIAL: problem. Even if mine is essentially the same problem of all alcoholics, I occasionally could wish that there were just one other narcotic victim in my A.A. group with whom I might On Living the A. A. Way for 7 Years share experiences. And though through the help of the Higher Power and my A.A. friends I no longer take morphine, I realize I fear it Funny thing after all these years . . . but it seems I haven’t known too much in a way I’ve ceased fearing alcohol. If I could about A.A. and what it really meant until just lately. And I suppose I shall just share experiences with some other “hopgo on as long as I live, and remain in A.A., feeling from week to week, month head” I know it would be a big help, and among A.A.’s thousands I’m sure I’ll find my to month, and maybe even year to year, that I am only just beginning to have fellows. Sincerely “Doc” N. some-appreciation of what it all means, how big it is. Dear Grapevine: . . . to puff and flatter alco- Sure, for over seven years now I’ve yapped happily about A.A.—what it is, holics by saying that they laugh “at ghoulish how to use it, and what it could do for you—when, in reality, I had only a memories over which weaker souls would glimmer of its full power. But now I’ve seen people use it. There was the cringe’ is to do them a disservice…. We are not stronger souls than others; we aren’t grubs A.A. couple who lost three children in one week. Another couple whose who have blossomed into beautiful personalionly son died. Then there was the fellow who sobered up a couple of years ties soaring on our ‘butterfly wings’; we are no ago and was finally able to get his wife the fur coat he had been promising more sensitive and imaginative than countless non-alcoholics. We are simply ill people— for ten years . . . she was killed wearing it within a week. some of us bores, some of us interesting, some All of them stayed sober and I thought that was fine. They even continued stupid, some intelligent, some nice drunks, some lousy drunks—all in all, a cross-section to be thankful for their years of sobriety, for the way A.A. had helped them of the population which has dried up…. Mr. meet their problems. They made me feel ashamed because I didn’t know how Oursler paints us as we are not. Violet S. et al. I would have reacted had these things happened to me. Then came my Dear Grapevine: Your thought for service men nephew’s fatal accident and I don’t think that anyone who knew my brother is excellent. Alcoholics are put to their greatand me—both A.A.s—gave the possibility of our drinking a thought. I est test while under stress. The emotions take know at least that we didn’t. And I also know that both of us had been dry over, and we are in great danger. The strain in the Army is terrific. Voices shouting long enough so that we had the boy’s respect, and we are thankful for that. orders, the hurry up and wait, arbitrary de- My brother says, “J. is where we put him when he went into the Army—in cisions which cause great inconvenience; God’s hands—and he’s still in that care.” My brother and his wife are living these, and the whole idea of regimentation that way, and it is a great and merciful thing that we can feel as we do about it. create stress enough to knock us for several loops as things were in the old days. It was I don’t mean we just say that, and then go out and play golf—we have that well expressed by the soldier who was asked very human selfishness that creeps up often, of wanting him back, of feeling by the Colonel’s wife if he were happy in the Service. “No, ma’am.” he answered, “I’m nervresentful that he was taken; but when that happens we can straighten our- ous in the Service.” Then, too, for those of selves out. We live by A.A. D.S. us who like to be alone at times, it is extremely difficult. The only solitude I have been able to get in the Army has been in the

Points of View middle of the drill field late at night. Without the A.A. program I know that long before this I would have gotten into serious Editors” Piteous Note: Dear Readers, some of publishing or financial matters—they merely trouble. We must accept a situation we canyou are giving the Central Office, already read us. Often with pleasure, they tell us, not change; and we learned in A.A. that the loaded to the gills with work, extra headaches. which is music to our ears. So please, Readers manner in which we accept things is infin- You recklessly address your Grapevine letters dear, don’t go bolixing up these happy rela- itely more important than whatever we might and subscriptions to them . . . and your of- tions with gaga addresses. have to accept. I don’t recommend it as a ficial A.A. communiques to us! Other way cure, but I believe that this is a constructive, round please. Also, kindly note with care that Dear Grapevine: Your second issue at hand beneficial experience. I have been forced to our P.O. Box number is 328, Grand Central inspires me to an idea. I’m sure there are depend upon A.A. to the utmost to remain Annex. N. Y. 17, ;V. Y. Incidentally, if this other A.A. who. like myself, are finding in as well as I have. Two ‘slips’ in twenty months will make things clearer, the Central Office A.A. the highway to freedom from narcotics. in the Army is. to me, an indication of what and the Alcoholic Foundation have no con- Why not give us a “hophead’s corner” in The happens when we don’t constantly practice nection with the Grapevine in regard to policy, Grapevine? After all. we do have a particular our program. John D.

Clipped by Harold R. from the July 10th issue of Time Magazine: Christian Adolf Volf … an acoustical physicist . . . declared that he had found from cartful observation that helpless drunks always walk east, fall down when they walk west. A drunk . . . will resist entering a car or patrol wagon when it faces west but climb aboard willingly if it faces east. And he is much easier to lift to his feet if he faces east. Another useful tip: some drunks only fight facing eastward. Volf advice: “The fight may be avoided if the opponent will cause the intoxicant to face westward. This impels the intoxicant to fall backward.” Seems it all has to do with the earth’s rotation. When you had that whirling sensation you were whirling plenty, baby!

FIVE ALCOHOLICS LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT PITCH More and more musicians and show people a week, it never lasted beyond a day. Then pitch is better at the beginning. The singer are getting into A.A. In our New York group, I’d get another bottle, mark it the same way. I was playing for went off just a little bit. I we have a young orchestra. Rudy is the At first, the drinks would give me an inspira- couldn’t stand that noise. I got up and left greatest French horn player in the country. tion and lift. But when I wrote music, drunk, her, hanging in her high Cs.” Koussevitzky said that his solo in Tschaikov- I had no sense of time, I forgot to put down Paula could never overcome her unreasonable sky’s Fifth has never been surpassed. But the measures. The next day, my life was a sense of inferiority. She went on drinking. Rudy went on benders, dragging his French broken jig saw puzzle, and I’d spend the whole When drunk, she said mean things, followed horn with him to bars, always hanging on to day, trying to decipher what I’d written. it up with flying crockery. She had D.T.s She it. Friends dragged Rudy out of a hotel Many times I used to get so furious I’d tear heard music, very loud. Again she ‘couldn’t hallway one night whither he had escaped up some which was good.” stand that noise.’ She turned on the gas. stark naked, to surpass himself in a horn Paula played the piano in a speakeasy when Fortunately she was found in time. Her sculpsolo. she was fifteen. Here Chaliapin, and other tor husband (they met in a bar, and have Rudy got his friend Pee Wee into the group, great musical figures, gathered fondly around achieved one of those rare things, a bar marand together they got Johnnie, when the three the child, kept leaving their drinks on riage) said he’d leave her. Paula tried A.A. of them were playing in the Ripley ‘Believe the piano. That’s how I started to drink,” Was sober for a while, then had a slip. But It Or Not’ program. All three of them are she says. “An analyst told me he’d make me during her last period of drinking, Paula working in radio now, making good money. into a respectable lady drinker. But he never changed. Something in A.A. stayed with her. But all three backslid in their careers. In succeeded. I wrote two shows for the Jewish With growing confidence she collected whole A.A. they’re learning what to do about it. theatre, finished one, and got the money. The sober days, during which she worked ardu- Then we have two girls, Paula and Peggy. second one I refused to do. I was too busy ously. Now, back in A.A. sober, “Twenty-five Both play the piano. Peggy’s a night club drinking. I travelled with Molly Picon as days old” as she says, she has written a modern performer; Paula, who is Polish, composes composer-pianist. I played for Mordkin. I symphony of Peter Pan which has been pro- Prokofieff-like music. Peggy was eased out of was musical casting director for Pins and duced. “Because I always saw myself as the show business, and night club engagements. Needles. Trouble came whenever I made little child who didn’t want to grow up, who Paula’s work, brilliant and uneven, has never money. On tour once, I was accompanist to a wanted to run .” With this new insight into quite come off. singer. I had a sense of moral obligation. I herself, Paula means to stay in A.A. and work, All our musicians are dry only a short time showed up before the performance to tell her putting together the jigsaw puzzle of herself (except Rudy). Peggy, Paula and Rudy are I was too drunk. Then I went back to my and her career. on their second round, determined to make it. hotel room and passed out. The phone kept But Rudy, although he got to the top. had a Paula, who’s red-headed. Slavicly good look- ringing .” Another singer whom Paula was sense of insecurity, too. He says, “I never ing, says “On a bottle of Scotch I marked Do on tour with, got an even more sudden sur- really had faith in myself alone. I started Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do. I tried to make it last prise. “When you’re drinking your perfect ( Continued on page 8)

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CENTRAL OFFICE NOTES: The Honolulu Story Continued from the July Issue P.O. Box 459, Honolulu and unselfconsciousness at our meetings, we the worst of the local alcoholics. He himself Jan. 23, 1944 are afraid we might lose these things if non- says that he has been almost completely un- Dear Central Office: alcoholics were present. How do other clubs successful. Last year he read the book Alco- Received your letter and the 2 books and handle this matter best? holics Anonymous and gave a copy to one of pamphlets today. Thanks a million … we Our one woman member, N , is really a the men he was trying to help. I think he was can sure use them—8 or 9 people have read wonderful person, and she’s begging for some really surprised when the man quit drinking. the one book we had, and everyone is crying way to be active. She and her husband T Recently he’s been trying to help another for a copy for themselves. I believe lack of are both alcoholics and found A.A. through alkie here, and I happened to contact the sufficient copies of the book has been one of their doctor. He has been to a meeting but same man, who told the philanthropist about our greatest handicaps here. she has not. She is a rather prominent profes- me. He wrote and asked to see me and I went We’ve been very gratified at the way non- sional woman, and although she wants to at- to see him. He is a very sincere Christian alcoholic people whom we’ve happened to tend meetings very badly, she just can’t do it man and I’m sure all he wants to do is help. contact have received us. There are probably for some very good reasons. But she’s eager Here’s his proposition, or offer: not over 25 or 30 non-alcoholics in Honolulu and willing to help in any way, and I believe He believes we could be more effective if we who know we exist, but of these, 4 doctors she has a better understanding of the program had a house of our own. Just an ordinary (2 psychiatrists and 2 medical men having and principles of A.A. than many of us men. dwelling house, as centrally located as posoccasion to treat quite a number of alcohol- Would you like to hear from her? I’m sure sible, with one or two A.A.s living there: the ics), 2 psychiatric nurses, one psychiatric it would help and please her a great deal to house to be the property of A.A. and open at social worker, a minister, a priest, a philan- correspond with you. all times to members. It would have a living thropist, a newspaper editor, and 2 Y.M.C.A. Your grateful friend, E.G. room fixed up as a clubroom. with table officials have all expressed their approval of Honolulu games, books, etc. He thinks we should try the A.A. program and the way we are carry- Jan. 30, 1944 to make it a hangout for A.A. members, a ing it out, and have offered to help in any way Dear Central Office: place where a lonely member would be sure they can. If we would throw our meetings I know you have other things to do besides of meeting kindred souls (so many of our open to them, I’m afraid we would have more read letters from Hawaii, but we do need members and prospective members are separfriends there than alcoholics. So far we have advice here so badly. There is a philanthro- ated from their families, either through the excluded them, for we have found such a pist in Honolulu who has for years been trying war or alcohol). Also he would like to see us spirit of mutual confidence, trust, friendliness out one idea after another in an effort to help (Continued on page 8)

Do You Know: HOW TO USE THE CLOSED MEETINGS Gabbing as is our wont, the other evening at with brand-new members present. They might members, that argument wobbles like a drunk air-conditioned Stewarts, after a Thursday get the impression that none of us stays sober nearing his last legs. Now really. As one closed meeting, an A.A. member asked why for any length of time. They might get so young woman put it, “If the older member’s we didn’t have one regular closed meeting discouraged by that kind of talk that they’d question is burning enough, he’ll barge in and for older members only. “That is,” he said. never come back. They might …” He got burst out with it. Nobody could stop him. If “people who’ve been in A.A. at least a month no further. Elbows came up. coffee went it’s not so very important, a little listening to or more.” The complaint was that at present down. And the gabfest was on for sure. Here other people’s troubles won’t do him any too much time is devoted to questions and is the meat off the bone so well picked that harm.” As a general rule, it isn’t the older answers pertaining to the problems of the evening: Closed meetings are for the purpose member who is shy about talking at closed spanking newcomer, the lad or the lass who is of discussing personal problems concerning meetings, it’s the new member. Also, the constill in the throes of that virus known as jitters. alcohol, problems that one does not feel free sensus was that the closed meetings need the So much time that the problems of the older to discuss in the presence of non-alcoholics. stimulation of a constant flow of new members members are neglected. “Also,” added the Uninhibited by the presence of “outlanders,” and their provocative questions. Very much complainant, “there are things that shouldn’t you can speak your mind freely at a closed need them. And as for the slip-slipper-slipbe discussed in the presence of those who’ve meeting, secure in the knowledge that you are ping talk, that’s not going to harm the new attended only one or two meetings.” among people who know the very worst about ewe lambs. Not seriously anyway. Even if he Elbows plopped on the table. Coffee cups you, who have the same malady as your own, should go away for a while, as a result of it. rattled. “What, for example?” The question and who will listen to you with sympathy and he’ll be back. He’ll be back if he seriously came from all sides. “Well, to begin with— understanding. As for the older members not wants to sober up. And we will welcome him slips,” was the reply. “It’s bad stuff to discuss having a chance to air their problems because with gratitude in our hearts: here is another slips, slippers and slipping all over the place. of concentration on those of the brand-new sick person we are privileged to help.

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Mail Call for All A. A.s in the Armed Forces In answer to our D-day letter, that old raconteur, Warrant Officer Norman factors would, of itself, make the Program worthwhile. Combined, they have remoulded M., shot one back at us from the South Pacific in near record time. His my life, and provided it with its greatest exletter, dated June 15, enclosed as an exchange copy for The Grapevine an perience.” Y.G. amusing Picture Supplement to an Air Force paper. Norman writes: “The Grapevine! There’s a sardonic double entendre masthead if I ever saw one. FROM THE ATLANTIC FRONT It, like the whole tone of the paper, is perfectly A.A. in spirit. The utter On the eve of D-day, another good A.A. lack of finality in editorializing as well as its sense of humor about its mis- member, an Army officer in a responsible post, sion is grand! And what a gem it is for an A.A. to get overseas. Alcoholics writing from England, gives his method of are such a peculiarly ‘much-in-common’ group that I sometimes doubt how working out the problem of lack of A.A. con- I’d behave in the Tokyo chapter of the A.A.! Comes that day, I think we’d tacts: “We are pretty tense wondering if and when the big show is going to start. I think better start one. Talk of alibis! Whew! The very thought makes me jittery often, with pleasure, of our small meetings. and I can’t get to 24th Street soon enough.” In fact, I believe I have an even deeper appreciation of them and the friendships made there than I did before. Being over here under and the ‘decide for yourself approach of A.A. present circumstances gives you a pretty sharp to convince me. Now I realize the fatality of perception of values. A.A. has been working (The ideas expressed in the following letter believing that ‘this time will be different,’ and without a ‘slip’ for me. By reading and reare, according to the author, “the result of know that, no matter how long sober, the same reading the book and holding regular thought much meditation during tropical nights on a old pattern will start with the first drink, sessions with myself, I have been able to com- South Pacific Island.” We hope other mem- whenever taken. To my mind, no other pensate in part for the lack of association and bers in the Service, wherever stationed, will method has been devised to convince the alcogroup therapy. Feel very confident but not find time to meditate and pass on to us as holic as conclusively of this fact as the plan cocky.” helpful an analysis of their conclusions on the of A.A., of hearing and watching (on ’12th effectiveness of the Program.) step’ work) other alcoholics and their experi- “As an officer in the Navy, completely apart ences. ADDITIONAL OVERSEAS NOTES from active touch with the Group for 11 “2. The gradual stirring and awakening of months, I have had considerable opportunity the Spiritual side of my personality. Before From one of our two — man Group on a South to reflect that certain phases of the overall A.A. I had never given consideration to spirit- Pacific Island (see the last issue): picture have been the most important in the ual thought, or the power to be transmitted “G. and myself have a wonderful time to- A.A. Program; a program which has proved and released through contact with God. and gether. To meet one of the boys in a place to be the most powerful influence in shaping the resultant influence in shaping one’s life. like this is really out of the world. He has a my life. At a distance, not clouded by too Through the Program, an interest in Spiritual jolt which is very harassing and he takes it close a perspective resulting from very active thought evolved, I know not exactly how, and right in his stride. His attitude is a fine exparticipation in Group matters, one has occa- this contact with a ‘Higher Power’ has re- ample. … I have met lots of people in my sion to get a clearer view of the problem as a sulted in the banishment of fear, a peace of travels but give me the understanding, tolerwhole. Two yean ago I attended my first mind which I never expected to enjoy, and a ant group of people I left at 24th Street.” John meeting. It impressed me terrifically—so much change in my whole method of living. In fact, so, in fact, that for the first year I “worked” it has reached into corners of my life far apart What locality is your guess on this one? the program every possible moment, i.e., from the problem which led me to A.A. “Both typewriters and ink are scarce in these meetings, calls, discussions, etc., as well as try- “3. The friendships which have resulted from, parts. So are napkins, matches, good coffee, ing to practice the principles. This, combined being in the Group. These are truly real female legs with proper curves (all the ladies with the fact that I reached the portals of A.A. friendships in every sense of the word. While look like they’re muscle-bound), streets that fully “ripe,” and anxious to do something I feel that I have many friends outside of A.A., know where they’re going, sunshine, and good about my problem, has made it easy for me and also the ties that bind me and my brother plumbing.” to remain “dry” since that first meeting. From officers. I know that in time of crisis of any my reflections on A.A., and what it has meant kind, none would stand by with clearer under- From an Island in the South Pacific: to me, three salient factors have impressed standing or a more sincere desire to help than “It’s so damned hot here that even a nonthemselves on my mind: each or all of my many friends in the Group. alcoholic would ‘blow his top’ on a drink. ” “1. The definite and final-realisation that I For from the teaching) of A.A. as a program cannot take a drink and react like a normal of living come richer friendships than any A London oddity: person. This had been pointed out by others others. “A cabbie from Brooklyn who’d been here before A.A.. but it took the understanding. “To my mind, any one of the above three since the last war.”

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TIME ON YOUR HANDS The Pleasures of Reading So many of us, as we emerge from the abyss of alcoholism, are aware of barren, wasted years and missed opportunities. As our minds One of the minor characters in The Razors Edge, “W. Somerset Maugham’s open little by little and become de-fogged, new book (Doubleday Doran, 2.75), will seem real to A.A.s. The shy, we are often beset by the grim gremlins of poetically inclined daughter of a well-to-do mid-western family, robbed of regret when we realize that the bar room and cocktail corner did not give us intellectual her husband and small child in a car crash, first seeks relief, then oblivion, and practical food and drink even though, at in alcohol and opium. She threads her way through the lives of childhood times, we felt ourselves to be brilliant and friends until her final release, a corpse drifting in the Mediterranean. Her sophisticated members of the intelligentsia. It is, therefore, comforting to discover that moments of exhilaration, frantic grappling for help, are skillfully and sym- it is not too late and that New York City and pathetically presented. Parallel in time, the main theme of the story follows its environs offer the finest adult educational the search for faith by a war flier who watched others grow rich in lush programs to be found anywhere in the country. Our latest find, THE NEW SCHOOL FOR times, lose their fortunes in the depressions and, with the material things, SOCIAL RESEARCH, 66 West 12th Street, is an most of their values. Gradually he develops a strong though inarticulate example. As The Grapevine goes to print, it philosophy based on helping others. The author-narrator presents a number is too late to take advantage of the Summer session, but it is not too early to start making of very human people in a story that merits its place among the current best plans for the Fall semester. The tuition is sellers. Mel C. extremely moderate, many of the classes are at night and the list of offerings is varied and Booze and bad eyes seem to go together. The Art of Seeing, by Aldous extensive. It includes Philosophy and Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, Eco- Huxley (Harper Bros., 2.50), may do for the alcoholic’s poor eyesight what nomics, Art, Drama (acting, writing and stagethe A.A. book does for his drinking. And we don’t mean it will dry up the craft), Literature, Professional Writing and eyes. Quite the contrary. As in the A.A. book, this one outlines steps to be Languages, all of these in their various phases. The Fall program will be sent on request and followed: psycho-physical exercises which lead to improved vision, if faith- is well worth looking over. Credits for B.A. fully practised. According to Huxley, the orthodox theory of opthalmo- degrees are given when desired. For practical, logical science is that the defective eye cannot be re-educated towards vocational training, it might be well to apply to your nearest Y.M.C.A. Many of them have normality by any process of mind-body coordination. Dr. “W. H. Bates, a an affiliated Trade and Technical School. If New York oculist, seeking a substitute for artificial lenses, set himself to your local Y.M.C.A, hasn’t this service, go to discover a way of re-educating defective vision into a condition of normality. the one at 5 West 63rd Street and make inquiries about their classes. For those inter- It is Dr. Bates’ principles that Huxley (practising the 12th step) so generested in art. the COOPER UNION ART SCHOOL. ously passes on to other visually handicapped people. Huxley says that be- Cooper Square. Room 20SA, has free day and cause visual re-education demands a certain amount of thought, time and evening courses. Their catalogue is worth sending for. THE NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF trouble, the majority of people continue along more or less satisfactorily DIETETICS, 660 Madison Avenue, will prepare with the help of mechanical seeing — aids—unless motivated by a passionate you for an interesting and practical career. desire or an imperious need. Familiar language, that, isn’t it? Maeve S. There will be an increasing demand for trained dieticians in the immediate and postwar picture. Start now, plan to make your Three murders, a dash of sabotage, an elegant gold digger with full complehours count next fall In the meantime, go to ment of love-starved and therefore jealous sisters, stirred up in war-time your nearest RED CROSS or CIVILIAN DEFENSE California sunlight and dark night are the main ingredients in Escape the VOLUNTEER OFFICE and offer your services. The volunteer shortage is acute—or—if the shakes Night, Mignon Eberhart (Random House, 2.00). The story moves briskly have gone and you are feeling fit and singing if somewhat aimlessly at times. Whodunit fans will find all the necessary, in the shower, give some of that grand new including the clinch at the end. Kitty R. blood that is coursing through your veins to the Red Cross. There’s a guy out there somewhere who isn’t singing and needs that pint (of blood) more than you do. If you have a free moment right now, sit down and write us Alcoholics Anonymous (“Works Publishing Co.. Box 459, Grand Central about your hobby or how and where you Annex. N. Y. 17, N. Y.. 3.50). learned about the interesting things you know.

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A L O N G THE M E T R O P O L I T A N C I R C U I T BROOKLYN BRIEFS. For the summer months, we are Island will be directed to A.A. by this very good were most complimentary. Noses of two-year drys reholding open meetings on Friday at 8:30 P.M., in friend. cently counted in this group, and—Hurrah, we find the air-cooled Grand Salon of the Hotel St. George, that six are entering their third. Visits from other Henry and Clark Streets, Brooklyn. An elevator groups are always welcome. Trains leave Flatbush runs from the Clark Street Station of the 7th Ave- MANHATTAN. Earl O., a member of this group, really Ave. Station, Brooklyn, or. L.I.R.R. Station, 33rd nue, I.R.T. subway into the lobby of the hotel. Any went to town in the way of outstandingly fine pub- Street, New York, at 7:23 P.M., arriving at Hempalcoholic who desires information concerning our licity in his series of three articles which appeared stead. 8:16 P.M. Add two minutes from nation to 177 closed meetings or other information about our activi- during June in the N. Y. Telegram. Being one of us. Jackson Street. Meetings 8:30 P.M., Monday and ties can contact us at: G.P.O, Box 91. Brooklyn, N. Y. Earl knows his booze and he knows his A.A. And so Friday. there were no faux pas, none of those unfortunate slip-ups that the non-alcoholics sometimes make when EAST ORANGE NOTES: A respectable crowd of A.A. in writing about alcoholism. Earl’s articles had bites NEW ROCHELLE. As a result of the rapid and constant New Jersey took time out recently for further mediaplenty—and the nibbling is still going on. The pic- growth of A.A. in southern Westchester County, a new tation and instruction. They attended a Retreat in tures—so sober, sane and intelligent—accompanying group, an outgrowth of Mount Vernon, has been Morristown, Friday through Sunday. It was inspiring the articles were taken by Bill (Red) F, of the Flush- formed in New Rochelle. Truly characteristic of A.A., to find the profound knowledge of A.A. which this ing Group. The Walnut Room of the Capitol Hotel the Mount Vernon members were magnanimous in “Order” possesses, and to have their support and isn’t exactly overcrowded these tropical Tuesdays, their wishes for the success of the New Rochelle respect for what A.A. members are accomplishing. many of our people having retreated to the mountains Group and as an expression of their continued friend- East Orange members hope to combine a Sunday or the seashore for the summer. Bless their cool hides. ship and good-will, presented the new group with an meeting and picnic sometime in August. There’s noth- With its wide-open windows, its fans and the well- inscribed gavel. At the first meeting held on Sunday, ing quite like having a quarterly round-up of the 400 stocked Coca Cola contraption, the 24th Street Club- June 4th, there were about seventy persons on hand, to 600 members and their families! house continues to pack ’em in—at the closed meet- with representatives present from Mount Vernon, Yonings Thursdays, the open ones Sundays. kers, Pelham, New Rochelle, White Plains, Larch- ELIZABETH. The Group added two new members to mont, Mamaroneck, Rye, and Greenwich. Regular its roster this month and two wandering lambs remeetings are held every Sunday at the New Rochelle turned to the fold … In the past month there have MOUNT VERNON. At every meeting there are always Y.M.C.A.. 185 Division Street, at 7:30 P.M. been two weiner roasts, one lake party that was a some new faces. They are wondering, hopeful, doubtwow, one A.A. picnic at the Preakness Pool which was ful, curious. What is here to help them that they have attended by 145 A.A. girls and boys who know how not tried before? We want them to feel at ease and to NEW JERSEY NOTES. A comedy-drama written around to enjoy their sobriety. Even the rain cannot dampen know that they become a part of this great movement A.A. was presented on July 25 at the New Jersey State the spirits of an A.A. picnic. as soon as they decide to give the A.A. program a Reformatory for Women at Clinton, by members of chance. To get the individual and personal contact the recently established group there. Authored by the FLUSHING FLASHES: Thursday night meetings are very with new members. Mount Vernon is using “Sponsor inmates, the piece was presented before an audience well attended despite the torrid weather. Scarcely a Cards.” This card is in two parts. One part has the composed of members of several North Jersey groups week goes by that is not somebody’s 1st or 2nd an- list of inter-group meetings on one side and on the in appreciation of their assistance in starting the niversary and before long a group of 3 year olds reverse the names, addresses, and phone numbers of group at the institution. Following the performance, should come into being. The Flushing Group, 21 three older members. This is given to the new mem- the players served as hostesses to their visitors at a strong, visited Montclair early in the month. The ber, he is introduced to his sponsors, and it is formal supper. Summer attendance has been excellent exchange was completed by the Montclair Group, July suggested that he keep in touch with them when he at the Jersey meetings, of which there are 22 held 13th, when they visited Flushing. Closed meetings gets that lonesome feeling or if the butterflies start each week. Every night except Saturday sees one or have been discontinued for the summer but will be fluttering. This begins his address list which we all more groups holding forth in or near the Newark resumed in the fall. find so helpful. The other part of the card has the area. Also the mid-week new member’s name, address, etc, and is given to the first sponsor with the instruction that he keep this FOREST HILLS. For the past two and one half years. person under his wing for a few weeks until he has Father Griffin, pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine some understanding of the program. This keeps the Church in Jamaica and Chaplain at Queens General older members working on the twelfth step, and is a Hospital, has been feeding prospective A.A. to the life saver for the new member who has difficulty at Forest Hills Group, and, since its inception a year or first and might drift away hopeless, helpless, and so ago, to the Flushing Group. It is indeed readily licked. These cards are bringing excellent results, and understandable that both groups have met the anif other groups are interested in them and will write nouncement of Father’s transfer to Staten Island with P.O. Box 328. Grand Central Annex, we will gladly a deep sense of personal loss. Incidentally, secretaries send them a sample. of both groups, Mary C. of Forest Hills and Kitty R. of Flushing, both first heard of A.A. through Father Griffin. However, it’s an ill wind that blows NASSAU-SUFFOLK GROUP. Bouquets to the Editorial no good, and we are sure many alcoholics in Staten Staff, for the excellent work on edition #2. Comments

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THE H O N O L U L U S T O R Y . . . money personally if this goes through, but I F I V E A L C O H O L I C S . . . (Continued from page 4) have felt that it would be in a sense getting (Continued from page 3) get a place large enough to take in someone paid if we let someone besides our own members pay part of the organization’s expenses. drinking when I toured the country, with we were working on, give him somewhere to chamber music groups. When drunk, many eat and sleep temporarily, and then let him But the rest of the boys don’t agree with me. They feel that as long as we recognize the times I would surpass myself. But I had to move on as soon as he was straightened out have liquor to play, and liquor for bad hangand working again . . . repaying his expenses dangers we can circumvent them. Five of us discussed this and the other four think that overs.” Trouble began. Rudy was solo horn later. This philanthropist offers to furnish for the Cleveland Orchestra and the New York enough money to get it started, and also to by accepting this help now we will much more quickly be able to grow into a large enough Philharmonic. He played with Toscanini in make up our deficit each month. Buenos Aires. He had world acclaim, but, “I Now I realize the dangers inherent in this organization to support such a project. They type of aid. So much so that until after a long also suggested pledging so much each week was afraid to walk into rehearsals in the morndiscussion in our meeting tonight, I was in or month to help defray expenses. This is fine ing. I have a lot of fire in me, but this fire favor of a flat refusal. I was afraid that the spirit and all of our members (about 16 now) had to be recreated by drinks. After a few members would be affected the wrong way if are able and willing to give something—but my ego went up. I had such vanity then, I they felt that they were being helped by some again I am afraid that new members might thought I was better than anybody. I had good rich man. Although he told me that no figure we were running a racket and shy away. fights with my conductors.” So Rudy, like one need know of his help, I know that word Believe me I’m only interested in what’s best most alcoholics, reached the scared stage, and would eventually get around and I can al- for A.A. as it’s the thing that’s made it pos- used devices. I’d practice in the theatre, and ready hear such remarks as “Alcoholics sible for me to have a life worth living again. keep practicing till ten minutes before the show. Then I’d run out and have three straight Anonymous? Oh that’s the bunch of down- But I realize that the others are just as anxious Scotches and get back to the theatre. When I and-outers that Mr. Moneybags is giving a as I am about the survival and growth of A.A., got a little worried, I’d drink beer.” hand.” If I believed that through taking this so I’ve modified my viewpoint somewhat. And help A.A., would get the name of just another then I’m not running A.A. here—I’m proud to Some of Rudy’s contracts weren’t renewed. worthy charity which was helping a bunch of report that all the members really feel a re- Then he found A.A. two years ago. He was poverty-stricken, stupid, drunken neurotics, I sponsibility for the organization, and are all right, for awhile, but he hadn’t prepared assure you I’d have nothing to do with it. ready any time to oppose me for what they himself for emotional blow-ups. In any alco- Another danger is that such a house might consider the good of the group. Not that there holic, these are dangerous, in a musician, attract hypocrites and dead-beats. So far I was any bickering. We simply came to a col- keyed up, to co-ordinate for a show, the hazard have had no trouble whatever of that kind. lective conclusion. Here it is. must be double. Rudy says, “I messed up a Every man I’ve worked with has played the We will tell the man we will accept his offer, concert. That can happen to anybody. But but only enough to get a start…. We will try I got right out of there, and went to a bar. game square whether he was ready or able to quit drinking or not. But it might be a dif- to keep expenses down and if the experiment After the third drink I thought of Bill ferent story if it ever became known that we turns out OK we will repay him. after the fourth, I thought, oh hell.” A fellow had accepted aid from a rich man who could He, poor man, is so confused he can hardly A.A. got Rudy out of a saloon and put him in find his way home. I think it’s the first time Towns. afford to lose it. And finally, I don’t want to feel that I am getting paid in any way to do in his life he ever had to hunt up an organiza- Rudy has been in A.A. thirteen months now. the work I’m doing here. With the help of tion and then beg them to take his money. How much he’s gotten the program, you can God and the A.A. program I feel that I have Since I am writing this letter I have probably see by what he says, “I wrote a letter to accomplished some real good, and can accom- presented my objections in a better light than Rodzinski, thanking him for firing me. I told plish much more, but I think if I felt that I the reasons the others want to accept. So diswas getting any monetary return for doing it count that and remember their reasons were him he’d helped me to find a new way of life. good enough so that I finally agreed with I alone can never do it. But I had to replace my effectiveness both with others and myself would cease. Of course I wouldn’t receive any them. But all the same they have asked me my faith in John Barleycorn, with a faith in to write you for advice. It will take several something else, outside myself.” weeks to find a place, so we’ll kinda hang five (To be concluded next month) until we hear from you. Let us know what you think. LIVES, MAN-HOURS SAVED . . . Aloha, E.G. (Continued from page 1) Editors” Note: They didn’t take it. (To be continued next month) shipyards today who are worth every minute and every cent—if it has cost anyone any- COMING GRAPEVINE FEATURES thing—that has been spent on them. They are holding down key jobs in a critical and An article by Philip Wylie, fascinating, controversial … with notes by Bill and the Yale highly essential industry. And through the physiologists. An issue devoted to thrashing foresight of the Kaiser Company and the work out the hospital problem (if your A.A. group of Alcoholics Anonymous they are being given has good working relations with a hospital, the opportunity that they have probably spent write us, please). Also an issue written by the many months and years seeking.” (Richmond families of alcoholics. Independent, June 21, 1944)

VOL. I, NO. 4, SEPT., 1944 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 1.50; COPY, 15c A Monthly Journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

PHILIP WYLIE JABS and not always just when I was hung over. So epilepsy to alcoholism in some cases. These I got into the habit—a suggestion of a psy- two friends of mine had had fits. They both A LITTLE N E E D L E chiatrist—of writing down in detail the na- had the epileptic “picture” on the electroture and formidability of these mental dis- encephalogram. The new drugs that avert or INTO C O M P L A C E N C Y gave tresses. Maybe the fact that I am a writer postpone epileptic attacks seemed to aid these that system special merit. But I found I two men in stopping their alcohol addiction. An editor of The Grapevine called on me and couldn’t endlessly retail the awfulness of my I know that if I were a doctor—and an alcoasked for a piece. He asked because I’d re- obsessions—sitting perfectly comfortably in a holic—I’d investigate this special aspect of cently reviewed a book about a drunk — quiet room. On paper—they weren’t gigantic the puzzle thoroughly. The possible future Charles Jackson’s The Lost Weekend. He and overwhelming. They grew silly. They values of chemistry should not be overlooked thought that what I’d said in the review made me laugh at myself and so deflated by any of us in the presence of the proved showed I had an interest in alcoholics. I have. themselves. value of psychological and philosophical The editor didn’t know that I am one. Dr. Jung himself suggested that I look at a regeneration. I quit solo—by which I mean here that no or- few asylums. I didn’t know why until I made I also have a hunch that insanities, neuroses, ganized group like A.A. was around to assist the visit. Then it became evident to me that and all other aberrations vary largely with the or advise. But I had plenty of assistance and the inmates were not like me at all. Thus I passing of centuries. Alcoholism, too. I do expert advice, much of which curiously paral- got to know that my alcoholism was not the not believe people in the main were exactly lels what I know now about A.A. To reach a onslaught of insanity—and I got to know I the same sort of alcoholics and for the same point where I can say that I am not drinking had been subconsciously afraid of precisely reasons in 1700 as in 1944. That is to say, I and have not been drinking for a long time, that. believe such conditions of the soul are “us if” took years. It took an unconscionable amount The Jungians, incidentally, give a different epidemic—and definitely of a social causaof energy. It left me with a few ideas that I’d name to the “religious experience” which you tion. That is what especially interests me like to pass along. It left me with a couple of discuss in A.A. They arrive at that “experi- about A.A.: it represents to me the first really hunches that I’d like to ask about. ence” by different methods—methods which effective effort to deal in kind and in scale The things I did are, maybe, the things many conform to their scientific psychological tech- and in the right category, with alcoholism. others are doing. I was psychoanalyzed twice. nique. They call the spiritual quantum which Philip Wylie I studied psychology after that—Jungian, gives rise to the experience a “tran8cendant symbol.” Naturally, I haven’t room to de- Freudian, Adlerian, behavioristic. Then I read all the basic religious books. Then I read scribe the method here: it would take more BILL’S COMMENTS ON than this magazine—a book, perhaps. But, the philosophies. Then I went to insane whether you call it a religious experience or WYLIE IDEAS, HUNCHES asylums, and looked at them. Here are some of the ideas that came my way: a transcendant symbol does not matter—and Philip Wylie’s piece in this issue of The One of the “reasons” I had given myself for it may be of interest to alcoholics who are Grapevine will endear the man to every A.A. drinking was that I was then able to do easily semi — knowingly engaged in protesting formal, And why? Because, of course, he’s so very a great many things other men could do sober churchly “religions” to learn that there are alcoholic! Neither can anyone miss the auand I could not. So I did them sober. I did thoroughly abstract, non-religious routes to thor’s generous and self-sacrificing spirit. Foreverything without a drink that I had done this same, universal, human contact with in- getting his own worldly importance, he snaps when drunk, excepting for the destructive ner integrity, truth, and the “nature of na- his fingers at what the public may think; he troublemaking ones. Everything. That was ture itself.” discards his reputation in order to share with useful to me. Of course, I read everything about alcoholism us his character. A traveller who has felt his I had jitters that there is not literary skill to I could find. And I became interested in the own way out of the night, he tells how he disdescribe—though Charle8 Jackson has come care and condition ,of alcoholic friends. covers haven. We could ask no better spirit of as close as any writer ever did. Every fear, Among them I noticed two who still make me anyone. Mr. Wylie can be a member of A.A. phobia and compulsion entered my head— wonder about the possible relationship of (Continued on page 3)

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tering A.A. I was almost a hopeless alcoholic, EDITORIAL: having spent time in hospitals and being sentenced to the house of correction, all through alcohol. But today I’m back . . . serving as On M a t t e r s of Grapevine Policy foreman in the shipyard where I’m employed, and really living again. Our home is one of The originators of The Grapevine did not lay down any specific policy when happiness; both rny wife and myself attend the meetings regularly at Quincy and Boston they began assembling material for the first issue. We were, however, in where we find so many fine friends. In our unanimous agreement that the paper must represent, in the broadest sense Quincy group we have from 20 to 40 at our possible, the general philosophy of A.A. Now, after three issues, the Editors meetings each Friday. We have done considerable work amongst alcoholics in our feel that a definite policy has crystallized: community and find that the name of A.A. is spreading fast. There is so much to be had in 1. The Grapevine does not presume to speak for A.A. as a whole; no one A.A. for so little. . . . I hope those who need member or group of members, can. The Editors, however, are dedicated to A.A. will be fortunate enough to find it before furthering, to the best of their abilities, the philosophy of life and action laid they sink too far. Thanks to that Power greater than myself, and A.A., I remain, down in the 12 steps of A.A. George L., Quincy, Massachusetts 2. The Editors are resolved never, knowingly, to print anything that might conceivably harm A.A. as a whole, or any member of A.A. Dear Grapevine: I noticed recently in an is- 3. The Grapevine takes no position whatsoever on controversial matters, sue of The Grapevine a letter from Doc N, such as religious beliefs, politics, or economics. And The Grapevine, like who had found release from narcotic addiction through A.A. This letter I was most glad A.A. as a whole, has no official attitude toward either Wets or Drys. to see, and hasten to assure him and others The Editors also feel that it is the privilege and duty of all Grapevine-read- that his experience is one that is beginning to be shared by quite a few. We have in our ing members of A.A. to express themselves fully should they feel that The club five men who have had many years of Grapevine is transgressing any part of the 12 steps. The section called drug addiction but who are finding com- “Points of View” is wide open to each and every one of you to register your plete freedom from drugs and are well on the highway to successful and happy living. Their protest, disagreement, or (we hope) approval. The Editors period of freedom varies from 5 months to 6 years and they all attribute this to the help

Points of View of a Higher Power that has come to them through A.A. These men, with one exception, were all primary alcoholics, and I be- Dear Grapevine: Would appreciate it very been dry one or two months, or more) much lieve this is largely true of all “hopheads.” I much if Mount Vernon mailed us one of their chance to discuss their own problems; and think all drug addicts will have less difficulty Sponsor Cards (See Metropolitan Circuit, believe me, older members’ problems can be in accepting Step No. 1 than the ordinary August issue). I think it is an excellent mighty important, too! For that reason . . . alcoholic: that their lives have become un- “safety first” for most of the new members let us at least have one closed meeting a week manageable, and that they are powerless over coming into the group. where members who have attained a reason- narcotics. I think we feel the need of even George B., Palo Alto, California able record of sobriety can discuss their own greater help than does the usual alcoholic. problems, and obtain group help. Another Our spiritual lines of communication must be cup of coffee, waiter! kept clearer and there is need for greater Dear Grapevine: The article about closed Realist, New York voltage from the spiritual dynamo. The meetings in last month’s issue kind of put me on the spot . . . it so happens that I’m the Higher Power is able unto the uttermost to A.A. who brashly suggested that it wouldn’t Dear Grapevine: Today I received my first supply this; and many others should find be a bad idea for an additional closed meeting copy of Grapevine, and have just enjoyed the answer in A.A. I’m sure that other A.A. to be held here in Manhattan for older mem- reading it through. I am a member of Alco- groups have men who are finding the new bers. … I’m not suggesting that it doesn’t help holics Anonymous—Quincy group. We meet life of freedom and I earnestly wish, that we us to do 12th-step work in these meetings every Friday at 8 p.m. On August 10th I had may get into communication with each other; with newcomers. It certainly does! But week been a member of this group just one year, and I suggest the possibility, some time, of after week of closed meetings where we de- for which I am more than thankful to the two interesting the U. S. Public Health Service in vote the entire time to discussing the prob- men who introduced me to A.A. in Boston. the establishment of an A.A. group in the lems of first-timers, or second-timers, or third- I have served as chairman of our group and United States Public Health Service Hospital, timers doesn’t give older members (say, for recently was elected treasurer for three which is in Lexington, Kentucky. the sake of argument, members who have months. I mention all this because before en- Doc M., Shelby, North Carolina

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SCIENTIST DISCUSSES people of blacking out the boredom of an overbred long as one gets one that works for him. who could not find any thrill in the Somehow the alcoholic must get enough ob- 2 POINTS RAISED BY ordinary pleasures of life. At other times, peo- jectivity about himself to abate his fears and ple drank a vague, indefinable feeling of in- collapse his false pride. If he can do all this W Y L I E ‘ S A R T I C L E security away, as for instance at the time that through his intellect, and thereafter support Nazism began to threaten the world. his life structure upon a “transcendant sym- Point 1: The present scientific view of the But varied us the origins and forms of drunk- bol,” more power to him! Most A.A.s, howconnection between epilepsy and alcoholism enness may have been, they were always due ever, would think this design for living pretty may be stated briefly as follows: to tension. Because tension may arise from inadequate. They would consider downright 1. There is a much greater percentage of ex- many causes, and because it may sometimes humility and faith in the power of the Living cessive drinkers among epileptics than among arise only in a part of the population, alcohol- God a much stronger medicine. A.A. draws the general population. ism too must appear in many forms. What- frankly upon emotion and faith while the 2. The use of alcohol even in moderate ever may be said about the variation of al- scientific intellectual would avoid these reamounts aggravates epilepsy. coholism in the course of human history, the sources as much as he can. Yet the more in- 3. There are persons who have latent epi- fact remains that, at any time, any form and tellectual techniques do work sometimes, lepsy. They may have inherited a constitu- motivation may be found in the individual reaching those who might never be able to tion which is liable to epilepsy. In such per- case. The historical trend means only that the take the stronger dose. Besides, they remind sons, epilepsy may be released only by some majority behaves in a given way, but it does us, when over proud of our own accomplishprecipitating factor. Such a precipitating fac- not mean that each and every individual of ment, that A.A. has no monopoly on reviving tor is excessive drinking. society behaves in that way. At any time alcoholics. 4. There are persons who acquire a nerve in- there is much individual variation. There is In fact, it is already evident that the scientific jury which predisposes them to convulsions nothing in this problem which would permit world is becoming more appreciative of our which resemble epilepsy. In these persons, of simplifications. methods than we are of theirs. In this respect too, the excessive and sometimes even the E. M. Jellinek Director: Section on Alcohol Studies, Yale University they are commencing to teach us humility. moderate use of alcohol may activate this pre- Listen again, as our friend Dr. Harry Tiebout, disposition. psychiatrist, closes his paper, “Basic Tech- 5. Since active as well as latent epileptics, BILL’S COMMENTS . . . niques of Alcoholics Anonymous,” before the and persons with nerve injuries as mentioned (Continued from page 1) American Psychiatric Association: “The lesabove, are temperamentally liable to exces- the very day he says so! son for psychiatrists is clear, it seems to me. sive drinking, it follows that convulsions may It is tradition among us that the individual Although we admittedly deal with emotional be observed in a fair number of excessive has the unlimited right to his own opinion on problems, we, as a group which tends to be drinkers. any subject under the sun. He is compelled intellectual, distrust emotions too much. We 6. Alcohol cannot cause epilepsy. But, as are self-conscious and a little ashamed, when to agree with no one; if he likes, he can dissaid before, it can either aggravate the condi- agree with everyone. And indeed, when on a we are forced to use them, and always apolotion or precipitate the latent condition which “dry bender,” many A.A.s do. Therefore, no getic with our confreres if we suspect they perhaps would not have been provoked by have reason to think our methods are too A.A. should be disturbed if he cannot fully other means. agree with all of Mr. Wylie’s truly stimulating emotional. In the meantime, others, less Point 2: Anthropologists have recognized for discourse. Rather shall we reflect that the bound by tradition, go ahead to get results some years that neuroses and psychoses are roads to recovery are many; that any story or denied to us. It is highly imperative for us not the same the world over. They vary ac- theory of recovery from one who has trod as presumably open-minded scientists to view cording to cultural patterns. In many primi- the highway is bound to contain much truth. wisely and long the efforts of others in our tive societies the young man who is being Mr. Wylie’s article is like an abundance of field of work. We may be wearing bigger initiated into men’s society is expected to fresh fruit. Perhaps we should take the ad- blinders than we know.” And again, as he have visions at the time of the initiation cere- vice of the housewife who says, “We shall eat says, “A religious, or spiritual experience, is monies. In our culture, a vision at any time all we can, and then can what we can’t.” the act of giving up reliance on one’s own would be regarded as an indication that the What caught my attention most was his refer- omnipotence.” person in question must be considered in line ence to the spiritual experience, “a la Jung,” As we A.A.s are people who are supposed to for the mental hospital. seemingly induced “by scientific psychological have given up all our own “omnipotence,” The forms which alcoholism takes on, and the technique.” What a boon that would be to us I’m sure that Mr. Wylie will be read with the drives behind alcoholism, vary not only who wrestle every day with the agnostic new- attentive interest he deserves! Bill among different cultural patterns but also comer. If only we could give him a straight within a given culture, as that culture be- dose of that “transcendant symbol” and have Important Reminder comes modified in time. In the first half of it over with! We wouldn’t have to bother the 19th century, alcoholism was mainly a with that tedious business of waiting while Copies of The Grapevine are sent free to all problem of the craftsman who had been our prospect batters himself into sufficient A.A. Servicemen and women. If you know of crowded out by machines. In the 16th cen- open-mindedness to accept the possibility of a any member of the Armed Forces who is not tury, on the other hand, alcoholism was much “Power greater than himself.” on the mailing list, please send his or her more prevalent in the higher than in the But, as Mr. Wylie broadmindedly observes, it name to P.O. Box 328, Grand Central Annex, lower social classes. The drunkenness of the doesn’t matter too much how the transform- N. Y. 17, N. Y. Our thanks to the Groups ancient Roman aristocracy had the function ing spiritual experience is brought about so making this part of their official business.

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CENTRAL OFFICE NOTES: The Honolulu Story Continued from the August Issue P.O. Box 459, Honolulu lulu—then he drank himself out of every- Yesterday he and Dick (our journalist mem- Feb. 24, 1944 thing: family, friends, position, savings, and ber) were walking around together and were Dear Central Office: even a place to stay. For seven years he was stopped by a prominent business man who is Thought it about time to send in another practically never sober, except in jail or the also an alcoholic. He said, “Why don’t you communication from the Pacific area. . . . Territorial Mental Hospital. He made one boys let me in on your secret?” They asked We have been working long hours and A.A. trip after another to the asylum, jail and the what secret, and he went on, “Something has has now come out of its swaddling clothes—it psycho ward—between times he drank ex- happened to you two men, and all Honolulu takes up quite a bit of the time of quite a tracts, wine tonics, bay ram, rubbing alcohol is wondering what it is. The Police Departfew people over here. Not that we’re not ex- and everything else he could lay his hands on. ment is so shocked they’re all speechless. tremely happy to spend our time that way One night he was drunk as usual but still Everyone is talking about how changed you . . . all of us are still gaga with wonder and f a i r l y lucid, and he ran into Pete and me. both are, and I want to know what happened.” joy at finding ourselves sober, and discover- He remarked that he hadn’t seen us d r i n k i n g They made an appointment to see him today, ing how capable and talented and happy we for some time, and said how well we both so I guess we’ll be able to chalk up another are that way. looked. We told him we had quit, and had victory for A.A. soon. You can have no idea how much your letters not taken a drink for a couple of months. He Eddie and T and N have enjoyed working tomean to all of us. So far we have had a letter said, “Well, I wish you’d tell me how you do gether on other alcoholics so much that Eddie each meeting and they have certainly added it.” We had the perfect opening. We gave it has rented the cabin he was staying in so a lot. The letter telling of the experiences of to him with both barrels. We both thought they can all work together permanently. And other groups with clubhouses, etc., was deeply he’d probably forget it, but the next day he are they a team! They are not only responappreciated. BUT—even before it arrived we was back for more information. He kept see- sible for a large part of the recent growth of had given up the idea of a house in which to ing us, but wag unable to stop drinking for A.A., but have been a great help in strengthtry bringing people off benders. Rest assured, a week or two more. Finally he began to try ening and improving the rest of us. They however, that no one ceased being active ‘ to get admitted to the hospital, and with the have a large place with spacious grounds, and just because one idea failed. help of our philanthropist friend we were almost any evening you can find some happy Yes, A.A. is growing up fast here. In the three able to get him in. Eddie is a very intelligent released alcoholics having a “bull session” meetings since I last wrote, we had, respec- guy, and as soon as he was thoroughly sober under the coconut palms out there. D has tively, 9, 11, and 13 present. We have now we all felt that he had gotten the idea and was christened their place “Alcoholic Acres.” organized as a club, and elected officers: a a cinch to be a successful A.A. You remember I wrote that N and T came secretary, two co-treasurers, and a chairman. Then T and N, the alcoholic couple I wrote in through their doctor. His name is Dr. Nils Our chairman, Eddie, is a wonderful addi- you about, fixed up some quarters on their Larsen, and he is a real friend of A.A. He tion to our group. He is the most famous place for him to stay in when he came out of recently returned from the mainland where alcoholic in Hawaii. We used to discuss the hospital. Within a few days he went to he studied A.A. in New York and Boston. He whether or not we should approach him on work at his old profession. All Honolulu is himself was working in the hospital in Bos- A.A. He was once very prominent in Hono- goggle-eyed with interest and amazement. (Continued on page 8)

Do You Know: ABOUT A. A. TELEPHONE TECHNIQUE It was in Washington in the Spring that the mellow at the races tomorrow, none or just a in the more than two years that have passed telephone technique of A.A. saved me from a few beers Sunday so as to be in shape for since my Washington experience (miracle, if tumble. I had just accepted an invitation to work Monday. Perfectly logical, said Screw- you like) I have always considered the teledinner from an old bingeing companion who tape. I tried to pray but no go as I was too phone as one of the best “gadgets” in the A.A. had laughed gaily when I told him not to jittery—and then I thought of the name of kit of practical aids. And thank God I order extra liquor as I was “not drinking.” the New York A.A., now living in Washing- reached for it before (and not after) the He had heard that before—and when I had ton, which my sponsor had had me put down drink. So to new members: Get yourself a finished talking to him I felt that “liquor in my A.A. telephone book. I called him, ex- “little black book” and in it put the names flash” and I knew I was going to drink that plained my predicament and after a two- and telephone numbers of those A.A.s you night—unless something new had been added minute conversation I told him he did not meet; and carry it with you; and at the first by my five months in A.A. For never in my need to come around as my alcoholic picture sign of a liquor flash (or even before if you 13 A.A. days had I been able to shake off the had vanished. I stayed sober because I talked are feeling low) get on the phone and talk obsession when the flash had taken shape as a on the telephone with a man I had never seen to a fellow A.A. But do it before, not after, picture. I paced the floor, but the picture but who, I knew, would understand my prob- the drink. That matter of timing is the crux built up—just a few this Friday night, slightly lem and offer help. Small wonder then that of the whole technique. J.A.D.

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Mail Call for All A. A.s in the Armed Forces We received a letter from Bill X., who has been in Northern Ireland, which * starts innocently enough with a pat on the hack for the Editors and winds LIEUTENANT RE-DISCOVERS up with the germ of a great idea for a new column for the paper: BEAUTIES OF ‘EASY DOES IT’ “Congratulations to the staff. Two copies have come along now and Grapevine has proved a 24th Street extension course for me (24th Street refers to One of the strongest motives behind the startthe New York clubhouse). It will be particularly helpful for isolated in- ing of The Grapevine.—in fact the main thing that pushed the Editors from the talking to dividuals sweating out the prologues to pub-crawling without the Group; the acting stage—was the need so often exand for new Johnny-come-latelys out in Jeeptown, Arizona, with the book pressed in letters from A.A.s in the Service only. Grapevine is a meeting by mail. for more A.A. news. We felt that their deep desire for a feeling of contact with A.A. might That new group in Honolulu will be aided no little by the publication of be fulfilled at least in part by such a publication—by us and for us. And, as the first issue their tribulations in getting started because we are all rooting them in from emerged from the presses, a letter came to all over the world. The house organ idea, with the chit-chat, lore and some one of the Editors from a woman A.A., a party line thinking, establishes a newer sense of unity which projects the Second Lieutenant stationed in an out-of-theway place. It was a cry for help: group therapy phase a step further. It’s terrific. ” . . . if things keep up the way they have Why not have a little ‘Alibi Alley’ or ‘rationalization of the month’ column, been going I’m going to be in more trouble than I can handle. . . . I’ve been recomprinting the phoniest excuses submitted. For example, ‘Well it was like this, mended for promotion, but . . . My work is see, it was the night of the invasion, and here I am sitting back hundreds more than satisfying, but off duty I’m a total of miles from the action, squarely behind a typewriter, a chair-borne para- loss. There isn’t a single soul here that speaks graph trooper. So, getting such lousy breaks, and being such an eventful the same language. . . . The Army is a funny place. One is expected to drink, but not to day, how could a little drink or possibly two hurt anybody, and even if it get noisy or pass out or do any of the things did hurt a bit, how could it compare to the thousands of casualties on the drunks do. . . . I’ve met a few A.A.s but beachhead, and how could such an insignificant taking of a drink or possi- we’ve only been in the same place for a short time. Several of them were in the same boat bly two be noticed during such a catastrophic, world-shaking event. And, oh as I, skating on thin ice, but I don’t know the yes! I have just been promoted to sergeant, and that in itself calls for a lit- outcome. Frankly, I’m scared. Has this probtle good-humored drink of celebration or possibly two, in itself.’ lem been discussed at meetings? If so, has anyone offered any constructive suggestions?” That’s right, you only get promoted to sergeant once. After showing up at M.L. noon the next day when I was on duty, and with the shakes no less, I damn A copy of The Grapevine went off by return near got busted. Since that time I have taken some active steps including mail. And now comes this: coming clean on the whole deal to my boss. And I have a date with one of Dear Editors: The second copy of The the highest churchmen over here to pass the story on, etc. Grapevine (the Grapevine just arrived. Does that mean I’m to get it every month? It’s proving no end of first issue) had come a few days after the ‘slip’ and it was a real antidote to a help to me. Thanks so much for getting it the fogs and fears. I simply sat down and had a meeting with the whole out- started, anyhow. . . . I guess there isn’t much fit. So you can understand my enthusiasm for Grapevine.” one can do about the sort of spot that I’m in. There isn’t anything wrong but loneliness and boredom, and there’s no way out of that, for * now…. Right after the first copy of the paper Permission, accompanied by the encouraging comment, “More strength and arrived I decided to try to take it a little success to you,” was obtained to print this interesting official communica- easier (I’d forgotten all about ‘Easy Does It’). . . . I was working so very hard that the tion: “The Army War College Library would appreciate greatly being hectic on-duty and the static off-duty hours placed on your mailing list to receive future copies, and also to receive a didn’t mix. For some reason it doesn’t seem copy of each back number. This is a subject which has a bearing upon the as bad to be bored now. M.L. efficiency of military personnel.” To the Librarian, our best Grapevine bow. P.S. I got t h a t promotion I wrote you about.

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TIME ON YOUR HANDS? The Pleasures of Reading In discussing hobbies with some cronies recently, it transpired that those who, in one Mystery stories may be an alcoholic form of escape, but at least, they’re a opinion, are the steadiest and most integrated pretty harmless form, and the blood flows between book jackets instead of members confessed that they had no time or desire for any hobby other than A.A. \Ve are straightjackets. So, you crime-hungry A.A.s, here’s a nice, criminal check list all aware that A.A. is a way of life or a design of recent blood-and-thunders that may whet your post-alcoholic appetites! for living, but considering it from the view- No Little Enemy, 0. W. Bayer (DD*) : A brilliant political cartoonist goes point of being a hobby has presented food for thought. The idea certainly lifts the 12th step on a war bond tour with some nifty chorines; the combo knocks a lot of out of the duty or obligation category and people dead. Well-written, lively, fast-paced. imbues it with a much-to-be-dcsired light Button, Button, Marion Bramhall (CC*) : The hobby boys go button hunt- touch. It enables us to pursue it, not as an unpleasant dose of medicine which is part of ing with a vengeance. Unusual setting, nice writing, fair mystery. our cure, but as one of life’s soul-satisfying Towards Zero, Agatha Christie (DM*) : Typical Christie with an interest- pleasures. Newcomers, members of new ing crime theory worked out. Good stuff. groups, scattered lone members and others may well ask here, “That’s fine, but how, when Dead Ernest, Alice Tilton (Norton) : A Leonidas Wetheral mystery, well up and where?” For those of you who belong to to par; by author of Asey Mayo whodunits. an established group, go to your secretary and Rim of the Pit, Hake Talbot (S&S*): Spooky, bloody Hollywood thriller tell him (or her) that you want to do some work. You will probably be sent out with an about resurrection of corpses. Good for a nightmare. older member at first; but after you know the Man with the Lump Nose, Laurence Lariar (DM*) : Unusually good mys- ropes you will find that you are surrounded tery spotlighting a comic strip creator-detective. with opportunities to work. New members, old members, travelling members and lone A Fish for Murder, Edward Lee (CC): Fast action, kinda tough. members can all go to their ministers, priests, Six Silver Handles, Geoffrey Homes (Morrow) : The best, to date, of this doctors, psychiatrists and tell them about author’s all-good yarns. California setting; lotsa action, good detecting. A.A. and what it has done! for them. In almost every instance, the physicians and men Mr. Angel Comes Aboard, Charles G. Booth (CC) : Bloody doings on the of the cloth are grateful to hear of our work high seas and in Cuba. A good one-night stand. and will usually pave the way for our first call. If business takes us on the road, we The Groom Lay Dead, George Harmon Coxe (Knopf) : Another swell Coxe can always make an appointment with the mystery, involving a returned Marine in the Finger Lake country. Not a hold doctor and talk A.A. to him. The hotel sleeping tablet. (Incidentally, a future Grapevine issue will discuss the bad doctor often has a “case” in the hotel, right then—maybe it’s your next door neighbor! effects of sleeping tablets on many alcoholics.) In the June issue the study of braille was *(DD), Doubleday, Doran; (CC), Crime Club; (DM), Dodd, Mead; discussed a little, however it appears that (S&S), Simon and Schuster. Charlie P. this important branch of war work could be stressed again. We wonder if any of our members with time on their hands have ever con- Rudy, Pee Wee, Paula, Peggy & Johnny sidered the possibility of transcribing the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, from the printed In last month’s issue the story was told of ping. She says, “I was with Herbert Marshall word to a series of bumps which would bring Rudy, the greatest French horn player in the in ‘Blossom Time.’ One night I was winning light to the otherwise darkened vision of a country, his friend Pee Wee, one of the finest the war single-handed, and showed up with returning soldier. One who, seeking escape hot trumpet players, and Paula, who is Rus- a shiner. I covered it with grease paint. It from his affliction, has turned to the bottle. sian, not Polish as we mistakenly reported last didn’t show, but I showed. My eye closed like There will be many such. Wouldn’t it be just a morning glory. They didn’t fire me, but ” possible to have sufficient A.A.s trained in the month. Let’s see what happened to Peggy Peggy says she had Rudy’s trouble. People art of braille to be able to teach returning and Johnny, the remaining two of our “Five didn’t pick up her contract. She got cased out sightless “suspects” how to read our book and Musicians Looking for the Perfect Pitch”: of a good night club job in Boston, for giving others? What an opportunity to bring happithe show upstairs, in the bar, instead of down- ness and joy to fellow sufferers who have far Peggy says that if she plays the piano, after stairs, with the floor show. Impromptu shows more bitter problems than ours to face. more than one drink, her hands become numb. were Peggy’s specialty. One night she gave Two of the headquarters where you may learn But this fear of liquor didn’t keep Peggy one at Sardi’s, free. A friend said, “Dear, braille are: THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, 315 from it. With a long list of shows and night while you live, Duse will never be dead.” This Lexington Avenue, or THE LIGHTHOUSE, 111 club singing to her credit, she still kept slip- (Continued on page 8) East 59th Street, N.Y.C. Look up your cities’.

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A L O N G THE M E T R O P O L I T A N C I R C U I T

bottle of Old Crow, part of the family medicine is to acquaint at least one potential prospect with the BERGEN COUNTY RATES NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL . . . The cabinet. Two of our members, Jimmy S. and Emmet benefits of A.A. . . . Aside from the exchange meet- County’s leading newspaper, Bergen Evening Record, F., who were ill, are all recovered now. ings with the other 3 southern Westchester County is emphasizing editorially the important work being groups (Greenwich, Mt. Vernon, White Plains), we done by the Bergen Group. Donald Borg, the editor, are looking forward to interchange meetings with the is an ardent supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous. “To FOREST HILLS GOES TO PHILADELPHIA … A number Brooklyn Group in September . . . Bowling teams will assist discharged veterans,” says Mr. Borg, “is a task of us went to Philadelphia August llth, dined there, soon be exchanging matches . . . Sept. 10th we’ll be of major importance.” We agree with Mr. Borg that conducted a meeting in the charming clubhouse of that joint-picnicking with Mt. Vernon and While Plains… the post-war alcoholic situation will probably be one group, and returned home on the 11:30 p.m. train. Our meeting night is Sunday, 7:30, at the Y.M.C.A. of serious proportions. Therefore, it was resolved at Altogether a delightful evening. Our representatives Building, 185 Division Street, New Rochelle—a short the 3rd Anniversary meeting that each Bergen County were Mary C., Henry Z., Earl S., Mel C., Dave R., walk from the New Haven R. R. station. member would expand his individual efforts towards and Jim Y. Soon the Philadelphia A.A.s will complete enlarging the membership. the exchange and come to us for an evening. NORTH JERSEY MEASURES FOB V-DAYING DRUNKS . . . On V-Day all members of the North Jersey Groups THE BRONX CORRALLED BY JOE H. … At long last a will rush to the Community House in South Orange MANHATTAN REPORTER PIONEERS FROM THE SEASHORE dire need has been fulfilled. An A.A. group has been for a dry but hilarious celebration. The entire build- … A few weeks ago, no one in this isolated Long formed in the Bronx. Meetings will be held every ing has been engaged for that date. There’ll be coffee Island village had ever heard of A.A. The villagers Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., at 518 Willis Avenue, corner and cokes and food galore. A practical, preventive had always looked on drinking as sinful. One day of 148th Street. Joe H., through his untiring efforts, measure. Everybody welcome. As a result of pera native discreetly spoke of a former vacationer. founded the new group. Known as the Boro of Uni- sistent plugging by A.A.s, the Newark City Hospital Seems the man had been losing job after job. After versities, with a population of 1,500,000, the Bronx is alcoholic wards, male and female, are now open to much prodding, we learned that the man . . . drank. a city in itself. It opens new fields for the Cause. the organization. Meetings are conducted there 4 Shocking. “Please don’t ever mention it to a soul,” 65 men and women came to the first meeting August evenings a week: Mondays, Montclair Group; Tuessaid the woman. The man and his wife live in New days, Newark; Wednesdays, East Orange; Thursdays, 9th, among whom were many well-wishers from neigh- York. Soon they’ll know about A.A. Another boring groups. Joe H. presided. He was supported by Irvington. The State Hospital at Greystone Park peracquaintance had left her husband, or vice versa. speakers Bob W. of Brooklyn; Mary C. of Forest mits patients to attend A.A. meetings under escort This year their summer home was vacant. The wife at Morristown. At Essex County’s Overbrook Hospital, Hills; Ed T., formerly of the Manhattan Group, now was in a sanitorium because “she had been drinking of the Bronx Group; Earl S., the Creedmore potentate; A.A. meetings are held every Monday night. Dr. Reytoo much.” That woman has now received A.A. literaand a surprise speaker, the very popular Stewart nolds of the Bonnie Burns Sanitorium in Scotch ture. Thinking a little pioneer work wouldn’t be Plains, N. J., has been approached with the idea of (Stony) S. of Jersey. amiss, we invited to tea a dozen men and women, opening an A.A. group in the sanitorium. The South some natives, some summer residents. Some of the Orange and North Jersey Groups are planning another natives looked at us wonderingly after that tea. But Retreat at Loyola House in Morristown, October 6th. BROOKLYN REVIVES OLD CUSTOM … At our closed not the summer residents. On the beach we were ELIZABETH and PLAINFIELD will be exchanging meetmeetings we have revived an old A.A. custom: dis- besieged with questions about A.A. No longer is this cussing only one step at each meeting. The members ings in the near future. isolated village ignorant on the subject of alcoholism. know in advance which step will be under discussion. The result is a highly informative and interesting evening. We now have in our group about 50 mem- WHITE PLAINS GOES IN FOR HIGHER L E A R N I N G . . . We bers who have been sober for more than a year. . . . MT. VERNON INTER Group CIRCUITING . . . The closed fought shy of closed meetings for 3 years. Just in the We are happy to report that Tommy M., one of our meetings we are now holding every Thursday will, nick of time to avoid being shamed into action by oldest members, has recovered from a recent opera- we hope, prove helpful. In the Yonkers, Bronxville The Grapevine’s article on the subject, and because tion and is back in circulation again. . . . Our P. 0. and Mt. Vernon sections 3 closed meetings are held our first off-spring, the Mt. Vernon Group, had started is #91, Brooklyn, N. Y. each week. Next month we’re going to have a picnic to hold closed meetings every Thursday night in 3 for our members and their families. The soft-ball different localities, we instigated this time-honored men are out every night for practice. A new series custom as a monthly experiment. The first meeting EAST ORANGE HITS THE NEWS . . . The East Orange of Inter-Group meetings was inaugurated at Mt. brought out a gratifying number. A vastly interest- Record gave some decidedly favorable publicity to Vernon in August. We were host to New Rochelle, ing discussion was the result of Wilbur S.’s reading Alcoholics Anonymous in their August 3rd issue. At While Plains and Greenwich. lesson No. 1 of a Course of Instruction compiled the following Sunday night meeting, 3 prospects ap- and used by the Hartford Group from findings of the peared for the first time. Bob C. will be host to the Yale Clinics, A.A., and other acknowledged authorientire membership at Lake Hopatcong over a forth- NASSAU-SUFFOLK SENDS THANKS . . . As a group We ties on alcoholism. Our regular open meeting is held coming week-end. Doc M. has been asked by the extend to J. M. and T. K. our sincere thanks and con- every Wednesday at the Westchester Republican Kiwanis to talk to their membership on A.A. J. Hud- gratulations for the excellent talk on A.A. given at Headquarters (party affiliation unnecessary), corner of son C., Jr., chairman of our group, in addition to his the Garden City Rotary Club, August 7th, 1944. Marline and Mamaroneck Avenues, at 8:30 p.m. activities at the “Brook,” believes his efforts will produce a team of bowlers to join the league now in the making. NEW ROCHELLE THINKS OF THE RETURNING SOLDIER . . . INTER GROUP MEETING IN M A N H A T T A N ; Capitol Hotel, In September we plan to include in our program one 51st Street and 8th Avenue, Walnut Room; every closed meeting a week. Ways of aiding men and Tuesday evening at 8:30. Room open from 5:30. For FLUSHING SNIFFS OLD CROW . . . The climax of the women returning from our armed services will be all other meeting information watch group news on hilarious Group anniversary party at Mike D.’s July discussed. The accent will be, of course, on the alco- our Metropolitan Circuit page, and check each issue 22nd, was the minute inspection—and one sniff—of a holics among them. In the meantime, each member for changes of time and location.

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A. A. IN A U S T R A L I A stay sober. She’s just gotten a good govern- from one alkie to another we are swamped ment job. She may go back in show business with requests for information and help. In the A.A. pamphlet, a letter is reprinted one day. But she’s engaged, full time, for the Strangely, we have yet to meet any dead-beats from the Central Office to a doctor in Aus- present, in this business of staying sober, and who try to get material help but have no detralia. He wrote it over a year ago asking for getting straightened out. sire to stop drinking. Of course all are not information, saying that his dearest wish for Johnnie is the best swing drummer in the able to stop immediately, and maybe some of years had been to help alcoholics, but that he country. He missed a chance to have his own them will never be able to do so, but as yet had not been able to do very much. Even orchestra. After Kate Smith’s manager had we have not had an occasion to write a single with the ensuing correspondence and our put ten thousand dollars in the band, he got case off. I honestly believe that every alliterature, progress was slow. Apparently the drunk, choosing the perfect time for it—when coholic who has come in has been helped— personal touch of an alcoholic who had re- he was to appear on the air, in a publicity and I’m certain we have been helped by them. covered through A.A. was necessary. interview. Pee Wee, one of the finest hot You mentioned there might be people who So when one of our members who is in the trumpet players, who has played with such would ridicule the members for quitting Navy, Jack J., found that his ship put in bands as Isham Jones; Ray Noble, Tommy drinking. There were, and in one case parfairly frequently at the port city where the Dorsey, and Benny Goodman also missed out ticularly I was criticized for mentioning A.A. to interested doctor lives, the Central Office on his band. This time the fall guy was Pee one alcoholic who subsequently took great asked him to look the doctor up. It proved Wee’s psychoanalyst, who thought he had Pee delight in trying to get members to drink to be the needed spark. Several of the doctor’s Wee cured and straightened out. again and in ridiculing them for joining “such patients were contacted by Jack, interest All three of the boys are making good money a screwy set-up.” There was an interesting sespurted up, and a regular A.A. meeting was on radio now. All are sober, working steadily, quel, however. A few days ago I had a call arranged to take place on his next call. We trying to make their achievements come up from a stranger, from the lobby. I went down are eagerly watching the mail to hear more level with their abilities. and he told me of his troubles, and that he’d about our first Australian Group, and we’ll This goes for Paula and Peggy, too. One need heard that some of us whom he knew had pass it on to you as soon as it comes along. hardly wish any of them good luck, for with been able to quit drinking through an orthe help of A.A. they have all straightened out ganization called Alcoholics Anonymous. He RUDY, PEE WEE ET AL ‘. . . . their snarled personality and career problems. didn’t need help other than information and They talk to one another, help each other and said he wanted to join us. I asked him where (Continued from page 6) hope to find more artists and musicians who he’d heard of us, and he said M (the one didn’t get Peggy jobs. For two years she need help. This way they’ll be sure to achieve who’d been ridiculing) had told him what floundered, sometimes out of work, sometimes the perfect pitch. little he knew about It, and had said that “apdoing anything she could. She got a job in a parently it was working, even if it did sound department store. Anything, to eat and drink. “screwy.” The manager of the hotel where Peggy was THE H O N O L U L U S T O R Y . . . The fast-growing group of Honolulu A.A.s staying watched her making a beaten trail (Continued from page 4) again says, between her bedroom and the bar. One night ton, but he sent his wife and daughter to Aloha, E. G. she got impatient and temperamental and ran meetings and read everything he could get, the elevator herself. “The manager decided it and he became sold on our therapy. He cer- MEMO TO GRAPEVINE READERS was time to speak to me about A.A.,” she says. tainly has a wonderful way with alcoholic “He was in it himself. I stayed sober and patients if N and T are any sample. I’ve Next month’s issue is pivoted around the came to meetings for awhile. Then I decided never seen the program “take” more thor- Yale-sponsored National Committee for Edu- I could do it myself on beer. I did it on beer, cation on Alcoholism. This Committee has oughly and quickly than it did on those two. then on Scotch, and the Scotch did me.” Last night we held our meeting at Dr. Lar- great significance for us, as A.A.s, on two Peggy, back in A.A, again, is determined to sen’s place out by famous Diamond Head on counts. First, because it is an extremely imthe other side of Waikiki Beach. It was a portant, highly organized effort to get the swell meeting, and he gave us a talk on “What American public to understand alcoholism Cut This Out and Mail to: and Why Is an Alcoholic” that sure made as a disease. And second, because Marty M., The Grapevine the first woman to get well through A.A., is its P.O. Box 328 good sense. He laid forever the idea that if we had gone a week or a month or a year Executive Director. The Grapevine will inter- Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. view Marty at length, asking her all about the without drinking, we had built up strength Herewith 1.50 for one year’s subscription Committee’s plan in detail, and learning enough to “be able to drink like a gentleman to The Grapevine (Monthly) where we, as groups and individuals, can add this time.” All the members actually love the For additional subscriptions enclose separate our strength to this great campaign of educaman—he devotes so much time to us that I sheet with name and address clearly printed. tion on alcoholism. don’t see how he has time for his practice. He Checks payable to The Grapevine. NOTE TO GROUP SECRETARIES: The has offered his beautiful place, with a private Total Enclosed . bench and bath houses, as another “Alcoholic November issue will devote itself to the PLEASE PRINT Acres” for us to use for recreation any time “Trials, Errors & Successes of the A.A. Be- Name we want. ginner.” Do try to get your writing members There are lots of alkies in Honolulu who to send us their experiences as ewe-lambs. Address seem to have been seeking something like Grapevine readers want to hear from all parts this for some time and as the word passes of the country: North, South, East, and West!

VOL. I, NO. 5, OCT., 1944 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 1.50; COPY, 15c A Monthly Journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

COMMITTEE FOR EDUCATION ON ALCOHOLISM alcohol. is a sick man, exceptionally reactive to

H I S T O R I C EVENT, SAYS DWIGHT ANDERSON 2. That he can be helped. 3. That he is worth helping. Those who read this issue of The Grapevine. So gradually and imperceptibly do important 4. That the problem is therefore a responsiare privileged to be present at what may very changes in the public mind take place, that bility of the healing professions, as well as well prove to be an historic event. The birth few except those who make a specialty of of the established health authorities and of the National Committee for Education on studying public opinion, realize when they the public generally. Alcoholism, first publicly announced in this are happening. But looking back ten years The minds of the people in the “bleachers” issue, means f a r more than the mere name we realize that the idea that the alcoholic was are open to receive these four kinetic conwould imply. It is the beginning of a new an utterly hopeless person was practically cepts. After fully accepting them, what would public health movement. It is the first step unanimous, not only among the public as a follow would be an interest in knowing toward getting the alcoholic out of the jail whole, but among the medical profession as whether they or their friends might be on the and into the hospital; toward making it pos- well. We have gone in the meanwhile per- way toward becoming alcoholics. With the sible for the medical man and the psychiatrist, haps a quarter of the way toward sufficient stigma of alcoholism removed by acknowledgthe social worker and the lay therapist, to acceptance by the public to make the new ing that it is a sickness, the whole subject can pool their skills with Alcoholics Anonymous thought dynamic in results. This is an accom- be brought out in the open and discussed. The in modifying the ravages of an illness to plishment principally of Alcoholics Anony- time will arrive when the hostess at a cocktail which society has been indifferent almost mous. The writer regards this as fully as party will not insist upon a guest taking a secuntil this very moment. great, if not greater, than any other achieve- ond or third cocktail, or even the first one if Alcoholics Anonymous made possible such an ment of this organization. Its members are he has once declined, recognizing he might be institution as this by first laying the ground- unaware of this contribution; few persons one of those persons who should never take work in its thoroughly proved and tested will ever recognize it or stop to appraise its a drink at all. The social sanctions surroundrationale for group therapy, which convinced f a r reaching consequences. ing drinking—the prestige factor—would be people that the alcoholic can be helped. A The public is now ready and waiting to re- discouraged automatically and voluntarily. further contribution A.A. has made is in giv- ceive the facts which this new Committee has The whole door would be opened wide by this ing the new organization Marty Mann, as been formed to publicize. Authorities esti- new approach to change the mores in favor executive director. A better qualified person mate that there are in the United States 66 of moderation in the use of alcohol. for this task it would be impossible to find. million persons not arrayed on either the This is what is meant by saying that we who For years A.A. has been making constant and “wet” side or the “dry.” They are neutrals read this issue of The Grapevine are witnessregular impressions on the public through sitting in the “bleachers” while watching the ing an historic event. Previous efforts have newspaper publicity, and what is better, word- contest between two opposing teams who are been stalemated by the two opposing teams of-mouth publicity, of the concept that the calling each other names, asserting and deny- who have played the game for the sake of alcoholic is sick, that he can be helped, and ing every statement made in favor of, or killing each other off, rather than for the that he is worth helping. The foundation has against, the use of liquor. benefit of the people in the “bleachers.” For been laid, over the last ten years, so that to- the first time in the history of mankind’s ef- The National Committee for Education on fort to control the use of alcohol, we have an day the public is ready for educational work Alcoholism will address its material to the instrument which offers real hope of affecting on a broad scale, such as the new organization man in the “bleachers” while talking about the behavior of a majority of the people of is to undertake. Unless this bold, widespread somebody else—the alcoholic. A public rela- the country by their own voluntary and sponpioneering work had been done, such a movetions program to influence these 66 million taneous intention. ment as this would have been laughed to people may have as its objective to inform Dwight Anderson death. Everybody would instantly classify it them: (Director of Public Relations, as just another “blue-nose, kill-joy” Prohibition organization in disguise. 1. That the compulsive drinker, or alcoholic, Medical Society of the State of New York)

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and I believe that nothing could have more EDITORIAL: interest for those who are away from home— New York in my case—than news of all the rest. I know that I would eat up a column of On Simplicity, of Faith, of Living, of Outlook news about all of you up there and feel that there must be many more who would do the The A.A. program itself is simple. Why do too many of us try to read com- same. Ninety-nine per cent of the ones I’m talking about don’t give a damn about the plexities and mysteries into the 12 steps? anonymous end—in fact we’re proud of it— and I can’t see for the life of me why a postal In our drinking days our lives were complex and confused. We were unable to asking whether an individual minded the he honest with ourselves and we rationalized our wrong position with all the news item about himself being published or tricks of evasion and equivocation. We added jealousy, resentment and in- not wouldn’t answer any objections that tolerance to the tangled pattern of our lives. Our greatest longing was for re- otherwise might be raised. . . . Think it over. Elliot B., Hot Springs, Virginia lief, for deliverance from a way of living that had become too complex to endure without the treacherous aid of alcohol. Dear Grapevine: You have on your list of subscribers a M X. . . . I respectfully re- Our introduction to A.A. at once offered that freedom, if we desired it with- quest that this subscription be cancelled upon receipt of this letter. I regret that I am out reservation and were willing to follow a few steps whose greatest appeal prompted in this action by the fact that this to our bewildered spirits was their simplicity. One of the main differences member has shown no desire or inclination to between A.A. and other programs of sound living is the ease with which a profit by the sincere and kind co-operation of the members of your organization at this newcomer can grasp its principles, and with which the oldest member can point. Therefore I deem this an unnecessary live each day in harmony with himself and his neighbors by practicing the expense. I assure you that should this party simply stated 12 steps. regain her normal senses and at least show Kipling might have written this expressly for A.A.: some effort to respond to your methods of cure for THE CURSE a renewal will gladly Not as a ladder from Earth to Heaven, be requested. not as a witness to any creed, W.X., California But simple service simply given to his [NOTE: The Grapevine has returned the dough, set up a new subscription for M own kind in their common need X.—no strings attached; now we’re waiting If each individual member wholeheartedly and unquestioningly accepts the for Mr. X. to write us a piece for the Family program in the simple form it was given us, without straining for effects and Issue on how not to treat an alcoholic.] methods of practice to elaborate it, we will have even-tempered groups with Dear Grapevine: I was particularly pleased only enough organization to insure against over-organization. with Philip Wylie’s article because I found therein a well-phrased statement of my own Earl T. of Chicago view of the “spiritual experience,” arrived at by honest thought and effort for the past six-

Points of View teen months. . . . Last Wednesday noon the subject of religious experience was brought up. I answered this in my stumbling, way by Dear Grapevine: . . . the Tulsa Radio station, [NOTE: Unfortunately, The Grapevine can’t saying that each of us could have such experi- KVOO, is to give an A.A. quiz program Satur- fill any future requests for back copies; we ence only when we “got on center with ourday, October 7, 1944, at 10:15 P.M. Central have only enough left to complete hospital selves”; if that were not clear we could ex- Standard Time. The questions are to be asked and library files. Awfully sorry. About poetry, press it thus: “When we fully realized for the by a doctor, a minister and a controlled sui generis: the Staff just seems to have an in- first time in our lives the essential dignity of drinker who are not familiar with A.A. The curable allergy. By all means Yes to the ourselves as human beings,” I further stated 3 Oklahoma groups will be represented on the “Questions and Answers” column.] that this realization could be achieved broadcast, referred to only as Mr. A, B, or C. through return to a formal religion we once Mc., Tulsa, Oklahoma Dear Grapevine: The new Grapevine has just practised but never knew, or by honest come and I am very much impressed by it—a thought along our rough-hewn way. Now Dear Grapevine: . . . Please make sure they credit to the grandest organization in the comes Mr. Wylie with his excellent phrasing get the issue with Arthur Hopkins’ guest ar- world. I wonder whether the anonymity end of this thought: “there are thoroughly abticle, which was indeed a tribute. Do you ac- could be overcome in one thing, and that is a stract, non-religious routes to this same, unicept inspirational poems? Or contemplate a Personal Column. The thing that keeps most versal, human contact with the inner integrity, “Questions & Answers” Column? alumni periodicals going is the interest all t r u t h and the ‘nature of nature itself’.” Ruth T., Scotia, New York seem to have in the others in the same college, Walter L., Chicago, Illinois

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“Yes,” we said, “But it’s true that moat people don’t. Tell us how you got into all this.” “An old friend of mine deserves the credit for that,” Marty said. “Grace Bangs. She’s director of the. Club. Service Bureau of the Herald- Tribune, That means she has one of the top jobs dealing with clubwomen all over the country. Some time ago I ran into her, and she hadn’t seen me, since my drinking days. She didn’t recognize me. I told her about A.A. and what had happened to me. She asked me and several of us to help her with THIS POOR GUY DOESN’T KNOW WHAT AILS HIM … HIS FAMlLY AND FRIENDS a relative of hers, a young man. Well, he’s THINK HE’S A BAD EGG OR WORSE . “THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR just, not ready for us yet. But she was ter- EDUCATION ON ALCOHOLISM” is GOING TO T R Y TO GET THE PUBLIC ribly impressed with A.A. She felt that more TO UNDERSTAND T H A T THIS BIRD HAS A DISEASE CALLED ALCOHOLISM — people ought to know about it. She felt they T H A T HE IS WORTH HELPING AND THAT HE CAN BE HELPED (WITNESS US A.A.s!) ought to know about alcoholism as a disease. She said, ‘Marty, there are lots of women all over the country, mothers who’ve unwittingly helped make their children alcoholics, who MARTY INTERVIEWED ON COMMITTEE invariably did all the wrong things about them, and who don’t know what to do for them now. Wives who don’t know what to do A new Committee has been formed. It’s to be We then started to ask Marty questions. Our about their husbands. Even women alcoholics nationwide in scope. Although it’s not an first question as an A.A. was: “How much has themselves, who are often harder to reach A.A. baby, it’s to have a lot to do with A.A. A.A. got to do with all this?” than men, because they feel guiltier than the The name of it is The National Committee for Marty answered that this way: “In the five men do. Now can’t you do something for Education on Alcoholism, and its executive and a half years I’ve been in A.A., I know that them? Can’t you think of some way to reach director is Marty Mann, one of our leading a lot of us have wondered and worried about these women? I’11 back you up and help you A.A.s in the New York Group, and one of our this idea of general education of the public, any way I can.’ She kept after me, and finally finest speakers. Marty plans to go all over the that goes beyond A.A.’s specific j o b . I worked out a plan, based on going out and country lecturing on alcoholism, and more “I’ll talk about myself for a minute, and speaking to organized women’s groups all than this—she hopes to help get local commit- that’ll show what I mean. In the last five over the country.” tees started wherever she goes. These local years of my drinking, before I came into A.A.., Ques. “What did you do then?” committees in turn will educate their com- I didn’t know what was wrong with me. And Ans.. “Well, we knew we needed scientific munities on the problem of the alcoholic, and neither did anyone else. No one knew what backing. We went to Dr. Jellinek. A lot of teach the whole public, throughout the coun- had happened to me, why the quality of my you know who he is: Director of the Section try, what we in A.A. already know. That al- drinking had changed. I thought I was hav- oh Alcohol Studies at Yale University. Now coholism is a disease, and a public health ing a nervous breakdown, and that that was I want to stop and explain a little. Doctor problem. That the alcoholic needs to be making me drink too much. I didn’t know Haggard is director of the Laboratory of Apbrought out in the open and helped, not what an alcoholic was. I didn’t find out until plied Physiology at Yale. For years he’s been hidden away in shame. . . ,. I came into A.A. And all of us A.A.s have studying the physiological problems of al- As you see by this article, Marty has shed her found the same thing, over and over: that cohol. He realized that was only part of the anonymity. She talked it over with a great people, on the whole, still don’t know any- picture, and he started Dr. Jellinek’s departmany other A.A.s, and they all felt that in thing about alcoholism. Although A.A. has ment to go into all phases of the problem. view of this larger non-alcoholic field she was been in existence ten years, and although What interests us A.A.s as much as anything entering, she’d have to. many authorities on this subject, including they’re doing are the Yale Plan Clinics. Be- As Marty said in an interview with us yester- doctors, have told me we’ve done the best cause these clinics are working on alcoholism day: “I’m going to lecture to non-alcoholics education job of all to date, still our first in the individual. And they’re also sending a about alcoholism. I could be much more job isn’t education of the public. It’s work lot of new A.A.s to their nearby groups. convincing, and give them much more under- with individual alcoholics. “Now to go back to Dr. Jellinek. He read the standing, by speaking as an alcoholic—from “For a long time, I’ve felt the way lots of us plan. He seemed to like it. He said he the inside—and they would be much more older members feel. Namely, that there was thought it would work. He said that educalikely to listen and believe. That left me with a need for a wider program of education. To ting the country on alcoholism is the next step. two choices. To say that I was an alcoholic teach not only individuals, who’ve hit bottom All the research that’s been done, all that and had recovered, period. And not mention and come to us in desperation—but to teach Yale is doing, all that A.A. is doing, adds up A.A. Or to give A.A. full credit for my re- everybody in the whole country that this is to this: now there are plenty of real facts to covery and break the anonymity rule. I not a moral issue, but a health problem. By tell people. Perhaps most valuable of all couldn’t conceive of not publicly giving A.A. the way, it’s Public Health Problem No. 4. all the credit.” Did you know that?” (Continued on Page, 8)

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CENTRAL OFFICE NOTES: A Date With Destiny? Somebody once said, “As much as you may of public education on alcoholism, entirely say those activities would make you a profesgrow, as many recoveries as there may be, I non-controversial in character. We need the sional A.A.? No one, of course.” think the eventual by-products of A.A. will he cooperation of many A.A.s. To proceed on They went on, “Yet we do hope that A.A. as a greater than A.A. itself.” any educational project concerning alcohol- whole will never deviate from its sole purpose Everywhere now, we hear such remarks. They ism without the goodwill, experience and help of helping other alcoholics. As an organizacome from all kinds of people. Doctors think of A.A. members would be unthinkable.” • tion, we should express no opinions save on of applying our methods to other neurotics; So, when the National Committee for Educa- the recovery of problem drinkers. That very clergymen wonder if our humble example tion on Alcoholism was formed, an A.A. mem- sound national policy has kept us out of much may not vitalize their congregations; busi- ber was made its executive director: Marty useless trouble already, and will surely forenessmen find we make good personnel man- M., one of our oldest and finest. In this issue, stall untold complications in the future. agers—they glimpse a new industrial democ- she tells The Grapevine of her new work. As “Though A.A. as a whole,” they continued, racy; educators see power in our non-contro- a member of A.A., she is just as much inter- “should never have but one objective, we beversial way of presenting the truth; and our ested in us as before—A.A. is still her avoca- lieve just as strongly that for the individual friends wistfully say, “We wish we were al- tion. But as an officer of the Yale-sponsored . there should be no limitations whatever, excoholics—we need A.A. too.” National Committee, she is also interested in cept, his own conscience. He should have the Why these stirrings? They must all mean, I educating the general public on alcoholism. complete right to choose his own opinions and am sure, that we have suddenly become much Her A.A. training has wonderfully fitted her outside activities. If these are good, A.A.s more than recovered alcoholics, A.A. mem- for this post in a different field. Public edu- everywhere will approve. Just so, Marty, do bers only. Society has begun to hope that we cation on alcoholism is to be her vocation. we think it will be in your case. While Yale are going to utilize, in every walk of life, Could an A.A. do such a job? At first, Marty is your actual sponsor, we feel sure that you that miraculous experience of our returning, herself wondered. She asked her A.A. friends, are going to have the warm personal support almost overnight, from the fearsome land of “Will I be regarded as a professional?” Her of thousands of A.A.s wherever you go. We Nowhere. friends replied, “Had you come to us, Marty, shall all be thinking how much better a break Yes, we are again citizens of the world. It is proposing to be a therapist, to sell straight this new generation of potential alcoholic kids a distraught world, very tired, very uncertain. A.A. to alcoholics at so much a customer, we will have because of your work, how much It has worshipped its own self-sufficiency— should certainly have branded that as profes- it might have meant to us had our own mothand that has failed. We A.A.s are a people sionalism. So would everybody else. ers and fathers really understood alcoholism.” who once did that very thing. That philos- “But the National Committee for Education Personally I feel that Marty’s friends have adophy failed us, too. So perhaps, here and on Alcoholism is quite another matter. You vised her wisely; that they have clearly disthere, our example of recovery can help. As will be taking your natural abilities and A.A. tinguished between the limited scope of “A.A. individuals, we have a responsibility, maybe experience into a very different field. We as a whole” and the broad horizon of the india double, responsibility. It may be that we don’t see how that can affect your amateur vidual A.A. acting on his own responsibility; have a date with destiny. status with us. Suppose you were to become that they have probably drawn a correct line An example: Not long ago Dr. E. M. Jellinek, a social worker, a personnel officer, the man- between what we would regard as professional of Yale University, came to us. He said, ager of a state farm for alcoholics, or even a and amateur. “Yale, as you know, is sponsoring a program minister of the Gospel? Who could possibly Bill

Do You Know: HOW TO SPOT THE DANGER SIGNALS How often have you heard it said, “I was too the multiplication table. We can’t learn them sorry for ourselves or nursing a nice fat rebusy to make the meeting last night,” or, “I once and then sit back and have them work sentment. They cheer when we begin to get was so darn tired I just couldn’t get there”? for us the rest of our lives. Being mere cocky or have grandiose ideas about our Of course, either one of these two may hold humans, it is only by constant re-education worth. They send out invitations for a party true, but too often they are indications of the that we can hope to achieve and then keep the when we begin to think that maybe “one” beginning of a return to the old line of think- strength and happiness given us by A.A. wouldn’t hurt us or that maybe “someday?” ing. For this reason, then, when you are “too But this is supposed to be about Danger Sig- There are a thousand and one signs that will busy” or “too tired,” stop and ask yourself— nals. Why then hold forth on the importance put these two fast friends into a dither of “Is this true or am I rationalizing?” Be of frequent contacts with other members? delight, but each one can be recognized and honest. If you are not it may not he long be- Because, only through these associations are dealt with if we meet with our fellow-memfore you have nothing to be “too busy” about. we able to meet and conquer those insidious bers as often as possible. Only by constant association with A.A.s and urges to return to our old intimate friendships You may well ask, “who is this guy holding their problems do we re-learn those prin- with Generalissimo Hang-Over and Field Mar- forth on Danger Signals?” I know whereof I ciples of living that get us sober and keep us shal R. E. Morse. These two old cronies like speak, my friends. For once I got “too busy” in that happy state. The 12 Steps are not like nothing better than to see one of us feeling and “too tired.” R.K.F,

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Mail Call for All A. A.s in the Armed Forces We are fortunate to have secured the following story for this issue of The Uncle Screwtape. I even told my friend, who did not know all the wiles of an A.A. on the Grapevine from an A.A. who participated in the preparations for D-Day and loose, that I had found a new system for the actual invasion. We think his conclusions should he helpful to all A.A.s. drinking. Due to restricted stocks, the “governor” of many an English pub would lead in a flat in London or a Nissen hut at one of his customers from whiskey to gin to rum and our bases in the country, to the 24-hour plan finally to bitters during an evening. This When we sailed out of New York harbor switching from one kind of potion to another and A.A. principles in general. And I’d talk bound for England I was riding a high swell enabled me to avoid getting too much of any occasionally with my A.A.-minded friend. of confidence that I would be able to keep on one, I said. Amazing, isn’t it? the A.A. beam without too much trouble. Sev- Then, inspecting old churches and cathedrals and palaces on off-duty hours in the country By blessed luck, no disaster occurred. No one eral factors contributed to that comfortable began to pall. Presently I realized that the noticed my drinking particularly. After all, feeling. We had just completed a period of pubs are among the most interesting places in getting mildly drunk was no sin in itself and I training that was pretty tough for a 40-year- England. It is true that they offer an open resorted to the old trick of going away by myold, chair-borne officer, and I had survived the door to an intimate knowledge of the British, self to have more after reaching that point spells of low spirits that so often accompany and I was anxious to get to know the people as where I knew I was on the edge. After a few physical exhaustion. The Army had twisted, well as possible. Even after I began going to hangovers with the old dreary miseries, I manflexed and P.T.’d us into top condition. the pubs I managed to sidestep trouble for a aged to pull up and do some thinking. A Among the officers traveling with me was a close friend who knew about A.A. and was long time, a fact which I now make a point of hangover in the comparative peace of your remembering because it supports a vital les- own home is bad enough. It’s infinitely worse wholeheartedly in favor of my membership. son that I hope I’ve learned too thoroughly when punctuated by the noises and smells and My foot-locker contained an elemental A.A. to forget, ever. sights of war. I went back to morning conlibrary: “the” book, Screwtape Letters, Re- D-Day came with an unforgettable air assign- templation augmented by mental pauses durturn to Religion, Lost Week-End, and Chrisment followed soon by a transfer to France ing the day wherever I was—bouncing in a tian Behavior, to which I planned to turn with a succession of hectic experiences on the jeep or lying in a foxhole. At first I didn’t for remindful reading. Finally, I was enground. At least they were hectic for me and put much meaning into what I was saying to route to a C.O. who previously had been in- I hit emotional extremes I never had before. myself. But I was frightened by the picture formed that I was not drinking, thus reliev- Yet, through it all I stayed on the beam. Al- of what I had sense enough to know would be ing me of prospects of any embarrassment, though we naturally had to travel too light for the inevitable result if I kept on in the old imagined or real, over the “have-one-on-me” me to he carrying books, I had an A.A. card in way. I knew that in a combat zone they kind of comradeship with him. So, notwitha case with my AGO identification card and I couldn’t fool with drunks. standing the thoughts of danger that occur to anyone moving into a combat zone, I had few continued that brief contemplation in the Back in the A.A. way of thinking, I continued misgivings about anything and particularly morning. Liquor was available here and on through more disturbing experiences in not about alcohol even though each hour took there. Where isn’t it? Anyway, an alcoholic France, even that of the death of some men me farther from 24th Street and the revital- will find a bottle even on a Sahara if he puts with whom I was assigned; I returned to Lonizing smaller meetings. his mind to it. But I had no urge. don for a period when the buzz-bombs were On the arrival in the ETO I quickly began to Trouble did not develop until I began to get at the worst, with terrifying and sickening efappreciate the difficulties that are likely to lazy about my way of thinking. Sometimes I fects at close hand; I resumed going to the confront an A.A. away from other A.A.s un- felt in too much of a hurry to re-read my pubs for pleasant comradeship; I sat around less the pattern of the new way of thinking poem or even go through the premeditated while other men were drinking whiskey—I has been carved very deep. England had al- thoughts that had proved so useful, I begun shared all of those experiences safely because ready been overrun by Yanks and the British to slip back into the old pattern. Incredible I was thinking right again. had decided, not without basis, that we liked as it seems, one of the hoariest of thoughts Contrasting to that fortunate outcome for me to drink, knew how to drink and had the that bedevil an A.A. seeped into my mind. is the fact that months previous while still in money to pay for our drinks. So, in their ef- Perhaps things had been going too well. New York, within easy traveling distance of forts to be hospitable, the Scotch, the Irish, Maybe I was cocky. Maybe it was the tension. 24th Street and within telephone reach of the Welsh and the English doled out whiskey, There always are plenty of excuses. Presently several good A.A. friends who were ready to gin, rurn, and mild bitters from their limited I was toying with the idea that I had “pro- come to my aid any time—and did—I had a stock. That was fine for non-alcoholic Yanks, gressed” to the point where I could handle a couple of “slips.” and they went to no greater excesses than are few. Why not try? Mild and bitters were All of this adds up in my hook as proof that inevitable for any nationality away from re- new drinks. Perhaps they wouldn’t have the the crux is not in where you are or what straints of home and living under wartime same effect as liquor at home. The climate you’re doing, but how you’re thinking. To pressure. For quite a time I went along all was different, too. From there, of course, it be sure, an A.A. is more in danger the farther right with the aid of the various tools and was an easy step to nibbling. The fact that I he is from other A.A.s. But separation is not tricks A.A. had taught. I re-read my books. did not get drunk the first few times helped necessarily disastrous, nor proximity a guar- Each morning I’d give a few minutes, whether to grease the way right into the hands of antee of safety. T.D.Y.

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TIME ON YOUR HANDS? The Pleasures of Reading In our wet past, we were all too busy drinking like fishes to be able to give any thought or Clinical data on alcoholism is growing in volume—a sure indication that the study to our finny prototypes. If this were disease as a social problem is recognized and remedy is being sought. Promi- true in your case, we strongly suggest that you rectify the oversight and get yourself a book nent among the published reports are the Lay Supplements issued by the on tropical fish; any book will do. This sug- Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Inc., Yale University. gestion is prompted by a recent personal ex- Findings reported come largely from the staff of Yale’s Laboratory of Applied perience. A small seven-year-old friend of ours had a birthday and we dropped into the Physiology and the Yale Plan Clinics. Some conclusions will be a shock to nearest pet shop to see what we could see. It long-cherished beliefs. For example—that alcohol is a depressant, not a being a foul, rainy day, we lingered long and stimulant. The “lift,” as explained in Supplement No. 11, results from re- came away with bowl, sand, water plants, net, book, a few large and ugly snails, a pair of duced brain activity and with it decreased tension, irritability, critical atti- lowly Guppys and a firm determination to detude, etc. With these trouble makers quieted, a feeling of ease and relaxation liver the birthday gift the following day. We follows. had been impressed by the decorative quality of the various minute tropicals, so, with More liquor—fewer inhibitions, impaired judgment, irrational behavior acthe rain beating on the window panes and the cording to the individual’s reactions, quantity absorbed, etc. Conclusion, hurricane howling, we spent a cosy evening “alcohol acts the same way as the well-known anesthetics.” studying the fascinating habits of our little One of the catches seems to be a wide misinterpretation of the word “de- friends and lo!—an ichthyologist was born. Next morning, the storm and breakfast over, pressant.” Scientifically it denotes lessened activity at the brain center, not a found us back at the shop gazing thoughtfully promotion of low spirits. at the more glamorous varieties, and we ar- Supplement No. 10 offers much instructive data on types of drinkers and, rived home with two Danios (tiger fish). These lively little silver-and-black fellows among other things, a first-rate timetable of social to habitual toping. It added life to the bowl as their stripes flashed points the conclusion that rehabilitation of the alcoholic is worth while so- while they darted hither and yon. Fine—now cially because, “although the results of inebriety may appear immoral and we would deliver the gift. Yes—but—a brace of scallarae (angel fish) would certainly lend degrading, this is a result and not a cause.” grace and dignity to the collection. Back at A.A. as the best medium for helping non-psychotic drinkers has a prominent the shop, while two scallarae were being place in a study of “The Rehabilitation of Inebriates,” No. 12. A plan is sug- netted, our attention was caught by the beauty gested in which clinical analysis, hospitalization when needed, plus post-med- of some dark red Plattes and a pair of those, were added to our purchase for a much ical help, including A.A., are combined. This apparently is Yale’s idea of the needed spot of color. This was all a week ago, best general approach to the alcoholic problem. It does recognize the need and our piscatorial pals are still undelivered. for a wide-spread effort in which all known helps be applied in as many com- We plan to return to the shop today to purchase another bowl and a pair of Guppys for munities as possible. the belated birthday gift and—well—we have Fourteen supplements make up the series which may be purchased for our eye on two velvety black Molynesias and 1.00. Single numbers are 10 cents. Alcoholics Anonymous heads a list of maybe the Betas (Siamese fighters), which we ordered, have arrived. Their gorgeous colors suggested reading which includes Lost Week-End by Charles Jackson and Al- and fascinating breeding habits made them a cohol Addiction and Chronic Alcoholism by Jellinek, Peabody’s The Com- temptation not to be resisted. Do you see how mon Sense of Drinking and Alcohol, One Man’s Meat, by Strecker and it goes? Eating peanuts is mild in comparison. Chambers.

A. A. DINNER versus PUB CRAWLING Our annual Metropolitan Group dinner, capacity. The coming get-together will, there- scotch, rye and even gin has advanced prowhich, in true alcoholic style is sometimes fore, be held at the Hotel Commodore, New portionately. We can still have an A.A. eveheld semi-annually, will have a change of York City, on Wednesday, November 8th, at ning packed with fun for less than an evening locale this year. So announces the Central 7:00 P.M. Because of war-time conditions spent at our erstwhile “favorite” Pub. It is Committee. Many eager A.A.s had to be the price of food has gone up considerably suggested that you give your group secretary turned away from the last two dinners held which necessitates a raise in the price of the some idea, as soon as possible, of the number at Two Park Avenue, due to limited seating tickets, but we understand that the cost of of tickets required for your group.

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A L O N G THE M E T R O P O L I T A N C I R C U I T BERGEN COUNTY USES ADS . , . Dissatisfied ond Friday of each month at the Good Citi- 1st, were turned over to the service men— w i t h lackadaisical 12th-step activities, and de- zens League, corner of Union Street and San- whose plan it is to buy the building and contermined to tackle the local problem of al- ford Avenue, Flushing, L. I . . . . Nowadays all vert it into a combination clubhouse and hoscoholism more vigorously, we recently began Flushing meetings close at 10 P.M. sharp so pital. Ted F. and Elmer K., in charge of the to insert A.A. ads in the Bergen Evening that visitors desiring to leave early may do so. dance arrangements, did a bang up job of it. Record, the county’s leading newspaper. Those wishing to remain for coffee are always . . . The Elizabeth Group moved on October These ads, with copy changes each week, ap- welcome. . . . Many members attended the 1st to larger quarters at the Masonic Hall in pear three times weekly. Following is the text funeral of Tom C., who died recently. Elizabeth. . . . Tom M. and Captain John of one ad: Stephans, the latter a member of the Elizabeth police force, are working with the au- Is Your Weakness Alcohol? 18,000 men FOREST HILLS MEMBER CELEBRATES 2ND thorities of several New Jersey hospitals to and women have built up an unfailing YEAR IN A.A. . . . Mel C. was chairman of the receive permission for A.A. to send alcoholics resistance to alcohol by following 12 September 18th meeting. On that date he was into the hospitals. It’s a job that necessitates simple rules of conduct prescribed by two years old—according to the A.A. calen- a lot of talk with persuasive power behind it. Alcoholics Anonymous, P.O. Box 2825, dar. . . . Closed meetings, heretofore held at Englewood, N. J. the Forest Hills Inn, are now taking place at Twelve ads, over a period of four weeks, the various members’ homes. . . . The Thurs- NEW ROCHELLE PLANS M O R E SOLDIER AID brought in 12 appeals for assistance. These day A.A. meetings at Creedmore State Hos- . . . Our Group, which branched off from appeals are apportioned throughout our pital, instituted by Earl S., are having an in- Mount Vernon, is now over three months old membership for follow-up calls. The results creasingly large attendance. and growing constantly. Meetings are held have been a tremendous stimulus to our every Sunday at 7:45 P.M., at the Y.M.C.A., Group as a whole. Also, the experiment has MANHATTAN MEMBER 12TH-STEPS ON 185 Division Street. Plans to aid the alcoproven that many A.A.s were starving for CORNER . . . John B. can be found every Sun- holics among the returning m i l i t a r y forces are 12th-step work. The campaign is scheduled day around noon at the corner of 207th Street going forward. to run through October 25, a total of 36 ads. and Broadway. Hard by are several gin mills. In his own words, John was for years “one of NORTH JERSEY CONSIDERS BIG CLUBHOUSE THE BRONX SAYS MORE WOMEN . . . Since the worst rummies” of that 95 per cent Irish . . . We are strongly considering the purchase Joe H. initiated this group about six weeks district. He knows everybody, everybody of the Roseville Athletic Association clubago, attendance has averaged 35 at each meet- knows him and that he is now sober because house, 7th Street and 7th Avenue, Newark, as ing. Ten recruits came in recently. The he is in A.A. John stands and waits. He never general headquarters for all Jerseyites. The masculine element predominates. “More approaches any of the jittery men waiting for four-story building, where we have been holdwomen,” says Joe. “We need more women at the bars to open at I P.M. He waits for them ing our meetings for three years, is equipped our meetings.” Meeting night is Wednesday to come to him. They do. Many of them. with bowling alleys, billiard tables and whatat 8:15. Beginning October 4th, our meetings Result: John gets all the 12th-step work he have-you. The main room seats 400. If this will be at 2500 Marion Avenue, Bronx, just can handle—right there on that corner. . . . deal goes through, we’ll be settled—and very off East Fordham Rd. The building is a school, Jack N., listed on the Y.M.C.A. bulletin board comfortably—for years to come. with an auditorium for big get-togethers and as “John Doe,” recently spoke before a large kitchen facilities available for parties. . . . Ed audience at Sloane House on West 34th Street. T., the Manhattan member who assisted at the The subject of his lecture was A.A. . . . The WHITE PLAINS BRAVES H U R R I C A N E . . . opening meeting, was erroneously reported as hurricane that hit Manhattan September 14th The second Westchester-Greenwich Interhaving joined the Bronx Group. flooded home early those dauntless members Group meeting was held in White Plains the who had come to the West 24th Street club- down-pouring Wednesday night preceding the house for the Thursday closed meeting. hurricane. Lois B., chairwoman, expected an BROOKLYN CLOSED MEETINGS G R O W I N G . . . empty house. Instead, about 75 members Because of constantly increasing membership, from Mount Vernon-Yonkers, New Rochelle, our Wednesday closed meetings are now held MOUNT VERNON SLIGHTLY BRUISED . . . Greenwich and White Plains dripped in, as at the Hotel St. George, 51 Clark Street, The soft ball game for the championship of well as some of our interested associates from Brooklyn—same place us the Friday open Westchester County was won by us. There Chappaqua, Peekskill and points north. With meetings. Hour: 8:30 P.M. . . . Our Group were lame backs and sore arms—but no hang- White Plains presiding, Frank H. spoke for exchanges visits with New Rochelle the first overs. Our first annual picnic a few Sundays Mount Vernon-Yonkers Ralph J. for Greenweek in October. . . . Mail address; G.P.O., ago was a terrific success. Not so long ago wich; and John MacI. for New Rochelle. The Box 91, Brooklyn, N. Y. none of us would have believed it was possible international touch was added by “Cookie” to have that much fun sober. W. . . . Our open meetings are held every EAST ORANGE INVITES CIRCUITING . . . The Wednesday at 8:30 P.M., Westchester County meeting room at 507 Main Street is hence- NASSAU-SUFFOLK HAS WEDDING . . . The Republican Club (party affiliation unnecesforth unavailable every second Wednesday. night following the “big wind,” undaunted by sary), corner of Mamaroneck and Martine Therefore, on those Wednesdays, we shall be blocked roads, fallen wires, no lights, etc., 21 Avenues. glad to send speakers to other New Jersey showed up at the open Friday meeting—at groups.. . . THE KEARNEY GROUP will in future 177 Jackson Street, Hempstead, L. 1. . . . We INTER-GROUP MEETINGS IN MANHATTAN conduct its meetings at the Odd Fellows Hall, had a recent A.A. wedding. Isabel is the bride . . . Capitol Hotel; 51st Street and 8th Ave- 30-32 Beech Street, Arlington, N. J. and Hurry D. the groom. nue, Walnut Room; every Tuesday evening at 8:30. Room open from 5:30. For all other FLUSHING RESUMES CLOSED SESSIONS . . . NEWARK AND ENVIRONS AID SERVICE MEN meeting information watch group news on our At a recent business meeting it was decided to . . . The proceeds from the Irvington Group Metropolitan Circuit page, and check each resume closed meetings, to beheld on the sec- dance held at the Service Men’s Club, October issue for changes of time and location.

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SET-UP OF COMMITTEE McPeck, executive director, Department of Social Welfare, Washington Federation of MARTY INTERVIEWED The National Committee for Education on Churches; Hon. William M. Maltbie, Chief (Continued from Page 3) Alcoholism, Inc., sponsored by the Yale Plan Justice of the Supreme Court, State of Con- these, from the human point of view, is A.A. for Alcohol Studies, will open its offices on necticut; Fulton Oursler, journalist; Dorothy For A.A. has proved that great numbers of October 2, 1944, at 2 East 103d Street (Room Parker, author; Mary Pickford; Channing alcoholics can get well. 447, New York Academy of Medicine Build- Pollock, playwright; Rev. Otis R. Rice, Fed- “When we started talking about the National ing), New York, 29, N. Y. The Committee has eral Council of Churches; Dr. Harry Tiebout, Committee, we discovered that interest was been organized as a nonprofit membership medical director, Blythewood Sanitarium; Dr. more widespread than we had dared to hope. corporation under Connecticut charter. Its Edwin Zabriskie, Neurological Institute, New Grace Bangs found it very easy to form her membership is made up of persons from all York City. Women’s Organizing Committee — many fields of activity who are concerned with the Members of the Women’s Organizing women, each one important in her field, were problem of alcoholism and interested in a Committee immediately interested. When we formed the program of activity toward its solution. Its In addition to its chairman, Mrs. Grace Allen Advisory Board, it went the same way. And executive director and her secretary are both Bangs, director of the Club Service Bureau, I found an A.A. in the New York Group, members of Alcoholics Anonymous. New York Herald-Tribune the Women’s Or- Marian M., to be my secretary. The National Committee believes that alco- ganizing Committee consists of the following: Ques. “Can you tell us now, exactly what holism is a public health problem that can be Mrs. Julius Ochs Adler, co-chairman, New your job is, what the Committee’s job is, and solved, should be solved now, and is a public York City Defense Recreation Committee; what A.A.s can do in all this?” responsibility to solve now. To further this Mrs. Anne Barnard, director, Women’s Di- Ans. “My first job is to lecture on alcoholism aim through educational means is the duty as- vision, National Safety Council; Mrs. Sydney in general. I’ll try to arouse enough interest so sumed by the National Committee. Borg, chairman, Manhattan Civilian Defense that people will want to form a local commit- Members of the National Committee Volunteer Office; Ruth Collins, superintend- tee. This committee should include represent- Bill W., and Dr. Bob S., the founder and co- ent of the New York City House of Detention atives of all groups who have to struggle with founder of Alcoholics Anonymous; Dwight for Women; Mrs. Kathleen Divine, assistant this problem. People like doctors, ministers, Anderson, public relations director, New to the head of the Welfare Department, social workers, magistrates, and above all, York State Medical Society; Dr. Russell S. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; Mrs. A.A.s.” Boles, president of the Board of Philadel- Ethel Hendriksen, of the New York State Ques. “What is this local committee going phia General Hospital and chief of its Med- Department of Health; Judge Anna Kross, to do?” ical Division; Mrs. LaFell Dickinson, Pres- New York City magistrate; Mrs. Albert D. Ans. “It’s going to carry on the work of eduident of the General Federation of Women’s Lasker, executive secretary, National Commit- cation. We’ll do everything to help them. Clubs; Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, Riverside tee on Mental Hygiene; Pauline Mundigo, (By we I mean the National Committee.) Church, New York City; Dr. Howard W. Hag- public relations expert, president, Phoenix We’ll give them plenty of literature, and it gard, director, Laboratory of Applied Physi- News; Mrs. Leopold K. Simon, lawyer, and will cover every phase of alcoholism. That ology, Yale University; Arthur Garfield Hays, member of the New York State Industrial includes our A.A., pamphlets. When they’re lawyer; Arthur Hopkins, theater producer; Labor Board; Mrs. Sara Sparks, president, ready, we’ll help them set up an i n f o r m a t i o n Marcus Himan; Dr. E. M. Jellinek, director, New York State Business and Professional center or a clinic.” Section on Alcohol Studies, Yale University; Women’s Clubs and personnel director of Ques. “How are you going to do that?” Dr. Lawrence Kolb, assistant Surgeon Gen- Western Union; and Jane Tiffany Wagner, Ans. “We’ll train anyone this local committee eral, U. S. Public Health Service; Edgar head of the Women’s War Activities Departselects to run their information center. They’ll Lockwood, vice-president, Guaranty Trust ment, National Broadcasting Company. go to the Yale Clinics for this training. If Co.; Austin H. MacCormick, executive direc- [The above is a condensation of the announce- they want to set up a clinic, we’ll send an extor, Osborne Association; Rev. Francis W. ment in the current issue of the Quarterly pert organizer to help them.” Journal of Studies on Alcohol.] Ques. “But how are you going to get your Cut This Out and Mail to: speaking engagements in the first place?” Grapevine PRE-VIEW. . . Ans. “Grace Bangs and her Women’s Commit- The Grapevine tee will handle most of that.” P.O. Box 328 Next month: the Beginner’s Issue . . . all Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. about how it feels to come into A.A. . . . with Ques. “Why, Marty, what about us A.A.s helpa guest article, completely off the point, by ing? I should think that a special open meet- Herewith 1.50 for one year’s subscription S. J. Perelman, the New Yorker’s fiendish ing would be just the place. We ask all the to. The Grapevine (Monthly) funnyman. people you mentioned to our big open meet- For additional subscriptions enclose separate The editor of the “Mail Call” page thinks ings anyway. I should think that any A.A. sheet with name and address clearly printed. there must be first-rate letters from A.A. group that has open meetings, and is inter- Checks payable to The Grapevine. Servicemen in lots of A.A. pockets which de- ested in this idea, would be a natural—I mean Total Enclosed serve pulling out and getting into print in a starting point for a local committee.” PLEASE PRINT The Grapevine. Ans. “There’s no reason why they shouldn’t Please send any you think of interest to P.O. be. It’s my hope that they will, either as Name Box 328, Grand Central Annex, N. Y., 17, groups or as individuals. After all, we A.A.s Address N. Y. We’ll consider them on loan, to be re- are the people who understand best how misturned promptly. understood this whole thing is.” Felicia G.

VOL. I, NO. 6, NOV., 1944 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 1.50; COPY, 15c A Monthly Journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

THE MEDITATIONS OF longing to retire. In the ensuing shower of made any extensive alterations. As I was broken glass, profanity, and fists, I escaped thoughtfully stroking my van Dyke over the OLD MR. PERELMAN towasmyconveying car, dragging my succubus after me. I debris, the local grocer sped up and presented him home to his bed (an act me w i t h a bill for 88.50 he had charged ON “DYNAMIC DRUNKS” of sheer Christian charity, as I lived a dozen in my name. miles away), when I caught him staring But only the mean in spirit hold a grudge. I In my painful profession, the sole point of fixedly at my chin. “What are you looking hold no grudge against the three reporters which is to juxtapose familiar words into an at?” I asked nervously. “Your jaw,” he said who sublet my apartment one summer, sold unfamiliar pattern and thereby maintain a vaguely, “I got an idea it’s glass.” Before I all my books, and decamped owing me a twofull head of steam in the boilers of my de- could throw a guard around it, he drew off hundred-dollar telephone bill. I hold no pendents, I have been thrown into contact and clipped it with a small steamer trunk grudge against the two playful rewrite men with countless newspapermen. Most of these welded to his wrist. I awoke a few minutes who, flushed with wine in my rooms, threw romantic and legendary creatures today, of later on a mound of shredded Buick at the my radio out of a fourth-story window. They course, are based on Hollywood, where they foot of a date palm. My friend had vanished, were all jolly good fellows and staunch comfunction as scenario-writers; the inconsider- but he reappeared the next morning at the panions. They all had printer’s ink in their able few who happened to be allergic to cellu- hospital bearing a peace offering, a quart of veins and they all had printer’s hang-over. loid have gravitated into advertising, public- brandy which he drained at the bedside. As And if I never see another newspaperman ity, and radio. It goes without saying that the he arose to take leave of me, be gave me a with a glass in his hand this side of Jordan majority of them are not the noisy, colorful piece of advice. “It’s your own fault,” he said water, it’ll be much too soon. desperadoes of The Front Page but indus- sagely, “Alcohol and gasoline don’t mix.” S. J. Perelman trious, God-fearing tax-payers who like noth- I can also recall without any nostalgia the ing better than a fast bout of parcheesi with their loved ones at eventide. Unluckily, as I former foreign correspondent I encountered several years ago on Fifth Avenue, whom I JERSEYITES BUY BIG look back on the pressmen I have known, my memory plays me a shabby trick. I cannot had known casually in France in the mid- Twenties. He immediately reminded me of SOCIABLE CLUBHOUSE recall the quiet, sensible, prudent ones; all I glorious escapades in Montparnasse, of gallant To the A.A.s of North Jersey goes the honor remember is the series of dynamic drunks I lads and lasses long since dust. All I could of being the original contributors to one have had the ill fortune to encounter at point- remember was that he had borrowed nine phase of A.A. history, geographically speakblank range, ever ready to share my last dol- hundred francs he had never returned, but as ing. They are the first of the “Along the lar with me, always eager for a romp that I say, my memory has always betrayed me. Metropolitan Circuit” groups to buy a clubmight result in a broken rib, a lawsuit, or a On the pretext that he needed a haven to house of their own. writ of attachment on my household goods. finish a novel, he somehow conned me into Members of a dozen North Jersey groups, There was, for example, the burly sports loaning him my country place for a week. forming a company called Alanon Association writer I ran into one evening in a Los Angeles Though his tenancy was brief, he managed to (Joe B. is their counsel), participated in the bar while looking for my mother. Proclaim- leave the imprint of his personality along deal that ended, in October, in the purchase ing his undying fealty, he draped himself with his soiled laundry. I found all the of the three-story brick building at 8th Ave. about me like an Inverness cape, demanded groundhogs, squirrels, rats, mice, spiders, and and North 7th St., Newark, N. J., known as that fresh casks of usquebaugh be broached, ants in the Delaware Valley convened in the the Roseville Athletic Association. and began detailing his newspaper exploits. kitchen, banqueting on the remains of my The purchase price of 22,000.00 includes fur- I was reasonably familiar with them, having canned goods. In the living room, he had niture and equipment, which in turn includes heard him recount them annually the preced- assembled a valuable collection of late Penn- such things as pool and billiard tables and ing ten years, but he held me in a grip of iron. sylvania glass, thirty-three empty rye-and gin- bowling alleys. The transaction involved a At three a.m., just as he was modestly ad- bottles of various sizes. His structural changes first mortgage of 15,000.00 with a non-alcoholic mitting he had solved the Halls-Mills case were minor; apart from burning down the A.A. supporter, the remainder (a large porsingle-handed, the bartender civilly voiced a guest wing by smoking in bed, he had not (Continued on Page 8)

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Dear Grapevine (Complaint Division): As EDITORIAL: one of the two original Boston subscribers to an essential A.A. ingredient, The Grapevine, why, oh why, and by what lottery-like On the 1st Step methods do you send out your copies by mail? . . . We have been plugging the paper here The first of the 12 steps in the creed or philosophy of Alcoholics Anony- in Boston, but our temperamental A.A. clientele is sore, because they not only do not get mous is, “We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives the paper, but their subscriptions are not had become unmanageable.” By such an admission any alcoholic, provided acknowledged. If I were waiting for somehe is sincere, has achieved his first success on the road to well-being. thing of no importance such as Fortune or The New York Times, 1 wouldn’t give a hoot Such an admission is usually very difficult for the alcoholic to make. The . . . but please, oh please, send us our Grapevery nature of his disease makes him shun the knowledge of his inability to vines. John L. P., Boston, Massachusetts cope with the problems of everyday life. Hence his desire for something [Boston, dear: We’re glad you, brought the that will rapidly create whatever he thinks he lacks as an individual. With whole subject up. We think it’s all because a few drinks under his belt he can fashion the most wonderful dreams about the U.S. Post Office treats 3rd class matter like himself. These dreams can become his real characteristics—but only when a. stepchild. Of course, it may be that your Boston censors have confiscated us. Please he recognizes that he must dominate alcohol rather than have alcohol dom- send us a re-check of these addresses and we’ll inate him. see that Bostonians get their Grapevines.] The sincerity with which the newcomer takes the first step is the gauge by Dear Grapevine: Just a line to let you know which his recovery through A.A. can be measured. that I am receiving my Grapevine and how Over the years the alcoholic develops a three-dimensional ability at picture much I enjoy it. . . . I would like to know if building, which is a kind way of saying that alcoholics are adept liars. So you would consider sending it to a young man in the State Penitentiary at McAlester. He that by really taking the first step—admitting freely and without reserva- read the copy of the book which is in the tion that he is an alcoholic — a person starts to build a new pattern of library there and wrote to the Oklahoma City thought. The whole, at last, is fabricated from truth rather than wishful group and some of us are corresponding with him. . . . Most of our work in this case will thinking or fantasy. have to be done by mail and everything will “Ye shall know the truth—and the truth shall make you free” applies cer- help. Cody C., Oklahoma tainly to the first step in this program—for truth, to the alcoholic, is simply Dear Grapevine: We thought Grapevine readadmitting to himself that he can’t handle alcohol, and because of this his life ers might be interested in what has happened is unmanageable. To those who accept this first step the other eleven follow at the offices of the National Committee for in the natural course of events—as the scope of the teachings of A.A. be- Education on Alcoholism in the two weeks it has been opened, as those happenings affect come realized and some small rewards have been received. John B. A.A. Almost every piece of publicity we had mentioned A.A. and possibly that was why

Points of View we had the kind of response we did. We have had an average of fifteen telephone calls a day from alcoholics themselves, or the Dear Grapevine: As a non-alcoholic, I write can he helpful. In others, as with alcoholism, families of alcoholics seeking help. These this in a spirit of envy. Through friends in all known methods seem to fail. calls have all been referred to the 24th Street A.A. I have had the opportunity for several Would it be possible and would A.A. be inter- Clubhouse. We have also had from ten to months to see the remarkable results of your ested in trying to formulate a 12 point pro- fifteen letters a day from all over the country, program and it is beginning to seem as though gram for non-alcoholics? Could such a man mostly from families of alcoholics, asking alcoholics were getting all the breaks. as Dr. Jellinek, for instance, be persuaded to where they could find help. We sent A.A. Everybody can’t be an alcoholic, and there work on such a project? Even now there is at literature to each of these requests. are many other equally serious, if less spec- least one neurotic in every family and after In short it seems to us that we are just antacular, problems which unfit people both for the war the numbers seem certain to increase. other channel through which those in need their work and for living in the world around If there were a program in existence which can find A.A., and although all Grapevine them. Anyone suffering from a great insecur- could be used by families, by veterans’ organ- readers know that that is not our primary ity or anxiety or who is so introverted that be izations and chiefly, of course, by people function, Marian and I would like them to cannot get along with his fellow men becomes themselves, it might cut down the work of know that we are very happy to be doing mass a chronic problem to himself and his friends. doctors and psychiatrists and even of you production 12th step work. In some cases medical treatment or psychiatry A.A.s. E. K., Now York, N. Y. Marty M., New York, N.Y,

HOW IT FEELS TO MAKE ONE’S FIRST BEGINNINGS IN A. A. The First Realization . . . ing myself better, and so face life with a more Maybe it’s easier to read the handwriting on open mind and have an eye to judge myself. the curb than to read the handwriting on the Harry I. of the New York A.A. is up here at I realize now what the trouble with me has wall. In the gutter you feel despair. On the the farm. Seeing he is here for two days, I been. I have wanted happiness and refused way you feel a fool. In despair you seek an am pumping him for all I can get out of him to work for it. I have held grudges and re- end of despair and make a break. on A.A. He has opened my eyes to a lot I sentments that have warped my mind. I have You [meaning A.A.s] hurt the suffering beginnever knew. You would be surprised how I not been tolerant and f a i r to others and ner when you show you know more than he have gotten over resentments of family and through your program I have begun to see does—until he can know it too. Actually you life in general. I now look at their side of a life as it should be, not as the way I have are telling someone else what their wife is resentment instead of mine. In doing so it looked at it. doing before they know it. Play the game. lifts a great load off my chest and makes me I want to thank you again. Show them the earmarks till they too know, see life more clearly. This being sorry for then you can both talk on a similar (not the one’s self is one of the ways to sap up your same) level. normal outlook. To think straight today The First Questions . . . About meetings. Too much laughter even means that tomorrow with all the other to- Felt fine, but tired. Up too late. Did bills, good-naturedly doesn’t help a guy who is morrows will take care of itself. This is a called M. and got set for A.A. lunch. More desperate. He is immediately surrounded by great foundation for thinking clearly. I never bills—more and more nervous till I decided physical hell—you remember? Let everyone should have left T Hospital without com- I was too shy to go to lunch alone. Relaxed know he can talk to some one alone. You ing up here. I did not know of this place until and finished bills. Dressed. Lunch at Pierre know it but the stranger—complete stranger— too late. Plus my nerves being all raw—plus —4 glasses (big) of champagne—good lunch. doesn’t. Why not announce that one doesn’t I was trying to fight this thing out by myself, Then bookshop to finish overseas packages. have to talk in public? Let the shy desperate which you can’t do alone. Raining—taxi to school [a school instructing know he can contact an individual, and that in I regret I messed up so much in the last few in occupational therapy], but changed address A.A. as everywhere there are many personality years paying no attention to A.A. when A.A. to Longchamps—more champagne—to hell differences and sometimes a meeting isn’t all. could have made my life so simple to face with school. How could I work? This at IF a guy really needs personal help rather instead of all the hell I have caused people Longchamps. . . . than group therapy at the very start for casing and myself. I realize that it will take me a Joining A.A. means “Eventually- —why not the way, he should know he can get it. long time to get the whole program—but with now?” This is wondering: If you are desperate you’ll what I have gotten in common sense from Funny, this is not hard. It’s easy and I want go through with A.A. (Even if you’re drunk Sister and about A.A. from Harry, along with it. But, gosh, am I suddenly frightened. you’ll absorb it.) If you know you’re headed talking to people up here about their prob- There’s no reason, as I’m calm. Guess it’s just for it but not desperate, not there yet, the lems and resentments, I w i l l come out know- nerve reaction. (Continued on Page 8)

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HOW IT FEELS TO JOIN A. A. LONG BEFORE YOU HAVE TO It was a lovely spring morning last June, I suffered from an awful shyness and tension have a toothache after all. I fought every warm and full of promise—a day that fills with people. Also, liquor had been a daily identification of myself with alcoholism. I you with love of life and a desire to live it part of my life for years; helping me through had stopped drinking with no effort after the fully, to accomplish all the things you have difficulties, being a reward for work well done second meeting and for two weeks I attended dreamed, to work, to love your fellow man. and a solace when I was depressed. In fact, every meeting with the sole purpose, I recog- It was the first day of my vacation after a as I thought about it, liquor was a pretty con- nize now, of proving to myself that I wasn’t busy year—a vacation eagerly planned for and stant companion in good health and ill, for an alcoholic. But in that time I read the book set aside to do a piece of creative work which better or for worse. It went on weekends several times and began to follow the program. was a joy to me. The night before there had with me and came home with me. It was I talked with other members but nowhere been a late party to celebrate the finish of the waiting for me after work and spent many could I get what I wanted—a flat, factual stateold and the bright beginning of the new. I evenings with me when I should have been ment that I was or was not an alcoholic in was shaky that morning, having celebrated following some of my other interests. It fre- their opinion. It seemed that I had to decide thoroughly, so before I started to shop for quently went to bed with me and was there for myself with the wealth of knowledge and my new equipment I decided to have a mar- in the morning whenever I needed it in the experience spread before me at meetings, talks tini or two before lunch. I awoke at twilight last couple of years. It had lunch with me and in the literature. Then, suddenly, I had with a bewildered sense of loss. The lovely when it could. It monopolized my vacations to go away for two weeks and I began to day was gone. A shiver of terror went through because I was carefree. I look it with me drink again with the friends I was visiting. me and then the slow, steady creep of smother- where I knew I wouldn’t find it. Several times But something had happened to me. Someing panic. Something terrible was the matter I decided that a temporary vacation would do times I think you get this program through with me but WHAT? This wasn’t the first me good but I never stayed away more than the pores by just going to meetings, being time this had happened in spite of my best several days. with members and keeping your mind and intentions and plans. It had happened with Generally, it had been a good companion, re- heart as open as you can. Once you get inside, increasing frequency whenever I was released liable and restrained for years, especially as my father used to say to us kids: “the Lord from responsibility. A cold, damp sweat when I had work to do. It indulged itself on has you by the hand!” Something bigger than folded around me like a blanket and I was weekends and at parties and plagued me with myself certainly had me by the hand. I filled with violent nausea. Later I phoned the hang-overs—some pretty bad ones in the last stopped drinking with my friends and began liquor store. I had to have a drink so I could two years, but it had never interfered with a the work I had wanted to do—placing my think this through clearly. job or made me sick for more than a holiday whole problem in the care of the Power At the end of a week with days beginning and or Sunday. It hadn’t separated me from my greater than myself of which I had heard so ending in the same way I was reduced to des- friends or landed me in a hospital. My doctor much. My mind cleared, an unknown sense pair and gibbering panic. I couldn’t go out in had never discussed it with me, having no of peace quietly took hold of me, my work the street, let alone ride in a bus. I was afraid reason and my analyst had told me that it went well. I humbly followed the 24 hour to get in an elevator. I couldn’t sit in a movie was not the factor in my disturbance though plan and asked no questions of myself or IT for fear of screaming out loud. Safe in the it might be wise not to drink so regularly. as to what path I was being lead along or what apartment the walls started moving in on me. But now I made up my mind to stop drinking it signified. The long vacation yawned ahead like a dark entirely for the rest of my vacation. To my That was two months ago. I returned to A.A. valley of horror. In my despair I doubted if horror I found I couldn’t. The decision to do so glad to be back and with no inner resist- I’d find myself alive at the end of it, let alone so seemed to enhance terrifically the desire to ance. Since then I have attended all the meetwell and ready for work. There was no reality drink and all I accomplished was to make of ings that my work permits, have started some but the fight between me and my panic and myself a battle ground—one part of me fight- 12th step work and have grown to know many the only weapon I knew to fight it with was ing to drink and the other part fighting not people and to depend upon their help and a drink. I had had psychoanalysis and sup- to drink. The battle lasted one day and that wisdom when I am frightened, troubled or posedly should not be suffering this recurrence night I got plastered. The victor rode the field depressed. The panic has gone and I have no of panic but it was worse than in its original for a week in varying degrees of being slightly desire to drink now though I don’t avoid form. There was no further help to be sought tight to being drunk. I never passed out but parties and situations where there is drinking. from that angle. Slowly a thought had begun I kept trying through the fog to figure out There is a new, fresh interest in my job, an to focus in my terrified mind. Could the panic what in hell had broken loose. One side of unexpected reserve of material and ideas for have any relationship to my drinking? me was making a souse out of me with all the it, and an unexpected energy of a different I didn’t believe it for a moment but in my symptoms, while the other was reeling around quality—deep, easy and relaxed. Most imdespair I couldn’t afford to ignore the pos- helpless. portant of all is a consciousness of a growing sibility. If that were all, then everything was Then I remembered reading about A.A. and experience with a Power outside myself which simple, I’d just stop drinking and things hearing that a friend of mine had joined. I I depend upon and trust and which takes over would straighten out. phoned and went to see her not, of course, for me things which are too much for me— I hated to stop drinking, of course, because I telling her the whole story but inquiring more things than my drinking. All this fills actually enjoyed everything about it: the about symptoms. She advised attending a me with awe and a profound gratitude to taste, the smell and the effect which gave me meeting, where I behaved like the patient out- A.A. for this new and happy life I am living. a sense of well-being, gaiety and courage, for side the dentist’s office who decides he doesn’t Beatrice

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Mail Call for All A.A.s in the Armed Forces often, remembering the few short weeks I spent in your midst. With that in mind I On this page in the July issue, we printed a letter from Sergeant Bob H., purposely chose today to write you. It may then in Hawaii. Bob has recently returned from the Islands to attend Offi- be just another day to you, but it marks an cer’s Candidate School in the United States. While he was in New York on anniversary for me. It was just three months ago to date that I first entered your clubhouse furlough, we asked him to contribute an article on how A.A. had helped him in Philadelphia. Three months that I have over the rough spots in an Army career of approximately two years. Empha- remained “dry” and maintained complete sis should be placed, we think, on the fact that Bob entered the Service after sobriety. How well I recall how far away that only four months as an A.A. He had, however, so firm a grasp of the pro- three-month period seemed then. Until that gram that he has made an uninterrupted progress in a completely new field time had expired I could not feel as if I had of endeavor. accomplished anything, but now at least, my feet are on the first rung of the ladder. But I’ve learned my lesson well. My fingers are Bob’s Story: “Two years ago, about to be inducted into the Army, I was still crossed. I know I can never be sure. secretly scared stiff. I had been in A.A. only four months, and while I had managed to stay “dry”, it had been touch-and-go with me on a number of Little did I think then that I would be a member of the Woman’s Army Corps today. I led occasions. When I’d had the jitters I’d always been able to stave off that such a useless, wasteful life—and now, though fatal first drink by getting in contact with one or more members of the local I am playing only a very small part—I am, at group. This, combined with frequent attendance at the various meetings, least, a useful citizen. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to see if I am dreaming. In the had sufficed to keep me in line so far, but what was I to do now? I knew I beginning I used to envy you all so much. You would have none of the physical contacts with A.A. upon which I had been seemed so light-hearted and gay, so thoroughly relying; and I knew too that without something to fall back upon I would happy and at peace with the world. I used to be a gone goose. ask myself, “Will I ever be like that? Will my mind some day be free from worry and The solution to which I turned in desperation was the llth step in the A.A. care?” I doubted it then, for I was still confused, my brain a tumult of conflicting emoprogram—”prayer and meditation”. I knew nothing about prayer and very tions. The future loomed ahead as some hidelittle about meditation, but I reckoned it was a case of start learning or ous nightmare. I was convinced that nothing “else”. It was very difficult for me at first (it still isn’t easy), but by at- could ever make me enjoy life again. But you tending chapel whenever I could, I finally came to believe that I was dis- were all so kind, so tolerant, so helpful, so willing to listen to my tale of woe without covering some of those spiritual values which in the past I had never even censure, criticism or boredom, that gradually known existed. Anyway it worked; and it kept me “dry”. And certainly it the cobwebs began to disappear, the weight paid dividends from a more materialistic viewpoint—I got my promotions was lifting from my heart, and I was learning to smile again. And then before I quite knew with reasonable regularity, and finally received an appointment to an Offi- what had happened, I suddenly realized that cer’s Candidate School, to which I am now on my way. Without A.A. I my decision in coming to your group had not might now be in line for some bars, but they certainly wouldn’t be shoulder been in vain—that I had at last found the contentment that I had been so long in searchbars.” ing for. Nothing that I could ever do or say could sufficiently show my gratitude. I regret very much that I was unable to do anything about the 12th Step, but this war won’t last A BEGINNER IN THE WACS badly that she moved to Philadelphia from forever and the A.A.s will always be in existher home 125 miles distant and got a job so ence, so perhaps, God willing, some time in We are indebted to the Philadelphia Group that she might attend meetings regularly. the future I will have the opportunity to put for a letter from a comparative newcomer to The fact that I have not written before is no that into effect. A.A. The author of this letter, upon learning indication that I have forgotten you or any of of A.A. through her doctor, wanted help so the members of A.A. I think of you all quite May God bless you all. K.

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AN A. A. G L O S S A R Y The Pleasures of Reading ALKIE: An alcoholic. A drunk. Us. Maybe you. BUTTERFLIES: Stomach spasms. Alcoholics and non-alcoholics alike would profit by a careful reading of DESIGN FOR LIVING: The A.A. program. Alcohol: One Man’s Meat, by Edward A. Strecker, A.M., M.D., and Francis ELIGIBLE: Anybody ready for A.A. T. Chambers, Jr. (The Macmillan Co., 2.50). Mr. Chambers is an alco- FIRST DRINK: The come on, or teaser. holic who hasn’t indulged for many years. He is also a psychotherapist of GROUP: Gatherings, large or small, of A.A.s. high repute. In his introduction, the non-alcoholic Dr. Strecker, one of our HIGH BOTTOM: Finding and using A.A. long foremost psychiatrists, makes a brilliant plea for the alcoholic: “… If the before hitting the gutter. LOW BOTTOM: Really hitting the gutter. alcoholic were directly chargeable with these high crimes and misdemean- INITIATION FEE: The many things we missed. ors against his own flesh and blood and against society, then no amount of The harm we did. The mental and physical scorn and punishment would be too severe for him. There are at least two pain we suffered, plus the money we wasted. JITTERS: A feeling of tension (See the Lost reasons why he is not directly guilty as charged . . .” One of these, says Dr. Week-End for vivid description). Strecker, is that the alcoholic is definitely a sick person, just as sick as the LITTLE BLACK BOOK: For emergency reference. patient who has tuberculosis or pneumonia. The second is that the makings The addresses and telephone numbers of of his alcoholism often reach far back into his childhood and are not within other A.A.s. ON THE BEAM: Getting on with the business of his control. There are enlightening chapters on normal and abnormal drink- living—by using A.A. ers, the introverted personality, the extrovert, alcohol and sex. Maeve S. PERIODIC: One who has regular or irregular An A.A. member who prefers to remain anonymous, has written a mimeo- cycles of excessive drinking. graphed condensation of Aldous Huxley’s The Art of Seeing. The Grapevine SKID ROW: The Bowery. Panhandle alley. All hope, all initiative gone. will send it without charge to those interested. TELEPHONITIS : Compulsion to use the tele- Alcoholics Anonymous (Works Publishing Co., Box 459), Grand Central phone. All alcoholics, drunk or sober, seem Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. (3.50). to have it.

Do You Know: ABOUT HOME CARE FOR THE ALCOHOLIC By the time most of us have reached A.A., we from one to five days to achieve results. ent depends upon the length of time the vichave suffered and, contrary to our expecta- To replace water, you do not give water alone, tim has been drinking and whether or not the tions, have survived many hang-overs. This but fluids. This sounds like double-talk, but drinking has been accompanied by eating. happy and surprising turn of events is seldom it is of the utmost importance. Without a con- When to begin regular meals is a decision due to the magic potency of advertised nos- comitant replacement of salt, a dehydrated that can be reached only by the sufferer. Do trums. Nor to the “infallible remedies” so person cannot utilize water. Ginger ale, coca- not try to force a meal on an unwilling perenthusiastically endorsed by well-meaning cola, soup, milk, and fruit juices may be used. son; concentrate on the fluids. He (probably) friends and fellow-sufferers. The victim, how- Salt may be added to all of these, but not to will not starve to death. Food preferences ever, may be relieved of the physical symp- the point where they are unpalatable. Salt should be entered to regardless of how outtoms of a hang-over. tablets are useful; two to four a day should he landish they may seem. Hunger marks the This short dissertation is concerned only w i t h plenty. The body has its own mechanism for turning point; after that the rest is easy. the physical side, which is a problem in phys- re-establishing chemical equilibrium. All the Rest is of great importance, and it does not iological chemistry and is amenable to a ra- sufferer has to do, and as a matter of fact all necessarily mean sleep. The sleep mechanism tional approach. It is not to be expected that he is capable of doing, is to supply the where- of most actively practicing alcoholics, as we the sufferer will he capable of any rational withal. If nausea and vomiting are severe, well know, is a horribly jumbled up affair and approach. However, his friends and well-wish- fluids should be forced slowly, by sips. The is not going to be rearranged overnight. If ers should bear in mind certain definite ob- nutrition will be amply taken care of in the the insomnia is severe, protracted, and disjectives. These objectives are to replace the first few days by the soup, milk, and fruit tressing, it warrants a doctor’s attention; if fluid and salt deficiency and to restore the juices. Sugar is the most easily assimilated of not, it affords a fine opportunity for attendnutritional deficit, which is due, not only to a all food stuffs and should be added to the fruit ing meetings and for the tactful presentation lack of food intake, but also to a depletion of juices or taken in the form of hard candy. Vit- of the A.A. program. the bodily reserves. In the latter, vitamins amins may be supplied in tablet form, prefer- In conclusion, it should be remembered t h a t , play a part, but only a part; when used alone ably the shot-gun type which contains all of as one of our members pointed out, “90% of they fall into the class of the aforementioned the vitamins. The normal dose may be the hang-over is up in the noggin.” Being an infallible remedies. Depending on the sever- doubled or tripled since an excess does no alcoholic, I must disagree. Let’s call it 75%. ity of the hang-over, it may take anywhere harm. The amount of vitamin deficiency pres- An Anonymous Doctor

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A L O N G THE M E T R O P O L I T A N C I R C U I T BERGEN COUNTY INVITES EXCHANGES . . . Nov. 14th. . . Johnny W. has recovered from MOUNT VERNON HAS TWO ADDRESSES . . . The new Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer, his recent appendectomy. . . . We have three Welcome to our Saturday Open House in our elected recently at a closed meeting, immedi- new members—all men. new Club Rooms at 4 Fourth Avenue. Cards, ately embarked upon an enlarged program. checkers and chess in the afternoon and The aim is to accelerate activities to accom- plenty of fun at night. Each week a host and FOREST HILLS ALSO MOURNS GEORGE T. . . . modate the large influx of new members com- We, too, greatly feel the loss of George T., hostess will be delegated to arrange the proing in as a result of this Group’s advertising who was originally a member of our Group. gram for the evening. No chance for the Satwhich has been appearing three times weekly . . . The Jim Y.’s have a new baby boy. . . . urday night gremlins these days. . . . We will in the Bergen Evening Record since last Charlie S., from Buffalo, now living in also hold a closed meeting in the rooms every August. The new officers will welcome pro- Jamaica, N. Y., is one of our newest acquisi- Thursday at 8:30 P.M. . . . But the open posals to exchange speakers with other groups tions. . . . Mount Vernon conducted a splendid meeting for us in October. . . . With meetings on Monday night continue to be along the Metropolitan Circuit. . . . Address: guests from eight neighboring groups, our held at the Westchester Women’s Club, as be- P. 0. Box 282, Englewood, N. J. Monday night attendance has been between fore. . . . Secretary Nobby is arranging for 100-160 . . . in the fountainless “Fountain one exchange meeting every month. Room” of the Forest Hills Inn. We begin THE BRONX GROWING AND HOW! . . . promptly at 8:30. We’re still talking about the outstanding NEWARK STORY, PAGE I … On that page meeting that the South Orange delegation you will read an account of the new clubheld here in October, and Stoney S. and the MANHATTAN CLUBHOUSE STIRRING . . . man “with the charley-horse between his We go to press before a report can be given on house recently bought by various members of ears.” Our thanks to them all. Our attend- the last business meeting held at the 24th a number of North Jersey groups. We’re so ance is steadily increasing, due to the hearty Street clubhouse in late October. But at the busy with last-minute details that all other cooperation of our members, physicians, and previous turbulent meeting in September it news must wait for the next Grapevine issue. the clergy. Since most of the membership is was voted that three committees should be As stated in the article, our Group will connewly enrolled, it would provide inspiration formed, participants to be chosen by Chair- tinue to hold meetings there. and encouragement if some of the veterans of man Ernest M. On the Club-Searching comboth sexes from neighboring groups would mittee are Dan C., Eugene K., Thomas C., participate—and talk for us. We think this and Jack N. On the Hospital committee are NORTH JERSEY STORY, PAGE I … The would exemplify 12th Step work in a most Marty M., Jack N., and Bert T. In the next issue we’ll report on their findings. Astrid L. above applies to us also. In one week’s time we practical manner. . . . We were well repre- formed the corporation, put up a neat sum of sented at the recent Matt Talbot Retreat. . . . is in charge of the new entertainment committee which has evolved an already popular cash as option on the clubhouse, and got the Address of our sumptuous new quarters: 2500 deal well under way. It keeps us hopping— Marion Avenue, near East Fordhum Road. program: three nights a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, hosts and hostesses are now at those of us members involved in the proceed- P. 0. Box 19, Morris Heights Sta., Bronx, N. Y. ings. Members of all groups throughout the the clubhouse to welcome new and old members alike. Every Saturday is open-house United States who happen to be visiting in night, with other groups invited to take over this area are invited to come and see us in our EAST ORANGE ET AL INVADE VERMONT . . . whenever they wish—as did the Brooklyn new home. Ruth and Joe F., and Francis M., of the Mor- Group so delightfully in October. . . . The ristown Group, along with Hal R. of East Hallowe’en party was tremendously success- Orange, lately did some New England A.A. ful, thanks to Astrid L. and her assistants, in- WHITE PLAINS SALUTE . . . Greetings to pioneering. As a result of their talks before cluding our cooperative custodian, Tom M. The Grapevine and our fellow groups! We, local organizations in Montpelier and Burl- It means a lot of extra work for Tom, and we in central Westchester, are just muddling ington, Vermont, groups were created in both are grateful to him for his excellent assistance. happily along in typical A.A. fashion—one towns. With continued cooperation of A.Aers . . . Our hot-trumpet player, best known as slip last week, while two newer members generally, it is expected that these newly- “Muggsy,” is dedicating at Nick’s Greenwich graduated to the speaking stage. So it goes— established groups will soon be thriving. Village nightclub a song entitled “The A.A. with one step backward we take at least two Blues.” . . . The newly-weds, Mr. and Mrs. forward. . . . The latch-string is out every Reginald McH., and Henry M., were recent Wednesday night at the Westchester Repubvisitors from the Baltimore Group. lican Headquarters (party affiliation unneces- FLUSHING CORRECTS WQXR … A guest sary), corner of Martine and Mamaroneck speaker on Charlotte Adams’ WQXR pro- Avenues, at 8:30. We heartily welcome all gram, “The Run of the House,” stated that visitors, whether they are of the A.A. variety there was no help for alcoholics. Mrs. Frank MONTCLAIR REORGANIZES . . . Unable to operate effectively without committees, we or interested friends. L., non-alcoholic wife of our member Frank L., immediately wrote to Mrs. Adams, enclos- have finally come around to having some. One ing our A.A. pamphlet and the reprint of non- of the most active, which includes Ed S. and alcoholic Jack Alexander’s excellent Saturday Harry T., is the entertainment committee. INTER GROUP MEET1NG IN MANHATTAN; Evening Post article. Over a later broadcast Our hilarious Hallowe’en party was the first of Capitol Hotel, 51st Street and 8th Avenue, Mrs. Adams very graciously corrected the a series to be given at Thanksgiving, Christ- Walnut Room; every Tuesday evening at 8:30. erroneous impression she had given to her mas, the New Year, etc. We are also planning Room open from 5:30. For all other meeting listeners: she read over the air excerpts from to have dances, dinners, and various sorts of information watch group news on the Metro- Mrs. L.’s clarifying letter. . . . We’ll be ex- entertainment the last Saturday in every politan Circuit page, and check the most rechanging meetings with the Patterson Group, month…. We have a new Secretary—DAVE R. cent issue for changes of time and location.

8

JERSEY CLUBHOUSE HOW IT FEELS TO BEGIN the boss. I was only conscious of the intense physical and nervous discomfort and attrib- (Continued from Page 1) (Continued from Page, 3) uted the almost melancholic depression to t i o n of which has already been subscribed) “better than thou” attitude is not too good— these factors. I got to the end of my rope and to be pledged by individual A.A.s. Certificates nor laughing. Maybe closed meetings should life was not worth living. The end of the run of indebtedness are to be issued to all con- be more closed. The most sincere individual was, morbidly, hoped for and would, I think, tributors, bearing interest, and redeemable in (the one who is only just on his way; you have been welcomed. five to ten years. The plan is, however, to don’t reach for the straw until you can’t swim At this time I contacted A.A. I haven’t the clear off all indebtedness as quickly as possi- one more stroke) is jolted and not rightly. least recollection of what was said at the first ble, including the mortgage. (Up to the time Maybe new members seeking membership meeting. One thing stood out, and that was of purchase the building had sustained itself definitely should have a trained and tried the fact that these people had gone through financially with revenues from bowling, pool, group of members at a closed meeting where the same slough of despond that I was in and billiards, and tobacco.) The dues system the numbers are not uncontrollable but big now were normal and happy. So it could be will be voluntary weekly contributions—the enough for helpful trained instruction. The done and they were the proof for they had amounts kept a strictly confidential matter— one who is just interested won’t be hurt— done it! That fact was the piercing ray of with 1.00 as tops. but the fellow in despair who knows no one light that was given me. Participation of the A.A. men and women in or the one who wants a considered and trained Then came the usual over-exaggerated depres- Alanon, Inc., is entirely as individuals. There answer is apt to be driven off by meetings sions. But the group was always there to give were no group commitments, and care was where unauthorized people and antagonistic balance and knowing advice. “Day by day” taken to avoid involving Alcoholics Anony- personalities shout their mouths off. Maybe became month by month and gradually the mous in any way. The Board of Trustees of that’s the job of the chairman; to spot the old habits changed. And, believe me, Brother, the corporation are: Chairman, Tom M.; Sec- problem and tell the guy his is the type ques- habits don’t change as easily at 60 as they do retary, Jim G.; Treasurer, Herman G.; Re- tion that is best handled by experts. As I at 30! And then came the seemingly insurcording Secretary (handling dues), Hal R.; say—I’m wondering. . . , It’s OK if you’re mountable matter of the “spiritual angle.” In Stuart S., Dr. Arthur S., Pete O’T., Oscar 0., intelligent or can wealthily go to the grave time, entirely unknown to me, that came to Helen D., Bea W., Ed M., and Leo S. via a swank bar stool. But the guy who is at be a simple natural fact, brought about in The Newark Group, who have been holding the end financially, with a wife and kids great part by the feeling of gratitude being their meetings at the Roseville A.A. for three estranged through alcohol, with no family to so great that I had to go beyond myself to years, will continue to do so. Maintained for case him over—only loneliness, black “bot- express it or account for it. To you who are 58 years as a conservative gentlemen’s club, tom-mountain” stuff—needs more help than starling this happy journey I can only say, there has never been a bar in the club. How- others. “Don’t press; don’t worry about it. Just keep ever, food facilities, which also do not exist at There is a parallel in the psychoneurotics of the gates of your mind nnd heart open and it present, will be installed pronto. the war with whom I’ve been working. Those will come simply and naturally.” Just let The big building is located one block from going to families that understand and can nature and A.A.’s lessons take their course. the Roseville Avenue station of the Lacka- afford to care for them are (comparatively) That will be the beginning of all blessings, wanna R.R., about 20 minutes from New York. OK. It’s the other ones—with no understand- the consciousness of dawning faith. Faith in It is expected that the clubhouse will develop ing friends—no means—nothing but know- yourself, faith in others, faith in the feeling into a clinical center for new people, and a ing it’s all wrong, who need a touch at the that the world is governed and going ahead social haven for all A.A. men and women, beginning of personal help—at least a small to better things. irrespective of their group membership. and trained group. A private word of en- And where did all this come from? Just from couragement or serious discussion is worth drying up with the help of the finest lot of more than ten meetings for some people at men and women alive. Silly, isn’t it? Doesn’t Cut This Out and Mail to: the beginning—and believe me it may only seem to make sense. Well, my good friend, The Grapevine you just try it. Drive with an easy rein; don’t entail one sincerely spoken personal state- P.O. Box 328 worry; seek and be with the Group as much ment—then group stuff. The group may Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. as you possibly can. Coast along with us, work keep you on a path but it takes an individual to put you on—or keep you off. with us, and you will gradually find fear being Herewith 1.50 for one year’s subscription replaced by confidence, doubts taking wing; to The Grapevine (Monthly) Steve depression being replaced by happiness and For additional subscriptions enclose separate faith in yourself and others and in the future sheet with name and address clearly printed. The First Time . . . at 60 emerging into the full light of everyday liv- I was in my 60th year when I first contacted ing. Just try it; keep dry, think., a little plea Checks payable to The Grapevine. A.A. I had always been a steady and heavy for help from some greater Power. Have drinker. Having what drinks I wanted was patience and you will get the answer to real Total Enclosed as much a natural part of my life as smoking. living and happiness. Then try to return just PLEASE PRlNT So far as I was able to tell at that time it had a little of all that has been given you by trying Name never interfered with my life, either business to pass it on to others who are sick and need or social. Then business became slack, drink- help. It’s the road to the top of the mountain Address ing heavier and more steady and, at some time —into the sun—and it’s yours for the effort. unknown to me, alcohol took over and became Elliot D.

CHRISTMAS ISSUE, 1944 P. O. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 1.50; COPY, 15c A Monthly Journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

BILL’S WIFE REMEMBERS WHEN HE AND SHE was 4 a.m. before I succeeded in towing a drunk home. He was anxious to be at his job AND THE FIRST A. A.s WERE VERY YOUNG midnight the next morning and we had gone out around to look for a doctor, having been unable to get one to come to the house at that As the wife of an early A.A., some of our did nothing towards his permanent sobriety. hour. I helped his shaky steps up and down experiences and my reactions to my husband’s In fact, his alcoholism grew steadily more changed life may be interesting to other wives. serious. He lost job after job until I became stoops, lit his cigarettes for him and finally, when we could not rouse a doctor, held a Bill was an alcoholic, I believe, from the first entirely hopeless about him. drink to his lips in a bar. When I asked him drink he ever took, just a few months before And then suddenly and finally Bill straight- how he then felt he said, “Well, a bird can’t our marriage. From then on, for seventeen ened out through the help of an old friend. fly on one wing.” After a few more drinks I years, I did everything I could think of to At once I was convinced of his complete managed to get him home, but he did not get keep him away from liquor. change and was of course extremely happy. to his job the next morning. I was once sud- I will tell a little of our life before A.A. to Bill began to go to religious meetings and to denly taken sick, and when my sister arrived help explain some of my later emotions. Bill work feverishly with alcoholics. I would go to nurse me she found five men milling around and I had no children, so I soon felt that my to meetings too and would try to share his in the living room, one of them muttering, job in life was to help Bill straighten himself newfound enthusiasms. He always had some “One woman can look after five drunks but out. As time went on, he earnestly tried to drunk in tow and would work all night or get five drunks cannot look after one woman.” stop drinking. He was always very remorseful up in the middle of the night to go to the Now to describe my reactions to it all. When and perplexed the mornings-after. We would suburbs if one called him. We had drunks all Bill first sobered up I was terribly happy but then resolve to lick this liquor situation to- over the house; sometimes as many as five soon, without my realizing it, I began to resent gether, launching off on some new tack. lived there at one time. the fact that Bill and I never spent any time As his drinking got worse, all decision and One drunk committed suicide in the house together any more. I stayed at home while he responsibility had to be taken by me. It was after having sold about 700 dollars worth of went off somewhere scouting up new drunks lucky that we were companionable, for gradu- our clothes and luggage. Another slid down or working with old ones. My life’s job of ally as our social contacts were broken we the coal chute from the street to the cellar sobering up Bill with all its former responwere thrust back on each other for company. when we refused him the front door. Two sibilities was suddenly taken away from me. In order to get away from alcohol over the others took to fighting, and one chased the I had not yet found anything to fill the void. week ends, I used to engineer some sort of out- other all around the house with a carving And then there was the feeling of being on ing, as we both loved the outdoors. If our knife. The intended victim was saved by a the outside of a very tight little clique of pocketbook was flat, we might take the sub- third drunk, who delivered the knife-minded alcoholics into which no mere wife could posway to the Dyckman Street ferry and hike one a knockout blow. An alcoholic who was sibly enter. I did not understand what was along the Palisades to some scenic spot where living in the basement was invited up for a going on within myself u n t i l one Sunday, Bill we would nibble our sandwiches and gaze at pancake breakfast. After eating his share, he asked me to go with him to a meeting. To my the view. Or we might ferry to Staten Island suddenly put on his hat and started out of the own surprise as well as his I burst forth with, and walk there; perhaps broiling a steak over door remarking that he was going to Childs “Damn all your meetings,” and threw my shoe a campfire. We have hired a rowboat at for PLENTY of pancakes. at him as hard as I could. Yonkers and, using a bathtowel as a sail, Bill had found himself a job about this time; This bad display of temper woke me up. I floated up the Hudson, to a spit of land near and it used to take him away from home a realized that I had been wallowing in self Nyack, where we camped and tried to sleep. great deal and I was left with one or more pity; that Bill’s change was simply miraculous; We once went so far to get away from alcohol alcoholics to look after. Once one of these, that his feverish activity with alcoholics was that we both gave up our jobs and took a boys lay in the vestibule all night and absolutely necessary to his sobriety; and that whole year off. This we spent motorcycling screamed invectives at me because I would not if I did not want to be left way behind I had and camping over half the United States. let him in. He was so loud the passers-by all better jump on the bandwagon, too! These trips, although good for Bill’s health, stopped, looked and listened. Another time it Bill’s wife, Lois Wilson

. . . seems to highlight my maternal point of EDITORIAL: view when he writes. . . . “Stupid drinkers are the feeble-minded individuals who drink because they cannot resist temptation and be- On the 2nd Step cause they cannot rise to any higher form of recreation than the passive one of intoxication.” . . .* Having taken the First Step of the A.A. program by admitting that we were Because I cannot afford a private illness . . . powerless over alcohol, we were confronted with Step Two: “We came to because I have looked into that strange wonbelieve that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” derland where my alcoholic son tries to This Second Step is often referred to as the first spiritual step; but is it or the stumble up the endless steps that seem two forward and three back, I can help him and subsequent steps any more spiritual than Step One? Is not anything spiritual myself by repealing . . . “the poor lad is ill”. which tends toward elevating us to the best and highest type of human being . . . But is he? Mother of “J.” we are capable of becoming? The Second Step contains the crux of the A.A. method of getting well: it shows Dear Mother of “J.”: I cannot tell how poigus how to expel that little streak of insanity which caused so many relapses nantly I am stirred by the letter you wrote The Grapevine about your alcoholic son. into debauchery long after the normal drinker would have shrunk from an- Just ten years ago my own mother, after years other drink. This twisted kind of thinking is eliminated by faith in a Power of frantic bewilderment, lost hope. Long a greater than ourselves. chronic problem drinker, I had come to the The question which naturally arises in the newcomer’s mind is: “How can jumping-off place. A very good doctor had (Continued on page 3) I acquire enough faith to get well?” The road to faith is by taking all Twelve Steps. Faith is acquired by working for it; it is retained by continu- * [EDITOR’S NOTE: Alas, Mother of “J.” has ous use of the Twelve Steps. ripped Dr. Jellinek’s quotation out of context—perhaps a worse distortion than mis- One who has gained faith in this greater Power finds such faith reflected quoting. Below is the complete section, (as it toward himself. To the alcoholic this means faith that he will not take the. stands in “Alcohol Explored”: first, fatal drink. But that is not all, for soon we learn that in some mysteri- “All intemperate drinkers whose behavior is definitely affected by frequent intoxication are classed here as ous way our whole lives have been changed, our thinking changed, and our the inebriates, and they, in turn, are divided into normal excessive drinkers, symptomatic drinkers, desires as well. Finally the realization comes that we no longer drink— stupid drinkers, and addicts. The motivation of the normal excessive drinker may be nothing more than because we just don’t want to. recklessness, exuberance, or mistaken good fellowship. Many are individuals of high alcohol tolerance who The greater Power now becomes for us the court of final appeal. Those harsh could stop, but do not, merely because there seems to be no reason to do so. judgments of people, conditions, and so on, which we made in the past are “Symptomatic drinkers, of whom we shall have much now left to this court. This is the way to tolerance. Our own ideals, aims to say in the chapter on mental diseases, are those unfortunates whose excessive use of alcohol results and ambitions are also submitted. This leads to progress, and it is by progress- from a disturbed mental state. “Stupid drinkers are the feeble-minded individuals ing that we become—and remain—well. who drink because they cannot resist temptation and because they cannot rise to any higher form of recrea- Horace C. tion than the passive one of intoxication. “In ordinary conversation the expression ‘addict’ is

Points of View not a common one and, when it is used, is often misapplied to anyone who drinks frequently or who is especially fond of alcoholic beverages. In reality, true addicts may not like alcohol; it may be actually distasteful to them. The feature that makes them addicts Dear Grapevine: You have asked me to write all the strange matters of police, psychopathic is their inability to live their normal lives except a little piece on How it Feels to be the Mother wards, State Mental Hospitals to the way when intoxicated. It is in the matter of adjustment that of an Alcoholic. I have been one for so many the medical and psychological use of the term is life happened every day. . . . No, of course applied. Thus Cimbal, a Continental authority on years that it is difficult to remember anything not. The boy is ill . . . at last everything is so inebriety, said: ‘It is not the habit of using alcoholic particularly unusual about the feeling. drinks which makes for alcohol addiction, but rather clear in this looking-glass world. . . . For the craving for intoxication, that is, the inability to For indeed . . . again and again to para- mothers with private fortunes, there are the achieve the psychological contents necessary for harphrase McLeish, Alcoholics are Promises . . . monic living through anything else but intoxicants.’ great private sanitariums and the long ex- An American authority on this question, Strecker, “Springes to catch woodcocks!”; the wonder penses to case the cause of unhealth. . . . For stated that the border line between normal drinking boys and girls for whom no bell of reckoning mothers without funds . . . dear reader, I and addiction is crossed when alcohol is called in as an aid to adjust oneself to reality. Bowman and ever tolls . . . unless of course the picture is should know. Perhaps it seems less a matter Jellinek have epitomized the thought of numerous seen through the looking-glass where seven writers on the question as follows: An alcohol addict of illness than character . . . that funny old- is a person with ‘an uncontrollable craving for alcohol. impossible things are imagined before break- fashioned word. . . . The outstanding criterian is the inability to break with fast. The darling did not steal or lie or bring Jellinek, the most misquoted man in the world the habit. Alcohol serves the purpose of creating an artificial social adjustment’.”]

Points of View… THE B U R N I N G BABE (Continued from page 2) As I in hoary winter’s night stood shivering in the snow, pronounced the grim sentence: “Obsessive drinker, deteriorating rapidly—hopeless.” Surprised I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow; The doctor used to talk about my case somewhat like this: “Yes, Bill has underlying per- And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near, sonality defects . . . great emotional sensitivity, childishness and inferiority. A pretty Babe all burning bright did in the air appear, “This very real feeling of inferiority is magnified by his childish sensitivity and it is this Who scorched with excessive heat such floods of tears did shed, state of affairs which generates in him that insatiable, abnormal craving for self approval As though his floods should quench his flames which with and success in the eyes of the world. Still a his tears were fed. child, he cries for the moon. And the moon, it seems, won’t have him! “Alas!” quoth he, “but newly born in fiery heats, I fry, “Discovering alcohol, he found much more in it than do normal folks. To him alcohol is no Yet none approach to warm their hearts or feel my fire but I! mere relaxation; it means release—release from inner conflict. It seems to set his My faultless heart the furnace is, the fuel wounding thorns; troubled spirit free.” Love is the fire and sighs the smoke, the ashes shame and scorns; The doctor would then go on, “Seen this way, we normal people can picture how such a compulsive habit can become a real obsession; The fuel Justice layeth on, and Mercy blows the coals; as indeed it has, in Bill’s case. Once he arrived The metal in this furnace wrought are men’s defiled souls; at the obsession point, alcohol overshadows all else. Hence he now appears utterly selfish. And Immoral. He will lie, cheat, steal or what For which, as now on fire I am, to work them to their good, have you, to serve his drinking ends. Of course So will I melt into a bath to wash them in my blood.” those about him are shocked and dismayed because they think his actions are willful. But that’s far from being so. The real picture of With that he vanished out of sight and swiftly shrunk away; Bill is that of a bankrupt idealist; one who And straightway I called into mind that it was Christmas Day. has gone broke on vain, childish dreams of Robert Southwell (1561-1595) perfection and power. Victimized now by his obsession, he is a little boy crying alone in a dark strange room; waiting agonized for A FATHER LOOKS THROUGH HIS SON’S EYES mother—or God—to come and light a candle.” I must confess, Mother of “J.,” that I may have If we non-alcoholics, who have seen this alco- It goes without saying that we non-alcoholics put some of these words into the doctor’s holic disease take possession of one who is want to be of help, but always our attempts mouth. But that’s the alcoholic’s life as I have dear to us, could change places with the alco- seem to end up with the alcoholic drunk, for lived it. holic and through his eyes get his outlook on he, alarmed by his own behavior, has sur- Did I, an alcoholic, have a defective character? life, I believe we would be appalled. If we rounded himself with a wall of self-justifica- Of course I did. Was I, an alcoholic, also a could feel ourselves slipping away from every- tion behind which he takes refuge, and every sick man? Yes, very. thing that to us seems worthwhile—if we had effort we make to be of help is, in his eyes, To what extent I was personally responsible become dishonest—if we had come to lying simply an assault upon his only defense, is for my drinking, I don’t know. Yet I’m not and cheating and stealing; if, as from afar it any wonder then that we fail to get his one to take complete refuge in the idea that through the haze, we could see our lives dis- cooperation, when to cooperate would be to I was a sick man only. In earlier years I integrating, although those nearest and dearest help us tear down that defense? Is it any certainly had some degree of free will. That to us tried to plead and reason, tried to wonder he gets drunk? free will I used badly, to the great misery of save us—and steadily, unrelentingly, the mist There is one thing we can do, however, and my mother and countless others. I am deeply thickened into fog, and through the fog we that is to avail ourselves of the same help we ashamed. watched other people going about their daily ask him to accept from the Power greater than As one who knows me a little, you may have routine, doing their jobs with disgusting regu- himself. We can, by the acceptance of that heard how, ten years ago, a friend, himself a larity, while in the distance our homes and help, bring to order all those disturbing influliberated alcoholic, came to me bearing the our families moved away, away, continually ences which have brought discord into our light which finally led me out of the toils. away until they were gone, completely gone; own lives. I say that fully realizing that we There will come a day like that for you and if we could know the all-aloneness of the alco- can never find peace and happiness u n t i l our yours—I’m so confident! holic then, I think we might begin to under- particular alcoholic finds sobriety. As ever, Bill W. stand how sick, mentally and physically he is. Bill S.’s father, Wally

THE CHILDREN SAY WHAT A. A. MEANS TO THEM A.A. Showed My Father the end. A f t e r a while, I became shock-proof, the hope, the relief. A n d as months went by and my Mother d r u n k was second nature to and no slips—security came. Door to Maturity . . . me. Without her so, life and the home would But more than just not drinking, Dad and I Six years ago my father called my brother and have been extremely dull, and out of place. began to get acquainted, to talk to each other, me into the living room to give us one of his One fine day, Mother announced that never He was relaxed and happy. He seemed to few and scattered “lectures.” However, the again would she hit the bottle. I laughed up expand. These A.A.s make wonderful fathers, contents of his dreaded speech were f a r from my sleeve at her and said, “Really, Mother, because they’ve been through the mill and what we expected. They were, in fact, a conand just where have I heard that before?” they understand. And a girl without any fession and a pledge to us. While we sat there But she insisted firmly “that I was just to wait brothers needs an understanding man to get in silence, he told us how selfish he had been and see if she didn’t.” Well, I waited and I the masculine slant on things. in using liquor to such an extreme t h a t he had see that she didn’t, all right. Ah me! I do Home is regular now. I know there will be no h u r t his f a m i l y and his friends. Then he hate to think where Mother would be now, more melancholia, and home is as strong and promised us that he would never drink again, had she not discovered A.A. (or A.A. had not solid as a rock. I’ve heard A.A.s say that the and he has kept his word. At the time I was discovered her) when she did. It’s a wonder- program means a new way of life for them. too young to understand the whole signififul thing, A.A., and I can’t begin to express It means the same thing to their children. cance of what my father had done, but I did my gratitude for saving both our lives. Ed F.’s 18-year-old daughter, Joan know that his growing “weakness” had made Felicia G.’s 17-year-old daughter, Ellen me and the rest of my family unhappy. I was at the age when my environment made deep What Could These A.A.s Do A.A.s Make Wonderful Fathers . . For Mother . . . ? impressions with little meaning, and I felt, I am an alcoholic’s daughter. I think what I though I did not know why, that my father Two years ago, Alcoholics Anonymous didn’t missed most in my childhood was a feeling of had just defeated a cancerous evil in himself mean a thing to me. Now, A.A. means the security. A child needs to feel that home is which, had it not been defeated, would event- fulfillment of countless prayers, the assurance always the same, always a place to bring ually have been disastrous to the entire family. of family life, and most of all, freedom from friends and always a place of strength on As the years went by, I began to understand doubt and suspicion inside the home. which she can rely. Her father should be to the meaning of my father’s victory more and Before its appearance on the scene, things her a paragon of virtue. Father’s the man of more. Actually, he was growing up with me, were in a pretty wretched state for Mother. whom mother is always considerate, and the and as a result of this we could talk to each She’d been growing worse as the years went person the child must respect and please. But other with ease. He told me of the strength by, and there was no apparent hope for the you all know t h a t the home of an alcoholic is in faith, the power in humility, and the hap- future. The family was exhausted from a tennot like this at all. It’s an awful strain on a piness in helping others. As I was growing up year struggle with the problem, and was ready child to know that her father is not like other with him, likewise he was growing up with to admit that the case was a hopeless one. fathers, that she can’t bring other children that which had shown him the door to matur- Then, when hope and courage were at their home because Dad might be light. I also reity—Alcoholics Anonymous. lowest ebb, when faith had hit rock bottom, member how afraid of Dad I was when he was Today I believe that I understand the prin- drunk. the time was perfect for a miracle. And that ciples of Alcoholics Anonymous and I also Mom handled our problem in the best way miracle came in the form of a group of men believe that through it I have received great I can imagine. When Dad would come home and women who gave of themselves unsparvalues. I have often regretted that other boys tight, she and I would discuss very seriously ingly, who labored to save others from the of my age could not be exposed to this move- whether we should leave for a t r i p this time fate that they themselves had so narrowly ment as I have. It seems to me that, if this or wait until the next time. And when we escaped. At first we were skeptical. What were possible, they could not only keep them- would go, we’d have a wonderful time at my could these people do for Mother that we selves safe from alcoholism but that they Grandmother’s or at a hotel in New York City. hadn’t already tried? I know my feelings could also find in A.A. a finer understanding I must confess that when life was r u n n i n g too bordered on annoyance and even jealousy. of life itself t h a t would enable them to live The case was hopeless, we knew that, and had smoothly at home, sometimes I’d wish t h a t it more fully. proved it. So why did these people want to Dad would go on a binge, so Mom and I could Bert T.’s 18-year-old son, Alan have a vacation. try and prove us wrong? But within a few Even though we treated it as a lark, there short months, I was happy and proud to a d m i t I Hate to Think Where Mother were times when I was very much ashamed my error. The miracle had come, and all the Would Be . . . and very unhappy and insecure. family snarls and tangles were coming undone. The first time I encountered Mother under I had just started high school and none of my True, although Mother stopped drinking comthe influence of liquor (and I do mean influ- friends knew . I was panicky for fear that pletely, the road was still long and things were: ence), I was rather taken aback by the sur- they would find out as my other friends had still shaky and indecisive, but they were defiprised shock I received at discovering her in learned it—Dad turning up when he shouldn’t nitely on the mend, and once started, Alcosuch a stew. I had heard vaguely of people have. Then came A.A.!! At first Dad didn’t holics Anonymous couldn’t be stopped u n t i l getting drunk, but never had I dreamt of my want to tell me about it. That was odd, since the goal had been reached. sweet Mother in such disgrace. I soon found I’d known about the drinking. But one day he Marian M.’s 16-year-old, son, Peter this first shock to be only the beginning of the explained the whole idea. You can’t imagine (Continued on page 8)

Mail Call for All A. A.s in the Armed Forces someday I can get back to pick up where I * stopped. Remember me to everyone. Our mail from A.A.s in the armed forces comes from all corners of the globe Sincerely, John N., U.S. Army.”

and has been particularly gratifying. The Grapevine sends to all members in Some weeks later, bound for a new destination, the same correspondent wrote us further of Service its Christmas greetings and the fervent wish that soon they may be his adventures, stating: with us again in person as they so obviously are in spirit. If we have helped “I have often thought how much better I am one individual A.A., as the following letter seems to indicate, we feel that prepared for all these mixups by having a our efforts have been more than justified: little of the A.A. doctrine. This is strictly a business where one is able to change some things but, in the main, it is just a m a t t e r of “Dear Friend:—And I do think of The Grapevine as a friend—three cheers standing whatever is passed out.” for it and the idea that brought it into being. After fourteen months in the E.T.O. and not another A.A. in sight, the old beam has not burned too * brightly at times. Now with our own publication serving us as something SERVICE PAPER INTERESTED of a link with you people back there and a friendly little get-together on IN NATIONAL COMMITTEE paper, it is my belief that our thought processes won’t be so sluggish and we Italy, October 6, 1944 “Dear Marty: I have enclosed a clipping from A.A.s will have a better chance of taking up where we left off without pass- our Service Paper ( Stars & Stripes, Meditering through little Hell again. I could appreciate with ease the experience of ranean edition). I hope it’s the first ‘clipping the officer in the October issue. His arguments and alibis for a bit of pub service’ from this part of the world with regard to your newest endeavor in the field crawling might have been lifted in full from recent activities of my own. As of alcoholism. I know it won’t be the last. he said, a man can carry on alone and stay ‘dry,’ but it’s not so easy as when Your new work is something in which I absoyou had your group all going in the same direction. You have to put more lutely believe, and of which I have thought thought into your efforts or the first thing you know you’ll be draped over a constantly. I intend to spend as much of my time as I can possibly give, along those same bar with only its early closing hour and shortage in spirits between you and a lines, as soon as I am returned to civilian life. royal binge—and that isn’t just scuttle butt. So thanks a million for Grape- I intend to follow your ‘lead’ over here by vine. It will be a lift, and may hit on a date when you need it most. Maybe contacting the Editor of the Stars Si Stripes and offering myself as a bona fide alcoholic, some day we can make it a weekly.” a three-star example of an ex-rummy, with Hugh P., SF 1/c—British Isles, October 20th the u l t i m a t e purpose of contacting alcoholics in this sector who may have read the article [A weekly? Sailor, you don’t know what you’re asking!] and would like to do something about it. I have some A.A. literature with me, and will * about ten drunks sleeping overnight! Guess be able to tell them whom to contact for added you probably get the picture. Personally, I TENTING ON PELELIU ISLAND information, and where to go when they hit would much rather have a shower than a tent. the States. If, in this way, I could help one “Received your letter a couple of days back You nearly go crazy being so dirty for so many man, I would consider the effort a success. and I’ll try to give you a little dope now. Our days with absolutely no facilities. However, I wish to extend the greatest possible good life is improving somewhat around here; one manages, and lots of things that happen luck to your new educational program. I when one stops to consider that everything would be really very humorous if things were know it will succeed and grow, and eventually has to come in by ship over thousands of miles not quite so serious. I feel fine and missed prove that alcoholism and alcoholics are w h a t of water, these guys certainly do a good job. getting the spell of malaria I rather expected. we believe they are, and that therefore they We even have showers now in our area but This is the hottest and wettest of the Islands, should be given consideration in any public most of the men are still living without tents. as f a r us I know. The only saving grace is the social problem work. Sincerely, Harold M.” I managed to chisel a tent from a guy on about wonderful drainage, due to the coral forma- D+5 so I have been comparatively well off. tion. Under cruise ship conditions, these [A recent letter from Sergeant Hugh B., from The only complaint I have is the number of Islands would be interesting to visit, but see England, also mentions that the Stars & gents who cut themselves in as partners. that you miss all D Days! They ‘ain’t’ good! Stripes, European edition, reported the move Seven men sleeping and living in one tent Thanks for your letters. It brings me some to organize the National Committee for Edureminds me of a 1 and 1⁄2 room apartment with closer to the group to hear about it and maybe cation on Alcoholism.]

TIME ON our HANDS The Pleasures of Reading Here I am, back at last, where I’ve wanted to he for a long time—in front of a modeling So much that is unnecessarily redundant and uselessly axiomatic has been stand with a lump of clay in my hands. It was published in the broad field of psychological analysis in the last years, that a long, long time ago that I modeled and cast my first figure, Fanny Flatbottom. it is both a relief and a shock to run into something like William Steig’s My next achievement was a delicate if somebooks: The Lonely Ones, All Embarrassed, and About People. (Duell, Sloan what erotic ashtray—a figure of Pan holding and Pearce; 1.00, 2.00, 1.50) aloft a slender nymph on his shoulders. One Technically speaking, these are collections of cartoons, but they seem rather day when we were packing up to move to the mountains, my wife, teetering along the edge to be the development of a new form of satirical analysis, both psycho- of the staircase in her preoccupied way, flew logical and sociological. They cannot be classified more definitely than as off into space, and I found her at the bottom critiques of man’s mental attitudes, his pretenses, and his hopeless self- of the stairs where she and Pan were gazing bemusedly at the clay remnants of the onceobsessions. Drawn with a caustic economy of line, they are charged with lovely nymph. The episode was probably sarcasm and a kind of derisive understanding. Their frankness and cruelty symbolic, because that marked the crash, too, are frightening. of all my dreams of becoming a sculptor. For it was about that time that my wife crossed Although each book limits itself according to its title, they could all be called over the borderline from a gay drinking com- About People. Titles of pictures such as “I’m Blameless,” “My Troubles panion into a strange alien person living in a are Purely Psychic,” “Man who wants to be Pitied,” and “Man Being world of her own. In the years that followed we moved many times, and wherever we went, Kidded” figure along with drawings of the conscious and unconscious states Fanny Flatbottom, a little chipped and a of fear, nerves, amnesia, hypochondria, and embarrassment. The drawings trifle cracked, moved along with us, a dusty are of recognizable human figures, but the technique is that of the X-ray and epitaph to my buried ambition. Then came A.A. and I found myself to my microscope combined, and the minute details of every falseness and fault amazement with a completely sober wife. I are brought out. watched with joy and a great deal of pride as Mr. Steig refuses to take any of these mental states with the seriousness she again approached some real contact with life, and began to make dates and go places their owners demand, and only those not too closely allied with your own on her own initiative. personality inspire real laughter. The others hurt. Their only saving grace But after my first enthusiasm at seeing her lies in the strange understanding which Steig is able to give them—the only build a new life for herself began to wear off, I found myself with many lonely evenings. I sympathy evident anywhere in the three books. had to find something to absorb me as her The criticisms implied in every line of his drawings are valid ones, too valid new A.A. interests were absorbing her. My for comfort. They are the graphic proof of the overworked saying that a wife had, by a happy miracle, been given back her life to live as she wished to live it. But by sense of humor is the sense of proportion necessary for the cure of most of the same token I, too, received my freedom men’s difficulties that arise from too much introspection. to chose what / wished to do. Mr. Steig is truly a genius. But it is not in art that he is great. Rather it is One winter evening I suddenly came across my dusty Fanny. Although she was without a from his understanding of people, and his passion for truth and honesty in head, she called out to me with a siren song, the smallest detail of life that he derives his cruel magnificence. None of his and although without arms, she gripped me readers can fail to be both destroyed and recreated by his work. tight. Ah! here it was—the old romance, a companion, and a fascinating one, to fill my Grace O.’s 18-year-old daughter, April evenings. So here I am again before my * modeling stand with my hands deep in wet Alcoholics Anonymous (Works Publishing Co., Box 459, Grand Central clay, and completely happy. That strange interlude—the fifteen years of my wife’s alco- Annex, New York 17, N. Y., 3.50). holism—seem very dim and remote. Only the present is real and full of awareness. THE NEW YORK PRESS REPORTS A. A. DINNER And Fanny Flatbottom, like an alcoholic, is touched lightly by the years. She thinks it From the N. Y. World-Telegram: of the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, and was only yesterday that I put her away in a Fifteen hundred people, most of them former it was as humbling and as wholesome as a dusty closet. And I like to think of it as only drunks, assembled last night at the Hotel walk in the open fields at twilight . . . yesterday, too. Commodore to celebrate the 10th anniversary (Continued on page 8) Kay M.’s husband, Bob

A L O N G THE M E T R O P O L I T A N C I R C U I T BERGEN COUNTY STRIDES FORWARD . . . Group recently spoke at a Sunday Forum to the authorities a better knowledge of alco- Greatly increased membership has made there — thus spreading to non-alcoholics the holism, and of the treatment of alcoholics— larger meeting quarters imperative. Donald word of A.A. and an understanding of the especially the police court cases. Borg, Editor of The Bergen Evening Record, disease, alcoholism. . . . We agree entirely again came to our rescue. Meetings will be with the newspapermen who, in writing of MONTCLAIR BOOMING … In line with held in a spacious wing of the Hackensack the 10th Anniversary A.A. dinner, spoke of other changes in organization, we have a new Civilian Defense Centre, as soon as renovations our member, Mary C., as a young woman of treasurer, Van V. Van replaces Harry C., who are completed. Rent free. Borg interceded “great charm and wit.” . . . Maybelle G., at- did a swell job for us during his 8 months for us with the Hackensack City Manager. As tending a meeting of the Norwalk, Conn. in office. . . . Harold S., in his travels last a result of his intercession we are now proteges Group a short while ago, was delighted to month, went to an A.A. meeting in Chicago, not only of the city but of the entire county. note a big jump in membership. . . . Bob M., where he encountered, along with old-timers This is another indication of the recognition who used to be a constructive part of our he has known, flocks of new people. . . . Plainthat is being given throughout the country to Forest Hills Group and now is a member of field (N.J.) gave us a pair of fine speakers A. A. — and to the understanding that alcohol- Mount Vernon, gave us a very enlightening and a generous delegation of visitors on Noism is a public health problem. . . . We owe a talk, shortly after his first A.A. anniversary. vember 12th, a return engagement being kept debt to the public-spirited men and women by our Group the following week. . . . We are who are helping A. A. groups and are working IRVINGTON SENDS GREETINGS . . . As a going great guns in Montclair nowadays. toward intelligent education of non-alcoholics fairly new group in New Jersey — one of many on the subject of alcoholism. such springing up all around us — we wish to NORTH JERSEY GROUPS . . . Don L. and send our best wishes for the New Year to all Ed E., from the Orange Group, visited our BROOKLYN GROUP LUNCHING . . . Every A.A.s everywhere. . . . Two members who new A.A. clubhouse in Newark last month Thursday at 12:15 p.m., we get together for strayed away for a time are now back with us, and brought with them subscriptions to the luncheon in the Coffee Shop of the Hotel St. and this time we think they’re here to stay. club from over 90 per cent of its members. George, Brooklyn. Like all the other groups, So do they. That’s what we call cooperation. . . . On Noours, too, is growing rapidly. Our mailing vember 29th the Elizabeth Group, having outaddress is still: P.O. Box 91, Brooklyn, N. Y. MANHATTAN HAPPENINGS?! … At a re- grown its former meeting place, had its first cent Manhattan business meeting there was meeting in its new quarters at the Elizabeth THE BRONX “COMBAT TEAMS” . . . We have talk of the Manhattan Group renting or buy- Country Club. They are planning for the evolved a 12th-step-work procedure of our ing a new clubhouse of its own. Some of the near future a get-together with all the civic own: a couple of old-timers, together with one outlying groups seemed to want to share as leaders and welfare workers of the county. or two newcomers, visit prospects. In this way co-owners of said clubhouse, whenever rented . . . As proof that they grow ’em rugged in the new members quickly learn the method or purchased. But the consensus among Elizabeth, Jack E. is out of the hospital with of working with prospects; in no time at all the Manhattanites was that their group should a hemstitched front, and just as good as new. the older members are sitting back and listen- he the sole owner, thus avoiding entangle- . . . The Kearny Group is going strong. Their ing to the newer ones take over. Our “combat ments in policy, etc., that might very likely member, Tom C., is on the Board of Trustees teams” are bringing great results, for our ensue, if the as yet hypothetical new club- for the new club. . . . Betty B. of the Plainmembership is growing by leaps and bounds. house were owned by other groups as well. field Group has started a closed meeting for . . . Also, recent publicity of our Group activ- Of course, when the Manhattan Group does women only, at her home, and it seems to be ity in The Bronx Home News has brought in get a clubhouse of its own, every A. A., regard- going over the top. quite a number of new people. . . . We meet less of what group he belongs to, shall be wel- Wednesdays, 8:15 p.m., at 2500 Marion Ave- come at all times. . . . Charlie H., who was WHITE PLAINS AND PEEKSKILL . . . The nue, Bronx, just off East Fordham Road. appointed to head a Program Committee, has Peekskill boys, after 7 months of regular already begun closed meetings for newcomers attendance at the White Plains gatherings, EAST ORANGE GOES CHINESE . . . Our meet- only — upstairs in the club, at 7:45 p.m. Thurs- opened their own show on November 16th, at ing room at 507 Main Street being unavailable days. These new members descend to the the Peekskill Y.M.C.A, on Main Street. They the second Wednesday of each month, we are larger closed meeting downstairs, beginning have stirred up an amazing amount of civic having dinner, followed by a meeting, at the at 8:30. . . . Olive O., lying ill with a cardiac interest in their town and have the city officials local Cantonese on those evenings. . . . disturbance in St. Luke’s Hospital, was re- — from the mayor down — in their pockets. Hal R.’s role as Financial Secretary of the new sponsible for the furtherance of A.A. among While we don’t like to lose such hard-working clubhouse in Newark, N. J. is keeping him so doctors. Olive talked so much and so well to members, we are nonetheless happy to see busy that he doesn’t have much time left for Dr. Dwight Griswold of the hospital staff another group get under way, and are proud extra-curricular activity. about A.A. that he gladly accepted an invita- of the progress of our pals from upper Westtion to the 10th Anniversary A.A. dinner at chester. . . . A l t h o u g h the q u a l i t y of our A.A. FLUSHING IS HOST TO MANY . . . Our the Commodore Hotel, November 8th. Dr. gal guzzlers out here has been high, the quan- Group was host to over 100 A.A.s at the Griswold was so tremendously impressed that tity has been low. The few available women Manhattan clubhouse, 3341⁄2 W. 24th Street, he chose A.A. as the subject of the paper he have been kept busy making calls — when November 11th. It was quite a jam-session — was going to read before the New York gasoline allowed — and spending much time but lots of fun, besides serving to get people County Medical Association. on the telephone trying to wring out the still acquainted with each other. . . . We were damp dames by remote control. But recently guests at Paterson, N. J., November 14th, MOUNT VERNON INVITES DOCTORS . . . By we have had a phenomenal influx of women, where we conducted a well-attended meeting. having as our guests several doctors from the due in part no doubt to the great amount of . . . New members are coming in in droves. Westchester County Psychiatric Hospital at excellent newspaper publicity that A.A. has the 10th Anniversary A.A. dinner, we are in- been having recently. . . . Our address is the FOREST HILLS SPEAKS AT FORUM . . . Upon creasing the interest, respect, and cooperation Westchester Republican Headquarters, Mathe request of the pastor of “All Angels” of the public authorities toward A.A. This is maroneek and Marline Avenues, White Plains, Church, West 80th Street, several of our an important step in our endeavor to impart N. Y. Meetings: Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.

8

(Continued from page 4) time a crisis would arise I would find the finally necessitating the calling of the strong- We With A.A, Parents Are the answer at an A.A. meeting. There I learned arm boys and their little wagon. That was Lucky Ones . . . to “accept the things I could not change” and where A.A. came in. found a philosophy and way of life ready- Quite frankly I didn’t think you could do him Ever since I can remember there has been a made for me and waiting for anyone, not just much good. But since, although I have visited lot of drinking around me. Looking back on the alcoholic. I didn’t go to the meetings out a couple of your sessions, I have needed no it, I can see that most of the people who did of curiosity or to watch my mother. I went other evidence than what you have done for that drinking were alcoholics. I can’t say that because I had seen it work for her and I him to become convinced of the power of the it bothered me much until I was older and wanted to be able to face life and my prob- f a i t h you instill where faith has been combegan to notice what was happening to the lems with some of the courage and serenity pletely lost. It is a great job you are doing people I loved. They were changing under she and other A.A.s had. and have done. my very eyes. This change was probably gradual, but to me it seemed to come all of a My war-born troubles are not unique. All of Yours is the first profoundly sensible step in the youth of today are confronted with ab- the solution of an age-old problem that has sudden and I can remember hating what alconormal situations for which our early training been systematically bungled for generations. hol did to people and even haling the sight of it. It was a joyful day when I found Mum- has not prepared us. We, with A.A. parents, And I know there will be more and more as are the lucky ones. A.A. can be our life-raft, time goes on who, like me, have the deepest my wasn’t drinking. That summer was one of the happiest I had ever had, but even then, equipped as it is with the necessary things to reasons to be grateful. hearing about A.A. and seeing the great carry us over the stormy ocean of our Abbot T.’s stepson, Lt. Richard H. times. . . . change in Mummy and the peace and comfort it brought her, I didn’t realize how much it A.A. has not taken my troubles and problems NEW YORK PRESS REPORTS . . . away, but has taught me how to handle them. (Continued from page 6) was going to mean to me. I shall skip over It has made me more tolerant and understandwhat it has done for her because that can be ing and my many resentments have flown out . . . One of the member speakers was an extratold by any A.A. who has followed the proof the window—well—all but one. No matter ordinarily attractive young woman who spoke gram heart and soul as she has, and go on to how regularly I attend meetings, no matter with the frankness of sunlight and whose wit what it has done for me. how avidly I follow the principles of the and philosophy could only have derived from I became engaged the summer before we were Twelve Steps, alas and alack, I can never be a terrible mental experience. involved in war. I was blissfully happy. Then a full-fledged member. . . . She told of her addiction to alcohol when came the war, which brought with it three Lois B.’s 22-year-old daughter, Delphine she was 17—”because I was shy and unsure of hectic years of upset plans, disappointments, myself”—and one felt at first as she began her and separations. Finally our much postponed story like a violator of the confessional until wedding took place on a twelve-hour pass, and I Didn’t Think You A.A.s Could Do realization came that here was the courage of we had short week ends together with long Him Much Good . . . truth, and the acceptance of realities, which weeks between. Then a baby was coming and This is a plug for A.A. from the stepson of is the first lesson of an alcoholic on the road we were again separated. After the baby one of your members who has been ‘dry,’ and to reform. . . . arrived, there was a twelve-day leave and I mean ‘dry’—no slip-ups—for the past three again, a separation. Through all of this the and a half years, one hundred percent thanks From the N. Y. Daily News: threat of P.O.E. hung over our heads like the to your organization and the work he has done … Chief address of the evening was by Fulton sword of Damocles. It takes a short time to with you. It is a very heartfelt plug because Oursler, senior editor of Reader’s Digest and tell this, but spread over three years it can be not only has he been ‘dry,’ but he’s been a radio commentator. He likened A.A. to “the pretty wearing. I was lucky, however, because, guy I’m pretty fond of. As such he hadn’t mighty Allied army which at this moment is unlike most young people, I had something to been much in evidence during the last year or ending the binge upon which Nazi Germany help me over the rough spots—A.A. Every so before you got hold of him. had set out.” … I’m not going to say much about that last year From the N. Y. Herald Tribune: or so. You all know many versions of the same . . . The report, which the founder delivered Cut This Out and Mail to: on Alcoholics Anonymous’s ten-year history story—some of you have undoubtedly heard The Grapevine his—and if I were to go into the gory details was impressive. In its first year, he said, only P.O. Box 328 I’d begin to sound like something out of “The fifteen alcoholics were “released” from the Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. Face On The Barroom Floor.” Suffice it to say drinking habit. After three years there were Herewith 1.50 for one year’s subscription that the details were gory. Suffice it to say forty “conversions.” At the end of four years to The Grapevine (Monthly) that if ever mortal man had come to the point the total was only 100. But after ten years For additional subscriptions enclose separate where he was ruled body and soul by the old there are more than 12,000 members in more sheet with name and address clearly printed. hair tonic, my stepfather was in those merry than 370 groups throughout the United States days. and Canada, and a new unit is functioning Checks payable to The Grapevine. It didn’t look as though much could he done successfully in Hawaii. . . . Total Enclosed about it, either. When a man gets to the point From the N. Y. Sun: PLEASE PRINT where he not only thinks he can’t lick some- . . . Perhaps the thing which impressed the Name thing but isn’t interested in trying, he is about non-alcoholics among the diners most was the ready to throw in the sponge. To make a long happiness of every last one of the women and Address story short, that is exactly what he ended by men who had achieved release from their doing—complete with the usual dramatics, liquid obsession.

VOL. 1, NO. 8, JAN., 1945 P. O. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 1. 50; COPY, 15c A Monthly Journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A. A. as a whole.

BILL CUNNINGHAM, TOP-FLIGHT COLUMNIST, stop of the audience and asked me if I’d care to by his house for a drink. I had some LIKES B E I N G AN A. A. “SIDE-LINE ROOTER” timeWhenandwesaidgot”Yes. ” in his car, he said he’d be My acquaintanceship w i t h A. A. is, thank the first time, into the great epic of Alcoholics eternally grateful for what I’d w r i t t e n in my God, that of an outsider, and 1 don’t come Anonymous. The sports column telling the column years ago about Alcoholics Anonyinto your presence completely desiccated. story of the ball player’s salvation brought a mous. He said the information had really You might mark me down as an a d m i r i n g flood of mail from alcoholics and the dis- saved a dear friend of his. Finally we reached neutral, who chanced across A. A. in line of tressed relatives of alcoholics asking where his home, a nice place, and he introduced me duty. I’m a newspaper r e p o r t e r — a t t h a t time and how they could find the same help. It to his wife, a handsome gal. The next door 1 was a sports writer—and I was trying to was a little hard to tell them at the time be- neighbors came over. But, in the getting of find out what sort of an unlisted, jumped-up cause the only address I had was a New York the whiskey, the soda and the ice cubes from miracle had suddenly made a paragon of post office box number. I was a little leery the refrigerator, the hats and coats upstairs politeness and a brilliant backstopper out of about giving it too, because the story was so and all the rest, there was a brief i n t e r v a l a baseball player who was boozing his way strange and there are so many weird and when the wife and I were alone. out of the majors, and who obviously didn’t devious sorts of rackets t h a t I wasn’t sure this “It’s a great privilege to have you here, ” have much f u r t h e r to go. wasn’t just another. she said, “I w a n t to t h a n k you for the, greatest There’s no point in c a l l i n g names, and this But eventually an old newspaper friend, gift I ever received, or ever could have reis an association of anonyms, anyhow, but who had had his troubles with the Demon, ceived. That was a column of yours about this was a straight case of a great athlete who walked in one day looking chipper and bright Alcoholics Anonymous. I’ve been a member had become, for reasons of his own, a periodic to tell me t h a t there was a local chapter of ever since. I never miss a m e e t i n g . . . ” A d m i r a l of the Red. This p a r t i c u l a r ball club such a l u m n i in this stronghold of culture and The man’s “dear friend” was his wife. A n d had an amazing kid pitcher who was young, to invite me to a t t e n d a meeting. Frankly, I she served the highballs that night as imperclean, strapping and as fast as light. He went with very little enthusiasm. And, sonally as if the stuff had been water, leading seemed to be the absolute a n t i t h e s i s of the f r a n k l y again, I never met a finer bunch of the conversation, j o i n i n g in all the l a u g h t e r f a d i n g catcher, b u t for some strange reason, people, nor had a better time. and d e f i n i t e l y as much of t h e p a r t y as a n y one the older man was the o n l y one on t h e staff In f a c t , I came out of the place conscious of else. She didn’t partake of the refreshments, who could bring out of the kid his best pos- having got a very real lift. These were peo- but she didn’t make any point of it. Obsible performance. This happened about ple who’d accomplished something, who’d viously the stuff was of no further appeal to once a week, usually on Sunday, and then the whipped something, who’d proved some- her. I felt very humble, considerably selfcatcher usually celebrated in the t r a d i t i o n a l t h i n g — t o themselves, and to the world. In a conscious about t a k i n g a drink in f r o n t of fashion of the maladjusted. Obviously this world plunged at the moment into the depths her, and I went my way at last t h i n k i n g in couldn’t go on. of defeatism, here was one place where the terms of Samuel B. Morse, “What wonders It didn’t go on. All at once the catcher was accent ran the other way. God (and A. A. ) hath wrought. ” a new sort of man. He had a new sort of con- I wrote a piece about it. I couldn’t help it. And that still goes. Some of my “patients” fidence, w h a t seemed to be a new sort of The mail came in again. Now I had some- —I’ve never seen but two of them in the flesh f a i t h . The years seemed to drop from him. thing close in the way of an address to give —write later, some months later, to tell of He not only caught the kid in his regular turn and something I’d personally seen and could their progress. Some I never hear from again. but he was going down under those bats on personally endorse to hand on to those who But I know they’ve all found hope, and m a n y other days, too. Soon, t h a n k s greatly to him, were asking, in God’s name, is there any real have found salvation of the body and probthe team was high in the pennant race. help. ably soul. It’s an honor just to be a side-line But that’s getting ahead of this story. Back Recently, I spoke before a woman’s club in rooter. when it happened, and unable to comprehend a town not far from Boston. The talk was on Bill Cunningham the miracle, I went a f t e r the secret of what politics. It was just before the presidential Columnist, The Boston Herald had wrought the sudden change and ran, for election. After the affair a man came up out Boston, Massachusetts

EDITORIAL: Post Office box; began contacting ministers, police and court officials, and exploring flophouses, poolrooms, courts. Business was brisk. On the 3rd Step W i t h i n a few weeks the membership included 25 men and two women. I was co-chairman of the Loop group a few months ago and the subject The troubles began early. Some of the of religious experience was brought up. I answered this in my stumbling men got the idea t h a t they had joined a wet nursing o r g a n i z a t i o n and proceeded to t u r n way by saying that each of us could have such an experience only when we it into one; t h e women tuned out to be less ‘got on center with ourselves’; if that were not clear we could express it alcoholic t h a n unattached. One by one I he thus: when we fully realized for the first time in our lives the essential dig- members sloughed off. nity of ourselves as human beings. I also said that this realization could R e s u l t : t h r e e m o n t h s a f t e r f o u n d i n g , four charter members remained, two shaky. be achieved through return to the formal religion we once practiced but At this time, prospects were given only the never knew, or by honest thought along our rough-hewn way. book, the weekly meeting, the offer of association. and were more or less on t h e i r own. I have lately come to think that the 3rd step on our guide post to the One of the charter members d r a f t e d a progood life is the meat and drink of the twenty-four hour program. Without gram which, a f t e r several overhaulings dica complete, whole-hearted ‘surrender’ at the start of each day, much of the tated by tryouts, became k n o w n as The Little Rock Plan, or t h e Approach Program. The good that we think, or do, is lost to us. I must confess that in my own daily sole motive behind it was to improve effectapplication of the program I had begun to slip on this point—if indeed I iveness of the group’s service to alcoholics. had ever really practiced it. But the tide of events swelled over me recently It is a big dose, a rough assignment, h i g h l y controversial among groups f a m i l i a r w i t h it. to wash this bad thinking away. Unsatisfactory events, however, do not seem It has served the Little Rock group well. We to be without compensation. Out of this turmoil and confusion in my busi- like It. (Detailed i n f o r m a t i o n w i l l be f u r ness affairs has come a deeper understanding, a peace and serenity, a clarity nished on request. ) Out of the a p p l i c a t i o n of the Approach of outlook I never knew before. Program came the sponsorship system: one I sometimes wonder how many of us, after early, diligent application veteran and usually a young neophyte conduct a prospect through the program, which to A. A., coast along without getting wet solely because of a thoroughly requires a m i n i m u m two weeks of t h e proshouse-broken habit as far as alcohol is concerned. I have always thought pect’s f u l l time. that the man who is thoroughly sickened of the stuff, when he learns of A. A., We now have a membership in Little Rock of a p p r o x i m a t e l y one h u n d r e d ; a women’s has the best chance to pick up and go; but it seems to me that there is dangroup under our w i n g and meeting w i t h us ger ahead for such a man sometime later, just because he won his ‘strength’ weekly; a swell club room establishment; and too easily at the start. several branches in smaller Arkansas cities Walter L., Chicago, Illinois i n c l u d i n g Camden, where an even dozen from Little Rock now work for the Navy. Four p a r a m o u n t lessons learned: Points of View: Arkansas Style You can treat the s p i r i t u a l phase any way you choose in the group as a whole, but A r k a n s a s “Moon” brings on a peculiar insurance executive, an alcoholic who had sooner or l a t e r it becomes d o m i n a n t in all the k i n d of mean insanity, fearsome in its throes been dry for five years a f t e r reading Peabody group’s a c t i v i t i e s . In the beginning the group even to our horny-toed hillsmen. Four of our and practicing an unlabeled brand of A. A. gave this phase very little house. It’s the big first seven A. A. s had to be lassoed and hauled He had had very little success with fellow motivation now, accepted, recognized, reout of caves where they had been living with alcoholics and when he read the first notice vered, held in awe. panthers and bears. Two of the other three of A. A. he sent for the book. For his own good you mustn’t coddle a were easily taken: our local founder dug them He roped in a f u r n i t u r e salesman ( w i t h o u t prospect. up out of the sod—incorrectly diagnosed. The wares) and a broken down (young) news- Slips? We’re now on our ‘steenth policy founder himself was a screwball trumpet paperman who had buried himself (for and system for coping with slips. All have player from one of the state’s oldest, most keeps he thought) deep in the oblivion of the worked in some cases, failed in others. revered families— f u n d a m e n t a l l y incapable. State Hospital for Nervous Diseases. But, then, we t h i n k : something is wrong A perfect f o u n d a t i o n for an A. A. group. These pioneers in what Bill calls the “mail if the group doesn’t periodically have its It all began in March, 1940, in the mind order section” went to local newspapers and troubles and problems. a n d heart of a Little Rock (trumpet playing) obtained a modest notice in each; rented a Bud G., Little. Rock, Arkansas

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CHARLES JACKSON SPEAKS AT HARTFORD A. A. When Charles Jackson, a u t h o r of the A. A. ‘s A nationally-known psychiatrist has de- else” but gave it up when it interfered w i t h f a v o r i t e best-seller, The Lost Weekend, con- clared on the radio that Don Birnam was a his work. Though the actual events of t h e sented to speak at the H a r t f o r d group’s No- “true character, ” and that he would be known story are invented, he explained his r e m a r k vember open meeting, he said t h a t his topic in real life as a “still drinker, ” or hopeless ably understanding portrayal of Don Birnam would be “Why I Wrote The Lost Week-End. ” addict, as the solitary drinker is often con- by saying simply, “I have a good memory. ” He began by saying that he was not pro- sidered, whose next step would have to be Listeners drew their own conclusions. fessionally a public speaker and he was not death. The author, however, does not agree Jackson had a few words of advice for and never had been a member of A l c o h o l i c s t h a t death is the sole solution, He t h i n k s A. A. s, some of it based upon h i s own e x p e r i – Anonymous. This occasion was, in f a c t , his Birnam can recover. Not by the help of any ence. “How can you endure a cocktail p a r t y first contact w i t h the group at all. doctor, because medical men do not under- and meet so many people w i t h o u t p u t t i n g stand how t h e alcoholic feels inside; but w i t h yourself at ease w i t h a few d r i n k s ? ” is a Jackson wrote The Lost Week-End, he said, “because I t h i n k t h e alcoholic problem is one the help of an exceptionally intuitive man, question often asked of him. He said t h a t he of the most serious problems in American or another alcoholic, who can understand him handles such situations by r a t i o n a l i z i n g w i t h life, because gifted people are o f t e n its vic- because of a similar background or exper- himself. He believes that everybody, w i t h o u t ience. exception, is scared of new people, no m a t t e r tims, and because t h e alcoholic has been too f r e q u e n t l y looked u p o n as a comic figure. ” Though he is at present just completing a how little they may show their self-conscious- There was a sore need, he p o i n t e d out, for new novel called The Fall of Valor which is ness; and he recalls the fact t h a t heavy d r i n k such a c h a r a c t e r study as t h a t of Don B i r n a m . not a sequel and has nothing to do with the ing only makes one suffer more in the end. Whereas alcoholics have o f t e n appeared as earlier book, Jackson said t h a t there would He prefers to go through a social evening be another story about Don Birnam about a with a clear head, because now be wants to characters in books, never before, to Jackyear and a half from now, in which Don finds get the most out of life by being f u l l y aware. son’s knowledge, had one been the p r i n c i p a l his way out of his predicament — perhaps Jackson named ridicule as another problem figure. The p u b l i c needed to be shown the through A. A., perhaps by other means. He faced by the ex-addict, and a d m i t t e d t h a t he true tragic n a t u r e of the alcoholic. added that it would do no good for Don himself had smiled at the notion of Alcoholics The first publisher to whom t h e book was Birnam to give up drink for anyone but him- Anonymous when be first heard of it. The offered thought it would not sell because of self alone. If he gave it up for a relative or non-drinking alcoholic will be offered drinks the public’s present interest in t h e war. “Noa friend, the “reform” would not stick. and kidded for not accepting them, and pracbody cares about the i n d i v i d u a l , ” said the Alcoholics Anonymous would be good for tical jokers will try to give him soft d r i n k s rejection letter. The book was accepted by Don B i r n a m , Jackson thought, as A. A. gives w i t h liquor in them, he warned. He w e n t on the second p u b l i s h e r , Farrar and R i n e h a r t ; the solitary drinker a social outlet. It would to say that the v i c t i m of this sort of t r e a t m e n t and it has gone i n t o six p r i n t i n g s in less t h a n give Don f r i e n d s who did not consider addic- must learn to “take it. ” a year. It is also c u r r e n t l y being published tion a stigma. Don hid from the people he It is Jackson’s opinion that while all normal in Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese; and in Engknew because he was remorseful over his be- people can in t i m e become alcoholics merely land and South A f r i c a . A p p a r e n t l y the pubhavior and he knew others thought ill of him. by overdoing their drinking, most alcoholics, lic is almost as much interested in alcoholism He would not have to feel this way among like Don Birnam, suffer some underlying as in t h e problems of the war-torn world. A. A. members, who would be eager to give him neurosis t h a t is p r i m a r i l y responsible for t h e i r The Lost Week-End has been c r i t i c i z e d be- t r u e f e l l o w s h i p , help him face the fact t h a t addiction. He believes t h a t only a f t e r t h e cause Don Birnam was left no better off in he could not drink, and make him understand addiction itself is arrested can the basic d i f the end than he was at the beginning. M a n y t h a t there was no shame connected with his ficulty be found and possibly corrected. readers t h o u g h t the author should have past addiction. Jackson wanted it definitely understood solved the problem, or at least h i n t e d at some Alcoholism, Jackson went on to say, should that he is not against d r i n k i n g except when change for the better in Don. Jackson annot be whispered about as tuberculosis once the indulgence of an individual harms someswered t h i s charge by saying t h a t no “reform” was. The problem can be dealt with better one else or the drinker himself. If remorse is worthy of the name would be possible in five when it is considered by the p u b l i c not as present, however, the d r i n k e r o b v i o u s l y is days, which is the length of t i m e covered in something “unmentionable, ” but as an un- ashamed of his behaviour and should be the book, and t h a t , moreover, it is not up to a f o r t u n a t e illness such as tuberculosis has helped, but only if he w a n t s help. novelist to solve p s y c h i a t r i c problems, b u t come to be considered. Just a word now about Charlie Jackson, the merely to present such problems—to “state Jackson said he was indebted to A. A. for man. I expected to meet someone a little on the case, ” so to speak. He said t h a t he would one of the novel’s most telling points. He the aloof side — someone above the usual be a “reformer” if he had extended t h e book referred to the phrase he used in the book level, where of course Jackson has a right to to cover a year’s time and p o i n t e d out t h e which says that, for the alcoholic, “one drink be. But Charlie won’t let you look up to h i m . solution. The book would then have been a is too many and a hundred not enough. ” When he’s t a l k i n g to you or listening to you “tract” and not the pure novel or character Most A. A. s wonder, after reading the book, he makes you feel that you matter to him. study it was intended to be. Moreover, Jackwhether Jackson is an alcoholic. The author’s Friendly, modest, sincere, unspoiled. That’s son added, the hopeless note on w h i c h the answer to that question was diplomatic. He Charlie Jackson. book was concluded tends to make the reader concerned a b o u t t h e problem of alcoholism. said be used to d r i n k “like most everybody Marion May R., Hartford, Connecticut

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Granite Vermont opens its Heart to A. A. Curious t h i n g s happen here. For instance, and Wayne B., owner of large l u m b e r i n g i n – pleasant was lunch w i t h our Governor-Elect, a Bill and Doc were born here and perhaps they terests in Stowe, Vermont, t w e n t y miles away. non-A. A. He had l i t t l e knowledge of our prof e l t there was no need for A. A. in this quiet, Wayne has not missed a m e e t i n g since t h e gram and Joe covered it f u l l y . He has promkindly, historic state. But they have not been group was started in October. Two other o u t – ised to come to one of our meetings some here for some t i m e and things have changed of-town members are Dick L., merchant of Monday n i g h t . He was i n f o r m e d t h a t no since t h e n . Waterbury, which is t w e l v e miles away, a n d f u n d s are now a v a i l a b l e ; for the care and The b e g i n n i n g of A. A. in Vermont is Dick C., a merchant of Newbury, t h i r t y – e i g h t t r e a t m e n t of alcoholics in any Vermont insticredited w h o l l y to Joe. About a minute a f t e r miles away. Our one honorary member, B i l l tution. In fact, not even one bed is a v a i l a b l e . he deposited his bags on arrival, he began to F. (three years dry), is an associate of Joe’s By w a y of contrast, Joe told w h a t New Jersey look over the “larger” cities such as Burling- and is now in New York City. is now doing in t h i s respect. ton (23, 000) and Montpelier (7, 500). He The plan, for now, is to keep the group We of the Montpelier group feel f o r t u n a t e found plenty to do. Joe had an A. A. group small and to meet at the home of yours truly. in h a v i n g such an o u t s t a n d i n g sponsor and going in each of these cities in no time. In the spring we hope to come out with open such fine f r i e n d s from New Jersey. We feel In Burlington the group consists of a meetings and take on all comers. W i t h t h i s t h a t we have t h e j u m p on most new groups. p r i n t e r , an electrician, an insurance broker, in view we just w i l l not allow any slips. Each By combining A. A. w i t h his regular busiand a sound engineer; and a doctor is a good member knows and understands the plan, ness t r i p s about the, state, our Secretary hopes prospect for their next meeting. Montpelier having actually voted on it at a regular meetto start m a n y A. A. groups in Vermont. We has a few more members; there is Jim B., ing. This means, of course, they just can’t boast that we will have at least six groups who owns an excellent dry-cleaning business; slip, which would he a catastrophe for Vergoing before A p r i l . yours t r u l y with varied interests—office ma- mont. After all, it’s Bill’s and Bob’s state and it is the most recent to come into A. A. Much credit must be given to the wives in chines, a t a x i business, and an ice cream and We do not stop here, however, as the real our group. Each week two volunteer on the, dairy store in town; George B., owner of a back-field, Jim B., Wayne D., George B., eats and we are yet to be disappointed w i t h wholesale candy business (won a grand bet- Ted K., and the secretary, are at it daily. We a n y of the sandwiches, p u m p k i n pie, ice t i n g on F. D. R. ); Ted K., writer, farmer and have spoiled lots of drinks in Montpelier, we cream, cake, maple syrup and raised doughbreeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle; Wayne D., know, and even some non-admitting alcohol- nuts, cheese and coffee, coffee, coffee. r i g h t now selling Christmas trees and f a r m ing—treasurer; Merrill P., farmer; Ralph H., ics are seen in drug stores and coffee shops We are also pleased w i t h the fact t h a t t w o chef in the hospitable and attractive Mont- more than in the past. R a t i o n Boards have granted gas for our work, pelier Tavern. We also have Elbert C., As you all know, Joe is a tireless worker so Vermont is in high s p i r i t s as this is w r i t wholesale and retail pork products (ten years for A. A., and on a recent t r i p to Montpelier ten. dry t h i s m o n t h ) , our real s t a n d b y in a pinch, we made many contacts. One of the most “Monty” and Ted K., Montpelier, Vermont

WAR GAVE FLORIDA GROUP FLYING START A. A. would inevitably have come to Jack- fraternal organization’s hall to accommodate looked upon w i t h much favor by c e r t a i n sonville some day, but we are grateful to an our open meetings, n u m b e r i n g one hundred members of the ministry, civic organizations Executive Officer of the Naval A i r Training and more members and guests. and law enforcement authorities, due to a Station for bringing A. A. to us as far back as We are now in the experimental stage with great extent to their attendance at our last the beginning of the present world conflict. Squad Meetings, d i v i d i n g the c i t y into f o u r a n n u a l banquet, where the principal address By A p r i l 18, 1941, he had formed a nucleus zones, and this will produce a more closely was given by the one and only Bill W. of a group w i t h four alcoholics, and we are knit system of calls and follow-ups on pros- This b a n q u e t helped to swing one of the newsvery proud t h a t these four men are sober, de- pects, as well as proper size classes for the papers over to us, which is a tremendous help. pendable representatives of this city today. study of the 12 Steps and other f u n d a m e n t a l s Yes, the ill-winds of war brought conster- They found the going rough, just as our co- necessary for a successful group. n a t i o n and suffering to many in Jacksonville, founders did in the beginning. But today, we The Jacksonville group has also found but by the Grace of God it brought a N a v a l have risen from the original four men to much stimulation in inter-city meetings. Re- Officer to us w i t h A. A. s i x t y – e i g h t men and women. Meetings were cently a j o i n t meeting between the Daytona M a n y A. A. s come to, and pass through first held in homes; later a leading hotel of- Beach-Orlando-Jacksonville and Crescent City Jacksonville as the Gateway to Florida. We fered the group accommodations one night groups was held at Daytona Beach. extend a most cordial i n v i t a t i o n for all to each week. When we got squarely on our Jacksonville is at last coming i n t o i t s own contact us at our Club Rooms, 204 East Bay feet w i t h about fifteen members, we moved with the medical profession, although war Street, telephone 5-7646, open every n i g h t i n t o our own Club Rooms, and one year ago conditions have made it impossible for A. A. w i t h closed meetings Thursday nights. Open we f o u n d it necessary to again move to much or any organization to get any hospital in- meetings are held Monday night at 127 East larger quarters. We now have the use of a terested in an alcoholic ward. We are also Bay Street. J. L. A., Jacksonville., Florida

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Mail Call for All A. A. s in the Armed Forces MORE ABOUT SEABORNE A. A. s We have noticed from the correspondence of A. A. s in Service that, w i t h o u t group con- The first A. A. Seamen’s group ever organized was formed in Manhattan, tacts over long periods of time, these men June, 1944. Six months later, in December, the Seamen took over the first and women frequently appear to be f o l l o w i n g the A. A. program, especially the s p i r i t u a l A. A. clubhouse ever opened anywhere (over 41⁄2 years ago), at 3341⁄2 W. side, more closely t h a n m a n y of the rest of 24th St., New York, the clubhouse having been vacated by the New York us who live in almost daily association w i t h our fellow members. In this connection, we A. A. s for larger quarters. quote, by courtesy of the Toledo group, several paragraphs of a letter from one of its That sounds like quick, easy going. Actually, the establishment of the Service men w i t h an F. P. O. address: “You may think that I am m a k i n g a very A. A. Seamen’s Club was preceded by many months of consistent work by broad statement when I say I feel I k n o w ; ill A. A. and doctors along the Eastern seaboard. As hospitals became over- of the benefits of A. A. I feel I am qualified to crowded, the War Shipping Administration and the United Seamen’s Ser- say I do, after a year and one-half w i t h o u t contact of the group. I have been able to do vice opened 7 Rest Centers throughout the country, near the largest seathe same as you t h a t have had constant conports, where for 3 weeks men of the Merchant Marine could recuperate tact. This is due to a supreme effort to live up from their nerve-racking trips at sea. In some of the Rest Centers, the doc- to the teachings of A. A. and the guidance of “The Supreme Power. ” I was taught how to do tors have taken particular interest in steering alcoholic seamen into the this while with the group. Many of you were A. A. way of thinking. The A. A. Seamen’s Club does not confine itself to my teachers, and convincing ones at t h a t . I t , at the Merchant Marine but hopes to include the Navy and Coast Guard as well times, has not been an easy job but, like yourselves, I am on the twenty-four hour basin. —all types of seamen. and continue to place my problems in “His” hands. A personal inventory has a l w a y s Already the A. A. Seamen are looking toward the day when they’ll have shown me a way for improvement. Honesty is a prime factor, and key to our f u t u r e progroups in San Pedro, San Francisco, Baltimore — in all the ports of the gress, and if we are honest w i t h ourselves we United States and, eventually, in all the ports of the world. One of the dried- will be w i t h others. ” . . . up seamen among those making calls on the alcoholics in the seamen’s hos- “To those of you t h a t I know I hope you pitals at Staten Island and Ellis Island is a man who, until a few weeks ago, will continue on your present p a t h to h a p p i ness and to those of you t h a t I do not, I hope hadn’t bought himself a suit of clothes in 20 years. John W., always penni- you will find as much happiness as I have less after the binge that invariably followed his reaching shore, got his found through A. A. ” W. M. L. clothes from charitable institutions. The other day John, who was accus- (The Toledo group, n u m b e r i n g approximately 150, has 15 members who have served tomed to getting “a Hop at the doghouse at 60c a week, ” for the first time in in this War and one who died in Service. ) 20 years bought himself a new suit, new shoes, new overcoat—and put up at a big New York hotel at 6. 50 a day. And he had one swell time. Sober. * We have always had a profound curiosity While formerly Drink was the only international language known to seato know more about those gallant lads known men when they got off their ships, an ever increasing number are learning as Seabees. Now, most unexpectedly, we learn the constructive language of the A. A. Seamen. that A. A. is represented, and well, in that branch of Service also. The letter q u o t e d above was from a Seabee and we are advised Treasurer of the Club is the non-alcoholic Vice-President of the Bank of from Cleveland that another Ohio A. A. is not only with them but right in the m i d s t of New York, James Carey. Seaman Joe F. is Secretary, and among those on things in the Pacific: the Policy Committee are Horace C., an A. A. of 6 years dry-standing, and “N. R. is with The Seabees now in the Philhis non-alcoholic lawyer brother, Alfred. ippines and has done a bang up job staying completely well for over four years, one and one-half of which have been spent in the (The Grapevine extends best wishes for 1945 to the new Seamen’s Club. ) Pacific. An outstanding job by a real guy. “

HOW 14 CALIFORNIA GROUPS GREW TO 22 J u s t over one year ago, Bill made a two- thousand. each member m a y i n t e r p r e t t h e program f o r m o n t h v i s i t to the West Coast, one month of We learned from Bill t h a t A. A. is an an- h i m s e l f ( w i t h honesty, of course), so each w h i c h was spent in Los Angeles and im- swer to a universal need of m a n k i n d ; that it group m a y do t h e same, w i t h t h e same remediate environs. It, therefore, is n a t u r a l cannot belong even to him, its founder, nor quirement of honesty. t h a t the twenty-two A. A. groups in the Los to any leader, or group of leaders; that it can- The result of this was courage for free de- Angeles area should, at this time, reflect on not be controlled by those who precede others velopment and lessening of f r i c t i o n by ensome of the benefits reaped from his visit. in membership. abling any members, dissatisfied w i t h the Ostensibly Bill did l i t t l e or n o t h i n g here He taught us that only those have a right way t h e i r group was conducted, to join anbut tell us i n f o r m a l l y w h a t he thought about to A. A. who use it with the singleness of pur- other group or launch a new group with per- A. A., ‘how it happened to him, ‘ and how it pose for which it was founded and handed to sons t h e y considered more congenial. worked elsewhere. He gave us no orders and us. He taught us that those whose ideas veer Bill convinced us of the u n i v e r s a l i t y of l e f t us no mandates. He proved a past master from A. A. ideals get off the beam and, sooner A. A. — t h a t it is as unrestricted as is its need. at dodging when a d e f i n i t e difficulty of a or later, fail in sobriety when they begin He made us realize t h a t we alcoholics out group was thrown i n t o his lap for solution. using substitutes instead of “practicing A. A. here are not C a l i f o r n i a alcoholics, but just His answer always ignored t h a t problem but principles in all our affairs. ” alcoholics, b r a n d e d by a global, not a secrecounted how a group far away met a similar Bill remarked while here t h a t sometimes tional, disease. issue. That set the inquirer t h i n k i n g and in he is startled when he regards t h e growth of And t h i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g h a s led to more inmost cases he solved the problem himself. A. A. and realizes that, while he started it all, telligent methods of o p e r a t i n g — t o methods The result was t h a t Bill left us with a realiza- he does not control it, and has no desire to. t h a t are more tolerant of t h e o p i n i o n s of t i o n t h a t he h a d tossed the ball r i g h t back to He sees that w h a t he gave the world is t h e others. our pitcher, with a k i n d l y h i n t t h a t we play world’s to use. A n d if the m a n who needs it In other words, B i l l gave, us the p r i n c i p l e ball according to the A. A. rule book. And misuses it he does so to his own loss alone. t h a t no one need have too great concern that seemed to work. No one can h u r t A. A. f a t a l l y . No one can about Alcoholics A n o n y m o u s g e t t i n g i n t o “in- For it made us realize that, in our group stop its growth. experienced hands. ” problems, as in our alcoholic problems, our Bill’s visit here made us A. A. s realize t h a t We learned, as Bill expressed it, t h a t any “stories are all the same. ” And so we all set we were free to form our own A. A. groups in good idea w i l l work and a n y bad idea, when to work to play the game better. direct affiliation w i t h the New York Founda- tried, w i l l f a i l of i t s own weakness. One One result is that twenty-two A. A. groups tion and that no senior i n d i v i d u a l or group t h i n g alone is a sine qua non in A. A. — exist now in the area which had fourteen had district or territorial jurisdiction so long honesty with ourselves. W i t h it A. A. and i t s when Bill was here. The membership then as the new group conformed to the Founda- members are safe. was about seven hundred. Now it nears two tion’s requirements. We learned that, just as Frank S., Los Angelas, California

In Texas, Women Too, Are W o n d e r f u l In May, 1943, Esther K. arrived in Dallas! for Dallas like every other city has a p l e n t i – The first year of growing p a i n s witnessed For the problem drinkers of t h i s city that is ful supply of alcoholics—good, bad and in- t h e c u s t o m a r y f l u c t u a t i n g membership, b u t an historical news item, and the history of the different; but Esther’s first efforts among we believe t h a t the past seven m o n t h s have Dallas g r o u p of Alcoholics A n o n y m o u s must some of her former drinking buddies were brought us a certain coordination and t h a t necessarily he a eulogy to that lady. p r e t t y discouraging. Then one of her Houston our f u t u r e growth and expansion w i l l be Esther is a comely gal, with personality “babies” (another lady souse) p u t in an ap- surer and s t e a d i e r . Now we, have f o r t y a c t i v e plus, who had assiduously carved out one pearance, and finally Esther found a male members and we d e f i n i t e l y feel t h a t at least w h a l e of an alcoholic career for herself u n t i l alky—an A. A. from Oklahoma City—just we have emerged from our swaddling clothes. she became innoculated w i t h A. A.; result— w h a t she had been p r a y i n g for, she said. The request for t h i s a r t i c l e comes, it seems she has found not only sobriety but a happy That was the origin of the Dallas group of to us, at an o p p o r t u n e time, for we are a l i f e ; she’s comelier t h a n ever and that per- Alcoholics Anonymous. In the b e g i n n i n g we h a p p y bunch. On December 2nd we held our sonality f a i r l y reflects the beneficent influ- had only one meeting a week in Esther’s business meeting in our first home—if you ence of the A. A. way of life. home. Then we used the office of one of our can c a l l a space in an office b u i l d i n g t h a t . But For two years Esther had been one of the members for what we called our business it’s ours—the coveted Club Room, and we’re most active members of the Houston group, meeting, h a v i n g our social g a t h e r i n g s in the proud of i t . Meetings are held on Mondays but upon her arrival in Dallas she found various homes. For q u i t e a w h i l e we were and Thursdays of each week b u t the Club herself High and Dry (contradictory in our only about seven in number, but t h a t period Room is open on every other night as well as language but true) without the life-giving ac- meant a great deal to those seven. Then we on week ends, so some of you t r a v e l i n g A. A. s t i v i t i e s of an A. A. group. So she really went began to overflow the office at our disposal, so remember to look us up. to work. The material was here, of course, we hired a hall once a week at the Y. M. C. A. Merle S., Dallas, Texas

A. A. s COUNTRY-WIDE NEWS CIRCUIT The husky Braves pitcher, Nate Andrews, alone the Central Office sent out 3, 385 letters. personal and social histories filed in accordwhile at t r a i n i n g camp last spring, went on a A feature of the program celebrating the ance with a comprehensive scheme of conterrific tear that involved hidden bottles, second anniversary of the SCHENECTADY trol which has been developed by the State. nerve pills, and f r a n t i c long-distance tele- (N. Y. ) A. A. s in late November was the play- Acutely intoxicated persons are taken to the phone calls. The whole of it ended in col- ing of a transcription of the State Health De- regional sobering-up stations. Persons sufferumns of bad p u b l i c i t y , He was rescued by partment’s “Health Hunters” radio program, ing from alcoholic psychoses, etc., are comthe BOSTON A. A. s, and though there was l i t – previously heard over a number of stations, mitted to psychiatric hospitals where treattle confidence t h a t the good-natured, popular dealing w i t h the work of A. A. ment is carried out under the supervision of Nate would ever f u l l y recover from his Columnist W i l l i a m P. Frank of the Wil- skilled specialists. ordeal, he did. W i t h a sixth-place team, Nate mington, DELAWARE, Journal is typical of An audience comprised chiefly of East Bay won 16, lost 15 games, He was the best the favorable reaction of most newspaper- physicians listened intently at the SAN FRANpitcher on the club. An enthusiastic member men to A. A. He writes: “If the drink prob- CISCO Century Club as members of A. A. spoke of the Boston A. A. group, he spoke often at lem worries you—and you want to know before them at a recent meeting. Among submeetings. The p u b l i c i t y given his dive over- something about k i c k i n g Old Man Alcoholism jects discussed were the psychological phases hoard and subsequent rescue brought i n t o in the face, why not attend the public meet- of alcoholism, and its spiritual and f a m i l y the group one h u n d r e d and fifty new men ing of A. A. tonight in the Delaware Academy r e p e r c u s s i o n s . . . . The Moline, ILLINOIS, Disduring the summer. R e t a i n i n g his d e l i g h t f u l of Medicine. And if you have friends who are patch says t h a t a number of persons have sense of humor, Nate said just before return- all tangled up with alcohol and can’t get rid called Magistrate Ralph Stephenson and ing to his home in North Carolina, “But Ah of the old devil, you ought to go there, too— Geneva Dunderberg, Moline policewoman, to told ’em they needn’t expect me to make an and learn for yourself what this organization express interest in their suggestions, pubexample out of myself every spring. ” is doing. ” Frank comments on the members’ lished previously in the Dispatch, t h a t a chap- NOHTH HOLLYWOOD A. A. s are going to sense of humor as one of the interesting fea- ter of A. A. be organized in Moline. Stephenbuild a clubhouse of their own. They already tures of A. A. son said some who called him were alcoholics have the blueprints, and are u n d e r w r i t i n g E x a m i n i n g the jurors for a trial coming up in and some were persons having close f r i e n d s their venture through the sale of “Sobriety MIAMI, Fla., the D. A. asked if any of them or relatives victimized by alcohol. “I believe Bonds. ” . . . Peter J. H a m p t o n , Associate ever belonged to a temperance organization we may get somewhere with this, ” Magistrate Professor of Psychology at Western College, or had been members of A. A. None had. Stephenson remarked, “and I should like to in his s t u d y on alcoholism d u r i n g the past What, we wonder, would have happened if r e i t e r a t e the belief that such an o r g a n i z a t i o n year, has conducted hundreds of p e r s o n a l i t y they h a d ? . . . Los ANGELES now has a Cen- is needed in Moline. ” . . . Not only doctors tests on alcoholics. In a big public meet- tral Office, f u n c t i o n i n g as a clearing house for and magistrates but clergymen of all denomiing in CINCINNATI, Prof. H a m p t o n recently all the A. A. groups in that area, with a paid nations are coming n a t i o n a l l y to recognize discussed “the wonderful organization that s e c r e t a r y . . . . Speaking of paid secretaries, the benefits of A. A. A short time ago, in is Alcoholics Anonymous, ” and told some- Bill made mention the other day of what is Richmond, VIRGINIA, the Catholic Father t h i n g of the series of tests he is at present erroneously referred to as “professional T. E. O’Connell was guest speaker at the making in conjunction w i t h members of the A. A. s. ” He emphasized the fact that these monthly public meeting of the Richmond Cincinnati A. A. g r o u p . . . . A PHILADELPHIA people are not being paid to be A. A. s but to group. He had been designated by Bishop newspaper, commenting on the f o r t h c o m i n g work in various secretarial and executive Peter L. Ireton, who has approved the prinfilm, “The Lost Week-End, ” makes this state- capacities. ciples of A. A. ment: “Strangely enough, t h e W. C. T. U. has H i g h Watch Farm at Kent, Conn., has under- “Not to bore you good people who have, damned the picture, while A. A. believes it gone a transformation in organization and is never been tempted by the cup that cheers, will have a good effect on behavior of cinema now being run by an Operating Board which yet there is something intriguing in the Aladdicts in general. ” has representatives from the CONNECTICUT coholics Anonymous and you can count Veterans’ h o s p i t a l s all over the c o u n t r y are A. A. groups and Yale. An increasing num- among that membership some of your friends w r i t i n g i n t o the New York Central Office for ber of alcoholics are a v a i l i n g themselves of of whom you are just as fond as you are of A. A. l i t e r a t u r e , and in q u i t e a few h o s p i t a l s the good food and comfortable home sur- many you r u b elbows with at your f a v o r i t e groups have already been formed. WASH- roundings at the farm, also the beautiful tavern. ” This was written in the Saint Joseph, INGTON, in fact, is looking more and more to Connecticut countryside. MISSOURI, News-Press. Yes indeed, say we, A. A. as a way to a i d i n g alcoholic men and From MICHIGAN comes word t h a t the con- and when you find yourself no longer rubwomen of our A r m e d Forces, b o t h at home clusion of a survey assembled for the Amer- bing these same elbows, come to A. A. —and and abroad. Letters of i n q u i r y are pouring ican Hospital Association by the Committee don’t be surprised if you find them there. in from all over the world—from France, on Hospital Treatment of Alcoholism was Out in Salt Lake City, UTAH, the news- Ireland, Scotland, Cuba, the A l e u t i a n s , etc. that hospital facilities for the care and treat- papers go to town in stressing the need for Some of these are from the Red Cross and ment of alcoholics in the United States are A. A. and strongly urge people to go to the other organizations, some from the G. I. s scanty and inadequate. In Russia, the survey public meetings “where, have no fear, no one themselves. No wonder that in one month states, all alcoholics are registered and their will try to convert you. “

LOCATED IN NEW YORK, balcony all around it. The seating c a p a c i t y of the floor alone is seven h u n d r e d — t h e bal- OREGON CONFERENCE COSMOPOLITAN CLUB cony will hold m a n y more. Also on the m a i n floor is the secretary’s office, and on the sec- STUDIES ALCOHOLISM TO S E R V E ALL A. A. s ond floor ( t h e balcony entrance) are o t h e r rooms, one where newcomers can talk q u i e t l y The first Pacific Coast Conference on A l cohol Studies, presented by Yale U n i v e r s i t y , A l i v i n g room in a Brooklyn brownstone, and comfortably to older members. The t h i r d opened here i n t h e Masonic A u d i t o r i u m t h e 1934-1939. A swank tailor shop on F i f t h floor is a huge meeting room—it seats five m o r n i n g of November 27th and c o n t i n u e d for Avenue, f u l l of bolts and bolts of handsome hundred—with a d i n i n g room and k i t c h e n off five days t h r o u g h t h e evening of December tweeds—and assorted A. A. s—spring of 1939. it. The top floor is a fully equipped gym- 1st. Sponsored by Governor K a r l Snell of A vacant apartment on West 72nd Street, nasium with showers. Oregon, and t h e E d u c a t i o n a l Advisory Comsummer of 1939. The same tailor shop’s West T a k i n g this club and s u p p o r t i n g it is a m i t t e e of t h e Oregon Liquor Control Commis- Side loft, w i t h the c u t t i n g tables for seats, project of interested A. A. members, i n d i v i d – sion, it was t h e first project of i t s k i n d on t h e t h e rest of the hot summer t h a t same year. A ually, not of groups as groups. In o t h e r West Coast. Probably, outside of Yale itself, real meeting-room in Aeolian Hall, fall and words, it’s yours, Mr. A. A., Mrs. A. A., a n d there has never been a conference on t h i s w i n t e r , 1939-40. Then, at last, the New York Miss A. A. Yours to use and yours to support. problem in w h i c h t h e subject was treated so area A. A. s had grown enough to dare t a k i n g comprehensively. t h e i r own clubhouse, and in the spring of 1940 “24th Street” was ours—A. A. ‘s first club- NEW JERSEY BLAZES A p a r t f r o m the Yale “team, ” which consisted of Drs. Haggard, J e l l i n e k , Bacon and house anywhere. Now, as the year 1944 ends, the A. A. Cos- PATH FOR ALCOHOLICS Baird, and Mrs. M a r t y Mann of the Yalesponsored N a t i o n a l C o m m i t t e e for E d u c a t i o n m o p o l i t a n Club has been born. This is, at New Jersey’s State Alcoholic Beverage Conon Alcoholism, there were Drs. Finley and last, a club f o r all A. A. s from wherever they trol Commissioner, Alfred E. Driscoll, has Montague from t h e University of Oregon may come, passing through New York, visit- asked for a legislative appropriation of Medical School, Dr. Victor Morris, Dean of ing here, or l i v i n g w i t h i n reach of it. Here, 500, 000. in 1945 for the r e h a b i l i t a t i o n of althe U n i v e r s i t y of Oregon, Dr. W i l l a r d Spaldt h e New York area w i l l hold its Inter-Group coholics through development of institutional ing, S u p e r i n t e n d e n t of Portland Public meetings every Tuesday night. Here the sec- facilities. Schools, a n d t h e Rev. Thompson L. Shannon. retary w i l l take the calls and interview the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n of the proposed f u n d by Their lectures covered every aspect of the newcomers from all the New York area, put- the Department of I n s t i t u t i o n s and Agencies, problem: physiological, psychological, socit i n g them in contact with the group in whose Department of Health, Department of Edu- ological and legal, with one f u l l day reserved locality they live. And here A. A. s will find cation and the Department of Alcoholic Bev- for discussion on the t r e a t m e n t of alcoholism, each other, to t a l k with, to play with, to grasp erage Control was suggested by the. Commis- and a n o t h e r on education. a helping hand or to extend one. sioner. It is an o u t s t a n d i n g fact that no conference 405 West 41st Street is the address of the “I earnestly recommend that the State bewas ever held in t h i s locality that interested A. A. Cosmopolitan Club. It has been known gin at once to assume a greater portion of its so m a n y and such varied organizations. The as t h e Knox Memorial Chapel, for it was once obligation to society, ” continued Driscoll. enrollment for the week numbered over used as a church—more recently it has served “The sum asked is but a modest start on a t w e l v e h u n d r e d names. There were delegates as a men’s club. Let’s begin in the basement, task of tremendous importance and State-wide from S t a t e and City Police Departments, which is really the recreation hall: bowling significance. Today citizens suffering from Bureaus of Parole, Social Welfare organialley, billiard and ping pong tables, plenty alcoholic addiction are, in too many cases, zations, Y. M. C. A., Councils of Churches, of room for cards. The main floor is a pan- consigned to the police, thrown i n t o jail for Parent-Teacher Associations, Health Departelled hall, two stories in height, with a deep a sobering-up period, and then left to their ments, Brewer’s Associations, Wine and Disown devices w i t h o u t constructive aid from the tillers’ groups, etc., etc. There were also medical profession, hospitals or society. Some Cut This Out and Mail to: doctors, judges, school teachers and prinu n f o r t u n a t e inebriates are p e r m i t t e d to serve cipals, inspectors of police, and last but not The Grapevine repeated sentences, punctuated by brief perileast, m a n y members of Alcoholics A n o n y – P. O. Box 328 ods of freedom, with no medical treatment of mous from d i f f e r e n t Pacific Coast groups. Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. any kind provided. While there is a growing public awareness that the alcoholic is a sick One e n t i r e evening was assigned to M a r t y Herewith 1. 50 for one year’s subscription person, he is more often than not treated as Mann for a lecture on “The Approach of to The Grapevine (Monthly) a voluntary subject of vice. Alcoholics Anonymous, ” and at the close of For additional subscriptions enclose separate “Private and public institutions are pres- t h i s session a closed A. A. meeting was held in sheet with name and address clearly printed. ently overcrowded and because of the mag- another room. Throughout the entire confer- Checks payable to The Grapevine. ence, t h e lecturers were high in their praise of nitude of the problem, are loath to assume Total Enclosed new responsibilities. Further, it is generally A. A., and this favorable atmosphere was recognized t h a t alcohol addiction is more markedly enhanced by Marty’s t a l k , and her PLEASE PRINT than a medical problem and requires a heart-to-heart chat with the A. A. s. As a re- Name sult of all this, a real impetus has been given special type of care and treatment. Mention Address should be made of the splendid work of Al- t h e A. A. groups out here. coholics Anonymous in this field. ” “Doc” H., Portland, Oregon

VOL. I, NO. 9, FEB., 1945 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 1. 50; COPY, 15c, A Monthly Journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A. A. as a whole.

DR. POWDERMAKER DISCUSSES THE ROLE OF standing of the alcoholic’s personality. They take into consideration his compulsion to t r y A PSYCHIATRIST IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS to dominate life, his refusal to accept help, and then, in c o n t r a d i s t i n c t i o n to that, the im- There is no need to tell the readers of this drinking but he has no real intention of doing maturity inherent in his effort to escape from journal that the chronic alcoholic presents a so. Sometimes his f a m i l y makes him go. The problems and responsibility. In f o r m u l a t i n g difficult problem. That problem is just as consequent failure of the psychiatrist gives these steps it was recognized that the alcoholic difficult for the psychiatrist to understand and him an “alibi. ” other alcoholics are sincere uses innumerable excuses and devices in his solve as for anyone else. Yon may say t h a t it when they ask for help—but they expect the attempt to gloss over or decry these facts, and ought not to be, since he is p r e s u m a b l y an doctor to do the curing. The psychiatrist is they help him to face the truth. Feelings of expert in the kinds of behavior t h a t make to perform a miracle, and lo! the patient is inferiority, whether recognized or not, are inpeople unhappy and sick. He should know cured. He does not consider that no cure can (Continued on Page 8) the way to help people make a healthy ad- be effected by a psychiatrist, by Alcoholics justment to life. Many of you have gone to a Anonymous, or anyone else without his own psychiatrist or another doctor w i t h just t h i s active cooperation—without his blood, sweat MEDICAL WARDS NOW idea. Then when he failed, as he usually did, you threw up your hands, sometimes in sorand tears, to quote Mr. Churchill. So again the failure of the psychiatrist can be used for FOR N. Y. ALCOHOLICS row, sometimes in anger, often in resentment an “alibi”—and often is. The recognition of alcoholics as sick peothat grew out of your d i s a p p o i n t m e n t , and Actually any psychiatric treatment that ple in need of medical care is t h e basis of a very often w i t h the feeling, “Well, he can’t seeks to cure, an illness—alcoholism or any new policy being put into effect in the city help me, no one can; there is nothing to do other—must be a joint research project car- h o s p i t a l s t h i s month by order of Dr. Edward but keep on drinking. ” And then you felt ried on by doctor and patient with sincerity M. Bernecker, Commissioner of Hospitals for worse when you thought how much liquor of purpose, deep interest and mutual respect New York City. At the same time Dr. Bercould have been bought with the money you for each other and for the difficulties of the necker has requested the seventy-seven volunspent on the psychiatrist. road they travel together. tary hospitals in the city to a d m i t alcoholic There are two ideas that had better be Even though all this be true, the A. A. mem- patients to their medical wards. “If the volbrought up at the s t a r t . One: The p s y c h i a t r i s t ber may well ask the necessity for any associa- untary hospitals refuse, ” he said, “they will does not have all of the answers to h u m a n tion between A. A. and psychiatrists. The be asked to send alcoholics to the nearest genbehavior by a long, long way. For example, A. A. s have an o u t s t a n d i n g record of success in eral hospital of the Department of Hospitals there is much about the problem of what helping alcoholics stop drinking and keeping in their district. ” makes a man drink to excess t h a t we don’t them dry over periods that now extend over The acceptance of alcoholics as medical know. Why should one man drink to excess approximately a decade—a better record, by cases by city hospitals means an enlightened while another may he a teetotaler but not be far, than psychiatry has made in this field. and encouraging step forward in the treatable to stop e a t i n g way beyond his needs? Then why do we even consider whether psy- ment of alcoholism as a public health prob- There are several more or less glib answers chiatry has any place in the life of an A. A. ? lem. Dr. S. Bernard Wortis, director of the to these questions t h a t m a n y of you have Well, let us look at that question. All suc- Psychiatric Division of Bellevue Hospital, heard. There are doctors who have consider- cessful A. A. s, as well as psychiatrists who have says, “Alcoholics are sick people and must be able understanding, often largely i n t u i t i v e , of dealt in any but a superficial way with alco- treated as sick people. The change will mean the personality and behavior of the alcoholic, holics, recognize that two problems are in- better care. Alcoholism will be treated in t h e but the reason why he developed this habit— volved in the cure of an alcoholic after he medical wards like any other problem. ” rather t h a n some other—we can’t answer. decides that he is through w i t h drinking (the In the past alcoholic p a t i e n t s have been The second point to consider is the a l t i t u d e 1st step). One involves his personality and sent to the psychiatric ward at Bellevue of the alcoholic when he goes to the psychia- the other the life problems that he has failed Hospital on the premise t h a t they were trist. Sometimes he is not sincere. He kids to meet. mental cases. Now, hospital care w i l l begin himself i n t o t h i n k i n g t h a t he w a n t s to stop The 12 steps are based on a profound under- immediately.

EDITORIAL: a stubborn cough which was a pippin. So 1 dosed myself w i t h two bottles of a well-known cough mixture. I noticed it said on the bottle 14 per cent alcohol, b u t forgott ing w h a t the On the 4th Step p h y s i c i a n had told me ages past, I dismissed t h a t from my mind entirely. One night alone Since I cannot speak for anyone else, I’ll have to make my experience in my a p a r t m e n t , nothing a n n o y i n g or worrywith the 4th step autobiographical. Before A. A., I tried almost daily to stop ing me, a sudden compulsion for a d r i n k overcame me. It seemed to take complete possesdrinking. I hated myself constantly. I could not understand why such a sion of my bewildered brain. “Go out and get wonderful person as I was would do the things I did. I was in a constant a d r i n k o r t w o . . . you need i t . . . you m u s t state of mental turmoil and misery, and I knew that I could not handle have i t , ” a voice seemed to whisper over and over again. I was frightened, and began to liquor. fight that first d r i n k we a l l know is so f a t a l . On coming into A. A., I had already taken the 1st step, but the 2nd and A g a i n t h e voice, “Oh you can do i t , just 3rd steps were discouraging, as I had no faith in a Higher Power. I tried t a k e one or two and come s t r a i g h t h o m e . . . h u r r y up and get dressed. ” Then I thought to believe, and would have gladly forced myself to do so, were that possible, of the l i t t l e black address book w i t h the names because I really wanted to succeed with the A. A. program. However, I of m a n y A. A. members. W h a t good did t h a t skipped over these for the moment, as I was advised to do, and went on to do? I had no telephone and did I go out to phone m i g h t I not take a d r i n k ? I sat transthe 4th s t e p . . . . fixed in my chair for one hour. I tried to I tried to make a “searching and fearless moral inventory, ” and dis- smother old John B. w i t h the steps of our covered that it was difficult to push my pride and egotism aside sufficiently program, the shame I’d feel in the eyes of t h e members I loved, if I let h i m beat me up. I to get a better view of myself. My first attempt was neither searching nor prayed. F i n a l l y I could wrench myself f r o m fearless, but it was a very important start, and I developed and revised it the chair to get to the kitchen for a glass of over many months. During this time, I began to see myself as a person milk I did not want. I had won the b a t t l e . It was short and tough. who was riddled with resentments, selfishly expecting life to treat me well; It was the following day. I t h o u g h t : Could a super-sensitive person always inclined to feel hurt about everything that t h a t have, been alcohol in my medicine? I was not to my liking, and intolerant of any opinion differing from my own. knew it was. I don’t w a n t t h a t to h a p p e n to others, like myself, who are s t r u g g l i n g for a I began to see that my thinking was based on fear and vague worries. I saw new and better life. more. I realized that this very special person I had imagined myself to be Marie B., New York, N.Y. could do nothing directly against the power of alcohol. But I began to see Dear Grapevine: Thanks to God and B i l l how the person I was beginning to understand could outflank old John and for A. A. Here is an o r g a n i z a t i o n which is, in a sense, the answer to a drunkard’s prayer. attack the cause of the drinking. Not a cure, b u t a means of finding sobriety. For years, I had wanted desperately to do something about my drinking. As a son of an alcoholic, I can vouch for This, I knew, was impossible. But the 4th step taught me that I could do the benefit of the 12-step program of A. A., foremost of which is e n a b l i n g the, alcoholic to something about the cause of my drinking. By trying to do something about f i n d sobriety, and happiness in keeping sober. myself, I found that I did not need to drink. The 4th step showed me what The b e n e f i t s the f a m i l y receive are many. was needed to be done. Without this knowledge, I doubt if sobriety would Mother and I, for example, have a real source of p r i d e in seeing Dad able to refuse a d r i n k . have been possible for me. The 4th step is just that important. For me alone it means I’ve got a Dad who is Richard S. the k i n d of a pal I always wanted him to be. Now I realize t h a t Dad should never have

Letters to The Grapevine… been condemned for his past d r i n k i n g escapades. 1 know t h a t he was a very sick man who needed aid. Today I understand the Dear Grapevine: It seems to me It is quite drunk. Years ago a physician, endeavoring to needs of an alcoholic. i m p o r t a n t to stress the danger to an A. A. in “cure” me, remarked t h a t I should never My greatest hope is t h a t someday every alcotaking medicines containing the minutest touch aromatic spirits of ammonia, tonics, or holic in the. world can receive the same A. A. q u a n t i t y of alcohol. Some are susceptible, as any medicine containing alcohol. medicine which Dad has received. This organ- I am, to the “poison” in these medicines, no It is an amazing fact, to me, since j o i n i n g i z a t i o n m a y not cure an alkie, but it c e r t a i n l y matter how tiny the dose may be, as it sweeps A. A., that six months before this occurrence helps h i m stay on the beam, as the s a y i n g insidiously through the blood stream to the I had not had the slightest craving for the old goes. G r a t e f u l l y yours, b r a i n . For many years I have been a periodic stuff. I contracted a severe cold, followed by Allen C., Jr., Yonkers, N. Y.

Dear Grapevine,: As is true w i t h all of us, as we did last summer, listen to a Stadium A Cafe for Alcoholics Anonymous alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike, when we concert and, as night takes possession of the honestly face ourselves we find many instances sky, have creep into her heart that “peace of our own shortcomings, and of our own which passeth all understanding. ” f a u l t y handling of our problems, which has F a i t h f u l l y yours, A. A. Wife, Montclair, N. J. made them grow like veritable Frankensteins to our own undoing. Whether we like it or Dear Grapevine: The National Committee not, therefore, each wife, I feel, must face the for Education on Alcoholism is sending speakfact t h a t she had no l i t t l e share in the develop- ers throughout the country to acquaint the ment of her husband’s alcoholic problem, public with the problems of the alcoholic. whether it was in coddling, the holding of re- Instruction is being given to the relatives and sentment, lack of understanding, wearing the friends of men and women in the armed forces cloak of martyrdom, or whatever the form. of the country as to their treatment when Realization of her part in the problem is for they return, many of them sick in mind and some wives the first step forward, and can play body. Is it not time that a group be formed, a large part in the u l t i m a t e outcome, Hence using the same methods the A. A. s themselves I feel she should have a share in the working use, which will be helpful to the relatives and out of the problem, and should not be shut friends of alcoholics? out from any of the joys which go h a n d in The difficulties which alcoholics encounter hand with A. A. growth. are closely matched by the difficulties of those I’d like especially, therefore, to address my who love them. I have talked to only one remarks to the husband who wrote some time relative of an A. A., and I gained an underago that his wife is “jealous of A. A. ” My standing of my own problem as a relative, observation of A. A. has been that the men in addition to a faith and confidence in the results which A. A. produces that I cannot but REPRINTED FROM THE NEW YORK. HERALD TRIBUNE who do the best job and get the most out of the group, and consequently out of life, are feel that similar contacts would he helpful the men whose wives are as interested as both to other friends and relatives of alco- the Hartford A. A. about 12: 30 A. M. one n i g h t they—who try sincerely and conscientiously holics and to alcoholics themselves. to ask if A. A. could help Nate. The next day, to find out and to u n d e r s t a n d w h a t it is all What relative has not locked the liquor Nate was put in jail at Wallingford as a proabout, and then take it u n t o themselves. closet, and in how many households has not tective custody measure. That day, Jack D. the game of hide-and-seek been played with and Jack P. arrived in Wallingford as the re- For most of us, actually to share in a coma cherished and elusive bottle? Our good A. A. sult of a sports column in the Boston papers mon interest w i t h our husbands, after the long friends have told us that such behavior on our that morning describing Nate’s s a t u r a t e d aryears of lone-wolfing while the wall of mispart is not only futile but harmful. What rela- rival for spring training. u n d e r s t a n d i n g and resentment grew higher tive hasn’t appealed to the erring alcoholic to These two fine A. A. s deserve great praise and higher between us, is a joy almost beyond mend his or her ways so that there shall be no for coming all the way from Boston to help our former fondest imaginings. New wives stain on the family escutcheon? Only recently, Nate. Unfortunately, they were not f a m i l i a r should meet and t a l k w i t h wives whose husat the Tenth Anniversary dinner, Bill told with the section of Connecticut around Wallbands are making A. A. work, and should go us that such entreaties throw the alcoholic ingford and left the j a i l to ponder ways and to as many open meetings as possible. What into a tailspin. Unless forewarned of such means of getting Nate organized. I learned mostly from a t t e n d a n c e at meetings was, as was p o i n t e d out in a recent Saturday pitfalls, we poor well-meaning friends and At this point, a member of the H a r t f o r d Evening Post article on the new psychosomatic relatives blunder into them and bring more A. A. arrived, transferred Nate to a comfortt r e a t m e n t of war-shocked soldiers, t h a t we grief to those we wish to help. able sanitorium, several days later ‘ l i f t e d ‘ all are p r e t t y much the same inside and our The A. A. s themselves can best advise us on him by airplane from T. ‘s Hospital in N e w i n d i v i d u a l personality problems not at all this. Won’t you let us have your opinion? York, returned him to Hartford and m a i n unique. B r i n g your wife w i t h you, I say; let tained him for several days at his home, pre- W. S., Bridgeport, Conn. her laugh w i t h you at yourself and herself as scribing much exercise, good food, B Complex, some o t h e r A. A. relates some experience simi- Dear Grapevine: It might be of interest for much milk, and a round of golf. This resulted lar to yours which seemed so tragic at the you to know that one issue of The Grapevine in Nate being welcomed back to t r a i n i n g camp time; let her t h r i l l w i t h you as she sees, as was used to excellent advantage in educating in such good condition that the f o l l o w i n g time goes on, the lines of worry and strain the executives of radio station WTIC, which morning he was able to p a r t i c i p a t e in the erased from the faces of the new men and is the local 50, 000-watt Red Network outlet, to setting-up exercises and run several laps their wives; get her to pass along to some give us an excellent time for four consecutive around the track, topping off his first day by newer wife the joy she has f o u n d ; get her to weeks to put on a series of A. A. broadcasts. pitching the equivalent of about three innings. t a k e her own part in it all. Then she won’t . . . You have mentioned Nate A. ‘s rescue In view of these facts, and were you to ask have time to be jealous, and life will have a as being effected by the Boston group, so as either Bob Quinn, President, or Bob Coleman, new meaning and fullness for you both. A n d long as you have made this a matter of record, Manager, of the Boston Braves, I am sure t h e y as the m o n t h s pile up, she can share w i t h you you should have the correct details. would agree t h a t the Hartford group should some of the other interests mentioned in the Dr. Wrang, a stockholder and physician for deserve credit for an assist in this rescue. column “Time on Your Hands, ” and perhaps t h e Boston Braves, telephoned a member of Van M., East H a r t f o r d , Conn.

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HOSPITALIZATION IN AKRON MODEL FOR A. A. As in nearly all matters, A. A. s and groups use, which was later increased to a two-bed h o s p i t a l w i l l help us only when the p a t i e n t of A. A. s seem to follow pretty much of a pat- ward and then to a four-bed ward, the pro- w a n t s to sober up and stay sober. tern regarding hospitalization for A. A. pros- cedure has been in operation long enough to We are allowed A. A. v i s i t o r s in t h a t ward pects. prove the advantages of our u s i n g a general f r o m ](): ()() A. M. u n t i l 10: 00 P. M. No other As long as eight years ago Dr. Boh and the hospital rather t h a n the “goony roosts” that v i s i t o r s are allowed except by special arrangethen small group in Akron were h a u n t i n g old have been available to us u n t i l c o m p a r a t i v e l y ment. Other p a t i e n t s in the h o s p i t a l are not houses, sure that we could pick up one in recent date. allowed to visit in this ward, and the p a t i e n t s which new men could he inoculated with the More than a year ago the good Sisters at St. of t h i s ward are expected to s t a y in t h e i r own A. A. germ. Thomas made a v a i l a b l e to us the solarium, in quarters. We find t h a t the new men and the newer which they installed seven beds with p r i v a t e The m a t t e r of expense is cut to a m i n i m u m groups are still in quest of an old house, feel- toilet and shower facilities for t h a t room, and because the space is efficiently used, and the ing sure t h a t they can turn it into a place to provided space where visitors could gather general overhead of t h e h o s p i t a l n a t u r a l l y dry up drunks and make it meet expenses. into a group of two, three, or more p a t i e n t s carries the overhead of the ward, t h u s a f f o r d – It always turns out to he a house w i t h 15 with A. A. visitors. This developed i n t o prac- ing t h e A. A. p a t i e n t cheaper h o s p i t a l i z a t i o n foot and even 18 foot ceilings, with an anti- tically a continuous discussion of A. A. with tha n is a v a i l a b l e in sanatoriums. q u a t e d and worn-out h e a t i n g p l a n t , w i t h leaky the p a t i e n t s from around noon u n t i l 10: 00 These beds have a h i g h e r percentage of plumbing and roof, and is practically impos- P. M. There is an average of 15 visitors per occupancy t h a n any other d i v i s i o n of the sible to heat because we are always h e a t i n g at day, so t h a t at t h e end of a five-day period the h o s p i t a l except t h e m a t e r n i t y ward, and so least four times as many cubic feet as neces- prospective A. A. has been exposed to from long as we, show t h a t we are e l i m i n a t i n g t h e sary. They are, without exception, so arranged sixty to as many as one hundred visitors. Cer- d r i n k i n g problem, in a great percentage of t h a t the usable space for our purpose is gen- tainly among them there are always at least a eases, it pleases the h o s p i t a l . e r a l l y less t h a n one-third of the floor space, few who click with the p a t i e n t and who are The w r i t e r finds t h a t where the groups w i l l and w h a t w i t h the continual repairs necessary able to explain the workings of the A. A. pro- interest themselves in protecting t h e h o s p i t a l in these old buildings, the cost per day per gram. Thus the percentage of men who are against w a s t i n g i t s time and f a c i l i t i e s by “certip a t i e n t is prohibitive. immediately helped runs considerably higher f y i n g ” t h e people t h e y put in, and have t h e Through the u n t i r i n g efforts of Dr. Boh, in t h a n average. p a t i e n t in as good shape as possible, and w i l l Akron, which demonstrated over a period of To the fellowship of A. A. and p a t i e n t s there w i t h i n reason protect the h o s p i t a l against years t h a t alcoholics are sick people, and that are many advantages, among which is the f a c t financial loss, h o s p i t a l s are in a receptive a large percentage of A. A. patients can be that the patient conforms to the hospital rules, f r a m e of mind w i t h reference to A. A. a c t i v i t y , dried up and will stay dry, the general hos- and if indicated gets a physical check up, gets and w i l l cooperate in h e l p i n g us to make pitals even in the face of the present shortage onto a regular diet, gets i n t o regular sleeping decent, h e l p f u l h o s p i t a l i z a t i o n a v a i l a b l e t o of hospital beds realize t h a t they are helping habits. Doctors, nurses and e q u i p m e n t are qualified A. A. prospects (alcoholics who w a n t to put men in shape to take their places in available for any emergency. There are no to stop d r i n k i n g ) . the production line and in society, and to as- second trips to the A. A. ward for slippers, It is true t h a t in t h e last teu years there has sume their rightful responsibilities. Hospitals which eliminates some clown w i t h a snoot fu l l been p u b l i c r e c o g n i t i o n and acceptance of are cooperating w i t h us more and more as we explaining to a new man what a w o n d e r f u l A. A., so t h a t general hospital a d m i n i s t r a t o r s prove our worth. thing A. A. is, and t h a t he has been in two are becoming f a m i l i a r w i t h our work. As long O u t s t a n d i n g among them has been St. years. At the same t i m e it eliminates any as we conscientiously do our part, I t h i n k we Thomas Hospital in Akron where, starting chance that the h o s p i t a l may get a r e p u t a t i o n can expect and have t h e i r cooperation. three years ago with one bed for our exclusive as a place where a d r u n k can sober up. The Dick S., Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Do You Know: WHY A. A. N E V E R G I V E S A N Y O N E UP? I’ll have to take a bit of a short cut and got “cured”—and then got d r u n k . The group way its f a i t h was t r a n s m i t t e d to me. 1 s t a r t e d i d e n t i f y myself briefly as a social-drinking, picked me up and explained that in my initial in once more, a t t e n d i n g meetings regularly, Turkish-bath, take-the-pledge, call-the-doctor, elation I had become over-confident, that there gradually making real progress; and I went general-hospital, health-farm, leave-of-ab- was much solid groundwork to be laid, and some nine or ten months before I crash-dived sence, job-losing, long-vacation-in-Florida- that an entire pattern of thinking and living a g a i n i n t o Bellevue. This was surely the end, will-fix-me-up, sanitarium, mental-hospital had to be changed. Furthermore, it might not for it came the very week I was being called alcoholic, in the order named. When A. A. be easy and the time might be long before I to an i n t e r v i e w for an excellent position, doing was first presented to me I felt t h a t here at was able to rehabilitate myself both socially the type, of work t h a t I had long wanted. In last was the answer. I couldn’t get enough and economically. The first year was tough some way I pulled myself together, got t h e job of it fast enough. I read the book, attended going and I suffered five or six slips of increas- and s t a r t e d off again, only to run i n t o trouble several meetings, met many of the group, and ing intensity, until I reached the point where once more about ten m o n t h s later. Then 1 lived A. A. so vigorously the first two weeks I felt that for me there was no help. I about seemed to f l i p back considerably. D u r i n g the t h a t in t h a t short time I knew all the answers, gave up, but the group did not, and in some (Continued on Page 8)

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Mail Call for All A. A. s in the Armed Forces A. A. FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE We have had several interesting loiters re- A rigid disciplinarian, a fine doctor, a good officer—above all, a gentle- cently from our most f a i t h f u l A. A. correman—ordered me to sit down. “Your offense against the Navy is a serious spondent in the Pacific War Zone, an Army lieutenant, who wrote after coming out of a one. For it, you could be shot. I know you’re a sick man, but the Navy can- tough landing operation: not afford to recognize you as such. My suggestion to you is simply this. You “I am well rested now and have regained my lost weight—all the other officers have can’t stop drinking by yourself. When you learn that, you have started back. gained too. It is a funny t i l i n g but when it I would recommend A. A.; it might work. ” was really rough, very few of us could eat and I thanked him, walked back to the locked ward in a large Naval hospital, one didn’t feel hungry. Sort of like getting off a hat—you know you should eat but t h e and wrote to A. A. Ten days later two men, two fine-looking, happy men, stuff sticks in your throat. Well, t h a t in one two strangers, came to see me. They cared not what my type of discharge, deal I got by and I consider myself a very nor what my offense was. They were interested in whether or not I wanted to lucky person. (Over twenty-six years ago, in the Champaign country of France, others exdo something about my drinking. Such was my introduction to A. A. perienced a similar reaction to food when the Since then I have found a new—a sober and happy—way to live. I have going was tough—the hats came later. ) , found my answer, the solution to my problems. My yellow, undesirable dis- Our correspondent then added the following reflections about A. A.: “I am not sure in charge brought with it the first understanding of my own condition; the first my mind whether so much publicity is good freedom from fear; the first shouldering of my just responsibilities. I have for A. A. Would like your views. I’m a liberal been fortunate in having the opportunity granted me to work with men in on all subjects except A. A. ” this same Naval hospital. The doctors, the psychiatrists, the Chaplain, have * been frequent visitors to our meetings; not merely once, out of curiosity, but Again, we quote from a very recent l e t t e r as repealed visitors and friends, because they were amazed to find that A. A. from the same officer: “In my case, you should worked. These men—and for them I have the warmest respect and admira- always look on the envelope in see w h a t address I am currently w o r k i n g under. I have tion—can and do, and will, pass on what they’ve learned. In my heart I only been here a short time and i m m e d i a t e l y know some man will be saved from standing mast, the brig, court martial, contacted Y. (reference is to another good and disgrace, because of the advice and help these officers will, and can now, A. A. naval officer). He (Y. ) is i m p a t i e n t l y awaiting official word to take off. He has done give him. an excellent job and deserves a rest—I hope Especially to you men out there—many of us who aren’t with you be- he can keep out of this area when his leave is cause we didn’t make the grade are now carrying on for the things you’re terminated. I just finished reading October issue of Grapevine. I enjoy everything printed fighting for. therein and I do get set before me some of the The Skipper stands bridge, always alert and willing and eager to heave things one is liable to forget over a period of a line, so stand to. lime. We don’t care, do we, whether they call Here’s luck and a happy voyage home. them D days or Zero hours—but we know Page D. that is the time that you can really get it. If you are a part of it, you understand—if you have never experienced it, you don’t and can’t Members of the A. A. Seamen’s group are making good progress. On understand. I have sixteen months overseas January 18th they extended their activities to include an open meeting now. It hasn’t all been bad and I’ve had lots within the portals of the Seamen’s Church Institute, attended by more than of fun in spots. As a m a t t e r of fact, if it weren’t so serious, it would be funny. fifty interested seamen. As a result the 24th Street group has four new mem- A. A. seems to be growing by leaps and bers spreading the news of the A. A. program along the water front. Officials bounds. It is only natural. I, for one, w i l l be of the I n s t i t u t e were so pleased with the outcome that they assigned the main everlastingly grateful for it. I have a long road to travel but, at least, I know I’m on the auditorium of the Institute for a second meeting held January 25th. It is right road. —Write when you can. The new unfortunate that frequently the seamen are only able to attend a few meet- quarters for A. A. on 41st Street sound fine. ings at their Club before shipping out again on other hazardous voyages. As ever. ” John.

ture is a gloomy one, both as to the number The Pleasures of Playgoing of admissions to hospitals of any kind and the effectiveness of the t r e a t m e n t for those adm i t t e d . Not even “sobering-up” t r e a t m e n t is I have no doubt that when Frank Fay brings “Harvey” so ceremoni- a v a i l a b l e i n m a n y p a r t s o f t h e c o u n t r y . Lip ously through the door in the first act of Mary Chase’s gentle and amusing service may be given to the idea t h a t t h e play most of the audience is meeting this philosopher, constant companion alcoholic is a sick person, but he is more o f t e n t h a n not t r e a t e d as a v o l u n t a r y subject of vice. and rabbit for the first time. I have known “Harvey” for years. For example, in 1940 there were only 4, 3411 I didn’t recognize “Harvey” immediately because when I knew him new c o m m i t m e n t s for “alcoholism w i t h o u t psychosis” in mental-disease state hospitals in he was always sour and grim, full of remorse and regret and complaining of the United States. By contrast, the Departa bad taste in his mouth. He was wont to berate me for the night before and ment of Correction of Massachusetts reports: to prophesy a dreadful doom in the day ahead. With Frank Fay, “Harvey” “We have a big prison here t h a t is filled up w i t h alcoholics all the time. There are as was the gay and happy friend I had always wanted him to be with me. m a n y as 4, 000 c o m m i t m e n t s a year to t h a t Other alcoholics in the audience probably recognized “Harvey, ” too, department. ” either as a personal acquaintance or as a member of a large and well-known H o s p i t a l s have been r e l u c t a n t to assume responsibility for t h e care of the alcoholic. family. We all have our “Harveys. ” And since alcohol addiction is more t h a n In the whimsical and mellow mood of the “Harvey” on the stage it was merely a medical problem, t h e hospitals have not been held to strict a c c o u n t a b i l i t y for this as delightful as spending an evening with an old friend who could poke fun neglect. Moreover, since alcohol a d d i c t i o n is at me without putting the needle in so deeply that I would resent it. I was neither entirely medical, nor entirely psychianot disturbed in the slightest by the fact that Elwood Dowd could not be in- tric, the shifting of responsibility between different types of i n s t i t u t i o n s has been possible. duced to face the reality he had finally escaped after thirty long years of The a t t i t u d e of the general hospital in one struggle. Indeed, I once would have been glad to escape, too, if I could have c o m m u n i t y serving a city of 300, 000 is illusrun away with such a completely satisfying rabbit as “Harvey. ” I never t r a t e d by t h e fact that in 1942 only 36 patients were a d m i t t e d w i t h a p r i m a r y diagnosis of found one, though not for lack of trying. “alcoholism. ” One may debate whether Frank Fay created “Harvey” or “Harvey” cre- Yet these a u t h o r s t h i n k t h a t it is t h e general ated Frank Fay. In either case, together they made unreality seem real for an hospital which should u n d e r t a k e the chief tasks in t h i s field. I t s f a c i l i t i e s and its accesevening and I was accordingly grateful. If “Harvey” could multiply as raps i b i l i t y make it the logical place for the alcoidly as real rabbits do the world would certainly be peopled by the most de- holic and h i s f a m i l y to t u r n . It is best staffed lightful friends. I am reminded, however, that the “Harvey” who shadowed and equipped to u n d e r t a k e the m u l t i p l e phases of diagnosis and early medical t r e a t me was alcoholic and he was as different from Frank Fay’s version as a black m e n t . Once t h e t h e r a p e u t i c approach has bunny from a white. Frank A. been d e t e r m i n e d , the necessary arrangements for i t s p u r s u i t should be made through the

Required Reading for A. A. s h o s p i t a l social-service department. All the resources of the c o m m u n i t y , medical and social, s h o u l d be. brought i n t o play, and no p a t i e n t Institutional Facilities for the Treatment of addiction, those which provide only f o r “sober- should be discharged w i t h no place to go for Alcoholism by E. H. L. Corwin and Elizabeth ing up, ” and those which limit their services the f u r t h e r care necessary. V. Cunningham (Research Report No. 7, The to the alcoholic with psychoses or other com- How U t o p i a n such t r e a t m e n t would be, is Research Council on Problems of Alcohol, plications. best appreciated by reading t h i s report w i t h New York: 1944) * is a comprehensive study An account of the earliest i n s t i t u t i o n s for its statistical proof of the p r e v a i l i n g medical of the role that i n s t i t u t i o n a l facilities play in the treatment of inebriates and some discus- neglect of the alcoholic; how well w o r t h a n y the treatment of alcoholics. It was undertaken sion of the penal and legal handling of effort to achieve this Utopia is best realized to find out w h a t k i n d of facilities exist to deal “drunkeness” prefaces the m a i n discussion of by A. A. s. hospital facilities now available for alcoholics. Martha H. w i t h an estimated 600, 000 alcoholics. Here is documented for the first time, not In addition, a few pages about A. A. in its *The Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, June 1941. by a complete census but by a sampling pro- relation to hospitals and something about cess, the extent to which various types of hos- European provisions in regard to alcoholics NOTE: Next m o n t h The Grapevine, w i l l p i t a l s accept alcoholics for treatment, the supplement the report. publish “The P h i l a d e l p h i a Story on Hosn u m b e r of patients treated, and the economic General, mental-disease, private, veterans’ pitalization”; also a special a r t i c l e by Dr. s t a t u s of those served. The study differentiates hospitals are all examined and found w a n t – Sam Parker of King’s County Hospital on between f a c i l i t i e s designed to treat alcohol ing. With some notable exceptions, the pic- “Criteria for A. A. work in Hospitals. “

7

A.A.s COUNTRY-WIDE NEWS CIRCUIT To sum up the symposium on alcoholism The New York clubhouse, 405 W. 41st A small boy in g r a m m a r school, a f t e r l i s t e n recently conducted in Cleveland by The Re- St., was the scene of a rousing business meet- ing to a moralizing teacher hold f o r t h on the search Council on Problems of Alcohol, ing in J a n u a r y , ending in a new charter and horrors of d r i n k , rose to his feet and said he science seems to be s t a n d i n g on t h e threshold election of officers: President, Charlie H. of didn’t agree. “My papa is a member of of the alcohol problem, and t h e “area of agree- the M a n h a t t a n Group; Vice-President, Dave A.A.” The child proceeded to define alcoholment” on w h a t is known is small indeed when R. of Forest Hills; Treasurer, Bob W. of Man- ism as a disease and in an easy, n a t u r a l mancompared to the area of agreement on what is h a t t a n ; Secretary, Cesar T. of Flushing. In- ner, without any sense of shame, t o l d how not known. Dr. A b r a h a m Myerson ob- cluding these officers, t h e Board of Directors sick his f a t h e r used to be, pre-A.A. A n d , “If served: “We are not f a i l i n g to treat the alco- are: Tom M. and George R. of Brooklyn; any of you other kids have papas or m a m a s holic as he should be t r e a t e d because we do Horace C. of Bergen C o u n t y ; Joe H. of the who are drunks, you just come and see me not have time, nor because there aren’t enough Bronx; Bob D. of Hempstead; Marion M., a f t e r school.” psychiatrists, but because we don’t know how.” Jack N., Dick AT., and John D. of M a n h a t t a n . A second doctor remarked t h a t there is s t i l l . . . A couple of lawyers, leaving the meeting, If the human race t h i n k s it has sole c l a i m a slight moral s t i g m a a t t a c h e d to d r i n k i n g shrugged t h e i r shoulders eloquently. One to alcoholism, guess again. I n c r e a s i n g l y and society doesn’t w a n t t h e alcoholic t r e a t e d looked at t h e other. “Astonishing!” he said to the a n i m a l kingdom is becoming addicted to as a sick man, it w a n t s h i m p u n i s h e d . A t h i r d his colleague and fellow A.A. The second the disease. B u t with a difference. Theirs is doctor agreed that, in the eyes of society, the lawyer, his eyes questioning, replied, “You an enforced addiction—man-enforced. Not alcoholic, like the person who acquires a said i t , brother!” Could their cryptic words long ago, in the scientist’s search for an undervenereal disease, is somehow “having fun.” refer to the wonderful f a c i l i t y with which standing of alcoholism, rabbits were made to Society w i l l pour out m i l l i o n s to t r e a t cancer A.A.s o u t f l a n k the k n o t t y legal technicalities reel around. Now it’s cats. In his latest experiand i n f a n t i l e paralysis because t h e v i c t i m s are t h a t drive non-A.A. barristers to drink? ment, first confusing and f r i g h t e n i n g the cats obviously not “having fun,” nor is their disease by sudden blasts of air in their cages, Dr. sort of a just price they are p a y i n g for f u n The Cleveland groups—there are many of Jules H. Masserman, p s y c h i a t r i s t of the U. of previously had. As Dr. Myerson put i t , t h e them—go in for sponsorship in a big way, as Chicago, got a group of 16 cats into such a key word for science is research; t h e key word evidenced by a late issue of their Central state of nerves t h a t some of them even refor the p u b l i c is e d u c a t i o n — c h i e f l y in the idea Bulletin : “The book on sponsorship should coiled from a caged mouse. Then he gave t h a t the alcoholic is not enjoying himself and be studied and f u l l y understood by every them alcohol by i n j e c t i o n or stomach t u b e . deserves to be t r e a t e d seriously. The final con- member of A.A. . . if everyone reads it and It quickly cured their j i t t e r s . They w e n t back clusion of t h e symposium was t h a t the key applies w h a t he reads the prospect is successi n t o their cages and, despite t h e i r a l c o h o l i c word for t h e alcoholic himself is ” w i l l ” — w i l l f u l a n d h a p p y and so is the sponsor.” b e f u d d l e m e n t , boldly t a c k l e d and opened rooted in a positive belief t h a t be can w i n his food boxes they had been t a u g h t to fear. B u t f i g h t , and t h a t the fight is w o r t h w i n n i n g . . . . The A.A. Tribune, from Des Moines, when the jag wore off, the j i t t e r s came back. A.A.s, we t h i n k , are a p t to question s t r o n g l y Iowa, refers to a former member of their Dr. Masserman then gave t h e m , at m e a l t i m e , a t h a t word ” w i l l ” — w h e n t h e enemy is alcohol. group, now manager of a radio station in choice of plain milk or milk laced w i t h 5 per Chicago: “. . . that kid sure does a lot of A.A. cent alcohol. A f t e r a few days most of t h e work and, f u n n y t h i n g , the call of the s t a t i o n The Monday and Thursday luncheons at neurotic cats learned t h a t the alcoholic m i l k is THE VOICE OF SERVICE.” t h e Cafe Loyale on New York’s F i f t h A v e n u e made t h e m feel better, i n v a r i a b l y chose t h e are beginning to take on a n a t i o n a l aspect, cocktail. From t h i s fact, Dr. Masserman de- In The Viewpoint, an excellent bi-monthly w i t h A.A.s, both men and women, from a l l duced t h a t the alcohol e v i d e n t l y removed review w r i t t e n by the inmates of the New their i n h i b i t i o n s and d u l l e d t h e i r senses, m a k p a r t s of t h e c o u n t r y dropping in f r o m t i m e to Jersey State Prison in Trenton, a member of time. M o u n t Vernon, which recently ing them less sensitive to shocks. He f o u n d t h e prison’s A.A. wrote an inspiring article in that usually he could cure t h e i r taste for celebrated its second anniversary w i t h a d i n – which he told of the splendid work being done liquor only by curing their neuroses t h r o u g h ner, has given b i r t h to i t s second off-spring, not only in Trenton but in San Quentin, Chini, psychotherapy. In very rare eases a cat grad- Yonkers, N. Y. and Folsom, where the a u t h o r i t i e s are ually worked i t s e l f o u t of i t s fears a f t e r recooperating f u l l y w i t h t h e A.A. groups. peated d r i n k i n g , a n d went on the wagon. Two old friends met by a c c i d e n t t h e o t h e r R e f e r r i n g to Bob Benchley’s f a m o u s crack evening, the first time in 35 years. One was t h a t the only cure for a hangover is The four-year-old C h a t t a n o o g a , Ten- Frank L. of Flushing,, the other, John M. of death, a New York columnist writes that t h i s nessee group, in a recent issue of its newspaper, the A.A. Seamen’s Group. Both were a t t e n d is no longer true “now t h a t A.A. is w i t h us The Empty Jug, tells of refusing to accept an ing a meet ing at t h e Seamen’s Club. and going strong.” Which reminds us t h a t advertisement from a business firm t h a t had Dr. Bob S., in his short talk at the n i n t h New approached them on the subject. “We could The H a r t f o r d , Connecticut, group broadcast Year party given by the Akron, Ohio, group use the money, but A.A. is u n e q u i v o c a l l y nont h r e e times over the r a d i o : December 20 and ( w i t h over 400 present), pointed out t h a t four commercial.” Acceptance of ads would ex- 27, and J a n u a r y 3; on each p r o g r a m there was out of the five who attended the first A.A. pose them to “pressure and to the theory of a p r o m i n e n t guest and several A.A.s. meeting in A k r o n , nine years ago were present. obligatory back-scratching.” Saldos amigos!

8

PSYCHIATRIST’S ROLE IN A.A. in the light of your past. Occasionally just who could always get his own way, and his (Continued from Page 1) talking to a trained person a few times will desire to be as responsible, capable and selfescapable and sometimes overwhelming. His give enough perspective and insight into one’s assured as his brothers were. He w a n t e d to a b i l i t y to stay dry depends on his capacity for feelings to help in dealing w i t h them. The achieve t h i s independence but not at the cost accepting these steps and carrying them out. psychiatrist helps you solve them by showing of giving up his wish to make the world treat Each step successfully achieved adds to his you that you are trying to meet them accord- h i m as his m o t h e r did. He h a d periods o f hope and confidence and removes some of his ing to habits and ideas formed in childhood, hard work and success, but unconsciously he inferiority. which are of no help in meeting the s i t u a t i o n s felt that, he was giving up too much to make But sometimes it is like walking on a tight- of adult life. it w o r t h w h i l e . As long as he, unconsciously rope. Feelings of sorrow, guilt, failure and Tensions—nerves—come from conflicts in wanted to be tied to his mother’s apron strings desperation rise up and at times may be so the unconscious started in youth and often set and protected by her, he felt inferior. overwhelming as to be unbearable, and a off by some happening of the present. To He finally came to understand the incidents binge becomes inevitable. Or if the urge to solve them usually takes longer t h a n a few in his childhood and adolescence t h a t showed escape by drinking is overcome, the struggle hours. When these unconscious conflicts and the origins of his inferiority feelings, and he may have been terrific and the suffering acute. the emotions associated w i t h them are brought “got out” the intense and c o n f l i c t i n g emotions Often the feeling of anxiety must be coped to light and solved, we can then deal with the associated with his relations to his mother, w i t h for a long lime. problems of the present w i t h o u t being ham- f a t h e r and brothers. He could then give up You all know what a profound help it is to pered by the dead weight of old neurotic his desire to get back the pleasures of a talk out your feelings and experiences with habits of t h i n k i n g and acting. But we can’t spoiled child, realizing t h a t they were out of another A.A. member. He has been through solve conflicts until we know what they are, date, so to speak, and accept his own more the same experiences and he accepts you with and it takes a trained person to help bring mature ideals without conflict. understanding and no shadow of blame. But them to light. Some A.A.s find t h a t work in the organizathere can be further help. You are not only The high points of the story of an alcoholic tion gives them the release and satisfaction like every other alcoholic but you are also will illustrate the meaning of this. We w i l l t h a t they need. For others, even though they unlike every other one. Every person is call him Paul Smith—an ambitious young have been able to stop drinking, the way unique—he is never entirely a type. The pat- business man, with high ideals and, when he would be made easier by an u n d e r s t a n d i n g terns of his behavior as an adult lie in his was sober, a great capacity for work. He drank of the n a t u r e of their difficulties. experiences in childhood and adolescence. He moderately between severe drinking spells Florence Powdermaker, M.D. has learned by experience and by the example which occurred every three or four weeks and of those around him to meet the particular circumstances of his early life in a certain lasted two or three days. These sprees left WHY A . A . N E V E R GIVES UP him moody and depressed and feeling very (Continued from Page 4) way, or he has reacted against these teachings guilty, though he would not admit it to his and examples. The more you understand next six months I bounced around erratically, family. In between, as a rule, he was someabout yourself and the reasons for your de- but managed by virtue of an understanding what nervous and irritable. veloping into the person you now are, the boss to hold my job. Somehow, once more 1 easier it is for you to manage your life as your Paul had been the youngest child and his pulled out of the maelstrom, and for the past adult self would like to. mother’s favorite. He was babied and spoiled year-and-a-half have been completely dry. and protected by her, but “picked on” by his I m e n t i o n this brief background to make This is where the psychiatrist comes in. He is trained not only to listen to your present older brothers. Consciously he disliked and one point. There are many in A.A. whose difficulties but to help you to understand them looked down on his mother, who was narrow recovery is apparently immediate, who after and intolerant and a prominent white rib- being in A.A. only a short time find complete boner. He admired his father, who did some release from their problem. However, there Cut This Out and Mail to: drinking, but was not an alcoholic. Like all are as m a n y more who just as sincerely desire The Grapevine alcoholics, Paul never felt at ease with people to be free of alcohol but find themselves con- P.O. Box 328 when he was sober, he felt inferior and un- fronted w i t h slip after slip and increasing Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. able to cope with social situations. discouragement. They doubt their own ability Herewith 1.50 for one year’s subscription He was sincere in his desire to stop drinking to be honest with themselves, and the situato The Grapevine (Monthly) and earnest in his acceptance of A. A. p r i n – tion looks pretty hopeless to them and to For additional subscriptions enclose separate ciples. He was able to stay dry for increas- others as well. I have never heard of A.A. sheet with name and address clearly printed. ingly long periods. But some of his nervous- giving anyone up as an impossible case, and Checks payable to The Grapevine. ness, tension, and feeling of inferiority re- if the i n d i v i d u a l confronted with such a dimained, although they diminished somewhat lemma can marshal even the barest physical Total Enclosed as he found that he was able to stay away energy to attend the meetings regularly and PLEASE PRINT from liquor. to keep t r y i n g within the limits of his capa- Name He started working with a psychiatrist, and bilities to follow the A.A. program, he will while it would take many pages to give the progress. The time clement is relatively un- Address whole story, certain i m p o r t a n t factors, of i m p o r t a n t — w h e t h e r it be six months, two which he was not aware, stand out. His in- years or more before he achieves adequate Note: Subscriptions received up to the 15th begin with feriority grew out of the conflict between his s t a b i l i t y — f o r we all realize what the alterthe current month’s issue. Those received after the 15th will begin with the following month’s issue. desire to continue as the favorite small child, native must be. Jack C.

VOL. I., NO. 10, MARCH, 1945 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 1. 50; COPY, 15c A Monthly Journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A. A. as a whole.

symptom lies a protean variety of person- DR. SAM PARKER OF KINGS COUNTY SUGGESTS this alities. Here also both the doctors and A. A. “CRITERIA FOR A. A. WORK IN HOSPITALS” cases should limit their program to a choice of such as offer a possibility of progress, other- Experience has proved that A. A. is an in- of alcoholism, where A. A. is impotent. Thus, wise the failure based on unwise case selecvaluable aid in the rehabilitation of hospital- A. A. should be guided by medical opinion tion leads to unwarranted disappointments ized alcoholics. All hospitals should he en- on this point and the hospital should exhaust on the part of hospital, patient and A. A. Psycouraged to develop wider cooperation with its resources in the medical care of the alco- chopathic characters or severe personality A. A. in planned programs of handling alco- holic before considering him us a prospective disturbances should have close psychiatric holics. To avoid disappointments and fric- referral to A. A. and social work supervision as well as A. A. tion, both A. A. and physicians should under- When the physical effects of severe alco- referral. In many instances, it will be necesstand that such a program must he based holism have begun to tell on the brain, the sary to take the family situation into conupon definite objectives in order to achieve hospital, on the one hand, should avoid the sideration in the choice of a case. In general, some success. The hospital, on the one hand, referral and A. A., on the other hand, should the hospital should seek first to make a choice must not make the error of exploiting A. A. curb its missionary pride until hospital treat- among chronic repeaters and, wherever possito get rid of its cases indiscriminately, and ment may have shown that the alcoholic is ble, to obtain A. A. assistance in those cases A. A. members, on the other hand, should not sufficiently restored to become available as a where an honest emotional conflict over the be misguided to assume a missionary respon- personality again. The same criteria hold liquor habit and a desire to cooperate on the sibility for any kind of alcoholic between true for other severe physical complications part of the patient are apparent. Very often four walls. The experience of A. A. has dem- such as cirrhosis and polyneuritis. A. A. members, in misguided zeal, may bring onstrated that the alcoholic must have some- Alcoholism also causes severe mental afflic- cases into the hospital with which they have thing to work with in order to make progress. tions without advanced physical disturbances. been having difficulties only because of a dis- Medical experience can teach us that there In such instances too, both the hospital and regard of efficient criteria. It should be the must be certain criteria in the choice of hos- the A. A. should not expect the impossible. duty of the hospital to analyze such cases pital material for successful cooperation with Very often alcoholism is merely an incident for A. A. members so that the latter may be A. A. The occasional difficulties between hos- in the course of common mental diseases (for aware of the pitfalls. It is my experience pitals and A. A. can be traced to a disregard example, drunkenness as a symptom of severe that the efforts of A. A. in a hospital will be of these criteria by either the hospital or A. A. mental depression). Here, too, psychiatrists more effective and better appreciated by all members. will advise treatment of the underlying men- concerned if the members visiting the hos- Alcoholism is the first symptom of an emo- tal disorder. In cases in which severe and pital do not approach all patients indiscrimtional disorder. Alcoholism is an addiction chronic alcoholism has actually destroyed inately, nor should the hospital carelessly exlike many other habits. Alcoholism differs brain cells to the point of mental, intellectual pect A. A. to assume such responsibilities. from almost all other addictions, however, in or emotional blunting, neither the hospital In those hospitals, such as Kings County that it eventually causes serious physical com- nor A. A. should expect the efforts of A. A. to and Bellevue, which handle a preponderance plications which, in their final stages, may be valuable. In some instances alcoholism of acute alcoholism and repeaters, the rapid become irreversible or uncurable. In this causes fits. A. A. should be guided by medical turnover of patient population would not inrespect, alcoholism begins as a personality opinion in determining whether the fits in vite the establishment of A. A. groups. Indisorder, but may become a serious physical such a case are merely incidental and the stead, the function of A. A. would be directed disease. Medical science has not proved uni- personality still workable, or whether the primarily towards the selection of new cases versally successful in the handling of the per- fits are an indication of deterioration. for rehabilitation and the temporary hospisonality basis of alcoholism, and this made the Many hospitalized alcoholics do not fall talization of relapsed members. In this consuccess of A. A. a great contribution; but into the above classifications (and I have nection, let me express a word of caution not medical science can be especially effective in listed only a few as examples), but present to be dismayed by the occasional slips so the treatment of the physical complications only the one symptom of drunkenness. Behind (Continued on Page 8)

But Harvey is a problem to Elwood’s sister EDITORIAL: and his niece, with whom he lives. Harvey requires an extra setting at the table; he adds to the traffic problems of the bathroom; On the 5th Step Elwood is everlastingly lying up the telephone when he leaves Harvey at home and Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact wanders around to the bar and grill. nature of our wrongs. To rid the f a m i l y of the D. T. s (just Dowd Troubles) Elwood is carted off to the sana- This is a tough step and takes courage to do. It is, however, a step that tarium—Chumley’s Rest, no less! can he done if you make sufficient effort. The psychiatrist believes he can cure El- It is not new. The Catholic church uses it in their confessional and wood. To cure him is to k i l l Harvey. Well, what do yon t h i n k , or w h a t would you do? the psychiatrist uses it. “You know what normal people are, ” warns Drinking is caused by inner conflicts and the only way to get rid of Harvey’s savior (a cab driver), “just these conflicts is to bring them out in the open and destroy them. Wrongs bastards!” So—it’s no Mickey for Harvey. cause conflicts, hence the necessity of this step. But to get back to business, brother, you Take the first phrase, “Admitted to God. ” How do you do this? First remember that Elwood P. Dowd is no drunk. learn humility so that you can ask help in a humble manner. If you have He’s just a happy-go-lushy dreamer, and difficulty in admitting the actuality of a supreme power, work on the premise you’re still just one drink away from that last “bottom” you h i t . that there might be one. Once you get your mind in tune with the infinite Dave R., Forest Hills, New York it is not difficult to realize that you have no secrets from God. “Admitted to ourselves. ” This can only be done when we are honest ON THE 3RD S T E P . . . with ourselves. In this program it is folly to try to kid yourself. Be ruthless Now the 3rd step, which reads: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to in your soulsearching and come clean. the care of God as we understand Him, ” Great care should be taken in choosing “another human being. ” It must m i g h t be summed up as, “Thy will be done. ” be someone you can trust. Your lawyer, your doctor, your priest or min- This is a continuous performance for us alcoholics, if we waul some peace of mind. ister, another A. A., or a friend; someone who will act as a sounding board It says somewhere in the Bible, Think not. and keep your confidence. of what ye shall eat, what ye shall drink, or Once you take this step you will be astounded at the relief you feel. The where. withal ye shall be clothed; for God hath knowledge of your need for all these, burden of despair will be lifted from your back and you will be free. things, therefore enter ye, first into the, king- It is essential for every A. A. to realize the importance of taking this 5th dom of God find all shall be added unto you. step. By so doing, all enmities, resentments and wrong thinking may be Convinced of this, we try to go about our business w a n t i n g nothing for ourselves, but cast out and we can continue to the next step with a clear conscience. hoping and believing that we may understand It is advisable to repeat this step from time to time because it is human in some measure His will for us and have the to err and even A. A. s are human. Bert T power to carry that out. Somehow or other the more we practice t h i s way of t h i n k i n g the easier life seems to

Second Thoughts… become, and tensions decrease. With most of us this ability to “let go and let God” does not come automatically but, ON H A R V E Y . . . be either very smart or mighty pleasant. ” For rather, gradually as a result of turning our forty years he was very smart; now he’s thoughts away from ourselves toward others From the critics I had the impression that mighty pleasant. He’s ever so sorry, too, that and the various steps in the A. A. program. Elwood P. Dowd was an alcoholic, and that he wasted forty years. Even t h o u g h we have been in A. A. w i t h o u t Harvey, who stands six feet one-and-a-half To catch up, he spends most of his time in a drink for four years we have times when inches (with his ears down flat) was Dowd’s barrooms. Where else can he find the “pleas- doubts occur and indecision arises in conmorning-after monster played down to the antest” people? They’re wonderful, Dowd nection w i t h matters concerning ourselves, public as an amiable white rabbit. and Harvey agree, the finest of the fine. They but t h a n k s to A. A., we can turn to this 3rd Well, let’s get this straight: Dowd is no make no small plans, they have no l i t t l e step, say, “Thy will be done,” proceed to the dipso and Harvey is no pink elephant! worries. nearest t h i n g at hand to do, and all is quiet Elwood P. is a fine fellow who followed his “No one ever brings small things to a bar, ” w i t h i n us again. mother’s advice: “In this world you have to Dowd says, wistfully. Chet F., Stony Creek, Connecticut

The Pleasures of Pre-Publication Reading For the special delectation of Grapevine readers: A chapter, in 2 installments, from the novel September Remember by Eliot Taintor, to be published by Prentice Hall on April 16th. The author is an A. A. (Eliot Taintor is his nom de plume) and his book is all about all of us.

Chapter XXI ment. “Seems like that Doc. Joe sets such He grinned suddenly and pointed across store by could do somethin’ for him now. ” the harbor at the steeple of a Greenwich Boomerang Rick had agreed, had telephoned and made church rising serenely against the orange and Kidd Whistler had been optimistic about the arrangements, remembering Wales’ tall violet sky. “Hell, this is no time or place for Joe. All the A. A. s were positive Joe would figure in a blue suit standing on the steps and a lecture on psychiatry. Tell you what you snap out of it. “Sure, he’d had a slip—so returning Pell’s exaggerated military salute. do, Rickham, if you’re interested. Come on had plenty of other members—but Joe had Wales had caught on fast to Pell’s absurd up to New Haven with me tomorrow. I’m been in the group too long to go off the deep play-acting. Wales was a real guy. Emily had giving a speech at the Yale School for Studies end—and stay off. ” Emily was confident too. been driving Joe over to High Pines every on Alcohol. You might learn something, ” he “Give him time, Rick, he’s had a terrible afternoon, but this way Wales could really said in his humorous, lazy voice. “Or if that shock, but Joe’s a strong person. Don’t worry, keep an eye on Joe. doesn’t tempt you, this might — your Bill darling, or you’ll start me worrying about Still Rick went on worrying and the heat Griffith of A. A. is scheduled for the closing you. ” She had put her arms around Rick’s continued. At the Cos Cob station the next talk. ” neck and pulled his head down level with afternoon he looked at the tide. It was high. “I’ll bet he won’t turn up, ” Rick said. her eyes and he had felt her quiet strength A swim in salt water would be a hell of a lot “There’s some sort of jinx on Bill Griffith going through him. God, how had be ever more refreshing than a dip in his own pool and me. I’ve been in A. A. nearly a year and managed to live w i t h o u t her all these years! which was now only a few degrees cooler I still haven’t met the guy, but I’d like to hear How did Joe manage w i t h o u t . . . and there than the air. you. ” Rick had made the same complaint he was back in the old fretful puzzle of Joe’s Swimming out to the raft with long lazy to Kidd Whistler at the New York meeting binge. strokes, he pulled himself up, shook the water in February. He had been peeved then; now Hank maintained t h a t Joe had been head- out of his eyes and saw a broud brown back he found it hard to get in a rage, sitting on ing for trouble for a long time. “Seen it against the upright of the diving platform. the float surrounded by orange-green water comin’, ” Hank said, “the way you can feel The back turned and Rick recognized Wales’ with this big reposeful man. a storm blowin’ up the Sound. It weren’t thick white hair and lean, humorous face. The next morning Rick sat in a rattly day only Sylvia—he was as full of the jitters as a This was luck, especially us the raft was de- coach beside Dr. Sam Wales. It was noisy, porkypine is of quills afore that. ” But Hank serted by its usual mob of kids. dusty and NOT air-conditioned. As midcouldn’t explain why, couldn’t see how com- “I don’t suppose you remember m e . . . ” summer heat and cinders poured through the pletely Joe’s continued drinking knocked the Rick began, squatting on the edge of the raft, open windows, Rick took back all his former props out from under Rick. Joe had helped his long legs dangling in the cold water. diatribes against air-conditioning. Both men him—he had to help Joe now. Not only for Wales smiled — it was a wide, generous folded their coats and put them on the rack Joe’s sake but for his own. And he didn’t smile. “Of course I do. You’re Light Horse over their heads, but even in shirtsleeves they seem to be getting anywhere—except deeper Harry Lee, ” he laughed, “or you were when were perspiring constantly, constantly mopand deeper into a feeling of hopeless uncer- I first met you. And what’s more important, ” ping. Rick wanted to question the doctor tainty. he added, “you’re Joe Kelly’s friend. ” about Joe but he hesitated, thinking t h a t Rick had brought Joe out from Townes Rick nodded, his eyes squinting from the Wales probably needed time to go over his Hospital in New York to the “shack, ” as they red glare of the sun on the water. He jerked speech, not knowing how to begin anyhow. called the house on Cognewaugh Road—a his head to face the doctor. “God, I hope you “Go ahead and ask me about Joe Kelly, ” sick-looking, self-cursing Joe. But being with can help Joe—and fast. ” Wales said suddenly, pulling down his news- Rick and Emily—seeing their evident hap- Wales studied the emphatic angular fea- paper. “1 gather he’s pretty much on your piness in each other—had only seemed to tures, noted the twitch of Rick’s left eyelid. mind. ” make matters worse. Joe, after a few sober, Here was another one headed for trouble if “Well, sure, ” Rick stammered, “but I moody, irritable days, had walked out of the he didn’t watch out—all alcoholics seemed don’t quite know what I can ask—or rather house one morning, headed for a wop joint to be driven by the same frenzied impatience. how much you can tell me. ” in Mianus famous for good beer in big steins, “In my business, ” he said with deliberate “But I do. ” Wales laughed and looked at and had been picked up late that night by slowness, “we learn not to hurry. You can’t Rick with his large, humorous blue eyes. “Of Hank Frost. A cop friend of Hank’s had go fast when you’re trying to get at things course, a psychiatrist, like any doctor—even called him and Hank had called Rick. that have taken a long, long time to grow more than any other doctor—keeps his pa- “Reckon we better pop Joe into High Pines, ” and a long, long time to be concealed, buried tients’ confidences. But in dealing with an Hank had suggested, much to Rick’s amaze- under layers and layers in the unconscious.. ” (Continued on Page 8)

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PHILADELPHIA STORY ON HOSPITALIZATION The Philadelphia group considers itself all about the t r e a t m e n t of alcoholics” u n t i l he i n s t i t u t i o n to accept p a t i e n t s for the treatvery fortunate. One of the first drunks con- attended his first meeting some seven months ment of alcoholism for a n y t h i n g like reasontacted by Jim B., when he brought A. A. to ago. Although not an alcoholic, “Doc” Green able charges. True, others take us in for a r t h – Philadelphia five years ago, was a relative of is really one of us. He rarely misses a meeting. i t i s , bronchial troubles, or the belly-ache or one of our most eminent surgeons: Dr. A. In his talk to the group a few weeks ago he s o m e t h i n g , and sock us plenty, but St. Luke’s Wiese Hammer of the staff of St. Luke’s and told us he might learn something about alco- w i l l accept and t r e a t us for alcoholism. Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hammer spends two holism if he could attend the meetings regu- W i t h i n our group we have many talents and to four hours with the group every Sunday larly for the next hundred years. But we we w a n t to say a word about them. Dr. McM., advising and counselling, as well as comfort- know he knows plenty now. His efforts at Dr. R. and Dr. F. are physician members who ing those members who gather at the round Nazareth Hospital and Frankford are already can and are doing much work themselves at table, he is one of our staunchest bulwarks. showing substantial results. other hospitals. Dr. G. and Dr. H. are dentists It is through Dr. Hammer that we acquired It was Jim B. whose unceasing p o u n d i n g who run across other alcoholics whom they the support and cooperation of Dr. C. Dudley on the doors of the Philadelphia General Hos- and the group can help. Robert M., psycho- Saul, diagnostician, physician and medical pital reached the u n d e r s t a n d i n g ears of Dr. logical consultant, and H . H . H ., lay therapist, director of St. Luke’s and Children’s Hospital. William F. Turnbull, then superintendent, do great work, and we must not overlook the Through Dr. Saul’s good influences, we were and Dr. John F. Stauffer, chief psychiatrist. girls. Gertrude M. (non-alcoholic but the able for many months to hold our open meet- They gave the group permission to send a w i f e of a member) is a R. N., M a r i o n H. (nonings in the hospital. This recognition by medi- “committee” to visit those suffering from al- alcoholic), a professional social worker. Florcine that alcoholism is a disease furnished a coholism. This group goes over every Satur- ence H., v o l u n t a r y social worker, has been tremendous impetus to the movement here. day and practically holds a meeting right connected w i t h the Jefferson Hospital for It helped immensely in convincing new mem- there. We have enrolled about 30 per cent of seven years, and Catherine P. w i t h the Philabers that there was hope for them if they our membership through these visits to our delphia General. sincerely wanted A. A. West Philadelphia “Country Club, ” as we a f – In Philadelphia we ask all members to keep Dr. Saul’s remarkable genius in putting the fectionately call it. We were again fortunate in touch with their clergymen and physicians medical aspects of alcoholism into plain words in Dr. Turnbull’s successor, who has deep as a means of learning whether they have anyso that any layman can easily understand; his sympathy with our problems and enlists the one we can help. When we find someone who sincerity, his ability to explain and answer cooperation of the entire force to help us. needs our help we see to it that that person our problems in a manner that can be ac- Another untiring aid to the Philadelphia is called upon at least once a day u n t i l discepted by us, have been of inestimable help to group is Dr. Russell S. Boles, a director of the charged, t h a t he or she has cigarettes or a the new people trying to make the decision Research Council on Problems of Alcohol and dollar or two w i t h which to get l i t t l e things of of their lives: AM I AN ALCOHOLIC? Do I chairman of the board, P h i l a d e l p h i a General comfort. We seldom have the same person call want this program? Hospital. Through his kindness many cour- twice as we w a n t the patient to know that he Dr. William Egbert Robertson, internist of tesies and much help are given us at the (or she) is going to have many friends when national reputation, is another of our great hospital. Although the hospital frowns on he leaves. We do the usual follow-up when friends and counsellors. When he can talk to repeaters, it has never refused medical t r e a t – these p a t i e n t s are returned home. And if they us he really says something. His gentle man- ment to any person sent by the A. A. commit- have no home we see to it t h a t they are housed ner and quiet influence go a long way. tee, or by any of our older members. Through and clothed u n t i l they get on their feet. We predict a brilliant future in the treat- Dr. Saul’s efforts, the Trustees of St. Luke’s In other words, we do w h a t all you other ment of alcoholics for Dr. John L. Green. and Children’s Hospital have set up on “Al- alcoholics are doing: we do the best we can. Here we have a professional man who “knew coholic Clinic. ” This is the first semi-private Winslow T., Philadelphia, Pa.

Dayton has interesting Hospital Record Our hospital arrangement has worked satis- course it is the practice of members of the intendent who is interested and anxious to factorily for several, years. The Dayton. State group to see that the patient has plenty of cooperate w i t h us. Since facilities of the Day- Hospital is a state institution for the insane. visitors. The patients are given liberty of the ton Hospital are not available for a patient The local superintendent has been very co- grounds, but are obligated not to leave the more t h a n once, we have found that the atmosoperative and agrees to admit A. A. patients reservation. The cost is insignificant, and in phere of the Weber Rest Home, in Columbus , for a ten-day stay at the Hospital without the more than 50 per cent of the cases, it has is very beneficial for the members who have usual Probate Court proceedings. These per- started the patient on the road to recovery. experienced difficulty a f t e r being in the group sons are admitted not as insane persons, but This plan is not generally adopted at the state for some time. Here they can have a five-day as potential members of A. A. They are given institutions, and the question of whether or rest in A. A. environment. hydrotherapy but no other treatment unless not any cooperation will be extended to A. A. Ted Weber and the Columbus Group have their condition calls for special attention of is a matter entirely within the province of the t h a t b u r n i n g enthusiasm which is bound to be some kind. We have a special privilege of local superintendent. Here in Dayton we have effective if a p a t i e n t desires to correct the visiting any day from 9 A. M. to 9 P. M., and of been particularly fortunate in having a super situation. William M. M. , Dayton, Ohio

5

Mail Call for All A. A. s in the Armed Forces group therapy, 12th step work and inspira- * tional talks. It precipitates him i n t o circumstances that are upsetting and that tend to It is becoming increasingly apparent that A. A. is going to be called upon unbalance anyone’s sense of values. to perform a real job in aiding many veterans of this War during or, more If the A. A. has survived all of t h a t successparticularly, some time after their re-entry into civilian life. We believe, fully, he’s likely to feel pretty strong when he returns to normal life. Certainly he feels t h a t therefore, that the following piece, written for The Grapevine by an A. A. now, once again w i t h i n his home orbit, among who is himself in the process of undergoing this readjustment, following A. A. friends and w i t h i n reach of all the help Army experiences that included participation in the invasion of Normandy, he could ask, he is in much less danger, alcoholically, than he was in the service away is extremely timely. from home. So he may very easily let down. Becoming acclimated to a tail-less shirt- Another void becomes apparent in topics He may drop his guard. He may become “too assuming you can find any at all—is a small of conversation in normal circles. What the tired” to attend any meetings or do any 12th but symbolic problem that every veteran of veteran has been talking about morning, step work. He may slack off in doing some of the military forces encounters in m a k i n g the noon and night for however long he has been the little things t h a t help to keep an A. A. transition to civilian ways of life. in u n i f o r m is scarcely suitable now. People growing along A. A. lines. The tail-less shirt is not the only reason for just aren’t interested in what Sgt. Doakes said If he begins to slide off in any of these ways, feeling shorn. The veteran also feels that a to Capt. Whoozit. And you certainly can’t he’s heading for a tailspin and a tight inside number of other things besides the tail of blame them for that. Even when they are loop. Whatever hazardous tendencies he may his shirt are missing. The Army—or the genuinely interested in hearing something of develop will be aggravated by the emotional Navy, or whatever his branch of the service his experiences, the dischargee discovers that disturbances which his military-to-civilian re- —is no longer t a k i n g care of him. The privi- there’s a great deal he can’t express in a way adjustment is bound to create for h i m even if that is understandable to someone who has he remains squarely on the beam. The fact leges and protection that the u n i f o r m pronot felt what he has. So he tends to avoid the is, he has need to double his guard and keep vides, along w i t h the responsibilities, have subject—and he certainly does avoid it after his defenses on the alert during t h i s period. come to an end. Your assignment, whatever one or two encounters with the occasional Those are facts which this A. A. had to learn it may have been, has been finished. There’s person who reacts to war anecdotes with a the painful way. But, in learning those, he no longer somebody on hand to tell you, look in his eye that says, “What a line this also learned that application of the A. A. way whether you were officer, soldier or sailor, guy’s got!” In such cases, the dischargee of thinking will case the transition for the what to do next. You can’t even get cigarlearns that what may be commonplace in veteran in many ways. Again I have seen ets when you want them. You’re just another theaters of war may sound f a n t a s t i c and un- how A. A. not only helps to overcome Personal short-tailed civilian, mister! believable elsewhere. Enemy No. 1, but how infinitely effective it is The dischargee not only misses the things All of these factors add up to an emotional on many other human problems. he found enjoyable while wearing a uniform. disturbance involving lonesomeness, injured Again, too, I have been reminded forcefully Strangely, he also misses some of the things vanity, loss of poise and direction, fear of the that in A. A. one cannot stand still for longhe disliked the most. He may yearn for the f u t u r e and resentments. For m a n y persons, of he either goes backwards or he grows, and he very t h i n g s t h a t used to draw his loudest and course, relief at being permitted to return to grows only by using a g r a d u a l l y increasing longest gripes. If he happens to be a veteran normal pursuits offsets the other factors. But amount of A. A. T. D. Y. from a combat zone, he may even miss some reconversion from the military to the civilian of the gadgets and conditions t h a t scared world calls for considerable readjustments for IT’S F R E E FOR SERVICEMEN him silly while he was in the middle of them. anyone. For an A. A. member, the read- India, J a n u a r y 27 When, for instance, in New York he hears justment may be especially difficult—and Dear Grapevine: Was pleasantly surprised the weekly Saturday noon air raid sirens and, dangerous. to receive two issues of The Grapevine in the a f t e r an involuntary t i g h t e n i n g of nerves, he Paradoxically, an A. A. who has had no or past few days, as I didn’t know t h a t our orremembers that they’re only practice, he may little trouble during his enforced separation ganization had such a swell publication. wish momentarily (only m o m e n t a r i l y ) that from the group may be in greater danger dur- I don’t know whether one of my friends they were the real thing. It’s not t h a t he ing this period of readjustment than the one in the Tucson group has paid for a subscripever liked robots or enemy raiders; it’s that who has had an up and down fight all the way tion to The Grapevine for me or if these were his nerves are still attuned to the excitement from enlistment or induction to discharge, if sample copies, so will appreciate receiving and tension t h a t a combat zone produces in he has gone through military service without that information from you, and w i l l f o r w a r d generous quantities as a daily, and n i g h t l y any slips or near-slips he has scored a real the subscription if such has not been paid. fare. War in one phase or another has been achievement. The military life imposes severe Hoping that I will continue to keep in conreality to him. That has now been removed handicaps on an A. A. It usually prevents him tact with all of you through The Grapevine, and what’s left seems, at times, unreal and from practicing many of the steps on which I am, gratefully yours, even empty. he normally depends. It divorces him from John F. M., Sgt. Air Force

AFTER 2 YEARS IN A. A. Tampa’s First Birthday Two years in A. A. finds me increasingly h a p p y and, I hope, a more useful citizen. It A f t e r a year of the usual “way-ups” and was served in our clubroom. Yes, we have seems now t h a t results come almost in direct “low-downs, ” trial and error, failure and suc- one now, and a telephone too. r a t i o to my a p p l i c a t i o n of w h a t A. A. offers cess, t h i r t y solid A. A. s were proud hosts at an C h a i r m a n of the m e e t i n g was Roy Y., whose open meeting of the now firmly established for the t a k i n g . A f t e r more t h a n t h i r t y years pet caution to his little flock is “A. A. must Tampa group. We are all so proud that we of egotistical, selfish, and too often asocial be kept free from personalities. ” An imposbehavior, I have slowly and laboriously t h i n k no one else ever had so much before. sible request to this writer who has watched acquired, through A. A. text and precept, a And yet I guess this group is about the poor- Roy’s tireless e f f o r t ; seen the unselfish spendusable quota of h u m i l i t y . est there is. There isn’t a moneyed member, ing of his time, his energy and his money to but with our limited resources we had a won- help this bewildered gathering of lost sheep This has proved to be the key to undeserved derful party. One girl did a lovely thing; she find its way back into the green pastures of cooperation f r o m many of my fellowmen made a corsage and boutonniere for everyone. life. He was never too tired; it was never too and, of even more i m p o r t a n c e to me, to a 125 people wearing flowers is quite a sight. late; no distance was too f a r to go. M a n y reawakened f a i t h in God. The s p i r i t u a l and About 15 came from the Orlando group, the times his patience was strained to the break- emotional l i f t received from the members same from Daytona, and a few all the way ing point, but the tolerant, loving-kindness who welcomed me at my first meeting in Forfrom Jacksonville. Their support meant much of this man never failed. To try and shut out est Hills has increased steadily. Along w i t h to us. They came, and with gasoline so hard this personality would be like trying to cover this have come, new friends and a better unto get, it meant sacrifices. Then we had one up the sun with a 10- cent eye-shade. derstanding of how to use their experience. of those lucky blessings that seem to befall Roy, as you other A. A. s may know, was co- The 24-hour plan made sense to me and good A. A. s at the right time. Ed. F. and founder of the Houston, Texas, group and proved to be the crutch I needed. That I have Connor F. from Philadelphia, and Fred M. Dave A. says that his counsel and encourage- had no serious urge to drink since grasping from Baltimore, were here to be on the pro- ment is partially responsible for the splendid its significance, seems to many, myself ingram. Relatives and guests gave awe-struck growth in Orlando. Roy now is t u r n i n g his cluded, a minor miracle. Losing several good attention to what can be achieved by the A. A. eyes across Tampa Bay, where he plans to jobs, going to j a i l , being estranged from f a m plan of life, and the Rev. Bramm of St. An- help Fred M. organize a group in St. Peters- ily and friends; finding myself flat broke and drews Episcopal Church said in his address burg, and he has also laid the groundwork homeless, after seeking medical and psychiathat what he had seen and heard was truly a for a group in Bay Pines Veterans Hospital. t r i c help; m a k i n g blind, desperate (but miracle. So now Tampa wants its place on the A. A. proud) appeals to the church—none of these After the meeting, the super-supper (a de- map. We are proud, we are happy, and we are had helped me to even face, let alone solve, cided credit to our five feminine members) truly and humbly grateful to God. Mary S. my problem. Many helping hands were offered but I could not take them. The answer was found in A. A. ‘s way of Ways of Coming Into A A . . living: first by acknowledging my i n a b i l i t y to work out my own problems, then humbly seeking the help of God to learn His will; My psychiatrist maneuvered me into A. A. turn to him and (my suggestion) he’d give me avoiding resentments and intolerance; trying He wrote to the clubhouse, got the secretary’s work to do to pay for future treatments. each day to grow in understanding and work; name, told her about me and vice versa. But Reaching the main room that first evening, I halted abruptly before going upstairs to the s t a y i n g away from drink and, to me equally t h a t was after we had made a bargain, followsecretary. It was before the meeting hour. i m p o r t a n t , staying away from the kind of ing many months of psychiatric treatments. Men and women were standing in groups talk- t h i n k i n g t h a t precedes d r i n k i n g ; being will- Not in a sanatorium, but in real life. Reality? ing. I looked at them. What followed is one of ing to share my imperfect understanding with I didn’t know the meaning of that, and am only beginning to learn now, after twenty those sensations that transcends accurate de- someone it might help; and gradually months in A. A. You can still be holding down scription. It came with such suddenness and through those efforts acquiring the serene a job, as I was doing, and have little concep- enveloping completeness—that feeling which knowledge that good comes when selfishness, tion of the real world about you. The psychia- said: I have come home at last. The words arrogance, and intolerance are cleared away. trist repeatedly told me there was no cure for repeated themselves over and over in my Problems are not automatically eliminated; alcoholism. Every few months he would gent- mind: I have come home at last. I turned and rather I find it pleasant to work them out, ly suggest A. A. While continuing to drink, I walked up the stairs with the feeling of un- confident t h a t right (not necessarily my own insisted there must be a cure—and rejected self-consciousness akin to that of a child— b r a n d ) will follow. A. A. has taught me how A. A. Finally he got me there. something I had never before experienced in to live with myself without seeking relief Pulling my feet up that, long corridor lead- adult life. A few days later I began to under- from the mess by drinking. How did it haping to the main room of the clubhouse, I was stand what my good and wise psychiatrist had pen? I was licked, scared, hopeless. All my going, so I thought, to my doom. I wasn’t known for some time: my need thenceforth defenses had been breached. A. A. made sense. doing this of my own volition, or so my con- lay along spiritual lines, part of which con- Being an extremist, I look it in large doses: scious mind was saying. My bargain with the sisted in helping others—something startling- m a n y meetings, all the luncheons I could psychiatrist was that I would give A. A. a two- ly new to me. A. A., where I feel so beauti- make, hours of discussion w i t h patient, symweek trial (his suggestion); then I could re- fully at home, is filling t h a t need. Maeve. S. p a t h e t i c A. A. s. God bless them all. Mel A. C.

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A. A. ‘s COUNTRY-WIDE NEWS CIRCUIT There’ve been lots of radio broadcasts in all group is Alcoholics Anonymous, who the g i n n i n g with the fictitiously-named J. Bufparts of the country p u b l i c i z i n g A.A., edu- other night appeared before 103 chronic al- fington Nutmeg as a lush-about-town, then cationally speaking. B u t February 6th of t h i s coholics at the A t l a n t a City Jail to explain p u t t i n g h i m through his paces as a d r u n k year was, for M a n h a t t a n A.A.s at least, an out- the A.A. program—to give them hope for the desperately wanting to stop d r i n k i n g , Mr. s t a n d i n g date in radio history. On that day day of their release”. . . . Tulsa, Okla- Brown shows Nutmeg being introduced to Station WMCA, the first of t h e city’s networks homa, will soon welcome a new member—an A.A. But Nutmeg has tried to “swear to mention A.A. in one of its regular enter- inmate of McAlester Prison, who has been off” so many times and has sought help from tainment features, discussed the alco- corresponding w i t h Tulsa A.A.s. so many sources that he is plagued by recurholic problem and A.A. openly, in one of the rent doubts. We see him reading the book, “soap-operas.” The d r u n k e n heroine of the This c o u n t r y at large seems to be delight- going to meetings, doing 12th step work. In story, sorely in need of h e l p to patch up her f u l l y astonished by the St. Louis dinner given the last of the series Nutmeg is e n t e r i n g his emotionally ragged home, was informed of Marty Mann, executive director of the ninth month of sobriety, whereas never pre- A.A. by her doctor and advised to t r y i t . She National Committee for Education on Alco- viously in the past decade of his f r u i t y career did; she got sober—and of course she lived holism, and A.A.’s First Lady, judging by the had the old boy laid off the liquor for one h a p p i l y ever a f t e r . reprints in countless newspapers, which unan- consecutive week, He went on the wagon imously refer to the evening as “the strangest once in 1931 and it was the dreariest day of Here’s another date to remember: St. ever.” The hosts were the combined A.A. his life. Clinging to the 24-hour sys- Patrick’s day, March 17. Rudy P., French groups of Greater St. Louis, the guests prom- tem of operating, Nutmeg today ventures no horn player of the New York P h i l h a r m o n i c , inent St. Louisans. While the guests—all ex- predictions as to the dry spell’s duration. He together w i t h some of his generous-spirited cept Marty—drank Scotch, bourbon, and gin, hopes it’s permanent, but all he knows, for symphonic friends, will give on St. Patrick’s the hosts slaked their thirsts w i t h soft drinks sure, is that he is sober this day. day at the A.A. Cosmopolitan clubhouse, 405 and gayly watched the guests being trans- W. 41st St., New York C i t y , a program of formed i n t o many stages of h i l a r i t y . . . . Latest The A.A. seamen’s group is doing a fine chamber music, to begin at 8:45 P.M. Beeth- highlight of the Montpelier, Vermont, job with their weekly meeting at the New oven’s septette and some woodwind q u i n t e t t e s group was the 150-mile plane and bus trip York Seamen’s Institute (the dog house), 25 w i l l be played. through a blizzard, taken by several members South St., and new members are c o n s t a n t l y to meet M a r t y and hear her talk in Montreal. coming to their clubhouse at 3341⁄2 W. 24th The Middle West has two new, t h r i v i n g St., M a n h a t t a n . . . . The Kansas City, groups—with a Before and A f t e r sound — W a l t e r Winchell lately devoted his entire Kansas, group has bought and moved i n t o a one in Painsville, Ohio, and t h e other in Bliss- Broadway column to current folklore about 12-room clubhouse. . . . The Hollywood field, Michigan. . . . Among Los Angeles’ more Manhattan’s bars, of which be contends there A.A.s have just leased new h e a d q u a r t e r s at than 20 groups is one t h a t probably rates as are more than street corners. The Lost Week- 2560 North Beechwood Drive, complete w i t h the most exclusive of any in the U. S. A. Only end, which, according to Winchell, has best- large hall, club rooms, and kitchen. the a l u m n i of Skidrow and j a i l are eligible. sold a nation into cautionary d r i n k i n g , caused . . . The smallest group in the c o u n t r y is “a lot more p i t y t h a n the real sight usually in Casanovia, New York, a s u b u r b of does.” The smash-hit Harvey makes “drink- Ever hear of W.A.N.A.? They are p a t i e n t s ing a good deal funnier than it always is.” released from hospitals in the New York Syracuse, w i t h only t w o members. Some And “Alcoholics Anonymous, who’ve . area, who have banded together in an effort time ago a d r u n k a i r p l a n e d to New York been shouting so loud they are fast becoming to realize the strength and hope for mental for a visit w i t h Bill; he then returned home as f a m i l i a r as a hangover, have been there patients i m p l i e d in the name of t h e i r soand soon sobered up another d r u n k ; then he before”. . . . Apropos of hangovers, here’s ciety,” We Are Not Alone.” Their achad a slip himself and was in t u r n sobered one to pass on to your non-A.A.-needing pals. cent is on the psychological welfare of disup by his neophyte. Now they’re both dry A marvellously simple cure for a hangover is charged mental patients, supplementing clinand i n t e n t on recruiting more members in reported by people doing much transatlantic ical after-care with the personal help and the Syracuse area. Their address: Box E, Casanovia, New York. . . . A.A.s of the lush, hopping these days. The victim of an all- understanding of those who have faced t h e bayou country of Baton Rouge, Louisi- night party has only to board a long-distance same problems and made satisfactory a d j u s t ana, wisely stress the lack of “moral lectur- plane and put on an oxygen mask. Four ments, and providing ex-patients w i t h an ophours later, a r r i v i n g in, say, Newfoundland, p o r t u n i t y to take an a c t i v e part in c r e a t i n g ing” in their p u b l i c i t y . better care for the mentally ill. he feels fine. . . . A columnist of the A t l a n t a , Georgia, Journal says t h a t once in a great w h i l e a “The Water Wagon Gets New Stall” is Dr. G. H. Gehrmann, medical director of t h e newspapermen happens upon a group of sin- one of the t i t l e s of a series of six wonderfully DuPont Company, a guest speaker of the Wilcere people, and t h a t once makes up for all instructive, sometimes uproariously funny mington, Delaware, group, frankly a d m i t t e d the “uplift” o r g a n i z a t i o n s which have stories, w i t h accompanying cartoons, by Elgar that A.A. “has a lot to teach the mediplagued his j o u r n a l i s t i c life. “Such a Brown of Chicago’s Herald-American. Be- cal profession,” as well as industry.

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C R I T E R I A F O R A. A. W O R K THE PLEASURES OF READING yesterday and sort of keep t h a t normal level (Continued from Page, 1) of tension in mind. ” He drew his finger along (Continued from Page 3) the edge of the dusty red plush neat again. common in the early stages of A. A. rehabili- alcoholic who is a member of A. A. there are Rick look out a pack of cigarettes, offered t a t i o n . To the experienced psychiatrist, such some things I like to talk over with other one to Wales, he felt more relaxed, more ups and downs are characteristic of all neuro- members. You belong to a remarkable orat peace w i t h himself and the world, than tic processes. Physicians will not be discour- ganization, Rickham. ” he had since he had turned the knob of the aged by this class of repeaters and many of Two large colored women in the seat ahead radio over a week ago to the horror of Sylthe most successful members of A. A. have got up and waddled to the door as the train been through this phase. via’s suicide. Joe was in good hands. pulled into Bridgeport. Kick reached over “Another t h i n g my colleague says—as a In the chronic hospitals such as state in- and pushed the seat back, getting his long m a t t e r of fact he hasn’t said it publicly yet, stitutions, A. A. can effectively project groups legs out of the aisle and stretching them out but it is to appear in an article in the Decemwhich serve to act as a therapeutic cell with- on the dusty plush. “What puzzles me about ber issue of the Quarterly Journal of Studies in the hospital framework. The candidates Joe i s . . . well, he isn’t half as up-one-minute on Alcohol—he calls alcoholism ‘a disease of for such a project are the more chronic alco- and down-the-next as I am. What Hank Frost growing ego-centricity’. How does that strike holics and psychopathic repeaters who have calls the perigee tides of an alky. ” you?” Wales’ humorous blue eyes studied to he nursed in a preliminary fashion for a “That’s good, ” Wales said. “Damn good Rick. somewhat greater length of time than acute way to express it. Tell you how one of my col- “Hits me below the belt, ” Rick laughed. types of alcoholics. Many such groups have leagues put it. Look…” He took his big “That’s the. k i n d of a guy I am—or maybe already been formed, and the institutions have saddle leather shoes off the seat and ran his was—but it’s not so true of Joe. At least I been grateful for their success. hand along the horizontal edge. “We’ll call don’t t h i n k it is. ” A. A. has achieved a validity and respect this line the normal tension level of a normal Wales didn’t answer directly. He went off because the members have furnished a valu- person. Your so-called normal guy may go at what seemed to Rick a sudden tangent. able contribution to the fight on a severe a few inches up when he’s high, ” Wales’ “Ever meet any of Joe’s f a m i l y ? ” problem of society. We must remember how- strong brown hand rose slightly above the “You mean Monica and Jimmy?” Rick ever that alcoholism is only a symptom and, plush seat, “or a few inches down when he’s asked. “No. I was in Central America when although the problem is a social one and the low, but an alcoholic goes way up—several method universal, it must deal with the indi- feet—and way down to the floor. Erratic t h a t happened. ” “I was thinking of his mother and father vidual himself or herself. We cannot expect curve, see?” and an older sister he seemed to be pretty good intentions and missionary zeal alone to “Like my fever chart when I had malaria, ” fond of. ” solve the problem or effect a cure. The in- Rick nodded. “You mean it goes back that far?” strument of A. A. works wonders only when it “Same idea, ” Wales agreed. “You’re sick “H-m-m. ” Wales didn’t pursue it. “I was can be adjusted to the individual who can people. Only you’re apt to forget that fact talking to Miss Willard when she drove Kelly be saved in this way. Physicians should be when you stop drinking. The pattern is still over one day. She had a theory that Joe is happy to exploit this opportunity, and they there, see? The big swing from high to low, ” can help A. A. by concentrating its fire. over-romantic about women. Feels he’s let Wales gestured again, “is always in the alco- them down. Could be. Fits in with his child- Sam Parker, M. D. holic—or neurotic—personality. And alcohood picture. Very perceptive person, Miss Chief of the Psychiatric Division, holics are neurotics. Liquor exaggerates the Willard. Good thing if Joe fell for her. ” Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y. swing. Some people drink when they are on “Not on your life!” Rick shouted and then the up-curve—to celebrate, others when they laughed at his explosion. are hitting bottom—to drown their sorrows. Cut This Out and Mail to: Wales threw back his white head and That’s fairly obvious, but the thing that a lot The Grapevine of you guys who quit d r i n k i n g may not under- laughed too. “Congratulations, Rickham. And P.O. Box 328 stand is that even after you’ve cut out alcohol I mean it. I’ve only met three women who Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. you haven’t changed your emotional pattern. ” have her quality—one of them is Mrs. Wales, “That’s right. ” Rick nodded again. “I’m thank God, and the other is Lois Griffith. ” Herewith 1.50 for one year’s subscription to The Grapevine (Monthly) not quite as bad as I was when I was boozing The platform of the New Haven station For additional subscriptions enclose separate but I still get unaccountable elations and was unrolling under their window. They sheet with name and address clearly printed. damnable depressions — sometimes over grabbed their coats off the rack, found a taxi nothing. And I’ve been ‘dry’ nearly a year. ” and drove through the overgrown town to Checks payable to The Grapevine. the red brick buildings of the Yale Divinity Wales was fanning himself with the folded Total Enclosed newspaper. The motion was leisurely, sopor- School. PLEASE PRINT ific. “You’ll probably have to guard against The hall was well filled with social workers, Name those moods for more than a year. Maybe the ministers and temperance lecturers who conrest of your life. But knowing about them stituted the bulk of the enrollment. Rick rec- Address usually helps and there are ways to cope ognized several A. A. members from various with them when you feel them coming on— chapters and joined them as Dr. Wales made Note: Subscriptions received up to the 15th begin with call up an A. A. friend, go to a ball game, read his way to the platform. the current month’s issue. Those received after the a mystery, go for a swim the way you did (To be continued next month) 15th will begin with the following month’s issue.

VOL. I., NO. 11, APRIL, 1945 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK, 17 YEARLY, 1. 50; COPY, 15c A Monthly Journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A. A. as a whole.

BIG LIGHT CAN BE SHED ON ALCOHOLISM IF 20. Experience uncontrollable tremors (i. e., the jitters, the shakes, or A. A. s FILL THIS IN AND RETURN TO GRAPEVINE whatever your pet name is) a f t e r drinking? The purpose of this questionnaire is to as- more than you need and spending 21. Resort to taking sedatives to quiet certain at what age the incidents or experi- all of it without getting anything for yourself after d r i n k i n g ? ences listed below first happened. The order it except a hangover) 22. Seek medical advice or aid? in which they are set down may not accord 9. Start going on week-end drunks? 23. Seek psychiatric advice or aid? with your own experience, but please fill in 10. Start going on middle-of-the-week (This includes advice or aid from the year a f t e r the item anyway. If you never drunks? any adviser, such as a minister, a had a particular experience, leave the space 11. Start going on day-time drunks? priest or a lawyer, as well as from b l a n k . The samples are intended to he sug- 12. Take a morning drink? a psychiatrist) gestive only and are in no way definitive. (Example: Feel the need of and 24. Have to be hospitalized as a result AT WHAT AGE DID YOU FIRST: AGE take a drink the first thing in the of drinking? 1. Get d r u n k ? morning in order to get yourself 25. Lose a friend as the result of d r i n k – (No example or illustration is atgoing, or “for medicinal purposes ing? tempted or necessary. If you were, only”) 26. Lose working time as the result of ever drunk you will know what we 13. Start going on benders? drinking? mean) (Example: Staying drunk for more 27. Lose a job as the result of drinking? 2. Experience a blackout? (Example: Wake up in the morning than a day without regard for your 28. Lose advancement in a job as the work or your family or anything result of drinking? after a party with no idea where, you else) 29. Use alcohol to lessen self-conscioushad been or what you had done, 14. Develop indefinable fears? ness concerning sex? after a certain point) 3. Start sneaking drinks? 15. Experience acute and persistent re- 30. A t t e m p t to find comfort in religion? (Example: Take, a quick one in the morse? 31. Desire to escape from your environkitchen without anyone seeing you (Example: Realizing that you have, ment as a solution for the d r i n k i n g when you were pouring drinks for made a fool of yourself while, drink- problem? guests) ing without being able to shake the (Example: Deciding that all would 4. Begin to lose control of d r i n k i n g ? realization off) be well if only you could get a job in (Example: Intend to have, only a 16. Develop abnormal and unreasonable Chicago instead of having to go on couple, and wind up cockeyed) resentments? working in New York) 5. Rationalize or j u s t i f y your abnor- (Example: Going into a rage be- 32. Start solitary drinking? mal d r i n k i n g ? cause dinner wasn’t ready the min- 33. Start to protect your supply? ( E x a m p l e : Excuse, your drinking on ute you got home) (Example: Buying a quart on the the ground that you were sad, or 17. Commit anti-social acts while d r i n k way home so you would be sure, to happy, or neither) ing? have a drink in the morning) 6. A t t e m p t to control your d r i n k i n g by (Example,: Pick a fight with a 34. A d m i t to yourself t h a t your d r i n k changing its p a t t e r n ? stranger in a saloon for no justifiing was beyond control? (Example: Deciding to drink only able reason) be. fore. dinner) — 18. Realize t h a t your friends or f a m i l y 35. Admit to anyone else t h a t your 7. A t t e m p t to control your d r i n k i n g by were t r y i n g to prevent or discour- drinking was beyond control? going on the wagon? age your drinking? 36. Reach what you regard as your low- 8. Act in a financially e x t r a v a g a n t 19. Become indifferent to the kind or est point? manner while drinking? quality of the liquor you drank so PLEASE STATE THE FOLLOWING: (Example: (cashing a check for long as it did the business? ( a ) Present age (b) Sex

EDITORIAL: to A. A. for help in dealing w i t h our alcoholics. It has been the writer’s good fortune to become acquainted with and have the co-operation of A. A. groups and to see their effective On the 6th Step h a n d l i n g of alcoholics. We shall ever be t h a n k f u l to members of A. A. for t h e unselfish and “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. ” u n t i r i n g w o r k they are doing. Through t h e i r This step is most important because here we are ready for God (as we u n d e r s t a n d i n g , and g u i d i n g hands, m a n y who were a Ioss to t h e war e f f o r t , to themselves, understand Him) to walk along with us and guide us as we seek to improve and to t h e i r dear ones have been brought to our character and eliminate the defects which contributed to our alcoholic sobriety and happiness. problem. The c h a l l e n g e to produce t h i n g s w h i c h m a k e for more c o m f o r t a b l e l i v i n g has been With God’s help we’ll now apologize quickly when we are curt to others. met by i n d u s t r y . We can feel confident that We’ll overcome our resentments. We’ll become humble and remember it’s industry, a f t e r the war, has s t i l l more to offer. our own character we want to improve, not the character of others. We’ll We are becoming aware, however, t h a t we cannot f u l l y enjoy m a t e r i a l w e a l t h unless our remember that as we aren’t perfect we haven’t any particular right to be i n d u s t r i a l h u m a n r e l a t i o n s h i p s keep pace w i t h critical toward others. scientific, progress. Much m i d n i g h t oil is being We’ll ask quickly for help each time we are aware of wrong thinking and burned to develop b l u e – p r i n t s t h a t w i l l prove v a l u a b l e in t h e development of better induswhenever we begin to feel sorry for ourselves. When we wish to judge others, t r i a l relations. we’ll remember that not so long ago we were in no position to judge anyone. In days past it was not considered industry’s Resentments, our biggest stumbling block, can be dropped right here. Re- business to concern itself w i t h h u m a n relationships. In the words of the old type foreman: sentments against those who loved us and tried to help us; resentments “It’s none of my business what these fellows against the boss, against our fellow-worker, and all the million other little t h i n k or w h a t they do or if they are happy, and big resentments must be turned over to a higher power. b u t it is my business to get top production from t h e m . ” Today we k n o w this is a short- At a later date, as our character becomes sound, we’ll find that these re- sighted a t t i t u d e . It is industry’s responsibility sentments disappear. to produce w h a t the h u m a n f a m i l y needs, and w h a t makes for h u m a n happiness, at a profit We must ask God to help us understand others. to investors and workers. This can best be It takes a continued program of doing and thinking our best each day to done by t h e best possible i n d u s t r i a l relations. lead us ahead, out into the open, where we can join the company of our fellow- We pay Alcoholics Anonymous a sincere men. t r i b u t e for the consistent work being done for bewildered people. The same help we seek in dealing with our alcoholic problem must be The law of the universe sanctions the p r i n used to overcome our other defects. Knowing our problem is in God’s hands ciples of A. A. “There is n o t h i n g good but a good w i l l ; t h e r e is n o t h i n g bad but a bad w i l l . ” will give us serenity and peace of mind. Dr. A l f r e d Adler, o r i g i n a t o r of the phrase In other words, we will turn our will over to God, asking that His will be ” i n f e r i o r i t y complex, ” attributes all h u m a n done, and we’ll work on our defects one by one as they make themselves f a i l u r e to i n a b i l i t y to grasp the fact that “it is more blessed to give than to receive. ” A. A. known to us. Mark H., Buffalo, N. Y. folk know this is true. Their usefulness to society springs from the acceptance of t h i s principle,.

Letters to The Grapevine… Personnel Manager, Clemens Mortenson

Division of The American Hardware Corp. Dear Grapevine: An e m i n e n t engineer with alcoholism have met w i t h h e a r t b r e a k i n g and years of experience as a consultant to indus- expensive failure. Dear Grapevine.: The following quotation, try, says that the average plant has ample A. A. is the most potent force yet found to w r i t t e n in 1820 by a certain C. C. Colton, buildings, machinery, and engineering skill. help industry protect its investment in indi- might be of interest to your readers: Where it fails, he finds, is in lack of human viduals, trained to fit jobs both big and small. “Drunkenness is the vice of a good constituengineering — broken-down individual rela- We know that thousands of men and women tion, or of a bad memory; of a constitution tionships. have returned to sobriety, have t a k e n up t h e i r so treacherously good that it never bends u n t i l Alcoholism, in the person of the alcoholic responsibilities, filled their jobs and re-created it breaks; or of a memory t h a t recollects t h e executive or worker is one of the most chal- normal, happy home lives. As we in i n d u s t r y pleasures of g e t t i n g d r u n k , but forgets the l e n g i n g problems f a c i n g production men to- turn to technical experts for advice in any pains of g e t t i n g sober. ” day. To date, industry’s efforts to cope with given field, so we can now t u r n w i t h confidence E. M. Jellinek, Yale University

Dear Grapevine: The New York A. A. Hospital Committee, which consists of three members from each of the B r o o k l y n , M a n h a t t a n , Tall, but true, Tales: as told in A. A. Bronx, Flushing, and Forest H i l l s groups, would like to make a report on t h e hospital 1 was pacing the hospital floor. The brand- matter I asked him if he had ever lost a dog new psychiatrist was sitting on the bed. or a cat. He said yes and he said it was a sad service for alcoholics in New York City. For some time we have been seeking a “Well, what made you drunk this time?” case. In fact he said he would help me. So said he. he went along the road with me, calling, general hospital in M a n h a t t a n where alco- “The cat, ” said I. “Here, Sandy Hook, ” and clapping his hands. holics can he hospitalized at a cost w i t h i n “How could t h e cat get you d r u n k ? ” said Cars stopped and t h e i r passengers w a t c h e d t h e i r means, and where v i s i t i n g hours w i l l be he. the proceedings. Some even waved their extended to A. A. members t h r o u g h o u t the So I told him t h a t it started on the day we handkerchiefs. day. Such a plan is being worked out and were moving to the country. My wife didn’t Finally we gave up. I invited the cop in for should be in order by A p r i l 1st. We hope to w a n t to give me very much to do. She knew a d r i n k . At the foot of the bar sat Sandy have a complete report for the next issue. that I had a resentment against moving days. Hook. This happy reunion called for a celebra- Until several weeks ago, there was no place All I had to do was to fetch Sandy Hook, our tion. Everyone present seemed pleased to join in the City of New York where alcoholics alley cat, f r o m the veterinary where he had in, t o u s l i n g the prodigal cat. could be hospitalized w i t h o u t going to great been hospitalized for an operation. He had a Four hours later I was about to pass the expense. There was only one alcoholic hosfighting fixation induced by a sex-superiority place where I had failed to produce Sandy p i t a l and a very few general hospitals, which complex. I also resent cats. Hook. I thought it might be unwise to stop required private nurses in attendance. The Sandy Hook was the name chosen by the because I figured that I had had enough. On psychiatric ward of Bellevue was free, but children because the cat was the color of sand the other hand both the boss and the elderly g r i m . Lately hospitalization in Bellevue has and had a hook in his t a i l . lady might be t h i n k i n g that I was drunk or undergone a complete change, due to t h e It was a very hot day but I was cold sober. slightly nuts. So I decided to show t h e m efforts of Mayor L a G u a r d i a ; Dr. Bernecker, I got the cat in the car and partly closed the Sandy Hook. Commissioner of Hospitals; Dr. W i l l i a m F. windows so that he couldn’t jump out. But My entry with Hook in my arms caused an Jacobs of Bellevue; and Edward McGoldrick, t h e cat meowed. I couldn’t stand it. I parked ovation. The elderly lady with the jewels was all of whom are very sympathetic toward the the car and went in for a few touches of plastered. She said it was the finest specimen hospitalization problem of the alcoholic. Scotch. of a Siamese cat she had ever seen. So we had Perhaps the finest men’s alcoholic ward in When I got back—all was quiet. A f t e r driv- another celebration in which everyone seemed the United States has been opened in Bellevue. ing about ten miles I thought I would have pleased to join. A man is taken into a t h i r t y – b e d ward where a n o t h e r touch or two. When the sun came up over the bay I he is t r e a t e d as a sick person and is c o n f i n e d In this place where I was now drinking the arrived home. I had done the one t h i n g my to his bed. You who have been f a m i l i a r , in the proprietor asked me if I was alone. I told him wife had asked me to and I reasoned I had past, with the old setup at Bellevue would be t h a t I was not, t h a t I had Sandy Hook with done it rather well, considering. p l e a s a n t l y surprised w i t h t h i s alcoholic ward. me. He w a n t e d to know who Sandy Hook was 1 put Sandy Hook in my wife’s bed and It is no longer necessary to see how d r u n k you and I—by then a l i t t l e h a l l u c i n a t e d w i t h started to tell her about meeting such a nice can get a man before you can put h i m i n t o t h e g r a n d e u r — t o l d him it was our Siamese cat. policeman. She wasn’t interested. ward and the routine has been very much A be-jeweled and elderly lady s i t t i n g on the So I drank for a few days. simplified. The a d m i t t i n g and staff doctors next stool volunteered the i n f o r m a t i o n that The psychiatrist said, “You were faced w i t h are very co-operative w i t h A. A. members who she was a connoisseur of Siamese cats. She responsibility—you were frustrated—it’s anhave patients to hospitalize. W i t h the shortsaid t h a t she would s i m p l y love to see mine. other case of escape. ” I said, “Sure. The cat age of help and nurses, it is w o n d e r f u l t h a t Well, it was dark outside and I figured t h a t escaped but I got h i m back. ” they can do this at this time. she couldn’t see much anyhow because of her He said, “I’ll have to psychoanalyze you to Women alcoholics are also hospitalized in age and her slightly cocked condition. help you. ” wards of the medical division of Bellevue, So t h e boss and she and I went out to the “How much w i l l that cost?” said I. rather t h a n confined to the psycho ward. We car. Sandy Hook was gone. The boss sug- “About 2, 000 dollars, ” said he. are in hopes t h a t sometime in t h e near f u t u r e gested t h a t I had had enough and that I go “I haven’t 2, 000 dollars, ” said I. an e n t i r e ward for women can be set up, home. “Have you 1, 000 dollars?” said he. similar to t h e men’s. On r e t u r n i n g to the bar for m e d i t a t i o n and “No, ” said 1, “but I’ll give you an acre of If you have a p a t i e n t you wish to hospital- Scotch to soothe my anguish I decided I land I own on Long Island. ” ize, get in touch w i t h the secretary of y o u r group; he will give you the names of the, couldn’t go home. My sweet w i f e had given “Does everyone t h i n k t h a t an acre there is me only t h i s one thing to do and what was worth 1, 000 dollars?” said he. members of the Hospital C o m m i t t e e , and t h e y more she liked the cat better t h a n me. “No, ” said I, “only me. ” w i l l explain the r o u t i n e and, if possible, go w i t h you to hospitalize your patient. 1 announced t h a t I would drive back the “Well, ” he said, “you’ll have to stop drink- We of the Hospital C o m m i t t e e and a l l mem- ten miles, and w i t h d r e w . ing and there’s only one t h i n g t h a t m i g h t help bers of A. A. are deeply g r a t e f u l to His Honor When I reached the first spot I got out and you. And that’s A. A. ” the Mayor, the doctors, and all of the people started walking up and down the street, call- So I now am a member of A. A. and it was who helped effect this change of t r e a t m e n t of ing, “Here, Sandy Hook. Here, Sandy Hook. ” and is the only thing for me because I have the alcoholic in M e t r o p o l i t a n New York. A large cop appeared and asked me gently faith in A. A. and the people in it and the Jack N., Chairman, Hospital Committee. w h a t I was doing. A f t e r explaining the whole principles behind it. Fred S.

from” September Remember”: a Novel about A. A. Concluding Chapter XXI, begun in the March Grapevine. September Remember, by Eliot Taintor (a writing team, one of whom is an A. A. ), will be published April 16th, by Prentice-Hall.

(Rick the. hero of September Remember, is ment t h a t nobody but an A u s t r a l i a n could I d r a n k I got d r u n k e r t h a n I i n t e n d e d . But deeply concerned over Joe’s continuing slip. make a boomerang. That made me mad. You my business career was going ahead. 1 was Joe is Rick’s best friend and original A. A. see, I had grandiose ideas. 1 determined to m a k i n g money in Wall Street, getting the somentor. In an effort to learn how to help Joe, show him t h a t I, Bill G r i f f i t h of Vermont, c i a l r e c o g n i t i o n I craved. Only I couldn’t Rick has consulted Joe’s psychiatrist, Dr. could make a boomerang. I neglected my seem to l i v e w i t h o u t liquor—or live very hap- Wales. Together, Wales and Rick have gone lessons. 1 forgot to fill the woodbox. I spent p i l y w i t h it. I was a drunk by 1924. up to New Haven where. Wales is to address all my time reading all the books on Aus- “By the t i m e the depression h i t , I was the Yale Summer School for Studies on Alco- tralia in our town library—except for the being supported m a i n l y by my w i f e , Lois, hol. Rich hopes to meet and talk to Bill time I spent with drawshave and saw on who is down there now in the fourth row.” Griffith, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anony- every l i k e l y piece of l i m b e r I could lay my H e waved a long arm t o w a r d a grey-haired mous, who will be there. ) hands on. My G r a n d d a d got good and m a d w o m a n w i t h a gentle face, gentle and strong, when 1 sawed the headpiece out of my bed. and with the same look of serenity his own Chapter XXI… continued “As luck would have it, t h i s t u r n e d out to face had. be the right piece of wood for a boomerang. “Then came, my big chance. I was offered Two men were already seated there. One, I threw it around the Congregational Church a job as manager of a large syndicate. 1 had “a long, lean, humorous, intelligent Vermont steeple and it came back to me. Then I called succeeded in s t a y i n g sober d u r i n g the prelim- Yankee, ” must be B i l l Griffith, from Joe’s my Granddad out for a demonstration. I t h r e w i n a r y t a l k s — s i x or e i g h t weeks, 1 guess—but description. The heavier man, Dr. Jellinek, the boomerang, it went around the steeple, t h e y a l l knew about my drinking and before Director of the School, spoke b r i e f l y . . . introcame back and nearly decapitated Granddad.” the deal was closed one of t h e m came to me d u c i n g B i l l G r i f f i t h . Rick watched the lean Bill paused while the audience, laughed. a n d said, ‘ B i l l , are you sure you can stay off Vermonter unfold himself, look over the audi- “Now there was an example of the grandiose. liquor; not take one single drink?’ ence, walk down the steps from the rostrum 1 had spent an utterly unreasonable amount “‘Oh sure,’ 1 said, ‘of course 1 can.’ to t h e main floor and say with a grin and a of study and exertion for no useful purpose ” ‘Well, would you m i n d if we put t h a t in slight d r a w l t h a t he welcomed the spirit of — s i m p l y to prove my own importance. the contract ?’ i n f o r m a l i t y and would like to talk as if this “I could give you other examples t h a t “‘Not at a l l , not at all.’ were an A. A. meeting. “Some while ago, ” he m i g h t look as if I had been developing some “So t h e y wrote in t h a t if I look one d r i n k began, “a few of us from A. A. met with a admirable qualities, such as persistence— my job as manager was ended.” group of distinguished physicians who were a c t u a l l y I was developing my ego. In school R i c k knew w h a t was coming—it was the s t u d y i n g what they called ‘recovered alcoand in the war. It was during the war t h a t same sort of t h i n g t h a t had happened to h i m holics’ and ‘un-recovered alcoholics’—medical 1 made the great discovery t h a t a few d r i n k s when he’d tried to go on t h e wagon on acterms. They mentioned a t h i r d group—’norreleased me from self-consciousness. c o u n t of an i m p o r t a n t job—and landed bemal people. ‘ Maybe some of us who had been “After the war I went to New York. I was h i n d t h e eight ball. The A.A.s around h i m ‘dry’ several years were hurt to find that we overcome by the vastness of the place, the were all g r i n n i n g r e m i n i s c e n t l y as Bill Grifwere s t i l l not considered ‘normal. ‘ numbers of sophisticated people. I felt a fith went on to tell how he had gone out to “The doctors were very humble—like our great urge to show these city folks t h a t a New Jersey to inspect t h e p l a n t and g o t t e n good friend Dr. Sam Wales, here—they ad- Yankee f r o m the Vermont h i l l s could hold i n t o a poker game a f t e r w a r d at his hotel w i t h m i t t e d t h a t medicine has not done much for his own w i t h them. I went to n i g h t law some of t h e c o m p a n y engineers. They had t h e alcoholic. They seemed to t h i n k t h a t alschool. My wife and I lived in cheap rooms had a jug of “Jersey Lightning” and offered coholics are more sensitive, more emotionally to save money—we had decided t h a t money h i m a d r i n k . H e had refused repeatedly, b u t c h i l d i s h t h a n normal people and this hurt was all-important in g e t t i n g ahead. My social l a t e in t h e evening he had gotten to t h i n k i n g us—we had always considered ourselves inteldrinking increased. Little did I realize that t h a t in all his long d r i n k i n g career he had lectually precocious. I was b u i l d i n g a boomerang t h a t would come- never l a s t e d “Jersey L i g h t n i n g . ” So he had ” I n other words, they were describing the back and nearly decapitate me. had a d r i n k . Three days later he had come alcoholic character much as I would have put to on his bed in the same hotel. The phone i t . Let’s say — the alcoholic tends to the “From a legitimate means of relaxation was ringing. It was his new boss, t e l l i n g him grandiose. and release, liquor was becoming a necessity to me. And I was pouring it into a body t h a t his job was ended. “1 was t h a t way myself even as a child on a Vermont farm. I can remember the day was very sensitive to alcohol. We have a way “Now I submit to you,” Bill undid the butmy Granddad told me about the boomerang of stating it in A.A.—alcoholism is an allergy tons of his coat and pulled at a dark blue tie of Australia which came back to you if it of the body combined w i t h a compulsion of w i t h w h i t e curlicues, “that is not the h a b i t missed the animal you were throwing it at. the mind. That was what was happening to of drinking. That is an infinite projection of G r a n d d a d concluded w i t h the dogmatic state- me. My hangovers became worse. Each t i m e (Continued on Page 8)

Mail Call for All A. A. s in the Armed Forces friend home from school because I didn’t want him to see my mother like that. I hadn’t “I have just returned to the States after 20 months overseas, during cried from pain in many years, but at night which time my only contact with the group has been The Grapevine— I’d lie in bed, tears rolling down my cheeks, p r a y i n g to God to help. God had answered (but what a refreshing contact that was!). And, as in most other things in saving her life the only o t h e r time I asked these days, remarkable changes have taken place, and much progress. After Him to help. a lapse of so many months, of course the first thing that strikes one is the At intervals in the last two or three years my mother told my sister and me that she tremendous expansion in all groups everywhere. Many have been obliged would give it up. She tried, I know, but never to take on new quarters, and the ones which I have seen have all been an was successful. improvement over the old. As we had all hoped, the A. A. program has been There was one way left that I thought would do a lot of good, but it was a very hard t h i n g made available to thousands more people who have been struggling with the for me to do. I wrote a long letter a p p e a l i n g problem, and it is a fine thing to meet so many new and happy A. A. s who to my mother’s love for her family. It hurt have embarked on the wonderful adventure afforded by the program. An her deeply, as I knew it would, but with her great love she fought all the pent-up emooutstanding feature to be noticed today is the large number of ‘high-bottom tional disturbances within her to a great demembers, ‘ those who have gained an early understanding of their problem gree of success. To help reduce the great through A. A. Perhaps because of the fact that A. A. is becoming so well strain on her mind and to insure a rapid comeback to a happy life, my sister and a member known nationally, they have not had to bounce all the way down the hard of A. A. induced her to join your organization. road, losing everything, before realizing that something must be done about You don’t know how extremely happy and it, and, what is more important, learning how to do it. proud a person I am today. To be f i g h t i n g 3, 000 miles from home and know t h a t your “It is evident, too, to one who has been away, that present-day conditions family is back on the road to complete hapare putting a pressure on the civilian population which has caused day to piness after ten years of discouraging disapday existence to he speeded up in a manner reminiscent of the ‘terrific twen- pointments is a wonderful thing and it’s even more wonderful to be able to love every little ties. ‘ As a result, there is necessarily more drinking going on generally, I thing about your mother with all your heart, should say, than before the war. During my 17 days on leave in the New and w i t h all your soul. York area, friends have brought me into contact with three people who have I am extremely grateful to you for t h e way gone beyond the ‘safety line’ of normal drinking. So the group is needed in which you have helped. A h e a r t f u l of more than ever before, in all areas of the country. thanks and sincere good wishes from—a son of one of you. W. A. L. “Most satisfactory of all, however, is the fact that in spite of the great nation-wide expansion in A. A., the same warm, friendly, and happy spirit MEDICINE FOR SELF PITY prevails everywhere—just as it always has. So—it’s great to be home again “I’ve wanted to write for a long time, but —with the grandest bunch of people in the land!” my days are long and full. We all are too Y. G. much in t h i s work to really observe it. If I were on a schedule like t h i s back in the States grew worse. I’d come home f r o m high school I’d have blown my top regularly just like the Attached is a very precious letter written in the afternoon to find her in a drunken noon whistle at the biscuit factory. by a young bomber pilot in Italy, this son of stupor, and inside I’d be boiling mad, and “Of course, I often think of A. A. It’s one of a Springfield A. A, who has been a member sick at heart. I never said anything particu- the things we have to do. But when you see since November, 1944. larly u n k i n d to her while she was like this, men who have been through the real hell of It is addressed to the. A. A. s everywhere in as the words would have been forgotten in the war, and you hear from them w h a t it’s like appreciation for what A. A. has done for him morning, and I’d only get as a reply to any- (you can’t know unless you’ve been there), through his mother. C,. W. thing I said, t h a t “everything was o. k. —every- or you see them laugh w i t h tears in their eyes Ten years ago my mother recovered mirac- thing o. k. ” But I’d lie awake half the night as they tell you how their comrades were ulously a f t e r almost losing her life in a planning what I would tactfully say in the killed all around them, you wonder how you Chicago hospital. It was God, and her love morning. Morning came and mother would could ever have taken yourself so damned for her f a m i l y , t h a t pulled her through. be her bright, very beautiful and very gracious seriously. It was following this recovery t h a t I first self again, and I could never get up enough “I’m very well in every way, and l i v i n g only remember her d r i n k i n g to excess. Not too courage to say a n y t h i n g t h a t might hurt her. for the day we can all take up where we left much at first, but as years went on, things So things went on. I’d be a f r a i d to bring a off. ” Pvt. John D., BUSH Hospital, France

DOWN ALIBI ALLEY: with Hal H. of C h i c a g o . . .

Do You Know: THE CATCH IN Q U I T T I N G A L O N E ? In 1936 I q u i t d r i n k i n g , not knowing then of the first year I no longer had a c r a v i n g for five previous years of being dry. I have t h a t I was an alcoholic but knowing I was a the first and f a t a l drink. As time went on I learned in t h i s period to be h a p p y w i t h o u t d r u n k a r d . I desperately wanted to quit and became proud of having quit against the d r i n k i n g , and to live w i t h o u t any sense of loss knew I had to, if I was not to lose everything prophesies that I couldn’t do it, and seriously or privation. My point of view now is positive. I valued. planned to write a book e n t i t l e d , “How To 1 am now s t a y i n g dry, whereas before A.A. I 1 had been a long-time, every-day, heavy Quit Drinking if You Want To. ” was r e g r e t f u l l y r e f r a i n i n g from drinking. d r i n k e r w i t h frequent binges in between. The Instead of writing this, I decided in 1941 I don’t question the possibility of some alfirst six m o n t h s were agonizing, and there that after five years I ought to he able to d r i n k coholics d r y i n g up for a t i m e wholly on t h e i r were times when I feared my doctor’s prophe- normally. For a limited time I did just that, own. 1 do know the process is a lonely and sy, t h a t I would have to he locked up for at and then came the recurring three-day drunks, u n h a p p y one, and the chances are u l t i m a t e least six months, would a f t e r all turn out to which left me puzzled and w i t h an ever-in- failure. be correct. creasing sense of hopelessness. If I were asked, “What’s the difference be- By coincidence, I devised my own 24- 1 have been in Alcoholics Anonymous tween being dry by one’s self or in Alcoholics hour plan, and a f t e r six months of not drink- since September, 1943. There is a great dif- Anonymous,” my answer would be one word ing, the going began to get easier. At the end ference between this 18 months and all of t h e —”Happiness.” Jack B,

A. A. ‘s COUNTRY-WIDE NEWS CIRCUIT The role which A.A. can take in curb- vices of psychiatric workers. When released chronic alcoholics were institutionalized last ing absenteeism in i n d u s t r i a l p l a n t s due to they would be paroled to A. A. It is pro- year, of whom New York’s Bellevue excessive d r i n k i n g was recently o u t l i n e d be- posed t h a t t h i s clinic be financed t h r o u g h the H o s p i t a l took care of 8, 562. fore the Chattanooga, Tennessee, I n d u s t r i a l federal, state, c o u n t y and city governments. Personnel Club. Stanley Davis of Cincinnati, An overseas letter from Lt. Don Aho of Fairanalyst of the Ohio Personnel Testing Labora- Which reminds us that Austin R., author and port Harbor, Ohio, reprinted in the Fairport member of the Eau Claire, Wisconsin A. A. Harbor Beacon, w i t h favorable e d i t o r i a l comtories, displayed personnel tests showing the group, recently spoke on A. A. before the Eau ment, says “I have been reading about qualifications of a normal worker and the marked d e v i a t i o n by alcoholics from t h e norm. Claire State Teachers C o l l e g e . . . . According the Alcoholics Anonymous in various periodto the Chicago Municipal Court records, the icals with keen interest. I am really glad to see He also showed how alcoholics “come back, ” even passing the norm, after joining A. A. The sex ratio of alcoholic addicts has changed from it branch out. It uses the best psychology of program was arranged by a prominent busi- one female to four or five males in 1931, to education and leadership that I have ever nessman, who is a member of the non-alco- one female to two males in 1943, as reported seen a p p l i e d . . . . A. A. is setting a fine example by Dr. D. B. Totman, director of the psychi- for our educators to follow. Perhaps the day holic advisory board for the Chattanooga A. A. g r o u p . . . . Can a n y t h i n g be done for atric institute of the Municipal Court of will come when all graduates will emerge the valuable employee whose d r i n k i n g is out Chicago in a late issue of the Journal of the from school trained and prepared to meet American Medical Association. life’s problems w i t h o u t fear of f a i l u r e . ” of control? To some employers this is still a baffling question. The Delaware A. A. Our school system is gradually being in- Lunching in the Senate dining room the groups have distributed a booklet, “What structed in A. A. Paul C. Young of the Louisi- other noon with Dr. E. M. Jellinek, director About the Alcoholic Employees?” to personnel ana State University f a c u l t y was recently of the Section on Alcohol Studies of the Labdirectors in organizations t h r o u g h o u t the quoted in the state newspapers for his enthus- oratory of Applied Physiology at Yale, were state. The booklet contains a r e p r i n t of the iastic support of our p r o g r a m . . . . Dr. Charles a significant collection of people. Discussing chapter in the A. A. book describing the ex- L. Outland, medical director of Richmond with Dr. Jellinek the establishment of periences of an employer in d e a l i n g w i t h alco- Public Schools, was the principal speaker clinics for alcoholics in Washington, D. C., holism. at a meeting of the Richmond, Virginia were Senators Arthur Capper and Theodore Norwalk is the latest to join the A. A. ranks in g r o u p . . . . Adhering to wartime needs, A. A. s G. Bilbo of the Senate District Committee; Ohio. At their first open meeting were throughout the country are establishing swing Representatives Jennings Randolph, chair- Judge Edgar M a r t i n of the Common Pleas shift groups, some meeting in the morning, man of the House District C o m m i t t e e ; and Court, Judge Luther Van Horn of Probate some in the afternoon. Flint, Michigan is Representative Karl Stefan, member of the Court, Prosecuting Attorney Herbert K. Free- flourishing on its new swing shift basis. House Appropriations Committee for the Disman and County Welfare Chairman George trict…. A step toward co-operation w i t h A. A. A. A. groups of Westchester County, W. Lawrence. is being taken at Washington’s D i s t r i c t J a i l , New York, are beginning a plan of co-opera- Howard B. Gill, superintendent, announced Another new group has been formed tion with Grasslands Hospital authorities, a few days ago, w i t h a Committee f r o m the in Stockton, C a l i f o r n i a , and Pennsylvania has under which volunteer a t t e n d a n t s will be sup- Washington A. A. group v i s i t i n g the jail regua new one in Uniontown. As for Iowa, you plied for night duty in the hospital’s psychilarly. Statistics show a majority of the 12, 000 may take the word of i t s members t h a t A. A. a t r i c b u i l d i n g . The announcement was made alcoholics passing through the District Jail is ticking there. They have watched it grow in connection with the organization of a Yoneach year are old offenders. Most frequent from a meager beginning w i t h five members kers (N. Y. ) group at a recent open meeting. visitor is a man now on his 157th sentence. in October, 1943, to nine groups w i t h a present Other participating groups are Mount Vernon, t o t a l membership of more t h a n 260 persons. New Rochelle, W h i l e Plains and Peekskill. Ted Le B., a member of one of the So far, there have been few women members: The emergency plan, by which the A. A. memmany groups on Long Island, New York, gave two in the O t t u m w a group, t w o in Des Moines, bers will meet a serious manpower shortage, a talk in Buffalo a while ago that has been and one at Waterloo. W i t h the Tampa A. A. s was worked out in a conference with Dr. John widely w r i t t e n up in newspapers throughout as the sponsoring body, there’s now another G. Lynn, chief psychiatrist at Grasslands, and the country. Ted said that “these 12 A. A. group in Florida, in the town of St. Peters- Mrs. Blanche P. Mack of Scarsdale (N. Y. ), steps really are a masterful abridgement of the b u r g . . . . Oklahoma’s e x p a n d i n g A . A . has director of volunteer service at the hospital. only possible ultimate international peace pronow reached to McAlester. Effective since the l a t t e r p a r t of March, the g r a m . . . . The splendid t r u t h given to a h a l f – Westchester groups are supplying three volun- Judge K a r l V. K i n g of Salt Lake crazed d r u n k who fell to his knees and asked teers a night to serve as attendants at the City, Utah, has recommended to the city com- God for light may some day deliver all manpsychiatric building. The plan is an outmission the establishment of a clinic for alco- kind from chaos just as it delivered him. The growth of a continuing program of coholics. The judge would then commit alco- mustard seed may become the tree. ” Ted went operation between Grasslands and A. A. in holics who have been arrested four or five on to suggest substituting the word “materialhelping alcoholics in Westchester to recover. consecutive times to the care of the c l i n i c for ism” for the word “alcohol” and “materialist” a period not to exceed six months. They would Here are some more statistics, not the usual for “alcoholic. ” The editors of this country receive the necessary medical care, and ser- boring kind but dynamically alive…. 600, 000 thought what Ted said made a lot of sense.

8

(Continued from Page 4) ten years ago and I haven’t had a d r i n k to feel i m p o r t a n t . That’s another reason for h a b i t w h i c h m i g h t well be called an obses- since. ” A.A.’s success.” sion.” He looked around the solemn gathering Rick was impressed by the way B i l l G r i f f i t h From t h e n on t h i n g s had gone from bad to and grinned. “Some of my irreverent f r i e n d s h a n d l e d t h e questions w h i c h f o l l o w e d t h e enworse p r e t t y r a p i d l y . B i l l had been in in A. A. call my r e l i g i o u s experience ‘ B i l l ‘ s t h u s i a s t i c applause. . . . Towns H o s p i t a l in New York, where K i d d hot flash, ‘ but it is very s i m i l a r to several When t h e a u d i e n c e swarmed around B i l l W h i s t l e r had t a k e n Joe. Even his doctor and described in W i l l i a m James’s Varieties of G r i f f i t h , Rick moved f o r w a r d and joined Dr. his w i f e had about lost hope f o r h i m . Then Religions Experience. You could call J a m e s Wales. Suddenly B i l l detached himself from one day an old f r i e n d , a former d r i n k i n g pal, a founder of A. A. a l t h o u g h he never heard t h e p e r s i s t e n t questioners, his arms outhad come to see him. Bill had offered him a of it, and Ebbie, certainly, and a man in stretched. d r i n k and Ebbie had refused. Ebbie had Akron, Ohio who believed t h a t w h a t had hap- “Well, R i c k . I’m glad to see you at last.” looked d i f f e r e n t . He said he had got religion. pened to me could help other d r u n k s . “How the. devil did you know me?” He had t a l k e d to Bill about i t . I am not saying t h a t every m a n and “Wales whispered to me on t h e p l a t f o r m “Now 1 never thought much of the God woman in A. A. gets t h i s sudden type of ‘con- t h a t you’d come w i t h him. But I guess,” B i l l business,” Bill smiled, “but Ebbie called it version, ‘ as our doctor here called it. As a laughed, “I’d have recognized your famous simply ‘a power greater than ourselves’ and matter of fact, ” and here Rick felt as if Bill high b o t t o m a n y w a y . Joe’s t a l k e d a lot about I had always believed in such a power. After Griffith were looking directly at h i m , speak- you. You’re, his prize case. Ebbie left 1 began to ask myself, ‘Can beg- ing to h i m , “most of our members approach Rick’s face darkened. gars be choosers? Does a cancer patient quib- the spiritual angle of our program t e n t a t i v e l y “Joe Kelly w i l l be all right.” Bill G r i f f i t h ble about cures?’ No, he goes to the best —some of them s k e p t i c a l l y —- b u t it comes. p u t his h a n d on Rick’s arm. “Joe has come, p h y s i c i a n in u t t e r dependency. Slowly, often. Unobserved by t h e person h i m – too f a r along in A.A., helped too m a n y other “This thought kept sticking in my mind self, perhaps, but the p e r s o n a l i t y change, is people, to fold up p e r m a n e n t l y now. Right, t h r o u g h two or three more weeks of drinking. just as much of a miracle. Doctor?” Then suddenly I cried out in abject despera- “It may come through faith—or it may It wasn’t a question, really. Rick felt t h a t tion, ‘1 am willing to do anything. Anything. come through works. You see we get people B i l l Griffith’s confidence would have stood up If there is a God, will He show Himself?’ both ways. The 12th step of our program even to a n e g a t i v e answer from Wales. 1 had no f a i t h at all but suddenly I was over- is helping other alcoholics. That is religion Wales smiled. “Doesn’t the. Bible say that come with a feeling of being surrounded by too. f a i t h can move m o u n t a i n s , and Kelly is just Something. I felt transported to a mountain “Our program has been borrowed from a man—a man who’s had a bad blow but who top . . . I had a sense of light and ecstasy, both religion and medicine. For instance, ” has your f a i t h . It’s the thing t h a t will help followed by great peace. he raised his left hand, “the doctor recomh i m most now. A n d I’m speaking as a psy- ” ‘Oh, so this is the peace t h a t passeth un- mends analysis and catharsis. ” He raised his c h i a t r i s t , ” he added. derstanding,’ I told myself. But I became cau- r i g h t hand. “The priest, or m i n i s t e r , advises “It d i d n ‘ t help Sylvia,” Rick said. “Joe tious. Scared. I called the doctor. I thought e x a m i n a t i o n of the conscience and confes- I was going crazy. didn’t help her. None of us helped her.” sion. ” He looked at his left hand a g a i n . “The ” ‘No, boy, you’re not insane,’ be said. psychiatrist says, ‘You have stepped out of B i l l G r i f f i t h looked at Rick’s dark, unhappy ‘Whatever it is you’ve got hold of, you’d bet- the herd. You are an introvert. You cannot face. This was harder t h a n any of the quester hang on to it. It’s a lot better than what be happy unless you can make contact with tions he had had to answer after the meeting, you had before.’ I did hold on . . . That was your fellowmen. ‘” He turned to his right b u t he faced it w i t h the same honesty. “Maybe, hand. “And what does the religious man say? we d i d help Sylvia for a while. She said she ‘Think of others and you will be at peace. was h a p p i e r in A.A. than she had ever been Cut This Out and Mail to: in her life. Maybe we failed. Look at it this Practice the Brotherhood of Man. ‘ The med- The Grapevine ical man tells his patient to ‘find a hobby, way, Rick. A.A. may f a i l once or twice—or P.O. Box 328 some new compelling interest, ‘ and the re- a dozen times—and we may be sick at heart Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. ligious man talks about the ‘expulsive power and full of self-reproach, but that isn’t a Herewith 1.50 for one year’s subscription of a new affection. ‘ They are s a y i n g t h e same h e a l t h y a l t i t u d e . It isn’t even s t a t i s t i c a l . to The Grapevine (Monthly) t h i n g in different words, and we have f o u n d We’ve, got to keep our minds on the hundreds For additional subscriptions enclose separate t h a t what they say is true. of men and women A.A. has helped—the hunsheet with name and address clearly printed. ” S o . . . A. A. is a synthesis of religion and dreds more, it is h e l p i n g every day. Sylvia medicine—plus our own experience. We have was a lovely person, but Sylvia was one and Checks payable to The Grapevine. added two main things: first, transmission by we are many.” Total Enclosed alcoholics—we’ve proved t h a t only a drunk Rick could see Sylvia in her white dress PLEASE PRINT leaning against the column of Joe’s porch, can help another d r u n k ; second, group ther- Name apy—membership in our society takes away her lovely, p o i n t e d medieval face l i f t e d in Address an alcoholic’s feeling of being a p a r i a h and challenge, hear the r i n g i n g c e r t a i n t y of her gives him a new, compelling interest in life. voice. “A.A. keeps on—men and women learn A newcomer feels more i m p o r t a n t each day how to live w i t h o u t alcohol, even if some of Note: Subscriptions received up to the 15th begin with the current month’s issue. Those received after the t h a t he does not drink. And we’ve been told them learn slowly, even if some of them f a i l . 15th will begin with the following month’s issue. pretty often that we are all the type that has It doesn’t matter.”

VOL. I, NO. 12, MAY, 1945 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK, 17 YEARLY, 1. 50; COPY, 15c A Monthly Journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A. A. as a whole.

JACK ALEXANDER OF SAT EVE POST FAME ingAkron from a binge that wound up in the gutter. was the next stop. Bill met me there T H O U G H T A. A. s WERE PULLING HIS LEG who is another hard and promptly introduced me to Doc S., man to disbelieve. There were more hospital visits, an A. A. meeting, Ordinarily, diabetes isn’t rated as one of the Next morning I took the subway to the and interviews with people who a year or two hazards of report ing, but the Alcoholics headquarters of Alcoholics Anonymous in before were undergoing varying forms of the Anonymous article in the Saturday Evening downtown M a n h a t t a n , where I met B i l l W. b l i n d staggers. Now t h e y seemed calm, w e l l – Post came close to costing me my liver, and This Bill W. is a very disarming guy and an spoken, steady-handed and prosperous, at least maybe A. A. neophytes ought to he told t h i s expert at indoctrinating the stranger into the mildly prosperous. when they are handed copies of the article to psychology, psychiatry, physiology, pharma- Doc S. drove us both from Akron to Cleveread. It m i g h t impress them. In t h e course of cology and folklore of alcoholism, He spent land one night and the same p a t t e r n was remy fact gathering, I d r a n k enough Coca-Cola, the good part of a couple of days telling me peated. The universality of alcoholism was Pepsi-Cola, ginger ale, Moxie and Sweetie to w h a t it was all about. It was an interesting more apparent here. In Akron it had been float the Saratoga. Then there was the t h i c k l y experience, but at the end of it my fingers mostly factory workers. In Cleveland there frosted cake so beloved of A. A. gatherings, were still crossed. He knew it, of course, w i t h were lawyers, accountants and other profesand the heavily sweetened coffee, and the out my saying it, and in the days that followed sional men, in a d d i t i o n to laborers. And again candy. Nobody can tell me t h a t alcoholism he took me to the homes of some of the A.A.s, the same stories. The pattern was repeated isn’t due solely to an abnormal craving for where 1 got a chance to talk to the wives, too. also in Chicago, the only v a r i a t i o n there being sugar, not even a learned p s y c h i a t r i s t . Other- My skepticism suffered a few minor scratches, the presence at the meetings of a number of wise t h e A. A. assignment was a pleasure. but not enough to h u r t . Then B i l l shepherded newspapermen. I had spent most of my work- It began when the Post asked me to look me to a few A.A. meetings at a clubhouse ing life on newspapers and I could really t a l k i n t o A. A. as a possible article subject. All I somewhere in the West Twenties. Here were to these men. The real clincher, though, came knew of alcoholism at the time was t h a t , like all manner of alcoholics, many of them, the in St. Louis, which is my hometown. Here most other non-alcoholics, I had had my hand nibblers at the fringe of the movement, still fragrant of liquor and needing a shave. Now I met a number of my own f r i e n d s who were bitten (and my nose punched) on numerous I know I was among a few genuine alcoholics A. A. s, and the last remnants of skepticism occasions by alcoholic pals to whom I had vanished. Once rollicking rumpots, they were extended a hand—unwisely, it a l w a y s seemed a n y w a y . The bearded, fume-breathing lads now sober. It didn’t seem possible, but there afterward. Anyway, I had an u n d e r s t a n d a b l e were A.A. skeptics, too, and now I had some company. it was. skepticism about the whole business. When the article was published, the reader My first contact w i t h actual A. A. s came The week spent with Bill W. was a success (Continued on Page 8) when a group of four of them called at my from one standpoint. I knew 1 had the maka p a r t m e n t one afternoon. This session was ings of a readable report but, unfortunately, MEMO TO ALL J U N E S U B S C R I B E R S : pleasant, but it didn’t help my skepticism any. 1 didn’t quite believe in it and told Bill so. Each one introduced himself as an alcoholic He asked why I didn’t look in on the A.A.s in With this issue, The Grapevine has comwho had gone “dry, ” as the official expression other cities and see what went on there. I pleted its first year of publication. The 165 has it. They were good-looking and well- agreed to do this, and we mapped out an of you who subscribed last June are now dressed and, as we sat around d r i n k i n g Coca- i t i n e r a r y . I went to Philadelphia, first, and 2, 000 strong. But you 165 were our m a i n s t a y Cola (which was all they would t a k e ) , they some of the local A.A.s took me to the psycho- and support at the beginning and for t h i s we spun yarns about their horrendous drinking pathic ward of Philadelphia General Hospital are deeply grateful. You wrote us letters of misadventures. The stories sounded spurious, and showed me how they work on the alco- encouragement, you sent us material, you and after the visitors had left, I had a strong holic inmates. In t h a t gloomy place, it was an brought us new subscribers. A thousand suspicion that my leg was being pulled. They impressive t h i n g to see men who had bounced thanks; and may each one of you like the had behaved like a bunch of actors sent out in and out of the ward themselves patiently paper you helped to start well enough to reby some Broadway casting agency. jawing a man who was still haggard and shak- new your subscription. The Grapevine Staff.

EDITORIAL: Letters to The On the 7th Step Dear Grapevine: As far as George and I know, our 6-lb, 11-oz. Beulah May is the first “all A. A. baby” born to a couple, both A. A. s, “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. ” who met in an A. A. group. We met in the We all know that it is God’s will that we live clean, wholesome lives; that B a l t i m o r e group in 1942, and now we t h a n k we think clearly and become persons of honest decision. This we know we A. A. not only for our r e h a b i l i t a t i o n but for our dear l i t t l e girl as well. cannot do until we become our real selves, so, in desperation, we alcoholics Marian May R., Hartford group, Conn. revert to prayer. We humbly ask God to remove our shortcomings; to re- Dear Grapevine: How often a person w i l l store us to our natural selves, so that we may think clearly on our problems. go to a f r i e n d , a s k i n g advice, and a l l t h e while Emerson says, “None will ever solve the problem of his character accord- he has d e f i n i t e l y decided u p o n t h e course he ing to our prejudice, but only in his own high unprecedented way. ” w i l l f o l l o w . A c t u a l l y he is not seeking advice; he w a n t s a p p r o v a l . Character is undoubtedly accumulative, and in removing shortcomings it We alcoholics have for years devoted a stands to reason that we are striving to build character. This can be done by great deal of our efforts to c h a n g i n g rules observing our errors, and, one at a time, correcting them on the spot. to fit our actions. Whenever we could not or would not conform, we s i m p l y changed We have already accepted this “Power greater than ourselves” as a reality. t h e rules. Something to which we can pray, expecting to receive help. So now we ask Five, years ago I made a decision to t u r n for courage to look at our shortcomings honestly. To recognize them for my w i l l and my l i f e over to the care of God. Too o f t e n today, when I t h i n k I am a s k i n g what they really are, and not what we might wish them to be. God for advice, I am a c t u a l l y looking for What are some of our shortcomings? Let us list just a few: 1. Excessive w h a t I w a n t to do. I am s t i l l t r y i n g to change drinking. 2. Resenting help. 3. Resenting the good fortune of others. 4. De- t h e rules to s u i t my actions. Much to our surprise, after we went into fending ourselves when we know we are in the wrong. 5. Jealousy and envy A. A. we found t h a t we had not been t r y i n g of all kinds. 6. Shunning responsibility. to q u i t d r i n k i n g . We d i d not want to q u i t : Through the grace of God we have found A. A., which teaches us that we a l l our efforts were devoted to t r y i n g to learn to d r i n k n o r m a l l y . Not u n t i l we really had are sick people and that alcohol in any form or amount is out. So we stop a desire to q u i t did we have a n y success. A drinking. That takes care of our number one problem. r e l u c t a n t decision to live, by God’s w i l l as We must be willing to accept help of all kinds without resentment. This amended by ourselves is not enough. A sincere desire for knowledge of his w i l l takes a little time, as we are the world’s most sensitive persons. We know too for us and t h e power to carry it out should well that we have neglected all of our talents and abilities for alcohol, and be our d a i l y prayer. we have terribly guilty feelings, made more acute by persons who are already A good question to ask ourselves f r e q u e n t ly: W h a t am I l o o k i n g for, advice or in better circumstances than we are. Nevertheless, we learn to suffer our a p p r o v a l ? Roy Y., Tampa, Florida hurt feelings and start building a constructive, happy life. Defending what we call our “pride” is one of the most difficult shortcom- Dear Grapevine: The average alcoholic is u n a b l e to face facts. In t h e m a t t e r of d r i n k i n g ings to remove. Many of us have thought of pride as something virtuous, as it concerns h i m , his vision has become something to be honored. Well, what have we left, we who are humbly seek- blurred, d i s t o r t e d . Only in brief periods of ing help, that we can put on exhibition as virtue? Often we cannot actually remorse or despair does he appreciate f u l l y , and realize t h e t r u t h t h a t t w o plus two equals put our finger on anything in our make-up of which we are really proud. So four. we break down our false pride, and exchange it for humility. Should he question his p h y s i c i a n regarding The most beautiful art in the world is simple, with few lines, little fuss his problem; and should the doctor e x p l a i n to h i m c a r e f u l l y , logically the n a t u r e of the and complications. So we try being simple for a change. Just plain honest c o n d i t i o n , how it came a b o u t , w h a t must and simplicity. We look for the best in our fellow man, “Pardon the wrong in can be done, his answer is likely to be: “Yes, h i m ; hark to the song in him. ” doctor, I know, but you see my case is d i f f e r e n t . ” ( H i s m o t h e r or his f a t h e r treated h i m By accepting God’s help, we learn to think clearly; to play fairly; and thus, or so; he had an i n j u r y in childhood or to give generously. Elizabeth W., Boston, Mass. a prolonged illness w h i c h left h i m a weak t h i s

WOMEN ALCOHOLICS HAVE A TOUGHER FIGHT Grapevine… Women alcoholics do have special prob- the double standard work here too? lems. To begin w i t h , the double standard In A. A. groups where there are already a or that; there was too much money, or too works overtime for them. Even before they few women members, some of these early little; he has always been high-strung, or doubts can be quickly resolved. Those who become alcoholic they’re in a different posimoody or shy; or w h a t w i l l you. ) dared to t a k e the plunge early and alone i n t o tion from men who d r i n k . They are expected If he should go to an A. A. meeting, he may t h i s seeming man’s world, found themselves to handle it if they drink at all. “No one likes join in the talk, ask questions, or just listen. to see a woman drunk” is a phrase we’ve all not in icy waters, but in a w a r m fellowship. Just listening, he begins to see himself as heard ad nauseam. As a m a t t e r of fact, we They in turn can t a k e the newcomer’s hand others see h i m ; his case does not seem so don’t l i k e to see it ourselves, much less to see and lead her into a world where there is real different; certainly he is not alone. it in the mirror, but if we’re alcoholic there equality—where all are alcoholics together, Self p i t y or self conceit, n e i t h e r seems apisn’t much choice. acceptable to their own admission of t h a t fact. p r o p r i a t e to t h e occasion. There is one t h i n g a woman usually can do They can help her to feel no longer alone, a These people, he realizes, are a l l in the same about it though, and most of them do. She marked creature to be h i d d e n and shunned, boat; they have been through the same shipcan do her d r i n k i n g privately. She can “hole but a wanted and needed part of a v i t a l , l i v wreck; and they’re all p u l l i n g in t h e same up” and present t h e world w i t h a picture “of ing society of her own kind. direction- — toward the dry land. b e s e t t i n g headaches, practically of chronic The return to honesty is hard for a l l alco- Perhaps he had b e t t e r grab the, gunwale invalidism. She can learn more about hiding holics, but for most women it is harder t h a n and hang on, for a w h i l e anyway. her liquor in a few months of alcoholism t h a n for men. Everything in the p a t t e r n of a A n d he couldn’t fool these people if he most men alcoholics learn in years. In the woman alcoholic has conspired to make her w a n t e d — they’ve been there. They have no process, she also learns a great deal about hid- dishonest. It hasn’t been entirely her f a u l t ; interest in fooling him. ing her true thoughts—in other words, about the world and its ways are much to blame. Nor would there be any point in h o l d i n g dishonest t h i n k i n g . And finally, a great many But we women can get there as well as the out on t h e m ; for they are, not “doing t h e i r women alcoholics learn the last retreat from men—witness the number of us, good A. A. stuff, ” delivering the goods, for a fee. There possible exposure: they discover that seda- members (one in ten of our t o t a l memberisn’t tiny fee or o b l i g a t i o n or e x a c t i o n of any tives are easily hidden, can be taken almost ship). We need perhaps a l i t t l e more help, a sort. unobserved, and leave no smell. And t h a t little more tolerance, a l i t t l e more time. We These men and women are alcoholic, like they produce the same effect as quantities of need extra education on the sedative problem, himself. Maybe they are not getting as m u c h liquor . . . w i t h ten times t h e danger. too often for us the Siamese t w i n of our alcof u n or as much amusement out of l i f e as t h e y Added to her own efforts to hide the fact holism. We need the example and encouragedid (and he did) say ten or t w e n t y years ago. of her alcoholism are the well-meaning ment of other women, and we need to give But they must he p u t t i n g a lot more i n t o it efforts of her family to hide her shame—their that example and encouragement to those ( w h i c h is one way, and the only way, of “purshame—from the world. Regardless of the hidden women alcoholics who need us. suing” happiness. ) fact t h a t such efforts rarely deceive anyone, Those of us who are already well and h a p p y The t h i n g seems s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d , honest, they are desperately pursued to the bitter, members of A. A. have a great r e s p o n s i b i l i t y and it makes sense. These people have solved often fatal, end. in the battle against stigma. If we can freely their m a i n problem. They w i l l be. glad to tell and proudly a d m i t our A. A. m e m b e r s h i p What, in t h a t case, has killed these “hidden him how they managed, and to give him a alcoholics,” these “protected” women? Not when there is an o p p o r t u n i t y to do so, if h a n d if he needs it — u n t i l he loses his sea legs. alcoholism. Stigma. we will speak at meetings whenever we can, He begins to see more clearly t h a t two plus We women who have found the answer to and work with other women, we can win t h a t two does make f o u r — just as it a l w a y s has. battle. Women in smaller cities and towns our alcoholic problem in A.A. have learned An Anonymous M. D., Conn. also t h a t there should be no stigma attached have the toughest fight on their hands, for the to this alcoholic disease so m a n y of us share. smaller the community, the more monstrously Dear Grapevine: I believe I was a p o t e n t i a l We have learned t h a t it is n o t h i n g to be big grows the ugly head of stigma, fed on alcoholic from the beginning, a l t h o u g h 1 ashamed of, that, it is an illness like any other, ignorance, misunderstanding, and gossip. didn’t a c t u a l l y become o n e u n t i l a f t e r q u i t e w i t h a name and symptoms, and we have Only the light of knowledge will eliminate a few years of drinking. I was the t y p e t h a t learned that we can get well. that monster, and t h e l i g h t of knowledge is u s u a l l y becomes an alcoholic. 1 was sort of an Many of us found it almost impossibly diffi- best shed through the s h i n i n g l i g h t of h u m a n odd child. 1 had an i n f e r i o r i t y complex. 1 cult to take t h e first step, to admit that we example. One woman, free of her illness, was lonely. I didn’t know how to make were w h a t we had considered t h a t shameful happy and well and ready to tell how it was friends. I kept a sort of wall between myself thing, an alcoholic. What would people say? done, can perhaps set hundreds more free. and other people. A n d I took to d r i n k i n g as Wouldn’t it be s t i l l worse t h a n our hidden, Women alcoholics (and one-sixth of all alcoa duck takes to w a t e r . b i t t e r l y painful, pre-A.A. state? Could we holics in the United States are w o m e n ) are I believe t h a t every alcoholic has a per- possibly a d m i t a n y t h i n g honestly any more? today, in ever-increasing numbers, seeking t h e s o n a l i t y problem. He d r i n k s to escape from We’d been away from r e a l i t y so long—we’d answer to their alcoholic problem in A. A. It life, to counteract a f e e l i n g of loneliness or twisted and turned so a d r o i t l y in our speech, hasn’t been easy for us to reach them, and it inferiority, or because of some emotional con- our actions, and in our very thoughts—could hasn’t been easy for them to reach out to us— flict w i t h i n himself, so t h a t he cannot adjust we come back? And if we tried, would they but it is getting easier all the lime. We women (Continued on Page 8) let us? Would we be acceptable.? Or would are m a k i n g it so. Marty M., New York

Do You Know: THAT YOUR CANDOUR IS CONTAGIOUS I’ve been in A.A. for two years and d u r i n g and w i t h whom I t a l k . Freedom f r o m guilt I found l i k e a bushel of sweetness and l i g h t . t h i s time 1 have told hundreds of people and embarrassment is the only a l t i t u d e that Alas, I am f a r from t h a t . There are plenty of a b o u t i t . As a w r i t e r it is my business to we alcoholics can have. If we w a n t to “for- people a r o u n d these U n i t e d States (not to know a l l k i n d s of people. As an i n d i v i d u a l , get” about our d r i n k i n g and conceal our past say a few in E u r o p e ) w h o h a t e my eyeteeth it is my pleasure to do so. 1 have friends and and pretend or wish we weren’t, in A.A., then and wish I were pushing up buttercups t h i s f r i e n d l y a c q u a i n t a n c e s of all ages, back- we have not yet forgiven ourselves. It is highly very m i n u t e . I have not gotten them a l l to grounds, religious creeds, and types of edu- i m p o r t a n t t h a t we forgive ourselves, u t t e r l y , forgive me. I ‘ l l be doing well if I get h a l f of cation. People in every imaginable occupa- or others won’t forgive us. They will continue them to do so before I’m through. Yet I t h i n k t i o n from cook to Cabinet Member. Also in to sense in us shame and fear. Then t h e y in t h a t as I progress in A.A., I w i l l be able to get these two years, I have met countless strang- turn will feel uneasy. They w i l l continue to a few of t h e m to realize t h a t I’m not responers, made endless new acquaintances. When- t h i n k of the subject as a moral issue, censur- sible for what I did then. That I am ever the subject has come up, I have said t h a t able, objectionable. We must be ready to say t r y i n g , to t h e best of my a b i l i t y , to make I don’t d r i n k any more. And if people have to people w h a t we say to ourselves. That our amends, t h r o u g h 12th step work, and in all shown any interest I’ve told them all about past is our sick behaviour, and t h a t our pres- other possible ways, and t h a t I, like every- A . A . B u t in a l l t h i s time I have had only one ent and our f u t u r e is our convalescent a n d body else, who is w o r k i n g at A . A . have underhostile reaction, and t h a t was from a woman our well behaviour. That we are l i v i n g from gone a change t h a t is a miracle. who is now considering A.A. for herself. day to day, in our new present, which is our This brings me to my last reason for telling My reasons for t a l k i n g so freely are several. strong secure f u t u r e , forever. Herein lies a l l the world. When 1 say to f r i e n d s and s t r a n g – First (but not t h e most i m p o r t a n t ) is my own t h e hope of our lives. ers, I’m an alcoholic, I belong to Alcoholics selfish reason. 1 am so relieved, so glad to say I think that this a l t i t u d e w i t h i n ourselves is Anonymous, I am saying something wonder- I am an alcoholic. To know why 1 was sick, most contagious. Over and over I have heard f u l , s o m e t h i n g good. I am saying, Look at to know t h a t I am not i m m o r a l , evil, or crazy. from other A.A.s how they have, gone to a me now. Look at w h a t I was. M a y b e I’m not I am so glad to be able, to go back to those frightening boss, and talked to him, only to much now. But 1 am well. 1 am happy. people before whom I got drunk in the past, find him friendly and helpful. How they H a p p i e r t h a n I’ve ever been in my life. I am before; w h o m I behaved badly, and be able have won over stiff-necked relatives, or a n a r – no longer scared to d e a t h . I can work. I can to say: Look. I am an alcoholic. That’s why row-minded community, in the most magical love people. I have hundreds of new friends I acted t h e way I did. Now I don’t have, to and wonderful way. For seldom does anyone, who u n d e r s t a n d w h a t I went t h r o u g h because get t h a t way any more. For t h i s load is now lose a job, a friend, the esteem of his neigh- they went t h r o u g h it too. I am no longer l i f t e d . This awful load of shame, fear and bors because of not drinking. It is d r i n k i n g lonely, and alone. From being a dead weight, g u i l t . I n s t e a d of a v o i d i n g people’s eyes, in- a n d g e t t i n g drunk t h a t bothers friends, rela- and useless, I have, become of great use. Not stead of wondering what they t h i n k of me, tives, neighbors. And even t h i s is being because of myself as an i n d i v i d u a l , but beinstead of crossing the street when I see them looked on with more and more understand- cause of what I’m a part of. For this thing coming, I can keep on w a l k i n g down the ing, t h a n k s to the f r a n k a t t i t u d e of the aver- I’m a p a r t of is one of t h e grimiest t h i n g s t h i s street, say hello, shake hands, and smile. age A.A. For the more people learn about world has ever seen. Hope, and belief in the My other reasons stem from this one, and A.A., the more they understand what alcohol- goodness of people, and love. In this present yet they are more i m p o r t a n t reasons. For I ism is, the more lenient they become toward world, where we are l i v i n g in the precarious feel t h a t my own unembarrassed a t t i t u d e , my the alcoholic and his problems. A n d the shadow of our mistakes, is it not wonderful to own frankness and freedom in the matter, af- easier it is for the alcoholic to shed his fears, belong to a t h i n g like t h i s ? I’ll tell the fects everyone w i t h whom I come in contact, and face himself. world it is. Felicia G., New York

One Woman Alcoholic W r i t e s to Another Dear Pola, was exactly like that myself. I felt, t h a t other Pola. You can’t kid your subconscious—your I f e l t very u n h a p p y about you when I hung people didn’t understand; only I knew what real self. up the other evening. I do so wish I could 1 had to do; only I knew what was good for All t h e criticism you have for A. A. you’ve help you. If I could only make you under- me. But I was able to see t h a t under my own built up because you don’t, want to give up s t a n d w h a t it is necessary for you to do in management I had become a drunk, so t h a t your own i n d i v i d u a l i t y . At least that’s what order to feel as happy as I do now. We are possibly there was something wrong w i t h my you call it; that’s what I called it, too. But, very much alike, you know—at least we were way of seeing things. As soon as I admitted Pola, I’m just as much the individual now. u n t i l I got the A. A. program. t h a t , I opened up my m i n d and listened to I’m just not so stubborn, so self-willed, so The s t u m b l i n g block with you, as I see it— others. positive. I’m l i s t e n i n g to others. If we p o i n t and this was the hardest thing for me to do, You haven’t done that yet. You listen with out where you are thinking wrong, don’t take too—is your reluctance to give in to anything. your ears, but your mind is still listening to t h a t as criticism. We were all t h i n k i n g wrong You w a n t to be Pola—you have your own Pola. Forgive me, but Pola still wants to and are only anxious to pass on what we have ideas—your own personality—your own will. drink because the subconscious Pola is un- learned in A. A. We were all so wrong that A n d because you’ve had to make your own happy about the lies, the evasions, the boast- we had to reverse our t h i n k i n g , and if we way in l i f e you trust no one but yourself. I fulness and the stubborn will of the conscious (Continued on Page 8)

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Mail Call for All A. A. s in the Armed Forces me, I dug w i t h my mess k i t and dug f a s t . An A u s t r i a n 88 would make anyone dig f a s t , and he would not have to be paid 5. 00 per day This is a quotation from a personal letter received by the editor of the either! I would be i n t e r r u p t e d occasionally “Mail Call” page, himself an overseas veteran of World War I. It was written and flatten out t i l l things quieted a bit. by a fellow A. A., a sergeant who has been, taking part in the recent activities Next evening we were relieved; now we are well behind the lines. I understand t h a t St. on the unquiet Western front: Mihiel on our left was taken and the l i n e is “About a year ago you sent me a letter concerning a particular attack you .s t r a i g h t . Our casualties and worries a l l came. made in the last war, and as I was really in a tight spot recently that descrip- from artillery. Men of the company say we were very lucky, as the regiment has been up tion among many other thoughts came to mind. I remember you wrote that against tougher propositions. Be t h a t as it with all the artillery, mortars and general hell flying you didn’t know how may, we did what we set out to do and I did you could survive, but did! That gave me a certain hope and fortified me in not see a single man hesitate to do his p a r t . As for me, another t i m e I will know w h a t my thinking. Prayer for my other buddies was easy and some Power brought everything is like. I am now recognized by me through. Slightly wounded, I am practically well now and will be re-join- the old hands as belonging to the company, ing my outfit by the time you receive this. Our push looks successful, with having gone under fire with proper behavior —not hard when the rest all do. R e a l l y I plenty of hard fighting ahead. ” believe my big Texas runner (not the one who As this issue of The Grapevine deals primarily with the feminine view- was hit) kept me cool. He wasn’t fazed by point on A. A., we ask indulgence for printing the description of the “particu- anything—delivered his messages q u i c k l y , and was at other times constantly at my side as a lar attack” referred to in the sergeant’s letter above. The letter-writer was sort of personal bodyguard. Later when we then a young second lieutenant of Infantry and he describes for his father were all cold and hungry and worn out (I his initiation into the art of war. His alcoholic problem had not developed slept only three or four hours in about 84) he was always cheerful and joked about things at that time: when others grumbled. He too was h a v i n g his first experience under fire, but l i t t l e he cared. * possible to imagine the confusion of an attack My sergeant, an old-timer, did his part well. —it is barely light enough to see, shells are I have looked on dead and wounded now, and Somewhere in France. b u r s t i n g w i t h a crash and a flash all about, I know what a poor devil suffers when he is September 17, 1918 and every now and then an enemy machine hit, but I am principally impressed by the gun starts popping. To keep your men tofact that with shells falling all around one has “On the m o r n i n g of the 12th, I had the gether and in place is nearly impossible. I got miraculous escapes. The Americans do not greatest experience t h a t comes to any soldier up w i t h the company ahead before we reached halt for a shelling—they go through and win. d u r i n g his service in t h i s war. I went over t h e the G e r m a n line, but when I got there I had It is all over for the present for us. We are top and, i n c i d e n t a l l y , it was the first time I t h e platoon together and in proper place, still a bit t i r e d and very d i r t y b u t we are had ever been under fire. One is, 1 know, where I kept most of t h e men for t h e rehappy. This is c e r t a i n l y a fine o u t f i t — t h e y supposed to t h i n k of many t h i n g s d u r i n g those mainder of t h e day. I had men from m a n y know they have a good r e p u t a t i o n as fighters hours in the trenches before d a y l i g h t , and another company and regiment with me durand they would go anywhere to keep it. The perhaps some may pray a bit and make good ing the day. In the trench, we found only a cold has been our greatest enemy, that is at resolutions provided they come t h r o u g h , b u t few machine gunners, who had caused us to night. I am in A1 shape but unrecognizably my only sensation, t h a t I can recall, was t h a t lie flat at times. We passed on through a thick dirty. Soon I shall wash. Cooties are not w i t h 1 was colder t h a n I had ever been in my l i f e woods and advanced about nine kilometers me as yet. ” Abbot T., New York and t h a t a n y t h i n g r e q u i r i n g m o t i o n would be, before t h e German a r t i l l e r y got our range. a relief. We were in the trenches f o u r hours Then we caught a l i t t l e Hell ourselves. I saw before zero and during t h a t time a t e r r i f i c a man k i l l e d and my runner wounded not ten NAVY SYMPATHETIC TO A. A. a r t i l l e r y barrage went over from our guns. feet from me—where I had been lying only Capt. Forrest M. Harrison of the U. S. N a v a l You would imagine t h a t t h e noise would be two seconds before. I hadn’t had sense enough Hospital, Bethesda, M a r y l a n d , recently reterrible, b u t it did not seem to worry me, and to be scared before t h a t , but from then on I ported to the press t h a t the alcoholic in the as Fritz did not reply we were perfectly safe didn’t enjoy the German artillery. We got Navy gets separate barracks, well equipped at t h a t time. Fritz, I imagine, t h o u g h t all out of t h a t spot by advancing, but late t h a t with magazines, books and special l i t e r a t u r e Hell was loose and Gott for once far from day, or rather all afternoon, while we were “such as t h a t issued by Alcoholics Anonybeing w i t h h i m . At d a y l i g h t we rushed up a dug in at our c a p t u r e d objective, they shelled mous. ” Meetings are held, and every effort is trench into another, parallel to Fritz’s line, us w i t h remarkable accuracy. It was unpleas- made to get the men straightened out through and over we went. 1 suppose it is nearly im- a n t and u n h e a l t h y for more than one. As for education, physical r e h a b i l i t a t i o n , et cetera.

A Wife Takes Pleasure in A. A. CREDO FOR AN A . A . WIFE I believe t h a t my husband has been a sick man and t h a t he is apt to have a relapse at A f t e r almost three, years of sobriety on marred our happiness. I knew t h a t sooner or any time unless his “allergy” is kept in chock. Frank’s p a r t , I find it difficult to believe that later a tragedy would occur. I believe t h a t my husband and I need help he was in such a bad way when he came i n t o When, a f t e r d r i n k i n g bouts, Frank slept for from a supreme! power in conquering this A. A. He was s i m p l y a wreck m e n t a l l y , physi- hours, I hoped he would die w i t h o u t w a k i n g a f f l i c t i o n , and I w i l l not. forget to give t h a n k s cally, and f i n a n c i a l l y . up. To t h i n k t h a t one can reach the p o i n t of d a i l y for the help we receive in keeping our 1 always knew Frank was an alcoholic. The wishing for such a thing to happen to the man feet on the p a t h to this new way of life. word “alcoholique” in my n a t i v e French is she loves is just t r a g i c ! I believe t h a t , except for t h i s new power he t h e “nice” word to describe a drunk. What I Unlike m a n y other wives, I had n o t h i n g to has gained, my husband is still the very h u m a n did not know was that alcoholism is a disease. do w i t h Frank’s coming i n t o A. A. He w r o t e man I married and I w i l l not expect him to do U n l i k e , many wives of alcoholics, I knew to A. A. himself, got in touch w i t h t h e man he a complete about-face of character and pert h a t Frank d r a n k when I married him, but I was told to contact, attended a couple of meet- sonality, giving up all the l i t t l e minor f a u l t s was young, f u l l of illusions, and I was sure ings by himself and, from t h e n on, our l i f e that sometimes annoy me. I w i l l constantly t h a t once m a r r i e d he w o u l d learn to d r i n k took on a d i f f e r e n t meaning. s t r i v e to keep my mind on the big f a u l t he is n o r m a l l y . I was convinced t h a t he lived in a I shall never cease to he g r a t e f u l to A. A. for conquering and remember the slogan: First bad environment and t h a t when he was re- the, happiness it brought me. My best f r i e n d s things first. moved from it, e v e r y t h i n g would be all right. are A. A. f r i e n d s and they have been a great I believe, however, that he will continue to L i t t l e did I realize what alcohol would do to help in more ways than one. Frank is sober, gain in the acquisition of the positive qualities Frank and w h a t l i f e would have in store for our life is smooth—we have spats, of course— t h a t make, a pleasing personality: confidence, me, in t h e 12 yearn t h a t f o l l o w e d . and we are now out of debt, or pretty near. i n i t i a t i v e , generosity, tolerance, etc., and I I went through the same things all wives Good-bye to the sleepless n i g h t s w a i t i n g for must never let my acceptance of this fact beof alcoholics go t h r o u g h : a n x i e t y , shame, a taxi to b r i n g Frank home d r u n k , good-bye come h u m d r u m and commonplace, but offer anger, disgust, fear, hatred, etc. Every woman to the dreadful quarrels when he came in, frequent encouragement, stimulation and apw a n t s her man to be the best in the world and good-bye to the “butterflies” that fluttered in- preciation to arm him for his daily battle. when he f a i l s her, the d i s a p p o i n t m e n t is side me every n i g h t at five o’clock when Frank I believe, in t h e light of my newly acquired bitter. was leaving the office, good-bye to the fear of knowledge, t h a t his affliction is a disease and There was n o t h i n g wrong w i t h our married going to a p a r t y or h a v i n g one at home,! not simply lack of will power; that I, too, l i f e ; we h a d so much in common. We had the We can now face our problems together, have never been on any pedestal of righteoussame interests; we read, and discussed the we fear n o t h i n g , we s t i l l enjoy each other’s ness (although I admit I have sometimes books we read t o g e t h e r ; we t a l k e d about company, b u t our l i f e revolves very much t h o u g h t so and acted accordingly). e v e r y t h i n g under t h e sun by the hour; we around A. A. a c t i v i t i e s . A f t e r all, w h a t else I also believe t h a t now more t h a n ever I never seemed to bore each other; yet drink counts? Gisele L., Brooklyn, N.Y. must m a i n t a i n constant vigil over my habits and interests, t a k i n g a personal i n v e n t o r y daily to see where I can improve in order to A DAUGHTER IS PROUD OF HER A. A. MOTHER keep pace w i t h the growth my husband will experience, so t h a t we may be truly partners I’m proud to say t h a t I am a daughter of a And 1 t h i n k this is important, for a parent in t h i s great adventure. member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Indeed, to remember. The alcoholic cannot recall the I believe I must thoroughly know and I’m proud to be the daughter of a true alco- things she has said and done while drinking, understand all t h a t A.A. stands for; that I holic, for it makes my mother seem like a and she often cannot understand why her must keep abreast w i t h the progress of our special kind of person. I cannot say that I children don’t trust and respect her. It takes own group by reading The Book, The Grapehave always felt this way. No one could who a long time to gain back the respect of a child. vine and other periodicals, as well as the has grown up with an alcoholic. Certainly It will be difficult to wipe out the wounds of not ices on the bulletin board; by attending A. A. brings a happier life to the family and a these childhood experiences, but they can be meetings, a i d i n g in furnishing refreshments, wonderful new beginning for the alcoholic. wiped out. It look me more t h a n a year be- by w a r m l y accepting and welcoming new It b r i n g s a realization t h a t it wasn’t her fault; fore I could live pleasantly with my family members, especially by helping the wives and she didn’t do it just to be mean; she had an again. There was so much resentment and female members to feel at home in the moveillness that somehow made her allergic to antagonism that I could not understand what ment and by taking part in the program alcohol. I realize that no matter how perfect A.A. philosophy was or what it meant in my whenever called on. t h e p i c t u r e is now, there are still hurts and life. It is important for the alcoholic to work I believe t h a t our membership in A.A. is the resentment, inside of me, covered over, re- slowly toward a new relationship, and not to best t h i n g that ever happened to us. Accordpressed. A l l the many years that I was told expect an immediate change in the child’s ingly, I will not forget to give thanks daily. “Mummy isn’t quite herself today, ” when I altitude. It is even more important for the I w i l l be an active member in every way and was a f r a i d to bring friends home from school child to study the A.A. program. Through 1 will try to share this joy w i t h others by because “Mummy might be that way again this she w i l l realize that her mother was not enlisting t h e i r membership and helping them today”—these wounds cannot be immediately to blame, and a much richer, fuller relation- to understand the principles of A.A. w i p e d out just by j o i n i n g A. A. N a t u r a l l y . (Continued on Page 8) A Grateful A.A. Wife; Montpelier, Vt.

A. A. ‘s COUNTRY-WIDE NEWS CIRCUIT It may be t h a t women fear t h e i r A n o t h e r A. A. woman who had recently ous response, most of it from women in t h e a n o n y m i t y will not be respected, and there- moved to Springfield, Missouri, and interest of husbands and brothers. fore they are more r e l u c t a n t t h a n men to hadn’t yet f o u n d a way to start a group, one R u t h H. T. of Scotia, New York, a come into A. A. Society is more scathing in i t s day read in a Springfield paper a story about volunteer Red Cross worker, was delighted condemnation of a woman alcoholic. No M a r t y Mann and her work with the NCEA the other day when a returned veteran, “with doubt about t h a t . Nor is there, any d o u b t ( N a t i o n a l Committee for Education on Al- a drink problem, ” was sent by the Red Cross t h a t , w h a t e v e r the reason, there are propor- c o h o l i s m ) . The woman promptly took a P. O. to the Scotia A. A. Group. This was the t i o n a t e l y few women in A. A. A coast-to-coast box and wrote a letter to that same paper group’s first experience with a veteran, and it review brings out t h i s salient f a c t : it isn’t saying she was an A. A. and would be glad to is Ruth’s suggestion that every A. A. u n t i l about f o u r years a f t e r t h e incep- help anyone interested. W i t h i n a week she group in the nation call on t h e nearest Red t i o n of a group t h a t women begin a r r i v i n g had nine prospects. Cross Chapter w i t h some A. A. l i t e r a t u r e and in any numbers, and even then t h e process is offer t h e i r s e r v i c e s . . . . Apropos of Marty, who in private l i f e slow and p a i n f u l for quite a while. is an A. A. member and in public l i f e is paid The House of Representatives recently de- In a huge impersonal c i t y l i k e New York— by the NCEA to teach the general p u b l i c the bated a bill to construct a $200,000 h o s p i t a l which leads the n a t i o n in the number of facts about alcoholism and to try to awaken for alcoholics. “1 don’t t h i n k we should A. A. w o m e n — a n o n y m i t y doesn’t p l a y t h e i r i n t e r e s t in doing something about t h i s build a mansion for a bunch of drunks, ” said t h e big bugaboo role t h a t it does in the s m a l l great public-health problem, we see from Rep. Carl Gibson, while Rep. Hugh Caserne towns where usually everybody f r o m t h e k i d s m a n y newspaper stories all over the country commented, “We just sober up our o r d i n a r y on the street corner to the t o w n dowager is t h a t , aside from her regular NCEA lectures, drunks in three or four days in j a i l down in e i t h e r t h i n k i n g or saying—”My dear, did you she often takes time out from her strenuous Marion County, ” and Rep. C h a r l i e Higgins see Mrs. Smith today? D i s g u s t i n g ! . . . “It’s work schedule to speak before A. A. groups reported: “The people who contribute miljust criminal t h e way she neglects her poor wherever she may be. The f u l l story of the lions in liquor taxes ought to get a l i t t l e l i t t l e c h i l d r e n ! ” . . . “Why, they say she’s NCEA and its aims was published in the something back. ” d r u n k all the time!” A n d on and on. A n d October, 1944 issue of The Grapevine, and the A. A. has come to Broadway. Leading yet t h a t same Mrs. Smith is afraid to go to NCEA office at 2 E. 103rd Street, New York, off with “Alcoholics Anonymous Doing Great A. A. for fear people m i g h t learn she is w i l l g l a d l y f o r w a r d copies of t h a t issue upon Job in I t s New Times Sq. Clubhouse, ” the enhaving d i f f i c u l t y w i t h alcohol! r e q u e s t . . . . Since we’re on t h e subject of tertainment world’s weekly paper Variety, women and their work, we must mention, at of March 28, says t h a t A. A. pulls no punches, B u t it is encouraging to note t h a t everyleast in passing, the splendid and consistent and that “honesty is the quality t h a t stands where in the country, paralleling the steady work of Bobby B., five years in A. A. out among these p e o p l e . . . . These are not reincrease in general knowledge t h a t alco- Though Bobby works—and how!—here in ligious zealots. These are sensible people, holism is a health problem, not a moral one, M a n h a t t a n , she is perhaps even better known men and women of the world for the greater women from smaller c o m m u n i t i e s as well as to the thousands w i t h whom she corresponds p a r t . . . . They know the score. They’re hep. large are beginning to come i n t o A. A. a l i t t l e all over the country, in her capacity as They don’t try to tell you w h a t God to worless spasmodically and h a l t i n g l y . In these N a t i o n a l Secretary of the Central ship, or how—they don’t really care w h e t h e r past years, women have been l a r g e l y respon- (A. A. ) Office in New York, since 1942. Before you worship a n y . . . . There isn’t a n y b o d y sible for the e s t a b l i s h m e n t of g r o u p s — t o t h a t she was secretary of the M a n h a t t a n sprouting wings around the j o i n t . . . . The name only a few — i n Chicago, Dallas, Fort Group, and before t h a t , as Bobby herself puts evening spent w i t h A. A. was e x h i l a r a t i n g . . . . ” W o r t h , San A n t o n i o and it was a w o m a n who it, “I was j u s t a d r u n k . ” first b r o u g h t A. A. to t h e Pacific Coast, M a n h a t t a n and s u r r o u n d i n g groups have in 1940. M a n y of our women are in t h e S t a t i o n WTIC of Hartford, Connecticut, bought out the 48th Street Theatre for WACS, WAVES and Nurses Corps, w h i l e has been awarded a 1944 “Variety” plaque for “Harvey” t h e night of J u n e 15…. A others are contributing to the war effort by “Contributing to the Public Health of the resident of North Little Rock, Arkansas, w o r k i n g as Nurse’s Aides, director of blood Community. ” The competition, which was charged w i t h cashing a Federal check, who banks, etc…. Enterprising Nancy S., open to all the radio stations in the United was placed on temporary probation, after lone A. A. m e m b e r w i n t e r i n g in Palm Beach, States and Canada, was won by WTIC for the pleading g u i l t y , was placed on two years pro- Florida, who ran a bookshop, ordered five Alcoholics Anonymous series originated bation by Federal Judge Trimble. The decopies of the A. A. book, listed t h e m u n d e r over the station last year. The “Variety” fendant joined A. A. in the m e a n t i m e several headings in her catalogue (Psychiatry, c i t a t i o n reads: “WTIC learned that alcohol- and the report made on his conduct was Medicine, Biography, etc. ) and p u t t h e m in ism was health problem No 4 and particularly favorable. “You come of a good f a m i l y and a w i n d o w display under “Health, ” “How to aggravated in w a r t i m e . Not a moral deprav- you committed t h i s crime of illegally cashing Relax, ” and “Be Glad You’re N e u r o t i c . ” They i t y but a disease. WTIC decided to awaken the check while drunk, ” Judge Trimble adwent like hot-cakes. She ordered t w e n t y – f i v e and educate its listeners to its causes and monished the defendant. “In g i v i n g you promore, hasn’t been able to keep up w i t h the c u r e s . . . . ” These programs are continuing, bation I feel that you w i l l take a d v a n t a g e of demand. Curious fact about the buyers—the and the H a r t f o r d Group has notified the advice of these good people who w i l l help books were always for “somebody else. ” . . . The Grapevine that they have had tremend- you change your e n t i r e life for t h e better. “

8

JACK A L E X A N D E R . . . has ing—it is w h a t I have learned in A.A. A.A. of alcoholism had never entered our lives. t a u g h t me that the most i m p o r t a n t t h i n g The f r i e n d s 1 used to envy—those w i t h an (Continued from Page 1) in l i f e for me is sobriety. W i t h o u t it, 1 am everyday, n o r m a l , wholesome l i f e — t a k e t h e i r m a i l was a s t o n i s h i n g . Most of it came f r o m u n h a p p y , confused. Even one d r i n k t w i s t s my f a m i l i e s p r e t t y much for granted. I c a n n o t desperate d r i n k e r s or t h e i r wives, or from t h i n k i n g so t h a t it is no longer s t r a i g h t . That feel t h a t w a y because there is something very mothers, f a t h e r s or interested friends. The is true of you too—it’s true of any alcoholic. special and i n s p i r i n g about our new f a m i l y letters were forwarded to the A. A. office in W i t h o u t sobriety, you’ll e v e n t u a l l y lose your r e l a t i o n s h i p , Perhaps it’s t h e k i n d of feeling New York and from the re were sent on to A. A. job, husband, and friends. Don’t insist t h a t p a r e n t s get when t h e i r pilot son has been groups nearest t h e w r i t e r s of the letters. I you s t i l l have them; you know t h a t e v e n t u a l l y reported lost at sea, and t h e n a sudden mesdon’t know exactly how m a n y letters came in, you will lose them all. You know t h a t alco- sage comes t h a t he has d r i f t e d to land and a l l told, but the last t i m e I checked, a year or holism is a progressive disease—that you w i l l safety. It’s t h e special q u a l i t y of joy one gets so ago, it was around 6, 000. They still trickle get worse, not better. You know t h a t w h i l e when s o m e t h i n g very precious has been lost in f r o m time to t i m e , from people who have you drink, you will not get along w i t h people; for a long l i m e and suddenly found again. carried t h e article in t h e i r pockets all this you’ll be a misfit in t h i s world. Temporarily, Pat M., New York t i m e , or kept it in t h e b u r e a u drawer under you compose better music—so you t h i n k — b u t t h e handkerchief case intending to do somet h i n g about it. eventually you’ll compose nothing. I know LETTERS TO G R A P E V I N E . . . t h a t you know all t h i s because you protest too (Continued from Page 3) I guess the letters w i l l keep coming in for much. h i m s e l f to l i f e . His alcoholism is a symptom years, and I hope they do, because now I know t h a t every one of t h e m springs from a Sobriety comes first! In t h i s you must be of his p e r s o n a l i t y disorder. A n d I don’t bemind, e i t h e r of an alcoholic or of someone unselfishly selfish. By t h a t I mean t h a t by lieve an alcoholic can stop d r i n k i n g unless close to him, which is undergoing a type of c o n c e n t r a t i n g on yourself now—concent r a t i n g he finds a w a y to solve his p e r s o n a l i t y probhell t h a t Dante would have gagged at. And on a philosophy of life t h a t will keep you lem. That’s w h y going on t h e wagon doesn’t I know, too, that this victim is on the way to happy and sober—you will be unselfish in the solve a n y t h i n g . That’s why t a k i n g the pledge recovery, if he really w a n t s to recover. There long run. Your sobriety comes before your u s u a l l y doesn’t work. Because t h a t f u n d a is s o m e t h i n g very heartening about this, par- work, before J o h n n y even. You must remem- m e n t a l p e r s o n a l i t y problem is not solved by t i c u l a r l y in a world which has been struggling ber that Johnny is not an alcoholic and can- going on the wagon or by t a k i n g t h e pledge. not possibly understand t h a t side of you. If In A.A., an alcoholic finds a way to solve his t o w a r d peace for centuries w i t h o u t ever you want to learn how to make ceramics you p e r s o n a l i t y problem. He does t h i s by recova c h i e v i n g it for very long periods of time. Jack Alexander go to J o h n n y ; when you w a n t to learn to live ering three things. happily though sober, come to A.A. Some First, he recovers h i s personal i n t e g r i t y . The S a t u r d a y E v e n i n g Post people don’t learn in A.A. Some are too sick. He pulls himself together. He gets honest Philadelphia, Pa. You are an intelligent girl, Pola; with just a w i t h himself and w i t h other people. He faces little application, you’d be a s h i n i n g light in himself and his problems honestly instead of ONE WOMAN A L C O H O L I C . . . A.A. I wish you’d try it. We a l l like you— r u n n i n g away, he takes a personal i n v e n t o r y (Continued from Page, 4) you’d like us, too—why not give us a real of himself to see where he really stands. Then point out to you that that is what you must chance. Let me hear from you soon. W i t h he faces t h e facts instead of making excuses do, it’s because we w a n t to help you. Please love, Astrid L., New York for h i m s e l f . He recovers his integrity. see. t h a t t h e r e is n o t h i n g personal in it. Second, he recovers his f a i t h in a Power A c t u a l l y , when I talk to you, it is A. A. talk- A DAUGHTER IS PROUD . . . greater t h a n himself. He admits that he’s (Continued from Page 6) helpless by himself and he calls on t h a t Cut This Out and Mail to: ship can develop than exists in most families. Higher Power for help. He surrenders his Many of my school friends have mothers who l i f e to God, as he understands Him. He puts The Grapevine are very neurotic or very domineering, or live his d r i n k problem in God’s hands and leaves P. O. Box 328 w i t h f a m i l i e s where there is some great con- it there, he recovers his f a i t h . Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. flict. I think I am more f o r t u n a t e than they T h i r d , he recovers his proper relationships Herewith 1. 50 for one year’s subscription are, because many of their problems can never w i t h other people. He t h i n k s less about h i m to The Grapevine (Monthly) be solved. The remarkable t h i n g about the self a n d more about others. He tries to help For additional subscriptions enclose separate problem of alcoholism in the f a m i l y is t h a t , o t h e r alcoholics. He makes new f r i e n d s so sheet with name and address clearly printed. when the alcoholic becomes sober perman- t h a t he’s no longer lonely. He tries to live a Checks payable to The Grapevine. ently, your solution is there—concrete, visible. l i f e of service instead of selfishness. All his Total Enclosed As I learned of the basic, h u m a n e ideas r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h other people are improved. embodied in the A.A. program, as I saw great I believe t h a t if an alcoholic wants to stop R e n e w a l ? (please check) changes in my mother, I was able to develop drinking, he must find a way to solve his PLEASE PRINT our relationship until today it is a perfection personality problem. If he follows the A.A. Name of unity and closeness. 1 realize now that we program, he recovers his personal i n t e g r i t y , Address were never fighting each other, b u t struggling his f a i t h , and a way of f e l l o w s h i p and service together against an unknown enemy. Through to others. When his p e r s o n a l i t y problem is t h i s struggle and the camaraderie t h a t comes solved, his d r i n k problem is solved so long as Note: Subscriptions received up to the 15th begin with the current month’s issue. Those received after the w i t h licking something together, we are hap- be never takes t h a t first d r i n k . 15th will begin with the following month’s issue. pier than we might have been if this problem Richmond W., Boston, Mass,

VOL. II., NO. 1, JUNE, 1945 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK, 17 YEARLY, $1. 50; COPY, 15c Monthly Journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere.. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A. A. as a whole.

he may not be aware of any reason. But if his A Prescription for Sobriety thoughts can be probed deeply enough a reason can usually be found in the form of a reservation. ” (Editor’s Note: In the opinion of the stuff, the im- crossed themselves into thinking that somehow “The preventative, therefore, is acceptance of portance of the following interview lies in the fact that it represents the deductions of a man who is in the they can have the unopened bottle and drink it, the A. A. program and A. A. principles without unique position of being able to appraise A. A. as both too. Even though they have been in A.A. and any reservations. This brings us to what I call an “insider” and an “outsider, ” as both an old friend of A. A. and an M. D. who began working with alcoholics going to meetings, and following parts of the the moral issue and to what I have always belong before A. A, was conceived. ) program, they have accepted it with reservations lieved from the first to be the essence of A. A. Anyone who tried to impress a drinking alco- somewhere. They actually have been only one “Why does this moral issue and belief in a holic with the approach, “You can’t have your step ahead of a drink. Then they begin playing power greater than oneself appear to be the escake and eat it, too, ” would probably draw a around w i t h the notion they can drink a l i t t l e sential principle of A. A. ? First, an important scornful, “So what! Who wants any cake? Tony, and s t i l l have the good things of A.A. The out- comparison is found in the fact that all other make it a double this time. ” come is as inevitable as the bottle becoming plans involving psychoanalysis, will power, re- The same idea expressed as, “You can’t have empty once it has been opened by the alcoholic.” (Continued on Page 8) your bottle and drink it, too, ” might get his at- When Dr. Silkworth discusses A.A. “slips” tention because to a drinking alcoholic a his u s u a l l y cheerful face becomes serious, even fresh unopened bottle, brimming brightly w i t h a l i t t l e grim. Through his long years of practice abundance, is a symbol of good things to come. in the field, he has become increasingly sym- 10th BIRTHDAY pathetic, not case-hardened, to the alcoholic. He He knows well enough, of course, that he can’t understands what they experience. Having been CELEBRATIONS drink it and still have it, but he blocks his mind to the inevitability of that horrible moment one of the first in his profession to support A.A. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of when the last bottle will be empty. and having guided scores of alcoholics into the meeting out of which A. A. was born, the A.A. during the last 10 years, he also appreci- Cleveland groups have arranged a two-day pro- The untapped bottle remains a symbol to the ates the fact that a “slip” for an A.A. involves gram carrying through the afternoon of J u n e non-drinking alcoholic, at least to the alcoholic an extra degree of remorse and misery. 10 while the Akron groups will be host at a who has dried up in A. A. So long as it stands Dr. Silkworth is particularly emphatic on one dinner on the evening of the same day. unopened it represents drinks he has not taken point. Dr. Bob and Bill W. are scheduled as the —and the good things of life he has found by ” ‘Slips’ are not the f a u l t of A.A. I have heard speakers in both cities. Their meeting 10 years not drinking. patients complain when brought in for another ago, when they fused their ideas into what are Yet, now and then a persevering soul tries to ‘drying out,’ that A.A. failed them. The truth, have both the figurative and the l i q u i d contents now the principles of A. A., is the occasion of course, is that they failed A.A. which the programs celebrate. of the bottle. He tries to make an impossible “But this mental maneuvering to transfer the compromise. The Cleveland program will open Saturday, blame is obviously another indication of fal- In the opinion of a man who has administered June 9, with a tea for A. A. women at 3 p. m. lacious thinking. It is another symptom of the personally to at least 10,000 alcoholics, the at- Other features w i l l be a dinner, a dance and disease.” tempt to make this kind of a compromise is one open house, with n a t i o n w i d e representation of A quick way to get Dr. Silkworth’s appraisal of the most common causes of f a i l u r e to get a A. A. groups anticipated. Headquarters for the of A.A. is to ask him how be thinks “slips” can safe hold on A. A. Dr. W. D. Silkworth, genial affair will be the Carter Hotel. be prevented. and beloved little patriarch at Town’s Hospi- “First,” be explains, “let’s remember the The climax of the Cleveland program will be tal, New York, for 12 years and now also in cause. The A.A. who ‘slips’ has not accepted the the anniversary meeting Sunday at 2: 30 p. m. charge of the new A. A. ward at Knickerbocker, A.A. program in its entirely. He has a reserva- in The Music Hall in d o w n t o w n Cleveland, with also New York, defines it as the “alcoholic tion, or reservations. He’s tried to make a com- Dr. Bob and Bill W. as the speakers. An organ double-cross. ” promise. Frequently, of course, he w i l l say he recital will precede the meeting. “The majority who slip a f t e r periods of doesn’t know why be reverted to a drink. He In Akron, the Founder’s Day Dinner is schedsobriety, ” says Dr. Silkworth, “have double- means that sincerely and, as a matter of fact, uled for 6: 30 p. m., June 10.

EDITORIAL: Bill W. to Help On the 8th S t e p . . . Edit Grapevine “Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. The Grapevine begins its second year of pub- It was characteristic of m a n y of us as alcoholics to at least attempt to perform In lication with this issue, its staff augmented by new volunteers i n c l u d i n g one of the founders the grandiose manner. And in harming others we usually succeeded magnificently. So, of Alcoholics Anonymous. to say that the first phase of the Eighth Step is a large order is to indulge in understate- The staff changes were made in accordance ment which matches our bombastic style. w i t h a plan decided upon at the inception of And yet, however extended be the list of those we have harmed, the fulfillment of The Grapevine by which the work would be this step’s admonition need not be a tedious nor a burdensome undertaking. In the first rotated among different A.A.s. The new volunplace, let’s examine the meaning of the verb: Amend. teers w i l l relieve those members of the staff who pioneered The Grapevine through its first year, Webster’s New International Dictionary defines it thus—”To make better, especially always the most d i f f i c u l t for any publication. in character; to repair, restore; to free from faults, put right, correct, rectify. . . .” Some of the original staff w i l l carry on actively There is the credo to which we of A.A. subscribe; the goal we hope to achieve on p a r t i c u l a r assignments w h i l e others w i l l serve through sobriety. It is both the manifestation of our adherence to the other 11 Steps in an advisory capacity. and our performance of the Eighth itself. Bill W. has been prevailed upon to accept the role of senior editorial advisor to the staff, The definition continues: although the extent to which he w i l l be able to “. . . . to change or modify in any way for the better; to recover from illness.” assist actively w i l l be limited by his doctor who It was written for us! has advised Bill that he must not continue to overwork. B i l l plans to contribute articles to We have often heard that our sobriety should be founded on “unselfish selfishness”, The Grapevine occasionally, but w i l l serve that we should strive to avoid a lapse into drinking for the benefits we, personally, de- chiefly us policy advisor, drawing upon his wide rive from abstinence. It’s not sound, we have been told, to try to stay dry for the sake association w i t h A.A. groups throughout the of a w i f e or a sweetheart or someone else dear to us. country and his knowledge of A.A. from its first hour, to h e l p make the magazine as useful as When we first heard that plan of action outlined, we revolted mildly because it possible to A.A.s everywhere. didn’t seem to meet the specifications of true altruism. Many of us, as we entered A.A., The Grapevine was undertaken as an experistill yearned for that mystic power to “handle” alcohol and it seemed then that the step ment by i n d i v i d u a l A.A.s with its future dependwe were taking was—at least in part—a gesture of devotion to some loved one. With- ing entirely on the interest it would or would out altruism there didn’t seem to be much motive to propel us. not arouse among A.A.s in general. The re- Of course, we soon discovered that “unselfish selfishness” was the firmest founda- spouse and support given the magazine during its first year indicate that an increasing number tion for our recovery. We found, in the same way, that we try to help others, not solely of A.A.s believe that it should be continued. through altruistic impulse, but so that we may gain strength. Basically the editorial f o r m u l a for The Grape- The principle of “unselfish selfishness” is applicable again in the Eighth Step. We vine w i l l continue to be, as from the beginning, seek to identify all those we have harmed and we assume a willingness to make amends t h a t it reflect as comprehensively as possible A.A. so that—recalling the definition of the word—we may “change . . . for the better” problems and A.A. principles. As expressed by and “recover from illness.” B i l l , The Grapevine to be most effective should grow as the voice of A.A.s collectively speaking The alternative is retrogression. If we fail to “repair”, we can only impair. from the whole of A.A. experience rather than L.J. be l i m i t e d to the concepts of any one individual.

A. A. Is What You Make It Most of us A. A. s, in our 12th step work, have A.A. put little into it. He who sets a low value faults w i l l find the program e n t i r e l y adequate run up against people who claimed our program on A.A. gets small return from following the for his aspirations. seemed a l l right, as far as it went. Only, they program. If a person joins A.A. merely in orobjected, it doesn’t go far enough. In other der to sober up, neglecting all the other things In other words, the A. A. program is strictly words, they implied A. A. is too elementary for to be accomplished by following the program, self-service. You take from the program what them. chances are he will succeed in sobering up and you want to take. The more you want, the more But is the A. A. program elementary? Experi- that’s all. Whereas the member who looks upon you’ll get. Help yourself: it’s a l l there. — J. F., ence has proven that those who get little out of A.A. as a means of correcting all his personality Seamen’s Group.

Do Unto Others The Pleasures of Reading How many of the rest of you get, in your eagerness to make up for lost time, that panicky THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CHRISTIAN PERSONALITY sense of pressure because there just isn’t “time By Ernest M. Ligon (MacMillan Co.; $3.00) enough?” In our enthusiasm for our new life and in our release from the old feeling of inadequacy, we are apt to say yes to every request This book, written by the head professor of psychology at Union College, Albany, and later find to our regret that there isn’t deals with one of the most important projects of our day—the problem of character enough “room” in the day to accomplish every- education. thing we optimistically planned to do. One of the great objectives of the Research Council on Problems of Alcohol is to We put on the pressure, only to find that l i t t l e by l i t t l e we are getting ourselves tied into go beyond the therapeutics of A.A. and other agencies and get to the basic differences knots from a binge of overdoing, followed, as that distinguish a potential alcoholic from the kind of person who can drink without of old, by the inevitable j i t t e r s and remorse be- harmful results. If it were possible, by scientific examination, to spot an alcoholic in cause we are exhausted and have probably let the cradle or in the classroom, then that person could be educated never to run the risk somebody down. of drinking liquor, just as a child showing early symptoms of diabetes can be educated A. A. tells us to go on a 24-hour program. not to use sugar. That should be our starting point. Subtract the necessary hours required for adequate rest and While Dr. Ligon is not concerned with the problems of alcohol, he is doing exactly then we can plot our course with the hours the kind of research just indicated. During the last ten years, more than six thousand remaining. It might be well to write down an boys and girls have gone through the laboratories at Union College. There they have hour-by-hour outline of each day for the past been subjected to tests in motor and sensory impressions, the Benet intelligence rating week, listing on one side of the paper all those things we said we would do but didn’t get around techniques, their capacities, altitudes and aims carefully studied. The results of these to, and on the other the things we did do. If analyses are then interpreted according to certain basic standards of character, derived we have a grain of intelligence, this should show from the teachings of Jesus and especially from the Beatitudes. (Dr. Ligon Is the only us just how much activity can be comfortably man I have ever heard of who is at once a scientist and a clergyman. He got his doctaken on for any one 24-hour period and how torate in psychology from Yale University and his clergyman’s degree from Yale Theobalanced (or unbalanced) our program is for logical Seminary.) He has demonstrated beyond all question that character can be eduthe average day. cated, just as brain and muscle can be educated. Children without ambition can be The latter point is what I want to stress. Are made ambitious. Those without a sense of humor can be given a sense of humor. Fear we, perhaps, devoting too much time to A. A., per se, and neglecting the last part of the twelfth can be driven out of the human soul like a demon expelled by the Master. step, “—and practice these principles in all our This book tells the story of Dr. Ligon’s tremendous achievements as a “personal affairs?” coach” in transforming human lives. Some day his techniques may be in use all over I wonder if your w i f e has ever thought, the country. Twenty new schools are to be opened in as many states next September. It “—Yes, I’m deeply g r a t e f u l to A. A. and all it has done for us, but—I wish Joe would ask me is too much to hope that the professors will begin to specialize in spotting alcoholics to the movies, occasionally. ” Or has she ever in infancy or in childhood, but the day will surely come when that research will be done. said to other A. A. wives, “A. A. get-togethers Meanwhile, every alcoholic can find help in this book. It is not fast or easy reading, are f u n and I’m t h a n k f u l for our many new friends, but it would be nice if J i m m y and I but it does show how conflicts in human personality can be resolved. It is often true could have an evening together just once in a that the personality conversion that comes with A.A. does not clear up the original conwhile and let the drunks fall where they may. ” flicts which lead to inebriety and disaster. Many a person will find a psychiatrist un- Drunk or sober, alcoholics are apt to be self- necessary by studying Ligon carefully. The amazing part of the book is that it shows ish. My own outstanding bit of neglect is to- beyond question that Jesus Christ was the world’s greatest psychologist. To understand ward my boy in the service. the true meaning of the Sermon on the Mount is to find the answer to any personality He writes, “You know how I feel about your conflict. Because his book makes this clear, I recommend it enthusiastically to alcoletters, so please send them soon and o f t e n . ” holics and to persons with heartache every where. — Grace. O. I promptly make a mental vow to systematically set aside a time at least twice a week to Alcoholics Anonymous (Works Publishing Co., Box 459, Grand Central Annex, send him the cheery bits of nonsense which he N. Y. 17, N. Y.; price $3.50). seems to love. Three weeks later I’m still saying, “I must write the boy—us soon as I make (Editor’s Note—Alcoholics Anonymous was out of stock for several weeks but it is now t h a t A. A. call” or “as soon us I get back from available in a “wartime” edition. The contents of the new edition are the same, of course, the meeting. ” and the book has the same number of pages as before. The only difference is that it is I am not advocating that we give up meetings printed on different paper slock, the weight previously used being unavailable “for the (Continued on Page 8) duration.”) 3

EDUCATIONAL PLAN The Magic Carpet The Wilson Club, one of the four St. Louis A. A. groups, is now using a very satisfactory method of “educating” prospects and new mem- A year ago a new A. A., a woman, was having trouble When the f o u r t h lesson was due, Mr. M’s. (“even as you and I”) catching onto the program. bers. It has done much to reduce the number Another woman A. A. wrote her a letter. The letter, secretary called and asked me to postpone it of slippers among new members. In brief, it from Aslrid I.. to Pola K., was published in the May for a few days. When I went again I did not issue of The G r a p e v i n e . How that letter, written in recognize Mr. M’s. voice. It was “gone.” 1 is somewhat as f o l l o w s : Each new prospect is December 1943, is bearing fruit today, and how the asked h i m what had happened: asked to a t t e n d f o u r successive Thursday n i g h t recipient whom it helped has since been able, to help meetings, each one of w h i c h is devoted to helpothers, is told in the story that follows. “Oh,” he said, “just a l i t t l e too much drinking. How about you having a drink?” ing the new man learn something about Alco- It was a sunny breezy day in the middle of holics Anonymous, its founding, and the way it I thanked him and said that I didn’t drink. February, and I had been a i r i n g the carpets on works. The new man is told something about the “Why?” he asked me. “Because 1 have neuritis the terrace w h i l e dusting my apartment. book, and how t h i s p a r t i c u l a r group functions. and it is bad for my hands.” We went on with When I went to get the carpets, one of my At the first meeting Bill’s background is the lesson. newest and best ones was gone! Nobody could sketched—his d r i n k i n g career and the various have taken it. I live on the tenth floor. No- After a few more lessons, again a call came body can enter the terrace from the outside. It from his secretary. Again, a bad, husky voice. events which led to his drying up; his trip to was gone—with the wind! I called the super- This time Mr. M. said, “This d r i n k i n g is get- Akron, his meeting with Bob, and the subseintendent. Nobody had seen it. Probably some- ting me. When I was on the wagon I began a quent growth of A. A. up to the time it reached one had picked it up as soon as it fell to the lot of things which I never finished when I St. Louis. We give some of the local history sidewalk. started to drink again.” I naively asked, “Does on the f o r m a t i o n of the Wilson Club. During drinking interfere with your life?” a 15-minute recess, each man is asked to write I felt pretty a w f u l . Boy, what a wonderful excuse this would have been to get plastered He: “What would you know about it? You’re in a few words just what he considers an alcobefore I had really started to understand the lucky you have neuritis and you don’t drink. I holic to be. Then a few answers are read, fol- A. A. program. I had been sober eight months, wish I could stop it. But I can’t.” lowed by the reading of an address made by one spoken at several meetings and felt pretty sure Here’s where I decided that 1 had to act of our best doctors discussing what an alcoholic of myself. So I had stopped going to the meet- quickly. I said: “Mr. M., I don’t drink be- is from the medical angle. ings as often as previously. Over many days I cause I have neuritis. I don’t d r i n k because I The second Thursday covers t h e s p i r i t u a l had forgotten to pray to the Higher Power, am an alcoholic.” angle, t r y i n g to help c l a r i f y many of the 12 which I call “Conscience. ” I had neglected my He almost jumped to the ceiling. “What? steps. This is followed by the reading of an new way of t h i n k i n g and lied w h i t e lies here What are you talking about?” address by a greatly revered Jesuit priest, Father and there. I never thought about d r i n k i n g but I calmed him down and told him all about Dowling, who really started the St. Louis I was beginning to forget that someone might my previous drinking. A quart a day, plus. groups. need me to help them overcome the jitters I About what A.A. did for me, what it could do At the t h i r d Thursday meeting, all chapters had once known so well. In short, I was for him. of the book proper are h i g h – l i g h t e d and disselfishly enjoying my sobriety. At the next lesson I look him the A.A. book. cussed, followed by the reading of a talk given Now, back to the story. Yes, I felt pretty a w f u l about the loss of my carpet. Then be told me. “You know, Pola, my part- us by a very prominent Protestant minister, who When I went to bed I prayed to the Higher ner is a worse drunk than I am.” I suggested has read the book many times and has made Power and I asked Him why was I punished. that he read the book first and then worry about Alcoholics A n o n y m o u s the subject of several of Here I was, sober for eight months, t r y i n g to his partner. his sermons. be good to people. I didn’t deserve such When I saw Mr. M. the next time, he said, Then at the final meeting, the A. A. literature punishment! “There’s a lot of truth in that book. I’d like is reviewed, i n c l u d i n g our own pamphlets, and The f o l l o w i n g morning I put an ad in the to go with you to a meeting.” the Wilson Club operation is explained to them paper. The paper was mailed to me to verify Imagine my delight, when Mr. M. called me in detail; such as our method of revolving chairt h a t my ad was in it. Next to my ad, there was the f o l l o w i n g morning saying that he hadn’t men, the f u n c t i o n s of the board of directors, another ad which read: “Experienced pianist had a drink for 24 hours (he was a daily how to h o s p i t a l i z e prospects. We finish with a accompanist wanted for a few evenings. Write drinker) and could his partner also come with serious talk on practicing the 12th step, closing P. O. Box 47. ” While w a i t i n g for my carpet to us to the meeting. I was t h r i l l e d . I prayed and with, “You have t h e tools and need not fear t u r n up I decided to answer the ad about the was grateful to God for having my carpet taken being unable to explain A. A. or reluctant to pianist. In a week I had the job, accompanying away because it had brought me Mr. M., whom make calls. ” and coaching a Mr. M. who had a magnificent I had found by putting my ad in the paper. Wilson Club members are not considered f u l l , voice but one which needed more expression, Now I know why I was punished. I was formore shading. active members u n t i l they have attended these getting my needy fellows. Thanks to Mr. M. and The first time I went to give Mr. M. his les- his partner, who have now been active in A.A. four educational meetings. They are then preson he excused himself after a few songs and for a considerable time I am attending meetings sented w i t h a Wilson C l u b membership card— went to the kitchen. I heard the f a m i l i a r sound r e g u l a r l y , I spoke at one meeting and maybe a w h i l e one. At t h e end of one year’s sobriety o f a bottle being uncorked—and it never failed I w i l l be able again to help someone who w a n t s t h i s is replaced by a gold card, not exactly solid at each lesson, that after a few songs he would to stop d r i n k i n g and does not know how. gold, but covered w i t h gold paper. apologize and disappear into the kitchen. —Pola K. Dick W., St. Louis, Mo.

Mail Call for All A. A. s in the Armed Forces We are fortunate in having received from an A.A. participant, a sergeant of ACCEPT THOSE THINGS Infantry, a vivid account of the battle for Germany and his reactions: WE CANNOT CHANGE

Somewhere, in Europe night and day. Caught inside Jerry lines and One of our A.A. correspondents who has been 7th Army, April 10 enveloped, we later were subjected to our own actively engaged in the Pacific War writes us artillery barrages and strafing and dive bombing about a subject that probably applies to service- “Dear Elliot: Your marvelous New Year’s by our Air Force. Etc., etc. men especially but seems to have significance day letter, and also The Soul’s Sincere Desire, “The point being I felt something soon after for all A.A.s: the book you so thoughtfully sent to me, caught the big floor show started. After our jump-off “Waiting is one of the biggest problems in the up just yesterday. Both meant much more to we were caught and pinned down and Jerry’s service. And at certain times, a five-minute wait me t h a n if they had been received earlier in stuff started to fly as if he thought he was fightcan be a real torture. Ernest Hemingway said the year. At the first of the year I was called ing his last battle. I prayed but I couldn’t quite the same in one of his books, and when I read up for combat duty in the general ground forces see why I should have the gall to ask for perreinforcement program after our serious losses it, I thought the concept foolish. But w a i t i n g sonal favors or protection. Someone was going in the December Ardennes set back. to get it and there were too many fine, clean, (or rather patience) is one of the hardest traits happy twenty-year olds with a fresh f u t u r e to develop and one of the most necessary. At A f t e r a one-month ‘get-rich-quick’ course in one of those times of stress I believe it would ahead in my outfit. Why should God be inter- I n f a n t r y I left England and subsequently joined be extremely easy to completely lose one’s outested in sparing my rum soaked bones? It the veteran 3rd Division and participated in the look and perspective. And it doesn’t seem to didn’t make sense and it became practically final stages of the Colmar Pocket campaign. make any difference whether or not the thing impossible, but it was easy to pray for the others About a month ago we went into the big cam- for which you are waiting is dangerous. There and a great happiness and inner calm (as you paign as a ‘spearhead’ u n i t in cracking the is no question that at times the hold of A.A. mention) welled up within me in doing so. I Siegfried Line on the 7th A r m y f r o n t below over one is lessened. It can’t be otherwise, but know that prayer for all of us was answered! Saarbrucken, which with General Patton’s swing 1 do think that experience teaches one certain Most of my company were finally captured and from the North came to be known as the Saar- are POWs today which approaches the miracu- danger signals and only a fool would ignore Moselle-Rhine Triangle bagging 125, 000 Krauts them. For instance, when a person is rotated lous in view of the severity of the heavy fire —salting away the Saar, as you have been read- and goes home, he is in a very dangerous period power thrown against us, and compared to the ing in screaming headlines, no doubt. I am general casualty percentages of the overall because we know that one can be so happy t h a t , most fortunate to be alive! We fought and beat all of a sudden one may be caught very, very campaign. crack Waffen SS units, broke the thickest part drunk. I know that there must be people in of the Siegfried (but as you know you have to “I felt a nearness to understanding I can’t A.A. who would raise their hands in horror at spend lots of men to do it) and so I am back q u i t e explain but I know you know what I am the idea that an A.A. doesn’t have complete here at a General Hospital rapidly recovering talking about. control at all times. They may be right, but it from a comparatively slight wound, and enjoy- “You told me three years ago on a hot sum- hasn’t been my experience. The reason may well ing the finest Springtime season of my life and mer day standing at 42nd Street and Madison. be because I have been able to attend only one the fragrance of the earth is something to be Your waking in the middle of the night with a meeting in the last three years. And I do heartily t r u l y grateful for, to say the least. great sense of gratitude and merely saying approve of meeting attendance as insurance “During a counter attack on a fortified Jerry ‘Thank you, God,’ is the most eloquent prayer against possible slips. But for the person who I have ever heard. does not have the advantages that meetings give, village we had previously taken and lost the these blind spots must be recognized, understood night before, I had so many close calls it went “You see, Elliot, how much I appreciate and and controlled. beyond any ordinary or extraordinary luck fac- treasure your letter and book. The author sugtor, and as you suggested in your letter I felt gested in the first chapter something I liked very “I guess I have been trying to say that the something, a factor of divine protection. I didn’t much. Write up or t h i n k up some of your own course is not always smooth and a person new expect to live through that almost overwhelming psalms and prayers, don’t be a slave to set to A.A. might very well become discouraged. maelstrom of utter chaos. Tanks entered the forms. You can’t beat the 23rd Psalm or the When a blank period arrives there is only one town and ran wild battering down houses and Lord’s Prayer as great literature but maybe possible course of ‘inaction’—just don’t d r i n k . our rubble positions at fifty yards point blank something you can express your own way will Sometimes in the space of a very few minutes range. We were cut off w i t h o u t a r t i l l e r y or have more of that essence of sincerity, for you the upset has passed and all is serene again.” armor support and were nearly up against an at least. Likewise I like to sing hymns and work John N., Lt. U. S. Army impossible tactical setup, i. e., t r y i n g to fight in some barber shop harmonies w i t h my rather Tiger Tanks w i t h your bare fists. An 88 shell dubious baritone. Why can’t people really entore the air so close to me the suction of it spun joy their religion? That’s why I have trouble me off balance. Bullets tore my combat jacket. sitting in church as they seem to want you to, Copies of The Grapevine are sent free to all Shoe mines exploded nearby as we caught mine w i t h a puss this long. People are supposed to A. A. servicemen and women. If you know of fields, shells demolished rooms I had occupied be happy and not fearful I am sure. And as any member of the Armed Forces who is not on minutes before; mortars, rockets, screaming you say, ‘kicking against the traces.’ Best re- the mailing list, please send his or her name to Meemies (neberwerfel rockets) pounded us gards.” Hugh B. the Editors.

l n 1932, two years before the movement was Chicago Doctor Cites A. A. crystallized, Meyer 14 anticipated such a mass effort in the f o l l o w i n g words: “A great share of the work, therefore, lies in a better understand- A. A. was the recipient of another highly significant endorsement from ing of the social as well as i n d i v i d u a l resources medical circles in an article by Dr. D. B. Rotman, M. D., Director of the Psy- of satisfaction for the patient. Much of this work of a d j u s t m e n t is carried on upon a strongly chiatric Institute of the Municipal Court, Chicago, published in the March i n d i v i d u a l i z i n g basis; but even then, in the end, 10 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. there w i l l a l w a y s be persons who do best when treated in groups, with the help of a sense of The article is entitled, Alcoholism, a Social Disease. That part of it in belonging, and being accepted, and of sharing which reference is made to A. A. is reprinted below: the common convictions, whether they be rel i g i o u s or some k i n d of mystery, and an open Whatever alcoholism is or is not, its uni- the mature segment of the personality of his treatment t u r n i n g to the facts as found, and as versality makes it something of the people, and patient. a , no matter how m i n u t e that segment, they are, either under an i n t i m a t e patient-physiits partial solutions can very properly be ex- may happen to be.” By thus refusing him a cian r e l a t i o n s h i p or a more socialized and open pected to come from the people. What other narcissistic bargain the therapist in many in- survey and u t i l i z a t i o n of assets and recognition explanation do we have of the phenomenal stances succeeds only in alienating the alcoholic of specific difficulties. ” growth of t h e Alcoholics Anonymous? This or- addict from his therapist. Broader V i s t a Opened ganization in a short period of ten years has embraced over 12,000 ex-alcoholic addicts. Al- No Limits to Growth Can the doctor alone solve the problem of though we must agree with its leaders in giving Group psychotherapy is all the Vogue today. alcoholism? The answer is definitely no! More religion the most of the credit for the success Its rationale and efficacy was never better demon- and more because of the many aspects in the of this movement, I think we must look deeper strated than in this mass movement known as problem, which I have only attempted to highif we are to understand its real worth. Those of Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholics Anonymous light, we must come to the inexorable concluus who have repeatedly witnessed the failure of is dynamic and its potentialities for healthy con- sion that alcoholism is a social disease and that the purely religious approach, that is the alco- tagion are limitless. It has the spread power of at best the doctor can be busy w i t h only a segholic addict’s pledge to his clergyman, and the the chain letter. By its extreme efforts to ar- ment of the problem. As a corollary to this f a i l u r e of treatment of alcoholic addicts in secu- rive at nondenominationalism it has evolved a conclusion we must not allow the doctor to belar institutions, must indeed be skeptical as to naive and beatific level of thinking in which come pessimistic of his role. Indeed it should the efficacy of the purely religious program. the Deity is pictured as an energy source. The spur h i m on to added effort. The medical man Truly, Alcoholics Anonymous has used religion, profile of that deity is flexible to meet any i n d i – has an excellent precedent for a broadening of but what it has actually done is to implement vidual’s need. Borrowing heavily from W i l l i a m his vista regarding alcoholism. Only when we the best principles of modern mental hygiene James, Alcoholics Anonymous has agreed that ceased looking on venereal diseases as venereal simultaneously. Its approach has been entirely the acceptance of this energy source need not diseases per se and began to look on them as positive. Heretofore, we of the profession have be immediate or spontaneous or even emotional. social diseases did we as doctors make real treated the alcoholic addict by constantly keep- By so doing Alcoholics Anonymous has elimi- progress in the venereal problems. Working uning before him the mirror of his present and nated the pyrotechnics and pitfalls usually at- der this large canopy does not mean that we u l t i m a t e degradation. This was obviously a nega- tendant on the sawdust trail type of conversion. lose our i d e n t i t y as doctors. The greatest adtive attack. Alcoholics Anonymous courageously Above all it has eliminated the devil from its vance in specific chemotherapy as far as reverses this process by pointing out that good scheme of things. Any one who has seen a case venereal diseases are concerned have come recitizenship and social decency can be arrived of alcoholic hallucinosis and has seen the look cently when we have acknowledged the total at and sustained by ex-alcoholic addicts. Who of terror in the eyes of persons suffering from s i t u a t i o n . It is only when we as doctors begin are the mentors of the Alcoholics Anonymous the effects of alcohol squirming under the to see the whole problem that we can make movement? They are not Olympiads. Indeed, fancied machinations of the devil and his cohorts our m a x i m u m contribution. We cannot but agree they are of the common clay of sinners and suf- can appreciate the subtle therapeutic shift of w i t h the f o r t h r i g h t and frank statement of ferers: the ex-alcoholic addicts themselves. It is this simple deletion. Carlson, b who honestly says “As I see it it is not tenable for these tutors to explain to their too complex for the biological and medical disp u p i l s how it is possible to refrain from drink- Cooperation Needed ciplines. ” The proper approach to the problem ing if the mentors do not continue to refrain is exemplified in the pioneering efforts of the What the Alcoholics Anonymous movement themselves. By this maneuver a solid founda- Yale projects of the Research Council on Probneeds is a closer cooperation with the medical tion to the movement is already set up. It may lems of Alcoholism, wherein all facets of the profession, and what the medical profession also be that the doctors and the therapeutist problem are under scientific investigation and needs even more is a closer cooperation w i t h have been too stern in their attitude toward the wherein p a r t i c u l a r stress is placed on the bio- Alcoholics Anonymous. As time goes on the alcoholic addicts and have driven them to the logic, psychologic, sociologic, anthropologic and Alcoholics Anonymous movement could stand bosoms of their fellow alcoholic addicts. This religious aspects. To these efforts the American for a more rigorous bookkeeping system in its stentorian stand of our profession can be said medical profession should lend its best support. credit and debit ledger, i. e., of its successes and to be best embodied in the words of Strecker:13 failures. It must cultivate a stronger capacity ‘ a ‘ Meyer. A d o l f : Alcohol as a Psychiatric Problem, In Emer- “The skilled therapist is strictly impersonal, obfor autocriticism if it is to steer clear of an un- son, I t . . ; and others: Alcohol and Man: The Effects of Alcohol jective and unemotional and from the very be- on Man in Health and Disease-, New York. Macmillan Comrealislic optimism which could easily cause the pany, 1932, pp. 299 and 300. g i n n i n g must decline to deal with anything but movement to disintegrate into a species of ‘b’ Carlson, A. J.: The Alcohol Problem: Possible Lines of Useful Research, Quart. J. Stud. on Alcohol 2: 672-676 “‘Strecker: Chronic Alcoholism, p. 15. Coueism. (March) 1912.

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A.A’.s COUNTRY-WIDE NEWS CIRCUIT The Knickerbocker Hospital (70 Convent members to do 12th-step work, via visits to the and one open, the latter being for “members and Ave., Manhattan), service for alcoholics, de- patients who are being relieved of the jitters, their wives.” W h a t ! — n o women alcoholics in veloped and sponsored by A.A., has been going and interesting them in the philosophy of A.A. Montreal? * over big since it got under way A p r i l 1. At Regular A.A. meetings are held by the alcot h a t time 8 beds were assigned to alcoholics. The * hospital was so pleased with the service that on Over Station WWJ — The Detroit News, a holic patients at Howard State Hospital, Howard, May 1 they increased the number to 12. series of A.A. stories is being voiced from De- R. I., since members of the Boston Group visited The charge is $10 per day, plus an overall t r o i t , l i t t l e dramas written from the real life the hospital several months ago, and received stories of A.A. members. The program is sched- the encouragement of Drs. Vera and Friz Berdoctor’s fee of $10. Those who have hospital insurance are covered thereby and pay only the uled for each Saturday at 7 p.m. The series hendt. . . . A new group in Providence, R. I., doctor’s fee. The alcoholics at Knickerbocker began as an experiment several weeks ago with an outgrowth of the Akron, Ohio, group, is reare under the expert supervision of Dr. W. D.. the dramas programmed for every other Satur- ceiving the cooperation not only of the doctors day at 11:15 p.m. WWJ has now moved the of Howard State Hospital but of the State Wel- Silkworth, for many years an enthusiastic supporter of A.A. program forward to its present early evening fare Department, social workers and clergy Here’s the procedure for hospitalizing an spot, every Saturday. . . . The March of Time alike. alcoholic: Phone Knickerbocker to make cer- recently broadcast dramatized excerpts from Judge E. J. Shea, as guest-speaker at a recent tain a bed is available, then haul your patient Eliot Taintor’s book, September Remember. . . meeting of the Springfield (Vermont) group, up there—or down or over, as the case may be. As further evidence that A.A. is becoming inspoke about the number of highway accidents Only members of A.A. may hospitalize an creasingly known in the educational field, Wilin which the contributing factor was intoxicaalcoholic. lard Waller, Professor of Sociology at Barnard, tion. He said the increase in arrests in the past The A.A. Rehabilitation Fund lends to re- the women’s college of Columbia University, few years for drunkenness has brought out more sponsible sponsors the wherewithal to hospi- recently gave to his students an illuminating and and more the interest of the people in the A.A. talize a patient who is broke. If you are 12th comprehensive lecture on Alcoholics Anonymovement. stepping with such a patient, call the Manhattan mous. . . . Reporting on the progress of the *

Clubhouse, 405 W. 41st St., and the secretary group in Montreal, Canada, a Buffalo member The latest of the new groups in this hemwill put you in touch with a member of the A.A. who led the first open meeting, writes that isphere is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. . . . Under Hospital Committee who w i l l determine if the Montreal has two meetings a week, one closed (Continued on Page 8) loan is to be made. Besides Manhattan, the secretaries of Brooklyn, Bronx, Flushing and Forest Hills, which groups are represented on the Committee, will do likewise for you. In addition to availing themselves of Knicker- Letters to the Grapevine . . . bocker’s splendid facilities when working with Dear Grapevine: One of our most important morning and we stopped off to have a few on alcoholic in need of hospitalization, A.A.s phases in A.A. centers around the slogan “First drinks. We got to the corner and had a few are invited to visit the alcoholics at any time things first.” more, then one of us got nasty. I wanted to go from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jack N., Chairman of The other day I happened to be curious about uptown to the decent places and Herb figured the Hospital Committee, urges that more A.A. this slogan as it applied to our every-day use it was more romantic on the Bowery, so we women make a point of calling on the women of the telephone book. parted. I am sorry to say that Herb hit all the patients at Knickerbocker. The men have been Truly, A.A. (in its abbreviated initials) does dives and was drinking 10- and 15-cent hooch, doing a bang-up 12th-step job, with frequent rank first in the phone book, just ahead of but none of that cheap stuff for me. I know calls on the men patients. A.A.A. (American Automobile Association). how to d r i n k , so I went up to the Men’s Bar at It isn’t necessary to know the name of an alco- The only problem is whether the use made of the Waldorf and had 70-cent drinks. I had a holic under hospitalization when you are plan- this listing would justify the 25 cents or 50 cents real good time. Whoa. . . ! This is all imning a visit. per month additional that is charged by the aginary, see. But here’s the point: I figured Since every alcoholic bedded at Knickerbocker telephone company. that in the past I would have spent $250 getis sponsored by an A.A., obviously he or she It occurs to us that the A.A. listing at the ting just as drunk as Herb in the past might is interested in A.A., and both wants and needs very top of the first column in the telephone have done on the Bowery for $50. We were just visits from our members. Out-of-towners, too, book might be of tremendous help to a slip- talking it over and we decided to send you both are welcomed as callers. As patients, too, if ping member in search of help. He w o u l d n ‘ t these amounts for the A.A. Cosmopolitan Club. necessary. have to grope down the pages for the number We feel very good and don’t have a hangover * under its full classification. A number of mem- to look forward to. Perhaps it will help some- Indiana’s latest A.A. venture, a clinic for alco- bers in both the Boston and Newton groups feel body else out of—I was going to say predicaholics, also appears to be headed for success. that this suggestion might be a good thing to ment, but it’s really a pickle. Herb joins me in The newly instituted Indiana Home, in Muncie, pass along—so, if you feel that it has a germ wishing to you and the A.A. continued success, w i t h an 18-bed capacity, had 6 patients during of a thought for The. Grapevine, it’s yours for especially to the new clubhouse in New York, its first week of operation. Managed by A.A., the taking. Paul K. which we know is an infinitely better place to the clinic not only gives alcoholics a six-day Newton Group, Mass. hang out in than the gutter. treatment but, like the Knickerbocker Hospital W. George H. and Herb W. B., in New York, serves as a focal point for A.A. Dear Grapevine: Met Herb B. very early this New York, N. Y.

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A Prescription I em being sure of one scientific fact—that detoxication by medical treatment must precede News Circuit (Continued from, Page 1) (Continued from Page 7) any psychiatric approach. I have tried many of s t r a i n ! and other ingenuous ideas have failed in a Massachusetts legislative recess-commission these orthodox psychiatric approaches and i n – 95 per cent of the cases. A second is that a l l recommendation made in May, the state’s l i q u o r vented some new ones of my own. W i t h some movements of reform m i n u s a moral issue have d r i n k e r s w o u l d pay $2 a year for a “personal patients I w o u l d be coldly a n a l y t i c a l , if they passed i n t o o b l i v i o n . license” a n d a state h o s p i t a l w o u l d be estabwere of the so-called ‘scientific’ type who is apt lished w i t h the money to treat alcoholics. A “Whatever may be the o p i n i o n s one professes to have a superior attitude toward anything emo- 448-page report declared t h a t crime, mental i l l in the matter of philosophy—whether one is a t i o n a l or s p i r i t u a l . W i t h others, I w o u l d try the s p i r i t u a l i s t or a scientific materialist — one ness and c h a r i t y costs f r o m i n e b r i e t y in the state ‘scare’ method, t e l l i n g them t h a t if they cont o t a l e d $60,000,000 a n n u a l l y , compared w i t h s h o u l d recognize the reciprocal influence w h i c h tinued to d r i n k they would k i l l themselves. With t h e moral and physical exert upon each other. l i q u o r revenues of $13,139,266 in 1943. Licenses s t i l l others, I would attempt the emotional ap- Alcoholism is a mental and physical issue. w o u l d be revoked for abuse. The commission peal, working both the p a t i e n t and myself i n t o Physically a man has developed an illness. He also recommended l a b e l i n g l i q u o r w i t h “direca lather. He might be moved to the point of c a n n o t use alcohol in moderation, at least not tions” for moderation and a w a r n i n g against shaking hands d r a m a t i c a l l y and t e l l i n g me, with for a period of enduring length. If the alco- over-indulgence. * tears streaming down his face, that he was never holic starts to drink, he sooner or later develops going to take another drink. And I knew that Dr. Laurence L. Cross, a clergyman of the phenomenon of craving. Mentally this same the probability was be would be d r u n k again Berkeley, C a l i f o r n i a , as guest-speaker at the alcoholic develops an obsessive type of t h i n k i n g w i t h i n two weeks, or less. f o u r t h a n n i v e r s a r y meeting of t h e East Bay w h i c h , in itself a neurosis, offers an unfavorable “Since I have been working w i t h A.A. the Group in O a k l a n d last m o n t h , praised the group prognosis t h r o u g h former plans of treatment. comparative percentage of successful results has for “not o n l y w a n t i n g to cure i t s e l f , but know- P h y s i c a l l y science does not know why a increased to an amazing extent. i n g how to do it.” Dr. Cross declared he man cannot d r i n k in moderation. But through “wouldn’t w a n t to improve on your Twelve Steps “The percentage of success that A.A. has moral psychology—a new interpretation of an of recovery any more t h a n I would want to imscored leaves no doubt that it has something old idea—A.A. has been able to solve his former prove on t h e Ten Commandments.” Over 350 more than we as doctors can offer. It is, I am mental obsession. It is the v i t a l principle of people attended the meeting of the East Bay convinced, your second step. Once the A.A. alco- A.A., w i t h o u t which A.A. would have failed even Group, which includes members from Alameda, holic has grasped that, he w i l l have no more as other forms of treatment have failed.. A l b a n y , Berkeley, El Cerrito, Hayward, Oak- ‘slips.'” “To be sure, A.A. offers a number of highly land and San Leandro. useful tools or props. Its group therapy is very * effective. I have seen countless demonstrations Do Unto Others In Marshalltown, Iowa, the A.A.s are starting of how well your ’24-hour-plan’ operates. The a library of t h e i r own. . . . At the 5th annual p r i n c i p l e of working with other alcoholics has (Continued from Page 3) banquet of the Little Rock, Arkansas Group, a sound psychological basis. All of these fea- and calls. Perish the thought. I am simply w i t h over 350 present, a clergyman member told tures of the program are extremely important. suggesting that we be more rational and bal- his interesting story The Glendale-Burbank, “But. in my opinion, the key principle which anced in our p l a n n i n g . In my drinking days C a l i f o r n i a , women’s group which began w i t h makes A.A. work where other plans have proved I put the bottle first and now, I’m p u t t i n g so- f o u r women seven months ago now numbers inadequate is the way of life it proposes based briety there. That’s as it should be. 20. . . . Of 18 talks on miscellaneous topics at upon the belief of the i n d i v i d u a l in a Power the Springfield, Mass. Speakers Club, one of But while working with other alcoholics is greater than himself and faith that this Power the t w o chosen as best by a guest critic was on one of the most i m p o r t a n t parts of our program, is all-sufficient to destroy the obsession which Alcoholics Anonymous. A.A. can be practiced in other ways. If it possessed h i m and was destroying h i m mentally * works miracles on drunks, why not try it on and physically. our family and friends, those who bore the b r u n t Webster gives the definition of “lovelorn” as “For many years I faced this alcoholic probof our thoughtlessness, our selfishness? A n d “forsaken by one’s love.” So it’s not surprising even on the strangers we meet in the course of a to find alcoholics discussed every now and then Cut This Out and Mail to: day? Result 1 —more miracles! in the Beatrice Fairfax syndicated column The Grapevine One less long-winded A.A. telephone call, “Lovelorn,” a l w a y s accompanied by a lucid ex- P.O. Box 328 made solely for personal pleasure, might give position of some phase of A.A. A late column Grand Central Annex, N, Y. 17, N. Y. you just enough time to get that letter off to your cites Edgar A l l a n Poe as one tragic case of an H e r e w i t h $1.50 for one year’s subscription to favorite serviceman. One evening’s bashing over a l c o h o l i c who was also a genius. And Stephen The Grapevine ( M o n t h l y ) . the past with the boys could occasionally be sac- Foster, w h o w r o t e “Way Down Upon the Swanee For a d d i t i o n a l subscriptions enclose separate rificed to ask your w i f e to go out stepping—just River,” and many of our cherished songs, drank sheet w i t h name and address clearly printed. the two of you, for some good clean normal up a f o r t u n e and died in a Broadway flophouse. Checks payable to The. Grapevine. enjoyment. A realist, t h e writer of “Lovelorn” doesn’t fail to Total Enclosed Giving and receiving help from other alco- mention, along with the geniuses and near- Renewal? (please check) holics, going to meetings, talking to A.A. friends geniuses, us common mortals who make up the PLEASE PRINT and g i v i n g a hand to the newcomer must be m a j o r i t y of alcoholics—among whom are m a n y Name paramount, but more and richer dividends may r e t u r n i n g veterans t a k i n g the short cut of alco- Address be ours if we but open the door and go out on holic relief from battle fatigue and bomb the open road bearing the standard of A . A . neurosis; and t h e home-keeping men and women Note: Subscriptions received to the 15th begin with “and practice these principles in all our af- who have rushed to d r i n k to b l u n t the raw the current month’s issue. Those received after the a n g u i s h of the death of loved ones. 15th will begin with the following month’s issue. fairs.” Lois B.

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VOL. II, NO. 2, JULY, 1945 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK, 17 YEARLY, $1. 50; COPY, 15c A monthly journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A. A. as a whole.

Epic Gathering Marks Tenth Anniversary Symbolizing the unity of A. A., over 2, 500 his wife, who shared with him a common inter- Music Hall talk with a brief re-telling of how members of the fellowship and their friends est, and without whose cooperative spirit “I he had been condemned by an eminent New from 36 states, two Canadian provinces, and would not have maintained my sobriety”… York psychiatrist to die unless he stopped drink- Mexico gathered in Cleveland’s Music Mall on for those A. A. s of Cleveland who took the time i n g . . . how a few months later an old friend June 10 to commemorate and pay tribute to H i l l and trouble to come to Akron while the fellow- appeared w i t h the news he was suffering from W. and Dr. Bob on the 10th anniversary of the ship was still y o u n g . . . for the members of an illness not only of the mind, emotions, and founding of the movement. The Alcoholic Foundation who have met once body, but of the s o u l . . . how he had discovered Held Hinder the sponsorship of Greater Cleve- a month “for roughly eight years without com- from this friend he had been l i v i n g his l i f e on land’s 44 groups, the near-capacity Music Hall p e n s a t i o n ” . . . for having acquired a wealth of a demand b a s i s . . . how he would have to lose audience heard Bill and Dr. Bob characterize returned and new-found f r i e n d s . . . for those his life in order to find it. the gathering as an unprecedented o u t p o u r i n g at the Music Hall whose presence “gives us of the grace of God; heard them strike a key- an added incentive to be more cooperative and Honesty First note of gratitude, humility, unity, and simplicity helpful to each other. ” This friend, Bill explained, showed him “born on that wave of destiny that comes out of Bill voiced a final tribute to Dr. Bob in the he would have to become honest with himself Heaven itself. ” same vein of joyous thankfulness when he said, . . . he would have to make peace w i t h his fel- Entertained Saturday (June 9) afternoon and “Although we have had many differences, we low m a n . . . he would have to envision and live evening by five Cleveland open house group have never had an angry word. ” a new kind of giving—the kind which demands meetings, parties, and a tea, a thousand from Concluding with the thought that there never no return. the historic Music Hall meeting (Sunday after- was a real beginning of A. A . . . . “This could Shortly after, Bill continued, he found himnoon) later dined at the Carter Hotel to con- not have been but for others, ” Bill opened his (Continued on Page 6) clude the first glorious decade of A. A . . . . sober, grateful, happy, united. Inspired in his address to the largest crowd of A. A. s ever assembled in one place, Bill, who Where the A. A. Beacon Was Lit preceded Dr. Bob on the program, traced the development of A. A. He voiced the hope that Akron, “the hill where the A. A. beacon was Attendance at the dinner reached approxi- A. A. would always remain s i m p l e . . . that while first lit, ” was a mecca for approximately 400 mately 80 percent of the membership of Akron’s we were quite settled on the fundamentals of the other A. A. s on the same evening (June 10) that eight sizable and highly active groups. movement, the process for seeking an answer to the anniversary meeting in Cleveland was draw- Drawing on the fact that the name “Akron” the question, “What kind of a society is this?” ing to a close. is derived from a Creek word meaning ”sumwas still e v o l v i n g . . . that “the problems of The occasion was the Founders’ Day Dinner, mit, ” Bill said at one point in his talk: A. A. are the touchstones of our progress. ” held at the Hotel Mayflower, and the group of “It was here that the miracle really hap- Dr. Bob, in turn, expressed his gratitude for speakers included those who helped to light the pened. This is the hill where the A. A. beacon the divine source of strength on which we all beacon. Bill W. and Dr. Bob, hurrying over was lit 10 years ago. From here the light spread may call and r e c e i v e . . . – for the meeting with from the Cleveland meeting, spoke, as did outward to guide others and is now casting its Bill in Akron “made under divine guidance” Bill D., of Akron, who was a part of that A. A. glow over a widening area. ” . . . for the selected human agency that caused nucleus. Other speakers were Jake H., one of Both Bill and Dr. Bob recalled briefly the that m e e t i n g . . . for all of the people who in the the organizers of the Pittsburgh group; and beginnings of A. A. and with obvious gratitude early days of and before A. A. “were a source Earl T., of Chicago. Joe P., of Akron, was and pleasure referred again to their first meetof help and inspiration in my t r o u b l e ” . . . for toastmaster and Wally G., also of Akron, was ing in Akron. “No wonder, ” said Bill, “that his pastor and the ladies of A. A., and Anne, chairman of the dinner committee. we have a particular feeling for Akron. “

EDITORIAL: The Grapevine: On the 9th S t e p . . . Past, Present “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible and Future except when to do so would injure them or others. ” by Bill W.

Like others of the Steps, Number Nine is closely related to Number Three—”to t u r n The Grapevine has just completed the first our will and our lives over to God as we understood Him”. If we have accomplished year of its existence. Scores of enthusiastic lett h i s step to any measurable degree, we have attained at least a small measure of h u m i l i t y ters are coming in. They are w r i t t e n from a l l and a realization of our dependence on Him. parts of the linked States and some from for- Having prepared a list of all people we have harmed and brought ourselves to the eign countries. They c o n g r a t u l a t e The Grapevim: s t a f f and ask them to keep up their good point where we are willing to make amends to them, our N i n t h Step is one calling for work. positive action. There is a world of difference between being willing to do a thing and To these f e l i c i t a t i o n s I’d like to add my own. actually doing it. How many times in the pre-A. A. state have we said “1 am sorry, I A grand job has been done by the volunteer won’t do it again” and felt that that constituted complete amends. staff, who gave freely a vast a m o u n t of time A sincere apology, with a true explanation to the person harmed, of w h a t we believe and labor. A n d some gave money, too; you don’t s t a r t a paper on hay. To the retiring to be the reason for our past actions can quite frequently readjust personal relations— volunteers, I w a n t to say, along with every but the A. A. realizes that this cannot take care of the ones we have really hurt and Grapevine subscriber, “Congratulations and i n v a r i a b l y these are the ones we should and do love most. thanks. ” Most of us had at least a few years of real pathological drinking behind us when How did The Grapevine start, and where does we first learned of the Twelve Steps. Those terrible years are the ones that become it go from here? Last summer several New York A. A. s decided repulsive to us as we progress in our new-found life program for order and happiit was about time the groups in our metropolitan ness—years in which our every action was influenced by alcoholic thinking, with all area had a m o n t h l y publication. At first there its implications. It naturally follows that whatever our state in life may be, those close was some discussion about getting it suitably to us bore the brunt of our outrageous behaviour. How can one make amends to a dear endorsed by the local groups, The Alcoholic wife, son or daughter or parent who through no fault of their own truly suffered F o u n d a t i o n , or somebody. But no one could physically and financially and more important, mentally, the humiliation and embarrass- endorse a magazine that hadn’t yet appeared. ment of going through life with a drunkard? A simple “I am sorry; it won’t happen The Grapeviners went ahead anyway on the theory that if their sheet was good enough it again” is not enough. It is not enough for us and it is not enough for the aggrieved would take on; if it proved too corny or d u l l person. it would flop automatically — and quickly! Direct amends, by all means, is a must, in restoring physical property to the People could, the Grapeviners said, “take it or rightful owner, paying debts willingly within our ability to do so and retracting the leave it alone. ” lie that hurt a reputation; but the real amends are made in scrutinizing our day-in and In a burst of local pride The Grapevine staff mailed the first p r i n t i n g to all the groups in day-out conduct and keeping that conduct “on the beam. ” The loved ones whom we have the United Slates. No pressure or soliciting. hurt don’t want their “pound of flesh. ” Whether they are still in daily contact with us They just mailed it. Subscriptions began to or not, amends are best made to them by restoring the love and confidence and respect filter in from everywhere. No longer a trickle, they once had for us by the action of right living. With that thought clearly in our they are today a stream. The Grapevine now minds that “first drink” is an improbability, even an impossibility and the well-rounded, has subscribers in every one of the 4-8 states good l i f e we all yearn for becomes readily visible to us. and even abroad. B. W., Forest Hills, N. Y. Foreseeing a broader activity, members of The Grapevine staff were good enough to ask me a few months ago if I would take an interest in the venture for the coming year. They told Letters to the Grapevine… me they thought the magazine might be enlarged to national dimensions; that ultimately Dear Sir: it should be incorporated, and finally, perhaps, I attended “Harvey” on A. A. night, and Unfortunately, most A. A. s don’t have even that hooked up with The Alcoholic Foundation, thought it a very poor play for A. A. to patron- smattering, and accepted Dowd as an alky. which, as nearly every A. A. knows, is the sponize. Some of my reasons for this opinion are: 3. The play made fun of psychiatry in just sor of our Central Office and all our national 1. The play made drinking attractive. the way that stupid, frightened laymen who undertakings. 2. Elwood P. Dowd was obviously not an know nothing about it make fun of it. (And This conversation made it abundantly plain alcoholic so much as a schizophrenic—if you the tip-off is that they do make fun of it just that w h i l e rotating squads of volunteers might have even a smattering of psychiatric knowledge. (Continued on Page 8) (Continued on Page 8)

HISTORY OFFERS GOOD LESSONS FOR A.A. A. A. s need to warn each other about becom- ence that in those times, at least, some politicians The Washingtonian movement might have suring too confident. Over-confidence can have could qualify for membership) and they helped vived, however, might have triumphed over its sorry consequences. Individual A. A. s need to to wreck local groups through their efforts to mistakes, and its enemies (and well-wishers), take the warning to heart; A. A. as an organiza- line up votes. except for one fatal omission. tion of individuals can also profit from it. The Abolition movement was gaining strength Its organizers believed they could get along All of us, attending meetings of our various and there was division within groups as men without a Higher Power. groups, have heard, and taken part in, conver- took their stand on the issue of slavery. It wasn’t a particularly religious time. And sations like this: The Washingtonians were confident. They inebriates, then as now, had generally lost touch “D’ja read that story about A. A. in this week’s rebuffed overtures of older temperance organiza- with Him. Many of them, in fact, were out- Squint?” “Not yet, but Joe was talkin’ about it. tions, they scorned old methods. Local groups spoken in their denunciations of all of His Any good?” “Yeah, a pretty good piece. You went their separate ways, made their own mis- works, especially as demonstrated in the acknow, those editors must think we got some- takes, learned their own lessons. Some, with tivities and attitudes of so-called Christian folk. thin’. ” “Sure, they wouldn’t be giving us space, larger membership, dipped into their treasuries The meetings of the society’s groups were conwhat with the war and all, if they didn’t think to finance their own publications. There was no ducted usually without reference to Him. a lot of their readers wanted to know about us. ” over-all direction of editorial policy. Editors of Washingtonians were not atheists; it just Rosy contentment settles over speakers and local society publications got into squabbles hadn’t occurred to them that God as we underlisteners. with editors of other temperance papers. stand Him could help them to stay sober. In How many of the readers of The Grapevine fact, some of them believed that if they inhave heard about the Washington Temperance Factions Within vited God into their councils, sectarianism also Society? There was division, in those times, among the would push its way in, and their movement It was quite an organization in its time—in older organizations. Some of them plumped would be taken over by one or another of the the 1840’s. Its organizers called themselves “refor total abstinence as a rule of conduct; others churches. formed drunkards” and they set about “reform- The society wasn’t on God’s side and, conhedged and wanted to direct their efforts against ing” other drunkards. sequently, it disintegrated. use of spirituous liquors, accepting use of wines Does the idea seem f a m i l i a r ? and beers as normal conduct. Some of the more Source of Strength hardy souls already were clamoring for legisla- Claimed 100, 000 In 3 Years tion that would outlaw the traffic in beverage An editor of that day wrote: “That the exclusion of all religious forms They did all right, too. They got going in the alcohol. All of these factions pulled and hauled and the entire abstraction of religion from Spring of 1840, in Baltimore. In early 1843, on the society’s members. temperance, was necessary for the r e c l a m a t i o n they were claiming that they had persuaded Older temperance organizations were finding it increasingly difficult to interest the public in of the drunkard, we have never b e l i e v e d . . . The 100, 000 habitual drunkards to sign the pledge. drunkard may have felt hostile to religion while Older temperance organizations had to stand their aims. The Washingtonians with their unique methods—their missionary work among in the bar-room and amid the fumes of liquor, aside—or climb onto the bandwagon. The new drunkards, their open-air parades and mass and he may feel so after he has reformed and society was getting the headlines. It organized meetings, their “experience” programs that af- been taught to believe that he is better than a a mass meeting in City Hall Park in New York forded a thrill-seeking public the opportunity of Christian, but never did a poor drunkard go up City in 1841 that attracted more than 4, 000 listenjoying vicariously the degenerate experiences in sincerity to sign the pledge, without feeling eners—the speakers stood on upturned rum kegs of sodden sinners—were stealing the show. The himself a prodigal, commencing a work of re- —and it had 1, 800 new members when it closed older organizations borrowed Washingtonian turn to his Heavenly Father, and needing that its campaign in that city. Father’s help; and who would not have grate- There were triumphal parades in Boston— speakers and methods to draw larger audiences f u l l y knelt and listened to a prayer for that help where historic Faneuil Hall was jammed to the to their meetings. Because the Washingtonian movement, in its on his new endeavors. And we believe that if the doors to hear the speaker—and in other eastern beginnings, was concerned only with the reclaim- hundreds of thousands of signatures in our cities. Speakers toured the West and South. ing of drunkards and held that it was none of country had been accompanied with prayer and The press of the day gave the society units affair if others used alcohol who seemed to some religious enforcement, their power and counted columns of publicity. The society’s unusual methods were NEWS. be little harmed by it, the makers and sellers of efficiency would have been incomparably And then—in less than ten years—the society alcoholic beverages looked on the new move- stronger. “* petered out. ment with a tolerant, even approving, eye. The Is it necessarily true that there’s nothing The “why” contains a lesson—and a moral— habitual drunk was no more welcome in the new under the sun, ” or that “history repeats for A. A. nineteenth-century grog-shop than he is in the itself?” There was no ONE reason, of course. A rea- present-day cocktail lounge. A. A. IS new, a new partnership with God in son was that older temperance organizations a useful endeavor. History NEED NOT repeat, hired some of the society’s better speakers. That One Fatal Omission in the case of A. A., the sorry story of the Washreason couldn’t have wrecked the society if it But in its zeal to increase its membership as ingtonians’ rise and fall. had had its feet solidly on the ground. rapidly as possible, the society pledged many There are, however, lessons to be learned from Another reason was that politicians looked persons to total abstinence who were intemperate history. C. H. K., Lansing, Mich. hungrily at its swelling membership. Some of drinkers, probably, but who were not alcoholic * The editorial quotation is from John Allen Krout’s book, them climbed aboard the wagon (there is infer- in the present-day definition of the term. The Origins of Prohibition, published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., in 1925,

WHAT CONSTITUTES Only Nice Things Happened A GOOD SPONSOR, AS One afternoon a l i t t l e more than three years myself in the old 24th Street clubhouse. When MINNEAPOLIS SEES IT ago, I was riding down First Avenue in a cab. I got an idea of what A. A. was all about, I (Many groups have used to good advantage I was’ wedged in the corner of the seat and my grabbed on like a drowning man would grab the sponsor system, one of which is outlined bebrother propped me up with his two hands. With a life preserver and after three years I’m s t i l l low. Other methods followed by other groups my two hands I propped up a pint of rye. The holding on. will he outlined in subsequent issues. ) rye was a decoy to get me into the cab and to And here’s the f u n n y thing—NONE OF THE my destination—Bellevue Hospital. I’d been THINGS I WORRIED ABOUT EVER HAP- 1. Sincerity in A. A. and dry for certain length there before, and I knew I wasn’t going to like it. PENED! of time. I’d been drunk a little over a month that time I got a job and was able to take care of the 2. Must have f r i e n d l y altitude toward new and after five years of kicking it around, I’d children and myself. member. If that is not possible, do not finally managed to lose a pretty good job that I went to the Internal Revenue boys and ex- accept the sponsorship. I’d had for 22 years. I was up to my neck in plained that I hadn’t filed and couldn’t pay 3. Work on only one member at a time. debt and a l l the friends I had in the world could because I was a drunk and I told them what I 4. Come to all the classes w i t h the new have held their annual meeting at the Commo- was trying to do about it. The deputy w i t h member. dore—in a phone booth. whom I talked said that he had thousands of 5. Keep in close touch by telephone. If you had met me that afternoon and said, good answers for as many excuses but he was 6. See that the new member comes to all the “Kel, how are you doing?” honesty would have darned if he had one for that and he guessed meetings and be there also. compelled me to admit that I wasn’t doing so he would have to sit it out and hope for the best. 7. See that he meets people. well. I stopped r u n n i n g from the bloodhounds and 8. Have older members talk to him. they skidded to a stop and decided, too, to wait. There followed four rugged days as a guest of 9. Don’t sell the club to new members. the Department of Hospitals. I was discharged After I’d been dry a year I asked for and got 10. Don’t quote the big names in the group. on March 16, 1942, to make room for the ex- my old job back. Six months later the firm 11. Uphold other members to the new member. pected arrival of fellow Hibernians who had inquired about my debts and gave me the money 12. Do not encourage discussion of personovertrained for the parade and had become tired to clean them up. I’m still paying back the alities. and confused. company in slow and easy stages. 13. Do not make things too easy, such as lend- Only nice things happened to me and all I did ing money, etc. A f t e r that there were six weeks at a place, was stay sober, stick close to A. A., and try to 14. Help straighten out new member’s financial Chester Crest, and if that name suggests a carry out the suggested steps of the A. A. pro- and domestic problems by pointing out country club, I’ll hasten to add that it is gram. Yes, only good things, thanks to A. A., what experience has shown to be the best formally known as the New York Christian and the help which I must have received from way. Home for Intemperate Men. I was both Christhe Higher Power that I call God. 15. When d r u n k goes to another sponsor with t i a n and intemperate—and had been called E. K., Jersey City, N. J. tales of persecution, if the second sponsor worse. doesn’t talk it over w i t h the first sponsor, The first three weeks up in the country I the issue becomes one of personalities, and learned to eat and sleep again and to walk out into the daylight without blinking. The last THE WAY WE the second sponsor will find that the slipper has outsmarted him. three weeks, when my head had cleared, I did some serious thinking. HEARD IT 16. Don’t listen to a lot of gossip by slippers. It seems t h a t . . . . 17. Second sponsor of same member should get It was during that time that I decided that I in touch with the first sponsor and find out didn’t really want to be a bum and that I would His wife had been doing a great deal of talkwhat has been done—what were the reachave to stop drinking. I left Chester Crest in ing about this thing A. A. Morning, noon and tions of the slipper—so that he can’t pull good physical condition but I was loaded down night she had been dinging it at him. He wasn’t the same stuff on the second sponsor. with fears. at all sure that he needed or wanted any part 18. If a new member alibis about coming to 1 was afraid that I couldn’t stay sober. I was of it. In fact, for the moment he had heard classes and the Tuesday night meetings and afraid that I couldn’t get a new job which would enough about it. the group meetings, after a short while, enable me to support my two children. I was So he went out to the garage. Cached inside the sponsor should impress on him the imworried because I’d failed to file an income tax was a bottle; just outside was a bench in the portance of attendance at these meetings return and because I hadn’t the money to pay sun—a perfect combination for “peace and by both the husband and the wife. If you the tax, if I had filed. I was worried because quiet. ” can’t get him to come, then he has put you I knew t h a t if I had a job, however small, it Seated on the bench he was tilting his head in a position where you cannot help him, was only a question of time before the blood- back for a long one. Just then a plane passed as he w i l l not let you. So drop him. The hounds from the finance companies would pick overhead in line with his upturned eyes. On the seed has been planted; redirect your enerup the trail and come yapping at my heels. wings of the big liner he saw printed in large gies elsewhere. Somewhere along the line When I got back to New York, I met an old letters, “A. A. ” he will be back when he wants A. A. friend, a woman I’m very fond of. While I’d “Cripes, ” he exclaimed. “If they’re going to 19. A good sponsor w i l l not have more than been sweating it out up at Chester Crest, she had all that trouble to get me, I might just as well two neophytes a year. But he will do a found A. A. and it wasn’t long before I found give up now. ” thorough job on those two.

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Mail Call for All A. A. s in the Armed Forces Some months ago we suggested on this page that perhaps A. A. s in service often Copies of The Grapevine are sent free to all worked out their not inconsiderable problems more realistically than their civilian A. A. servicemen and women. If you know of any member of the Armed Forces’ who is not on brethren and that, almost certainly, they had to place greater dependence on the spiritual the mailing list, please send his or her name to aspects of the program. The quotation below is part of a recent letter from a soldier the Editors. stationed in France: “In the old days (and it’s a wonderful thing to think of them as ‘old days’) most of us didn’t face these conflicts, but they must be faced now, and faced squarely. So for TIME ON YOUR HANDS me there’s only one answer and that is our 3rd Step. That is the answer to so many The term “hobby” not only refers to an occuthings if we only be m i n d f u l of it. However, like everything else, now and then we pation pursued as a pastime but also means “a forget. I was feeling particularly low and in need of help. I got just the lift I needed slow and steady horse. ” To me, the latter from my old friend Chet through his piece on the 3rd Step in the March Grapevine. definition is more important to an alcoholic “This has been a very personal letter. However, isn’t that what this is all about— because it’s so patently the reverse of the kind getting the right slant on the things that bother us?” of animal he used to be. One of our most potent slogans is “easy does i t ” . . . and I think that philosophy should be especially followed when it comes to picking hobbies. A Marine Tells Us Our most f a i t h f u l correspondent in the Pacific The reason we’re looking for hobbies is be- .seems to have gotten into the thick of things cause we know that too much loose time on The following is our first letter from an A. A. again, but is still calling on his A.A. philosophy our hands represents the most f r i g h t e n i n g sabowho is also a member of the Marine Corps. It is from a sergeant with a Marine fighter squad- whenever the going gets tough: teur we have to face in our aim toward conron now in the Pacific, and was w r i t t e n to a “I have really been busy. Am receiving tinued sobriety. But, for an alcoholic, too much friend in the Buffalo group. We think it bears Grapevine and enjoy it so much. M is intensity toward any objective is equally dangerout our comment at the beginning of this page. sending September Remember which I look for- ous, because should circumstances deprive us of “It was pretty rough most of the way over, ward to enthusiastically. Y. (a naval lieuten- our “hobby crutch” we’re ripe for a slip. but after leaving Honolulu most of us were ant) wrote from Boston. He must have been So, in my very humble and still inexperienced pretty good sailors but our only wish was to set very active. He is a grand fellow and the new opinion, we should take our hobbies where we foot on terra firma once again. Had my fill of A.A. member should be helped by people like find them and have as many as possible t h a t fit the deep blue sea — it really is blue and at him. We are getting well set up now. Had my into everyday living instead of concentrating on night when there is no moon one w o u l d think first shower in six weeks yesterday and you one or two important ones. For example, you’d that there was some sort of indirect lighting would be surprised how one gets used to taking hardly call your family a hobby but it can due to the phosphorus in the water glowing as a bath in a helmet. We spend considerable function very well as such with priority—and the prow of the boat would churn it up. time in foxholes but as yet I haven’t caught more satisfyingly so than any I have found. “We were able to pitch a one-day liberty in cold. The snakes around here have me worried The time I spend planning and executing for my Honolulu and I really took in the sights—saw —especially when I spend the night on the wife and son the many ordinary pastimes and the famous beach at Waikiki and also stopped ground. We have killed a couple of them and associations which they missed during my drinkin a quaint little church and thanked Him for they were deadly. Oh, well, it’s just like a lot of ing days has proven to be the happiest heritage keeping me “dry” and asked Him to help all other things—bad, but not too bad. My spirits which A. A. has given me. There is no need of us in our struggle with alcohol. He has been are well up these days and now I’m happy with to expand on that statement—every alcoholic very good to me, John. a little less. Thank God, it has ended in will recognize immediately what I’m trying “We finally arrived on this little rock of coral Europe.” to say. and sand where the Navy and Marines left a John N., Lt. U. S. Army The only other important hobby I have (extree or two standing when they knocked the l i t t l e cepting of course my A. A. group) is to assomonkeys out of here some time back. ciate as much as possible with friends who are “Each day gets hotter and, although the nights not alcoholics, but who are fully aware of my cool off, even they are starting to get a bit A Soldier Avoids That Fatal First Drink status as one and my desire to stay dry. lt’s warmer. We used to have our choice of either “I have had several pleasant visits with a been amazing to me how much help I can get two bottles of cold brew or two cokes every other family I met in Rheims. There was, at first, a from these friends who, although they may not night but now they are out of cokes so I’m rather awkward situation created by my not tak- f u l l y understand why a guy can’t take a d r i n k d r i n k i n g warm water out of Lyster bags. Yes, I ing a glass of wine at dinner. I’m sure my friends now and then, respect and encourage my aims. know just what two beers would do to me— consider it very queer, but the matter is settled I guess you’d call that being something of an even out here—and I don’t care to experiment. and they have accepted the fact of my not “alcoholic hero” to the folks outside of A. A. I’ll wait until medical science can find a rem- drinking.. Later on, I should like to tell them who are important to me, but if that be treason, edy. This is all I’m allowed to write. It is about A. A. They are intelligent, alert people, I still feel that I can make the most of it as a lonesome here and I’d sure enjoy hearing from and I might be able to convey the general idea hobby—and you’ll agree that results are what some of the boys. ” to them. ” count. Dick F. M., Sgt. V. S. Marines, April 8 John D., U. S. Army, France, May 25 Jim D.

Tenth Anniversary ANNIVERSARY NOTES Two members from a California group came (Continued from Page 1) all the way from the coast in a day coach. self in the hospital again, where, in a deep de- Currently, Bill concluded, there’s the problem Originally scheduled for different trains, the pression he finally called on the God against of leadership despite claims there are no leaders station master, on hearing where they were go- Whom he had always rebelled, to show Himself. nor elected o f f i c e r s . . . the problems of re- ing and why, moved them on to the same train “Release came. And with it a new sense of free- muneration for A. A. secretaries, janitors, and at a great deal of trouble to himself. dom filled my being, ” Bill quietly said. “It was all those falling in this area of special func- * as simple as that. ” tions. On this latter matter, Bill voiced the feel- Following this spiritual experience, Bill told ing that spiritual activity was never paid for, The manager of the Carter took particular how subtle conceits soon entered his life. Laugh- although functional activity, just as everywhere, pains to mention to Dick S., chairman of the ing, he recounted how “I set out to sober up was. Tenth Anniversary Committee, that he considered all the drunks in the world. I was determined While on leadership, Bill said, he regarded the manner in which the anniversary party was every drunk should have his hot flash. ” a leader as one who has learned to love the conducted and the behavior of the guests the Without a single convert six months later, best in men; one who has worked at the pro- best of all “conventions” in his memory. B i l l found himself in Akron on business where, gram; one who has stayed sober; one who has f o l l o w i n g a bitter disappointment, he was faced come to the realization that “A. A. is much All A. A. s and their friends were welcomed with a wave of self pity. bigger than any of us, ” and, as a result of that to Cleveland at the Music Hall by Doctor T., ”For the first time I realized, ” Bill explained, realization, has stepped aside for others to share a prominent member from the Lee Road Thurs- “I needed to talk to a drunk just as much as the the limelight. As for himself, Bill humorously day Group. Dick S. introduced Dr. Bob and drunk needed me.” Whereupon the “strange finished, he and Dr. Bob look upon themselves Bill. Jack D. was toastmaster at the banquet. chain of circumstances” unfolded which cul- as purely “a couple of old, cracked antiques minated in Bill and Doc’s m e e t i n g . . . the ran- who have had a little more experience than dom selection of the minister’s n a m e . . . the others. ” Over 250 women A. A. s and their friends atlong list of people who failed to r e s p o n d . . . tended the tea on Saturday afternoon at The Dr. Bob’s Reasons Carter, where they met Anne S., Lois W., and the final spark in Henrietta S . . . . the eventual meeting with Dr. Bob after a Mother’s Day Dr. Bob, in a different vein, indicated he felt Bobbie B., secretary of The Central Office in bender. we need to follow the steps in our program as New York. “Something passed between us,” Bill stated. long as we live, particularly himself. For he And a “beginning greater than either one of realizes, he said, he has the best reason except Bill for not taking a d r i n k . . . his 10 years of man and the spiritual man. And he uttered the us was made. ” sobriety. And. he stated. “I most certainly don’t hope that he was developing into a well-inte- A Word for Anonymity care to get tight any more. ” grated individual. Back-tracking from the present, Bill talked “Blindly groping for the truth, ” Dr. Bob con- “Because the spiritual search is a long search briefly on how the book was written four years tinued, “the early development of the activity and requires unrelenting effort, ” Dr. Bob said, after his meeting with Dr. B o b . . . how he con- in Akron was not easy. It was mostly by the he has attempted to acquire a satisfactory undersiders himself not its author but the umpire for trial and error method. We had no precedent standing of the teachings in The Bible. a l l o f t h e contributors t o i t . . . how from whatsoever, gleaning a fact here and there as On The Twelve Steps, he stated that they’ve l i t e r a l l y scores of suggestions it was titled time went on. Eventually a generalized pro- been alive for seven years. And that there’s “Alcoholics Anonymous” instead of “The Way cedure was discovered with a reasonable hope of been no suggestion of a change in them. Fur- Out” (“There were 13 books that had been pub- acceptance. ” thermore, he hopes there will not be a change, lished, called ‘The Way Out’ and that was not The religious group to whom he had gone unless they can be bettered. only too many, but unlucky, ” Bill s m i l e d ) . . . for help to solve his alcoholic problem. Dr. Some of them, he pointed out, interfere with Show there have always been in A. A. differences Bob went on, told him “to bury the past and our personal schedules. “And we sometimes of o p i n i o n over our a n o n y m i t y , and how most not visit the grave too often. ” Wryly, he comfeel we don’t need all of them—although there of the “older folk” hope that it is kept unless mented… “I want a very faint recollection of has never been a protracted success with a modthere is some “very grave or good reason to the the past—but not too faint. ” ified program. ” contrary, ” adding that “to be truly adult in this Proceeding along a spiritual line, Dr. Bob to be truly modest”… how there is a for- told how we have all been taught to avoid re- “So we’d better accept it in its entirety, ” Dr. tunate absence of a “professional class” in A. A. ligious discussion or argument. But he said Bob advised. “For John Barleycorn’s a tireless Nor is A. A. without its “sins, ” Bill pointed that he has averaged at least an hour’s reading and relentless instructor. Today, thousands of o u t . Not the least of which, he explained, were people are sober because they’ve followed the each day for the past 10 years on some spiritual program.” ‘those A. A. s, often including himself, who subject. However, he hastened to say, he has “viewed with alarm the A. A. movement and always returned to the simple teachings of The Winding up his remarks, Doc indicated that the problems within it. ” Citing a personal ex- Sermon on the Mount; the Book of James, and “our program must be followed by each indiperience wherein he was derelict in his respon- the 13th Chapter of Corinthians in The Bible vidual. And each individual is the only one sibility, he also deplored. the frequent neglect of for his fundamentals. who can do it for himself. Let none of us ever the new man and the failure in some instances forget—love and service keep us d r y . . . love to give him his shot at A. A. In this regard, he Man’s Triumvirate for our Father and our n e i g h b o r s . . . love, referred to the excellent sponsorship system in Stating that the A. A. program is not an intel- through service, in never refusing our aid to Cleveland, urging closer inspection for those in- lectual program, Dr. Bob talked of the three anyone. ” terested in well-conceived 12th step work. divisions of man—the physical man, the mental John ]., Cleveland, 0.

A. A. ‘s COUNTRY-WIDE NEWS CIRCUIT The 25 “squads, ” which the groups in Min- for Huntington, Parkersburg, Logan, Wheeling, It was a big night at New York’s 48th Street Theatre, June 15, when A. A. s bought out the neapolis, Minn, are called, keep track of each Beckley, and Gauley Bridge, salutes two memhouse and intermittently laughed with delight other’s activities via their printed news bulle- bers who commute regularly to Huntingdon or f e l t strangely nostalgic, as Frank Fay of tin Hi and Dri…. The Des Moines, Iowa, A. A. s meetings from Ohio, one from Gallipolis, the “Harvey” fame subtly put one Elwood P. Dowd d i s p l a y an a d m i r a b l e confidence, as evidenced other from Sciotoville. through his teetering paces. by this item in their news bulletin AA Tribune: * * * Frank Fay read his lines like an angel, im- “In the event that anyone is downtown at any Municipal Judge W i l l i a m Shane, of Ashtabuing every word he spoke with the magic of hour the c l u b isn’t open, you can always get bula, Ohio, who long has been active in promotan artist. And he pantomimed so vividly his the key at the Travelers’ Aid Society next door, ing A. A., spoke at a meeting in Conneaut, Ohio, physically non-existent friend Harvey that we by asking them, and, being sober. ” with members attending from Meadville, Erie felt the presence of the six-feet-tall rabbit with Also from Iowa, as reported in the Marshalland Ashlabula g r o u p s . . . . Adelaide Hawley’s ears that big, right there on the stage before town group’s Camel Club Chronicle, comes this radio program from Manhattan lately featured us. Together with the ebullient Josephine Hull, story. A d r u n k who had just lost his home, waita talk by Marty Mann on the work of the NCEA, Frank Fay makes “Harvey” the fascinating, ing for a t r o l l e y in St. Louis, Mo., picked up a Marty, as always, announcing herself a. s a memamusing play it is. stray a l l e y cat, took it aboard the trolley, and ber of A. A. sold it as a pedigreed a n i m a l to a f e l l o w seated We, a member of A. A., went to see a play next to him who also had one too many. Moral: about a drunk—or in the polite language of The cat got a home and the d r u n k got plastered. medicine, an alcoholic—and his imaginary animal, Harvey. We saw instead a lovable, d i v i n e l y Who Wrote It? wistful tippler who might be a potential, but he’s Raymond J. McCarthy, field investigator of (Editor’s Note: Several readers of The Grapevine have far from being an actual alcoholic. And as for the Yale Plan Clinic, was guest speaker at a expressed particular appreciation for a short article which appeared in an early issue, and ham: written to Harvey, well, if we alcoholics could have con- meeting of the Ansonia, Conn., group at the ask about its authorship. The Grapevine editors do not jured up such a wonderfully understanding pal Veteran’s Memorial Home in that c i t y . . . . know, and so we reprint the piece which has proved inspiring to many already. Do yon know who wrote it?) as Harvey, we’d probably still be at the bottle. There’ll soon be a new group in Mt. Morris, Elwood P. Dowd’s life hasn’t at all become N. Y., where a Rochester A. A. has been doing YESTERDAY… TODAY AND TOMORROW unmanageable from alcohol, though the lives some speaking at various clubs, aided by Dr. of his sister and niece do grow h i l a r i o u s l y com- K i r b y Collier, psychiatrist of Rochester. THERE are two days in every week about plicated. The road that lies between the peace- * * * which we should not worry, two days which loving Elwood and an honest-to-goodness d r u n k Mississippi has a brand new group in Green- should be kept free from fear and apprehension. is long and laborious, to put it m i l d l y . And by wood. The flourishing Jackson group was One of these days is YESTERDAY with its the time the end of that road is reached an al- formed five months a g o . . . . The Saginaw, mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its coholic is far from having fun with his drinking. Michigan, A. A. s have grown sufficiently numer- aches and pains. YESTERDAY has passed for- “No one ever brings small things into a bar,” ous to branch out on their own, independent ever beyond our control. Elwood says in a chef d’oeuvre of a scene where All the money in the world cannot bring back the A. A. audience sat and breathed and lived YESTERDAY. We cannot undo a single act we Frank Fay’s soft-spoken words, communicating No Repeaters! performed; we cannot erase a single word we as they did a very real sensation of the nostalgic said. YESTERDAY is gone. To avoid possible disadvantage to the hosyearning that floats along with the transcending pital, New York’s Knickerbocker Hospital serv- The other day we should not worry about is of reality, the fleeing beyond reality into a ice for A. A. -sponsored alcoholics (The Grape- TOMORROW with its possible adversaries, its beautiful world of one’s own imagining. This is vine, June, 1945) provides for acceptance of burdens, its large promise and poor performance. something every alcoholic has experienced, to an alcoholic patient only once. No repeaters. TOMORROW is also beyond our immediate the depth of his being. It is a state of mind control. which we alcoholics longed in vain to achieve TOMORROW’S sun will rise, either in splenand to sustain, and failed. Only the Elwood P. of the Bay City group of which they are an off- dor or behind a mask of clouds—bill it w i l l rise. Dowds of fiction can do it. s h o o t . . . . Wisconsin is another state that is Until it does, we have no stake in TOMORROW, In his witty curtain speech Frank Fay, who rapidly expanding, with its latest group in for it is as yet unborn. is off the stuff these days, made it quite clear Kenosha. A. A. s from Milwaukee, Racine, Evans- This leaves only one day—TODAY—. Any that Elwood’s antics are all in fun, whereas too ton and Chicago have been cooperating to get man can fight the battles of just one day. It is much booze is in reality no fun at all. “If I the Kenoshians s t a r t e d . . . . The South Shore only when you and I add the burdens of those could have been as nice as Elwood P. Dowd, ” members of New York’s Nassau County group two a w f u l eternities—YESTERDAY and TO- Frank Fay said, “I don’t know as I would ever now hold their closed meetings apart from the MORROW that we break down. haves given it up. ” Mineola, N. Y., group, due to growth in atten- It is not the Experience of TODAY that drives We don’t know what sort of a fellow Frank dance. men mad—it is remorse or bitterness for some- Fay was in his drinking days, but he impressed * * * thing which happened YESTERDAY and the this reporter, in a backstage chat after the show, Decatur, Illinois, reports that its growth is dread of what TOMORROW may bring. as being quite as nice as Elwood ever was. “The slow but sure, and the same goes for Spring- A. A. s were a swell audience, you tell them for field…. The Toss Pot, an inter-group news LET US, THEREFORE, LIVE BUT ONE DAY me, ” he said, grinning happily. bulletin of Charleston, Virginia, reporting also AT A TIME.

us too quickly. We are still understaffed; we The Grapevine can’t possibly answer all of your letters and Letters (Continued from Page 2) inquiries. I am afraid that will have to go for (Continued from Page 2) me, too. I shall be unable to engage in peralways continue to procure and edit pieces for because they are a f r a i d of it, that is, afraid of sonal correspondence. I can only write a piece The Grapevine and participate in setting its learning the truth about themselves. ) to all of you now and then. policy, there could be no doubt that continuous I hope I’m wrong but I’m afraid that many paid help and enlarged working facilities would If agreeable to the subscribers I would like to discuss in coming issues such topics as ano- slips will be found to have been caused by atsoon be necessary. They asked if I would help tendance at “Harvey. ” with these arrangements and perhaps contribute nymity, leadership, public relations, the use of money in A.A., and the like. Upon matters such This wail, of course, is just one man’s a piece occasionally. These things, health peras these, our tradition and practice is by no opinion. mitting, I agreed to do. means well settled. Like most older A.A.s I G. M. Besides the volunteer staff, we now boast one part-time paid secretarial worker to help have come to place great reliance on the abil- (Editor’s note: The following letter is not the usual h a n d l e details. This work, however, continues ity of our groups to work out correct principles, testimonial, of an ex-rummy, but rather the testimony of once given sufficient experience. The purpose, his employer after the formerly errant employe had to mount, as does the volume of potential edi- completed three years of sobriety in A. A. ) torial content. More paid help will probably therefore, of the forthcoming pieces will be to become necessary and the size of the magazine present the current thought, the pros and cons, Dear Ed: This, Ed, is a letter of reference to may have to be expanded, all of which would on these moot questions. These articles w i l l be the fellows in A. A., to your f a m i l y , and to the require a slight increase in the subscription rate, suggestive only. Their object will be to pro- world in general. The Grapevine is self-supporting now and mote further discussion rather than to announce A l i t t l e more than three years ago you were should be kept that way always, rather than be any new principle. a pretty bad specimen—a disgrace to yourself, dependent on subsidies or gratuities, to insure We of The Grapevine once more affirm that your family, your fellow-workers and to society its continuity, quality and service. this is your periodical. It will be the vehicle generally, and if I knew how to use stronger Though The Grapevine is young, it is com- for your thoughts, your feelings, your experilanguage in this letter of recommendation, I’d mencing to have its own tradition. Every mem- ences, and your aspirations—if you care to do i t . R i g h t from the shoulder, Ed, you were ber of the staff aspires to make the paper a make it that. While we can only publish a one of the worst, one of the most difficult to true voice of A. A. All of us are very sensitive fraction of the material which w i l l come to handle. You w i l l remember. And maybe we to the thought that it ought never to be sectional hand you may be sure that we shall do our fairshould be t h a n k f u l that I threw up the sponge, in its appeal nor should it take sides on any est and best in making the selections. Always and gave you up as a lost cause. Possibly, the controversial question. While it must constantly wishing to reflect A.A., and nothing but A.A., only link that you and I had left was the literatalk of people, in its news and views, it ought it will be the ideal of The Grapevine, always to ture that I handed you of an organization of never to glorify or belittle anyone, nor lend serve, never to dictate or command. Please help which I knew very little, but had a feeling that itself to a commercial undertaking, nor become us make it a true voice. no matter how bad or good it was, it couldn’t a mere mouthpiece for any of us, even the Cen- make you any worse than you were: A. A. tral Office or The Alcoholic Foundation. Of And so the letter of reference continues: tocourse, everybody will see pieces in The Grape- STATISTICS night, Ed, you’re dry these three years—your vine now and then with which he will not agree. Statistically speaking, the celebration in wife is proud of you—your kids love you—and So it must always be understood that these Cleveland was astronomical in A. A. history, you’re now a “Grandpop” who can safely rest pieces reflect the thoughts and feelings of their as well as being an epic anniversary. a young child on his knees and rock it soberly authors but not necessarily those of The Grape- If you are interested in figures and geog- to sleep. vine. To crystallize these traditions and prin- raphy, here are generous portions of both: Out of your determination, you’ve built a new ciples we ask for more contributions from all More than 2, 500 attended the climactic home for yourself and yours, and if you did parts of the country. meeting Sunday afternoon, June 10, in nothing else, you might be said to have built Meanwhile please don’t expect too much of Cleveland’s Music Hall. a world. Represented in the audience were 91 Today, Ed, I want to congratulate you as a Cut This Out and Mail to: cities in 36 states, two Canadian provinces worthy member of this society, and one in whom The Grapevine and Mexico. I have the utmost confidence, and one who I P. O. Box 328 Close to 1, 000 A. A. s attended the dinner Sunday evening. t h i n k rates higher t h a n most of the folks who Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. go along their pagan way in this world of war. Herewith $1. 50 for one year’s subscription to You have earned a badge of decency and a chin- The Grapevine (Monthly). How Times Have Changed! up attitude that to me has an aura as great as For additional subscriptions enclose separate A member of the Miami, Florida, group who the heroes of the war that we’re winning. You’re sheet w i t h name and address clearly printed. has been very active in 12th-step work, con- a hero of another kind of war, and you are an Checks payable to The Grapevine. fined to a hospital for a “legitimate” illness, re- instrument of good that no one should discount. Total Enclosed ceived flowers from many grateful A. A. s. But Tonight’s performance in leading that meeting Renewal ? (please check) the largest bouquet came from—you’ll never makes of you a man of substance and utility, PLEASE PRINT guess-—the South Florida Liquor Board! and I should like to greet you on this occasion Name * * * and say how proud I am of the things that Address “God grant me the serenity to accept things you’ve done, are doing, and I know will con- I cannot change, courage to change things I tinue to do. Note: Subscriptions received up to the 15th begin with the following month’s issue. can, and wisdom to know the difference. ” S. H.

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VOL. II, NO. 3, AUGUST, 1945 P. O. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK, 17 YEARLY, $1. 50; COPY, 15c A monthly journal devoted to those seeking farther knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A. A. as a whole.

Modesty One Plank for Good Public Relations By Bill W. benign undertakings — political, religious and pletely disappeared that few of us had ever social. While some did outlive their usefulness heard of it. During its brief few years in the public eye, the greater part died prematurely. Something Let’s cast our eyes over that Grapevine piece Alcoholics Anonymous has received hundreds of wrong or unsound within them always became about the Washingtonians and excerpt a few thousands of words of newspaper and magazine apparent without. Their public relations suf- sentences: “Mass meeting in 1841, at City Hall publicity. These channels have been augmented fered, they grew no more; they bogged down to Park, New York City, attracted 4, 000 listeners. recently by radio commentators and, here and a dead level or fell apart. Speakers stood on upturned rum kegs. ” “Trithere, A. A. -sponsored radio broadcasts. Hardly Personal glorification, overweening pride, con- umphal parades in Boston. Historic Faneuil a word of criticism or ridicule has ever been suming ambition, exhibitionism, intolerant smug- Hall jammed. ” (Overdone self-advertising—exuttered about us. While our publicity has some- ness, money or power madness, refusal to admit hibitionism? Anyhow, it sounds very alcoholic, times lacked a certain dignity we can scarcely mistakes and learn from them, self-satisfaction, doesn’t it!) “Politicians looked hungrily at the complain of that. After all, drinking is not such lazy complacence—these, and many more are swelling m e m b e r s h i p . . . helped wreck local a dignified business! the garden varieties of ills which so often beset groups through their efforts to line up votes. ” We surely have reason for great gratitude movements as well as individuals. (Looks like personal ambition again, also unthat multitudes of writers, editors, clergymen, While we A. A. s, as individuals, have suffered necessary group participation in controversial doctors—friends of every description—have con- much from just such defects, and must daily issues; the hot political issue was then abolition tinued so sympathetically and so enthusiastically admit and deal with them in our personal lives of slavery. ) “The Washingtonians were confito urge our cause. As a direct result of their if we are to stay sober and useful, it is never- d e n t . . . they scorned old methods. ” (Too cockefforts thousands of alcoholics have come to theless true that such attitudes have seldom crept sure, maybe. Couldn’t learn from others and A. A. It is a good record. Providentially good, into our public relations. But some day they became competitive, instead of cooperative, with when one considers how many mistakes we might. Let us never say, “It can’t happen here. ” other organizations in their field. ) might have made; how deeply, had other poli- Like A. A., the Washingtonians originally had cies been followed, we might now be involved. It Did Happen Then but one object: “Was concerned only with the In the “wet—dry” controversy for example. Con- Those who read the July Grapevine were reclamation of drunkards and held that it was ceivably we might even have fallen out with our startled, then sobered, by the account which it none of its affair if others used alcohol who good friends, religion and medicine. None of carried of the Washingtonian movement. It was seemed little harmed by it. ” But later on came these things have happened. We have been un- hard for us to believe that 100 years ago the this development: “There was division among believably fortunate, thank God. newspapers of this country were carrying en- the older local organizations — some wanted thusiastic accounts about 100, 000 alcoholics who wines and beers—some clamored for legislation But by the Grace of God— were helping each other stay sober; that today to outlaw alcohol—in its zeal for new members the influence of this good work has so com- many intemperate drinkers, not necessarily alco- While this makes fine success story reading, holic, were pledged. ” (The original strong and it is not, to our way of thinking, any reason for simple group purpose was thus dissipated in self-congratulation. Older A. A. s who know the record are unanimous in their feeling that an IF YOU MOVE fruitless controversy and divergent aims. ) Intelligence greater than” ours has surely been Changes of address should be sent to The Editorial Squabbles at work, else we could never have avoided so Grapevine because the post office forwards ONLY many pitfalls, could never have been so happily first class mail. Such matters as magazines w i l l And again, “Some (of the Washingtonian related to our millions of friends in the outside not be forwarded to you even though you record local groups) dipped into their treasuries to world. a change in address at the post office. finance their own publications. There was no Yet history records the rise, and let us not Send your new address to The Grapevine if overall editorial policy. Editors of local papers forget, the fall of any number of promising and you want to continue to receive it. (Continued on Page 4)

ALCOHOLIANA EDITORIAL: I On the 10th Step… Included in his Essays of Elia is a piece by Charles Lamb (1775-1834) entitled, “Confes- “Continued ‘to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it” sions of a Drunkard. ” So realistic and subjective were its tone and mood that many contem- THE admission of a wrong compares in its effects to a strong cauterizing agent. When poraries of the great essayist thought it was applied promptly it burns away the infection, but the treatment may be painful. his own story. Accordingly, he was later com- How much mental pain an individual incurs by admitting a wrong depends not pelled to repudiate its seeming biographical imso much on the degree of the wrong as on how seriously he is afflicted with vanity and plications. Nonetheless, the following excerpts sound pretty clinical in his description of the false pride. The more vain the person, the more reluctant he is ever to admit a misalcoholic, his plea for tolerance and the remedy take. The more false pride he has, the more imperative it seems to him to perpetuate —abstinence. the illusion of his own perfection. “Business, w h i c h . . . I used to enter upon Since we all know that vanity and false pride are distortions of the mind, perhaps with some degree of alacrity, now wearies, afthe reason they are so common is the fact that, although we can spot them immediately frights, perplexes me. I fancy all sorts of disin others, we have considerable difficulty in detecting them in ourselves. couragements and am ready to give up an occu- Here the value of the personal inventory is self-evident. If it is honest and thor- pation which gives me bread, from a harrowing conceit of incapacity. The slightest commission ough, it will leave no vanities and false pride unrevealed. It is the means by which given me by a friend, or any small duty which we can detect in ourselves the faults we note so readily in others and which we know I have to perform for myself, as giving orders are obstacles to the growth of an effective and happy personality. to a tradesman, etc., haunts me as a labour im- The first inventory we take as we begin to apply the A. A. program naturally tends possible to be got through, so much the springs to be the most soul-searching and the most revealing. In most cases, it is the first of action are broken. ” self-reckoning we have undertaken in many years and most of us are likely to unearth ” . . . [A drunkard may] arrive at that state a great accumulation of debris. in which, paradoxical as it may appear, reason This inventory provides the guide for basic, and usually drastic, correction. Subse- shall only visit him through intoxication; for it is a fearful truth t h a t . . . the drinking man quent inventories serve to show whether the first efforts toward correction have been is never less himself than during his sober ineffective and what additional correction may be needed. By this method of personal tervals. Evil is so far his god. ” checkup, we can determine for ourselves whether we are actually moving forward or “… It is to the weak—the nervous; to those have slipped backward. who feel the want of some artificial aid to raise Continued personal inventory is also a medium for readjustment to new objec- their spirits in society, to what is no more than tives. As the A. A. moves upward he frequently finds that he is constantly lifting his the ordinary pitch of all around them without sights. What satisfied him previously does not do so any longer. When he was learning it. This is the secret of our drinking. Such must fly the convivial board in the first instance, if to crawl he looked ahead to being able to walk. When he could walk he wanted to run. they do not mean to sell themselves for term His expanding personality demands larger fields. If the person he wanted to be yesterof life. ” day has come into being, he now wishes to be a still better person. “Oh pause, thou sturdy moralist, thou person The inventory, obviously, is only part of the treatment. The deficiencies it reveals of stout nerves and a strong head, whose liver must be made up. Or, in the thought of the 10th Step: When wrong, promptly admit is happily untouched, and the gorge riseth at it. That is putting the inventoried knowledge into action. the name I had written; first learn what the Haliburton once wrote, “When a man is wrong and won’t admit it, he always gets thing is; how much of compassion, how much angry. ” of human allowance thou mayest virtuously mingle with thy disapprobation. Trample not Anger, as we well know, is particularly poisonous to us. How foolish and ironical on the ruins of a man. Exact not under so terto fall prey to it through vanity! rible a penalty as infamy, a resuscitation from a state of death almost as real as that from which Lazarus rose not but by a miracle. “

Letters to the Grapevine… “But is there no middle way betwixt total abstinence and the excess which kills y o u ? . . . For your sake, reader, and that you may never Dear Grapevine: Miracles never c e a s e . . . down for one month’s rent. attain to my experience, with pain I must utter that is in the workings of A. A. Three years ago But success had come too fast and the first the dreadful truth, that there is none, none a man who had just moved to Jacksonville sent day in their new home Mr. A. comes up plastered out the “S. O. S. ” and was presented the A. A. that I can find. ” and making quite a scene directly in front of program. He and his wife at that time were the new place and the new landlord, who But how “dreadful” really is that truth, the being sheltered by friends. In one month he promptly and positively requested them to leave recognition of which is the foundation of our had progressed to the point where he was able at once and for good. However, having paid in philosophy and program? to rent a duplex apartment and put the cash (Continued on Page 8) ROY •§.. Monlclair. A. /.

ONE MAN’S OPINION AS HE SEES THE The Pleasures of Reading ‘SPIRITUAL ANGLE’ The Crack Up: F. Scott Fitzgerald, edited by Edmund Wilson (New Directions Publishing Co., $3. 50). “There are no atheists in foxholes” is an expression which has been current nearly three Contrary to popular legend, it is not good to stay young forever. Immaturity in the adult years, though its authenticity has been chal- is a trouble maker. One of the great things about A. A. is that we learn to grow up. lenged by skeptics. It also might be said that Scott Fitzgerald was chronically immature. He wrote about the Jazz Age, the prohibition era, “there are no atheists in A. A., ” though this when so many of us started to drink. It was the age of the child who refuses to grow up and statement, too, might be open to question. who grows into a sick adult instead. At 23, Fitzgerald was at the height of his fame and success. It is by no means easy to estimate just how He wrote This Side of Paradise at the end of a long drinking bout. At 28 he began to decline, much spiritual faith is necessary to grasp the both as a writer and a human being. It was all part of the same thing. A. A. message and to follow the A. A. program Edmund Wilson has called this book The Crack Up, taking the title from Fitzgerald’s own dein its fullest measure. The problem has been scription of himself during a nervous breakdown. This is Wilson’s only comment. He was one brought home several times recently when this of Fitzgerald’s many friends, and the book is edited with sympathy, if perhaps not a complete writer was engaging in 12th Step work, and the understanding of what makes an alcoholic tick. The book is not a biography, but a life story, question was not answered easily. as revealed through Fitzgerald’s own writings, his brief, thin pleasures, his childish aspirations, By way of preamble, it is best to assert that and his really agonized self searching. A few short article?, and notes and letters, two pieces writthe present writer is not an atheist, since he ten with his wife about a prolonged spree-like honeymoon, letters from friends, and articles on does not pursue a system of thought opposed Fitzgerald written by friends (most of them writers), and last of all, his letters to his daughter, to belief in God. Strictly speaking, atheism is who wants to be a writer, too. not the declining to assert an affirmative belief In one of these he says, “I am of course not drinking, and haven’t been for a long time. But in theism, but is the assertion of the negative to my illness is liable to have a toxic effect on the system and you may find me depressing, overtheism. It may take the form of asserting the nervous about small things and dogmatic—all these qualities more intensified than you have exclusion of a First Cause, or of asserting the previously experienced in me. ” non-existence of a personal God. Moral atheism is expressed in the assertion that no spiritual Fitzgerald had a recurrent TB, and in 1940, at the age of 44, he died. But it is not this that First Cause exists, that if God exists man never seems so tragic. has learned and never can learn His will, and To an alcoholic, the whole book is reminiscent. It is one big spree, and one long, heartthat, since no divine sanction can be found for breaking hangover. It is a brilliant account of a very sick man. The chapters, Sleeping and morals, right or wrong in conduct are deter- Waking, about his insomnia, and The Crack Up, about his crisis, are hair-raisingly familiar to mined solely by circumstances. Any philosophy, many of us, who like myself, will sit up all night reading it. then, which omits the existence of God from its His thinking and self questioning move from childish day dreams, with himself the hero, consideration may be defined as negative to petulance and tantrums against fate. But the dreams dissolve into: “Horror and waste. What atheism. I might have been and done, that is lost, spent, gone, dissipated, unrecapturable. ” It is this writer’s opinion that even such a blank conscience as the foregoing might be re- Most tragic of all was the fact that he knew he was sick, but he never knew why. He didn’t ceptive to the A. A. program, granting a whole- know how to find out about himself. He hardly knew what his own symptoms were. This book hearted acceptance of the first step, though he is about a man who never got well, and never knew how to. Indeed it sounds like all of us does not endorse the above tenets himself. when we first came to A. A. I believe there is only one source for all life And reading it, I for one, thought: “I am lucky. Wonderfully lucky. ” whose ineffably superior power is revealed in F. G., Manhattan the few details of creation which we are able Alcoholics Anonymous (Works Publishing Co., Box 459, Grand Central Annex, to perceive with our limited understanding. To N. Y. 17, price $3. 50). me, God is only the primal energy which set in motion the forces and laws which brought (Editor’s Note—Alcoholics Anonymous was out of stock for several weeks but is now available into existence and now govern the universe. in a “wartime” edition. The contents of the new edition are the same, of course, and the book Let me hasten to grant that this is just my has the same number of pages as before. The only difference is that it is printed on different paper opinion. It could be incorrect. Furthermore, stock, the weight previously used being unavailable “for the duration. “) I may some day change my opinion. I do not claim to be infallible. I merely am stating my which seem to me to be true and right. not enough for an A. A., yet one who holds to opinion on a subject which frequently arises in Since ethics are an important subject for us, such broad conceptions of a Power Greater discussion with new A. A. s and some not so new. I believe that religious duties consist in doing than Ourselves has been helped thereby in Without putting forward any formalized creed justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make achieving almost three years’ sobriety. of my own, I hold that every man has a perfect our fellow – creatures happy through perfect I will add this qualification: One must keep right to choose his own faith, unbound by any liberty, increased fellowship, and cooperation an open mind on the so-called “Spiritual Angle. ” set of articles. While holding my own beliefs, among mankind. But that also holds for other matters in A. A. I wish everyone to decide for himself what God Perhaps those who are fortunate to have be- Truly, “Faith is the substance of things hoped is, without forfeiting my right to choose among liefs rooted in those of an organized faith might for, the evidence of things not seen. ” conflicting views of doctrine and statement those be tempted to say that such a creed as mine is R. E. B., Manhattan

Vacation Time’s Here! All A. A. s Will Beware! The mailman today gave forth with a couple Anyone who has given our recovery much ports of call you plan to hit. If you find yourof those “Having wonderful time, wish you thought recognizes the fact that the bodies as self in a strange town unexpectedly, check with were here” postcards, a reminder that we’re well as the minds of most drunks are in need right in the midst of the good old summertime. of repair, even long after we have gotten over AFTER A. A. Which brings up the question: How good is the jitters. By getting in good physical shape it for us alkies? In the old days, a vacation now, during the summer when it’s easy and f u n , was to some of us such a plausible excuse for we can keep a lot of kinks from developing next a binge that it amounted to just one bottle after winter. another. It was taken for granted that we’d Forget the lean years, the days of escape drink up our holiday, either intentionally or mechanism, when you think about a vacation. by accident, at home or far afield. Go back to happier days, to your youth, to your For lushes of our ilk, vacation time can still honeymoon. You liked to go fishing then, didn’t be a vicious period, even though we have dried you? Or to canoe, and swim, or tramp through up in A. A. If our mental makeup hasn’t the woods and cook over a camp fire? Did you the local newspaper or the police department. changed all its habits, we can fall hack pretty t h r i l l your bride with your nature lore? Try it We’re pretty well-known. again. Do the things your children want to do, Part of the job of A.A.s is learning to rather than make them fit into your plans. recognize monotony and to break it, without If you have a vacation spot, share it with one breaking up. That was our old routine. The or two A. A. s not so fortunate. Giving some- trick is to substitute for our old vacation letone else the lift that fresh air and sunshine af- downs a real vacation pick-up. ford will make your own vacation far happier than retreating to your haunt alone, selfishly Modesty One Plank wolfing its particular delights. (Continued from Page 1) If you don’t have your own back forty to got into squabbles with editors of temperance BEFORE A. A, weed and manicure, get another A. A. or take papers.” (Apparently the difficulty was not easily into the physical habits of past years and the wife and kids down on the farm. You don’t necessarily the fact they had local publications. allow such a let-down from workaday routine It was more due to the refusal of the Washingto throw us off the beam. tonians to stick to their original, purpose and so This year there is little likelihood that any refrain from fighting anybody; also to the obviof us will be making long trips. Boys fighting ous fact that they had no national public relathe war must occupy every railroad sleeper and tions policy or tradition which all members were coach. That same war takes the gas and tires willing to follow.) that otherwise might bear us pleasure-bent. Be- We are sure that if the original Washingsides, extended vacations don’t make a hit with tonians could return to this planet they would the boss (as some of us have learned the hard be glad to see us learning from their mistakes. way). Jobs today demand pretty close attention. BEFORE A. A. They would not regard our observations as aim- Looking at ourselves, though, as a particular less criticism. Had we lived in their day we “germs homo, ” a vacation of some sort is often need an invitation, and this suggestion isn’t for might have made the same errors. Perhaps we the ounce of prevention that we alcoholics need. lazy guys. Farmers all over the land are plead- are beginning to make some of them now. We’re prone to work too hard, too long, when ing for harvest help. It’s hard work, but for a So we need to constantly scrutinize ourselves we do knuckle down to business—and to crack city man it’s a wonderful way to spend two carefully, in order to make everlastingly certain under the strain at the most unexpected and in- weeks. that we always shall be strong enough and Maybe you’re going to combine business with single purposed enough from w i t h i n , to relate AFTER A. A. pleasure and sandwich your holiday into a ourselves rightly to the world without. necessary trip. If so, remember first things Now then, does A.A. have a public relations first, even when you’re off your own stamping policy? Is it good enough? Are its main princigrounds. Wherever you go, look up A. A. You’ll ples clear? Can it meet changing conditions find it almost everyplace now. over the years to come? You’ll be greeted as a friend in nearly 500 Now that we are growing so rapidly into pubcities, towns, and hamlets in the United States. lic view, many A.A.s are becoming acutely Some boast clubhouses, listed big as l i f e in the conscious of these questions. In the September telephone directories so that you have no excuse, Grapevine I ‘ l l t r y to briefly o u t l i n e what our for being lonesome in the big city. And you present public relations practices are, how they opportune moments! Part of our program should have little excuse for not locating the boys and developed, and where, in the judgment of most be directed towards achieving a “norm” in our girls wherever you may be. Drop a postcard older A. A. members, they could perhaps be schedules, our energies, our relaxation. And to the Central Office, Box 459, Grand Central improved to better cope with our new and more there are easily as many ways to vacation to Annex, New York, N. Y., or to the Midwest pressing problems. advantage as there are ways to waste precious office, 209 South State St., Chicago, 1ll, and May we always be willing to learn from free time. ask for the names and addresses of A. A. s in the experience!

Mail Call for All A. A. s in the Armed Forces “As a very new A. A. —less than two months—I can find only one gripe. In the a few weeks I slipped, but several months ago I was able to affiliate with the Oklahoma City best illogical tradition of the Army it is that I didn’t find A. A. soon enough, specifi- Group and I see now that the Higher Power incally, before I went overseas. I had 18 months of the Middle East and I’m firmly con- tended things to work out this way. I have met vinced that the toughest job for a soldier who is trying to get away from alcohol is to some of the finest people in the world and only be stuck in a non-combat overseas post in a hope that after I’m discharged from the Service command the chiefest ingredient of which is realizes that the organization and its philosophy I will be able to partly repay them by carrying boredom. give him something to cushion the shock of not the A.A. message to Anderson, S. C. Had it “I drew Persia and any other GI who has drinking, something to fill the open space left not been for A.A., I’m afraid I would have gotserved there can explain to strangers that the in his social life when be puts away the bottle. ten the little yellow discharge from the Navy combination of camels, loneliness and free “When I went on the wagon in the Army— long ago.” hours with nothing to fill them leads to an not as an A.A.—I was acutely miserable. I Jack G. C., Jr., H A I / c , U.S. Navy almost immediate discovery of the wines of the haunted the Special Service clubhouse or tent country—vodka, zorovka (a vodka derivative because I knew 1 wouldn’t get a drink there, but Letters Look Good at Front which borrows a f a i n t brownish color from the the inanities of most Army entertainments stalk of buffalo grass stuck in every bottle) loomed as even more inane to my still alco- “I enjoyed your letter tremendously and am and mastique (otherwise known as arak, raki holically critical eyes. 1 was constantly aware, rather ashamed that I haven’t written sooner. Ever since the day we hit this Oriental rock the and zibib, a cousin of the absinthe family one every waking hour, that I was engaged in doing gulp of which starts a three alarm fire in your something I didn’t like. A.A. hasn’t deadened time has flown — our hours are long and the vitals, several gulps of which puts out both the my critical faculties, but today I feel sure I nights are sleepless — we have had over one fire and you). could get amusement (sometimes perhaps snide), hundred alerts and a goodly number of raids in the short time I’ve been here. You see I left “The soldier-alcoholic, whether in a rear if not f u l l enjoyment, out of a service club, and my old base in the Pacific in the latter part of echelon, in combat or on garrison duty in the I am not a little suspicious that I might find April and now am right in the thick of it. I U. S., has a different set of problems than his myself participating in and enjoying the goingsam writing this during an alert but haven’t as civilian brother-in-allergy. Even a line outfit on after a while. “Needless to say, there should be any amount yet heard any ack! ack! which is the signal for has its fill of blank hours and nothing can be of 12th Step opportunities in the service, but this ex-drunk to dive into his foxhole.” blanker than spare time in uniform. Between I’m inclined to think that 12th Step work should Sgt. Richard J. F. M., U.S.M.C.R. this boredom and the occasional hard work or swift action which gives you an excuse and be approached even more carefully than ordinarily when dealing with GIs. All of us in Navy Chaplain Lauds Work almost a necessity for emotional relief of some sort, the GI is usually in a mood where he the Army are l i v i n g in a close community f u l l Dear Editor: wants and thinks he needs a short one. of community prejudices sharper and more I have never needed A.A. help myself, but “I found it possible, for short spells of time, quickly applied than in civilian life. The first have had some very fine acquaintances whom to go on the wagon overseas. B u t it was never thing to convince any alcoholic in uniform it could have assisted long ago and might have a satisfactory solution. It is too easy, in the should be that by joining A.A. he is not making kept them from sailing their ships on the rocks Army, to find an alibi to go off. Maybe you himself ridiculous and not abandoning his right of alcoholic despair and destruction. have just come into town from a long truck to be one of the boys. If you can convince the During the past month it has been my great convoy over days of dusty roads w i t h no more boys, too, so much the better. From there on privilege to watch from outside and also insustenance than C-rations and lukewarm canteen in you should have relatively clear sailing. side observation by attending meetings of A.A. water. Maybe you are on a three-day pass from “In my own overseas drinking experience I in this city. I have seen its work and as a combat. Maybe you have had a fight w i t h the have had many amusing and diverting ad- minister and chaplain in the Navy, I marvel at Old Man and, according to the r i g i d i t y of Army ventures, so amusing and diverting that I get the results it seems to get from its application discipline, have no other way of getting back at the dry heaves recalling them. There was the to alcoholics. him than to tie one on for your own satisfaction. time I got tramped on by the camel, and the I have read all the literature at hand and At any rate, when you do hit the town, when time I passed out on the Avenue Chah Reza in hope to read more to get an insight into the you do get the pass, when you have that fight, Teheran and had my pants stolen, and the time very fine results and remarkable record that you don’t lack for friends to help you drown I fell head first into a lime-pit and had to take make for the conversion of alcoholics to most your sorrows. And you have assisting you off my field jacket with a mason’s chip hammer, decent and reputable citizens. liquorwards also a long and strong, if not en- and the endless times I had to weave back to I am enclosing herewith a check for $1.50 tirely accurate, tradition that a good soldier is camp one alley ahead of the MPs. Diverting for which you w i l l please put me on as a yearly a two-fisted drinker and that you’re not an as hell. subscriber to The Grapevine. Would be glad to honest-to-goodness soldier u n t i l you’ve been “Whatsa matter with this A.A. they didn’t get have any old copies and any other literature busted a couple of times for drunkenness. me sooner? That’s my only kick.” that you may see fit to send. “These invitations to drink apply equally to Sgt. A. H. H.G.G., Captain, Ch. C, U.S.N. the A. A. alcoholic in u n i f o r m as they do to his unenlightened brother, but I honestly believe The Seed Was Planted Copies of The Grapevine are sent free to all the A. A. has a good chance of beating them “I tried to follow the A.A. principles three A.A. servicemen and women. If you know of while the non-A. A. doesn’t have better than 100- years ago in my home town of Anderson, S. C., any member of the Armed Forces who is not on the mailing list, please send his or her name to to-one odds in his favor. Even a fledgling A. A. and it was too much for me all alone, and after the Editors. 5

TAKING TIME OFF MAY MEAN MORE TIME ON J i m sank into a comfortable chair at the Club yapping new drunks, in diapers, who’ll get was d o u b t f u l — a n d besides, I couldn’t leave my House. He had come a l l the way over, across plastered the m i n u t e your back is turned?” dear sweet little drunken prospects whose t o w n , to eat lunch here because he knew, in- H e groaned i n w a r d l y . “Why must I b e l l y – sobriety depended on the pearls of wisdom that s t i n c t i v e l y , t h a t today he needed to be sur- ache when it’s just the t h i n g I wasn’t going f e l l only from B i l l Bentley’s lips. ” rounded by A. A. and the gang, but, now that to do?” “How’d Janet make you go?” he asked w i t h he was here, he wondered why he had come. He “Wait a m i n u t e , fellow, ” said B i l l gently. “1 a flutter of interest. was too hot and tired to climb the stairs to know just how you feel. You’re a remarkably “Well, first she reasoned, but I was beyond the cafeteria, or was that just an excuse because reasonable facsimile of Bill Bentley, just two reasoning. So then, she nagged and I got stubhe d i d n ‘ t want to face the gang — the bright short weeks ago, and look at the darned t h i n g born and resentful. F i n a l l y , she shut up, wrote cheerful gang — my pals! — phewie! ! now. ” around to different spots that were w i t h i n our “What the hell is wrong w i t h me, anyway? “O. K., ” snapped Jim. “So you had the brown- reach, bought tickets (out of her own savings), W h a t got me into this lousy mood? Probably whimpers for a day or two, but I don’t notice packed up and then told me what she had done. Clara’s f a u l t and that cup of muddy slop she any t e l l – t a l e grey on your s p i r i t now. ” Said I could go or stay or go to hell, but she handed me for breakfast. A man has a right “Certainly not, I look a vacation. ” was going to have a vacation and it’d take a to a decent cup of coffee before he goes out into “Fine, ” Jim jeered, “You must have had at bigger man t h a n me to stop her. If I wanted to that hell-hole that’s New York in J u l y to make least enough steam to plan it and get started. I go along I could ride w i t h her to the station or money so she can buy decent coffee! If she haven’t. ” meet her at Grand Central. And, believe it or knew how to make it! ! Then to top everything “That’s where you’re wrong. Janet planned not, I didn’t know what I’d do until about an off—the stinking assignment the boss handed it and under difficulties, too. I bucked her at hour before t r a i n time. I wouldn’t speak to her me t h i s m o r n i n g . . . . ” every turn—didn’t want to go—didn’t have the in the taxi—barked at the red caps—sat on the He didn’t hear Bill Bentley come into the energy — didn’t have the money for what I t r a i n in stony silence to 125th Street, but, as we room u n t i l Bill’s booming voice broke into lit- thought I wanted, if I wanted anything, which (Continued on Page 8) tle bright shafts of i r r i t a t i n g noise against his ear drums. “Why the dumps, old man?” was what B i l l Shelby Group Helps Carolinian Find Himself had said. “Did somebody steal your paper dolls In the f a l l of 1939 the first A. A. meeting was was there I first saw the A.A. Hook. However, or did the boss say no vacation?” held in Shelby, North Carolina. A group of I only read a few pages, closed it and thought: Jim felt an unreasonable wave of resentment three men met in the office of Dr. M., the spon- this is some more religious stuff and not for me. rising up in his throat. He wished Bill would sor of the group. Since then the group has Some months later I finished reading it in the take himself, his revolting good health and his moved meeting places several limes. At present same hospital and in the same ward. When 1 hearty smile out of the room—out of his life—- we have clubrooms in an uptown hotel. This left the hospital this time I had high hopes for out—to hell. He couldn’t show his emotions, location is ideal, being in the center of town. myself. though. That’d be fatal. One inkling of his true We have the usual club furnishings, lockers, Upon my a r r i v a l home in a small town, some feelings exposed and the grapevine would start showers, piano, radio, pool table, reading room, or most of my dreams faded away—not having working. Before the day was over the boys and a seating capacity of one hundred and a n y o n e to t a l k A.A. with me. I only lasted a downstairs in the game-room would be making twenty-five. short while. Soon I was back in a sanatorium book—”Too bad about old Jim”—”Off the beam The membership has grown from three to again. W i t h i n a month of my release I had badly–and after four years, too”—”It won’t forty solid members. Since 1939 more than a lost my job. My wife needed little persuasion be long now—Jim’s doing drinkin’ thinkin’. hundred members have passed through the club, to leave me. He could just hear them, the so-and-so’s—just many of whom are now in the armed services; I was fortunate in getting a job in a city some waiting to pounce on a guy—and a drink was others have gone to work in war plants, w h i l e twenty miles from Shelby. In three months I the farthest thing from his mind—or was it? some have moved for business reasons. In the lost t h a t . No job, no family, I was willing to Holy j u m p i n ‘ Jehosephat, not that! past year, the Shelby group has been instru- try anything—so I came to Shelby drunk, “I’m all right, Bill, ” he managed with a grin mental in starting clubs in Asheville, Charlotte, checked in at a hotel. On my arrival someone that was meant to be bright, but missed. “It’s and Gastonia, in North Carolina, and in Spartan- must have reported me to A.A., for soon there this damned heat, I guess, and I’m sort of tired burg and Rock Hill in South Carolina. Some were several men in my room to see me. Some —up a l l night with that new guy on 86th Street of these groups in the larger cities have grown I had met in various hospitals in different parts —lousy Park Avenue bum—and the boss handed fast and are doing outstanding work; all have of the state; others were strangers. They came me a job this morning that’s a killer. ” got over most of their growing pains. A l l of day and night. A l l looked well and happy. It “No wonder you’re down. About time you these towns and cities being nearby, we have was this that gave me my first hope. Several got away on a vacation, isn’t it?” many inter-club meetings, which have been days later, while still shaky, I secured a job “Vacation!” groaned Jim. “Oh sure! I’m most h e l p f u l . w i t h a local firm. scheduled for one next week, but I’ll be so Since Shelby is a small city of some twenty This all happened a year ago, and since that dogged tired by then that I’ll probably spend thousand people it is almost impossible to retime many blessings have been mine. I am now it in bed. How the devil can you go on a vaca- main anonymous. For this reason we do not l i v i n g with my wife and children, and needless tion when you haven’t the guts left to stand in reach some who undoubtedly need A. A., but. on to say, we are happy. I will ever be t h a n k f u l line for a ticket for Hoboken and you’re so rot- the other hand, we enjoy a very close fellowship. to A.A., Dr. M., and Shelby. ten filthy tired that you don’t care if you go to I first heard of A. A. in an alcoholic Ward of the sea shore or Timbucktoo—and you have ten the State Hospital in the summer of 1940. It W. B. McL., Shelby, N. C.

A. A. ‘s Country-Wide News Circuit A. A. s of Richmond, Va., now have their own windows for sunlight and fresh air, will soon can sober up a drunk in China, maybe they’ve clubrooms—spacious second-floor quarters which be erected. really got something. they have acquired on a long-term lease from * * * * * * a member who recently purchased a building on The wilds of Alaska have been penetrated by In a late issue of The Christian Science Grace Street. Greater growth is predicted by A. A. Well, not exactly the wilds, for Alaska’s Monitor, on the editorial page, speaks a man the members, now that they have more lebens- first group is in Skagway—a town known his- who doesn’t mind letting the world know he has raum…. Cincinnatians have bought a big torically as the landing place of large quanti- a drinking problem. John C. of Boston, Mass., house with 16 rooms, 4 baths, and basement ties of supplies and thousands of people during writes of his inability to stay sober by himself, garage as their new A. A. headquarters. The the 1897-98 “Klondike Rush” to reach the gold but since he “connected with A. A. and with property includes a lot 90 x 175 feel, with beau- mines in the upper (Canadian) Y u k o n . . . . God’s help” he hasn’t had a drop. “Strangest t i f u l trees and gardens. The building is at the Australia’s first group, in Sydney, reports good thing of all for one who loved his drink, I have corner of Burnet Avenue and Oak Street…. The progress—and another one is now under way no desire for it. ” secretary of the Kansas City, Mo., A. A. s reports 50 miles d i s t a n t . . . . The Hawaiian A. A. s, in * * * that they have bought a huge old “used to be” H o n o l u l u , are going strong, their numbers ever A recent fourth-birthday party in Dallas, mansion and are now in the throes of renovating increasing. Texas, was widely commented on by nonit for their clubhouse—and “we are going to be * * * alcoholics as “the strangest party ever held in very proud of our new home. ” The address is An out-of-town member, addressing his fel- Dallas. ” It was the fourth year of dryness for 1925 North 11th Street. low alcoholics in Memphis, Tenn., explains Esther, the “New Orleans drunk, ” as she is af- And the first A. A. clubhouse, as such, is to A. A. ‘s success this way: “A psychiatrist talks to fectionately called by her A. A. friends. Esther, be built by the North Hollywood group. Ground a hopelessly afflicted alcoholic at one time, and who started both the Dallas and San Antonio has already been broken on the Chandler does him good. A physician attends to him at groups, nowadays serves liquor in her home, Boulevard property that is now theirs, and a another time, and does him good. A minister for her husband must do much entertaining. modern one-story $10, 000 building, with lots of talks with him at still another time, and does And when the curiosity of guests is aroused him good. The assistance each of these three over her not drinking she talks A. A. and loads agencies offers is needed deeply. But they come them down with literature. People push drinks at different times. In A. A. I have found all at her only once. “I’m an alcoholic, ” she says. NIGHT LIFE three influences exerted in the same pro- “For me to drink is to die. ” COLUMNIST HEARS gram. ” . . . In Fargo, N. D., a pastor speaking before a businessmen’s club, said the basis for YOUR LETTER OF BRIGHTER DAY A. A. ‘s effectiveness was “spiritual. ” * * * TO GRAPEVINE When a night life columnist gets a first hand account of A. A. he’s likely to be hearing the Over a year ago Eleanor L. started a day- AIDS OTHERS second chapter of the story he sees enacted time group in the Los Angeles area for house- As all know who have been in A.A. any length nightly. wives and mothers, or just men and women who of time, one of the purposes of the group meetfor various reasons couldn’t get to night meet- ings is to provide opportunity for the relation So, after Earl Wilson who writes the column, ings. On May 3, 1944, Eleanor “presided” over of experiences which enlighten and reassure “It Happened Last Night, ” in the New York Post, had a talk with Jack B., of the Manhattan an attendance of 1. Today she is presiding over both old and new members. group, he d u t i f u l l y reported it at length. an attendance of about 30 each week. She sees The accounting a speaker gives of his own significance in the fact that women predominate case usually parallels that of one or more of The column opened breezily w i t h the explanathe membership—women who are not employed the listeners in the audience who thereby add tion, “Being a Saloon Editor of the first water outside their homes. There are also some work- to their own store of self-knowledge. For the (or first scotch-and-water) I shouldn’t be rap- ing women and a few swingshift men. But the newcomer, the discovery, through what he hears ping alcohol. But the story of my friend influx of A. A. women from the homes has con- from the speakers, that others have gone as far J a c k . . . , a successful young executive who used vinced Eleanor that soon there’ll be need of a or farther than he along the road and then reto be a souse, and is now a non-tippler and an group for them exclusively, a group pointed to covered, is indeed reassuring. Alcoholic Anonymous, may help some poor deal more specifically with their distinct prob- This exchange of experience is undoubtedly d r u n k back to decency. ” lems. She is preparing to meet this need as it an invaluable tool in group therapy. By quoting copiously from Jack B., who must becomes more apparent. The same purpose can be, and it is hoped have been in rare and a r t i c u l a t e form, the * * * will be, served by The Grapevine. Letters to column set f o r t h a considerable bit about A. A. The Atlanta, Ga., Group has been successful the editor, in which the writer relates some of and how it works. At one point, the c o l u m n in sobering up a home-town lad stationed in his own experiences, or presents some of his stated. “Now Jack has a hobby — talking to China—writing him long letters, sending him conclusions, can augment the speaking programs other lushes. He sees somebody every day. He the A. A. book, the reprint of Jack Alexander’s conducted at the meetings. could see you tomorrow. ” Saturday Evening Post article of 1941, and Such letters are invited. I n i t i a l s only will be This departure in content, though not in style. pamphlets. This achievement brought much published as signatures. Due to space l i m i t s the from the usual night club column, opens s t i l l spontaneous publicity. Result: the group is letters should be kept reasonably short. But, another possible means of contact with A.. A for being flooded with mail from eligibles, friends remember— someone who needs it. and relatives who think if A. A. s in the U. S. A. Your letter may help someone else.

if I didn’t find some within walking distance of A. A. Inspires Formation of The Seekers, where we were staying. From then on, we had gatherings. I took in Hartford, Waterbury, Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Group Bridgeport and all of the other meetings w i t h i n themselves and all new-comers they can en- a reasonable radius and it was an experience to In the formation of a unique club, The Seekcourage to join their group—especially first hear the same old 12 Steps dressed up in new ers, conceived and developed by inmates of San offenders. The Seekers hold regular meetings, words. I soaked it up as though I’d never heard Quentin Prison on San Francisco Bay, Alcowhich begin with personal stories and are fol- A.A. before and the f u n n y thing is, they thought holics Anonymous is the inspiration for a movlowed by questions and answers, general discus- I was an oracle because my dope was imported! ing story. Strange how it works out. Yeah, I had a vaca- The new club, as reported in the press, was sion and summing up. Warden Clinton Duffy, who from the start has tion from A.A., for about three days out of the originated by a naturally introspective man cooperated wholeheartedly with the San Quentin fourteen. Actually, though, it was just as much who, d u r i n g his first weeks in prison, came to A. A. s, has given the new club his f u l l approval. a vacation to get a fresh view-point as if I had see himself as he really had been—living for San Quentin’s is o n l y one of many A. A. been isolated. Of course, the barnacled bench himself alone. His spiritual awakening brought groups within prison walls in the U. S. A. and the b a l m y zephers helped. They gave me the determination to regain his self-respect Peekskill A. A. s have been instrumental in the r e l a x a t i o n and the sense of being removed through service to others. f o r m i n g a group in Walkill Prison, near New- from my own personal problems. I needed that, All around him he saw how eagerly the b u t a f r i e n d l y bunch of rummies were necessary young inmates teamed up with former “big burgh, N. Y. Forty inmates attended the first m e e t i n g . . . . The first anniversary of the A. A. to complete the picture.” shots. ” To them these gangsters and killers group in New Jersey State Prison was celebrated “You’ve aroused a flicker of interest, pal, in were heroes. He knew what little chance the this care-worn breast of mine. I’m off to tell youngsters had under such influence. He found in June. Warden John L. O’Hara says the group has grown from 15 to 103 during the y e a r . . . . Clara to give Janet a ring and take a lesson in other inmates who shared his convictions. In how to be smart, then, you and 1 are going upworking out their own lives to a better purpose Richard S., who had completed a 40-month term in Leavenworth (Kan. ) penitentiary, again got stairs to satisfy a stirring inner-man I thought they hoped to lead the young in the prison to was down for the count. But first, answer just do the same. into trouble and was on trial for passing forged checks. Learning that while in prison Richard one more question: what did you do with the They observed the amazing accomplishments had sold $100, 000 in war bonds to fellow in- torn, tattered and drunken ewe-lambs that you of the A. A. group in San Quentin, which has left to fend for themselves?” been thriving for three years. Men whose crimes mates with independent means, collected $3, 500 for the Red Cross, received a citation from “That’s the best of a l l . Of course I didn’t were due to alcoholism were being rehabilitated Secretary Morgenthau for his war bond sales q u i t e forget them. Before I left I called a few right there before them. They saw some of these —and that he had lately joined A. A. —the judge, of the boys and asked them to keep a weather- A. A. s-—those whose terms were completed—go instead of imprisoning him again, put him on eye out and give a word of encouragement here out into the world changed men, buoyant with probation for five years, and cautioned him to and there and, was my ego blasted when I got new hope and secure in the knowledge that back to find them all more or less hale and “out there” they would find the cooperation and stick close to A. A. hearty, in various stages of recovery and w i t h o u t friendship of thousands of other A. A. s. my expert care! The o n l y trouble waiting for me The founder of The Seekers and like-minded Taking Time Off was a couple of old timers, like us, who waited inmates decided that if they could get together (Continued from Page 6) too long for that vacation in the country and in the same spirit as A. A., they, too, could help were pulling out of Greater New York, some- wound up taking it at one of the bigger and themselves and others-—and that, like the A. A. s thing seemed to be lifted off my shoulders. A better homes for inebriates—but enough of this. in their work with alcoholics, only those who weight was removed. I looked at Janet and Let’s to the telephone and then to the groceries. had been criminals knew how to make the ap- smiled and then we both started giggling like a That reminds me. One of the first things I peal necessary for personality change and couple of school kids and we haven’t stopped heard when I came into this grand and glorious rehabilitation. since. Great things, vacations. Even a vaca- association for alcoholics was: ‘Don’t ever let The members of the new club are dedicated tion from A. A. is good, sometimes. ” yourself get too hungry and don’t get too tired.’ to pay their debt to society by salvaging both “Wait a minute, Bill, that’s rebel talk. Say In either condition you’re a push-over for John Cut This Out and Mail to: it in a whisper or the bright-boys w i l l say you’re Barleycorn.” getting high. Between you and me, though, Lois B. The. Grapevine how’d it go, a vacation from A. A. ?” P. O. Box 328 “That’s the damnest thing, ” said Bill thought- Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. Letters Herewith $1. 50 for one year’s subscription to f u l l y . “We got to this place in Connecticut; a quiet little country hotel on the water, with a (Continued from Page 2) The Grapevine (Monthly). reasonable tariff and filled with nice, normal advance for 30 days and with the help of a For additional subscriptions enclose separate people with no apparent problems. Zowie! lawyer they were allowed to remain for that sheet with name and address clearly printed. What a relief! For three days I wallowed in it. length of time. Mr. A. got back on the program Checks payable to The Grapevine. Swam, ate, slept and relaxed and then, about and of course that conduct justified another 30 Total Enclosed the fourth day, I felt restless, but Janet had days, and another, etc., until the present time. Renewal ? (please check) thought of that, too. ‘How about taking in a Last month, Mr. A. put the cash on the line PLEASE PRINT meeting in New Haven, tonight?’, she threw and purchased the very same apartment house Name out. I caught the ball with a y i p of glee. It that he was about to be kicked out of three years Address was just what I wanted and didn’t know it. Wise ago. Another miracle to prove the workings gal, Janet! Well sir, I ran into old friends and of A.A. Note: Subscriptions received up to the 15th begin with the following month’s issue. made new ones that night and bless Jonathan, T. A. S., Jacksonville, Fla.

8

VOL. II, NO. 4, September, 1945 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK, 17 YEARLY, $1. 50; COPY, 15c A monthly journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A. A. as a whole.

A Postwar Challenge: How to Help the Veteran? (Editor’s Note: The war’s end is only the beginning tain percentage, probably a much larger per- familiar alcoholic merry-go-round w i l l be once of a personal struggle for some of the men now coming home. This article is by one member of A. A., a vet- centage than in the case of the same number more in motion. eran of the last war, who began his own drinking career of men who have not undergone the nerve racklargely as a result of boredom with readjustment to civilian life and because he missed the Army comrade- ing experiences of modern warfare, will find Hospital Groups One Way ship. It is a brief treatment of a complex subject and themselves getting out of control. The public any ideas or comments from Grapevine readers will be How then can A. A. best reach the veteran on his welcomed by the staff. ) by this time w i l l have largely forgotten its feelway to becoming an uncontrolled drinker or one ing of gratitude to its fighting men and the vet- Many of us in A. A. are becoming acutely whose d r i n k i n g may already be interfering serierans w i l l indulge in a little self pity on that aware of the fact that more than a few return- ously with his normal living? In some veterans’ score. (What a powerful ally self pity is to old ing service men w i l l have to participate in an- hospitals A. A. groups have already been started John!) Next families and employers will begin other unfinished battle. How can we best reduce where visiting A. A. s are permitted to attend and to show less and less tolerance for an increasing the number of ensuing serious casualties in their to assist in conducting meetings. This work is, number of drunken escapades. In brief, the fight against our most dangerous enemy, John of course, most useful but we are advised that Barleycorn? How are we going to steer these so far it has not been very effective in reaching men through the booby traps and mine fields SCHOOL AT YALE the younger men, although it seems to have old John places so s k i l l f u l l y in the path of the helped a number of veterans of the last war. alcoholic? MECCA FOR MANY Again by no means a l l veterans who may be- Here is a challenge not to he ignored and a WITH SAME AIM come “prospects” will ever reach these hospitals. golden opportunity, as this member sees it, for The third year of the Yale Summer School Chaplains, army doctors and officers at separa- A. A. to prove to those who remain skeptical that of Alcohol Studies in Hartford, Conn., July tion centers are becoming increasingly aware of its program really works. To take a realistic, 12 to August 7, was attended by about 150 the work of Alcoholics Anonymous and are able even if somewhat pessimistic, view of the matter, ‘ people of various professions and organizations, to suggest to some men still in service or about the veterans who, in many instances, have been i n c l u d i n g eleven A. A. s from New York, Penn- to he discharged that they try A. A. under tremendous tension will eventually con- sylvania, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Our greatest potential source of help in getstitute a large section of the A. A. membership Florida and Texas. ting service men started in A. A., however, seems of the future. Must they travel the entire length From all over the United States came social to be in the composition of our present memberof the alcoholic road in order to find an answer? workers, probation officers, clergymen, repre- ship. There are a goodly number of A. A. s still We sincerely hope not. sentatives of the Salvation Army, the liquor in- in the service, many of whom have remained dustry, temperance societies, and the medical “dry” under the most trying circumstances. For Them a Strange World field. All were there to learn more about the There are also many now out of the service For some time after the conclusion of the complex problem of alcoholism. who may or may not have been in A. A. previous war many of the ex-service men w i l l seek in A Manhattan A. A. who attended the school, to discharge. In the latter category we may furalcohol escape from a world with which they said enthusiastically, “The most important thing ther include a substantial number of veterans imagine they are out of tune, or they will drink for me, besides the lectures, was to discover that of World War I. Presumably these A. A. s are too much, too quickly, s i m p l y because they are so many different kinds of people are vitally the ones who not only will share the alcoholic bored by the necessary adjustment from a more interested in alcoholism—each one concerned problem with our future ex-service “suspect” or exciting manner of living or because they miss with alcoholism as it pertains just to his par- “prospect” but an understanding of the other that rare sense of comradeship that often is the ticular sphere of work. And they are just as real or imaginary problems which the newcomer best part of l i f e in the service. For a time their eager to do something constructive about it as may consider as reasons for his excessive drinkdrinking, even if they are potential alcoholics, we A. A. s. We in A. A. may not always agree ing. Sharing similar experiences has been the may not cause them serious trouble. with all of the ideas of those people. They may main reason why A. A. members often make Then the inevitable debacle will occur. A cer- sometimes be wrong—but so may we. ” (Continued on Page 6)

EDITORIAL: “Rules” Dangerous, By Bill On the llth S t e p . . . (Second in a series of articles presenting basic A. A. policies for discussion, “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we Does Alcoholics Anonymous have a public understand Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry relations policy? Is it adequate to meet our that out. ” present and f u t u r e needs? Though it has never been definitely formulated or precisely stated, we certainly have a IT is often wisely said in A. A. that we should not become over-anxious, should not ex- p a r t l y formed public relations policy. Like pent to get the whole program overnight, but should take the steps one at time when e v e r y t h i n g else in A. A., it has grown up out we feel that we are ready for them. This means that although we are not ready at a of t r i a l and error. Nobody invented it. Nobody given time to take this step or that one and are, therefore, not then taking it, we should has ever laid down a set of rules or regulations to cover it, and I hope no one ever will. This is be disposing ourselves toward it. It never means that we should plan on avoiding any because rules and regulations seem to be l i t t l e of the steps. good for us. They seldom work well. Were we to proceed by rules, somebody would Practice of the llth Step is the surest method of disposing oneself toward all the have to make them and, more difficult still, other steps. It was only through seeking contact with God through meditation and somebody would have to enforce them. “Ruleprayer that some of us came to believe in Him and became willing to turn our wills making” has often been tried. It usually reand our lives over to Him. The wish to improve that contact, the searching for knowl- sults in controversy among the “rule makers” edge of His will for us and the power to carry it out, gives us strength to make amends, as to what the rules should be. And when it comes to enforcing an edict—well, you all know to do the things necessary to remake our lives. the answer. When we try to enforce rules and Unless we improve our contact with God we will gradually lose it. There will be a regulations, however reasonable, we almost always get in so “dutch” that our authority disslow return to indifference and we will suffer that let-down that so many experience appears. A cry goes up, “Down with the dictaafter a few months in A. A. Gradually old desires return with increasingly great ur- tors, off with their heads!” Hurt and astongency. The alteration in conduct that we have made for a few months has not been suf- ished “Control Committee” after “Control Comficiently sustained to lead to a change in character, and the deeper habit patterns reas- mittee, ” “leader” after “leader” makes the discovery that human authority, be it ever so imsert themselves. Growth in spiritual understanding alone will dispose us to make the partial or benign, seldom works long or well in effort to recondition ourselves, to change our emotional attitudes and bring about a true our affairs. Alcoholics (no matter if ragged) character change. are yet the most rugged of individualists, true anarchists at heart. For specific suggestions for practicing the llth Step we turn to the book Alcoholics Of course, nobody claims this trait of ours to Anonymous, as we do on all A. A. questions, before going ahead on our own. Apply- be a sterling virtue. During his first A. A. years ing the wisdom we find there, we turn with newly awakened interest and intensity to the every A. A. has had plenty of the urge to revolt against authority. I know I did, and can’t claim practices of our particular religious denomination, if we have one; we sometimes to be over it yet. I’ve also served my time as a select and memorize a few set prayers; we may study the recorded thoughts of others; maker of rules, a regulator of other people’s but in any event we make it a practice in the morning to ask God to guide us during conduct. I too, have spent sleepless nights nursthe day, and thank Him at the day’s close for His many blessings. We are careful never ing my “wounded” ego, wondering how others whose lives I sought to manage could be so unto pray for our own selfish ends, but ask especially for freedom from self-will and reasonable, so thoughtless of “poor” me. I can knowledge of God’s will for us. now look back upon such experiences with much Some of us have found the following verse helpful on awakening, when all our wishes amusement. And gratitude as well. They taught me that the very quality which prompted me to and hopes for the day rush at us like wild animals; the first thing we must do is shove govern other people was the identical egocentricthem all back, and listen to that other voice, letting a calmer, quieter, stronger life flow ity which boiled up in my fellow A. A. s when into us: they themselves refused to be g o v e r n e d ! .

“Every morning rest your arms awhile upon the window-sill of Non-A. A. Questions Heaven and gaze upon your Lord, and with that vision in your heart A non-A. A. reader can be heard to exclaim, turn strong to meet your day. ” “This looks very serious for the future of these people. No organization, no rules, no author- All of which, of course, is calculated to keep us from taking that first drink. ity? It’s anarchy; it’s dynamite; it’s ‘atomic’ It works—it really does. and bound to blow up. Public relations indeed! If there is no authority how can they have any D., Garden City, N. Y. public relations policy at all? That’s the very

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But Unity on Public Policies Vital to Future of A. A. defect which ruined the Washingtonian alco- serving forces having no real humility, having Ultimately, these truths govern his life and holics a hundred years ago. They mushroomed little appreciation that the penalty for too much he comes to live under their authority, the most to 100, 000 members, then collapsed. No effec- self will is death to the alcoholic, having no powerful authority known, ike authority of his tive policy or authority. Quarreled among them- Greater Power to serve, finally destroyed the full consent, willingly given. He is ruled, not selves, so finally got a black eye with the public. Washingtonians. by people, but by principles, by truths and, as Aren’t these A. A. s just the same kind of drunks, most of us would say, he is ruled by God. the same kind of anarchists? How can they ex- Unity Thus Far Now some might ask, “What has all this pect to succeed where the Washingtonians When, therefore, we A. A. s look to the future, got to do with an A. A. public relations policy?” failed?” we must always be asking ourselves if the spirit An older A. A. would say, “Plenty. ” While Good questions, these. Have we the answers? which now binds us together in our common experience shows that in A. A. no policy can be While we must never be too sure there is reason cause will always be stronger than those personal created and announced f u l l blown, much less to hope that we have, because forces seem to be ambitions and desires which tend to drive us effectively enforced by human authority, we are, at work in A. A. which were little evident among apart. So long as the positive forces are greater nevertheless, faced with the problem of developour brother alcoholics of the 1840s. we cannot fail. Happily, so far, the ties which ing a p u b l i c relations policy and securing for it For one thing, our A. A. program is spiritually bind us have been much stronger than those the only authority we know—that of common centered. Most of us have found enough humil- which might break us. Though the individual understanding and widespread, if not universal, ity to believe in and depend upon God. We A. A. is under no human coercion, is at almost consent. When this consent is secured we can have found that humility by facing the fact that perfect personal liberty, we have, nevertheless, then be sure of ourselves. A. A. s will everyalcoholism is a fatal malady over which we are achieved a wonderful unity on vital essentials. where put the policy into effect as a matter of i n d i v i d u a l l y powerless. The Washingtonians, For example, “The 12 Steps” of our A. A. course, a u t o m a t i c a l l y . Mill we must at first be on the contrary, thought d r i n k i n g to be just an- program are not crammed clown anybody’s clear on certain basic principles. And these other strong habit which could be broken by will throat. They are not sustained by any human must have been well tried and tested in our power as expressed in pledges, plus the sustain- authority. Yet we powerfully unite around crucible of experience. ing force of mutual aid through an understand- them because the truth they contain has saved In forthcoming articles I shall therefore try ing society of ex-drunks. Apparently they our lives, has opened the door to a new world. to trace the development of our public relations thought little of personality change, and noth- Our experience tells us these universal truths from the very first day we came to public notice. ing at all of spiritual conversion. work. The anarchy of the individual yields to This w i l l show what our experience has already Mutual aid plus pledges did do a lot for them their persuasion. He sobers up and is led, little taught us. Then every A. A. can have a real but it wasn’t enough; their individual egos still by little, to complete agreement with our simple background for constructive thinking on this ran riot in every channel save alcohol. Self- fundamentals. terribly vital matter—a matter on which we dare not make grave mistakes; upon which, over the years, we cannot afford to become unsound. ALCOHOLIANA II field Republican. That town offered little to Flexibility Is Vital

In Persons and Places, the first volume of the keep up his spirits. He fell into rather unde- One qualification, however. A policy isn’t autobiography of George Santayana, famous sirable company, as at college he had sometimes quite like a fixed truth. A policy is something which can change to meet variable conditions, philosopher and author of The Last Puritan, succumbed to drink—not often, yet ungracefully. I think I understand the secret of these failings, even though the basic underlying truths upon Santayana describes a classmate of his at Hargross as they seem for a man of such delicate which it is founded do not change at all. Our vard in the ’80s of whom he was particularly- policy might, for example, rest upon our 12 sensibility. He was unhappy, he was poor, he fond. To the cognoscenti (us) this pen portrait was helpless. The sparkle of a glass, the glitter Steps for its underlying truths, yet remain reaspeaks for itself: of a smile, the magic of a touch could suddenly sonably flexible so far as the means or method “Sanborn was a poet of lyric and modest transport him out of this world, with all its stub- of its application is concerned. flights but genuine feeling, not n a t u r a l l y in har- born hindrances and dreary conventions, into the Hence I earnestly hope thousands of A. A. s mony with the over-intellectualized transcenden- Auberge Verte, the green paradise, of his dreams. start t h i n k i n g a great deal about these policy talism of Concord, Massachusetts, where his Yet this escape from reality was necessarily matters which are now becoming so important father was a conspicuous member of the Emer- shortlived, and the awakening bitter and remorse- to us. It is out of our discussions, our differsonian circle. There was more of Chaucer in f u l . The strain was too much for Sanhorn. His ences of o p i n i o n , our d a i l y experiences, and our h i m t h a n of Emerson or Wordsworth: even discouragement became melancholia and began general consent that the true answers must Shakespeare—except in the songs—-he f o u n d too to breed h a l l u c i n a t i o n s . He knew o n l y too much finally come. heavy and rhetorical. These exclusions were in- about madness, as everybody did in old New As an older member I may be able to marshal v o l u n t a r y ; he was not in the least conceited England, and he feared it. He cut his throat in the facts and help analyze what has happened about them, but on the contrary felt that he was his bath with a razor, and we buried him in Con- so far. Perhaps I can even make some suga misfit, shy, ungainly in appearance, and at a cord, in sight of the optimistic Emerson’s grave, gestions of value for the future. But that is all. disadvantage in the give and take of conversa- after a parlor funeral, with the corpse visible, Whether we are going to have a clear cut worktion or action. These maladjustments, a few at which his father read a few not very pertinent able public relations policy will finally be deteryears later, led to a tragic end. His father had passages from the Upanishads and the Psalms. ” mined by all of us together—not by me alone! found him a place in the office of The Spring- R. S., Monlclair, N. J. (To be continued in the October GRAPEVINE)

Two Classes Who Fade—A Third Finds the Way (Editor’s Note: Here is an analysis of the kinds of this group have a sincere desire to stop d r i n k – They smile and laugh or see h u m o r in the things people who come to A. A. as seen by one of A. A. ‘s best non-alcoholic friends-—a man who works constantly at ing because their past l i f e has been revolting they have done, and what was to them a terrific helping others and who has guided many men and to them. They have a firm desire within them- problem or upset, now provokes their sense of women to contented sobriety in A. A. ) selves, with the help of God, never to return humor. These are the members who do not At times, one wonders what happens to the to the nightmare of yesterday. h u r r y or race to this one or that one who is large groups that enter the A. A. meetings. New Frequently we hear from speakers t h a t they d r i n k i n g and they do not approach a prospect faces are seen weekly and after a time they fade have had a personality change, yet when we boil u n t i l they themselves first have the program out of the picture; others remain and stay w i t h i n it down, this personality change is n o t h i n g other f i r m l y in their m i n d s and are on the straight and the fold three, four, five months; some—alto- than intellectual conviction that selfish ness is narrow path themselves. gether too few—continue on and remain f a i t h f u l out in this social world. A new sense of values In other words, they seek quality rather than to the end. has come to them, coupled with the conviction q u a n t i t y in the number of approaches they To a person observing this phenomenon, he that a loving God is at the end of the road. make. H u m i l i t y and thankfulness to God are would judge the clientele of A. A. to be divided These individuals speak of past transgressions. the d o m i n a n t factors with this group. into three groups:

Temporary Sobriety VINO VIGNETTES: Thumbnail A. A. Biographies In the first group would be those individuals “Really, Pvt. C, I don’t know what to do about emerged from the Redistribution Center at Fort who enter with the best of intentions but are you!” said the Commanding Officer with a per- Dix with his “Blue Discharge” in one pocket only emotionally balanced for the time being. plexed expression. “We had you confined for and a hundred and ninety dollars in the other. These applicants grasp only a few steps of the thirty days, the day after you get out — you dis- C i v i l i a n C got very drunk immediately. In a program, especially the one that they should go appear, get drunk and turn up five hundred matter of hours or days, it didn’t matter which, out and help others. Not having learned the miles from here. I’m stumped and I’ll admit it. ” he arrived at his brother’s home where, his wife “ABC” of the program, in general they go out The CO looked into Pvt. C’s youthful face and and small daughter had been living. to sell a product the nature of which they know sincere blue eyes which now were as troubled as For a w h i l e his brother tolerated the drinking little about. Hence when someone contradicts his superior’s. “Suppose you were in my place. until C’s condition became so bad be was asked their viewpoint either outside or inside a meet- You had a man with your record brought before to leave. C sobered sufficiently to get his old ing, they become resentful and in their pride, you. What would you do?” pre-war job back. The first week be worked which has been hurt, they reject in toto the pro- “I— I don’t know, sir. ” four days, the second two and the third—his gram which they once believed would have been their salavation. They may become the severest “Do you know why you d r i n k so much?” last—one f u l l day. C decided there was no use critics of A. A. Their short-lived sobriety was “No, sir. ” trying—he might as well just stay in a barroom. merely emotional. “Have you ever tried to do anything about it?” His money gave out but for over a month he “Yes, sir. ” managed to sponge enough drinks to stay drunk Looking for a Rabbit “What?” the entire time. As pride dominates the heart of the first “Tried not to drink, sir. ” Eventually the friendly bartender made argroup, self-centeredness or selfishness is the driv- “Tell me about it. ” rangements to send C to Bellevue. Someone ing power of the second group. These enter “I don’t know what to tell, sir. I’ve tried not intervened and took him home. After a few into the program expecting a rabbit to be pulled to drink and I just don’t seem to be able to stop. days C pulled himself together and went to the from the hat in their case so that they will be That’s all there is to it, sir. ” Veterans’ Bureau in New York, where he shakable to drink in a sane, sociable manner. To “How about overseas? Do you want to go ingly informed his interviewer he must get work. use the parlance of the street, they are merely overseas?” Seeing his condition, the interviewer suggested “on the wagon. ” Selfishness and the love of “Yes, sir, I do. ” he was not in shape to take a job if he found their neighbor for God’s sake cannot be com- In a few weeks Pvt. C was in Africa. The one and that he might get some help at the bined and hence they are not willing or anxious pattern didn’t change — he’d be assigned to an A.A. Clubhouse at 405 West 41st Street. to attempt to bring others into the fold because outfit, get drunk, be locked up for a while and C was so desperate he would have gone to the in the belfry of their brain they have the thought then sent back to a replacement pool. In a Zoo and talked to the lions if anyone had sugthey can drink again. After three, four or five short time the whole procedure would be re- gested they could help him. At the Clubhouse months, these individuals begin to miss meetings, peated. There were only slight variations — one he talked to various AAs. find fault with other members and use every stretch of three months for selling mattress That was three months ago. C has been empossible excuse for not attending with regular- covers to buy booze and a couple of attacks of ployed ever since, and “dry.” He says he feels ity. As a rule, they drop out of the picture, the “DTs” when he was tossed in the “nut” he’s got the A.A. program pretty well fixed in claiming that A. A. has nothing for them, yet ward. Finally the Army gave up all idea of his mind but he’s got to work to keep it there, a large number, after a long period of drinking, making Pvt. C into a good combat soldier. and he never fails to drop in at the Clubhouse eventually return. A “board” went over Pvt. C’s case and decided every day and he finds out something new almost to give him a “Blue Discharge” — “a discharge every time he does. C is beginning to see the Contented Sobriety from the service without honor for excessive picture of a whole new life ahead of him and The third group, to my way of thinking, has drunkenness, ” and he was ordered back to the he wants to help other guys who were as mixed what is called contented sobriety. Members of States. In a matter of a few weeks, Pvt. C up as he was. C. C., Manhattan

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Mail Call for All A. A. s at Home or Abroad (Editor’s Note: With the cessation of hostilities, Mail ticular religious conviction, it gradually occurred Step and masticate it to his complete satisfaction Call is thrown open to all A. A. s, those still far away to me that here I was finding access to a new he will have solved the problem of alcoholism. with the victorious armed forces, those returning to civil life, and those on the home front who face the same philosophy of living, which is the essence of all In my humble opinion, the 2nd Step is fight. ) religion. I have not tried to completely analyze essential, but of course this is not necessarily Would They Try Again? the 12 Steps or even the book, in its entirety, the opinion of A. A. as a whole. for to me the three essentials are honesty, humil- H. C. M., Pelham, N. Y. Dear Editor: As a point of interest I would ity and faith. Upon these I have set my standlike to say that it is my opinion that too many Two Strikes to Start ard, and I am making progress. of us say that we have difficulty understanding Dear Editor: The more I study “slips” in an The oft discussed personality change I have or getting some one or more of the last 11 Steps. effort to understand their causes, the more firmalready experienced. Courage, through the help I firmly believe that if all adherents had the ly I believe that the two most common reasons of God, has been granted me, at a time when I proper conviction on the 1st Step, namely, that for them are: Doubt about being an alcoholic; need it most, to face a personal crisis. Humility we are powerless over alcohol, would there ever and, selfishness. Anybody who is still wonderhas replaced arrogance and the desire for unbe any that would go out and try all over again? ing whether or not he’s alcoholic certainly has selfish action has superseded egocentric proclivi- C. B. C., Philadelphia at least one strike against him insofar as drinkties. I am not unaware of the fact that there is a long way to go, for as I look back on my life ing goes. As long as he has that doubt he’s After Three Months I see it followed an alcoholic pattern from the almost sure to try it “just once more. ” Likewise, My impressions of A. A., after being a member anybody who is so selfish he won’t stir himself very first drink. The opportunity to make amends for three months: to go out and try to help someone else has a I doubt whether anyone, except myself, real- for a sadly messed up life has come late but I am immeasurably grateful that it came before strike or two against himself, because he’s bound ized how necessary such a contact had become. to be thinking about himself most of the time. total disintegration of a character and personal- Following a nine-month period of no drinking, That’s fatal for us. Our hope lies in getting during which I was most unhappy, I decided ity that had potentialities for accomplishment. An inscription on a wall at the American out of ourselves, rather than dwelling on ourthat it would be possible to start again, holding selves, as we have during the 10 or 20 or 30 Museum of Natural History seems to me a most it under control. Strangely, I was encouraged years of our drinking. admirable expression of philosophical encourby my friends who mistakenly insisted that, I J. T., San Francisco, Cal. agement. I quote, in part: was not an alcoholic, and should not be deprived of this pleasure. For the next six months I “Only they are fit to live, From a U. S. Marine seemed to be progressing satisfactorily—never Who do not fear to die, In the July 1945 issue we published a letter taking more than two bottles of beer or a few Nor are they fit to die from an A. A., a sergeant of Marines in the glasses of wine each day. One evening, however, Who shrink from the joy of life, and Pacific, with whom we have since had the good after this quota I surreptitiously drained a small the duty of life. ” fortune to carry on an active correspondence. vestige of rum remaining in a bottle, and almost A. F., New York City We think part of his most recent letter should immediately came the thought, “This is not so appear here: good!” Although I didn’t realize it, after that Humility Necessary “I received your last letter and answered it action (A. A. s would say it was that first bottle Dear Editor: There is so much in the A. A. immediately, but because we were moving I was of beer) I was in danger. You see, I was a program for sobriety or plan for living, com- unable to mail it. In the meantime, we had lone and secret drinker, the very worst of all. monly called the 12 Steps, that it is difficult for some terrific rainfalls with the result that your From then on, the old habit reasserted itself, anyone to determine what particular step is the letter and others were waterlogged and had to and while I was able to hold it within bounds most important. be destroyed. Now I am at my new base. of detection I knew that probably it wouldn’t Dr. W. D. Silkworth, after treating more “The little rock I was on was called Ie Shima be possible for long. One day I had several than 10, 000 patients suffering from the disease and was the place where Ernie Pyle was killed. small glasses of rum before going to work, of a l c o h o l i s m . . . has arrived at the conclu- Being a small rock and just off the west coast which terrified me. After this I decided to seri- sion that “belief in a power greater than one- of Okinawa, it was a fairly easy target and as ously consider the A. A. program. I had attended self” appears “to be the essential principle of a result was pretty hot with air raids and alerts. meetings before but always with the mental A. A. ” . . . I conceive “belief in a power greater I am in Okinawa now. It’s much nicer here— reservation that I would not enroll myself until than oneself” to be supreme and perfect logic— much like our own country with hills and I was convinced I really needed it. I harbored complete h u m i l i t y . It is the kind of logic that ravines, mountains and valleys and” plenty of the delusion that this habit could be controlled is irrefutable. But this is usually very difficult foliage and pine trees. We have lots of new by intelligent analysis and will power. for an alcoholic to take completely and honestly equipment, including a new mess hall with all Several of the women members got in touch because the thoughts of an alcoholic are often its accessories, ice cream machine and all. There with me but I was entirely unable to talk with quite materialistic. He thinks first about his are still a number of enemy stragglers around them. Emotional conflicts were making it dif- economic predicament, his marital difficulties or which hinders me from doing the exploring I’d ficult for me to do anything except not take a his physical ailments and hasn’t much stomach like to do—such as into the mountains and down drink. I found the open meetings more bene- for metaphysics. It is a hard dose to take, in- the valleys and along the rocky coast line. Beficial for there I could sit quietly and try to volving as it does belief in something upon sides I have enough work to do to take up most understand what force prompted these speakers which science and philosophy hove as yet been of my time. ” to express themselves so candidly and with such able to cast but little illumination. But if the Our friend goes on to discuss some of his sincerity. Although I am a person of no par- alcoholic can take that all-important 2nd (Continued on Page 8) 5

ROCHESTER PREPARES NOVICES that distasteful, inaccurate and much overworked word “slip. “

FOR GROUP PARTICIPATION It also helps us to develop a sense of leadership among our members, a prime essential in (Editor’s Noli:: This is the third in a continuing the operation of any successful group. We feel workout” by their sponsor or sponsors before series of articles outlining the various indoctrination that the objective to which such leadership must plans followed by different groups throughout the coun- they are permitted to attend a group meeting. try. In forthcoming issues, methods used in Chicago, devote itself is not, as some may think, a vague, These personal talks follow the line set forth in a Los Angeles, San Francisco and Cleveland will be idealistic formula. On the contrary, it is the presented. ) booklet prepared by our group for that purpose. essence of our way of life, the only way worthy Dear Editor: The educational plan of the It was designed to assist in bringing a prospecof a free man. The basic concept of the A. A. Wilson C l u b of St. Louis which was outlined tive candidate up to his ‘first meeting with a way of l i f e is the integrity and dignity of the in the June number of The Grapevine was read thorough knowledge of the aims and purposes i n d i v i d u a l h u m a n being. This same idea is by the members of the Genesee G r o u p of Roches- of A. A. and the obligations he w i l l have to imthe core of the Declaration of Independence and ter, New York, with considerable interest. As pose upon himself if he undertakes membership the principal concern of our Bill of Rights. the education of our “novices” has been the in our group. It has been our observation that A. A. ‘s 12 Steps comprise the alcoholic’s “Decchief concern of our group since its inception bringing men into the group indiscriminately, laration of Independence. ” a year ago, we were all particularly keen to and without adequate preliminary training and M. L., Genesee Group, Rochester, N. Y. know that other groups are accenting that feature information, can be a source of considerable of group activity which we believe to be of the grief and a cause of great harm to the general greatest importance. morale of the group itself. We feel that unless ONE DAY AT A TIME Our Genesee Group plan utilizes the same a man, after a course of instruction and an in- Dear Editor: Here is an article I clipped from technique as the St. Louis Group but has the telligent presentation of the case for the A. A. Read Magazine, which in turn reprinted it from additional, or more accurately, preliminary fea- life, has accepted it without any reservation, he The Sunbury (Pennsylvania) Daily Item. ture which seems to us of sufficient importance should not be included in a group membership. It embraces so many A. A. teachings and to justify this communication. We hope to in- When his sponsors feel that the novice has a principles, it could very, well have been written vite comment, suggestions or criticisms from fair working knowledge of A. A. ‘s objectives and by an A. A. member. I think it also dovetails other groups or individuals who may have ideas a sufficient grasp of its fundamentals, he is then very nicely with the practice of taking A. A. on along t h i s l i n e or who may have some other brought to his first group meeting. a twenty-four hour basis. method of instruction which they are now em- The time when the novice’s progress has H. W., Detroit, East Side Group ploying. From such an interchange of thoughts reached the point of acceptance of the proand opinions through the medium of your col- gram varies according to his mental capacity, ”Life is given to us in allotments of one day umns much good may come. It might even be his eagerness to learn and the sincerity of his at a time. The poorest has no less, the richest possible to evolve from such discussion a coordi- self-examination. It is not measured by the no more. Therefore, one day at a time should we nated general plan or framework within which yardstick of any lapse of time or the length of live our lives and not try to take in more terriall A. A. groups could work. Certainly, “a con- his sobriety. The sponsor’s judgment of when tory. Anybody can endure for twenty-four hours summation devoutly to be wished. ” his novice is ready is accepted by the group as the burdens and griefs which would kill, if con- Our plan differs from the Wilson Club plan final and the sponsor then brings him to his tinued over a lifetime. in this respect: Our prospects or novices, as we first meeting. There he listens to four succes- “On the same principle of day-by-day should call them, are given a personal “canvass or sive talks based on the 12 Steps and the we look to the improvement of mind, the de- Four Absolutes. There are twenty-minute talks velopment of body, the stiffening of will. Too often, vast plans for all these good resolutions Postwar Challenge given by older members of the group and the fall to pieces because the individual has bitten steps, for convenience and brevity, are divided (Continued from Page 1) off more than he can chew. into four sections. The first three steps conheadway with other alcoholics where well mean- “Master one lesson well before passing on to stitute the text of the first talk. The next four, ing individuals without the common background the next. Build one good habit into the network the second; the next four, the third; and the have completely failed. of your responses, before taking on others. See last step is considered to be entitled to a full Same Problem for All evening’s discussion by itself. one good resolution through to the end. Will a special technique or the formation of “At the same slow-but-sure pace, practice char- Following these constructive talks, a general special veterans’ groups be necessary to convince ity. The colossal needs of our day appall us; summary is then given of the whole program. the border-line, or even the full-fledged, alco- we have so l i t t l e to give. But somewhere at From this point on the novice is on his own and holic veteran that he has a drinking problem hand there is a small need well within our his growth and development in A. A. w i l l deand that we in A. A. have perhaps an answer? means. Give to that. pend entirely on his own sincerity and his active Personally, we think not and doubt the wisdom “One good t u r n a day, the Boy Scouts call it. participation in all the group’s affairs. of special groups. The main problem for any The sum total of these would make a ponderous alcoholic is the same regardless of former We feel that we have at least given him an book. Yet it is being written on the basis of environment, occupation, economic condition, opportunity to understand what A. A. is and one a day. social status, etc., and while other A. A. s who it is his free choice from that point on as to “And, just for good measure, do each day at have seen service in the armed forces should be how successful he will be. least one thing you’d prefer not to do. This has of great assistance in getting a veteran started, Of course, this plan is not a rigid one nor is the effect of stretching the moral muscles. we believe the sooner he learns to mix with all it exclusive, but we have found in practice, at “Take a hint from Mother Nature, who limits his fellow A. A. s, the sooner w i l l he make the least in our own group, that it has to a great her children to one breath, one meal, one heartadjustments necessary for permanent sobriety. extent, not completely, of course, eliminated beat, one step at time. Don’t crowd tomorrow. A. T., Manhattan failures and has erased from our vocabulary Don’t drag yesterday behind you. “

A. A. ‘s Country-Wide News Circuit Dr. C. Dudley Saul, head physician of the dividual communities and thus to the nation as encouragement to the group now forming in medical staff of St. Luke’s Hospital, Philadel- a whole, from a sociological point of view. H a v e r h i l l ” . . . “Their Work and Ours” was the phia, who pioneered in w i n n i n g medical recog- » » » title of an address given by a Jacksonville, Fla., nition for A. A., recently told about 65 law The Kansas press has been having some good- member before the Council of Social Agencies. enforcement and welfare officials, clergymen and natured f u n writing about the Topeka A. A. » » « doctors, at a meeting of A. A. in Burlington, Vt., group and its new clubhouse. The Sunflower The Des Moines, Iowa, A. A. s are making prepthat close cooperation of the medical profession, state has been legally dry since 1880. Today, arations for their second anniversary meeting clergy, laity and A. A. are needed today to in- the only legal beverages have no more than 3. 2 to be held Oct. 28. Marty M. is scheduled as form the public of the true nature of “Public per cent alcoholic voltage to induce consump- principal guest speaker. But, according to the Enemy No. 4—alcoholism. ” t i o n . Topeka, home of 67, 833 persons, bastion A. A. Tribune., written by “Hildagarde; ” there’s Beaver College, Jenkintown, Pa., has loaned a o f state dry laws and lawmakers, has had an one cause for worry. Scaling capacity of the room to A. A. for the bi-weekly meetings, attend- A. A. group since 1943 and, says one journalist, place where the speaking program w i l l be held is ed by members from Montgomery County. “Adding to doubts of Topekans who have seen 800, and that may not be e n o u g h . . . . A recent » » » whiskey bottles tossed on the statehouse grounds issue of the Camel Club Chronicle, printed in Mexico’s first group is in M o n t e r r e y . . . and l y i n g along Kansas Avenue, A. A. has now Marshalltown, Iowa, was given over to quotes Other new groups are Valdosta, Ga.; B a l d w i n , moved into the finest clubrooms in the city. ” The from a talk by one of the members of the Water- L. I., N. Y.; Meriden, C o n n . . . . Dorchester, newsmen carefully mention the fact that A. A. loo group, including these w o r d s : . . . “I like Mass., A. A. s, who lately celebrated their first isn’t at all interested in whiskey from a prohibi- to feel t h a t . . . we A. A. s are the i n d i v i d u a l s anniversary, are p l a n n i n g a large, get-together tion angle, t h a t it is dedicated to the rehabilita- chosen by God to learn a l l t h e symptoms of the in their home-town with members from several tion of alcoholics who honestly want to recover. disease so that we have the personal knowledge Eastern seaboard s t a t e s . . . Oklahoma City A. A. s Kansas City, Kan., is another of the groups to to successfully apply the remedy for the many have just received their charter from the secre- buy its own clubhouse. Located at 1925 North thousands who will need our assistance in the tary of state to operate in that city and Eleventh Street, the former mansion has had future. It’s been a long and tough course, and throughout the s t a t e . . . Davenport, Iowa, now partitions ripped out downstairs, reducing the it all will have been worthwhile only if we go has its own group, launched by members from once many-roomed house into a meeting hall, forth to apply its principles just as the doctor, Iowa. City, Cedar Rapids and B u r l i n g t o n . . . while upstairs four rooms remain for general the lawyer, the minister or the priest would do From the Sioux City group have gone zealous use. in his own field… ” Says The Toss Pot, printed members who established groups at Moline, Ill.; in Charleston, W. Va., “What we need is more Last month the Rome-Utica (N. Y. ) group Gary, Ind.; Mitchell, S. D.; Spirit Lake, Iowa; brain and less brayin’. ” From the same publicawith 31 regular members was 18 months old Rapid City, S. D., and Pender, Neb. tion, the reader learns that Charleston is now and fittingly celebrated the occasion with a The Ohio towns of Sandusky, Fremont, Belle- booming along with several closed group meetdinner and meeting at the Hotel Utica which vue, Monroeville, Norwalk, Milan and Wakeman ings and one central group open meeting a week, drew an attendance of about 75. As reported by were represented at a dinner of the Bellevue and with still another new group about to get Jim C., chairman of the event, 14 groups were Norwalk groups in Norwalk. Among the guests started. »»» represented among the people attending, with were clergymen, city, industrial and police ofguests from as far as Cleveland and Louisville. During the war, A. A. meetings were held in ficials. » » » Dick S., Cleveland, was the principal speaker. many industrial plants; trade journals wrote The Northwest is rapidly expanding, with, Commenting editorially on the meeting, the about the thousands of man-hours salvaged Washington stepping out in the foreground. Utica Observer-Dispatch said in part: “That through A. A. At one of the Henry Kaiser ship- Seattle now has two groups; Spokane is develop- gathering of Alcoholics Anonymous in Utica is yards on the West coast one A. A. alone was ing so swiftly that the members are now seeking significant. Members of the organization are responsible for saving 8, 000 man-hours per ship a large home suitable for a permanent club- against alcohol but unlike most campaigns by suggesting improved methods of doing work. house; and Everett A. A. s are the latest to join against the beverage, the opposition is wholly Three-fourths of the A. A. s there had jobs with the ranks and hold their own meetings. an individual problem. The member aims to the great shipbuilding firm which placed them » » » help himself and to assist others only as they in supervisory capacities. One top executive Gov. Chauncey Sparks of Alabama has ap- desire to be helped on a purely voluntary basis. spoke of ten key men in one yard “without pointed members of a state commission “for This movement is widespread, for members came whose help we couldn’t have delivered Hull education on alcoholism, ” which was created by from two states and a dozen or more cities. ” One. ” the 1945 legislature under the sponsorship of » » » A. A. The commission is charged “with the In Tonawanda, N. Y., the non-alcoholic wives power to prepare and administer a program for of A. A. s have organized under the name of Al- IF YOU MOVE the rehabilitation of alcoholics and the educa- coholics Anonymous Auxiliary; these A. A. A. s Changes of address should be sent to The tion of the public with respect to dealing with al- are proving of tremendous help to nervous Grapevine because the postoffice forwards ONLY coholism as a disease. ” wives of new A. A. m e m b e r s . . . After repre- first class mail. Magazines will not be for- Speaking before the year-old Orlando, Fla., sentatives of New England A. A. s had talked warded to you even though you record a change group, Lt. Col. John N. Cotton, chief of neuro- with him, Mayor Albert W. Glynn of Haverhill, in address at the postoffice. psychiatry, Welsh Convalescent Hospital, Day- Mass., stated that the “splendid success of A. A. Send your new address to The Grapevine if tona Beach, accented A. A. ‘s contribution to in- these past 10 years prompts me to offer every you want to continue to receive it.

Some of the Problems of 12th Step Work Mail Call After something more than two years of (Continued from Page 5) of their lives and actions together with definite 12th Step work, it appears that the chances suggestions for changing the pattern, while thoughts about A. A., the probable reasons for of success depend very largely on the prospect. others, whose current despair offsets their ability “slips” and the danger of uncontrolled temper. However, results are so non-predictable that I to reason with active faith in life or themselves, His remarks on this last subject seem very much frequently find myself trying to spread a little respond to emotional prodding. The latter type to the point: light when the patient is not willing to take the frequently reacts favorably to a direct spiritual “Ever since I attended my first meeting I knew 1st Step. approach. that I would have to curb my temper if I wanted As we all know, most hangovers can be helped One of the most effective comparisons I have success (sobriety) and since I want that more b y ; a patient listener who w i l l be consistently heard is to picture the individual’s l i f e compli- than anything else in the world I pray daily that sympathetic and not too demanding. Many times cated by one new problem each time he goes on God w i l l grant me patience and help me control the victim will agree to and promise almost a binge as against the vastly improved condition my temper. I’ve been quite successful along anything in order to get what he wants at the resulting from no new problems and the im- this line and have, gained twofold results—first, minute, be it “a last drink” or some new argu- provement made by time and abstinence in clear- I’ve removed another obstacle to a life of comments to use with those he has let down for the ing up old ones. plete contentment and second I get along with ‘steenth time. We do run into, rarely, young- It is my belief that the key to success in my family, as well as my fellow men; 100% sters who are ready and able to accept the ex- 12th Step work is a humble realization that better. I believe a temper is an asset when it is perience of older people, but for the most part our efforts alone are of small avail and that the well bridled. No, I’m not cocky—either over it seems that each 12th Step effort has to be most we can contribute is a real sympathy for my controlled temper or over two years of tempered to suit the individual. our distressed brother or sister, supplemented sobriety—if I were, I would not be praying daily An ideal combination to find in a prospect by our sure knowledge that God has all the tools for help. I need it. would include a recent and mildly disastrous needed to help every individual who earnestly “Just recently A. A. saved my life—some day bender, a combination of local problems to be seeks His aid. I’ll tell you about it. Thanks once again to met that involve home and other obligations M. A. C., Forest Hills, N. Y. A. A. that I’m here. D. F. M., Sgt., USMCR to be faced by a socially minded and intelligent individual. Conversely, the knottiest problems are personal pride which shows up as an almost impenetrable reserve or else a species of belligerency, an unwillingness to face the issues and to tell the truth, plus the many fears, real or un- The Pleasures of Reading real, that follow excessive drinking. The following books have been read and studied by many A. A. member: Example is a powerful help and if the prospect can be brought in contact with a number Careful reading of this list w i l l help us to understand the proposition that the universe is of individuals whose fundamental characteristics lawful. Most of us have learned the hard way how much we must pay in spirit, health, and are like his own and who have emerged from fears as well as money for breaking any of these laws. bondage, the prospect w i l l see very quickly that others like him have succeeded and he is fre- Within the covers of the books listed below many A. A. s have found knowledge that serves quently aware of an unspoken challenge to do as a guide in happy living. likewise. Always give your bookseller the title, author, and publisher. You will get your book much Some newcomers respond to a logical review more quickly.

Cut This Out and Mail to: Alcoholics Anonymous (Works Publishing Co., $3. 50) The Grapevine Alcohol—One Man’s Meat by Strecher and Chambers (Macmillan Co., $2. 50) P.O. Box 328 Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. How Never to Be Tired by Marie Beynon Ray (Bobbs-Merrill Co., $2. 50) Herewith $1.50 for one year’s subscription to The Grapevine (Monthly). Lost Weekend by Charles Jackson (Farrar & Rinehart, $2. 50) For additional subscriptions enclose separate Man Against Himself by Karl A. Menninger (Harcourt, Brace & Co., $3. 75) sheet with name and address clearly printed. Checks payable to The Grapevine. On Being a Real Person by Harry Emerson Fosdick (Harper & Brothers, $2. 50) Total Enclosed Psychology of Christian Personality by Ernest M. Ligon (Macmillan Co., $3) Renewal? (please check) PLEASE PRINT Release from Nervous Tension by David Harold Fink, M. D. (Simon &. Schuster, $2) Name Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis (Macmillan Co., $1. 50) Address Tell It to the Padre by Robert W. Searle (Farrar & Rinehart, Inc., $1) Note: Subscriptions received up to the 15th begin with The Soul’s Sincere Desire by Glenn Clark (Little, Brown & Co., $1. 50) the following month’s issue. 8

VOL. II, NO. 5, OCTOBER, 1945 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK, 17 YEARLY, $1. 50; COPY, 15c A monthly journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A. A. as a whole.

Evidence on the Sleeping Pill Menace “John Doe was found dead in bed early this tor who prescribes sedatives too casually; the Promiscuous use of sedatives is a fact. It’s easy morning. Death was attributed to an overdose of sleeping pills. ” greedy druggist who sells them illegally; the to get pills. At this point, therefore, it’s an inout-and-out dope peddler; lax law enforcement dividual matter in which the buyer should The words, “overdose of sleeping pills, ” have agents and indifferent lawmakers; and, finally, beware. been appearing with increasing frequency of the individual who buys the pills. Anyone who still doubts the risks involved late in the daily press. The story behind them Obviously there is imperative need for correc- may be awakened by even a brief review of curis not always one of intentional suicide. Often tion to prevent abuses. Hope that corrective rent discussion and reports in various publicait’s the story of an accidental death—and of ten measures are forthcoming may be found in the tions. For example, the American Medical Asthe victim is an alcoholic. mounting agitation for better laws and better sociation has issued a booklet containing re- Sleeping pills have also been the subject of law enforcement, and in the concern being ex- prints from issues of The Journal of the Ameriurgent warnings to both doctors and laymen in pressed by medical authorities. can Medical Association. The opening paper medical journals and popular magazines. For In the meantime, however, the danger remains. (Continued on page 8) the alcoholic, the warnings should be regarded as special “danger signals. ” Barbiturates are defined in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act as habit forming. For PILLS AND 12th STEP WORK the alcoholic especially, rigid control of such (Editor’s Note: The following was written by an M.D. those of the alcoholic and the pill-taking alcosedatives is vital, and the special danger is the who also is an A.A.) holic is just as incapable of safely using pills fact that the alcoholic is not likely to control The wide-spread, unsupervised use of the bar- as he is of drinking—he simply doubles his self-administered sedatives any better than he biturate group of drugs, luminal, seconal, nem- risks. Just as the alcoholic in drinking dulls controls alcohol. butol and numerous other derivatives, has cre- his awareness of the unpleasant realities of life There are, of course, other pills or liquids be- ated, especially in the last decade, a public so does the pill-taker, in perhaps a more insidisides phenol barbital, barbital, amytal and other health problem which has deeply concerned the ous manner, reach the stage of fantasy where derivatives of barbituric acid which can be dan- medical profession, police, health authorities, only pleasant visions, if any, are allowed to gerous when self-administered. Among the more and many public-spirited lay people. obtrude on his consciousness. Unfortunately familiar hypnotics, for instance, is paraldehyde, The acknowledged inadequacy and lack of while pursuing this, to him, laudable objecwhich also is defined in the federal law as habit uniformity in state and even municipal laws tive, the alcoholic winds up dead drunk; the forming. regulating their sale has made it comparatively pill-taker on the other hand winds up poisoned. There are still other types of drugs which easy for venal and uninformed people who want The results are identical; one drinks it and the should not be used without both competent and to obtain them. All too many otherwise intelli- other swallows it. It hardly requires the brain conscientious medical supervision. Benzadrine is gent people use them with a liberality that can of an Einstein to figure out what happens when just one that can be mentioned and there are only mean they are ignorant of their dangers. an alcoholic combines the two. many others—so many that they cannot all be We in A.A. should take a grave and serious Alcoholics resort to pills to get over a hangincluded in this summary. And so many, that interest in the subject, particularly as we come over, to prolong a binge in order not to have a the only safe guide for the alcoholic is never to across it in our 12th Step work. It is a startling hangover, or to fight the insomnia which is a forget that the use of drugs in any association and uncomfortable fact that 48 per cent of the product of their alcoholism. Much too frewith alcohol, or the effects of alcohol, may have victims of fatal or non-fatal poisoning by bar- quently, they are introduced to this form of unpredictable results. biturates admitted to Bellevue Hospital (New therapy by their doctor, who is either unaware The purpose in this article is not to point York City) were also alcoholics. (Please read that they are alcoholic or unaware of alcothe finger of blame. The fact is that responsi- that carefully; it does not say that 48 per cent holism. Just as frequently, it is the fellow who bility for the conditions which are causing alarm of alcoholics take pills’). is always around, that well-known character, the must be shared by many—by the careless doc- The problems of the pill taker are the same as (Continued on Page 6)

EDITORIAL- The Book Is Born By Bill

On the 12th Step… In recent Grapevine articles attention has been drawn to the fact that A. A. is still in the process of forming a public relations policy, “Having had a spiritual experience as the result of those steps, we tried to carry this that failure to crystallize a sound policy could message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. ” seriously cripple us. During the first three years of A. A. no one Very few of us know the exact hour and date we had our spiritual experience, and gave a thought to public relations. It was a some of us are not conscious of ever having had one at all. However, our changed time of “flying blind, ” when we feverishly personalities and perspectives are definite proof that “something” happened to us sought the principles upon which we might stay somewhere along the line as those who knew us “when” will attest. sober and assist the few alcoholics who came A. A. s refer to the 12th Step as “working with others, ” and this means we try around wanting to do likewise. We were entirely to help the other person work out his or her problem. From our vast fund of knowledge preoccupied with the life and death question of personal recovery. It was strictly a man to man on the subject, gained from our own actual experiences and and often under similar con- affair. We hadn’t even agreed upon a name for ditions, we are peculiarly qualified to exercise that sympathetic understanding that only our movement. There was no literature. another alcoholic can have and which is so important in talking to a person who, like By the fall of 1937 we could count what ourselves, is allergic to alcohol. This is the crux of the success obtained by groups looked like 40 recovered members. One of us throughout the country. This A. A. program, which is responsible for our own sobriety, had been sober three years, another two and a half, and a fair number had a year or more beand for giving us a new lease on life, was handed to us on a silver platter and without hind them. As all of us had been hopeless monetary cost. It is our bounden duty, therefore, to pass it on in the same manner to cases, this amount of time elapsed began to be those who want it. It was not intended for us to keep to ourselves. significant. The realization that we “had found We are admonished to, “Go ye and spread the gospel, ” and Webster defines gospel something” began to take hold of us. No longer as: “Any doctrine concerning human welfare that is agitated as of great importance. ” were we a dubious experiment. Alcoholics could Surely, to us alcoholics it is of the utmost importance. We carry out the 12th Step stay sober. Great numbers perhaps! While some of us had always clung to this possibility, the when we share our gift by telling others of the help we have found, by lending encourdream now had real substance. If 40 alcoholics agement to those who find the way difficult, by making calls when requested to, and by could recover, why not four hundred, four thouattending meetings to show to the sensitive newcomer that he or she is not alone. sand—-even forty thousand? Sobriety, however, is not enough and length of sobriety is not so important as qual- Once this spectacular notion gripped us, our ity of sobriety. The A. A. program is a design for living normal, happy lives, and it thinking underwent a sudden change. Our alcois necessary that we practice the principles of tolerance, patience, unselfishness, humil- holic imaginations certainly had a field day. By temperament most of us are salesmen, proity, and that we curb our all too human desire to criticize and bear resentment. moters. So we began talking very big. Mere It is Sometimes discouraging to talk to a person who does not immediately respond boxcar numbers wouldn’t do. We went asto our “pearls of wisdom, ” but right there is where we exercise patience and realize tronomical. Undoubtedly, we said, this was the that once the seed has been sown, John Barleycorn is our best salesman. Two years beginning of one of t h e greatest medical, reago O. L. was called upon in New York City and after three or four meetings consid- ligious and social developments of all time. We would show the medical profession and the sky ered himself “cured, ” and in no further need of association with the A. A. group. Last pilots where they got off! A million alcoholics week I was called to a hospital here in Atlanta, to interview a patient who turned out in America; more millions all over the world! to be my old friend O. L. who had sense enough to scream for A. A. and was now Why, we only had to sober up all these boys “ready” for the entire program. None of us can let our defenses down, for unless we and girls (and sell them God) whereupon they keep everlastingly at it we are doomed. would revolutionize society. A brand new Persons thank us for showing them the way, and relatives are inclined to credit world with ex-drunks running it. Just think of that, folks! one or another of us with the recovery of their loved one. It is then that we realize that Publicity? Why of course! Millions of “Of myself I am nothing”—and we thank the Power greater than ourselves for mak- words! Money? Sure! It would take millions, ing us an instrument of His ways. T. B., Atlanta, Ga naturally. The matter of money and publicity would be a cinch—just a campaign of high powered selling directed at our American tycoons and editors would quickly settle that Humility question. How could they resist when they saw Humility is perpetual quietness of heart. It is to have no trouble. It is never to be fretted what we had? Just watch us drunks. Actually or vexed, irritable or sore; to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against a few of us were pretty nearly as bad as that! me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised, it is to have No circus barker was ever so enthusiastic or a blessed home in myself where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret extravagant in his cries as were some of us in and be at peace, as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and about is seeming trouble. (Continued on Page 6)

CHICAGO’S NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS accommodations of any home and moved the Key to Simplicity in a Metropolitan Area Saturday night festivities into a hotel in Evanston. Members of the far south side soon set The first A.A. member in Chicago contacted Each was sponsored by an older member but up their own Saturday night open house and the Akron group in the fall of 1937 and slowly there was no arrangement on the part of the since then another regular party has been estabover the next two years assembled a group of group as a whole for meeting or helping the lished on the north side and one each on the six members, at which time the first formal A.A. new people except by casual contacts at Tuesnorthwest and west sides. meeting was held. Since that time—September day meetings. Two of the older members con- 20, 1939—regular weekly meetings have been ceived the idea of an informal bull session with The Alano Club held in Chicago. It is interesting to note that the men under their sponsorship at the time three of the first six in the group were advised invited to a home to sit around for the evening Another activity is the Alano Club on the to try A.A. by physicians. Since that time the and discuss any particular problems of their sixth floor at 189 West Madison Street. This friendly sympathy of many Chicago physicians own. This experiment was so successful that project is sponsored and supported by members of alcoholic patients with whom they had strug- other informal gatherings at unstated times were of the metropolitan group, administering it sepgled in vain has contributed greatly to the held here and there throughout the city. Pres- arate from the central office but entirely in growth of the group. ently it became apparent that the idea could keeping with A. A. principles and practices. From the beginning the Chicago group has well be systematized. The city was divided into Open house with coffee and cake at the Club adhered closely to the A.A. fundamentals as 10 areas and a discussion group to meet regu- follows each Tuesday night meeting. There are absorbed from the Akron group. The feeling larly on Thursday nights was formed in each regular A. A. meetings at the Club at I P. M. has been that growth should be steady and one. As each group acquired new members it Wednesday and at 8: 30 P. M. Friday. sound. There has been a considerable amount has divided and in some cases subdivided until In the experimental field the Chicago group of favorable publicity in the Chicago news- there are now 60 in the Chicago area. It has has had success with patients at the Chicago papers and all of it has been unsought. It is been found that the value and pleasure in these State Hospital on the northwest side of the city. an unspoken tenet of the group that the restora- group meetings lie in a rather small attendance. By special arrangement the group has been tion of each individual to a calm, orderly way Some of these groups have been reluctant to enabled to send men and women in need of of living is of more importance than promoting divide because of close association in their early hospitalization and to obtain treatment for the group in public. Experience has been that days of A. A. and remain large. The general them without putting them through the regular there is a very great power in the example group feeling, however, is that from six to 15 mem- process of commitment. Regular A. A. meetmembers have given those who knew them be- bers is the ideal size of a group for a discussion ings ore held at the hospital Wednesday nights, fore their entrance on the program. meeting. conducted in turn by the neighborhood groups. Tuesday night meetings in the Loop are at Members submitting to this course are received Spirit of Simplicity into the group without distinction. The results present held in the Engineering Building at 205 This spirit of simplicity extends to the activi- West Wacker Drive. This is the fifth meeting- have been good. This work was originally ties of the group as a whole. Organization at place required by expansion of the group. started some four years ago in a small, quiet all times has been only to such extent as to in- Many members and their wives have dinner in way with no publicity and we have tried, with sure against over-organization. Fortunately the the building before the meeting. In general considerable success, to continue this program Chicago group early in its existence was given the procedure on Tuesday nights follows the on this basis of as little publicity as possible. this advice by the leader in Akron: When the early pattern which is a program of speaking We were fortunate in having the services of time is right and you are right, Providence will conducted by a chairman. The practice now is a non-alcoholic secretary donated at the beginshow you the way. that four or five speakers, each allotted 10 min- ning of the group. She is still with us, having Six months after the group moved into the utes, give the Tuesday programs. grown up with the group. Now on a salary Loop for regular Tuesday meetings it became As time went on the increasing number of basis, she is in charge of the details of the cenapparent that the general meeting itself was not newcomers appeared to justify a special instruc- tral office at 209 South State Street and has all a proper place for the discussion of business tion meeting. The first of these was held in- the experience and tradition of this group as affairs. We, therefore, set up an earlier meet- formally in one corner of the large meeting well as the Foundation office at her fingertips, ing on the same evening for any matters of busi- hall by a volunteer older member who gathered and with an assistant handles all inquiries, visitness which might come up. This meeting was the newer ones and talked to them and answered ing firemen, information bureau, and acts as without officers and any member interested could their questions. This haphazard plan was so nerve center for the Chicago group. attend. For lack of a better name it was called evidently successful that a definite regular Throughout its existence the Chicago group the Set-up Meeting. This has continued, al- meeting was arranged to precede the main has held the belief that its strength as a means though now one member from each neighbor- meeting. of supporting each individual member and as hood group attends and at this meeting the Another Tuesday night meeting was organ- a means of reaching others lies in its adherence members may present for discussion any sub- ized for the benefit of old members who were to A. A. fundamentals and to simplicity in pracject in which their groups are interested. concerned with sponsorship. tice. Early in the group’s history it was decided The plan for the neighborhood groups de- Even before the Chicago group began its by common consent. that any new suggestion, if veloped naturally with no impulse to organize regular Tuesday meetings in the Loop the need approved even. by a minority, should be given a for the sake of organization. At about the for companionship was recognized and met by trial; if it is good it will endure—if it is unwise same time the Set-up Meeting was formed a a Saturday night open house at the home of one it will not. That has proved to be sound in rather considerable rush of prospects appeared. of the members.. The group soon outgrew the every instance. —E. T.

VINO VIGNETTES: Thumbnail A. A. Biographies “The 2nd Step was a tough one for me, ” said was an alcoholic. He says he’d known it for For seven months he spent one hour a day, C. H. “It had me absolutely stopped at first over ten years, had tried to do something about five days a week, with this “trainer of malt and I might not have gone on if I hadn’t sort it and had decided he was a hopeless case. drinks” but ale and beer remained wild animals of regarded A. A. as my last hope. During this ten year period he had read for C. H. —it just took a little longer to get “You see—I had never been able to accept a great deal about alcoholism and had tried to drunk but he didn’t mind this inconvenience. orthodox religion, ” continued C. H. “And I solve the baffling malady. First he had gone By 1940 he had learned he couldn’t drink knew whatever power greater than myself I regularly to the late Peabody to adjust his mind and work, and as he was unable to give up turned to would have to be with me all the time and body to the controlled drinking of ale and drinking he quit work. In 1941 he heard about and I couldn’t carry any Gothic structure around beer. To give the program a real chance C. H. A. A. and got some of the pamphlets. They on my back all the time. Finally, I decided to stayed on the wagon for several months, but sounded sensible but the only thing was this take TRUTH as something I really believed in then Peabody went away and there was a huge 2nd Step. and could pin my faith on. Then, I made up alcoholic splash in Greenwich Village. A few Starting in August, ’41, C. H. began attendmy mind whenever the going got really tough years passed and then C. H. visited a psychi- ing A. A. meetings in the old clubhouse on 24th I’d t u r n to TRUTH. ” atrist who lived in the neighborhood, told h i m Street. He was still drinking; he thought there All this occurred in the late summer and his problems and his desire to cut out every- was no sense in stopping until he felt there was fall of 1941. No one had to convince C. H. he thing “except ale and beer. ” some chance A. A. might be the answer. In November C. H. made up his mind he would try the A. A. program with all the determination DEFENDS EARLY 12th STEP WORK he could muster; to him it was the only floating object on a sea of alcohol. To begin prop- The article “Two Classes Who Fade—A Third program firmly in their minds and are on the erly he knew he must quit drinking and he was Finds the Way, ” in the September 1945 Grape- straight and narrow path themselves, ” is loaded in such bad physical condition he was unable vine, seem to me based on misleading classifica- with atomic energy which, if released among us to stop. He thought over the possibility of tions, the third one dangerously so. One gets A. A. s, would surely blast us to smithereens, going to a sanatorium and then decided the from this article the distinct impression that in smashing the newcomers first. This classifica- hundred dollars it would cost would buy an proportion to the numbers arriving in A. A. a tion, so neat, so orderly and so inexorable, is awful lot of liquor if A. A. didn’t work. C. H. mere handful remains to work at the program the one in which I belong—and at the same walked to Bellevue and voluntarily committed and stay dry. time, along with countless other A. A. s of my himself for six days. It was a terrific fight but Since no particular locality was mentioned acquaintance who are also staying sober, def- he kept TRUTH in mental electric lights and as the field of observation, it’s to be assumed initely do not belong. somehow managed to stick it out. His conthat the author’s generalizing conclusions were Certainly I’m not one of those who didn’t dition was bad, too—it was two weeks before he based on extensive study of the approximately approach a prospect until I had the program could hold a coffee cup in one hand. 500 groups now in existence. But let’s assume “firmly in mind. ” I was in A. A. two weeks A few days before Pearl Harbor in Deceminstead that only a group or two, perhaps in a when, knowing little of the program beyond ber 1941 C. H. took his last drink—he has been cosmopolitan area, served as research ground having read the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, completely “dry” ever since. Slowly but surely for the three classifications—which is more and attending meetings, I felt strongly, urgently he has readjusted himself to life as he found likely the case; for example, Manhattan, of even, that my immediate salvation lay in trying new interests and discovered countless things which I’m a member, beginning my third year to help others, and forthwith began, with an which he had not found time to include in the of sobriety. True, there’s a discrepancy be- older member, doing just that. And I kept on schedule of an “active alcoholic. ” His belief tween the numbers arriving and those remain- trying, and on and on, and as I continued in in TRUTH has gradually expanded and ening, but it isn’t nearly so overwhelmingly nega- my efforts to help other alcoholics the program larged. In the four years of his complete drytive as indicated. gradually grew more meaningful, its radiant ness he has become increasingly active in A. A. Large numbers of those placed by the writer truths began to emerge and I was able, little by work. It so happens he is available most of of the September article in the first two cate- little, to begin applying, one at a time, the 12 the day and at times there is almost a queue of gories are seldom seen in Manhattan any more. Steps to myself and my daily living. drunks at his place of business waiting to talk Some have joined groups in the environs, nearer Today, after two and a half years in A. A., to him. their homes. Some have gone to other parts of I don’t have the program “firmly in mind. ” A In December, 1944, C. H. called on me in a the country, establishing groups in the com- program inherent in which is the very soundest sanitarium where I was having the alcohol exmunities where they’ve settled, or entered groups admonition of mental hygiene—Know Thyself— tracted. The change in this man was amazing— already under way. Some have been in the mili- is one of growth, not stagnation. he was confident, sure of himself and had found tary services, some still are. Though they’re And as for being on a “straight and narrow the answer to his problem. The thing that imno longer seen in Manhattan, many of these path, ” God forbid! That’s one of the most pressed me the most and made me realize he men and women are still in A. A., sober. valuable lessons to be learned in A. A. —that had alcohol really licked was—he could laugh But it’s not with the implied statistics, man- life is never a straight and narrow path, but at himself, which he hadn’t been able to do in ifestly superficial and incorrect, that I’m espe- winding, divergent, and broad as the A. A. pro- 1941, and during the last four months he cially concerned. The third classification, “those gram itself is broad; dynamic, as is our pro- has helped me learn to laugh at myself. I think who find the way” and “… do not approach gram, to fit the needs of human nature, not this is a very important unnumbered step. a prospect until they themselves first have the static. M. S., Manhattan C. C., Manhattan

Mail Call for All A. A. s at Home or Abroad On the “Four Absolutes” “A. Not quite, but you have come a long way. Ours Is Not the Only Way From Manhattan One further step is necessary. You must have From Knoxville, Tenn. Apropos the article from Rochester in your a belief in God and faith in His power to A non-alcoholic friend who had been listen- September number, and speaking for myself, I help you. ” ing to me spout about A. A. at some length the do not like the reference to the “Four Abso- To answer the question of whether or not other night asked me if we weren’t a little prelutes” in the same sentence with the “12 Steps. ” this is good medicine for the newcomer, let us sumptuous in thinking that A. A. was the only Let’s keep the A. A. program simple, and not consider for a moment the 12 Steps of the A. A. way for a man to stay sober. couple it with any outside religion, creed, or program. It will be remembered that there is I explained, naturally, that we didn’t think dogma. —J. D. no mention of “God, as we understand Him, ” A. A. was the only way. But that got me to * * * until the 3rd Step, although reference is made thinking. Maybe we do give that impression to Fair to the Newcomer? to a “Power greater than ourselves” in the 2nd people. We naturally talk it so much because Step. I take it that no A. A., of any experience it’s our life, but we may be misunderstood. I From Manhattan whatever expects the newcomer to accept or to think perhaps we should take advantage of any Since I believe that almost without exception understand the entire program by the time he opportunity to explain that if a man can get alcoholics are deep-rooted individualists, I de- is ready for his first meeting. I have never sober some other way, all power to him. Just plore a tendency I have noted recently among claimed to be agnostic or atheistic but that an- because we like the A. A. way and because it is certain A. A. groups to lay down the law to new- swer might well have frightened me away from the only thing that has worked for a good many comers., 1 have in mind specifically the article A. A. forever. The spiritual aspect of the pro- of us after we’ve tried everything else, doesn’t appearing in the September issue of The Grape- gram often takes the individual a long time to mean we should forget there are other ways and vine regarding the procedure followed by the acquire but faith in a Higher Power eventually other alcoholics who have recovered without Genesee group of Rochester, N. Y., in the edu- comes to us if we continue to have faith in the A. A. Let’s not get grabby about credit. —E. R. cation of what that group terms “novices. ” The group and endeavor to the best of our ability article invites comment—even to the extent of to help others. * * * criticism—so I would like to express my (one Finally, although I have been “dry” now Foretelling “Slips” individual’s) entirely personal views on a sub- some four and one-half years, which is, of From Mobile, Ala. ject of seeming importance to the f u t u r e healthy course, comparatively unimportant as long as I I would like to see a discussion started in growth of A. A. remain “dry” for the current 24 hours, I am the “letters to the editor” department on why I came into A. A. when the membership num- unenlightened and probably a little stupid and “slips” occur. bered approximately 2, 000 with the distinct have not yet learned what comprise the Four My theory is that anyone can foretell the understanding that the only requirement was Absolutes. For me the 12 Steps seem to be coming of a “slip” in time to avoid it if he does the honest admission on my part that I had a sufficiently well thought out to assure permanent something about it. I don’t think anyone has serious drinking problem and that I sincerely sobriety if I remember to work on them all and ever had a “slip” that he couldn’t look back on wanted to do something about it (i. e., Step don’t become careless or complacent. How- and discover there were danger signs he either No. 1). Beyond that no one told me what I ever, “God works in mysterious ways, His won- ignored purposely or didn’t recognize. had to do about anything but it was definitely ders to perform” and what keeps me sober may In my case, if I find myself griping about suggested I attend regular meetings as soon not be the answer for the next guy, so good luck people or things, I know that I’d better do someand as often as possible. These meetings were to the members of the Genesee group, even if I thing quick. I learned that from a “slip. ” That my course of training and membership was up don’t agree with a few of their ideas. —A. T. “slip” was preceded by a mental attitude best to me, not my sponsor, nor by approval of the * * * expressed by the old saying, “Everybody’s out group. Let me add hastily, at this point, that of step except me. ” Peace in A. A. I do believe meetings, conducted by older mem- There are many other causes, of course. I bers, at which newcomers can ask questions and From Los Angeles, Cal. think anyone who looks hard enough can see present their problems and at which the 12 In the days of planning for world peace, we them. —M. Y. Steps are explained, are often most helpful. are reminded of the new Peace found by mem- Any other course of instruction seems to me bers of Alcoholics Anonymous. While drinking, * *. * to border on self-righteousness on the part of we all had that inner feeling of unrest. There This War Goes On older members, the anathema of any alcoholic. was always a sort of conflict within us—plus Mention is also made of the booklet pre- fears—with and without cause. A sense of From the Pacific pared by the Genesee group for the purpose guilt was always present…. Even during the I thank God that it is all over now and the of preparing a “prospective candidate” for his periods, when we “went on the wagon” we did enemy has been decisively defeated and that first meeting. I recently acquired a copy of not find complete relief. In fact, “going on the soon we can all come home and once again live this booklet which is entitled, “Rudiments of wagon” actually added another strain to our a normal life. A. A. ” Again I must take exception to the an- already taut n e r v e s . . . . Then to ease the situ- That is true for some, but for you and me swer contained therein to a supposed question ation, we got drunk. We eased it—by a counter- and the rest of our alcoholic friends our war is from a “prospect” or “novice. ” irritating method. We multiplied many fold the still on. We are fighting on enemy that can’t “Q. All right—I am an alcoholic and I really effects above mentioned to the point they often be wiped out, not even with an atomic bomb. want to quit drinking forever. Am I now ready became t r a g i c . . . and we never found Peace He is always dangerous and deadly and always for A. A. ?. . . . (until A. A. ). —H. E. (Continued on Page 8)

The Book Is Born ate from His example? Were we about to substitute ballyhoo for personal demonstration? Pills and 12th Step Work (Continued from Page 2) (Continued from Page 1) Were we to favor personal glorification in well-meaning and, of course, completely misinthe fall of 1937. In fact, I can recall having public in place of quietness, humility and formed friend. done a great deal of the barking myself! anonymity? In defense of the doctors it should be pointed Now suppose the promoters of those pioneering These were good questions; they made us prodays had not been slowed down. Suppose that out that the barbiturates with proper precaumoters stop and think. Though obliged to contions are very useful and effective drugs. Docour public relations policy had been left fully cede much to the conservatives on principle, we in their hands. Suppose they had been able to tors, moreover, are realizing more and more still felt their counsel was that of perfection. It raise millions, to flood the country with A. A. that alcoholics should not be given the opporwasn’t practical. The conservatives retorted that propaganda and wild claims. Where would we tunity to dose themselves for an unlimited pewhile promoters had built many a successful be now? Nowhere, obviously. We would not riod. Active alcoholics, drunk or sober, should enterprise they almost always bankrupt what only have fallen out with our best friends, re- never have access to unlimited doses of barbithey had built if they were left long enough in ligion and medicine; we would surely have been turates. Acting on the usual assumption that if charge. We promoters (and I was one of them) discredited among the very people we wished a little is good, a lot is better, they often step came back with this: How, we inquired, could most to reach—alcoholic men and women. Much up the dose or the frequency of doses. When the “go slow boys” sleep nights when they remoney would have meant a large staff of pro- drinking, they almost invariably forget when flected that after three long years we had professional A. A. therapists or “do gooders, ” and they took the last dose or how much they did duced but three small groups; that America had promoters plus money would surely have meant a million alcoholics dying like flies; that within take. The result is a tragedy or a near tragedy ballyhoo on every subject under the sun from gunshot of where we sat there were perhaps and, make no mistake about it, in a city of any prohibition to Communist Russia. Internally, if hundreds who could get well if they only knew size these are daily occurrences. (In a very we still existed at all, we would have been torn what we knew? And did alcoholics in California limited experience, I have personally witnessed apart by political controversy, religious dis- have to wait for relief to get there by word of this four times.) sension. It happened to the Washingtonians. mouth only? And wasn’t there grave danger of There is no defense for well-meaning friends Who, then, has saved us thus far? our successful methods being badly distorted un- and particularly A. A. s who cannot help but be The people who did the saving job then, and less reduced to writing and put in book form? aware of the dangers involved, especially if they who have continued to save us much trouble And if we made no written record of what we have had any experience with 12th Step work. since, are a class of individuals with whom most had found, might not columnists get funny and They are completely ignorant about such fac- A. A. s are impatient. These people are the con- start deadly ridicule? Caution, we agreed, ought tors as drug idiosyncrasy, early signs of poisonservatives. They are the “go slow, ” “think it to be observed by all means, but still didn’t we ing, and most important, and the most variable over, ” “let’s not do that” type. Not many of need a book of our own, some publicity? of all, the margin between the therapeutic dose them are to be found among us alcoholics but Such was the gist of the discussion out of and the toxic dose. This margin is different for it’s certainly providential that we have always which come the decision to publish the book, each and every one of the members of the barhad a few such around. Often accused of being Alcoholics Anonymous. This led to publicity, to biturate group and when the patient has also a drag on progress (as they sometimes are) the establishment of our Board of Trustees (The been drinking it is extremely difficult and usuthey are nevertheless a priceless asset. They Alcoholic Foundation), and to the creation of ally impossible for even an experienced phybring the rest of us down out of the clouds; they the Central Office at New York where alcoholics sician to estimate it. make us face the realities of experience; they and their families can write for literature and When, in the course of 12th Step work, you foresee dangers which most of us would blithely direct help. Our rapid and seemingly healthy run into prospects who need medication or who ignore. Sometimes their conservatism is over- growth the past few years has pretty well demon- have been dosing themselves, you should turn done; they needlessly “view with alarm for the strated the wisdom of these early decisions. them over to medical supervision. A prospect good of the movement. ” Knowing that mere The point is obvious. If’ these vital matters in that condition is not able to grasp or comchange is not necessarily progress they instinc- had been left entirely to the promoters like me, prehend what you are driving at. To steer the tively resist change. They never wish to take an we would surely have gone hog wild and spoiled prospect to this supervision is a self-imposed irrevocable step; they often shrink from those everything. Had these affairs been left exclu- obligation and occasionally the prospect, befinal decisions from which there is no retreat. sively to the conservatives it is probable that cause of gratitude, will give you an opportu- They keep out of trouble by making sure never few of our present membership would yet have nity to approach him on A. A. Do not delude to get into it. heard of A. A. Thousands would have remained yourself, however, in feeling that when you give The first discussion of our public relations miserable. Many would have been dead. medicinal or custodial care, you are doing A. A. in 1937 at Akron will always live in my memory. So it seems clear that sound policy can only work—your job only begins when the other ends. The promoters could think of nothing but get- be made by rubbing the conservatives and the Should you have a prospect who is a habitual ting the glad news of our recoveries to a mil- promoters together. Their discussions, if free user of pills bear in mind the following reveallion alcoholics, overnight if possible. If this from personal ambitions and resentment, can be ing fact: A recent study of chronic users of barwere done, God would do the rest, they said. depended upon to produce the right answers. biturates showed that 70. 9 per cent of the But the’ conservatives did not think God did For us, there is no other way. pill-takers were found to be psychopathic perbusiness that way. Having now shown how our first step in pub- sonalities. These unfortunate individuals need The conservatives then proceeded, with ter- lic relations was taken, I would like, in forth- to sober up, of course, but they also need intenrific impact, to make the point that The Man of coming pieces, to tell more of our recent experi- sive psychiatric help. Their drinking and their Galilee had no press agent, no newspapers, no ences in this field, with emphasis on the desira- drug taking is a symptom, not a disease.. We pamphlets, no books—nothing but word of b i l i t y , of continued modesty, anonymity, and in A. A. should only concern, ourselves with inmouth to carry the spirit from person to per- fidelity to one objective only: That of carrying dividuals whose disease is alcoholism. son, from group to group. Why should we devi- A. A. to the alcoholic who wishes to recover. L. M. D. 6

A. A. ‘s Country-Wide News Circuit fore the Summit Rotary Club, as did a Massa- A new group is under way in Silver Spring, meeting of the Albany, Schenectady, Glen Falls, chusetts member in Salem, with A. A. s and Md., offshoot of Washington, D. C.; Mansfield, Utica and Troy Groups. The program now be- Rotarians alike attending from Beverly, Dan- Ohio’s original group has reached the point ing arranged will include both local and down- vers, Ipswich, Lynn, Marblehead, Peabody, where they’ve organized group No. 2, so that state speakers.• * * Somerville, Waltham and North A d a m s . . . . the personal interest element can he maintained Members of the Philadelphia Group have And a Burlington, Vt. A. A. addressed the coneffectively; and Jacksonville, Fla., A. A. s, their opened up a new outlet for diffusing informa- gregation of the Congregational Church in aid enlisted by the Florida parole commission tion about A. A. by enlisting the interest of E. G. Waterbury. * * * and prison officials, have gotten a group going Budd, Jr., of the Edward G. Budd Manufactur- The growing Peekskill, N. Y. Group, outin the state prison at Raiford. The Jackson- ing Co. As the result of a letter to Mr. Budd, growth of the flourishing one in While Plains, villians in turn will be aided by traveling mem- from an A. A. employe (F. H. C. ), a series of was told by guest speaker, City Judge Thomas bers—those with both tires and gas—from articles on A. A. has been appearing in the comgroups in Miami, West Palm Beach, Daytona pany’s magazine, Buddgette. C. Macpherson, that courts for the most part consider alcoholics as “sick men and not as Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Pensacola, * * * Sarasota and T a m p a . . . . Lodi, Calif., with 17 criminals, ” that he could see no help for alco- Another new A. A. clubhouse has been opened, holics by sending them to jail, and that “A. A; members, has celebrated its first anniversary. this one in Schenectady, N. Y . . . . Twenty-five is doing a spendid job by providing the law en- … So has the Bronx, N. Y., Group. More than members from Barre, Stowe and Waterbury, forcing agencies and the penal institutions with 300 attended the Bronx anniversary dinner. their cars also rolling once more, attended a Bobbie B., national secretary, representatives of meeting of the Montpelier, Vt., group. such an organization. ” . . . The young man who the medical profession, an editor, a publisher started the Albuquerque, N. M. Group which * * * includes many ranchers as well as business and and a clergyman were among the speakers. One of Manhattan’s newer gatherings is a professional men and women, says a sponsor * * * dinner-discussion meeting held every other Wed- Members of the Rock Hill and Columbia, nesday night at 135 Broadway by business and from Denver, Colo., showed him how to start (S. C. ) Groups have been driving to Chester, the ball r o l l i n g . . . . A Greenwood, Miss., memprofessional men. These meetings are serving ber reports that for a year he and another man S. C., every other Wednesday night to help in to acquaint key business men in New York with the formation of a new group in Chester. made the 95-mile trip to Memphis meetings, as A. A. and thus widen our sphere of influence. did others from the neighboring countryside, * * * . . . Besides a talk by Marty M., a big social until they banded together in March 1945 and Latest reports from Fort Smith, Ark., dis- evening and a banquet, Des Moines, Iowa, formed the Greenwood Group, which now has closes that the group there now numbers an A. A. s will feature on their second anniversary 28 members scattered over a range of 50 miles, even dozen active members. The group was program Oct. 27 and 28 a discussion meeting coming from Coffeeville, Drew, Cleveland, Marifounded last F e b r u a r y . . . . The Troy, N. Y., for all Iowa groups. “Propositions” to be gold, Charleston, Leland, Indianola, Winona, Group will be host Oct. 14 to the inter-city hashed over will include sponsorship, “sliperoo Kosouisko, Vaiden, and Craig. department, ” publicity, and club management.

WASHINGTON, D. C., * * * FIRST SOUTHERN The Archbishop of Boston, His Excellency, HAS NEW CLINIC Most Reverend Richard J. Gushing, was princi- REGIONAL MEET FOR ALCOHOLICS pal speaker at the first anniversary meeting of the original Dorchester Group. Since the found- SET FOR OCT. 8 Birmingham, Ala., A. A. s will act as hosts and Long-sought psychiatric help for Washington, ing of this group, two others have been started hostesses at the first regional meeting to be held D. C. alcoholics is now available at the volun- in Dorchester, giving this large residential sec- by southern groups Oct. 8. teer clinic in Room 6145 of Municipal Center. tion of the city of Boston three A. A. units in The Tutwiler Hotel in Birmingham will be Despite its modest beginning, the clinic, which operation. * * * the scene of the meeting, which will open with grew out of proposals from A. A., marks a long New Jerseyites’ band made its debut on V-J a breakfast at 9 A. M., featuring three talks by step forward in the scientific treatment of alco- Day at the big A. A. clubhouse in Newark while A. A. s from out of the state. Five other out-ofholics. In operation two full days a week, it is 500 dancing, singing, rumless revelers con- state speakers will be heard at the meeting to working in close cooperation with A. A. Dr. sumed 2, 500 bottles of soft drinks, 40 gallons be called at 2 P. M. Michael M. Miller, psychiatrist of St. Elizabeth’s Chauncey Sparks, governor of Alabama, and of ice-cream and an unmeasured quantity of Hospital, who volunteered his services, is con- members of the newly created Alabama Comcoffee. The celebrants came from Irvington, ducting the clinic with the assistance of Dr. mission on Education with Respect to Alco- Ruth E. Stocking, also a volunteer. Precautions Trenton, Morristown, Maplewood, East Orange, holism, will be among the most interested guests have been taken to keep the clinic entirely sep- Plainfield and other groups representing Essex, at the banquet to be held in the Terrace ball- Morris and Union c o u n t i e s . . . . The Newark arate from jails, courts and punishment institu- room of the Tutwiler that evening. Dr. W. D. tions, although judges are expected to parole Group also recently conducted a unique meet- Partlow, chairman of the commission, will speak alcoholics into the care of the clinic for treat- ing titled “Information Please. ” A. A. ques- briefly and Marty M. will give the principal ment rather than punishment. Dr. Miller has tions were fired at a panel of experts made up talk at the banquet. She will remain in said there will be a three-point program, con- of four older A. A. members with a fifth playing Birmingham to meet the following day with the sisting of physical care first, then mental, and the role of Clifton F a d i m a n . . . . A New Jersey commission. finally the patients will be turned over to A. A. member recently outlined the A. A. program be- 7

and hours caused by the war, the figures show Evidence on the Sleeping Pill Menace that we are using almost three times as much. “In New York City, there were five times as (Continued from Page 1) unstable is fraught with the possibility of inmany accidental deaths from their use, or misin this booklet is entitled, A STUDY OF THE ducing habituation…. ‘ ” use, in 1942 as there were in 1937. In San PROMISCUOUS USE OF THE BARBITU- An editorial from The Journal also is re- Francisco, accidents from them increased 150 RATES, by W. E. Hambourger, Ph. D., of printed in the booklet. Two of its most signifiper cent from 1940 to 1944. Cleveland, reprinted from the April 8, 1939, cant paragraphs follow: “Their continued use leads to shattered nerves edition of The Journal. Excerpts follow: “The barbituric addiction is particularly and to strange psychological effects, varying “At a meeting of the American Medical As- vicious. Members of the medical profession from stimulation in ‘certain combinations to sociation in June, 1937, a resolution was in- will certainly not believe that barbiturates are drowsiness, coma and death. All these dangers troduced on the ‘Evils from Promiscuous Use free from the possibility of a d d i c t i o n . . . . are heightened when the drugs are taken by of Barbituric Acid and Derivative D r u g s . . . . “The Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry people with kidney trouble or in combination The evils of these drugs include habit forma- has long adopted the altitude that the practice with a l c o h o l . . . . ” tions, toxic cumulative action, their substitution of using nonvolatile substances as anesthetics, for alcoholic beverages for drunken episodes, especially in inexperienced hands, is not safe. Sales Often Illicit their use for successful as well as unsuccessful . . . More rigid enforcement of restrictions on Included in recent references to the subject suicidal attempts, their improper use being rec- the prescribing of these potentially dangerous in the daily press was a news story in the New ognized as the causative factor in many motor drugs- has the wholehearted approval of the York World-Telegram which reported: ‘ accidents and their improper use being a recog- Council and of The Journal…. ” “There has been an alarming rise in deaths nized eliologic factor in some criminal as- In The New York State Journal of Medicine, from barbiturates, or sleeping pills, which are saults ‘” October, 1943, may be found other pertinent being sold i l l i c i t l y . . . . Dr. Thomas Gonzales, discussion in a report on a conference, “Treat- chief medical examiner, said today. War neu- Huge Amounts Sold ment of Poisoning by the Barbiturates. ” Here rotics and alcoholics, attempting to sooth shat- Dr. Hambourger summarizes this chapter of tered nerves, have helped increase sales, he his paper with six points, two of which are are a few excerpts from the record of the conference: declared. particularly significant to alcoholics: ” ‘It is entirely too easy for persons who want “1. More than 1, 200, 000, 000 grains of bar- Fatalities Increase to quiet jangled nerves to obtain these hypbituric acid derivatives were sold in the’ United “Dr. Milton H e l p e r n : . . . The statistics of notics. Alcoholics, attempting to recover from States in 1936 ” the Chief Medical Examiners Office, which are a prolonged spree, dope addicts who cannot “6. The number of suicides by barbiturates compiled annually, show a definite increase in obtain narcotics and even worried parents of has shown a definite upward t r e n d . . . . ” . the number of fatal poisonings by the various servicemen are purchasing these t a b l e t s . . . . In the second chapter of the paper, Dr. Ham- barbiturate c o m p o u n d s . . , . There are a few What percentage of reported deaths are accibourger stated at one point: instances in which an alcoholic individual has dental or how many are suicides cannot be de- “… That the constitutional heritage of the taken a large dose of barbiturates, and it is termined. But one thing is certain—we must individual is an important factor in the devel- questionable whether or not, although the act have more stringent laws covering hypnotics if opment of barbiturate habit is, however, amply was deliberate, the intent was that of suicide. we would curb the illicit trade…. ‘ ” d e m o n s t r a t e d . . . . Curran (F. J. ) says: ‘Any . -.. In most suicidal cases, the individual takes (To be continued in the November issue) substance… which through its central action barbiturate medication which has already been tends to soften the emotional stresses and to prescribed for him. There seems to be a rather Letters render less tedious the everyday experiences. indiscriminate or careless prescribing of bar- (Continued, from Page 5) of life may be a factor in the development of biturate compounds for patients who are sufferh a b i t u a t i o n . . ; . There is much evidence to ing from chronic alcoholism, nervous disorders, on the alert, just waiting for an opening. We support the thesis that the administration of and depressions…. The patient should not be have no radar to detect him—we never know sedatives and hypnotic drugs to the emotionally given or allowed to accumulate an amount of . when or where he will strike. So we must albarbiturate which if taken at one t i m e . would ways be on our guard—always alert and ever Cut This Out and Mail to: be sufficient to cause death…. ” on the defensive. However, – we do have one The Grapevine Among lay publications which have pub- thing in our favor, or I should say several— P. O. Box 328 lished articles recently on the use of barbiturates our ammunition is free (A. A. ) and we have the Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. is The Reader’s Digest which in its May, 1945, help of a Supreme Power (God) if we just ask Herewith $1. 50 for one year’s subscription to issue printed a condensation of an article, for it. What can beat that combination? Com- The Grapevine (Monthly). “Sleeping Pills Aren’t Candy, ” by Rita Halle pare the results of the two battles (World War For additional subscriptions enclose separate Kleeman, that appeared originally in The Sat- II and ours against alcohol). ‘ We have won one sheet with name and address clearly printed. urday Evening Post. Excerpts from this article at a tremendous cost, both in lives and money— Checks payable to The Grapevine. follow: we can win the other with a tremendous saving Total Enclosed ;. “We would be outraged at the suggestion in both lives and money. It sure Is -worth fight- Renewal? (please check) that we are becoming a nation of drug fiends. ing ours to a finish. So; now that World War PLEASE PRINT Nevertheless, as long ago as 1939 there were II is over, ‘ let’s not relax. We have a real war Name enough users of sleeping pills—’barbiturates’ to fight, one that will never end but that will to the doctors, ‘goof balls’ or ‘red devils’ or pay rich dividends and give us happiness, con- Address. ‘yellow jackets’ to the addict—to account for tentment and love as long as we successfully the sale of 2, 200, 000 doses a day. Today, with fight it. Dick F. M., Sgt., USMCR Note: Subscriptions received up to the 15th begin with the following month’s issue. -the worries, griefs and readjustments of lives Marine Fighter Squadron

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VOL. II, NO. 6, NOVEMBER, 1945 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK, 17 YEARLY, $1. 50; COPY, 15c A monthly journal devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, in the hope that it may prove a unifying bond to all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A. A. as a whole.

What Is the Alcoholic’s Moral Responsibility? Alcoholism has been traditionally regarded rooted out by knowledge alone. The authors of in a few rare cases, neither he nor any other as a vice, with the implication of moral re- Alcoholics Anonymous were well aware of the human being can provide such a defense. His sponsibility that such a characterization in- limitations of the aphorism that knowledge is defense must come from a higher Power” volves. power, for at page 50 of the book, they assert: (page 55). The modern tendency is to consider any ob- “But the actual or potential alcoholic, with Finally, for those of us who accept it, the sessional aberration to be pathological. Hence, hardly an exception, will be absolutely unable predominance of the moral factors in the A. A. alcoholism is sometimes diagnosed as a disease, to stop drinking on the basis of self-knowledge. plan is summarized in the following statement and the victim is accordingly absolved of moral This is a point we wish to emphasize and re- at pages 35-36 of the book: responsibility. emphasize, to smash home upon our alcoholic “The great fact is just this and nothing else: Do the foregoing views constitute a conflict readers as it has been revealed to us out of that we have had deep and effective spiritual in which intellectual honesty compels us to bitter experience” (italics theirs). experiences, which have revolutionized our take sides—or may they be reconciled and Elsewhere in the same text the same thought whole altitude toward life, toward our felintegrated? is expressed in different form and with varied lows, and toward God’s universe. The central If alcoholism is a disease it is one of which application. It is said, for example, that “the fact of our lives today is the absolute cerscience has found so far neither cause nor cure. alcoholic at certain times has no effective tainty that our Creator has entered into our Dr. Silkworth in an article in the June, 1945, mental defense against the first drink. Except hearts and lives in a way which is indeed issue of The Grapevine says that “physically miraculous. He has commenced to accomscience does not know why a man cannot drink THE GRAPEVINE, ADOPTED plish those things for us which we could in moderation. ” The doctor also states that he never do for ourselves. ” is only “sure of one scientific fact—that de- AS NATIONAL PERIODICAL, Here, then, seems to he the answer to the toxicotion by medical treatment must precede WILL BE MADE LARGER question posed at the outset. Both moralist and any psychiatric approach. ” Beginning with the December issue, four scientist agree that there can be no blame im- Thus, the “physical issue” is reduced to the more pages will be added to The Grapevine to posed for a condition over which one has no routine of a mere dealcoholizing process, pre- allow for additional features, and letters and control. Both agree that an alcoholic has been liminary to the really fundamental matter of contributing articles from A. A. s throughout the reduced to a state of powerlessness over alcohol. dealing with what Dr. Silkworth refers to as country. It follows that an alcoholic should not be held the “moral issue. ” The enlargement is in line with the adoption morally accountable for acts committed while The A. A. Program of Recovery is devoted of The Grapevine as the national A. A. periodi- in the grip of the obsession. principally to the resolution of this “moral cal, as announced in the recent letter from The syllogism suggests a corollary. issue. ” The alcoholic is assisted in developing Bill W. to the secretaries of the more than When an alcoholic realizes the nature of his the personality change essential to permanent 600 A. A. groups. malady, and that help, human and otherwise, rehabilitation. Following expansion of the size of The is at hand and that “there is a solution, ” is it In so doing, the A. A. plan proceeds on the Grapevine and because of increasing overhead not reasonable to assume that an element of assumption that we have “defects of character” due to mounting correspondence and other cler- moral responsibility enters into the situation? the removal of which is requisite to a restora- ical details, the subscription rate will be raised Tolerance for the sinner but none for the sin tion of sanity. The removal is to be accom- to $2. 50 per year and 25 cents per copy, be- is a noble sentiment. And alcoholics will probplished not alone by the revelations of psychi- ginning with the January, 1946, issue. This ably always require understanding. But may atric treatment (self-knowledge), but by the rate was decided upon to assure financial secur- we, who have accepted A. A. and assume to application of spiritual force emanating from ity and independence for future operations. practice its precepts, continue to expect, under a Power in which we have faith (Steps 6-7). Subscriptions received up to December 15 of the new dispensation, condonation when the Defects of character cannot, of course, be this year will be accepted at the old rate. (Continued on Page 4)

EDITORIAL: Those “Goof Balls” By Bill On the 1st S t e p . . . (This is the second in a series of articles on the use of sedatives. In the first, a summary was presented of material published in the press, magazines and medical “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unman- journals stressing the dangers involved in “pills, ” espeageable. ” cially for the alcoholic. Following is a presentation of personal experiences and observations on the subject. ) (Editor’s note: In response to numerous requests, the 12 Steps have again been selected for a series of edi- Morphine, codeine, chloral hydrate, luminal, torials. Many readers have expressed the view that The Grapevine could scarcely find more pertinent topics than those presented in the steps which, in the wording of the A. A. book, “are suggested as a Program of Re- seconal, nembytal, amytal, these and kindred covery, ” and which define the working principles of A. A. In a number of groups throughout the country, drugs have killed many alcoholics. And, the first series of editorials on the 12 Steps were used as the basis for discussion meetings. In this second series, the editorials will be written by different A. A. s than those who contributed to the first group, so that different views I once nearly killed myself with chloral hydrate. and interpretations will he presented, each, of course, the writer’s own opinion. ) Nor is my own observation and experience unique, for many an old-time A. A. can speak T HE value of this Step in the A. A. Program of Recovery was made self-evident when it was placed first in numerical relation to the other 11 Steps. The logic in placing it first is readily apparent. Unless a man is convinced he has a serious probwith force and fervor on the subject of “goof balls. ” lem he feels no need to seek a solution. Excepting an infrequent suicide, nobody uses these drugs in the expectation of death. To Logically, it might even be said that no one can consistently come into A. A. until many alcoholics, still in the drinking stage, he has at least arrived at the conviction that he is powerless over alcohol. But, much they represent blessed relief from the agonies that seems illogical is happening all of the time in A. A. The record is filled with of a hangover. apparent paradoxes. In fact, the essence of the story of A. A. is that of people who Some of us, perfectly sober for months or have recovered who weren’t supposed to have a chance. years, contract the habit of using sedatives to Inconsistent or not, many do come into A. A. while they are still debating within cure insomnia or slight nervous irritability. themselves whether or not they are alcoholic. Any suggestion that the door should be I have the impression that some of us get away opened only to people who have already concluded they are alcoholics collides with with it, too, year after year, just as we did when the fact that some have made the discovery only through the enlightenment gained in A. A. we first began to drink alcohol. Yet experience Again, as in virtually all phases of A. A. and of alcoholism, no stern and inflexible shows, all too often, that even the “controlled” rules can be laid down. pill taker may get out of control. The same crazy rationalizations that once characterized Experience indicates, however, that the Program of Recovery does not really begin, his drinking begin to blight his existence. He no matter how long “in” A. A., until one has rid himself of doubts about his inability thinks that if pills can cure insomnia so may to control alcohol. Experience also warns that as long as the individual continues the debate over whether he is or he isn’t an alcoholic, he remains in a very vulnerable and they cure his worry. precarious position. Now a word about the use of morphine by physicians. Sometimes, a general practitioner, One reason why this is such a difficult question to resolve is that alcoholism has many not knowing his patient is already loaded with definitions and the alcoholic many variations. barbiturates, will give a morphine injection. Some are fortunate enough to gain conviction on the 1st Step as soon as they acquire A friend of mine died like that. Sober about a definition of alcoholism that fits them. They immediately feel the relief that comes three years, he got into an emotional jam. Pills with the finding of an explanation for behavior which up to then has shamed and wor- led to alcohol and this combination to still more ried them to despair. pills. His doctor found an excited heart. Out For many, however, the admission of alcoholism is a fearful step. It is as though came the needle and a few hours later out went they were being asked to go down to the public square and confess all of the crimes a very good friend. Another close friend, sober of mankind. They feel a great stigma is about to be attached to them and that they three years, also fell on evil days—pills and will have to go about branded forever after. liquor. At the end of about three weeks of this diet he was placed one evening in a sanitarium. Egotism and stubborn pride combine to generate an acute aversion to admitting Nobody told the doctor there about the pills helplessness over anything. Social custom and false values, mixed with pleasant mem- with which his system was already loaded. The ories, perhaps, of earlier drinking days act as additional prods to an altitude of resist- patient was “eased” with a shot of codein. ance. Before daylight he was dead. All of this is quite understandable. The difficulty of taking the 1st Step is very Near the end of my own drinking career I real to the person experiencing it. had an alarming experience. Chloral hydrate Once taken, of course, it brings a blessed release. Strangely enough, too, when one was prescribed for one of my terrible hangadmits that he is an alcoholic, the heavens do not fall. Nor does his soul shrivel. Life overs. The doctor warned me to stick rigidly goes on. to his dosage. But I kept possession of the bottle. While my wife slept quietly beside me For the alcoholic, who has traveled his twisting, rocky road of unhappiness for I reached under the mattress, took out the flask, years, this is where life really begins. Having come to the conclusion that he is powand guzzled the whole business. I had a narrow erless over alcohol and having admitted it, the conviction that he must do certain things shave. Moral: When a doctor gives a legitito recover grows within. He then, and only then, has really begun his Program of Recovery. —T. Y., Manhattan (Confirmed on Page 8)

SICK BED A TEST OF FRIENDSHIPS The Pleasures of Reading Occasionally an A. A. gets sick—legitimately Cecil Rhodes gasped his seven last words: “So little done—so much to do. ” The brazen —even as the average run of people. When colossus with the lungs of clay lost his battle against time, that grisly fourth dimension. Time you’re laid up for weeks, there isn’t much chance it is which Stuart Cloete pits “Against These Three” (Houghton-Mifllin, $3. 50)— Rhodes, Presiof a slip, so how, you wonder, does A. A. come dent Kruger of the South African Republic, and Lobengula, savage tribal ruler of the Matabele. into the picture? The articulate author of this triplex biography, whose name is pronounced clew-lee, recounts the The same way it comes into the picture wher- struggle for South Africa among Rhodes, who wanted the country for Britain; “Oom” (Uncle) ever you are, whatever you’re doing, once you Paul Kruger, who strove to hold it for the Boers, and Lobengula, who was intelligent enough to get into the thing wholeheartedly. It certainly know that his cause was hopeless. changed the picture of me as a sick man. Lobengula was one of those hapless native chiefs who fall afoul of the white man’s destiny and Some years ago, before A. A., I had a bad are destroyed just as were the Wampanoags’ Metacomet and the Seminoles’ Osceola. Details of spell of rheumatic fever—brought on by over- aboriginal life among the abysmally cruel Matabele make it easier to read objectively of their doses of alcohol—and was home in bed for breaking in the nutcracker of history. more than a month. I had one caller, just one, Born in the English Midlands of yeoman stock, Cecil John Rhodes, at sixteen, joined his in that whole month, and he arrived drunk. brother in South Africa, where the air was better for his tubercular lungs. Soon the youthful Early this year, after a long stretch of A. A. emigrant had recovered his strength and, casting about for something to do, plunged into the living, I had to go to the hospital for over two exciting turmoil of the glamorous diamond fields. By the time he was nineteen the young Engmonths, and later had to pass a spring and sum- lander had made a small fortune, so he returned home to complete his education at Oxford. mer of enforced idleness—convalescence the doc- Back again in Africa, Rhodes organized the diamond trust, becoming so wealthy that he tors called it. never troubled to find out just how much he had, and did not even carry cash in his pockets. His I wish now that I’d kept some count of the stupendous fortune must have twisted his character; he saw in pelf the means to power, and people who came to the hospital to see me this it was power that he wanted with all his forceful will, albeit for Britain as well as himself, time; A. A. s from all over the area, busy men above everything else in life. He took power unscrupulously, always insisting that the end and women who took time out from their jobs justified the means, bribing traders and politicos, cynically playing on human weaknesses, conand other work to make the fairly long trip trolling the press, and conniving at treacheries. to my bedside. Mr. Cloete recounts this miraculous rise and inevitable decline with exceptional clarity. The nurses kidded me, but couldn’t contain After entering South African politics, Rhodes progressed steadily toward the realization of his their wonder at what caused my extreme pop- mighty dream—or was it a nightmare?—a vast world British empire. Then, having founded ularity. I broke all records for visitors and other Rhodesia and begun undermining the Boers in the gold-rich Transvaal, Rhodes’s friend, Dr. patients watched with growing amazement as Jameson, made his ill-starred raid into the Dutch republic, and the power of the colossus went they kept coming. into decline. Yet, Rhodes carried on his work of wooing or bludgeoning the native chiefs into That was not the important angle, of course. submission, and his personally conducted march of empire, softened somewhat by public works, What was so important during this period was continued onward steadily. He died in 1902, having founded the famous Rhodes scholarships. that I now had real friends, people who actually President Kruger was a bearded Biblical patriarch who, all his life, thought that the world cared, friends by the score. was flat. To Oom Paul the discovery of the Rand’s gold was a curse; he feared that it would end Sitting still is the hardest work in the world the isolated simplicity of his compatriots, who were farmers and cattle raisers. The Boers did not for me. By nature, I’m pretty active. I loved like wealth and speed; they preferred oxcarts to railways. They believed in the Bible and libthe meetings, 12th Step work and all kinds of erty for themselves, and slavery for the natives. A. A. get-togethers. Now I’ve had to sit still for Mr. Cloete suggests comparisons between Rhodes and Hitler, calling the Englishman an early months. Without the understanding I have Fascist. Of course, this is possible, as the author says: “Modern Fascism c o u l d b e said to gained through A. A., without the changed out- have begun with Cecil Rhodes. A book could be written, ‘From Rhodes to Hitler. ‘ He was the look on life which it has brought, I don’t know first man to organize business politically, his diamond industry was the first great cartel. His that I could have stood the inactivity. was the dream of an elite, a secret society that ruled whole continents by money controlled by Not only did my A. A. friends keep me bucked a single source. His hope was for a greater British Reich. He assumed and believed that his up. All the angles which worked so well to name would live, not one thousand but four thousand years. ” keep me sober before have worked during these This reviewer does not agree that Rhodes was fascistic, though he lost his sense of propormonths to help me get well faster—and with tion in making his millions and doubtless was a megalomaniac. Mr. Cloete’s own words give much less mental anguish. The 24-hour plan, a clue to the psyche, of the Rhodesian colossus: “He drank heavily, according to his enemies; not worrying about tomorrow—”easy does it” and hardly at all, according to his friends. The truth lies between these extremes; but the and “first things first” have remained my stand- swollen purple of his face in later life was caused at least as much by his aneurism as his bys and helped the days pass faster. reputed alcoholic excesses…. Though I was forced out of active participa- “Rhodes’ temper was passionate. He was quick to anger and quick to repent of his anger, tion, I was certainly not out of things for a day. but it will never be known how much his temper, or even his drinking, was due to his knowl- A. A. included me in on all of the good things edge that his time was l i m i t e d . . . that he had so much to do and so little time in which to of life. accomplish it. Incredibly successful in our terms, he was incredibly frustrated in his own. I have been mighty grateful to A. A. for . . . High, wide, fast, and handsome could have been his motto—and big, very big. He was sobriety. Now I am grateful to it for infinitely an American in his ideas of size. ” more. —C. E. F., Manhattan This reviewer sees schnapps, not swastikas, as a more plausible explanation. —R. E. B.

VINO VIGNETTES: Thumbnail A. A. Biographies I heard about A. A. at a Christmas party last then somebody got the bright idea they might get numerous little things talked out and comyear but I thought it was a sort of club that go over to Brooklyn to a meeting. Oh, how mence to “unlearn” the many stupid things I’d would get someone off a bender—period! Right frightened I was! Maybe they were going to adopted as a sort of gospel of my own. In this then, I was on the wagon so I wasn’t even in- leave me alone! What would I do? I was way I made room for the many new and wonterested enough to ask many questions about it, sure relieved when this gal asked me if I wanted derful things I must now live by. — N. F., and I might add that I was a pretty sour-faced to go along and I told her I would go anywhere female along about then. Manhattan as long as I could go with them. One night I was talking to a friend of mine The meeting in Brooklyn was held at the St. named Jean. She seemed to know quite a bit George Hotel and it gave me an entirely new about A. A. and finally we went over to the feeling about A. A. — the surroundings were YESTERDAY, TODAY Clubhouse at 405 East 41st Street. It was a Wednesday night and there didn’t seem to be more cheerful than the Clubhouse and all the AND TOMORROW – and speakers said things that kept clicking in my much doing; however, we sat around with a muddled mind. When I left the meeting I had the Mail Flows In few people and talked for a while. Jean seemed made step number one and become a member very mixed up to me then. She wondered if When The Grapevine in the July issue pubof A. A. —I knew and admitted I was an alshe was an alcoholic, so asked this little lished a piece of writing entitled, “Yesterday, coholic. bunch if they thought she was, and a guy got Today and Tomorrow, ” under the heading, “Who The next day I spent at the Clubhouse with kinda rude and I went away without the slight- Wrote It?” more work for the overburdened my new friend and I couldn’t get over how est feeling A. A. was anything I needed. U. S. Postal Service was innocently started. kind and considerate she was — a girl who’d And then I went on a nine-day bender. Each Since then answers have been flowing in to been a complete stranger to me. Her kindness day I tried to stop but with absolutely no suc- the editorial office from Texas, Maryland, Illiand understanding simply overwhelmed me. I cess. I became terrorized—this a w f u l business nois, New York, Ohio, Michigan and California hope I never forget the grateful feeling I had was completely out of my power to control. I —and they’re still coming in. that day. tried everything but I went on drinking and The next step was not difficult for me because One fact seems clear: A piece of prose exsleeping, sleeping and drinking. I began to I had always believed in a “Power greater pressing the same thoughts as expressed in the t h i n k about suicide but I couldn’t figure out than myself, ” although I hadn’t known how article published in the July issue and having how the best way would be. I finally decided to call upon or use this power. The following the same title was written by Robert Jones to try turning on the gas oven and put my head day was Sunday, so I went, to Church and then Burdette (1844-1914). Among other places it inside. Then I found out I was too short. went on to the Clubhouse. During the after- can be found in one edition of Bartlett’s Familiar Finally, on Friday, the 1st of June, at four noon I heard someone say you should make Quotations. o’clock in the afternoon I came to enough— amends to anyone you’ve hurt by your drinking. But, several other versions of the same idea or shall I say, got so sick, I simply had to do Well, the most recent one was my boss—I had have been written. For instance, an A. A. down something. My mental torture was so awful I walked out on her without any notice, she’d in Texas tells of having used parts of it in adverfelt I couldn’t bear it any longer. Well, I been unable to find me and was in a very bad tising, long before he ever heard of A. A. Anstaggered to a telephone, called the A. A. Club- spot because she couldn’t locate anyone to take other A. A. had the experience of writing somehouse, said I was a victim of alcohol—and, my place. I called her on the phone and thing much like it when he was coming out of could they suggest anything? They asked me told her the bleak awful truth, and believe me, a “morning-after” fog. if I could walk—I said, “Yes, barely, ” so they it was a new thing for me to do—to tell the Perhaps there’s no need to go any further. urged me to come right over. When I arrived truth in a situation of this kind. I don’t think Whether read in the long or short version, the I was introduced to a gal who took me upstairs she understood exactly what I was telling her Burdette or anonymous form, it’s a pungent for coffee. Well, the place looked so dreary, because I was nearly hysterical, but she was very piece of writing, especially helpful to A. A. s. but in my condition, anything was okay by me. glad to hear from me and asked me to come Up in the cafeteria—with the lights blazing— back to my job the next morning. I felt even worse. Shaking in a spotlight with a cup of coffee and looking into fourteen new Having the courage to face that situation gave me a peace within myself which enabled Responsibility faces (or maybe there were only seven) isn’t me to meet my boss and all the other people (Continued from Page 1) much fun! involved when I went to work in the morning. What the girl next to me said I don’t know— I don’t just know how to describe my feelings— rules of society are broken? If the truth has I just wasn’t registering at that moment—but I I wasn’t proud and yet I wasn’t ashamed. It made us free and the spirit has given us do know she was so understanding and all the was a feeling that was wholly and entirely new strength, shall we not take and maintain our others were talking about the reasons given by to me. With all the many things I’d learned places in the ranks of society without favor as different doctors for “why” people became in my three days with my new A. A. friends well as without fear? drunks and all that sort of thing. When I look stored up inside me, I was able to return to It is submitted that a lively sense of moral back now I realize several of them made sense work and pick up where I’d left off when I’d responsibility should be assiduously cultivated, but right then all I wanted to know was “how gone on my last bender. the more so because of our newly found power not to take the first drink. ” For the next few weeks I went to every meet- to accept it and because in the very acceptance Well—I sat around until about seven-thirty ing I could find. Then I met a girl who took of it, we wax stronger and stronger as we “grow with people coming and going all the time, me to a small group and there I was able to by what we feed on. “—R. F. S., Monlclair, N. J.

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Mail Call for All A. A. s at Home or Abroad Answer from Genesee the booklet referred to above—on the ground good religion. It is not vague and general, as that the answer, “you must have a b e l i e f : in so much of religion and religious thought is From Rochester, N.Y. God and faith in His power to help you, ” might nowadays. It is pointed and definite. It is not May I have a little space in which to reply have frightened him away from A. A. forever. based on theory, but on living authentic exon behalf of the Genesee Group of Rochester, That might be so, but “A. T. ” must remember perience. It has made a suggestive adjustment N. Y., to the two Manhattan letter writers, that this book was prepared by our group from between religion and science, which furnishes a “J.D.” and “A.T.,” both of whom availed them- our personal experience in A. A. work and con- clue that might be hopefully followed up in selves of our invitation to “comment,” “sug- tains only what we found was the most effective other ways by religion. To be specific, religion, gest” or “criticize? our “plan of education” way, not the only way, in which we could work and medical science, especially in the form of briefly outlined in our letter in the September to help a man become a successful A. A. We psychiatry, might with f r u i t f u l results be more issue of The Grapevine? are not primarily concerned with large attend- closely associated for the treatment of other That they both went outside the letter for ance at meetings. forms of difficulty than a l c o h o l i s m . . . . It iltheir “criticisms” and only “AT.” addressed On the other hand, I do not see what harm luminates religion, and shows religion itself himself, and that mostly by inference, to the can be done by telling a man in advance that what it was meant to be and can be. Finally, plan is immaterial. They both took exception a belief in God is an integral part of the pro- it gets r e s u l t s . . . . ” to the “Four Absolutes,” (not mentioned in gram—or isn’t it? Unless “A. T. ” attended the letter) “J.D.” because, in a booklet pre- meetings conducted differently from those with pared by our group for the assistance of our which the writer is familiar, he ran headlong Aid to Happy Marriage sponsors in informing their prospects of the into God at the opening of his first meeting. “who,” “what” and “why” of A.A., we used in All meetings around here are opened and closed From Little Rock, Ark. the conclusion thereof the words, Four Abso- with prayer—I never heard a prayer yet ad- Enclosed is the Little Rock plan which we lutes, in the same sentence with the 12 Steps. dressed to anyone but God and most prayers have been following for the past three years. I “AT.” was annoyed because, after four and contain petitions. It would seem extremely noticed with interest some of the ways others one-half years in A.A., he didn’t know what silly to address a petition for help to any per- handle their prospects, in your September issue. they were. son or thing if you had no faith in His or Its We appoint a chairman for six m o n t h s . . . . For the edification of them both — Hon- power to help you. Our main groups have 97 members and we take esty, Love, Purity and Unselfishness com- “A. T. ” closes his letter by wishing us “good in from two to four each Thursday n i g h t . . . . prise the Four Absolutes and how adherence luck. ” We thank him for that wish but with … I drank for 32 years. Am 48 now. My to these well known principles of ethical con- the gentle reminder that depending too much wife and I have been married for seven years, duct could harm even an alcoholic, the writer on “luck” and not enough on good judgment, but by my way of thinking it has been only is at a loss to understand. common sense, and a firm belief in the truth 18 months for that is how long I have been “The Ethical Conduct of Alcoholics Anony- of A. A. principles was one of the reasons we sober. But it has been wonerful. —C. E. W. mous is based on two definite sets of laws (ital- wrote the little booklet. (Editor’s note: an outline of the Little Rock ics mine) known as the Twelve Steps and the So we say to “A. T., ” may he have continued plan referred to in the above letter will be Four Absolutes.” (Quotation from “A Manual success in his A. A. life and come and visit us— published in an early issue of The Grapevine. ) for Alcoholics Anonymous” published by we promise not to frighten him. —M. L. (For the Akron Group No. 1, the original chapter so- Genesee Group). called of A.A.—a book which the writer saw 12th Step Compromise about three years ago when he first attended an A.A. meeting.) As a Minister Sees A. A. From St. Louis, Mo. The further criticism of “A.T.” seems to be From Oakland, Cal. I read with a great deal of interest the two that he objects personally to any method of inarticles in different issues of The Grapevine, the struction other than through the medium of a The enclosed is a copy of a sermon delivered first of which was, according to your editor’s group meeting—on the ground that “any other by the Rev. Clarence Reidenbach, pastor of the note, by a non-alcoholic friend of A. A. and the course of instruction” borders on “self-righteous- First Congregational Church of Oakland, to his second by “M. S. ” of Manhattan. One of the ness”—I would call his attention to a letter own congregation on a recent Sunday mornpoints made in the first article was that nobody published in the October issue of The Grape- i n g . . . . —C. L. R. should try to do any 12th Step work until he had vine by “Bill”—and would ask “A.T.” how (A few excerpts from Rev. Reidenbach’s sera good understanding of the program. The Bill, Dr. Bob and the early members could have mon follow—Ed. ): other article disagreed with that view. informed others if their only recourse had been “… It is difficult to imagine such a phe- In my opinion, the question here can be deto take a prospect to a “meeting”? For that nomenon as A. A. anywhere else but in Christenbated with good reasons on both sides. Unmatter, how would an A.A, Group in a new dom. A consideration of the 12 Steps disdoubtedly, it’s true that somebody who’s been city get started if only one A.A. were to attempt closes a remarkable similarity between the in A. A. only a short time is not likely to be it, as has been done many times without the program and the plan of salvation in the Bible able to talk it very well. He certainly doesn’t assistance of any group meetings and with con- and Christian theology. The leaders make the know many of the answers and he can’t have siderable success? point that their program is not new, that it uses much of a working knowledge of the program. “A.T.” has another objection, not to the plan, the old principles of religion. That is t r u e . . . . but to one question and answer contained in “The movement is a good religion, a very (Continued on Page 6)

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Mail Call Toledo, 0., should be religiously kept, should the sponsor fail. A committee should shape the MEDICAL JOURNAL (Continued from Page 5) policy of these most important functional pro- TELLS OF SURVEY His visit to another prospect may only confuse cedures. Loosely knit status is all right to a ON ALCOHOLIC CARE degree but basic features should not and must the latter. A recent issue of the publication of the not be haphazard. Medical Society of the County of New York Yet, it’s also true that the quicker one be- In any event let some group make a start on deals with a survey on the care and treatment gins to do 12th Step work the quicker he starts a truly purposeful program. —/. B., Manhattan of alcoholics in the New York area, conducted using one of the most helpful of A. A. tools. He gets infinite good out of the 12th Step work by the New York Academy of Medicine’s com- * * * mittee on public health relations, with Dr. he tries to do, even though he may not succeed Key to Letters in drying up anyone else for a long time. The From Manhattan Hubert S. Howe as chairman, and Dr. E. H. L. 12th is surely one of the most beneficial of the Corwin as secretary of the subcommittee in Would it be possible, without causing you too charge. The magazine states the survey is in 12 Steps. much difficulty in your mailing arrangements, line with energetic movements in Maine, New It seems to me there is a perfect compromise to insert in each issue being mailed to A. A. Jersey, Washington, D. C., Boston and elsewhere. on this. Why can’t the newcomers he paired regular subscribers, a little “key” slip to the Commenting on this wide interest and activity, with oldtimers when they go out to do 12th initials which appear after your articles? the magazine reports: “So great has been the Step work? That way the newcomer can learn I realize that the second “A” in “A. A. ” much from the oldtimer about presenting A. A. recent indication of cooperation between existmeans quite a lot, particularly to new members ing groups that the movement to improve treatto a prospect. At the same time he can par- and in our dealings with non-A. A. s, but actu- ment and facilities is taking on the semblance ticipate in the 12th Step job with his own, more ally we know that in our relations inside the of a national campaign. ” Questionnaires have recent experience. Then everybody stands to group there is nothing particularly “anony- been sent to every physician in New York City benefit. —A. O. W. mous. ” It is not only to satisfy our curiosity and to every hospital and sanitarium. The subthat I make this suggestion, but because I think committee hopes to make a report late in the some of us would quite often like to get in fall. A National Plan touch and talk with the writers of articles which interest us. From Manhattan Can it be possible that this bunch of ex-drunks For example, in your September issue, which With the great growth of any organization I thought was excellent, I liked particularly the are not in the crowd? founded upon fine principles there comes a editorial “On the llth Step. ” The initials after We are all here at this meeting rejoicing, too, time when the individualistic method of pro- it meant nothing to me, and it was only after over our Victory over our common Enemy, cedure becomes not obsolete but may lose its considerable inquiry that I discovered they rep- “John Barleycorn, ” that caused each of us so purpose…. resented my old friend Bob. —J. D. much trouble and losses that a lifetime cannot The need of a national committee to plan a Regarding the above suggestion, another way bring back, but our hope is in the faith we’ve modus operandi which would be both pliable would be to use The Grapevine as a means of learned in God and through the wonderful feland supple enough to meet the requirements of contact. Anyone wishing to communicate with lowship found in A. A. all groups IS paramount; a committee of rep- the writer of any letter printed here can address May we all continue to carry on this great resentative members which would shape the a letter to The Grapevine and it will be for- work and bring Peace to others who seek the working tools. warded to the proper person. That way contact open portals of a true brotherhood and will True it is that each group has a problem all can be established and at the same time the bring help to him who honestly seeks help from its own. It must have its way of functioning anonymity of the writer be preserved. —Ed. his great enemy, Alcohol. which is expedient for its need. Yet the basic Here is the Open Door. Walk in. —C. G. K. principle of the 12th Step cannot be lost. * * * Snobbery, condescension or patronage must ‘Peace’ Who’s to Judge? never enter into any phase. The man in dirty shirt, baggy trousers and wornout shoes is in From New Orleans From Birmingham, Ala. the same position and just as important as the When I read or hear about some group hav- Wonders never cease! Here in this room are woman in mink’ coat and a square-cut diamond. ing set up any kind of a system or screening 60-odd people, approximately 90 per cent of the Both are alcoholics. or rules for “admitting” newcomers I feel unactive members of our group; these people can A. A. will never get into the category of the honestly say to their fullest satisfaction that easy. I can’t help but ask if anyone of us in kind of organization which has large national they are at Peace. any group anywhere has the right to appoint conventions which are used primarily as an himself a judge as to when somebody is “ready” excuse for wayward husbands and misunder- Now the whole world is rejoicing for the for A. A. I certainly don’t think anyone has stood wives to break loose or a repressed alco- Peace after the surrender of Japan. the right to go beyond the two requisites: Adholic to do some high-powered drinking. But It is August the 14th at the regular Tuesday mitting one’s life has become unmanageable A. A. should get together nationally and solve meeting of New Orleans A. A. Group. Outside through alcohol; wanting to do something about such problems as visitation, offices of consulta- the streets are crowded with people shouting, it. I find nothing in the A. A. book suggesting tion in key cities and many other vexing ques- singing, blowing horns and making general that one has to have a belief in God, for intions. A schedule of making calls upon spon- whoopee, such as a New Orleans crowd can, stance, BEFORE he can come into A. A., or sored patients in approved institutions such as and of course there are many pints, flasks and that one must be pure or saintly or anything Knickerbocker in New York City or Valley in quarts of liquor being drunk to celebrate. Gee! else like that. —E. P.

A. A. ‘s Country-Wide News Circuit Expanding its activities, the San Bernadino hamton, N. Y., group will celebrate its first bation in Ramsey County, Minnesota, will be Valley group, which got under way five years anniversary this m o n t h . . , . Both Uphams advised by Frank Valesh, deputy probation ofago and now includes residents of Colton, Corner, Dorchester, Mass., and Upper Darby, ficer, who attended the Yale Summer School of Riverside, Fontana and Redlands, held a large Pa., new groups, are beginning their open meet- Alcohol Studies, to get in touch with A. A. He open meeting recently which was attended by ings…. Staten Island, N. Y., A. A. s are rapidly reports that 65 per cent of the persons who apseveral hundred A. A. s from various Southern increasing in n u m b e r s . . . . Establishment of a pear in probation court in the county are there California sections…. Out in Hollywood, where clinic for alcoholics in Erie County, N. Y., is because of d r i n k i n g . . . . South Bend, Ind., the group owns a brand new clubhouse, the under discussion by A. A. groups, the county A. A. s are preparing to establish a group in press agent of a movie actress who paints her Medical Society, the Board of Health, and other C u l v e r . . . . A. A. s from all over the Midwest dog to match her clothes, wrote in his publicity social agencies. were present in Des Moines, Iowa to help that blurb: “It’s a matter of record that this actress * » » group celebrate its second anniversary…. At converted three men to A. A. when she walked The Portland, Ore., A. A. s now have their own the fourth anniversary meeting of the Palo Alto, down Vine Street with her green dog. ” . . . club rooms in the heart of the city. Although Cal., group a San Francisco physician, Dr. Boise is the first town in Idaho to start a group. the first Portland group was founded less than Frederick Niemand, described many people as And Seattle sends in a Can-You-Top-This re- two years ago, two active groups are now func- “psychic suicides” in that they refuse to face port: Their membership has grown from 32 to tioning there and holding regular bi-weekly ses- life and its problems squarely. A. A. s, he pointed nearly 100 in the past two m o n t h s ! . . . Besides sions. In a note from one of the members, out, who have found rehabilitation through the Boise, other new groups are now going in Liv- headed “Handshake across the Rockies, ” it is 12 Steps have faced the biggest problem of their ingston, N. J., an outgrowth of Morristown’s reported that the groups have rented 2, 000 lives squarely and proceeded to solve it by which started barely a year ago with 8 members square feet of space on the second floor of a “rebirth”. « » » and now has over 70, with attendance often building directly across the street from the reaching 100; Mt. Kisco, N. Y.; Redona Beach, public library. The Hartford, Conn., group, where Dr. Nor- Cal.; Lynn and Woburn, Mass. » » « man Vincent Peale will be a guest speaker « « » November 5, are using the means of two or three “The Saga of the Fish, ” favorite drinking The story of a man who wanted sobriety so anecdote of a member of the Louisville, Ky., rehearsals of their own speakers prior to big much that he made a round trip of 200 miles Group, given its initial boost by an Indianapo- open meetings as an effective means of running twice a week for six months was told at the testi- lis, Ind., traveling A. A. in 1941, tells of his a smooth program. The nearby New Haven monial dinner and meeting of tribute held Sept. leaving the office one afternoon for his home in A. A. s have started a series of instruction class 5 in Springfield, Mass., for Dr. D., founder of the country. Already considerably soused as a meetings…. The program and benefits of A. A. the Springfield group. Before starting the result of nips from a desk-drawer bottle, he were discussed at a recent meeting of the group, Dr. D. drove twice a week to the meet- stopped at a seafood market and bought a tre- W. C. T. U. in Glens Falls, N. Y. ings in Boston. Attending the testimonial din- mendous fish, with an oldfashioned fishfry in Delegations of the Clearwater and Tampa, ner were 66 A. A. s and friends from Hartford mind. It occurred to him that his purchase Fla., groups attended the first Tri-City group and Manchester, Conn., and Boston. meeting at St. Petersburg…. While continuing » » » might meet with disfavor on his customary bus to attend the co-educational meetings, the A. A. ride, so he took a taxi. He soon found the Wilmington, Del., A. A. s had the largest taxi had a distinct advantage over busses; it women of Birmingham, Ala., have formed a crowd yet at the open meeting in the DuPont could be ordered to stop at bars en route. He group for women o n l y . . . . The first entry in Community Y. M. C. A., with borough officials, promptly availed himself of this service at every the Buffalo, N. Y., telephone book is A. A. — representatives of several churches, and execu- tavern, storing the three-foot marine specimen Parkside 1321. « » » tives of the DuPont plants a t t e n d i n g . . . . in the proprietor’s refrigerator wherever he Speakers from Wilmington and Philadelphia stopped. Along his dazed itinerary he often Observing its first anniversary, the State addressed the new Perms Grove, N. J., group forgot the fish, and had to taxi back for it, Prison, Trenton, N. J., A. A. group notes in the at their first open m e e t i n g . . . . The Bing- which naturally meant another snifter. “It took current issue of the institutional publication, The Viewpoint, that the membership has grown me two days to get home 10 miles, and cost $100 to 100 during the year, and that the weekly THE EYE-OPENER in cab fares. When I finally arrived, the fish was as bad off as I was, ” he grins when telling the (Continued on Page 8) A lusty new A. A. group publication has made story. “We both reeked, and I was only slightly its debut in Los Angeles in the form of a four- more alive. ” ANNUAL N. Y. DINNER page monthly published by the Central Com- » » » The date of the annual Metropolitan group mittee there and fittingly named, “The Eye- Two Chicago members were instrumental in dinner is November 7, at the Commodore Hotel, Opener. ” starting the group in Minneapolis during the New York City. The time: 7. 00 p. m. Last year The Eye-Opener is packed with breezy, newsy blizzard of November, 1940. Marooned in The Grapevine (December, 1944) reported that paragraphs about California group activities Minneapolis, they succeeded in sobering up one about 1, 500 A. A. s, their friends and relatives and A. A. topics in general, and carries a gener- man. From that humble beginning A. A. has filled the Commodore’s ball room. It’s expected ous sprinkling of humor. spread in Minnesota to St. Paul, Duluth, Hib- that the number will be still larger this year, From The Grapevine to The Eye-Opener— bing, Rochester, Stillwater, and to Eau Claire, with A. A. s coming from all parts of the counwelcome and congratulations on the first issue! W i s . . . . In future alcoholics placed on pro- try, as they have in the past.

Those “Goof Balls”—Then a Miracle WASHINGTON CLINIC (Continued from Page 2) HAS NEW DIRECTOR Pending the arrival of Dr. Wexberg as direcmate sedative prescription don’t let the alcoholic Very gingerly an attendant carried Slim in- tor of the Washington, D. C., clinic for alcohave the bottle. side. Out come the stethoscope again. The holics, the clinic has been functioning since As a matter of fact our friends, the doctors, doctor shook his head, saying, “This poor chap September 1 under the direction of Dr. Benare seldom directly to blame for the dire results has been loaded with barbiturates for days. j a m i n Weininger who replaced Dr. Michael Milwe so often experience. It is much too easy When you gave him alcohol, even a little, it ler. Dr. Weininger is a psychiatrist from St. for alcoholics to buy these dangerous drugs, fired off the accumulated charge of sedative Elizabeth’s Hospital. and once possessed of them the drinker is likely he had in him. See how blue he is? His heart The clinic’s staff is assisted by volunteer A. A. to use them without any judgment whatever. isn’t really working much. It’s just jittering. workers. Sometimes his well meaning friends, unable to I can’t even count it. In Washington, D. C., where for the first time see him suffer, hand him pills themselves. It’s The doctor rushed to the phone and called two private hospitals, Garfield and Providence, a very dangerous business. Slim’s wife. To my horror she confirmed the are accepting alcoholics, 54 A. A. s volunteered Effect Is Accumulative fact that he had been taking heavy doses of their services to help care for the alcoholic amytal for about 10 days. The doctor gently patients. It’s even dangerous to give a suffering alcotold her she had better hurry, else she might holic a drink if he is already loaded with pills. be too late. Then he called a famous heart spe- Years ago I had an experience of this sort. cialist for consultation and told him to hurry News Circuit We had an “alkie” in tow whom I shall call (Continued from Page 7) too. They laid Slim on a bed upstairs. The Slim. He finally had consented to go to a hos- meetings in the prison auditorium “help a man great specialist came and drew out his stethopital. On the way he had a few—but only a to step out of maximum security into a society scope. At once he looked very serious and, small quantity compared to his customary of maximum liberty with the assurance that he motioning us out into the hall, he said he would capacity. Just before we reached the hospital will complete his parole and take his place in Slim’s speech suddenly got very thick and he leave a prescription but that he did not think my friend could possibly live through the night. society. ” About a year ago an A. A. woman of passed out. I had to get a porter to help him to the M a n h a t t a n group, while doing volunteer Dr. Silkworth agreed. a cab. As he could usually manage a couple of war service, met a non-alcoholic woman who bottles a day when active, I couldn’t under- Then a Miracle spoke of the dire necessity for helping women stand this performance at all. Arrived at the alcoholics in the Clinton (N. J. ) Reformatory During these proceedings I had been praying hospital, Slim was still slumped in his seat and for women. As a result of their conversation, a as I never had prayed before. After the two I couldn’t move him. Our good friend, Dr. group now functions in the reformatory. doctors had “”pronounced the death sentence on Silkworth, came out and peered in the cab door. * * * Slim I told them of my prayers and explained, One look was apparently enough. Said he to Greenwich Village in New York City is now cheerfully as I could, that I had been reading me, “How is this man’s heart?” Confidently I Dr. Alexis Carrel’s book, “Man the Unknown, ” to be found on the A. A. map. The Villagers, replied, “He’s got a heart like an elephant. at a meeting in that well-known landmark, the in which prayer was described as effecting Told me so himself. But I don’t see how he Brevoort Hotel, formed a group with about 40 miraculous cures. The great specialist took his got drunk so fast. I gave him very little present and are planning weekly sessions. leave. Dr. Silkworth and I went downstairs to liquor. ” Out came the doctor’s stethoscope. wait for the prescription to come in. A boy * * *

Turning then to me, he said, “Not much use finally brought two capsules from the drugstore. A. A. s from White Plains, New Rochelle, bringing this man in here. He can’t last long. The doctor looked at them, saying he hated to Mount Vernon, Peekskill and Yonkers, N, Y., What else has he been taking besides liquor?” give them, they were so powerful. We went up- have given timely aid to Grasslands Hospital, Stunned, I replied, “Nothing, that I know of. ” stairs and as we stepped off the elevator we White Plains. Awaiting admission was a long saw someone coming down the hall jauntily list of alcoholics, but an inadequate staff to Cut This Out and Mail to: smoking a cigarette. “Hello, boys, ” roared care for them. Thirty A. A. women volunteered The Grapevine Slim, “what am I supposed to be doing in and made it possible for the hospital to reopen P. O. Box 328 here?” the women’s ward which had been closed last .Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. Never, so long as I live, shall I forget the year through lack of trained aides, “Not only Herewith $1. 50 for one year’s subscription to relief and astonishment which spread over the did these A. A. women enable us to take in the The Grapevine Monthly). doctor’s countenance as he quickly tested Slim’s alcoholic waiting list, ” said Dr. John G. Lynn For additional subscriptions enclose separate heart. Looking at me, he said, “This man’s of Grasslands, “but they helped as nurses aides sheet with name and address clearly printed. heart is now normal; Fifteen minutes ago I in caring for other psychiatric patients. As a Checks payable to The Grapevine. couldn’t count it. I thought I knew these alco- result of A. A. help our whole psychiatric hospital is open again. Eighty volunteers, both Total Enclosed holic hearts pretty well. But I’ve never seen men and women, from A. A. are making that Renewal? (please check) anything like this—never. I can’t understand possible. ” . . . The Montpelier, Vt., Group also PLEASE PRINT it. ” What miracle saved Slim, no one can say. uses a questionnaire, in pamphlet form, to help Name He left the hospital in a few days, without ill indecisive eligibles make up their minds. It’s the effects from his experience. one used by Johns Hopkins University Hospital Address As for me—well, I guess I learned my lesson in deciding whether or not a patient is alcothen and there. No more “goof ball” unless holic. The pamphlet reviews the meaning of Note: Subscriptions received up to the 15th begin with the following month’s issue. the doctor says so—not for me. No thank you! alcoholism and A. A.

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VOL. II, NO. 7, DECEMBER, 1945 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17 YEARLY, $1.50; COPY, 15c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

A Merry Christmas to Everyone!—And It Can Be Many A. A. members create an unnecessary him the insidious argument, that Christmas or explanation suffices and, still a little puzzled mental hazard for themselves over the approach New Year’s only comes around once a year and perhaps, they at once become absorbed in their of the Christmas and New Year holidays. certainly a drink or two on such an occasion own d r i n k i n g processes. The newcomer, in particular, who has joined can’t possibly hurt anyone. Perhaps for a moan A. A. group since the last holiday season is ment his guard is lowered and John Barleycorn, No Exceptions prone to spend some unhappy moments worry- always alert, gets in a swift one. In my per- When Pearl Harbor came and, much later, ing about how to refuse a drink, and thus avoid sonal experience in A. A., which includes four when V-E and V-J days arrived, there were a bender, when family and friends are partici- of these holiday seasons, the argument of the some timid souls who made dire predictions that pating in the Yuletide celebration. The prob- .special occasion has been trotted out several the effect of such emotional events would be lem often seems very real to him despite all he times, by people who, I am certain, wish me well disastrous to the A. A. membership. Their fears may have heard or learned about the applica- and who, furthermore, have good reason to were not well-grounded because the majority tion of the 24-hour plan. Habit is still a strong know I have not handled liquor successfully for of members had so completely adopted the 24factor and his custom has been to get cock-eyed, a long lime. ( A t other seasons of the year it hour plan of living. At the start of each of perhaps without intent, on Christmas Eve and doesn’t occur to them to even offer me a drink, these days our minds, by long habit, had been then to continue the binge well through New much less argue that I should take one. ) I made up not to drink on that particular day Year’s Day, provided- his endurance holds out. then have to quietly remind them that I am an just as they had been for many days previously. alcoholic and that the calendar date has no Why then should we make any exception over Prolonging the Accounting bearing on that fact. In my experience, this war or peace? And, by the same token, why Having very likely spoiled Christmas for the make any exception of Christmas or New entire family, the alcoholic is usually bothered Year’s? It is fundamentally as simple as that. by remorse but not yet ready to face the un- In approaching Christmas then, there are it pleasant facts and the only escape seems to be seems to me, two important ideas to keep’ conto remain drunk for a few days longer. He stantly before us: ( I ) We aren’t going to have rationalizes something in this manner: Isn’t it any fun if we take the first drink; and (2) we the time of year to celebrate and won’t em- must make up our minds to refuse that drink ployers be more lenient than usual if the job is before it is even offered to us (preferably at Our Father, who art in heaven, neglected? Besides, aren’t the members of the the beginning of each new day). If we adhere family a little intolerant of a chap’s right to Hallowed be Thy Name. to those two simple principles we can have a have f u n when others are enjoying the season’s really magnificent time over the holidays. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, good cheer? Certainly there is no need for us to be grim The difficulty of coming through the holidays On earth as it is in heaven. about our inability to hoist a few. For once, we unscathed can be intensified for the new recruit will know what is going on about us and there Give us this day our daily bread. to A. A. ranks by lack of understanding of the are always many holiday parties in our groups alcoholic illness on the part of relatives or And forgive us our trespasses, or with our closest A. A. friends, where good friends. Without realization of the catastrophe cheer abounds without the adjunct of the wassail As we forgive those who trespass against us. they may bring about and often acting from bowl. This year also, it seems, we can look the most hospitable motives, sometimes aug- And lead us not into temptation, forward to “Peace on earth” and we, who bemented by the few snorts they have indulged in long to the great company of A. A., should But deliver us from evil. themselves, these good people occasionally don’t understand better than most the Christmas mesaccept the A. A. member’s first statement that For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the sage, “Good Will Towards Man”-AbbottT., he is just not drinking. They proceed to give glory, for ever and ever. —Amen Manhattan.

EDITORIAL: The Lost Weekend On Screen Retains On the 2nd Step… Horror of the Book Those of us who read Charles Jackson’s novel, “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. ” The Lost Weekend, and groaned and sweated Here is the Step that makes the sugar in many an alcoholic’s blood turn to acid. It is and shook over the agonizing memories it evoked, wondered how on earth anyone could indeed the bitter with the sweet. Up to this point, the newcomer may have liked what he ever expect to portray such personal, internal has heard about A. A. The 24-hour plan, the fellowship of others with the same problem, suffering in film. We knew it could be done in the familiarity of the language talked, the idea of helping still others — all of these word, for there it was, the painfully true record of exactly how an alcoholic thought and felt things have appealed to him as logical, pleasant and practical. and behaved during the course of a pretty typical But now comes “this God stuff!” alcoholic bender. The story of Don Birnam fitted most of us, closely enough. Even those of Not for him, he thinks. He can’t take anything like that into his agnostic or atheistic us who had not gone t h a t far could recognize system. He’s allergic to anything “spiritual. ” what would have been our inevitable future had we not accepted A. A. in time. Many of us had For many this is a serious mental obstacle that cannot be resolved merely by saying, gone that far, and farther, and we could identify “I believe, ” while really disbelieving. ourselves on nearly every page. A l l that was true of the word picture. But The first three words of the Step as it is written suggest a wise approach. One of the how much of that could be filmed? Most of us most familiar of A. A. sayings can be applied. “Easy does it. ” didn’t t h i n k it could be done at all, and we groaned when we heard that Hollywood was The words, “came to believe, ” imply a gradual process. “Easy does it. ” going to make a movie of the novel. There we’d be, we alcoholics, misunderstood yet again, we For many the incline from the abyss of doubt and disbelief to the peaceful plateau of thought, pilloried for the public eye by people knowing is too steep to be made in one upward lunge. The climb must be made step who couldn’t possibly know what it all really by step. meant. That hasn’t happened. A powerful, significant First one begins with things more familiar than the unseen plateau is to the doubting —and thrilling—movie has been made. The alcoholic. Does he believe in honesty? In justice? In fellowship? In being a “right guy?” inner workings of an alcoholic’s tortuous mind have somehow been clearly portrayed in pic- Surely he will admit that the sun rises every morning and he knows the stars are there tures. A non-alcoholic actor has succeeded, in in the sky even when he cannot see them through the clouds. the mind of this reviewer, in translating in terms acceptable to us, the feeling of being an Then he does have faith in some things. Perhaps he will even agree that the influence alcoholic. A l l the bafflement, the bewilderment, of the A. A. group has a greater power than he has; at least it has helped sober up a good the hopeless struggle against an overpowering many alcoholics, which is more than he has been able to do for himself. Perhaps he can obsession, are there. Hollywood, putting on a show (and a superb show) has put across many begin by believing that the power of 10 drunks who are dry is greater than that of one of those truths that we have always thought drunk who is still wet. o n l y we. understood. In short, Charles Jackson’s shockingly true character study of one of us That’s a feeble beginning but it’s a beginning. It’s the first break in the agnostic wall has been f a i t h f u l l y transposed into action in the he has built around himself. finest piece of film-making seen in a very long time. Practicing the 12th Step in particular will help to promote an understanding of the Anyone who has sweated out Don Birnam’s 2nd. It so often demonstrates the operation of a “Power greater than ourselves. ” No group trek w i t h the typewriter and shuddered through of ex-drunks, or any other mortals, could alone bring about the miracles that are his Bellevue experience (probably, like the writer, reliving his or her own similar past), accomplished so often in 12th Step work. w i l l react tenfold to the graphic presentation of Bit by bit, if not suddenly, even the most doubting will eventually be able to say, too, those episodes. It was painful enough reading, in Jackson’s strong clear prose; it tore this alcothat he “came to believe. ” holic apart, seeing it through Ray Milland’s “Easy does it” will do it for every newcomer if he keeps an open mind on the subject magnificent portrayal. Jackson wrote about the horror of being an alcoholic as if from the as he goes along in A. A. inside. Milland plays the part the same way. The number is legion in A. A. who thought they would die before they ever could And the sure touch of the script writers, Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder, also the producer accept the 2nd Step and who now live by it, with deep thankfulness. — D. T., Manhattan (Continued on Page 10) 2

WE’RE NOT PERFECT YET, BILL CAUTIONS AT BANQUET A gentle but earnest reminder that “we still tion when they became embroiled in controversies even walk the ways of this world successfully in have plenty of faults” and that A. A. will continue resulting from a departure from their original lonely independence.. But the alcoholic, isolated to succeed only by adhering to the simple “prin- objectives. by his terrible pride, must needs try it. ” ciples of honesty, tolerance and humility” were “They had no anonymity,” he pointed out, “and The speaker frequently surprised the audience the keynotes of Bill’s talk at the llth annual competition for personal leadership became com- with the penetration and understanding of his banquet in New York on Nov. 7. mon. They engaged in politics. Their newspaper analysis of the alcoholic. Approximately 1, 500 persons including hun- editors began to quarrel with each other and the “Who, ” he said at one point, “can depict that dreds of A. A. s from New York and out-of-town outside world. In short, the Washingtonians went soul-searing loneliness of the alcoholic? He lives and their relatives and friends filled the Grand out to settle the world’s affairs before they had in the bosom of his f a m i l y . . . but he is as remote Ballroom of the Hotel Commodore for the affair learned to manage themselves. They had no from them as the inhabitant of another planet. which was sponsored this year by the New York capacity for minding their own business . . . The They do not understand him nor he them. They Cosmopolitan Club. The non-A. A. guest speaker negatives within them overthrew the positives.” look upon him as a heedless and irresponsible was the Rev. Father James P. Timmins of Man- “That won’t happen here,” Bill urged in clos- destroyer of their peace, a shirker of duty and a chester, Conn., who delivered a particularly ing, “if we remember, publicly and privately, our wilful devotee of the dreadful vice of drunkendramatic and inspiring account of his personal own simple principles of honesty, tolerance and ness… To them, it seems a simple matter of using observation of A. A. and its workers. humility, and that we live only by the Grace of his common sense and will power. But the alco- Besides Bill, other A. A. speakers were Connie God.” holic knows it is not. He knows that he is driven M., and Bill F., with Greg M., serving as toast- Father Timmins began the most stirring part of by some incomprehensive compulsion. So his master following an introduction by Ed W., rep- his talk with an account of a “bedraggled, excited sensitive soul shrinks into itself. He lies and resenting the Cosmopolitan Club. drunk — Fred — who nearly three years ago in- evades and cheats to protect it from the painful Bill’s talk coupled words of appreciation for the troduced me to one of the greatest social move- wounds inflicted on it not only by his family, but record to date with a plea that A. A., collectively ments of modern times, a movement whose impli- by his friends and his associates in the business and individually, hold steadfast to a singleness of cations have not even begun to be realized by the and social world. Even in the midst of those who purpose and not be diverted into the by-paths of world at large.” He recalled the evening that the love him, he lives alone, with no remedy against extraneous matters and issues. man “came into my rectory — and poured into the stark terrors of isolation save the old enemy, my ears such a tale of bewilderment, confusion the anaesthetic alcohol. ” “Let us remember the seeming paradox that the and utter despair as I have never before heard In referring to the “religious element” in A. A., more we give, the more we shall have, ” he said. and to which I hope never to listen again. That Father Timmins observed, “Seven of the 12 Steps ”Of course, with us it is not only a question of night I looked into the mind of a man in h e l l . . . ” in the A. A. way of life refer to G o d . . . All that giving but also of giving up. I had to give up the belief that I alone could solve my problem; had From there, Father Timmins traced the ex- I can say is, that the Higher Power in those seven to give up some false pride; had to make amends, perience to an interview with Fred’s family and Steps… grows upon an alcoholic, even if he has then to a psychiatrist who steered them to A.A. little or no religion at a l l . . . In A. A., if the adand had to put someone’s interests ahead of my “Fred went … to A.A. … he had to fortify dict does his work well and sincerely, something own. Most of all, I had to give up the idea of my himself with a couple of drinks before venturing happens. The self-god is toppled from its pedestal own omnipotence, to gain a basis for faith in my into this strange, unknown territory of an A.A. and in its place a new image begins to take form. fellowmen and faith in Him who presides over meeting. And here comes the marvel, the joyous It is the shape of a Power… which… becomes all. ” unbelievable marvel . . . those were the last two an ever-increasing reality in his l i f e . . . ” Turning to a “stock-taking” of A. A. ‘s success, Bill cautioned that when riding a “wave of suc- drinks that Fred, the hopeless, irreclaimable cess it is difficult to appraise. We are apt to forget drunk, has had from that day to this. I was conthe thin line between success and failure. The fronted with the miracle of A.A. …” same principles that apply to individuals should “Fred followed the correct road of the A.A., a apply to the group and to our relations to the out- road which other addicts must travel sooner or ABC Commentator side world. As individuals, we have negatives, as later, if in A.A. they are to arrest the ravages of well as positives, active or latent. We’re still pretty their obsession. He had acquired what I consider Gives Outsider’s View intolerant sometimes and frequently we’re ex- the basic virtue necessary for any man who wants Of Our Activities hibitionists. We still have plenty of f a u l t s and I to work the A.A. program successfully, the virtue think perhaps our public reputation as a group is of humility. A particularly vivid and life-like description better than we are. ” “It is neither an abject nor a crawling virtue. of A. A. was heard over the American Broadcast- Bill stressed anonymity as one thing that has As the word itself, from the Latin humus (the ing Company stations Nov. 14, during the regular helped A. A. tremendously. Another he called earth) signifies, it is a down-to-earth, realistic evening broadcast by George Hicks, noted cor- “sideline leadership, ” which he explained as the view of one’s self, not as the center of the universe respondent who gained special fame for his development of an A. A. who becomes a leader in and the lord of the world, but as a very small and D-Day broadcasts from Normandy. Mr. Hicks the group, stays dry, helps others and then steps insignificant unit in the vast sea of humanity. visited the national headquarters office in New aside. “By renouncing human authority he can When one looks at the matter objectively and not York, the New York clubhouse where he listened become a spiritual influence” in the group. through the veils of self-deceit with which the in on conversations and a meeting, and then Bill recalled the fate of the Washingtonians of alcoholic addict beclouds reality, humility is an told, in strikingly forceful words, the story of 1840 who, after mushrooming to a claimed mem- active, common sense admission of a hard fact A. A. and the importance which it apparently is bership of 100, 000, disintegrated as an organiza- that nobody can shape the world to his liking, nor assuming in varied walks of life. 3

ST. PAUL’S FOUR DISCUSSION GROUPS and discussed w i t h regard to what constitutes an A Method of Outlining A. A. to New Members inventory, how to go about it and when to do i t . Emphasis is on honesty, thoroughness, clear (Continuing the series outlining the various plans and Questions are encouraged at the end of the methods followed by different groups throughout the t h i n k i n g and “follow through” in practicing the country. } discussions and frequently require as much time 10th Step. Restitution is approached in the as the discussion. Some attempt is made to con- same fashion and the steps concerned are dis- The present plan of discussions for new sider questions of general interest here, while cussed as means to an end. The 5th Step is menmembers in the St. Paul Group, with modificaother questions seem best referred to discussion tioned as a further aid in self-understanding and tions during use, has been in operation for seven with the sponsors or others who may be better as a way to do something about our character months. At its inception, about a dozen persons able to give help on them. analysis. interested in the work met and formulated a Older members also are urged to attend dis- Discussion No. III: Spiritual Aspects of the tentative plan based on the experience of one of cussions and many do attend. Their contribu- Program: the squads and the material presented in the tions in the question period are very valuable. Steps 2, 3, 5, 7 and 11 are read and discussed Washington, D. C., pamphlet and obtained from The plan in the present stage of evolution seems in their relation to our objectives to the reother sources. to show sufficient improvement over earlier mainder of the program. Open mindedness, Four discussions covering the A. A. program methods to justify its approval for another six- tolerance and personal understanding of a were outlined. Two members for each of these months period. It is our hope that we can con- Higher Power are stressed as essential to progprepared and presented their discussions before tinue to progress in this as one of the ways of ress in this part of the program. “Easy Does the remainder of the group. Critical attention helping others. It” is the watchword in this discussion. to these “previews” enabled each individual to Discussion No. I: The Admissions: The 12th Step is used as the basis of a sumreorganize or rewrite his discussion so that it would contain what the group as a whole con- 1. The admission of alcoholism, as a result of mary of the Program of Recovery, as our “insursidered an adequate presentation of the subject our experiences with it—what we are and ance” in A. A. and as a way of living in keeping on the basis of their collective experience and how we got that way. with normal human behavior and experience. what they knew of experiences elsewhere. 2. The admission that we want to do something The three parts of the 12th Step are discussed In general, the plan is to cover the A. A. pro- about it—the qualification for A.A. mem- separately. gram as clearly, concisely and completely as bership. 1. Spiritual experience is discussed as sudden possible in four 45 minute discussions, with 3. The belief that we can obtain help—which conversion to a new way of life or the more time for questions at the end of each. The is not debatable. common result of the cumulative effects of all arrangement of the club rooms permits all four A brief outline of the purpose and scope of experiences in working at the program which discussions to be presented at one time, each in the discussions is stated. A brief history of result in a personality change: Continuance of a separate room, every Wednesday evening. A.A. and a statement of the motives, methods spiritual experience is emphasized. New members are urged to attend all of the and scope is made. A short consideration of 2. Making calls on prospective members is sessions in the proper order. It is emphasized what constitutes an alcoholic and a statement cited as only one of the things considered in each time that the discussions are not to replace of alcoholism as a disease, along with the prog- working with others. Personal aggrandizement, any other A. A. activity, but to supplement them ress in public thinking about alcoholics and zeal to reform and increased membership are and to serve as an outline into which the new. alcoholism, are included. The objectives in A.A. discussed as unsuitable reasons for making calls. member can fit his past experiences, his present membership are pointed out and certain mech- Sincerity of purpose in helping others, humility objectives and his progress toward these ob- anisms for getting over the tough spots are in the knowledge of our own power to help, jectives. mentioned. and confidence in our understanding of our At every meeting the three objectives of A. A. This material is covered by each of the per- capacities in A. A. are indicated as states of are kept before the group: 1. To attain and sons giving this discussion according to his own mind likely to help in working with others! maintain the FACT OF SOBRIETY. methods and is varied to meet the needs of the 3. The last part of the 12th Step is dis- 2. To RECOVER from those things which group present so far as possible. At the end, cussed as a way of life that encompasses our caused us to drink. • each new member is given a small card. On one motives, our methods and our accomplishments 3. To HELP OTHERS who want what we side of this card is a list of the activities at the in A. A. It insures continuance of sobriety, haphave. club rooms for each night in the week, with the piness in what we do and peace of mind in the By adherence to simplicity in concept and in address of the club rooms. At the top is a re- knowledge that we are progressing in our Propresentation in all discussions, we try to give minder—”I made a 24-Hour Deal Today,” at gram of Recovery with the help of a “Power aid to the new member in understanding how the bottom—”Easy Does It.” greater than ourselves. “—L. S. L., St. Paul, Minn. to progress toward these objectives. On the reverse side of the card is an outline Attendance at discussions indicates the accom- of the Program of Recovery, which is also the outline of the discussions. Space is provided for Books for Public Library plishment of the fact of sobriety, so that emphasis is placed on a Program of Recovery. the name and telephone number of the sponsor The Norwalk, Conn., Group has bought and Each of the 12 Steps is considered in respect and co-sponsor. The new member is also given sent two copies of the A. A. book to the public to its place in the whole program rather than a single sheet of information about the St. Paul library of that city. Each book has been stamped for its value per se. The four discussions are group and other brief i n f o r m a t i o n which may on the back cover with the address and phone numintegrated each time by brief review of what be of value to him. ber of the Norwalk meeting-room. It is hoped thus was covered before and preview of what is to Discussion No. II: Inventory and Restitution: to reach people who are interested in A. A. but be the content of discussions to follow. The steps concerned with inventory are read do not know where information can be obtained. 4

A. A. at Work THE PLEASURES OF READING for the Seamen The Gauntlet by James Street (Doubleday, Doran & Co., Inc., $2. 75). In reference to my work at Seamen’s Church When London Wingo, with his wife Kathie, “a tiny, merry rain-drop of a girl”, left the Institute in Manhattan, I submit an analysis Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to take up his church in Linden, Missouri, he was briefly covering the rudimentary details of my proud, and full of high hopes for the future. “This was the beginning of the search, the first job, including a typical case history. journey of the quest. That wasn’t a greasy engine. It was a white horse with gold trimmings. ‘ I think I may best explain my relations with And those weren’t cold r a i l s . . . . ” they were “the broad highway to out yonder where truth and these men who reach me by presenting them as spiritual peace, imprisoned by Beelzebub, were waiting to be freed by God’s chosen knight. a group, as their individual experiences are He wasn’t going to a grubby little town in Missouri. He had an appointment in Zion, a rendezvous strikingly similar. These men, for varying rea- with truth on a mountain top. ” sons, have been drinking for periods of from a What London and Kathie found in Linden was, at first sight, a far cry from a heady, exhilfew days to several weeks, have, for the most a r a t i n g , clean breeze on a lofty peak. While he made plans to feed his hungry and admiring part, been in fights and arguments, usually flock with God’s kind but astute wisdom as interpreted and orated by him, the flock had other requiring both medical and surgical attention. plans, plans to pour the young preacher and his flighty little wife into the traditional mold of Their money is invariably gone, papers lost or Linden, a stifling, circumscribed mold walled by the rigid iron wills of the people in the small stolen, and many are on the verge of the Missouri town, petty, spiteful, greedy, jealous, generous, warm-hearted, all the faults and virtues “shakes” or delirium tremens. At this stage of any group of people, any place in the world. I take them to the alcoholic ward at Bellevue The preacher with the arrogance of youth walked ruthlessly and directly toward his goal leav- Hospital, where they are kept from one to three ing “undone those things he ought to have done” and doing “those things he ought not to have or more days until their medical condition is done” and at limes there would have been no health in him had it not been for the intercession corrected and their appetite at least partially of his friend and predecessor, Brother Honeycutt and the gentle wisdom of Kathie, whom Sister restored. Moffatt and Sister Ducksworth called Katherine, giving to her name the “solid worth” which Upon release from the hospital many are they thought lacking in her character. placed in a rest center for an additional period. That Brother Wingo was stung and frustrated by the nettles and harriers put in his path is Others are given lodging and meals, and a a foregone conclusion. How he adjusted himself to his people as they were and gave up trying temporary shore job until they are once again to make them puppets who would kneel in hushed awe to his theological theories and ideals is fit to return to sea duty. While attending to the story that James Street tells in The Gauntlet. The good Baptists of Linden, Missouri, might their immediate needs, I also take care of their be any group of people brought into close contact with one another—even any group of A. A. s. personal problems of every nature, assist them London left Texas searching for the broad highway leading to the peak of Ararat, the mounin their financial dealings, and, perhaps most tain of Peace. He f o u n d that the road was not broad and straight. It was narrow, rough and important to them, obtain duplicates of their steep, at times, f u l l of by-ways and cul de sacs. It wound its way through strange country where papers, which usually takes from one to two he was lost and lonely and hurt. The seller of faith found his own faith sorely tried as he scaled weeks. As the majority of these men lose even the disciplinary crags of Mount Sinai, and wandered through the troublesome terrain of the their personal belongings and become untidy Valley of the Jordan. He learned the hopeful lesson of the Mount of Olives and the bitter and disheveled, it falls to me to replace their lesson of Gethsemane before he reached the place where finally it could be said of him: “He gear from razor and comb to new clothing. was mellowing, retaining his pride, but losing his vanity; increasing his confidence while con- After attending to their obviously important, quering his deceit”. He found a “faith that could not be weighed on scales or proved by a immediate needs I then approach them with formula”. Faith itself, was a formula and “out of the faith come love and truth, and out of the A. A. program, give them literature to read, truth comes peace”. Then—at long bitter last—London kept his “rendezvous with truth on a invite them to meetings, and endeavor in every mountain top”. —Lois K., White. Plains way possible to sincerely interest them in the movement. I am very happy to be able to state Mr. Littlejohn by Martin Flavin (Harper & Bros., $2. 50 and also Penguin Books, 25 cents) that the great majority of these men not only is plain fun and good relaxation for anybody. It hasn’t anything to do with alcoholics or A. A. take an active part in the A. A. program but excerpt that Mr. Littlejohn comes pretty close to the same kind of conclusions that characterize many even bring in their former friends and those who practice A. A. It’s a thoroughly charming look into a man’s mind and his quest for drinking companions. Often, under the strong the answer to life—just the type of entertainment that makes a perfect Christmas stocking gift. psychological influence that a return to sobriety -K. Y. brings, a great number of these men once again turn to religion. Alcoholics Anonymous (Works Publishing Co., Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, To further clarify the preceding explanation, N. Y., $3. 50). I cite the following typical case history of one of the many young seamen with whom I have worked. This seaman, who had been on a pro- and duplicates of his papers. As a result of a stage, he realized that he was a ready prospect longed three week drinking bout, finally ended hold-up a year ago, he was sent to the Marine for the A. A. movement, and he became very up where they all do, at the Credit Bureau, Hospital for some extensive dental and plastic active, speaking at various meetings, and bringwhich referred him to me. Because of his jittery surgery which necessitated his staying ashore ing in as new members several of his old acnerves and inability to eat, I personally took for several additional months. As he was a quaintances. After the conclusion of his treathim to Bellevue Hospital where he remained a former painter, he was able to obtain a job in ment at the Marine Hospital, he had become an few days. I then called for him, brought him New York as a painter, and immediately paid active A. A. member, had been sober over four back to the Institute, got him food, lodging back his debt incurred at the Institute. At this months, and has returned to sea. —Bill F.

Mail Order Therapy Builds Bridge from Isolation A year ago I was a hopeless alcoholic. I tried to the world dissolved. There was no sensation of organization sent me proved to be the key to the stop drinking, but the harder I tried the more I falling; the deck simply rushed up and hit me. whole plan: “Get up in the morning determined drank. I drank to get drunk. I drank to stay sober. There must have been a dozen such falls before a that you will not have a drink throughout the day. And I couldn’t do either. minister found me spattered with blood and head Don’t say you w i l l never drink. Just concern your- Alcoholics Anonymous jerked me back to laid open. self with this day.” It made sense. They followed reality. it up with a philosophical quote: “Tomorrow’s Solitary, In Jail or Out Having only a vague knowledge of Alcoholics sun will rise. Until it does we have no stake in to- Anonymous, I did manage to part the haze in my There wasn’t much I missed in the misadven- morrow, for it is as yet unborn. This leaves only head long enough to remember that its head- tures of alcoholics in advanced stages of the today. Any man can fight the battles of just one quarters was in New York City. I wrote them, disease. I tried to re-enlist, seeking overseas as- day.” pleading on the envelope: “New York Postmaster: signment, but could not make the grade again be- Days went by and I was standing fast. It was a Please find these people for me. I am a veteran of cause of alcoholism. Frustrated but fiery I be- fight. There was more here than a state of mind, World Wars I and II. I need help!” I was drunk came involved in street fights and frequently fell and that is where the doctor came in. He used sedawhen I wrote. Later I was told that when the post- afoul of the police. Often I awoke in a solitary cell tives but not the barbiturates (the so-called sleepman delivered the letter to the New York office of removed from other prisoners and w r i t h i n g in ing capsules) and t h i a m i n hydrochloride (B1) by Alcoholics Anonymous he said: “We found you the excruciating pain of alcoholic neuritis. I was intravenous or intramuscular administration, to for the soldier. Now you fix him up. ” generally unaware of how I got there. With noth- steady my nerves and help my appetite. That started A. A. ‘s letters. I was remotely ing to do, all I thought about was getting out, But a tiger stalked me — a nostalgia that only located, beyond personal contact with the organi- getting a drink to blot out the humiliation of the liquor would remove — thoughts of things that had zation or any of its branches. But — from Alco- experience. Under treatment usually accorded happened way back in my past. A.A. sensed this holics Anonymous, P. 0. Box 459, Grand Central hard drinkers — such as 30 hours solitary confine- and, with its usual discernment, asked me to think Annex, New York 17, N. Y. — the letters came ment, which is dreadful medicine for any disease this over: “God grant me the serenity to accept to me in an unbroken flow, often daily, most of — alcoholism thrives. things I cannot change, courage to change things them by air mail and many by air mail special Alone in the house one night, I crept to the I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” That delivery. They were written in terms I could under- kitchen to seek a hidden bottle. Mistaking the made a profound impression on me. stand and pulled no punches. When I wasn’t sure cellar door for the cupboard, I fell down the stairway. Hours later I returned to consciousness Keeping Step I wanted to come back — after my wife died — they sensed my wavering and worked hard and and saw our three cats silhouetted against the open A reader and haunter of libraries, I could have earnestly through the mails. door of the furnace, watching me. This was one found this sort of thing for myself, but it was time in my life that I was ashamed to face animals. more telling in the way it came from A.A. They Liquid Crutch Their silent, stolid, questioning gaze was more ef- were keeping step with me; we swung along to- I do not believe in excuses and make none, but fective than the rebuke of any person. gether. Sitting at the typewriter, I could look over there were certain reasons for my drinking. Crisis impended now. The doctor did not have the open fields and see the mail planes pass, won- Caught in a grind that kept me exhausted, I drank to say, “It’s killing you. ” I knew it. I did not want dering if they had brought letters for me. I for energy. Liquor became a crutch upon which I to let my children down. I cut down on liquor one would picture the progress of letters, by train or leaned more and more heavily. day only to drink harder the next. There was no plane, their arrival here. Finally the mailman I had been honorably discharged from the out in the gray half-world I existed in. Somewhere would arrive with a message, the answer to some Marine Corps and was working at night. My son, in the depths of my mind there stirred a remote question like this: “When ‘the feeling’ torments who was with the Army Air Force in China, recollection of Alcoholics Anonymous. Grasping you, eat sweets even if the idea repels you. It’s dropped out of contact for months. My wife was at this straw I wrote that first letter. good medicine. Alcoholics are used to great quangravely ill and we had no one to help except visit- tities of sugar in their systems, and when you stop If You Want It ing nurses and my daughter who worked during drinking you cut off the supply.” When the reply came from A. A., it was brief An alky, when he refers to “the feeling,” means the day. but reassuring: “A. A. will work if you want it to that dreadful compulsion to drink. A.A. assured After my wife died I set about drinking conwork. ” That threw a lot of responsibilities right me t h a t it would grow easier, which is true. It tinuously for escape. Once I chanced upon a back in my lap, but wanting it to work was what comes to me now in cycles. About every three quantity of chemically pure alcohol, 190 proof I wanted most. Continuing, this letter said: “The weeks I go through one of them with restlessness and the ultimate in shocking power: This liquid requirement for membership in Alcoholics Anony- and yearning. Under stress, this may continue fire blotted out pain of remembrance and physical mous is simply the sincere desire to stop drinking, for more than a week. The 24-hour idea helps trediscomforts that still bothered me from old Army and you certainly seem to have that. We will be mendously. I can always manage a day at a time injuries and a recent Marine Corps broken arm. most happy to do all possible to help you, and of and let tomorrow take care of itself. One rainy night a hit-and-run driver ran over me, left me lying on the highway and escaped. course there is absolutely no charge at all for any One day a letter came, saying: “Most people Later a truck just missed me. The driver stopped service. ” Wishing me luck, they asked me to write seeking psychological help from abnormal drinkand called an ambulance. Not the least of my in- again. ing are above average intellectual endowment; juries were skull fractures. My doctor had told me he could do very little to and while drinking means failure, abstinence is After weeks in the hospital the day finally came help me unless I was willing to cooperate. After likely to mean success.” Who knows? At any rate, when I could walk by using a cane. I set out to reading this letter, I called him and told him I was being dry provides time for writing and I am hunt a drink. I found drinking with head injuries ready. He took over — we were off! on the road back. made walking difficult — at hundred-yard intervals One point in particular from the booklets the The battle was not won immediately. I had two 6

to Sobriety slips. A slip is a serious set-back, but it does not mean that you are lost. A.A. and the doctor agreed that a slip is not uncommon at the start. That gave me heart. It was pointed out that I had to avoid controversy, because any emotional crisis is likely to precipitate a slip. That being exactly what happened in both cases, I learned to avoid issues. Excitement due to good news may prove as disastrous as that due to bad news. Overconfidence, I discovered, is dangerous and A.A. wrote that I might never be nearer my first drink than when I felt absolutely certain that I had won the fight and could not be templed. This made me watchful. Letters always arrived when a crisis was pending, providentially at times, expertly timed, always bright and frequently sprightly. At the beginning of the correspondence two people were in touch with me, but this soon narrowed down to one. One person could maintain closer liaison, foresee problems coming and prepare me for them. If there was a delay in mail, I ran over the dossier of former letters and found comfort in them. There was no one else from whom I could get such understanding; my safety lay entirely in the letters. Recently there were several pretty bad days. I was frightened, and I wrote A.A. The answer was, “In the first place, will you please calm down I!! By the time I finish reading one of the “All right! Sign your poems ‘Anonymous’—but I have to know who you are! letters you write when you’re excited, I’m fit Reprinted from Saturday Review of Literature material myself for a padded cell.” They asked me to check again with the doctor. One week 1 was wavering on the edge, and A.A. accept it. There was no argument, no controversy. as a violin string which is about to snap. knew it. I saw a mail plane go over and wished There is no concern, either, about temperance But as the morning wore on, the mail man was fervently for a letter. Soon after the plane had interests; they are not reformers. Neither are they coming closer. He finally reached me, with a long passed there was a rap at the door — special concerned with race or creed. The letters made A.A. letter. At the very end was this amazing delivery air mail: “Don’t talk so negatively about this clear. They do, however, feel it highly impor- paragraph: this thing taking more than you’ve got. 1 thought tant that you have some belief in a power greater “A thought for you. You know that you’re an the Marines never stopped fighting.” That one than yourself, because this fact of belief, of some- alky and will never be anything else. But do you made me bristle, snapped me back, for I’m proud thing to lean on, makes the fight easier. There is know that some A.A.s, after the pressure has been to have been a Marine. no preaching. Just a suggestion. lifted, think: ‘Well, maybe now I could take just “What the hell’s the use of all this?” I asked in a drink or two and stop there.’ If you ever come No Pushing or Preaching to this stage, before you take that first drink just one of my letters. I know the letters brought results where all else “You’ll eventually get the answer to that, ” A. A. sit down and remember! That’s all! Remember! failed, because no one else, family or friends, replied. “You’ve got a lot of years left. Why not One drink is too much, a thousand not enough.” could make effective pleas. A.A.s talked a lan- make them worth while? There are other people I shuddered to think how close I had been to guage I understood; they too were alkies. Kindly like yourself you can help, and there’s nothing disaster, and was mystified by the chance guidargument by my son and daughter had a tremen- like helping others in order to forget yourself. ” ance and timing which had brought that particular dous impact. I would be ashamed and angry with During the period I had been drinking, hard, message at the moment it came. myself; but then, unable to find a way out, I would like all drinkers I hid bottles for that rainy day I am not a religious man, but in the course of drink harder in a desperate attempt to forget it when my stock might be gone. Quite by accident my return from the half-world of alcoholism all. Acquaintances and friends offered well-meant I stumbled upon one recently, in the morning of I began to perceive the intervention of some outadvice. Their palter was, “Be a man.” People one of my bad days. I looked at it, then hastily side force. I began to see that this force was seem unable to grasp the fact that alcoholism is a put it away, but fascination drew me back to it. working in my behalf and that 1 could avail mydisease, that there is just as much reason to berate I swished the liquor around in the bottle, held it self of it. The change which A.A. helps a man a person for breaking a leg or having cardiac up to the light, smelled it. I wondered if it would accomplish is close to the religious experience of trouble. be possible to take one drink, and imagined myself conversion: Indeed, it is the same if it is genuine The technique of A.A., I discovered, was not to pouring a tumbler half full of the liquor, filling and lasts. push, nor even to lead, but to walk with you and it up with water and sipping it slowly to savor the I do not pretend to know all about this force. offer you something you needed — if you wanted to fragrance and satisfying sharpness. I grew taut (Continued on Page 10)

Piccadilly Peccadillos Barley To beer or not to beer was the question last beams to the scams, b u t didn’t interfere with !!! CORN!!! Christmas in London, England, as the buzz my buzz . . . and true philosophy came back (What’s the funniest A.A. tale or quip you’ve heard? bombs were also falling. When you reach the into my l i f e agayne. But the beer made a Others would like to hear it. Send it in.) “quiz kid” stage you are already drunk, so to direct hit. One of our returned veterans says it was somemake it formal I sought my safely in the suds What I hadn’t counted on was my charming times hard for him to tell whether he suffered and ended up on an atomic drunk more terrify- pub manners. Made too many uppa clawss most from battle fatigue or bottle fatigue. ing t h a n the bombs. friends who were always mucking and gadding * * * Let’s see, how did it rationalize? The British about. They introduced me i n t o the local angles An alcoholic is one who drinks TWICE AS beer was weak, watery and Al Jolson had said but fast. Which meant we taxied to their pri- MUCH of what he shouldn’t drink HALF AS you oughta pour it back into the horse. You vate clubs as soon as the pubs closed as our MUCH of as the fellow who drinks NOTHING. couldn’t take it w i t h you, so it couldn’t h u r t conversation had simply been out of this world. * * * your system much. With a war on (and war Hands across the sea of booze stuff. She said accusingly: is hell, dontchaknow?) what’s a mild hangover At the clubs you could obtain high g r a v i t y “I saw you coming out of McCarthy’s saloon . . . since no one would know. ales. Scotch, vodka, rum and gin in quantity, last night!” A n d wasn’t England the controlled drinkers’ but alas, you couldn’t get any American rye paradise? How could you get d r u n k when the Said he b l e a r i l y : or Bourbon or iced beer. A f t e r the clubs closed “Well, I had to come out sometime.” pubs didn’t open u n t i l noon, closed at three in at t w o A.M. there were ‘ b o t t l e parties” at home * * * the a f t e r n o o n . . . then reopened at five and or the c l i p joints that never closed. closed at n i n e P. M. ? Nine P. M., mind you (a Could anyone reading this finish the story? Speaking of alcoholic rationalizing: He was. pity we didn’t do something like that at home; Yes, with all the details. Except t h a t a copy of on a binge but was trying to taper off. He we used most of their laws, didn’t we?). The Grapevine reached me some days later at thought of wine. Ah, that’s the stuff! It’s not It was this two hour period in the afternoon, my lowest point. And reading it over and over, as strong as whiskey. Why, he said profoundly these hours of grace that kept you from going p a r t i c u l a r l y a piece by the present editor who to himself, sherry, for instance, is only 20 peroverboard. Oh, yes, you might mill around had just reached the States and had related cent in alcoholic content. Then be thought a loose-kneed on the Mall a bit, but so what, if his English slip among the buzz bombs, helped bit more. Only 20 percent? Mmm. . . . And you had your dignity? And you could always me get off the daily pub crawl. Just in time so he got two instead of one bottle of sherry! go i n t o a tea house and gulp buckets of scalding * * * to escape AWOL and court-martial. I had ten to calm your nerves. And with the beer almost lost hope. He was f a i r l y new in A.A. and still thought matinee plus the tea-time tonic you had a beau- Well, the lights are on again this Christmas he’d done the most terrible things imaginable. t i f u l base built for combined operations as of and the bombs are not falling. But the beer “Why, you know what I did once?” be said an e v e n i n g . . . beer and nips of nayvee rum flashes know no armistice and John B. is a great to a group of A.A.s. “It was awful. My wife if you could get much. It would he fun while guerrilla fighter. On the first flash . . . hit and I had a pretty l i t t l e bungalow and I went on playing darts. that phone booth and call your A.A. friends. a binge and sold it.” Well, it was simply wonderful the first few With us, mere beer will always be a delayed “Aw, that’s nothing,” said an oldtime A.A. days. I didn’t get into many fights, the buzz action bomb with a short fuse.—Sgt. Hugh B., “We had an eight-room house and I sold it and bombs rattled the windowpanes and creaked the Manhattan. the f u r n i t u r e , too.”

THERE’S NO DOUBLE STANDARD IN ALCOHOLISM OR A. A. I sat jittering in Bill’s office. My psychiatrist I fell for that. I said, “Is she still drinking?” comer, she might have talked gently, asking had sent me to see Bill. “No, ” he said, “but she will always be an alco- questions. She knew that for me this would I had said to her: “Good. I’d like to meet holic just the same. Just as I am; just as you be wrong. She talked and talked. She didn’t him. Wouldn’t it be fun to get him to take say you are. ” stop. I, who had feared to speak, couldn’t get a drink?” I didn’t know where I was going, or what to a word in edgewise. I tried a couple of times. expect. I didn’t expect an attractive apartment. No soap. She was a girl with my sort of back- She laughed a nice easy laugh. She said, I didn’t expect the girl who answered the door — ground. She and Helen both had my tastes “You couldn’t get him to take a drink. ” Helen, a friend of Marty’s — to be like that. I was and interests (that is, what I still fondly con- I heard that. It stayed with me. You couldn’t sidered my tastes and interests. I really had a sight and a mess. She didn’t notice it. She get him to take a drink. talked, to me as though I were an acquaintance none but liquor and self abasement). So I, the girl who was going to get Bill to who had dropped in. Time passed. Marty I sat there and listened. Two women like take a drink, now sat here, talking to Bill. came in. myself. They were like me. They drank the He told me a few things, the fundamentals. I “I spent six months in Bellevue and a year way I did. Especially Marty. Marty, who like heard all of those things, too. Then he made in Blythewood, ” she announced. “I used to go me, had gone to cheap bars. At last, someone a phone call. He wrote a name and an address to cheap bars on Third Avenue, when my money else who was as “horrible” as I was. And she on a slip of paper. ran out. If I had no money, I could always was horrible no longer. “Here is an alcoholic girl, ” he said. “Why ‘borrow’ drinks from men. ” I heard every word Marty and Helen said. don’t you go and see her? Now?” Marty had sized me up. To another new- (Continued on Page 12) 8

Mail Call for All A. A. s at Home or Abroad Like Full Sunlight myself, I do not like the reference to the Four Letters to this department are invited on any Absolutes in the same sentence with the 12 subject pertinent to A. A. Due to space limita- From Abilene, Texas tions you are asked to hold your letters to a Steps. ” maximum of 350 words. I think you will understand that one of the November letter from M. L. —Genesee: “They Only initials will be published unless the worst parts of this Army for me is that for [A. T. and myself] both went outside the letter writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- nearly two years now I have been stationed for their c r i t i c i s m s . . . . They both took excepfication for A. A. friends. The Grapevine will not divulge the full name where it was impossible to maintain personal tion to the Four Absolutes (not mentioned in of any writer but will forward A. A. communica- contact with other A. A. s and have had to go it the letter), J. D. because, in a booklet prepared tions addressed to the writers of letters published here. —The Editors. alone. I thank God that so far I have not taken by our g r o u p . . . we u s e d . . . the words Four the first drink. Absolutes in the same sentence w i t h the 12 My own career as an alcoholic began with my Steps. ” 12th Step Key to Slips first drink of whiskey as an undergraduate at From the above it will appear that the Four Princeton in 1931 and built up steadily over a Absolutes were mentioned in M. L. ‘s first letter, From Baltimore, Md. period of ten years until, on the verge of a “wet and my comment was directed only to the letter, In the October issue, where the 12th Step was brain, ” I ended a two-week drunk by collapsing, since I have not yet read the Genesee booklet, so ably discussed, little space was devoted to quite by chance, on the front walk of an old so that I could not have been referring to it. the last part of the sentence which reads, “and family friend who had read of A. A. and told Reduced to its essence, the substance of my to practice these principles in all our affairs. ” me the story instead of calling the police. In so-called criticism is simply this: The ordinary Don’t you think this one suggestion is an im- desperation (I had been given up as hopeless novice comes into A. A. bewildered and confused portant key to why A. A. works? In pur drink- by family and doctors) I decided to grasp at in mind. In the normal case, all that the older ing days we became dishonest, selfish liars, de- this last straw. members can hope to do is to give him an inkvoid of religion and any interest in our fellow- My first meeting was with the Newark (N. J. ) ling o f . . . the A. A. program—Honesty, Humilman other than to squeeze another drink out of Group in April of 1941. Later, after being ity, and Helpfulness. Why confuse him in the him. It naturally follows, then, that after be- drafted, I was stationed for nearly a year in early stages with the much more difficult concoming physically sober we must go to work Miami and was a member of the group there. I cepts of Absolute Love, Absolute Purity, and on the other kindred faults. I feel that in some have also attended meetings in Denver and Absolute Unselfishness? Later on he may be measure this might also answer the inquiry, also Atlanta, but as I said, for two years now it has able to embody these more abstruse concepts in contained in the October issue, as to the cause been chiefly a lone hand. his basic A. A. philosophy of l i f e . . . . But do of so-called “slips. ” It is very difficult, if not In all this time A. A. has never failed me. not make it too tough for him by stressing, as utterly impossible, to remain sober for very Not only have I still not taken that first drink, essential, any dogma or, for that matter, any long if we attempt to retain any of the other but. it has made possible a happy marriage and specific c r e e d . . . . If, with the help of the older evils which generally associate themselves with us normal a life as war would allow. members and by the Grace of God, he gels the drinking. We feel that for a man to stop drink- At first A. A. meant learning to live all over elements of. A. A., he w i l l , at the same time (and ing and then continue to steal, in any way, or again—a bringing of my eyes out of darkness perhaps without even recognizing it), obtain to continually break the natural laws, is to to see and recognize beauty, a flexing, almost the essential content of what is good in all travel on very thin sober ice. Several of us physical, of stiffened fingers, an awareness and orthodox religions. —/. /-). members while driving into a meeting recently enjoyment of life that had been lost to me for came to the conclusion that a man who has a years, and a return to realization of the mercy “The Greater Power” slip doesn’t really slip at all. He has just de- of God. For me it was almost literal rebirth cided that he wants to get drunk once more. like emergence from a dark and hellish tunnel From Manhattan Certainly he learned early in A. A., to his own into full sunlight. —E. B., Sgt., AAF. satisfaction, that he couldn’t take even one Many A. A. members, particularly new ones, drink. Wouldn’t it therefore follow that it apparently find belief in a greater power a would he an insult to his intelligence to say Plea for Simplicity major stumbling block in the acceptance of the that he “slipped” in the light of this knowledge? From Manhattan program. Yet it can he demonstrated that there No, he didn’t slip—he deliberately reached. lies in ourselves, in the subconscious, a greater Possibly if he had paid more attention to the I must object mildly and without rancor to power than exists in our conscious selves. final words of the 12th Step, “and to practice the charge made by M. L. of the Genesee It is generally conceded by the best authorithese principles in all our affairs, ” he would have Group, in your November issue, that I misquote. ties that most of the neuroses and mental quirks been less likely to have “reached. ” So please permit me to refute such charge by that show up in our later lives were first in- I might state, further, that I attended A. A. direct quotations from the Genesee-Manhattan stilled in childhood. These were impressed on meetings from June, 1944, until the Tenth exchange of letters appearing in your Septem- our sublimal minds by shock, falls, ghost stories Anniversary banquet at the Commodore in Octo- ber, October, and November issues, relating to and a host of other things. Many of us can ber of last year before I stopped reaching. It the Rochester plan for the education of novices trace some of our unwelcome feelings of today was only after arriving at the banquet with a in A. A., such quotations being as follows: back to the causative factor in childhood. The load on, and the ride on the Pennsy back to September letter from M. L. —Genesee: “There writer can trace his present unreasoning fear of Baltimore that I decided to put all I had into he [the novice] listens to four successive talks high places to a painful fall from a high pillar a dry effort. Thus far it has been happily based on the 12 Steps and the Four Absolutes. ” when he was six years old. Yet there were many successful. —D. H. N. October letter (mine): ” . . . speaking for (Continued on Page 10)

Mail Order Therapy f e l l e r , Jr., and some of his friend? and accepted by the Alcoholic Foundation, parent organization Lost Weekend behind A. A. These g i a n t s are no longer needed. (Continued from page 7) (Continued from Page. 2) With the rapid growth of A. A., sufficient funds It is too young yet in me and too ill-formed to talk have been contributed by the m a n y groups to and director, should not o n l y make us t h a n k f u l , about clearly, but I know it is there. It came to d e f r a y central office expenses. There are no dues, but should make us pause and think. Outsiders me slowly, during long solitary walk? in the no charges for service. The New York clubhouse, can u n d e r s t a n d us, a f t e r a l l . These film-makers c o u n t r y . I began to feel that l i f e must have some where local visitors are received, c o n t a i n s , in ad- have, and t h e i r work may force some underdesign. So I tried to pray to whatever may be back dition to offices and the staff, an a u d i t o r i u m , s t a n d i n g of us and t h e n a t u r e of our problem of all this, and I’ve come to believe that there is kitchen and l u n c h room, game rooms, l i b r a r y and i n t o t h e m i n d s of countless movie-goers, among something finally guiding me, some good force other essential appointments. t h e m alcoholics who do not yet grasp the i m p l i t u r n i n g me. N a t i o n a l headquarters has records which c a t i o n s of t h e i r own behavior. Sometimes, cast down by tragic events, I won- showed me t h a t 50 percent of those who come to This last is why the one f l a w in the picture, dered if the fight was worth carrying on. A. A. A. A. sincerely w a n t i n g to stop d r i n k i n g recover from our p o i n t of view, is such a terrible pity. got some i n k l i n g of this from one letter I wrote immediately: another 25 percent have stopped The ending f a l l s down badly. It would convince on a gray day. I was planning then to go to New after one or two slips; and of the r e m a i n i n g 25 no one, I t h i n k , not even a completely non- York soon. They wrote: “Come, and head straight percent, some f a i l e n t i r e l y , a small percentage is understanding non-alcoholic. It implies that for A. A. It’s true, you do need personal contact lost sight of through lack of contact on the part Don Birnam w i l l escape his obsession by writing … n o t h i n g like a good straight talk. ” of the i n d i v i d u a l , and others eventually return to a book a b o u t i t . An alcoholic, recovered or The morning I left for New York an air mail stay dry. Two types cannot be helped by A. A.: active, or anybody who has had any dealings special delivery came (they were coming daily Half-hearted persons who merely toy w i t h the whatever w i t h an alcoholic, w i l l know all too before I left) remarking: “You’ve got the big idea of becoming dehydrated; and those w i t h well t h a t it is never so simple as that. But the thing, Sincerity. That means so much. And you’ve brain lesions or psychoses. p u b l i c may conceivably accept the over-simpligotten back on the road to health. I have only to The New York companionship strengthened f i c a t i o n , and regard the recovery of an alcoholic glance at our correspondence to see how much my shield and I was given a keener insight into the as a matter purely of his own volition coupled progress you have made mentally. So, please just importance of the spiritual angle. I was made to with an “aim in life”. They may do this betake it easy. We will he expecting you. ” see that most f a i l u r e s result from lack of acceptcause m a n y people already t h i n k this, and not People in the A. A. office were as curious to see ance of some power greater t h a n yourself. The because t h e p i c t u r e builds up to such a conme as I was to see them. They had had lots of cor- odds a p p a r e n t l y favor you as personality changes clusion. It doesn’t. In fact, it has prepared respondence with individuals, most of it resulting develop. I have found added encouragement not such a p o w e r f u l and overwhelming argument as in successful conclusions, but usually these other only from everyone in A. A. but from my friends. people had found it possible to join a group of to the obsessional n a t u r e of alcoholism and its Once one recovers a constructive approach A. A. s in or near their home towns. My isolation devastating effect on an otherwise charming and toward life, self-confidence and a belief in the had prevented personal contacts. lovable character with great potentialities as a future, the devil of alcoholism can be conquered. person, t h a t a very short time after seeing the I believe — and my friends assure me — I have Once an Alcoholic, Always — done it. -Dick B. feeble ending, one has forgotten it and remembers only the mounting horror of Birium’s ride In our conversations the office people told me that since I have become an alcoholic I can never on the merry-go-round of a binge. Mail Call (Continued from Page 9] Seeing this picture, for an A. A., is at best a be a n y t h i n g else. Not an ex-alcoholic, but always an alcoholic who has a disease which has been ar- intervening years when this phobia was not ex- therapeutic experience, reminding us forcibly rested. Most persons eventually lose the desire to hibited. f r o m whence we have come, stirring us to more drink and are not tempted if they accompany In the same way the alcoholic’s escape from f e r v e n t g r a t i t u d e for our escape, moving us to friends to bars or serve liquor to guests in their the unwelcome realities of l i f e — a n d especially urgent a p p l i c a t i o n of our 12th Step. How many homes. B u t there are always a few who are con- those realities which are neurotically aggravated there s t i l l are who need our help and do not stantly in danger. And I am one of those unfor- because of babyhood incidents—is frequently even k n o w i t ! At worst, t h e movie w i l l provide t u n a t e few. I am continually tempted, so I shun suggested by the subconscious m i n d , in this a s h a t t e r i n g r e c a p i t u l a t i o n of past agonies—in parties where liquor is served. I cannot look at it. case “The Greater Power. ” If the sublimal itself a sobering experience. And even for those smell it, even think about it. It sets that inner, in- consciousness can cause us to do things which who k n o w and understand nothing of our inside v o l u n t a r y compulsion astir. If I were to slip now we know are going to be disastrous, then evi- view, the film The Lost Weekend will prove to I feel certain I could not fight this battle over dently the subconscious is a greater power than be an intense, dramatic, and finely wrought again. Drink to me means death. ourselves, i. e.. than our conscious minds. It is story, w i t h characters in whom they can believe Persons who seek help know that when they go therefore entirely logical to suppose that an (particularly Nat the bartender) and a pictorial to A. A. their problems will be unknown to any- appeal to this power might well cause favor- presentation t h a t is frequently terrifying in its one else, t h a t a n o n y m i t y w i l l be rigidly adhered able results, coupled with the f o l l o w i n g psycho- realism. According to Variety, noted for the to. Inquiries are numerous. Many people request- logical program, such as A. A. The daily prayer, accuracy of its forecasts, “It is smash boxing addresses of groups w i t h i n their reach are the auto-suggestion, the 24-hour program, quite office”. —Marty M. surprised to find sanctuary almost around the possibly could n u l l i f y or neutralize the uncorner. A quick reply directs them. Many isolated favorable impressions formed in childhood. persons, aware of an imminent fall, or having While this theory would be primarily for the already slipped, hastily establish touch by long- so-called non-believer, it is obvious that it might MINDS ARE LIKE PARACHUTES— distance telephone or telegraph. receive serious consideration from anyone who THEY WON’T WORK Six years ago, when A. A. was comparatively does not like to take his opinions readysmall, grants were offered by Mr. John D. Rocke- made. —S. S. UNLESS OPEN

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A. A. ‘s Country-Wide News Circuit In Birmingham, Ala., the first regional A. A. City. The mailing address is The Alcoholic Foun- of the Alcoholic Foundation as A. A. ‘s national convention ever held in the South went over the dation, P. 0. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New headquarters. The trustees are nine (previously top with hundreds of members attending from York 17, N. Y. seven) in number: five are interested professional Virginia, West Virginia, North and South Caro- The Central Office is maintained by the trustees and businessmen, and four are members of A. A. lina, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Ten- As trustees, none receives compensation for his nessee, Mississippi and Alabama. The following services. The Central Office writes replies to h u n day the A. A. s assisted at the first meeting of the dreds of inquiries monthly, sends out A. A. Alabama Committee on Education with Respect A. A. DIGEST literature and interviews many people who call to Alcoholism, created through an act of the last Excerpts from Group Publication* in person. Besides supervising this correspondence l e g i s l a t u r e . . On their second anniversary the Hy and Dri, Minneapolis Minn.: “Seems we’re center, the trustees have charge of national pub- Flint Group was host to the second out-state A. A. falling down on sponsorship somewhere along the licity and consult with the A. A. groups on matters get-together in Michigan. The Wolverines came l i n e . . . Sponsors, ask yourself this question: of policy. They are, in effect, A. A. ‘s National from Jackson, Bay City, Mt. Morris, Traverse City, “Did I get all the A. A. I needed from the four Service Committee. Royal Oak, Saginaw, Howell, Pontiac, Pleasant instruction classes, or were the Tuesday night The Central Office is supported by v o l u n t a r y Ridge, Kalamazoo, Richland, McFarlan and Or- meetings a help, too?” If you answer it truthfully contributions from the groups and from the int o n v i l l e ; Ohioans came from Canton, Dover you’ll find we all have a lot to learn about A. A. ” come of the book Alcoholics Anonymous, which, and Lakewood. A surgeon from Ohio, with The Eye-Opener, Los Angeles, Calif.: “Long through Works Publishing, Inc., is wholly owned five university degrees to his credit, related his before the atomic bomb came into being, A. A. by the Alcoholic Foundation. story with booze, which newsmen declared was » » » had earned the right to be known as The Great as “poignant as a Somerset Maugham novel. ” . . . Exploder. It began by exploding a lot of firmly Inspired by the NCEA and A. A., establishment The three-year old St. Joseph, Mo., Group has established theories about alcohol and the people of a clinic for alcoholics in Erie County, N. Y., is bought a clubhouse at 522 South Twelfth Street, who consumed it; and it has now exploded the now assured. The Council of Social Agencies in phone 4-3809. antiquated belief that women just can’t get along Buffalo has approved a plan to create the clinic, * * * as recommended to it by a sub-committee includtogether. We have a women’s group of which Fort Wayne, Ind., A. A. s observed their third we’re justly proud. ” ing A. A. s from Erie County, and other social anniversary with a dinner; among the 75 men and Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio: “A great agencies; the sub-committee recommended an women present were guests representing the and learned saint (Thomas Aquinas) said that the annual budget of $25, 000. clergy, hospitals, medical profession and press. » » * Supreme Power does three things for us. First, He Dick S., formerly of the Cleveland Group and now corrects us; next, He instructs us; and finally, An all A. A. orchestra and several A. A. vocal of Chicago, was one of the s p e a k e r s . . . The Ot- He lakes us unto Himself. Our first contact soloists were among the special attractions at the t u m w a , Iowa, A. A. s observed their first anniver- with A. A. is the stage of correction, and at 11 th anniversary banquet of the A. A. at the sary with a large open meeting and b a n q u e t . . . this stage it usually is true that the only help Hotel Commodore, New York, Nov. 7. The or- A member of the Wilmington, Del., Group re- a man recognizes is the help of these other chestra played all during the dinner hour. It is cently spoke on A. A. during a broadcast by the alcoholics. Instruction follows quickly, and an outgrowth of New Jersey groups. The mu- American Legion A u x i l i a r y . . . The Albany, N. Y. here we learn that older members of the group sicians get together and practice after meetings. Group entertained at a dinner several up-state have turned their hearts and minds to the higher * * * g r o u p s . . . A story of his flight from alcoholism, Source of h e l p . . . The individual can do as he A group was recently formed in Greenville, in which he mentioned that he’d been jailed in 38 chooses, but he observes that those who have S. C., at a meeting attended by A. A. s from Ashestates, was told by an A. A. of Springfield, Mass., made the most p r o g r e s s . . . are those who have ville, Hendersonville, Shelby, Charlotte, Atlanta before the Springfield Exchange C l u b . . . The placed themselves in the hands of the Supreme and Rock H i l l . . . The Toledo, Ohio, Group — newly-formed Lynn, Mass., Group reports rapid Power. ” which advertises regularly in the Toledo Times: growth, with members from Lynnfield, Salem, Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Iowa: “Alcoholics Anonymous, 241 1⁄2 Superior Street; Peabody, Marblehead, Gloucester, Wenham, “Marshalltown was well represented both at the 8: 30 p. m. ” — celebrated its fifth anniversary with Saugus, Beverly, Danvers and Nahant often com- banquet and Marty’s talk and also at the Saturday a dinner and dancing; present were many from ing to the meetings; among the guests are clergy- meeting. We want to congratulate the D. M. Group various sections of the state. Toledo now has over men, doctors, police, probation officers, personnel on doing such a swell job. ” 300 m e m b e r s . . . A drunk in Knoxville, Tenn., managers and others engaged in public service A. A. Tribune, Des Moines, Iowa: “B. P. at the who hasn’t yet encountered the A. A. group flour- . . . Two A. A. s of the Waterbury, Conn., Group helm last night and what a meeting! Great going, ishing there, after repeatedly facing drunkenness addressed the Beth-El Men’s Club in the 15. and the hat does $93 after N. ‘s talk with tears in charges, pulled another surprise when he asked Synagogue, presided over by Rabbi William P. his eyes about how broke we are after buying that Acting City Judge H. 0. Pollard to “send me to Greenfeld. brand new restaurant stove. To hear N. you’d the workhouse to straighten up. ” The judge asked * » » think we were just about ready to move into the “How much time do you want?” The defendant A. A. s of Ann Arbor, Mich., in an open letter poorhouse. The stove is a beauty and I noticed replied “Oh, about 10 days. ” He was given the to one of the local papers, pointed out some something last night with that stove, imagine us sentence. behind-the-scenes facts which alcoholics and non- two years ago, getting a thrill out of a new stove * • * alcoholics alike invariably ask. Their letter gave and last night there were guys out there feeling it, “Alcoholics Anonymous—2979″ is a new numthe following information: The Central Office of looking it over, smiling and just like a guy is with ber in the Bristol, Va., phone book; the Bristol Alcoholics Anonymous is located in New York a new toy. ” Group got under way only a short while ago. 11

should be, now found myself unwanted every- I was so sick m e n t a l l y , now, that I was afraid No Double Standard where. I, who had meant to be the wittiest, the to d r i n k alone. I was going toward my death, (Continued from Page 8) p r e t t i e s t , t h e most desirable of women. The and somehow I knew t h i s . I stayed in that bar woman whom every body would he just crazy t i l l i t closed. In t h a t short hour something was l i f t e d from to have around. ( Y o u note here t h a t I w a n t e d “Remorse has contained w i t h i n It the i n t e n my heart, never to return. Three psychiatrists to be liked and loved, but didn’t want to l i k e or t i o n to do it again. ” had failed to do it over a long period of years. love anybody in r e t u r n . ) Yes. Every m o r n i n g (or a f t e r n o o n ) I’d swear “You are sick,” Marty and Helen said. I was now reduced to going to a cheap bar never to do It again. I must stop, I’d say. I “You are sick, not wicked. See, it is a pattern. for my social l i f e , I happen to have a small must taper off. I must swear off. It was not You have followed t h i s pattern. We, too, beincome. I never cadged drinks from strangers o n l y the hangovers that bothered me, I did not haved in just t h i s way. It is a pattern and you because I didn’t have to. I never was robbed, have the o r d i n a r y remorse of someone who has are not alone. You are not the only woman assaulted, beaten up. But I might have been. merely gotten d r u n k . It was as though I had who has been l i k e this. Thousands and thou- The difference between the “protected” woman some i n n e r skin disease, something a w f u l and sand? of men and women have been like this. alcoholic (even the woman who drinks secretly sore, eating away at the fabric of myself. A n d A n d now they are sober. See, it is an illness, in her room and never goes out) and the pan- then, at night, t h i s fabric would reverse itself a disease w i t h symptoms t h a t we all have. Not handler on the Bowery is economic. Are you i n t o the bright, j o y f u l excitement, the anticipaa p r i v a t e sin that you alone have invented.” shocked? But this is so. A drunk, man or t i o n . I would think, I’m going to the bar to- And so t h i s is the end of my story and the woman, w i l l do anything to get a drink. Any- n i g h t . I’m going to get drunk. Not too drunk. b e g i n n i n g of it. t h i n g — e v e n t u a l l y . Perhaps the men, more than Just enough. For years I thought I was the only one. The the women, know that this is true. This is a common experience. In A. A. you only “nice” woman who behaved this way. The I didn’t hit the gutter economically, but in hear t h i s story told over and over. But I know worse I felt, the worse I got. One doctor said spirit I was there. I spent every night in that how a l l the women in the world feel who have to me: “Remorse has contained within it the incheap bar. I was able to drink there “safely” had, and are having this grief and misery; and tention to do it again.” This was a brilliant but I was despised by everyone. shame and guilt. More and more women are and wise saying. But I could not quit being Lots of people think that a n y t h i n g goes in coming i n t o A. A. But there are still countless remorseful. I could not stop doing it again, a ginmill, that you can get as drunk as you women who are afraid to come. They are afraid getting drunk again and again. It’s a progreslike and behave any way you like. Not so. to admit they need help. Sometimes they won’t sive disease. But I didn’t know that. I just Women, especially, are expected to behave. A a d m i t It to themselves. They have applied the t h o u g h t I was becoming a worse and worse perlady lush creates disturbances. Men are bound double standard to themselves. They think that son. I avoided my “respectable” friends more to want to, pick her up. If she doesn’t want to they are worse than men. and more. My “unrespectable” friends, with whom I had cast my lot ( i n order to drink all be annoyed, as the saying goes, the bartender And they do not know that they are just sick I wanted to in company)—even these friends has to protect her. If, on the other hand, she people who need help. A woman who has TB encourages advances from men, there may be doesn’t t h i n k she is worse than a man who has criticized me more and more. They, who had thought at first that I was such fun, now avoided trouble with the police. TB. It’s the same thing. me. They told me not to come around when I The little bar I frequented was what is known M a n y people all over this country, indeed all was d r i n k i n g . And I was always drinking. as a f a m i l y bar. There was a little group that over the world, s t i l l t h i n k the same way. They I, who. like most neurotics, had a high white dropped in regularly. They were as gossipy t h i n k all drunks are a disgrace. They t h i n k ideal, an unattainable ideal of the person I and moralistic as a country club set. They were women are doubly disgraceful. But now, at not alcoholics. last, through the press, through the more wide- So I, who planned to be the most beautiful, spread knowledge of A. A. and of alcoholism Cut This Out and Mail to: generally, these old witcheries and taboos are witty, charming and sought-after woman in all The Grapevine New York, was spending my evenings annoying breaking down. P.O. Box 328 the customers in a ginmill. The customers More and more people are understanding t h a t Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. moved their barstools when they saw me coming. alcoholism is a disease; that the alcoholic, Herewith $1.50 for one year’s subscription to But this place was my last refuge. Here was whether man or woman, can be helped and is The Grapevine ( M o n t h l y ) . the last spot on earth to search for “It.” The worth helping. For a d d i t i o n a l subscriptions enclose separate joy of living. Fulfillment. I called it pleas- And as for me, who felt so terrible, I now feel sheet with name and address clearly printed. ure. I went there every night looking for pleas- wonderful. I am getting well as a person. I, Checks payable to The Grapevine. ure, the pink balloon. Something sick and who did not. believe in anything except myself, hungry in me set up an i n q u i r y for this elusive and who cared for no one but myself—I think Total Enclosed thing. “I w i l l drink, and It w i l l come, ” I said. that, a Higher Power must have sent my phychia- Renewal? (please check) “This thing I have never had. and never found trist to hear Bill talk just at that time. It was anywhere in all my life. A few drinks, and I’ll around the time that my last chance was at PLEASE PRINT hand. I was very near death. And I, who was get it. ” But d u r i n g the disappointment of those Name first drinks, I knew I didn’t have It. This was going to get Bi l l to take a drink, I have learned a boring ginmill. Sordid. What could I find what the word h u m i l i t y means. I have learned Address here? And I would drink more to overcome what the words love and understanding mean. this terrible emptiness. I did not know that I have a long way to go, but A. A. is like that. Note: Subscriptions mailed prior to the the lack was in myself. That joy, fulfillment, You keep going. You never stop. A. A. is a con- 15th of December will begin with the Janu- pleasure and love were chronically absent from stant restatement of a few simple things that ary issue. The price after that date will be me; that all the pleasure I had from my drink- we must all have if we are to keep sober, to he $2.50 per year or 25 cents per copy. ing was anticipatory. happy or to live at all. —Felicia G., Manhattan

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VOL. II, NO. 8, JANUARY, 1946 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17 YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

With Humility and Charity, What Greatness Is Impossible? (Editor’s Note: The following excerpts from out of our program be must read into it, those Take the 1st Step of Alcoholics Anonymous a talk given, by a Wisconsin A.A. at the second minimum qualities which he deep within the . . . “We admitted we were powerless over alanniversary dinner of the Des Moines, Iowa, language of the soul. Some of us, alas, are cohol and that our lives had become un- Group, seem particularly meaningful and cogent content with a bare minimum of sustenance from manageable.” A haughty man cannot set foot as The Grapevine makes its second New Year’s the fabulous wealth of A.A. Others fired by upon that step, and a proud man w i l l not. Only appearance.) their first glimpse of true riches, are alert and the truly humble can crawl to it in desperation eager to accumulate the greatest possible wealth for support. You who two years ago were not to be trusted —not to board—but to give away. For the law We cannot conceive of the imperious and by man in the most trivial affairs of life, are of spiritual economy is that our wealth in- pompous taking our 3rd Step: “Made a decision this day trusted by God in the most important creases in the exact ratio of our disposal of it. to turn our will and our lives over to the care business on earth . . . trusted by Him to pre- It is only in the currency of God that man can of God as we understood Him.” No, only the serve and to pass on the mighty miracle of re- spend his way to ever increasing prosperity. spiritually lowly and submissive can take this lease from alcoholic obsession. high step to freedom. You who two years ago surrendered to a Why Does It Work? And what person on earth with a vestige of power greater than yourselves know now that Though we in A.A. may sometimes disagree supercilious vainglory could possibly take our you had returned to you a power greater than on how best to take the 12 Steps of our pro- 5th Step? For this reads, “Admitted to God, to you surrendered. gram, I t h i n k all of us do agree on their com- ourselves, and to another human being the You who two years ago were skulking through position. exact nature of our wrongs.” the back-alleys of life, picking as boon com- Some of us, perhaps, do not care of what they are made so long as they support our rise to Each A Step In Humility panions in your unholy misery those whose kinship you recognized by the madness in their freedom. This is understandable. Also under- And so they go, these 12 magical steps of eyes and the terror in their souls—you now standable is that decent curiosity of many to know ours, each, as is evident and obvious, a step stride the highroad of life, the A.A. road map wherein these 12 magical steps whose broad in humility. For without humility we cannot, I to destiny in your bands. treads and gentle rises lifted us from death to think, sustain our sobriety, and without sobriety You who two years ago were chained to the life, wherein they differ from all other steps in we perish. degrading slavery of drunkenness have now this world . . . just why these steps, and these We bear much of h u m i l i t y in A.A., but selbound yourselves to the magnificent freedom of alone, of all those fashioned in time, just dom do we bear it defined. And without definisobriety. why they support so securely, so comfortably tion it must remain a vague and cloudy con- You who two years ago strutted and pranced our own sobriety and the weight of some 23,000 cept. But each of us must define h u m i l i t y — u s in the devil’s dance, have traded your swagger- other former helpless, hopeless, despairing al- all else in A.A.—for himself. In doing so sticks of defeat for batons of victory. coholics. surely none of us w i l l be satisfied with less You who two years ago relied upon self, Let us bend down and examine them briefly. than the ideal. know now that there is not enough horse-power Surely all can see on close inspection that each If you w i l l not think me presumptuous I in will-power to raise a man from the slinking massive tread is hewn from the stoutest tree give you some of my thoughts on h u m i l i t y , swamps of drunkenness to the clean heights of of life—charity. And as we look closer we see what the ideal appears to be. It is well to resobriety. unmistakably that the handiwork is that of the member that when we kick the “L” out of any most silent of the giants of virtue—humility. ideal, we have remaining only an idea. We Surrender Is Victory Charity and humility. Humility and charity may make money when we get an idea, but we For during the past two years you have . . . the two great virtues which very nearly shall make spiritual progress only when an learned the great, central paradoxical truth of comprise the total essence and well nigh the ideal gets us. life—that man gains total victory over self, only entire genius of Christianity itself. For what To me humility is the most delicate, and certhrough unconditional surrender to God. greatness is possible without them? And what tainly the most difficult, flower to c u l t i v a t e in Before any man can take even mere sobriety greatness is impossible with them? (Continued on Page 6)

EDITORIAL: A Tradition Born Of Our Anonymity On the 3rd Step… By Hill “Made a decision, to turn our will and our lives oner to the, care, of God. as we (A continuation of the series began in the July, 1945, understood Him.” issue presenting basic A.A. principles for discussion).

In the years that lie ahead the principle of W HEN I came into A.A. four years ago, my will was very sick. I had been the confident master of my own affairs, heeding no desire but my own, yielding to no wish but my own. In the hour of disaster, I found myself alone and shaken, anonymity w i l l undoubtedly become a part of our vital tradition. Even today we sense its practical value. But more important still, we unable to think in consecutive steps, unable to arrive at decisions I could believe in, are beginning to feel t h a t the word “anonyunable to enforce those decisions I did reach. I was so thoroughly in the grip of alco- mous” has for us an immense spiritual signifhol that my efforts to do without it worsenad my nervous collapse. icance. Subtly but p o w e r f u l l y it reminds us I accepted the help of A.A. because I had to. But I accepted with strong reserva- that we are always to place principles before tions. I shied at the 2nd and 3rd Steps first because I didn’t believe that this vague personalities; that we have renounced personal glorification in public; that our movement not something in the universe that we call the Supreme Power had anything to do with me only preaches, but actually practices a t r u l y personally. There were other reasons. As a newspaper reporter I had had many con- humble modesty. That the practice of anonymtacts with missions dealing with drunks, and I didn’t like the “Brolher-have-you-been- ity in our public relations has already had a saved” guys I used to see running missions. And my pious, non-drinking, church- profound effect upon us, and upon our millions going friends who had suggested that I needed to mend my ways aroused me almost to of friends in the outside world, there can hardly assault and battery. be doubt. Anonymity is already a cornerstone of our public relations policy. So, when my sponsor mentioned the 3rd Step, I winced. How this idea first originated and subse- But I had to have help, and if I was unwilling to look up into the sky, I could look quently look hold of us is an interesting bit of straight ahead. If I rejected a power higher than myself, I could accept a power other A.A. history. In the years before the publicathan myself. I could lean on the shoulder of another alcoholic and talk over my prob- tion of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, we lems with him. I could go to meetings and make hospital calls. And when I could had no name. Nameless, formless, our essendo none of these things, I could go off by myself and hold a mental conversation with tial principles of recovery still under debate and test, we were just a group of drinkers gropmy sponsor. ing our way along what we hoped would be As I conducted my moral inventory and did it the way I knew my sponsor would the road to freedom. Once we became sure that want me to do it, I thought of all my troubles, of my waywardness, of my egotism. our feet were set on the right track we decided There was a slight shift. I was no longer talking mentally with my sponsor, but with upon a book in which we could tell other alcosomething I had not identified. I thought of all the rules of life, the rules that people holics the good news. As the book took form who don’t get into trouble follow. I thought of the men who gave us those rules, some we inscribed in it the essence of our experience. It was the product of thousands of hours of disof them long, long ago. cussion. It t r u l y represented the collective voice, Strangely, I needed little instruction. I knew what was right, and I was recogniz- heart and conscience of those of us who had ing now that I couldn’t shade the rules to suit my own pleasure. These rules guided pioneered the first four years of A.A. men and women in civilized society for centuries. Great men and small had learned that in their lives something else must come first, that instead of looking within them- Search for a Title selves they must look out. Great men and small had learned the need for self denial, As the day of publication approached we the need for unselfishness, the need for doing for others. These are universal rules, racked our brains to find a suitable name for and those who disregard them come to disaster eventually. I derided those rules and the volume. We must have considered at least came to disaster; to escape disaster, I must obey. two hundred titles. Thinking up titles and voting upon them at meetings became one of our The rules belong to the realm of what is good in life, and thus to the Good. As I main activities. A great welter of discussion look up to them, and talk mentally with myself about them and about my performance, and argument finally narrowed our choice to a I find myself looking to the source of the Good, talking with that source, asking to be single pair of names. Should we call our new judged according to whether I measure up to the standards. book The Way Out or should we call it Alco- What, then, is this? It is a power higher than my own, and it is the source of my holics Anonymous? That was the final question. help. It is the same power that I see at work in the group, whether individuals in the A last minute vote was taken by the Akron and New York Groups. By a narrow majority the group recognize their dependence upon it or not. verdict was for naming our book The Way Out. I no longer worry about what the Supreme Power is. It is enough for me that my Just before we went to p r i n t somebody sugexperience has taught me that the Supreme Power exists, and that it is my great help. gested there might be other books having the And as long as I strive to place myself on the level on which I know this Good exists, same title. One of our early lone members I keep out of trouble.—Fred 5.. Cleveland (Continued on Page 10)

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DISCHARGE PERIOD OFTEN HAZARDOUS FOR A. A.VETERANS (The following article was written by an A.A. may well be appalled at some examples of seem to be wholehearted re-entry into the who was an overseas veteran of World War I, complete selfishness on the part of fellow activities—and there are many—of their A.A. who served, among, other places, in the Army of citizens who seem to have forgotten already any groups. A word of warning may be helpful— Occupation in Germany for a period of seven of their responsibility for problems beyond their a returning A.A. veteran should not postpone months and, though not an active alcoholic very limited horizons. Isolationism, indifference active participation in group activities during then, knew the boredom of inactivity, and, later, to human suffering, prejudice in various forms that dangerous period of inactivity and relaxathe problems of readjustment.—Editor) do not sit well, I think, with the returning serv- tion of a final leave or before resuming civilicemen. If, however, they are fortunate enough ian employment. Procrastination is a failing From conversations with various A.A. mem- to be members of A.A., they should remember of many alcoholics and too much leisure can bers who have recently resumed the status of these thing have no part in our program of prove fatal. The program of A.A., not withcivilians and from fairly extensive correspond- recovery either. The best course for them would out good reason, is one of action. ence with other A.A.s who hope soon to be on Conceivably, though this should not be so, their way to separation centers for discharge the A.A. veteran may feel that he has gotten from the service, it is clear to the writer that out of step with his group, perhaps that he is readjustment to the routine of ordinary living THREE MONTHS not receiving as cordial a welcome as he had is going to be somewhat difficult for most alco- A MILESTONE expected. There are many new faces and memholics. In the March 1945 issue of The Grape- bers unknown to him have become prominent vine this subject was discussed by an A.A. then Three months in the group is enough to con- in A.A. activities. This feeling may be a bit of undergoing the readjustment, but the time now vince the newcomer that he has made a right the old ego reasserting itself and true humility appears to be ripe to bring up additional as- choice. requires that it be promptly quelled. A.A. is pects of the problem. By this time he has a fairly good knowledge growing rapidly these days and there has never Consider that many of our returning A.A. of the “mechanics of sobriety,” and has made been a time when the wise counsel of older veterans entered the service without too much considerable progress in the solution of the members was more needed. There is plenty of preparation of previous sobriety and that often common problem. work for all and the A.A. veteran has a chalthey were then separated from group therapy Things are starling to “shape up,” on all sides, lenge to meet in helping countless other vetand contact with any of their fellow A.A. mem- tension decreases or disappears, home life be- erans, now and in the future, who have perhaps bers, and even from their families, over long comes more attractive, even alluring, confidence never heard of A.A. and who do not yet periods of time. Despite these apparent handi- returns, business relationships are better, health recognize the nature of the alcoholic illness. caps, they have, for the most part, done a sur- improves. Those of us who have not been in this war prisingly good job of remaining dry. The sum total of all these factors is a marked need the aid the veterans can bring to the group. and somewhat strange feeling of well being, Service Provides Security bordering on exuberance (not necessarily youth- Discipline, Not Will Now comes the time when these A.A.s have to ful). Earlier in this article the writer mentioned separate themselves from the discipline of the This is unquestionably the delightful and return to self-discipline. Self-discipline is not service, which probably helped them to main- very desirable state that comes to nearly all in a product of self-will. Possibly the real answer tain sobriety to some extent, and return to re- the group about this time. to why A.A.s were amazingly successful in reliance on self-discipline. In addition, they must During this period it is well to take stock of maining dry under the temptations to drink face a different type of reality in meeting the things, and above all not to become confused. that occur in the service is best answered by an ordinary problems of society, which have been The confidence that has returned for instance, article written by one of them, on request, for temporarily deferred for them. True, they may should not manifest itself in any way that spells publication in The Grapevine of November, have had to face very acute problems while in arrogance. “Walking softly” is a fine art, not 1944. I quote, in part: “The solution to which uniform but these were quite possibly well de- an act of subservience. I turned in desperation was the llth Step in fined and the solution often not of their own Nor is your sobriety your own exclusive at- the A.A. program—prayer and meditation. I volition. Military discipline provides a cer- tainment. Remember, all activities in A.A. are knew nothing about prayer and very little about tain measure of security from making the type strictly a “we,” not an “1” proposition, other- meditation, but I reckoned it was a case of of decisions which are distasteful to the average wise you could not have received any of the start learning or else. . . . Anyway, it worked, alcoholic. benefits which have accrued to you, for the and it kept me dry.” I might add that this man, Then there are the major problems that con- group would have disappeared long before you with only four months as an A.A. before going front most veterans; the bad housing situation found it. into service, has now been dry for about three in our cities, the question of a peacetime job It is also advisable to inform one’s self that and a half years, is still in the Army, active in perhaps at a considerable reduction below serv- there is an element of emotional ecstasy likely A.A., and, I believe, content. From many other ice pay and allowances, and very probably a to be present at this time, which will probably servicemen, the testimony has been identical. serious f a m i l y readjustment after a long ab- wear off. This should cause no concern, as May it be suggested, therefore, to the A.A. sence from home. It is undoubtedly true, also, there are many substitutes, depending on the veterans who have learned to turn their w i l l that civilians should work harder to adjust individual’s personality, tastes, inclinations. over to a Higher Power under the stress of war. themselves to the viewpoints of all returning Above all, strive to recognize all forms of that in continuing to rely on the faith thus acservicemen and should be more acutely con- arrogance in yourself, “walk softly,” and main- quired lies the real answer to their problem scious of the emotional disturbances, or worse, tain a healthy interest in the group.—Frank L., of readjustment.—Abbot T., Greenwich Village, which these men have undergone. The veterans Flushing. N.Y.C.

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East Coast or West Coast, A.A.s Always ‘at Home’ Traveler Finds Welcome Please bless the spirit and the purpose of job, but they deliberately do not make a practhis group. tice of it. (The following is the account of a country-wide trip Give us strength to f o l l o w t h i s program ac- In Detroit I had personal introductions made recently by a New York A.A. who accompanied cording to Thy will and in all h u m i l i t y . (though my A.A. f r i e n d here got the itinerary her husband, a non-A.A., on a business visit.) Forgive us for yesterday, and grant us, in mixed and I felt crushingly neglected for two No matter where you go A.A.s and A.A. Christ’s name, courage f o r today and hope days, hesitant to call and horn i n ) . Then came meetings are the same. Which is highly com- for tomorrow. Amen. the beauteous A n n K. with a high-score record forting. And h i g h l y remarkable for an organ- of sobriety and w i t h perhaps the finest spiritual Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. and Mr. and Mrs. ization that has no rules or regulations and kinship with A.A. I have met Arch T, who C. S. (Dick) T. look me to the Cleveland meetcertainly no ceremony, customs or ritual. As started A.A. in Detroit and who was one of ing held in an empty store on Lee Road that f a r is I saw, the meetings, large or small, are Doc S.’s earliest babies, came to call and drove was the first and original meeting place for the same; the first-name greeting and instant me that night with Charles (Chuck) K. and all Cleveland. There are now 42 Greater Cleveacceptance without, reservation, inventory or Peggy H. to a large and hard-hitting instruction land Groups stemming from a Cleveland Central barrier are the same; the enthusiasm and burn- meeting which lasted one hour and included a Committee. The meeting lasted an hour and ing excitement, the intense devoted friendships very sumptuous, wives-supplied sandwich-cakewas led by one man who talked not only of his and loyalties, the understanding, sympathy and coffee conference afterward. We were joined history and his rebirth but on what he totaled tireless efforts to help—yes, and the growing by Helen K., the non-alcoholic-wife secretary up as his main lessons learned to date. . . . pains, the snags, the feuds and fusses, the splits for Detroit, whose husband happened to lead “Don’t watch the slippers—but watch those who and discouragements and the up and downs are that night’s meeting. It broke my heart to don’t slip closely and watch them as they go the same. miss a very special gathering at Ann’s afterthrough difficulties and pull through.” . . . “I When you leave New York you get from the ward, but I was due to take off, unhaggard and believe it’s a great and dangerous mistake to Foundation a list of the secretaries with ad- beamish, early the next morning. give A.A. to anyone before the person is ready. dresses or phones, and a number of your pals In Chicago I visited the office, which is su- You spoil a man’s chances five years from now arm you w i t h names of their pals in various perb. From one of the top floors of a skyby jumping the gun—by giving him A.A. too towns. You may write ahead to each t o w n that scraper on State Street the views are breathsoon—and then when he’s really down he feels you are coming and will stay so-many-days; taking. There are two small but slick offices and he tried A.A. and that it didn’t do him any or wait and call when you reach your hotel. an outer reception room which is practically a good.” . . . “I no longer pray each morning In only one case was the name Alcoholics lounge, attractive, restful and much used. Grace to keep sober. I pray to be given the chance A n o n y m o u s mentioned on the phone—seldom C., the famed Chicago secretary, was out on that day to help someone, and I give thanks was even A.A. mentioned. But everywhere the sick-leave and a non-A.A. was officiating. The each night for the o p p o r t u n i t y to have helped performance was the same. Addresses and times phone seemed to be as busy as the one in New someone.” of meet ings are given you and at least one York; a member came in and briefly used one At the end of his talk this leader was open name and phone number. And you t h i n k , “Fine, office to write some job-seeking letters, others to questions or observation and the discussion that’s that.” But in a very short while your came on interview appointments in the lounge. was meaty, occupying about half of the hour’s phone rings and a key man is on the phone. I went from there to a noon-hour meeting in the meeting and controlled by the leader who called He simply wants to welcome you and suggests Loop, some thirty men and three women with on those who raised their hands in turn. After he pick you up and drive you to a meeting. Or the leader briefly stating and elaborating on a this everyone went down to the basement where he’d like to drop around w i t h a few other mem- Step and then calling on everyone present in coffee, sandwiches and cakes were served, and bers and talk. Or have lunch and bring along rotation for one or two minutes’ comment. This I met a lot of the members, most of whom had one or two of the lady A.A.s. Or take you for was in an office b u i l d i n g ; one very large room, messages to send back to New York members. a drive and show you the wonders of his city. volunteer decorated, with comfortable chairs We stayed about an hour, but obviously most Or ask you to make a 12th Step call at a hos- and leather divans lined up. Coffee was being of the crowd was settled in for at least another pital ( t h a t tickled me and made me proud). poured in the small room and almost everyone hour. Or, since there happens to be no meeting during took a cup into the big meeting. These noon That practice seems to prevail pretty unithe brief stay, why not a bunch of them throw and early afternoon meetings are growing in versally. A great many A.A.s feel that the an impromptu meeting in your hotel room— favor, I was told, not only for night workers “koffee klatch” part of a meeting is us vital or one of their homes? but for members whose f a m i l y or home-life as the meeting itself and in some instances more The Relative who is along with you (except so as it is the period for intimate and detailed problems make night meetings difficult to arfor A.A., of course, I was along with him) is range. hashing-over of cases and personal problems. welcomed, too—by personal phone calls and That night I had dinner with Dick S., Dor- For this reason almost everywhere I went the chats and by being specifically invited and in- othy S. and Adeline A., who drove us in a beatmeeting was kept to one hour and the fraternizcluded in everything but the closed meetings. ing storm to the Water Tower Group, about ing was the bulk of the evening. And almost The actual procedure of meetings varies some- t h i r t y – f i v e strong with about nine or ten women. everywhere the meetings started earlier, genwhat. In Detroit it was opened with a prayer Again after a topic was presented, rotation erally at 8 and often at 7 and 7:30. This gave that I found so very touching and fine that I discussion was called. The fire and earnestcommuters time for dinner after the office, a asked for a copy of it. It may appeal to you: ness of each person as his t u r n came impressed meeting, a long coffee-gabfest and still let them Our Heavenly Father—we ask Thy blessing get home in time for sufficient sleep. They could me—each knows he’s expected to speak and on this meeting. —and did on occasion—do a bang-up night owl (Continued on Page 8)

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Don’t Get Cocky! The purpose of this little piece is to pass along to you an experience. Believe me, it is not an effort to moralize. It is not an effort to push any beat-up platitudes down your throat. It is simply something that happened to me. If you have had a similar experience, you will understand. If you haven’t, my experience may help you. About two years ago, I heard of the A.A. way of life. Several of us were sitting around the newsroom of a New York newspaper and the subject of alcoholic drinking was being kicked around. A photographer, who had been completely sober for a long time, was telling us how he did it. It was 2:15 a.m. and I had a hangover. I was suffering through the last fifteen minutes of the shift before beating it over to Sam’s for a required number of “doubles.” I had been drinking steadily for two weeks and had reached the point where my drinking was for relief rather than for pleasure. In other words, the drinks I would take at 2:30 were a necessity. There would be no fun in them for me. VINO VIGNETTES: Thumbnail A. A. Biographies The photographer was saying that there was a group of alcoholics in New York who were “My wife Frances was running a rooming and my ancestors. You see, Frances was on the staying sober with no trouble at all. He told us house on West 25th Street when we first ran wagon at the time and I was drinking a couple that be hadn’t believed it until be went around into A.A. back in 1940,” said Tony—the ‘Mr.’ of bottles of beer a day. to an A.A. meeting and saw for himself. He half of this fabulous couple who are among “I might just as well have walked right in informed us that he had become a member of the best known ‘man-and-wife’ A.A.s in Man- the A.A. Clubhouse that night because Frances A.A., but he didn’t have to remind us that he hattan. “Frances was cleaning up a guy’s room was determined to go there and you know what was staying sober. Don’t get me wrong. This in our house when she saw the A.A. book on a determined person she is! Well, before I guy wasn’t preaching to us. He simply stated his dresser and took a gander at it. Then she knew it we were going there to meetings. that A.A. gave him the answer to his problem. spoke to this character and he told her the A.A. Frances is pretty aggressive and I’m not, so As a consequence of the photographer’s story, Clubhouse—the old one—was right around the she embarrassed hell out of me by dashing up I went around to the 41st Street Clubhouse corner on 24th Street and what A.A. was all as soon as the speakers had finished talking, meeting on the following Tuesday night. I was about. slapping them on the back, shaking their hands still extremely shaky because I was only three “When F. told me about it and suggested we and telling them how blankety-blank good they’d days away from the two-weeks binge. The might drop in at the Clubhouse and look them been. meeting was interesting and, despite my jittery over, I said; ‘What the hell do we want to go “After we’d been to a few meetings a damn condition, I stayed it out. I left, after meeting there for? We don’t want to mix around with f u n n y thing happened to me—I got drunk, a few A.A.s, with the hope of solving my drinka bunch of drunks!’ Well, you know what a per- stinking fall-down drunk. Whew—it was some- ing problem. sistant female Frances is. She saw she couldn’t t h i n g ! I’d been sticking close to beer for quite So far, there is nothing unusual about my get me there by the direct route and she wanted a while and had done pretty well. Not this story. I continued to go to A.A. meetings; to go. One night when we were out for a walk time—I drank everything and anything I could offered my services as an orderly at Knickershe steered me past the Club and when we were get my hands on. Well, I had one helluva time bocker Hospital; went out on 12th Step work; right out in front she says, as though she were getting over it. Seemed to be worse than ever and made at least three meetings a week a part surprised, ‘Oh, Tony, there’s that A.A. Club the since I heard all the A.A. stuff because of course of this new way of life. I stayed sober. More fellow who lives with us belongs to! Wonder by then I knew I was a gilt-edge 14 carat al- important, I didn’t seem to miss drinking and what the people who go there are like? Do you coholic. I was finding a new happiness. Then it began suppose it’d be nice to meet some of them— “Frances and I had been alcoholics for a long to happen. you know, just to have more acquaintances time, and you can spell it with capital letters, It was about five months after my introducaround the neighborhood?’ too. I’m not telling tales on Frances when I tion to A.A. that I began to get a little bored “I wasn’t interested and I told her so without say this about her because she tells it to the by the meetings. By then, I had heard it all. using any Sunday-school language, if you know cockeyed world a flock of times every day. Be- When the speakers walked to the platform, I what I mean. And Frances, she came right back lieve you me, we had some career as active knew what they would say. Unless someone at me and said I was an obstinate so-in-so with working alcoholics. We were sort of migratory “was amusing” or “told an especially interesta few other uncomplimentary remarks about me (Continued on Page 12) (Continued on Page 12)

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With Humility and Charity, What Greatness Is Impossible? (Continued from Page 1) erality to the poor—the poor in fact and the in A.A. “practical?” If so we make mockery our gardens of sobriety. How much easier it is, poor in spirit.” A further definition is, “readi- of Christ’s words. For He said, He commanded, for example, to be honest than to be humble. ness to overlook faults of another.” And a final “Give him that asketh thee; and from him who As I see it, humility is the great mother one is, “spiritual benevolence.” These things would borrow of thee, turn not away.” virtue of A.A. For it is in the soil of h u m i l i t y are charity. Is that “practical?” It is not. But it is divine where grows the tallest tree in life—charity. command. Do any of us, by our own admissions No Quibbling And it is that same mother soil which nourishes unworthy recipients of God’s unlimited mercy the roots of faith and courage, duty and honor. And they are not things we may do, they are and charity, dare do less than commanded? Humility means a total lack of boast and things we must do, things we will do—and keep It is not given to any of us to say what we bombast, of pride and conceit. The truly humble on doing regardless of human failure—if we would do in any given situation, but it is given man recognizes the truth—the fact—that all have taken the 3rd Step of our A.A. program. to all of us, given clearly and unmistakably that he is, has or does which is right and good, For we know what the will of God is, and there- to know what we should do in all situations. is through acting in accord with the will and in we surrendered to it, without reservation. He “Judge not that ye be not judged” and “give to grace of God. The humble man not only ack- has not only told us His will—He has com- him that asketh thee.” There it is. We can take nowledges this to himself but is prepared to manded us to it—”Love thy neighbor as thy- it or leave it. It is as simple as that. admit it to the world. self.” There it is. We cannot duck or dodge But what of the “phony?” we ask. What about There is in true h u m i l i t y no connotation of it. It is not a question of what we would do the man who, in our exalted and infallible servility. To the contrary. Only the slave must in any given situation, but what Almighty God judgment, comes to A.A. not to recover from be servile; only the free can be humble. commands us to do in all situations. “Love thy his obsession, but to impose upon its members? Nor does h u m i l i t y imply a pious air stirred neighbor as thyself.” What about the man who, in our critical judgby the self-conscious air of sanctity. Humility is And how do we translate this Commandment ment, does not want to stop drinking . . . who never abject before man, though always sub- in A.A.? As in all else, each decides for himself. uses A.A. to his own selfish ends . . . who puts missive before God. Each of us freely admits that he is here only the bite on wherever possible? What about H u m i l i t y is ready to compromise a policy through the grace of God—through the charity him? And what about the psychotic whom but never a principle. of God. Each of us knows that had he been “we can’t help?” Should we be charitable to Humility is the eye of judgment turned in- judged according to his merits, none of us him? Is it common sense to do so? ward upon itself, seeing clearly its own numer- would be here. Had Almighty God become outraged at the insults we hurled to the very throne So Much to Gain ous faults. Thus when it looks outward, it cannot in honesty and dare not in arrogance, judge of heaven, had He become righteously angry Why, oh why, are we in A.A. so afraid of bethe repeated failures of others. at our lies, deceits, disgrace and repeated ing “imposed upon?” We . . . of a l l people on H u m i l i t y lowers a man to his proper size with- failures; had He become out of patience with earth? How many times did we impose upon out degrading him and thereby increases his our broken promises and hollow oaths, not one others—frequently w i t h even less honest intenstature without inflating him. of us alcoholics would be here today. Think of tions than the man we now judge “a phony?” Modesty is born of knowledge; humility is it! This indeed is something to ponder when How the very angels of God must weep at the conceived in wisdom. considering the concept of charity. We have fantastic sight of one common drunkard, rereceived forgiveness time and time again. And deemed by the limitless charity of God, refus- Our Attitudes Reflect It yet we who so long delayed atonement, found re- ing, actually refusing another common drunkard Humility, as I see it, is man’s relationship demption in on instant. How? By merit of our on the grounds that he is a phony! with God born of knowledge and admission of own? No . . . by the charity of God. Could there be any more ironical spectacle his complete dependence upon Him which is Can we therefore, conceivably give less to our on earth than this ghastly travesty on charity? reflected back in all of his attitudes towards men. brothers than we have so undeservedly received? We are not invited, we are commanded to give Most of us find it easy enough to be humble Can we and sensibly hope for continued charity him who asketh us. To give not only money, to in trial and defeat but once we become again to ourselves? give of ourselves. Almighty God did not say that strong and victorious we are inclined to throw Can we serve God in humility while serving he who asketh us must be “worthy” in our critical off the quiet dignity of humility and don the our brother in judgment? And yet do we not judgment. He said, “Give!” True charity is flamboyant cloak of pride. Surely this is one sometimes attempt this impossible feat? Do we no more concerned with “practicalities” than of the most unlovely sights on earth—especially not upon difficult occasion ignore the fact that is true faith. Either each transcends all “pracin A.A. charity is not a quality of the mind but a virtue tical” evaluation or neither is what it pretends. To sum it up . . . humility, I think, is the of the heart? Suppose—according to worldly opinion—we tray on which we offer to man the things we Do we actually believe—have we learned f u l l y in A.A. are repeatedly “taken in.” What of it? have received from God. Let us keep it clean —the simple lesson that man becomes wealthy Suppose we do give our time, money, effort, and bright, free from the corroding stains of only by what he gives to others, and remains sacrifice our comfort and convenience for one pride and arrogance. poor only by retaining to himself? Do we be- whom we do not benefit (so far as we know— And what of charity, out of which the hand lieve this? And do we know that the greater and we know very little indeed of such things), of humility fashioned our 12 Steps? Again, what the poverty we serve, the richer we become? Do for one who remains (outwardly) indifferent is the ideal towards which we should make we believe these things—believe them in our and ungrateful? Do we know that God considers progress? heart and soul—those seats of wisdom infinitely not so much the merits of him who receives— Well, what is charity? One definition is— higher than the chair of intellect? worthily or unworthily—as of him who gives? “the will to help those in need.” Another is, “lib- Or do we sometimes try to make our charity If it turns out that the man to whom we have

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given is unworthy, do we not know that we have nevertheless given to humanity? This is the meaning of charity. For charity . . . true charity The Pleasures of Reading . . . is not a gift to man at all, but a payment to God. This simple but profound truth we The Glass Crutch; the Biographical Novel of William Wynne Wister should never forget. With most of us, payments By Jim Bishop (Doubleday, Doran & Co., $2.50) are long overdue. “The True Story of A Man Who Conquered Alcoholism and Found The Keys to Its Cure.” What Can We Lose? This book is a mixed pleasure. Very much so. The story, as written by Jim Bishop, gets off What if our charity in A.A. is misplaced— to a slow start, but soon it’s going at high speed. I think that most A.A.s will read this with misplaced, that is, so far as we can foresee? great interest. For me it had all the excitement of The Lost Weekend. Moreover, you see how It is merely misplaced. It is not lost. Does not this particular alcoholic got that way. Bill Wister was a spoiled rich Philadelphia boy. His God give His charity to the worthy and the un- mother overindulged him, overprotected him. He never grew up. His whole drinking career, worthy alike, every hour of every day? complete with jails, sanitariums, weeks of semi-coma, attempted suicide, a ruined marriage, an Let us remember this when, in our tired im- inability to keep jobs—this is a wonderful piece of w r i t i n g and wonderfully true. Mr. Wister patience, we are tempted to turn from the man has been honest and courageous to tell it. we have helped six, eight, fifteen times, ap- The part about Peabody is swell. Peabody was a lay therapist, who had been an active parently without result. How many times shall drunk. Much of what he taught Bill Wister sounds like A.A. There is no mention of God or we help? Surely there is a limit? Yes, there is. the Higher Power. There is a lot of talk about cure. The word appears not only in the blurb But one none of us is likely to reach. on the jacket, it comes up repeatedly in the book. Bill Wister got “cured” under Peabody. What a magnificent thing it would be if Al- It took a year. coholics Anonymous, the most effective agency We A.A.s don’t use that word. We think we have a good reason not to. But I, for one, under heaven for rehabilitation of the obsessed, would not say that any other method of sobering up us drunks is wrong. If it works, fine. became rightly known as the most charitable Peabody helped a great many people. So, for a while, did Wister. fellowship on earth! But by September, 1943, Wister had had a series of difficulties with the medical profession. But sometimes in our exasperation and an- No one would recognize him or let him work w i t h them. He spent a short time in one New noyance do we not cry out that we are not a Jersey sanitarium, but the war closed that. In California, where he went, hoping to become charitable organization? But aren’t we? Are associated with some hospital or sanitarium, he had a serious slip. In September be returned we not proof of someone’s charity? And if we east and “vowed he would never practice psychotherapy again.” are not, isn’t it time we became a charitable Now comes the epilogue, written by Wister. He is quite dogmatic about what makes an organization? Charity, remember, means in- alcoholic. Alcoholics are all spoiled children. Or this is the impression be gives. He lays down finitely more than giving money, though it cer- the law about how alcoholism should be—is the word—cured? He says: “An alcoholic must of tainly includes it. It means giving of our self, absolute necessity have the help of “a psychiatrist, an accredited psychologist or a psychotherour time, effort, energy, comfort and con- apist.” A footnote says, “These three terms are not in any way to be confused with a psychovenience. analyst whom I most emphatically do not recommend.” Yet do we not sometimes hear that weakest As a confuser of terms, Mr. Wister is not to be beat. See the footnotes on page 302. It shows and most specious of arguments—that we may Mr. Wister to be an accredited “psychotherapist in alcoholism,” and both Mr. Strecker and Mr. do more harm than good by extending charity in Chambers vouch for him. But then, quick as a flash, he turns himself into a psychiatrist, too. certain situations? What nonsense. What an in- “Hereafter the use of the name ‘psychiatrist’ includes in its meaning an accredited psychologist effectual sop to guilty conscience. Who are we and a psychotherapist endorsed by a psychiatrist.” This makes everything legal. But in the world to judge? “Judge not . . .”—this is the order. outside Mr. Wister’s book, which is, after all, most of the world, a psychiatrist is an M.D., who Charity does not mean an abandonment of is able to give physical treatment such as shock therapy. Mr. Wister is no M.D. At one time prudence, common sense or intelligence, but it he was an enthusiastic 12th Stepper in his own way. Right now, he seems to have run into a most definitely does mean a recognition of our couple of conflicts. I don’t think he’s any farther away from a drink than most of us. The inability to know the heart and soul of another. word cure may look good. But—watch it, Mr. Wister. — Felicia G,, Manhattan It does mean that we are content to give of the abundance we have received from God and let Him determine the result. There can be no exing in materialistic exhibitionism, still spend- BRITANNICA LISTS ing our way to self-satisfaction rather than feel- THE GRAPEVINE cess in true charity. ing our way to atonement. We in A.A. are under no fiat to understand On page 370 of the Encyclopedia Britannica It is not the greatness of our works but the our brother, but we are under orders to help Yearbook for 1945, appears the following: greatness of our motives which will be evaluated him—and to help him as many times as God “The year 1944 witnessed the opening of the in that quiet counting-room of God where gives us that privilege. I think we in A.A. never School of Alcohol Studies under the direction of eternal values are computed.—H. A. R., Eau have the right to start judging or to stop giving. the Yale University Laboratory of Applied Psy- Claire, Wis. * * To help . . . that and that alone, it seems to chology. The Yale plan also sponsored the me is our mission in A.A. All else we leave to The Old Masters! National Committee for Education on Alcohol- Him. This is both a duty and a privilege . . . A cosmopolitan movie critic, referring to the ism. . . . A current journal called The Grapean order and an honor. Do we dare reject one soft, implausible ending of the screen version vine, originating from P. 0. Box 328, Grand while accepting the other? of The Lost Weekend, though otherwise highly Central Annex, New York, appeared during And let us not forget that no matter what we praising the film, said, “We’d all be happier, I the year. It was dedicated to furthering the do in A.A., unless there be charity in our hearts, think, if Paramount had let Alcoholics Anony- general philosophy of life and action prewe are but animated marionettes, still indulg- mous take over at the end.” scribed by Alcoholics Anonymous.”

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ing Edward W. to dinner before driving me. to The Clip Sheet Barley a “skid-row” meet ing newly started, held in a Polish church and socking it hard on a discus- Comments from the Public Press “Four per cent of the nation’s drinkers are !!!CORN!!! sion of the spiritual angle. Coffee was served in an adjoining deserted bar afterward. We chronic alcoholics,” said the Associated Press in (What’s the funniest A.A. tale or quip you’ve heard? Others would like to hear it. Send it in.) drove from there to the club rooms. They had a release from Syracuse, Dec. 14. The AP was Add surefire hangover remedies: Take one taken an e m p t y l o f t over a very gaudy saloon reporting an address by Prof. Selden Bacon, pint of gingerale and mix well with the juice and every last inch of the work (with the excepchairman of Connecticut’s new Board for the of two quarts of whiskey. tion of wiring for electricity) was done by Study, Care and Treatment of Inebriates, made before the New York State Conference on So- * * * members. It’s large, exceedingly cheerful, with cial Welfare. Dr. Bacon was quoted as saying When God gave out brains, I thought He said a room for an office, a coat room, a card room, that 50,000,000 Americans indulged in alco- trains, and I missed mine; a billiard room, and rest rooms and a meeting holic beverages to some extent and 2,000,000 When He gave out looks, I thought He said room that holds a good two hundred or more were alcoholic.”. books, and I didn’t want any; and in which there is an open cafeteria booth, When He gave out noses, I thought He said manned by volunteers. This coffee-doughnutroses, and I ordered a big red one; cake-sandwich-soft-drink booth supports the From the New York Herald-Tribune, Dec. 14: When He gave out legs, I thought He said kegs, club rooms. There are magazines galore, the “Children of alcoholic or psychotic parents, and I ordered two fat ones; start of a good library and ditto on records placed in foster homes at an early age, have as When He gave out chins, I thought He said gins, and it’s open from noon till midnight. As in good a chance as children of normal parents of and I ordered a double; most cases a h a n d f u l of people did the work becoming well adjusted adults, it is indicated When He gave out heads, I thought He said and a smaller h a n d f u l keeps it going (and gets in a recent study published at Yale University.” beds, and I look a nice soft one; most of the criticism), but, as Ray H. w r y l y The Herald-Tribune was reporting on a paper Boy, am I a mess! observed, “Not one person who sawed boards, written by Dr. A n n e Roe of Yale University * * * painted partitions, fitted in locks, scraped floors, and the late Dr. Barbara Burks, entitled, “Adult hauled stuff up that long flight of stairs, or Remarked one of the boys after a bad tussle: Adjustment of Foster Children of Alcoholic and keeps on scrubbing—not one has gotten drunk. “Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like Psychotic Parentage and the Influence of the They got stiff, sore, chipped, bruised, chapped, Bellevue.” Foster Home.” * . * * grubby and their feelings hurt—but they’ve all The newspaper noted that “the actual con- stayed sober.” An oldtimer says some of the new members clusions of the study are confined to 78 children In Portland I lunched with Cecil F. and coming in these days are so young compared to placed 20 years ago in foster homes,” and con- Leonard B. and was given a good history of the the age level in the early days of A.A. that int i n u e d : “No child of psychotic parentage was local set-up, a wonderful account of Bill’s trip stead of alcoholics they should be called found psychotic … no child of alcoholic parent- out there and of Marty’s visit last season, and alcoholettes. age was found alcoholic. . . . that afternoon Leonard drove me all over Port- “It can be concluded.” the report stated, “that land and out to the famous Shadel Sanitarium. Inasmuch as the place was once prescribed for such parentage does not preclude good adjust- East Coast, West Coast me, I wondered how I would have felt if a ment. . . .” (Continued from Page 4) fortune-teller had said, back in November, 1943, each seems to have a wallop to hurt. It was “Well, refuse stubbornly if you like, but two Ann Arbor, Mich., Tribune: “Women alco- stimulating and alive and you had the feeling years from now practically to the date, you’ll holics, increasing so rapidly in the last few that plenty would be challenged and rehashed be in the Shadel Sanitarium.” There’s a moral years, have become such a serious medical and In the coffee session that was to follow a block there somewhere, if I could figure it out. social problem that many leading physicians or so away. “I’m a bookkeeper and I take my In Seattle my time was brief, but we had an and psychiatrists have joined together in a sur- daily inventory as a reckoning of stewardship. impromptu meeting Sunday night of some vey and study of the situation. Twenty-five years . . . I’ve been steward of health, of money, of twenty or so men brought by the man whom ago there was only one woman alcoholic to 25 people’s affection and interest, and of talent, I had been hearing about every where, Dale men alcoholics. Today the ratio is one woman too. How have I spent them? What’s my A.; and the next afternoon I met about nine to six men, taking a cross country figure. A ledger look like? And if I’ve made a grave of the women A.A.s. There was a phone reliable check-up, made by a director of the error I don’t mind phoning right then and try- call from Harold S., but our plane home was Psychiatric Institute of the Municipal Court in ing to rectify it somehow so that my account leaving at the time of his meeting. I don’t Chicago, shows that in about 12 years women will balance. After all, I used to disturb people know if the Seattle crowd is the most earnest and men drunkards appearing before the court plenty when I was drinking. . . .” I met up with, but I’d be templed to bet. Anyincreased in ratio from one to five to an alarm- In Los Angeles I was too busy doing last way, they’re doing a grand job and have some ing comparison of one to two. things first to get to one of the dizzyingly numer- ambitious and worthy plans afoot. “Psychiatrists are of the opinion that women’s ous meetings. But I had lots of phone calls and What I do know is t h a t we belong to the nerves and brains degenerate more rapidly with a visit from De G., which made me realize that most amazing club in the world, that in the constant drinking because of a more sensitive I was missing a lot of the best brand of earnest company of its members everywhere you go. nervous system. The woman alcoholic might enthusiasm, humble seeking and sound A.A. it’s next door to impossible to feel blue, desofeel helpless and hopeless. Bui if she wauls to His visit left my husband and me with a shot late, idle or strange—and that I’ve come back follow a program that will insure sobriety she in the arm of inspiration. a far better A.A. than ever.—Grace 0., Manshould contact Alcoholics Anonymous. . . .” Ray H. adopted me in San Francisco, bring- hattan.

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad contact with A.A. I was dry. I knew for the A Marine Gives Thanks Letters to this department are invited on any first time in 18 years what it meant to be ensubject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- ‘From Japan tions you are asked to hold your letters to a tirely free from alcohol for more than a year m a x i m u m of 350 words. (The following excerpt is from a letter from a Marine Only initials will he published unless the at a stretch. Then, in spite of continued A.A. sergeant now in Japan.) writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- activity and apparently, or outwardly, for no Don’t let anyone ever tell you that honest, fication for A.A. friends. The Grapevine will not divulge the full name p a r t i c u l a r reason, I started drinking again— sincere prayer doesn’t pay its rewards. Just of any writer but will forward A.A. commminicu- wildly, insanely, as I used to. I had six months after getting in the service I was asked if I ations addressed to the writers of letters published here.—The Editors. of this before getting my “bearings” again and thought I’d ever take a drink. From way back trying to think it out. in my head I pulled out this one (and at the Many explanations of such an experience will time probably meant it)—”Perhaps if my life A Ship Is Hell present themselves rapidly enough—pride, self is in danger, if I think I am about to die, I might take a drink.” At Ie Shima, for over two from Youngstown, Ohio will, ego, fears had reestablished t h e i r hold over solid mouths planes roared overhead both day me, to be sure. Undoubtedly, I had not whole- I have just returned from a t r i p through hell; and night, raining death and destruction on us and found that the punishment for one who has heartedly worked on the program in its en- below. Many of my buddies died and others been blessed with the knowledge of how to get tirety. But why? Let’s look at some of the were wounded, some for life. We were consober and remain dry is far greater than it is thoughts that were passing through my alleged stantly on our guard for airborne Nips who for those unfortunates who have yet to hear of mind after almost four years of sobriety. I were landing on nearby fields—more than once the A.A. program. found myself wondering one day, “Why do I they were headed our way and turned back by As an alcoholic, there is one thing I must have to go on asking for help? I no longer night fighters. We were waiting for their frontal tell you. No calamity is threatening nor is there drink; matter of fact I have no longer any de- suicide attack. I never knew when my number a calamity that can befall you that could pos- sire to drink.” About this time came the might be up. However, I didn’t drink and sibly be compared with the calamity that fol- thought that I should be able to go about my what’s more, when I would crouch in my foxlows that first drink. I kicked around the most bole, feeling the ground shake with concussion, affairs like any other person, free to choose if beautiful gigy that God ever bestowed on me— hearing the roar of diving enemy planes and I should duck my moral responsibilities to self, five years of complete and absolute sobriety— the din of our own ack-ack and knowing only five years of great happiness for my wife and f a m i l y or community. And if I did compromise too well the dangers of shrapnel and falling children and much pleasure for many others— on these precepts what of it? Was not that a flack, my insides would have a contented feeling sobriety, the key that opened the door to a way matter for me to decide? It was some months and I would thank God for giving me those of life the beauty of which I thought lost to me after this type of thinking became prevalent months of sobriety and ask Him to give me the forever. before I actually took a drink but I was a “dead power to continue along those ways if He saw It is with profound appreciation of the inner duck” by then. fit to have me see that night out. I continue to conflict that engulfed St. Paul that I recall the I realize now that I had “asked” for some- give thanks and pray each day, not only for words he was caused to utter: “The good that I thing—release from the evil (drink) that was myself, but for all A.A.s.—Dick F. M., Sgt., wish, I do not; the evil I wish not, I perform.” destroying me—and got it! But that was only USMCR. It was a long, lonesome journey, and as I * * * a beginning, a nucleus about which I could thank God for my safe return I know that I grow. But by not going all the way, and I Faith Paramount Issue must never permit a day to pass without offering include in that evading what R.F.S. calls a a prayer or rendering a service for the help of From Lansing, Mich. those still out there.—M.A.H. “lively sense of moral responsibility,” I simply withered on the vine. I am convinced no very As a reader of The Grapevine and one who * * * has enjoyed A.A. and three years of sobriety successful l i f e can result from such a com- Moral Responsibility a Necessity I wish here to recall a letter in the October issue promise. Actually what seems to have hap- From Glens Falls, N. Y. pened is this—here is a broken life, a warped written by a Marine in the Pacific, “Dick F.M.” The thoughts on moral responsibility con- one, no doubt, largely the result of many years I wish to call to mind his “well put” ways, as he wrote: “We have the help of a Supreme tributed by R.F.S. to the November issue of of uncontrolled drinking and attendant wrong Power (God) as we understand Him and A.A. The Grapevine are most interesting. For it was and unmoral thinking—upon such a tottering upon this very proposition that I experienced structure I attempted to erect a life of sobriety and the ammunition is free.” What a wonderthe only real difficulty I have had in effectuat- or rather to superimpose sobriety upon it—and ful thought for us A.A.s and all to keep in mind. It is a truth that no man can deny. ing the A.A. program in the five years of my let it go at that. No, there is much more to be done and that work is on the foundation of I write as one who knows from my own past association with it. When the existence of A.A. —35 years of alcoholism—that without a knowlwas made known to me at that time, it seemed which, perhaps, one of the most important unedge and faith in a Supreme Power we cannot as though I could, for the first time in many derpinnings is moral responsibility. Maybe it is more than a matter of the de- carry on in sobriety. years, look forward to relief and contemplate a I write a few lines to help someone else to life without alcohol. Heaven knows I had tried sirability of a sense of moral responsibility understand this great Power . . . as I came to many, many times and ways to do something and becomes a matter of the absolute necessity about my d r i n k i n g before, as so many of us had. of it for continued growth in the moral psy- understand, for I have observed many who have For more than three years alter my i n i t i a l chology of A.A.—L.E.D. (Continued on Page 12)

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A Suggestion Tradition Born of Our Anonymity If I were asked to outline a tradition for a n o n y m i t y it might run as follows: (Continued from Page 2) friends. Nor do they propose to have preach- 1. It should be the privilege of each indi- (dear old Fitz M., who then lived in Washing- ers, doctors, or even their wives at any of their vidual A.A. to cloak himself with as much perton) went over to the Library of Congress to meetings. As for inviting in newspaper report- sonal anonymity as be desires. His fellow A.A.s investigate, he found exactly 12 books already ers—perish the thought! Other groups feel that should respect his wishes and help guard whattitled The Way Out. When this information their communities should know all about Alco- ever status he wants to assume. was passed around, we shivered at the possi- holics Anonymous. Though they print no names, 2. Conversely, the individual A.A. ought to b i l i t y of being the “13th Way Out.” So Alco- they do seize every opportunity to advertise the respect the feeling of his local group as to their holics Anonymous became first choice. That’s activities of their group. They occasionally anonymity. If his group wishes to be more how we got a name for our book of experience, hold public or semi-public meetings where A.A.s anonymous than he does, he ought to go along a name for our movement and, as we are now appear on the platform by name. Doctors, w i t h them u n t i l they change their views. beginning to see, a tradition of the greatest spir- clergymen and public officials are frequently 3. With very rare exceptions it ought to be itual import. God does move in mysterious invited to speak at such gatherings. Here and a national tradition that no member of Alcoways His wonders to perform! there a few A.A.s have dropped their anonymity holics Anonymous shall ever feel free to publish In the book Alcoholics Anonymous there are completely. Their names, pictures and personal his name or picture (in connection with his only three references to the principle of anonym- activities have appeared in the public prints. Alcoholics Anonymous activities) in any meity. The foreword of our first edition states: As A.A.s they have sometimes signed their d i u m of public circulation, or by radio. Of “Being mostly business or professional folk names to articles t e l l i n g of their membership. course, this should not restrict the free use of some of us could not carry on our occupations So while it is quite evident that most of us his name in other public activities, provided he if known” and “When writing or speaking pub- believe in a n o n y m i t y , our practice of the prin- does not disclose his A.A. connection. licly about alcoholism, we urge each of our ciple does vary a great deal. 4. If for some extraordinary reason, for the fellowship to omit his personal name, designat- good of A.A. as a whole, a member thinks it The Principle Is Vital ing himself instead as ‘a member of Alcoholics desirable to completely drop his anonymity he Anonymous’,” and then, “very earnestly we Of course, it should be the privilege, even should only do so after consulting the older ask the press also to observe this request for the right, of each individual or group to handle members of his local group. If he is to make otherwise we shall be greatly handicapped.” anonymity as they wish. But to do that intelli- a nationwide public appearance as an A.A. the Since the publication of Alcoholics Anony- gently we shall need to be convinced that the matter ought to be referred to our Central Office. mous in 1939 hundreds of A.A. groups have principle is a good one for practically all of Of course, I am not for a moment thinking been formed. Every one of them asks these us; indeed we must realize that the future safely of these statements as rules or regulations; they questions: “Just how anonymous are we sup- and effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous may merely suggest what would seem to be sound posed to be?” and “After all, what good is this depend upon its preservation. Each individual t r a d i t i o n for the future. In the last analysis principle of anonymity anyway?” To a great ex- will then have to decide where he ought to draw every A.A. will have to search his own content each group has settled upon its own inter- the line—how far he ought to carry the prin- science. pretation. Naturally enough wide differences ciple in his own affairs, how far he may go in If we are going to evolve a clear-cut tradiof opinion remain among us. Just what our dropping his own anonymity without injury to tion about anonymity we shall do it only through anonymity means and just how far it ought to Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole. our usual process, viz:—trial and error, much go are unsettled questions. The vital question is: Just where shall we fix discussion, collective judgment and common this point where personalities fade out and consent. How Opinion Differs anonymity begins? To stimulate further discussion I would like, Though we no longer fear the stigma of alco- As a matter of fact, few of us are anonymous in an early issue of The Grapevine, to review holism as we once did, we still find individuals so far as our daily contacts go. We have dropped our experience with anonymity. That we shall who are extremely sensitive about their connec- anonymity at this level because we think our eventually come up with the right answers I tion with us. A few come in under assumed friends and associates ought to know about can have no doubt. names. Others swear us to the deepest secrecy, Alcoholics Anonymous and what it has done They fear their connection with Alcoholics for us. We also wish to lose the fear of ad- Anonymous may ruin their business or social m i t t i n g that we are alcoholics. Though we Judge Gives A.A. Sentence position. At the other end of the scale of opin- earnestly request reporters not to disclose our Boston. Mass., American: “Hearty endorseion we have the i n d i v i d u a l who declares that identities, we frequently speak before semi- ment of the work accomplished by Alcoholics anonymity is a lot of childish nonsense. He public gatherings under our right names. We Anonymous was given by Judge Stone today in feels it his bounden duty to cry his membership wish to impress audiences that our alcoholism disposing of a drunkenness case in East Camin Alcoholics Anonymous from the house tops. is a sickness we no longer fear to discuss before bridge court. The defendant was a 41-year-old He points out that our A.A. fellowship contains anyone. So far, so good. If, however, we ven- Cambridge man who pleaded guilty after his people of renown, some of national importance. ture beyond this limit we shall surely lose the w i f e told the court he was a good husband and Why, he asks, shouldn’t we capitalize their per- principle of anonymity forever. If every A.A. a pood provider except when drink got the best sonal prestige just as any other organization felt free to publish his own name, picture and of him. ‘I am going to give you a one-month would? story we would soon be launched upon a vast sentence and suspend it,’ Judge Stone said, ‘and In between these extremes the shades of opin- orgy of personal publicity which obviously recommend that you investigate Alcoholics ion are legion. Some groups, especially newer could have no limit whatever. Isn’t this where, Anonymous in Boston. I have heard that this ones, conduct themselves like secret societies. by the strongest kind of attraction, we must organization has accomplished much good. . . . They do not wish their activities known even to draw the line? I wish you luck.’ “

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit A three-year-old dream has come true at last shindig of the Wichita, Kans., Group, which originated in January, 1944, recently spoke be- —with the official housewarming of the Miami brought members from Kansas City, Topeka, fore the Sun Pedro Rotary Club . . . as did Group’s new club rooms at 23 North West South Oklahoma City and Tulsa, guest speakers were Cincinnati members in their city. . . . The fifth River Drive. The club, overlooking the Miami Father Fred Mann, Catholic priest from Wich- annual dinner of the Pittsburgh, Pa., Group River, is equipped with a bar—where hot coffee ita, and the Rev. Raymond E. Dewey, a Methbrought several hundred members, including and soft drinks are on tap at all times. odist clergyman from McPherson. . . . Two two speakers, man and wife, from Morristown, A.A.s of the San Pedro, Calif., Group, which N. J. The Tulsa, Okla., Group, which w i l l be two years old next A p r i l and which now numbers 70 members, has opened new club rooms at A.A. DIGEST The A.A. radio program, sponsored by the 1141⁄2 North Denver Avenue; about 100 at- Hartford, Conn., Group, which last year won Excerpts from Group Publications tended the opening festivities, including mem- Hartford’s WTIC Variety placque for “conbers from Oklahoma City and Muskogee, and Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio:—”It is tributing to the public health of the commun- Wichita and Topeka. . . . Arizona, w i t h large with an increasing feeling of alarm that we ity,” has returned to the air, over WTIC. The membership in Phoenix and Tucson, has two view current statements in the press . . . on the program dramatizes case histories to show that new groups, in Mesa and Chandler. . . . Green- rehabilitation of the returning veteran. Why? there is hope for the alcoholic. . . . The secreville, S. C., A.A.s are helping to organize groups Because there is little or no reference to alcotary of the Leavenworth Prison A.A.s reports in Anderson and Greer. . . . Four weeks after holism. In official circles the term ‘alcoholic’ its inception, the Lynn, Mass., membership had is taboo. We were told by a representative of that their group, formed in April, 1945, now grown from 5 to 50! . . . An Edinburg, Ind., the Veterans’ Administration that alcoholism is has 55 members, and that “it has been said by A.A. addressed a directors meeting of the Lions classified under misconduct; and that neither officials that the group is the most constructive Club. . . . The Allentown, Pa., Group (P. 0. have any provisions been made for the care of movement in the institution, and we are proud Box 532, Allentown) reports excellent progress, alcoholics, nor is there any legislation allowing of our record.” . . . The Seattle, Wash., Group with its 20 members doing progressively effec- disability pensions for those unfortunates whose had as guest speaker Major B. F. Ellison, mantive work. One of their members spoke at the case history includes a reference to alcohol.” ager of the men’s social service of the Salvation Optimist Club, an organization of civic-minded Army. . . . The nearby Tacoma A.A.s meet every citizens interested in the formation of good char- The Eye-Opener, Los Angeles, Calif.: ” ‘It is Monday evening at the Odd Fellows Hall. . . . acter in the boys and men of the community. a good and safe rule to sojourn in every place The Mankato, Minn., Group is one of the most as if you meant to spend your life there, never thriving in the state. . . . Water flowed freely at * * * omitting an opportunity of doing a kindness, or A member of the H o n o l u l u Group, addressing the fifth annual meeting of the Minneapolis speaking a true word or making a friend.”— Baton Rouge, La., A.A.s, told of the rapidly Group, as 63 members who ended a year of Ruskin. . . . ‘Friendship is the highest degree of increasing membership not only in Honolulu, perfection in society.’—Montaigne. . . . ‘Thank sobriety were toasted. Some 800 members were but in Pearl Harbor as well, w i t h new members God every morning when you get up that you present, many representing groups in the Dacoming from other sections of Hawaii. . . . have something to do which must be done, kotas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, lowa and I l l i n o i s . Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1945, was the whether you like it or not. Being forced to first anniversary date of the Manchester, Conn., work, and forced to do your best, will breed Group. . . . Speaking at the first anniversary in you temperance, self-control, diligence, The meeting which followed the Founders gathering of the Peekskill, N. Y., Group, Rev. strength of will, content, and a hundred other Day Banquet in Columbus, Ohio, w i t h about Mr. McKinney, chaplain of the Wallkill Prison, virtues which the idle never know.”—Charles 500 present, was broadcast over WHKC from a told of the fine A.A. work being done by the Kingsley. . . . ‘The race of mankind would cutting — which is now available for playback inmate members. . . . The Memphis, Tenn., perish did they cease to aid each other. We by any of the other Ohio groups. . . . A party Group, founded in April, 1944, has expanded cannot exist without mutual help. All therefore of San Antonio, Texas, A.A.s, 43 strong, travfrom 3 members to 150, and plans to buy a that need aid have the right to ask it from their eled to Laredo to institute a group in that city. large home, with an assembly hall and hospital fellowmen; and no one who has the power of . . . The New Rochelle, N. Y., Group, inaugufacilities. . . . Benton Harbor, Mich., A.A.s granting can refuse it without guilt.’—Waller rated in June, 1944, with 12 members, now entertained a large delegation of members from Scott,” numbers 100. The group spends an average of LaPorte, Ind., at the regular Sunday morning 50 hours weekly aiding alcoholic patients at breakfast; one of the speakers was from Alanews, Dubuque, lowa: “A group of (non- Grasslands Hospital, two members told the Chicago. alcoholic) writers, artists and an M.D. were Rotary Club of New Rochelle. . . . An Army * * * asked why they started to drink. Here are a captain from Wakeman General Hospital, Edin- To do away with the frantic phoning some- few of the answers: ‘I went to college”—Morris burgh, Ind., who is a member of the Philatimes necessary to locate a meeting, the Buffalo, Fishbein, M.D.; ‘Nature of the male’—Conde delphia, Pa., Group, addressed the Presbyterian N. Y., Group has given meeting schedules to the Nast; ‘Prohibition made it fashionable’—Lucius Men’s Club of that city. . . . The Rev. Samuel information boards of hotels, Y.M.C.A.s and Beebe; ‘Thought it was smart”—Vincent Star- D. of Rome, Ga., talking before the Washington, police headquarters; the latter say they receive rett; ‘I’m a newspaper man’—Sterling North; D. C., Group, told of resigning from a large quite a few calls. . . . At the first anniversary ‘I was t h i r s t y ‘ — W i l l i a m Saroyan.” pastorate in New York because of alcoholism,

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Vino Vignettes see, Frances had been discharged and was on her way home while I was on my way to see Don’t Get Cocky! (Continued from Page 5) her. (Continued from Page 5) drunks only we had a regular circuit we played, “This A.A. program has meant everything in ing story,” I was beginning to get a little fed like vaudeville in the old days. the world to us. We never had what you’d call up w i t h it all. I began to attend only two “We used to start in New York City and stay a home—just a room in some furnished d u m p meetings a week. Later, I went to one meeting here u n t i l we got fed up with the people in and often we didn’t even have that. Now we a week—maybe. the bars we lived in—and I guess they got a have a nice apartment with all our own fur- It was about this time that I began to lose l i t t l e tired of us, too. Then we’d make Boston niture and we both have money in the bank . . . my h u m i l i t y about my drinking problem. I was where we knew a lot of people and they’d be Frances and I work out this A.A. program a feeling fine. I was sober. Undoubtedly, my glad to see us when we arrived—you know, buy little bit differently but that doesn’t matter. work had improved. Somehow, I had gained a us drinks and things. After we got bored with Frances runs A.A. meetings at the Salvation new feeling of self-confidence in my affairs. I Boston we’d shove off for the Adirondacks. That Army on the Bowery every Tuesday night, had found the solution to my problem and was kinda nice when we hit it at the right time works with a lot of the girls and women who’ve therefore I had no further use for A.A. Thank of year. been sentenced to the women’s jail here in the God, I wouldn’t have to go around to “that “Frances and I made pretty good drinking city or committed to the State Hospital at Rockdamned church” to be bored for two hours! partners in a way. For instance, when she got land, and those in the alcoholic ward at Belled r u n k she couldn’t walk and couldn’t think but vue. She’s doing one swell job and I’ve got my When someone asked me why I stopped she could still talk, and how! Me—I could walk hat off to her. I’m not the kind of guy who does drinking, I would say that I had found a way and t h i n k but I couldn’t talk. You see how very well at a meeting—you know, making a to “lick the stuff myself.” When fellow A.A.s okay that’d be because when we’d have to shake speech. I do my 12th Step work talking to fel- would call me for lunch or ask why I hadn’t down someone for dough to get drinks, we’d lows alone or when they’re down at our apart- been around to meetings, I made excuses. When plan it all out—I’d think out just what she ment. I’ve got a regular job and I’m beginning the non-alcoholic drinkers on the newspaper should say, then I’d hold her up while we got to write short stories in my spare time. went, over to Sam’s for a few drinks, I went to where the prospect was so she could make the “Well, I guess I don’t have to say any more along just to show them how I could stay there touch. to prove A.A. has changed things for us, do I?” without drinking and have as much fun as any- “Just before we got mixed up with A.A. we body. Oh! Brother, did I have the answer! had a pretty bad drunk here in New York. Of course, the inevitable happened. Over at Frances got a w f u l l y sick. The landlord, where Mail Call Sam’s one morning I felt particularly cocky and we were living at the time, saw her and called (Continued from Page 9) ordered a glass of ale. I sipped the ale with an ambulance from St. Vincent’s Hospital. Af- trouble in making A.A. click . . . those who do anticipation and pleasure. I had another. After ter she’d been gone a couple of days I thought not understand and accept this 3rd Step. a third, I left and went to my apartment for I ought to go see how she was. At St. Vincent’s What made us drink when we knew we were what I later claimed was the “best night’s sleep I found out Frances had been sent over to Bel- drinking to our own destruction? Surely this I’d had in years.” levue. What a time I had getting way over Power of our own salvation did not make us The next day, I felt fine. I was more conthere! Took me several hours and I was drunker drink or do wrong. We must then concede two vinced than ever that I could “hold my whisthan a skunk when I landed. In fact I was so powers greater than ourselves . . . the Voice of key” like anyone else. And so, I gradually reboiled they locked me right up and didn’t act the Holy Spirit and the voice of Satan. . . . turned to my old way of life. In less than two as though they believed I had a wife there. You Therefore, everyone is a power in himself for weeks, I was in the squirrel cage. This time good or for evil. . . . I will quote from a Scrip- it look me about six weeks and two trips to the ture that helped me to get both feet on this hospital to get sobered up. Somehow, I kept Cut This Out and Mail to: 3rd Step: my job and when I returned to the newsroom, The Grapevine “God created all mankind in His way of the the A.A. photographer was waiting for me. P. O. Box 328 Holy Spirit, as the likeness of His own angels, He asked me to go over to the club with him Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. to dwell at peace in this world and maintains but he didn’t lecture to me. In fact, he laughed Herewith $2.50 for one year’s subscription to it for our own and His own spirit, the Holy about it. He told me that when he saw me The Grapevine (Monthly). Spirit, but the spirit of evil also came and he drinking be knew what would happen. He felt For additional subscriptions enclose separate came only to corrupt and destroy and he, too, that I had to learn to accept A.A. “the hard sheet with name and address clearly printed. has power over the mind of all mankind.” way.” Checks payable to The Grapevine. It is proven that this 3rd Step must go hand I am back again in A.A. I am attending Total Enclosed in hand with A.A. or we cannot put away or meetings two or three times a week. I have control this power of evil, which is also greater been sober about ten months now by living the Renewal? (please check) than our own. A.A. way. And I have learned something: If PLEASE PRINT A.A. works when we join together in any way you get cocky in A.A., brother, you’re going to Name to promote our own betterment. We bring the lose A.A., and if you lose A.A., you are losing power of the Holy Spirit . . . and we join with the only solution to your drinking problem. Address a Power greater than our own to lick this power J.W.T., Manhattan. that is out to destroy us. Note: Subscriptions received prior to the 15th This mind of ours is a house divided against of January will begin with the February issue. itself and we ourselves have the right to choose Lest we forget, it’s well to remember the As of January 1, the price of a year’s sub- the good or evil—A.A. and sobriety, or alcohol. old saying that nobody can go from heel to halo scription is $2.50. —L.F.M. in three weeks.

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VOL II, NO. 9, FEBRUARY, 1946 P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17 YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

A Search in Personal Data for Key to “Slips What causes “slips?” Is there one, fundamen- “slips” in eight months after first making con- past drinking days. I had been dry for more tal cause, or are there many causes? Can “slips” tact with A.A. I won’t say I was “in” during than a year and the unpleasant consequences be blamed on acts of omission or commission? those eight months, because actually I wasn’t, of some of the sprees that came to mind had These questions deal with one of the most even though I attended a fair number of meet- faded a little from my memory. discussed subjects in A.A. In fact, it might seem ings, read the book and listened to older mem- Hearing the exploits of this person and that that the amount of discussion concerning “slips” bers. person in the group brought up exploits of my runs far out of proportion to the percentage or I had a mental reservation about being an own. I remembered only occasions on which I frequency of “slips.” But, if so, there is a ready alcoholic. That is, I was ready to admit that I had had some fun, and somehow my recollecexplanation. was an alcoholic—to a degree. I was not 100 tions didn’t follow through to the morning after. Rarely is a “slip” a matter of exclusive con- per cent alcoholic. Now, of course, that seems Right there, I know now, is where I made a cern. It naturally concerns the unfortunate vic- ridiculous. Yet, I don’t believe I was the first dangerous mistake. Strecker writes on this point tim’s family and friends, his sponsor or sponsors and only one to harbor that cockeyed idea. in his wonderful book, Alcohol — One Man’s and everyone else in A.A. who has been trying I had never been in any jails, asylums or hos- Meat. He warns against the danger of letting to help him find solid footing. pitals. I had not lost any jobs or family, and had your mind dwell on only the rosy, fuzzy dreams Of course, a “slip” is primarily a matter of not suffered much economically. So, although my of the fun you used to have. He points out that concern to the one who has this disturbing, life had become unbearable with myself, and al- one should force himself to push his recollecbaffling experience. Sometimes it is a tragic ex- though I did recognize that my drinking was out tions on to the bitter end, whether that end happerience. At best it is humiliating. Never can it of control and a real problem, nevertheless I pened to be the next morning or two years later be said to be pleasant. thought I was only partly alcoholic. To just what at the end of alcoholism’s progression. Back of the search for the cause or causes is degree—whether I considered myself 40 per cent I failed to do that. When that evening session the hope of finding the means of preventing a or 49 per cent or what—I don’t know. But I broke up, there still lingered in my mind glowrecurrence. And that, of course, alone justifies put a qualification on my status in the matter ing recollections of days when I could drink the questions and the discussion of the subject. and therefore, of course, put a string on my com- and of those rare occasions on which I did have Many theories have been advanced, many ing into A.A. fun. I started home with pretty pictures of frosty answers have been given, and many more will With this mental reservation, it was only a glasses, sparkling liquids and bright lights. I be heard as the practices and techniques of A.A. matter of time before I had to try it again. Or, didn’t force myself to think also of the cold, are developed. Through examination of these rather it was not so much a matter of trying it grey dawn of reckoning. I didn’t get home—I theories and answers, and by testing them in the again, as that when a situation arose in which had my “slip.” great school of hard experience, which is A.A., I felt it would be very difficult to refuse a drink, For the good it might do others, I’d like to will finally be found the right answer. I look one with the thought that the results stress Strieker’s warning. I would also like to It may be helpful to appraise sone of these might be bad, but not too bad. I had to do that say that I don’t think it’s wise or helpful to answers now, and at least to exchange sugges- three times before I discovered the cause. anyone to sit around and tell drinking tales just tions, based on experience, as to what measures Once I realized that so far as alcoholism is to tell them. I agree that there is great therahave seemed to work thus far. For this concerned, one is or is not; and that while the peutic value in getting things off one’s chest, reason, the editors of The Grapevine asked sev- results of one particular drink may be better or and it’s good when one can laugh about the past. eral members to contribute their thoughts to a worse than some other drink, the inability to But, I think we should indulge in that kind of round-up of what might be called clinical data control which it will be is the real test—once I thing only when we are doing it with a real on “slips.” The first of these contributions fol- realized all of that, I ceased having trouble. purpose—either to relieve ourselves of somelow; others will appear in subsequent issues. thing or to help someone else. Always, then, we should be sure we bring up into our conscious * * * mind the not so pleasant pictures; that is, the My only “slip” came after an evening when a I have no doubts about why I had three bunch of us sat about telling tall stories of our (Continued on Page 10)

EDITORIAL: Our School For Living On the 4th Step… At one of my very early meetings, I heard one “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.” of our older, experienced men make the statement . . . “A.A. is a school in which we are Self appraisal which attains any real accuracy is unquestionably a difficult proc- all learners and all teachers.” Being in educational work and having gone to school a good ess. We all find it so easy and pleasant to view ourselves through a rosy hue of complipart of my life, this appealed to me, and I mentary half-truths and so hard and unpleasant to take a look in the uncompromising started to take my A.A. on that basis. I have and glaring light of the unvarnished truth. never been sorry. After some years of sobriety The 4th Step is, indeed, a real challenge to honesty with oneself. In this way, it is I am still attending that school, and have found both preparation and a complement to the 5th Step. To make the “searching and fearless it to be the most important school in the world moral inventory” called for in the 4th Step, one must first of all be searchingly and fear- for me, because I have finally begun to learn how to live. lessly honest about himself. The degree of honesty one can achieve will determine the Inspecting A.A. from an educational point accuracy and therefore the usefulness of the moral inventory. of view, we see “the ideal learning situation.” One practical way of starting this very practical Step—or at least a way that helped What do the educators strive for? INTEREST is a one newcomer—is to prepare a record sheet: with two columns, one headed, “Liabili- most necessary requisite to learn anything well. ties” and the other, “Assets.” Do we have that qualification when we first ap- Under “Liabilities” can be listed personality deficiencies and faults, such as intol- proach A.A.? If we haven’t, we soon develop an intense interest, if we continue with this new erance, selfishness, indecisiveness, fear, indolence, a bad temper, impatience and a whole way of living. For many of us, it is the first host of other qualities which most everyone at this early stage discovers he has in ray of hope in many years, and naturally we are abundance. interested in living again. So, in this school of Under “Assets,” if any, can be listed the opposite positives—tolerance, generosity ours we have the first and one of the most im- (and this does not mean giving the poor bum a dime for a cup of coffee and feeling portant requisites, in any successful learning noble about it for two blocks), thoughtfulness of other people, humility, patience, and experience; a keen interest. A second important need for doing a good a few other attributes. Few persons, if honest, ever work up much of a list on this job of learning anything: is motivation or INCENside of the ledger for their first moral inventory. TIVE. We certainly have an incentive in learning The actual process of deciding what to put in each column consists of asking one- in this school. For many of us the incentive is self some pointed questions. Am I tolerant of other people’s peculiarities, other life itself. creeds, other colors, other races, other opinions? Or do I dislike somebody because When we are attempting anything new, it is of the way he combs his hair or ties his tie? How many favors will I do other people encouraging to see PROGRESS. In A.A. we see progress almost immediately; others see it also without expecting one in return? Will I really go out of my way to help someone, or and comment on how much better we look and only when it’s convenient? Do I feel superior to others? Am I impatient of others’ short- how different we seem. This rapid, apparent, comings, while being very patient about my own? Am I honest, or do I practice deceit improvement is most helpful to us in our new and double-talk, and then excuse myself afterwards with some fancy rationalizing? Am school. I kind, considerate, gentle? A fourth essential in a good learning situation The more questions one asks himself along this line the clearer become the entries is continued review and ACTIVITY. We have many opportunities to develop along these lines he should make in each column. with meetings, hospital calls, clubrooms, and If this is the first moral inventory one has taken of himself, or at least the most hon- helping other people. As a group, alcoholics est one, he will find it the most trying. But he also will find that in itself it will give like to do things. We dislike standing by, him a certain feeling of relief. Finally he has begun to face facts. Finally he has listening and watching others. In A.A. most of worked up enough courage to face himself as he really is, and not as he has been us soon have a chance to talk to some other dreaming he is. This is a courageous step forward. It is another step onto the path problem drinker or his family and to show them how the fellowship has helped us. We can to sanity, stability and happiness. always find action of some sort or another and The first inventory should not he the last by any means. In fact, the principle and that is most helpful in our school. the technique of the moral inventory become a vital part of the new life. The first Unlike most schools, A.A. makes allowances is the most difficult. Subsequent inventories show where progress has been made, where for INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES in an ideal way. more effort still needs to be placed. If an inventory be taken at regular intervals, one From the beginning we are told that there are has at hand a guide for keeping on the beam. no rules, no musts, no time limit, no restrictions of any kind. We may go as slowly or as rapidly The moral inventory is one of A.A.’s most effective techniques. Of course, as with as we like; we may become active immediately other A.A. techniques, its effectiveness depends on how well it is used. The inventory or we may wait until we think we are ready; will not work by itself. The benefit comes about through the efforts made to change we may take as much or as little of The program that which the inventory reveals should be changed.—T.D., Manhattan (Continued on Page 5)

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A.A. Ward at Knickerbocker Proves Success As A.A. groups throughout the country ex- and visit me patients at least once each reasons why this is so but the principal one is pand, the need for real A.A. hospitalization will day. that we all—patients, sponsors, visitors and volgrow apace and in searching for a workable 4. The charge to be a flat $10.00 per day to unteer workers—speak the same language and it plan or set-up the group will encounter the the hospital. is the old story of “it takes a d r u n k to handle same difficulties and discouragements as we of a drunk.'” We were assigned a door in the private wing The hardest job we have is to e x p l a i n to the the Manhattan Group did here in New York consisting of private and semi-private rooms uninitiated that what we offer at Knickerbocker about one year ago. Our experience, the dis- together w i t h a small six bed ward and comappointments and discouragements we encoun- is not a “cure.” A wife sees her husband, prising in all 19 beds. The first patient was tered, may help others seeking to enlarge their possibly on the lag-end of a month’s drunk, admitted Easter Sunday, 1945, and from then leave her a sodden hulk only to return home hospital work. on the plan was a success. From time to time bright-eyed and clear-headed. Then the sales A review of the former situation here is in changes in r o u t i n e were made and added rules order. A drunk had two choices: Either the job has to be done on both. He is not cured — of our own were f o r m u l a t e d ; the two most im- he is only dried out, solely for the purpose of psycho-ward of one of our large public hos- portant being that a patient is admitted once, pitals, or a private hospital where acceptance absorbing the methods and practices of A.A. and once only, and while in the hospital is vis- he has only taken the first step along the path was based strictly on the man’s ability to pay ited only by A.A. members. of sobriety and, believe it or not, Mrs. Doe, and pay plenty. The single admission stops the project from he must come to the meetings; he must revisit At the time the position taken by the ten deteriorating into just another drying-out spot the hospital and he must do the work the rest New York hospitals approached was either “our and the second rule serves the double purpose of us do, the work which is so beneficial to us. facilities are already over-taxed at this time” of protecting the man, trying to get over the or, they were brutally frank . . . “alcoholics Knickerbocker Hospital and its course of treatjitters, from a nagging wife or well meaning ment is but the means toward an end and NOT would create such a disturbance as to wreck but misinformed friend and to assure his abthe routine of the rest of the hospital.” AN END in itself.—J.G., Manhattan sorbing some of the fundamentals of A.A. The Finally Knickerbocker Hospital, a small genentire atmosphere is maintained to impress eral hospital of not more than 200 beds, sup- upon the patient the idea that his is a serious ported entirely by voluntary contributions, listened with sympathetic ear and with fingers illness and, while it is no disgrace per se to Suggests Professors have become an alcoholic, it is a disgrace not crossed finally consented to a trial period of three months, under these conditions: to do a n y t h i n g about it. Should Be Educated The growth was steady until now we average 1. A.A. to guarantee payment of all bills. between 15 and 18 beds filled per day. To say Last summer I was studying at a mid-western 2. By the end of the three months’ period that a great deal of time and effort is required university; one of my courses was The Family. maintain a daily average of six beds. to keep the plan going is p u t t i n g it mildly. It taught by Prof. E. M. In the course he dis- 3. Select ethical practitioners to take charge takes work, lots of work. For example; 22 men cussed alcoholism. We were in the habit of per week were assigned as orderlies performing handing in questions to be discussed. I took w i t h o u t compensation, other than the satis- the opportunity one day of handing in an faction derived from helping the other fellow, anonymous note suggesting that since he was 29 New Groups the simpler routine tasks. To date 700 persons a sociologist and that alcohol ism was a social problem which had been handled best, to date, Added to List have been hospitalized and expansion continues?. by A.A. that he look into A.A. To which he The average length of stay is five days, which Every month more and more new groups or- allows the patient a chance to get the alcohol replied in class that he had heard of A.A., that ganize. The roster of those which have estab- out of his or her system and to learn the true it was some sort of evangelist group, but that, lished regular meetings during the last two nature of the affliction and what the answer is. after all, it doesn’t take a drunk to cure a months includes the following cities and towns: He has come in contact w i t h and talked to any drunk. The class laughed. Being the daughter Echo Park, California; Garden City, Long Is- number of A.A. members, he is served by an of an A.A., I know that it is no laughing matter. land, New York; LaGrange, Georgia; war vet- A.A. volunteer worker and meets sympathetic Many morals can be drawn from this story, erans in Roanoke, Virginia; Sante Fe, New understanding treatment from the nurses and the but I think the most important one is that A.A. Mexico; Garden City, Kansas; Gainesville, two doctors, one of whom is an authority on has captured one of the greatest fundamentally Florida; Everett, Washington; Athens and Cosh- alcoholism, the other a competent interne. Christian virtues, tolerance. It is evident that octon, Ohio; Anniston and Cherokee, A l a b a m a ; When he is ready for discharge he is met by this man, in a responsible position, has neglect- Waco and Alvin, Texas; Brockton, M a s a c h u – his sponsor and brought to a meeting. Should ed this. This story also shows A.A. the wealth selts; Perryville, Maryland; Shawnee, Okla- he decide he needs A.A. he is welcomed. If he of work left to do—to contact the professors in homa; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Cornwall still feels as though his drunk was the well our universities and show them the fundamental Bridge, Connecticut; Logansport, I n d i a n a ; Oak- known “accident” or if he is one of those “it picture of alcoholism and educate them, because Ridge, Tennessee; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; can’t happen to me types”—well and good. His these men are shaping the minds of o u r young Monroe, Wisconsin; Endicott and Shortsville, hand is shaken and good-byes exchanged. people, some of whom may become alcoholic New York; Center, Colorado. Three groups The hospital authorities are happy about the in time or who today may have this problem beyond the United Stales borders are also listed whole thing, though they are somewhat at a in their own homes and are looking for help. among the newcomers—Halifax, Nova Scotia; loss to understand why, contrary in all expecta- If these professors could be educated A.A.-wise, Hollyburn, British Columbia, and London, Eng- tions, the alcoholic floor is the quietest and best they are in a position to help many people. : land. run unit in the entire hospital. There are many —J.F.

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1 rather resented the intrusion of that par- ARE FAMILIES PEOPLE? ticular A.A. call New Year’s night. I had been joyously happy the night before at our group

—or Home Sweet Home! party, singing in the New Year soberly but gayly. I had gone up to Bill’s on New Year’s afternoon and had come home permeated with The other night I made an A.A. call on a far as I can figure it out in retrospect, they never the spiritual happiness of good-fellowship. The woman who had been dry eleven months last stayed behind me giving me a push nor did call was a jarring note, but a jarring note that August and who has been nibbling and binging, they perch on a lofty place and give me a pull. I now see I needed. Though I love my children w a i l i n g and regretting ever since. Her daughter They walked with me hand in hand stumbling and my home, mightn’t, I have taken them all a called me hysterically and down I went with and groping and learning the program with me. little for granted if I hadn’t seen the contrast? four other A.A.s who happened to be at my At first they were doubtful—sure—”Mummy has Why God has seen fit to bless me with the love house and Bob, my son-in-law. It was a grim a new fad!” But they were willing to humor the and serenity which fills my life I shall never “home” we walked into. The woman was lying “old gal” enough to look into the ”ism” or understand; why discord and lack of true comon her bed literally writhing—every fiber of her “cult” which claimed that Mummy had a disease passion is the lot of my f r i e n d , I shall never body crying out for a drink while her husband and not failing-of-the-will power—and lo!— know. It seems a pity that the deep gratitude and daughter together and in chorus told her another miracle! They became A.A.s them- which I have in my heart should be made deeper what a lousy, so-and-so drunken bum she was. seves in all but alcoholism. Like any other suc- by witnessing another’s misfortune—but there The other four A.A.s went into the bedroom and cessful A.A.s, after their first exposure, they it is. soothed her jangled nerves with a few well- didn’t follow the program for me or for anyone The Past Is Past chosen words and a bottle of beer w h i l e Bob but themselves, and they reaped rich harvests God grant that somehow, someday her daughand I tried to explain the disease of alcoholism for themselves. ter will say to her as mine did, “No matter how to pappa and child. We might as well have been My children don’t take my sobriety or their unhappy you sometimes made us in the past, t r y i n g to get in touch with Mussolini by means happiness for granted. They know that I’m you have made up for it a hundred times over of a ouija board with Sanskrit characters. They not cured and they know that their happiness in the last few years” and that she may hear weren’t having any! “She was cured for eleven can vanish overnight. It’s enough that I’m sober her son-in-law say to her daughter, as mine did, months, why did she deliberately have to ‘un- and they’re happy today—and—that I’ll be “no matter how tough the going may be somecure’ herself?” they wailed. She was a no-good serenely sober and they’ll be richly happy to- times, dear, we’ll always be all right as long as drunk and they had lost respect for her years ago morrow—if—we continue to practice the 12 we slick closely to ‘our’ A.A.”—Lois K., White and weren’t going to try to get it back now, they Steps in all our affairs. Plains, N. Y. went on. It was no good telling them anything. Their minds were closed, but, they told me plenty! Not by their abusive words but by what lay behind those words. The picture was clear VINO VIGNETTES: Heartbreak Run and as I came home I wondered how, with no It was nearing midnight on New Year’s Eve Run. He cried in the men’s room first. After love or cooperation, fellowship or understand- in the New York A.A. clubhouse when Bill the Philly he didn’t seem to give a damn for anying, the gal had stayed sober for even one day. brakeman, over a cup of coffee recalled how thing. Hope had winked out and now fate 1945 had brought him the most trying, dramatic jeered. He had been around the group for a Family Can Cooperate moments of his forty-seven years. few years, had had some trouble, but had been It was New Year’s night. Bob and I got Publicity and attending vanity; shock, sor- dry nearly two years. Now he didn’t care. Not home about midnight. The fire was burning, row and frustration followed by delirious joy now. Now there could be only the one thing— my grandchild was tucked safely in bed, my had been the fare for the year. But Bill had the 8th Avenue bars behind Penn station with daughter was waiting up for us. Peace reigned ridden out the emotional stresses, stayed sober their pastel blue fluorescent lighting—the rye as the three of us sat down for a cup of coffee and had found a new inner calm . . . an awak- to ease, to extinguish the hot burning, choking and a good talk. The contrast with the early ening. coal in his throat. part of the evening was terrific and thankfulness People find Bill’s face vaguely familiar, for Bill doesn’t remember much about his heavy bubbled up in my heart. I began to wonder, his picture was published nationally in a war zombie-like steps past those bars. The lights humbly, just how much of my sobriety I owed bond campaign sponsored by the railroad. They didn’t divert the rimmed eyes in his frozen face, to my own A.A. efforts and how much to my had selected him as the most typical brakeman he didn’t hear the juke boxes or smell the stale children’s A.A. understanding. Although I had to be posed helping a wounded GI off a train. beer odors. He wanted to talk to somebody. And never lost t h e i r love, like the daughter of my Bill had been working on the railroad for the A.A. clubhouse seemed to draw him like a suffering friend they had lost their respect for many years. Now his run was Washington- mystical magnet. and trust in me. While they never went so far Philly-New York. It was on a bleak day last March leaving Washington that they handed At the clubhouse the leader of the meeting as to call me a drunken bum they must have him the frightening telegram others had been was in need of another speaker and asked Bill thought it, in a modified form, many times. How receiving. on sight. A sudden gratitude to be off the could they help it? The story of the woman I His oldest son was an American Eagle pilot streets and in the clubhouse surged over Bill and had visited was lily-white compared to mine. with the RAF, had been reported shot down over he agreed. People who heard Bill that night From my point of view she certainly deserves a Berlin, but now the War Department regretted said you couldn’t have bought an encore for a break more than I do, but here I am with a the intelligence reports that indicated that none cool million. At The end of the meeting the couple of children whom I have hurt unmerciof the crew had survived that burning bomber. leader asked that the Lord’s Prayer be said for fully in the past but who forgot all that when they themselves caught the spirit of A.A. As Bill stepped aboard and it became Heartbreak (Continued on Page 10)

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The Pleasures of Reading The Perennial Philosophy ( W h a t ‘ s the funniest A.A. tale or quip you’ve heard? Others would like to hear it. Send it in.) by Aldous Huxley (Harper & Brothers, $3 One of the Vermont brethren, after a slip, Virtually every member of A. A. at some stage of his spiritual development reaches a point described his last bottle purchase as “hospital where be consciously desires to re-examine his “spiritual experience,” to systematize his spiritual lotion, $150 a bottle.” concepts, to enlarge his knowledge of metaphysical truths, and, by appropriate spiritual exer- * * * cises, to achieve greater capacity for that service to God and man to which he has dedicated himself. After long and solemn deliberation Pat and In most cases, the individual is not concerned with pursuing his i n q u i r y along doctrinal or theo- Mike had decided to swear off and were on the logical lines. He prefers, in seeking to learn more about the divine element in his life and in the way to the priest’s to take the pledge. En route universe, to proceed, if he can, empirically as the scientists do rather than by dogma or rule they came to a saloon. of thumb. Said Mike to Pal: “Let’s stop in for our It is only by making physical experiments that we can discover the intimate nature of m a t t e r last drink together.” and its potentialities. And it is only by making psychological and moral experiments that we Said Pat to Mike: “No, indeed. The Father can discover the intimate nature of mind and its potentialities. But is there in our everyday exmight smell it on our breaths. Better wait t i l l perience anything which reveals a divine element in the mind of the average sensual man havwe come back.” ing substance and potentiality? The distinguished author of this work (kin of the famous Thomas * * * H u x l e y ) , whose life and writings record a progressive development of great human interest in As one gal member explained her start to- his search for universal truth, says, “Yes!” He affirms what many of us have learned without wards alcoholism—”I just followed the crowd p u t t i n g into words, that when the human mind “is subjected to certain rather drastic treatments, and got in the wrong line.” the divine element, of which it is in part at least composed, becomes manifest, not only to the * * * mind itself, but also, by its reflection in external behavior, to other minds.” FAMILIAR SAYINGS Philosophic perennis is a phrase coined by Leibniz to designate the Highest Common Factor “Just one won’t hurt you.” present among the traditionary lore of primitive peoples everywhere, and in its f u l l y developed “You can’t stand on one leg.” forms is to be found in every one of the higher religions. The present author describes this ele- “Now it’s my turn.” ment as “the metaphysic that recognizes a divine Reality substantial to the world of things and “Any room in Knickerbocker?” lives and minds; the psychology that finds in the soul something similar to, or even identical with, * * * divine Reality; the ethic that places man’s final end in the knowledge of the i m m i n e n t and trans- The current crop of recruits in Washington, cendent Ground of all being.” D.C., is said to be coming in suffering from Huxley turns away from most of the professional philosophers and men of letters, the poets and metaphysicians, whose knowledge of this subject is “generally at second hand.” Recognizing d e l i r i u m Trumans. that in every age there have been some men and women who have fulfilled the necessary condi- * * * tions for acquiring direct spiritual knowledge, and who have left accounts of their experience As one of the boys remarked to a wayward related in one comprehensive system of thought, Huxley has gone to these first-hand exponents of member, “Pardon me, but your slip is showing.” the Perennial Philosophy, “because there is good reason to suppose that they knew w h a t they were talking about.” Our School Such a pragmatic approach to the riddle of the universe is appealing to alcoholics who learn little except from experience. Accustomed to paradoxes as we are, we are not surprised that this (Continued from 2) anthology, with its highly illuminated and f u l l y explanatory running commentary, turns out to as we like. (The importance of staying away be a masterly, systematic presentation of mystical religious philosophy w i t h its taproots in the from that first drink is stressed, of course.) rich ground of experience. The “saints,” “prophets,” “sages” and “enlightened ones” represented Reviewing these salient points so important in in the collection include St. Thomas Aquinas, Pascal, Eckhardt, Thomas a Kempis, St. Francis, any successful educational experience; interest, Lao Tzu, Fenelon, Chuang Tzu, Boethius, Tolstoy, John Woolman and St. Augustine. incentive, progress, activity and attention to in- Beginning with the focal point where mind and matter, action and thought have their meetdividual differences, we see that in our school ing place in human psychology, the material is arranged under topical headings some of which we have the most favorable opportunity to learn in particular have been the subject of much personal reflection and group discussion among our to know ourselves and to learn how to live. There membership. Thus, in Chapter XVIII, there is an informative discussion of the variety of meanare many other characteristics and attitudes nec- ings attributed to the word “faith.” It is stated axiomatically that “Faith is a pre-condition of essary and important in A.A. and any good all systematic knowing, all purposive doing and all decent living.” But to this general faith school but I have attempted to list only a few there must be added two kinds of special faith. Stating it pragmatically and in a form which of the outstanding essentials in “an ideal learn- ought to be acceptable to the most skeptical, Huxley writes of: ing situation.” “faith in the authority of qualified experts sufficient to permit the searcher after truth to Our school is different from other schools in take their word for statements which he personally has not verified; and faith in his many respects but probably the two greatest own working hypotheses, sufficient to induce him to test his provisional beliefs by means differences lie at the beginning and the end. of appropriate action. This action may confirm the belief which inspired it. Alterna- The entrance requirements are higher; in some tively, it may bring proof that the original working hypothesis was ill founded, in which cases scores of years of hell and thousands of case it will have to be modified until it becomes conformable to the facts and so passes dollars and . . . WE NEVER GRADUATE. from The realm of faith to that of knowledge.” P. B. J.—Cleveland (Continued on Page 12)

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IF DRUNKS ARE SQUARE PEGS, A.A. IS MY SQUARE HOLE In J a n u a r y 1942 my book, Drunks Are Square and insure ourselves against any return to our mmists used to hold forth in the early ‘thirties. Pegs was published. This book contained a f a i r l y former miserable existence. In time the pres- (What a s t u p i d so-in-so I was! Here was the complete story of my struggles, defeats and vic- ent 12 Steps of the A.A. program emerged and old alcoholic ego b u i l d i n g itself up to the intories as an alcoholic, in addition In some personal some of the little group went on to found A.A. evitable splash. Hold your hats!) conclusions as a result of over five years of being After I had been absolutely “dry” for over It didn’t take long. Yes—yes, q u i t e poscompletely “dry” and over six years of sobriety. four years, I happened to spend a few months sibly an alcoholic could drink normally after Towards the end of my book I put forth a theory in a small southern university town. I became be had found his “square hole” I would say in of my own—maybe an alcoholic could drink nor- very f r i e n d l y with several of the professors who my most profound manner. When I first offered mally if he or she had been absolutely “dry” showed keen interest in my work with alcoholics this theory to the eagerly waiting world there for at least five years (I wonder if I would which was based on my personal endeavor to was a big MAYBE in it. In nothing flat the have made it f o u r if that’s all I had been “dry”) stay “dry.” The professor of psychology was es- capital letters of this “maybe” grew so small and had become completely re-adjusted to life, pecially interested and be liked to start theo- and my utterance of it became such an inaudible found his “square hole and stayed in it for retical discussions on “why does an apparently whisper—(Whoa! You’re way ahead of me!) sufficient lime”. normal person become an alcoholic?” All of Sure—my alcoholic mind wrapped itself around This theory did not work. us would offer various “causes” for the baffling this thing as though it were the most important No alcoholic can ever d r i n k anything, contain- phenomenon of the alcoholic—some plausible, discovery on earth. I must test my theory, and ing the slightest amount of alcohol, in a normal others wholly ridiculous. be the m a r t y r to a cause. way. My testing period of a p p r o x i m a t e l y ten How do I k n o w ? I tried and it didn’t work. Readjustment First months when I tried drinking to prove my theory, was one of the most, abnormal pieces of In addition to my own “experiment,” I have The result of these discussions was that I bedrinking anyone ever did. There wasn’t one talked to numerous other alcoholics who have came convinced an alcoholic was a “square peg single thing normal about it even though I shared my idea and “tested” it and I have inter- in a round hole who drank because be was so didn’t get drunk. I kept an accurate account viewed many doctors of medicine and psychol- miserable in his round hole,” and if he could of the dates on which I took drinks, their exact ogy who are working with alcoholics. Do you get “dry” and stay “dry” long enough to find number, what kind of liquor was taken, and my know what I learned from all of these? I his “square hole” be would become a happy precise reaction before, during and after conhave been unable to find a single alcoholic who useful citizen. Whether be could ever drink suming them. (A normal drinker might vaguely has become a normal drinker. again never entered our discussions and have noted these facts the first few times but My book, Drunks are Square Pegs, in my own would not have seemed to be of any importance then would have dismissed the whole matter opinion, contains many sound and proven con- to me if it had—I was much too concerned with from his mind, just as a person would forget clusions. (Sounds kinda stuffy and conceited, being “dry,” staying that way and helping others about a food which had formerly disagreed with doesn’t i t ? ) Anyhow—I did become “dry,” stay to “dry up” to bother with such an unimportant him.) At the end of this farcical testing period “dry” for over five years and I did find my matter. (it wasn’t f u n n y to me then) came my book “square hole.” Where I went off the beam com- During the months following these “intelw i t h its many quotations from my voluminous pletely and the whole reason my theory failed so lectual” discussions I told many people the notes. How profound I believed them to be! miserably was that I brushed aside the very im- “square peg” theory. In fact, I would elaborate portant trifle, an alcoholic’s allergy to alcohol, as on it to the probable boredom of living room though it were about as important as beer foam It Works gatherings in the way the newly converted Comto a guy with the shakes. Here’s a direct quotation Drunks Are Square Pegs was published in from my book on the .subject: January 1942. I continued to drink until the end of last May (1945) when I finally was willing to Shades of Prohibition! Double Allergy swallow my pride, admit the total f a i l u r e of my Time magazine, listing some of the less im- theory, humbly return to A.A. and start through “Another t h i n g : Maybe there is something in portant events of 1945, reports that in March the 12 Stops as a n y other beginner. I believe there this theory about some people being allergic to a North Carolina State Senator introduced, a bill was only one difference in my approach — I felt liquor. To be perfectly honest—I don’t know. to forbid public habitual drunkenness among I had been such a complete sap I didn’t have the I have heard it argued most convincingly pro judges. right to expert them to work. They have, thank and con.” I wish to state right here and now God, and for me they are the ultimate for an * * * that I am thoroughly convinced an alcoholic is alcoholic. Believe me — I’m just a “dry” drunk both mentally and physically allergic to alcohol. FLUSHING QUOTES who is going to write no more books on the subject. And if there is anyone who doesn’t believe me, It’s all in our A.A. book.—Charly C., Manhattan Frank L.: “You cannot drown in Lac St. will he k i n d l y step in the back room? Pierre if you do not go in the water.” For the benefit of those who haven’t read Mike D’A.: “The way I understand it, resent- Drunks Are Square Pegs (I hope you haven’t be- ments do not make me drunk—liquor makes Bob B., who is a professional actor, gives a cause you might have been induced to try my me drunk.” dramatic flair to his account of life in A.A., screwy theory). I will tell you briefly my story. Joe F.: “Slips seem to be the cause of gossip, which be describes as being “without Bill W. turned the “key” in me and I be- bits of news, The occasion for many phone calls. drunkenness, danger, disgust and D.T.s; came “dry” in October 1935. With Bill W., Why don’t we call someone and talk with pleas- fears, fantasies, fights and frustration; the late Fitz M. and some others I worked on ure because So-and-so has been dry a year hangovers, heartbreaks, horrors and hosalcoholics as we tried to keep ourselves “dry” or two?” pitals.”

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The Clip Sheet Worry Clinic PROSPECT? Atlantic City, N. ]., Press: “We need to launch a new society called N.N. or ‘Neurotics National’ so that millions of ‘Worry Birds’ and other psychoneurotics will realize they have a lot of company. This is one of the first benefits received by the drunkard who looks around at the large gathering of Alcoholics Anonymous that pack the auditorium.”

Alcoholic Ward Asked Los Angeles, Cal., Times: “Establishment of a separate ward in General Hospital for the treatment of alcoholics was advocated in a panel discussion before 200 delegates of the family and adult services division of a Welfare Council meeting. . . . J. A. Sullivan, county psychopathic probation officer, made the suggestion after Deputy Chief of Police Arthur Hohman pointed out that 59,252 arrests were made for drunkenness during the past year, compared with 44,116 in 1941. “A spokesman for the local branch of Alcoholics Anonymous recommended establishment of a research council, pointing out that this is the only large metropolitan area without treatment, clinical and research facilities. . . . Speakers who described in detail the impact of alcoholism on the community included Miss Myrtle Judd of the Veterans Administration Facility, A. A. AND THE ADVERTISING MAN Dr. John Foyle of the County Medical Association, Dr. Charlotte Buhler of the General Hos- Reprinted from Printers’ Ink, Sept. 14, 1945 proval and enjoyment—believe it or not. To pital, and Marjorie Davies of the Assistance explain this: A hay fever sufferer may not be As an A.A. of five years’ standing and an League.” able to ride a horse because of an allergy to advertising man of 30 years’ experience, I feel horses, but this does not d u l l his enjoyment of qualified to make a few observations on the re- Louisville Plans Clinic a polo game or a day at the races. lation of sobriety to the creative worker. My views are personal and do not necessarily ex- But in the advertising business as in other Louisville, Ky., Times: “Establishment of the press the opinions of Alcoholics Anonymous, occupations there is always the one man out of first private-sponsored clinic for the treatment of my present or past employers or of this ten who is an alcoholic. He sees his boss and of alcoholics in the United States today was magazine. clients or employees having a hell of a good being planned by Norton Memorial Infirmary, Drinking is not a serious matter to nine out time over a few drinks, even getting plastered Alcoholics Anonymous and the distillery indusof ten people who drink, including advertising once in a while, and can’t see why he isn’t entry here. It will be housed temporarily in an men and women. It may become a serious titled to share in the fun. So he joins the brawl. old brick building on Oka, owned by the hosmatter, but drinking is nothing to worry about Next day, the boss is at work, feeling a little pital. . . . Yale University professor. Dr. Selden unless the definite signs appear that label a foggy perhaps—but he’s there, and so are the D. Bacon, Mrs. Marty Mann. New York execuparticipant alcoholic. To determine if you are client’s advertising manager and the agency’s tive of the National Committee for Education alcoholic—that is, one whom alcohol controls art director and the other copy writers and on Alcoholism and A.A. member, conferred rather than vice versa—attend an open meeting everybody else—except the alcoholic. with F. W. Drybrough, chairman of the infirmary’s $6,000,000 drive for new buildings. of A.A. in any city. Or ask an A.A. of your Yes, where the hell is Jones? He was at the . . . Representatives from the University of acquaintance — there’s probably one in every party last night, wasn’t be? Of course, and Louisville claimed to cooperate with the work, agency or advertising department. one of the party even dropped him off at his and the basic proceedings for the establishment Among and between clients and agencies, home. What Jones did, with the fiendish acutewere outlined by Mrs. Mann.” drinking plays a salubrious and beneficial part, ness of the alcoholic, was to wait u n t i l the car * * * so long as the individuals are the lucky nine buzzed out of sight, then hurry around to Mur- A Detroit, Mich., columnist writes: “A bar- out of ten to whom alcohol is not a poison. A phy’s, who would still be open for another hour. tender in a Fort Street tavern is secretary-treas- few highballs unstuff the stuffed shirts, relieve What happened in the next ten days, Jones himurer of Detroit’s A.A. He was once a chemist, the tension, bring comic relief to a tough job, self couldn’t tell you, except that the old nightlost his job from drink, and took up bartending help get an O.K. As an A.A. is not a reformer, mares returned with increased vigor. House when he turned to A.A. Says he’s doing fine.” he observes these after-hours goings-on with ap- (Continued on Page 12)

FROM THE OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN as well as the spiritual side of the program. As Marty M. spoke, I wondered if, perhaps, I were not an alcoholic at heart, if not in fact, (How do we look to total strangers, to people who have me from time to time, t h a t A.A. was responsible because almost everything she said bit me right never suffered personally from pangs of alcoholism, or for the blossoming of his friendliness and huwho have never even lived near enough to an alky to between the eyes. She it was who really made know how violently it can effect life. Here’s one an- mor, and his warmth, and I began really to un- me understand what made an “alcoholic” tick swer to that question, penned by the secretary of John derstand what might have been, had he not D, of Manhattan, who attended a meeting led by her . . . she it was who told me why alcoholism is, boss at his invitation, so that she might see at first hand grasped the A.A. l i f e line. in fact, a disease and not a habit. the people and the work that make up his extra-curricular interests.) I want to make it very clear that I did not Ed S. helped a lot to make me understand attend the meeting as a “sightseer” or to be what A.A. means, and he showed me a man who Some months before I became associated with “amused,” b u t , even if I had, I should have had learned, the hard way, to laugh at himself Mr. D., I had read a number of articles and realized, as must anyone, before any time had (and enjoy it as much as the other fellow) and, editorials applauding the work of A.A. but I passed at all, that here is a way of life which by laughing, to conquer his own particular never really understood what “alcoholic” meant, anyone can practice to his profit . . . it does not devil. I admired his sincerity and unselfconuntil Mr. D, put me right. Now I think I know, take an A.A. to practice the principles of the sciousness, and his humility. It’s pretty hard to as well as any non-alcoholic can, just what a 24-hour program; and c e r t a i n l y both A.A.s and be humble, but, from what I saw, A.A.’s h u m i l i t y disease is alcoholism. Since starting to work non-A.A.s need a practical relationship w i t h is not craven, it’s a proud h u m i l i t y ; for while it for Mr. D., observing his activity and absorp- God. I had been assured, when I started for recognizes that each individual is only a small tion in the program. I have wanted to attend a the meeting, that I was not going to hear a lot segment of an enormous pie, still it is aware meeting, so when the invitation was extended of “God stuff”; but I had qualms, nevertheless, that the pie is only as good as each of its innothing could have kept me away. about “this religious business.” There isn’t an gredients. And so I bumped into self-examina- I may as well start at the beginning. After A.A. in the world who is fussier than I about tion again, and found it good. a good dinner (at very small cost) in the club his religious affiliations, and I have yet to meet I don’t want to say much more about Bill cafeteria, Mr. D. introduced me to several of a friendlier, more practical, or easier-to-know than that I’m not at all surprised to find that his friends, all of whom seemed glad to have God than I met at the A.A. meeting. Charlie H., he is one of the founders of A.A. It seemed to me present—and this impressed me, for it the third speaker on Mr. D.’s program, intro- me, as I listened to him, that the word Mr. D. seemed to me that I should probably not have duced me to this God, and I want, somehow, to used in introducing him—”modest”—was the felt the same if positions were reversed. Personget to know him better. I recalled particularly only one which really described him. And, here ally, from what I’ve seen, I think A.A. puts up that, when my father and I read Douglas’ Mag- again, I think that a fellow who needed a w i t h an a w f u l lot from a bunch of “holier-thannificent Obsession, we were so fascinated by his friendly hand, and wise counsel, whether he sufthou” non-alcoholics who simply do not know suggested philosophy that we spent our eve- fered from alcoholism or not, could be sure of what it’s all about . . . and I think the injecnings reading and studying the Bible until we t r u l y sympathetic understanding and the right tion of a little A.A. philosophy into all of us found the passage which formed the subject for answer, if he just asked Bill about it. would help a great deal. the book. All this made Charlie’s talk just so I went home feeling quite certain that I’d I have been very definitely instructed by Mr. much easier for me to appreciate, and A.A.— made a lot of new friends who had shared with D, not to indulge in any “laudatory exegesis,” always allowing for personal opinions and in- me an unforgettable evening, and permitted me but, working with him as I do, I’ve gotten kind dividual understandings and my very limited to take something of each of them home with of used to his brusque, business manner, and I knowledge—it seems to me, elaborates on Doug- me . . . and all I want to know is: “Please couldn’t help noticing how he bloomed, as soon las’ theory and improves it. I like the thought, may I come again?”—Jessica Bove, New York as he hit the door of the cafeteria . . . he glowed w i t h pleasure at all of his friends, and, “Do unto others as I have done, to you” a l i t t l e somehow, his manner relaxed. better than, “Do unto others as you would have, SEAMEN’S GROUP Mr. D. spoke generally about his early ex- them do unto you”; I think it fits in a little better with “You must not give it back, for I ISSUES PAMPHLET periences with alcohol, during the occupation have used it all up.” And I like the 24-hour At the A.A. Seamen’s Club, 3341⁄2 West 24th period in Europe a f t e r the last war, then during principle . . . as I listened to Charlie, I re- Street. New York, is now available an excellent, his college and post-graduate periods, and, alized that too much of my life has been spent informative pamphlet for alcoholic seamen; on finally, of his really serious trouble in the roarworrying about what’s going to happen tomor- one page the 12 Steps have been streamlined ing thirties (by “serious trouble,” I mean that row and the day after, and I made a resolution into 5, w h i l e on another the entire 12 are given. he himself then realized he had a drinking probto follow the precept “Let this be a good day, * * * lem), he has the faculty of making his escapades extremely amusing, but, all the while, and tomorrow will be a better one.” A.A. Street his listener is aware that he is listening to a I cannot possibly cover all that I have in my Montgomery, Ala., Advertiser: “In a grand serious man who is not making light of a serious mind to reflect on: what I want to make clear gesture New York City changed the name of matter. He made me understand what is meant is that I benefited in no small degree by some- Sixth Avenue to Avenue of the Americas. The by “remorse,” as it applies to alcoholism, and, thing every one of the speakers had to say . . . President of Chile came up for the formalities, on the whole, I got a picture of how A.A. helped and that somewhat surprised me at the time, but and numerous other dignitaries were on hand. him, where other methods failed. I somehow it doesn’t any more; I suppose I had the usual . . . People used to referring to Sixth Avenue felt, listening to Mr. D., that here was another erroneous impression that the program (as I will not welcome so long a name for the old side of his personality, and I felt very deeply understood it) couldn’t possibly be of any use street. . . . Maybe it will come to be know his honesty and sincerity, and his very earnest to anyone but an alcoholic: I do think that a as A.A. Avenue. . . . A.A. is generally assowish to make the program work for others as good many of its phases now that I know a ciated with the organization called Alcoholics it had for him. I knew, too, from what he told l i t t l e more about it would be no end helpful to Anonymous, but it might easily become the the meeting, and from little things he’s said to all of us . . . and I’m speaking of the practical. popular name for the Avenue of The Americas.”

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad complish compensates for the menace we have A Costly Annoyance Letters to this department are invited on any been to society, and only the inscrutability of From Pittsburgh, Pa. subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limitations you are asked to hold your letters to a the Creator, who permits abnormalities throughm a x i m u m of 350 words. out Nature, justifies our being. It always used to annoy me when I heard Only initials will be published unless the There are others, our parents and our wives, that someone considered himself too socially writer authorizes use of his first name as identification for A.A. friends. who have dreamed fine dreams, unrealized prominent in town to become associated w i t h The Grapevine will not divulge the full name dreams, that were consistent with reality. Our the A.A. group. The person was u s u a l l y one of any writer but will forward A.A. communica- who admitted he or she was an alcoholic, and tions addressed to the writers of letters published parents, in most cases, are above or beyond care here.—The Editors. since most of us reach A.A. in the middle of our after studying the A.A. book had agreed to go prime. Our wives, in an astonishingly large along on the program . . . provided it didn’t number, have stayed by us. Can we, liars and entail close association with the main group. Just Like Sponges cheats that we have been, wake that foggy part In my opinion, people like that hadn’t really From Santa Ana, Cal. of our brain to an understanding of what these hit bottom. They hadn’t suffered enough. On To me, the way this thing seems to work is fine women have gone through? one occasion I became so annoyed that I f r a n k l y that it fills our lives to the exclusion of the Here is the plumed knight in shining armor told the person to his face that he had forgotten thoughts about or need for alcoholic stimulant. she married, whose plumes turned to f r o t h and he was just another stumblebum like the rest of If you wring out a wet sponge, you dehydrate whose armor became a beer can. Look at the us from across the railroad trucks. Perhaps that it, just as we can dehydrate an alcoholic by re- weakling, who after ten to twenty years of de- is why I got drunk that night.’—A.L.M. moving the alcohol from his system. Then, if bauchery, hasn’t the stamina for any more; who you release the wrung-out sponge, it fills up has lied to her, humiliated her, even caused her No Escape Clause on air and is empty and useless. If you de- to beg for him. Look at the still shaking wreck Straightening his drooping plumes, polishing his From San Francisco, Cal. hydrate an alcoholic, then release him, as we were always released before A.A., to try and rusty armor and this fatuous egotistical ass ex- I took a nosedive soon after coming into A.A. keep our sobriety on will power alone, the same pects admiration and approbation because he Then after a few months of meetings I slipped thing happens to us that happens to a sponge. We has found a way to stay sober! These loyal badly again. Looking back now after several dry filled up on air because we could find nothing to women are only too happy to see us sober. Now, months I can see what was wrong and I am devote the time and energy to that we usually it is their right to receive the courtesy, affection, writing this letter to The Grapevine w i t h the spent in consuming alcohol so we started to consideration, understanding and protection that hope it may help some other newcomer. soak it up again, just as the sponge would start was always their due. It had been easy for me to take the 1st Step to absorb water if dropped back into it. We are sick people! We have a mental or . . . admitting I had become powerless over But this time A.A. was there to show us the physical allergy towards drink! Always, we had alcohol, and my life, unmanageable. I knew I way of life we had really always wanted and excuses for taking a drink and if we are lookhad a serious problem. Like the rest I also had couldn’t find, so after we were dehydrated this ing for reasons for drinking one allergy is a lost jobs, friends, had been hospitalized many time we filled up on A.A. The more we expand good many. It would be more realistic if we look times, and had become a thoroughly miserable the more A.A. we soak up so that we have no our collective self to a mirror and looked at person, without hope. empty void to fill with boredom, resentments, the weakling with the immature emotions, the shallow thinker and the moral coward, the one But while I could admit my problem I was and ennui, to drive us back to drink. So give uncomfortable about it. WHY had I become an me more and more A.A. By the way, I now who has confused stubborness with w i l l and who cannot walk alone. alcoholic? WHY did this have to happen to own a home, something I never had before.— me? WHAT had happened to put me in this po- J.F.H. We have found a way of sobriety applicable sition? I wanted the answers, including what to all although only acceptable to a few. We Charity Begins at Home made A.A. work. do not know all the answers nor does that self- From Manhattan appointed missionary, the “professional” A.A. The explanation that I had abused drinking We must stop decrying any method which is and God had taken away my franchise to drink We alcoholics have dreamed fine dreams, apparently keeping a man sober; even the man seemed wholly unsatisfactory. I wasn’t a reliidealistic and impossible dreams and our dreams “on the wagon” may stay there; many do. gious person and had always rebelled at the sinwere as inconsistent as our reality. We drank We have made a mess of the past and if we punishment dogma. Others said that alcoholics to dream and when we couldn’t hold the dream are not learning, the dignity of humility it will had developed a physical sensitivity, an “allergy” we drank for oblivion. be impossible for us to learn the will of God; to alcohol which could never be reversed. That We come into A.A. and only a small compleonly with His help can we lay the ghosts of our seemed more intelligent, but not necessarily true. ment of us are able to put more than a few of the 12 Steps into positive action. Our indi- vague disquieting fears and overcome our in- That was my trouble. I knew I was alcoholic vidual will power, never much to begin with, grained dislike for facing the disagreeable con- but I couldn’t face the shocking impact of the has become negligible. Yet, through a collec- ditions of living. We need His help if we are words, “You can never drink again!” So I had tive pool we are able, each one, to draw enough ever to attain the stature of the manhood we wrestled with the whys and wherefores in the strength for a large percentage of us to stay have never known. Above all, first let us prac- subconscious hope that I might discover the sober. Always, we have needed protection and in tice our new-found fellowship of man on our reasons behind my alcoholism. Then perhaps I A.A. we receive it along with the opportunity of loyal ones for our charity must begin at home. could change them and be able to drink norgiving it. Actually, no reformation we may ac- —Pat C. (Continued on Page 12)

though all drinkers may be basically alike, I Slips contend that there are certain very important Vino Vignettes: differences which should he taken into account (Continued from Page. 1) especially when coming i n t o A.A. Heartbreak Run Like most periodics, I didn’t want a d r i n k (Continued from Page 4) u n f u n n y memories of the happenings that made during my in-belween or dry periods. Nobody us come i n t o A.A. could make me take a d r i n k during those times. Bill’s son. Some openly wept. But Bill had I could serve it to other people with ease and found a new inner calm. have absolutely no urge to take a n y t h i n g my- Back on the run Bill redoubled his 12th Step Don’t get sore w i t h what you read below . . . self. work. Drunks on his train could hardly escape I know how you feel and would have been sore D u r i n g these times, I usually felt pretty good a knowledge of A.A. Bill roved the washrooms had I run onto the following a few years ago. physically and mentally, too. Though I would on dry heave patrol. And it was there the I think the slips I have had during my five have moods, I was for the most riding along drunks look long pulls on concealed bottles. years in A.A. have taught me s o m e t h i n g , so a pretty well, with a fair degree of confidence, Once he caught one l i f t i n g a pint when the word may be h e l p f u l , although controversial. and passing bars and liquor stores with scarcely t r a i n suddenly lurched and the bottle broke in But you don’t have to slip to learn. a thought about them. the washstand. The railroad and Bill took a I blew up on a one-night stand a f t e r eighteen Of course, I never knew when these periods cussing. months of being dry; then the others came after were to end abruptly in a sudden, inexplicable Later Bill scooped up a drunk off the platform various intervals. In retrospect, the answer seems urge for a d r i n k . But while they did last I was and safely onto the crowded vestibule as the simple. In comparison with my present prayer- “safe.” train started to move out of Penn Station. The f u l practice and comfort in A.A., I am certain Naturally, when I came i n t o A.A. I was just alky was loud in his proclamation of thanks, I had unconscious reservations concerning the coming off a spell of drinking;. As always at the saying Bill was the only one in New York who so-called “spiritual angle.” end of these, I was greatly depressed, and as al- understood him. It seemed he had tried to catch It had been big of me to nod when people ways before, the depression lifted as I recov- a t r a i n back to Washington for five days and spoke of a power greater than ourselves. I also ered my health. Gradually, I regained my con- other brakemen had not allowed him to jump vaguely mentioned it to be fashionable, yet fidence. I listened to and read A.A. with great moving trains. But he gave Bill a bad time all felt sporadic g r a t i t u d e toward the principle interest. It all sounded and seemed very under- the way down. working in my behalf. that was as far as it standable, logical and wonderful. Bill said be had distributed more than 800 went, and I felt my course was safe. But, I felt so confident that I failed to take all A.A. pamphlets to the needy on trains. However, In t a l k i n g to newcomers I felt apologetic on of the precautions. Because I had no urge to most of them were slipped into pockets. Often the spiritual reference. I thought I was keeping d r i n k , being then in a dry period, I didn’t think Bill would have to stalk his prey, then slip a an open mind but actually I wasn’t tolerant of it was necessary to go on the 24-hour basis, to pamphlet into a pocket, taking a chance he the prayer boys and girls in A.A. But I couldn’t give the matter a little thought in the morning would be observed—and possibly accused of escape the fact that they were going through un- and at night, and to keep it uppermost in my rolling the drunk. scathed by slips. mind. Months slipped by as Bill silently grieved his Little by l i t t l e I seemed to catch on a bit. I “slipped,” as you would expect. I repeated dead son. Curiously it was the railroader who One time I prayed for three straight weeks, day that sequence several times. I thought I was had ribbed Bill the most for his “going on the by day, and then wandered off the habit. Months trying hard and I honestly never wanted to wagon” who told him of the BBC broadcast. later I was drunk and I couldn’t understand, drink again. The strange thing is that during He could have sworn he had heard Bill’s son since I had been twelfth-stepping out all over the dry periods I really didn’t see how I could among those interviewed after being recaptured town. And I had been talking my head off at ever drink. At those times, I just could not from a German POW camp. the clubhouse “helping the newcomers,” and not imagine myself ever filling a glass. But then Bill rushed to the British Ministry of Informarealizing my alcohol heroics. would come that unexpected, unpredictable tion offices and they sent a tracer cable. Ten Each slip seemed to jerk me up . . . to face change of mood. days later a recording arrived by air. Bill heard me up to the inevitable crisis on the issue of Finally, I got my tip from another periodic, his son’s name . . . then his voice . . . The boy prayer or h u m i l i t y . That point came on the and am passing it on for still other periodics. was alive and well, and flying home. The overbattlefield and prayer has seemed a natural func- The lesson is that a periodic must learn to whelming joy of the news didn’t throw Bill tion ever since. work just as hard at this business during his either. Now I am convinced that my well being is in dry periods as when he may be a p p r o a c h i n g B i l l finished his story and his third cup of direct proportion to my altitude of humility, the wet cycle. He must build up insurance. He coffee. It was now midnight and we joined the honesty and helpfulness. And that my constancy needs to go on the 24-hour plan just as much crowd on the dance floor. After “Auld Lang in t h a t a t t i t u d e can only be maintained by daily as the daily drinker. Only by setting up the Syne” and the yippee Bill said he had just one prayer as I am essentially an ornery jaboney. right habits of thought, day in and out, can he wish for 1946. He wanted to be present when Now I don’t t h i n k there is a “spiritual angle” protect himself against that moment when he some newcomer identified himself by saying. “I to A.A. . . . rather that A.A. is t o t a l l y a spiritual suddenly moves from the dry period i n t o the wet don’t know who told me about this A.A. . . . it program. But don’t get sore . . . since this can period. seems some joker slipped a Jack Alexander arbe wrong. * * * But, if he does build every day and if he ticle into my pocket while I was drunk on the does ask for help even on those mornings when t r a i n to New York.” As a periodic, the cause of the several “slips” the idea of taking a drink seems to him to be Yes, 1945 had been a great year for Bill the I had after my first A.A. meeting may not ap- an utter impossibility—then he’ll have the pro- brakeman . . . and for those of us who heard ply at all to the former steady drinkers. Al- tection he needs when the time comes. the story.— Hugh B.. Manhattan.

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit The non-alcoholic wives of Fort Worth, was addressed on “Alcoholism and Its A l l i e d dean of the U n i v e r s i t y of Utah medical school, Texas, A.A.s went to town in a big way recently, Problems,” by Dr. A. C. L., local physician. all of whom gave high praise to A . A . 0gden entertained a large gathering of alcoholics at Judge Charles M i l l e r of Jacksonville stated now has t w o t h r i v i n g groups. . . . Thirty-eight dinner in the Hotel Texas, with civic leaders that in 34,000 cases before the M u n i c i p a l Flint, Mich.. A.A.s chartered a bus to attend and clergymen as guests and speakers. One of Court a n n u a l l y , alcoholism is involved in ap- a meeting in Detroit recently. the latter was the Rev. Lance Webb, pastor of proximately eighty per cent. . . Kansas City, the University Park Methodist Church of Dallas. Kans., papers carried pictures of that city’s . . . Nevada’s first group has gotten under way A.A. h i l l t o p clubhouse, a two-story brick struc- Baton Rouge, La., A.A.s, at their first anniin Las Vegas. Address: Box 732, Las Vegas, ture with a Norman tower on one corner and versary meeting, were hosts to representative Nev. . . . Cincinnati, Ohio, A.A.s have estab- the letters “A.A.” in red and white over the groups from New Orleans, Covington, Bogalusa, lished a twelve-member Speakers Bureau to ex- door. When the old house was purchased early Hammond, Franklinton, Gonzales, Plaquemine, plain the disease of alcoholism and A.A. to last spring, The plumbing was out of k i l t e r and and Tylertown, Miss. One of the guest speakers meetings of interested non-alcoholic groups. the plaster f a l l i n g off the walls. Today it is was the Rev. Henry A. Rickey of Bogalusa, who clean and pleasant, painted and well main- attended the Yale School of Alcohol Studies tained, w i t h cooking and bathroom facilities on last summer; another was Dr. Glenn J. Smith, both floors. “Anything we have done for the superintendent of the East Louisiana Hospital Acquisition of clubrooms by the Portland, house,” said one of the members, “has been at Jackson, who spoke of how much the people Oregon, Group has been announced. . . . New done w i t h money which otherwise would have of the state were being benefited by the work York’s North Shore Group, comprising membeen spent on liquor. It looks to us like pretty of A.A. . . . The 400 members of the eight St. bers from Port Washington, Manhasset, Rosgood economics.” Louis, Mo., Groups have held t h e i r fifth annilyn, Plandome, Great Neck and other surroundversary meeting. . . . An A.A. of M o u n t Morris, ing towns, which came into being a little over N. Y., a psychiatrist and a clergyman, spoke on a year ago w i t h eight drunks, now totals more A blind A.A., who spoke from notes w r i t t e n alcoholism before the Penn Yan Rotarians in than eighty members. . . . Speaking before the in Braille, was one of the speakers at a j o i n t t h a t city. . . . The Greater Lawrence Youth Red Bank, N. J., Group, Col. Pingataro, psymeeting held by Salt Lake City and Ogden, Forum was addressed by a member of A.A. chiatrist, who has just been released from the Utah, Groups, in the former city. Over 100 from Lawrence, Mass. . . . The Lions Club of Army, told of A.A. work in Army hospitals members were present; guest speakers were Marshfield, Wis., was startled when an A.A., t h r o u g h o u t the c o u n t r y . . . . The first anniversary Governor Herbert B. Maw; the Most Reverend i n v i t e d to speak at one of their meetings, tossed of the Oberlin, Ohio, Group was celebrated by Duane G. H u n t , Bishop of the Catholic Diocese out the fact that alcoholism was the fourth a big get-together, which included many friends of Salt Lake, and Dr. H. L. Marshall, acting major health problem in the United States. and relatives. . . . A new group has been launched in Falmouth, Mass., with speakers coming from Worcester, New Bedford, and Boston for the first meeting. A.A. DIGEST ents you have—the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those who sang Excerpts from Group Publications the best.” A.A. Tribune., Des Moines, Iowa: “If there Dubuque Alanews, Dubuque, Iowa: “TO THE Pueblo, Colo., now has a second group, com- is someone t h a t needs i n f o r m a t i o n on alcohol- OTHER TWENTY-FIVE PER CENT. Well, posed of alcoholic State Hospital patients. Han- ism, send them to the Alcoholic Information fellows, we had you and lost you, why I do not dling organization details were several members Center. There they w i l l be given literature know and deep down in your own hearts I don’t of the original Pueblo Group, which was about alcoholism, w i l l talk to non-alcoholics t h i n k you can answer the question. First of all, formed about seven months ago; these members who w i l l tell them something about alcoholism, I don’t t h i n k t h a t one of you really had the will attend the initial meetings to help the new and we hope it w i l l kelp a lot of people t h a t program. By that I mean you came and supmembers with their interpretation of the pro- we are not reaching in A.A. . . . Since Marty ported the organization—you were friendly, but pram. The older group now has a membership has been to Des Moines we have had 36 new you were afraid. . . . Maybe we are at f a u l t . of twenty. . . The Jackson, Miss., Group, organ- men and women in A.A. . . . FLASH: Des I sometimes t h i n k so. . . . Well, fellows, you ized in January, 1945, turned over the club- Moines Committee for Education on Alcoholism are welcome back . . . come on down.” rooms at 4161⁄2 George Street for a meeting con- AIRS ITS FIRST SHOW ON KRNT. And, The Brighter Side, Waterloo, Iowa: “Frank ducted by Memphis A.A.s. The r a p i d l y growing what a show it was.” gave a t a l k before about 50 representatives Jackson Group now totals forty-five men and Hi and Dri, Minneapolis, Minn.: “Our Bart P. from social, civic, law and fraternal groups on women. . . . An A.A. of Carmel, N. Y., admay be the instigator of starting some good A.A. what A.A. is and how it works. Judging from dressed the Criton Valley Ministers Association. work among the Salvation Army group at Hib- the number of questions Frank was called on . . . The Binghamton, N. Y., Group has acquired bing, after personally making it a point to ex- to answer after his talk, there must have been clubrooms at 89 State Street. Their as yet unplain his view of the program and what it had a lot of interest created. More good construclisted telephone number is 4-1690. done for him, to the Salvation Army head at tive publicity. During the day, we held open Hibbing. The week-end was thoroughly enjoyed house at our rooms and coffee and cake was by all those who had the privilege of making served, in charge of our angel, Florence. Good The Exchange Club of Jacksonville, Fla., the trip and we thank all of Hibbing for the attendance and both outsiders and home folks where A.A.s are steadily increasing in number, unusually warm hospitality. . . . Use what tal- enjoyed this part of the day’s doings.”

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of how the word in religious l i t e r a t u r e is used Advertising Men . . . Pleasures of Reading “weakness” in consequence. Huxley’s discussion

indiscriminately in at least three distinct and (Continued from Page 7) (Continued from Page 5) very different senses, will be found clarifying. H e l p f u l also is the chapter (XVI) on prayer A n d of special interest to us who believe in the silent, wife gone, job in doubt, no money, as applied to at least four distinct procedures— “24-hour” plan is the discussion in this chapter clothes a mess, everything stinks—and, my God! petition, intercession, adoration, contemplation. and elsewhere of the proposition that “Man must my check book ! The anthologist concludes that “the highest live in time in order to be able to advance into If Jones is lucky enough to remember about prayer is the most passive,” a statement which eternity.” A.A. and can read numbers in a telephone book, becomes understandable after reading his analy- Mystic though he now appears to be, Huxley he may call A.A. headquarters. And now may sis. Nor can we read a more penetrating dis- concludes his work on another practical note, begin a program of thinking and doing along section of Old Man Remorse who bobs up in the function of spiritual exercises. He states the A.A. routine that may restore him to sanity Chapter XXII: forthrightly: and usefulness and pleasure to himself, his em- “This necessary change of mind—repent- “What ritual is to public worship, spiritual ployer, his f a m i l y and friends. ance—is normally accompanied by sorrow exercises are to private devotion. They are Now I must get personal, as we all do at and self-loathing. But these emotions are devices to be used by the solitary individual A.A. The one thing that staggered me, in prosnot to be persisted in and must never be when he enters his closet, shuts the door, pect, when contemplating trying A.A. was what allowed to become a settled habit of re- and prays to his Father which is in secret. seemed to be a dreadful, dreary expanse of morse. In Middle English ‘remorse’ is ren- Like all other devices, from psalm singing years ahead without a single drink to relieve dered, w i t h a literalness which to modern to Swedish exercises and from logic to in- the monotony, or the tension, or to reward me readers is at once startling and stimulating, ternal combustion engines, spiritual exer- for accomplishments. as ‘again-bite.’ In this cannibalistic en- cises can be used either well or badly. Some “You can’t fool with it,” the boys told me, counter, who bites whom? Observations of those who use spiritual exercises make “not even one cocktail, not even one glass of and self-analysis provide the answer: the progress in the life of the spirit; others, beer.” creditable aspects of the self bite the dis- using the same exercises make no progress. But they eased me down somewhat by telling creditable and are themselves bitten, re- To believe that their use either constitutes me to forget the years ahead, forget even toceiving wounds t h a t fester with incurable enlightenment, or guarantees it, is mere morrow, pointing out it was certainly no chore shame and despair. But, in Fenelon’s idolatry and superstition. To neglect them to do without a drink for a day. Tomorrow, if words, ‘it is mere self-love to be inconsol- altogether, to refuse to find out whether the effect was good, I might consider another able at seeing one’s own imperfection.'” and in what way they can help in the 24-hour stretch of sobriety.. Continually getting himself enmeshed, as he achievement of our final end, is nothing but It wasn’t easy and it won’t be for other adverdoes, in words and formulae, the alcoholic like self-opinionatedness and stubborn obscurtising men. I needed help daily, nightly, conall neurotics has often found “truth” as he antism.” tinuously, but I needed only to ask to receive earnestly sought it, obscured by such externals In point of fact, this book itself is not alto- it. I am now a re-claimed alcoholic. Experiand superficialities, and has yielded to his gether free from “obscurantism,” some passages mentally, I deliberately went on a couple of are not clear on first reading, and disagreement tentative bats during my five years as an A.A. with some conclusions is sure to arise. In spite I will never go on another, because I enjoy soof these human defects, however, this volume Cut This Out and Mail to: briety too much—and here’s the answer to the on the l i f e of the spirit, encyclopedic in scope alcoholic advertising man who holds back be- The Grapevine. but not in size, deserves a place on the night cause of those dreaded years of sobriety: P. 0. BOX 328 table beside Alcoholics Anonymous. Its reading and re-reading in a mood of reflectiveness To an alcoholic, alcohol is a drug. It dulls Grand Central Annex, N.Y. 17, N. Y. rather than stimulates the perception and abil- Herewith $2.50 for one year’s subscription to are bound to be informative, s t i m u l a t i n g and ities. It steals away the pleasure of living, of The Grapevine (Monthly). inspirational in a very practical sense to those loving and of working rather than it intensifies constituted as alcoholics are represented to be. For additional subscriptions enclose separate R.F.S., Monlclair, N. J. and heightens these pursuits. sheet with name and address clearly printed. I am aware of the merry lights that dance in Checks payable to The Grapevine. my daughter’s eyes, of the pleasant quietness Total Enclosed Mail Call of my home, of the glance of confidence from my employer and of the trustworthiness of Renewal? (please check) (Continued from Page 9) friendships made over cups of coffee. I am twice as well paid as a copy writer because I PLEASE PRINT mally. I was reaching for that drink without am now reliable. Excellent work is a matter Name knowing it! of routine with me—in fact, I often look at a The words “powerless over alcohol” mean sim- piece of my copy and wonder where I got the Address ply that. And we must become comfortable in ability to write it—it seems to have issued subaccepting that verdict as final. There is no “fire consciously, rather than as a mighty effort, as escape” clause in the contract. Why we were in my alcoholic days. Note: Subscriptions received prior to the 15th forced to sign the contract isn’t important. An More than to any other type of person, soof February will begin with the March issue. effort to wiggle out is only futile. We can only briety offers rich rewards of accomplishment, As of January 1, 1946, the price of a year’s start to build sound sobriety on the complete happiness and peace to the alcoholic advertissubscription is $2.50. acceptance of that fact.—B.N.A. ing man.

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VOL. II, NO. 10, MARCH, 1946, P. 0. BOX 328, G R A N D CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17 YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

Our Anonymity Is Both Inspiration and Safety By Bill consulting his own group. If, as an A.A., he such an incredible amount of excellent publicity. is to make a nationwide public appearance The answer seems to be that practically everyone Discussing the subject of Anonymity in a the matter ought to be referred to National who writes about us becomes an A.A. convert, previous Grapevine article, I tried to make the headquarters. sometimes a zealot. Is not our Policy of following points—that Anonymity has, for us Anonymity mainly responsible for this phe- If these suggestions, or variations of them, A.A.s, an immense spiritual significance; that nomenon? the principle ought to be preserved as part of are to be adopted as a National policy, every A.A. will want to know more about our experi- Fourthly, why does the general public regard our vital tradition; that since we have as yet no us so f a v o r a b l y ? Is it simply because we are sharply defined policy there is confusion in some ence so far. He will surely wish to know how most of our older members are thinking on the bringing recovery to lots of alcoholics? No, quarters as to what anonymity ought to mean; this can hardly he the whole story. However subject of Anonymity at the present time. It that we need, therefore, a perfectly clear tradi- impressed he may be by our recoveries, John Q. will be the purpose of this piece to bring everytion which all A.A.s would feel bound to respect. Public is even more interested in our way of body up to date on our collective experience. I also offered some suggestions which I hoped life. Weary of pressure selling, spectacular promight become, after further discussion, the basis Firstly, I believe most of us would agree that motion and shouting public characters, he is of a national policy on anonymity. These sug- the general idea of Anonymity is sound, because refreshed by our quietness, modesty and anogestions were: it encourages alcoholics and the families of alco- nymity. It well may be that he feels a great holics to approach us for help. Still fearful of spiritual power is being generated on this ac- 1. It should be the privilege of each A.A. being stigmatized, they regard our anonymity count—that something new has come into his to cloak himself with as much persona! an assurance their problems will be kept con- own life. anonymity as be desires. His fellow A.A.s fidential; that the alcoholic skeleton in the If Anonymity has already done these things should respect his wishes and help guard family closet will not wander in the streets. for us, we surely ought to continue it as a Nawhatever status he wants to assume. Secondly, the Policy of A n o n y m i t y is a pro- tional Policy. So very valuable to us now, it 2. Conversely, the individual A.A. ought to tection to our cause. It prevents our founders may become an incalculable asset for the future. respect the feeling of his local group about or leaders, so called, from becoming household In a spiritual sense, Anonymity amounts to the anonymity. If his group wishes to be less names who might at any time get drunk and give renunciation of personal prestige as an instruconspicuous in their locality than he does, he A.A. a black eye. No one need say that couldn’t ment of National policy, I am confident that ought to go along with them u n t i l they change happen here. It could. we shall do well to preserve this powerful printheir views. Thirdly, almost every newspaper reporter who ciple; that we should resolve never to let go covers us complains, at first, of the difficulty of of it. 3. With very rare exceptions, it ought to writing his story without names. But be quickly Now what about its application? Since we be a national policy that no member of Alcoforgets this difficulty when he realizes that here advertise Anonymity to every newcomer, we holics Anonymous shall ever feel free to pubis a group of people who care nothing for per- ought, of course, to preserve a new member’s lish, in connection with any A.A. activity, his sonal gain. Probably it is the first time in his anonymity so long as he wishes it preserved. name or picture in mediums of public circulalife he has ever reported an organization which Because, when he read our publicity and came tion. This would not, however, restrict the wants no personal publicity. Cynic though he to us, we contracted to do exactly that. And even use of his name in other public activities promay be, this obvious sincerity instantly trans- if be wants to come in under an assumed name, vided, of course, he does not disclose his A.A. forms him into a friend of A.A. Therefore his we should assure him be can. If be wishes us membership. piece is a friendly piece, never a routine job. to refrain from discussing his case with anyone, 4. If, for some extraordinary reason, a It is enthusiastic writing because the reporter even other A.A. members, we ought to respect member thinks it desirable to drop his feels that way himself. People often ask how that wish too. While most newcomers do not anonymity locally he should do so only after Alcoholics Anonymous has been able to secure (Continued on Page 5)

EDITORIAL: Letters Reveal On the 5th Step … (Early in January of this year, many A.A.s in the New York area were saddened by the death of one of the older members after a long and gallant struggle “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our against an even more deadly malady than alcoholism. His contributions to A.A. had been so outstanding that wrongs.” perhaps the story of his over four and one-half years of sobriety and his abiding f a i t h in the A.A. program, We have made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves; at least we as evidenced by letters to fellow members, during a have tried, and even though our first efforts at this sort of thing are far off the mark, two year period of living apart from any group, may prove an inspiration to others who did not have the we have come up with an ugly assortment of defects of character and shortcomings. privilege of knowing him.) Were we to stop at this point, that is after completing the 4th Step, there would be On an extremely hot evening in the early nothing for us to do but get very drunk in order to forget it all. Our program, how- summer of 1941, a veritable colossus of a man appeared at a meeting in the old 24th Street ever, provides for carrying on the process to recovery and this 5th Step is an important Clubhouse. Though a newcomer to the ranks of link between the recognition of our faults and their correction. A.A., something about this individual other than The 5th Step encourages us to think of our faults in specific terms and helps us to his large frame and broad shoulders gave one be honest in our thinking by requiring us to consider our faults from several viewpoints. the immediate impression that here was a We consider how God regards a fault, how our neighbor regards it, how we our- potential tower of strength to the Group. Durselves regard it, and we force ourselves to take a position on how we will act in the ing the remainder of his life this initial impresfuture. sion became a certainty. Further, by a d m i t t i n g to someone else the exact nature of our wrongs we are doing Elliot, we afterwards discovered—though not from him—had been in the early years of the something about them, not just sitting and bemoaning them. We are practicing humility century a famous football player, later seand recognizing our dependence on others which helps us to overcome the self-obsession lected by Walter Camp for his all-time, allthat was leading us to destroy ourselves. America team. All of this is another way of saying that confession is good for the soul. It is one After graduation from college, Elliot became of the earliest discovered spiritual laws and its observance is just as necessary to our well- an outstandingly successful construction engibeing as observances of any of the natural laws we take for granted. The only rea- neer, taking time out during World War I to serve his country well as a Lieutenant Comson for attempting to analyze how it works is to make clear why it should be a continumander in the Navy. ing process. Our spiritual development proceeds in a spiral. The first time around the Although in later years he came to a period circuit, or through the Steps, we accomplish much, learning more about the preceding in his life when his average consumption of Steps as we perform each subsequent one. Because we learn something that is applicable whiskey was close to two quarts a day, apparto an earlier Step after we have passed it we are impelled to make the circuit again to ently he was unique in always being able to apply our greater knowledge. We move on a slightly more advanced level the second attend to his business and in never showing the time around, but again we recognize development as we proceed and we know that effects of excessive drinking to his associates. But as time passed, he himself came to realize we’re in a position to do a still better job than formerly—and so the spiral continues— that he had a serious problem. On numerous onward and upward and ever away from the kind of thinking that leads to the first occasions the curtain descended so that in the drink.— Bob D., Garden City, L. I. morning all memory of what had taken place the previous evening had vanished. There were also several instances when leaving his home, he drove his car, apparently at terrific speed, Tribute from a Son through a great part of the night to awaken next morning in a hotel room in a distant city w i t h no knowledge of how he had gotten there (The boy, home on furlough from the Pacific, wanted to tell his father how much the latter’s coming into A.A. had meant to everyone. But he couldn’t quite put it into words. So, after he went back to duty in the Pacific, and no apparent reason for being there. he wrote a letter, which the father permits The Grapevine to publish here, as a meaningful, glimpse of things that count the most). At his first A.A. meeting, Elliot realized that he belonged where alcoholics were gathered to Dear Pop: tackle their mutual problem. Although he had I was reminiscing tonight over the years before the war and I was thinking of all had something to drink before his initial talk the troubles we used to have when you’d get sick. It sure was tough on all of us, but it with an A.A. at luncheon that day and plenty was toughest on you. Before A.A. got started, no one used to think of calling a “drunk” to drink for many days previously, he evidently a sick man. When he’d try to explain his sickness, it was received by a “we know” grunt. made his decision at that meeting. John Barleycorn never got in another blow. After four years To most people it was a “stall” or “alibi”. in A.A., Elliot wrote: When I look back at how you’ve changed in the past ten years, Pop, it seems like “I’ve never had a dry drunk and don’t want something from a fairy tale. It was such a great achievement that it seems remarkable to one. I guess I’ve been mighty lucky in my me. Maybe it’s because our prayers are so seldom answered so fully. alcoholic career, for A.A. ‘took’ at once and (Continued on Page 4) the sense of relief and happiness has always

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Philosophy of Gratitude as Basis for Faith been so great that drinking again has only the with us this time for a few short months, appear- life during the time that is left is very, very real. mental reaction of utter horror. I still think ing frequently at meetings and at A.A. lunch- Life has become a very sweet and happy thing there isn’t enough gratitude for the Boss or eons, a form of group therapy he particularly instead of a harrowed, torn, u n h a p p y thing. whatever it is that lets us spill the beans and advocated, and then was offered and again Thank God for the day I found our bunch of still get home. And, to me, the feeling of grati- accepted an engineering job in the western part A.A.s.” tude is the easy and natural road to some con- of Virginia where his tremendous capacity for April. 30, 1944 sciousness of a Power that’s running this show accomplishing things could have full scope. “I miss the luncheons so much, as well as the and that is mighty kind.” Originally intending to remain away for about meetings, but not from the standpoint of being For the first year, Elliot took a very active six months, he was gone with only one major necessary to stay dry. That has become an part in group activities; 12th Step work, speak- interruption for the better part of two years. accepted fact and part of life for me. But ing occasionally and always inspiringly at open During this period, his correspondence with always with the certain knowledge that if I ever meetings, being especially articulate and vigor- A.A. friends becomes such an illuminating recexperimented with a single drink I’d be taking ously direct in his comments in discussions aris- ord of his gratitude for a life of sobriety and in Belmont, Empire, Las Vegas, the Kentucky ing at closed meetings, and at all times applying usefulness and such a testimonial to his unwaver- Derby, Hialeah and points north, east, west and the program, as he understood it, to his daily ing faith, that we submit quotations from some south! As I have written some others, I t h i n k life and to his association with his fellow men. of his letters to show what A.A. had come to that gratitude is the greatest feeling that I have Then came an opportunity to supervise a big mean to this great-hearted, fearless and absotoday, and am sure that it was the medium war construction job in Texas and he, needing lutely honest man: through which I finally got a real consciousness an outlet for his tremendous energy, accepted. January 26, 1944 of a Power behind all this life and the greatest We missed his strength and wise counsel during “That idea of living only for the day made thing that anyone can be blessed with—Faith! the ensuing year but heard from him sometimes a very great difference in my life and happiness. And the possession of that only increases the and knew that he was still very much “on the For the first time in over 60 years I am relaxed gratitude all the more. It’s a wonderfully beaubeam.” However, this was a period for him of mentally, physically and deep-down inside some- t i f u l world, when one’s eyes are opened to it.” seeking that spiritual conviction which he alone how. And, oh boy! What a relief and joy it is. thought he lacked. When we saw him again he May 27, 1944 I can take on the work that I’m now doing with seemed to have found his answer. He remained “My first local ewe lamb is getting along very no more effort or tension than I would expend on a cross-word puzzle. When I look back well, but I’ve got my fingers crossed. Only two almost three years I know what an absolutely weeks out from the water—or rather booze— HEARD OVER NBC unrepayable debt I owe A.A.” but his happiness to find he isn’t a weakling and a bum but is just sick and can get over it, is Lumping them all together, alcoholics in A.A. February 19, 1944 pathetic. He’s in the first stage of exaltation and those not yet arrived, potentials and non- “Don’t worry about the spiritual end. I’ve and when be gets down is the dangerous time. alcoholics alike, the many thousands who had always thought that altogether too much im- What a miracle it is to seek A.A. actually at already heard about A.A. and the millions who portance was stressed in that direction.—’If we work. And as for me personally it is a miracle had not, throughout the nation everywhere peodon’t get the spiritual end we will get drunk and always will be—just the fact that I happle listened to laudatory words about Alcoholics and have no A.A. in us.”—That to me is bunk. pened to meet it is just that. I can never begin Anonymous at 4 p. m., February 9, over NBC’s We have to be sober to have the receptivity to express my deepdown gratitude to first, the national network. that one must have if the things of the spirit Boss and then to Bill and then to the Group Under the aegis of the American Medical Asare to be allowed to come in. But for anybody for all that it has meant to me. The Boss made sociation, with their Director of Health Eduto lay down any rule of what ‘spiritual’ means Bill that way; Bill made the Group that way; cation, Dr. W. W. Bauer, as explanatory spokesis sheer presumption. It is, to me, just a matter and the Group got me that way. So there you man, on that date the “Doctors At Home” radio of faith that there is a reason for all this beauty are. But how thankful I am that the Boss program dramatized the story of a drunk. Bill, and wonder of the thing we call life. It may be, started it all!” an excellent salesman who was experiencing the and I t h i n k it is, just a practice ground for proverbial family and boss troubles due to bit- July 8, 1944 what’s ahead—our real education that will start ting the bottle too often and too well, finally After lamenting for his ewe lamb who had when all the limitations of this existence are admitted that he needed help—that he would do gone stray, Elliot commented: shed. That’s enough for me. I can’t FEEL ‘Dear a n y t h i n g to get sober and stay that way. But “Whoever I’m with I have a feeling that God’ as many can, and visualize the Deity when the admission didn’t come until after an auto- maybe they have some booze problem and that saying so. All I can do is to FEEL that there mobile accident. Though Bill, the drunken possibly they ought to know about A.A. Some is a great Source of everything, and when I driver, came out unbanned, a pal was badly of the uncomprehending stares that I’ve gotten say everything I mean the infinite beyond this injured, and Bill’s secretary dangerously so. in return would freeze you.” life as we know it. What it is, I haven’t the For days the doctors didn’t know if she would (However, he must have persevered for when least idea, but that it is, I’m sure. There must live or die. we visited him almost a year later and were be a reason to whatever Power can create life. The family doctor recommended A.A.—as did introduced to all of his friends as another A.A., It can’t all be for the dust heap.” Dr. Bauer at the end of the program—and Bill they seemed to accept us willingly on the basis was all set for an A.A. meeting when The story April 14, 1946 of that recommendation.) ended. “The thankfulness that I feel for the joy of (To be concluded in the April issue)

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WHEN ALCOHOLICS COME OF AGE Reference has already been made in these unfolding of the human personality. An emer- not, so much, perhaps, in the strict schizophrepages to the proposition that alcoholics who gence of latent ethical and spiritual elements netic sense as in the fact that his body has got have adopted the precepts and carry out the follows in the new-flowering personality. Nega- itself separated from his soul (“psyche” means practice of A.A. may reasonably be expected tively, the barriers to the march for perfection “soul” more t h a n it does “mind”). The functo assume a degree of moral responsibility for are removed. Constructively, the i n d i v i d u a l is t i o n of A.A. is to help to reunite the elements their conduct—an obligation they were unable freed to achieve his destiny. t h a t comprise man so that he may become an to discharge w h i l e in the grip of the alcoholic Astute always to find excuses for themselves, integrated individual. In this undertaking the obsession (The Grapevine, November, 1945— alcoholics have sometimes steeped themselves in alcoholic is dealing primarily with character The Moral Responsibility of the Alcoholic). the worship of false psychological gods. This defects and personality blemishes. His task re- It is appropriate to consider next the nature has been one of the barriers to spiritual growth. quires patience, h u m i l i t y and a sense of realism and scope of the responsibility which comes to Some of us have fallen prey to the conviction which in its true aspect is but a reflection of the alcoholic upon his liberation. Responsibility (one of the marks of twentieth-century vanity) the highest level of idealism. Peculiar although to whom and for w h a t ? This question cannot, that nobody knew anything about psychology he may be, the alcoholic is not alone in this of course, be answered w i t h i n the compass of the before Freud. It is no reflection on the unde- enterprise. It has been the perennial occupation present discussion. The following reflections, niable advance in the study of mind and be- of mankind, of men of all conditions and of all however, may serve to stimulate thought upon havior to observe, for example, that surface time and places. How meaningful now is the a problem each must solve for himself. Its solu- rationalization of deep, discreditable motives in following description of the attainment of a tion is essential to give life direction, tempo and the subconscious has long been recognized as a goal, left by an oriental philosopher: purpose. So far most of us have been concerned factor in human conduct. Likewise, sexuality “For twelve years I was the smith of my only with tempo. and the will to power were often perceived as soul. I put it in the furnace of austerity and It is a truism that we should strive for per- the real effective forces at work under polite burned it in the fire of combat. I laid it on fection. But what is our notion of “perfection?” masks. But the older savants did not overlook the anvil of reproach and smote it with the St. Francis de Sales succinctly states the prob- a fact which the modernists are inclined to hammer of blame u n t i l I made of my soul a lem and summarily offers humbly, it w i l l be ignore and which the alcoholic disregards at his mirror. Five years I was the mirror of myself noted, his conclusion: peril. In the words of Aldous Huxley, that is and was ever polishing that mirror with divers “. . . the fact that human nature is tri- acts of worship and piety. Then for a year I “I hear of nothing but perfection on every partite, consisting of a spirit as well as of a gazed in contemplation. On my waist I saw side, so far as talk goes; but I see very few mind and body; the fact that we live on the a girdle of pride and vanity and self-conceit people who really practice it. Everybody has border-line between two worlds, the temporal and reliance to devotion and approbation of his own notion of perfection. One man think? and the eternal, the physical-vital-human and my works. I labored for five years more u n t i l it lies in the cut of his clothes, another in fasting, a third in almsgiving, or in frequent- the divine; the fact that, though nothing in that girdle became worn out and I professed ing the Sacraments, in meditation, in some himself, man is ‘a nothing surrounded by Islam anew, I looked and saw that all created God, indigent of God, capable of God and things were dead. I pronounced four akbirs special gift of contemplation, or in extraordifilled with God, if he so desires’.” over them and returned from the funeral of nary gifts or graces—but they are all mis- The alcoholic has indeed a “split” personality,! them all, and without intrusion of creatures, taken, as it seems to me, because they confuse the means, or the results, with the end and cause. Tribute from a Son (Continued from Page 2) “For my part, the only perfection I know of is a hearty love of God, and to love one’s I’m saying this all wrong, Pop, because I don’t know how to put it into words. neighbor as oneself. Charity is the only virtue All follows think that they have the best father in the whole world. You’ve always been which r i g h t l y unites us to God and man. Such the best father to me but now there’s something else. I’m so proud of you, Pop, for what union is our final aim and end and all the rest is mere delusion.” you’ve done in the past few years that it’s better than being Lincoln’s son or even Uncle At this point there is an admonition by St. Sam’s. They did wonderful things for other people, too, but you’ve climbed the biggest Augustine which we might all heed. Note, too, the barrier in h u m a n i t y . You’ve conquered yourself. It takes a thousand men’s wills and a h u m i l i t y which characterises saints and sages as million men’s patiences to do that completely. this one says: I started to tell you how I felt when I was home but, I never got through the first “If thou shouldst say, ‘It is enough. I have sentence. I’ll still never he able to put into words how much I love you for what you’ve reached perfection,’ all is lost. For it is the done for Mom, me and the kids. I appreciate that even more now when they need you function of perfection to make one know one’s most and while I’m away. If you’re not at the head of the line going into Heaven, Pop, imperfection.” then they need a new proprietor. We may be of several minds as to the “cause” of I’ve always wanted to write this letter to you but, I didn’t want to get you upset over alcoholism. We may be of two minds whether it. I hate to get mushy anyway but, I wanted you to know that I’ll be thanking God for “emotional immaturity” is at the bottom of the matter. There is agreement, however, on the prop- many a year for what you and He have done and I’ll always appreciate it deeply. osition that the release of the alcoholic, when the I’ll sign off now as it’s getting late. So long. A.A. philosophy takes deep root, results in an Your loving son, Raymond

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through God’s help alone, I attained unto S p i r i t u a l l y and sometimes even ethically, in means of using it. Accordingly, we must become God.” relation to God and his neighbors, he may be a communicant in order to be a recipient. In developing his spiritual nature, the alco- hardly more than a foetus.” The short of the matter is, that to the alcoholic, for the first time in many cases, is enabled holic who will have it so, Alcoholics Anonymous In his A.A. work the member may attain and to contribute something of social u t i l i t y . He is is a philosophy of life, a technique of salvation preserve a substantial degree of useful maturity not necessarily preoccupied with prayer, reflec- and a program of destiny.— R.F..S., Monlclair, and avoid a narrow puritanism by remembering tion and meditation, large as these factors now N.J. that he takes no motes out of other people’s eyes , * * * become in his life. He w i l l again be a man of who permits the beam in his own eye to obscure Medics Hear A.A. action, which, says St. Thomas Aquinas, should be something added to the life of prayer, not the divine Sun and to prevent his working by its light. As Chuang Tzu says: “The sages of old The February 4th meeting of the second series something taken away from it. Thus, he will of lectures on mental hygiene, conducted by the assume the discharge of his duties as a parent, first got Tao for themselves, then got it for Committee on Nervous Diseases and Mental a husband, a citizen and as an employer or em- others.” Hygiene, was presided over by Frederic H. ployee. He will resume old avocations or take These ambulatory observations follow upon Leavitt, MD., and an overflow crowd was in up new ones. He will become a universalist in some reflection on just what is involved in the attendance at the quarters of the Philadelphia his interests and avoid dangerous one-pointed question of the moral responsibility of the alco- County Medical Society. The principal speaker concentration, even in his A.A. activities. This holic. The question is v i r t u a l l y cosmic and to an- of the evening was Dr. C. Nelson Davis who last seems to be important to the alcoholic. swer it categorically appears impossible. But this took for his subject, “The Alcoholic Problem”. Darwin once wrote that “it is a cursed evil to much seems certain. Our new appraisal of our- James H., one of the pioneer members of the any man to become so absorbed in any subject selves reveals the essential dignity of the human parent A.A. in Philadelphia and one of its most as I am in mine.” He also said in later life that person. Therefore, we must acquire self-respect active workers was also one of the guest speakhe was unable to take the smallest interest in by deserving it. We have rediscovered our unity ers and presented a vivid picture of A.A. poetry, art or religion. To advert to Huxley with our fellows and the brotherhood of man. The series of lectures w i l l continue weekly again: Hence, we must serve mankind, first qualifying u n t i l March 18, each Monday evening meeting “Professionally, in relation to his chosen ourselves as best we can. We have been made being highlighted by a prominent speaker. All specialty, a man may be completely mature. aware again of a Higher Power and of the meetings are open to the general public.

Our Anonymity Is Both Inspiration and Safety (Continued from Page 1) in fresh blood fast enough. In their anxiety to mous, feel bound never to disclose their true care a rap who knows about their alcoholism, maintain secrecy they forget their obligation to names. Except for very rare cases, it is at this there are others who care very much. Let us other alcoholics in their communities who have point of publication that nearly a l l of us feel we guard them in every way u n t i l they get over that not heard that A.A. has come to town. But this should draw the anonymity line. We ought not feeling. unreasonable caution eventually breaks down. disclose ourselves to the general public. Then comes the problem of the newcomer Little by l i t t l e some meetings are opened to In our whole history not more t h a n a h a n d f u l who wishes to drop his anonymity too fast. He families and close friends. Clergymen and doc- of A.A.s have ever dropped their anonymity so rushes to all his friends with the glad news of tors may now and then be invited. Finally the far as the general public is concerned. Some A.A. If this group does not caution him he may Group enlists the aid of the local newspaper. of these instances have been accidental, a few rush to a newspaper office or a microphone to In most places, but not all, it is customary have been q u i t e unnecessary and one or two are tell the wide world all about himself. He is also for A.A.s to use their own names when speaking apparently justified. Of course there must be likely to tell everyone the innermost details of before public or semi-public gatherings. This few policies which cannot sometimes, in the his personal life, soon to find that, in this re- is done to impress audiences that we no longer general interest, be suspended. Yet any who spect, he has altogether too much publicity! We fear the stigma of alcoholism. If, however, would drop t h e i r anonymity must reflect that ought to suggest to him that he take things easy; newspaper reporters were present they are they may set a precedent which could eventually that he first get on his own feet before talking earnestly requested not to use the names of any destroy a valuable principle. The exceptions about A.A. to all and sundry; that no one of the alcoholic speakers on the program. This w i l l have to be few, far between, and most carethinks of publicizing A.A. without being sure preserves the principle of Anonymity so far as fully considered. We must never let any imof the approval of his own group. the general public is concerned and at the same mediate advantage shake us in our determina- Then there is the problem of Group ano- time represents us as a group of alcoholics who tion to hang on to such a really vital tradition. n y m i t y . Like the i n d i v i d u a l , it is probable that no longer fear to let our friends know that we Great modesty and humility are needed by the Group ought to feel its way along cautiously have been very sick people. every A.A. for his own permanent recovery. If u n t i l it gains strength and experience. There In practice then, the principle of Anonymity these virtues are such vital needs to the indishould not be too much haste to bring in out- seems to come down to this: With one very im- vidual, so must they be to A.A. us a whole. This siders or to set up public meetings. Yet this portant exception, the question of how far each principle of Anonymity before, the general pubearly conservatism can be overdone. Some i n d i v i d u a l or group shall go in dropping lic can, if we take it seriously enough, guarantee groups go on, year after year, shunning all pub- anonymity is left strictly to the individual or the Alcoholics Anonymous movement these sterll i c i t y or any meetings except those for alco- group concerned. The exception is; That.all ing attribute forever. Our public relations holics only. Such groups are apt to grow slowly. groups or individuals, when writing or speaking policy should mainly rest upon the principle of They become stale because they are not taking for publication as members of Alcoholics Anony- attraction and seldom, if ever, upon promotion.

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END OF WAR, BEGINNING OF A.A. My terminal leave from the Army Air Corps bination of fever, dysentery, and alcohol had and my entrance into A.A. began on practically destroyed my physical and mental well-being. the same day. I am able to look back on seven Someone has said, “Alcohol is the quickest memonths of sobriety (up to this 24 hour period). d i u m in which to escape the tropics.” It is also Betting On the Drunk Alcoholics who may read this, and other citizens the quickest medium to insure that one’s mortal By Wireless to the New York Times: “STOCKwho might have been helping through taxes to clay w i l l stay in the tropics to enrich the soil HOLM, Sweden, . . .—Sweden is a land . . . finance my stay in a hospital for psychoneu- under some mango tree. of many odd ways. rotic veterans during that period, w i l l appre- Fortunately I ran out my time and was sent ciate my gratitude to A.A. “Today’s example: The population of Sandhult home for rest and rehabilitation before anything County in western Sweden is taking up a collec- I know that my case has its parallels for I too serious happened. Then came my discharge tion for the first d r u n k to qualify for lodging have seen them. In the hope that it may be on points last June. I was starting a bright new in the new county j a i l . helpful to some other fellow who is revolving life in a bright new world, and I was licked at “That part of Sweden is virtually crimeless, in an alcoholic labyrinth on the order of my the start. I wondered how long my savings and an inebriate is the district’s only hope to post-war experience I shall state, briefly, how would keep me drunk and I determined to find inaugurate the new lock-up. The village drunk I think I got that way. out. The excitement began as soon as I cleared in Sjoemarken, where the jail is situated, is the My fight w i t h the bottle started in college. I through the Separation Center and returned to logical favorite to win the jackpot, but he has was sufficiently youthful and athletic to ride out New York. My beaten physical condition stood said be will be back, hoping the fund will grow the quick hard shocks that alcohol uses to wear up for several days of heavy drinking and then bigger.” down the opposition. I managed to skid through gave up. It was at that time that I found A.A. and take my degree. Now that I had gotten More than anyone else, I was convinced that I through the obstacle course of learning that our was an alcoholic, and that first step, to me, is Aid New Clinic society sets up for its young men, I promptly the t u r n i n g point. The cold, hard logic is that Washington, D. C., Times-Herald: “Eight new junked all the sane things I had learned and no man can perform an act unless be can ra- patients and six who were formerly treated at set out to i m i t a t e the world’s philosophers, tionalize that act as being good for him. It is the Force School presented themselves as willing writers, statesmen and artists in their lighter very difficult, once one is sincerely convinced he subjects for an alcoholic cure when the Polk moments. I was much intrigued, for example, is an alcoholic, to rationalize another drink. I Health Center Alcoholic Clinic for Negroes went with Plato’s excellent description of Socrates’ know, because I have tried to do just that. I into operation January 15. ability to drink all night and go home sober. thank our Higher Power for helping me to think “Co-operating with the new clinic is the Wash- That was for me. (Later personal experience straight these past seven months. As for think- ington Negro Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, leads me to conclude that Plato must have had ing ahead of this present twenty-four hours, I which meets Fridays and Sundays at 8:30 p.m. a hole in his bead when he wrote that passage. don’t care to; not as far as alcohol is concerned. in the Y.M.C.A, at 1816 Twelfth St. NW. The It just can’t be done.) I took a job and man- Besides, it is not necessary any more than it is group supplies volunteer clerical help for the aged to hold it for a few years. War came: necessary to fire a gun to see if it’s loaded. clinic, and alcoholics who require group therapy since it was announced to America on a Sunday I attended A.A. meetings for six weeks and are referred to the organization by the doctors.” morning I probably had a hangover that day. was encouraged as to the possibility of my be- I quit drinking long enough to go through train- coming a useful member of society. I signed ing as on Aviation Cadet. Once I’d graduated up at one of our universities to study for an We Know—We Paid and Paid and been commissioned I got back on the merry- advanced degree. That meant residence in a Phoenix, Ariz., Arizona Republic: “King Algo-round. We were alerted for a Port of Em- community where A.A. was unknown. It worried cohol, with his satellites, beer, wine, and whiskey, barkation. Most of my comrades pursued the me. During the past six months I’ve had to get is the largest single source of federal revenue, if policy that, since we would probably be over- through a couple of rough spots without the the income tax be excluded. seas for who-knows-how-long, a man should comfort of personal contacts with A.A. The “Last year, government taxes from this source drink all the whiskey, eat all the steaks, and importance of meetings cannot be minimized. totaled $2,300,000,000.” chase all the women, in sight. I subscribed During the recent holiday I went back to visit heartily to that formula: I was generally too the New York group, I returned feeling that drunk, however, to be interested in steaks and someone had given me a strong firm push on Alcoholic, Not Anonymous not sober enough to be interested in women. Be- my path toward sobriety. Intermittent corres- Brockton, Mass., Enterprise & Times: “A desk fore I knew it I was on my way to a destination pondence has helped tremendously. officer at police headquarters jovially inquired that my orders saw fit to represent by a series of I hope—well, you know what I hope. And of a jocose ‘guest’ why he was visiting.’ asterisks. I was later to echo that sentiment with that brings us up to the present. ” ‘0, just a bit alcoholic, I suppose, but for vehemence. For about a year the seriousness of — J.W., Orono, Me. the sake of the record, I’m not anonymous,’ overseas life acted as a brake. For the most came the smart reply. ‘For the sake of the part I did my damnedest to give Uncle Sugar my record, it will be a good thing if you’re not,’ very best. Then I began to skid. I never con- Connecticut Maps Plan retorted the officer. . . . templated a long flight but what I automatically South Norwalk, Conn., Sentinel: “The State “The unsteady one gave his name and address included four or five stiff bolts of whiskey as Board for The Study, Care and Treatment of and then added, off the record this time, ‘Think soon as I got back on the ground. As my sec- Inebriates . . . announced appointment of Dr. nothing of it, pal, I’m just a social drinker on ond year in the tropics began to wane, I began Dudley P. Miller as executive director as the a night off.’ ‘You’re drunk,’ said the officer. ‘It to turn into a jittery nervous wreck. Fear set in. first step in setting up a state-wide system of don’t take you long to get the idea,’ chortled the The tropics are not kind to alcoholics. A com- free care for alcohol addicts. ‘guest’.”

“SLIPS” (Second in a series of discussions on the cause or causes of “slips,” in which different A.A.s present their ideas, experiences and suggestions as possible help for others who may be having similar trouble.) Now that I have matured somewhat, at least, and can to a certain extent face reality, I have no further doubts that the only reason I “slipped” after starting meetings was because I just hadn’t made up my mind definitely that I really wanted to stop. I thought I had reached the decision. I was f u l l y convinced that my drinking was a serious problem and that I couldn’t stop alone. Certainly I had had enough trouble to convince me on all of those points. So, I thought I had decided that I wanted to stop. Now I know I still had a little reservation in my mind. I can’t explain how one can stay in that state of mind after going through misery for years and after demonstrating repeatedly his own inability to cope with the situation. But I do think that it is not an uncommon state of mind. Many, I believe, have a hard time getting out of it. Perhaps The most useful suggestion I could pass along to anyone is this: If you have any “But the Spiritual Angle, Sweet . . . . I Don’t Get It” reservations of any kind about wanting to stop, no matter how tiny those reservations may be, you’re likely to have trouble. Sometimes you sciously went about denying the subject—only A. A. “Induction Center” have to do a real scrubbing job on your mind to myself, of course. to find the trouble. But, the point is, you can Fortunately, I wanted to stay dry so desperate- Tried as Aid to Veterans do it and you can get rid of the reservation. ly that after I “slipped” I reexamined my view- * * * points, had a talk with some of the oldtimers and decided that even if I couldn’t go along at An offer to share the N. Y. City Seamen’s A.A. Nobody ever has to have a “slip” if he’ll just clubhouse was accepted by certain veterans of go back to one of the oldest axioms in A.A. least I could keep an open mind on the subject. both wars at a recent meeting in that city—for Don’t take the FIRST drink. That’s all. Forget I discovered that if the mind is really open, the purpose of holding closed meetings for a all the rest of them. You will anyway. Just something flows into it. Just when or how it new auxiliary A.A. veterans group. remember that FIRST one and duck it. After happened, I don’t know. But it happened. I I learned to get up in the morning thinking upon don’t have to compromise now. It was voted to be an experiment and not to that one point and go to bed at night thinking be considered an exclusive, separate A.A. group about it. I had no more trouble. I am a member of the Phoenix group. Joined from others in the New York area. Dec. 15, 1944, but made quite a mess of things * * * The auxiliary veterans group would concern for one year. Now looking back, I have been The reason I had two slips during my first able to understand why things went so badly itself in “inducting” and “processing” newcomsix months in the group—now I’ve been in over with me and have finally at long length found ing veterans in the A.A. program, but soon after three years without any relapses—is that I the strength and guidance from God, for which it would be encouraged to take their normal thought I could compromise on a couple of I vainly searched for so long. I have experi- places as civilians in regular A.A. groups. points. Brother, it can’t be done. The same to enced the spiritual feeling that is referred to— There was a need for this approach, it was Sisters. You’re either “in” this or you’re going not once, but several times—so I do not think, thought, since many returning veterans consider to be “out” eventually. but know definitely that God now is helping me. themselves different in their problems of re- I tried to compromise on the spiritual busi- I have reached a calmness heretofore unknown habilitation, particularly war-shadowed combat ness. I thought I could do the job on a scientific, to me. In short, I am humble and grateful for men. Cases of failure of civilian A.A. drunks clinical sort of basis. None of the “God stuff” the blessing A.A. has enabled me to receive. to make this bridge were cited. for me. I said I couldn’t take it, couldn’t believe I am 35, married and have three children it, so I’d just deny it, and do the other things . . . I had been drinking for 19 years and . . . A Washington group member told of his in the program. an extreme alcoholic for 13 of those years. Even recent experience in successfully forming a Don’t get me wrong. I have seen agnostics then, 13 years ago, I was trying to quit with no group of 62 WAVES and WACS who came into and even people who thought they were atheists success whatsoever.—F.M.W. A.A. together. It was his opinion that many of come into the group and get along all right (To be continued in subsequent issues. The Grape- them would not have come in individually until without any trouble. But they kept an open vine will welcome contributions to this series from any experiencing many more disastrous years of A.A.s, and especially from any who have experienced mind on the subject, where I actually and con- “slips” and recovered.) “low bottom” drinking.—Hugh B., Manhattan.

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CASE OF THE SOBER SEAMEN gram provides the t h e r a p e u t i c and recreational facilities of its club. There ordinary seamen and four-striper alike can find e n l i g h t e n m e n t on No. that’s not the t i t l e of the latest murder kept them out of contact for long periods w i t h his problem, companionship of those he undermystery. However, to those concerned w i t h the friends and relatives, forced them to seek what stands and who understand him, the springboard welfare and efficiency of the Merchant Marine companionship and recreation they could find for wholesome association, through a regular personnel, the recovery from alcoholism of sev- in foreign ports. Frequently they were w i t h o u t M o n d a y evening Get-together, w i t h members of eral hundred men who go down to the sea in homes to r e t u r n to at trip’s end. Even more the opposite sex. At the Group’s Friday night ships may seem a far more puzzling mystery i m p o r t a n t , Joe realized that the psychology of open meeting he hears testimony as to the adt h a n the most intricately-plotted who-done-it. seamen was not that of landsmen. Sensing vantages of sobriety delivered by f e l l o w seamen For as officials of shipping companies can themselves not as other men, they resisted the who bear l i v i n g witness to this testimony. attest, alcoholism has heretofore proved one of society of any but their own kind. At Wednesday’s closed meeting he can a i r his t h e most serious problems i n v o l v e d in the opera- If A.A. was to be made to work for seamen, “beefs” w i t h o u t fear or favor. tion of our m a r i t i m e fleets. it must be adapted to the specialized occupa- The club, as well as all Group activity, is Take the case of Seaman Joe. Joe was a good tional and psychological needs of seamen. If supported by v o l u n t a r y subscriptions. There seaman—industrious, quick to learn, trust- the program could be so adapted, what were its are no dues or assessments of a n y kind. A memw o r t h y , respectful to his superiors, well-liked by chances for success among the alcoholics in the ber’s i n i t i a t i o n fee consists in nothing but his fellow crew-mates—when he was sober. Trouble maritime industries? sincere professed desire to overcome the probwas, he was seldom sober. Joe consulted w i t h other alcoholic convaleslem of d r i n k . Why did Joe d r i n k ? Nobody seemed to cents at the Rest Centre, with interested Govern- As for the steps the Group uses in overcoming know, least of a l l , Joe himself. He swore he ment psychiatrists. excess d r i n k i n g they sound disarmingly simple: wouldn’t drink, and sometimes he stuck to his As a result, and with the practical encourageresolve t h r o u g h o u t a voyage, or even two. Then, 1. Admission of Alcoholism—that one drink ment of numerous public-spirited doctors, reone day, f o r no apparent reason, he’d go on a is too many and forty is not enough. ligious leaders, social workers, shipping combinge t h a t i n e v i t a b l y ended in headaches for 2. Personality analysis and catharsis—being pany representatives and other businessmen, the honest w i t h yourself and others. first Seamen’s Group of Alcoholics A n o n y m o u s 3. Adjustment of personal relations— be w i l l was launched. ing to make amends. MID-WEST MEETING That was in 1944. Since then the group’s 4. Dependence upon some Higher Power out- Dr. Bob S. w i l l speak at the mammoth mid- membership has expanded so rapidly that the side yourself.—The Group, etc. west A.A. gathering in Iowa City, April 14. A original small club rooms where the Group’s 5. Working with other Alcoholics—Getting big poster w i t h arrows shooting through a map first meetings were held had to be exchanged, out of yourself. of Iowa from the 14 nearby towns with groups, seven months ago, for a spacious two-story b u i l d i n g dedicated to the club’s exclusive use at According to those who conscientiously folstraight to Iowa City, invites all A.A.s to the 3341⁄2 West 24th Street, Manhattan. Other low them, these five steps are the real secret of joint 3-in-l banquet—Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, groups are foreseen in other coastal cities, here the program’s success. For they are steps each Marengo—to meet the gangs from MO., NEB., SO. DAK., KANS.—MINN., WIS., ILL., OHIO.” and abroad. member of the Group chooses and pursues for What is the secret of the A.A. program in himself, in his own way, without outside intercombating alcoholism among seamen? ference. Perhaps this, too, is why the Seamen’s his employers, trouble for his shipmates, disaster First, it teaches the victims of alcoholism that Club is so popular w i t h men who formerly for himself. Once he tried beating up the second he is not suffering from weakness of will—he spent all their time in port at bars. It’s operated mate. Another time, in a w a t e r f r o n t bar, he is suffering from a disease, a disease as actual by seamen for seamen. They’re doing the whole plunged in a bloody heap through a plate glass as diabetes or epilepsy. Just as the diabetic is sobering up job themselves. window. I n v a r i a b l y , he landed in hospital or poisoned by sugar, the epileptic driven to con- How good a job it’s proving to be can be in j a i l , sore in body and heart-sick at the con- vulsions by moisture pressure on the brain, so summed up in a final word from Seaman Joe: viction t h a t he was crazy. the alcoholic is poisoned, physically and men- “You know the phrase, ‘like a drunken sailor’? tally, by alcohol. Well, here’s p r e d i c t i n g it won’t be long ’til t h a t More than a year ago Joe recovered from a phrase is changed to ‘sober as a seaman’. If it protracted spree at the Merchant Marine Rest Second, those who promulgate the program is, the Seamen’s Group of A.A. w i l l be entitled Centre at Sands Point, where he was for a among alcoholic seamen are themselves alcoholic to a major share of the credit.”— J . F . , Seamen’s nervous breakdown. The WSA psychiatrist in seamen. They understand as no landsman can Group, N.Y.C, charge introduced him to the program for re- the problems a seaman confronts in overcoming covery practiced by the more t h a n twenty thou- alcoholism. As Seaman Joe puts it, in his fresand ex-inebriates forming the international quent talks at hospitals, union halls, social cenassociation of Alcoholics Anonymous. tres and maritime schools: “The only difference DOCUMENTARY FILM The A.A. program of s e l f – h e l p and group between me as I am now—healthy and con- The March of Time is in the process of maktherapy made a deep impression on Joe with its tented, with dough in my pocket and nothing too ing a documentary film on alcoholism, in which s i m p l i c i t y and sense. Could it be made to work bad to face on my conscience—and some ship- Alcoholics Anonymous is to play a large part. for seamen as w e l l as for the salesmen and mate shaking to pieces with a hangover, broke The film, said a March of Time official, w i l l bankers, mechanics and artists who comprised and with a grudge against the world—the only probably not be ready for release for several the membership of A.A.? difference is one drink.” months to come. Prior to the release they w i l l Joe recognized that the problems of seamen To help seamen to avoid taking that one notify the Central Office, which in t u r n will inwere different from the problems of these lead- drink, and the uncounted number that follow form all A.A. groups in time to catch the picing settled community lives ashore. Their jobs whenever an alcoholic touches alcohol, the pro- ture immediately it is out.

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad desire must come solely from h i m . He must could read your letters to the Group at our meet- Letters to this department are invited on any ings and thus you w o u l d be our speakers. How do it for himself alone. subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- But I should like to suggest that wives take tions you are asked to hold your letters to a about it? Perhaps you have wanted to tell your maximum of 350 words. story to a Group for a long time. Perhaps you a very active part in the program and attend Only initials will be published unless the have hesitated because you were afraid that you a l l meetings possible. It is most interesting to writer authorizes use of his first name as identification for A.A. friends. would suffer stage-fright. Perhaps you thought know how much can be learned in this way. The Grapevine will not divulge the full name that y o u r story wouldn’t be of help to someone. As I have stated, I learned a new way of l i f e of any writer but will forward A.A. communica- and A.A. became our life line.—Sarah M. K. tions addressed to the writers of letters published This should be the answer to getting something here.—The Editors. i n t o words and off your chest. We know that we need help very urgently. We Another Wife’s View ask you from the bottom of our hearts to give us Let’s Write Them! from Portland, Ore. that help which was so freely given to you by If wives are important to the success of the From St. Georges, Bermuda others in A.A. before you. Please don’t wait Alcoholic in A.A. why not say so, instead of We are writing to you, our A.A. friends at u n t i l next week. Please be a speaker in absentia pushing them into the discard like an old cigar home, to ask for your help. This is an appeal at the next meeting of the St. Georges, Bermuda stub? to each and every one of you, as individuals, to Group of Alcoholics Anonymous. It seems as though the wife has a l w a y s taken help us to spread the teachings and practices of In writing us please do not use the words the b r u n t of the alcoholic’s misery. It was the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous to a Alcoholics Anonymous on the envelope. Address always the wife who covered up for him, worked distant island in the Atlantic. Let us tell you us simply, Box #50, St. Georges, Bermuda. This for him, lied for him and fought for him. how you can be a speaker at one of our meet- may sound unusual but we have very good rea- Cutting herself off from friends and f a m i l y , ings. Three comprise our Group at this writing sons for it at this time. – S.L.V. because they continuously told her he was “no but our work is well cut out for us and we are good”. sure that we will grow. We never knew each One Wife’s Views The wife we are speaking of, is the one who other u n t i l three months ago but now, through From Maplewood, N. J. stuck by her husband, through thick and thin. the fellowship of A.A. we feel as though we had I am the wife of an alcoholic who needed Not the wife who walked out when times got been together for most of our lives. . . . Tonight help so badly that upon entering A.A. it was rough, and back when things brightened up. at our meeting we will have our first new pros- quite difficult to determine who had the prob- We mean the wife who, regardless of her own pect and in addition a doctor (a lady Captain) lem. After three years in the Group, with no better judgment, tried as best she knew how, to whom we first told our story. We are now interruptions, thank God, I feel that I must pass to keep the home together. Many of these wives on our way and shall give it every thing we can. a little of my experience on to help others. kept that home together by their own salaries, Now, here’s where you come in. In the States, My profession kept me very busy for a long year in and year out. But, still felt they had which is Home to us, there are usually older and while but as El’s alcoholic state progressed, I something worth fighting for. We, who have established Groups at least w i t h i n shooting dis- too, w i t h o u t realizing it, came slowly but surely been in A.A. a number of years, know we were tance. Here we are hundreds of miles across to the breaking point. I was physically and right. It was worth fighting for. the waves from any Group. We are only three. mentally wrecked. I went through the tortures Why, if we have found happiness since A.A. You, at Home, are thousands. Will you be a of Hell and I hope never again to experience entered our lives, do we want recognition? Why speaker at one of our meetings? Will you write such despair. does anyone want recognition for their efforts? to us, tell us your story, give us your experi- You A.A.s like the glory of recognition. Why I know without the help of A.A. I could never ences, your suggestions or a n y t h i n g that will not the wives then? It would not only make have been restored. help us to spread A.A. teachings and way of the wives of the present A.A. members feel When El decided to let A.A. help him, I, too, better, but it would give the wives of prospective life? was ready for help. With the constant guidance A.A. members something to shoot at. Any hu- Try to picture us. We are three A.A.’s and of a devoted sister and the kindness of ladies one wonderful wife who understands. All about man being likes to receive a pat on the back, for from the A.A. group, I began to get well again. work well done. If they don’t get that pat on us are several hundred American men, working There were times when I had to make a great the back, they soon lose interest and wonder, away from homes and families, in a foreign effort to get to a meeting but honestly I never “What’s the use of all the effort.” country. Very few of us are lucky enough to came away without a great spiritual lift. I had Many wives feel they have been pushed into have our wives with us. There is very little to at last found hope. the background by A.A. and, while t h e i r husprovide amusement in our spare time. While it is true that there are many wonderful points Slowly and surely El and I got well and that bands are sober, they have lost his companionof interest to visit in the Islands, our spare time by the Grace of God was the most wonderful ship. She must come last in his activities. The is only at night and Sundays. At night the only thing that could have happened to us. proper recognition of her efforts, the proper things that are open aside from very poor mov- Because of this experience I am eager to help pat on the back, when earned, would change ies are the ginmills. On Sundays even these are others. I feel like shouting to the world and I that feeling to one of partnership. She would closed. This leaves the alcoholic and others as am doing just that through radio and discussion. feel she had gained a partnership, instead of well with but one prime diversion. Need we I know that the wife can be a great influence losing his companionship. At least that is the say more? for good—however, I don’t believe that she can way it worked in our family. We have worked make her husband stop drinking. I know from A.A. together. When my husband worked on If you would write to us it would help immeasurably to spread the A.A. teachings. We facts learned in A.A. and experience that the (Continued on Page 12)

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AFTER HER “WILL POWER” FAILED bruises all over me. I always seemed to have trouble staying out of the way of the furniture. On my last binge the tables and chairs, even the For several months my drinking habits were up as usual—drunk again. This spree ended in radiators jumped out and hit me, or it seemed. becoming steadily worse. I would not give up a sanitorium. There I heard more about A.A. Now in my sixth month of sobriety I can hope that at some f u t u r e date I would be able to Thinking that I would contact them, I went laugh about it, but then I had a hard time forccontrol my drinking. Somewhere in the back home. The h u m i l i a t i o n of having to be locked ing myself out to meet people, to expose myself of my mind, I had the idea I would trot out this up in a sanitorium to get sober kept me from to public view. “will-power” others seemed to have and to put drinking too much for a month, but Brother Thank goodness, I wanted sobriety enough to it to work when I needed it. Somehow I had Alky caught me again in his trap. It was then go through anything to achieve that happy state, been able to shake it out after a night and day I began to believe that I was hopeless. so I went to work on myself, and others. I of drinking but this time I didn’t seem to be I at last turned around and faced the woman have emerged from a state of foggy misery, and able to face the kitchen stove until I had a drink. from whom I was trying to get away. I listened understand my trouble. I understand that I am Fortunately, there was a little left in the bottle, to her say, “You are a doomed woman, you afflicted with the disease of alcoholism, that so while my husband was in the bathroom shav- know you can’t stop drinking by yourself. though I can never be cured, I can be an aring I took a “quickie”. This steadied me enough You’ve tried many times but always failed. rested case. With that I am happy. I am free to enable me to cook our breakfast, mine con- You’re f u t u r e is black as sin. You will either from the desire and need of drinking. My eyes sisting of black coffee. k i l l yourself or die in a drunken condition. Your are opened to the need of others. The good and As we all know who have traveled this road, husband is sick of you. Your sister is sick of pleasure I receive from helping another is inalong about 10 o’clock the shakes return. I saw you; even you are sick of the thing you have describable. I have learned many things through no point in suffering. Another “quickie”. Need- become—you must have help.” A.A. I am learning something new each day. less to say, I ran out of whiskey, dressed and I tried to pray, but no words came. I felt When the final curtain falls I shall still be went to the liquor store and returned with a I had wandered too far from God for Him to learning. fifth. hear me now. How I have achieved this happy, healthy state, It now became necessary to take the drinks Being unable to hold a pen in my shaking I cannot say. I do know I could not have more often. By nightfall, instead of having a hands I asked my niece to write a letter to A.A. achieved it without the help of A.A. I do know clean house and hot supper when my husband for me. This she did with some doubts as to it is not the mythical “will-power” I once returned from work I was a drunken object the wisdom of her action. Two nights later, thought I had. It is more than that. It is “Godpiled in the bed. I had hidden the bottle in the while lying on the couch holding a book before power.” bathroom and all during the night I would slip me—wishing I could read and get some sense Needless to say I am deeply grateful for A.A. in and take a drink. Of course, morning found out of what I read, someone knocked on my For what they have taught me—how to live hapme a shaking mass of nerves. My husband again door. I now know that knock opened the door pily—though sober, a state I once thought imleft for work with a warning that I must stay to a new world of opportunities. Three women possible. sober and straighten up. I didn’t know how to and a man entered, all nice looking people. Every day I thank God for the organization straighten up, except by taking a few drinks to People who looked like neighbors—but they and ask only that I may be able to help other quiet my screaming nerves. Naturally the second were different for they were members from A.A. unfortunate persons to find their true place in day duplicated the first, and the third and the They were alcoholics, they had come in answer l i f e as I have.—M.S., Memphis, Tenn. fourth, until at last it would only mean death to my feeble cry for help. if I didn’t get off the stuff. Finally I shook it As I sat there holding my hands to keep them out with the help of my sister. from shaking, listening to them talk, I thought, This was the first time I had ever been on “They can’t possibly know what I’ve gone Golden Rule for Everyday such a spree. I resolved never to do it again. through. These people all look happy and As part of the national program now under But I did. Again and again. Each time it be- healthy, they have not ever been drunks”. They way to bring industry and labor into more praccame increasingly worse. My hangovers were soon dispelled this doubt from my mind. They tical daily use of the Golden Rule, Clemens almost unbearable. There was no happiness opened up with both barrels and let me have Mortenson, personnel manager of the P. & F. when I was drinking. It was simply oblivion. their stories straight from the shoulder. Corbin Mfg. Co., New Britain, Conn., addressed I knew nothing of what transpired for days and They then asked me if I thought I was an the local Rotary club and the Christ Church then remorse would catch me in its clutches. alcoholic, if I was unable to control my drink- Men’s club, making prominent mention of the At last the voice of my sister penetrated my ing. I reluctantly admitted I was an alcoholic, A.A. program in both speeches. befogged alcoholic mind. She read to me an but was whole hearted in saying I could not con- Mr. Mortenson cited A.A. as an outstanding article in our local paper—something about an trol my drinks. They didn’t tell me how to stay example of the miracles that can be accomorganization called Alcoholics Anonymous. She sober but they did leave me with literature and plished by resorting to “spiritual values and asked me why I didn’t write them. I paid very an invitation to attend one of their meetings. right thinking” and then making a daily praclittle attention to her, but after she left I hunted I very eagerly seized the literature and as I tice of putting these two ideals to work. feverishly through the paper for the article to read each story in the booklet, I said, “Yes, that He attended the regular weekly meeting of read it myself. I never found it, so thought she is me. That is me!” A.A. here and spoke in glowing terms of his must be “nuts”. Thus began my new life of sobriety—grateful contacts with A.A. groups in widely scattered I decided now was the time to use this “will- for any crumbs of wisdom that came my way, sections of the country. power” of mine and at the next party we attended thankful to be able to attend the meetings. Under the general topic of “New Horizons” I trotted it out. I took only two drinks the first I went to my first A.A. meeting resembling Mr. Mortenson asserted “the time is already hour, but goodness knows, that “will-power” of something someone had dreamed of in a night- here when we must resort to teamwork in using mine let me down. After the first two I wound mare. My face and eyes were swollen, I had spiritual values in a practical way.”

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit Straight from the one source of reliable in- In the month of January alone, the Central answer to this question is ‘Yes’ and you want formation on the subject—the Central Office in Office received 3,117 inquiries as the result of helpful information, write A.A., P. 0. Box 454, New York City—come these interesting figures: the Reader’s Digest reprint of an article from Montpelier, Vt.” Requests for information (and As of February, 1946, there were 752 A.A. the December, 1945 issue of The Grapevine. help) have been received by the Montpelier groups, including the as yet relatively few but Group from points 135 miles distant. Miss B. steadily growing number in other countries, and The Montpelier, Vt., Evening Argus is devot- Elaine Atkins, editor and publisher of The Arwell over 23,000 members. The Central Office, ing, gratis, space to publishing the test ques- gus not only speaks highly of A.A. and what which takes a census every six months, will use tions put out by Johns Hopkins University Hos- she has seen it accomplish, but she very definitefor public release on membership during the pital, Baltimore, Md., to determine whether or ly does something about it. . . . One Vermonter, next six months the round numbers of 24,000 not a person is alcoholic. The newspaper runs with his wife, travels every Sunday night from —and they’re being modest at that. one question each day, followed by: “If the Windsor to the state capital for the A.A. meeting—a round trip of 150 miles. * * * A.A. DIGEST —Excerpts from Group Publications A series of seven articles on A.A. have been prepared by the Shreveport, La., Group and are The Eye-Opener, Los Angeles, Calif.: “The “The greatest danger to progress in A.A. is now appearing in the Shreveport Times. . . . following figures are submitted by the Secretary the danger of being satisfied with accomplish- “A.A.—What it is and How it Works” w i l l be as a report of the activities of the Central Office ments.” * * * discussed by a member of the Minneapolis for the year 1945. Group, speaking before an assemblage of more “The Office has been open 304 days. Hi and Dri, Minneapolis, Minn.: ” . . . Sup- than 500 pastors from Minnesota and adjacent “Personal interviews to newcomers 303. pose we have a look at an article . . . in the states who are attending a conference in that “90 calls given out. Yale Review on the ‘Physiology of Alcohol- city. . . . The Savannah, Ga., Group, which “3300 telephone inquiries answered, ism’. The piece is written by one Dr. Haggard originated last October, now have their own “1204 pieces of literature mailed out. who . . . heads up Yale University’s current clubrooms. . . . Sponsored by a committee “976 letters written during the year. studies on what physical causes contribute to an known as the Alcoholic Confidential Assistance “Speakers furnished to all organizations who alcoholic’s misery. The ultimate hope of the Committee, co-operating with local A.A.’s, alcowanted to be further informed about A.A.— study is to find a ‘Penicillin’ or possibly a holics arrested in Plainfield, N. J., will hencesuch as universities (USC and UCLA), ‘Sulfa’ which, when administered to an alcoholic, forth be heard on a special court day, when the churches and service clubs. will cure him of his ailment. Dr. Haggard dis- courtroom will be cleared of spectators. The “Information given out for 3 radio broad- cusses the whole matter of alcohol from the alcoholic’s sentence w i l l be suspended, provided casts.” * * * physical side, and seems to believe that there he or she will consult with the committee and Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio: “An ab- are definite physiological reasons why one man follow their proposed program. sent-minded A.A. sent in a dollar for a subscrip- is an alcoholic and why another man standing * * * tion to the Bulletin and asked for a squib about next to him at a bar may be merely a ‘normally excessive drinker.’ He does not claim to know On the request of the superintendent of the his one-man group which was functioning for California Institution for Women at Tehachapi, the past six months and going strong. what those reasons are, but at least it seems the ‘men in white’ are in there pitching, trying Glendale A.A.’s got a group going w i t h i n the “We’ve given him his writeup—now will he – institution, aided by members from Burbank, please write us and give us his name and ad- to find the answer. “Is alcohol an allergy? Dr. Haggard thinks North Hollywood, Inglewood and other nearby dress, so we can send him a Bulletin for a year. communities. With regular meetings every two Tsk! Tsk!” … not. Is it a glandular condition? Well, perhaps, he says. In any case, he agrees with us weeks as a starter, the Tehachapi Group is “. . . The new procedure adopted by these in the belief that until a specific cure is uncov- already going strong. . . . Membership of the ex-patients (from Charity Hospital) will be to . ered, an alcoholic’s only hope is to stay away Memphis, Tenn., Group has increased to such hold nightly half-hour meetings for patients to from the stuff. . . . Our 24-hour program makes an extent that a second group has been formed fully acquaint them with A.A. procedure. These this possible.” in Crosstown. . . . A.A.s, police, probation offimeetings will be conducted by the volunteer * * * cials, and officers of county and medical soworkers who are on duty each night. This en- cieties are among those who took part in a con- Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, lowa: ables the patients to get an insight of how A.A. “Well, The Chronicle is just beginning its sec- vention of the Institute on Chronic Alcoholism works before they leave the hospital and when ond year of publication. It was founded just a held at the University of Minnesota. . . Until they leave it will make them feel more at home year ago by a great fellow who has had his share now, the Greenville, S. C., Group has been meetin group meetings.” ing the office of one of the members. They’ve of trouble; and here’s hoping it is past. . . . * * * outgrown that space and are now holding regu- He said: ‘Do you fellows mind if I start a sheet The Toss Pot, Charleston, W. Va.: “If we are lar sessions at the Coca-Cola Bottling Co., plant. and finance the first issues out of my own resentful of things among ourselves (in the * * * pocket?’ During the year, we have received Group) we divert the purpose of A.A. .’. . A.A. many compliments concerning the sheet; also, In Battle Creek, Mich., they’ve devised a way can never be hurt from outside—only from with- we have received many donations, for which of remaining anonymous, strictly. Referring to a in. … we are thankful.” big open meeting and banquet affair, a member

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explained how they maintained complete anony- E l m i r a and Newburg, N. Y.; Redwood City, Mall Call . . . (Continued from Page 9) m i t y : “We i n v i t e d so many friends and friends Calif.; and Torrington, Conn. . . . And a few of friends that the guests couldn’t possibly tell of the groups which have recently furnished the husband, I worked on the wife. By so doing, an A.A. from an A.B. or an M.D. But don’t speakers to local clubs, civic organizations, medi- we have kept many homes together, that were get the idea that only those w i t h college degrees cal societies, churches, etc., are Chicago, Ill.; otherwise to be split. We have found that helpare welcome. Many of us have degrees only Orlando, Fla.; Newark, N. J.; Dallas, Texas; ing others makes for a better understanding of from the University of Experience.” . . . At the Peekskill, N. Y.; Minneapolis, M i n n . ; Reading, our own problems. But, that is because my Second Anniversary celebration of the Tampa, Mass.; and Bridgeport, Conn. husband has always given me much more credit Fla., Group the 150 celebrants included mem- than was deserved, not just within our own bers f r o m a dozen states; their roster today A t t e n d i n g the Burlington, Iowa, Group’s Sec- home, but openly, at meetings, with public reads 103 members. . . The two Colorado ond Anniversary meeting were 200 members from officials, or wherever he may have talked. That Springs, Colo., groups, now five years old, have Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Missouri. . . . recognition, those p u b l i c pats on the back, have a membership of over 40; other Colorado groups The flourishing group in Mt. Vernon, N. Y., been like vitamins to me. They have brought are in Pueblo, Cannon City, Salida, and G u n n i – marked their Third Anniversary with a big remarks from some of the wives, that make me son. . . In f o u r years the Indianapolis, Ind., gathering which included many A.A.s from New realize that they, too, would like it if their A.A.’s h a v e grown to about 275 men and women. York City and environs. efforts were recognized. No, they were not jealous. Because a compliment to me, was, of Parole supervisors and welfare workers in course, a compliment to them. But, they were a In one of those competitive quiz broadcasts t w e n t y Northeastern Indiana counties heard a in which scores are kept and prizes given, A.A.s bit wishful, that they too might receive such a talk by a Fort Wayne A.A. . . . More than 200 of Hartford, Conn., bested members of the compliment from their own husbands. —”A wife.” A.A.s, including members from Saginaw, Flint, Springfield, Mass. Group on a recent “Quiz of Pontiac, Royal Oak, Travers City, Detroit, and Two Cities” radio show in the latter city. . . . In Windsor, Ont., attended the Second Anniversary the new hospital to be b u i l t in Atlanta, Ga., there A Cause of Friction festival of the Bay City Group. . . . W i t h i n five w i l l be a ward set apart exclusively for A.A. . . . months a f t e r the Davenport, lowa, Group was From Ogden, Utah Detroit, with its 20 groups, now has 800 memstarted, July 1945, it had acquired clubrooms— bers in all. In Louisville, Ky., where a $100,- The few A.A.s from out of Utah whom I at 4041⁄2 Brady Street . . . The El Paso, Tex., 000 clinic for treatment of alcoholics is soon to have had the privilege of talking with have Group, with 10 members, has its own post-office be established, the A.A. membership totals 80. imposed the idea that splits in the A.A. groups box #211, El Paso. . . Hays, Kans., A. A.s are . . . The Doan, Ohio, Group romped dryly but are common place and nothing to be alarmed growing slowly but surely in numbers; two merrily through their Fifth Anniversary re- about. years ago they were three, today they are fifteen. cently. I believe that the root of this friction problem exists due directly to that one misunderstood Because of the success of the A.A. group in term “sponsorship.” “It’s not the numbers that count so much,” San Quentin prison, the Superintendent of the said a speaker of the Manhattan Group, “but Too often, sponsors contact the new man, and lowa State Penitentiary at Fort Madison indi- at the earliest possible moment they pour him the quality of one’s sobriety.” . . . Among the cated in the Presidio (prison publication) that newest groups to be formed are: Brockton, into a meeting, wash their hands of their rehe would like to see a group started in that sponsibility and go out after another prospect. Mass.; Port Arthur, Texas; St. Johnsburg, Vt.; institution. Following this lead, A.A.s of Des This most certainly is the “easy” way. Moines are getting busy on the project. The 15 months that I have been dry, thanks Cut This Out and Mail to: to A.A. has proved this point to me. A man The Grapevine Further testimony of increasing recognition should have the basic fundamentals of the A.A. P.O.Box 328 among non-alcoholics that alcoholism is a disease program before be ever attends a meeting. I Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. comes from New Jersey’s Essex County where a do not believe that seeing one A.A. member is Herewith $2.50 for one year’s subscription to new treatment for rehabilitation of alcoholics in enough. He should be taken around, by his The Grapevine (Monthly). the Essex County Penitentiary is in progress. sponsor, until he visits many A.A.’ers and Warden Read said that in line with progressive spends an evening talking the program out. Have For additional subscriptions enclose separate methods of handling inmates, alcoholics are him clear his receiving set of the static of imsheet with name and address clearly printed. segregated from other inmates. Alcoholics will proper thinking, and in order to receive God’s Checks payable to The Grapevine. be examined each day by the prison psychiatrist help. That’s a big order for this new man, and Total Enclosed and records kept pertaining to the prisoners’ more static clearing can take place by two or psychological and physical make-up, he said. A three men sitting around a table over a cup of Renewal? (please check) probation officer will endeavor to bring released coffee in one evening than the new man can get PLEASE PRINT alcoholics in contact with the nearest A.A. out of many large meetings. group. A.A. most certainly is not the meetings alone. Name Another First Anniversary was celebrated re- Meetings are the light, the “fun to do” part of Address cently when the North Shore group meeting at our program. And the associationship is great Manhasset held a birthday party with about 50 stuff. But are we doing the man an injustice, by present. Starting with a nucleus of 8 members ignoring the fact that in proper sponsorship lies Note: Subscriptions received prior to the 15th a year ago, this group now numbers about 40 the foundation of sober thinking? of March will begin with the April issue. active members and has been averaging an And is not most of the friction caused, in As of January 1, 1946, the price of a year’s attendance of about 90 to 100 at its weekly meetings, by persons who are still sick mensubscription is $2.50. open meetings. tally?— D.P.

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VOL. II, NO. 11, APRIL, 1946, P. 0. BOX 328, G R A N D CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17 YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

Mental Sobriety Means Spotting Danger Signals In 1940 I took my last drink. Naturally I am going off the A.A. track than to start feeling world to be remodeled. I, and I alone, must do hope I will never take another. But can I be sorry for myself? That “nobody loves me” feel- it, and that immediately or at the most within absolutely certain? No, because I do not believe ing and its companion, “no one really under- two weeks. Just as when the intolerance signal that I can ever accept my sobriety as an accom- stands me.” Or the pressure signal. Here is a flashes. Then indeed must I be on the alert for plished fact. Yet, neither do I mean that I am, when I start worrying about another’s failure as in the early days of it, haunted by the fear to practice the 12 Steps I can be quite certain of returned drunkenness. Then it was a ghost EXCESS BAGGAGE I have mislaid them myself. No stranger, either, always with me, casting its dark shadow across “I have just discovered one of my worst to my impulses, is the one which prompts me the way. What if the old pattern reasserted it- faults,” Bill H. of Detroit confessed. “I carry to believe that I have never been f u l l y appreciself? What if I did get drunk? I, who wanted too much excess baggage.” ated; that circumstances have cruelly diverted so desperately to stay sober! “What have you been doing,” a friend asked, genius into mediocrity, that old ego aborting I thought much and with concern about it, “cleaning out the attic?” the truth. Nor does it stop there. It invariably and then one day, quite unconsciously, my son “Something like that,” Bill acknowledged. leads to a sense of self-importance that is transgave me what has seemed to have been my “For years I have been letting the memories of lated into terms of my wanting to play God. In answer. He was a boy of 10, captain of one of old failures and old disappointments drag me my own life and the lives of others I want to those little boy football teams that play the game down. Finally, it has occurred to me t h a t they be the director. How smoothly The show would so very enthusiastically and with such very bad were excess baggage.” go off, if only I was allowed to manage it a l l ! results. His heart was set on winning the game “There’s something in that,” his friend agreed, This feeling is often directed primarily against against the school’s great rival. As the day “and just what have you done with them?” the group—that intractable, obstinate body of drew near I asked him how things were going “I’ve thrown them into the discard. I refuse men and women who surely, after all, do need and what the chances were. Earnestly be looked to think of them any more.” me more than I need them. When this happens I at me and said, “It’s a f u n n y thing, Mummie, “That sounds like quite a trick,” he ventured. know definitely that it is time for me to act. they all want to win the game, but they don’t “Not so difficult,” was the answer, “by keep- For me, it is not enough to merely recognize want to practice!” ing my mind on problems of the present, I can these danger signals. I must take action against Instantly it struck home! Had I wanted to keep the old ones from crowding in.” them. This I find can best be done by doing imwin the game of sobriety without realizing that Bill’s idea isn’t new but too little attention mediately some A.A. work. Any one of a dozen to do so would depend entirely on my own will- has been paid to it. If one will realize that the ways may suffice, but the one which so far has ingness to practice regularly those things in past is dead, and should be buried, he will have not failed is getting myself to an open meeting. which mental sobriety has its origin? more time and strength to cope with the prob- Taking the attitude that it is my first meeting, A certain pattern of physical sobriety had lems of the present. The old mistakes and sor- I try to clear my mind of all that I have previbeen established. There was no longer a definite rows may have proved valuable as lessons, but ously known about A.A., and open it only to physical urge to take a drink; but what about there is no sense in keeping their graves green. what I do not know. That I shall never know mental sobriety? From then on I began to If one thinks he has to nurture old sorrows, and much, can never feel myself to be immune, or think much less about a physical slip and much decorate them with flowers of thought, it might as not needing daily practice in The 12 Steps, bemore about a mental one. I lost the fear that I be a good idea to do it only once a year—on comes plain. I am once more impressed with could “catch drunk” as I could “catch cold.” In Decoration Day, perhaps. the need for and greatness of A.A. its place developed an awareness that if I re- Needs of the moment are enough to keep most Back on the scrub team I am content to let mained mentally sober, I would never find my- men busy, and if one spends too much time at someone else call the plays, certain that if I self physically drunk. This became a firm con- the side of the graves of old misfortunes, there respond with my best efforts, A.A. will through viction and has remained one ever since. won’t be enough time and strength to combat its program, give to me in return a deep, rich I determined to recognize all subversive those which threaten in the present. assurance that I need never take another drink.— thoughts. What better sign, for instance, that I Excess baggage calls for extra fares. Fannie L., Manhattan.

EDITORIAL: Twelve Suggested On the 6th Step… By Bill Nobody invented Alcoholics Anonymous. It ‘Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” grew. Trial and error has produced a rich experience. Little by little we have been adopting For one who has been following the Steps in the order in which they are presented the lessons of that experience, first as policy and in the book, the application of the 6th Step would come about almost automatically. How- then as tradition. That process still goes on and ever, few do follow the Steps in their numerical order, and it is not necessary to do so. we hope it never stops. Should we ever harden too much the letter might crush the spirit. We After concurring in the 1st Step, which of course is the impelling reason for anyone could victimize ourselves by petty rules and proseeking A.A., many have progressed by taking the other Steps in the order in which they hibitions; we could imagine that we had said seemed to come most easily. the last word. We might even be asking alco- Nevertheless, the 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th Steps seem to fall into a natural group. holics to accept our rigid ideas or stay away. One leads to another; the practice of one helps in the practice of the other three. May we never stifle progress like that! Yet the lessons of our experience count for a Certainly anyone who has applied the 3rd Step and “made a decision to turn our great deal—a very great deal, we are each conwill and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him,” is at least nearly ready vinced. The first written record of A.A. expe- “to have God remove all these defects of character.” rience was the book, Alcoholics Anonymous. It Being “entirely ready” is vital phraseology. If one is “entirely ready” he has rid was addressed to the heart of our foremost problem—release from the alcohol obsession. It conhimself of the last vestige of reservations. He is ready to go the whole length in making tained personal experiences of drinking and use of the Power. recovery and a statement of those divine but All of these Steps, in fact, are a conditioning for the application of “the thing that ancient principles which have brought us a miworks” in A.A., to express it as countless many have expressed it and countless others raculous regeneration. Since publication of will express it in the years to come. Alcoholics Anonymous in 1939 we have grown from 100 to 24,000 members. Seven years have Logic suggests that the 6th Step is preparation for the 7th. And the preparatory passed; seven years of vast experience with our stage is important. In this Step, the action is mostly spiritual, or mental, if one prefers next greatest undertaking—the problem of liv- . the latter word. It is, in any event, attaining a certain state of mind. This state of mind ing and working together. This is today our is one of acceptance and of complete willingness to try what in many cases is a new idea, main concern. If we can succeed in this advenor an old idea long forgotten and now newly revived. It is a state of mind in which there ture—and keep succeeding—then, and only then, will our future be secure. are no longer any reservations. As long as reservations remain it is doubtful if the indi- Since personal calamity holds us in bondage vidual is “entirely ready.” He may be almost ready but not “entirely.” no more, our most challenging concern has be- One approach to the development of this desired state of mind is through a review of come the future of Alcoholics Anonymous; how the drinking history and of the repeated failure to control the drinking. Through this to preserve among us A.A.s such a powerful procedure, one again reminds himself of the fact he has finally had to face—that he can- unity that neither weakness of persons nor the strain and strife of these troubled times can not do it alone and that he must have help. The group will help, of course. All of the harm our common cause. We know that Alcotechniques of A.A. will carry the individual a long way a long time. Some say indefi- holics Anonymous must continue to live. Else, nitely, but no conclusive measure is yet available. save few exceptions, we and our brother alco- On the other hand, many believe by virtue of their own experience and the experience holics throughout the world will surely resume of others, that when one qualifies on the 6th Step he stands at the threshold of true and the hopeless journey to oblivion. Almost any A.A. can tell you what our group lasting progress, of real growth and of unprecedented happiness. problems are. Fundamentally they have to do Many have come up a long way in A.A. without applying the 6th Step, and are still with our relations, one with the other, and with traveling upward. The 6th Step cannot be said to be an early “must” in the program. the world outside. They involve relations of the There are few “musts” in A.A. A.A. to his group, the relation of his group to Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole, and the place Furthermore, many will apply the 6th Step without being aware of it and without of Alcoholics Anonymous in that troubled sea considering it separately from the other Steps. Some, in fact, have already reached the called Modern Society, where all of humankind state of acceptance called for in this Step, by the time they seek A.A. Others reach the must presently shipwreck or find haven. Terrisame receptive attitude when they become receptive to the 3rd Step. bly relevant is the problem of our basic struc- Whenever and however it occurs, the application of the 6th Step is furthered by ture and our attitude toward those ever pressing the development of a hope, at least, that an unlimited Power can be drawn upon for questions of leadership, money and authority. help. Even if the individual has no more than a hope in the beginning, he can attain The future may well depend on how we feel and a state of readiness. act about things that are controversial and how The development of such hope may be furthered by giving thought to the fact that we regard our public relations. Our final desthe experience of many in A.A. has demonstrated that the great promises implied in the tiny will surely hang upon what we presently 6th Step can be fulfilled in abundance. decide to do with these danger-fraught issues!

Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1946 by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

large metropolitan area their central com- Points for A. A. Tradition mittee, which often employs a f u l l time secretary. The trustees of The Alcoholic Foundation are, in effect, our General 6.—Problems of money, property and Service Committee. They are the custo- Now comes the crux of our discussion. It is authority may easily divert us from our dians of our A.A. tradition and the rethis: Have we yet acquired sufficient experience primary spiritual aim. We think, there- ceivers of voluntary A.A. contributions to state clear-cut policies on these, our chief fore, that any considerable property of by which they maintain A.A. General concerns? Can we now declare general princi- Headquarters and our General Secretary ples which could grow into vital traditions— genuine use to A.A. should be separately incorporated and managed, thus dividing at New York. They are authorized by the traditions sustained in the heart of each A.A. the material from the spiritual. An A.A. groups to handle our overall public relaby his own deep conviction and by the common Group, as such, should never go into tions and they guarantee the i n t e g r i t y of consent of his fellows? That is the question. business. Secondary aids to A.A., such our principal publication, The A.A. Though full answer to all our perplexities may as clubs or hospitals which require much Grapevine. A l l such representatives are never be found, I’m sure we have come at last properly or administration, ought to be so to be guided in the spirit of service, for to a vantage point whence we can discern the set apart, that if necessary, they can be true leaders in A.A. are but trusted and main outlines of a body of tradition; which, freely discarded by the Groups. The experienced servants of the whole. They God willing, can stand as an effective guard management of these special facilities derive no real authority from their titles. against all the ravages of time and circumshould be the sole responsibility of those Universal respect is the key to their usestance. people, whether A.A.s or not, who finan- fulness. Acting upon the persistent urge of old A.A. cially support them. For our clubs, we 10.—No A.A. group or member should friends, and upon the conviction that general prefer A.A. managers. But hospitals, as ever, in such a way us to implicate A.A., agreement and consent between our members is well as other places of recuperation,, express any opinion on outside contronow possible, I shall venture to place in words ought to be well outside A.A.—and medi- versial issues—particularly those of polithese suggestions for An Alcoholics Anonycally supervised. An A.A. Group may tics, alcohol reform or sectarian religion. mous Tradition of Relations—Twelve cooperate with anyone, but should bind The Alcoholics Anonymous groups op- Points to Assure Our Future: itself to no one. pose no one. Concerning such matters Our A.A. Experience Has Taught Us That: they can express no views whatever. 7.—The A.A. Groups themselves ought 11.—Our relations w i t h the outside 1.—Each member of Alcoholics Anony- to be fully supported by the voluntary world should be characterized by modesty mous is but a small part of a great whole. contributions of their own members. We and anonymity. We t h i n k A.A. ought to A.A. must continue to live or most of us think that each Group should soon achieve avoid sensational advertising. Our pubwill surely die. Hence our common wel- this ideal; that any public solicitation of lic relations should be guided by the fare comes first. But individual welfare funds using the name of Alcoholics Anon- principle of attraction rather than promofollows close afterward. ymous is highly dangerous; that accept- tion. There is never need to praise our- 2.—For our Group purpose there is but ance of large gifts from any source or of selves. We feel it better to let our friends one ultimate authority—a loving God as contributions carrying any obligation recommend us. He may express Himself in our Group whatever, is usually unwise. Then, too, 12.—And finally, we of Alcoholics conscience. we view with much concern those A.A. Anonymous believe that the principle of 3.—Our membership ought to include treasuries which continue, beyond prudent anonymity has an immense spiritual sig- , all who suffer alcoholism. Hence we may reserves, to accumulate funds for no nificance. It reminds us that we are to refuse none who wish to recover. Nor stated A.A. purpose. Experience has place principles before personalities; that ought A.A. membership ever depend upon often warned us that nothing can so we are actually to practice a truly humble money or conformity. Any two or three surely destroy our spiritual heritage as modesty. This to the end that our great alcoholics gathered together for sobriety futile disputes over properly, money, and blessings may never spoil us; that we may call themselves an A.A. Group. authority. shall forever live in thankful contempla- 4.—With respect to its own affairs, 8.—Alcoholics Anonymous should re- tion of Him who presides over us all. each A.A. Group should be responsible to no other authority than its own con- main forever non-professional. We define May it be urged that while these principles science. But when its plans concern the professionalism as the occupation of have been stated in rather positive language welfare of neighboring groups also, those counseling alcoholics for fees or hire. they are still only suggestions for our future. groups ought to be consulted. And no But we may employ alcoholics where they We of Alcoholics Anonymous have never engroup, regional committee or individual are going to perform those full time servthusiastically responded to any assumption of should ever take any action that might ices for which we might otherwise have personal authority. Perhaps it is well for A.A, greatly affect A.A. as a whole without to engage non-alcoholics. Such special that this is true. So I offer these suggestions conferring with the Trustees of The Alco- services may be well recompensed. But neither as one man’s dictum nor as a creed of holic Foundation. On such issues our personal “12th Step” work is never to any kind, but rather as a first attempt to portray common welfare is paramount. be paid for. that group ideal toward which we have assuredly 5.—Each Alcoholics Anonymous Group 9.—Each A.A. Group needs the least been led by a Higher Power these ten years past. ought to be a spiritual entity having but possible organization. Rotating leaderone primary purpose—that of carrying ship is usually the best. The small group P.S. To help free discussion I would like to its message to the alcoholic who still may elect its secretary, the large group its amplify the Twelve Points of Tradition in f u t u r e suffers. rotating committee, and the groups of a Grapevine pieces.

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Four More Explanations in “Slip” Clinic (Third in a series of discussions on the cause or cess which I may have had was due to a strict to prove to the world and myself that I wasn’t causes of “slips,” in which different A.A.s present their practice of all the A.A. principles and the dis- too frightened to live. In the language of psyideas, experiences and suggestions as possible helps for others who may be having similar trouble.) cipline which resulted from a rigid determina- chiatry, I was over-compensating for an uncon- When I was introduced to A.A. I gave unqual- tion to live within the A.A. pattern. scious desire to be very dependent; indeed. I had ified intellectual acquiescence to the entire pro- At about this time a change of residence and seen quite clearly that alcoholism ultimately gram. I was naively amazed to find it was a a new environment made it easy to drop away makes a dependent of everyone. concentrated extract of the meatier parts of my from the group. I failed to attend meetings, I thought I had made an honest effort to stand early upbringing; something from which I had lost contact with A.A. members. Truthfully this on my own feet—my own emotional feet. But wandered far afield because I had found it inter- was difficult at first, but it became easier as time I learned that I must do more than that. I must, fered w i t h my opinionated ways. went on. also, learn my limitations. I admitted to being an alcoholic w i t h what I I earned my l i v i n g at a full-time job—I was You will of course realize that my thinking considered minor reservations. I resolved in an was entirely negative and the desire to build was, treasurer of my group — I spoke at outlying indeterminate sort of way to stay sober. I at- if not lost, seriously impaired. groups and did considerable 12th Step work. tended meetings regularly for a few months until I left myself no time to be patient or pupil. I It was at about this moment that a most un- should have spent part of my time with older the repetition became boring. I made a number reliable friend said, “But, Bill, you never were of h e l p f u l acquaintances but no friends; my really alcoholic.” This was not new but it must members on whom I could lean—from whom I negative actions would not attract anything posi- have been what I wanted to hear so the nibbling could receive counsel and strength, for I had not tive. My material affairs improved consider- began, not to any extent at first, just sort of yet developed objectivity—except in flashes. I ably. I began to nibble and ended up as of f l i r t i n g with the old pal, John Barleycorn. could not sustain it under pressure. yore. Some of my friends said afterwards “You The result, of course—my thinking became In two years I had five slips and all for the worked too hard—exhausted yourself physicalnegative—fancied slights, imagined injustices, same reasons: I was accepting the protection of suspicion of others—all the old f a m i l i a r themes ly.” True, but I cannot: escape the fact that I A.A. u n t i l my health and finances were in good —increasing inaccuracies both in my work and had created the circumstances that made it shape and then I was leaving the haven to face in my life—finally a very real loss of all the necessary to work too hard. , the issues of l i v i n g with the same incomplete values which had been built during the period To avoid everything that is disturbing, even if equipment I had always had. of sobriety. it were possible, would be limiting. It would I believe any alcoholic who accepts A.A. can limit emotional growth, intellectual understand- Were there other causes? Doubtless, but be reasonably sure of not slipping by doing ing and narrow the scope of one’s activities. Yet, really what is the difference? The point seems nothing more than attending a weekly meeting, I must learn what I cannot endure safely. If I to me to be that daily we must reinforce our keeping his mind receptive and charging himself cannot resolve the conflicts that drive me blindly, sobriety by a conscious acknowledgment to the each morning with the responsibility of staying I must avoid what disturbs me—too much. Supreme Being, that it is only through His help sober for that particular day. This is an individual matter which each must and guidance that we are sober, and to fill our 1 don’t think any alcoholic can be completely discover for himself. It is a question of learning minds with the principles and teachings of A.A., safe from slipping until be has attained that in- not only what to do, but what not to do. and to practice them in all of our relations with ward peace, that t r a n q u i l i t y of mind that comes I n a t u r a l l y wish to integrate without sacrificothers and in all of our affairs. from the sure knowledge that he is performing ing too much of my personality. This requires * * * his duty to the best of his ability. Duty, for the considerable work (analyzing—explaining—regreater part, being the observance of the pre- After twenty-one months of sobriety I got educating) and some unhappiness (it isn’t cepts of the Sermon on the Mount, the obeying drunk. Until a few hours before, the idea of pleasant to face oneself honestly) but the reward of the Ten Commandments, and the avoidance drinking hadn’t occurred to me although I had is great. The reward is a rounder, richer perof the Seven Deadly Sins. He must put his been confused — tense—frustrated—completely sonality. ideals on a high plane and then endeavor to negative in my t h i n k i n g for several months; I see this sort of effort as part of the A.A. climb up and join them. turned in on myself. program. The 4th Step—interpreted in my lan- I had thought of suicide—planned it in my guage—reads in part “A fearless and searching * * * mind but I hadn’t thought of drinking. “To self-analysis.” Why did I slip? I slipped because I look a drink again,” I would have said, “I’d have to be 1 do not delude myself that I will do a thordrink. * * * insane.” Well—I was—temporarily insane. ough job—that I will become as whole a per- “How is it,” a friend asked, “that you stayed For two days I sobbed my heart out and re- sonality as I could wish but I will do the best dry for a number of years and then went off the laxed. My immediate aim had been achieved. I can. beam?” Then followed a period of complete depend- That which is too costly—that which causes I suppose there are a number of answers ency. Dependency on my doctor—on my friends. more emotional disturbance than I can support, which make sense. The first which occurs to me Perhaps this was my greatest aim—dependency. I shall try to side-track temporarily. I hope to is that in my immature development I still had But why? I had long been aware of the fact be sufficiently alert to learn my tension capacity. the childish desire to play with fire, hoping of that my positive—aggressive—extremely inde- Behind me is another fifteen months of sobricourse, not to be burned. A false sense of se- pendent attitude was false. False in the sense ety and I am content. Things have shifted back curity must have been developed as a result of that I forced myself to be all these things against into perspective and I feel somehow free. After several material “successes.” the wishes of the largest part of my personality years of blundering attempts to fight life, I am The plain simple truth is that the only suc- —the unconscious. This false front was intended trying now to live it.

STUB OF A PENCIL The Pleasures of Reading Having been particularly blessed by the opportunity of being in the right place at the time Written on the Wind, a novel by Robert Wilder (Putnam; $2.75) to found an A.A. group, I would like to pass a Unequivocal in its sense of the strengths and frailties of human values, here is a bold story, few observations on the growth of a member. written with a sensitivity and depth of feeling which carry the reader into the minds and emotions From the first contact in Utah in November, of characters who verily live. It is the saga of the beginning and probable end of a wealthy family founded by old Andrew 1944, to the most recent addition to the group Whitfield, who fought his way up from the fields of his small f a r m to become his era’s tobacco of a few weeks ago, a pattern of the struggle for tycoon. He built “the biggest, by God, house in North Carolina,” and had himself finally put calmness, serenity and sober-happiness seems to to rest in a one-man, red granite mausoleum within plain sight of the front porch. Thus would shape itself. As I have watched this ever chang- his progeny be reminded forever that but for his industry and acumen they might be toiling in ing, yet fundamental sameness of pattern form the adjacent tobacco fields. I have likened our 12 Steps to tools, tools Andrew’s sons, Cassius and Joseph, were normal enough in their own way, but the tremenwith which to hew a future. To me, at least, dous fortune left to them stultified personal initiative. Joseph, perhaps the wiser of the brothers, there is only one piece of matter for us to carve elected to live the life of an idle man of means on his estate, after sowing wild oats over two from: our past. When given our first kit of tools continents, complete with full publicity. many, many things can, and usually do, happen. The elder brother, Cassius, “never quite recovered from being the possessor of so much Normally our enthusiasm is greater than our money.” For all the space in Andrew’s monstrosity of a house, there was little real love in it after Cassius “married a simple girl of good f a m i l y in Roanoke.” The real trouble came when reasoning and we injure ourselves. Perhaps our the children of Cassius and Laura grew up. hammer of admission of self defeat is used so Gary and Ann-Charlotte were ruined by Cassius’ indulgence. Ann-Charlotte was an amoral strenuously that our uncalloused palms are blis- female about a degree short of nymphomania. Before she was fifteen she was netted in a state tered. Quite often our chisel of introspection police raid on a tourist camp, shacking up with a young filling station serviceman. Her bewilhas lain too near the fire of hate and resent- dered father solved his problem by shooting the attendant and himself. ments for too long a period and we are badly After her father’s suicide, Ann-Charlotte, “a mysteriously intense girl, alarming in her beauty burned. Many are the mishaps of the initial and wilfulness,” was sent to school in France, where her brassy, pert indifference to morals was handling of our tools because of abnormal grati- subdued, but not removed, and she returned to North Carolina, where she continued being a menace tude. This period of growth in A.A. takes its to herself. toll of craftsmen and some disgustedly cast aside Gary Whitfield was sent to Columbia University along with his boyhood chum, Reese Benton, who had been virtually adopted by the Whitfields. The lads managed to get themselves expelled their tools for a time. These men are not in the from college, then Gary, at an early age, married Lillith, a sensational new stage star. Gary soon majority, however. Mostly we lay them in an developed a psychopathic state of self-pity and alcoholism. Lillith, after showing remarkable paorderly arrangement in front of us and approach tience in putting up with her wastrel husband’s futile and often drunken moods, fell in love them a bit more calmly. One at a time we heft with Reese, who also was the object of Ann-Charlotte’s amorous indulgences. them, evaluate their usefulness and study them Gary, when he was not drunk, was bored; when he was bored, his sole solution was to throw conclusively. We spell our doom or inter- a party at which everyone got drunk. Such a pattern must be familiar to those who read this reminable happiness by our final decision. view. The Whitfield broil had to end in tragedy, and the reader is left to guess whether Gary’s At this juncture the pattern begins to shape death was murder or suicide. Many readers will recognize in the crashing finale a close similarity up. This is the period I have found to be the to a tragedy among the wealthy more than a decade ago. line of demarcation between thought and action Mr, Wilder has made a strong story from this rather unsavory material. There are no d u l l and I am completely satisfied that this period pages, and there are some that are unforgettable.—R.E.B., Manhattan continues on for the balance of our lives. As the tools before us are perused and studied there The Innocent Mrs. Duff, by Elizabeth Sanxay Holding (Simon-Schuster; $2.50) is noticed a little stub of a pencil almost hidden This new novel is not only a gripping experience of, suspense and excitement, it is also the by the larger equipment. This small pencil, dif- most authentic study of an alcoholic that I have ever read. ficult to find, as is so often the case in life, is I spent one night that I shall never forget, in bed with the Innocent, Mrs. Duff. And at the most necessary tool of all. Craftsmen all my age too! know that plans must be drawn before constructive action can be taken. We pick this stub up Many A.A.s have found that as they progress from the alcoholic fogbanks they find new enjoyand find imprinted upon it “I turn my will and ment in reading. Various A.A.s have recommended these books. The books listed are not neceslife over to God as I understand Him.” sarily A.A. “endorsed” or “approved.” Orders should be placed with the publisher or your lo- From the outset we are prone to do our con- cal book store or dealer. The Grapevine does not accept book orders. struction work without the use of this pencil Christian Behavior by C. S. Lewis (Macmillan, $1) in drawing our plans. Time and time again, we If You Drink by Wilfred Funk (Wilfred Funk, Inc., $2) miserably back track and hunt for this little Mind, Medicine and Man by Gregory Zilboorg, M.D. (Harcourt, Brace & Co., $3.50) Psycho-Analysis edited by Sandor Lorand, M.D. (International University Press, $6) stub of a pencil. Always we have difficulty in Great Time To Be Alive by Harry Emerson Fosdick (Harper & Brothers, $2) laying our hands upon it. Often after it is found Forget Your Age by Peter J. Steinerohn, M.D. (Doubleday, Doran and Co., Inc., $2.50) we thoughtlessly stick it into our pocket instead Escape from Freedom by Eric Fromm (Farrar & Rinehart, $2.50) of using it. Periodically, in utter futility and Alcoholics Anonymous (Works Publishing Co., Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, (Continued on Page 10) N. Y., $3.50)

a pastor of St. Paul’s Methodist Church in The centers, operated as a state public health Brooklyn. service, would provide guidance and informa- The Clip Sheet ”Dr. Smith writes, ‘many a homecoming soldier is returning to face a problem be never tion for alcoholics and their families. In addition, the report said, the program could direct suspected—his wife, or sweetheart or sister has needed public education on alcoholism, and become an alcoholic’.” could help in coordinating the work of private No Hospitalization in Denver agencies dealing with the problem. The Denver, Colo., Rocky Mountain News, Their survey of physicians, Dr. Riley and Dr. Obsolete and Inadequate in a column devoted to the alcoholic and hos- Marden said, was the first mass opinion ever pitalization, decries the fact that no hospitals in Antigo, Wis., Journal: “For many years it obtained from the medical profession on the Denver will accept an alcoholic. “I have talked has been recognized by those who have given problem of alcoholism. Most of the doctors inwith the managers of several Denver hospitals,” thought to the problem of treatment of alcoterviewed strongly favored a campaign of public writes the columnist, “and they insist there is no holics that state legislation and institutional information on the subject. They reported that rule barring alcoholic patients. facilities are sadly inadequate and way behind 65 per cent of the doctors handled chronic alco- “The way it works, however, is that the alco- modern knowledge of how alcoholics should be holics during the last year, that sedatives and holic patient gets the run-around. Most hospitals treated. But one state, Connecticut, has ven- vitamin therapy were the most frequently used are kept filled to capacity—the Gen. Maurice tured to take a real forward step through adop- treatment, that alcoholics make difficult patients, Rose Hospital w i l l relieve this condition some- tion of a law for the study, treatment and care and that physicians generally lack facilities for what—and are receiving mainly emergency cases. of inebriates. Prof. Selden D. Bacon of Yale dealing with them on a long-term basis. The alcoholic for the first week anyway, is more University calls it ‘the first new legislation detrouble than the average patient. . . . No signed to meet the problem of alcoholism.’ A.A.s Aid Washington Judge matter how much he may need help, it will be “Important features of the law singled out by difficult if not impossible for most alcoholics During February, the Washington, D. C., Post Prof. Bacon are: ‘It recognized that alcoholics to get admitted to a Denver hospital. . . . We are sick people . . . the fact that alcoholics can carried a story on its front page to the effect continue to show pitiless savagery to the alco- that Alcoholics Anonymous have “salvaged” all be rehabilitated . . . a responsibility on the holic who has the additional handicap of being part of the government to meet this problem. but two of 35 drunk case defendants referred to poor.” them by a municipal judge since the beginning It calls for public education on the subject of of the year. alcoholism, It omits all mention of punish- Lady Drunks On the Increase According to the newspaper account, two ment as a means of controlling the problem. members of the Washington Group spend six Edwin Neff of the Washington, D. C., . . . It offers free service to those requesting mornings a week in court conferring with the Times-Herald, writes that there is an alarming it. . . . If Wisconsin intends to move forward prospects. They serve in answer to the request increase in alcoholism among women in Wash- in this field its legislators, judges and others of the judge, who averred that be felt discourington, and “the problem, while impossible to should not only study the Connecticut law but aged with present methods of dealing with measure by statistics, is probably worse than also the valuable knowledge obtained by such alcoholics. the public imagines. organizations as Alcoholics Anonymous.” The judge refers only those cases whom he “It reaches into all avenues of society, and considers worthy of A.A. guidance, asking them while causes vary with the individual woman, Alcoholic Vets May Get Help to step aside for interviews. He recommends a in Washington, at least, the problem most fre- Dallas, Tex., News: The Veterans Adminis- system of “screening” such defendants, to avoid quently is loneliness.” tration is considering offering care to alcoholics court appearances in many cases, and has urged Neff declares that his statements have been in its hospitals, Mrs. Marty Mann, executive a meeting of civic leaders for discussion of the confirmed by a Methodist minister, a member secretary of the National Committee for Educa- handling of drunks and revision of the laws now of A.A., and “to some extent” by Capt. Rhoda tion on Alcoholism, said here. governing disposition of their cases. Milliken, head of the D. C. Women’s Bureau. VA officials have been giving serious study “Capt. Milliken’s statistics show 2,700 women to plans proposed by the national committee, arrested for drunkenness last year,” continues she said, and have expressed a favorable reaction. NO—’TAIN’T SO! Neff. “That the problem is nationwide as well Many inquiries have been received at the Cenas local is indicated by an article in the Feb- tral Office asking whether A.A. is sponsoring ruary American Mercury by Dr. Alson J. Smith, 29,000 Alkies in Jersey the production of a motion picture. The in- New York Herald Tribune: New Jersey should quiries apparently have been prompted by pubestablish state-operated centers to aid its esti- lication in two nationally syndicated Hollywood mated 29,000 chronic alcoholics, two Rutgers columns of reports that a movie is now being NEW PLAY CONCERNS University sociologists said recently. . . . On made based on A.A. A WOMAN ALCOHOLIC the basis of interviews with 456 physicians in 42 Except for a March of Time documentary The first play presented by the Show Shop communities, Dr. John W. Riley Jr. and Dr. news film, now in production as reported in the April 1, in the small theatre of the Sutton Hotel, Charles F. Marden reported that referral centers last issue of The Grapevine, A.A. is not par- 330 East 5th Street, New York City, is about for victims would be the first step in a more ticipating in any motion picture venture. No alcoholics and in particular about the rehabilita- ambitious program to deal with alcoholics. Their financial consideration for A.A. is involved in tion of one who in this case is a woman. It is report was prepared for the New Jersey Com- the March of Time film. “The Taker,” by Craig Richter. mission for the Rehabilitation of Alcoholics and A.A. has been approached numerous times to The play is reported to be a serious treatment Promotion of Temperance, headed by Alfred E. sponsor or participate in the production of a of alcoholism, what to do about it—beginning Driscoll, state Alcoholic Beverage Control Com- full-length movie, but the Foundation has turned where “The Lost Week End” movie left off! missioner. down all such offers to date.

A WORD TO THE WISE (WIVES) From Santa Fe, N. M. As the wife of an alcoholic who suffered through years of unhappiness because of my husband’s affliction, I took to A.A. perhaps even more avidly than he did when we first heard about it. I entered into all the activities, subscribed wholeheartedly to all the precepts of A.A., and (What’s the funniest A.A. tale or quip you’ve heard? Others would like to hear it. Send it in.) thought I was helping my husband to the fullest. This winter I had to come out here from our home in Illinois because of my own health. It A kindly old lady accidentally walked up to has been my first trip away from my husband for many years, and being alone I’ve found that a drunk and inquired how to get to the post there are several lessons in A.A. for us wives. office. To me, one of the most insidious thoughts that has dominated the attitude of a wife who has “The post office?” he answered. “Let’s see. stuck through all the trials and tribulations of a drinking career is the self-pride and nobility on You go two blocks down this street, then turn which vanity feeds so copiously. I was never conscious of it, actually, and really meant it when to the left—no-o-o. You go three blocks to the I said that I wanted Jim to recover from every bit of the illness; I wanted him to be independent, left, then turn right and go—no-o-o. The post sufficient in himself, and wanted him to do the thinking for the family. When he started up the office? Lady, I’m sorry, you just can’t get to long road, and signs of the emotional changes in him became evident, I was delighted. It wasn’t the post office from here.” until I got away from him, and had to relinquish my mental attitude of supremacy, that I realized how that had built up over the years, and what a large part of my subconscious it occupied! Jim is more than grateful that I did stick, I know, and pays me plenty of tribute on that Overheard in a bar: “You’re so drunk I can’t score; I know that his present sobriety and constant character development and improvement are even remember your name.” the best tribute I could desire. Nonetheless, I must admit to a void in my own little inner world now that it has been stripped of that tendency to feel that “maybe things have gone badly for Jim and me; nevertheless I haven’t thrown in the sponge! I’ve been a loyal wife!” Now as I A policeman walking his beat came upon a look at myself, I realize how much comfort I did take from that vain-glorious feeling in self- tipsy gentleman on his hands and knees in the contemplation. Certainly his drinking and its attendant demands on me were sometimes pretty gutter, searching intently along the curb. “What harrowing; just the same, I still felt pretty noble, I’m afraid. you looking for, bud?” be inquired. As I look back over Jim’s first few months in A.A., I can see, too, how that attitude of mine “I lost a ring.” carried over and created a few minor crises that shook my faith in A.A. I blew up in completely “Where you’d lose it?” alcoholic fashion myself over things so infinitesimal I never would have noticed them in the old “Down at the corner of Nassau Street.” days when I was wrestling with job, rent, and children problems. And I see now that it was be- “At Nassau Street? Then why look for it cause I hadn’t worked much on my own habit-thinking pattern. Emotionally, I missed the build-up here?” I got all the years of his drinking, when I had those big things to contend with. Being shorn of “Cause it’s light here.” the responsibilities, and the attendant self-approbation we have enjoyed for a long time, is hard on our mental constitution. I feel now though that it is the first thing an A.A. wife must accom- Culled from an early morning radio broadplish to help get life back into normal proportions. In our own way, we too have been pretty cast, the one about the inebriate who tipped his self-centered.—June T. hat and apologized after bumping into a light pole, proceeded and collided with a fire hydrant, and muttered “Sorry, sonny,” walked on and A.A. DIGEST—Excerpts from Group Publications bumped into another light pole and again begged pardon. Sighing deeply, he then sat Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Iowa: us to action without careful advance considera- down on the curb, and said, “Guess I better “There are some of us who get sober and go tion of the facts. No one knows where they come wait till the crowd thins out.” around with a chip on our shoulder waiting for from. No one will take responsibility for them. some one to knock it off; also, there are some They arrive without credentials and leave us of us who not only have a chip on one shoulder, without apologies. Yet they are accepted at face Definition of an alcoholic: A man who when we have a chip on each shoulder almost begging value time and again with disastrous results. he goes to a wedding wants to be the bride; some one to knock them off. Is that straight Against them every sensible man will stand when he goes to a funeral he wants to be the thinking? guard every minute of his day. If it is a good corpse; he runs his trotting horses and trots “Then there are some who do things for other impulse that comes knocking at your door it his running horses; when he goes to a dinner people . . . even go out of their way to do can afford to wait and does not fear examina- party be gets amorous, and when be goes to bed something for other people; then, go round tion. If it is an evil impulse you cannot afford he gets hungry! ‘popping off’ about what they have done. Is to hurry.” that right thinking? Now, if you do not want The Empty Jug, Chattanooga, Tenn.: “The Sign on a barroom wall: “Count yourself to do these things without expecting recompense, clubroom of the Chattanooga Group of A.A. again, old man, you ain’t so damn many.” then . . . don’t do them at all, because in the will be open each evening, Saturday and Sunday end they never do you or the ones you are doing afternoons. . . . With the exception of Tuessomething for any good.” day and Friday evenings, when regular group A sailor was walking down the street with The Toss Pot, Charleston, West Virginia: “The meetings are held, members will be available to one foot in the gutter and the other on the sideslogan ‘obey that impulse’ may be good adver- discuss A.A. with anyone sincerely interested in walk. It wasn’t long before the shore patrol tising but is poor morals. Nothing is more dan- the program. Curiosity seekers or persons under caught up with him and said, “You’re drunk.” gerous to our permanent peace of mind than the influence of alcohol are requested to stay “Thank heaven!” said the gob. “I thought I these vagrant impulses which seize us and drive away.” was lame.”

A HANGOVER FOR EVERY TYPE Letters Reveal ( A n y similarity between the following descriptions and to the stories about wrens stomping around in the bushes, and kittens clomping up and down A.A. Philosophy your own experiences is purely coincidental. The author, a Scripps-Howard staff writer, is a non-alcoholic, and apparently had no thought of A.A. in mind in writing the hall. this piece, which is reprinted by permission from the (In the March, issue, several letters written by a re- Jan. 2, 1946, issue of the New York World-Telegram.) One kind is actually pleasant. It’s The cheer- cently deceased A.A., Elliot B., to friends in the Manful Sunday hangover. It comes when you have hattan group, were reprinted. They are continued here, with the thought that this man’s faith and personality By Robert C. Ruark drunk considerably the night before, but have are still inspirational to many outside his wide circle of had 10 hours sleep and a good breakfast. friends made during four and a half years’ contact in A hangover is the unpaid balance on easy- A.A.) You feel relaxed, pleasantly melancholy, and credit ecstasy. content to stay home with the funnies, some soft July 4, 1944 There are many kinds of hangovers, accord- music on the radio, and a short beer every now “Lord! Wouldn’t I love to see you all again ing to the quality and quantity of the booze, the and then. At the end of the afternoon, maybe for a little while. But, ‘accept those things we state of the soul and the stomach, and whether a stroll in the zoo or a neighborhood movie. You cannot change’ goes there also. But I’m sure or not the victim went to bed at all. Or, so the will fall asleep in your chair after dinner, and nobody ever had more than I have right now, boys have been telling me. eventually struggle off to bed. even without being able to see my A.A. friends. The least common type is the inexplicable . . . Strange what a strong feeling of intimate hangover. This is the one you get twice a year. The Guilty Kind personal friendship one can form—even in later You never get it oftener, they say, or you would One of the worst is the kind which wouldn’t life—under the common denomination of the quit drinking. It strikes you suddenly, generally after a night when you thought you were taking be so bad if you could stay home, but is awful tragedy of booze.” it easy. when you have to work. You cure the hammer- Elliot’s letters became less frequent after July, This hangover is standardly equipped with ing head with aspirin, and you brush your 1944, and in the fall of that year we discovered headache, nausea, and delusions of mice in bed. teeth. But when you get to work, you still feel that he had returned temporarily to New York Only time or a pistol will cure it. Cold water that you must smell like a brewery, so you for a hospital checkup. He appeared at a Tuesmakes you sicker. Aspirin makes you sicker. turn your face away from the boss. day night meeting and with no reference to his Cold cloths on the head merely dampen the pil- The hands, which shook not at all when you own problems gave an inspiring talk on faith as low. Food is repulsive, drink more so. This is were home, suddenly begin to dance violently it applied to the A.A. way of life. Almost no one the one which makes you say “never again,” and when you hand the man a letter, and your at the meeting knew that within 48 hours he was you believe it. tongue, so sure and witty last night, stumbles to undergo an operation in which his surgeon and stutters over routine words. This is called had had to tell him that his chances of coming the guilty conscience hangover. The Yoga Type through were no better than 50 per cent. Prob- These are the commonest types, and the most ably because of a combination of his faith and There is the more common, or yoga type. easily classifiable. Some people have copy- his powerful physique, he pulled through and Your stomach is in good shape, and your head is righted heads, and imagine that they hear flutes within two months had returned to Virginia and all right. You have had breakfast, and the playing or cicadas chirping. But this is getting his beloved engineering job. His next letter was hands are steady. out of the realm of hangover and into whooping written the day after Christmas and shows that But you are obsessed with a desire for soli- jitters. consideration and thoughtfulness for others that tude and meditation. No music on the radio. was so much a part of the man. No telephones. And no conversation. All you want is to be left alone with your thoughts and perhaps a book with big print and lots of pic- Big Shots, Eh? December 26, 1944. “There’s so much more to this thing called tures. Being apt to build The biggest mountains out life than what our senses bring to us and if I A third type comes only to the more highly can only grasp just a little of the other part— integrated people. This carries a sensation of of the smallest ant hills and to exaggerate our own importance, A.A.s will appreciate the phi- the spiritual side of this marvelous existence— floating in space, while you look at yourself I’ll be satisfied. Gratitude is the road that led me sitting down below. Generally, you don’t think losophy expressed in this quotation from William Beebe’s Book of Naturalists: to whatever faith I may have. Mine is so great much of yourself. “We would go out on the lawn, where we took that I simply can’t contain it within myself and This disembodied feeling lasts all day, and is must express it to the Source from whence it sometimes accompanied by the sound of softly turns at an amusing little astronomical rite. We searched until we found with or without glasses, came—must have come!” chiming glass prisms. While it grips you, con- By early November, 1945, however, Elliot’s versation is undesirable, and the hands have a the faint, heavenly spot of light-mist beyond the left-hand corner of the Great Square of Pegasus, health had begun to give way under the strain habit of dropping everything they touch. of his work, following the operation of a year when one or the other of us would then recite: That is the Spiral Galaxy of Andromeda. before. Then suddenly came the overwhelming The Claustrophobic Type shock of his wife’s entirely unexpected death. It is as large as our milky way. We deal now with the claustrophobic hang- It is one of a hundred million galaxies. Even these events shook neither his courage nor over. That is the one when you don’t want peo- It is 750,000 light years away. his faith. He wrote on returning once more to ple to get too close to you, and riding in a small, It consists of one hundred billion suns each Virginia after her funeral, still determined to crowded elevator is exquisite torture. Your larger than our sun. clean up some final details of his job: nerves are whetted to a fine point, and the rustle After an interval Colonel Roosevelt would “Never have I blessed A.A. as I do now, for of a newspaper is like dragging a stick along a grin at me and say, “Now I think we are small the absolute faith that has come to me during picket fence. This is the one which gives rise enough. Let’s go to bed.'” (Continued on Page 10)

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad sent me running to the bottle. And then it What We Get Letters to this department are invited on any would be all up with me. Why have I been able subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- From Newark, N. ]. tions you are asked to hold your letters to a to stay dry so far and stay in there fighting? maximum of 350 words. The answer is simply A.A. I attach a list of 15 observations compiled by Only initials will he published unless the writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- I have learned, and, believe me, learned the D.W., of the Kearny, N. J. Group. fication for A.A. friends. hard way, that so long as a man keeps working To our group’s mind they completely answer The Grapevine will not divulge the full name of any writer but will forward A.A, communica- at the 12 Steps of A.A. he CANNOT take that the question “What do you get out of A.A.?” tions addressed to the writers of letters published first drink, be CANNOT give up and run away Their impact is heightened by reading the first here.—The Editors. as be used to, he CANNOT be beaten no matter nine from top to bottom using the right hand what comes. side as the “before” and the left hand side as Easy Still Does It the “after.” In our A.A. way of life and fellowship there From Atlanta, Ga. is an answer not only to the problem of drink If you can possibly use them, do. We believe In the Army we had a saying that, “It’s rough, but to every problem we face today and in that they could be clipped from The Grapevine brother. It’s rough all over.” For the demob- the future. Mark that I say to every problem and w i l l make a better wallet sized copy than ilized A.A. that goes double. we FACE. A.A. won’t help if you run away. we have obtained by micro-photostat. It isn’t that we get a worse deal than the A.A. won’t smooth your path or make things next veteran. We and they want the same things, easy. It never did that for me. In fact I t h i n k What Do You Get Out of A.A.? a home and a job and a chance to earn security that in every way except drinking things have 1. Peace of mind instead of utter confusion. for our families. We get the same treatment and been and are much rougher for me now t h a n 2. Self respect instead of self contempt. run into no worse headaches when we go after when I drank. these things. It’s rougher for us because we 3. Self confidence instead of complete help- A.A. can and will keep you fighting and give are naturally less able to deal with these things. you the added strength, out of the mighty lessness. Setbacks and disappointments hit us harder. 4. Faith instead of black despair. strength of God, to keep you going despite any- In ten years of alcoholic drinking I grew a thing. And, through A.A. we learn that as long 5. Hope instead of desperation. magnificent tendency to run away from every- as a man keeps his head up and keeps fighting, 6. Courage instead of fear. thing unpleasant. That makes it d o u b l y hard be has WON, no matter how many battles may 7. Respect of others instead of their pity and to face up to things now. I became a complete seem for a while to go against him. contempt. and utter egocentric. So now when I don’t get You have got to want A.A. more than a n y t h i n g 8. A clear conscience instead of the crushing what I want when and as I want it, it’s hard else on earth. weight of a sense of guilt. for me to take. Like all of us drunks I had lots You have got to work at the 12 Steps. Work 9. Real friendships instead of utter loneliness. of practice feeling sorry for myself. That, too, hard. Work all the time. 10. A clean cut pattern of life instead of the can wreck me if I give way to it now. It used to be easy for me to find excuses to You have got to remember and apply the A.A. f u t i l i t y of purposeless existence. drink. Every little, no-account sorrow had to principles all the time; not just when your 11. Love and understanding of our wives and be drowned. If I wanted excuses now, I could stomach gets tight and the palms of your hands children instead of their hate and loathing. produce some real beauties. Probably most vet- sweat and you can already taste that first drink; 12. A bright and happy home and family life. eran A.A.s can match them word for word. But not only when you are on the edge of a slip, but 13. Freedom from the obsession of alcohol here are some samples. all the time. which has darkened and blighted our lives. When I got back to my home town after three You have got to face things and fight things 14. The joy of achievement both within ourand a half years absence it look me four hours the A.A. way. selves and when we have helped others. of phoning to find a former friend who would Then the victory is certain. 15. Economic security and improvement.— put me up for the first night and three days of We A.A.s who are also veterans need our George H. B. tramping in the snow to rent a room for my group and our way of life right now as much * * * wife at a higher cost than I paid for a five-room or more than ever before. We have every excuse apartment in pre-war days. (?) and every reason (?) to run to the bottle Premiums Must Be Paid Since then I have had employers turn me again. The whole world seems at times to be From Denver, Colo. down w i t h the remark that “you GIs come a pushing us back to the first drink. dime a dozen.” I have had real estate men laugh The day we came to A.A. and professed our It is only when we look at life with the sanity in my face. Why should they carry houses that faith and belief in its principles and methods, that A.A. teaches, that we can win out. It is only will take a GI loan when the same house can “The 12 Steps to Recovery”, we took out an by practicing A.A. every day that we can keep be sold for twice as much to a civilian? I have insurance policy for sobriety. Now then we all our lives straight. been unable to even find a place to keep my have other insurance of various kinds and know family together. Life has been full of disap- I know what I am talking about. I am a vet- that we must keep the premiums paid; if we do pointments, delays, sneers from civilians who eran myself and going through all this. It has not the policy will lapse and we have no insurseem to resent the fact that soldiers are not been no bed of roses. It has been damned hard. ance. In A.A. the 12 Steps are our premiums demobilized via a gas chamber. Strong language, Five years ago I had my last drink after ten and if we do not pay them (by working them), yes, but plenty of you other vets can back me years of drunkenness. With the help of God and our insurance will lapse and we will end up up in what I say. A.A. that will still continue to be my last drunk again. In the old days one-tenth of this would have drink.—E.Y.B. When I came to A.A. there just was nothing

Mail Call right then, and also many who once had, but now were enjoying themselves. FOUR MEN It was good for my wife, too, as she found else and you may be sure that had there been (The following is reprinted from the well that there were several things that I had not as known Southern newspaper column, Everyday I don’t think I’d have accepted any part of A.A. yet got around to doing, though it was only that Counselor, with the. permission of the author, As I was completing a course at a Chicago sana- I had not thought of it or else just was not in The Rev. Herbert Spaugh, D.D.) torium I was given the book to read, but what a position to do it. That is why today I tell a could a bunch of ex-drunks tell me? I knew all A thumb-nail sketch of the program of the new man that if he did not steal the pennies his about drinking, that was certain. The day my Alcoholics Anonymous is given for the benefit wife was saving and had hid away high on a wife told me I was an alcoholic really called of many readers who have inquired about it. shelf in the clothes closet it was only because for me to pound some sense into her head. So The picture presented is general, and will be either they did not have any pennies or else he when the grand finale came I had nothing left seen to be a fine program for the church or any did not think of it.—A.J.S. and when asked if I’d let these A.A. fellows organization designed to help others. come and talk to me I said “Yes, I’ll even let In the first place, the patient must be willing them come,” so you see there just was nothing It’s the Quality to be helped, must admit his need of help. He is else, and if this did not work I was a dead From Des Moines, la. then urged to make the acquaintance and face pigeon. I am in A.A. and have been sober about three squarely four men. years but on the program, really, only about THE FIRST MAN. This man is yourself. It was not just a marvelous thing—one big happy family where everyone wanted to help in 9 months. I find there is a difference after three Stand in front of a mirror and honestly look at any way possible, not something that brought years of sobriety and really being on the pro- yourself alone. This is difficult, as it is the last gram. Some stay sober but are not on the A.A. thing which many want to do, but it is the necespeace of mind, contentment, happiness and all program. I see some fellows try to make this sary first thing. Look beyond your face and out of chaos, but the only thing. through a big fancy club house. It doesn’t seem down into your heart. You may fool the world, Therefore it was necessary that I accept any- to take out here. They don’t stay sober. You your family, your friends, but you can never fool thing and everything that was told to me, com- can’t make this deal with social life alone. It yourself. A guilty conscience is poor company. pletely, entirely and wholeheartedly. I certainly wears off too soon like a cheap paint job on a It is responsible for more sickness, misery and was in no position to question anything nor house. Give us something along this line in The suffering than anything else in the world. You argue any points, for after all here were men Grapevine. Maybe I’m wrong, but is drinking the may try to run away from it in work, in play; who had made a success of their home life, their worst vice a man can have?—C. H. but it is always within you; you can’t escape it. business life, were contented and at ease with THE SECOND MAN. This man is your God. the world and themselves and I was the one in To the Christian, He is The Man, Christ Jesus. trouble. The Stub of a Pencil He who rules all creation, guides the heavenly These men did not have to jump every time (Continued from Page 5) bodies in their courses, plans and directs the the phone rang lest it be a call they did not want workings of nature, is ready to help you, if you desperation because of the chaotic mess in which to answer. They did not have to go through the will let Him. He stands ready to help you with we find our handiwork, we dig up our little agony of going into the office next morning, eyes every problem. You will never know how to live pencil and use it. Is it not amazing that the bloodshot, cold perspiration on their foreheads, happily, successfully, victoriously with yourself point is never dull nor broken, that the print shaking so that to even make the letter X was a until you learn to live with your God. Only in which it draws is always precise and exact, that task, let alone sign anything. They did not have (Continued on Page 12) our construction immediately begins to shape up to cross the street in the middle of the block to before our eyes? A structure, founded upon avoid meeting some one. They ate their breakfasts that morning and I had a time drinking right thinking, will elevate its spires into the clouds of happiness and calm serenity. A.A.Philosophy… mine, keeping the first drink down, even with (Continued from Page 8) In summary: We of A.A. have our raw mabitters, pepper and all. terial from which to build, our past, comprised these past four years is like a rock at the mo- I’ll never forget that afternoon when they usually of (1) self indulgence, with varying de- ment. She is not dead but has just gone on to made their entry—one big fellow looking every grees of lying, cheating and stealing to per- the next plane that our mortal eyes can’t see inch a plainclothesman and his partner con- petuate it; (2) environmental pampering—the but with faith can find without the shadow of a siderably shorter and bordering on being plump. whole world seemingly contributes to this; (3) doubt. So don’t think of me as depressed.” They looked like the two who had answered a kidding and dishonesty with one’s self, super- In conclusion, it seems appropriate that we call from my wife the night before except they imposed on our minds by years and years of should quote from Elliot’s letter of the summer were not in uniform. wrong thinking. These and numerous other ego- of 1945, when he was still happily absorbed in They invited us to an open house that Satur- centric traits comprise the material from which his work, to the man who introduced A.A. to day night but I did not think I could make it— we can do our building. We of A.A. have tools, him. It is very characteristic of his whole phimy back hurt (on account of the fall I had the 12 tools, which have graciously and unselfishly losophy of living: night before), my head was twirling and the been bestowed upon us. “In me you still have what I’ve never had— entire Russian Army had marched through my With raw material which we ourselves have a first ewe lamb! I’ll try not to get plastered on mouth, boots and all, so we would make it some supplied, and with tools that have been be- your account. Isn’t much of an effort any more other time. My wife made up our mind, however, queathed to us, we have the wherewithal to build —that end. But what a joy all the interests and and we went; found several neophites that night calmness; serenity, and sober happiness, the de- faiths are that have followed the drying up end who felt as bad as I did (one could hold out gree of which is governed only by the frequency of it. I’ve really lived more in the past four only about an hour and a half) so I had found of the use of “the stub of a pencil.”—G.O.L., years than all the rest put together—and so companionship; a few others who felt as I did Salt Lake City, Utah. happily! Great thing, A.A.!”

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit One of the regular Sacramento, Calif., Group ances caused by World War II, and the possible meetings was attended by Rev. Nelson E. Hin- help that A.A. might contribute. . . . Fort man. On the following Sunday the clergyman Smith, Ark., boasting 24 members and more new preached a sermon on A.A. to one of the largest ones each week, has moved into new clubrooms congregations in Sacramento. The services had Fifty-four new groups have gotten underway at 7081⁄2 Garrison Avenue. been well advertised in the Sunday papers. In in recent weeks. Added to the list between Jan. the first four days following the sermon, the 11 and March 11 were Lexington, Ky.; Schulen- Manhattan’s loss is Florida’s gain. Two memchurch received 22 inquiries regarding A.A. berg and Amarillo, Texas; Arlington, Lydon- Several months ago the Sacramento Group bers, Bill W. and Art C., who have moved south, ville and Windsor, Vt..; Tipton, Mo.; Mishastarted a weekly beginners’ class, using the four are now spark-plugging the Sarasota group waka, Ind.; Beverly Hills, Pomona, Fresno, discussions as set forth in the Washington pam- which numbers about 20, half of them transients Pittsburgh, Santa Ana, and San Vincente (Los during the winter months. John A. of Manhatphlet. As a result not only has the membership Angeles), Calif.; Fairhope, Ala.; H i l l , N. H.; tan, visiting there for six weeks, has also atincreased in the past months, but better still, Pittsfield, Brookline, Fitchburg, and Framingtended meetings of the Tampa Group, which now the percentage of “casualties” has dropped ap- ham, Mass.; Helena, Mont.; Adrian, Manistique boasts more than 70 active members and mainpreciably. Furthermore, the Sacramento honor and Mt. Clemens, Mich.; Raiford and Lake tains clubrooms in the DeSoto Hotel. The Tamroll shows a marked improvement in the number Worth, Fla.; Covington, West Monroe and Minpa group was organized by Roy Y. while he was of new members attaining their place there den, La.; Cumberland, Md.; Walla Walla, stationed there with the Army. A.A.s from after three months of sobriety. These people Wash.; Upper Arlington (Columbus) and Port Fort Myers, Bradentown and Venice d r i v e to are how beginning to move into the six months Clinton, Ohio; Alexandria, Va.; Bloomington, class. the Sarasota and Tampa meetings often, John Ill.; Elmira and Niagara Falls, N. Y.; Council reports. Bluffs, Iowa; Summersville and Bluefield, W. The Fort Worth, Texas, Group published, in Va.; Elizabeth and Union City, N. J.; Bristol, cooperation with the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Conn.; Belhaven, N. C.; Auburn, Neb.; Clinton, “A.A.s live democracy,” said a G l e n d a l e mem- Health Education Committee a recent issue of Okla.; Yuma, Ariz.; Texarkana and Magnolia, ber, speaking at a big meeting of the San Ber- Timely Health Topics. The Group secretary be- Ark.; Rock Springs, Wyo.; Bangor, Me.; Me- nardino, Calif., Group. “. . . Our goal is not to lieves this work is of national interest in that ridian, Miss.; Leamington, Ontario, and Sardis, be better than someone else but to be better than other groups throughout the country might want British Columbia. ourselves. . . . When an A.A. told me I was emoto work out with their county officials some ar- tionally immature I didn’t mind. So was he.” rangement to join with them in the publication No Newcomers? Try This! of their county paper. The Fort Worth issue of “Is drinking harming your family?” The seven-year-old Dayton, Ohio, Group saved Timely Health Topics was furnished to more “If the answer to this question is ‘Yes’ and 1,700 manpower hours per week d u r i n g the war than 5,000 physicians, city and county officials you want helpful information, write A.A., P.0. by putting alcoholics back on the job. “A cell and others interested in the alcoholic problem Box 454, Montpelier, Vt.” is a medieval instrument of detention and has confronting the public today. little or no place in the fight against alcoholism The above is one of a series of leading questions being printed in the Montpelier paper, free today,” declared Dr. James Sagebiel, Dayton The Rock Hill, S. C., Group was host to all of charge, to encourage contact with the group psychiatrist who, like the A.A.s, deplores Daythe North and South Carolina groups at a meet- there. ton’s lack of hospital facilities for treatment of ing last month. Two hundred representatives alcoholics. The editor of the paper reports that the queswere present from Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Chartions have elicited much favorable comment, and lotte, Shelby, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Hen- In New England they don’t seem to mind the the group reports numerous calls daily. dersonville, N. C., and Columbia, Anderson, weather. Brockton, Mass., A.A.s braved hazard- Chester, Greenville, S. C. . . . Marty Mann of a second group. . . . Last November a group was ous travel conditions in a downpour to be on the NCEA spoke last month to the student body formed in Wakefield, Neb., which later com- hand for their usual meeting. Membership of of Winthrop College, South Carolina’s largest bined with the Pender Group. Jointly, they have the three-monlh-old group has been boosted to female institution. She also spoke to the South 11 active members and several prospective “cus- over 30 and all of them, plus several new pros- Carolina Legislature; the student body of the tomers.” They are running ads in the three pects, showed up during the storm, wet w i t h o u t , University of South Carolina at an open meeting local papers. . . . The Deep East Texas Group dry within. of the Carolina groups. comprises members from Centerville, Palestine, Longview, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Diboll and The story of A.A. was heard at a meeting of Oklahoma City A.A.s are preparing to estab- San Augustine. the Council for Coordination of Community lish a group in Clinton. Shawnee, the latest Services in Montgomery, Ala., as the first in a town in the Sooner State to form a group, now The Syracuse, N. Y., Group now has 100 ac- series of programs built around the theme “Dehas 15 members, and they are steadily rolling tive members, and the women’s auxiliary, reveloping Citizenship,” selected by the program ’em in. . . . A.A.s of Philadelphia attended a cently organized, about 30 members. . . . On committee of the council. The Montgomery lecture on mental hygiene at the Philadelphia invitation, Lt. Col. Samuel Paster, psychiatrist Group cooperated with the committee in arrang- County Medical Society. . . . To better serve new at Kennedy General Hospital, addressed the ing details. members, give them more individual attention, Memphis Group, outlining the responsibility of the Atlanta, Ga., A.A.s have branched out into society resulting from the psychiatric disturb- An Indianapolis, Ind., A.A., at the fourth of

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a series of forums at the West Lafayette First Norwalk A.A. meeting. In 12 months the group confessed to their sordid experiences with al- Methodist Church, answered questions on the had grown to 22. Their first, anniversary dinner cohol and told of their liberation from it. purpose and methods of A.A. . . . The South was attended by 136 members representing seven “A.A. deserves the support of officials, courts, Jersey Group heard a talk by Dr. C. Nelson counties and 12 cities and towns in North Cen- police, clergymen, the medical profession and Davis of the Psychopathic Division, Philadelphia tral Ohio. . . . A Tallahassee, Fla., member out- the private citizen. A.A. can make us a happier General Hospital. . . . The St. Petersburg, Fla., lined the A.A. program in a talk before the and better community.” Group observed t h e i r first anniversary with a Rotary Club. . . . Wilmington, Del., A.A.s redinner and meeting;. . . . The Denver, Colo., ceived as guest speaker Col. Charles I. Car- Group, now four years old, gave a ball to ob- penter, head of the Air Force chaplain service in Washington, D. C. Four Men . . . . tain f u n d s for clubrooms large enough to ac- (Continued from page. 10) commodate their rapidly increasing membership. Him can you find a clean and pure conscience. Addressing a St. Louis, Mo., A.A. meeting, In 1940 there was only one group in Con- THE THIRD MAN, for the one who would Dr. Joseph B. Kendis of that city said t h a t the necticut, located in Greenwich. Today there are ratio of women alcoholics is increasing in as- take the program of the Alcoholics Anonymous, 14. They are located in Bridgeport, Bristol, tounding proportions. Formerly, the doctor said, is your fellow-member of the local A.A. club. Cornwall Bridge, Danbury, Derby, Greenwich, there were four-and-one-half male alcoholics to These clubs meet every week, report on them- Hartford, Meriden-Middletown, New Britain, one female; now there are two to one. . . . The selves and on each other. If a member has been New Haven, Norwalk, Norwich, Stamford, and new clubrooms of the Pittsburgh, Pa., Group unfortunate enough to have slipped and fallen, Waterbury. are at 615 West Diamond Street, Northside. . . . the other members go after him and bring him In a eulogistic piece about a New Haven “Alcoholics Anonymous” tops the alphabetical back. meeting, attended also by members from the list of 81 civic organizations published by the THE FOURTH MAN WITHOUT WHOM New Britain Group, a local paper wrote: “A.A. Bloomfield, N. J., Independent Press. . .. Niagara YOUR LIFE WILL NOT BE COMPLETE is the recognizes both sides of the truth that a man Falls A.A.s meet at the local International Insti- man with whom you must share your new exmust help himself, and that self-help may be tute, where 15 other organizations also hold perience. One requirement in an A.A. club is greatly supplemented by the moral support and their meetings. that each member must share his new strength comradeship of fellow victims and victors.” with other alcoholics; this is their strongest aid Clergymen and city officials were among the to sobriety. The Montgomery, Ala., A.A.s recently had more than 60 persons who attended the second Four is the world-number of completion. To their second anniversary gathering. . . . A Baton anniversary get-together of the New Bedford, live successfully in this world you must meet Rouge, La., A.A. spoke at a luncheon of the Mass., Group at which an A.A. speaker told of and know these four men. Cooperative Club of that city. In the same taking his first d r i n k when he was seven years state, the Alexandria Group is now holding old. “My mother had a party for my older meetings in the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Spending To Keep Sick brother. While my folks and the guests were in center. Six months ago I was in a hospital in Barre, one room, I was in another draining the glasses.” Vt., doing just that very thing. A nurse was He drank from that time on until Labor Day A little over a year ago four Norwalk, Ohio, doing something for me and I was talking to 1943, when he was hospitalized and immediately men met in one of their homes and held the first myself chiefly. I don’t recall the exact words afterward came into A.A. via the Boston Group. I used but the idea still sticks with me and it He has had no slips. ran something like this: Cut This Out and Mail to: “What a fool I am. The. Grapevine At a public forum sponsored by the Lexing- “Here I am flat on my back in this hospital. P.O. Box 328 ton, Ky., Speakeasy Club (it’s not what you’re All around me are dozens of people who are Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. thinking; the members practice public speak- probably making more money than I do and Herewith $2.50 for one year’s subscription to ing), A.A.s from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Louis- they are spending hundreds of dollars to keep The A. A. Grapevine (Monthly). ville, Ky., answered questions tossed at them by well. For additional subscriptions enclose separate medical men, the clergy and representatives of “I’m different. I don’t make too much money, sheet with name and address clearly printed. various civic clubs. Over 200 people were pres- but what I do make, I spend just as fast as I Checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. ent. can so I can be sick.”—P.F., Montpelier, Vt. After the formation of the Lexington Group Total Enclosed a local newspaper wrote of A.A.: “Inspiring is Minneapolis Institute a windy high-flown word in ordinary usage, but Members of the Minneapolis Group cooper- Renewal? (please check) it is the one word, in its full and rightful mean- ated in an Institute of Chronic Alcoholism held PLEASE PRINT ing, that describes the meeting conducted at the under the auspices of the University of Minne- Name city hall by Alcoholics Anonymous. Only the sota Center for Continuation Study during Febrare scoffer, only the lonely dissenter could have ruary, with a view towards establishment of a Address left the hall without feeling that in this loose clinic for that area. Included on the faculty for but vigorous organization lay real hope for vic- the three-day institute were Dr. E. M. Jellinek, tims of one of the most wretched of afflictions. director of the Yale University Section on Alco- Note: Subscriptions received prior to the 15th Only the phlegmatic, the totally unimpres- hol Studies; Dr. Leo Alexander, associate diof April will begin with the May issue. sionable or the incurably cynical auditor could rector of research, Boston State Hospital, and As of January 1, 1946, the price of a year’s have remained unimpressed by the confidence Dr. Haven Emerson, New York lecturer, as well subscription is $2.50. and honesty and over-all humility of those who as several Minnesota state officials.

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VOL. II, NO. 12, MAY, 1946, P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17, YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1946 by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

Re-creation of Personality Possible Through Training No vocalism is more loosely used or so fre- jacket of definition, we are, nevertheless, bound the ground of our hopes and prospects of requently corrupted and debased as the symbol to learn something of what it implies and in- covery and improvement and still further imwhich stands as one of the key words in the volves. For are we not told by medicine that provement. glossary of Alcoholics Anonymous. Like most “the alcoholic needs a personality change,” and With what kinds of habits and skills are we intangibles, personality precludes precise defini- by religion that “the alcoholic needs a change concerned in relation to the re-creation of the tion, although it is variously interpreted to mean of heart”? Has not Dr. Harry M. Tiebout, dis- personality? Unless they are more than utilitarthat which constitutes a person or that which dis- tinguished psychiatrist, reported that the influ- ian in a technical or commercial sense, one is tinguishes and characterizes a person; and some- ence of the program is not lasting unless it rightly doubtful of their efficacy in restoring the times it indicates an individual, especially one of “effects a change in the deeper personality com- alcoholic to spiritual health. Therefore, the new exceptional (excellent or, at least, attractive) ponents”? Was not William James, in his most (Continued on page 7) qualities. significant and influential work Varieties of Re- But, if the word defies enclosure in the strait- ligious Experience, chiefly concerned with the 33 New Groups Added problem of personality change, which, he held Rapid Growth Reported could be accomplished through the “educational In Less Than a Month variety of spiritual experience or conversion”? Again this month the roster of new groups From Western Canada And have we not, by our acceptance of the 6th reporting to the Central Office goes right across Step, declared our readiness to have removed On the west coast of Canada A.A. is making the country. our defects of character, which are reflected in colossal strides. In Vancouver a group just 14 Here are the new A.A. locales, by states: deficiencies of personality? months old now numbers 150, the number hav- ARKANSAS—Batesville and Fordyce. ing been quadrupled in the last six months. The mystery of personality will not be forever CALIFORNIA—El Segundo, Fontana, Marine There is an active group nearly a year old in eluding us if we view it in a practical way as a City, and Yuva City. Victoria, the provincial capital of British Colum- bundle of attributes and characteristics, some FLORIDA—Lake Wales. bia, and in the past few months groups have good, some bad, some innocuous. Carrying this ILLINOIS—Fox River Valley (Crystal Lake, been started in New Westminster, West Vancou- notion a pace further and stepping over from the Aurora, Elgin) ver, Chilliwack, Kelowna, and a number of in- intangible to the tangible, we may look upon IOWA—Oelwein, Oskaloosa and Waverly. land points. personality as comprising definite habits and KENTUCKY—Russell. One of the Vancouver Group’s most interest- skills. What is more important, these habits and MASSACHUSETTS—Fall River, Holyoke, Hyaning meetings was attended by a city police magis- skills may be acquired like other habits and nis, and South Ashburnham. trate and a leading psychiatrist, the latter giving skills. Thus, regardless of heredity, environment, MICHIGAN—Monroe. an address on the problems of the alcoholic, and or previous condition of alcoholic servitude, MINNESOTA—Owatonna. saying that he had come to find in A.A. the most fundamental changes in personality may be NEBRASKA—Grand Island. promising of all available therapeutic methods created if people are w i l l i n g to acquire new NEW JERSEY—Glen Ridge. for helping such people. habits. Moreover, we are told, the basic habits NEW YORK—Saratoga Springs and Bayside. Steps are under way to establish A.A. in Oak- and skills of personality may be measured and NORTH CAROLINA — Whitakers and Rich alla prison and the penitentiary at New West- given a P. Q. or personality quotient. Square. minster. The Vancouver police court has an Personality, then, is not a gift but an achieve- OHIO—Ravenna and Tiffin. A.A. member in daily attendance to assist the ment. Just as the authors of the book Alcoholics OKLAHOMA—Bartlesville. magistrates in alcoholic cases. Growth in mem- Anonymous believe that all our troubles “are PENNSYLVANIA—Scranton and Franklin. bership has led the Vancouver Group to move basically of our own making” (p. 74), so the SOUTH DAKOTA—Fort Meade. to new clubrooms at the Kitsilano Lawn Bowling personality change which must be effected will VIRGINIA—Charlottesville and Radford. Club and to establish regional groups in the city. be very much of our own creation. Therein lies TENNESSEE—Johnson City.

Birthday Greetings EDITORIAL: Today I am one year old. On the 7th Step… Twelve months ago I was introduced to 12 “Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings.” Steps.

Severe words, but what a challenge! Many things have happened in this brief If we alcoholics can bring ourselves to accept it, we have reached the starting point period of time. for complete readjustment beyond the stage of mere sobriety. Assuming we have put some honest effort into applying the first 6 Steps of the A.A. World War II has been brought to a successful conclusion. program to our individual needs, we have taken some big strides on the road back from despair. We have already accepted belief in a Higher Power, made a decision to let My personal war on alcohol has, at least, God, as we understand Him, take charge of our lives, made an inventory, admitted our reached an armistice stage. faults and have become ready to have God remove our “defects of character.” Certainly, it is logical we should next ask Him to remove the maladjustments and wrong thinking Peace—with all its ramifications—regained that caused our bad drinking habits and made us totally inadequate human beings. admittance to my home. It is no longer neces- The moral inventory, if “searching and fearless,” has indicated to us the nature sary for my wife and family to “sit and wait.” of most of our shortcomings and the admission of these “to God, to ourselves and to Storm clouds appeared on birthday celebraanother human being” has brought them into proper perspective so that we have a very tions, wedding anniversaries, V-E Day, V-J Day, good idea of where we need God’s help in getting off to a fresh start in life. Election Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and There is, however, additional significance to the 7th Step. It, surely, is the connect- New Year’s—BUT—the 24-hour plan met and ing link between the first 6 Steps and the last five. defeated all comers. Before we are able to make adequate amends to other human beings for harm we have done them as the result of our alcoholic obsession, we must first be in a position During the past year I have met many people. to convince them of our sincerity. Unless our own conscience is good, how can we be I am most thankful for the understanding, help and friendships developed. convincing to anyone else? And can we be at peace with ourselves unless we have tried, in all humility, to get in tune with the directing Power of the Universe? Without first taking Three hundred sixty-five days of sobriety the 7th Step, it would seem difficult to persuade ourselves of our ability to right, in any —without cost—is something most people canappreciable measure, the damage we have done to our family, our friends or our em- not understand, yet it is available to all men and ployers and if the job of making amends is undertaken only half-heartedly, we may women who are today what I was 365 days ago. run into our old enemy, frustration. The 7th Step takes us still further into the program, for the 10th Step suggests Fifty-two weekly meetings are pleasant memowe continue “to take personal inventory” and when we are wrong to “promptly” admit ries and more pleasurable is the anticipation of the next 52 weeks. it. But to whom? First to God (refer again to the 5th Step), then to ourselves, and finally, now in proper frame of mind, to the injured person. 1 have discovered that I am not the “big shot” Again, the llth Step asks us “through prayer and mediation to improve our con- I thought I was—only a small cog in a big wheel. scious contact with God, as we understand Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.” Knowledge of His will for us would seem hard I have found that “first things first” means my to attain without admission to Him that we haven’t done very well on our own and now alcoholic allergy is ever alert to any cock-eyed have an honest desire to clean house with His help. ideas I may get that I am cured. Finally, are we ready (the 12th Step) to help others, until, in all humility, (a tough I have learned that yesterday cannot be reword for any alcoholic but, properly construed, an entirely honorable one), we have called and tomorrow is an unknown quantity and asked that our own faults be removed?—A. T., Greenwich Village Group, New York City. that today I must “take it easy.”

An Ex-Secretary Pleads for Anonymity A.A. has restored my own self-respect and the respect of family and friends. It has opened the (The following letter is printed in the hope that it will draw attention to the good reasons for anonymity in all door to a new mode of life and awakened a public dealings, to avoid undue embarrassment to A.A.s and their families, A policy of no identification on addressed pieces of mail was adopted by the groups in May, 1945.—The Editors) drugged mind with renewed ambition. Six months ago I resigned as secretary of a midwest group to move to the West Coast. I had been successful up to that time in keeping both my problem of alcoholism and my two years’ mem- For these blessings I am thankful to that bership in A.A. from the knowledge of my husband’s family and part of my own. They are Power, as we know Him; indebted to Bill for people totally incapable of understanding the problem. showing me the way and to each and every man I had been here only a few weeks when a telegram arrived at my former home addressed to and woman I meet in A.A. (Continued on page 6) J.J.C.—White Plains, N. Y.

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Seeking Guidance for Safe Use of Money By Bill only too glad to pledge them our regular sup- may not. Our evolution in large A.A. centers port, with the f u l l understanding, of course, is beginning to indicate most clearly that while In Alcoholics Anonymous, does money make that such contributions are in no wise a condi- it is a proper function of a cluster of groups, or the mare go or is it the root of all evil? We tion of our A.A. membership. These particular t h e i r Central Committee, to support a paid secreare in the process of solving that riddle. Nobody uses of our money are now generally accepted tary for their area, it is not a Group or Central pretends to have the complete answer. Where and, with some qualifications, there is little Committee function to support clubs financially. the proper use of money ends—and its misuse worry of dire long range consequences. Not all A.A.s care for clubs. Therefore club begins—is the point in “spiritual space” we are Yet some concern does remain, arising mostly support has to come mainly from those i n d i v i d all seeking. Few group problems are giving in connection with our clubs, local offices and ual A.A.s who need or like clubs. Which, by thoughtful A.A.s more concern than this. Every the national headquarters. Because these places the way, is the majority. But the majority ought one is asking, “What shall be our altitude to- customarily employ paid workers, and because not to try to coerce the m i n o r i t y into supporting ward voluntary contributions, paid workers, pro- their operation implies a certain amount of busi- clubs they do not want or need. fessionalism, and outside donations?” ness management, it is sometimes felt that we In the first years of A.A. we had no money may get bogged down with a heavy officialdom A Division of Activity problems. We met in homes where our women or, still worse, a downright professionalizalion folk made sandwiches and coffee. If an individ- Of course clubs also get a certain amount of of A.A. Though it must be said that these doubts help from meetings held in them. Where central ual A.A. wished to grub stake a fellow alcoholic, are not always unreasonable, we have already he did so. It was purely his own affair. We had meetings for an area take place in a club it is had enough experience to relieve them in large customary to divide the collections between the no group funds, hence no group money troubles. part. And it must be recorded that many an oldtime club and the central committee for the area, A.A. wishes we could now return to those early heavily favoring the club of course, because the Remedy Always at Hand club is providing the meeting place. The same days of halcyon simplicity. Knowing that quarrels over material things have crushed the spirit To begin with it seems most certain that we arrangement may be entered into between the of many a good undertaking, it is often thought need never be overwhelmed by our clubs, local club and any particular group which wishes to that too much money may prove an evil for us offices or by the General Headquarters at New use the club whether for meeting or entertaintoo. York City. These are places of service; they can- ment. Generally speaking, the Board of Direcnot really control or govern A.A. If any of tors of a club looks after the financial manage- For Essential Services them were to become inefficient or overbearing ment and the social life of the place. But the remedy is simple enough. The average A.A. strictly A.A. matters remain the function of the It’s small use yearning for the impossible. would stop his financial support until conditions surrounding groups themselves. This division Money has entered our picture and we are defi- were changed. As our A.A. membership does not of activity is by no means the rule everywhere: nitely committed to its sparing use. No one depend on fees or dues we can always “take our It is offered us a suggestion only, much in keepwould seriously think of abolishing our meet- special facilities or leave them alone.” These ing, however, w i t h the present trend. ing places and clubs for the sake of avoiding services must always serve us well or go out of A large club or central office usually means money altogether. Experience has shown that we business. Because no one is compelled to sup- one or more paid workers. What about them— very much need these facilities, so we must port them they can never dictate, nor can they are they professionalizing A.A.? About this, accept whatever risk there is in them. stray from the main body of A.A. tradition for there is a hot debate every time a club or cen- But how shall we keep these risks to a mini- very long. tral committee gets large enough to require paid mum; how shall we traditionally limit the use of In direct lino w i t h the principle of “taking help. On this subject we have all done a pile of money so that it may never topple the spiritual our facilities or leaving them alone” there is an fuzzy thinking. And I would be one of the first foundation upon which each A.A. life so com- encouraging tendency to incorporate all such to plead guilty to that charge. pletely depends? That is our real problem to- special functions separately if they involve any The reason for our fuzzy thinking is the usual day. So let us look together at the main phases great amount of money, properly or manage- one—it is fear. To each one of us, the ideal of of our financial situation, seeking to discover ment. More and more, the A.A. groups are A.A., however short we may be of it personally, what is essential, what is non-essential, what is realizing that they are spiritual entities, not busi- is a thing of beauty and perfection. It is a legitimate and harmless, and what may be dan- ness organizations. Of course the smaller club Power greater than ourselves which has lifted gerous or unnecessary. rooms or meeting places often remain unincor- us out of the quicksand and set us safe on shore. Suppose we begin with voluntary contribu- porated because their business aspect is only The slightest thought of marring our ideal, much tions. Each A.A. finds himself dropping money nominal. But as large growth takes place it is less bartering it for gold, is to most of us unin “the hat” to pay the rent of a meeting place, usually found wise to incorporate and so set the thinkable. So we are constantly on the alert a club, or the maintenance of his local or na- club apart from surrounding groups. Support, against the rise, within A.A., of a paid class of tional headquarters. Though not all of us be- of the club then becomes an individual matter practitioners or missionaries. In A.A., where lieve in clubs, and while a few A.A.s see no rather than a group matter. If, however, the each of us is a good will practitioner and misnecessity for any local or national offices, it can club also provides a central office secretary serv- sionary in his own right, there is no need for be said fairly that the vast majority of us be- ing the surrounding area it seems only fair that anyone to be paid for simple 12th Step work lieve that these services are basically necessary. group treasuries in that area should shoulder —a purely spiritual undertaking. While I sup- Provided such facilities are efficiently handled, this particular expense because such a secretary pose fear of any kind ought to be deplored. I and their funds properly accounted for, we are serves all groups, even though the club itself (Continued on next page)

must confess that I am rather glad that we exercise such great vigilance in this critical matter. HOW TO FACE A COCKTAIL PARTY (By One Who Doesn’t Like Them, Either) A Guiding Principle Can you face attending a cocktail party with- being honest with others I became honest with Yet there is a principle upon which I believe out getting the quiggley-wigglies and nervous myself. we can honestly solve our dilemma. It is this: A nip-ups? Wouldn’t you much rather duck them When in this predicament, psychologists tell janitor can sweep the floor, a cook can boil the and your old drinking friends who now bore you to do something positive. Don’t try to menbeef, a steward can eject a troublesome drunk, you to resentment after the fourth round? Well, tally sit on “dead center” and sweat it out. Do a secretary can manage an office, an editor can then, don’t worry, you are probably a perfectly something . . . other than take that drink. get out a newspaper—all, I am sure without normal alcoholic. When the drinks start coming round, an A.A. professionalizing A.A. If we didn’t do these jobs friend relates, he always announces in a loud Most of us avoid “parties” unless they are ourselves we would have to hire non-alcoholics clear voice, “Please make mine a tall glass of ice necessary for some business or social reason. to do them for us. We would not ask any non- water!” He says to say it loud. Once you do What then can you do when you must attend alcoholic to do these things full time without that you really don’t feel like having a drink, these affairs? Oldtime A.A. hands seem to take pay. So why should some of us, who are earn- and for some reason people seldom think or them in stride but to the A.A. newcomer a cocking good livings ourselves in the outside world,, make anything of it. t a i l party often becomes a frightening dilemma. expect other A.A.s to be full time caretakers, The answer may be . . . if you don’t have to, On my third day “dry” in A.A. some years cooks or secretaries? Why should these A.A.s don’t face cocktail parties. You are not missing work for nothing at jobs which the rest of us back the old gang brought the party right to my house car-hop style. They needed a hall, some anything if you are like I am. If you must go, could not or would not attempt ourselves? Or face them positively. If necessary, publicly rewhy, for that matter should they be any the less ice cubes and probably somebody to laugh at. affirm yourself. Or if things get tough tell them well paid than for similar labor elsewhere? I had fallen off several “wagons” with these the A.A. story. That will keep you cool, and it And what difference should it make, if in the friends in the past. This gag wouldn’t go anyusually stops naggers cold.—Hugh B., Manhatcourse of their duties, they do some 12th Step’ more without hoots and loud guffaws and an untan. work besides? Clearly the principle seems to be merciful nagging the rest of the evening. that we may pay well for special services—but My hand shook as I poured their drinks and I never for straight 12th Step work. started to distrust myself as bartender. What Time on Your Hands How then, could A.A. be professionalized? could I do or say to really sell them on my new When May Day comes, the old summer solstice Quite simply I might, for example, hire on office outlook? What could I say to escape the anvil isn’t far off. The outdoors beckons as of yore, and hang on the door a sign reading: “Bill W.— chorus of entreaties, quips and “Just have a few, and there’s no reason why A.A.s shouldn’t Alcoholics Anonymous Therapist. Charges Joe.” stretch their legs in the sunshine and play just $10.00 per hour.” That would be face to face It worked out easier than I thought possible. as they used to. treatment of alcoholism for a fee. And I would I told them the A.A. story. How I had found I Lots of the fellows seem to have foresworn surely be trading on the name of Alcoholics was alcoholic and what I was now trying to do former friends and pleasant pursuits, on accept- Anonymous, a purely amateur organization, to about it. ance of the A.A. program. True, a golf club can enlarge my professional practice. That would be Strangely the crowd took me at my word and be a disturbing place for a fellow trying not to professionalizing A.A.—and how! It would be accepted my story for the first time. There was drink, particularly if the club was the scene of quite legal, but hardly ethical. no nagging and my “nerves” disappeared. I his crimes on occasion. found I could attend a party without long, dubi- Nonetheless, golf is still one of the most so- We’re Not “Pros” ous explanations that fell flat. I found that in ciable of games, and good for you — right through the 18th hole. There are plenty of Now does this mean we should criticize thera- golfers in A.A. and George H. of Port Washingpists as a class—even A.A.s who might choose ton suggests that they should get started early to go into that field? Not at all. The point is, New York City Sets on some A.A. golf tournaments in the various that no one ought to advertise himself as an A.A. therapist. As we are strictly amateur there could Up “Clearing House” metropolitan areas. Such tournaments can be utilized as another be no such thing. That would be a distortion of The A.A. Cosmopolitan Club of New York way of promoting close friendships, of getting the facts which none of us could afford to try. has begun two new “clearing house” services around and meeting other A.A.s, and of letting As the tennis player has to drop his amateur for the metropolitan area. The club distributes outsiders know that dry drunks can still have a status when he turns professional so should A.A.s a folder listing 46 meetings held weekly in Long lot of fun. Might even inveigle some of the 19thwho become therapists cease publishing their Island, Connecticut, and New York City; and the holers to come around for a closer look at A.A. A.A. connection. While I doubt if many A.A.s secretarial staff notifies each regional group in action. ever go into the field of alcohol therapy, none when a new member from its locality contacts ought to feel excluded, especially if they are the Club. We find there’s little excuse for feeling lonetrained social workers, psychologists or psychi- Twenty-six groups in the area meet at 30 some in a strange town, if you’re lucky enough atrists. But they certainly ought never to use their separate addresses in such diverse quarters as to be an A.A. You can be pretty sure of a warm A.A, connection publicly or in such a way as to medical buildings, a museum, fire department welcome in any spot in the United States. If you make people feel that A.A. has such a special headquarters, a woman’s club, a Girl Scout hall, don’t find A.A. listed in the phone directory, inclass within its own ranks. That is where we all civic and political clubs, hotels, churches, quire of the hotel clerk, the police, or the local must draw the line. YMCA’s and YWCA’s. More than half the meet- newspaper. They can usually steer you to the (To be continued) ings are open to non-alcoholics. boys.

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The Pleasures of Reading Wasteland, by Jo Sinclair (Harper and Brothers, $2.50) (What’s the funniest A.A. tale or quip you’ve heard? Others would like to hear it. Send it in.) This is another novel about psychoanalysis, and this is a first novel, which has won the Harper Prize. A psychoanalytic process is one of the hardest things to put into fiction form. And yet this “My life hadn’t become unmanageable—the author has succeeded where more brilliant and s k i l l f u l writers have failed. wrong S.O.B. was managing it!” Miss Sinclair is utterly simple and unselfconscious. You feel that she, too, knows what it is to have been mentally sick and misunderstood by the world—-to have been a wretched misfit, love- Do you know that a pink elephant is a beast less and insecure. And you feel that through analysis she has gained insight into her problems and of bourbon? is now in a position to be kind to others, helpful and understanding. Jake Brown comes to the doctor, because his sister has suggested it. She, too, had been at the “Where have you been?” roared the boss at breaking point. She, too, had sought help. the returning drunk. Jake is subject to backaches. He drinks too much, and while the word alcoholic is mentioned, “I’m sorry,” replied old sawnerves, “but I I would say that alcohol was not the big problem. Far more sinister are his hatred for and shame have had a cold the last three days.” toward his family, and his inability to get away from them. He never tells outsiders that he is Jew- “The last three days,” screamed the boss, ish; both he and his sister have bettered themselves. They have risen above the ignorant Jewish im- “were the first you have been to the office in the migrant father and mother, the other children. Jake fears that somebody on his newspaper will run last month.” into his family some day. He shares the tenement apartment with his family, although he could afford to live elsewhere. After a bad Friday night the wife was de- All his adult life, Jake has been a weakling, shirking spiritual and economic responsibility. termined to keep her spouse at home on Satur- He has helped force his younger sister into the man’s role. During the depression it was she who day. After lame excuses and abortive attempts went on WPA. It was she who carried the burden, and in so doing, she had become too much to go out for the newspaper, the hungover an- like a man. Jake both admires and hates her. swered the telephone and loudly accepted “an invitation” to go sailing in the Sound. The book is an emotional reliving of Jake’s life, as told to the analyst, and as presented in the At 3 A. M. he called his wife and told how analyst’s own notes. You see the beginnings: Jake’s father and mother in Europe, their wanderings. fine the sailing had been; explained he couldn’t The father, who is selfish and greedy, and lazy, the mother, who has been beaten down till she is no get home because he was becalmed at sea! good to anyone. The children, all reacting in different ways to this lovelessness and insecurity, which is framed in poverty, ignorance, failure. And a breakdown in the Jewish tradition and religious strength. Jake realizes this, when as a boy of fifteen, he is playing an important role in the family Hardened drinkers at a downtown saloon Seder, a Passover observance. In the middle of his father’s prayer, he looks around the table “and blanched the other day when a young woman sees his family as they really are.” said, “I want a bull moose.” The bartender At last Jake grows up emotionally and learns to understand his family, to love his sister, and produced a pint of milk, poured a glass twobe proud of her, to help his nephews, and save them from the wasteland—and insecurity into which thirds full and added a jigger of bourbon. they had all strayed. When she downed it and departed, one awed Whereas the book is the picture of a Jewish boy in psychological difficulties, I felt, on reading fugitive from Alcoholics A n o n y m o u s gasped, it, that these same neuroses could have developed in this same family, even if they had lived on Park “What’s the idea?” “Oh,” explained the bartender, “she’s got an ulcer and has to take care of Avenue. We in A.A. know by experience that emotional insecurity is no respecter of race, color or it.” creed. And to me, this very moving account of Jake Brown’s illness and getting well, is about the lack of love, and the regaining of it, rather than about the lack of economic and social security. This really happened: Miss Sinclair has done a very sympathetic and interesting job on the sister. At last you have a A drunk wobbled up to the cashier’s desk to homosexual who is neither a villain nor a figure of f u n , but a person who learns for herself that get a large bill changed. While waiting be turned “there is room in the world for me.” Indeed The sister is the heroine much more than Jake is to a man (who happened to be an A.A.) stand- the hero. It is through her, really, that Jake and the whole family get a new lease on life.— ing nearby and seemed called upon to explain: Felicia G., Manhattan. “Need some smaller bills,” he said. “Little poker game going on up in the room.” Then shaking his head sadly, be added: “Another day Change Your Life Through Prayer, by Stella Terrill Mann (Dodd Mead & Co. $2) in New York will wreck me.” “This book is really a series of case histories of experiences with prayer, with suggested pro- He was standing at the cashier’s desk, Hotel grams whereby the reader may make his own experiments and change his own life through prayer.” Stevens, Chicago. Mrs. Mann, in her preface, thus describes her book, and goes on to explain why she came to write it. Her life had become “more and more complicated, and so filled with problems and unhappiness, Under a St. Paul, Minn., date line this UP that, but for my children, it did not seem worth the living. Then, one day in 1926, between one tidbit was picked up: “John Moynihan . . . moment and another, I was suddenly confronted with a situation so terrifying that I knew nothing was in jail today. Police said he got tipsy and short of God, a miracle, could save my life. … I learned that prayer is the most powerful force in kicked in a glass door. The door was the en- the universe. . . . I began to see that law was in evidence, here as elsewhere in nature. I detertrance to the clubrooms of Alcoholics Anony- mined to learn as much as possible about The laws involving prayer. My first motive has grown mous.” (Continued on page 6)

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EX-SECRETARY… (Continued from page 2) me as secretary of Alcoholics Anonymous with the words spelled out completely and asking me to locate a drunk believed to be in a cheap hotel in the worst section of town. Unable to locate me, the telegraph company delivered it at my father-in-law’s office, where it was accepted by his secretary. GOOD SIGNS IN MINNESOTA He came out here to California with the telegram and “faced” my husband with the disgrace Proposing to replace the old-fashioned, futile I was bringing to the family. This placed my husband in the position of having to defend his wife jail-cell treatment of alcoholics with progressive to his parents. He came near breaking with them permanently. It took all the tolerance of their and effective methods rooted in medical science, altitude we could muster to “stay on the beam” and smooth things over. We had never had any interested persons recently held a three-day in- trouble before. stitute on chronic alcoholism at the University Things were smoothed out to some extent when three months later the same thing happened. of Minnesota. Then night before last the telegraph company called my father-in-law’s home near here, where The Minneapolis Star-Journal, commenting on he has recently moved, and asked if I, secretary of Alcoholics Anonymous, was there. He gave them the meeting, noted that the state hospital at my number and they called and delivered the message—with f u l l identification again spelled out — W i l l m a r has been too short of funds to employ from someone in New Mexico wanting me to locate a d r u n k in my former home town. adequate psychiatric care; while the Minneapolis I have thought each time would be the last and there isn’t much more damage can be done to General Hospital treats alcoholics only in its me, but my husband says the least I can do is try to help prevent someone else from having the psychotic ward. same problem. It seems so unnecessary. One of the principal values of the organization to me “The most effective attack upon chronic alco- originally was its anonymity. I am sure this is true with many members and in my opinion the holism has been made by Alcoholics Anony- more anonymous we are able to remain the greater will be our strength. Lack of understanding of mous,” continues the paper. “Minnesota and our problem by those close to us is not a reflection on their intelligence; some people can’t under- Minneapolis could help the good work by pro- stand and since for so long we did not understand it ourselves we must be tolerant of them too, but viding additional facilities for care.” this lack of understanding can cause us a great deal of personal unhappiness and I believe we members should try to protect one another from this misunderstanding. Indianapolis, Ind., Star: “In Times Square 26 I want to make two suggestions t h a t may help prevent someone else from the unnecessary grief people rushed to join Alcoholics Anonymous that has come to me from such public use of our lists and names: First, that when sending telegrams when they saw part of a f u r coat walking in or letters the abbreviation be used, and that anyone to whom an address is given be instructed not the B.M.T. subway. It was a live pet marmoset to spell out the words Alcoholics Anonymous on mail; second, that groups use up-to-date lists as looking for its marmor.” secretaries who retire often move and their mail goes into the hands of families or friends. This may save someone else from trouble and I know that if I had not been so thoroughly grounded in the program of A. A. the trouble caused by this incident would have caused a spill. NAUTICAL SHOE I wouldn’t like it to happen to someone else. If citing this incident would help, I’ll be happy. — R.E. CAUSES DUNKING Plainfield, N. J., Courier-News: “What first appeared to be a duck floating sedately down Pleasures of Reading . . . (continued from page 5) Green Brook . . . turned out on closer scrutiny into a steady resolve to devote the rest of my life to learning all I can about this power we call on the part of park strollers to be a large-sized prayer, and to sharing my findings with everyone who cares to listen.” man’s shoe, enthusiastically if not expertly pur- There is a f a m i l i a r ring to all of this to us in A. A. — an intolerable situation — recognition of sued by two potential members of Alcoholics the need of a higher power — case histories — suggested programs for each to use as he wishes. There Anonymous. is much in the body of the book, also, to give in confidence in the author, attitudes and concepts “The shoe steered a steady course in the mid- that we have come to accept as we have progressed in A. A. dle of the stream for several hundred yards, “There is no problem which necessitates our changing the other person. that is up to him blandly staying out of reach of the outstretched and his own soul. We do not need to reform the world. We need to reform ourselves. . . . When sticks of the two tipplers. Climax came when we learn to change ourselves, the problem of having to change another vanishes.” the shoe moored on a rock in the middle of the “When we talk about changing our lives through prayer, we must consider man’s thoughts as stream and both stimulated gentlemen fell simul- a whole, his altitude, and not just a few selected thoughts now and then. For we shall come to see taneously into the water in their efforts to reach that all earnest thought is prayer.” the nautically-minded footgear. “When we learn to live by faith and not by fear, even fifty-one percent of the time, we shall “The shoe’s owner meanwhile slept soundly make over our lives and affairs.” on the bank of the stream while his companions The case histories, convincingly presented and carefully worked out, are used to illustrate Mrs. pursued their salvage operation.” Mann’s ideas on how to pray, when to pray, and what to pray for. For anyone not already happily adjusted to a life of prayer, these ideas are worth considering. They may prove revelatory or merely stimulating, but in any event they demonstrate the type of development possible to any of COMMUNITY BENEFITS us, and so “Prodigal son, if you are sick and weary of the conditions to which your way of life has Fayetteville, N . C . . Observer: “Alcoholics brought; you, forsake the husks, arise, by prayer, and go unto your Father. You will find Him Anonymous since the establishment of its chap- waiting, and when you but start He will see you from afar off, and run to meet you. He will place ter here has served to help a number of local on you a robe and a ring, symbols of wealth, and give you food, symbol of health and life, and citizens snap their fingers in the face of the devil make you welcome on your return. For it is not the Father who deserted you. It was your own free of intemperance and prove to themselves and will, exercised through ignorance or fear, that led you away from your Father’s house. Arise and (Continued on page. 12) return to Him. He waits.”— Bob D., Garden City.

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Re-creation of Personality… (Continued from Page 1)

habits to be cultivated must be those which will, in the words of the A.A. book, revolutionize “our whole altitude toward life, toward our fellows, and toward God’s universe” (p. 35). This conclusion conforms exactly with a definition of personality offered by Dr. Henry Link in 1938, wherein personality is described as, the extent to which the individual has developed habits and skills which interest and serve other people. The primary emphasis, the author adds, is not on conversational brilliance, or eloquence in public speaking, or on getting the better of people. Its emphasis is on doing things with and for other people. Its essence is self-sacrifice, not self-gratification. Nothing, however, is lost by self-sacrifice prompted by love. So goes the ancient couplet: “True love in this differs from dross and clay “That to divide is not to take away.” It must be admitted that in a material and mechanistic age, this concept of personality, indeed, any appraisal of personality embracing the soul and the spirit, has not met with universal to his recovery, namely, a personality having as may be stultified or temporarily destroyed. The acceptance, particularly on the part of rulers and its core a narcissistic, egocentric, defiant and inner light of free w i l l is never quite extinrationalists. The breakdown in individual, na- self-sufficient individuality, supreme in its do- guished. St. Francis saw the image of Christ in tional and international morale culminating in main, brooking no interference by God or man. the face of the leper. The essence of Christianthe war and still evident in preparations for the In his own way, every alcoholic is a little Hitler ity is the conviction that there is “that of God” peace, is attributed by a contemporary philos- and he courts a similar fate. Such a personality in every man, however depraved. The vital opher to the result of “nothing-but” thinking. He obviously can be transformed only by a change principle of A.A. is exemplified by the 12th Step says: in point of view accompanied by the acquisition —an irrevocable offer of help to any one, howof a new set of habits with which to implement ever despairing and despaired of. “Human beings, it is more or less tacitly it. A.A. asks an answer to but one question, “Are assumed, are nothing but bodies, animals, This change in the alcoholic’s outlook will be you ready?” The answer must be a categorical even machines; the only really real elemarked by objectivity in thought, a dedication Yes or No. It requires no exercise of will power ments of reality are matter and energy in of his life to the service of his fellow beings and to answer this question. It does require an electheir measurable aspects; values are nothing an attitude of cooperation with the Supreme tion, freely made, between two choices. If power but illusions that have somehow got them- Being—a metamorphosis which can only be de- of will were required, most alcoholics would be selves mixed up with our experience of the scribed as a miracle. But, as Dr. Harry E. Fos- in a hopeless plight. Since only power of choice world; mental happenings are nothing but dick says, it is the incredible that happens, is involved, any alcoholic may be free. This is epiphenomena, produced by and entirely human nature does change, and alcoholics can not high-faluting philosophical exegesis. This is dependent upon physiology; spirituality is and do live consecrated lives. The phenomenon the record of Alcoholics Anonymous. nothing but wish fulfillment and misdirected of personality change, then, is clearly the result But if free will is the soul of human personalsex; and so on. The political consequences of a spiritual awakening. And the spiritual ity, we must look also to the mind and body of this ‘nothing-nut’ philosophy are clearly awakening which breaks asunder the shackles of through which it functions. These are externals apparent in that widespread indifference to his basic egocentricity emerges when the patient which can be trained and strengthened and dithe values of human personality and human comes to believe in, surrenders to and makes use rected by psychological and physiological proclife, which are characteristic of the present of the High Power, which, regardless of the grip esses in terms of habits and skills. The choice age.” (Huxley, Science, Liberty and Peace, of the alcoholic, obsession, he may always invoke. called for by the 1st Step having been made, p. 37, 1946). Power of choice or free will is perhaps the new insights having been discovered, and new However exaggerated this indictment may be, central attribute of the human personality. This values having been established, the alcoholic is the alcoholic perhaps more than other people is the quality which distinguishes us from the ready to re-create his life, that is to say, his has been the easy victim of certain current beasts and links us with the angels. Without it personality, as its essence and its potentialities modes of thought and living which have fostered the world is irretrievably lost, with it the King- have been revealed to him.—R. F. S., Montclair, the development of the greatest single obstacle dom of Heaven on earth is possible. Will power N. J.

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I have found evidences of group policy on some Slips Laid to Lack of Faith questions, which policy varies from group to group and even as to individuals within the groups but have been unable to get much in- Confined to bed with a prolonged illness, I in the belief that, it might have an adverse effect on new members. As a matter of fact, if a man formation as to an over-all national policy. have had ample time to dwell on the problem of “slips.” Through a process of elimination I is desperate enough to admit to himself that he’s It seems to me that in the growth of groups an alcoholic and in crying need of A.A., I don’t from a few members meeting in a home to have arrived at one conclusion. believe that the injection of a little more of the gatherings of 100 to 200 or more meeting in Family upsets, business and financial troubles, need of the “Greater Power” into his initiation halls, certain adjustments may be necessary and etc., have been advanced as various reasons for would greatly disturb him. It also seems just as even desirable. Due to the phenomenal growth these “slip?,” depending on the i n d i v i d u a l case. important to me that A.A. not neglect the fact and future possibilities of the organization, Let us not lose sight of the fact that no matter that no matter how long a member has enjoyed would it not be desirable to draw up, for group what conditions prevailed at the time A.A. was sobriety, he’s just as liable to go off the deep- use, a statement of national policies and direct accepted by these members, they managed to stay end and in as much need of consideration as the all groups to instruct all new members on such sober. So after many months or several years of most recent member. policies? In large groups the control of individsobriety, none of the conventional reasons, or uals weakens and in some groups the desire for excuses, for going on a bender can be advanced Those of you who are inclined to look upon size may exceed the capacity for proper absorpfor these cases. A.A. as an association of drunks standing shoul- tion. Instruction in clear-cut ideas of national I believe there is only one reason for these der to shoulder against the common enemy, alcoslips. The errant members neglected—perhaps and group policy may, in part, compensate for hol, and feel that all you need is each other’s the close personal influence in the small borne for one day—to place their lives in the hands of help, just look over your shoulders and sense that “Greater Power.” groups. where your real strength lies. A friend of my Let us not blame the individuals too much for Theoretically, a series of Grapevine articles wife, a woman who is not given to being emothis. Rather—is it not because at many of the on policy might “fill the bill” but actually I tional, after attending an open A.A. meeting, meetings there has been too much of a tendency doubt if the Grapevine reaches one-tenth of the summed it up like this: “It was inspiring—it is to accentuate the fact that “this is not a religious membership. It would be a fine move to suggest the most religious group I ever have seen.” Perorganization”? The group therapy has been that the March article and any subsequent pieces haps she’s right, folks, perhaps she’s right.— stressed to the extreme of late, while the religious on policy be read before a regular meeting of J. L. N., Merrick, Long Island, N. Y. aspect has been side-stepped as much as pos- every group in the country. A special pamphlet sible. on national policy and suggestions on group I know from my own case (and others to organization and policies would fill a longfelt whom I have talked have had the same experi- need on the part of many members. Would it ence) that, although the group therapy has URGES POLICY not be possible for the national office to sponsor helped, it alone wouldn’t be the answer without a simple course of instruction on policies and the daily prayer, as unorthodox as that prayer BE CLARIFIED principles for the newcomer so that he might, might be. right from the start, distinguish between the Every A. A. knows it is that first drink and its FOR NEWCOMERS recognized and accepted policies and the pereffects that does the trick. He or she has learned sonal opinions of individual members? through A.A. the chemical reactions that drink I have read with more than passing interest On the basis of its history and present activity has on the alcoholic. We all agree that no one the lead article in the March Grapevine, Our I can visualize the growth of A.A. to the point but an unmitigated idiot would take that first Anonymity Is Both Inspiration and Safety by where it will represent a tangible power throughdrink under the circumstances. Yet, knowing all Bill. It has supplied some of the answers to out the land; a power that will continually inthis, an alcoholic will take that drink unless he numerous questions that have been developing crease and tend to come more and more under places complete faith in that “higher power”— in my mind since I joined up with A.A. some the scrutiny of the public eye. If all members and he’ll do it every shot out of the gun unless seven months ago. are well grounded in an understanding of nahe has that faith, A.A. or not. I came into A.A. under my own steam as I tional and group policy neither the member nor There are some A.A.s who always have been had known for quite some time that it was nec- the general public will be confused as to what good church goers, but whom the church failed essary to do something about a situation that constitutes policy as distinct from personal opinto help with their drinking problem. There are was growing progressively worse. I have had ion. It is needless to mention that with embarother A.A.s who say attending church fills them considerable time on my hands and have utilized rassing frequency one encounters individuals with resentments. Some profess upon entering a large part of it in A.A. work. I have attended whose personal opinions could hardly coincide A.A. that they are agnostics and others say they meetings of various groups at frequent intervals with any considered policy, either group or are downright atheists. But all who have suc- and have been regularly active in the group to national. ceeded in maintaining sobriety over a prolonged which I belong. These groups vary in size from I am happy to say that so far I have not had period have done so by turning to that “Greater a few up to 200 or more members. I have con- too much difficulty in maintaining complete so- Power,” either consciously or subconsciously, sistently tried to meet and talk to as many of briety on the program but f u l l y realize that I through whole-heartedly accepting A.A. the older members as possible, to learn their have much to unlearn and learn. A.A. has It is my belief that A.A. members who have ways of thinking and of practicing A.A. I found opened to me a field of endeavor in which, with “slipped” have done so because they first “slip- considerable unanimity in the understanding of God’s guidance, I can cheerfully and without ped” back to their old way of thinking. This general principles; wide variance as to practice fear of evil, labor the remainder of my life. has been brought about in a large measure by (which is to be expected) and very few clear Home at last, in A.A.—Tom. K., Pasadena, the playing down of the religious angle of A.A. ideas, if any, on questions of a national policy. Calif.

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad Letters to this department are invited on any taking a trip, or building a skyscraper. I ad- we say, live and do. We take from everything subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- mitted a need, came to believe, made a decision! around us, everything our eyes survey. Our very tions you are asked to hold your letters to a 4th, 5th and 6th Steps: Here I found the minds are sponges and absorb ideas, thoughts, maximum of 350 words. Only initials will be published unless the specifications to show me how to rip out all the and the good ads of others. We grow from the writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- old rotten, decayed and useless timber and ma- very breath of others. fication for A.A. friends. The Grapevine will not divulge the f u l l name terial that was in the house I had tried to build. The tree, the same as people, has its contests of any writer but will forward A.A. communica- They also show me how to detect any flaws that for life and long years. One lesson we would tions addressed to the writers of letters published here.—The Editors. creep into my new structure. all do well to learn from the tree, is the manner 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Steps: Here I find the in which it silently faces its foes, its storms, its Not An Easy Job necessary specifications to provide the windows, hardships, without ever a whimper. It never doors, joists, sewage disposal system, ventila- ceases its growth, towering higher day by day; From Hoosick Falls, N. Y. year by year it keeps reaching higher and spreadtion, that I will need to give me fresh air, light, We cannot expect to reach a problem so deepsunshine and warmth. ing its foliaged arms wider and wider. Day by seated that science and religion deemed it un- day its rootage grows fixing it firmer in its place 11th Step: This provides me with a roof to solvable, with as little effort as is required for in life. protect me from storms of all kinds and, through the removal of a decayed tooth. Life is progression. The growth of a tree is continually seeking guidance, I can always find It requires the doing of difficult things includ- the growth and health of its inner soul, the same the leaks and stop them up before it is too late. ing self-discipline and above all unswerving as in man.—Alex McR. There you have a building that will stand fire, obedience to a conscience. It is part of God’s earthquake, storms, floods, or the ravishes of therapy that man cooperate; and cooperation time. A New Airplane demands high moral courage in the performance 12th Step: To be sure that I’m on the safe From Pine Bluff, Ark. of difficult tasks. side, I have taken out an insurance policy and We get out of A.A. exactly what we put into As secretary of our group I called on the I make my payments regularly and often, by it. The more we put in, the more we acquire writer of the enclosed letter who answered our working with others, attending meetings, and of this “new life.” newspaper ad asking for further information doing all I can to make others happy and give If we sit back and watch others do the work about A.A. He was very appreciative and sinaway all I can of what I have found.—J.F.H. of A.A. we will not get much out of it; if we cere in his interest and has since proven a very throw ourselves into trying to help the new A Tree happy and staunch member of our Group. member, the old member and ourselves, through Letters like this one and seeing true Christian the 12 Steps, we will accomplish a full life in From Shelby, N. C. happiness come into the lives of others, is, with- AA.—W.R. After a number of years in the business of out doubt, the greatest of rewards. I would be shade trees conservation, I still had no appre- willing to fly through hell to help fellows like A New House ciation for trees other than from a dollar view- Gee Bee Eff.—Ken G. From Santa Ana, Calif. point. I started out some three years ago to build A.A. has given me an all-together new slant Dear Kay: myself a new house in which to live and I’m still on them and their relationship to individuals. I am not much at writing letters but I will try building it, or remodeling it. I have taken on It never occurred to me that the entire life of the to describe my feelings to you in a strange but a lifetime job, I know, but I get a little better tree is the same as that of us in A.A. The entire sincere way. We will take an airplane for exall the time. Here are my specifications: I life of a tree is dependent on outside forces for ample, since you have had lots of thrills in that thought they might be of interest to others. I its growth. Its roots depend upon good soil and mode of travel. have used the 12 Steps for them and find that deeper and deeper these roots work their way About the first of last month I decided to they cover every phase of construction. into the earth searching for new substance. So take a test “flight” in a new type of plane, 1st Step: In this step I found the reason why do we in A.A. search deeper and deeper for manufactured by the “A.A.” Corp. I wrote you all my previous buildings collapsed. I had built ways to improve our living. that I was in the market. The next day you deon the insecure footing that I could find a way When the tree has taken able rootage, it then livered that plane, a beautiful job. After you to drink like other people, and as long as I seeks the sunlight, the air, the rain and the warm gave me a “briefing” I look off on this test flight continued to try and build that way, my struc- wind. These are its meals—upon which it must and am still at the controls. I won’t say that I tures warped, crumpled, and finally collapsed. depend for a long vigorous life. Then it keeps have not run into some bumpy weather, for that But when I admitted I was an alcoholic, I re- on growing bigger and stronger each day but would be stretching the truth a little, but I moved the faulty cornerstone and replaced it with the significant thing about the growth of the haven’t crashed yet. The “motors” are four great one around which I could really build a house. tree, it doesn’t keep this growth to itself. To power plants—i.e.—God, A.A., family and 2nd Step: Here I found the sand, rock, and birds this tree gives nesting, it protects the land friends. I use a new type of fuel as you sugnecessary reinforcement to make a real founda- upon which it stands and grows. It shelters and gested—-water mixed with coffee and a little tion. cools stock who seek its shade. It joins in song coke, but no “oil” is required. The controls are 3rd Step: Here I found the cement to bind with the wind and spreads its beauty to the all stamped with the trademark “A.A.” which these ingredients into a lasting and secure landscape. It keeps taking for its growth but it gives me more confidence. There is no ceiling foundation. In the first eight words of these keeps giving back for all that it is and has. and visibility is unlimited. Storms or down- 3 Steps I found the real and only reason to Likewise, we in A.A. grow. Our rootage is in drafts don’t bother me any more. It really makes do anything in life whether it be making a cake. peoples’ hearts and in fellowship, in the things a guy feel good to know that you and some of

9

the other pilots are keeping an eye on him. I in a G. I. bus to attend the monthly “overall” He learned from someone of my condition and am grateful for the phone calls and the interest meeting. We are proud to report that these sol- whereabouts. It took him two days to get me out you have in this test flight, which instills in my dier-members, all of whom are in their present of bed. Then off to New York City by autoheart the courage and determination to bring difficulties as a sole and direct result of their mobile to be hospitalized. I made every tavern this plane down at the end of each day without alcoholism, have grasped the program exceed- on our trip. My son became disgusted with me a fatal “crash”, that I may live to fly again ingly well and to a man they seem to feel that and we parted at the bar of a Brooklyn Hotel. I tomorrow. their present confinement, with its accompanying remained drunk in bed for a week. Then, in Sincerely and gratefully, trials and tribulations, is made worthwhile just desperation, realizing I was at the end of my Your Co-Pilot, because they have had this opportunity to find rope and having lost everything, home, business, Gee Bee Eff. A.A. family and all self-respect, I telephoned my son * * * The J. B. A. A.s are gradually being dis- to take me to Kings County Hospital, for I was charged from the Service and going home with frustrated indeed. Just before entering The hos- They’re Good Soldiers Now! an asset in one hand and a distinct liability in pital, my son bought me two drinks in a tavern From Si. Louis the other. The asset, of course, is their member- near the institution in which I was clamped a The undersigned A.A. Group, the Wilson Club ship in A.A.—the liability is a dishonorable dis- few minutes later. Those two drinks in August Branch of Alcoholics Anonymous of Greater St. charge. 1943 were my last. Louis, Mo., has been requested by one of it’s These men have been inclined to worry over The first A.A. prospect I worked with after I “offspring” groups to forward to you a brief their possible reception at their home chapters had been sober a month was a former drinking history. of A.A. Not wishing to hide anything, they can- companion who used to bring my liquor to me In existence since March, 1945, it is known not help but feel that possibly they will be while I lay in bed drunk. He would sit on a chair as the Jefferson Barracks Group. Situated at the shunned a little because of their past military beside my bed and get stinko, too. We called United States Disciplinary Barracks, Jefferson status. The club members have talked to the in- ourselves the horizontal and perpendicular rum Barracks, Mo., is probably the first A.A. organi- dividuals of this U. S. D. B. Group and have pots. He has not had a drink since he went to zation set up in a military installation and it has tried to assure them that they have nothing to his first A.A. meeting in October, 1943. He and done remarkably well. Since its inception when fear along these lines. As a matter of fact, had his wife had been separated over three years there were a mere half-dozen members, it has not most of us been above the draft age during and he had not earned a dollar in five years, grown to the present enrollment of 25 men, all this last world fracas, we ourselves might well having lost his very lucrative insurance business. of whom are general prisoners—soldiers in con- be in their midst. He is now back with his wife and has a position finement. We all know that John Barleycorn respects no in his regular line. A years ago Chaplain Keiper called Alcoholics laws or regulations—even army regulations! An On Friday, April 5th, the Bayside Group was Anonymous to find “if anything could be done alcoholic can become “A.W.O.L.” at the bat of launched with 94 A.A.s and guests in attendance. for those boys”. an eyelash! We now meet every Friday evening at The The chaplain in turn took the matter up with The J. B. members, having become familiar Women’s Club. the U. S. D. B. commandant who was sympa- with The Grapevine, thought that since it was un- The recapture of marital happiness is often thetic to the proposed formation of an A.A. doubtedly the most nationally read A.A. publica- one of the blessings of A.A. Among those atgroup under his command. Both officers prom- tion, printed word of their “plight” would serve tending this meeting, one remarried his wife last ised their whole-hearted cooperation and enlisted to acquaint their home town A.A. organizations Sunday. Just eleven months ago, my wife and I the aid of the U. S. D. B. psychiatric staff, the with the problem, and thus ease their burden of went to the same psychopathic ward, in which I latter being thoroughly familiar with the case explanation when they get home and become ac- had been a patient, to get this same man out of histories of the soldiers in confinement. tive members there—for life. The Club concurs the hospital. We drove him to his first A.A. Through a careful system of screening (to with them, and hence this letter. meeting the same evening, and others the next avoid getting the straight, uncomplicated alco- two nights. He and his wife now work together We hope you subscribe to our idea of making holic cases confused with those who were not continuously with new members, both men and the future as simple as possible for this group of only alcoholics but had some additional psychi- lady lushers. My wife and I frequently make fellow-A.A.s by publishing it.—F. K. M., The, atric disorder), the military psychiatrists and 12th Step calls together and she attends at least Wilson Club Branch, A.A. of Greater St. Louis the chaplain found out which men were sincerely two meetings a week with me. interested in A.A.—and thus the group came The couple who have just been rejoined It Can Happen Here into existence. Of course, the two primary pre- through A.A. were re-married by the very minisrequisites were those familiar to all A.A.s—the From Bayside, N. Y. ter who suggested we contact the husband 11 men had to be alcoholics and they had to be I came out of The psychopathic ward of Kings months ago. Of the 30 guests present at the not only conscious of the fact but willing to County Hospital, Brooklyn, on August 18, 1943, wedding reception, twenty were members of A.A. admit it and their desire to straighten out their on my 55th birthday. There I ended the binge This happy A.A. couple are now on their lives. that was to end all binges—it lasted eleven honeymoon in Virginia. If there is no A.A. The Jefferson Barracks A.A.s hold weekly months. The last nine weeks of it, I was alone Group in those parts, there may be, before they meetings in the chapel at the U. S. D. B., and in our country home in Putnam County, where return. these meetings are usually attended by repre- I had spent the previous nine summers, some of God has granted me “serenity to accept things sentatives from the “mother” chapter. The men the time fairly sober, some awfully drunk. I cannot change, courage to change things I can conduct the meetings themselves, with the chap- A.A. caught up with me at Kings County Hos- and wisdom to know the difference,” only I belain attending meetings in capacity of friend and pital where my son had taken me after he re- lieve, because of application of the 12 Steps to advisor. Once a month the procedure is reversed turned on leave from overseas, and learned that every department of my life, to the best of my and the entire J. B. group comes into St. Louis I was lying in this country place a very sick man. ability.—John G.

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit The Philadelphia, Pa., Group, conservative in psychiatrist and a social worker, and an A.A. rooms, hospital and offices are in one building; accordance with tradition, is proud of its 90 new committee to determine the maximum number of the hospital has 12 beds, for men only. . . . The members gained since March 1, 1945, all of candidates which could be effectively handled by Columbus Group, four and a half years old, with whom have been dry three months or more. This the Baltimore Group on a referral basis. approximately 450 members, 100 for each year, brings the total membership to 350. A member Much discussion was evoked in Baltimore is planning a big open meeting for June at Meof this group which has now incorporated with business offices recently following a two-column morial Hall. The purpose is to present A.A. to the six auxiliary groups, is scheduled to deliver feature article on A.A., “Insurance Against a the public us well as to Central Ohio members. two lectures at the Pennsylvania School of Alco- Lost Week-End,” in the Baltimore Advertising This group now uses the facilities of two local hol Studies at Juanita College, Huntington, Pa., Club News Bulletin. . . . Women A.A.s of Balti- nursing homes for work with alcoholics. . . . during June. They are also furnishing two mem- more have laid the foundation for a self-operat- The Marion, Galion, and Mansfield Groups have bers to appear before the Pennsylvania Associa- ing A.A. Group in the Women’s House of Cor- made remarkable strides. At least a portion of tion on Probation and Parole in Harrisburg at a rection at Jessups, Md. their success lies, they state, in their friendly seminar. These A.A.s will speak in behalf of the habit of attending neighboring meetings. parole system as it pertains to alcoholics. For Arkansas is rapidly becoming A.A.-ized from the second time this year the Philadelphia Group border to border. Thriving groups now are es- Denver A.A.s, since the establishment of their has been asked to meet with the Psychiatric Asso- tablished in Fort Smith, El Dorado, Helena, Pine clubrooms, report that more drunks are finding ciation of Philadelphia. Bluff, and to a smaller degree in about 20 other their way into A.A. under their own power. . . . towns; and the three groups in Little Rock have Fort Worth, Tex., now has an Alcoholic Infor- The St. Paul Group has been fortunate, almost 200 members, with about 130 in the orig- mation Center, with an A.A. in charge. . . . The through the good offices of Dr. R. H. Lindley, inal group, 40 in the second, and 20 in the third. St. Georges, Bermuda, Group, originating in superintendent of the state hospital at Wilmar, . . . The Stockton, Calif., Group was host at a November, 1945, is currently running ads in the Minn., in organizing an A.A. group among the dinner to members from Sacramento, Lodi, and Mid-Ocean News. . . . A.A.s from Shelby, N. C., alcoholics of that institution. The St. Paul Roseville. . . . Covington, La., A.A.s, whose and Anderson, S. C., participated in a meeting Group, which gives to all newcomers a little card membership encompasses Amita, Bogalusa, of the Greenville, S. C., Group which started in outlining the policy for sponsorship, is to hold Franklinton, Hammond and Ponchatoula, are November 1945, and today has over 25 memits fifth anniversary banquet May 4. The prin- running a series of newspaper articles on alco- bers. . . . Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the cipal guest speaker is to be Judge Lewis Drucker, holism and A.A. Forest Hills, N. Y., Group had as guest speakers associate judge of the Superior Court, Cleve- at a dinner-meeting the Rev. Father James Grifland, Ohio. A.A., organized in Youngstown, Ohio, six fin and Judge John O’Brien. This group has years ago, today has its private hospital, club- moved into larger quarters in the Queens County The one-man group in Vermilion, Ohio, is rooms, and a membership of 500. The club- Medical Society Building, Queens Boulevard and doing fine. He is approaching his first A.A. 75th Avenue. birthday. . . . The Cleveland Group will give its How We Rationalize! In the last few weeks the Milwaukee, Wis., annual Minstrel Show May 5 and 6. … The Car- “We had been drunk all night in a suite on Group has experienced a growth which some atnegie and Lakeshore Groups recently celebrated the 22nd floor of a Chicago hotel” related an tribute partly to generous and constructive newstheir first anniversaries. The latter reports it has A.A. friend recently. paper pieces on the A.A. program. The Coffee tripled in membership since its organization in “About 3 A. M.,” he went on, “somebody got Bar is an outstanding feature of the new club- April, 1945. . . . The Lorain-Antlers Group an- the bright idea that it would be fun to have a rooms. . . . In the past six months Albany, nounces acquisition of new quarters, with more nightcap while standing on the outside window N. Y., A.A.s have doubled their membership, space for expanding attendance. . . . A full- ledge. So darned if we didn’t crawl out there.” which now totals 35. . . . The four-year-old time secretary is in charge of the new central “Ordinarily I am deathly afraid of high Rochester, N. Y., Group has grown from 20 to office opened by the Boston, Mass., Group at 30 places,” he said, “but this didn’t seem to bother 200. . . . Ithaca A.A.s, w i t h a membership of 15, Huntington Avenue. . . . The Charleston, W. Va., me. It was windy and we were waving around have instituted a series of monthly meetings open Group, Box 924, reports excellent progress. . . . trying to hold on to the window frame and each to the public. . . . A new group is getting under Leading ministers of all faiths, judges, physi- other, so it developed we didn’t have a free hand way in Poughkeepsie. cians and prominent public officials address the to pour the drink.” Richmond, Va., Group from time to time. This “I was perfectly all right until the third one The San Francisco Group’s institutional progroup now totals 50 members. Richmond A.A.s in the party who had watched the procedure from gram is expanding. Added to the San Quentin are sending spokesmen to Norfolk and Staun- the inside started to tickle me. I can’t stand that program, in which Oakland, Richmond, Palo ton to assist new groups founded there. and I almost went nuts trying to get inside be- Alto and Vallejo groups cooperate, is a revival fore losing my grip.” of the Napa State Hospital project, in which At the suggestion of the Baltimore Group a “Although this man had been my best friend Oakland, Vallejo, and Santa Rosa have joined. meeting of city officials and A.A. representatives for years,” be continued, “I bawled him out un- Now the San Francisco Group has added a was arranged to consider the feasibility of es- mercifully and told him I would never speak to Marine Hospital program, with weekly meetings. tablishing an alcoholic clinic. Three committees him again. And I kept my pledge for years. In Hand in hand with that expansion is a project were formed, the first to investigate available fact I always pointed him out to others as the for districting the city and establishing small space, the second to promote the recruiting of a man who jeopardized my life!” groups, which will remain identified with the

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central body. The Mission Group was estab- On April 29 the story of A.A. in dramatized letter to the other 13 state attorneys in which he lished last year; the Marine-Midtown is now form was once again broadcast throughout the would suggest t h a t A.A. be contacted on alcounder way, as is the Marin County Group, all nation—over NBC’s “Cavalcade of America” holic cases. stemming from San Francisco. A public address program. system has been ordered for the combined club- Father Flannegan of Boys Town was a guest house- meeting-hall. at the second anniversary get-together of the The Memphis, Tenn., A.A.s a few month ago Sioux City, Iowa, Group. . . . The Albuquerque, The Upper Darby, Pa., Group, which was began making calls on the alcoholics at the N. M., Group, now one year old, has today a started in January, 1945, by a few members of West Tennessee State Hospital at Bolivar, at the membership of 50, and a second group has the Philadelphia Group who live in the Upper request of doctors in charge. Each band of visit- already been formed In Cincinnati, Darby area, now has a membership of 60. After ing A.A.s is different from the preceding one. you can usually find 12 or 15 A.A.s lunching having generously been provided with a meeting Some of the alcoholic patients, on release from every noon at The Colony. hall by the township commissioners, the group the hospital, are now beginning to get in touch began to feel the necessity for a small clubroom with the group. . . . A state’s attorney attended of their own. They procured the necessary fur- an A.A. meeting in Lyndonville, Vt., last month Clip Sheet . . . and was much interested in what he heard. The (Continued from page 6) niture and the clubroom opened for business last November 1, at 7020 Garrett Road. One hun- meeting was held by the Montpelier and the St. their friends and families that they had what dred and twenty-five were present at the second Johnsbury groups as a first, venture in that town. it took to stop drink before drink stopped them. open meeting, including doctors, magistrates, The state’s attorney participated in the open dis- “The personal reward of getting out of the educators, lawyers and members of the clergy. cussion, indicating deep interest in the age and clutches of the alcohol habit is tremendous, and type of men and women who are finding a new at the same time the benefit to the community way of living through A.A. At the conclusion of is not inconsiderable when one considers the The annual banquet of the Baltimore Group the session he gave the group the names of two transformation of a citizen, who was apt to was held on Easter Saturday evening, April 20. men in jail at the time as prospects for 12th become a community liability, into a citizen who Guest speakers were Dr. Edward F. Kerman, stepping. Further, he asked for a list of A.A. pulls his own weight, stays sober, earns money eminent Baltimore psychiatrist; the Rev. Fr. groups in Vermont to use in sending a personal and pays taxes.” Dougherty, S.J., of St. Ignatius’ Church; the Rev. Richard Baker of the Church, of the Redeemer. A.A. speakers came from Philadelphia, Washington and Newark Groups. A. A. DIGEST—Excerpts from Group Publications Kalamazoo, Mich., now has two active groups. Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio: “The trus- to hi-tail it fast as you can to an A.A. member . . . Starting in July, 1945, with six members, tees of Cleveland Public Library gratefully ac- or, if you do not know one, then contact the Seattle, Wash., A.A. has grown to a total mem- knowledged the gift of seven volumes of the closest A.A. Group.” bership of over 200, comprising nine groups. Braille edition of Alcoholics Anonymous pre- They have their own clubrooms. . . . The Fort sented and prepared by our fine Canton blind A.A. member. . . . This is indeed a valuable Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio: “It has Lauderdale, Fla., Group has observed its second been said that the truest test of civilization is, anniversary. contribution and should do a lot of good. “. . . (The member) lost his vision by drink- not the census nor the size of cities nor the crops ing poisoned hooch and has been an immensely raised—but it is the kind of man the country Cut This Out and Mail to: impressive speaker before many groups.” turns out. This applies to groups—it isn’t the The Grapevine size of the group that impresses us, it is the P. 0. Box 328 caliber of its membership.” Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. The Brighter Side, Waterloo, Iowa: “Oelwein, Herewith $2.50 for one year’s subscription to Iowa, look her place in the A.A. world with five good members who have recently been converted A.A. Tribune, Des Moines, Iowa: “You will The A. A. Grapevine (Monthly). to sobriety. notice the fellow that takes a tumble (Note to For additional subscriptions enclose separate other A.A. groups: We do have tumbles) he alsheet with name and address clearly printed. “There were about 12 Waterloo A.A.s who ways is complaining about something that has Checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. drove over there to help the boys off to a flying made him mad. Like one fellow told me—the start. Something quite unique about this first Total Enclosed meeting was the fact that it was organized in boss had changed him on a job, and the guy goes the beer parlor of a large dance hall, which was to the boss, told him what a rat he was and Renewal? (please check) quit—’I quit, you can’t fire me.’ Then the guy donated by the dance hall management. . . . PLEASE PRINT “The Oelwein business men are behind this says to me, ‘Course the boss was right.’ Then movement 100%.” says I, ‘Well, you haven’t told all the story, have Name you? Didn’t you then go and get drunk?’ ‘Yep,’ Address says my friend, ‘I got drunk.’ . . .” Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Iowa: “The Information Center is having a broad- “Now then, what to do about these troubles, wor- cast on the Betty Wells hour. . . . Betty has Note: Subscriptions received prior to the 15th ries, and problems? Well, if you are in A.A. been a great booster for the Center, and the of May will begin with the June issue. and, if the A.A. program or philosophy, is IN Center is doing a great job. . . .” As of January 1, 1946, the price of a year’s YOU, you know the answer; you have the answer. “The ladies’ group has taken on a gym class subscription is $2.50. If you are a drinking alcoholic, your best bet is at the YWCA.”

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VOL. III, NO. 1, JUNE, 1946, P. O. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1946 by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

GROWING PAINS HERE AND ABROAD The founding of a new group of Alcoholics and cultivation. In his own boundless enthu- experienced. But it is not necessary even to go Anonymous is considerably more difficult and siasm, the A.A. whose anticipations run this back that far to find comparative encouragecomplicated than opening up a new roadside way is forgetting that although the idea he is ment. For example, it is indeed much less hot dog stand. attempting to plant and make grow is good, he difficult to found a new group now in the Although this fact is self-evident it does seem is still dealing with alcoholism, which sprouts United States where A.A. is well and favorably to be occasion for surprise and discouragement many tough weeds. known from coast to coast and border to borhere and there as new A.A. groups get under- The proper A.A. mental stance by the would- der—much less difficult than to start a new day throughout this country and other coun- be sponsor or sponsors is the first step in the group in some other country where it is not tries. Frequently the enthusiastic sponsors of founding of a new group. The sponsor who known. new groups become baffled to the point of de- realizes that new groups inevitably experience Below are excerpts from a letter received by spair when called upon to share in the growing a variety of troubles w i l l be prepared for them. a member here from the sponsor of the first pains of a new group. Some are apt even to Differences of opinion as to policy, where to group in Australia, or as he writes, the first become disillusioned when they learn that a meet, what kind of meetings to have, how to pay group in the British Empire outside of Canada. new group cannot always be started with a the rent, what to do about “slips,” and all of After reading of the troubles they have been exmerry wave of the hand, and that the first meet- the other tribulations t h a t pop up are to be periencing in Sydney, those encountered in this ing does not necessarily set in a motion a .steady expected. country may not seem as large. And it is most and serene growth. A.A. is now enjoying its most rapid growth. (Continued on Page 5) Perhaps it is natural to expect that an idea as New groups are mushrooming all over God’s inspiring and demonstrative us A.A. can be acres. The difficulties of starting new groups THE USE OF CONFESSION planted easily, will take root quickly and will are therefore obviously not preventing the spread (Cardinal Newman) grow rapidly, almost w i t h o u t any further care of A.A. throughout the world. But, the difficulties may be minimized and Reprinted in part by request. the wear and tear on members who help start How many are the souls in distress, anxiety, March of Time Film new groups w i l l be lessened by a better under- or loneliness, whose one need is to find a being Release date for The March of Time docu- standing of the obstacles. Many will find much to whom they can pour out their feelings unmentary film on alcoholism has been announced reassurance and guidance by directing their heard by the world? Tell them out they must; as June 14. thoughts back to the story of how A.A. started. they cannot tell them out to those whom they The picture includes scenes taken at the A.A. That first group consisted of just two men. see every hour. They want to tell them and not Central Office in Manhattan; the NCEA (Nat’l Then there was a third. For a long, long time to tell them; and they want to tell them and yet, Committee for Education on Alcoholism) ; New there was only a h a n d f u l . They had no money, be as if they be not told; they wish to tell them York’s Knickerbocker Hospital; the Yale School no clubrooms, no publications to help them to one who is strong enough to hear them, yet for Alcohol Studies; and at the clubrooms of spread the word, no sympathetic audience to not too strong to despise them; they wish to one A.A. group—chosen by The March of Time listen, no inspiring record to support them. t e l l them to one who can at once advise and people because it seemed typical. They had no sympathetic public to help them can sympathize with them; they wish to relieve A.A.s anonymity has been respected through- and wish them well. The press didn’t know themselves of a load, to gain a solace, to receive out. No A.A.s face is shown in the film. The them, nor did the ministry or the medical pro- the assurance that there is one who thinks of faces distinguishable in the shots taken at the fession. them and one to whom in thought they can re- Central Office are those of non-alcoholics. And But out of that discouraging beginning, the cur, to whom they can betake themselves, if those seen at the group’s clubrooms are actors. whole of A.A. began. necessary, from time to time, while they are in The one exception is Marty M., who emerged No matter what the troubles of starting a new the world. from her anonymity when called upon to be- group may be today, they scarcely can com- If there is a heavenly idea, surely, . . . concome executive director of NCEA. pare to the troubles that the first A.A. group fession is such. . . .

EDITORIAL: Trustee Vote On the 8th Step… Fixes Policy “Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.” The list that some of us had to make in applying this Step would compare in On Gift Funds length to current real estate lists of house and apartment applicants. The length of By Bill the list of people we had harmed grew with the degree of our honesty and the accuracy of our memory. Discussing this topic in last month’s Grapevine we made the following observations: Perhaps some people do come into A.A. with a fortunate record of having (a) That the use of money in A.A. is a matharmed only a few. We doubt, however, that anyone need turn in a blank piece of ter of the gravest importance. Where its use paper—not if he thinks long enough and honestly enough. What, for instance, of the ends and its misuse begins is the point we business associates who took on some of our work during our absence from the office should vigilantly watch. or on those days of the shakes and low efficiency? What of the friends whose time we (b) That A.A. is already committed to a wasted with such very boring blabber? And, too, there are those intangible but dam- qualified use of money, because we would aging effects of the example we set for others; the good we might have done but didn’t; not think of abolishing our offices, meeting the contributions we could have made to helping some one else in some way, or just places and clubs simply for the sake of avoiding finances altogether. making a moment or two more pleasant—but didn’t; the success of someone else we might have boosted along, but didn’t. (c) That our real problem today consists in setting intelligent and traditional limits upon Anyone except a saint will find that he has harmed someone, somewhere, and that our use of money, thus keeping its disruptive he has harmed society and his fellow men by failing to do the things for which he had tendency at the minimum. the time, the talent and the opportunity, but not the sense of responsibility. (d) That the voluntary contributions or Even the rare, quiet and so-called well-behaved alcoholic can make a list. And the pledges of A.A. members should be our prinordinary variety of drunks, which the great majority of us are, can usually make a cipal, and eventually, our sole support; that list from here to Timbucktoo, beginning with the wife, the youngsters, the relatives this kind of self support would always prevent and the boss, and extending on through the people we borrowed from and didn’t pay our clubs and offices from getting out of hand back, the people we lied to—and so on and on and on. because their funds could readily be cut off whenever they failed to serve us well. The challenge of making amends is indeed a formidable matter to contemplate. (e) That we have found it generally wise to In some instances, even to make amends to some one person, such as a particularly separately incorporate those special facilities hated enemy, seems more than anyone can undertake. which require much money or management; But this process of self-inventory and self-cauterizing also offers one of the most that an A.A. group is a spiritual entity, not a restorative experiences to be found through A.A. The experience begins to unfold, too, business concern. while making the list of people we have harmed and becoming “willing to make (f) That we must, at all costs, avoid the proamends to them all.” fessionalization of A.A.; that simple 12th Step work is never to be paid for; that A.A.s going Let us note that wording—”became willing to make amends. . . .” We may not into alcohol therapy should never trade on be able to make amends to everyone we have harmed. Circumstances may prevent us their A. A. connection; that there is not, and from making amends to all, and there may be reasons why we should not undertake to never can be, any such thing as an “A.A. make amends to some—as suggested in the 9th Step. But there is nothing at all to therapist”. prevent us or to restrain us from becoming willing to make amends. (g) That A.A. members may, however, be The point here is that in order to become willing to make amends we have to employed by us as full time workers provided admit to ourselves without reservations and without quibbling or reciting reasons why they have legitimate duties over and beyond we did it, that we did commit the harm. We have to attain the attitude in which we say normal 12th Step work. We may, for example, to ourselves that whether or not the other person was wrong or right, we were wrong. surely engage secretaries, stewards and cooks without making them professional A.A.s. Maybe the person we harmed was a louse. That doesn’t make our brand of lousiness any better. It’s no excuse. The louse we harmed must go on the list along with the Continuing now the discussion of professionalism: A.A.s frequently consult local committees good people we’ve harmed. or The Alcoholic Foundation saying they have Reaching the degree of self-analysis and honesty which carries us to a willingness been offered positions in related fields. Hospito make amends to all helps to set the stage for the beginning of real progress in A.A., tals want A.A. nurses and doctors, clinics ask or real progress in any way of life. This is part of the conditioning process for attain- for A.A.s who are social workers, universities ing honesty and humility and helpfulness; part of the process of fitting ourselves again ask for A.A.s to work in the field of alcohol edu- (Continued on Page 6) (Continued on Page 8)

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ANOTHER PLEA FOR KEEPING OUR ANONYMITY Headed by Bill’s observations on anonymity, frightened away when they heard A.A.s scatter timid and shaken soul who is taking that first I have noticed several other articles in The the names of other A.A.s about the premises. nervous, hesitant step—even as you and I did. Grapevine in recent editions treating upon the It’s all right to say, in noble and holy tone, that Let’s think of him. Let’s respect the other same subject. Although each had a slightly no one who really wants A.A. can be frightened fellow’s anonymity. Let’s be anonymous. Or different approach, I noticed that all met on the away. Perhaps it is true that even if frightened let’s be honest and change our name.—D.Y., common agreement that anonymity is one of the away for a while, the desperate one w i l l return. Manhattan. most important features A.A. has. But why put anyone through that extra misery Yet, I have seen many instances in which the if we can get them in sooner simply by demontradition—I think it certainly is that—is violated. No doubt I have been guilty of a few violations myself. In fact, isn’t it true that many strating that the second word in Alcoholics Anonymous really means what it says? The fact is that most people who come into “Slip Clinic” of us have, and isn’t it also true that all of us A.A. are extremely skittish in the beginning The time to give earnest consideration to should be on our guard against treating this about the matter being known. Of course, it isn’t “slips” is before they happen! matter carelessly? logical that they don’t want it known that they It is little use going back for one’s umbrella I wonder how many “prospects” have been are making contact with A.A., when their drink- after the storm breaks. Better to have taken it ing has been public information throughout along. their town. But logical or not, this extreme shy- The direct or overt cause of a “slip” is known New Information Center ness is common, not unusual, among newcomers. only to the person involved. But the real, funda- Set Up in Youngstown Shall we, perhaps forgetting our own similar mental cause is easily found. A Tri-County Alcoholic Foundation, a non- nervousness, say that their attitude is wrong, and Somewhere along the line, one or more of profit organization, has been chartered under thus risk driving them away? Or shall we live the 12 Steps has been overlooked, by-passed, the laws of Ohio, at Youngstown, including up to our name and reassure them by demon- or neglected! Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties. strating that we do really respect our anonymity? Even one neglected step can cause all the The trustees at present consist of four alco- Anyone who wants to make it known for some trouble. holics, A.A.s for periods of from four to six good reason that be is a member of A.A. cer- One slip on an icy pavement is all that is years, and five civic-minded non-alcoholic citi- tainly has a right to do so, providing he is needed to break one’s leg or fracture a skull. zens who believe that the problems of alcoholism not exploiting it for some personal reason. But I don’t believe any one has the right to make The 12 Steps earnestly followed, prepare one should be brought to the attention of the public. At the information center at 145 Lincoln it known outside of A.A. that somebody else is for every contingency. Avenue, Youngstown, any individual or group a member. The 12 Steps need no amendments. They cover may receive literature or personal consultation One of the places where the second word in everything necessary to our new pattern of life on the problems of alcoholism. The center will our name is made to appear meaningless is at and every safeguard for maintaining complete also furnish speakers for civic groups. the open meetings at the Manhattan club house. sobriety! The organization will work with doctors, min- These meetings are really open. Anyone can They are not local, or national only. They isters, priests and others who are continually come to them. At every meeting, among the have a universal significance and application. confronted with alcoholic problems. audience undoubtedly are some people who are They work as effectively in China or Peru, as The foundation, trustees say, will try to bet- there out of curiosity. I don’t think anyone has they do in New York or Oregon. ter treatment accorded alcoholics. Until this the right to get up on the platform and use There is no imperfection in them. The impertime, this problem has been considered in names, including full and last names, of other fection is in ourselves. Youngstown entirely either from a criminal or A.A.s in his or her speech. But many do. To score one hundred percent in a p p l y i n g the moral standpoint rather than from the view that I personally have been in long enough to 12 Steps in all the affairs of our daily life is alcoholics are actually sick people. reach the point where I don’t care who knows impossible. The Foundation will make efforts to improve I am an A.A. In fact, as with most of us event- But so far as maintaining sobriety is confacilities for hospitalitation of alcoholics, so that ually, I am proud to have it known. But that cerned we can so improve our score that these they may first of all recover physically. The certainly does not give me the right to be tossing unhappy ”slips,” if they do not become imnew Mental Receiving Hospital on Indianola somebody else’s name around from the speaker’s possible, will become far less frequent, less Avenue in Youngstown will be used in this con- platform or anywhere else. prevalent, and more and more on the way to nection and a private hospital has been estab- When I came into A.A. I was made to feel becoming “unthinkable.” lished at the new Foundation Center on Lincoln sure by the understanding A.A.s who took me “Controlled slipping” leads to an attempt at Avenue. under their wing that my entry would not be- “controlled” drinking. Previously, patients needing hospitalization in come public property, that they would respect Youngstown, were forced to go to Cleveland, my wishes to remain anonymous—that the name The 12 Steps can’t be edited, nor “blue-pen- Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Mercer, Pa., or else- Alcoholics Anonymous did mean something. ciled.” where. That seemed vital to me at that moment. We “shot the works” when we were on our Funds for the Tri-County Foundation have There are several other reasons why I believe bats, binges, and benders. been contributed entirely by non-alcoholic citi- we should guard our principle of anonymity, as And now if we want to stay dry, we have to zens who believe the undertaking worthy of Bill suggested. But certainly one good reason “shoot the works” on The Program.—L.C., their aid.—J.H.A.. Jr., Youngstown. is consideration for the new prospect, the poor Portland, Ore.

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A.A. Discussed on ‘We, the People’ Program Editor’s Mote: In answer to numerous requests, The because that’s the reason I consented to come that I’m one of those people who should never Grapevine reprints that portion of the We The People radio program on Sunday, May 4, in which Marty M. on this program tonight. I don’t enjoy airing have tasted liquor. I thought I could drink in explained Alcoholics Anonymous and the work of the my personal life, but perhaps others may profit moderation. I thought I could stop any time National Committee lor Education on Alcoholism. by my counsel. BOULTON (Master of Ceremonies): The B: Mrs. Mann, will you tell us now how or B: When did you discover that you couldn’t story of the young lady who is beside me now why it was you started to drink to excess? stop? at our microphone, can be told in just seven M: First let me tell you a little bit about my M: A couple of years before I landed in a words. I want her to repeat those seven words background. I was born in Chicago, and my sanitarium. But those years in between were for you. family had a good deal of money. I had every- frightful and frightening. I had married an MARTY: For ten years, I was an alcoholic. thing a girl could ask for. I went to a boarding alcoholic. He should have been an example to B: That’s a shocking statement, isn’t it? And school, finished abroad, and had the usual me, but be wasn’t. After our divorce I drank what courage it must take to make such an coming-out party when I returned. I was young even more. Then my family suffered financial admission. But it’s just that sort of courage that and happy and gay and thought it was fun to reverses, and I had to go to work. My drinking has made this young lady who is our guest on drink. still seemed under control. Then I remember We The People tonight one of the leaders in B: How old were you then? later telling myself I was drinking for business the fight against alcoholism. She is a member M: Eighteen. If that seems young to you— reasons. Still later it was to calm my nerves, for of Alcoholics Anonymous and executive director remember that was in the 20’s, and that was by then the liquor was beginning to affect my of the National Committee for Education on the era when decent young men thought it was nervous system. I thought I was going crazy. Alcoholism. Welcome to We The People. smart to carry hip flasks. I didn’t know then— I had to have a drink to make myself feel nor- M: Thank you, Mr. Boulton. The name Alco- in fact I didn’t find out until seven years ago— mal. I reached the melancholic stage and twice holics Anonymous speaks for itself. We are a tried to commit suicide. I was a confirmed group of alcoholics who have anonymously drunk—and didn’t know it. It was then that my banded together to help ourselves and each other Better to Be Drunk friends persuaded me to go to a sanitarium. get well. We have preferred to remain anony- B: What treatment did they use there? mous for obvious reasons. But—as director of Than Merely Sober M: Psychiatric treatment and it helped a lot-— the National Committee for Education on Alco- “If coming into A.A. meant nothing more but not enough. Then one day my doctor handed holism, I am glad to use my name. The purpose to me than being sober, I’d get out of it, get me a copy of the book Alcoholics Anonymous. of the National Committee is to teach people drunk and stay drunk!” said H.D., a tall per- I was furious with him. I was not an alcoholic! the truth about alcoholism—that this is a disease sonable gent, as his opening blast at a regular In a fit of temper I threw the book across the —and alcoholics are sick people. By using my meeting of the Orange (New Jersey) group. room. The book landed on the floor open. More name and telling my story, I believe I can further “What I mean is,” explained H.D., “if I con- angry than ever I went across the room to pick that truth. My name is Mrs. Marty Mann, and tinued to think and act and live the way I used it up and my eyes lighted on the words. “We I live here in New York City. to in my drinking days, I’d be so unhappy and cannot live with anger.” The words were so B: Mrs. Mann, it seems incredible that a miserable I’d simply have to drink.” apropos of my mood it startled me, and I began young and beautiful woman like you should H.D. was expressing his own opinion but it to read. As I read, the truth became apparent, have once been an alcoholic. turned out that it was actually the keynote of and I admitted to myself for the first time—I M: Mr. Boulton, I still am an alcoholic. this particular A.A. group. Starting out with was an alcoholic. B: But—I thought you’d been cured. seven members a little over a year ago, they B: Well, then—I assume that Alcoholics M: Oh, no. You must realize that alcoholism now number around 60 and have made quite Anonymous is responsible for your rehabilitais a disease—a disease which today is as preva- a name for themselves. They aren’t very inter- tion. lent as tuberculosis or cancer. My illness has ested in the drinking histories of the new recruits M: Indeed they are. They didn’t lecture me, been arrested, and I think and hope it will stay and you don’t hear the blow-by-blow accounts or look down on me, or make me sign a pledge. that way, but people like me can never safely of drunks, even in their open meetings. “All us They did advise me to promise myself that I touch alcohol again, so we ran never say we’re alcoholics sound alike—why listen to a lot of would not drink for 24 hours, and when the cured. chatter about binges?” they say. 24 hours were past, to make myself another B: Mrs. Mann, before you continue your story, As a result their meetings are very alive and promise. They taught, me to live without alcohol. I want to tell our listeners why we invited you not at all repetitious—everyone tells what’s hap- I slipped once or twice in the beginning, but to be our guest tonight. Alcoholism is mounting pened since he got into A.A. “It’s a cinch no- today, because of their help, I’m well. We know at an astounding rate in this country. Reliable body would be fooling around here if he hadn’t the alcoholic can be helped and is worth helping. sources have informed us that there are an had trouble with liquor. We want to hear what We feel this is a public health problem, and estimated three million alcoholics, and that one people’ve done since they got ‘dried up’, not therefore a public responsibility. We want the in every six are women. We The People, feel before.” public to realize drunks shouldn’t be jailed, but that the hush-hush policy that has always sur- This bunch subscribes unanimously to the sent to hospitals—because a drunk is as sick rounded this subject w i l l no longer work in the belief that they were pretty unhappy people or as a man with a mortal disease. But he can. fare of such figures, and that by bringing it out they wouldn’t have become alcoholics; they felt with proper treatment, become a useful citizen. into the open we may contribute one step toward the irresistible compulsion to drink to escape I am proof of that. And I am devoting all my combatting the problem. from life. They feel that if they merely get energies to aid those who are afflicted with this M: Mr. Boulton, I’m so glad you said that, (Continued on Page. 12) dread disease.

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GROWING PAINS The Pleasures of Reading IN AUSTRALIA PEACE OF MIND, By Joshua Loth Liebman (Simon and Schuster; $2.50) (Continued from Page 1) encouraging to note from the letter below that To those of us who have difficulty with the spiritual part of the A.A. program. Dr. Liebman notwithstanding the difficulties, the new group gives a compelling answer. Indeed the goal of all mankind, the path toward that sine qua non of in Australia—now 17 months old—is growing. the happy life is to be found within the 203 pages of the rabbi’s book, Peace of Mind. “After many false starts we eventually man- He goes on the thesis that religion and psychiatry are mutually supplementary. Both teach aged to get a branch of A.A. going in Sydney. the value of knowing ourselves. The personal inventory of the 10th Step he considers of immeasur- This was about 12 months ago (as of Jan. 21, able importance—probing out the causes of our fears, hates, failures. He points out that the fears 1946). Now we have a group of about 20. of men are identical, fear of loneliness, rejection, inferiority, anger, illness, yes, and even of death. Some of our members relapse at times but many Psychology and religion agree that we can never become adequate, happy individuals while we are much better than they were. It is becom- are inwardly tormented, emotionally depressed. He stresses the need for forgiveness and tolerance. ing our experience that most of our members His chapter, “Conscience Doth Make Cowards,” succinctly states the 24-hour plan. We live after being sober for some weeks are sure that in today, not yesterday or tomorrow. That we treat ourselves more fanatically, more v e n g e f u l l y , they have the thing beaten, have one drink and more cruelly than we do others comes almost as a revelation. We should view ourselves neither as then we have the devil’s own job with them. naughty children nor as spotless angels, but accept ourselves as mature men and women w i t h all “It would seem that it takes one or two re- our imperfections. lapses to convince most members that they have When Liebman speaks of loving ourselves properly, he does not mean egoistic self-love but no control over their drinking. This was prob- rather of the positive good of self-respect. “The human self is not a gift,” he says, “it is an ably your experience in the U.S.A. achievement.” Again, “To learn how to be good to oneself is often more difficult than to learn how “We also are finding out that as the group to be good to others.” We alkies will find a pipe-full in that one. To accept oneself, then, to stop continues to grow, clashes of opinion occur being what we thought we were and be ourselves, to think clearly of our relation to the world, that is amongst members as to policy. We are having the foundation of a personal philosophy. Instead of holding our own capabilities and virtues many ups and downs but in spite of all of this in contempt, we begin to see them in focus. For we can never love others if we do not love ourselves. we are making definite progress. If you could We can not have faith in God or mankind if we do not have f a i t h in ourselves. see the branch after 12 months you would heart- If our first responsibility is to ourselves, then the second and even larger is that to others. ily agree. Inquiries come in the whole time We affect either for good or ill all those who come w i t h i n our radius. Ha, the 12th Step again! The and inebriates themselves are beginning to turn necessity of love is of the very fabric of life, our capacities depend as much upon being on good to us for help. They know that they are beaten terms with ourselves as upon our maturity. “Love or Perish!” he heads the chapter, and we know and we are the only ones capable of helping this to be true. them. As true as the battle against fear. Fear arising as a blackmailer from childhood. Most of “We are meeting many difficulties. In the us can claim unhappy childhoods, but now we are grown and can put aside the child’s feeling of first place none of our members yet know helplessness, of inadequacy and inferiority. The drive to grow up, to accept adult responsibilities enough of A.A. This is the first branch formed becomes a basis for freedom. We learn not to expect perfection but escape from self-pity through in the British Empire (Canada, of course, ex- the dignity of work. cepted) and whilst we are full of enthusiasm Liebman’s chapter on grief is a treasury of wisdom and solace for those who have lost loved our technique is poor. We still require much ones. His chapters on faith and religion this reviewer finds slightly less dynamic. more experience. But in the summing up of his thesis he stresses the value of hero-worship—to select a person “Americans are more religious than Austrawe can wholeheartedly admire and try to live as he would live, on a reality principle rather than the lians and the religious side is the greatest diffipleasure principle. And not to scatter ourselves among conflicting desires but rather to u n i f y them culty our members face. This will come later into one overwhelming purpose. but very gradually. In other words we have Surely this is a book that can be read with benefit by all of us in quest of that priceless posnot yet learned how to correctly interpret A.A. session—peace of mind.—Priscilla P., Manhattan. principles to suit Australians. We want guidance and often have I wished that your visits to Australia would be very frequent to keep us so bad that this is impossible at present. A we hear of these things happening every day free from error and to show us the right path. syndicate of business men is flirting with the and we want to prevent them. Please God we When one of your members can come to Sydney idea of starting a private hospital for the treat- will he able to do so in the near future. to spend a holiday he will be kept very busy ex- ment of wealthy inebriates. This would solve “I certainly would like your version of the plaining A.A. and showing us what mistakes some of our difficulties. Also the government 12 Steps. I personally feel that in the rapid exwe are making and why we lose so many pros- may start a clinic to treat inebriates in hospitals pansion during the past 12 months we tend pective members. instead of in gaol. here to lose sight of these Steps and that is “In The second place our greatest stumbling “Our third difficulty is finding club rooms . . . why so many of our members have relapsed at block is The drying out of members. Time and and office accommodations cannot be found in times. We now intend to read the 12 Steps at time again we are approached by members, by Sydney today. each meeting and to analyze and discuss them. relatives of inebriates to ‘get them off the booze.’ “It was yourself that gave me the idea of “I am looking forward to meeting you at At the present time we can do nothing. I take A.A. and to you we feel eternally grateful. some time in the future, perhaps in America, a few home but this is unsatisfactory. Members M got on the booze and was picked up perhaps in Australia. Wherever you are rest are trying to get a home with three or four dead in one of the lowest slums in Sydney—a assured of my good wishes and that I am ever beds to nurse them but the house shortage is tragedy that should have been prevented. But grateful to you for your friendship.”

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VINO VIGNETTES: He Couldn’t Let Go For years Mac has been associated with the the part and deserves all the credit given him. real estate firm through which the Denver Cen- But, Pop, we have seen you put on so much tral Group rents its present club quarters. For better a show time and time again, and you (What’s the funniest A.A. tale or quip you’ve heard? over a year he had handled the account and weren’t t r y i n g — t h a t we are just beginning to Others would like, to hear it, Send it in.) once or twice had occasion to call at the club- realize how w o n d e r f u l you are and what A.A. From S.H., North Hollywood, C a l i f . room for business reasons. Realizing that his means to so many families.” drinking problem was getting to be a serious Mac is still a regular attendant at the club. A drunk popped his head into the Hollywood one, he resolved last September to visit the Fairly beams like a kid with a pair of new red A.A. Group meeting at the writers’ round table club and find out what it was all about. top boots when you speak of how he found in the Hollywood hotel. Not with any idea of wanting to remain something that he wasn’t looking for, and is “Is it true,” he hiccuped, “that you guys ain’t strictly sober, you understand, but with the hope constantly on the look out for someone who got any names?” that A.A. had some formula whereby he could needs it, to tell them just what A.A. has done get slightly spifflicated over the weekend—come for him.—C. T. B., Denver. Suggested new alibi if caught sleeping in the Monday morning he could forget all about a gutter: drink, carry on through the week and again woo Spiritus Frumenti the next weekend! At “DEFROSTING ROOM” “But, officer, you know how hard it is these days to find an apartment.” the club he learned of the 24-hour program, Front. Fort Worth, Tex. started practicing it, and derived no little pleasure in telling of the simplicity of staying sober. The Fort Worth Group of Alcoholics Anony- From Hi and Dri, Minneapolis, Minn.: Then, too, he enjoyed taking a call and telling mous rents their clubhouse from an individual who also owns and operates a comfortable resi- “Why is your tongue black?” how this was the first time in over 30 years that dential hotel. In that hotel the group keeps, “I dropped a bottle of Scotch where they he had been completely sober for over a week from day to day, a room rented for the purpose were tarring the road.” at a time. Came the holidays and Mac fully expected to of “defrosting” prospective and worthy people get drunk for Christmas. He always had and that ultimately become members of this group— From B.H. St. Petersburg, Fla. naturally it was the thing to do. His A.A. rea- and they come in from three and f o u r hundred Have you heard about the A.A. who sits on soning then came to the fore and through it miles away. Many days and weeks we have the floor once a week to count his tea bags? he figured out that perhaps for his own good, three-rooms-in-a-row-busy. The three in a row After counting them, he totals them up . . . so and at the same time to surprise his family, the are sometimes called “The Bridal Suite”, “The that be can say honestly that he’s a teetotaler! !! proper thing to do was to stay sober for that Rest Room” and “The Honeymoon’s Over.” particular day. These last names were coined by the Hotel PBX Operator but the “Defrosting” room was and is MOST DRUNKS ARRIVE TOO LATE WITH But New Year’s! Hadn’t he stayed sober over first in the hearts of many of these Fort Worth TOO MUCH. Christmas? Didn’t he deserve a good drunk? And anyway at no time had be promised to members and our group dispatcher reminds stay sober for a certain length of time. In fact, many members each week that they are needed One of the Akron members who is on the pohe was even surprised at himself for having for two-hour service and attendance in that room lice force, Jerry C., said this happened d u r i n g a been sober as long as he had, so what the hell, to help others just as they were helped. recent traffic safety drive. New Year’s wouldn’t be New Year’s unless he Of the many tales that come from the “De- Cop: “Pull over to the curb so I can tell you got drunk—and he fully expected to go out New frosting” room there is still fun in recalling the what I’m arresting you for, you idiot! You Year’s eve and do the thing up brown. actions of one of our present day good members. are the worst driver I’ve ever had to chase. Again that line of reasoning came to the fore On his last spree, and before he found A.A. You’ve crashed a red light, you drove the wrong and Mac proceeded to reason himself out of his he had rented a taxi in Fort Worth and gone way on a one-way street, you hit 50 or better expressed intention of getting drunk. He most cruising into Oklahoma territory where his taxi right down Main St., AND you haven’t paid any driver was jailed for possession of liquor, etc. attention to my siren for the last 10 blocks!” certainly had enjoyed his sobriety, so why not continue it? This member was delivered to us sick and sour At this point the offender’s w i f e leaned across but willing and eager to get straightened out. her silent husband, smiled sweetly and said: Then “The Lost Weekend” came to town and Mac look his family to see the picture that had Then came two days and nights of suffering but “You mustn’t mind him, officer—HE’S DEAD won all Academy awards. After their arrival (Continued on Page 12) DRUNK!” home a discussion of the picture followed. Mac stressed the wonderful acting of Ray Milland Editorial on the 8th Step (Continued from Page 2) and over and over stated just how good that guy was. Noticing that his two daughters and his into society; a very vital step in the rehabilitation of the alcoholic. wife were laughing and seemingly didn’t appre- We know that when drinking we are selfish, self-centered, egotistical and self-dramciate the histrionic ability of Milland as did he, atists. We are filled with self-pity over the great wrongs everyone has done us, how Mac inquired. “What is the matter with you we are misunderstood, how thoughtless others are towards us. folks? Don’t you know that that was the best piece of acting ever shown on any screen?” The 8th Step is an excellent purgative for the kind of thinking, as well as acting, To which one daughter replied, “Yes, Pop, that we’ve been doing. Drink long and deeply of this Step, because while it may taste Milland was good. He was really trying to act very bad going down, the effects are miraculous.

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New York, N. Y., World Telegram: “Tom Collins, announcer on the Cavalcade of America program, faced a pretty little crisis when the script a few weeks ago featured a dramatization of the work of Alcoholics Anonymous. “The irony of signing off such a show with his usual tag was more than he wanted blame for. So he made a slight revision. ‘This is Tom W. Collins,’ he said firmly. Prior to this, nobody ever knew he had an initial.”

In a recent Jimmy Fidler column from Hollywood, this comes forth: “Did yuh hear about the actor who refused to join Alcoholics Anonymous because he never goes into anything without proper billing?”

Richmond, Va., News-Leader: “‘A separate state institution for the care and treatment of alcoholics is possible today without additional legislation beyond the appropriation of funds for buildings,” G. W. Gwaltney, executive secretary of the State Hospital Board, said in an address to the Richmond Chapter of Alcoholics A.A. DIGEST—Excerpts from Group Publications Anonymous. V The Brighter Side, Waterloo, Iowa: “THE it is gone and what we have done is gone for- “. . . Mr. Gwaltney said that the board hopes, NEW RECRUIT— ever. Let us not forget our bad checks of in moving Western State Hospital to a new site, yesterdays. If we do, we may return to w r i t i n g “1. He is the most important person in A.A. to be able to utilize enough buildings at the old rubber ones. Yes, we can and should profit “2. He is not dependent on us, we are delocation to make an institution for inebriates. from our bad checks, our past mistakes, and we pendent on him. In pointing out that additional legislation would will if our thinking is straight. And we can not be necessary in order to provide for a sep- “3. He is not an interruption of our workalso write good promissory notes for the fuarate institution for alcoholics, Mr. Gwaltney he is the purpose of it. We are not doture. Now, as for today, it comes only once in said that the ‘Inebriate Law’ of 1916, as part of ing him a favor by serving him—he is a lifetime and with today we should use good the State Hospital Code, gives the Hospital doing us a favor by giving us the opporold common horse sense. By so doing we can Board authority to establish an institution for tunity to do so. get to any desired goal by asking God as we inebriates.” “4. He is a flesh and human being with feel- understand him to help us. . . .” ings, emotions, and problems like our Salem, N. J., Sunbeam: “A century-old 28- own. room Georgian mansion, once owned by a whis- “5. He is a person who has failed through no Hi and Dri, Minneapolis, Minn.: “An a t t i t u d e key distiller known as ‘The Lord of Jericho,’ fault of his own, to live the life of happi- of ever-present thankfulness infuses our temper opened May 1 as a home for the care and re- ness and usefulness. We have the means of mind and in turn, we infuse our efforts and habilitation of alcoholics. The huge, three- and tools to rebuild his l i f e from despair our influence with a constructive, positive, prostory red brick building, Ivy Manor, is located to hope, from darkness to light. . . .” gressive quality. . . . on 200 acres of farm and woodland, seven miles “An altitude of plain h u m i l i t y is a q u a l i t y of west of Bridgeton at Jericho—and seven miles Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio: “. . . Those simplicity—a simplicity that is at once charmfrom the nearest taproom. of us who don’t struggle against names and who ing and yet revealing for it clothes and enhances “It was purchased by a group of Philadelphia have no hesitancy in saying that our help comes a certain unassuming dignity which reflects man and Camden businessmen, headed by J. Robley from God receive additional help since we are at his highest and best. . . . Tucker, realtor, Camden, N. J. able to benefit by the experiences of all others “An attitude of lively aspiration is a lively “The project has been indorsed by Alcoholics who acknowledge that their help comes from sense of ambition; an eagerness to advance to Anonymous, the celebrated self-help group God ” the limit of one’s powers. An attitude of abidwhich has aided thousands of alcoholics to per- ing faith in human nature is that attitude of manent rehabilitation, Tucker said. ‘We will Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Iowa: mind vital to new strength in an advancing call for patients by station wagon within a 100- ” ‘Yesterday is a canceled check, tomorrow a world. A strong sense of obligation is that mile radius,’ Tucker added. ‘But we do not promissory note, today is cash, spend it wisely.’ altitude which gives us the satisfaction of doing (Continued on Page 12) How true. Yes, yesterday is a canceled check; good in addition to doing well. . . .”

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TRUSTEES VOTE GIFT POLICY (Continued from Page 2) imagine where such a course could lead us. Every now and then we are offered money from cation on a non-controversial basis and industry ing a group project it cannot be “taken or left so called “wet” or “dry” sources. Obviously wants us to recommend A.A.s as personnel of- alone”. Either it has to be abandoned or it re- dangerous, this. For we must stay out of that ill ficers. Can we, acting as individuals, accept mains a raw sore on the body politic. These starred controversy. Now and then the parents such offers? Most of us see no reason why we experiments have well demonstrated that the of an alcoholic, out of sheer gratitude, wish to can not. A.A. group will always have to be a spiritual donate heavily. Is this wise? Would it be good It comes down to this. Have we A.A.s the entity, not a business concern. Better do one for the alcoholic himself? Perhaps a wealthy right to deny society the benefit of our special thing supremely well than two things badly! A.A. wishes to make a large gift. Would it be knowledge of the alcohol problem? Are we Now what about donations or payments to good for him, or for us, if he did so? Might we to tell society, even though we might make super- A.A. from outside sources? There was a time not feel in his debt and might he not, especially ior nurses, doctors, social workers or educators some years ago, when we desperately needed a if a newcomer, begin to think he had bought a in the field of alcohol that we cannot undertake little outside aid. This we received. And we ticket to that happy destination, sobriety? such missions for fear of professionalizing A.A. ? shall never cease being grateful to those devoted friends whose contributions made possible the In no case have we ever been able to ques- That would certainly be far fetched—even ridic- tion the true generosity of these givers. But is it ulous. Surely no A.A. should be barred from Alcoholic Foundation, the book Alcoholics Anonymous and our Central Office. Heaven has wise to take their gifts? Though there may be such employment because of his membership rare exceptions, I share the opinion of most with us. He needs only to avoid “A.A. therapy” surely reserved a special place for everyone of them. They met a great need, for in those days older A.A.s that acceptance of large donations and any action or word which might hurt A.A. from any source is very questionable—almost as a whole. Aside from this he ought to be just we A.A.s were very few and very insolvent! always a hazardous policy. The struggling club as employable as the non-alcoholic who would But times have changed. Alcoholics Anonymay badly need a friendly gift or loan. Even otherwise get the job and perhaps not do it half mous now has more than 24,000 members whose so, it might be better in the long run to pay as as well. In fact, I believe we still have a few combined earnings this year ought to be many we go. We must never let any immediate ad- A.A. bartenders. Though bartending, for ob- millions. Hence a very powerful feeling is spreading among us that A.A. ought to be self- vantage, however attractive, blind us to the posvious reasons, is not a specially recommended sibility that we may be creating a disastrous occupation I have never heard anyone cry out supporting. Since most members feel they owe precedent for the future. Strife over money and that these few members are professionalizing their very lives to the movement they think we A.A. on account of their very special knowledge A.A.s ought to pay its very modest expenses. properly has too often wrecked better people of barrooms! And isn’t it, they ask, high time that we com- than us temperamental alcoholics! menced to revise the prevalent idea that an alco- It is with the deepest gratitude and satisfaction Years ago we used to think A.A. should have holic is always a person who must be helped— that I can now tell you of a recent resolution its own hospitals, rest homes and farms. Now- usually with money. Let us A.A.s, they say, be passed by our general service committee, the adays we are equally convinced we should have no longer takers from society. Instead, let us be Trustees of The Alcoholic Foundation, who are nothing of the sort. Even our clubs, well inside givers. We are not helpless now. Neither are we the custodians of our national A.A. funds. As A.A., are somewhat set apart. And in the judg- a matter of policy, they have just gone on record penniless any more. Were it possible to publish ment of practically all, places of hospitalization tomorrow that every A.A. group had become that they will decline all gifts carrying the slightor rest should be well outside A.A.—and medic- f u l l y self-supporting, it is probable that nothing est obligation, expressed or implied. And ally supervised. Hospitalization is most def- could create more good will for us than such a further, that the Alcoholic Foundation will acinitely the job of the doctor backed, of course, declaration. Let our generous public devote its cept no earnings which may be tendered from by private or community aid. It is not a func- any commercial source. As many readers know funds to alcohol research, hospitalization or edution of A.A. in the sense of management or cation. Those fields really need money. But we do we have been approached of late by several moownership. Everywhere we cooperate with hos- not. We are no longer poor. We can, and we tion picture concerns about the possibility of an pitals. Many afford us special privileges and should, pay our own way. A.A. film. Naturally money has been discussed. working arrangements. Some consult us. Others Of course, it can hardly be counted an excep- But our Trustees, very rightly I think, w i l l take employ A.A. nurses or attendants. Relationships tion to the principle of self support if a non- the position that A.A. has nothing to sell; that such as these almost always work well. But none alcoholic friend comes to a meeting and drops a we all wish to avoid even the suggestion of comof these institutions are known as “A.A. hospidollar in the hat. It is doubtful, too, if we merce, and that in any case A.A., nationally tals”. should refuse the relative who sends in his $5 speaking, is now self supporting. We have also had some experience with farms mite; a token of appreciation for the recovery To my mind, this is a decision of enormous and drying out places which, though outside of someone close. Perhaps we would be un- importance to our future—a very long step in A.A. and medically supervised, have neverthe- gracious to refuse his gift. the right direction. When such an attitude about less been managed and financed by A.A. mem- But it is not these small tokens of regard money becomes universal throughout A.A., we bers. Some of these operations have done well, which concern us. It is the large contributions, shall have finally steered clear of that golden, others very badly. And with one or two con- especially those that may carry future obliga- alluring, but ever treacherous reef called Matespicuous exceptions, the worst possible set-up tions, which should give us pause. Then too, . rialism. has been that in which A.A. groups, with group there is evidence that wealthy people are setting In the years that lie just ahead Alcoholics Anmoney and management, have gone into the aside sums for A.A. in their wills under the im- onymous faces a supreme test—the great ordeal “drying out” business. Despite exceptions, these pression we could use a great deal of money if of its own prosperity and success. I think it will “A.A. hospitals” seem the least promising of all. we had it. Shouldn’t we discourage them? And prove the greatest trial of all. Can we but The group which lakes one on usually finds that already there have been a few alarming attempts weather that, the waves of time and circumit has contracted an unnecessary responsibility at the public solicitation of money in the name of stance may beat upon us in vain. Our destiny and a heart breaking amount of dissension. Be- Alcoholics Anonymous. Few A.A.s will fail to will be secure!

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad or we’re still out at something every night, A . A . Songsters Letters to this department are invited on any maybe we had better examine ourselves care- from Iowa City, Iowa subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- f u l l y to see if we really are getting the true idea tions you are asked to hold your letters to a Would you kindly express publicly through maximum of 350 words. of the basic principles and purposes of A.A.— your columns the thanks and appreciation of Only initials will he published unless the B.G.W. writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- the joint committee of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa fication for A.A. friends. City and Marengo groups to the “Northern- The Grapevine will not divulge the full name aires” of St. Paul? of any writer but will forward A.A. communica- No More Competition This group of 12 trained voices traveled tions addressed to the writers of letters published here.—The Editors. From Stony Creek, Conn. from St. Paul, Minn., to Iowa City, Iowa, and When I was a young boy the neighborhood really put on a program of entertainment that kids went in for field and track athletics as well was marvelous. No Time for Mere Tolerance as football, swimming, baseball, etc. My brother For those who have never heard them may I From Detroit, Mich. excelled in all and could run the 100 yards in say they are all A.A. members. . . . Were I to We in A.A. are set in a great system of reci- 10 seconds flat. I couldn’t run the 100 in 25 say that everyone of the nearly 600 who heard procity and interdependence upon which our seconds due to faulty placement of leg muscles. them at Iowa City would gladly do it all over Added to this there was little coordination be- again I would not be exaggerating in the least. whole existence rests. We cannot follow the modern-fashion. It will take stronger stuff than tween mind and muscle. They used to say I had —John J. D. this to build in a world so near to catastrophe. three hands, right, left and “behind” hand. What we need more than a fashionable tolerance, To compensate for this, God had endowed me Recording Apropos which is fundamentally patronizing in spirit, with . . . the ability to concentrate easily. So from Manhattan, N. Y. is a burning faith which can change men’s lives. what to do? You guessed it, outsmart the gang, 1 have just purchased a phonograph record- Power comes not by supposing that one view is of course. Result? Not much popularity by a ing of a beautiful hymn entitled “Just For Toas good as another, but by finding in honest long shot. Again what to do? Drinking liquor day,” sung by the baritone, John Charles Thomas. inquiry what the objective truth seems to be with the best of them solved this problem, be- It so aptly expresses the philosophy of our 24and then following it with stubborn courage cause I became entertaining and amusing even hour program that I thought all A.A.’s should tempered by humility.—Sarah K. though I was a clown. The public has always know about it.—John D. loved clowns. Hitting A ‘Norm’ Now the competition to get ahead in the Group Strength world, to assume responsibilities and make from Cedar Rapids, Ia. From Los Angeles, Calif. money and to drink like the rest of my asso- The success achieved by Alcoholics A n o n y – During my first year in A.A. I went to a great ciates, etc., etc. You all know the rest of this mous as an instrument for the rehabilitation of many meetings, formal and informal. In fact, story—crashing headlong up against society, alcoholics, is perhaps the most unique and phe- I was at some kind of an A.A. meeting, talk-fest down and up and up and down again ad in- nomenal in the entire history of group-welfare or get-together just about every night in the finitum. Repeated failures—then A.A. efforts. That from so small a beginning, this week. When my wife asked—and I now recall A new world, no more competition, with any- organization should have expanded into so how hesitantly she asked—if it would be “safe” thing nor anyone. I find everybody in A.A., who powerful a force for the reclamation of the for me to spend an evening or two away from is succeeding, no longer trying to get ahead of alcoholic, is not so unusual as the unique means A.A. and at home, I was annoyed. “Even if I anyone. Par for this course is just staying away by which it attains its goal. Certainly it conhave to go to an A.A. meeting every night,” I from one. drink one day and the daily search would answer, “isn’t it better than being drunk?” stitutes one of the brightest and most promising for the truth. eras in the “dark and tragic annals of alco- Of course, she could answer that in only one However, the rising ego with its attendant holism”. way. competitive spirit will forever try to assert it- In A.A. the alcoholic is brought to realize Now I realize how unfair I was and how I was actually using A.A. as an escape, and a self in me, which if I fight it will drive me to that due to the peculiar nature of his physical the soothing caress of the bottle for my injured and mental constitution, he can never become prop, just as I had used liquor, though of course with less drastic effects. egotistical pride. a controlled drinker. He realizes at long last Undoubtedly at certain stages one needs a lot Wherein shall I find the answer? First in the that be must at all costs, refuse that first drink. of A.A. And one had better get too much non-competitive, surrendered belief that there Because in his case, it is that first drink that is than too little. But I am now convinced that must be a better God than the bottle and in the almost invariably disastrous. Therefore, he must we are failing to grow and failing to get the knowledge that He not only exists for me but abandon forever, the fond illusion that he will best of what A.A. has to offer if we have to will guide me if I let Him today. How do I some day be able to drink like ordinary people. continue to lean entirely and completely on get this way today? By trying to increase my For, in his case, even one seemingly harmless meetings and the activities even after we’ve been understanding and practice of the 12 Steps and glass of beer may easily be the beginning of a dry a considerable spell. by exercising the greatest of all the soothing disastrous debauch that will once more plunge Naturally, we will always want to live by virtues, which is the charity that can best be him into the depths of misery, degradation and the principles of A.A., and I want them to be at expressed in 12th Step work. Yes, no more despair. work every day. But if after several months in competition. Let’s go, and let God. Peace! (It’s Although the alcoholic often finds it a Her- A.A. we are still going to meetings every night, wonderful!)— C.W. culean task to resist the lure of alcohol, experi-

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ence has proven that his chance for recovery last been pulled from the waves by the life lines Daily Moral Inventory is immeasurably increased by the advantages of of the good ship A.A. And now, in the “hap- From Jackson, Miss. membership in an A.A. group. For, ordinarily, piest, sunniest hour of all the voyage while Enclosed (reproduced below—Ed.) you will it is only in such a group that he will find the eager winds are kissing every sail,” we are find a little card which I designed with the idea strength necessary to combat his alcoholic tend- resolved that no negligence of ours shall ever of forcing myself to make that moral inventory encies, He does find the necessary strength in again cause us to “dash against the unseen rock with regularity. A.A. for the reason that his membership in and in an instant hear the billows roar again After a losing battle with old John Barleythis group provides him with an effective weapon above a sunken ship.” corn for 40 years I found A.A. and it has ceragainst his own weakness. We of A.A. have faith in ourselves and are tainly been a life-saver. I will always be gen- Before a t t e m p t i n g a brief description of the confident that w i t h the help of God, we shall uinely grateful to those who started this plan nature of this weapon, I admit that this descrip- win through to the peace, happiness and con- and those who interested me in it. tion may be both superficial and inadequate. tentment that come with permanent sobriety. We started this group about 16 months ago But 1 believe that when we interpret its meaning But we also believe that consistent and con- with four or five members. We now have around in the light of the happiness it has brought us, scientious effort toward the rehabilitation of our 50. It is certainly inspiring to attend meetings we w i l l agree that we all share substantially the brother alcoholics is an indispensable condition and to realize that we are all sincerely trying to same idea of its effectiveness. to the preservation of our own sobriety. We are be genuine with each other. Never have I been I should say then, that this weapon with convinced that the statement “Faith without in an organization where that is so manifest. No which A.A. has enabled us to emancipate our- works is dead”, applies more particularly to our sham, no alibis, no pretense, no make-believe. selves from the slavery of alcoholism, is the organization than perhaps to any other. And Just simple realism. It is a great moral u p l i f t . growing strength which we derive from our deep finally, we believe that the full realization and For the benefit of those members who have sense of moral obligation to one another. It is sincere application of these truths will enable “slips,” I would like to say that after being in a compound of sympathy, understanding, solici- us when templed, to say w i t h DeQuincy, “Why the group for about nine months, and having actude and mutual helpfulness. It was born of a should I subject myself to such a yoke of misery, quired an attitude of complacency, I had a slip great need, and is mutually reciprocated among voluntarily incur a captivity so servile, and which was a world’s wonder. But I believe that a group of kindred spirits whose minds and knowingly, fetter myself with such a seven-fold it was the finest thing that ever happened to me hearts are sincerely united in a common effort, chain?” because it really aroused my thinking and gave whose energies are concentrated on the same It is our fondest hope that we now leave the me, for the first time, a definite and correct picgoal, and whose interests are united by the bond hideous quagmire of alcoholism in the past, and ture of myself. Since then, I am really finding of a common affliction. with light hearts and high hopes, march tri- what humility is, and my ambition now is to We who have floundered helplessly for so long umphantly onward to meet the “golden dawning keep right on growing, day by day and the rest in the storm-swept sea of alcoholism, have at of a grander day.”—H.T.C. of my life. I have far to go.—Mark W.

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit A combination of membership growth and Army, who is a member of the Philadelphia and paid for from funds contributed by memthe housing shortage caused the Denver, Colo., Group, and is temporarily stationed in Washing- bers. The a u d i t o r i u m seats approximately 400 Group to schedule two open meetings a week ton; a woman member; and one of the state’s and the Clubhouse has a dining room, kitchen, instead of only one as previously. Continued oldest A.A. members, dubbed “Joe Alcohol Sr.” offices, and men’s and women’s rest rooms. Togrowth of the group’s building fund promises for the occasion. day’s total membership is over 200 divided i n t o that in the not-too-distant f u t u r e Denver A.A.s small groups for discussion meetings. will have their own clubrooms. . . . The Jeffer- In Sacramento, Calif., they’ve just settled a Two of the Oklahoma City members outson City, Mo., fellowship, which now comprises vexing telephone problem, the solution for lined the principles of A.A. before the Kiwanis over 25 members, has found it necessary to which, they think, might help other groups in Club of that city recently. A return engagement divide for discussion purposes. . . . In Roches- small cities. The group was too small to afford was requested. ter, N. Y., where an Alcoholic Information Cen- a downtown office with a paid secretary, but ter and Clinic have been established, A.A.s re- members felt there should be a telephone listing The first joint meeting of the Greater Boston cently celebrated their fourth anniversary. so prospects could call. The satisfactory solu- Groups of A.A.— for the financial benefit of the tion came through engaging 24-hour telephone office of the Boston Central Service Committee— Several additional groups have gotten under service with a phone bureau. was attended by about 400. All contributions, way in Toronto, Canada, in the last six months. and they were generous, went to help maintain The parent group had its third birthday last In Vancouver, Canada, at some of the meet- Boston’s Central Office. Visitors came from March. A woman’s group, formed the first part ings a questionnaire is used. “How did you first Hartford and Manchester, Conn.; Montpelier, of the year, has been developing steadily. come to join?”, “What is the chief cause of Vt.; Maine, Massachusetts and other New Eng- Along Toronto’s Skidrow there was recently slips?”, and so on. Members are called upon land groups. One of the guest speakers was the formed the Victor Group of the A.A. fellowship without warning for two-minute impromptu Rev. Father James Timmins of Manchester, —the latest Toronto group to get going. They talks in answer. Conn. started in April, meeting at the Fred Victor Mis- Members from Boston attended meetings of sion, and had an opening attendance of 76. This Oklahoma City A.A.s are now holding their two new groups recently: Lawrence, Mass., and old mission is located at the intersection of meetings in a brand new modernistic, brick Dover, N. H. . . . A group is getting under way Queen and Jarvis Streets. Here the boys used to building, the property of the group and strictly at the Veterans Hospital, Bedford, Mass. pay two bits for a bottle of “basic” (bay rum) a membership proposition, built from plans and this was where most of the derelicts eventu- drawn by members, constructed by members, The Montreal, Canada, Group is now well ally arrived. One of them, after finding A.A. into its second year, the present membership himself, started the Skidrow Group. t o t a l l i n g about 65, of which some 15 are women. In the months to come Toronto A.A.s expect 32 New Groups The membership is divided into four groups, to open a North End and a West End Group. New groups formed in the month ending May one of them an all-male section. The Building 10 include: Fund for the Montreal clubhouse is growing. The New Orleans, La., Group, started March CALIFORNIA—Maywood and West Adams (Los 30, 1943, has grown to an active membership Angeles). The Rev. A r t h u r C. James, pastor of the of almost 200. They have been instrumental in INDIANA—Union City. Broad Street Memorial Methodist Church of assisting to organize groups in Covington, Abbe- IOWA—Eldora and Sioux City Friday Night. Drexel Hill, Pa., recently attended an A.A. ville, and Pollack, La.; and Tylertown, Miss. KENTUCKY—Ashland. meeting for the first time, at Upper Darby. He The latest one started on the Mississippi Gulf LOUISIANA—Monroe. was so impressed t h a t he invited members of Coast includes members from Gulfport, Biloxi, MASSACHUSETTS—Lawrence. the group to speak at an evening church servand other towns in the vicinity. This group MICHIGAN—Mt. Pleasant. ice—before a congregation of about 600. . . . was suggested by the major in charge of the MINNESOTA-—East Side Minneapolis. Shreveport, La., members have helped the Min- Veterans Hospital at Gulfport, who is interested MISSISSIPPI—Gulf Coast. den Group to get started with two meetings in A.A. work. The same applies to the Marine MISSOURI—Windsor. weekly. . . . The Seattle, Wash., Group now Hospital in New Orleans, where the chief psy- NEBRASKA—Wakefield-Pender. maintains a public clubroom downtown both chiatrist is a friend of A.A. and has made some NEW JERSEY—East Orange, Lyons, and Toms for meetings and for dispensing information several talks before the group. River. to those interested. Since J u l y , 1945, the par- NEW YORK—Byron, Kenmore, Kings Park, ent group of six members has grown to nine At a recent open meeting of the Tacoma, and Jamaica. groups with over 200 in the fellowship. . . . Wash., Group the hall was crowded to capacity NORTH CAROLINA—Lenoir and Washington. Beaumont, Tex., A.A.s have reported a growth with members from that city and Seattle. The OHIO—Berea and Fairmount (Cleveland). from two members two and a half years ago to secretary of the Tacoma Group, who was called SOUTH CAROLINA—Conway. a present membership of 36. . . . Flushing, “Joe Alcohol Jr.” for the evening, acted as TENNESSEE—-Lawrenceburg and Murfreesboro. N. Y., members marked their third anniversary chairman and introduced as the man responsible TEXAS—McLean. with a dance. for the establishment of A.A. in the Pacific- VERMONT—South Vermont. Northwest a member who traced the history of WISCONSIN—Chippewa Falls and Mendota. Glendale, Calif., A.A.s claim the distinction A.A. Other speakers were a private in the CANADA—Cortenay, Vancouver Island. of having the oldest new A.A. member anywhere.

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A man of 78 walked into the Monday night meeting under his own power, no sponsor, in Greenville. Spartanburg, Columbia, and Charleston. . . . St. Petersburg and Tampa Better to Be Drunk (Continued on. Page 4) and shaking so badly be couldn’t light his own members joined Clearwater, Fla., A.A.s to cele- “dry” and still remain in the old rut of thinking, cigarette. That was four months ago. He hasn’t brated the latters’ first birthday. l i v i n g and working, they’ll fall flat on their faces had a drink since. in slip after slip. Eighteen months ago the membership in the City, criminal and juvenile judges were in “If some guy is sitting around feeling a w f u l Glendale area was about 50, with two meetings attendance at the third anniversary banquet of and fighting off taking a drink—he might just a week. Today they number over 200, with nine the Jacksonville, Fla.. Group. Other Florida as well go out and get himself stinking. On meetings a week. They are sending members groups represented were Daytona Beach, Gaines- the other hand, if he’s stepping right along into twice a month to meetings at the San Queu- ville, and Tampa. Georgia A.A.s came from his new world he’ll be too excitedly happy as tin Honor Road Camp, a group which they Valdosta. Waycross. Atlanta, and Rome. A.A.s new vistas of what his l i f e can be, open up helped to organize over a year ago, and from from Boston. Mass., were also present. With before him. It’s as different as looking at the which today they have some very active paroled Jacksonville’s several small group weekly meetworld from the bottom of well or from the top members. Their women’s group now totals 40, ings, new members are delighted that there are of a mountain.” their sobriety r u n n i n g from a year to four and now meetings every night in the week. One of the most interesting things about H.D. one-half years. and his gang was the conversation after the When Paterson, N. J., A.A.s held their second formal part of the meeting. There was very The latest group to get going in Manhattan is birthday party recently, the 70 members were little of the typical A.A. talk which is so often in the Chelsea district. It meets at the Y.M.C.A., joined by several hundred guests from neigh- heard in most groups. Everybody was bursting 215 West 23rd St., on Wednesdays. . . . The boring groups. The group grew from a nucleus Long Beach, Calif., Women’s Group reports with the things that had happened since the last of four members meeting in a hotel room two steady progress. . . . Ann Arbor, Mich., now time they were together—the new job, the new years ago. The Rev. Dr. Howard A. Adair. has two groups with a total membership well home, the different books they’d read, civic pastor of the Eastside Presbyterian Church, has over 50. The original group is 16 months affairs, and what was the basic reason behind befriended the group, which uses the church old; the other was formed early this year. the drinking in the case of some newly confacilities for its meetings. . . . A series of radio tacted prospects. programs devoted to A.A. and broadcast over Montpelier, Vt.. A.A.s have accepted an invi- It struck the writer that here was a crowd of the local station at Hartford, Conn., have won tation to a sugaring-off party on the farm of a A.A.s who were really concerned with the next an award from Variety, national show business fellow member. . . . Since organization of the 24 hours—not the last 24 years, weeks, days, paper. A.A. Membership in the Hartford area Marin Group in San Anselmo, Calif., six hours—yes, minutes.—C.C., Manhattan. has increased over 200 per cent, and nine new months ago, membership has more than tripled groups have been started, in two years. and is now at about 20. . . . The Newark A.A. Group has assisted in inaugurating meetings at Clip Sheet The eleventh anniversary of A.A. will be cele- (Continued from Page 7) the Salvation A r m y Men’s Social Service Center. brated by groups in two Ohio cities. It was want repeaters. . . . Ivy Manor may properly be From 25 to 30 men attend the meetings every June 10, 1935, that Bill’s first successful 12th looked upon as a sort of half-way house. After Friday night. Mrs. Ivy C u n n i n g h a m , personnel step case, Dr. Bob, took his last drink. a patient has physically and mentally recovered, worker at the Center, is helping to sponsor the Dayton members will sponsor a banquet Sat- we will put him in touch with the A.A., if he so project, which is about four months old. . . . The urday, June 15, at a local hotel with a well- desires. From there on, it is up to him—and Anderson, S. C., Group, is in its seventh month known war correspondent as chief speaker. to them.’ ” and is experiencing rapid growth—as are those Groups in the Akron area will celebrate with an open meeting Sunday, June 9. for the conven- Washington, D. C., News: “Alcoholics Anony- Cut This Out and Mail to: ience of out-of-town visitors. There will be mous, working with District authorities, made The Grapevine talks by early pioneers in the fellowship. 54 ‘saves’ out of 66 attempts here in the first P.O.Box 328 Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. three months of this year, Municipal Probation Recently the Monday Men’s Group and the Officer Robert J. Connor has reported. He cred- Herewith $2.50 for one year’s subscription to East Akron Tuesday Morning Group had as ited the Municipal Court plan of treating alco- The A. A. Grapevine (Monthly). guest speaker a Lutheran minister. He told of holism as an illness rather than as a crime with For additional subscriptions enclose separate using the A.A. principles while serving as an salvaging many shattered lives.” sheet with name and address clearly printed. Army chaplain. . . . In recent months a good Checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. many new members have come from far and Total Enclosed wide to St. Thomas Hospital, Akron, for their “Defrosting” Room introduction to A.A. and have carried it back (Continued from Page 6) Renewal? (please check) where the ordinary respectable drunk moans and to Beach City and Saginaw, Mich.; Bluefield, PLEASE PRINT groans in bed just as a dog whines when W. Va.; Johnstown and Pittsburgh, Pa.; Orr- Name ville, Denison, and Zanesville, Ohio, and many he is sick to express himself and get some sort other towns. of verbal relief, this particular drunk would Address pray to God for help and then end his prayers Radio Station WWJ, Detroit, was given a with a “WOOF WOOF” real loud and just Note: Subscriptions received prior to the 15th merit certificate of award for the most effective like a dog’s bark. Of course, after the alcoholic of June w i l l begin with the July issue. public service radio broadcasts developed by a sobered up be returned to Oklahoma especially As of January 1, 1946, the price of a year’s regional station. The program dealt with Alco- to get the taxi driver out of the clink and resubscription is $2.50. holics Anonymous. turned him to his family in Fort Worth.—H.D.

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VOL. III, NO. 2, JULY, 1946, P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17, N. Y. The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1946, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved. Yearly subscription $2.50 ($3 outside the United Slates) ; single copy 25 cents.

Habit Formation in a New Personality (Final article in a trilogy on personality integration. trolled. To these more technical works the when such processes are left to the role of habit. The first article, “What Is the Alcoholic’s Moral Responsibility?” appeared in the November, 1945, issue; reader is referred for a detailed treatment of the These and a multitude of other routine activities the second, “Re-creation of Personality Possible Through origin and nature of habit, as, for example, exemplify the utility of habit. Alcoholism is Training,” appeared in the May, 1946, issue.—Ed.) William James’ classic chapter on Habit in his an example of the tyranny of habit. There are good habits and bad habits. Good Principles of Psychology. In any event, habit is an acquired mode of habits are those which interest and serve other For present purposes, therefore, it will per- response and not an inherited instinct. A bad people. Bad habits include the “drink habit.” haps suffice to paraphrase George Bernard habit can, therefore, be eliminated. A good one This is an old-fashioned expression particularly Shaw’s definition of habit as action which was can be cultivated. More accurately, a bad habit obnoxious to alcoholics. It implies that his originally voluntary but later became more or may be displaced by the substitution of a new failure or refusal to exercise a little w i l l power less automatic and involuntary. All unreflective one. This basic psychological principle is imis the only obstacle to the drinker’s reformation. action, however, should not be condemned as plicit in the A.A. program. No alcoholic likes to have his “sickness” called undesirable. We must remember that there are We now seem to be confronted with another a bad habit or to be regarded as an object of approximately two hundred habits and activities dilemma. It is impossible to get rid of a bad reformation. which contribute to personality and daily living habit without assuming a better one. One can’t As a summary statement of the problem of and which are necessarily automatic in opera- acquire a constructive habit without sloughing alcoholism, the phrase “drink habit” undoubt- tion. For example, if we begin to think about off a vicious one. Man’s personality complex edly proceeds from the depths of profound our speech we are likely to stammer; or, if we is not so separable and divisible that traits and ignorance. And the injunction to reform strikes begin to deliberate about our walking, we are attributes can be taken on and put off without many as a pious exhortation, ineffective as it is liable to stumble. We get along much better (Continued on Page 10) abhorrent. Yet, when we face the situation with integrity and insight, we see that we are dealing with a habit and that we are striving for refor- VETERANS OF TWO WARS FIND mation—in terms of a re-creation of personality. (Re-creation of Personality, Grapevine, May, HELP IN OWN HOSPITAL GROUP 1946, p. 1.) The first A.A. group in a veterans’ hospital, hospital. For, we have learned, much of our drinking although started primarily to aid World War I About a week later, eight patients—all vetwhich was originally voluntary became habitual servicemen, is proving equally as effective in erans of World War 1—attended the group’s before it became pathological, and even then helping uncontrolled drinkers who served in the first meeting. Meetings have been held every remained to some extent habitual. We also recent war. Sunday night since, and at present are attended learned that to suppress the habit was to pro- In the fall of 1941, an A.A. member living by from 15 to 30 patients. Only World War 1 voke a neurosis and that to yield was fatal. Ob- near the Northport (L. I.) Veterans’ Hospital veterans were present at early meetings, but now viously, there is only one way out of the di- told the commanding officer of that facility the attendance is divided about equally between lemma — an understanding of the nature of about A.A. and of his willingness to carry the veterans of both world wars. habits and of how to reconvert them. message to alcoholic patients. Three years later To date about 60 members of the group have Many learned treatises have been written —in November, 1944—the officer took him up been discharged from the hospital. Although no upon the subject of habit: Indeed, the science on the offer. exact check can be made on them, only ten have of psychology is principally devoted to the sys- Two World War I patients at the hospital had returned, and most of the ten have been retematic study of habits and their formation: heard about A.A. and wanted additional infor- discharged. first, so that those habits may be better under- mation. After the A.A. talked to them, arrange- One member of the group—Joe, a veteran in stood; second, so that they may be better con- ments were made to form a group at the (Continued on Page 10)

EDITORIAL: The Individual On the 9th Step… In Relation to “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.” “The amends we make must be direct. We must pay in kind for the hurt we have A.A. as a Group done people. If we have cheated them, we must make restitution. If we have hurt By Bill their feelings, we must ask forgiveness of them.” These words are our guide posts, which we follow while taking the 9th Step on It may be that Alcoholics Anonymous is a new form of human society. the Road of Repudiation of our former alcoholic way of life. The first of our 12 Points of A.A. Tradition Here—in the 9th Step—is where we A.A.s have a Heaven-sent chance to prove our- states. “Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous selves—to redeem ourselves—in the eyes of our loved ones, with our families first of is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must all, with the ones we have made to suffer such keen anguish because of our uncontrolled continue to live or most of us w i l l surely die. drinking; to redeem ourselves in the sight of our friends and our business associates. Hence our common welfare comes first. But Performing the 9th Step helps us to rid ourselves of the oppressing and torment- individual welfare follows close afterward”. ing feelings of remorse, of agitated memories and agonizing regrets. It helps us to This is a recognition, common in all forms of society, that the individual must sometimes place regain a clear conscience, a peaceful, contented mind, a buoyant disposition, and some the welfare of his fellows ahead of his own unlong-lost tranquility. We’re getting back again to acting like the sober people that we controlled desires. Were the individual to yield were once upon a time, long ago, and observing the little amenities of life, being courteous nothing to the common welfare there could be and considerate. no society at all—only self-will run riot; an- We make direct amends wherever possible. If we encounter a situation in our archy in the worst sense of that word. lives where this is not possible, we make indirect amends by resorting to the 5th and Apparent Contradiction 7th Steps. In such a case we admit to ourselves and to God our past wrongs and we Yet Point Three in our A.A. Tradition looks humbly ask His forgiveness, in lieu of being able to make direct amends. If the matter like a wide-open invitation to anarchy. Seemstill presses heavily upon our conscience, we can, if we wish, talk the matter over—and ingly, it contradicts Point One. It reads, “Our out—once and for all with a person who has an understanding heart and a close mouth; membership ought to include all who suffer alcoone who will never violate our confidence. holism. Hence we may refuse none who wish In making amends with regard to our financial affairs we make recompense in to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever kind, with dollars and cents. depend on money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety Now let us take the words: “Make direct amends, except when to do so would may call themselves an A.A. Group”. This injure them or others.” clearly implies that an alcoholic is a member if Amends are never to be made rashly or indiscriminately without careful fore- he says so; that we can’t deny him his memberthought. Causing injury to others isn’t making amends at all; it’s merely making an ship; that we can’t demand from him a cent; existing, lamentable situation more deplorable, and we are placing ourselves in a posi- that we can’t force our beliefs or practices upon tion where we’ll be making amends for having tried to make amends. A general fiasco him; that he may flout everything we stand for and still be a member. In fact, our Tradition would result, of benefit to no one. carries the principle of independence for the Here is a quotation taken from the big book, Alcoholics Anonymous, with refer- individual to such an apparently fantastic length ence to the 9th Step: “Sometimes we hear an alcoholic say that the only thing he needs that, so long as there is the slightest interest in to do is to keep sober. Certainly he must keep sober, but he is yet a long way from sobriety, the most unmoral, the most anti-social, making amends to the wife or parents whom for years he has so shockingly treated. the most critical alcoholic may gather about Passing all understanding is the patience which wives and parents have had with alco- him a few kindred spirits and announce to us holics (I’d like to add: which husbands and children have had with alcoholics, too). that a new Alcoholics Anonymous Group has been formed. Anti-God, anti-medicine, anti-our . . . There is a long period of reconstruction ahead. We (alcoholics) must take the Recovery Program, even anti-each other—these lead (in making amends). A remorseful mumbling that we are sorry won’t fill the rampant individuals are still an A.A. Group if bill at all. they think so! I revised the preceding passage just quoted—applying it to myself as follows: “Cer- Our non-alcoholic friends sometimes exclaim, tainly I must keep sober, always, but I am yet a long way from completing amends to “Did we hear you say that A.A. has a sound social structure? You must be joking. To us, my daughter, whom I hurt so deeply and so often. Passing all understanding was her your Tradition Number Three looks about as patience with me, her alcoholic mother.” firmly grounded as the Tower of Babel. In your We have said it before: “We’re sorry.” And sorry we stayed until the next bender. Point One you plainly say that group welfare Then remorse set in and we couldn’t stand it, and we became intoxicated again because comes first. Then you evidently proceed, in (Continued on Page 7) (Continued on Page 6)

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… That Our … Blessings . . . ‘Never Spoil Us” In the Twelve Steps, A.A. offers not a theory, w i l l surely die. A.A. must continue to live, and Our leaders lead, not by r i g h t of seniority, not not a hypothesis, not a pious hope, not—thank we must continue to live in it and with it, or by election, not through dominant personality, God—wistful or wishful thinking, but an his- most of us will surely die while yet we live. the orator’s gift, the executive’s t a l e n t ; no, not torical record of how more than 25,000 alco- “Hence,” this first point continues, “our com- by any of these things. holics achieved sobriety. mon welfare comes first. But i n d i v i d u a l w e l f a r e Some men may appear to be the leaders in a Set down from that same historical record are follows close afterward.” group, but your real A.A. leader is the man who the Twelve Points to Assure. Our Future, points You know and I know that any man who lives has actually and wholly turned his will and his dealing with us in A.A. as groups. They were the 12 Steps will achieve and m a i n t a i n sobriety l i f e over to the care of God as he understands set on paper by Bill, our founder, not as a sud- —and much more. . . . Him. den inspiration but only after long and prayer- The Second Point—”For our Group purpose It is from this man that the faltering seek ful thought and in response to an insistent and there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God help, the troubled seek counsel, the burdened persistent demand from groups throughout the as He may express Himself in our Group con- seek the relief and the release of the 5th Step. country. science.” His power lies in the knowledge t h a t of himself One doesn’t long scan the 12 Steps w i t h o u t he has no power; in his humble awe t h a t a They’ve Lived Program realizing the demand for humility. One doesn’t Higher Power has deigned to use him as a hu- For eleven years now most of Bill’s waking long consider the 12 Points w i t h o u t seeing the man means toward a supernatural end. . . . moments have been devoted to A.A. Through emphatic restatement of that demand. (Continued on Page 4) these years he and Dr. Bob have lived A.A. Lived A.A.—with all that the phrase implies. Not only have Bill and Dr. Bob lived A.A. in their own lives and in t h e i r own p a r t i c u l a r VINO VIGNETTES: Group Starter groups, but because they are our founders, they (Editor’s Note: The author of the following was had done here, maybe / could have made it go. have been sought out by earnest A.A.s from all asked to do a piece for The Grapevine on the subject parts of the country, both in person and by mail. of starting new groups, since she has been instrumental A year and a half later another plea came from in aiding the establishment of several in Texas.) San Antonio, so down I went, with the same And, on occasion, they have journeyed hither When I was 22 months old in A.A. I landed burning zeal, but worked no harder and in one and yon, visiting groups throughout the land. So there has come to them a steady flow of in Dallas, Texas—a lone female carrying the week rounded up four alkies, three females and reports, triumphant reports of achievement for A.A. torch in one hand and the A.A. book in one male. “The male” was a man we’d conthe most part. But reports, too, of differences, the other. I was weighted down with a terrific tacted on the previous trip. This time he hapof difficulties, of setbacks. Through them has feeling of responsibility—I had to start a group, pened to be ready to grab the torch out of my been distilled the group experience. I had to do it, I felt very inadequate, I wanted hand and so “evah-thing” caught on fire. In to “build a home in a day,” I met w i t h lots of just a year San Antonio has a v i t a l and grow- So it is t h a t in these 12 Points of Group Traopposition, I met with disappointments, t i l l I ing group. I visited them for ten days a month dition, there are experience and prudence and wisdom. . . . woke up and found the key to the s i t u a t i o n . Too later; all they’ve done since has been through much I, too much self in the whole deal. “I” t h e i r own efforts, not mine. “I” definitely wasn’t “Each member of A.A. is but a small part of only had one responsibility-—that of keeping “I” needed on the spot. The gent’s being ready to a great whole,” says the first sentence of Point One. sober. What did that entail? D a i l y contact, grab the torch was definitely not my doing. daily bit of positive A.A. work ( daily true and The complete death, I hope, of the “I” trou- Each of us alone, striving in our small way, thoughtful gratitude—leave the results in the ble has come through my experience with a can exert but a small influence. But all of us hands of this “Power greater than I am.” And group in the United States Disciplinary Barracks together can exert the mighty influence that is from then on the results have amazed me. at North Camp Hood, Texas. I’ve sponsored it A.A. My part is important, but it gains its im- For those who would like to know what my solely through correspondence for a year and a portance not through me but through my mem- “daily bits” were, I’ll list a few. Seeing doctors, half. “No females allowed” kept me away. bership in A.A., not through me but through my ministers, the Y.M.C.A., Salvation Army, t a l k – Weekly I’ve w r i t t e n the two men who contacted active participation in the work of the group; ing A.A. to anyone who w o u l d listen. I rented me. They kept doggedly on t i l l they had a not through me but through my willingness to a post office box, sent The number to our national group. Now the group, through its own efforts, make myself a pliant tool in the Hand of the secretary so inquiries and help could come with no help from the outside, has gained all Higher Power. through that source. Soon the days became the respect and notice it deserves. And this More Than Sobriety weeks, weeks months, and there was a group. month a letter from none other than the Com- The second sentence says: “A.A. must con- When the group here was five months old, a mandant of the Camp arrived, i n v i t i n g this tinue to live or most of us will surely die.” . . . plea came to help get “something going” in San female to visit! You remember as well as I that hagridden Antonio. Down I went with two of the Dallas In the beginning of this article I said I’d existence; those stumbling, chaotic, aimless “babies,” for three days and nights we did our found the key—that the results lie in the hands days; those haunted, horrendous, phantom-filled A.A. bit with a burning zeal. We did all we of this Power greater than I am—and it is the nights; miserable and sick of body, each nerve could, left feeling very hopeful, but nothing one that fits. The key is not mine so I can’t feel a throbbing agony; and worse, far worse the “caught fire.” In a few weeks we thought the in any way responsible. The groups to me are desolating misery of mind and of heart and of trip had been in vain and that old “I” trouble as miraculous as my own sobriety. They are soul. reared its ugly head. Maybe if / could have God’s doing and both awe me in a wondrous Yes, A.A. must continue to live or most of us stayed on the spot to do there all the things / way.—Esther E., Dallas, Texas.

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“… That Our .. . Blessings … Never Spoil Us (Continued f r o m Page 3) in our particular group. Charity, kindness, tol- stemming from that purpose for us as individ- Of such stuff is the real A.A. leadership. It is erance, thoughtfulness, a striving to be unsel- uals, the primary purpose for the group is rooted in God’s will. It knows, this A.A. leader- fish—these are the hallmarks of the A.A. who is spreading the A.A. message to those who need it. ship, that as God takes care of us as individ- living the life of the 12 Steps. . . . Having achieved sobriety as individuals, are uals—and that is manifest in more than 25,000 Point Five: “Each Alcoholics Anonymous we, Buddha-like, to spend the years in contemlives—so does He take care of us as a group. Group ought to be a spiritual entity having but plation of our navels? Are we to cloister our- God can not take care of us as individuals with- one primary purpose—that of carrying its mes- selves in our newly found paradise hoping to out simultaneously taking care of us as a group. sage to the alcoholic who still suffers.” live happily and selfishly ever after? The Third Point—”Our membership ought to Here as in Point One we seem to be running You know and I know that life isn’t like that, include all who suffer alcoholism. Hence we contrary to the accepted teaching that continued even l i f e in A.A. You know and I know that may refuse none who wish to recover. . . .” sobriety is the first and foremost purpose for us the A.A. program is a living thing. Death This is strong medicine, my friends, this busi- in A.A., The most important thing in our lives. comes when growth ceases. That’s elementary. ness of refusing no one. It’s a demand, ***, for But the conflict is more apparent than real. . . . As we as individuals cannot remain static, charity in the old and beautiful sense that Christ The primary purpose for the individual is so the group. The group must grow in and used i t — – t h e love of our fellow man for the love continued sobriety, and simultaneously and through us, and growing in and through us, it of God. must grow in and through others. When those And still further it’s a demand that we show two growths cease, A.A. will cease. our gratitude for the gift bestowed upon us— Point Six: “Problems of money, property by a willingness to share that gift with others— and authority may easily divert us from our all others who suffer from alcoholism—all primary spiritual aim. . . .” others regardless of race or creed or color—all Point Five asserts that an A.A. group ought others—rich, personable, charming or no. to be a spiritual entity. Point Six emphasizes this viewpoint. If we regard A.A. as a spiritual Not Ours By Right entity, we’ll do our best to keep from being cluttered up with too much money, too much prop- A.A. is a gift, a free gift from on high. erly, too much management. There’s no question but what we earned the need of the gift, earned it in the bitter torture Excess Dangerous of alcoholism, but it is also true that no one of us earned the right to the gift. You can see that these things in excess indi- On the contrary, some of us fought the Giver cate a doubt as to God’s providence. They quesand His gift, refused the Giver and His gift u n t i l tion the soundness of the 24-hour program. They alcohol had beaten us to our knees in our own give lip service only to that petition in the Lord’s particular gutter. Then, and only then, did we Prayer—”Give us this day our daily bread.” accept the gift. You can see, too, that these things in excess It is an A.A. paradox many times stated that interfere with the spiritual flow that characteronly by sharing this gift, by seeking to give it izes A.A. They take the time and thought of to others, can we retain it for our very own. A.A.s who would be better occupied—both for and so retaining it, see it grow in import and themselves and the world at large—in carrying beauty. The more of it we give, the more of it the A.A. message to other alcoholics. we have. Point Seven: “The A.A. Groups themselves And we can not, in conscience, pick and ought to be f u l l y supported by the voluntary choose as to whom we shall give it. God has a contributions of their own members. We think way of making a pauper out of the niggardly that . . . any public solicitation of funds using soul; a way, too, of rewarding ever more richly the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly the spendthrift soul. dangerous; that acceptance of large gifts from Point Four: “With respect to its own affairs, any source or of contributions carrying any each A.A. Group should be responsible to no obligation whatever, is usually unwise. Then, other a u t h o r i t y than its own conscience. But too, we view with much concern those A.A. treaswhen its plans concern the welfare of neighbor- uries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, ing groups also, those groups ought to be con- to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. pursulted. A n d no group, regional committee or pose. . . .” individual should ever take any action that When a man becomes well in A.A., he wants might greatly affect A.A. as a whole without to be his own man again. And part of this beconferring w i t h the Trustees of the Alcoholic ing your own man, of recovering your integrity, Foundation. On such issue? our common wel- I believe, is to carry your own hod. fare is paramount.” If an A.A. is justified in having any resent- We as groups should try to live w i t h other ment, I think it would be a resentment against groups as we try to live with fellow members being thought of as an object of charity, a seeker

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after alms, a relief client or the deserving poor. The fuel that makes the A.A. engine go is spiritual. The moment we add other ingredients, The Pleasures of Reading we begin to foul the spark plugs. Point Eight: “A.A. experience has taught us BERNARD CLARE by James T. Farrell (Vanguard Press, $2.75) that: “Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional. . . .” It is news when the creator of Studs Lonigan and Danny O’Neill, who also depicted for You know and I know the satisfaction we’ve f u t u r e generations the lower middle class life of the Irish in Chicago, turns to another backhad when some suspicious prospect inquired, ground for a major work of fiction. James Farrell has deserted neither his realism nor his “What’s the angle?” and we were able to tell interest in himself but he has changed the background of his novels from Chicago to New York. him that there isn’t any angle, there isn’t any He writes not of the New York of today but of the middle l920’s which in retrospect seems catch, there isn’t any concealed bite—that we the last normal period in our lives. At least those were the last years in which the f u t u r e seemed were there to help him for a darn selfish reason secure and the present only a foretaste of better things to come. Into the New York of those —that while we were seeking to teach him, we days, with l i t t l e money in his pockets, Bernard Clare plunges as an older Danny O’Neill who were once again convincing ourselves—that our wants first of all to be a writer but must at the same time earn a l i v i n g . With enough cash to visit was all part of our own recovery. live for a short time at a cheap hotel he spends his first two weeks in the reading room of the New York Public Library, alternately dreaming of his ultimate success as a writer and of his A Way of Life conquest of any attractive girl who happens to be sitting opposite him at the reading table. The burden of Point Nine is that an A.A. When necessity drives him to a job in a cigar store on upper Westside Broadway he is s t i l l the group needs the least possible organization. It thwarted writer. He looks on life and human relations as in part the projection of himself and sets forth, too, the part played by the Alcoholic in part the human comedy of which he is a superior observer. Foundation as to tradition, funds and our news- It must be said f r a n k l y that Bernard is not entirely a sympathetic character, which is unpaper, The A.A. Grapevine.. fortunate since he must always hold the center of the stage. Cut off from f a m i l y and stable A.A., as has been often said, is a way of l i f e ; environment his human contacts in New York are limited and necessarily resolve themselves into not an organization. It is so good when it is the casual and the episodic. His chief absorption is himself. His relations w i t h other people simple. God save us from bustling l i t t l e badgers of his own age fall into two patterns typical of the subjective young man who is tortured by that would make of us a non-drinking u p l i f t his own sense of insecurity in relation to the world around him. Men of his own age he must society with buttons and badges, with commit- impress w i t h his greater knowledge or greater w i t and if this fails he must f a l l back on the tees and committees and committees, with titles simple process of tearing down or ridiculing their faiths or their beliefs, whatever they may be. and chairs and a uniformed rank. Since he soon establishes himself in one of the smaller Y.M.C.A.’s he finds enough targets in the Point Ten: “No A.A. Group or member latter category to keep him busy in his leisure hours. Girls whom he meets must either fall in should ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A., love with him and accept him on his own terms as a f u t u r e novelist of importance, giving themexpress any opinion on outside controversial is- selves unreservedly in the process, or they must be considered as u n i n t e l l i g e n t and f l i g h t y fesues—particularly those of politics, alcohol re- males unwortby of serious attention. form or sectarian religion. …” This is a novel for readers who are interested not in plot but in character. It has the weak- Let’s get back to fundamentals. Our prime ness of the realistic school which must achieve its effect by a m u l t i p l i c i t y of detail but despite purpose as individuals is to achieve and main- this fact few readers can fail to respond to the author’s account of his hero’s experiences in selltain sobriety. Our prime purpose as a group is ing to small business men in Queens advertising space for what must be the New York Teleto carry the A.A. message to the alcoholic who phone Company’s Red Book and to the very moving scene in which he waits as a spectator in is still sick. Certainly brawling in the market Union Square for the news of Sacco and Vanzetti’s execution.—J.J., Greenwich Village, New place is out of tune with the steps of the recov- York City. ery program. Point Eleven: “Our relations w i t h the outside a brass band, march down to the courthouse And there are two phases to this: The first is world should be characterized by modesty and square and to high-pressure all and sundry alco- the spirit of renunciation; the second is princianonymity. We think A.A. ought to avoid sen- holics to get in on a good thing. ples before personalities, the movement before sational advertising. Our public relations should We have seen that type of promotion operate. the man, the emphasis on the goodness of God be guided by the principle of attraction rather We have seen it fail. The wholesale business is rather than the puny effort of the alcoholic. than promotion. There is never need to praise a nice business, but it’s not for A.A. A.A. is a Let us accept the Twelve Points as our guide. ourselves. We feel it better to let our friends quiet thing, a confidential thing, a man to man “To the end that,” in the words of the 12th recommend us.” thing. It would be just super delooperus to dry Point, “our great blessings may never spoil us. Point Twelve: “And finally, we of Alcoholics up all the alkies in one bell-ringing, hell-bending, “That we shall forever live in t h a n k f u l con- Anonymous believe that the principle of cloud-busting, gully-washing campaign, but I t e m p l a t i o n of H i m Who presides over us all.”— anonymity has an immense spiritual significance. suspect that our present way of reaching an in- Clem L., Chicago. It reminds us that we are to place principles dividual’s heart is the way God wants us to do it. before personalities; that we are actually to Now as to the emphasis placed on anonymity. New York, Wall Street, Journal: Writing of practice a truly humble modesty. This to the Many of us were wont to t h i n k of the a n o n y m i t y the Bawl Street Journal, a paper lampooning end that our great blessings may never spoil us; of A.A. simply as a protective measure, w i t h the the Wall Street Journal, The l a t t e r says: that we shall forever live in t h a n k f u l contempla- added advantage, perhaps, of giving the lure of “. . . In the paper is the story of Speculators tion of Him Who presides over us all.” mystery to our group. But Bill, with his deep Pseudonymous, an organization for reformed Every now and again A.A. attracts a man who insight, early caught the spiritual significance stock traders similar in its work to that of Alcois so fired by the beauty of it, he wants to hire of anonymity. holics Anonymous in the l i q u o r field.”

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The Individual in Relation to A.A. as a Group (Continued from Page 2) a whole ahead of his own personal plans and about the terrible sufferings we alcoholics had Point Three, to t e l l every A.A. that nobody can ambitions. Apparently no human being can endured. My talk must have had a strong flavor stop him if he t h i n k s and does exactly what he force alcoholics to live happily and usefully to- of self pity and exhibitionism. I kept referring pleases! True enough, your Second Point gether. But Mr. John Barleycorn can—and he to our drinking experience as a great calamity, speaks vaguely about an ultimate authority, ‘A often does! a terrible misfortune. After the meeting I was loving God as he may express himself in our approached by a Catholic clergyman who Rugged Souls Return genially remarked, “I heard you say you thought Group conscience. W i t h all deference to your views, t h a t Point does look just a l i t t l e imprac- A story w i l l i l l u s t r a t e : Some time ago we your d r i n k i n g a great misfortune. But it seems tical to outsiders. After all, the whole world made a long list of our seeming failures in the to me that in your case it was your great good today is but the sad story of how most men first years of A.A. Every alcoholic on the list fortune. Was not this terrible experience the have lost t h e i r conscience and so cannot find had been given a good exposure. Most of them very thing which humbled you so completely their way. Now come you alcoholics (unstable had attended A.A. meetings for several months. that, you were able to find God? Did not sufpeople, too, you’ll a d m i t ) and you blandly tell After slipping and sliding around they had all fering open your eyes and your heart? A l l the us: 1. That A.A. is a b e a u t i f u l socialism—most disappeared. Some said they were not alcoholic. opportunity you have today, all this wonderful democratic. 2. That A.A. is also a dictatorship, Others couldn’t, stand for our belief in God. experience you call A.A., once had its beginits members subject to the benign rule of God. Many had developed intense resentments toward nings in deep personal suffering. In your case And finally, 3. That A.A. is so very individual- their fellows. Anarchists at heart, they could that was actually no misfortune. It was your istic that the organization cannot discipline its not conform to our society. And because our great good fortune. You A.A.s are a privileged own members for misbehavior or unbelief. society did not conform to them, they quit. people.” But only temporarily. Over the years, most of Crux of Our Credo these so-called failures have returned, often be- Searching the Motives ”So,’ continue our friends, “within the so- coming magnificent members. We never ran That simple yet profound remark affected me ciety of Alcoholics Anonymous it appears to us after them; they returned of their own accord, deeply. It is a landmark in my life. It set me that you have a democracy, a dictatorship and Each time I spot one newly back, I ask him why t h i n k i n g as never before about my relationship an anarchy, all f u n c t i o n i n g at once. Do these he has rejoined our fold. Invariably his answer to my fellow A.A.s. It caused me to question sleep quietly in the same bed—these same con- runs like this: “When I first contacted A.A. 1 my own motives. “Why had I come to Balticepts whose conflict is tearing apart our world learned that alcoholism is a disease; an obses- more anyway? Had I come only to enjoy the of today? Yet we know that A.A. works. So sion of the mind that compels us to drink, and applause and approval of my fellows? Was I you people must have somehow become recon- a sensitivity of the body that condemns us to there as a teacher or a preacher? Did I fancy ciled to these great forces. Tell us, if you can, go mad or die if we keep on. I also learned myself a great moral crusader?” On reflection, what holds A.A. together? Why doesn’t A.A. that A.A. worked, at least for some alcoholics. I shamefacedly admitted to myself that I had tear apart, too? If each A.A. has personal lib- But I then disliked A.A. methods, hated some all these motives, that I had been taking a erty which can amount to license, why doesn’t of the alcoholics I met there and I still toyed vicarious and rather self-centered enjoyment your A.A. society blow up? It ought to, yet with the idea that I could do the job of quitting out of my visit. But was that all? Had I no it doesn’t.” all by myself. After several more years of ter- better motive than my natural craving for pres- Our friends of the world outside, so puzzled rible drinking, which I found I was powerless tige and applause? Had I come to Baltimore over this paradox, are apt to miss a most signif- to control, I gave up. I returned to A.A. be- in response to no better or deeper need than icant statement as they read our Point One. It cause it was the only place left to go; I’d tried that? Then followed a flash of realization. is this: “A.A. must continue to live or most of everything else. Arrived at this point, I knew Underneath my shallow and childish vainglory us w i l l surely die.” that I must act quickly; that I must adopt the I saw Someone much greater than I at work! That stark assertion carries a world of mean- 12 Steps of the A.A. Recovery Program; that I Someone who sought to transform me; who ing for every member of Alcoholics Anonymous. must cease hating my fellow alcoholics; that I would, if I permitted, sweep away my less wor- While it is perfectly true that no A.A. group can must now take my place among them as a very thy desires and replace them with truer aspirapossibly coerce an alcoholic to contribute money, small part of that great whole, the society of tions. In these I might, were I humble enough, to conform to the 12 Steps of our Recovery Alcoholics Anonymous. It all boiled down to a find peace. Program or to the 12 Points of A.A. Tradition, simple question of ‘do or die’. I had to con- At that moment I saw ever so clearly why I each A.A. member is, nevertheless, most power- form to A.A. principles—or else. No more really should have come to Baltimore. I should f u l l y compelled, in the long run, to do these anarchy for me. So I’m back.” have journeyed there with the happy conviction very things. The t r u t h is, that in the life of each This illustration shows why we of A.A. must that I needed the Baltimoreans even more than A.A. member, there still lurks a tyrant. His needs hang together “or else hang separately.” they needed me; that I needed to share with name is Alcohol. He is cunning, ruthless. And We are players at a stern drama where death them both their burdens and their joys; that I his weapons are misery, insanity and death. No is the prompter to those who falter. Could any- needed to feel at one with them, merging myself matter how long we may be sober, he always one imagine a more powerful restraint upon us into their society; that even if they did insist on stands at each man’s elbow, ever w a t c h f u l of an than this? t h i n k i n g me their teacher, I should actually feel opportunity to resume his destruction. Like an Yet the history of uncontrolled drinking myself their pupil. I saw that I had been livagent of the Gestapo he ever threatens each A.A. shows that fear alone has chastened but few ing too much alone, too much aloof from my citizen with torture or extinction. Unless, of alcoholics. Much more than fear is needed to fellows, and too deaf to that Voice within. Incourse, the A.A. citizen is w i l l i n g to live un- bind us anarchists together. Several years ago, stead of coming to Baltimore as a simple agent selfishly, often placing the welfare of A.A. as speaking at Baltimore, I ran on at a great rate bearing the message of experience, I had come

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as a founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. And, like a salesman at a convention, I had been wearing my identification badge so that all might well see it. How much better it would have been, had I felt gratitude rather than self satisfaction—gratitude that I had once suffered the pains of alcoholism, gratitude that a miracle of recovery had been worked upon me from above, gratitude for the privilege of serving my fellow alcoholics and gratitude for those fraternal ties which bound me ever closer to them in a comradeship such as few societies of men have ever known. Truly did the clergyman say, ”Your misfortune has become your good fortune. You A.A.s are a privileged people.”

Anarchy Melts My experience at Baltimore was not unique. Every A.A. has such spiritual landmarks in his life—moments of insight which draw him closer to his fellows and to his Maker. The cycle is ever the same. First we turn to A.A. because we may die if we don’t. Next, we depend upon its fellowship and philosophy to stop our drinking. Then, for a time, we tend once more to depend upon ourselves, seeking happiness through power and acclaim. Finally, some in- EDITORIAL ON THE 9th STEP cident, perhaps a sharp reverse, opens our eyes still wider. Then, as we learn our new lesson (Continued from Page 2) and really accept its teaching we enter a new (!) we felt so remorseful. Then we said, “I’m sorry,” all over again. But that is not level of better feeling and doing. Life takes on the way we are going to say it this time, if we are sincere about the 9th Step. a finer meaning. We glimpse realities new to us; we apprehend the kind of love which assures Do we then ever become articulate and express our regrets to those whom we have us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. hurt? Obviously! It’s the only decent, Christian-like thing to do. We should. These are some of the reasons why we t h i n k You can take it or leave it; I took it several times with gratifying results. But if that Alcoholics Anonymous may be a new form you are one of those persons whom false pride, or a past hangover from alcoholic egoof society. tism, holds back from saying: “Forgive me,” then I feel sorry for you. And I’ll tell Each A.A. Group is a safe haven. But it is always circumscribed, however, by the tyrant you the reason, shortly. Alcohol. Like the men on Eddie Rickenbacker’s There are on my list of amends five persons. Specifically then (besides living the raft, we who live in the haven of A.A. cling to- 12 Steps), how did I commence to make amends to those whom I had h u r t ? I’ll use as an gether with an intensity of purpose which the example my employer. outside world seldom comprehends. The anarchy of the individual melts away. Self love sub- My employer is a “prince-of-a-chap.” He’s charitable, tolerant and extremely sides and democracy becomes a reality. We good-natured, all of which fine attributes “alcoholic me” had taken advantage of for begin to know true freedom of the spirit. The nearly two years. awareness grows that all is well; that each of I set a goal for myself. For six consecutive months I would not, while w o r k i n g us may implicitly trust in Him who is our l o v for him, be absent from work one day, barring illness or something over which I had ing Guide from within—and from above no control. That I have done, my longest period of non-absenteeism in the last ten years. Now when The Chief steps into our office in the morning on his way to the San Francisco office his eyes are brimful of twinkles and he booms out at me in a voice one can hear on the next floor. . . . I’ll bet, while we’re exchanging greetings, we’re both t h i n k – Have Yon Tried This One? ing the same thing:—”Teddie wasn’t drinking yesterday. And today, too, she is sober, thank the Lord!” From the New York Sun: He did a favor for me not long ago, which I appreciated, and I thanked him for I Amethyst is composed of two Greek words am indebted to him for that and for past consideration. I said, “I don’t know how in meaning “not to be drunk.” the world I’ll ever be able to repay you.” He said something like this: “You just keep on The ancients believed this stone would keep being a good girl—like you are now—and that’s how you’ll repay me.” I thought to the wearer sober. myself: He means keep on being “good and dry.”—T.L., Oakland, Calif.

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A.A. DIGEST —Excerpts from Group Publications The Rope. Yarn (A.A. Seamen’s Club), New to keep on guard continuously to see to it that York City: “Honesty with one’s self is a ‘must’ we do not slip back or that we do not fall prey for constructive thinking. A.A. gives us just to the evils of egotism in other ways. That is St. Paul. Minn.. Dispatch: “Women d r u n k t h a t in place of former turmoil. DON’T KID why it is well to keep on taking inventory.” ards are on the increase in St. Paul, in the YOURSELF—no one can suffer out your hang- opinion of those who study the problem here. over but yourself. . . .” Yale Summer School “Increase is noted both in those women who drink ‘socially’ and those who drink ‘hard’ and The Eye-Opener, Los Angeles, Calif.: Opens July 7 often alone. “Through the aid and eager cooperation of New Haven, Conn., Evening Register: “The “Total number of such women alcoholics Judge John J. Ford, with Probation Officer W. School of Alcohol Studies of the Laboratory of ranges from estimates of 500 to 1,000. These W. Lord, a really outstanding experiment has Applied Physiology at Yale University will hold estimates are based on a report by the Mayor’s been tried. its fourth annual summer session from J u l y 7 Committee on Alcoholism.” “In six weeks’ time, 81 alcoholics were re- through August 2, Prof. E. M. Jellinek, director, leased on waiver without appearing in court. announced. . . . Brockton. Mass., Enterprise and Times: They had made no promises but only had in- “The object of the summer session is, accord- ” . . . A local organization interested in helpdicated a real interest in A.A., and in the judg- ing to Professor Jellinek, ‘to make the most re- ing each other solve a personal problem, prement of the A.A. member there at the time were cent findings of scientific research available for sented a book to the library. The book is worth taking a chance with. application to the problems of alcohol in the Alcoholics Anonymous and the Brockton Group “Upon h i t t i n g the street they were told more community.’ of that organization is the donor. We admire about A.A. and then directed to the first avail- “The educational program of lectures and the group and the manner in which its members able meeting. However, they were also told seminars is designed to meet the needs of those have attacked their own problems. In presentthey were not on probation and were under no who are engaged in professions or activities in ing this volume to the library, they have done compulsion by the law to have anything more which a thorough knowledge of the facts about so in the hope that others who may wish to know to do w i t h A.A. The decision was theirs to alcohol problems will be of particular useful- more about Alcoholics Anonymous may do so make. ness.” easily.” “Sixty-four have been sober for periods ranging from a few days to six weeks; seventeen Marquette, Mich.. Mining Journal: “One hunfell by the wayside almost at once. . . . So far dred eighty Marquette residents heard discusthese first ones have brought 19 others into the sions on ‘Alcohol and Modern Life’ by a public meetings to find out what A.A. is all about. . . .” health physician, a member of the licensing and enforcement division of the Michigan Liquor Weekly News Letter (Deep East Texas (What’s the funniest A.A. tale or quip you’ve heard? Control Commission and an attorney who is a Group). Nacogdoches, Tex.: “At the last meet- Others would like to hear it. Send it in.) member of Alcoholics Anonymous at a confering in Nacogdoches the 35 A.A.s and wives The old Irish woman was on her way back to ence in Guild hall here. . . .” traveled a total of 3,480 miles in order to ‘make Dublin from the north. The customs man fished a meeting’ (and maybe to partake of that de- out a bottle from its temporary sanctuary in a New Rochelle, N. Y., Standard-Star: “Appeals licious barbecue which wound up being served voluminous nightdress. for greater awareness of the magnitude of the at the Country Club). It was an inspiration to “And what’s this?” he asked. “Shure an’ it’s problem of alcoholism in Westchester and see that fine group of thirteen from Longview, holy water,” said the woman, clutching for it. throughout the country, more sympathetic under- 160 miles round trip, five from Palestine. 130 The customs man had his suspicions. He standing of the chronic alcoholic as a sick permiles round trip, and two from Centerville, 240 pulled out the cork and sniffed. “This is son on the part of the physician, and recognition miles round trip.” whisky,” he said sternly. of this illness as a public health problem re- Up went the old woman’s hands in amaze- quiring facilities for care and treatment in both ment. “Glory be! A miracle!” voluntary and public hospitals, were made by Dubuque Alanews, Dubuque, Iowa: “A mem- speakers at a meeting of the Westchester Medber of A.A. is like a locomotive, always on the From Manny F., Miami, Fla. ical Society on the general subject of ‘Alcoupgrade. Good works are the firemen, and faith holism.’ . . . Three hundred doctors and layis the engineer. Our meeting rooms are where PLATITUDES WITH LATITUDE men attended.” we take on coal and water at least once a week. (Strictly cum grano salis) And it doesn’t hurt to take on a l i t t l e extra fuel Another recent AP story . . . this one from I joined A.A. to learn how to become a A t l a n t i c City, N. J.: once in a while at some other coaling station, controlled drinker. “Don’t use sleeping tablets in the barbiturate for emergency use. . . . We can all stand a few extra shots of A.A., so why not sample the I stopped drinking just to please my family when you’re drinking (or vice versa) mother. unless it’s a long sleep you’re after. brands our neighbors put out?” I get drunk often but 1 know I am not an “This was the gist of a report to the Ameralcoholic. ican Therapeutic Society by Dr. H. B. Haag Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio: “Self disci- I can stop drinking any time I want to. who, with two research workers at the Medical pline is a lifetime effort, even for non-alcoholics. I do EVERYTHING better with a few College of Virginia, has concluded a series of It takes time to get the upper hand over bad drinks under my belt. experiments illustrating the dangers of combinhabits of thought and action, and then we have Alcohol makes me think more clearly. (Continued on Page 10)

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad larger central bodies order bundles in reason- business should be spent on A.A. work and asso- Letters to this department are invited on any able quantities—at least now—in order to extend ciation just with A.A. members, for this may subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limitations you are asked to hold your letters to a the reading and study of the latest and best have a tendency to limit one’s sociability, and I maximum of 350 words. thought on our grand association? I am basic- believe would only make it harder to go out in Only initials will be published unless the ally in agreement with Tom K., Pasadena, on the world, should one’s work take him to perwriter authorizes use of his first name as identification for A.A. friends. policy clarification and increased guidance for haps a place where there wasn’t any A.A. club. The Grapevine will not divulge the full name newcomers. Therefore, I think there should be a varied of any writer but will forward A.A. communica- In the May issue J.L.N. on “Lack of Faith” program of life aside from A.A. and that too tions addressed to the writers of letters published here.—The Editors. almost speaks as though group therapy and much A.A. association could lead to difficulties. spiritual (or religious) aspects are m u t u a l l y ex- Besides, a part of free time should be spent, I clusive. I feel there is a tendency in some dis- believe, in association with some church, show- Sunrise, and a New Vision cussions to be mechanical (either-or) rather ing appreciation to the Higher Power for all From Richmond, Va. than “organic”. There can, of course, be no the good gotten from A.A. and its kind way of true group therapy without the spiritual aspects life.—C.F.J. Alcoholics Anonymous at work was demon- —the giving by the individual—faith in the strated in a Richmond, Va.—New York City setgroup as a Power also. Indeed, Link is well Silkworth Recordings ting on Sunday, May 26, 1946. At 4.40 a.m. quoted in the lead article—personality is habits From Manhattan, N. Y. that day, a woman member of the Richmond and skills which interest and serve other people. A.A. Group boarded a plane for New York, to The group can help the individual, also, to I am a recent graduate of Knickerbocker Hosseek hospital treatment there. pital, where I landed after a rather bad slip, a wholeheartedly pray in practise, and cultivate Two Richmond A.A.s—man and woman— slip that taught me a great deal, but possibly the “earnest thought which is prayer”. stayed up all night to walk “the last mile” with I prefer the parallel on a Tree to that on a not enough. her. At the LaGuardia airport to meet the plane New House. The tree gives, the house does not, On the fifth day of my five-day stay I got a were two New York A.A.s-—man and woman. psychiatric A.A. pep talk from that sainted unless guests, friends and those who need help The man had met the Richmond plane passenger share it. Giving is the positive, primary thing little coach, Dr. W. D. Silkworth. We had quite two weeks before, had been in her company only (12th Step), insurance on the house is a by- a session and his “Listen, fella!” still rings in three times. The New York A.A. woman was a product. “True love differs from dross and my ears. But not enough of what else be said complete stranger. They, too, were walking “the clay—that to divide is not to take away”.— rings in those self same ears. I only wish it did. last mile” with another human being needing George M. But I think there is a way in which his warnhelp. ing voice can be made to ring for me again. Was it symbolic of rebirth that the plane trip How Much Is Too Much? I told Dr. Silkworth when our session broke started on a Sabbath morning? The woman From Wilmington, Del. up that I wished he’d make a record—a phonopassenger was making her first long plane trip. graph recording—of one of his actual pep talks To her, the method of transportation and the Is there such a thing as having too much to an outgoing patient, perhaps one for each sex experiences to follow, represented a new adven- A.A. association? if that should be necessary. ture. A gorgeous sunrise lighted up the hori- Yes, I believe this is true, from this stand- I know this: That if I felt a slip coming on zon. . . . point. As for myself, I had become, as I be- it would be mighty salutary therapy for me to She was sailing into a new horizon, seeking lieve most of us had, a very undesirable person, be able to turn on the Silkworth record and sunrise and a new vision on life, before sunset to my fellow workers, neighbors, family and listen hard. For me it would be good preventive intermingles with the final shadows of life. friends, and came to know that I had to do medicine. She will have to stand on her own feet when something about it. Therefore, I joined A.A. Somehow I think the danger of that slip would she returns home to her children, family, job to make myself a more desirable citizen, better pass—and quickly.—J.W.C. and A.A. friends. She will not walk alone if liked by my friends, better to get along with she sincerely asks God’s help, and lends self- at my work, and more respected and loved by Habit Helps help in the process. A.A. cannot keep sober my family, and A.A. has done just that. But I From Linda Vista, Calif. any one who wants to drink, but A.A. can give don’t believe I should spend all my time with I have had for some time a curiosity to find friendship, example and inspiration. A.A. and drop these former friends, give up out what it was in A.A. that kept me sober when No credit is due the four A.A.s who helped all the things I’ve always wanted to do—namely all else failed, so I do a lot of t h i n k i n g . The a fifth A.A. member. It is insurance against tak- —go any place, sober, and be respected, enterresults of that t h i n k i n g I like to pass on to ing that first drink. To remain a “dry drunk”, tain in my home decently fellow workers, neighothers in the hope that in it w i l l be something to and not help others in need, will never give one bors and friends of long standing not in A.A. help them find this new way of life so f u l l of the exhilarating feeling that the 12 Steps induce, I think, above all, I should and need to attend where at all possible, the A.A. meetings, in fact, sunshine, happiness and contentment. when followed.—Bob H. put them first as to my engagements. Also I As I review my past I find that I was de- Material for Discussion feel that I’ve made some of the best and finest cidedly a creature of nature and very easily fell friends I’ve ever had in A.A., and I enjoy the into a rut that sooner or later got me into From Oakland, Calif. trouble. social part the club has offered me. My home Our national monthly, I believe, can well be is open any time, day or night, to all A.A. mem- This fault in my character, or whatever it is. read by all possible members and used more bers, who are most welcome. But back to the finally led me to the brink of utter ruin and disfor discussions in groups. Could not group and question, I don’t t h i n k all one’s free time from (Continued on Page 12)

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Habit Formation in a New Personality The Clip Sheet (Cont. from Page 8) ing certain sleeping pills and alcohol. (Continued from Page 1) “Experimenting on mice, dogs and rabbits, reference to their particular characteristics and Alcoholics, and neurotics generally, are sat- Dr. Haag reported that, the toxic effect of i n d e p e n d e n t l y of time and purpose. The answer urated w i t h the toxic substance of fear, distrust, seconal, for instance, was increased 40 per cent seems to be, first, that the t r a n s f o r m a t i o n is a inferiority and despair. For this, a well known when the a n i m a l s were fed a.small q u a n t i t y of single, not a double operation; and second, that psychologist recommends the active use of the alcohol. the process of casting off the old and engraft- body, bodily movements being a common de- “The ‘chain reaction’ was even greater when ing the new, concurrently, is a process of nominator of personality. But again, the exer- barbital and phenobarbital were used, the regrowth, of evolution, having as its u l t i m a t e goal cises suggested are not just any bodily activity searchers learned. a complete integration of the personality. but those carried on w i t h or in relation to other “Half the animals used in the tests were In other words, the bad h a b i t is not rooted people, in play or in work. Likewise, pursuits killed in a short time. . . .” out by excision or e x t i r p a t i o n so as to leave a predominantly mental in character advance pervacuum for occupancy by the next tenant in the sonal integration when h e l p f u l l y shared w i t h Chicago, Ill., Sun: “Sipping tea rather than person of a good habit. On the contrary, the others. drinking old-fashioneds and Martinis at cocktail very same energies and resources which were parties is the f u t u r e in store for a group of expended in the pursuit of the bad habit must prominent Chicago businessmen. . . . Task a Personal One “They feel that holding cocktail parties is a be used again—this time, however, with proper motivation and aims—directed and channeled Much of the work of individual reconstruc- bad example to the younger generation. to a higher and more constructive level. Psy- tion must be initiated and performed by the “So they have organized ‘Alcoholics Onyologists call it sublimation, and moralists call alcoholic himself. “After all,” it is w r i t t e n in mous.’ The last word, of course, means ‘bearit r e f o r m a t i o n ; in the phrase of t h e day, we Alcoholics Anonymous (p. 116), “our problems ing a name,’ as opposed to Alcoholics Anonymight call it psychological re-conversion. were of our own making. Bottles were only a mous.” In terms of the A.A. program, the motivation symbol.” One looks askance, therefore, at any which should inspire us, the aims which should system which calls for transference to profes- VETERANS OF TWO WARS FIND guide us, and the habits which should be culti- sional advisors of the individual’s own respon- HELP IN OWN HOSPITAL GROUP sibility in the premises. Similarly, by a t t r i b u t – {Continued from Page 1) vated, are clearly set f o r t h in the 12 Steps. ing the patient’s u n f o r t u n a t e plight to morbid his early t h i r t i e s with submarine service in the There we have a recognition and declaration of complexes, repressions, moral illness or the sub- recent war—had been committed to the hospital our i n a b i l i t y , unaided, to solve the problem of conscious mind, the individual’s incentive and by his wife. Because of her past experiences l i v i n g ; “the e m p t y i n g of the memory” as St. opportunity to develop habits of self-control by with him, she refused to sign his release. A.A. John of the Cross would call the moral invenprogressive action are postponed. Human na- had confidence in him, arranged for his dist o r y ; the aspiration to higher levels of honesty ture being ever alert, to find excuses, for its mis- charge from the hospital, and got him a job in and tolerance; and the dedication to a l i f e of takes and weaknesses is astute to adopt pseudo- the v i c i n i t y . Joe made good, l a t e r got a job in usefulness by p a r t i c i p a t i o n in activities which scientific explanations for the abandonment of his home town, and has since been reunited with interest and serve others. “The s p i r i t u a l life the last vestige of moral responsibility (What Is his wife. is not a theory. We have to live it.” (Alcoholics the Alcoholic’s Moral Responsibility? Grape- Ted, an aviator of the first World War who Anonymous, p. 95.) vine, November, 1945, p. 1). had kicked around with A.A. since its inception Personality Formula w i t h o u t making the grade, ended up in the On the other hand, the alcoholic’s job of per- It is in this last respect t h a t the process of Northport Veterans’ Hospital in 1939. In 1941 sonal re-conversion is one of considerable maghabit f o r m a t i o n , or, more properly, re-formation be managed to get a commission in the A i r nitude, e n t a i l i n g strenuous individual effort retakes place in t h e reconstructive way we have Corps, but w i t h i n a short time he drank himself gardless of how much human and divine help t r i e d to describe. The n u b of the matter is that out of the service and back into the hospital. he receives. Upon the a u t h o r i t y of St. Francois habits of service and self-sacrifice are of the Recently he was a g a i n discharged from the hosde Sales, therefore, he is entitled to be patient essence of personality. The most significant clue p i t a l after several more trips in and out. But w i t h himself as he is expected to be w i t h others: to the psycho-dynamics of personality is in the now he has that “something” t h a t gives A.A.s Biblical concept: ‘ F o r whosoever w i l l save his “Be patient with everyone, but above all f a i t h in a fellow-member. l i f e shall lose it; and whosoever w i l l lose his life w i t h yourself. I mean, do not be dis- Medical officers and employees of the hosfor my sake shall find it.” heartened by your imperfections, but al- pital give the group their support and co-opera- As has been stated, the u l t i m a t e objective, in ways rise up with fresh courage. I am glad tion. One employee, Charlie C., got his start the a t t a i n m e n t of which constructive habits are you make a fresh beginning daily; there in A.A. through the group. He has since been a d e t e r m i n a t i v e factor, is complete integration. is not better means of attaining to the instrumental in f o r m i n g a group at Kings Park In a properly integrated personality, the ego or spiritual l i f e than by c o n t i n u a l l y begin- State Hospital on Long Island. i n d i v i d u a l consciousness is in tune with the u n i – ning again, and never t h i n k i n g that we The A.A.s who are c o n t r i b u t i n g to the success versal consciousness, or the Higher Power as we have done enough. How are we to be pa- of the A.A. group at the Northport hospital understand it. And the integrated i n d i v i d u a l tient in bearing w i t h our neighbor’s faults, hope that they are l a y i n g the groundwork for consciousness directs and guides the mind and if we are impatient in bearing with our a program long needed by veterans. Through body in a harmonious, i n t e l l i g e n t and spontane- own? He who is fretted by his own f a i l – this kind of work, the many veterans with alcoous way. Integration of personality, then, has ings will not correct them; a l l profitable holic tendencies returning from the recent war its physical and mental as well as i t s spiritual correction comes from a calm, peaceful may be able to recognize their ailment w i t h o u t aspects, a l l of them related to the phenomenon mind.” waiting fifteen years or more—as many World of habit. R.F.S., Montclair, N. J. War I veterans did.—Fred S., Manhattan.

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A. A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit A.A. in Atlanta, Ga., has made great progress of l u x u r i a n t g r o w t h ) , East Side, West Side, In ” E a s y Does It.” its second a n n u a l v a r i e t y since its birth five years ago. The two groups Women’s Group and the Meyerson Group. The show, the East Orange, N. J., Group went to are plugging for the establishment of an alco- present arrangement provides a meeting by one town again this year, displaying lots of t a l e n t holic ward in the big Fulton-DeKalb County of the sub-groups every night in the week. and i n g e n u i t y . The show was produced and Hospital soon to be b u i l t . . . . The Newark directed by the group, with scenery painted by Group has moved into its new meeting quarters The Pensacola, Fla., Group is receiving many the members. Stage crew, electricians, ticketat 66 North 7th Street, about one block from inquiries as a result of an A.A. advertisement takers and ushers, all were recruited from the the Alanon Clubhouse. More than 100 people in their local paper. . . . A f t e r some five and local A.A.s. And the cast of 36 “Easy-doers ‘ were at the first meeting in their new home. one-half years there are now nine well-estab- came from the group. The music was furnished Another group, known as the North Newark lished groups in California’s San Diego County: by the Alanon orchestra from Newark. This A.A., is growing to such an extent that they La Mesa, San Marcos, Chula Vista, Old Town, entirely A.A. production brought an audience are now forming a second one. Other new Presidio, City Jail Group, Pacific Beach Wom- of 600 A.A.s and friends from nearby communigroups in this vicinity are the Vailsburg and en’s Group, San Diego Women’s Group and the ties. Some of the rollicking musical numbers Clinton Hill. . . . Rochester’s fourth birthday San Diego Group. A group of San Diego A.A.s and satirical skits were “The March of Crime,” dinner was attended by 230 members and guests. were present at the first meeting in El Centro; “You Made Him What He Is Today,” “Boys This group has branched out into morning meet- representatives of the local clergy, civil authori- Will Be Girls,” and “Don’t Point.” ings to provide for night shift workers or others ties and radio were present. who are unable to attend evening meetings. . . . This has been “open season” for members of To extend the scope of its usefulness, the Mid- Big crowds of Cleveland A.A.s were attracted the Boston, Mass., area. More than 500 people dletown, Conn., Group each week invites six to the Little Theatre when Mack’s Merrie Min- gathered to hear the talks at the recent open different guests: doctors, pastors, judges or strels presented their third annual minstrel show. meeting in Worcester; about 200 attended the other substantial citizens. It ran two nights and was a complete success, first open meeting of the Woburn Group. The w i t h end men, an interlocutor, a chorus, and second monthly joint meeting of the Greater Two new A.A. broadcasts have gone on the even a big olio. . . . That city’s Lorain Avenue Boston Groups, for the benefit of the Central air—in Dallas and Los Angeles. . . . The Cin- Monday Group celebrated its fifth anniversary Service Committee, had as guest speaker Austen cinnati Fellowship of A.A. celebrated its first with a meeting and dance. . . . Another big Lake, columnist and war correspondent. A anniversary in the new clubhouse early in July. event for the Ohioans was the third annual A.A. member of the Boston Group addressed a gather- When the idea of obtaining a new clubhouse boxing show. Five hundred fight fans saw the ing of the District Nurses’ Association in was first suggested there were numerous objec- nine bouts. The previous night, the A.A. Bowl- Swampscott. . . . The Pittsfield, Mass., Group, tions and many predictions were made of future ing League Banquet ( f o r members of 32 par- started last November, has now reached a point trouble regarding the administration of the af- ticipating teams) was served to 200. Teams where it is beginning to be felt in the comfairs of the club. Happily, none of these pre- from the Glenville and West Side Morning munity. Today the total membership is 18. At dictions has materialized. The financial and Groups were declared champions. the first open dinner meeting five-minute speakadministrative affairs of the club are handled ers were heard from Albany, Schenectady and by elected representatives and the Board of 24 New Groups Troy, N. Y.; Hartford, Conn.; Springfield and Trustees, all of whom are two-year-old members. Boston, Mass. New groups reported in the month ending Cooperating with the Fort Worth Group, Dr. June 7 include: The one-man group in Mission, Tex., has been W. B. Nies, City-County physician, addressed CALIFORNIA—Anaheim and Whittier. 12th stepping by w r i t i n g letters to be read at the Texas State Medical Association in Galveston CONNECTICUT—Saybrook. meetings of larger groups. He got going about on “Relation of Alcoholism to Public Health.” FLORIDA—Key West. six months ago. . . . Such a large number of Dr. Nies presented his facts on alcoholism to GEORGIA—Macon. California state institutions have asked groups this medical body for the first time in Texas; ILLINOIS—North Side (Peoria). in the Los Angeles area to introduce A.A. to other city-county health officials became inter- MAINE—New Brunswick. their patients that the Los Angeles Central Comested, asked for more information and expressed M I C H I G A N — C l a r e and Midland. mittee has had to coordinate the work among their desire to cooperate more closely with A.A. MINNESOTA—Elbow Lake. the various groups. . . . The M i l l Creek Group groups throughout the state. . . . Growing mem- MISSOURI—Kansas City Salvation Army. of Salem, Ore., recently held an essay contest bership of the four-year-old Dallas Group (ap- MONTANA—Fort Missoula. for members, who wrote on “What A.A. Means proximately 150 strong) has necessitated divi- NEBRASKA—Auburn. to Me.” . . . Des Moines A.A.s recently had a sion into 10 units for the weekly closed meetings NORTH CAROLINA—Henderson. professional movie camera crew record activities held in members’ homes, offices and hotels. This NEW JERSEY—Passaic. at one of their regular Saturday night open group, now searching for permanent quarters, NEW YORK—Lockport. house parties at their newly-painted clubhouse. reports an increasing cooperation of medical, OHIO—Tri-City of Gallipolis. The showing (for members and friends o n l y ) is clergy and law-enforcement officials. TEXAS—Hamilton, Mission and San Augustine. scheduled for July. VIRGINIA-—-Newport News. The Indianapolis Group now numbers about WYOMING—Cheyenne. With help from the Denver, Colo., Group, an 275 members. There are five sectional groups: CANADA—Vancouver, B. C., Island. A.A. brunch got started in Cheyenne, Wyo. . . . Broad Ripple (bi-partitioned this spring because NEW ZEALAND—Richmond. A Detroit A.A. spoke for the Saginaw County

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( M i c h . ) Public Health Association at a com- big ones, or h e l p in any way to make their stay fellows and while the 12 Steps may not be the m u n i t y d i n n e r meeting on “Alcoholism” at- in or around Toronto happier, it w i l l just tickle stairway to Heaven, the treading of them d a i l y tended by teachers, doctors, public officials and us pink,” writes a Toronto member. leads to the worship of God. No man ever sank other interested residents. . . . A transcription u n d e r the burden of the day. It is when toof the “Cavalcade of America” A.A. story was A capacity crowd of 600 gathered at the tenth morrow’s burden is added to the burden of toplayed at an open meeting of the Seattle, Wash., semi-anunal banquet of the Minneapolis Group day, that the weight is more than a man can Group. to honor 56 members who had achieved t h e i r bear. Herein lies our emphasis on the 24-hour first year of aridity since the last banquet. A.A.s in the towns of Alexandria, Osakis, Morris, program of abstinence. Each of us has known The Kansas City. Mo.. Group, which recently observed its f i f t h anniversary w i t h a supper and Elbow Lake and Starbuck, M i n n . , gather in one the utmost of h u m i l i a t i o n , of despair and of dedoor show, some time ago started h o l d i n g small of these towns at least monthly for meetings; feat. So why should we who know the Resurneighborhood meetings. Beginning w i t h 10 the three A.A.s in Fairvault are s t r i v i n g toward rection, have fears of any disaster which might units, there are now 17. The success of these larger numbers. befall us? small neighborhood discussion units is reflected In A.A. we do not engage in moralizing or in the increased attendance at the weekly central meetings, where the average n u m b e r has risen Mail Call preaching. We are mindful that no one of us is any better than the other so we put ourselves f r o m 125 to 250. The group’s membership has (Continued from Page 9) in the other fellow’s shoes. The rule of the doubled since its fourth anniversary. . . . A aster, to the p o i n t where it was either do a com- game is to a c t u a l l y lend a hand instead of talkdistrict group meeting, representing the f o u r groups that sprang from the Bellevue, Ohio, plete about face and start back up or j u m p off ing about it—to l i f t up to—not to talk down to. Group—Norwalk. Sandusky, Port C l i n t o n and the brink. Who can jest at scars who never felt the wound? Fremont—was held at the Bellevue Town Hall. I now believe that that very flaw in my char- We have felt wounds. Therefore, through our . . . The Fresno, Calif., Group, which held its acter—getting in a rut easily—is one that has compassionate understanding and group fellowfirst meeting March 1, now has n i n e active mem- made it possible for me to stay on the A.A. pro- ship, we are able to transcend the doctrines and bers. The address is P. 0. Box 131. . . . Mem- gram and find this new way of life. dogmas of other organizations, and practice our phis, Tenn. A.A.s observed their second anni- I early formed the habit of attending all the principles. We in no way deprecate the teachversary w i t h an open house for members and meetings I could, the habit of taking all the ac- ings of other media for good in the w o r l d ; in friends. tivity I could in the program, the habit of study fact, the principles of religion are incorporated and research into my l i f e to dig out the flaws in in our 12 Steps. We believe that . . . good The newly organized Alano Club in Mil- me; the habit of never allowing myself to forget works make the man; therein lies the effectivewaukee, w h i c h was incorporated under the state that I was an alcoholic; the habit of listening ness of the A.A. program. laws of Wisconsin, is holding a series of Sunday with an open m i n d ; the habit of taking my own evening buffet suppers. The Milwaukee A.A.s inventory every time someone slipped to see if A Planned Way invite out-of-town members to their clubrooms I was thinking like he had been; the habit of in the Metropolitan Block, 3rd and State Streets. honesty with myself; the habit of tolerance, and From Jackson, Mich. . . . Now that vacation time is here, the Toronto last but not least, the habit of seeking the com- “I planned it that way,” was the theme of an Group sends a cordial invitation to A.A.s who pany and companionship of my own kind, the address by Eddie D. of Detroit at the formal may be traveling in the North to make their same habit I formerly had, only now, instead of opening of A.A. clubrooms in Jackson recently. clubrooms at 1170 Yonge Street their headquar- looking for them in saloons, cocktail bars and “I had to make my choice, to live an A.A. or ters. “If we can tell them where to catch some places where they serve liquor, I look for them to die a victim of chronic alcoholism. There in the A.A. meetings, where we are all trying to was no alternative. So I am here tonight bedo the same thing—that is, stay sober, on an Cut This Out and Mail To: cause 1 have planned it that way. a l l – t i m e basis.—J.F.H. The Grapevine “I am grateful to those who have shown me P.O. Box 328 the way, and I am happy to be able to show Grand Central Annex, N.Y. 17, N. Y. Works Make the Man other victims the way to overcome the disease Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) From Chicago: of alcoholism. for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- Question: Having attained sobriety and revine, ( m o n t h l y ) . “The so-called slips our A.A. friends have are sumed a normal life, do we find the principles For additional subscriptions enclose separate and precepts of A.A. more effective in directing not, to my mind, slips. They are planned drunks sheet w i t h name and address clearly printed, our lives than those of other organisations such or binges. Those A.A.s who are really t r y i n g Checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. as churches, lodges, societies, etc.? to live the A.A. way will admit as much when they recover and return to the program. Total Enclosed Yes, we do. The test of anything is “will it “I now pick my jobs with an eye to helping Renewal ? (please check) work?” I should like to add practices to the me to stay with the A.A. program, rather than PLEASE PRINT question asked. The principles, precepts and the salary, and I am happy then, for I planned Name practices of A.A. are a practical distillation of it that way.” Address many faiths, hopes and aspirations, brought down from lofty heights to guide us in actually A.A.s were present from Kalamazoo and living better lives. Other organizations are more Battle Creek. Local non-alcoholic friends also Note: Subscriptions received prior to the 15th like the classroom work. In A.A. we have a attended. Similar meetings will be held the of J u l y will begin with the August issue. compassionate cooperative understanding of our first Saturday of each month.—G.R.I.

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VOL. III. NO. 3, AUGUST, 1946, P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17, N. Y. The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1946, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved. Yearly subscription $2.50 ($3 outside the United States); single copy 25 cents.

What Are the Enemies of Peace of Mind? To us alcoholics, I believe that “peace of Lying represents one of the chief germs of the thought that it is h u m a n nature to err, but mind” is the paramount prerequisite to con- disease, because we lied about everything when just let some one else make a comparable error tinued sobriety. During our drinking years, we in most cases the truth would have been better; and what happens? You know, we blow up — did not, and could not enjoy “peace of mind.” we lied to get out of the house, on the pretext and did we make any effort to help the erring In the battle for sobriety, we have four definite of going to the store for groceries, but what we person? No! We were i n t o l e r a n t and couldn’t enemies of “peace of mind” which require con- really wanted was another drink. We lied about understand how any one could be so dumb, and stant daily combat. where we had been, a last minute meeting had if we happened to be in a position of a u t h o r i t y , LYING is the enemy No. I of “peace of been called after business hours, which was the we were more than likely to let off our super mind” and in connection with all alcoholics. cause of our being late for dinner, but the meet- dynamic, egocentric, self-esteemed, arrogant, ing was actually with the bartender. We lied alcoholic steam, by firing the poor erring indiabout money matters to our wives in order to vidual, not giving two hoots what happened to CHICAGO ASSURES hold out a few extra dollars for what we be- (Continued on Page 10) YEARLINGS A PART lieved our much needed stimulant. Therefore ON THE PLATFORM MINNEAPOLIS RECORD under such prevarication it is understandable that we had no “peace of mind.” One of the initial acts of the newly formed RESENTMENT is enemy No. 2 of “peace INDICATES THAT 75% of mind” because with a heart f u l l of bitterness, ARE SUCCESSFUL IN A.A. Policy Committee of the Chicago Group was to recommend a new pattern for the large, joint jealousy and resentment, there is certainly no The Minneapolis Group, in March, 1943, inmeeting which is held there each Tuesday night “peace of mind.” We hated our neighbor be- augurated a system for keeping a record of the for all of the Groups in the Chicago area. cause he was a pious, church-going, prohibi- sobriety of members from three months on up. The new policy, adopted by the Set-Up Comtioner, who had on numerous occasions seen us As a result, the following exact percentages have mittee which remains the final a u t h o r i t y in Chicome home in a condition much the worse for been arrived at: cago Group affairs, provides that each Tuesday liquor, and maybe he had even offered words of For the Year 1945 night program will have four first year memcondolence to our wives, which heaped more 5-yr. members 100% successful 0% slipped bers as speakers with a fourth, fifth or sixth year searing coals upon our fire of hate. We re- 4-yr. ” 100% ” 0% ” member as chairman. The policy was evolved sented with fervor, and a sickening jealousy, 3-yr. ” 100% ” 0% ” out of the thought that if the speakers’ lists were the successes of our superiors, even the promo- 2-yr. ” 89% ” 11% ” reserved for the older members who continued tion of our associates, and sometimes said to 18-mo. ” 90% ” 10% ” to appear on .subsequent anniversaries, they ourselves, “Why didn’t I get that promotion in- 1-yr. ” 80% ” 20% ” would displace the one-year people and, at the stead of him?” and immediately set out to 9-mo. ” 82% ” 18% ” rate of the Chicago Group’s growth, the multiple drown what we felt to be our troubles. And so, 6-mo. ” 70% ” 30% ” anniversaries would exceed the first appearances. living in the cloak of resentment, it is again 3-mo. ” 48% ” 52% ” Under the new policy, the Program Committee has divided the Chicago area into subdivis- quite understandable that we had no “peace of (Of those who slipped in 1915, only 161⁄2% ions with one committee member having re- mind.” have worked back to any degree of sobriety.) sponsibility for a number of adjoining groups. INTOLERANCE is enemy No. 3 of “peace Over-all Percentages Each area will provide speakers for a night, set of mind.” It is the inability of an individual to 1943 78% successful 22% slipped well enough in advance to assure proper prep- cope with the smallest irritation. If we should 1944 83% ” 17% ” aration. make an error we excuse ourselves with the 1945 77% ” 23% “

TO ACT NORMALLY EDITORIAL: FIRST LIVE NORMALLY On the 10th S t e p . . . It is my contention that in order for a man to act normally it is necessary for him to live “Continued to take personal inventory and normally, that is, to adjust his life so that each when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” phase of it will balance with the other. The occupational part must be on the same level as This step is really an extension of the 4th Step. It is the “follow through” on that the emotional part and the spiritual part and so long list of things that we put down on paper after reading the 4th Step. The new twist on. is the part about “when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” The going may get a Fundamentally we are virtually the same. Conlittle tough when we try to put this Step into practice. ditions, environment, age and health, however, It’s easy to write down our good qualities and our bad qualities honestly if it’s are factors that often overwhelm our judgment done privately and we are sure nobody else sees it. If we are honest, the list of bad quali- to the point that we begin to believe we are difties will be very much longer than the list of good qualities. If we are trying honestly ferent from other persons. Usually when we to live the A.A. program, we try to do something about that longer list. We make reso- begin to believe we are different we assume a lutions. We plan to “turn over a new leaf.” Then, unfortunately for most of us, we tear sense of inferiority. Sometimes we try to sugarthe list into tiny pieces, burn it and carefully bury the ashes. coat it with an air of superiority. But you may Admission of an unkind remark to someone or of a persistent feeling of resentment wash it and scrub it as much as you will, it is is an overt act which means a growing maturity. And it is a matter of a person’s emo- still an inferiority complex, and you encounter tional maturity. Perhaps a better word would be childishness. How often have we acted many heartaches and much sorrow when you like a child when we should have acted like a man? travel the road in such a frame of mind. A man admits his mistakes and tries to make amends; a child pouts. As problem drinkers, we were problem children. As problem drinkers, we sought to escape the con- Alcohol Impairs Judgment sequences of voluntarily childish acts through alcohol. As arrested alcoholic cases, we must learn to face reality and responsibility for our acts if we are to “stay on the beam.” Our impaired judgment is a result of indis- The 10th Step is simply a device we use in attaining maturity. None knows better creet use of alcohol. There is no doubt but that than we how hard it is to admit to our wife, or our boss, or our friends that we have been we could overcome the obstacles that made us wrong about so many things. And yet, if we follow this device and make our admissions think along these lines that are wrong had we not promptly we go a long way towards attaining the maturity necessary to a happy sobriety. voluntarily befogged that part of our anatomy In a way, this Step is tied to those old standbys in A.A., tolerance and humility. that controls our thinking. We have gotten out To admit that we were wrong is truly to show humility; to revalue our own importance of the realm of happiness, peace, security and is truly to be humble. If we are trying to be tolerant, we are trying to understand the contentment and we do not know how to get other fellow’s point of view. And if we understand his point of view, we are much less back. We have forgotten how to live normally. likely to treat him unkindly. We need help and advice but are reluctant to To “continue to take personal inventory” means to know ourselves. It’s so easy— accept it when it is offered. There are a thousand and so human, too—to feel a little proud of our sobriety at times. How often have we excuses and a thousand reasons we give. said to ourselves: Poor old Willie! He was so drunk at the office party. What an ass he We use them to gratify our ego or satisfy some made of himself! What makes him so stupid? Why doesn’t he get smart and come into ever patient listener. Actually they don’t make A.A.? We, of course, didn’t do anything wrong at the party. We were sober. We are sense. They are something like what could be quite a wonderful fellow! Oh, brother, are we the big A.A.! said of iced tea. First you put it on the stove This type of thinking is very dangerous. As a matter of fact, lots of persons at the to make it hot, then put ice in it to make it cold, office party probably thought that we were becoming a very stuffy individual. If we were sugar in it to make it sweet and lemon to make smart, we would thank God that we were able to live through the office party without it sour. It is not quite understandable. Our drinking. If we were honest, we would get down on our knees and thank God that we well being has been jeopardized in its enfound A.A. And, as for criticizing Willie! We should try to secure our own sobriety by tirely and we are no longer capable of managhelping Willie instead of kicking him around. ing that intangible part of us that may be good The 10th Step is really a reminder. It reminds us to be alert about ourselves. It and holds a spark of hope for the future. We reminds us that we are only an arm’s length from a drink and a slip. It is a very im- are not pleased with the scheme of things, portant step. We would do well to learn its implications.—J.T., Greenwich Village, neither are we pleased with the outlook. We New York City. definitely belong to a group that doesn’t fit in any line of endeavor or in any plan whether it be large or small. WHAT “EARN” MEANS WHEN APPLIED IN A.A. Must Want Help Webster’s definition of the word, “earn” is: trated efforts to ruin our health, our painstak- “To merit or deserve, as by labor or service.” ing efforts to insult our friends and our wanton Before we can honestly accept the help that Webster’s definition of the word “distinction” waste of precious business hours together with we need we have got to want it. We have got is: “State or quality of being distinguishable or our home wrecking abilities, must not be con- to admit to ourselves that this problem is bigger distinct.” fused with my statement that we have earned than we are, that we want to overcome it entirely We have earned the distinction of being A.A.s. the distinction of being A.A.s. and be sincere enough to admit we want to do Our uprising against society, our concen- We “merit and deserve” because we have left so, not for John, Joe or Jim but for our own (Continued on Page 10) (Continued on Page 8)

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Who Is A Member of Alcoholics Anonymous ? By Bill the “God business” is bunk and quite unneces- tolerant crowd in their neighborhood. The The first edition of the book Alcoholics sary. Under these conditions our conservative Elders soon discover that the rules and regula- Anonymous makes this brief statement about program-abiding members get scared. These tions aren’t working very well. Most attempts membership: “The only requirement for mem- appalling conditions must be controlled, they at enforcement generate such waves of dissenbership is an honest desire to stop drinking. We t h i n k . Else A.A. w i l l surely go to rack and sion and intolerance in the Group that this conare not allied with any particular faith, sect or ruin. They view w i t h alarm for the good of d i t i o n is presently recognised to be worse for denomination nor do we oppose anyone. We the Movement! the Group life than the very worst that the worst simply wish to be helpful to those who are At this point the Group enters the rule and ever did. afflicted.” This expressed our feeling as of regulation phase. Charters, by-laws and mem- After a time fear and intolerance subside. 1939, the year our book was published. bership rules are excitedly passed and a u t h o r i t y The Group survives unscathed. Everybody has Since that day all kinds of experiments with is granted committees to filler out undesirables learned a great deal. So it is, that few of us membership have been tried. The number of and discipline the evil doers. Then the Group are any longer afraid of what any newcomer membership rules which have been made (and Elders, now clothed with authority, commence can do to our A.A. reputation or effectiveness. mostly broken!) are legion. Two or three to get busy. Recalcitrants are cast into the Those who slip, those who pan-handle, those years ago the Central Office asked the groups outer darkness, respectable busybodies throw who scandalize, those with mental twists, those to list their membership rules and send them in. stones at the sinners. As for the so-called sin- who rebel at the program, those who trade on After they arrived we set them all down. They ners, they either insist on staying around, or the A.A. reputation—all such persons seldom took a great many sheets of paper. A little re- else they form a new Group of their own. Or harm an A.A. Group for long. Some of these flection upon these many rules brought us to an maybe they join a more congenial and less in- have become our most respected and best loved. astonishing conclusion. If all of these edicts Some have remained to t r y our patience, sober had been in force everywhere at once it would LEST WE FORGET . .. nevertheless. Others have drifted away. We have begun to regard these ones not as menhave been practically impossible for any alco- Question: Is there any objection to a member holic to have ever joined Alcoholics Anonymous. aces, but rather as our teachers. They oblige using the name, “Alcoholics Anonymous” or, us to cultivate patience, tolerance and humility. About nine-tenths of our oldest and best mem- simply, “A.A.” when addressing a letter, postal bers could never have got by! We finally see that they are only people sicker card or telegram to another A.A.? than the rest of us, t h a t we who condemn them Who’d Have Lasted? are the Pharisees whose false righteousness does In some cases we would have been too dis- Yes, there are very sound objections to such our Group the deeper spiritual damage. couraged by the demands made upon us. Most a practice. of the early members of A.A. would have been Suppose such a letter, postal card or telegram Ours Not to Judge thrown out because they slipped too much, be- was delivered to the wrong address? Or mislaid Every older A.A. shudders when he rememcause their morals were too bad, because they by a stranger who accepted it for the addressee? bers the names of persons he once condemned; had mental as well as alcoholic difficulties. Or, It could happen easily. It might cause both people he confidently predicted would never believe it or not, because they did not come from you and the other A.A. embarrassment. It could sober up; persons he was sure ought to be thrown the so-called better classes of society. We old- cause real harm. In any event, it wouldn’t be out of A.A. for the good of the movement. Now sters could have been excluded for our failure quite fair to your A.A. friend if you failed to that some of these very persons have been sober to read the book Alcoholics Anonymous or the respect his anonymity. for years, and may be numbered among his best refusal of our sponsor to vouch for us as a But, there are more important objections. If friends, the oldtimer thinks to himself “What candidate. And so on ad infinitum. The way we do not practice anonymity, many suffering if everybody had judged these people as 1 once our “worthy” alcoholics have sometime tried to alcoholics or their families may be driven away did? What if A.A. had slammed its door in judge the “less worthy” is, as we look back on from A.A. Remember how self-conscious you their faces? Where would they be now?” it, rather comical. Imagine, if you can, one were when you first realized your drinking That is why we all judge the newcomer less alcoholic judging another! problem? Would you have come into A.A. if and less. If alcohol is an uncontrollable prob- At one time or another most A.A. Groups go you thought other members would banter your lem to him and he wishes to do something about on rule-making benders. Naturally enough, too, name about? Of course you wouldn’t. it, that is enough for us. We care not whether as a Group commences to grow rapidly it is On page 1, of the March issue of The A.A. his case is severe or light, whether his morals confronted with many alarming problems. Pan- Grapevine, this subject was discussed under are good or bad, whether he has other complihandlers begin to pan-handle. Members get the title “Our Anonymity Is Both Inspiration cations or not. Our A.A. door stands wide open, drunk and sometimes get others drunk with and Safety.” Included is this important state- and if he passes through it and commences to them. Those with mental difficulties throw de-. ment: “Great modesty and h u m i l i t y are needed do anything at all about his problem, he is pressions or break out into paranoid denuncia- by every A.A. for his own permanent recovery. considered a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. tions of fellow members. Gossips gossip, and If these virtues are such vital needs to the indi- He signs nothing, agrees to nothing, promises righteously denounce the local Wolves and Red vidual, so must they be to A.A. as a whole. This nothing. We demand nothing. He joins us Riding Hoods. Newcomers argue that they aren’t principle of anonymity before the general pub- on his own say so. Nowadays, in most Groups, alcoholics at all, but keep coming around any- lic can, if we take it seriously enough, guarantee he doesn’t even have to admit he is an alcoholic. way. “Slipees” trade on the fair name of A.A., the Alcoholics Anonymous movement these sterl- He can join A.A. on the mere suspicion that in order to get themselves jobs. Others refuse ing attributes forever. Our public relations pol- he may be one, that he may already show the to accept all The 12 Steps of the Recovery icy should rest mainly upon the principle of at- fatal symptoms of our malady. Program. Some go still further, saying that traction and seldom, if ever, upon promotion.” (Continued on Page 7)

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GOD MADE OUR RELATIVES, TOO If there are more than twenty thousand A.A.s Human nature being what it is, it is not likely lightenment too—and avoid the word instrucscattered throughout the land, there must be. they are going to achieve all this alone; they tion—for the very righteous, ego-puffing atguessing conservatively, at least sixty thousand need help as we do. t i t u d e that the word “instruction” causes us of their relatives. That means 60,000 additional Sponsors and older members can do a gen- often to adopt, is salt in a suffering relative’s problems—ours! Our attitudes toward them af- erous service by pointing out these values re- wounds and detrimental to our own pursuit of fect our sobriety, both in q u a l i t y and duration. peatedly during a newcomer’s early months. humility. Should we not consider c a r e f u l l y what those at- The more that our relatives appreciate the It is said—and rightly—that A.A. is the titudes are, since f a m i l y is often the most im- program, take an interest in the group, are wel- greatest example of democracy in the world. portant influence in our lives? comed among A.A.s, and given a sense of be- But don’t we risk that ideal if we make and feel Over here on the right, ladies and gentlemen, longing, sharing and helping to further the a class distinction against normal drinkers or you find a school of A.A.s who mentally tack good work, the less friction, frustration and non-drinkers, and find ourselves associating hapup a large sign: No Relatives Or Dogs Allowed! hindrance each of us will suffer in progress. pily with alcoholics only? The l u x u r y of being And over here on the left, is another group who Take, for example, the extreme disapproval of understood, and of being able to talk freely can complain that their relatives take only a long- so many relatives in regard to our closed meet- wreck us if overdone. As soon as we are able to suffering, skeptical interest in the program. ings. Or consider the resentment many of them look out as well as in, we might do well to set Again, here and there, dotted around the country, feel about the long, intimate twosome A.A. ourselves a definite goal, to meet and like all our are A.A. groups that are a c t u a l l y relative-ridden. powwows that are a major aid to c l a r i f y i n g our fellows, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, Some groups don’t even dare to have closed outlook. Naturally, such occasions must seem men and women, young and old, bores and meetings. because relatives object. Some gather- suspect to relatives left out in the cold. If the charmers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic! With our ings are attended by more relatives than alco- situations were reversed, might we not conclude slogan of “live and let live,” we soon learn to holics; the wives and husbands come, even if that we and our intimate affairs were being dis- sympathize, to listen patiently, to shrug at the their A.A. is sick or out of town—kin. hell-bent cussed—with no chance given for us to tell our prejudices, the foibles, the eccentricities, of peron getting well for them! side of the story? Or, according to our imagina- fectly stranger fellow-drinkers, giving them time An old-timer recently hazarded a guess that tions, might not we surmise that these were bull to iron out their character snags, helping them 95 per cent of the relatives had never read the sessions, and sex discussions, and might we not to do so when we can. and even examining ourchapter written just for them in our book Al- be jolly well articulate about it all? Or, suppos- selves exhaustively on a challenged point, to recoholics Anonymous. Most of them, however, ing we were long-suffering enough to forbear, affirm or readjust our own views. It stands to did not know there was such a chapter; of wouldn’t we feel estranged and self-conscious? reason that it would pay off in spiritual and socourse a lot of them didn’t know there was a Only by thoroughly understanding that an al- cial growth to give the same tolerance and kind book! coholic will talk to another alcoholic as to no patience to non-A.A.s. All non-A.A.s. but most other human, can our relatives possibly come to especially non-A.A. relatives. Urge Rending of Book tolerate, approve and even encourage meetings Point One might well be, then, to introduce and confidential sessions. Relatives Can Be Helpful the book and chapter to our own families, and And as their complete understanding is neces- There are any number of relatives who would to relatives of those on whom we are doing sary on this point, so the solution to a great be happy to feel useful and a part of things. Twelfth Step work, and urge them to read it! many of the conflicts that often put relatives Why waste such a source of good works? Why But that is only a starter. If we expect to be on one side of a barbed-wire fence, and members not tap such a powerhouse of constructive efhappy in our own A.A. life, and want newcomers on another, lies in the enlightenment of relatives fort? We find ourselves with a great work to do to make the grade, we must be more under- in the whole A.A. program and all that it im- —helping other alcoholics—and because we seem standing of our near-and-dear ones.. We are so plies and entails. We should stress the word en- ordained by our own suffering to do that work sick and weak ourselves by the time we reach as no one else can, and since it helps us “make A.A.; we are so f u l l of physical aches, mental amends” to the world we live in to do so, pains, moral sores and s p i r i t u a l bruises, that it we know the strength and healing help that be- OHIO WELFARE HEAD is hard for us to realize that those who have lived ing useful gives us. No relative who properly t h r o u g h our binges with us are generally neurotic URGES WORK WITH A.A. understands will want to interfere with or incases, too. At this point, relatives are not their Frazier Reams, director of the Department of trude on 12th Step work—it’s not his forte. But real selves at a l l , they have lived too long in Public Welfare. State of Ohio, another public why can’t our folk help with the relatives of our hourly fear, dashed hopes, privations, h u m i l i a – official who has come forth recently in urging newcomer? And aren’t there often a dozen things tions and disgust; they have been the objects more adequate treatment for alcoholics, stated to be attended to for a new and perhaps ramtoo often of drunken revenge, vituperation and in a letter to a member of A.A. the following: bunctious prospect—anything from broken earbetrayal. Justly or not, they have been blamed “In my opinion, the profits that come to the phones to be fixed, irate landladies to be extravagantly for everything. Is it not natural state from the sale of alcoholic beverages, should calmed, broken appointments to be explained, that they, too, w i l l have to go through a faltering in a measure, be devoted to an institution which trains to be met in place of the drunk—and period of recovery and readjustment and recap- would work with the organization known as wouldn’t a surprising lot of relatives be happy ture of f a i t h ? “Alcoholics Anonymous.” and with a staff of and proud to work as co-partner on some of our Certainly, they need sympathetic understand- doctors . . . It can be done. It has been done in cases? Certainly there is more work to be done ing, too—and need it badly. And they can come many cases in this state and over the country. I than there are A.A.s to do it f u l l y and comto see, and let us hope, experience, how eleven am hoping that within the next year we will petently. What A.A. hasn’t wished, at some of the Steps can be adapted to their own benefit. make a definite start on such a program . . .” point, that he had 48 hours in his day? We

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have all heard many relatives say, with real humility, that they would gladly be “hewers of wood and drawers of water”—errand-boys and envelope addressers, if it would help. And as Pleasures of Reading soon as they learn loyalty to observe the sacred- GEOFFREY CHAUCER OF ENGLAND by Marchette Chute (Dutton, $3.75) ness of our anonymity, so that they can be trusted, not gossip or spread information, what Born six hundred years ago, Geoffrey Chaucer, the son of a London b r e w e r and v i n t n e r , mistaken altruists we make of ourselves to re- eschewed his ancestral vats and urns to find c o n t i n u a l excitement in his own life, and bring a fuse their help! native exuberance to his own work. Chaucer’s animated spirit, his lusty appreciation, his keen Why Deprive Them of Joy? observations of life, and his Falstaffian gusto set him apart in the most glittering of centuries. He expressed his time—yet escaped it, for he is as v i b r a n t l y alive today as he was in the f o u r – If, however, the feeling persists with an A.A. teenth century. that relatives must not be involved in any way directly w i t h our activities, should this exposure Miss Chute does not attempt to modernize her subject, making him at home in our times, but, to the joy and strength to be obtained through rather, to familiarize her readers with the Chaucerian era. She weaves together biography and direct personal giving of oneself to help another literary criticism very s k i l l f u l l y , picturing the life of Chaucer, who was both governmental official go completely to waste? A husband or wife, and poet, setting him amid t u m u l t u o u s times, and placing him and his work against the backdrop mother, son or daughter might be encouraged to of the English and European scene, and against a long l i t e r a r y and c u l t u r a l t r a d i t i o n , English. find another avenue of good samaritan practice. French, I t a l i a n , and classical. There is too much suffering in the world besides Talent for manifesting character is seen in her sketches of the historical personages who alcoholism for them not to find an absorbing crossed the poet’s path, and also in her comments upon the characters in Chaucer’s poetry. For source of spiritual growth in unselfish aid, with those unfamiliar with Chaucer—and the book appears to be directed to such readers primarily— our enthusiastic support. Miss Chute will serve admirably as literary mentor. This is all to the good, since, as she puts In some towns, relatives have asked for Rel- it, “there are few writers who are so well worth knowing” as Chaucer. atives’ Meetings, and some of these are success- She undertakes to give the beginner summaries of all Chaucerian works, w i t h r u n n i n g f u l l y under way with one or two A.A.s speak- commentaries upon their literary merit. At the same time, she tells the story of the poet’s l i f e , ing briefly, two relatives speaking and a long with careful regard for documentary sources, yet with imaginative insight into the relationship question-discussion period. between his official career, and the development of his powers as poet u n t i l he became, in the Many of the old-timers around the country fullest sense of the phrase, “Geoffrey Chaucer of England.” are beginning to wonder whether further devel- The thing to remember is that Chaucer was a pioneer—the first great l i t e r a r y artist to write opment might not be a great contribution to hap- in English. In Chaucer’s day it was customary for men of letters to write either in Latin or French, piness and co-operation all around. Why not but Godfrey preferred to use the people’s tongue—the words and phrases he heard every day groups of relatives, run as sort of auxiliary? as he went about his duties in London. He also revolted against t r a d i t i o n by w r i t i n g about real They might welcome a list of things to be done people, real characters and events, and about real love. Before his time poems were not w r i t t e n from which they could choose their activities; in the vernacular, nor did poets poke f u n at the shortcomings of religion, and the scrambled chief of which might well be to welcome relatives ethics of chivalry. of newcomers and work with them as we work Miss Chute gives detailed explanations of the poet’s works: The House of Fame, The Book with the alcoholics. There are so many kind of the Duchesse:, The Parliament of Birds, Troilas and Criseyde—and an unusually fine interprethings to be done for newcomers AND their tation of his greatest work, The Canterbury Tales. His Tales were w r i t t e n by fits and starts befamilies, to bridge them into peace with them- tween 1373 and 1400, and consist of twenty stories supposed to have been told by pilgrims to the selves and ease with the the world, all quite shrine of St. Thomas at Canterbury. aside from the program help which only an al- A happy Prologue sets the background and establishes the mood. The very opening lines recoholic can give to an alcoholic. There are some flect the poet’s liveliness of vision—the new strength of the flowers, the west wind’s sweet breath, groups that put across outings, bowling teams, the small birds sleeping all night w i t h open eyes. Thus is an eternal A p r i l created. the person baseball or softball games successfully. Frequent and characters of the pilgrims are sketched w i t h marvelous spirit in the Prologue, and here and and smaller get-togethers might be stimulating, in the Tales there is a dramatic power of the comic sort scarcely inferior to that of Shakespeare. helping relatives to know each other. What Chaucer wrote indeed places him among the first rank of English epic poets. Had he lived Express Your Appreciation in Shakespeare’s day, his dramatic gifts would have made him a dangerous rival to the Swan of On the little matter of parties—it might go Avon himself as a writer of comedies of every kind. Equally skilled in pruning and enriching, big if more A.A.s expressed appreciation and Chaucer was a master of verbal music, color, and conversational ease. In his Prologue, and .stories praise oftener to those wives of members who he has left a gallery of portraits unrivaled except by Shakespeare and Scott, and he established are forever giving forth with sandwiches, cookies, beyond cavil the capacity of English as a great literary language. cakes and coffee after meetings. We are apt to Miss Chute has a sly humor and style which would have delighted Geoffrey Chaucer h i m take so much for granted, and neglect the grac- self, for he was a wagster whose fun-loving has come down to us through the roaring centuries. iousness that could give a kindly heart joy. This delightfully informal and thoroughly distinguished biography is marked by entertaining writ- With women A.A. members, the opinion and ing with gifted scholarship. It is so obviously a labor of love, contrived w i t h care and glad paattitude, of relatives are, often, the keynote of tience, informed with the sun of English springs, the joy and color of medieval life, t h a t no one recovery and success. Women are generally more can fail to take delight in reading it. answerable to their relatives, less apt to have The whole vivid world of the fourteenth century is spread sharply before the reader’s eyes. It freedom of movement and time without dis- is one of this book’s virtues that it explains the intellectual differences between our world and rupting a household. If The woman A.A. is a Chaucer’s; its dress, customs, manners, thought, and literature. You can return time after time to (Continued on Page 12) this book and enter an enchanted, lovely w o r l d — R . E . B . , Greenwich Village, New York City, N. Y.

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A.A. Digest—Excerpts from Group Publications New Life, Youngstown, Ohio: “No question you haven’t lost those things that money can’t “We all would like to make the grand gesture pertaining to drinking is silly or irrelevant. buy, and Sobriety is one of those things.” and 50 cents on a ten dollar debt seems so lit- The matter is TOO SERIOUS. Any questions tle. We fear we’re losing face by admitting we We ask may help someone else.” cannot pay more. Determine what you can Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio: “In seven afford to spare from your income, figure up all cases out of eleven of persons who had difficulty your debts, and commit yourself to regular Hi and Dri, Minneapolis, Minn.: “Let’s give with the A.A. program, . . . what bothered weekly payments and though you think you are the new man or woman his or her best chance them most was their inability to pay up all humbling yourself unnecessarily you’ll be surto make this program by pointing out the time their debts. They owed so much to Joe, so much prised how you gain in stature. and effort and openmindedness which is essen- to Frank and so much to Jim and others that “You must pay up your debts. You can if tial. If he or she runs away from this at first, they would offend two if they paid up one, et you really want to.” don’t be alarmed. Better to wait until that per- cetera. son is receptive and can give A.A. a chance, “We know of one man who solved this probthan to put, when be is not ready, another de- lem who once a week regularly paid as low as Weekly Bulletin (Top o’ Texas Group), Amafeat in his or her life.” 50 cents in installments until $300.00 was paid rillo, Texas: “Those who made the trip to off to seven persons. He explained to each what McLean recently were very much impressed The Rope Yarn (A.A. Seamen’s Club). New he was doing and each at first was inclined to with the brief talk Brother Langino gave on York City: “It’s nice to have money and the humor him. Before he was paid up, his repu- that occasion. (He is pastor of the McLean things that money can buy—but it’s nice too to tation for absolute honesty soared throughout Methodist Church.) . . . The committee on check up once in awhile and make sure that the city. zoning the city for calling on prospective new members decided on four districts, marked east and west by 6th street, and north and south by Polk. . . . Remember always that you are under no obligation to the member or members YOU’D DO IT IF YOU WERE DRUNK who helped you, but that you are obliged to go to the aid of the unknown man out yonder The title phrase struck me when first I felt for. Keep at it day after day, “alone or with who is calling for help.” uneasy and wanted help. Feeling unsure, I took somebody.” I never got a glow on that didn’t refuge in the alibi: The party would be too busy; need steady stoking, and I’ll never keep the I was making too much fuss, etc. Then it hit me, glow of sobriety without much constant doing. Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Iowa: “You’d do it if you were drunk”; and that I A lot of hard, d i f f i c u l t things were necessary “When you hear ’em talking about friction in would. to get drunk. Likewise, a lot of difficult things A.A., don’t let it throw you and don’t let it get From that beginning I developed the idea are necessary to get my sobriety and maintain you down. If you do, John will step in and help that my sobriety must give me a sense of free- its quality. It’s a new way and I’m unfamiliar throw you DOWNER and that’s the truth. . . . dom, not one of restriction. Else I surely would with the procedure. If I make a weak attempt “Making a moral inventory of the other guy be prone to turn back to alcohol and its sense and say it’s good enough or that I’ll only do was one of the most popular indoor and outof release. True, self-discipline was necessary, so much, it’s out of character. I didn’t drink door sports of most of us before we came into but not those restrictions imposed by fear. just so much and let it go at that. Without too A.A. and perhaps all of us should be a little Little indulgences which sobriety sometimes much questioning I tried everything which was tolerant of those of us who do such things. questioned must be weighed as to intent and, if conducive to drinking, and so must I apply my- However there is a sure cure for this cause of harmless, why not? Be good to yourself oc- self to sobriety. friction in A.A. Work on the guy ‘I’ instead of cassionally; you’d do it if you were d r u n k ! With the first and successive drinks I changed. on the other guy. In other words, do some Alcohol as a medium of freedom had only Nothing else changed; not the world nor condi- 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 10th Step Work.” meant license, and I hoped the right use of the tions—just me. I still can’t change the world, Steps would prove to be a medium of liberty the outside. I can, though, take A.A. and The Eye-Opener, Los Angeles, Calif.: “Yesterand that by their application I could somehow change, just as before, from the inside out. day is history made; today is history in the find the inner courage to rid myself of the When I was drunk enough the other fellow’s making. Yesterday can’t be changed by one everyday terrors. Since my life and sanity were actions or “brand” didn’t bother me, so if I’m jot or tittle; today is yours to do with as you at stake, I must “go to any lengths”. To what- A.A. enough they won’t annoy me now. will. Today you are deciding issues; yesterever extremes I had gone to get d r u n k , so must Whatever I did to get the dubious benefits of day’s issues are decided—-settled—over and I also be w i l l i n g to go to get A.A. If this new being drunk, I do now for the definite satisfac- done with! “way of life” was to bring me the realization tion derived from sobriety. If, to still my hunger “Today is a streamliner on which you’re of those dreams for which I drank, “half- and my longing I served one master—alcohol, traveling at full speed. Yesterday is the stretch measures would avail me nothing.” I now serve another master, God, for the same of country you traversed and left behind. One drink didn’t make me drunk. I had to purpose. If I liked the psuedo glow and sense “Yesterday is gone; today is here. d r i n k and drink to get d r u n k ; and I kept at it of self-confidence “spirits” gave me, I like much “You are what you are today; live it to the time after time, year in and out. By that same more the true stimulation and sense of God- fullest! token, one taste of A.A. didn’t make me sober. confidence, the spiritual “in” A.A. gives me.— “And remember—today is the tomorrow you I had to keep at it to get what I am staying sober —S.J., North Hollywood, Cal. worried about yesterday!”

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A.A.s TO BE ASKED FOR INFORMATION A.A.s will be invited shortly to assist, insofar as the filling out of the questionnaire and collecting data, on a nationwide basis, in a new educational project aimed at accumulating new information which may help potential alcoholics to avoid going across the line into alcoholism. The origins of the new project go back more than a year to a meeting of the Greenwich V i l lage Group in New York City at which the question was raised as to whether the l i f e of an alcoholic could be charted in graph form. The group debated whether a graph could be prepared which would give any indication of averages relating to the progress of alcoholism, of averages relating to age, home environment and other circumstances, and of averages pertaining to the behaviorism of an alcoholic. The members of the “Village” group decided that the first step in acquiring the data needed for a graph would be a questionnaire, and that even if the undertaking did not yield any information of use outside the Group it would form the basis of stimulating discussions and self-analysis while being prepared. A questionnaire was drawn up and circulated among different A.A.s throughout the New York metropolitan area. When the questionnaire!! were finally collected, filled in, the information they contained seemed to have some degree of pertinence. Members of the sponsoring Group, however, did not feel qualified to evaluate the data themselves. Consequently, they sent the EDITOR DIES questionnaires to Dr. E. M. Jellinek, director of Who Is A Member? Carl K., editor of The Empty Jug, died of a the Summer School of Alcohol Studies at Yale (Continued from Page 3) cerebral hemorrhage, Saturday night, July 13, University, for an appraisal because of his wide in Memphis, Tenn. Carl was a member of the Of course this is not the universal state of experience in research and the gathering of in- Chattanooga Group and was well known affairs throughout A.A. Membership rules still formation by the questionnaire method. throughout the South. exist. If a member persists in coming to meet- Dr. Jellinek’s response to the potential value ings drunk he may be led outside; we may ask of the questionnaire and the data it might yield project by filling out the questionnaires, which someone to take him away. But in most Groups was enthusiastic. If the questionnaires were re- of course will be unsigned and thereby preserve he can come back next day, if sober. Though. vised and expanded to include certain areas of the A.A. principle of anonymity. he may be thrown out of a club, nobody thinks information overlooked in the original ques- Most appealing to members of A.A. will be of throwing him out of A.A. He is a member tionnaire, Dr. Jellinek said he thought it might the fact that one of the chief hopes and expec- as long as he says he is. While this broad conwell be the source of some of the most valuable tancies is that the data obtained from the ques- cept of A.A. membership is not yet unanimous, data collected to date on alcoholism. tionnaires will provide a new and still more it does represent the main current of A.A. One of the chief values, Dr. Jellinek said, in complete set of warning signals by which po- thought today. We do not wish to deny anyone circulating the questionnaire through A.A. mem- tential alcoholics will be able to determine how his chance to recover from alcoholism. We wish bership would be the complete reliability of the far along the road they have come and by which to be just as inclusive as we can, never exclusive. information obtained. He pointed out that no even “social drinkers” will be able to gauge Perhaps this trend signifies something much group of people could be found more thor- whether they have any tendencies which need to deeper than a mere change of attitude on the oughly qualified to discuss alcoholism and that be watched or restrained. Evidence which can question of membership. Perhaps it means as A.A.s “they can be depended upon to be be used as a preventive of alcoholism is an ob- that we are losing all fear of those violent completely frank and honest in their efforts.” jective which, it is felt, will enlist the interest emotional storms which sometimes cross our The new, revised questionnaire is now ready of all A.A.s in the project. alcoholic world; perhaps it bespeaks our confor distribution to A.A.s throughout the coun- A preliminary report on the nature of the data fidence that every storm will be followed by a try. Quotas will be sent to the secretaries of indicated in the original questionnaire is to be calm; a calm which is more understanding, the various groups with the request that all indi- published soon as an explanatory preface to dis- more compassionate, more tolerant than any we vidual members be invited to participate in the tribution of the new questionnaire. ever knew before.

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MEDITATIONS OF A DRUNK ON CRITICISM OF OTHERS “/ am an alcoholic and my life has become to admit “I am an alcoholic and my life has beunmanageable.” come unmanageable.” Aid for Veterans This, the first of 12 Steps recommended as Medicine has not as yet determined any one Brockton. Mass.. Enterprise and Times: “Aid a program of recovery for the chronic alcoholic factor that invariably produces alcoholism. Un- for returned war veterans who have taken to by Alcoholic Anonymous, is to me the base til it does, and is in a position to do something drink is being provided by Alcoholics Anonyupon which success or f a i l u r e is predicated. With about it, the drunk who is interested in bettering mous, it was pointed out at the meeting of the an honest and sincere admission of these facts his condition as related to society must look to Brockton group. . . . the i n d i v i d u a l , if he so chooses, is ready to do his own kind. An impartial observation w i l l soon “It was brought out that veterans of the first something about his problem. He is face to disclose to him an amazing parallel between his war who became enslaved to liquor had few to face w i t h a s i t u a t i o n that he has continuously own actions, motivations, etc., and those of other help them with their problems, but veterans of evaded; he must make one of two choices: To individuals who run counter to the trend of or- the last war are finding sympathetic persons to do something about it, or to do nothing. In ganized society, regardless of their “problem.” work with them on the problem. most cases the sheer instinct to survive will in- These thoughts lead one to suspect that there is “Members were informed that one group in fluence the choice of “doing something about a possibility that most of these “problems,” in- Greater Boston which has a total membership it.” Where the admission has been an honest one cluding alcoholism, may have a common base or of 21, has 12 veterans of the past war as memand the choice of survival taken, the problem is origin lying somewhere deep w i t h i n the per- bers, and the group has been turned over to what to do. sonality. That the method chosen for expression those men, and they have been given the offices Having been a complete failure in the past is different and made by chance. in the organization.” in relation to his drinking he is fearful of the It is my honest opinion that there is not one future. He mistrusts his judgment and his among us who can look at another, regardless Sickness Explained a b i l i t y ; he hangs on to individuals or groups. of his moral standards, physical or mental state, Manitowoc, Wis., Herald-Times: “An alco- As a result he is open to suggestions. The sensi- or social position, and not in all honesty admit holic, as distinguished from a normal drinker, is ble application of these suggestions is indeed a that he is looking at himself, but for a set of a person who drinks even when he doesn’t want state of “open-mindedness.” The gradual de- fortunate circumstances over which he had no to, a representative of Alcoholics Anonymous hydration leads to a m o u n t i n g return of con- control and for which he is due no credit. He told members of the Wisconsin Public Welfare fidence in one’s own abilities and a partial un- might well say “I am a drunk, by the Grace of association at their a n n u a l convention (in Milderstanding of why he went as far as he did. God.”—Pal C., Manhattan, N. Y. waukee). . . . With it comes an appreciation of others and a “The speaker, who remained anonymous, said willingness to “live and let live.” As long as he one of the major jobs of A.A. was to convince continues along these lines he is on safe ground. Live Normally the alcoholic’s family and the public that the Many of us come in with conscious or un- (Continued from Page 2) true alcoholic was a ‘desperately sick man’ to conscious reservations and encounter difficulty. selfish selves. Our way of living has been cock- be helped rather than to be scorned and This is often caused by mental comparison of eyed. It was the wrong way in that we were in- abandoned.” our case with those of others in which we always considerate, selfish, and disorganized and our First Reaction give ourselves the benefit of any doubt. If personalities became so complicated that people Impressions of a first meeting in A.A. were others went so much farther than we, then there did not understand us nor would we let them. published in the New York Herald-Tribune July must be degrees of “alcoholism.” Pursuing this Some of us found A.A. through desperation, 1 in the form of a letter to the editor from a new trend of thought often leads to the conclusion some through curiosity and others because we member of the St. Petersburg, Fla., group. The that perhaps we are not as alcoholic as we sup- wished to please a member of the family or to opening and closing paragraphs of the letter as posed. That with an “intelligent” application of satisfy the request of a friend. There is no published in the Herald-Tribune follow: the self-knowledge we have gained there is no doubt that we were all in a sense skeptical. In- “Attended a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous reason why we cannot now lead “normal” lives. stead of a “catch” and a lot of “Thou shall nots” at 8 p.m. this date. Took no alcoholic drink dur- Eventual experimentation and the resultant we found a design for living clearly defined and ing the day, nor the day previous. disaster usually follow. While not to be en- simple to put into execution. More than likely “The meeting was entirely different from any couraged or taken too lightly, such a “slip” is some of this plan had been in our minds during I had ever been to. . . . There was no ranting by no means hopeless. Appreciated in the light sober intervals but we lacked the necessary push and old-fashioned roaring against the liquor inof education much can be learned from it. We to put it over in that we could not do it alone. terests. In fact, alcoholic drinks were not adverhave at least proven that there is something In A.A. we found a group of men and women tised at all. Nothing was drastically highlighted wrong with our method; that once again we who had suffered the same trials—some perhaps or dogmatically propounded. Just a rather comhave failed to run the “show” on our own terms. who had hit the bumps even a little harder. fortable assurance that a very real human prob- The tendency of many of us to criticize the These people have gained new perspective. lem had been squarely faced and is being squareother fellow: to offer opinions as to his sobriety They have been able to work out many of their ly solved on a day by day, time payment basis and its “quality” is most dangerous as well as problems by just overcoming the basic and all- for solid investment toward health, wealth and extremely unjust. To set one’s self up as an all important one through group therapy and by happiness. Just a m u t u a l agreement felt rather high judge of humanity is quite in keeping with earnestly following the simple but effective pro- than spoken. A right about face from the road our original mode of behavior which in the first gram offered in A.A.—Benny W., Clearwater, of self ruin to the far happier path of fraternal place led us to the position where we were forced Fla. self-healing.”

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad The supervisor was further astounded when same time retain in our lives. The more we give Letters to this department are invited on any he was thankfully informed that A.A. neither the more we will have. We cannot both give subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- solicits nor accepts financial or material aid away and retain material wealth. tions you are asked to hold your letters to a maximum of 350 words. from outside its own ranks. Vash Young said in his book, A Fortune Only initials will be published unless the “All we ask,” he was told, “is that you and to Share, “Let’s not be go-getters, let’s be writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- your fellow officials give us your moral support go-givers.” Love is reflected in love. The same fication for A.A. friends. The Grapevine will not divulge the full name and, perhaps, refer to our membership such per- is true of hate. Let’s be grateful for health, sunof any writer but it will forward A.A. communica- sons as you believe might be helped to straighten shine, friendship, tolerance and for an opportions addressed to the writers of letters published here.—The Editors. out their lives by adherence to our program.” tunity to do good. If we ask for more and more This is offered as one small illustration of good, and are not grateful for the good we why A.A. is growing in Iowa and we Iowa A.A.’s already have, does that make sense? We can be Des Moines Anniversary believe that just as long as we keep A.A. in grateful for a bus token to get us d o w n t o w n From Des Moines, Iowa Iowa on such a basis we will continue to grow even though we are otherwise broke, out of work and the manifold benefits of A.A. will spread and near the end of material resources. Suppose Members of the Des Moines group of Alco- we had to walk after a job in a d d i t i o n to over Iowa in constantly increasing quantity and holics Anonymous are at present devoting much quality.—P.S.C. other misfortune? time and thought to preparations for the third Grateful persons are better liked than their opanniversary celebration of the group. Dates for A Thank You posites; even an ingrate would rather have a the observance have been set as Saturday and From Binghamton, N. Y. grateful person around than another groner. Sunday, October 26 and 27. May 1 please take a very small space in Mail More grateful persons remain sober than an The second anniversary, in October 1945, at- Call to say a word for the Binghamton Group other kind. Because they are grateful is one big tracted nearly 500 members and friends of A.A., of A.A.? reason they remain sober, perhaps.—I.K.B. and the 1946 event is expected to exceed that attendance. This group just rescued me from self-destruc- Present plans include the attendance of one of tion (alcoholic), and I want to say, thank you to Moral Inventory Chart the men primarily responsible for the estab- each of them. lishment of the Des Moines group in 1943. This They may be a small group but they are not From Manhattan man, at present a west coast newspaperman, will small in works. I have seen in a little over a That moral inventory chart in the J u n e issue fly to Des Moines in order to be present. month plenty of action out of this group and I was a honey. Mark W’s accompanying remarks Starting in 1942 with four or five men, the think they w i l l carry the God work of A.A. far. were as fine and effective as the chart itself. Des Moines group now has an active member- —E.J.W. he or you reprinted the chart, the remarks could ship of approximately 160 and has been directly go well on the back. I t h i n k the two together Gratitude in A.A. or indirectly involved in the launching of nearly make a swell exposition of A.A. fundamentals. all the more than 20 groups now active within From Walla Walla, Wash. To my own copy I added after the Asset, “Love the state. In our striving for a new way of life in the —willingness to sacrifice. That’s how I checked The Des Moines group has also actively sup- A.A. program we reap rewards both material myself on whether, when I so profess, I really ported and encouraged the establishment in Des and spiritual; and if we fail to express our do love some one or some cause. Also, at the Moines of an Alcoholic Information Center gratitude for these “things that have been added end, to the list of Assets I added, ” A l t r u i s m which is statewide in its scope of activities. unto us” we will be falling short of our A.A. —get outside and above yourself. For me that is Never content w i t h past performances the purpose: life is giving as well as receiving. the secret and the content of all 12 Steps, even group is collectively and i n d i v i d u a l l y pledged When we are the recipients of good we should the moral inventory. I find myself sitting across to a f u t u r e program of spreading the work of he grateful enough for these new bounties to the room examining that always-suspect—myself. A.A. in every way possible throughout Iowa. acknowledge to others, and to the source of good —Bill Mc. A recent visitor to the Des Moines club was itself, our humble thanks. Good will not conthe chairman of the Board of Supervisors in tinue to shower itself upon an ingrate any more The 4th and 10th Stops another county. This man knew vaguely what than it will shun one who sincerely and humbly the A.A. program contemplated and was inter- acknowledges it. We take most things too much From Linda Vista, Calif. ested in actual accomplishments of the group. for granted. We don’t appreciate our good I have received so much benefit out of the He spent two hours around the club asking health u n t i l we get sick, nor our shelter u n t i l 12 Steps as Specification for my New Home that pointed questions and, at the close of his visit, we are out in the storm, nor our freedom u n t i l I would like to pass on to others the way I remarked: we are locked up in jail. We consider all good 4th and 10th Steps work in them. “I am going home with this thought in mind. things our “rights.” I used the 4th Step to detect the flaws and Anything that the A.A. group in my county We cannot expect to receive a continued flow faults that were in the existing structure I find asks for from the supervisors it can have. Any of good into our lives unless we keep the chan- when I came i n t o A.A., or rather I should say outfit that can take 10 or 20 or 100 economic nel open. Those who share and give will receive when A.A. came and got me, because that is liabilities in any given area and turn them into more to share and pass along. The most g r a t i f y – what happened that night when a couple definite economic assets to the county certainly ing joys are the ones not measured in dollars strangers walked into a dark, rotten and decaydeserves the wholehearted support of every and cents; it costs us nothing to give of our- ing structure and brought with them a ray of resident of the county. What can we do to selves and we are rewarded by lasting bonds of light that has been my salvation since. help?” fellowship. These things we can share but at the (Continued on Page, 12)

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What Are the Enemies of Peace of Mind? really want sobriety more than anything else in t h i s world, you can have it and it doesn’t cost (Continued from Page 1) you one cent. Alcoholics Anonymous stands ready and w i l l i n g to teach you, and guide you him or his family. So here again, we had no love the most? But that was because they didn’t along this road to joy, happiness, success, pros- “peace of mind.” understand our illness and were constantly atperity, and “peace of mind”.—Don G., Jacksontempting to make us quit drinking. SELFISHNESS is enemy No. 4 of “peace of ville, Fla. Do you want to see the wife brighten up, mind.” Looking back, how many times have the and bend over backward to do things for you? children gone to bed without milk, s i m p l y be- Then substitute love for that resentment. The What ‘Earn’ Means cause the alcoholic needed the last 50 cents in very small expression of appreciation toward a (Continued from Page 2) the house for a half pint of “rot gut?” How loved one will change a clouded picture to one off with our obnoxious escapades. We “merit many times have the lights been cut off, the gas of sunshine and brightness. Just a word of and deserve” because we have approached hucut off, credit at the grocery discontinued, and praise makes the little wife feel a whole lot mility. We have asked for s p i r i t u a l guidance many other necessities of life been denied our more like doing the very things she always and help in arresting the desire to destroy ourfamilies, because of that unquenchable thirst of has, and always will do for us. This game of selves as a whole or in part. We “merit and deselfishness? In short, every alcoholic, at some substituting love for resentment works both serve”‘ because as “by labor and service” we time during his drinking career has gone ways, girls, so let’s not have it a one sided affair. have u n d e r t a k e n to help others. We have sufthrough this nightmare, and could any one Remember, the old man likes to hear words of fered them to come to us in pain and have tried mean to say that we could have “peace of mind” praise and encouragement, too. And now we to take this pain and replace it w i t h sobriety, under these conditions? have taken our second step toward “peace of joy of living, compassion and tolerance for There are many more enemies of “peace of mind”. others both w i t h i n and outside our group. And mind”, but these four seem to be the outstanding. Some readers might want to change their in this connection let me say that to any one who TOLERANCE. We shall substitute this for arrangement, but regardless of arrangement, we each day can find a kind word for a fellow man intolerance. Courtesy, kindness, and helpfuland if the opportunity affords, a kindly deed or must agree, they are all important enemies of ness toward others. The small irritations which “peace of mind”: 1. LYING: 2. RESENTMENT: helping hand, I t h i n k should go the badge of once caused us to be intolerant are merely probfellowship. He has permitted the teachings of 3. INTOLERANCE: 4. SELFISHNESS. lems of the other fellow. We may be able A.A. to penetrate his entire day by day life. Perhaps as a new-member of A.A. you may to help him by exercising patience and May God bless him for his complete reception ask, “What do the enemies of ‘peace of mind’ tolerance. In so doing we are building of those splendid principles originally set down, have to do with my sobriety? After all, the only better and stronger foundations for our own by those gifted persons, for themselves and for thing I am interested in right now is sobriety,” character thus making the ease with which we t h e rest of us who wanted to run away from a l l This is a very natural, and very good ques- maintain our sobriety, a pillar of strength in t h a t is good. tion, and helps firmly to establish the fact, even our very lives. At this point, being tolerant To “merit and deserve as by labor or service,” more solidly, that you are definitely an alco- does not mean that we turn into spineless, “that state or quality of being distinguishable or holic! . . . Without “peace of mind” we will wishy-washy jelly fish. We must season tolerdistinct,” and in the category of A.A., is not now, and never experience continued so- ance with a fixed determination of firmness. something to consider as an achievement. It bebriety. We will not now, and never experience Here is a very fine line which must be guarded hooves us to continue to merit and deserve so “peace of mind” until we start getting rid of against crossing because a fixed determination t h a t we may d a i l y earn this distinction. the enemies of “peace of mind.” of firmness unseasoned with tolerance can Gone and buried are the dead snakes of yester- How are we to eradicate these enemies? surely back-fire into critical narrow-mindedness. day. At hand is a normal and happy way of TRUTH. Let us substitute t r u t h for lying. The success of your tolerance in obtaining, and l i v i n g . We shall remember the burial cere- This is a lethal weapon against our enemy No. maintaining “peace of mind” is a big factor in monies only as a protection against recurrence 1, and truth is the first step in obtaining, and the maintaining of sobriety. and to continue being useful to family, friends, retaining “peace of mind.” Now we are able UNSELFISHNESS. Here substituted for sel- community and country. to face our fellow-man, our neighbor, our fishness, which involves first the practice of Let us rejoice in our present status as normal, friend, our loved ones, with an open heart and giving, and doing for others: your fellow man, thinking, unselfish people. Let us rejoice in our mind. We have nothing to cover up, or hide, your friends, neighbors and family. It is desire and our a b i l i t y to serve. Let us be debehind the enemy of “peace of mind” any even possible to experience a spiritual awak- termined to continue in this status, come what longer. We are free once more, and have also ening, mentioned in our A.A. 12 steps, in the may. Let us dedicate the time remaining to us gained in self-respect and self-confidence, be- practice of unselfishness, because you will re- to service. Let us do whatever we are doing in cause now we are on the first step to genuine call that, “It is more blessed to give than to such a way that no one with no more skill can “peace of mind.” receive.” And now that we are living in a new do a better job. LOVE, RESPECT, PRIDE (in the success of world of truth, love, tolerance, and unselfish- This altitude towards the philosophy of living others). These we must substitute for resent- ness, we find it quite pleasant to be able to meet has taken me over ten months to acquire. No ment. America is the land of the free and re- each new day, and the problems it presents, one could inject it—it had to be acquired from member, our neighbor is privileged to be a because we have a new and better understand- within. I am still ashamed that I had to kill the church-goer, a prohibitioner, or anything else ing of normal life and a sane and sober snakes that are now dead, but I am proud and he desires, because he is to be respected. An capability to cope with any and all conditions happy that I did kill them. expression of pride at the successes of our su- that arise. From whence did this conviction, this altitude, periors, or associates, will always reflect most There is only one road to joy, happiness, this philosophy come? Your guess is as good as favorably upon the expressor. How many success, prosperity, and “peace of mind” (for mine, but it probably came from whence most times have we held resentment for the ones we the alcoholic) and that is sobriety. If you good things come.—G.W.H., Sioux City, Iowa.

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A. A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit Five years ago, two Oklahoma City alcoholics, was the first session of the Tulsa A.A. Group, Group began a l i t t l e over a year ago when a unknown to each other, wrote to the Central which celebrated its second anniversary in its woman in Monterrey wrote the Cleveland down- Office in New York City asking for information. own club rooms at 1141⁄2 North Denver Ave. town office asking for help for her husband. . . . The office put them in touch with each other. this year. During the first year, the membership Outdoor eating is high on the popularity list in Today, the Oklahoma City Group has approxi- stood at 33, compared to the 97 men and women the Cleveland area. Groups holding annual picmately 250 members. It also has a new home, on the rolls today. . . . the noted Philadelphia nics or breakfasts include Canton, Massillon, seating capacity 400. Two adjoining lots have neuro-psychiatrist, Dr. C. Nelson Davis, was Borton, and Euclid-Wade. The last one celebeen bought with the idea of later on building guest speaker at a meeting of the Lehigh Valley, brated its fourth anniversary in late July. . . . a big auditorium. Pa., Group, which maintains club rooms in Al- the Tulare, Calif., Group is now three months lentown. . . . the newly organized Bronxville, old, having started in May with the help of Every Sunday five Montpelier, Vt., A.A.s visit N. Y. A.A.s held their first open meeting in the members from the Los Angeles Central Sunday alcoholic patients in the state hospital at Water- Bronxville Public Library. Night Group. Tulare A.A.s occasionally hold bury. The visiting group is composed of a chair- meetings with the members working in Giant man and four members. For each succeeding The group at Hays, Kansas, now numbers Forest, Sequoia National Park. visit one member drops out and another takes 28 active members, which is encouraging his place, until every member of the Mont- growth for a comparatively short time, especially On station WFIL a member of the Philadelpelier Group has made four visits. . . . The Glen in a small community. . . . The Sioux City, Iowa, phia Group recently outlined A.A. on a regular Ridge, N. J., Group was founded April 1, 1946. Group now has more than 100 members. variety show called “This Week in Philadel- It has grown to a membership of 24. They meet phia.” . . . the Group in Ann Arbor, Mich., is once a week in each others’ homes. . . . The Can- Down in Monterrey, Mexico, a Group of 25 one of many cooperating with theaters and ton, Ohio, Ladies’ Group, which held its first has resulted from correspondence (in Spanish) newspapers during the showing of the March of meeting two months ago, is steadily acquiring w i t h a Spanish-speaking A.A. in Cleveland. The Time feature, “Problem Drinkers,” the first pubnew members. . . . Since its inception in January lic film record of A.A. work. Stories in Ann of this year, the Fresno, Calif., Group has grown NEW GROUPS Arbor newspapers about the movie refer interto 15 members. CALIFORNIA—Altadena, Balboa Island, Long ested readers to the local Group for f u r t h e r in- Reach (Signal Hill Family Group) and San formation and help. . . . Incidentally, West- The one-man “group,” in McLean, Tex., re- Jose. brook Van Voorhis, the “voice” in MOT films, ports that a number of A.A.s from Amarillo recently spoke about “Problem Drinkers” to the CONNECTICUT—Westport. came to McLean to assist him in holding the Cleveland Advertising Club. FLORIDA—Ft. Myers. first open meeting in that town. . . . San Francisco A.A.s are now so numerous that they have IOWA—Boone. A three-member team of Palo Alto, Calif., to rent Druids’ Hall for central meetings. A pic- KENTUCKY—Frankfort. A.A.s recently explained the 12 Steps at their nic in July, a fish fry this month, and a “Days LOUISIANA—Baton Rouge (Capital Area Group). First Methodist Church. Other Groups that have of ’49” party in September are highlights of MAINE—Newport and Saco Biddeford. furnished speakers for non-alcoholic meetings their social activities during the summer. . . . lately include those in Westport and Bridgeport, MICHIGAN—Grand Rapids (Mid-Week Group). A.A.s of the Washington State Penitentiary Conn.; Scotch Plains, N. J.; Hanover, Pa.; Co- MINNESOTA—Faribault. lumbia, S. C.; and Eau Claire, Wis. Group (Walla Walla) are setting up a small MISSOURI—Mexico and Poplar Bluff. library of their own. . . . Three California judges spoke at a meeting of the Los Angeles Group NEVADA—Reno. The Monroe County (Rochester, N. Y.) Group which was attended by about 400 people. They NEW JERSEY—Atlantic City, Livingston, Prince- held a forum on the part played by the wife in are Justice Thomas P. White, California Court ton, Rutherford and Union City. the rehabilitation of an alcoholic husband. These of Appeals; Superior Court Judge John Gee NEW YORK—Bath, Penn Yan, South Bronx and A.A.s report a 50% increase in membership Clark, and Municipal Judge Robert Clifton. South Suffolk. over a period of a few weeks. . . . Six founders of the New Rochelle Group spoke at their sec- NORTH DAKOTA—Cando, Fargo, Grand Forks ond anniversary meeting, which was attended by Three A.A.s from Chicago and one from South and Kenmare. A.A.s from White Plains, Mt. Vernon, Peekskill, Bend attended a meeting of the A.A.s in the OHIO—Cleveland (West Side Morning) and Ur- Yonkers, Mt. Kisco, and Bronxville. . . . Over Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. . . . The bana. 125 members from Kingston, Central Valley, Nashville, Tenn., Group has recently opened OKLAHOMA—Alva and Atlue. New Paltz, Newburgh and New York City atclub rooms at 3081⁄2 Fifth Ave. North, in the OREGON—Salem. tended a dinner party in Croton-on-Hudson sponheart of the business section. They are open sored by Peekskill A.A.s. PENNSYLVANIA—Pottstown. daily until midnight. TEXAS—Taylor. Doctors, clergymen, city officials and social VIRGINIA—Madison Heights. After driving to A.A. meetings in January, workers were present at an “educational” open 1944, in Oklahoma City, a resident of Tulsa de- WEST VIRGINIA—Union. meeting conducted by the Mt. Vernon, N. Y., cided to see if there were not enough Tulsans WASHINGTON—Vancouver. Group. . . . When the Twin City Group ( B e n who would like to give the program a whirl. In CANADA—London, Ontario, and Woodstock, On- ton Harbor-St. Joseph, Mich.) celebrated its first May, 1944., he and two other alcoholics met. That tario. (Continued on Page 12)

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THERAPY FOR DRUNKS WITH A Mail Call (Continued from Page 9) FOLLOW-UP The 10th Step I use to detect the cracks and or anywhere that we can go to have ourselves The manager of a certain midwestern home weak spots as they show up in my daily life, dehydrated or dealcoholized. Mental sobriety for alcoholics, himself a “practicing A.A.” so that this home I have started will not fall and can be attained only by a complete purge of our asked a newspaperman friend to dream up an destroy me with it. flaws. This we can do if we are completely advertisement of his institution to be used in A set of specifications is drawn up so that we honest and look always to our God for guidance a medical journal and a circular letter describcan detect the flaws and faults in the structure and help. ing the facilities, therapy, etc., to be sent to we are trying to build. So we examine it to find God who is the Master architect designed and doctors throughout the state. not the good but the bad, knowing that if we specified a perfect structure and to have that it The newspaperman suggested the following remove the bad parts the good needs no atten- behooves us to remove and keep out the faults caption for the ad, which seemed, under the tion and with the flaws out we have left only and flaws that develop if we dwell too much circumstances, the most logical in the world: good. on the material side of life. When I’m called on to examine a structure, I have found out since becoming a member of “AT LAST—A THERAPY FOR ALCOHOLICS I’m an inspector, I look for the flaws. I don’t set A.A. that I live within myself. And that I can —WITH A FOLLOW-UP.” up a balance against the bad and decide that as only be happy and make others happy if I be- “You see, Mac,” said the newspaperman, long as some are over strength that they will come honest, patient, tolerant and humble. “that is what your Home has, which distintake care of the weak members, but I have the Remember that a house is only a shelter from guishes it from the many “cure” and drying out weak parts of the structure removed so that an heat, cold and storms, but a home is a place places around the country—the “follow-up.” excessive strain thrown on the building will not where there is happiness, peace and content- The physically rehabilitated alcoholic is not come on a few weak spots and thus warp and ment. That is the kind of a home I want and pushed out your front door defenseless, to fend destroy the building. hope some day to have, but can have only if for himself in a still drinking world. He has de- I am not trying to strike a balance or set up I remember that we are not and never can be veloped connections terribly important to him, an inventory sheet to prove to someone that perfect but must always strive for perfection.— if, during the period of his physical purge, he I have enough assets to justify a loan, but to J.F.H. has chosen to accept the help of the most succlean out this house I live in and make a home cessful movement of its kind. Yes sir, the thing of it. That is the danger in looking for assets you have to offer here is that condition—the instead of liabilities. We are apt to get so en- News Circuit place is infested with A.A.!”—R.P.C., Indianagrossed with the good, if any. Personally, when (Continued from Page 11) polis. I took my inventory about all I had left to build on was a job and a fair amount of health. We anniversary with a dinner in St. Joseph, 160 delcover up with point and putty the faults and egates attended from Kalamazoo, Elkhart, South God Made Relatives, Too flaws in our characters. But when we make a Bend, Chicago, Mishawaka and LaPorte. This (Continued from Page 5) list of our liabilities they stand out in such bold Group holds its weekly meetings over a Sunday wife and/or mother, or even a daughter, her relief that we have to start to remove them if breakfast and has planned a vigorous program comings and goings affect other people. And we wish to attain complete physical and mental for its second year. . . . Wilmington, Del., mem- she, even more than a man, needs the warmth sobriety and we must have mental sobriety bers heard an address by the Rev. Dr. J. Francis of approval, interest, enthusiasm of those closest above all else. Tucker, pastor of St. Anthony’s Church there, to her. Unshared interests do not contribute to a Remember that A.A. deals only with mental on a program which also included talks by two happy relationship or a harmonious household. sobriety. We can find physical sobriety any place Philadelphia A.A.s. The understanding of her folks can do much to cement a woman A.A. to her new activities and Cut this Out and Mail To: At the Staunton Veterans Home in Virginia, can certainly add to the quality of her sobriety. The Grapevine six A.A.s and two Staunton ministers spoke at a Surely, there is little serenity when a woman is P.O. Box 328 recent open meeting, attended by members from trying to readjust her whole mode of living Grand Central Annex, N.Y. 17, N.Y. Waynesboro, West Augusta, Washington and amidst surroundings that are cold, unresponsive Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) Richmond. . . . An industrial personnel manager, and filled with misgiving, or even downright disfor one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- Frank B. Taylor of St. Paul, Minn., addressed approval or tinged with ridicule. It would vine ( m o n t h l y ) . the St. Paul Group, he reported that alcoholism seem wise, therefore, to make a far more concosts industry thousands of dollars annually in certed effort with the relatives of women A.A.s For additional subscriptions enclose separate lost manpower. . . . Paterson, N. J., A.A.s con- than any other. A husband greeted, welcomed sheet with name and address clearly printed. ducted a meeting for the Newburgh Group re- and treated as an important element in the pic- Checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. cently, and heard the host group’s report of con- ture may be an oblique kind of 12th Step work Total Enclosed tinued growth in membership. that can well forestall a future slip. Renewal? (please check) Isn’t all of this collateral 12th Step work in PLEASE PRINT Launching an expansion of their activity pro- its way—certainly, “practicing these principles gram, Norfolk, Va.. A.A.s have started a series in all our affairs?” In winning and helping a Name of open social meetings to be held weekly, in relative to our way of living, we make a fellow- Address addition to the regular closed meeting each member’s road easier in the program—and we Tuesday night. . . . A family-style dinner served add another happy and enthusiastic propagandaby wives of members is the weekly feature of spreader, which is aiding in educating the public Note: Subscriptions received prior to the 15th meetings in Shawnee, Okla., where the Group in alcoholism, if nothing else.—Grace 0., Manof August will begin with the September issue. now numbers over 35 regular members. hattan.

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VOL. III, NO. 4, SEPTEMBER, 1946. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17, N. Y. The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1946, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved. Yearly subscription $2.50 ($3 outside the United Stales); single copy 25 cents.

Looking at Myself, After Six Months in A. A. S O,—you haven’t had a drink for six months, and you feel pretty smug about it! You think you are quite a guy to have given up the ranch to get away from those knots in the stomach which disappeared only when you stopped drinking? Those knots were from ten- You lost them by drinking, you know. Did you forget on those days and nights you were in that room at the ranch with the bottle handy? Did something which was so important to you for sion you know was brought about by the very you forget when you were in Willcox and nothing quite a few years! But you think about drinking liquor you say will relax you. Just how does that seemed worthwhile and you just drank because many times a day and even look back on those make sense? You really should know that you you were at last in town where liquor was handy drinking years with regret that you can’t ever are more relaxed now than you ever were during in any quantity and for the first time in your drink again. the drinking years. life there was no one to tell you to stop? Or did The other night you even remembered waking you stay awake and remember it all — every at 2 or 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning, taking I WANT TO DRINK TO FORGET wrong you had ever done — and that your wife those drinks, then getting back in bed and What do you want to forget? The things you was dead because she no longer had you, and letting that beautiful peace creep all over you did and didn’t do when you were drinking; that when you went to sleep didn’t you dream of it all until you went to sleep again. Sounds pretty you lost your money, and friends and your wife? just the same? good, doesn’t it? But why don’t you remember what went before and came after that same I WANT TO SIT AROUND DRINKING peace? Why don’t you remember that you woke SOCIABLY WITH PEOPLE up sick and tense and terrified before you had IT CAN HAPPEN About how many times have you tried that, those drinks, and although they did make you feel awfully good, you woke up, and had to go TO ANYBODY! and how did it turn out every time, without Some people try to draw lines around exception? Did people say what a swell guy you through the same procedure? Or it was time to those professions or groups of men and were to drink with, or did they steer away from get up: you had to talk yourself out of bed and women most likely to become alcoholic. the guy who drank himself stupid and couldn’t to the bottle and in to a breakfast that nearly But the fact that John Barleycorn is no lift his head after those drinks? You always got gagged you, and then had to get through a day respector of place or position was brought away by yourself to drink because you knew you that was hell until you could get back to that out by a census taken at a hospital for al- were not a pleasant sight drunk and you always bottle. How about remembering some of those coholics in an Eastern city recently. got drunk. days after that night drinking? That is just one part of it. Why do you want Following are the occupations of the to drink and why do you think so often about patients at that particular time: I THINK BETTER WHEN I HAVE HAD A drinking with regret that you had to stop? And Playwright Chain restaurant COUPLE OF DRINKS why do you feel so noble about giving up some- Novelist owner Did you think very well those drinking years, thing that ruined your life and that of others? Reporter Banket- and if you did will you explain just what bril- Let’s examine those reasons you think up for Night club Doctor liant headwork on your part lost those jobs, your wanting a drink and then let’s just see if any of operator Retired doctor wife, etc.? How well did you think that night those reasons are any good at all. State Supreme District judge your wife called you from New York and said Court Justice Chemist that it was very important for you to write to I NEED A FEW DRINKS TO RELAX Retired engineer Horse breeder her and tell her how you were doing? You bor- So a couple of drinks would relax you? How Millionaire Housewife rowed a bottle and were going to drink very about your journey from doctor to psychoanalyst manufacturer Navy Commander’s carefully so you could write her the best letter to psychiatrist to psychiatric hospital, and the Hotel operator wife you ever wrote so you could go back to her and trips to Rock Island and the Ozarks and then to (Continued on Page 6)

EDITORIAL: PARDON ME, YOUR SLIP On the 11th Step… IS SHOWING! “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with Yes, your slip does show that you have failed to have faith in yourself and in A.A. God as we understood Him, praying only for the knowledge of His will for us Slips are all too common in A.A., primarily and the power to carry that out.” because any and all with an alcoholic problem can and do come to some A.A. group for help. Here, again, is reaffirmation of the freedom to worship according to one’s own under- There is no pre-selection by A.A. as to the sinstanding of the spiritual, and it is the saving grace in a Step that otherwise might make cerity of the applicant. It has to be assumed that the newcomer is many balk in the Plan of Recovery. sincere in his desire to stop drinking. No one To pray and to meditate according to denominational and dogmatic definitions and is eliminated. This is important to remember as it accounts for a large number of the small restrictions would be extremely difficult for many, at least at the beginning of their per cent of failures to achieve sobriety. efforts to rehabilitate themselves. For so long so many have been rejecting prayer and Naturally it has to be assumed that the newmeditation and have had no consciousness of the spiritual in any respect. By the time any- comer is sincere in his desire to stop drinking one has come far enough along the road of alcoholism to want and need A.A., he usually and that after an explanation of the A.A. prohas been out of touch with anything spiritual for a considerable time. For him suddenly gram of 12 Steps and its purpose, he should to accept all that he has been rejecting would be nearly impossible. be able to make up his mind. There is no way of knowing whether the prospect has “got to” or Even where the individual has been “going to church” and perhaps even saying “wants to” stop drinking. In that may be the words in the name of prayer he usually has lost “conscious contact” with the Spiritual basic reason, without any rationalization, for Power. He may still be “religious” yet not spiritual. He, too, has need of meditation slips. It must not be overlooked in this connecand the improvement of his “conscious contact with God,” as he understands Him, even tion that “belonging to” A.A. may ameliorate a home or business situation — at least for the if he returns to the church of his choice or, in fact, has never left it. time being. The principle of freedom embodied in the 11th Step opens the door to any individual It must be remembered that there is nothing seeking spiritual help by whatever path and through whatever concepts he himself prefers. in the A.A. program that makes it work. We have to put it to work on ourselves. Our only Fortunate, indeed, are those who have clung even to the mere framework of religion, measure of success is the sincerity of our desire and of a teaching with which they once agreed. Usually, though not always, theirs is a to stop. shorter journey back to the spiritual life. The attitude of the people who slip sometimes seems to be one of surprise — a sort of “By But there are many who have saved no contact at all or who never had any in the God, it didn’t work!” beginning. For them in particular, the words “as we understood Him” are appealing. It seems almost unnecessary to talk about al- Here is no dictation of teachings or concepts which they do not understand; no required coholic thinking. Yet few realize that only one acceptance of things they disbelieve. Step mentions alcohol—the balance are concerned with our characters and our thinking. Standing, then, on the privilege of exercising one’s own understanding, we are Could there be a clue here to slips? invited to “improve our conscious contact with God” through prayer and meditation. There should be great sympathy for and all Neither the prayer nor the meditation need be formal, or orthodox. The style or the the help possible given to those who slip. How stance are only the means, not the end, and how one reaches a “conscious contact with often we should help should be based on the reason for such slips and measured by the God” is not paramount, just so long as he does reach it. At least that is this writer’s . amount of effort put forth by the victim of the opinion. slip.—Norman B., Manhattan. Another way of expressing “conscious contact” might be “a working knowledge.” It is an awareness or a feeling, and finally a conviction of the existence of the Higher New York Library Needs Power and of It as a source of constant help. Once this conviction has been gained it First Three Issues is constant and the infinite help that it brings operates in the daily life. Of A.A. Grapevine How to get that conviction is, of course, the cardinal question. But the answer is The New York Public Library has established a file of The A.A. Grapevine, but it lacks the here in the 11th Step. Prayer and meditation yield the answer. True, sometimes, the first three issues which are now out of print. conscious contact is slow in developing. Yet, experience has proven for hundreds of The Library would appreciate the gift of the members of A.A. that persistence in this direction, when combined with an open mind, three missing issues, those for June, July, and inevitably produces that which is sought. The peace and the strength that are the August, 1944, if any subscriber no longer needs rewards are infinitely worth whatever persistence is required. these copies.

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Realization of Sobriety Comes Suddenly So many persons have said to me, “How did have “gotten” A.A., and can have confidence in guidance by the Power that is greater than ouryou stop drinking; did something happen to your own sobriety? selves. you?” Even among fellow A.A.s this question The answer to this ever recurring question is I have talked to many “slippers”, and none of keeps popping up, and many of us have no that something does happen to us, and that we them ever got “well” until he quit shadow boxing adequate answer. My personal feeling is that do know when liquor has censed to be a problem. with J. Barleycorn and relaxed his own desperate something did happen, and that something is the This is the feeling of release and freedom that hold on the steering wheel. Maybe that’s why the realization of sobriety. comes to us when we thoroughly accept the first Big Book stresses “Easy does it.” And most of When we come into A.A. we are usually very three Steps of our program. Thousands of A.A.s these “cured” alcoholics w i l l admit that someconfused individuals, and when one is in this have felt this release and have never had any thing did happen to them. They now have the state in an alcoholic ward or private hospital physical urge or desire for alcohol since their realization of sobriety; they know that they never and finds around him various “slippers” who introduction to the program. Our own case falls need drink again, providing they live each day are back for their second or umpty-second into this category. We know members of five to according to the A.A. pattern. “cure”, he is apt to view the A.A. Program with ten year standing who have felt the same way. justifiable skepticism. He is told that he must There is no doubt in their minds about the admit his alcoholism; keep away from the “first” permanence of their sobriety, as long as they live 12th Step Not Enough drink; work the program one day at a time; and the program daily. So much of the outside skepticism and criticism do 12th Step work with other alcoholics. Yet he We believe that any person coming into A.A. of A.A. comes from persons who have observed sees persons taking trip after trip through the has a right to expect such release from an active the alcoholic gyrations of persons on whom an “wringer” who claim to have done all of these urge to drink. But he or she must also earn this inoculation of A.A. failed to take. We cannot things. Isn’t there any stability or security in the freedom. Not by a daily knockdown and drag-out blame these outsiders. Within our own groups we program? Do you have to continue to fight out fight with the Devil, but by a complete and un- have many skeptics who believe that the only each day at a time? How do you know when you conditional surrender of our will and our lives to way to stay sober is to keep busy dragging in drunks and reading them the 12 Steps in an authoritative tone of voice. Most of these over- ACCEPT OR ANALYZE ? busy zealots wind up in the Gas Chamber themselves at f a i r l y regular intervals). “If you want sobriety more than anything else knowledge, so I quit analyzing. Out of my vo- Such descriptions of A.A. as mass emotion, in life, you can get it.” This simple statement cabulary went such words as psychiatric, neu- group therapy, etc., give this writer a pain in the repeated with the monotony of a mechanical rotic, compulsion, complex, frustration, and all neck. We are emotional persons, and this weakradio commercial was and is the starting point their ilk. They didn’t belong to me. I had never ness becomes our greatest source of strength of my happiness. The confusion which is the studied to earn them. They merely confused me. because it is only through a strong emotional natural consequence of an alcoholic existence I was ready to admit that I was just another experience that we contact this unseen source of was intensified in my case by an almost uncon- drunk whose life was unmanageable. Now I spiritual power which clears up our confused trollable desire to analyze every statement, re- could live a sober life. thinking and gets us back “on the beam.” action, and action which touched my life. I had How does one live a sober life? Some persons say you do not get A.A., it gets to know. The fact that I ended up more confused One trades dependence on puny self for deyou. It seems to us that the way to receive it is made no difference. All would be simple if I pendence on God. One trades resentment for to open your mind. And this seems to be almost could only know why I drank — why this hap- understanding; fear for trust; selfishness for love. impossible unless the alcoholic has received a pened to me — why the program worked. Why? One trades dissatisfaction for hope; dishonesty tremendous kick in the pants and has definitely A.A. recovery was denied me while I tried to for truth. One trades retaliation for amendment; reached his “gutter.” It is this closed mind busianalyze my problems, tried to analyze the pro- taking for giving. One trades leaning upon othness which gives us the greatest amount of gram, tried to analyze God, and tried to analyze ers for serving others. One trades sectarian bigtrouble in talking A.A. to the man who needs it. analysis. My good A.A. friends offered help, but otry for tolerance. Cynics claim they have found And it is the closing mind that sends seemingly I blocked them with “let me figure it out.” little hope or faith or charity in this dog-eat-dog solid A.A.s back to the dry cleaners. Periodically again drinking became the most im- world. I agreed with them. I said I’d be a sucker portant thing in my life. Drinking was more im- to try to practice these virtues while others ran portant than my family — they were neglected off with the fruits of my labors. But A.A. by Wilful Thinkers while I caroused. Drinking was more important example showed me that these qualities not only Most of the alcoholics we have rum across are than duty, honor, and soul. All were neglected as existed, but were the fabric of which sobriety pretty smart persons. They are good at their I drank away hours and days. was made. Sobriety became for me an all-inclu- trade, profession or business. But they q u i t Forced to recognize that my problems were sive term. It means everything from not taking “learning” about twenty years ago, (or whenever becoming progressively, worse, I at last became the first drink to enjoying the present 24 hours. their heavy drinking started) and they closed the willing to make sobriety the most important One learns when he stops trying to analyze the books at that time, locked up their minds and thing in my life. program or God, that he finds both, sobriety and threw the keys away. Their t h i n k i n g since then I wanted sobriety more than a job which paid God. He also realizes that what he called a search has been entirely negative. They have built up me an exceptional income, but kept me so ex- for God was merely a flight from God. He could “iron curtains” around their personalities so that hausted that I couldn’t relax. I quit the job. I easily have found sobriety and God by honestly no one can get in, unless accompanied by wanted sobriety more than fame or power, so saying “God, I am so confused — please help a bottle. This is the wilfulness of the alcoholic I quit fighting. I wanted sobriety more than me.”— E.L., Chicago. (Continued on Page 4)

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FINDS LORD’S PRAYER KEY TO STEPS Just recently, after more than four years on brink again), February 1941 found me des- tempted to trade with God — only when in a the b a l l in A.A., several of the 12 Steps were perately seeking an answer — so I attended my very bad trading position). There was much to made simple and clear to me by a new approach. first A.A. meeting. t h i n k about, so I wound up in the rear booth of The light that clarified these Steps for me may That meeting convinced me that this was it; a taproom. Not to drink, of course. It was cold in appeal to some beginners who, like myself, find the people I met had regained health, stability, the park and I needed to be alone with my the program in its entirely hard to take. self respect and a place in the community. If it thoughts. That was Thursday night. Four years ago last February Jimmy B. caught worked for them it must and would for me. I Fortunately I sobered up enough by Saturday me between drinks, after a post-graduate’ course went home filled with enthusiasm and elation. morning to remember mention of a downtown at Samaritan Institute. I thought at first my name But one nagging doubt, a real fear, assailed me. clubhouse, quite near where I lived. Somehow I was on the sucker list — there must be a dotted What of the 12 Steps to which I must subscribe found it — and the answer to my problem. line somewhere in the offing. But my curiosity and which I must practice? What of all this Jimmy B. arrived soon after I did. He and was aroused; and I knew something had to be spiritual approach; the requirement that I ac- several other members told me to forget about done about my d r i n k i n g . knowledge and turn my life over to God? Those the 12 Steps — to skip the “God part” of the From occasional d r u n k e n sprees in 1916 to were staggering thoughts. program. “If you’re sure of the 1st Step hang continuous d r i n k i n g and frequent spells of com- I told my w i f e about the meeting and my hope onto that. Stick around here awhile with an open plete disability (hospitalized twice because of that it was finally a way out for me. Then I went mind. Anything you don’t like, just skip it. And uremic convulsions followed by D.T.s; hospital- out to the park to thrash out alone the need to remember, easy does it”. ized for attempted suicide; f a i l u r e of the Samari- accept God. And I knew I could never hurdle So I stuck around there, a few hours every day. tan cure in 1940 and 1941; loss of two businesses those Steps. For years I’d vainly called on God Attended all meetings; went on calls and visited and innumerable jobs; divorced once and on the to help me. (I know now that I’d actually at- alcoholics in the psychopathic wards of the city hospital. There was just one reservation in my Realization Sudden (Continued from Page 3) mind. I’d not be a hypocrite by reciting the Lord’s Prayer when I couldn’t subscribe to a which is so puzzling to the doctor and the psy- an action should never occur to us. Our basis word of it. Of course I rose with the others — it chiatrist. He knows he’s w r o n g — so what? of security lies in keeping our mental doors open, would be too conspicuous to remain seated — Poe speaks of this perversity, a living hell so in never permitting those “iron curtains” to build and with gritted teeth remained silent. deep that he was never able to climb out. Burns up again. We must continue our mental and I couldn’t help hearing that prayer; hearing it tells of wishing for a “gift” to see ourselves as spiritual growth, keep eager for knowledge, share spoken in frank sincerity by a group of people others see us. The alcoholic in The Lost Week- ourselves with others, and keep “on the beam.” who had suffered all the reverses that had plagued end saw a handsome, talented man in the bar We have known men who have had trouble me. Sometime during the first few weeks I began mirror; he never caught a glimpse of the real who seemingly had assimilated the program. In to follow the prayer as I heard it; to think it Don Birnam. If we can crack this nearly impene- every case it was no overnight falling off the and think about it. Within a year I was saying it trable wall, then A.A. can come in. wagon episode; instead we could see the doors of aloud at meetings and meaning every word of it. How can we open our minds to the t r u t h , after their minds slowly swing shut until they were For over three years I’ve had a comfortable years of completely reversed t h i n k i n g ? How can alone with themselves in the dark caverns again. feeling of peace and serenity. Some of the A.A. we be induced to admit that we weren’t as smart A.A. seems a very simple thing, living right in- Steps have remained high hurdles, perhaps as we thought we were; that we don’t know all stead of wrong; doing good instead of evil; through that early habit of thought regarding the answers? The old German writer back in t h i n k i n g straight instead of “screwy.” them. Then a few weeks ago at a meeting the 1530 who said that the only way to cure persons A great deal of the trouble lies in skipping Steps were discussed in a way that started a new of the horrible vice of drunkenness was to give once over lightly when we come to 6th Step. t r a i n of thought. After several days it dawned on them new heads, may have had the right answer. Many of us are emphatically not willing to have me that I’d accepted those toughest steps some Our answer is that we must feel true h u m i l i t y all our character defects removed. We want to three years ago. I’d found comfort in the Lord’s so deeply that we are willing to assume the role save one up against the next time our mother-in- Prayer. I’d been thinking and saying it — and of a child and learn to live all over again. law comes to live with us. We are, unfortunately, meaning it. I could start with Our own door slid open when we saw the calm- a little proud of that beautiful temper of ours; “Our Father Who art in Heaven” and end with ness and serenity of the A.A.s who called upon or maybe we have no objections to promoting a “for Thine is the kingdom and the power” — us. It wasn’t what they said, it was how they quick buck or two in a slightly unsavory way; or and there was Step 2. looked. We wanted some of that peace of mind, maybe that babe on Eighteenth street pops up in and we were humbly willing to do anything the our alleged minds. We won’t preach; you know “Thy will be done” is certainly Step 3. book said to get even a small piece of it. To this the answers.’ “Forgive us our trespasses — — — — and day, we are convinced that the force of example We do know this: that when you go on down lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from is 75% of 12th stop work. No one can tell us that through the program as best you can, you wind evil” was a way of practicing Steps 6 and 7. these t r u l y serene A.A.s have not got security. up one day knowing that you don’t have to drink And when the Lord’s Prayer has been uttered That was two years ago, and the three men any more . . . the firm realization of sobriety. You sincerely and humbly Step 11 has t r u l y been we have in mind are still sober. feel the release from tension. You can think accepted. Of course1 we remain alcoholics. The disease straight. You know right from wrong, because The Lord’s Prayer, beautiful yet simple, easily is progressive, and we are never cured. All we A.A. has amplified the small, still voice of con- understood, has cleared up finally, for me, much need do to get back into the gutter is to take that science. You are free. And it feels good! — H. that has been difficult in the 12 Steps of A.A. first drink. But if we are thinking straight, such B. P., Columbus, Ohio. —Bill C., Philadelphia

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Milwaukee, Wis., Sentinel: “What the movie censors are up against is contained in this brief note from an upstate client who in red ink, writes: The kiss is an intoxicant and like liquor must be abolished from the screen.’ Say, I wonder if he knows what Lost Weekend was about!”

Tulsa, Okla., Tribune: “The Chicago Marriage Committee has made its report on what we might do to stem the tide of divorces that threatens to divide the country more certainly than politics or civil war have ever done… . . “Drinking was found by the Illinois committee to be the obvious cause of many of the divorce cases. Drinking seems to accentuate the mental and physical maladjustments which are chiefly responsible for separations. The report said nothing about how to eradicate the drink habit, though there are many ways. One of the best has been developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, which has a chapter in nearly every large city. Certainly the A.A. leader should be a member of any judge’s advisory committee. So should a good doctor, an understanding preacher and a bright teacher.”

Chapel Hill, N. C., Weekly: “James S., the novelist who lives in Chapel Hill, is a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. . . . “One day recently he got a telephone call from a fellow member, a business man in a town not far from here, who felt the mania coming on. ‘Come right on over here,’ said Mr. S. The man organization, of growing proportions, with clubs stranger, sobered up, was attended to according did come, but on the way be obtained a supply to the approved A.A. method.” in all principal cities, shows men how the power of liquor, and when be arrived late in the afterof God can cure alcoholism. To the increasing noon he was roaring drunk. number of those who write the Everyday Coun- “There was no hospital to take him to, so Mr. Indianapolis, Ind., Star: “Indianapolis women selor concerning alcoholism, I again say, seek S. decided he would ask the police to let him stay who formed their own group of Alcoholics out your nearest club, or write to Alcoholics overnight in the jail in the basement of the Town Anonymous a year ago report that there have Anonymous, Box 459, Grand Central Annex, Hall. been few slips among those who have decided New York 17, N. Y.” “The initial trouble was that the police did to stop drinking. Ages of the women in the not know Mr. S. Not being familiar with Alco- group are from 24 to 55 years. Housewives outholics Anonymous, naturally they did not at number the business career women in the New York World-Telegram: “Simplicity, sinonce understand his explanations. group.” cerity mark A.A.’s program over WNYC,” said ” ‘No wonder they thought there was some- Harriet Van Horne, radio columnist. “This thing queer about me,’ be said afterward. ‘I had Elberton, Ga., Star: “Drinking far outranked man’s testimony, mercifully lacking in the smug just come off my farm. I was in old dirty clothes all other male faults in a recent Gallup Poll of fervor usually found in reformers, was far more and had a heavy growth of heard.’ the ten worst faults of husbands and wives. persuasive than a n y t h i n g I ever heard from the “He named several persons in Chapel Hill Among wives’ faults drinking was number four, dry crusaders. He didn’t preach abstinence for with whom he was acquainted. The jail was while nagging was number one. everybody. Just those suffering from alcoholempty at the time, and the police willingly took “From wide experience with alcoholism, it is ism.” the stranger in. Mr. S., seeing that there was my firm conviction that nothing but the power plenty of room, asked if he could stay there, too. of God can break the habit. Other so-called “Drink to me only w i t h thine eyes—and you The police said yes, and he went to bed in one “cures” are only temporary. won’t have to join those anonymous guys,” of the four bunks in the cell. Next morning the “Alcoholics Anonymous, now a nation-wide writes H . I . Phillips in the New York Sun.

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Looking at Myself, After Six Months in A. A. (Continued from Page 1) what did the first few do to you? Didn’t they look at it closer, lots closer. All right, you give really work and live. You got drunk again if you make you feel rotten, so rotten you had to take up and drink plenty — for you will drink plenty, remember and the letter wasn’t so much and more to get over feeling rotten and where did you you always have, if you drink at all. You can’t right then she gave you up. wind up? Do you remember the last time you work and pretty soon you can’t eat. That can’t tried that and you lasted three months but wound go on because you need the money your job I USED TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN DRINKING up in bed in the hospital after quite a few noble brings you and nature says you have to eat. It feats like you always did? Got any more reasons is just that simple. No one is going to take care “Used to” is the correct phrase. Those days or excuses? of you financially or physically. And it takes so have been gone for a long long time. How about long to drink yourself to death — remember that As near as I can figure you want to drink to those parties at Dobbs Ferry and other places fellow the doctor told you about, and he had when you left early and had to hole out some- relax, to pep you up, to dull your memory, to sharpen your wits, because you feel good or feel almost unlimited wealth. It look him three years, where because you hadn’t waited u n t i l the party and in that time he lost both his legs and his started and were drunk before the party even bad, to have fun when it isn’t fun, to get over things that drinking caused, and a lot of other mind. It doesn’t sound like such a good idea, or arrived? How many good times did you miss by such an easy death, does it? being drunk or by being in the hospital sobering contradictory reasons. Actually you just drank up? Do you miss a lot of f u n by not d r i n k i n g or on any excuse. Are you really stupid enough to Suppose you don’t have what you want, are did you miss a lot of fun by d r i n k i n g ? You hang onto a lot of phoney reasons based on you going to get any of it by drinking? How know the answer to that one. times when it seemed to work when you have to much more do you have now that you haven’t admit now that it never worked for you? I can’t had a drink for six months than you had a year I AM NO FUN WITH OTHERS IF I DON’T really believe you forget that drinking took just ago when you were drinking? Do you remember DRINK about everything away from you and brought all when you came over here from the ranch, just a Does the record really show that you were the the things you are trying to work out of now. drunk to everyone but yourself? You have a job, life of the party when you were drinking? I think Sure, you are lonesome. Did you expect people some real friends, you have a chance now and we have already covered that, don’t you? always to put up with you as you were all those you are beginning to feel that some day you may years? Will drinking fix it up, or is it a better find a life that is not only tolerable but happy. I WANT A DRINK TO GET OVER THIS idea to keep away from liquor and live so people Would you have those things if you had kept on HUMP will trust you and like you and want you around? drinking? What hump are you on that the drinking Maybe that will happen if you do stay sober but So you have thought up a lot of reasons for didn’t put you on? Haven’t you done more these you know it won’t if you drink. taking a drink but none of them stands up very last six months than you did in the ten years you Wouldn’t it be a good idea to tell the truth? well. Are you going to keep on trying to find an were a drunk? You want to drink to get over You really want to drink yourself into stupidity excuse you haven’t already knocked apart or are something that drink caused. Nice if it worked and just give up. It seems like an answer if you you going to keep on knowing that you can’t that way but it doesn’t. don’t look at it very closely but just for fun let’s take even one drink? Try to forget about drinking and use that new clearer mind to get the I NEED A LITTLE EXTRA NERVE AND things you know matter to you and that you want ENERGY RIGHT NOW so much. Don’t you think you have a much better WRITING CLASS TO ENTER chance without liquor than you ever had with How about the time you got the good job in Princeton and tried the same idea? If I remember SECOND SESSION SEPT. 5 it? rightly you took some drinks for that purpose The second session of the Writing Class which Keep on being honest with yourself — you and lasted through three days and then came was inaugurated at the New York Metropolitan cannot drink and you do not want to drink, and home dunk and wound up at St. Luke’s Hospital clubhouse this summer will get underway Sep- you do not have to drink. You want friends, and again. I can give you more examples or will you tember 5. your job and the things that some money will remember that one the rest of your l i f e ? Begun as an experimental extra-curricular ac- bring you. You want to have some pride in yourtivity, the class is being continued by popular self and confidence in yourself and other people’s I WOULD MEET MORE PEOPLE IN THE demand with Charlie B., novelist and short story confidence in you. You want the knowledge that BARS AND I LIKE THE EASY INFORMALITY author whose works appear regularly in the you can make your own way to where you want OF BARS leading “slicks,” again serving as instructor. to be. You know that you can’t do it full of That wasn’t really so much f u n at Chez Marie, Classes will be held twice weekly — on Mondays liquor but maybe you can do it sober. It really the Mayan Room, Toots Shors’, the Stork Club, and Thursdays at 8 P.M. in the clubhouse gym- is your only chance, you know. Remember — the way you did it, was it, and was it so much nasium. there never will be a good reason for taking one f u n in the Third Avenue saloons? Was it f u n Another interesting activity now underway is drink but there are thousands of reasons for you in Steve’s, and the Dublin Bar and G r i l l , and a class in sculpture and sketching which is never to take one. — B. C., Tucson, Arzi. the Cedar Tavern, especially in the early morn- held each Wednesday evening in the clubhouse ing? Would you like those days back or do you gymnasium under the tutelage of Mitchel F., like the life you lead now a little better? winner of several sculpture awards. Consideration also is being given to getting Thank Bennett Cerf (writing in the Saturday I JUST WANT A DRINK OR TWO A DAY some of the A.A. musicians to organize a class Review of Literature) for the description of the That is the worst one you have pulled yet. in their subject. Plans for this are awaiting a inebriate midget who got himself caught in a When did you ever stop after the first few and leader. bottleneck!

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The Pleasures of Reading THE IDEA OF CHRIST IN THE GOSPELS OR GOD IN MAN by George (What’s the funniest A.A. tale or quip you’ve heard? Santayana (Charles Scribner’s Sons, $2.75) Others would like to hear it. Send it in.) A. S. M. Hutchison in This Freedom, a quarter-century ago, wrote the story of the modern Have you heard of the two trains rushing career woman who prostrated herself and her children in idolatrous worship of the modem t r i n headon along the same track, one driven by a ity: truth, knowledge and reason. But for her, and for them, t r u t h lied, knowledge deceived and Swede and the other by a drunken engineer? reason betrayed. She cries aloud in her Gethsemane: They did not crash. Know why? Because Norse “All our intelligence, if materialism may be called intelligence; all modern teaching, offers is Norse and Souse is Souse and never the twain us God the Spirit, but as it seems to me tonight, denies us God the Father and God the Son. It shall meet! may be — reasonable. But things spiritual demand for their recognition emotions spiritual, and there’s a pass that thousands reach when the spirit is a dead thing. If they are to believe in God “Wish we had a fifth for bridge.” only as a Spirit, a Force, a Power; an Essence to be felt but not seen; on Element to be absorbed “You don’t need a fifth for bridge, into but not to be visualized, if this, if these, there needs in them some spirit, some force, some you dope.” power of themselves to l i f t themselves to meet it. “Well, make it a p i n t , then.” “Well, there are thousands (am I not one?) that have it not. It once was theirs. Now it is not theirs. If there is for them only God the Spirit, then is there for them only that to which they A priest walking down the street found a have no more power to reach than has one bedridden the power to rise and find a mile away what parishioner in a ghastly state of staggers. may restore him. They have only that, their breaking heart, which would cast itself, oh, w i t h w h a t “Tom!” be said, “What on earth could you bliss of utter abandonment, before God the Father, quick to succor, and before God the Son, a be drinkin’ to put you in such a condition?” human and a personal Son, ardent to intercede. And that is denied them. That God that existed The drunk thought heavily. and that was taught to exist for my mother and for her day to this day may not exist. It may be “It warsb Three Fathers, Feather,” he an- —reasonable. Oh, it is offered—a stone where bread was sought.” swered. Many of us are among the thousands “that have it not.” True, our feelings have been moved, our minds have been quickened, our souls have been touched with the lambent flames of a holy From L.J.C., Detroit, Mich. spirit. Nonetheless we are humanly mercurial. We are alternately elated and depressed. Or if A little Irishman in shabby clothes stepped we level off the peaks and valleys of emotional vacillations, we acquire in place of serenity a up to the ritzy Book-Cadillac Motor Bar. Edg- bovine passivity. ing his way through the auto magnates, he laid Stricken by misfortunes or elevated by successes, or during the long intervals between, are we a dime on the bar and loudly ordered whisky. conscious of any significance in events or of any meaning to our lives? Do we entirely ignore the The dignified bartender, his pince-nez a-tremmaterial element in our natures or do we live on so animalistic a plane that we distinguish ourble, a n g r i l y said, “We have no ten cent whisselves from the beasts only by the a t t r i b u t e of reason and a sense of the comic? Have we discovky.” ered the difference between sentiment and sense, between sentimentality and sensibility? Have we “That’s all right with me, buddy,” said the discovered that there is no difference between realism and idealism? Are we puzzled by the idea little man, as be picked up his dime and started of the humanity of God or the divinity of Man? Do we not feel that there is something that tranfor the door, “I don’t go for the five cent kind.” scends reason? Are we not aware of phenomena going beyond knowledge? Do we not, as Pascal says, make an idol of truth itself “for truth apart from charity is not God but his image and idol, The Garden City, Kans., Telegram reported which we must neither love nor worship?” recently that, “There’s a local man who says he’s These are perennial questions and they are answered perennially. The answers have never been started a counter organization to Alcoholics lacking. Vision is always at hand for those who wish and are ready to see. And one finds a f u n d a – Anonymous. He calls it Inebriates Unanimous.” mental sameness in the right answers to cosmic questions, however and by whomsoever they are Actually, the mythical guy is a little late. We furnished. Only the methods and media of presentation are variable — and immaterial. Therewere all “inebriates unanimous” before we before, it seems to come to this: are we ready to receive the answers, are we ready to become comcame “Alcoholics Anonymous.” municants? It sometimes takes a cataclysm to get one in a state of readiness. For many readers this phenomenon already has occurred. Some people make A.A. so complicated they Now comes George Santayana, dean of American philosophers, wise and learned, and rationremind us of the fellow who was describing a alist par excellence, in the evening of his life but by no means in his dotage, with a book which new machine he’d seen to a friend. He said: a newspaper reviewer said was not for the ordinary man — a challenge, indeed, to the readers “By means of a pedal attachment a fulcrum lever converts a vertical reciprocal motion into of this publication. a circular movement. The principal part of the This philosophical critic, with an orthodox heritage and a heretical mind, has examined the machine is a huge-disc that revolves in a verti- Gospels to find answers to some questions of his own, not unlike those propounded above. He cal plane. Power is applied through the axis abjures superstitions, which many a wise and learned man believed until yesterday. He is not of the disc, and work is done on the periphery, concerned with the historical or metaphysical validity of Gospel truth. He states he really wishes and the hardest steel by mere impact may be re- only to analyze and to detach one original element in the inspiration of the Gospels, namely the duced to any shape.” dramatic presentation of the person of Christ. But, of course, he should have been astute enough The friend asked: “What is this machine?” to know that he couldn’t and wouldn’t stop at that point. He is aware of the limitation of the Answer: “A grindstone.” (Continued on next page)

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Evangelists, but he is also aware t h a t the intellectual St. Paul had only visionary evidence of Christ and that this alone was the foundation of his faith. IN A PENT HOUSE The author, w h i l e denying that i n s p i r a t i o n reveals speculative t r u t h , is struck by the example OR FLOP HOUSE, of St. Thomas Aquinas, who, in order to decide rightly difficult points in theology, would drop JITTERS ARE JITTERS his pen, and in prolonged prayer, humbly and with many tears, would implore divine assistance. So, the writer concludes: “And is it not more likely that clear light, in matters that can be mani- I have heard the term “Park Avenue drunk,” fested only to intuition, should come through rapt concentration and prayer, than that clear light used more than once in A.A. meetings and also should proceed from hearsay, from treacherous memory, or from the precipitate malice of wits, in conversation around the club house. I supt r y i n g to beat one another in argument?” pose it means the man or woman in A.A. who was born into what is known as “Society”‘ and Again Mr. Santayana is not a little puzzled that so refined a spirit as J. H. Cardinal who was fortunate enough to have financial Newman does not hesitate to join the Evangelists in translating the idea of Christ into a divine security and was protected in such a way that it power at work in the hearts of men, and creating there the only true religion and the only pure was impossible for him to kick all this backm o r a l i t y . He sees no need to follow such people in so impetuous an assumption. “Yet we may ground overboard however hard he tried. a d m i t t h a t an image or idea that can be so idolized by sensitive and noble minds deserves to be There seems to be a feeling that such a man studied and to be clarified. Some inborn predicament of the spirit must be expressed in such an or woman doesn’t really know what it’s all i n s p i r a t i o n . What exactly is this inspiration as enshrined in the Gospels? And what, in fact, is about; that he hasn’t been through the m i l l . I the predicament it expresses?” think we have all heard the type of speaker who Such are the questions to which the first part of the volume is devoted. With his critical gets up on the platform and virtually apologizes faculties most acute, and with unexpected insight and understanding, the writer probes into the for the fact that in spite of all his efforts he has relationship between Father and Son and between God and Man. Miracles are not assumed to be never a t t a i n e d the colorful and dramatic “low impossible because “when the rationalist says that something is impossible, he is merely con- bottom” described by the speaker who proceeded fessing that such a thing has not come within the circle of his thoughts and that he has not wit him. enough to imagine it.” Why should this have to be? Why should the The idea of Christ being that of God in man, the Eucharist is viewed as a sacrament through drunk who has hit the jails, the flop houses, the the instrumentality of which grace and assimilation to God may flow to one called to receive state hospitals feel that he deserves more credit them. Prayer is regarded as expressing poetically the troubles and longings of the soul, “but in for sobering up than the man who has spent expressing them tends to transcend them, to accept defeat, to make a victory of that acceptance, years going from one private sanitarium to and to redeem itself by self-transformation,” a true catharsis. It is duly noted that Christ forgave another, from one psychiatrist to another in.franthe sins of the flesh as readily as be healed its miseries; neither could disgust him with being a tic efforts to cure this disease that is common man. “What taxes his [Christ’s] patience is the incapacity of the virtuous to understand the prin- to all of us? To my mind the cotton wool that ciple of mercy; also the incapacity of the ready intellect to understand the necessity of faith.” surrounds the rich drunk merely prolongs the agony and delays by years the blessed release. Having found that the idea of Christ as it appears in the Gospels gives an inspired dramatic I am sure that the miseries and horrors of expression to the felt presence of God in man, Mr. Santayana turns next to a different question: coming off a drunk are very much the same no How far is this idea of Christ, as being God in man, a philosophical idea, valid for all men and in matter where the process takes place. The walls all religions? Reserved for the reader will be the intellectual delight and soul-satisfying experiof a suite at the Waldorf can sway and threaten ence of pursuing this i n q u i r y with the author as he discusses the matters of Creation, the Fatherto cave in just as sickenly as those of a cell. hood of God, God’s Love of Man and Man’s Love of God, the Animal Psyche and the Super- Those grotesque faces that creep under your natural Soul, and Self-Transcendence. eyelids are just as frightening in a pent house These subjects are treated with c l a r i t y and reasonableness, the dialectic intricacies not being as in a flop house. Those voices whisper and too involved or the layers of erudition overwhelming. This investigation of the central idea of threaten the same things on Park Avenue as they religion frequently reaches levels above the empirical world, yet the method is always philo- do on Tenth. If the rich drunk’s painful journey sophical and there are no loose ends. Coolly and dispassionately, and with a trace of the sardonic back to temporary health is slightly eased by which gives it terrific emphasis in spite of the misleading simplicity of language, the matter is good care, proper food and sedatives it only summed up: means that it will take him much longer to reach our common goal, complete and permanent “The idea of Christ crucified has had many worshippers, and has inspired many saints. But it has not converted the world or saved it. The world does not wish to be sobriety. He will have a few more years in which saved. If we say that the world thereby wills its own damnation, we are merely vent- to break the hearts of his family, lose the respect ing our private displeasure, without frightening the world. The flux of existence of his associates, antagonize those who were his cannot be stopped by reflection, save as it has partially stopped already to make friends and make a complete hash of his life. t h a t reflection. To stop may well seem to it a worse damnation than never to be able As I see it, an alcoholic is an alcoholic irto stop. But in fact l i f e is not condemned to either fate, because materially it always passes on, but in spirit it sometimes transcends into realization of the eternal. There respective of color, race or creed, irrespective is aesthetic delight in this, as well as moral peace and intellectual clearness; but of the accidents of birth, money or education. So those who miss these things do not regret missing them. It would not be in the spirit please let us do away with the term “Park of Christ to blame them for that p r i v a t i o n : verily they have their reward. Yet that Avenue drunk” and get together in real thankreward, from the spiritual point of view, is itself their punishment, for it keeps them fulness that we have all reached the haven of from ever understanding the power of their own minds or judging anything other- A.A.—M.N., Manhattan, N. Y. wise than by an accidental passion.” This book solves no problems; no book of the kind does. But it serves to give direction to the thinking of those (and their number is legion) to whom strait-laced orthodoxy is unacceptable Definition for WILL-POWER and a pallid humanism is inadequate—R.F.S., Montclair, N.J. Our WILL-ingness to use a Higher POWER.

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad which I have found out I can do very little cause of A.A., so near to his heart. Those asso- Letters to this department are invited on any about. ciated with him and who were his personal subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- The thought about time came back to me and tions you are asked to hold your letters to a friends, admired his fine tact and deep sincerity, maximum of 350 words. I started to analyze the reason why time stood although they differed with him frequently in Only initials will he published unless the still in A.A. I went back over my years of drink- the interpretation of A.A. principles, he will be writer authorizes use of his first name as identification for A.A. friends. ing and found that in reality time had stood still greatly missed.—Sam S. D. The Grapevine will not divulge the full name then. Those last two and one-half years before of any writer but it will forward A.A. communica- A.A. really meant nothing. I had used wine to Let’s Be Human, Too tions addressed to the writers of letters published from Detroit here.—The Editors. drown out the past and blot out the future. The past I couldn’t bear to think about and the Two articles in the August issue particularly f u t u r e was something to fear and dread, so wine impressed me with the common sense views they “Safe” Combination presented. One was entitled “God Made Our had made time stand still. From Chicago, Ill. Relatives, Too,” the other, “You’d Do It If You Then I came into A.A. and was taught, “First Every now and then someone wants to take things first,” “easy does it,” and that we can Were Drunk.” the 12 Steps apart to see what makes them tick live only in the present. By living each passing The writers of both of these pieces, it seemed and subject them to scrutiny, analysis, personal moment so that our conscience is clear we need to me, have caught hold of the real essence of notions of alterations and improvements. But have no regrets for the past, nor need we worry A.A.—the problem of fitting ourselves back into at my first reading of them I believed and ac- about the future. God will take care of that for a normal way of life among our fellow men, outcepted them without question and with the con- us. side as well as within A.A. fidence that they were as definite and immut- I send this in just as it came to me on the I feel that we have performed only half of the able as arithmetic. job, between times when I had no problems to job of rehabilitation so long as we cling fearfully The word “steps” however, seemed to imply solve there. These I take the same way, one at a to the group and to our A.A. contacts. Surely it a progression or a moving from one to another, time and as they come.—J.F.H. is better to be clinging thus (than to be out d r i n k a climbing one step at a time. No, these were ing; that I’d never deny. But I think we are not “steps.” I saw them rather as a combina- Name Is Changed creatures of habit, and liable to get in the habit tion of features all of equal importance that of leaning too heavily on A.A. while giving too must work together at the same time to be ef- From Youngstown, Ohio little of ourselves back to the world in which we fective. It was as if someone had said to me, “I The name of the Tri-County Alcoholic Foun- have been fortunate enough to remain. Furtherknow where there is a treasure—valuable be- dation is being changed to the Youngstown Com- more, I think some of us develop an actual suyond price—the most precious thing that can mittee for Education on Alcoholism, and we will perior air, almost a snobbery, towards those outcome into your life. It is sobriety, and a new be affiliated with the National Committee for side the bonds of our alcoholic fraternity. I philosophy of j o y f u l living. It is locked in a Education on Alcoholism. We changed our name know I’ve been g u i l t y of that fault, much to the vault but here is the combination. All you have because we found our aims and purposes were displeasure of f a m i l y and friends. to do is follow it as set down and you can open already so similar to those of the National Com- More thought of others, more p a r t i c i p a t i o n in the door to that treasure.” mittee that it seemed wise to affiliate with them. the life around us, will make us better A.A.s and Thus with definite assurance I set to work Also, we wished to comply with the suggestion better members of society. Thanks for those two with the combination to unlock the door. I received from the A.A. trustees that the termi- articles. They said it better than I could, and didn’t question the numbers. I didn’t try to nology, Alcoholic Foundation, be reserved for may help prod some of us into an awareness of use a 41⁄2 instead of 5 or say I didn’t like 3, the national group. this responsibility towards society.—J.C.D. 4, or 7 so I’ll just skip those. Do that, and the We believe that there is a great deal of edudoor won’t open. Anyhow, the combination cational work to be done but that A.A. has a Playing, at A.A. works. I have the treasure. So for my own per- big enough job on its hands getting people sober from Portland, Ore. sonal needs, a spin of the dial each day, with and keeping them sober without tackling any- As new A.A. groups are c o n t i n u a l l y being no numbers omitted, is the answer— the only thing else so we have our Committee on Educa- formed throughout the country, and we are re- “safe” combination.—L. C. tion to do the job—Neil K. ceiving more and more publicity, it is inevitable that we shall attract numbers of persons who A.A. Is Timeless (EDITOR’S NOTE: The suggestion from the do not possess the first requisite for membership from Linda Vista, Calif. trustees was to the effect that since the national in Alcoholics Anonymous. We mean those who Time stands still. The other night at a pre- board has been known as the Alcoholic Founda- do not honestly admit that they are powerless sentation of two two-year birthday cakes, I made tion the use of the same name by individual over alcohol, and who do not have a wholly sinthe remark that it didn’t seem like two years, groups would be confusing.) cere desire to be helped to quit drinking once and that time really meant nothing in A.A., after and for all. A Friend’s Tribute Numbers of such persons are already to be we had learned to live today only. Then today, while waiting for the delivery of From Rome, Ga. found in every large group. The class we refer some concrete and with no immediate problem On Saturday, July 13th, Carl K. died suddenly to are not “true alcoholics” desperately in need concerning the job on my mind, I started doing of a cerebral hemorrhage. For some time, those of help, but just more or less intemperate drinkthe thing I seem always to do, fill in my time associated with him realized he was not himself. ers who come into a group for sympathy, and with thoughts about A.A. rather than worry For two years, Carl had maintained a perfect for a breathing spell between bouts with John about the past or fret about the future, both of record of sobriety and contributed much to the (Continued on next page)

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Barleycorn There is an old and apt quotation hood you will refer them to me at this address, we wanted to. The yesterdays and the blackness that goes: “The devil was sick, the devil a saint for my wife and I will have open house and a of the night were past and gone, and God had was he; the devil was well the ‘divil’ a saint was full coffee pot.—G.T.M. given us another chance at life. When the wheels he.” set down, it was then that men and women start- They have a tendency towards self-dramati- Climbing Back ed in the day bringing out the greed, hate, inzation, and come into a group to recuperate and tolerance, lust, and selfishness that are a part of From San Francisco, Cal. build up for another binge. In short, they are l i f e in these troubled times and with which we playing around in A.A. Every honest member As a person in A.A. becomes more willing to must all brush shoulders in our daily lives. It of A.A. must know one or two. It often takes have a Higher Power help him, he thinks less of was at this point that the prayer which has been some l i t t l e time to recognize them, but when himself. He is sustained by and lives only as the quoted around Boston so much came to take on they are recognized they should be at the very instrument of this Power — called God. As he more meaning — “God grant me the serenity to least, discouraged from, or perhaps I should receives help, he gives help to others. accept the things I cannot change, the courage say, firmly, but politely denied admittance to Sometimes, the harder he tries, the less he to change those which I can, and the wisdom meetings open or closed when they are even attains. So he must take it easy and live each to know the difference.” A few of the many slightly “under the influence.” 24 hours the very best he knows how. Slowly but things that A.A. has taught me I would like to The harm that can be done by such persons to surely he gets the feeling that he is being helped set down in the hope that they may help others honest, but doubtful newcomers is too serious by this Higher Power. He feels peace and happi- to understand themselves. a consideration to be ignored through a mis- ness, something money cannot buy. 1. Try and look the truth in the face and actaken conception of tolerance. Who am I to tell you what it is? I do not cept it. Don’t try and duck around the truth or Nor should the contents of this letter be mis- know. But when I feel it, it is wonderful. Some- your sorrows and misfortunes. Try and live taken for “smugness” or self-complacency— on times I lose it. Then I have to try to get myself through them by seeking the help and underthe contrary I feel that I am voicing the opinions in tune again so I can receive the help I know standing of your friends . . . both the friends and sentiments of many others. is there. Because I have felt that help before, I in A.A. and outside. I hope that you will print this letter in order cannot now doubt that it is ever present — if I 2. The truth and your friends will help you that we may have the views of others as to how be willing and ready to receive it — if I do not again to respect yourself and to recognize your this s i t u a t i o n can best be dealt with—L.C. close my mind and heart. own worth and courage. When I lose this feeling of harmony, I lose 3. Don’t be afraid of your inner thoughts and * * * my temper, self-pity returns, I am dishonest with hidden impulses. If you are thinking straight, Leaving Group A Challenge myself, jealousy creeps in — so does selfishness. you will pass up the mean and unnatural From Nashville, Mich. I have to take hold of myself as quickly as I thoughts and impulses and act only on the ones can and try to get that harmony back. If I do that are good. We are all human and we must After five years association with the Toledo, not, I may get drunk. And I don’t want to get sort out the good from the bad. I suppose that Ohio, A.A. group, the last two of which had been drunk. If I do, I lose all I have. is what is called conscience. marked by very active participation and attend- It’s a long way back. Believe me — I know. 4. As A.A.s, we will all acknowledge some ant good results, I have found myself by force I am trying to climb back now. It’s not so easy. traces of the immaturity we were accused of. of circumstance and nature of work in this small The willingness and desire to stay sober more Admit this fault and try to put it aside by seek- Michigan town of only 1,200 souls. than anything makes me try once more. I hope ing maturity through personal contact with Therefore, I have been unable for the past six or seven weeks since coming here, to enjoy the and pray I can correct those evil things before friends and acquaintances. fellowship and companionship and unable to reap they build up within me again — before they 5. God will give us the strength to face each the benefits of hospital calls available to those make me forget that I am an alcoholic and I new day and its problems and perplexities if take that first drink. Should I take that drink, we are only willing and humble enough to ask of our ever increasing number who dwell in metropolitan areas. I’d be off to the races — another drunk — the His help. same old pattern of thinking and living. 6. As a drunk, I ran my life without help, but However, this is an interesting experience and I know. I tried it. It was not fun. Why? Be- as a sober alcoholic I need the help of God (the not one to give me any great cause for alarm. cause A.A. had taught me better. I also know in Higher Power to me) and the understanding of I find that I have had to pay more attention to my daily life than ever before. Daily meditation my heart if I had asked this Power for help be- my friends.—B.P.B. and morning reading have come to mean more fore I took that first drink, and if I had really been on the 24-hour program, I would not have Indianapolis Churches than they ever did in the hustle and bustle of got drunk. I hope and pray that all of us ask the city. for help, and when we receive it, we shall use it Offer Clubrooms I find that constant referral to the “Big Book” An Episcopal rector in Indianapolis, with the provides what I call a refresher course, for at the best we know how — each 24 hours. — approval of his “board,” has made available to times I become aware of a feeling that the old Juanita W. a sectional A.A. group the facilities of the church life and old ways are far behind, which thoughts parish house for its weekly meeting. The facili- A Fresh Start Each Day ties include a commodious meeting room, well- I know are dangerous thoughts, for in my own experience after being “dry” for almost two From Newton, Mass. equipped with chairs, speaker’s desk, a large reyears after coming into the group, I found my- My start at straight thinking came to me as I freshment room with adequate table-seating, and self t h i n k i n g that possibly I was not really alco- watched a new day breaking high in the air over a housekeeper to prepare coffee and cake or holic. You know the rest, and it was only after Texas. It was after 72 hours of sleeplessness and doughnuts. much stumbling that I convinced myself and put strain that I didn’t think I could take, but had to. Nonetheless sympathetic is the offer of the Unilife and the A.A. program on a daily basis. Watching the day break clean and new and tarian church of the city, with accommodations I do hope that if you receive any inquiries unspoiled made me understand that each dawn equally pleasant and suitable.—R.P.C., Indiaas to where one can talk A.A. in the neighbor- gave us another chance to start clean and new if napolis.

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A. A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit Baltimore, Md., A.A.s “take the air” every Vanderbilt Hotel as headquarters. Plans are be- With a membership nearing 400, Vancouver Thursday night at 7:15, and the resulting 12th ing made to accommodate the largest A.A. crowd (B. C.), A.A.s recently came to the point where Step follow-up work has been extremely grati- yet assembled in the South. Nationally known they felt the chapter was growing so large as to fying. The management and staff of radio sta- speakers will be heard, and scheduled A.A. be u n w i e l d y , and the meetings too crowded to tion WBFR in Baltimore are enthusiastic about clinics will be held. These plans were announced achieve a useful i n t i m a c y of fellowship. So the the possibilities of A.A. as a sustaining program. at an Inter-Group meeting of all the Carolina decision to divide into smaller groups was made. . . . Plans for a larger permanent club are un- groups which took place recently in Shelby, Seven such groups, completely autonomous, now der way and in the interim Baltimore’s Wednes- N. C., and was attended by about 90 members have been set up in Vancouver proper, w i t h day night open meetings are held at 512 Charles and their families. other groups in adjacent West Vancouver and Street. . . . Appointment of a commission to New Westminster. The c i t y groups are West End, study alcoholism in Maryland has been an- Central, Hastings, Charlie Brown, Kerrisdale, nounced by Governor O’Conor. The Governor’s Kitsilano, and Bayview. To establish some sort action in naming a seven-member group was in During the Yale Summer School of Alcohol of liaison between these, a Central Steering Comline with a Senate resolution passed at the last Studies which started July 7 and came to a close mittee w i t h one delegate from each group has regular session of the Legislature calling for August 2, the New Haven, Conn., Group had an been formed. It is purely a consulting body. appointment of the commission and a report by extra Wednesday night meeting at the local high Elsewhere in British Columbia A.A. continues it to the 1947 General Assembly. school for four weeks, in addition to its regular to flourish, with new groups being c o n t i n u a l l y Tuesday night meeting. The discussions proved formed. . . . In another section of Canada — highly interesting to audiences of about 275 per- Toronto, Ontario — word comes that the March The Batesville, Ark., Group had its inception sons. Many prominent speakers were heard at of Time film has created a tremendous demand last year when a local man went in desperation these meetings, among them clergymen, doctors, for information about A.A., and that this is parto the Little Rock Group, and after a two-week judges, lawyers and A.A. members from all over t i a l l y responsible for the formation of a Central stay came home and started to work on other the country. Dr. Seldon D. Bacon of Yale Uni- Committee. A Speakers’ Bureau has also been alcoholics. Today the Batesville Group has a versity spoke briefly from the floor at the initial formed, with names given from each group to membership of 14, and clubrooms where they open meeting, giving praise to A.A. and express- the Central Club to answer calls from clubs, hold regular meetings. . . . The A.A. radio draing the hope for A.A.’s continued cooperation churches and social organizations. Dr. Bob is matization over Detroit’s WWJ is recorded every with The Yale Clinic in helping the alcoholic. He going to speak in Toronto in September. The Sunday at 6:15 P.M. over New York City’s own also said that plans were already established for Toronto Women’s Group, now numbering apstation, WNYC. . . . The Little Rock, Arkansas, clinics in several of the larger cities of Connec- proximately 20, is going strong. Group has now passed its sixth anniversary as ticut to be run by the State, and spoke of plans one of the most active Groups in the Southwest. for establishing a new hospital to be sponsored Membership continues to grow steadily. Writing about the Las Vegas, Nevada Group, by the State for inebriates. The picture, Problem Drinkers, was run at two of the local thea- with 35 men and women to date, and the new In the attractive Sponsorship Program pam- tres during the first two weeks of the school, branch that has been formed by members from phlet— which contains no musts, merely sug- and A.A. newspaper ads were tied in. The New Boulder City and Henderson, a Las Vegas corgestions — distributed among membership by Haven Group has, in consequence, many new respondent, lauding the work of A.A., begins Miami, Fla., A.A.s, we note: “A sponsor is a members, quite a few of whom are women. w i t h : “Last November, when it was announced person who accepts responsibility to another that Alcoholics Anonymous had organized in person in A.A.; to be a friend, advisor, and an Las Vegas, a startled woman went to her minunderstanding confidant in any problem concern- ister and complained at the sorry state of affairs. ing the common malady, alcoholism. . . . LET Louisville, Ky., reports that its group, formed She declared t h a t things were coming to an HIM (the new member) TALK, TOO. . . . For about five years ago, huffed and puffed along a w f u l fix ‘when the drunkards organize’.” . . . the first 30 days, the new member (shall) be until about the first part of 1945. Then things More than 260 San Francisco A.A.s and their sponsored by the member who introduces him began to happen and it has steadily grown families held their a n n u a l picnic at the Sonoma or her to A.A.; if no member was the direct until it now has a membership of over 150, County Golf Club — a steak barbecue. This avenue through which the new member con- all of whom are really working at the program. group now has four active neighborhood groups, tracted A.A., then the secretary assigns a tem- This number includes 36 women. The Louisville the members of which retain their identities w i t h porary sponsor. . . . Explain the necessity of Group also includes New Albany, Ind., and they the central group. . . . the combined groups of reading and re-reading the A.A. book. Point out have four sectional groups which meet weekly. San Diego County, Calif., had their first annual that this book gives a detailed description of the In addition to meetings almost every night in picnic in Cuyamaca State Park in the Lugana A.A. tools and the suggested methods of appli- the week, there is a weekly luncheon for the men mountains. More than 200 A.A.s, their friends cation of these tools to build a foundation of and another one for the women. Recently the and f a m i l i e s were there. rehabilitation for living.” . . . It won’t be so Louisville A.A.s supervised the formation of a very long before the Miami Group will be six group at Shelbyville, Ky. “We operate with a light years old. touch,” writes a member from Louisville, “and Visitors from Kent, Ravenna, Barberton and don’t get too sad or exercised about anything. Canton attended the picnic of the East Akron, 0., Definite arrangements have been completed Tolerance is our watchword, and the constant Group. . . . Among recent visitors to Akron was for the Southern Regional Meeting in Asheville, reminder that ‘nobody speaks for A.A.’ has kept the man who, back in 1935, drove Bill to the N. C., September 16, 17 and 18, with the George us sober, happy, and growing.” home of the prominent Akron woman who ar-

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ranged the first meeting between Dr. Bob and Bill. The man in question, now a member of the A. A. Digest — Excerpts from Group Publications Phoenix, Ariz., Group, was a c h a u f f e u r in those days, still struggling w i t h his problem. He is a Weekly News Letter (Deep East Texas Group), the priest saying: ‘I have done my penance.’ five-year-old member now. . . . One of the most Nacogdoches, Texas: “The Deep East Texas ” ‘No, my son,’ replied the old abbe. ‘You will inspiring meetings in the history of A.A. in the Group was one year old July 25. On that date not have done your penance until you take the Cleveland area took place at Vermillion, 0., in 1945 the first meeting was held in Nacog- bag, go again on your rounds, collect every when the group there celebrated its first anni- doches with one member present from Palestine feather you have dropped, and bring it here to versary. The fellow who originated the group and one from Nacogdoches. The following week me.’ The gossip protested that it would be imwas known for some time as the “one-man six members of the Houston group and five mem- possible! He could not find the bits of down in group” of Vermillion as he carried on alone bers of the Dallas group spent up to three days a lifetime; many of them had blown far away. for months. But on this first birthday the church with us helping us get started.” ” ‘So it is with gossip,’ replied the priest. ‘It basement was filled with visitors and well- is easily dropped. But never again, no matter wishers from all neighboring towns. how hard you try, can you gather back the The Eye-Opener, Los Angeles, Calif.: It is words you have so thoughtlessly scattered’.” The rapid growth of A.A. activities in Syra- better for the newcomer to put his faith in the cuse, N. Y., was further advanced with the for- “Principles” of A.A. rather than in the “Permation of the Eastwood Group, with headquart- sonalities” of A.A. The 12 Steps will never let ers at 121 Ashdale Ave., Eastwood. The enter- you down! . . . Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Iowa: tainment committee of the new group immediate- For our Egotists: “There is no A.A. member who is proud of the ly hoisted its flag by staging a picnic, held in You see a man wise in his own eyes, funny things, the silly things, the mean things, the foothills of the Adirondacks at Panther Lake, There is more hope for a fool than for him. the awful things, he did in his drinking days. on the summer estate of one of the members. . . . The three-month-old Wichita Falls, Texas Group, For our Tempers: They are gone and past forever. Our past lives reports that it is grateful to the editor of the Like a city breached and defenseless cannot be lived over again nor can they be local newspaper who has offered use of his news Is a man who has no control of his temper. changed. So to think about our past lives uncolumns in publicizing A.A. duly, to condemn, berate, or belittle ourselves For Gossip: for having done what we did do, is wrong. It An evil man pays heed to wicked words, is unsound. It is bad psychology. It is just plain The Pittsburgh. Pa., Groups will be six years A false man gives ear to mischievous speech.” old in November, and have 14 five-year mem- damn crooked thinking. We should be thankful bers. There were only five Pittsburgh alcoholics that we are not drinking now, and we should at the first meeting six years ago. There are now show our thankfulness by helping others who more than 300 members and 18 groups in Alle- A. A. Tribune, Des Moines, Iowa: “The In- need our help.” gheny County and vicinity. . . . The Tacoma, formation Center can be financed by the Com- Wash., Group reports sure, steady progress—as munity Chest, and that would definitely put it does the Pittsfield, Mass., Group. . . . Oil City, where it belongs, namely, making it a public Pa.’s second anniversary, September 19, will be health problem. . . . What alcoholic bought a commemorated by an open meeting at the new house here lately and then tore off the WOMEN’S MAGAZINES YMCA, Seneca Street; several prominent speak- front porch in fixing it up? Brother, he’ll have ers are scheduled for the affair. a new front porch on it soon the way, I hear, DISCUSS ALCOHOLISM he’s working. Funny how in A.A. we start buying homes, start fixing them up, and start living Vast new audiences are being reached, in the Cut This Out and Mail To: again like we were humans once more. Great drive to extend education on the subject of alco- P. 0. Box 328 deal, that permits such happiness.” Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. holism, through articles appearing recently in Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) leading women’s magazines, journals which for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- boast huge circulations and reach into every vine ( m o n t h l y ) . Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio: “Gossip is strata of American life. For additional subscriptions enclose separate one of the cardinal sins . . . An old Italian The Ladies’ Home Journal carried a lengthy sheet with name and address clearly printed. legend tells the following: In the old days, a peaarticle in its August issue entitled, “Can Alco- Checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. sant confessed to a priest that he had slandered an innocent man. The priest said to him, ‘For holics Recover?” The Woman’s Home Com- Total Enclosed panion features in its September issue another your penance do this now. Take a bag of chicken Renewal? (please check) feathers. Go to every yard in the town and drop piece, “Are Women Drinking Too Much?” A PLEASE PRINT one bit of down into each garden. Do not miss condensation of this article is being shown in one yard. When you have finished, return to the magazine’s newspaper ads. Name me.’ Address Another angle on the subject will be presented “The sinner believed the punishment was light. With his bag of down he made the circuit of in the October Grapevine, when a woman mem- Note: Subscriptions received prior to Septem- the village and carefully dropped one soft ber discusses some of the problems peculiar to ber 15 will begin with the October issue. feather into each garden. Then he reported to women.

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VOL. III. NO. 5, OCTOBER, 1946, P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. Y E A R L Y . $2.50; COPY, 25c

The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1946, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved. Yearly subscription $2.50 ($3 outside the United States); single copy 25 cents.

Women in A.A. Face Special Problems N OW that women form an increasing membership in Alcoholics Anonymous, there seems to be a general feeling that they not Female Frailties 1. The percentage of women who stay with A.A. is low. Too many of them drop out after Spotlight sisters. They want to be spoonfed, coaxed, personally babied, encouraged, teased, praised and conducted into recovery. only have a specialized problem, but, like the the novelty wears off; a few months to a year 9. Few women can think in the abstract. purple cow we’d rather see, they are one! Once and a half. Everything must be taken personally. Universal every blessed so often, a woman comes in, works 2. Many women form attachments too intense truths, to many women, are meaningless genon the program, learns to tolerate and even to like — bordering on the emotional. Best-friends, eralities. These women are impatient of philall her fellow-men-and-women, and in general crushes, hero-worship cause strained relation- osophy, meditation and discussion. This is the makes herself an admirable member. But for ships. kind of woman who figures “Just let’s have t h i s every dozen who do that, there is a basketful who bargain; we’ll pay so much faith down and the 3. So many women want to run things. To become a combination nuisance, headache and rest in installments.” Which is a deceiving deal, boss, manage, supervise, regulate and change problem. for such buyers are generally the ones who have things. Twenty want to decorate; one will scrub Now there are plenty of men who make trouble. to watch the collector come and take the piano or mend what is already around. But somehow the trouble women cause is either back. 4. Too many women don’t like women. so dramatized, or so disheartening, so shoddy 10. Women’s feelings get hurt too often. They and unnecessary that it seems far larger and 5. Women talk too much. Gossip is a cancer to all A.A. groups and must be constantly rapidly and frequently are misunderstood. more important than it actually is. At any rate, watched. Men gossip far too much, too. But few 11. Far too many women A.A.s cannot get an unfortunate or harmful episode here and there is no longer an isolated experience. And men use it for punishment, or revenge, or cut- along w i t h the non-alcoholic wives of A.A. memwhile the writer of this is just one woman A.A. ting someone down to size. Once the news value bers. They feel ashamed or defiant, and they sticking her neck out (and very grateful, thank has been absorbed, men generally drop a topic. show it. Often they u n w i l l i n g l y forbid overtures you, for anonymity in doing so), it is the But women worry the same dead mouse until it’s — and then feel snubbed! Lots of A.A. women unrecognizable. feel they attend a meeting to be helped-— and thoughtful opinion of a number of old-timers, in groups all over the country, that it might be 6. Women are a questionable help working concentrate to the point of rudeness on non-A.A. well to recognize the special difficulties that with men and vice versa. In 12th Step work, the contacts. If they behave superciliously toward women present and meet them honestly. So this intimate confidences often lead to the pity that’s the non-alcoholic wives of members, they should is a symposium, gathered from a number of akin to love, and is often mistaken for same. The hardly complain of being treated coolly in return. groups. And letters of opinion and reaction are protective, the maternal, the inspirational in- Jealousy Crops Up welcome. terest often lands one or both in a broadside slip — and sometimes in extra-marital experi- In a great many cases it is those non-alcoholic Not Blanket Indictment ments, which, however clothed in the glory of wives whose altitude causes the general ill-will. Here, then, is a list of perplexities and snags. “honesty,” are disillusioning to many others, Too often they feel superior — and show it. Because the resulting friction discourages new- and frequently present a troubling question to Some are convinced that alcoholic women are comers, and because such matters often cause those who are actually trying to live the 12 Steps. loose morally — or have been and probably will slips of members well along in sobriety, no one 7. Sooner or later, a woman-on-the-make sal- be again! These suspect all women A.A.s as powho seriously wants to do the best job possible lies into a group, on the prowl for phone num- tential rivals. Even when no threat of sex is with and for sick people, should postpone facing bers and dates. Oddly enough, perhaps, she does present at all, a large number of these wives the subject. But remember, as you read, that the not wear a placard and is not always easily resent closed meetings and the intimate talks and faults and complaints apply only to some women recognized. Results of her operations can cause confidences at which no non-alcoholic can be —to many, perhaps—but not to all. They are havoc. present. They feel left out, hurt,” outraged and not blanket accusations of the sex. 8. A lot of women are attention demanders. (Continued on Page 6)

EDITORIAL: Rasputinism in A. A. The bearded monk, Rasputin, who On the 12th Step . . . helped to bring about the downfall of Russia’s ruling house during the First World War, was advocate of an evil “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of those steps doctrine: we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice To find salvation, he taught, one these principles in all of our affairs.” must be guilty of great sin.

The 12th Step is the climax of the other 11. Without the 12th Step, the conception Members of A.A. do not accept the premise, formulated in the other 11 would be like faith without works and the body without the held by many persons who lack understanding spirit. of their problem, that it is sinful to drink in an Here is the plan put into action, and it is a two-way action. Through the 12th Step, uncontrolled manner. Helped by A.A. to underone receives as he gives. He gives to another what he has learned and in so doing re- stand that uncontrolled drinking is the most ceives new strength for himself. And it is through this two-way action that A.A. obvious symptom of the disease called alcoholism, the burden of oppressive feelings of guilt grows not only larger but stronger, for it is through the 12th Step that new members are is lifted and they can gather all their strength made and old members extend the length and the quality of their sobriety. for the task of arresting the progress of the When the 12th Step operates as it is intended to it precludes the development of the disease. stultifying results of the ordinary debtor-creditor relationship. Although the A.A. engaged on a 12th Step mission may appear to be the donor — donor of a priceless gift Disease can be the result of sin but it is not, which has helped thousands of others — and though the distraught recipient may feel of itself, sinful. Some alcoholics may have been great sinners; other alcoholics may have grateful either then or subsequently, there is a powerfully restraining factor in the transled exemplary lives. With alcoholics, the act of action. The A.A. cannot feel smugly virtuous as bearer of this gilt when he knows that drinking has resulted in the fastening of the by giving it he keeps it and that 12th Step work is the way he helps to preserve his own disease of alcoholism on themselves. Some of sobriety. He is not likely to get a fatally righteous and inflated estimation of himself them may have been as little guilty of sin as when he remembers that in 12th Step work one receives at least as much and usually are some persons who are tubercular. much more than he gives. He cannot well fancy himself becoming a saint when he remembers that through 12th Step work he helps to keep himself from becoming a drunk A.A. is not a method of overcoming the disagain. ease of alcoholism that is available only to great drunkards and great sinners. Few of us Even for the newcomer who discovers A.A. by way of some member applying the have earned a place in either category. 12th Step in his behalf, there is an equalizer. He may always feel grateful, but as he learns more about A.A. be realizes the necessity of the 12th Step work to the do-er as A.A. offers hope to the person who has recwell as the receiver and thus is relieved of any sense of imposed obligation. And he in ognized his inability to control his drinking turn can embark on 12th Step work knowing that he is doing it for himself more even before the disease has worked complete havoc than for others and certainly without the duress of paying off a debt. with his life. By virtue of these factors, 12th Step work is both inspirational and practical, often the spark that rekindles the fires of shining hope, and at the same time a completely Too often, however, alcoholics who have not realistic approach to a very tough problem. Few situations arise anywhere that offer a “hit bottom” may feel that they stand outside the self-constituted “circle of the elect” in any greater challenge to one’s ingenuity, resourcefulness, perseverance and the best of his A.A. group—the drunks who smugly recount the brains than those which arise commonly in 12th Step work. Nor, it should be added, occasions when they were tossed into the pokey are there many things which man does that require more hard work than is so often or were carried into hospitals and institutions. needed in the completion of a 12th Step task. In 12th Step work, one is dealing with the most exasperating, stubborn, conniving, Sometimes these alcoholics who seek help prevaricating, baffling, unpredictable, twisted and messed-up h u m a n being at large—the before they “hit bottom” are repelled by such drunk. Successful 12th Step work calls for practically all of the virtues and talents boastful reminiscences. They feel that there is no place for them in A.A.—that they are unable given man, and often, even if any A.A. had all of the virtues and all of the talents, they to qualify for membership. would not be enough. Yet, 12th Step work also offers more drama, more comedy, suspense, thrills and Sometimes, as a consequence, they are lost to excitement than one will ever, find on any movie screen. And it is real. It is life in A.A. and are, themselves, lost. the raw. It takes care of any idle time that may have been dragging heavily. And it has given to many an A.A. experiences that yield the greatest happiness of a lifetime. Rasputinism helped to wreck a ruling house; Finally, of course, 12th Step work is certainly one of the surest, if not the surest, carried to excess, it can help to wreck any A.A. (Continued on Page 5) group.—C.K., Lansing, Mich.

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“DOWN-UNDER”A.A.s REPORT STEADY GROWTH AUSTRALIAN BRANCH NOTES No. 1 lassies, but we would like to, for they give us has had a very good run and still continues to dreadful headaches. draw big crowds. (By One of the Original Members) Our greatest asset (apart from our founders) “However, as a result of this publicity, we is one Frank Sturge Harty. He is a veteran of have had numerous inquiries, many contacts and The Australian branch of Alcoholics Anony- World War I, and now runs a radio session of new members. The members we are now getmous came into being in October, 1944. Its the personal problems type. Frank is an un- ting are the type we have sought since the befounders (all non-alcoholics) were the Reverend tiring worker for A.A., both on the air and off ginning, professional men and business execu- Father T. V. Dunlea (parish priest of Suther- it. Tall, dark and soldierly-looking, he is to be tives. Also, many who came are not the true land, N.S.W.), Dr. S. J. Minogue (superin- seen at almost every meeting and frequently inebriates, but men who realize that they are tendent of the Rydalmere Mental Hospital, Syd- visits our home at Sutherland. Although not d r i n k i n g too heavily and must give it up. Reney, N.S.W.), and Mr. A. V. McKinnon (a himself an alcoholic, his life has been as varied turned soldiers predominate, especially those mental nurse in a Sydney mental hospital). and has had as many ups and downs as that with anticky shakes. The lot of these men is Father Dunlea is a born benevolent in his of the average inebriate, which naturally helps particularly hard. They are ignored by the early fifties, his hand forever dipping into his him to understand us the better.—Rex A. repatriation and no one wants them. Last pocket to help those in distress. Dr. Minogue night, for example, I admitted here an officer belongs to the same generation as the priest, is who had been a P.O.W. in Japan for three and kindly and tolerant of disposition and has made A letter from Dr. Minogue, who is identified a half years. He has been drinking since his of alcoholism a life-long study. Mr. McKin- in the above correspondence, brings more heart- return nine months ago and now has lost his non is just on the right side of forty, and al- ening news: job and is threatened with divorce. though officially a layman, his knowledge of “Since my last letter things have taken a de- New Interest Created alcoholics and of alcoholism is advanced. cided turn for the better. The picture, ‘Lost “We have split up our meetings, one on Our first meeting was held in a ramshackle Weekend,’ did us a power of good. R. wrote Tuesday night, a social evening, one on Friday humpy in the depths of typical Australian bush- an article on A.A. and inebriates and this was night for inebriates only. As the attendance land—dull green and with that solemn melan- published in our leading newspaper. I also on Fridays has grown to over 30, we are on the choly of which our poets so often write. Now, gave an interview to another daily and the arti- verge of splitting up into a number of subin June, 1946, we have a convalescent home at cle treated the whole subject, for a daily news- groups. A chemist, Fred E, is to form one at Sutherland, capable of housing 20 or 30 pa- paper, most sympathetically. Both these articles Manly (a seaside suburb about 10 miles from tients, who are in need of mental and physical were sought on account of the interest created the city), and R. is to form one at Millers Point, rehabilitation, and have taken over a residential by ‘Lost Weekend.’ The picture has had a very the docking suburb of Sydney Harbor. It seems in Sydney where members live, pay rent and mixed reception. While few have liked it, it like a dream—R. and B. meeting in my house go to work; this place can accommodate 20 or for months, then at R.’s place; this in turn beso people and in it we have our meeting room, came too small. Then the rooms in North Sydwhere we congregate twice weekly. ney, then to V i a n n y House. Now Vianny House An Australian A.A. census has never been Never Call a Rose a Rose has become too small! We did find that, as our taken, but we estimate our membership at 150. The Associated Press carried the following numbers increased, the personal touch was lost. It is too early to state how many have com- quoted dispatch relating to the sympathetic We now intend to revert back to the original pletely recovered, but probably no more than treatment received by one inebriate: idea of Bill and to meet more frequently in 12. Fifty-odd have shown very marked improve- each others’ homes. In this way we hope to “Magistrate Oliver H. Bruce, Jr., explained ment, their relapses occurring less frequently as prevent many relapses. to Mrs. Clifton McGettigan yesterday how a time goes on. The rest are just floundering “A very good piece of news is that a church good wife should greet an inebriated husband: around. organization in Melbourne (capital of Victoria, Our greatest difficulty has been to persuade ” ‘Don’t,’ he said, ‘give him the gimlet eye, the second biggest city in the Commonwealth many new members to carry out 12th Step work. put your hands on your hips and bark, “You’re with a population of over a million) sent over drunk.” When you tell a drunk he’s drunk it a representative to investigate A.A. He was so No matter how much we talk, plead or point out the dreadful consequences of failure to help serves no good purpose and just makes him pleased that he is to select two alcoholics and their fellow drunk, these lads and lasses just mad. The thing to do is give him a little bit of w i l l send them to Sydney, 600 miles from Mellisten and continue to follow their policy of the glad eye and suggest, in a friendly manner, bourne. We will board them at Christmas selfish and masterly inactivity. Then they crash. that it might be a good thing to go to bed.’ House and teach them A.A. methods. And we tell ’em why they crashed—failure to “McGettigan was convicted of the charges “A pleasing feature is that we feel that we implement the 12, and particularly the 12th, brought by his wife, but sentence was sus- have broken down some of the prejudices Step. We help them to their feet again, get pended.” against us and that we are getting more coopthem jobs and away they go, keeping sober, To which, R.B. of Manhattan adds the com- eration, however slight it may be. Doctors ring buying themselves new suits and frocks, but ut- ment: me up more about patients and inquiries conterly and completely ignoring the 12th and tinue to come from all parts. On the 27th I am “It doth appear you are a worthy judge; to address a meeting of the B.M.A. (correspondmost of the other Steps, till they crash again You know the law, your exposition ing to your American Medical Association) on and have to pawn their new suits and frocks to keep up their supplies of liquor. We don’t know Hath been most sound.” alcohol ism. This should further increase interwhat you Americans do with these lads and —Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice. est in A.A. amongst doctors in Australia.”

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Marital Readjustments Usually Necessary Paradoxical as it may sound, domestic bliss keep up the f a m i l y front and, in short, wear some change is to be expected in the domestic does not inevitably and automatically follow the trousers for both of them. If the wife is relationship and that some change is required A.A. recovery of the alcoholic in the family the alcoholic, then it’s the husband who has had on the part of the non-alcoholic as well as the whether that be the husband or the wife. In to perform most of the duties usually shared alcoholic. On the other hand, the alcoholic, f a c t , occasionally the recovery leads into an- by both. too, needs to recognize that the non-alcoholic other problem which also requires readjustment. Whether it be the husband or the wife, which- has been undergoing a terrific strain and may The n a t u r a l conclusion is that whatever do- ever one is not the alcoholic has had to be the now be “letting down” after years of keeping up mestic troubles a couple may be experiencing operator and therefore the director. Now, as a f r o n t . the alcoholic needs to extend some while the alcoholic is drinking w i l l disappear the alcoholic member stops drinking and begins of the same tolerance and patience which the when the d r i n k i n g stops. That usually is the to recover, the situation changes. The alcoholic non-alcoholic mate has been extending during case, of course, but the exceptions occur fre- begins to regain his or her confidence, to emerge the drinking period. quently enough and seriously enough to warrant as an individual and a personality and to re- Fewer cases of post-drinking domestic upsets discussion so that they, too, may be resolved. assert himself or herself again and take over would occur if husbands and wives could real- When domestic difficulties arise f o l l o w i n g or some of the f a m i l y directorship. ize that the need for continuing readjustment is during the recovery of the alcoholic the cause At the same time that the one who has been very natural. As a matter of fact, domestic often is the very personality change which is so carrying all the load may be delighted that it bliss is rarely something that comes automatigreatly to be desired and so essential for the is now being lightened by again being shared, cally, w i t h or without a drinking problem. More erstwhile drunk. The difficulty may arise, too, he or she may also find that the new-born inde- often it is something to be compromised for and from the change that almost inevitably takes pendence of the other is slightly disconcerting. guarded vigilantly at all times, in so-called place in the relationship which has prevailed Although the responsibility of the previous one- “normal” families. So why doesn’t the same during the period of drinking. sided situation was perhaps almost unbearable, hold true for us? We’re almost as screwy as For example, if the husband is the alcoholic it did carry with it a sense of importance—a normal people!—T.Y., Greenwich Village. the wife has had to shoulder responsibilities feeling of being necessary. The new independhe normally would carry—pay the bills, run ence of the other now tends to lessen that feeling the home, care for The children, maintain those of importance and of being necessary. The helpsocial contacts that remain with the outside, less, dependent alcoholic is now beginning to stand upright and walk alone. The result of this situation is that the one Varied Uses Reported who has previously been the center of all activ- (What’s the funniest A.A. tale or quip you’ve heard? ity may feel relegated to a less important posi- Others would like to hear it. Send it in.} For The Grapevine tion. This may be resented, even though the The poor fellow lay in bed, shaking and Reports received by The Grapevine indicate resentment may remain in the subconscious. In sweating with the horrors, as be listened to the that an increasing number of groups are using some cases, the non-alcoholic member of the A.A. who had come to tell him how he could the national A.A. periodical for discussion pur- family may resent it because the alcoholic does avoid this sort of thing in the future. poses at their meetings. not remain as utterly dependent sober as when The A.A. explained that hundreds of alco- Several groups have been following the series drinking. holics had been helped through A.A. to a life of editorials which The Grapevine has been pub- So the relationship between the husband and of sobriety and happiness. The eyes of the lishing each month on the 12 Steps, taking each wife undergoes change and therefore calls for a suffering bed patient, who seemed to have just editorial in order as a topic for discussion. Sev- readjustment in viewpoint. Entwined in this is about as bad a hangover as ever happened, eral groups, too, have been using the editorials the change that is taking place in the person- lighted up momentarily. But then he shook for the instruction of newcomers on the 12 Steps. ality of the alcoholic. A new person arises from his head sadly and said: In other groups from which reports have the shambles of drunkenness. This new person “That sure sounds like a wonderful thing— been received the custom is to select one article may be similar to the one who was there be- A.A. I just wish I were an alcoholic so I could from the current issue of The. Grapevine as a fore the drinking began its deteriorating action, get some of it.” topic for each closed meeting;. or this may be an entirely different person. By using The Grapevine in this way, these Years usually have passed since the real pergroups have found that they never lack for perti- sonality of the alcoholic was visible and in that THE CONTROLLED DRINKER LETS IT nent subjects stimulating to worthwhile dis- time some change very likely would have taken GO AT A COUPLE. cussion. place even without the alcoholic problem. THE ALCOHOLIC JUST LETS GO. Several groups also are now subscribing to Sometimes, then, the non-alcoholic member The Grapevine for each newcomer who joins the of the family is suddenly looking at a greatly Once the saying went: “There’s no place like group. It is felt that The Grapevine helps to changed male, a new personality, a different home.” orient and inform the newcomer on A.A. prin- person. To get to know this new person nat- Now it’s just: “There’s no place.” ciples and thinking. Also, if the newcomer urally calls for a readjustment. Sometimes it happens to have trouble starting, slips and pulls requires that husband and wife get to know out of the group, The Grapevine continues to each other all over again. And the same drunk who never wanted to go follow him unobtrusively and has often been Failure to make this readjustment usually re- home is now complaining loudly because he the means of persuading him to return. sults primarily from failure to recognize that can’t find any home to go to.

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TRUSTEES ISSUE The Pleasures of Reading STATEMENT ON THE FALL OF VALOR by Charles Jackson FUND RAISING (Rinehart; and Company, Inc., $2.75) At a special meeting on September 10, 1946, It might have been better if Charles Jackson had written this book first and The Lost the trustees of The Alcoholic Foundation, Week-End second. that is, as far as his own career is concerned. As for the good of our c o u n t r y , through their Policy Committee, issued the fol- nothing could have been more timely than The Lost Week-End. It stirred into l i f e a great public lowing statement as a press release and a b u l – awareness of the problem of alcohol. It made people everywhere ready and w i l l i n g to read more letin to all A.A. members: and to learn more about the problem, and unquestionably made it easier for many alcoholics “It has come to our attention that several to seek help. local and national organizations are soliciting But perhaps it’s unlucky for most writers to write a first novel that’s a howling success. The contributions of money from the public second so often falls short of the first. This is the case here. In The Lost Week-End Mr. Jackthrough personal appeals and letters from son gets outside Don Birnam and looks at him dispassionately, and at the same time he is Don which the public may infer sponsorship by Birnam, experiencing each agony and each delusion. The whole job is a sleight-of-hand extraor- Alcoholics Anonymous. dinary and a piece of writing that’s nobody’s business. But here, in The Fall of Valor, one is “In view of this fact, we feel that a re- drawn too close to the hero on the one hand, and on the other, one scarcely sees him at all. And statement of our policy in regard to such matso this book about a poor guy who goes haywire sexually at a f a i r l y late age is an uneven piece of ters is necessary at this time. work; on the whole a disappointment. “No individual or special group of indi- John Grandin is a successful college professor. His first novel is about to be published. He viduals has been or will be authorized to so- is married, and has two sons. All should be rosy. But the marriage is not altogether a success. licit funds under the sponsorship or with the And, too, John Grandin feels a nameless apprehension. “There was nothing he had done. Nothsanction of the General Headquarters of Aling to feel guilty about.” But guilty he is. He t h i n k s of the word “crime”. As the story u n coholics Anonymous or The Alcoholic Founfolds, as John Grandin and his wife start their summer holiday at Woods Hole, the plot begins dation. to give you hints of what the crime (so-called) is to be. But it is as though the a u t h o r held his “In view of this policy, Alcoholics Anonyeyes too close to the page while writing, and that makes you, too, lean too close to the book. mous not only fails to endorse the present Thus you get a poor perspective, which, unlike The Lost Week-End, doesn’t quite let you see the solicitations of funds but looks with disfavor hero from inside looking out, nor yet from the outside looking in. You learn about the sexual on the unauthorized use of its name in any attitudes and sensations of both Grandins and of the other couple in the book, but almost nothfund raising activity. ing about how they really tick. And thus the sensation-sexuality of the writing, and this absence “ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS of real feeling, makes you think you are swimming in a school of spawning adolescence. BY: John Grandin’s strange preoccupation with young men in uniform (which verges on necro- The Trustees of phelia) begins to grow clear when the Grandins strike up a holiday acquaintance with a very handthe Alcoholic Foundation. some young Marine captain and his bride, a former college student of Grandin’s. From here on, “Bill and Dr. Bob have asked us to urge secrethe story contains some very beautiful writing, but is increasingly annoying. There is even less taries of all groups to make certain that each feeling, even more sensation, and more signs are put up for you in case you miss the meaning, member is familiar with the tradition and polwhich seems a sad and poor affair, and left me, in the end, with a feeling that I had peeked icy of Alcoholics Anonymous as expressed in through just another keyhole. the trustees’ statement. Please read it to your But then the thing boils down to a sexual peccadillo, with horrible consequences for John group at one or more of its meetings; post it on Grandin, that seem to spring from some Methodist Right and Wrong in the author’s mind. You the bulletin board if practical.” rather get that idea that John Grandin knew in his unconscious mind that he would be punished, and that he sinned in order to be punished. BACKS BILL ON SUBJECT Since the book is emotionally sterile, the story is of necessity incomplete. For instance, there is John Grandin’s wife, Ethel, and how she really feels about her husband. There is the OF JUDGING EACH OTHER whole emotional pattern between him and her. There is the psychological puzzle of John Let’s have more articles by Bill like “Who Grandin himself, and the fact that neither he nor the author ever go deeply into what or why Is A Member of Alcoholics Anonymous?” in the he feels.—F.G., New York. August issue. This article could not have been timed more perfectly for this area. No doubt this would be equally true of other groups and EDITORIAL (Continued from Page 2) sections of the country. In any event it should be pasted in the hat of every member, Wolf or way of keeping sober. The reason it is so effective is that it almost compels one engag- Red Riding Hood. It fairly breathes good ing in it to keep thinking in the direction that preserves sobriety. It is, at the same time, horse-sensed a reminder of what has been and a warning of what could be again. I particularly got a kick out of the line, “Im- But, more even than its value as both a reminder and a warning, 12th-Step work is agine, if you can, one alcoholic judging an- the practice of the basic principle of a way of life. The principle has been voiced in other!” If each member would only make his many different phrases — as “Do unto others . . . ,” and “My brother’s keeper,” or own inventory and confine himself to the 12 Steps, it would make for a much more friend- “Brotherhood of man,” and simply, “Helping others.” So, likewise, is 12th Step work lier and satisfactory relationship. — H.W., helping others, keeping the brother, doing unto others as we have been done unto. And Detroit.. doing it without expectancy of repayment or bouquets.

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Women in A. A. Face Special Problems (Continued from Page 1) the reality of facing up to middle-age or ad- treachery—or from century old rivalry. For too resentful. And were we in their shoes, might we vancing years just too gagging — particularly many generations to count, a woman’s only hope not find it hard medicine to let our man take? since they have wasted their capabilities, drink- of whatever luxury, care, and comfort her world Even were we good sports, we might feel self- ing away time and thought — and are so poorly offered, was through favor in a man’s eyes. Since conscious in front of these same women. How equipped for maturity. success could not always be counted on through many women A.A.s stop to realize that? our own wiles, there developed a neat technique Before any other consideration, let us remind Rooted in Subconscious in cutting our sisters from under—good! ourselves again that not all women have the Put this down to rampant vanity if you will Certainly a change of heart — or a change of faults mentioned, nor has any one woman all but it goes deeper into the subconscious than viewpoint — is necessary in a sound, healthy, the faults. And human nature being what it is, that, for men too know vanity and dread of age. happy mind. Women are a good half of the popa number of men have these selfsame faults to Add the feminine slow poisons of the Prince ulation, and it behooves us, however slowly, to a disastrous degree. But somehow, women can Charming dreams, the Cinderella-rags-to-riches, learn to like, to understand and to help each cause more trouble, and what is even worse, keep the glamour-girl era, the stay-young-at-least-look- other; and when we have learned that, to pass the memory of the unpleasantness alive longer young campaigns that, however disavowed by on the idea as early as possible to our daughters and more acutely. the thinking woman, are as much a part of her and female associates. Not all groups have suffered from having subconscious as air is a part of water. (With It’s odd and it’s wonderful, that many women women alcoholics either. But those that have, exceptions, as to any rule, of course.) With A.A. have learned to like women for the first time in and the individuals who care (1) that women she faces reality. The reconversion of the big- A.A. We have, to begin with, that magical bond make a success of recovery, and (2) that they gest war factory is a no more involved job than of common suffering that joins us in the battle hurt as few people as possible doing it, have that! for recovery. It’s a suffering that pretty much given long and careful thought to the difficulties. 2. Newcomers (men, too, but particularly strips us of the subterfuges and dodges we’ve Tested and Suggested Solutions women), should be made thoroughly conscious practiced so long. We should nurture this basic that they are very sick people — far sicker than premise and cultivate loyalty to each other, what- Here are some of the gems of wisdom — and they fully realize, and that their outlook and ever each other’s faults. Nothing, perhaps, will please write in any thoughts’ you have on the viewpoint, their tastes and their judgments are be more salutary to the whole parcel of A.A. subject: neither what they once may have been — or will problems than a feeling which all A.A. women 1. Women drift away. be after a tested and sustained period of sobriety. should seek to establish, sustain and cement — This seems to come from four cause?: A woman coming into A.A. is usually highly that we stand together. Not against anybody or a) Disapproving, or resentful, impatient, or emotional; she has lived through a period of anything, but most certainly together. And show possessive relatives. No woman will remain long that peculiar kind of abysmal loneliness that ourselves and the world that we can, do, and with any interest if she is forever having to defy, only drinkers can know, and her gratitude and like, to work together. or make apologies or take sarcasm from those closest to her. dependency on those who are kind and helpful are apt to be all out of bounds and mistranslated Women’s Meetings b) Reaction. When the honeymoon is over and it’s a matter of settling down to steady lov- both by herself and others. All her reactions are Women’s groups are working out successfully ing work, when the swing of the pendulum goes apt to be intense (even those who reached the in many cities, though fundamentally segregafrom excitement, discovery and elation to the lethargic slow-thinking stage can form fixations) tion is somewhat contrary to A.A. principles. extreme of boredom, apathy, distaste, or disil- and she should guard against any strong attach- Alcoholics are banded together in the fellowship lusionment with another member, she is apt to ments, male or female, u n t i l she has been sober of a basic malady and as a part of our healing go off the deep end. long enough to have achieved some stability. we must help each other and like our fellow c) Ulterior motive for entering A.A. She was With men and women thrown together in h u m a n being regardless of who or what he or not honestly seeking to get well for herself and varying degrees of recovery from a disease that she may be. For women to set themselves up as her life, but for some purpose. Once that goal is charged with emotional disturbance, the pit- a special case is questionable to say the least is achieved, her sobriety and her enthusiasm for falls are many. Any alcoholic has come through — particularly when one of our chief weak- A.A. evaporate. a long lonely time of it (generally self-inflicted, nesses as alcoholics has been to stress the I’m d) She never grasped the f u l l program. She but lonely just the same), and affectionate re- different-and-nobody-understands-me solitude of was one of those, perhaps, who found a miracle actions, the old. old rebound, the new return of thought that leads to desolation. On these argureturn of health in the 1st and 12th Steps, plus life and zest, the happy experience of under- ments, many A.A.s are against women’s groups. group therapy. But those who brought her in standing, tolerance and sympathy, have been But there are no rules and regulations in A.A., never sufficiently impressed upon her that there the cause of too many slips to do Alcoholics and a number of women’s groups are doing reare 11 Steps that mean work on ourselves and Anonymous any bit of good, and have doomed markably well. Some women prefer them. only one that means work with others! many an individual to total failure in perma- There are others who have managed to strad- Then too, women, while drinking, frequently nent recovery. Newcomers, therefore, should be dle this point by forming women’s units that had the thrill—wholly false, but very con- impressed that we are all sick people in some have weekly gatherings, meeting in private vincing at the time — of feeling they were cute, stage of recuperation. homes. They are not run as groups per se, but an amusing, bright and witty, or full of energy and 3. A sense of humor seems to be the remedy hour’s discussion is held on a previously selectpower. They find sobriety crashingly bleak and here — plus the first active practice of a little ed allied topic or a point in the program, after their ego bleaker. Since comparatively few have humility. which the main portion of the evening is given come in at a very young age, most women find 4. This may be due to a specific cause of to informal talk over refreshments. Thus each

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woman comes to know a number of others well enough to feel a kinship, to go to meetings with, to phone without a sense of strangeness, and to do 12th Step work with. There can develop a fine feeling week by week of confidence and understanding that is often of great aid in averting a slip. 5. So does everybody, and too often the curb is neither stressed nor practiced. A lot of newcomers earnestly resolve to refrain from gossip — only to be disillusioned by others who gleefully broadcast confidences and embroider details. A “repeater” is something like a Typhoid Mary. Any A.A. who tells i n t i m a t e secrets and blabs case histories is as false to her trust as a priest or a doctor who would publish a patient’s confessional outpourings. Discretion is a valuable lesson to learn; loyalty and kindness are even more so. Nothing should be told unless for the immediate and express purpose of aiding that sick person. We should privately vow never to tell anything w i t h o u t the knowledge of the person who gave the original confidence. If we set the aim that high, our tongues will be pretty well bridled. 6. Those who are sincere in 12th Step work are not apt to approach it with the remotest sense of flirtation, Lord knows. But sex consciousness is not to be denied by those even a fraction more than eunuchs, and if we pray “Lead us not into temptation,” it should follow that we do not lead ourselves into it. St. Paul’s admonition that we “avoid the appearance of evil” can save much misunderstanding and many false conclusions. Certainly a woman new to A.A. should be advised to tread lightly — and never singly — with male members. She should be encouraged to work with a man, or get.help from a man member only when another A.A. is present, male stincts. Is it any wonder, that our emotional ruthless and so intolerant that it led them into or female. values, supercharged alternately with fear and drinking. They perhaps more than anyone else This practice of having another A.A. along is desire, are apt to be unstable? Add to that the have to pick themselves up out of the deepest a quickly acquired resolution with many women traditional conditioning of centuries of chattel disillusionment. And they, far more than men, anyway. (Except of course on visits to hospitals status — of servitude, of the menial . . . are the ones apt to be most impatient and critior other public places where help or witnesses Recently in the world’s history women have cal of their slower sisters whose minds and if needed can be easily summoned). emerged as individuals with rights. Few as yet moral standards have had no training for the 7. For every lady “tramp” who comes into a have been fully aware that with rights and new so-called freedom. group there are several times her number in privileges go responsibilities and obligations. When we were in favor, in the past, when we wolves and would-be wolves. Unencouraged But when women irk you, keep remembering pleased, we were praised and flattered and treatshe’ll drift rapidly out — or buckle down and how very, very recently were they permitted an ed tenderly. We instinctively expect such treatdo a job. Who are we to judge? We should re- education, allowed even to sing in a choir, be ment now for whatever we do. Of course our frain from judgment and give everyone a full accepted in a college, or be permitted to own feelings get hurt easily; we are oversensitive — exposure to our ideals. But being open-minded and dispose in their own names. we are cruelly aware of our secret inferiority, and tolerant does not mean to condone anything Until yesterday then, a woman’s only way to and many of us are acutely conscious of our inverging on loose morals. whatever standing she achieved was chiefly adequacy to handle freedom. The rest of the difficulties stated in this article through enticement, cajolery, defiance, subter- So let’s be patient and understanding, we are due to the particular struggle women have in fuge, the weapon of the deadly tongue, and pan- women, of ourselves and of each other. And let understanding and acquiring the two founda- dering to man’s basest instincts. Honesty comes men remember, when baffled, that women are tions of A.A. — humility and honesty. We are hard? Humility comes hard? It’s small wonder. working out of an inheritance of abject slavery. born with organs that involve suffering and sac- On the other hand there are innumerable The real problems aren’t so different in the rifice. We find that this inheritance evokes in women of our day (many are in A.A.) whose main from those of men. Men perhaps have our fellow man the highest and the lowest of in- honesty and innate perfectionism became so (Continued on Page. 10)

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VINO VIGNETTES: The System Still Works! He was not a bad little guy. A little screwy worked out how much my point of view had perhaps when there were women around, but changed since I had come into A.A. at heart not a bad little guy. The first time I About six weeks later I ran into the little guy Baltimore, Md., Sun: “The Baltimore chapter saw him he was getting plastered in a clubroom on the street. He looked terrible. His hands of Alcoholics Anonymous has a wealth of acting in Philadelphia. He was seated over in a cor- were shaking and he had all the miseries of a talent, but there is one role for which none of ner drinking; a highball. hangover. I spoke to him and be stopped but its 70 members can qualify—that of a drunk. There were a lot of people milling around he didn’t recognize me. However, he came along ” ‘Certainly the weakest spot in the whole cast and gabbing and I didn’t notice him at first. with me to a bar where I bought him a couple is the man playing the part of a dipsomaniac,’ It was early in the evening and the room was of double shots. Momentarily, he seemed to says Charles Hughes, script writer and director cool. On a large center table stood an opened rally and said: of a radio serial which the local chapter will f r u i t jar of whiskey. A f a t guy in a sports coat “I remember you. You’re the guy who doesn’t present. . . . and tan pants was pouring drinks out of it for “Mr. Hughes said two casting experts were drink. Maybe you’ve got something there. Look two women. Most of the people in the room at me. It was the afternoon you met me that highly satisfied with the talent that appeared for were quiet and fairly orderly. tryouts but, for some reason, no one seemed to I got started on this twister.” One of the women had an unopened bottle of be able to properly act the part of a drunkard!” ginger ale in her hand. She handed it to the fat “Oh, you’ll be all right,” I said, “I stopped drinking because I got tired. I got terribly * * * guy who started beating the top of the bottle Springfield, Mass., News: “Decrying treaton the table trying to get the top off. Having tired of taking the same beating you’re going ment of acute alcoholism in this area, and through now.” no luck with the table, the fat guy tried to bite the top off. It wouldn’t budge. I started over “I know,” he said, “I am about ready to quit throughout the state, as inadequate and cruel, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous today called with a bottle-opener when the little guy in the myself. the trouble is that I don’t know HOW on legislators to study the situation and do corner said: “Bring it over here, Charlie, I gotta to quit. For the past week I’ve tried. How something “humane” about the men and women system.” do you do it?” who are suffering from what he terms a “dis- Charlie walked over with the bottle. The two That’s really about all there is to the story. ease” and not criminal tendencies. women strolled over and joined him. I noticed When I saw that he really wanted it, I told him “The spokesman pointed out that there is a that the little guy’s legs were crossed and that my story and what I knew about A.A. Of all definite increase of women alcoholics throughhe didn’t bother to get up. He took the bottle the guys I know he seemed to want to stop drink- out the state and that the increase is marked in from Charlie, appeared to be measuring his leg ing most. He told me that he knew he was a this area. w i t h it and took aim. Suddenly, he crashed the “crazy” drinker; that he was getting a damn ” ‘These people are suffering from a disease neck of the bottle against his leg! Off came the sight more pain out of it than pleasure. This and are treated the same as people appearing metal top. little guy was RIPE. in court for assault and battery or rape,’ he One of the women gasped; the other let out a That day he fooled around with a few more declared . . . k i n d of yelp. Ginger ale splashed all over the drinks and started to make an honest effort to ” ‘The time has come when we should refloor. Charlie laughed, look the bottle over to get sober. Later, I took him to a meeting. So member that burning people at the stake was a the table and began m i x i n g drinks. The little far, he has been all right. It wasn’t easy but rather poor method of ridding the communities guy turned to the startled women and said: the little guy had a lot of guts. He’s doing of witches in days gone by. Punishment is not “I always open bottles on my leg.” pretty well now. what these people need, but kind, sympathetic One of the women, still surprised, said: The other day I ran into him at the club. He cure and treatment.’ ” “What the hell IS this? Are you nuts? You was breaking a bottle over his wooden leg. could have cut yourself to pieces on that bottle. Coca Cola, that is.—J. T., Manhattan. Dayton, Ohio, News: “City approval Tuesday Gad, but you gave me a fright!” was given a request of the Dayton chapter of “Forget it,” the little guy said, “I didn’t feel Alcoholics Anonymous to aid in the treatment it. Wanna see something”? He pulled up his pant leg and displayed a 12th Annual Banquet of a man sentenced to the workhouse for a threeyear term as an habitual d r u n k a r d . wooden leg! To Be Held Nov. 7th “The approval came from the city parole As 1 say, that evening was the first time I had board after a member of A.A. outlined his plan ever seen the l i t t l e guy. He was sort of plas- At Commodore Hotel to help restore the man to the position of a tered but it didn’t worry h i m any. He seemed useful citizen. to have a glass in his hand all the time. The Grand Ballroom of the Commodore Hotel “The man w i l l be permitted to attend the reg- I was not drinking. In fact, I wouldn’t have w i l l again be the scene of the annual dinner of ular meetings of the organization but will be been at the joint at all if I hadn’t been w a i t i n g Alcoholics Anonymous on Nov. 7th, when the confined to the workhouse at other times durfor a guy. Since I had stopped drinking, this 12th anniversary will be observed. ing his sentence.” k i n d of party didn’t interest me at all. Last year nearly 1,500 attended the dinner, * * * The evening wore on and my party didn’t and it is reported that most of the tickets for Philadelphia, Pa., Tap and Tavern: “Using show up. I was getting fed up with just wait- this year’s event have already been sold. former addicts who were cured of the disease ing around. By now the little guy with the The day’s program w i l l include a reception of alcoholism through the help of the Alcoholics wooden leg was out cold. He was slumped over at 4 p.m., the banquet at 6, and the program Anonymous organization as participants, WIP in the big chair, his leg dangling. After a few at 8 p.m. A number of representatives from is presenting a new series of broadcasts titled, minutes 1 left. I couldn’t help thinking as I out-of-town groups are expected to attend. (Continued on Page 10)

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad so dig in and give a starter’s voice at the meet- attained sobriety through a great variety of Letters to this department are invited on any ings to launch someone else on the pathway of other ways. I have known several heavy drinksubject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- life that has only happiness as the reward at ers who have just stopped. It might be argued tions you are asked to hold your letters to a maximum of 350 words. the end of the race.—J.F.H. that they couldn’t have been alcoholics because Only initials will he published unless the P.S. As a suggestion to the members or any- no one who is really an alcoholic can just stop. writer authorizes use of his first name as identification for A.A. friends. one interested in the relative or non-alcoholic, Maybe so, yet these people I know—three, to be The A.A. Grapevine will not divulge the full we have found here in Southern California that exact—had all of the symptoms of alcoholism. name of any writer but will forward A.A. com- the formation of non-alcoholic groups, and there Other people have quit drinking through the munications addressed to the writers of letters published here.—The Editors are several, has been a big help. They have influence of their churches, some w i t h the aid of their own 12 Steps, written by and for non- psychiatrists and still others as the result of alcoholics, hold and conduct their own meet- great shocks. The Race for Life ings the same as we do. They have open meet- For me, A.A. was the only way. I had tried From Linda Vista, Calif. ings at least once a week where the A.A.s, the everything else. My gratefulness to A.A. is public and non-A.A.s get together and get ac- lasting. Yet, I hope I w i l l always be able to Below me on the track I see a line of men, practice the tolerance that A.A. prescribes, sufquainted. The non-A.A. needs the Program as knees bent, hands on the ground, toes dug in, much as we do. ficiently to admit that other things might help strained and tense, waiting for the starting gun, other people. I hope I will never disparage I know that it is through the help and unthe crack of which will launch them on a gruel- psychiatry or religion or something else simply derstanding of my wife that I own a large share ing grinding competitive race for the finish line, of my sobriety today.—J.F.H. because none of these things helped me. where there can be only one winner. If any It seems to me that if anyone really lives the falter and fall, if any slip or hesitate, he is lost A.A. philosophy he w i l l always be glad when because no one will pause to help him back in Let’s Not Oversell some drunk sobers up even if it does not hapthe race. To those left it means there is one less From Indianapolis pen to be through A.A. I feel fortunate that in the race to stay. The way some A.A. members go about the A.A. was my method for the reason that A.A. Then I see another group of men and women, business of recruiting prospects, they come has so much more to offer than just q u i t t i n g too, lined up again at the starting line; this is pretty close to sounding like combination re- the drink. In A.A. that’s only the beginning, at a beginners’ meeting of A.A. They are former-evangelists. In their defense, one should not the end.—J.T.B. shaky, weak, fearful and sick, waiting to hear say that it is only their great enthusiasm for the starter’s gun in A.A. that will launch them the wonderful thing they have discovered that Resentments on the race for the A.A. program of life. But leads them to excesses in trying to spread A.A. from the starting point in the A.A. race to the From Chicago, Ill. But, because of the damage this kind of befinish, all is different from the other race. Here havior can cause to A.A. as a whole and to the A member of several months standing came there are willing, understanding hands that very individuals being “recruited” I think we to me recently, as his sponsor, and said he was continually reach down and back to try and put should be reminded every now and then that getting along fine except that “many things back into the race those who falter, slip, and A.A. is not something you sell. It’s not a patent bothered him daily” which kept him upset slide, because this is not a race of competition medicine or a new kind of insurance or anything mentally. but is like no other race in the world. It is a else that calls for salesmanship. A.A. is a way Asked for specific cases, he gave the followrace where all can win who sincerely desire to of life which one must first of all want himself ing: 1. A fellow-employe was two-faced. He cross the finish line of sobriety. before he has any chance of getting it. You can’t resented him. 2. Another employe was a cheap- Those in the lead stop and help the weak and sell it to him; he has to earn it. You can’t skate; he always borrowed the member’s paper sick because they realize that it is only in help- wrap it up in a package and hand it to him. as soon as the latter purchased it. He resented ing others stay in the race that they themselves that isn’t the way you get A.A. this. 3. A seat-hog on the street car upset the can hope to cross that line wherein we can find What’s worst of all is that usually the pros- member so much that it took hours for him to peace, quiet and serenity. Those in the lead or pect runs the other way, sooner or later, when get over it, if he did not actually get in an who came in earlier know that it is the push worked on by the salesman type.—Bill T. argument with the seat-hog. from the bottom or starling line that keeps them I did the member some good and did myself on top, and they know that it is only by keep- We’re Not Original more good by analyzing these specific resenting new faces at the starling line that they can ments and suggesting what to do about them. hope to retain what they themselves have. This From Detroit, Mich. I told him that, in each of the specific cases, is not a race wherein we can ever say we have One danger which I think we all need to be there were two things that could be done by the completely won and are the victors. We never reminded of frequently is that of smugness, and member—one of these things was BAD for the win, but continue to grow only as we are will- I detect signs of it all too often in the attitude member—the other was GOOD for him. ing to try and give away what we have. Those of quite a few members regarding the possibility I agreed that the two-faced person was not at the starting line are our foundation and if that anyone ever got sober any other way than the type of friend anyone would pick out, but we neglect the foundation of our structure or through A.A. as long as we can not change such a person, we building, it will collapse and fall, and we will Since I have been guilty of the same kind (as A.A.s) should do the thing that is good for slide back into the dismal abyss from which we of narrow conceit, I think I may call it to the US. Ignore the person’s failings. came. attention of others. It is not our prerogative to challenge a The track never gets crowded or overpacked, The fact is, of course, that some people have (Continued on Page 12) .

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A. A. Digest — Excerpts from Group Publications THE CLIP SHEET (Continued from Page 8) A.A. Tribune, Des Moines, Iowa: “The third re hospital routine . . . Call from a member anniversary of A.A. in Des Moines is coming up regarding a legal problem . . . Member called Alcoholics Anonymous, which does not p u l l any October 26 and 27, and it looks like a lot of seeking employment for another member . . . punches in recounting the autobiographical confun.” Call from a family friend regarding A.A. . . . fessions of the people on the program. Call regarding hospitalizing former member “Slotted late Tuesday evenings (10:15 to . . . Call re member who is in hospital . . . Call 10:30 p.m.), in order to reach only an a d u l t The Rope Yarn (A.A. Seamen’s C l u b ) , New audience, the series does not campaign against for out-of-town speaker tomorrow night . . . York C i t y : “The Seamen’s Club is the only social drinking, but its members from all strata Wrong number . . . Call from man seeking help group made up of a profession and it’s the first for himself . . . Call requesting location of a of l i f e (bankers, truck drivers, accountants, attime in m a r i t i m e history that the seamen ever particular meeting . . . Call from a man at- torneys, actors, middle-class business people and stuck together to stay sober. . . . tempting to locate his sponsor . . . A drunken often high-school and college-aged boys and “The f a i l u r e of a great many members to woman who had been unable to make program girls) recount their own case histories on how grasp the 12 Steps can be traced to the fact work . . . A woman reporting fine treatment they acquired the disease and the climactic point that they have never taken the 1st. . . . Their she received in one of the hospitalizing agencies at which they turned onto the road to recovery wishbone is where their backbone should be.” . . . Call from woman seeking help for her through the help of A.A. brother . . . Member reported he had found “A.A., which is working in close coopera- Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Iowa: employment . . . Take name off list . . . Wrong tion with the country’s leading medical and “. . . Most of us came into A.A. primarily with number . . . Call re woman ready to go to hos- psychiatric authorities, is receiving strong popa selfish motive based on fear. On that single pital . . . Member called wanting address of ular reception from listeners and is mailing a motive alone one can go ‘dry’ and perhaps stay Miami, Fla., group . . . Mother called seeking series of booklets of informative literature on ‘dry’ indefinitely, but unless we accept the whole help for daughter . . . Call from an A.A. in request.” program without reservations and work unceas- Detroit, seeking office location . . . Call from a ingly at it we merely become ‘dry alcoholics’ member of Boston A.A., visiting Cleveland, and our last state is worse than before, or at A UP story carrying a Utica, N. Y., date line asking information of meeting places and where tells of a wealthy Alder Creek resident, who was least our friends and acquaintances may be in- the office is located. . . .” held for grand jury action on a second degree clined to think so. When we were drinking, manslaughter charge in the fatal shooting of a and not too far gone, we did have our periods of amiability. . . . New Life, Youngstown, Ohio: “Some people Utica lawyer who had been a member of A.A. “So if we go ‘dry’ on the 1st Step only, and can drink just as well sittin’ down as they can The deceased went to the Alder Creek resident’s standin’ up. But most cannot stand up so well home at the request of the latter’s wife who ignore the spiritual angle—neglect to make a moral inventory—neglect to ask the ‘Power after they have been drinkin’ sittin’ down as sought to have her husband quit drinking. they can sit after drinkin’ standin’ up. . . . Stories such as this one appear frequently in greater than ourselves’ to remove all our defects SHOT—that which, if some people have more the papers; frequently, too, alcoholism is not of character—these defects and obsessions w i l l than one they are half.” mentioned as the major factor involved. remain to plague us and our associates, and we will be unable to obtain even the dreadful oblivion afforded by the bottle. We shall be liv- Dubuque Alanews, Dubuque, Iowa: “Last ing a l i f e of continuous fear, and where there Stamford, Conn., Advocate: “Over 100 years week a letter was turned over to the C.R. group is fear there is neither love nor peace of mind.” ago, the Connecticut Medical Society suggested in which a Minnesota (St. Cloud) woman stated she had heard about A.A. while listening to a a law for the treatment of alcoholism as a disease, and one warranting intensive study and Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio: “Partial WMT broadcast sponsored by Alcoholics understanding. Last year—after 116 years, digest of a typical days business at Cleveland Anonymous. We will quote the letter, as well as pretty much the same ideas were incorporated Downtown District Office. . . . we can, from memory. in a bill passed by the Legislature. Its salient “A director of veteran personnel called and ” ‘Dear Sir: I heard over the radio that you point is that it omits all mention of punishment asked for literature to be given to veterans who have some stuff that will cure a drunk. A as a means of controlling the problem.” should be interested. .. . A member called for member of my family is a drunk, so please an attorney. . . . Member’s wife called—a mes- send me a package of A.A. and send it C.O.D. sage to her husband who will be in office today If you want me to send cash or money order Vancouver, B. C., Sun: “Arrests and convic- . . . Call for information about A.A. office hours let me know. Sincerely, Mrs. .’ ” tions for drunkenness in the City of Vancouver, and general information . . . Call from an interif present trends continue to the end of this year, ested third party who wanted information on Women A.A.s (Continued from Page 7) will be three times what they were in 1943. A.A. groups in Pittsburgh . . . Call from a mem- “Actual figures, which were obtained from ber re hospitalizing new patient . . . Call from other basic defects, some harder, others easier to recognize, admit, and discipline. Except that we the Records Department of the city police staman interested in A.A. for himself . . . Call can be dangerous to each other, thank the Lord tion, are as follows: from a new member who wanted some help in hospitalizing a patient . . . Personal call from who made it so. Let’s not kid ourselves. And let’s Year Arrests Convictions home . . . Call from a member leaving his name not make a point of it. But let us recognize it 1943 2184 1831 and phone, and is available for call during the — honestly and humbly. 1944 3219 2731 day . . . Call regarding office hours and if there It’s true that circumstances alter cases. But 1945 3975 3087 was a charge for A.A. . . . Call from a member not much.—Grace 0., Manhattan. 1946 (6mos.) 2870 2358”

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A. A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit A.A. activities in Central New York gained greatest progress. They (the lucky m i n o r i t y ) adequate than ever!—and that meeting attendspirited impetus with the recent inauguration of cite, as an example, that club facilities are more ance is snowballing. Workmen have completed a plan for speakers of one group to handle the removal of the three-year-old downtown chapter meeting of another group and continuing the to the second story of a building which has been sub-leased for two years—2,700 square feet of exchange of speakers until the circle of neighboring groups has been completed. . . . The 70 New Groups space. The t o t a l membership of this group. Syracuse Central Group, which has been lucky In Two Months! combined with a suburban group which is quarenough to find larger headquarters—in the tered in a formerly fashionable residence whose New groups registering with The Central decorations were executed by members them- Onondaga Hotel—reports that the Eastwood Office from July 9 to September 9 were: selves, totals over 200. The two groups coopbranch is fast outgrowing its infancy, and that ALABAMA—Piedmont and Safford. erate in weekly open meetings. Nacogdoches in Fulton they’re continuing to roll ’em in. ARIZONA—Flagstaff. and Amarillo branches are forging forward, too. CALIFORNIA—San Francisco (Midtown-Marina From all over the country comes word that and Sunset), Tulare, and Bellflower. growing groups are unable to find quarters large CONNECTICUT—Farmington Valley. Average attendance of four California groups enough to accommodate their expanded mem- ILLINOIS—Waukegan and Jacksonville. comes to exactly 1,000: Los Angeles, 400; Pasabership. As of November 29th, the Manhattan GEORGIA—Augusta and Columbus. dena, 200; Glendale-Burbank, 250; Long Beach, clubhouse at 405 West 41st Street (New York INDIANA—Muncie, Terre Haute and Dunkirk. 150. . . . The Pasadena Group, one of the first City) will be no more. The building has been IOWA—Pocohontas, Muscatine and New Hamp- to spring up soon after A.A. was first i n t r o sold. In the meantime, the various groups, in- ton. duced to Southern California, in 1945, had an cluding Manhattan, which made the clubhouse KANSAS—Spearville. attendance of 86 in August, 1945. One year their gathering center, are scrambling around, KENTUCKY—Outwood, Owensboro, and Shelby- later the count was well over 200. . . . City and individually, looking for space for a social ville. county police courts, judges and prosecutors center, space to hold meetings, both large and MARYLAND—Easton and Georgetown. are cooperating w i t h A.A. in Pasadena—which small, space of any kind to be used for A.A. MASSACHUSETTS—Salem. group has been mainly responsible for the orwork. This compulsory relinquishment of the MICHIGAN—Detroit (Men’s Group), Jackson ganization of branches this past year in Pomona, spacious 41st Street clubhouse may result in the (South Michigan), Owosso, Pentwater and Arcadia, Whittier and Oxnard. establishment of many more small groups South Lyon. throughout New York City than exist at pres- MINNESOTA—Chisholm. Since division of the Vancouver, B. C., A.A.s ent, with each group having its own headquar- MISSOURI—Neosho. into five autonomous groups, held together by ters—as has long been the case in the other big MONTANA—Missoula. a central steering committee, each group has cities. Manhattan alone has been an exception NEVADA—Henderson. gone ahead steadily and membership continues to this rule. NEW JERSEY—New Brunswick. to increase. . . . A visit to the Kerrisdale Group NEW HAMPSHIRE—Manchester. by two newspaper men resulted in a highly read- In Charlotte, N. C., where the group has been NEW MEXICO—Las Cruces. able column about A.A. in a Vancouver newsunable to find any permanent clubroom space NEW YORK—Addison-Corning, New York City paper, and a radio broadcast over the Canadian at all, and where the various meetings are held (London Terrace), Saranac Lake, Syracuse Broadcasting Corporation’s network from Winin different places, the problem has been par- (Eastwood), Amityville, Middletown and nipeg. . . . “With drunkenness records in Vantially solved by a member of the judiciary. Park Slope (Brooklyn). couver police court showing a 300% gain over Judge Reed of the Domestic Court has gener- NORTH CAROLINA—Greensboro, Greenville and 1943, A.A.’s work gains added significance in ously given over his courtroom at the Mecklen- Statesville. the community,” writes the Vancouver reporter burg County Court House for two meetings a OHIO—Alliance, Cleveland (Addison Road and on group activities. week. . . . The Charlotte branch, which had its The Outward Group), Dayton (Veterans Adinception in 1942 and reports “92% happy and ministration Center), and Marion. sober,” was well represented at a big meeting in Among the festivities planned for the October OKLAHOMA—Ponca City. Greenville, S. C. Other members came from 26-27 celebration of the third anniversary of the PENNSYLVANIA—Monroe City, Wilkes-Barre, and groups in Rock Hill, Anderson, Spartanburg, Des Moines, Iowa, Group are a “chuck wagon” Titusville. and Inman, S. C.; and from Shelby (the orig- breakfast—all the chuck you can eat, you bring RHODE ISLAND—Providence. inal group of the Carolinas), and Asheville, the wagon; a ladies’ luncheon; an afternoon SOUTH CAROLINA—Sumter. N. C. Bennettsville is a recent South Carolina “bull session,” and a banquet at which 600-750 SOUTH DAKOTA—Deadwood. group to get going; others reporting increasing are expected, with floor show—and no speeches! TEXAS—Dallas (Suburban), El Paso (No. 2), numbers in the two states are Andrews, Charles- . . . The non-alcoholic wives of the Tulsa, Oklaand Uvalde. ton, Greensboro, Greenville and Hendersonville. homa, chapter hold regular meetings. VIRGINIA—Winchester. The two-man Elizabeth City, N. C., Group visits WEST VIRGINIA—Beckley, Clarksburg, Princeton, religiously the meetings at Norfolk, Va. Wheeling (Out the Pike) and Williamson. Two more groups, New Orleans and Houston, WASHINGTON—Yakima. have participated in CBS’s “Quiz of Two Cities” October finds the Dallas membership confi- WISCONSIN—Beloit. program. New Orleans came off the winner. dent that local activity is on the eve of its CANADA—Hamilton, Ontario (Women’s). . . . A.A.s from New Orleans addressed the

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Hammond, La., Group; attending were mem- Group of San Diego enjoyed its first anniver- fore. I had never practiced them myself, but I bers from chapters which derived from the orig- sary as a separate group, with the men attend- now do, with surprising results. inal New Orleans Group: Hammond, Coving- ing their shindig en masse, proud of the success As a result of this reliance of my fellowton, and Houma, La.; Tylertown and Gulfport, of the women A.A.s. . . . To the University of member on me, I worked out a maxim which has Miss. Quite a few veterans are coming into the California’s Institute on Alcohol Studies, held done wonders for him and has done more for New Orleans chapter, direct from the Veterans for one week during late summer, came a large me. Hospital—where the medical staff is 100% for crowd from Los Angeles’s social, political, reli- When confronted with a situation which A.A. gious and scientific world. promises to result in a resentment, there are TWO things that can be done. One is GOOD The South Bronx Group, 222 Alexander Ave- for me; the other is BAD for me. I am inter- The 15 members in Pocohontas, Iowa, have to ested in myself and will therefore do the thing nue, New York 51, reports that it is perhaps date had about nine meetings; all hands staying that is good for ME. I have to look out for the only group in the metropolitan area which dry. . . . The New Castle, Ohio, Group held a MYSELF, not the other fellow.—J.O’C. holds regular meetings on Saturday nights. combined meeting with the Alliance A.A.s. . . . Countless visitors, in consequence, from other Youngstown, Ohio, reports that over 350 new groups in and around New York City come to A.A. contacts were made during the first six Retreat from Alcohol these (former binge-night) sessions. The meet- From. Minneapolis, Minn. months that their central office was in existence. ings have been splendidly written up by The We, who have undertaken to follow the road Of that number 210 have expressed a desire to Bronx Home News. . . . One of the growingest of sobriety, find that after a period of time avail themselves of A.A. little groups is in Wooster, Ohio. They have there comes a gradual change in our physical between 25 and 30 members and often exchange and mental makeup. meetings with the Ashland Group. The two widely separated Louisville, Ky.. There is a sense of relative unbelief. We Groups are now able to hold a joint meeting in begin to sense and to feel the change. We be- From Northern California comes word that clubrooms belonging to another organization, come alive to the small niceties of life, which there has been “considerable opposition to the in a downtown office building; these rooms are in the past would not have been considered. We A.A. program in Reno, Nevada.” But since also used as a much-needed social center for lo- have a feeling of genuine fellowship with everysome of the Sacramento and Roseville members cal and visiting membership. . . . From the one with whom we come in contact. Life, liv- —18 in all—went to Reno and held an opening Pacific Northwest: The Portland, Oregon, Group ing, materially and mentally has changed commeet, it is felt that the Reno populace now has is making sure, steady progress. . . . The boys pletely. All this, without the so-called beneficent a better understanding of the aims of A.A. . . . and girls of Cleveland’s Minstrel Show have influence of alcohol. At a Greenwich Village Group (New York City) been busy doing benefit performances. Among The f u l l realization of all this bursts upon us. meeting last month a brand new woman mem- these was one for an orphan asylum, and an- We have put our trust in the One Person who ber told of suddenly coming to—out in Reno. other for a charity hospital. These members could make it possible. We are living twenty- What in heaven’s name was she doing there willingly put on their show for various worthy four hours, each “24” seemingly falling into getting a divorce? She got out just in time. causes… . . Two days after contact with A.A. the pattern for which it was destined. Her case was to have been heard the following in Clarksburg, West Virginia, a drunk arrived With this thought in mind, we must not be day. She hopped a plane going East—back to via taxi at the A.A. ward in Cleveland’s Charity allowed to slip into a state of overconfidence, her husband and children and A.A. .. . The Hospital. The taxi bill was $75! our complexes must not come again to the fore, 20-30 Club of North Sacramento invited an A.A. we must keep our trust in Him; He must be our to speak at one of its dinners. After the formal constant mentor and guide. A sense of mental talk was over he answered questions peppered and spiritual humility must be constantly kept Mail Call (Continued from Page 9) at him from the 55 diners. . . . The Ladies in mind. “cheapskate” so the thing to do, of the two H u m i l i t y in this sense does not moan an abalternatives, is the thing that is good for US. ject physical humility, like a whipped dog with Cut This Out and Mail To: My friend told me since that the last time this his tail dragging, but a feeling of thankfulness P. 0. Box 328 person asked to look at his paper he gave him for all that has happened to make for us a Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. the paper, with a smile. He did the thing that better scheme of living as was intended in the Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) was good for HIM and it cost him 4c. to avoid beginning. for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- a resentment which had been throwing him for In summation then, we have entered a new vine, (monthly). months. He gave him the paper with a smile phase of our pattern of living, forgetting the For additional subscriptions enclose separate and placed a big period after the act. He did past, living for our fellows, God and ourselves sheet with name and address clearly printed. what was good for HIM, closed the incident and in the present. The future, as He wills it, will Checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. actually felt good about it. take care of itself.—W.R.J. My reaction to the seat-hog has always been Total Enclosed identical to that of my fellow member. I was Paducah Twosome Renewal? (please check) ready to make something out of it. It seemed From Paducah, Ky. PLEASE PRINT natural to put a thoughtless, selfish person in Did you ever hear of a two-man A.A. Group? his place. I had never tried what I suggested Well, of course we aren’t officially a group and Name • to my friend—to go to the other end of the car we aren’t very old (eight weeks) but watch us Address if necessary and stand up for the trip, but I grow! The other man and I found each other have tried it since. I had appointed myself a through The Grapevine. Now we meet regu- Note: Subscriptions received prior to October Dr. Anthony for my friend and had suggested larly. At present we call ourselves “the Paducah 15 will begin with the November issue. remedies that had never occurred to me be- Twosome.”—H.C. & B.L.

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VOL. III. NO. 6, NOVEMBER, 1946, P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c

The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1946, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved. Yearly subscription $2.50 ($3 outside the United States); single copy 25 cents.

Sobriety Makes the Price of a Drink Too High From Grand Rapids, Mich. on the way up to my room with a drink will mazoo hanging over my bead or be in jail for I’ve been thinking of all it would cost me if I meet another on the way down with empty 30, 60, or 90 days—if I take a drink today. took a drink today. . . . Strangely enough, I find glasses, for as long as the money holds out, the But at very best, I can only be back to work that the longer I go without a drink, the greater drinks will keep coming—if I take a drink today. under reduced earnings and restrictions. I the cost of taking one will be! By this time I’ll be very nervous and con- doubt that I’ll have my room at the “Y”—I’ll If I take a drink today, I’ll get into the cerned about avoiding people I know. I’ll prob- have all those debts to pay back, including a YMCA some time after the bars close tonight, ably go to my room at the “Y” some morning doctor bill. What clothes I have left w i l l be fairly drunk, for I won’t take just one drink, and clean up, but things will run along like too large, for the 15 pounds I have gained in and about seven tomorrow morning I’ll get up, this several days until the quite few dollars I the past few months w i l l have been consumed feeling rotten and wanting a drink. After the have in my pocket now will have dwindled to in alcohol; all those whom I can now call drink and a cup of coffee, I’ll go to work, feel- only a few. Those of you whom I may have friends will be skeptical at best and w i t h very ing guilty and nervous and with a foggy brain. met and who might have tried to pull me out of good reason to be—if I take a drink today. If no one questions my actions, I’ll probably it will have given it up and I will be left en- However, regardless of what kind of recovery struggle through the day, but certainly no later tirely alone. My wife, by the absence of mail I might make, with the things I absolutely know than 5 P.M., and then I’ll head for a bar—if I from me, will know what has happened and all it will cost me—THE PRICE IS JUST TOO take a drink today. the confidence she has built up in me these past GREAT! I know it will cost me every d o l l a r The next night I’ll be so drunk I’ll be afraid several months will be gone and probably never I have now and what I can borrow, in addition to go into the YMCA (I almost got kicked out restored—if I take a drink today. to the loss of income, totalling in all, seven or of there before) so, when the bars close I’ll end eight hundred dollars. I know I’ll suffer the The Old Squirrel Cage up . . . in a high-priced room where I’ll stay pangs of hell, wherever I am, both mentally Realization of these things w i l l only cause and physically. I know I’ll lose the encourageuntil my funds run low. On the third or fourth me to drink more and faster and within a couple ment and respect of my wife, and my employers day I’ll still be at the hotel, paying exorbitant of weeks after that first drink I’ll have moved and associates will speak and think of me in prices for things I don’t need and the bellboy to cheaper quarters, and soon my funds will (Continued on Page 5) be all gone and I’ll start borrowing—ten here, A CHRISTMAS GIFT five there, at first, then two and one, u n t i l I Last year at this time many entered subscrip- can’t borrow any more—if I take a drink today. MORE FROM BILL tions to The A.A. Grapevine as Christmas gifts Then I’ll begin sneaking into the YMCA to Another article by Bill W. is scheduled for for newcomers in A.A. and even for some old- get things to pawn—first my radio, which I the December issue of The A.A. Grapevine with time friends in A.A. who had not yet gotten enjoy so much and which I had a hell of a time others to follow in subsequent issues. around to subscribing for themselves. getting out last time; then first one suit and Bill’s articles appeared in The Grapevine You can do the same this year. If you will then another, until there is nothing left but regularly until mid-summer and covered various send in a subscription blank by December 15 what I have on my back—if I take a drink today. phases of A.A. policy and tradition, A.A. p u b l i c (filled in with the name and address of the per- From here on it is hard to predict just what relations, anonymity, the money problem in son you want the magazine sent to) and write will happen—I may be working in a restaurant A.A., and other topics. your name and the word “Christmas” across it, or my present employer may take me back, re- Also scheduled for the December issue is one we’ll do the rest. We’ll send a notice to your luctantly, and give me another chance at a re- of Chicago’s classic accounts of A.A. recoveries; friend telling him that a year’s subscription to duced salary with all prestige, senority and a discussion of the problem of new A.A. women The A.A. Grapevine, beginning January, 1947, confidence wiped out (that’s what happened last in small groups; and, another thought-provokwill be coming as a Christmas gift from you. time). Or, I may have a commitment to Kala- ing article on gossip, the male species.

One Green Light EDITORIAL: Enough to Start On the 1st Step . . . . Even Streamliner from Chicago “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become A little over sixteen months ago, I made my unmanageable.” first contact with A.A. I had heard a lot about Since nearly all alcoholics are ardent individualists, we frequently stress that it, and I had read many articles written by its there are no “musts” in the A.A. program. However, experience has taught us that members. It had been suggested by friends that I should look into it, but I belonged to w i t h o u t unqualified acceptance of the 1st Step any recovery for the alcoholic is practhat great army of alcoholics who say “not for t i c a l l y impossible. Even those alcoholics, and there probably have been a. goodly num- me.” I differed in one respect however. I ber over the centuries, who have managed to escape by other means than A.A. from the knew I needed it, and 1 knew that the 1st Step toils of John Barleycorn, seem to have accepted the principle that alcohol had them fitted me like a glove, but I couldn’t see how defeated and was the primary cause of most of their poor adjustment to normal living. it could work for me. . . . I wanted permanent sobriety without all the trouble and bother of Many newcomers to the ever growing ranks of A.A. still seem to find an almost ingetting it on the installment plan—that is, 24 surmountable obstacle to getting started with the program in the admission that their hours at a time. . . . I had to be shown by some d r i n k i n g has gotten completely out of control. Sometimes those who are ready to ad- concrete example just how this 24-hour busimit they are powerless over alcohol, will not concede that their lives have become un- ness could be applied to my life. manageable for that reason. They prefer to blame their difficulties on an unfeeling boss, Thanks to that Higher Power that I call God, a nagging wife, an unhappy love affair or inability to pay the rent. I was given the answer before I had been in the Group a week. I had finally made a con- A new member of A.A., who as yet perhaps has not taken a very severe beating, tact in desperation, knowing that I would only may sincerely wonder what constitutes an unmanageable life. Let us cite briefly one last a few days at most. This answer came to example. A man, who has achieved considerable success in his profession, had just me at a time and in a place where one would completed a job of which he was justifiably proud. He had, at the moment, no parti- never expect to find it, but I certainly list it as ticular worries and some free time ahead which he planned to spend with old friends a great Spiritual experience. We were taking some friends to the station and to do some pleasant things for which he ordinarily did not have the time. He was to catch the train for Los Angeles. Due to the resolved not to drink enough to even dull the enjoyment of his little holiday. Within crowds, I did not board the train, and instead, forty-eight hours he made himself so ill that he was unable to leave his apartment for wandered down the tracks to where the great four days. This episode convinced him that his life had become unmanageable through Diesel engine was standing. Somehow, my eyes alcohol and, for the first time, he became willing, having now taken the 1st Step, to lighted on a semaphore structure down the give himself a fair chance with A.A. track a little way, and as they did so, a giant arm moved, and a green light came into view. Unfortunately some, who have at the start apparently accepted the 1st Step with The engineer must have seen it at the same relief after years of struggle with alcohol, begin to wonder, despite the record, whether instant, for he started clanging the big bell on perhaps they can now do some controlled drinking. If they wonder long enough, they the engine, and as the conductor yelled “all usually experiment and there has as yet been no recorded case of the experiment turn- aboard” people quickly scrambled on the train. ing out successfully. In a matter of seconds, the great streamlined train with its human cargo, bound for a far- Into the lives of most members of A.A. are likely to come, at some period, emo- away destination, slowly pulled out of the tional disturbances of such alarming proportions that momentarily the program as a station. whole may seem of little avail. For those of us who run into such crises, it would seem A few hundred feet down the track, the train all important to recall again our initial acceptance of the 1st Step. The storm then curved out of my sight, and then for the first will always pass and we can once more chart our course by the entire program.—A. T., time, I realized that the engineer had started out on a 2300 mile trip, yet he could see only Greenwich Village, N. Y. one green light. The next couple of minutes I experienced thoughts that made sense. Reunion by Mail I had seen an engineer with a job to per- From Danville, Va. form—he had to get that train to its destination. What if he had insisted upon waiting to A f t e r ten years of alcoholic drinking, the doctors in town told me that I was incurable; that dart until he could see green lights all the way I would have to adjust my life to “sprees” and that I would never be able to control my life. between Chicago and Los Angeles? Obviously That verdict was extremely hard to take. There was no A.A. group here and, although I he would never have started, because that would had read about A.A. in magazines, I knew very little about the organization. In fact, I thought be demanding the impossible. That was the A.A. was a crazy sort of idea; an idea that certainly wouldn’t work for me. I decided, howreason he had been provided with this signal ever, to write an old friend of mine who had been out of town for many years. I knew he was an system. If so inclined, he might think of a hunalcoholic and I hoped that he had found the answer to his problem. He was not only sober but dred hazards that lay ahead of him before had been active in A.A. for two years. His letters convinced me that A.A. was for me. Now, I am sober and looking for a few persons to help me start a group here.—W.B. (Continued on Page 12)

PATIENCE WITH THE SPIRITUAL FACTOR From Indianapolis l i f e u t t e r l y beyond his world. Let him use his lest I overplay it—several blocks from my cor- More than two years observation of Alco- material gimmicks for awhile, worrying w i t h ner. And I w o u l d get off at the front door holics Anonymous at work has convinced me nothing more spiritual than A.A. fellowship or instead of the rear, crossing in front of the that the weary seeker after sobriety, knocking the wondrous group therapy. car. I thus tossed a wrench in the a u t o m a t i c desperately and finally at the A.A. portals, is Let him pass the tavern at the home corner machinery at an i m p o r t a n t stage. Now, beskittish of what a great many call the “re- of his street car line, t h i n k i n g about the drug- lieve it or not, this small beginning worked ligious” phase of the program. store beyond, where he is going to get those for me; and I seized my cue from it, e x t e n d i n g It may be that he has been plied too well cigarettes, magazine or candy bar. Even as I the “disorganizing” to the entire day. with the pleas of his family or other well- did. I wore a path in the street between the I found it was better to alter the whole patwishers, nagging with religious or moral sua- rear door of the trolley and the entrance to a tern than to change only the action immediately sion. He may have been inveigled into sign- neighborhood tavern. The course had become adjacent to the drink or the bottle purchase. ing the pledge or listening to the unintelligible, automatic, groovy. In that way the substitution of another chore though well-meant, exhortation of a clergyman. At the dawn of the new deal, however, I for the alcoholic one did not stand out so con- Too, he may have had a brush w i t h the Salva- made it a practice to do some intensive t h i n k – spicuously in the day’s scheme. In other words, tion Army or some hymn-singing rescue mis- ing about that drugstore — not too wilfully, the events leading up to and a w a y from “the sion whose offer in the main was the old tra- tragedy” were shuffled, so that the smuggling ditional cant. of a bottle into the office at 2 p.m. was a c t u a l l y When be totters at long last on the threshold What Do You Think overlooked in the comparative confusion. It of A.A., our average applicant is sick physically, mentally and spiritually. And though About Youth Group was as simple as that—to .start w i t h . A few strategic changes in the daily scheme and my he has a well-founded suspicion he is a lost In Philadelphia? old drinking pattern was an unfamiliar .shamsoul, and in need of some saving, he shudders bles. I was intentionally and with deliberate at the thought of pillorying himself publicly From Philadelphia conspiracy throwing myself off stride. and before Heaven as such. He is abashed in A group of A.A.s has been formed at Phila- Several gimmicks, ridiculously simple, as the presence of the Divinity and His mundane delphia for men and women, 35 years of age they should be for the still slightly damp one representatives, with the filth of his recent ca- and under. This group was formed in Janu- served me well in my swaddling days w i t h A.A. reer still upon him. ary, 1946, with just six members, only three of Such elementary devices as the chocolate bar. And so w i t h the premature “religious” in- whom had been dry the f o u r months required B-1 tablets, w a l k i n g on “the other side of the troduction to A.A. he may wonder: Is A.A. an- for voting membership. This membership has street,” dry companionships, attendance at other cult of soul-saving fanatics and Bible- since been expanded to about thirty, nearly half events exciting enough to absorb my thought mongers? Is it an order of ascetics who are of whom have been dry over four months. away from d r i n k i n g — a l l of these and other We were under the impression when we be- l i t t l e i n t i m a t e inventions of my own carried me driving out Demon Rum by the practice of rigorous self-denial, constant prayer and medi- gan this group that we were trailblazers in the along during the i n t r o d u c t o r y months and tation, and long faces? field, but reports from some of our visiting A.A.s helped bring to my alcohol-centric existence a have indicated that it has been tried before, new freedom of interest and a c t i v i t y . Believe We’re Materialists although with very little success. We are not me, friends, the deeper “awakening” w i l l come Remember, your average applicant has been seeking pioneer credit in w r i t i n g this letter, but in due time. a gross materialist, an egocentric materialist. rather, constructive criticism. We hope to hear The very act of his drinking has been materi- from other groups throughout the country, giv- Easy Does This, Too alistic, sensual, selfish. And his alcohol-colored ing us the benefit of your experience with young Bill has said that once the alcoholic “has slant on l i f e has not permitted much, if any, people and with such organizations as ours if accepted the fact that he is an alcoholic and of the abstract or s p i r i t u a l clement. The lovely they have been attempted. the f u r t h e r fact that he is powerless to recover three-dimensional French mirror in the back We were slow in getting started with our unaided, the battle is half won.” These first bar has been hidden from him by the more group and we are still proceeding with caution two Steps combine w i t h the third for a good beimportant row of practical containers in front since it is apparent that our abilities lie more ginning in A.A. practice. The others, w i t h the’ of it. And his cursory examination of the labels in the realm of prevention than in cure. Most exception of the 12th Step, can come g r a d u a l l y , has gone l i t t l e further than the extent of the young people have not been hurt badly enough w i t h o u t pressing or forcing. I have an idea proof and the price. or often enough, so they think, to feel that they that the more subtly and n a t u r a l l y the A.A. His drinking career has pandered to his feel- are in any need of what we in A.A. have to spiritual realization is born w i t h i n the member, ing for the material, the physical side of life; offer. It is feared that for this reason we will the more sound and sure w i l l be his higher dethe wet years have made him indifferent, if not experience more than a normal number of re- velopment. It w i l l carry up and on when the actually antagonistic, to the abstract and ethi- lapses, and that our progress will of necessity stimulating novelty of sobriety has worn off, cal considerations. be slow. However, many of our later members and the inevitable depression has set in. . . . My thought on the subject—and I may say have admitted that had it not been for this when the “member of standing” finds himself it is one born of my own personal experience— young group they would not have stuck to A.A. beset with the feeling that he has exhausted the is that the newcomer to A.A. should be weaned So, we are doing some good. program! away from his self-centered materialism grad- Let’s hear from other groups. We would like Indeed the study and practice of the “unalually, lest he be discouraged and frightened by your suggestions, advice, criticism and opinions coholic steps” will hatch you out of your egowhat strikes him at the time as an outlook on on what we are trying to do.—B.D.Mc. (Continued on page 5)

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An Alcoholic’s Wife Finds Many Ways to Help From Chicago perhaps contemptuous. a person w i t h no heart would bewail her lot When the alcoholic member of a family With the passage of time, however, there do in having to minister to a loved one suffering makes his first contact with A.A., and starts come periods of stress and strain again. The from cancer or tuberculosis. upon the new life, it is a moment of great hap- task of character rehabilitation which the alco- It is no “bed of roses” to be the wife of an piness for all those nearest to him. To me the holic has set for himself sometimes grows ardu- alcoholic; and when you become the wife of hand of God is most evident at this moment of ous. If the wife and family have determined to an A.A., there will be new demands upon your transition. Suddenly one who seemed lost give him f u l l support; if they have done their time, your energies, your powers of self-conchanges into a new creature, seeking only the best to understand A.A., they will know how trol, your social capacities, that you would good. Yesterday he was a poor, confused soul, to meet these occasional crises. never have dreamed of meeting in the old, distorn between appetite and self-disgust. Today I believe it is the wife’s first duty, as well ordered days. he steps forth with the aspirations of a saint. as her great privilege, to try to understand A.A. The wife should do every thing she can to What happened at this moment to the inexor- to the best of her ability. She should read and encourage her husband in his work with other able laws of nature, to “cause and effect,” to all reread the book, and attempt to work out a alcoholics. This may mean throwing open your the rules that a man must suffer the conse- program of better living for herself, that will home to new prospects, or members of their quences of his misdeeds? For some inexplic- make it possible for her to travel the new families, it may mean talking with the prosable reason they have been momentarily set road with her husband. pect’s wife about A.A.; it may mean cheerfully aside; and the poor debauched sinner finds him- There is no room in the home of on A.A. for doing without the company of one’s husband self upon a new road, with new hope in his petty bickering, hysterics, hurt feelings, jealous- on many a long evening while he is off upon heart. To a wife who has watched her husband ies. These small indulgences of some “good his mission of help; or just doing any or all rushing toward his doom, whose imagination women” are as poisonous here to peace and of the little neighborly things for another that could envisage only some horrible climax, this security, as a closet full of whiskey. we city dwellers have almost forgotten how to event is nothing less than a miracle. I say this I, for one, have no sympathy for the wife do—such as taking care of the baby so that as one who has scoffed at such things as mir- who thinks it necessary to remind her husband, the new prospect’s wife can get to some of the acles during most of my life. or their mutual friends, of the things she has meetings with him. None of us will ever forget the first few endured in the past, or of how she “spent the The Chicago group, particularly, has paid weeks that followed; how the strain and ten- best years of her life.” If the wife believes in great tribute to its wives in permitting them sion relaxed in our homes, how fear was re- the theory of Alcoholics Anonymous that alco- to attend the Tuesday night general meetings. placed by new hope for the future; how we be- holism is an incurable disease over which the These meetings have been one of the great gan to feel love and pride again for the pitiable victim, by himself, has no control, then these privileges of my life. I can’t understand having person of whom we had become ashamed and unhappy incidents could not be helped. Only to urge anyone to come a second time. Here is to be found more drama, more pathos, more good belly-laughs than in a hundred years of Now She Takes Her Vitamin A.A. in Large Doses movie-going. From. Manhattan liable brand that has worked for other people. No where else that I know of, could one gain Some years ago before I realized I had a From the many successful people and I stress, greater insight into human nature, with its drinking problem I heard that Vitamin B, successful people in A.A., you can take the frailties and its unlimited possibilities, than would would be good for my ragged nerves and ideas that best suit you and formulate a livable, sitting here in these meetings week after week, the terrific hangovers and jitters from drinking likable, workable pattern of living. . . . listening to these utterly sincere stories from would not be so acute. I took them with a As of November 1, I have been in A.A. one men and women who have struggled successvengeance in double doses without consulting a year. I am one of those who thinks slips are f u l l y against alcoholism. doctor. When I later told my doctor I was tak- unnecessary. A slip to me would not mean Although the wife enjoys the role of being ing them be agreed with me that they were good taking a drink. It would mean much more than just a listener at these meetings, she can make for me but explained that my system would only that. It would mean slipping back to that old her influence felt for the good, in the informal take so much and the extra amount would be pattern of living. I keep before me at all times social gatherings both before and afterward. thrown off, so I might just as well cut down a chart of what my life was before and after There are many wives of alcoholics who had on them. taking Vitamin A.A.; it goes like this: withdrawn themselves from friendships and When I started in A.A. I look great doses of Before After social contacts for many years. To them the it too and because I didn’t know how much I Low Principles for High Principles warm handshake, the friendly greetings with could use and no doctor could tell me I decided Self Pity for Interest in Fellow Man which they were met on their first contacts with to take it as another vitamin, so called it “Vita- Weakness for Strength A.A. opened up new horizons, and went far Frustration for Purpose in Life min A.A.” Boredom for Full and Balanced Life toward giving them an understanding of what It makes no difference if you go overboard in Death for Desire and Will to Live A.A. could mean to them and theirs. A.A., especially in the beginning, as you can If I were to slip it would mean my making a There are many things we wives are grateonly absorb so much of it. You have to get so new decision. That of taking the negative side ful for nowadays. I could go on just listing many ideas and thoughts from as many differ- of the chart for the constructive. I doubt that them for several hours—for dates made and ent types of people in it before you can form anything could be worth such a decision because kept, for not having to “wear the pants” anyyour own working program. However, in tak- in the final analysis it would mean I prefer more, for peace of mind, for tranquil days and ing “Vitamin A.A.” as well as in taking any death instead of life. That’s how serious it is nights, and for the ordinary garden variety of other kind of vitamin, it is well to get a re- with me.—M.O. home security.—M.N.

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The Price of a Drink (Continued from Page 1) The Pleasures of Reading terms of doubt, at least temporarily—if I take PRAYER: The Mightiest Force in the World, by Frank C. Laubach, M.A., a drink today. Since I started thinking about what a drink Ph.D., D.D. (Fleming H. Revell Co. $1.25) would cost me, a lot of good things have There are few groups of people who know as well f r o m personal experience that prayer happened to me that would not have happened is really the mightiest force in the world as our A.A. groups. Most of us have learned to ask if I had taken a drink. My wife has spent a God daily to assist us through the day w i t h o u t drinking, and have had our prayers answered, grand two weeks vacation with me—the first day after day, when nothing else would do it. Those of us who wish to rest content w i t h this, time we’ve been together for more than 24 who feel that this miracle is already more than we could reasonably expect, probably would hours for six years—all on account of John be irritated by this book, which urges us to go on to apply the principle to other issues. Barleycorn. My brother and his wife have been For those, however, who feel that contributing toward a better world is part of the restituhere to visit me—the first time in nine years— tion suggested for convalescing alcoholics, and for those who simply wish that there was someand I’ve had a week’s vacation with pay at the thing they could do about current events, Dr. Laubach’s book offers a satisfying solution. He boss’s cottage and with my wife. I’ve seen sev- shows us in detail how to use “chinks” of time for intercessory prayer, and makes a powerful eral good ball games, a couple of circuses and case for its effectiveness. By reminding us that “It is infinitely better for world leaders to listen numerous other things that I enjoy—none of to God than for them to listen to us,” he suggests the solution to the frustration we feel when we which would have happened if I took a drink. read or hear the news these days. We know that things are going badly and we feel heart-sick My wife is ready to come to Grand Rapids at our inability to do anything about it. We haven’t the influence to make our ideas felt, even and make a home for me any time it can be if we had any real confidence in our ideas on many complex subjects. The way out, and a satisarranged and the future in general looks fying way it is, is to turn the problem over to God by helping those responsible for world affairs brighter for me than in many years. So, you to lift their hearts and minds to Him. see, the price of a drink does get greater with “A small group of men are making the plans for world peace, plus a few hundred others the passing of each day of sobriety. who can reach their ears. All the rest of us, the hundreds of millions of us, are unable to offer I don’t know how nearly parallel my case our views. We must be silent, but we need not be helpless. For the humblest of us can pray. may run with any of yours, but certainly close Millions of us ordinary people must pour an incessant white light of prayer upon the world leaders enough that none of you can afford to pay the day after day. We must l i f t the heads of those leaders toward God so that they w i l l hear Him and price of a drink today—if you are an alcoholic. will obey His will. Enough people praying enough will release into the human blood stream the And for the benefit of you newer men, if you mightiest medicine in the universe, for we shall be the channel through which God can exert His are an alcoholic take a tip from one who is an i n f i n i t e power. Prayer is to the world of human relations what white corpuscles are to the alcoholic, you can’t take a drink today any human body. If enough of us pray enough there will be permanent peace. more than I can, without getting drunk and “Prayer is powerful, but it is not the power of a sledge hammer that crushes w i t h one blow. into trouble. It is the power of sun rays and rain drops which bless, because there are so many of them . . . So, summing it all up and adding it back- We . . . must learn to flash hundreds of instantaneous prayers at people near and far, knowing wards and forwards, the answer is the same and that many prayers may show no visible results, but that at least some of them w i l l hit their mark. I saw it again and again and again, the PRICE When you fill a swamp with stones, a hundred loads may disappear under the water before a stone IS JUST TOO GREAT, if I take, a drink today. appears on the surface, but all of them are necessary.” —Tom D. After developing the need for prayer in world affairs and suggesting objects for our prayers, Dr. Laubach goes on to describe experiments in prayer which will prove challenging even to Patience With those who are not yet convinced of its power. He feels that “much of our data concerning spiritual matters is at the same stage as chemistry and medicine were when they were still called Spiritual Factor ‘alchemy'” and that many of us, by exchanging our findings, can help extend our knowledge of (Continued from Page 3) spiritual law. He disagrees with those who feel that this field is too sacred to be subjected to excentric and materialistic cocoon, and acquaint perimentation. “Prayer is too sacred NOT to be given to the entire human race.” Which brings you, perhaps for the first time in your life, with us back to that other purpose of prayer—to develop the pray-er. We who have been through the many of those good old humanitarian virtues. valley of the shadow because of our shortcomings, know that we must grow spiritually or die, This graduation into the higher brackets of and we will ever be grateful to those who can show us the way.—Rob D., Garden City. A.A. opens up fascinating vistas of the spiritual, and diverts a brooding, selfish, ingrowing mind WE HAPPY FEW by Helen Howe (Simon and Schuster, $2.75) into a limitless, objective way of thinking’. We Happy Few is not a book about an alcoholic; nonetheless, it is a far better than average You’ll think something occult is happening to modern novel which weaves the partial story of an alcoholic into the saga of a typical “set” in you! And when you begin to feel an aware- much the same way that alcoholics are part of such sets in every strata of l i f e today. ness and an appreciation of the things in life Written by a woman who is famous for her monologues, the novel contains all the colorful that cannot be touched by the hand, then will characterization which Miss Howe has always been capable of verbally. Her style makes Doroyou have caught on—then will you be able to thea, the self-contained, slightly smug, smart heroine, easy to picture from the first scene in the perceive the rich potentialities of this new way book to the last. And in that distance, Dorothea undergoes the transformation from a more than of life. marriageable girl in her early twenties, to a wiser woman in her forties about to settle down with Be patient, you uninitiated! (What an order the personality she has at last uncovered and made peace with. for an alcoholic!) Don’t rush the spiritual fac- We Happy Few describes the activities of this woman who moves in the pseudo-culture of tor. Certainly, you don’t take differential cal- school and university sets throughout her life. Daughter, of a mellow and likable preparatory culus before the arithmetic!—R.P.C. (Continued on Page 6)

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A. A. Digest—Excerpts from Group Publications Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio: “One of f r a i n from the gurgle had failed and I would signed’ from A.A. More than likely, you’ll the most cheering facts is that the evil imps of go all the way on the A.A. program. be back!” hate, envy, fear, anger and the like have no “I would quit distrusting my husband. I Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Iowa: power of their own to enter our minds and would take the attitude that from the day he ” . . . I hear that some of our groups are bepoison us. It is o n l y when we welcome them went into A.A., his drinking problem was over. coming greedy for money. Well, that’s bad. that they come in. Sometimes we are merely I would make plans to attend all A.A. functions The local group does not handle enough money careless. At other times we actually invite that wives are entitled to attend. I would be- to have any difficulty along that line. We are those imps to take up their abode with us. come active in the wives’ Group of A.A. I nearly always operating in the red, but I think “There is no room for evil in a mind that is would let him know that I take it for granted that is a healthy condition for any group. It filled with good. The loving mind is w i t h o u t that he has stopped drinking. I would treat makes it necessary for us to work, gives us hate. Our mind is like a house. If we fill our him accordingly. In other words, I would not something to work for, and affords us an opporhouse with guests who are rough and brutal live in the past but would live 24 hours at a t u n i t y to work together. Nothing so much proand evil, n a t u r a l l y we keep away guests who time.” motes harmony as the understanding that reare desirable. sults from working together.” “Always the responsibility is our own. As Weekly Bulletin, Amarillo, Texas: “I am individuals we have the power to choose what often asked how one resigns from Alcoholics Dubuque Alanews, Dubuque, Iowa: “Have kind of thoughts and emotions we want to enter- Anonymous. I don’t know. However, here’s you noticed that the ‘out of town’ members of tain. Our words, our speech and our actions a suggested procedure that may be effective: a club are usually among the better members? depict the kinds of guests which are in our Get a little money ahead after six or eight We think it is fortunate to have representation minds. . . . What we are we think. What we weeks of sobriety and get a little cocky; buy a from the smaller towns. These members have think always finds outward expression.” fifth of ‘testing fluid’ to check up on your cona potential influence that far exceeds that of A.A, Tribune, Des Moines, Iowa: “If I were trol mechanism. For the next day or two, when a member living in a more populated area. the wife of an A.A., I would recognize that all you are calling your friend ‘Sharlie’ instead of “If you have ever lived in a small town you of my past plans for having my husband re- ‘Charlie,’ I suppose you can say you have ‘reknow what we mean. In the small town everyone knows you, knows what you do from morn- The Pleasures of Reading (continued from Page 5) ing u n t i l night and, worst luck, from night until morning. There are no secrets. school professor, she grows up and marries the scion of an older, more conventional family, who “But heaven help the small town toper! He himself becomes a professor at Cambridge, while Dorothea becomes the center of a scintillating is the Gibraltic Rock on which gossip never l i t t l e group of flatterers and, in many cases, intellectual snobs. wears thin . . . but after the A.A. lightning hits Her progress is jolted at the outset by her meeting with a young idealist whom she feels the toper, people begin to think. Maybe the she loves, but who is too far outside her normal orbit to afford her the selfish mental comfort she ex-toper knows something, maybe he can help has come already to depend on and expect from life. The early years of her marriage (one us. After all, maybe he is the one who knows judges from the lack of description regarding them) were much like those of most couples with the answer!” similar interests. It is when the Second World War looms over the world that Miss Howe delves deep into what has become of the ultra-smart Dorothea and her life. Little Rock Group Dorothea finds confusion resulting from her shallowness, later nothing but shame in a brief a f f a i r with an old flame now turned man of the world, and little food for her ego in her hus- ‘Mothers’ Southwest band’s dogged ness to do what he sees as his duty. After his death, she watches the idealist, now As the Little Rock, Arkansas, group goes famous and less blinded by her outward charms, slip from her fingers, and finally clutches at her into its seventh year the title of “Mother Group son. His entry into the war, and her subsequent inevitable facing up to herself, show poignantly of the Southwest” is being used frequently in the struggle through which many women have passed in the last two decides. tribute to the manner in which younger groups Miss Howe lays no blame, she does not formulate the theme that the smattering of knowledge turn to it for advice and speakers. gained by the so-called intellectuals of the period has been a dangerous thing; rather one feels Batesville’s group recently celebrated its that she would change the emphasis on values. She paints, along with the main characters, strik- first anniversary with the speakers including its ing people in the wings—two mothers-in-law, one bent on little other than non-conformance, one founder, inducted into A.A. in Little Rock, less troubled and t r u l y independent; numerous luminaries common to every campus but inher- while a Little Rock member was the principal ently Ivy League; the alcoholic wife of a stuffed-shirt doctor of letters who recovers not only her speaker. The chapter has furnished speakers health but her purpose in l i f e through Alcoholics Anonymous and later helps Dorothea embark on at Community Chest Groups, Chamber of Coma t r u l y worthwhile f u t u r e ; an uncouth but brilliant psychiatrist. merce meetings, church men’s groups and civic Miss Howe shows up in a glaring light many of the fallacies regarding the marital dues clubs as well as principal speakers at Chatwhich hundreds of women exact, and their most female frailties, and pokes well-deserved but tanooga, El Dorado and Monticello. For the sly f u n at the intelligentsia peculiarly rampant in New England communities devoted to the arts Atlanta regional meeting the men of Little and sciences. Few women can read the book without recognizing themselves somewhere along the flock chartered a plane and flew a delegation line; A.A.s cannot read it without realizing how true it is that there are few circles that do not of 22 to attend. Many of the more than 300 contain their Corinnes, and without being surprised anew at the fact that A.A. itself is now as who have completed the unique Little Rock much a part of civilized living as are the other timely elements of this superior story of what program have established groups in the state made Dorothea so loath to leave We Happy Few.—K.T., New York. and adjoining states.

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SPEAKING OF MANIFESTATIONS Moochers diagnose the current trouble of this swell little from Chicago “A.A. has kept me dry four months,” a sincere member said at our Group meeting the guy who had gained sobriety and made great progress in so short a time. He was just a little Down-Under other night, “but the spiritual angle eludes me. impatient—and just a little blind. Finally, AUSTRALIAN BRANCH NOTES I have turned my l i f e and will over to God as I somebody had a happy thought:. He spoke gently. NO. 2 understand Him. I have looked for a manifes- “Joe,” he said, “I remember an experience of (By One of the Originals) tation that His power is operating in my be- yours soon after you found A.A. You told half. But I’m still waiting.” about it, right here, a month ago. It had to do From Sydney, Australia There was a little silence. It was simple to with your mother in some little Michigan town. The Australian Main Branch of Alcoholics Does it come to mind?” Anonymous now holds two meetings weekly at “Oh, sure,” Joe said heartily. “I’ll never forits Headquarters, ironically enough a delicensed get that. My mother is pretty old, you know, and public house in Sydney. These meetings are I’d never done anything to make her younger. held on Tuesdays and Fridays, starting at 7 Fact is, my drinking and carrying on was edging (Continued from Page 7) P.M. On Tuesdays we may bring our wives, her right into the grave. I was the only drunksweethearts, ministers of religion and friends ing stories of a man’s fall into the curse of alco- ard in our large family—but one, of course, is who are interested. Friday is set apart for alcoholism and his recovery through A.A. too many. holics only, except that founders and Mr. Frank “The speaker was the pastor of a large, local “Well, in my case I guess Mother had given Sturge-Harty (whom we regard as a sort of church. He told the story—his own—with up all hope, and I could never blame her. So Deputy Founder) may attend if they wish. On superb eloquence and sincerity. He told how many promises, so many disappointments. I odd occasions one or more of them may appear, as pastor of a church he became addicted to the was hopeless, too. And then along came A.A., but mostly we are left to ourselves. use of alcohol, of his subsequent disgrace and and after a little period of sobriety, hope came On Friday, July 5, there was a large attenddownfall, of his horrible experiences in saloons back. And when my faith came back, too, I ance (some 50 or 60 being present). Six or and slums and of his deliverance and restora- wrote Mother a little letter and told her what seven were drunk, but no one took much notice tion to the pulpit through A.A.” had happened—and what, I felt sure, was going to keep on happening. of this. Of later months a certain element has been Portsmouth, Va., Star: “The organization “She couldn’t wait to write her answer. She of some bother to us. They are male members (A.A.) is composed of former and present vic- wired! The telegram just said, ‘Thank God,’ who have been turning up quite regularly— tims of alcoholism. But it is not a prohibition and then told about a family reunion she had cooked up for Detroit the following Sunday. sometimes sober, sometimes not. They move society, nor is it its aim to prevent any man from member to member, getting a cigarette from indulging in an occasional drink. That family meeting hit me with terrific impact. Nobody said anything embarrassing; they didn’t here, a shilling or two there. They never under “Its aim is to rehabilitate the alcoholic—the any circumstances make the slightest attempt to man who is a slave to whiskey. Research in talk much at all. But everybody was so radilive the 12 Steps, and are, at times, a disorganrecent years has introduced new techniques that antly happy. izing influence at meetings. have wrought almost a revolution in the treat- “Mother—she was the quietest of all. She ment of chronic drunkenness. It is now real- just sat in an old rocker and rocked—and looked Cold Shoulder Works ized that the excessive thirst for alcohol is psy- at me. It was the look in her eyes that got me, chological not physical. . . . It is the craving the pride in ’em. That was what I’d wanted all Our founders advised us not to give them for escape that induces the alcoholic to become my life, to make her proud. It was the way money or to help them in any way; we first a sot. The hopeless alcoholic, in many in- she’d wanted to see me for years, but couldn’t. commenced taking this attitude (feeling rather stances, deserves sympathy rather than con- “I tell you, it was the biggest day of my life. mean about it) on Friday, July 5. At the two demnation.” It was sort of like an impossible dream come subsequent meetings not one of them put in an true. Kind of like a miracle ” appearance. So it seems they were more inter- Woburn, Mass., Daily Times: “One year of ested in supplementing their incomes than in Joe broke off quickly. There was another official existence in Woburn marked a very suc- silence. He realized that every eye was on him, learning how to be dry and happy. cessful era for Alcoholics Anonymous, the work A branch of Alcoholics Anonymous has now everybody was smiling a little. He fidgeted in of which now embraces 30,000 members in- been established at Manly (a seaside suburb of his chair. cluded in 900 units throughout the country. Sydney) and another is expected to be estab- “For the love of Mike!” he exploded at last. lished at Katoomba, a mountain town 70 miles “Many people did not know that such an “Stupid, ain’t I?” organization existed in Woburn until it was a west of Sydney. There has for some time been year old. Before the launching of the Woburn “Still waiting for a manifestation, Joe?” a branch at Barellan in central New South unit, local persons studied the plan and at- prodded the gentle-voiced member who had Wales. Another branch may soon be estabtended Boston Groups. They found that the jogged the worried lad’s memory. lished in Melbourne, capital city of the State work involved included understanding, patience “Oh, I see it,” Joe said quickly. “I see what of Victoria. Melbourne has a population of and persistence. They undertook it and the you’re getting at. That was a manifestation, 1,200,000 as compared to Sydney’s 1,350,000. work has been a humanely profitable one. The all right, and I suppose there have been plenty Sydney is the capital of the State of New South enthusiasm of the members and their eagerness more in these four months. But it all came so Wales. Further, we are trying to urge the Austo extend themselves in personal sacrifices and naturally, and hardly the way I expected. Some- tralian Red Cross Society to establish a branch personal assistance reveals the wholesomeness how, I never quite looked at it that way ” in Adelaide, capital city (300,000 people) of of the organization.” Somehow, so many of us don’t.—E.B. the State of South Australia.—R.A.

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Ottawa, Ont., Journal: “The alcoholic must have, above all things, an honest desire to break away from liquor. If he has not, A.A. will not bother with him for long. They don’t mollycoddle members who ‘slip’ for they know from personal experience all the excuses the drunk can think up for having imbibed too much. “In Ottawa, A.A. came into being after a man, an alcoholic, answered an advertisement a year ago in a New York newspaper in hope of finding a way out of his trouble. He became interested in the movement. Last spring, when several of his acquaintances who had a similar problem had become interested, they inserted advertisements in the Ottawa newspapers. They received between 100 and 150 inquiries.”

Schenectady, N. Y., Union-Star: “Mutual words of praise have been exchanged between the office of the Schenectady County sheriff and Alcoholics Anonymous. “A.A. has lauded Sheriff Harold Armstrong and Undersheriff Dimont Rector for cooperation extended in granting access to the jail for the purpose of interviewing men serving sentences on charges of intoxication. “An A.A. spokesman revealed that a group of members visit the jail each Friday and spend spokesmen for the organization said they would Miami, Fla., Herald: “Miamians are sobering a few hours with men who have been sentenced provide refreshments at A.A. meetings.” up so fast that Alcoholics Anonymous, its to jail for intoxication. The A.A.s do not AnonA club room only nine months old, needs preach, the spokesman emphasized, and usually Asheville, N. C., Citizen: “With more than more space already. play cards with the inmates while carrying on 300 delegates registered, and 100 more expected “There are now 225 members. The program their campaign.” to arrive, the annual Southeastern convention has expanded so greatly that to preserve the of Alcoholics Anonymous held its sessions in personal touch, which is an integral part of Fostoria, Ohio, Review Times: “Professor the main ballroom of the George Vanderbilt A.A. activity, two neighborhood meetings are Selden D. Bacon of Yale University maintains Hotel here. held each week in addition to f o u r in the club that there are many potential alcoholics. “The delegates represented 139 Groups from room.” “He told a conference on parole, probation 13 .states. Throughout the convention, several nationally-known members of the organization New York World-Telegram: “So you don’t and crime prevention there are 750,000 alcowere speakers.” drink. Good. No need to fold yourself like a holics and 2,250,000 chronic drinkers in the napkin under the tablecloth every time a waiter United Slates. Burlington, Vt., News: “The importance of asks you what you’ll have. Look him straight “Said Professor Bacon: ‘After 10 to 12 years, Alcoholics Anonymous in the recovery of World in the eye and order a drink that looks as it often happens that the person who took two War II veterans suffering from chronic alcohol- wicked us a sidecar, but is no more potent t h a n cocktails before dinner and two highball? after ism was stressed at a meeting of the Burlington a lemonade. dinner finds himself losing his social facilities, Group of A.A. at a meeting recently. “Marco, who has presided over the Colony losing his job and eventually his control. Alco- “The 28-year-old guest speaker, who had al- bar since it opened more than 25 years ago, has holism is a disease. The sick can be helped when ternately flown in combat over Europe and whipped up many a “softie” for drinkers nonit is regarded as a public health menace. The languished in a number of the Army’s best psy- alcoholic. work of Alcoholics Anonymous has been invalu- Long and Cool able.’ ” chiatric hospitals, told the gathering of his ad- 1⁄2 grape juice 1⁄2 soda Juice of one lemon diction to alcohol over a period of years. Pour over ice in a tall glass and serve w i t h 1⁄2 lemon or lime.” Yakima, Wash., Herald: “The Vancouver, “Finally, after years of struggle to overcome B. C., unit of Alcoholics Anonymous has re- the problem, he encountered another soldier in ceived support that really counts. a hospital who had been able to put his drink- Jackson, Miss., Clarion-Ledger: “The speaker “A group of Vancouver women formed an ing behind him through the A.A. program. The at a recent public meeting of Alcoholics Anonyorganization called the ‘Ladies Auxiliary to speaker said: ‘Thanks to A.A., I have come mous told one of the most gripping and amaz- Alcoholics Anonymous.’ Among other things through my first sober season in many years.’ ” (Continued on Page 8)

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad but the wisdom, strength and courage that is member, as he begins to understand the t r u e Letters to this department are invited on any yours. meaning of the 12th Step, it opens up an unsubject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- And do not leave His Presence behind you. ending vista of a serene and happy life. tions you are asked to hold your letters to a maximum of 350 words. You can’t of course, but you can leave your But to understand the 12th Step one must Only initials will he published unless the awareness of It. Keep that awareness with have made a real and f a i r l y successful attempt writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- to perform and practice the other 11 Steps. fication for A.A. friends. you, hold fast to it, in the deeper level of your The A.A. Grapevine will not divulge the full being, while you carry on in the upper level “Having had a spiritual experience as a result name of any writer but will forward A.A. com- the affairs of men—from which you need take of these Steps”—there is the promise to the new munications addressed to the writers of letters published here.—The Editors nothing to give the other, but to which you can member that regardless of his start or concepthus add much. tion of God when he comes into the program, he And don’t forget that laughter is one of God’s too, can and w i l l have his spiritual experience Good Advice greatest and most beneficent gifts to us. Laugh as he tries to and does complete an understandwith Him sometimes at yourself.—N.H. ing of the other Steps, and that as we progress From New York on the other Steps, we will undergo that change (Reprint of a letter written by an A.A. to a newcomer The 12th Step in thought and action that will give us the spirfriend—that helped recovery.) itual life that we want. From Linda Vista, Calif. I was glad to get your letter this morning. An understanding of the 12th Step is one we “We tried to carry this message to others”— I hope by now you are feeling better, more able all hope to reach some day, and if we live long What message? The message that there is a to enjoy and derive the most that is there. enough, maybe we can begin to put it into way out of the nightmare of alcoholism for May I make one suggestion? Read a little if real practice. In the 12th Step we have a com- those who sincerely and honestly want to live a you wish, of course, but not just for distraction plete summing up of the teachings of the other life free from the remorse, fear, want and hun- —an awful word generally— meaning escape 11 Steps. It is really those Steps in one. It ger that is the life of the alcoholics; the mesfrom yourself, which you can’t escape, and holds out to the new member a promise and sage of hope and help for others; the message from things that you think you are, but are not. hope that he, too, can someday, if not at once, that by an honest attempt to understand the Wander off once in awhile by yourself to have his spiritual experience. And to the older other Steps, will give them release and make some beautiful spot where you can be alone, them happy men and women again. and get to know yourself and God. “And to practice these principles in all our To know yourself is not done just by review- affairs”—What principles? The principle of ONE LITTLE SECRET ing your “misdeeds”; they are not you. It is live and let live; the principles of honesty, tol- OF A HAPPY LIFE erance and humility; the principle of being truly not done by so-called self-analysis, by studying your faults and weaknesses; they are not you. One secret of a sweet and happy life is learn- grateful for the blessings we have and not being Your doubts, fears and apprehensions, your im- ing to live by the day. It is the long stretches envious of others; the principle of allowing the mature cravings, your self-indulgence—these that tire us. We think of life as a whole, run- other man to live with his own conscience and are not you. ning on for us. We cannot carry this load until to keep ours clean so we can live with ourselves. They are all committed by your physical we are three score and ten. We cannot fight An honest attempt to live by the teachings of body, guided by false instincts and imagination, this battle continually for half a century. But the 12th Step offers happiness and contentment, instead of by your real self, which is the soul, really there are no long stretches. Life does not and leaves no room for any fear of what our the spirit within—where is your conscience, come to us all at one time; it comes only a day future life on this or any other planet will be. your wisdom and your strength—which no one at a time. Even tomorrow is never ours until —J.F.H. can hurt but you. it becomes today, and we have nothing what- Get to know your real self then, my dear, this ever to do with it but to pass down to it a fair The Thrill of New Groups nice fellow within you, who so wants a chance and good inheritance in today’s work well done, From Manhattan to use your body, with its mind and imagination, and today’s life well lived. I am what they call an “Old Timer”. That for healthy, happy, useful things, integrating It is a blessed secret this, of living by the is, I came in when there were only a few groups them with himself so that the conflict within day. Anyone can carry his burden, however and we were numbered in the hundreds. So I you can subside. heavy, till nightfall. Anyone can do his work, got a real thrill out of attending the first open There too is God—not a remote Being—but however hard, for one day. Anyone can live meeting of the Brooklyn Park Slope Group rea constant and living Presence all about us and sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, until the cently. The hall seated one hundred, but when within us, “through Whom we live and move sun goes down. And this is all life ever means we arrived, there was “Standing Room Only”. and have our being.” to us—just one little day. “Do today’s duty; The meeting was good, the free refreshments “Closer is He than breathing, nearer than fight today’s temptations, and do not weaken or were good, but the best of all was the feeling hands and feet.” Go out in the woods alone, distract yourself by looking forward to things of intimacy and friendliness that a group of 400 or on a hill, and just listen—a listening that is you cannot see, and could not understand if you of 500 cannot have. in itself a prayer—until you feel Him, and at saw them.” God gives us nights to shut down I think the newcomer has the best chance in last can hear Him in your heart. upon our little days. We cannot see beyond. such a group, for be is not likely to get lost in Ask deep within you for this union of all Short horizons make life easier and give us one the crowd. More than a hundred people do that you have with the real you and with God, of the blessed secrets of brave, true living. not come to such a meeting just to pass the and you will receive it. Seek, and you will — (From Reflections, by the Rev. F. E. time. They come because what A.A. has to find it. There will be no room for anything Lasance—submitted by F. A., Chicago.) offer them is a matter of urgent need.—S.W.

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MEDICAL BULLETIN PRINTS A.A. STORY self-confidence. f a i l i n g to share responsibility, and the loss of Fellow officers repeatedly advised and warned, but to no avail. Treatment (Reprinted in part from an article written by Joe H. so much in the beginning, but it picked up of the Bronx Group for the Bronx County Medical So- at home was useless. Hospitalization became ciety Bulletin of April, 1946. Included is a note writ- momentum. There came the times of being necessary on a great many occasions. After a ten by the editor of the Bulletin.) unable to go to work, reporting sick more often fair trial, the police commissioner decided the than was allowable, general malingering, deceit, “May We Help Your Alcoholic department had stood for enough and would be Patients?” better off without me. God knows everybody had warned me and had done everything to aid “Both religion and psychiatry contain the but to no use. essential principles upon which recovery from alcoholism can be based. But clergymen and “Many thought the loss of the dearly loved doctors, as non-alcoholics, have been unable to job might bring some sense into my bead, but penetrate the shell the alcoholic has built around instead I assumed an attitude of despair, himself. Alcoholics would not allow them to and became progressively worse, until finally Heard at the big meeting in Chicago: I had become a regular hospital ‘stiff,’ swinging erect the strong bridge of mutual understanding “Some blackouts are better left forgotten.” in and out of both public and private instituand confidence so necessary for success. Yet one . . . “I didn’t think I was really an alcoholic tions. I had been in the psycho ward of Bellealcoholic speaking to another out of a common u n t i l I suddenly realized that I never fell off vue sixteen times, with two sojourns to Harlem experience can often do this very thing. the stool at any soda fountain.” Valley State Hospital. It was not because I was “The purpose of this article is to show how not trying. I was, believe me. I had been thousand* of us, who were once hopeless alcoearnestly trying to stop, but without success. I holics, have recovered from our malady. We One of the Calgary, Canada, members sug- had hit a blank wall, and everything seemed have found a way of life which has eliminated gests that on the matter of qualifying for mem- hopeless. the compulsion to drink. bership in A.A. one “has to be bad in order to “Eleven years ago, a drunk got an idea that if “On my 16th trip to Bellevue, I was contacted be good.” he tried to dry up another drunk, it might con- by A.A. and promised to look into this group . . . more of an excuse to get out of the hospital t r i b u t e to his staying sober. He put this idea From R.R.W. and S.H. in Longview, Tex.: than a n y t h i n g else. Reluctantly I attended an into practice. It not only kept him sober but When a certain man was told he must be an A.A. meeting, figuring, what the h—, everything he actually did dry up the other fellow. Wherealcoholic because everytime he look a drink he else had failed, what is there to lose? Got no upon be unfolded the idea to his new-found wanted to stay drunk for three weeks, his reply money. No job. Can’t even get a reference, friend, who incidentally, being a doctor, and was: “You mean I’m one of those alcoholic and I owe everybody. now being clear of mind, could see the psycholenormouses!” “That was three and a half years ago. I have ogy of i t . Pooling their mental, physical and material resources, they set out to rehabilitate not had a drink since. As a matter of fact, I no Like the lady who, on seeing the ocean for longer have a desire to drink. In The first two one other drunk, and in each instance imparted the first time, remarked: “Well, that’s the first years of my sobriety, I paid back over $3,500 their idea to the new recruit, prevailing upon thing I’ve seen that there’s enough of,” . . . in debts, improved the living conditions of my him to do for other inebriates as they had done the first drink is more than enough. wife and four children, and acquired a serenity for him. “That nucleus of hopeless and despairing I never knew was possible. In addition to being drunks has grown into a fellowship known as Some of the boys at the country club were gainfully employed for the entire period of Alcoholics Anonymous, with a roster of over getting ready for Sunday morning golf. One my sobriety, I have made an avocation of alco- 23,000 men and women who are now useful cit- of them, very badly hung over, said he was go- holic rehabilitation of those who desire such. izens and assets to their communities. This ing to start, “Golfers Anonymous.” Then, organization, as you can see, has grown rapidly. whenever a member called up another, he could Group in Bronx It is not only national, but international in rush right over with a bottle. That would save “Eighteen months ago, with a handful of scope. all of the golf real estate, dressing and wasting other Bronxites, we organized the now well est i m e on the course. tablished and rapidly growing Bronx County Testimony of Ex-Cop Group of A.A. We may be reached at P. 0. Via M.E., Miami: Box 19, Morris Heights Station, Bronx, New “It was over three years ago that the writer of this article became exposed to Alcoholics A panhandling drunk accosted a gentleman York. Literature and further information may Anonymous and reluctantly so. Some twenty- and wanted a dollar bill. be had by writing this address. odd years ago, I was a clean-cut, well liked “Isn’t that overdoing it a bit?” asked the “(Editor’s Note: The Publications Committee, physical example with a f a i r share of brain gent. with the approval of the Comitia Minora, is matter. Appointed to the Police Department “Well,” said the lush, “I’m putting all my pleased to publish the above in the hope that of the City of New York, I retained that stand- begs in one askit.” our members will direct their incurable alcoing for a few years. But the advent of prohibi- holics to the local group of A. A. The astoundtion and a desire to be a regular fellow was to And then there was the drunk who was re- ing success of these men and women was catch up w i t h me. Going along for a number ported to have been overheard while leaning brought to our attention by a former officer of of years being able to drink with the best of against a pole: the Bronx County Medical Society who had them, there came a time when alcoholism de- “If you pink pookas don’t keep out of my recommended it to a few patients. We then manded its toll. way, I’ll take a couple of aspirins and put you learned that many physicians and clergymen “From there on, a change took place. Not all out of business.” had been recommending it since its inception.)”

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit Juice Without Gin. The Tacoma, Wash., enworth, Kans., who have been released either 10 members, permission was given to start a Group extended its friendships throughout the by expiration of their term or parole, none has group there on August 25, 1946. Programs Pacific Northwest when visiting A.A.s from returned to the prison, although all members of stress the 24-hour plan and remind members to Portland, Ore., and Seattle met with it at a re- this Group credit their imprisonment to trouble take it easy and to remember the importance cent open meeting. Principal speaker was an caused directly or indirectly by alcoholism. of immediate A.A. contact with their local A.A. doctor from Portland who remarked that Members of the Kansas City, Mo., Group held groups which will help them to start a new, A.A. had not only taught him how to live but a meeting at the prison April 22, 1945, after sober, sane existence on release. Two members had given him keener perception. “I have found obtaining sanction of the prison officials. From of the Kansas City, Mo., Group attend each surprisingly that orange juice can have an ex- the original five, the attendance at the first an- meeting and u s u a l l y give short talks. But the hilarating taste, even without gin,” he said. The niversary meeting readied 61 with the present inmates have their own secretary, are in charge wife of an A.A. who spoke on the woman’s figure at 80, including 15 one-year members. of the meetings, and have the major part of the angle urged A.A. wives to encourage their hus- From time to time members have been trans- program. Books, literature and subscriptions bands to follow the A.A. program. She pointed ferred to the “honor farm” and at request of to the Grapevine are furnished by the Kansas out that wives are in a position to exercise “not City Group. inconsiderable” influence on alcoholic husbands. Attendance by Tacomans at this meet- First Birthday. Members of “The Fellowing improved. At previous open meetings, visitors from Seattle and elsewhere outnumbered 55 New Groups ship Club,” other A.A. groups and specially invited guests including ministers, several judges, the locals. Register In Month members of the city welfare board, members of the parole board and relatives of some members And Housing, Too. Within five months for a total of 135, attended the first anniversary New groups registering with The Centra! Office from the time the first five prospects met, the banquet of the A.A. Home in Minneapolis this from September 12 to October 9 were: Alano Club Inc., of Spokane, Wash., had pur- fall. Starting with seven members, the club chased and moved into a beautiful clubhouse ALABAMA — Birmingham (Woodlawn East was reorganized under its present name with with grounds adequate to build an adjoining Group), Tuscaloosa (Veterans Hospital), Tus- a membership average of 40 and indications of one-story a u d i t o r i u m which is planned for the kegee. continued growth. near future. Valued at $18,000 and completely ARKANSAS—Swifton. furnished through the work of the Ladies Home CALIFORNIA — Arcadia, Hanford, Hollywood committee and fellow members, the club house (Motion Picture), Merced, Orange (Midway Parties, Picnics. San Francisco’s first is described as “sanctuary and bee-hive com- Group). neighborhood A.A. Group, the Mission, celebined.” Squad meetings (classes for begin- CANADA—Prince Edward Island. brated its first anniversary recently with an ners) and a general meeting on Saturday keep INDIANA—Warsaw. open house for the city’s members and their up the activities every night in the week. Since families. On the same night the second neigh- MARYLAND—Hagerstown. the first meeting on June 21, 1945, the club has MASSACHUSETTS — Watertown, Wellesley Hills. borhood Group to be formed, the Midtown grown to more than 100 members and while MICHIGAN—Gwinn, Harbor Springs, Mackinac Marina, became the first to divide because it growing “fast and strong” has had the finest had become too large. The new Groups, Mid- Island, Port Huron. cooperation of civic clubs, newspapers, judges, town and Marina, adjourned to attend Mission’s MINNESOTA—Breckenridge-Wahpeton. doctors and hospitals. party. The second picnic of 1946 for the San MISSISSIPPI-—Philadelphia. Francisco Group was held recently at Sonoma MISSOURI—Malden, Maryville, Mexico, Trenton. Hoosiers Hustle. A.A. might have a second Golf Club with more than 300 members and NORTH CAROLINA—Asheville (No. 2), Bethel. meaning of “all angles” in Indianapolis, Ind., their families present. The same Group’s sec- NORTH DAKOTA—Beach. from the variety of activities there. An open ond annual fish fry at the central club house NEW HAMPSHIRE—Hanover. forum has been scheduled for November 8 when drew more than 500 A.A.s and their guests. NEW JERSEY—Allenhurst, Essex County, Jersey lay questions w i l l be answered by a board con- City Heights, Linden. sisting of a representative of each sectional NEW YORK—Binghamton (No. 2), Port Chester, Community Interested. Group psychothergroup in the city. Dates for the fall anni- Rikers Island, Salamanca, Valley Stream, L.I. apy used by A.A. was demonstrated by a Syraversary banquet and a founders’ day or com- OHIO—Chillicothe, Defiance, St. Mary’s. cuse, N. Y., physician before the upstate intermemorative Sunday breakfast meeting have not PENNSYLVANIA—Erie-Wayne, Williamsport. hospital conference held recently in Syracuse been fixed. The latter will feature an outline SOUTH CAROLINA—Bennettsville. Psychopathic hospital, according to The Posthistory of A.A. for the benefit of the untutored. SOUTH DAKOTA—Pierre. Standard of that city. The program urged cre- Decidedly worthwhile results have been reported TEXAS—Monahans, Pharr, San Juan, Waco (Vet- ation of a hospital for alcoholics. In an ediby a small group which has made its particular erans Hospital). torial, “Problem for the State.,” another newsbusiness the contacting of A.A.s who did a good UTAH—State Prison, Tooele. paper, The Herald-Journal, praised the work of job for a while but drifted away. VERMONT—Richford. A.A. in an editorial stressing the need of some WASHINGTON—Pasio. constructive action. Members of both the East- Two Freedoms. Of 40 members of the WISCONSIN—Eau Claire (No. 2), Rhinelander, wood and Central Groups were speakers at the A.A. Group at the Federal penitentiary at Leav- Menomonie. conference and were swamped with questions

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by interested doctors, one of whom said that A.A. therapy went far ahead of them on the tive for us as presumably open-minded scientists to view wisely and long the efforts of others One Green Light road to proper treatment. Professional and in our field of work.” The article ends by tell- (Continued from Page 2) business clubs of Syracuse are t a k i n g a keen ing Nassau county doctors how to reach the he reached Los Angeles, but he couldn’t worry interest, having invited A.A. speakers to future Garden City, Manhasset and Baldwin Groups. about them. He had a green light, which meant sessions. A radio program is being worked out the start was clear, and it was his job to get for early presentation. No Distinctions. “Class groups as such do going. If he did encounter trouble, his signal not seem to thrive,” the Grapevine’s reporter system would take care of him—amber lights Another Clinic. Working in cooperation from the East Los Angeles, Cal., Group con- to warn him of danger ahead. If this light with a local doctor, the Fort Worth, Tex., A.A.s cludes in telling how that Group, although small, showed he would slow down and procede with have made arrangements for hospitalization in is contacting many people of Spanish-American caution. He might even get a red light, and a hotel near the club house. Daily medical at- ancestry with some good results. “We have a that meant only one thing—stop. He was a tention is given each new “drier-out” with the large Mexican population, about 300,000, in the good engineer, and he certainly wouldn’t go doctor seeing that everyone placed there has a area and they have about the same ratio of alco- through a red light. But this was all guess complete physical check-up, administration of holics among them as any other class or nation- work—right now he had the green light and glucose and other medicines. Some member ality. The A.A. approach is difficult, due to he knew he could start out safely. or members of the group will be present on many factors, but we keep pitching,” writes the There it was — there was the much soughttwo-hour day or eight-hour night shifts with a correspondent. One three-year member is now after answer that I wanted to start me on the dispatcher lining up members to spend the pe- living in Culican, Sinaloa, Mexico, and is try- 24-hour program and have the confidence that riods w i t h patients they have volunteered to ing to start a group there. it would work. help. I reasoned it out this way—I had a trip to Circuit Flashes. San Diego, Cal., reports make too, just like that engineer. His destina- Help Remove Blinders. “We may be A.A. really growing, with Wednesday open tion was Los Angeles, and he had to get there wearing bigger blinders than we know,” a psy- meetings in the Chamber of Commerce audi- safely and without casualties. My destination chiatrist is quoted as saying in the Nassau Med- torium, which seats 500. The sixth anniversary was unknown, but somewhere, sometime, I would ical News, organ of the county medical society dinner, November 6, will be attended by several come to the end of it. Safety without any in a front page article on A.A. in its fall num- A.A.s with “six years of real living.” Formation casualties meant only one thing—sobriety. ber. According to the canon of a Long Island of a Norwegian group with the A.A. program I would be my own engineer, and by asking cathedral, the Baldwin, N. Y., Group helped the in that language is reported. The Bronx County, God for it, he would provide me with a signal doctor who prepared the article. “An amazing N. Y., Group celebrated its second anniversary system. It would be perfect if He made it. thing has happened,” the article begins. “A with a dinner attended by 300 members and Of one thing only was I certain. I knew group of laymen with no training in medicine friends. A Catholic priest was guest speaker. that each morning when I asked for help for or psychology has b u i l t up in the past 12 years From Sacramento, Cal., comes a report of more that day, I would be given a green light—I could a system of treatment for alcoholics that has than 200 members and their families attending start with complete confidence each day. During produced unbelievable results.” After telling the October picnic of the organization with many the day, things would come up that would why A.A. succeeds where “medicine and reli- present from Sacramento, Fresno, San Jose, cause the amber light to come on. That would gion had admittedly failed,” the doctor discusses Stockton, San Joaquin county and Roseville. In mean slowing down and asking for more help. the varying altitude of psychiatrists with the addition to building its own organization up to Then I, too, could proceed with caution. There conclusion voiced by one, “It is highly impera- 80 members, the branch has helped form clubs would be red lights too, but that would mean in Yuba City, Marysville and Reno. About 85 stop, quick! I couldn’t go through a red light members of the Rockland County Group, Suf- without having a wreck. Cut This Out and Mail To: fern, N. Y., celebrated the first anniversary re- This human signal system is still a part of P. 0. Box 328 cently with a New York speaker. A member of my program. As this is being written, I have Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. the Austin, Tex., Group found A.A. an occupa- just passed my 497th signal, and I am at least tional hazard, for while he was talking to a man getting along on my journey. The amber light Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) in an Abilene apartment two men who have been doesn’t flash quite as often as it used to, and for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- convicted and fined as bootleggers came to the there are longer stretches between red lights. vine (monthly). place and started a fight ending in a 20-shot gun But thanks to that Higher Power, I still haven’t For additional subscriptions enclose separate battle. The Wichita Falls, Tex., Group reports gone through a red light, so I have enjoyed 497 sheet with name and address clearly printed. that body doing well with 12 members at present. days of continued sobriety. Checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. This little illustration of how I work the 24- Total Enclosed hour program has made it fairly easy for me First Annual Dinner. The Bay Ridge Renewal ? (please check) Group, Brooklyn, N. Y., held its first annual to stay dry. I hope it may help some other PLEASE PRINT dinner on October 7 and the relatively small member who might be having the same trouble. dining room was filled to capacity. More than As an afterthought—do you know that when Name 100 A.A.s and their friends attended. Canon you actually are on a train, once you have Address Sydney R. Peters of the Cathedral of the Incar- passed the green light, it turns red, so that if nation, Garden City, L. I., was the principal you look back, all you can see are red lights? speaker. The Bay Ridge Group has increased As long as they are green when we look ahead, Note: Subscriptions received prior to November from seven members a year ago to 52 members it makes no difference how much danger they 15 will begin with the December issue. today. might represent once we pass them.— Joe C.

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VOL. III. NO. 7, DECEMBER, 1946, P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1946, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved. Yearly subscription $2.50 ($3 outside the United States); single copy 25 cents.

A Miracle at Christmas — a Man Re-born of a Power greater than himself, made the ac- WOULD you say that a man who had been drinking for months, ceptance of the program prohibitive. He stated who had wound up in a flop house in such shape he could not that his daily life had caused him to look for answers to those problems in which he was interget out of bed and whose “entire frame shook with convulsive-like ested within himself; that he had no faith in the tremors”—would you say that man could get up the following morning supernatural, and that he did not wish to be “clear eyed, his complexion good and … perfectly poised?” Of course hypocritical about pretending to accept a pronot. But that’s what happened in Chicago one Christmas five years gram in which he did not believe. He stated f u r ago. Following is an account of the strange happening, written by ther that he had long since abandoned any hope an A.A. member of the Chicago Group. of arresting his addiction; that his history included numerous confinements in sanitariums and hospitals; that after his last treatment at Keeley economically, notwithstanding long periods of they had firmly advised him that there was The partial history which follows is told by a unemployment by virtue of his alcoholism. Emnothing more they could do and that he was witness rather than the principal. The latter, dur- ployers in large industry were willing to accept refused admission for all future time; that he ing the five years which have ensued since the his services even though the tenure was indefinite. knew the seriousness of his problem and that happenings here described, has shown a reluc- P.C. had been in the sanitarium about 10 early death would be a welcome relief. He was tance to personally relate the story because he days when the newspaperman and myself called working on some blueprints which he had in his has felt that some of its unusual aspects might to see him. He forestalled our advances by courroom, resumed his labors and we departed. be more readily believable were they corrobor- teously but firmly informing us that he did not Later that evening we were introduced to ated. He sits at my side as I dictate, as he has feel he could honestly submit to the way of life P.C.’s wife, a very devout woman who was biton several past occasions when the story has been advised by the program of Alcoholics Anonyterly disappointed at our seeming failure to told, concerned lest any unexact word creep in. mous; that the Steps involving a belief in, and interest her husband. She stated that she had There were, as a matter of fact, two witnesses— a turning of his life and his will to the keeping prayed daily and desperately for a number of One, an editor of a metropolitan paper; and the years; that she felt his case was entirely beyond other, the narrator, a lawyer of long trial ex- LORD’S PRAYER the reach of human aid and that if Alcoholics perience. The occupations are mentioned not to Anonymous could not reach him he was beyond Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed add anything to the credibility of the witnesses, help, but that she had a deep and abiding faith be thy name. but to identify the witnesses as men of some that the God to whom she prayed would, through Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on sophistication whose powers of observation earth, as it is in heaven. the medium of Alcoholics Anonymous, cure her would not be easily blurred by emotional con- husband. We explained to her regretfully that Give us this day our daily bread. siderations. the husband, not she, was the one who must And forgive us our debts, as we forgive We first met P.C. in a sanitarium in Chicago our debtors. embrace this program and that until such time in August, 1941. P.C. was then about 46 years as he expressed a desire for help there was And lead us not into temptation, but of age, with a 25-year history of chronic alco- deliver us from evil; nothing we could do. We left and the incident holism. He was a mechanical engineer by pro- was forgotten. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, fession, nationally known, and distinguished in and the glory, for ever. On the morning of Christmas Eve, 1941, while the field of machine tool designing. By virtue of Amen. preparing for an exceptionally busy day, I reexceptional ability he had managed to survive (Continued on page 4)

EDITORIAL: What Is Our On the 2nd Step . . . . A.A. Grapevine “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to By Bill sanity.” The most interesting characteristic of this Step is its effect on new persons in A.A. Hundreds of A.A.s have not yet seen or heard Some newcomers, perhaps most, already have accepted the doctrine that there is a of The A.A. Grapevine. Others query, who is it? Power greater than themselves. Others, more cynical, have difficulty believing that What is it? What are its ideals? So I have been there is anything real unless it is another person or thing. “Some do and some don’t; asked to explain. others will and others won’t” as the old couplet goes. The A.A. Grapevine is our principal monthly journal. It is devoted to the interests of Alco- And yet, the 2nd Step is the very heart of the A.A. Program. Without it, the most holics Anonymous — and to nothing else. It tries carefully planned approach to the problem of alcoholism fails; without it, the most to publish the news and portray the views of stubborn and determined fall. Unless there is acceptance of a Power greater than A.A.s everywhere. It aims to reflect a cross secourselves, the other steps become meaningless. They become men on a team that is tion of our thought and action. Already reachwithout spirit; they become form without substance. ing all parts of America, it is beginning to be There are many things in our lives that we cannot change. Some of these things, read in foreign lands. Some of its 5,600 subscribers are non-alcoholics vitally interested in or our inability to change them, may be the underlying causes of our alcoholism. They our progress and philosophy. may be the things that we are trying to escape through alcohol. When we become In short, The A.A. Grapevine is rapidly besober and start out on the A.A. Program, these things remain with us. Of ourselves, coming “the collective voice of Alcoholics Anonywe can do nothing about them. They are insurmountable. It is at this point in our mous.” Like everything else that is good The lives that we draw strength from this Power that is greater than ourselves. Having A.A. Grapevine has been an evolution—not a turned these things over to it, they need no longer concern us. At long last they reveal promotion. Like Topsy “it just grew.” Now let themselves in their true perspective. me cut back into our past to let you see more of why and how The A.A. Grapevine came to be. On the other hand, there are many things in our lives that we can change. Some Ten years ago our fellowship was a weak and of these things, or our failure to change them, may be the underlying causes of our wobbly infant — just a few alcoholics clinging alcoholism. Usually, we have lacked the courage to change these things. We have desperately to an ideal, and to each other. These been unable to summon the courage. Immature and emotionally unstable, we have- early ones were the originators of the Alcoholics evaded reality by escape through alcohol. Anonymous movement. As our numbers swelled the newer members naturally looked to the older When we accept the fact that there is a Power greater than ourselves, it is not ones for help and example. They began to call too difficult to call on this Power for the courage and wisdom necessary to face even us older ones “leaders,” and in the case of Dr. a bleak reality. In other words, we have found an understanding and helpful friend Bob and myself they coined for each of us the who cannot fail us. We are relieved because we know that we are no longer alone. rather resounding title of “founder.” Since A.A. Many newcomers to A.A. are troubled with what they call the “spiritual” part really had a score of “founders” he and I really wish that hadn’t occurred. But it did. Simply, we of the Program. They rebel at the thought that any part of A.A. is “religious”; that suppose, because we were the first in point of they must be “saved” in order to recover. This point of view is not only understand- time and were therefore of the longest experience. able but natural to a certain extent. The disease of alcoholism is a serious illness. Thus it happened that we came to have, in the Its victims have suffered. They have been either beaten or disillusioned and, if they minds of our fellow A.A.s, a rather unique status. have progressed far along the road of alcoholism, they have seen the failure of the Never official, always informal, yet there it was. purely “religious” approach. Indeed, they may have tried it—without success. They In matters of principle or policy A.A.s began to have become cynical and have retreated into themselves. regard Bob and me as representing their collective conscience; they also began to think of us Let us give a word of hope to these cynical newcomers to the Program. Look as a sort of heart to the movement which took in around you. There are more than 40,000 persons in the world today who have recov- the constant stream of incoming problems and ered from this illness. Many of them, too, had trouble with the 2nd Step. Many, like perplexities and then pumped out answers. Then you, were cynical. But they continued to try to believe and they kept an open mind! as we went about among the growing groups, he Today, they are well. If they remain on the Program, they will keep well. and I were asked to stand on platforms and expound A.A. to ever larger audiences. So it was There is no set pattern for realizing the 2nd Step. Many attain belief suddenly; that we became the collective “voice of A.A.” others, more slowly. The “bright, shining light of understanding” does not come to As a friend put it, “That was a whale of a big all at once. Acceptance of this Step comes to many men in many ways. You will get order!” it eventually. When you do, you will understand when an A.A. says to you: “Gee, Bob and I agree with him. It’s too big an this thing isn’t so tough after all. I don’t seem to want to drink anymore!”—J.T., assignment for any two alcoholics. We’re too Greenwich Village, N. Y. (Continued on page 6)

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VINO VIGNETTE: So I Sold Myself, Too! The age of miracles isn’t past. I’ll never forget Tentatively I’d said I’d try the program before my prospect had stepped into a good car dealerthe first time I saw the A.A. program work. having myself committed to the state home where ship bill was r a p i d l y wrecking the chance of a I wasn’t in the mood for a miracle or much I wouldn’t have to d r i n k and wouldn’t worry lifetime. He thought he couldn’t sell a car unless else. I sat at my editor’s desk on a small town anyone. With desperate need I had muttered, he had a drink to give zip to his sales talk or paper and worried over the past year with its “Deliver me from evil,” as I double-timed it bought the customer a few to soften him up. His succession of cures, treatments and hospitals. A past my usual drinking places. Told to pray for foreman had complained to me about his way few weeks before I had met the A.A.s t r y i n g to 24 hours’ strength in the mornings I could only with the employees. He didn’t have any use for form a group in a nearby town. t h i n k of an old f r a t e r n i t y prayer that began a party at which the host didn’t set out the The program looked pretty flimsy to my “Direct us, 0 Lord, in all our d o i n g s ” — i t bottles and really let the guests get into them. doubting mind. I had said so rather plainly at seemed to fit and I’d been a pretty decent young Grimly, uncertainly, unconvinced myself, I the meeting when an attempt was made by A.A.’s man then. dragged up the street. If I was grim, he was co-founders to get a group going. Medicine and Now after only a few weeks I was asked to go grimmer. He was sober, by request of the disscience were the ticket and I’d tried them both. out after one of my acquaintances, a business tributor who’d given him a final warning, and In fact during the past year I had gotten to feel man with whom my paper did business. The his banker, who was about to call his notes. lonely if an attendant didn’t keep on my heels boys had picked me a good one. Not only had I I didn’t know what to say. I don’t know what and sort of lost if there weren’t bars on the drunk with him but I knew, or thought I knew, I said. He had his little son with him and had window. his temperament. Through an unexpected death promised to take him Christmas shopping. He made an excuse and started outside with the boy. I tagged along, shuffling through the snow. He Are A.A. Women and Wives Sometimes Smug? wanted to get away from me. I wanted to turn In a sparsely occupied dining car rolling the group. She complained that her own home, tail and call it a failure. through Dixie, I couldn’t help but overhear the her own social set was as good as any of those Lenny didn’t say much. Finally I invited him conversation at a nearby table between a man she saw on A.A. visits, and yet the wives of to a bridge party at my home with the other and an attractive woman. She was suggesting members always treated her as though she were beginners of our new group. His wife was happy, A.A. for his wife, and praising its works quite an upstart and they let her know by word and everyone else was happy, but Lenny didn’t seem audibly, though she herself was downing a high- expression that if it weren’t for A.A. they wouldn’t to enjoy the cokes and jokes. ball. Because I am the wife of on A.A., myself tolerate her. and not an alcoholic, I guessed she was too. As I explained, I’m a wife myself, and prob- Typical Die-hards Then I heard her explain that she herself had a ably guilty of many of the offenses against new A few nights later we look him, inaudibly but drinking problem which she hadn’t been able girls and women which warp their first impres- visibly protesting, to a meeting. he said he wasn’t to lick, and that, coming, after her espousal of sions of all A.A. women. And we wives, while an alcoholic. It grew into the same struggle A.A., made me wonder why she had missed con- also having personality and character-develop- every time to get him there. I continued with nections with it. ment problems of our own to cope with, can my doubts and my routine. Both of us sat through When the man left, I joined her, and we con- nonetheless lick them more easily than the alco- the meetings wondering what the others had. tinued the conversation. She went on to tell me holics if we realize that they are potentially as But Christmas is a good time for a miracle that she lived in a medium-sized southern city damaging as theirs, and apply the program to and it came. After many weeks Lenny’s usually winch has two A.A. groups, had attended meet- our own activities and thinking. sour face relaxed and he said at a meeting, “By ings for many months and had seriously en- I can’t speak for women alcoholics, but I do Gad, I AM an alcoholic.” deavored to stay on the program. What drove think that the wives of A.A.s should always be No one would have known him after that. He her out, or rather back? The other women! on hand to help welcome, and really welcome, was smiling, pleasant, happy, won a bonus from True, I didn’t know her personally. She was any women who wish to avail themselves of this his distributor, paid off the bank — and his foregood to look at, well dressed, well mannered, and way of life. What if they do attend closed meet- man came to thank me, the accidental conveyor well spoken. She told me she had a husband who ings where we aren’t present? Aren’t they work- of the program. had never failed to stand by her, and a grown ing on the same problems as our husbands? And I looked at the miracle of Lenny at every son. Nothing outwardly objectionable; in fact wouldn’t they be far less fearsome women if they meeting and nearly every day as we met on the extremely personable and pleasant. were our good friends? street. And then I knew that it was a double What then had happened between her and the Friendship within her own sex is as important miracle, that in spite of my doubts and hesiwomen already safely within The A.A. haven in to a woman as are the bonds between men, and tancies, the Power and the program had come that town? It interested me because a few days that goes for us wives as well as for alcoholic through for both of us. The feeling that I had before I had read G.O.’s piece in The October A.A. women. We can help each other by keeping our touched something of the spirit which changed Grapevine on the special problems of women. minds open and our hearts open and our eyes this man finished my own job. This story I heard made every word of that open to ways in which to make any newcomers That was over six years ago, but I still feel article come to life. The city, it seemed, boasted feel at home in our homes. the warmth around my heart when I think of his only a handful of women A.A.s, and this new- I hope every woman, in or on the fringes of changed face. And I like to add the happy ending comer found them closely knit and jealous of A.A., has read and taken to heart that article that when war cut his business down Lenny held their prerogatives as the few female lights in an about women — and particularly those in smaller together through the crisis, got a good job as otherwise male assemblage. The wives of male towns where fewer people have more influence. superintendent of a factory and promptly got a members she described as nice but noticeably A.A. is much too precious to save for just a few. group going in his new home town. condescending to any new women who entered -K.T., New York. Miracles do happen. — J.R.H., Manhattan

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unusual chain of circumstances. But, as I have The Story of a Miracle at Christmas said, this question ‘Why am I alive?’ kept pounding in my brain as I lay there. I felt I must have (Continued from. Page 1) an answer, so arising from my bed I repeated reived a telephone call at my home from Mrs. and afterwards told me be recognized me, al- aloud the Lord’s Prayer and the 23rd Psalm, both P.C. She stated that her husband had been away though I was unable to understand a single of which I had learned as a boy from a religious on a drunk for about three weeks, that she had coherent word during the interval that I re- mother, neither of which I had had occasion to come to Chicago searching for him, and had mained there. He was apparently unable to walk refer to since that time, at the same time asking located him in a cheap stag hotel in the “flop- and I remember distinctly that he agonizingly God for an answer to the question. Then it behouse” district on North Clark Street, that she placed his head between two rungs of the brass came daylight and I remember my wife being in had not seen him but was informed he was in bed in order that be might control the tremors the room, and suddenly the realization came to desperate physical condition. She begged that I, that shook the upper part of his body in the hope me that I was no longer ill. Although I had been as a representative of Alcoholics Anonymous, of making himself understood. drinking for months and excessively for three call to see him immediately. I informed her that, A rather significant thing occurred then, al- long weeks, at that moment on that Christmas regrettable as the situation was, there was nothing though P.C. and I disagree as to the manner of morning I felt not the slightest physical infirm- Alcoholics Anonymous could do about it but the occurrence. He says that be apologized to ity. I was well. I had no hangover, no remorse, that medical treatment appeared to be indicated. me for the squalor and filth of the room in which no tremors, no nausea, no nervousness — I felt She spurned the suggestion of medical attention I found him and that I replied: “You need not hungry and later in the morning relished a hearty and stated that she had been informed that among apologize, for on a night of which this is the breakfast. Me, who on other occasions suffered his effects in this room were some scribblings on anniversary the newly born Christ was found in acutely from depression and nerves after even a a piece of paper containing the name of the a stable.” I insist that I did not hear any apology weekend d r u n k . My mind functioned normally; newspaperman who had seen him on the prior from P.C. and that I made no such utterance. I remembered things that I had not thought of in occasion in August and that she was certain her However, the occurrence is significant in that months: business matters to be attended to, aphusband was urgently seeking to reestablish his P.C. heard, or thought he heard, such a statement pointments which I must make and fill. For many contact with A.A. and was profoundly impressed. months my automobile had been in storage as I Begrudgingly I consented to call and late that dared not drive it, and for the first time I felt I bought a bottle of whiskey, gave him a porafternoon met Mrs. P.C., surrounded by broken- perfectly confident to drive a car and determined tion of it and left the remainder. It was Christdown panhandlers and bums, in the small, u n f u r – that I should reclaim it without delay. My emomas Eve and I was anxious to get home to a nished room that served as a second-floor lobby tions were normal, my sense of responsibility large family of small children and, with scant of the shoddy dwelling. So firm was her convic- acute, and in every respect I felt as a healthy and hurried instructions to his wife about the tion that only members of Alcoholics Anonymous man would feel who had lived normally for a procedure in the event of hospitalization, took could help that she had waited all day in this long period of time. I am sorry that you did not my departure. dingy back-room and had not gone in to see her see me yesterday because I was then exactly in husband. The proprietor of the house gruffly re- The day after Christmas I did not see P.C. but, the same condition as I am now and as I was quested the caller to get P.C. out of there. The on the following day, in answer to an earnest when I awakened on Christmas morning. proprietor stated that someone had surrepti- request from his wife, accompanied by the news- “During these past days I have had no desire tiously brought P.C. into the place some three paperman, went to the place where he had been to drink. I am contented as I have not been in 25 or four days before, that he was extremely drunk taken. To my amazement our knock at the door years. I am willing now and anxious to know at that time and had remained so; that he was was answered by P.C.! He was clean shaven, more about this Power upon whom you alcoconfined to bed a large portion of the time and clear eyed, his complexion good and, above all, holics lean.” suggested he be removed to County Hospital. The he was perfectly poised. He said: “Are you sur- We explained to P.C. that contrary to his improprietor stated that he had given P.C. some prised to see me in this condition?” My amaze- pression such experiences as his were not comwhiskey d u r i n g the first couple of days but that ment was apparent. He said: “Something very mon in A.A. and that we were in no better posihe had no more money and nothing had been strange has happened to me. I have been most tion to explain it than he. We told him that most given him on that day. anxious to see you for the past two days because of us had acquired our sobriety the hard way, I then went up to see P.C. and the picture of I feel that only a member of your organization 24 hours at a time — hard agonizing hours in the that room is as vivid now as it was upon the would understand the thing that has come into beginning; that there must be a reason for his occasion five years before. It was uncarpeted, most my life. To go back to Christmas Eve — after experience that only time will make clear. of the wallpaper had fallen away from the crum- you left me” (I was surprised to know that he These things which I relate happened five bling plaster, and it was dimly lighted by a small was aware of my having been there) “I drank years ago. Since that Christmas morning P.C. has incandescent bulb strung by wire from the ceil- the remainder of that bottle and dozed off. I been a constant attendant at group activities and ing. There was a wash stand in the corner, one don’t know what time it was when I next became no man in our group has been more quietly active dilapidated straight-back chair, and a large brass conscious but it was dark. From then on the in 12th Step work. He has had no difficulty with bed upon which were strewn a few shreds of entire night seems to have been one without be- the old problem and his days are calm and peacesoiled bed-clothing. In the middle of the bed lay ginning or end. But, when I awakened I was ful. Each man who reads this story with interest P.C. I would not have recognized him as the assailed with one overwhelming question: Why will have his own explanation, but all will agree man I had interviewed some four months before am I alive?” that whatever it was, five years’ sobriety attest were I unaware of whom to expect. He was thin, “By way of explanation, let me say that for a it was something deeper than a dramatic emoemaciated, with a number of days’ growth of long time I had not wanted to live and during tional experience. Some may conclude that an beard. His eyes were blood-shot and his entire the past few years had tried on three separate answer as satisfactory as any is to be found in frame shook with convulsive-like tremors. He occasions to commit suicide. Each time my plan the grateful wife’s statement:—”The Lord seattempted to speak when I came into the room, seemed to have been interfered with by some lected his own birthday to answer my prayers.”

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SAINTS ARE FEW The Pleasures of Reading AMONG MEN, TOO Men Who Have Walked With God From Greenwich Village, N. Y. by Sheldon Cheney (Alfred A. Knopf, $3) “I wouldn’t want you to breath this to a soul Absorption in the necessities of physical living, the pleasures of the senses and the recreation . . . but . . . I just heard . . .” of the intellect has too often precluded that exploration of the realm of the spirit without which the The subject of gossip is singled out from the human soul cannot be rendered content and invulnerable and a “way” found leading to union with October issue’s “what’s-wrong-with-women” ar- the Higher Power and a life transcending material significance. But, notwithstanding man’s preticle because it seems potentially the most damag- occupation with worldly affairs and perhaps because of the very fact that such concentration has ing of any of the other personality deficiencies produced war or human infamy or personal disaster, his basic faith in the orderly processes and the which were enumerated so courageously by a spiritual importance of the universe has been unshaken. Indeed, the aspiration and yearning, unexmember of the female contingent. But, in passing, pressed and inexpressible, of all conditions of men for illumination on matters whereon abstract the male sex should at least attempt to be as reason sheds no light and pure intellect throws no radiance have been an inseparable part of the gallant and admit that perhaps most of the same human personality in all times — however much the world has been mired in moral degradation constructive self-criticism would be healthy for or the individual sunk in a spiritual slough. us, too. In an age of rationalism the lag between the frontiers of science and the vanguard of spiritual Practically all of the 11 points listed in that development has been duly noted by the political and even the military leaders and rulers of the article could be fitted to our shape and size with- world and universal destruction is freely prophesied unless the threat of annihilating physical force out too many alterations. With a doff of the hat is met and overcome by a resurgence of moral power. Likewise in our personal lives many of us have and a very low bow, we must confess to the narrowly averted catastrophic disaster only by permitting the infusion in our veins of a life-saving ladies — shouldn’t we? — that we also form too stream of spiritual plasma, or, as William James put it, by opening ourselves to the influence of intense attachments; like to be bossy; like to God so that spiritual energy may flow therein and our deepest destiny be fulfilled. This process we gossip; demand attention and are “hurt-ed,” as have commonly called a spiritual experience and it is not without significance that there is a spiritual the little boy says, when we don’t get it; and philosophy at the core of religions, or ways of life, as different as Christianity, Buddhism, Neofrequently think more often in personal terms Platonism and Taoism, and this is so whether the professors of these faiths or systems make an than in the abstract. abstraction of the Higher Power or speak of God in a more personalized sense. This is more com- As to wolves prowling about! Could be that monly called a mystic philosophy by scholars who write on the subject, what we know as a spiritual just a few wear trousers. And as to “vanity and experience is frequently mentioned as a mystic experience and those seers and saints who have dread of age,” is there a man at 40 and up who attained the closest “realization of the Eternal” are frequently referred to as mystics. Because the isn’t worrying about losing his goldilocks, if he word “mysticism” is often employed wrongly or ignorantly, and the philosophy itself has been has any left to worry about? Or his paunch or assailed as a nebulous thing compounded of darkness and confusion, its use is sometimes unfortunate, third chin? although virtually unavoidable in any thorough discussion of the subject. So Sheldon Cheney’s The fact is that if any of the ladies are on the account of men who have walked with God is “the Story of Mysticism Through the Ages Told in griddle, we should arise as one gentleman and the Biographies of Representative Seers and Saints with Excerpts from their Writings and Sayings.” politely ask if there’s any room left for us. Without attempting to define the infinite it can fairly be said in the words of Edward Carpenter But there’s hope for all and after downing a (and many of us can vouch for it), that the result of a mystic or spiritual experience in any man is stiff dose of self-appraisal, which is better than “a sense of absolute repose, a consciousness of immense and universal power, such as completely penicillin though harder to take, let’s consider transforms the world for him . . . All life is changed.” He adds: “For the ceaseless endeavor to what that hope is. realize this identity with the great Self, there is no substitute. No teaching, no theorizing, no philoso- First, the looking glass. On the boys’ side of phizing, no rules of conduct or life will take the place of actual experience.” The difficulties of the the house it doesn’t take too much hunting to find undertaking notwithstanding, it was a happy thought of Mr. Cheney’s to write this work about the fellow who likes to answer all of the ques- spiritual prophets, artists and poets who have been close to God in their several and special experitions and monopolize the floor at every group ential ways. The stories of these men and women written against an historical background and discussion. In fact, you can’t miss him. Next to threaded together on a spindle of editorial exposition and discussion serve to inspire and to guide him sits the prophet of gloom. He thinks everyone in a practical way the seeker, of the greatest good who may emulate if not equal such notable perexcept him is about to have a slip, and he says sonages in their striving for spiritual stature. Of the shining examples therein set forth, some were so freely. Somewhere around, for certain, is the learned and some were ignorant; some were renowned and some were obscure; but all were noble reformed drunk traveling under the guise of and all were humble. A.A. He’s stopped drinking, but never grown The first of these to be discussed is Lao-Tse who lived in the sixth century B.C., and embodied beyond that point and looks down his nose at his philosophy, personal and mystic, in poetry. Taoism is a religion, a “way of life,” and, taking practically everything and everyone, particularly its dominant characteristic from its poetic founder, is predicated naturally enough on the inherent anyone who’s still having trouble. rhythm and orderliness of the universe with which individuals and nations alike must establish some You’ll find, too, over on the boys’ side, the sort of concordance if they are to attain serenity and peace. “Easy does it!” was the seer’s admonition zealot who has suddenly discovered religion and to both the common man and to rulers. In times much like our own, it was necessary to remind men is intent on educating everyone else including that they cannot live by desires, sense-satisfaction and material possessions alone, nor get along solely the many who’ve known about God for quite a by the exercise of knowledge and reason. Nothing short of widespread personal regeneration could spell. One of the nicest characters of all is the save the world then, as now, because peace and an ordered life depend upon change in the lifewolf, usually middle-aged and frayed at the ideals of the individuals making up a social community. The Christian ideal is foreshadowed in one edges, who hides his amorous fangs beneath a of the poems which includes the line: “Repay injury with kindness.” The precise technique of con- (Continued on page 8) (Continued on next page)

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Men Who Have Walked With God Our A.A. Grapevine (Continued from Page 2) (Continued from Page 5) fallible. And were we infallible we couldn’t last forever anyhow. Hence he and I have been, for temptation of this mystic is not entirely clear, but the author avers that it involves “liberation from a long time now, in process of passing these functhe false activity, the material enterprise, and the law-regulated morality that ‘knowledge’ and pragtions of conscience, heart and voice over to others. matic education have brought into human life.” Years ago we helped set up The Alcoholic About the same time the Buddha was teaching in India, as one of “an unending line of seers . . . Foundation whose trustees became guardians of who have celebrated as the highest and holiest aim of life the attainment of divine consciousness or your general A.A. funds, and who of late, by enlightenment.” Again, in the attainment of this aim, the function of intellect, reason and learning custom and general consent, are more and more is minimized when the prophet says: “Learning is a good thing, but in the end it availelh not. regarded as the custodians of A.A. tradition and Experience, not learning, leads to wisdom and the bliss of immortality.” A Christian philosophy general policy. The trustees are no body of emerges in such sayings as “Hatred can be overcome only by non-hatred” and “If a man shall do authority. They simply act as sort of general me wrong, I will offer in return my f u l l love; the greater the injury he attempts, the greater must service committee to all A.A. Primarily they are be the good I offer in return.” When asked how he came to have such calm and contentment, who custodians and mediators. As such, they are bewas his master and what his faith, the answer was: “I have no master, and my faith is of the simplest. ginning to be seen by the groups as representing Those who harbor no ill will, who have restrained the senses and freed themselves of desire, those our collective A.A. conscience. Bob and I hope who have escaped selfishness, they open the way to immortality.” that trend will continue. This seems likely as the In a chapter devoted to the Age of Reason in Greece, we are reminded what heroic deeds were trustees and their duties are becoming better accomplished in the realm of the mind and how the descent of the Greeks to self-destruction was understood. swift and unequivocal. The reader may decide for himself whether this was because the Greeks had A year after the creation of The Alcoholic no religion, or, more accurately, no common spiritual faith. Of greater interest to us is it that Pytha- Foundation, the book Alcoholics Anonymous was goras, like many modern mathematicians and cosmic scientists, was a mystic, and he coined the published in April, 1939. This too was the enterword philosophia. Sophia means wisdom (not knowledge) and “friends of wisdom” was the name prise of a group of A.A. members who thought used by Pythagoras and his associated spiritual speakers. Of more lasting significance too, is the our experience ought to be codified and set on fact that Plato was one of the prophets of a universal spiritual faith. Notable as they are for paper. This group supplied funds, suggestions lucidity and as examples of pure rationalism, Plato’s famous dialogues are replete with poetic or and stories. Bob and I were given the task of imaginative interpolations in which the writer escapes the limitations of argument and demonstra- deciding what, should go into the book and I was tion. As Mr. Cheney says (and this is one of the things he seeks to prove by his book), “All that assigned the writing of its text. The publication belongs in life to a man’s faith, vision, and spiritual aspiration finds expression outside the routine of the A.A. book marked the point in our history of chain reasoning; and so (Plato) suddenly bolts the logical discourse, abandons dialectic for where our early members, along with Bob and creative picturing.” myself, transferred our experience through this Many other individuals whose characters are universal and whose lives are epochal, are de- new medium to an ever wider circle which now scribed, including Plotinus, Saint Bernard, Saint Francis, Fra Angelico, the saintly painter, promises to be the wide world of alcoholism. William Blake, poet, painter and “a mystic in the Age of Enlightened Skepticism” and other men The A.A. Central Office at New York came and women whose names are more familiar than their achievements. There is also a trio whose into being simultaneously with the book. Here names are not so well known but whose influence has been persistent and pervasive through the our secretaries nowadays answer thousands of years. the story of their lives is of contemporary interest and value. They are a little easier for us inquiries, look after our over-all public relations, to understand, if not to follow, because while they are notably of the “quietest” school, their faith write letters of encouragement to new and isoas reflected in “good works,” service and activity is more comprehensible to and adoptable by a lated groups, see to the printing and distribution restless people. One of these was Brother Lawrence, an uneducated lay monk of the seventeenth of group lists, pamphlets, literature and the book century, who, in a curiously modern empirical way, daily “practiced the presence” of God, and who Alcoholics Anonymous. Several years ago the said before be died: “If in this life we would know the serene peace of paradise, we must school trustees of our Foundation acquired full ownerourselves in familiar, humble and loving converse with God.” ship of the A.A. book and at the same time as- Another was Jacob Boehme, an unlettered Lutheran shoemaker, who was born in 1575. His sumed a custodial oversight of The Central Office circumstances were poor, his life full of strife and persecution, and in his faith were a childlike whose financial support has gradually been taken directness and trust. He achieved illumination and wrote books, as he said, “neither out of book- over by the groups through their voluntary conlearning nor from other men’s opinion or their science, but out of a book opened within myself, tributions to The Foundation. Thousands of new as a reflection from God.” Accurately or not, Boehme has been called “the Apostle of the Quakers,” members have found their way to A.A., hundreds and the Quaker colonies of America were founded upon substantially Boehmian principles. As the of groups have been helped with their growing author states, this experiment in government failed “only after achieving one of the most heartening pains, and millions of people have heard of A.A. records of fraternal progress in recent history.” The third of this group was Meister Eckhardt, an through the functioning of The Central Office. ecclesiastic of the fourteenth century who died in the shadow of a heresy charge, the basic facts Little by little, our Central Office is becoming of whose l i f e were discovered only by the scholarship of the nineteenth century. Known as the recognized as the heart of A.A. It receives inf a t h e r of German theology and sometimes of German philosophy, he seems to have been “an unex- quiries and problems, then pumps out informaampled combination of scholar and intuitive, traditional wisdom and personal experience.” It is the tion and the best answers it can. Thus one more latter aspect in which we are most interested and we find agreement with his declarations that “He function of the originators of A.A. is in process is blessed who shares himself usefully” and “In this life no man reaches the point at which he can of transfer to the Central Office staff. The Central be excused from practical service,” as well as with the qualification that “active life is to alternate Office has almost become the central heart of A.A. with contemplation.” Eckhardt, for all his theological erudition, discounts, as do so many spiritual “Now,” you say, “what has all this got to do leaders, learning and reason as against intuition and direct experience.—R.F.S., Montclair, N. J. with The A.A. Grapevine?” Just this: Like the

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earlier groups which assembled the Foundation, the A.A. book and the Central Office, The A.A. Grapevine began two years ago among several newspaper-minded A.A.s who thought we needed a monthly periodical. They were willing to contribute a little money and boundless effort to make it a success. At the beginning, this group of A.A.s had no special authorization from anyone. They merely look off their coats and did a job, a job so well done that at the end of a year they found their paper in national distribution. There was no sponsoring, no promoting. Like the A.A. book, the Central Office, and the Foundation, The A.A. Grapevine became a national institution on its own effort and merit. Arrived at this point members of the staff came to the trustees to discuss the future of the publication. They also asked me to write some pieces and requested me to ascertain if the groups would like to have this periodical as their principal A.A. publication. Hundreds of groups and individual subscribers came back with an enthusiastic “YES.” There was scarce a single dissent. Accordingly, The A.A. Grapevine, was incorporated, its beneficial ownership transferred to the Foundation and it is now being managed by a joint committee composed of two trustees of the Foundation, two members of the volunteer staff and its editor. Not quite self-supporting yet, we hope it will presently become so. Consequently we are witnessing still another transference. The A.A. Grapevine is becoming the voice of Alcoholics Anonymous. As one of the staff members recently put it, “We think that The A.A. Grapevine ought to become the ‘voice of Alcoholics Anonymous, ‘bring- The Pleasures of Reading ing us news of each other across great distances, Breakdown by Louis Paul and always describing what can be freshly seen (Crown Publishing Co., $2.75) in that vast and lifegiving pool we call ‘A.A. This is the story of Ellen Croy, smart young New Yorker with everything most women crave. experience.’ Never taking part in the contro- She has a good job on a newspaper, a loving husband, a beautiful child and a charming home, yet versial issues of religion, reform or politics, she is an alcoholic. Why? never seeking profit, never lending itself to com- For years she had drunk socially with no more disastrous results than hangovers, but after a merce or propaganda, always mindful of our sole publisher’s cocktail party she experiences a mental blank of two hours which is tangled up with an aim to carry the A.A. message to those who suffer image of a man in a gray topcoat pawing her in a taxi. She wakes up in her mother’s home. Mama alcoholism — such is our ideal for The A.A. has called the doctor who gives her sedatives and some advice, but later, home in her own bed, to Grapevine.” quote Mr. Paul: “Ellen supposed she had done the whole thing rather well. She’d been rational in With these sentiments Dr. Bob and I heartily conversation, rational after that spell of hysteria on Mama’s couch. All the conditioned reflexes had concur. We hope that A.A.s everywhere will feel operated automatically, preserving with John a nice air of casualness. But within, where no one it to be their newspaper; that our able A.A. could look, the hysteria still seethed.” writers will contribute freely; that all groups The author trails Ellen through an alcoholic maze, one blind alley ending in a doctor who will send in news of their doings which may be doped her liquor, another in a drunken buying spree and the last, a befogged trip to Bellevue in of general interest; that The A.A. Grapevine will a masterly piece of work. presently take its place in the minds of all A.A.s His skill in making the woman alcoholic’s mind seem to function in a logical manner is uncanny. as one of our essential central services close Ellen’s fear-ridden mind, her lack of any conscious reason for her behavior and her rationalizing alongside the Foundation, the A.A. book and the are stark realism. There is not a false word in the book. Central Office. His sympathetic understanding of A.A. is apparent. He uses Bill, Ellen’s boss, a “ten-months” You see, dear fellow members, Dr. Bob and I man to aid her in her upward struggles. He takes her to the Clubhouse, where she hears a speech by have a slightly ulterior motive! For, when the an A.A., which for clarity of purpose and beauty of words is not surpassed by anything which has transfer of our original functions of conscience, come to this reader’s attention. heart and voice is made complete to these newer, For the woman alcoholic, particularly, it strikes home again and again. How a man could have better and more permanent agencies, then we written this story is beyond my woman’s mind to conceive, but Mr. Paul did, and to him go my old-timers can really take a walk! praises for his brilliant illumination of the subject of alcoholism.—H.A.D., Manhattan

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makes little difference. There is actually little to Saints Are Few Among Men., Too choose between them and neither makes a pretty. sound. Certainly neither is practicing A.A. (Continued from page. 5) But there is a cure. Every gossiper needs a cloak of phony 12th Step stuff. Compared to him The male tends to do much of his gossiping listener. Gossip must have a transmission belt a church box thief is an upright citizen. And in the form of boasting, and when a man starts for it to do any damage. It cannot travel on its then there’s the busybody who’s so intent on boasting he leaves no doubt as to why Paul own power. straightening out everyone else’s personality that Bunyon was a male. His tongue works like a Wouldn’t gossip wither at its source if there his own never gets attention; and also the ego- drink and one word leads to 40 too many. And was no one to listen to it? maniac who thinks everyone is just dying to hear, it’s a well known fact that the three subjects on As long as there is even one gossip in A.A. for the umpteenth time, how he used to drink which men reach their greatest excesses of boast- there will be too many. But, their number could three quarts a d a y ; and the braying donkey who ing are liquor, women and fishing. The only be reduced effectively and quickly if no one goes around publicly megaphoning the names of appreciable difference in the kind of verbal in- would stop to listen to them. Their whisperings all of the A.A.s be knows. toxication these three subjects seem to bring on would do no damage if no one would pass along These are a few of the more distinct types and is that when it’s fishing, he’s boasting about a n y t h i n g they have to say. there are varying blends of all. In fact, very the one that got away. Even though a gossip is usually fascinated few of us can really claim a pure strain com- Unfortunately even though the gossip is secretwith his own words he would soon tire of them pletely untainted by any personality poisons. ly despised his tongue can cause a great deal of if he found that he was whispering to himself. Can we? unhappiness, especially when he is the type who Then what he was saying would cause no un- Not all of the gossip that one bears, if he wants likes to deal in reputations usually because his happiness because there would be none to hear to listen, is pitched in contralto or soprano own has so many spots. People do listen and and pass it along. whispers. You also can catch a tenor or deep pass the muck along. bass note quite frequently. Whether the dealer in dirt is male or female Perhaps then the remedy is not to indict the In fact, the anvil chorus might be found to gossip. After all, his behavior is one symptom of a diseased mind and a sick soul, and he would be pretty evenly divided between male and female 1,700 A.A.s and Friends not be gossiping about anyone for any reason if voices with just about as much disharmony and off-key notes corning from one as the other. Attend Annual Dinner he had been able to comprehend even the barest In some respects, the male gossip is likely to More than 1,700 members of Alcoholics rudiments of the A.A. philosophy. Obviously, he be more discordant than the female, or at least Anonymous and their friends—representing A.A. doesn’t know what A.A. is, no matter how many he sounds so. Perhaps this is due to the ancient Groups from all sections of the United Stales- meetings he may be attending, or speeches he’s myth that the male is the stronger sex and as the attended the organization’s 11th annual dinner giving, or committees he’s participating in, or stronger is presumed to be less prone to petti- on November 7, at the Hotel Commodore, New how much he goes about giving lip service to ness. Perhaps it may be suggested that this is York. The dinner was sponsored by the New A.A. No one can put the real meaning of A.A. indeed as much an hallucination as ever en- – York Intergroup Association of A.A. into words with the same tongue that’s gossiping. countered on a dreary morning-after. But, like Bill W., one of the two co-founders of Alco- The gossip is sick. And like anyone with a so many other superstitions, it dies hard and holics Anonymous, delivered the principal A.A. contagious disease he should be quarantined. because gossip seems so out of place in big, address at the dinner. He reviewed A.A.’s tre- This is a simple process. Just don’t listen to him. strong circles, the male gossip does seem a little mendous growth in the past few years and pre- That not only will help to spare the victims of worse than the female species. dicted its future. “If we remember that our first gossip; it will also help the gossip to recover Observation of this particular weakness of duty is face-to-face help for the alcoholic who from his disease. the h u m a n flesh, male or female, leads one to still suffers from his illness, we need not worry There is a specific cure for the gossip. There the discovery that gossip arises directly and un- about our future,” he said. also is a cure for all of the personality ills that mistakably from a feeling of inferiority. The Drawing a contrast between A.A. of today and a afflict many of us. A.A. offers both the diagnosis gossip actually feels inferior either to the person similar organization, The Washingtonians, of 100 and the treatment — that is, the principles and he’s gossiping about or to people in general. The years ago, be pointed out how important it is to the philosophy and the way of life which embody psychologists have undoubtedly known this fact adhere to simple principles if A.A. is to survive. the spirit rather than the mechanics of A.A. By a long time, but it’s good to discover it for one- He compared the principles of the Franciscan seeking to live this way of life and apply the self, for both its comfort and its curative effects. order of 700 years ago to the principles of A.A. principles, the necessary corrective process is After one has learned this particular truth he today, and concluded with a restatement of the put into operation. The more successfully and will realize that it is a sign of weakness in him- Twelve Points of Tradition that have evolved completely one can live the principles the nearer self and that others will recognize it as such in through experience in A.A. he will come to correcting his character defects. him. Dr. John A. P. Millet, well known psychiatrist, So why not focus attention on the means of The whisper monger is working the old fal- was the principle non-alcoholic speaker. Dr. correction and the goal we all seek? The song lacy of trying to elevate himself by tearing Millet proposed more active cooperation be- may be worn out but it’s still good philosophy to down someone else; or of trying to pull others tween physicians and members of A.A. on the “accentuate the positive.” This calls for con- ‘ down to his level because he can’t rise to theirs. problem of alcoholism. centration on the mental images of what we want The male gossip is actually apt to be more Other speakers were a woman member of A.A. to be and what we can be. The one who convicious with his “did you hears” than the female and two men members. All told their stories of centrates consistently enough will correct his species. The latter often is content with a verbal recovery from alcoholism through A.A. defects because no one really wants to be a attack on another’s hat where the male frequently Rev. James P. Timmons of The Catholic Tran- gossip, a spoiled brat, a bossy run-it-all or any takes up someone’s character for ghoulish dis- script, Hartford, Conn., delivered the invocation of the other types of bores, nuisances and section. and the benediction. menaces.—T. Y.

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Mail Call for All A. A.s at Home or Abroad “did it” for us has done and will do it for any fostering? If so, and such an undertaking Letters to this department are invited on any number of our fellow A.A.s. might require organization or clearance apart subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- During my several months of A.A. application from your offices, I’d be only too happy to assist tions you are asked to hold your letters to a maximum of 350 words. I have learned what great satisfaction letter- in starting the ball rolling.—R.W.E. Only initials will he published unless the writing can be in this respect. When problems writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- seem too complex to intelligently handle, I know fication for A.A. friends. “In All of Our Affairs” The A.A. Grapevine will not divulge the full that I’m merely fogged up a bit “upstairs”; when name of any writer but will forward A.A. com- just plain physical desire for alcohol sneaks in, from East Orange, N. J. munications addressed to the writers of letters published here.—The Editors or when I am merely shaky because of pent-up I eagerly look forward to the arrival of The emotions — no matter when or why I need a little A.A. Grapevine at home and read it as soon after calming down—I know that I can divert myself it is received as possible, usually the same evethrough letter-writing. I recommend it highly to ning. I have been particularly interested in the Visiting the Absentees any A.A. who does enjoy writing. series of editorials on the 12 Steps, but I was From Indianapolis However, I am now faced with the startling somewhat disappointed in your editorial on the fact that it is not too difficult to find oneself 12th Step. There is a very potent phrase ending A thought akin to “Charity Begins at Home” wondering whom he should write to. I always the sentence stating the 12th Step—”and to prachas prompted the formation of an unofficial visiting committee within the Indianapolis A.A. group. tice these principles in all of our affairs,” but The committee meets Tuesday evenings and this is not once mentioned in your editorial. sets out to contact an A.A. of long standing who, It seems to me that this little phrase, which for some reason or other, has drifted away from is a big order, and which is the real key to our the fellowship. new way of life is too often overlooked in con- The membership list is scanned and those centrating on the first part of the 12th Step. We whose faces have become ‘just a memory’ at the have brought that about by our familiar refervarious weekly meetings, are duly marked for a ences to “12th Step work,” “12th Stepping,” friendly ‘checking into.’ Often a rumor (and etc. The fact remains that in order to succeed rumors travel with the speed of light in A.A.) we must practice the principles embodied in the to the effect that an ‘estranged’ member has been preceding 11 Steps in all of our affairs, and that having skid trouble, or has confused his alcoholic is a tall order. Certainly your editorial completeverb tenses — “he was an alcoholic,” instead of ly covers the two-way benefits of working with the true “he is an alcoholic,” quickly places a others, and I agree that it is one of the surest name on the visiting committee’s agenda for ways of keeping sober, but not a permanent one. early ‘handling.’ In the words of the first part of the 12th Step The self-appointed committee and its activities we have only had a spiritual awakening as the are strictly unofficial, as are the reports of its result of those Steps. To attain the new way of accomplishments which filter back to the general life, the complete personality and character group; but an important — yes, even essential — change, the peace of mind, the complete happihave my family and other friends at home to ness which make us and keep us well, we must job is being done, and is being gratefully recog- write to and know that they would welcome as nized by those who know and are concerned. PRACTICE THESE PRINCIPLES IN ALL OF many letters as I can possibly write to them, but OUR AFFAIRS. And the more and longer we This ‘estrangement’ condition should be cause quite often I sense a definite need (perhaps it is for reflection among members of groups over- practice these principles in all of our affairs, the due, at times, to a spirit of adventure) to write better fitted we are to carry this message to enthusiastic for new initiates or ‘converts.’ As to someone who, like myself, actually enjoys one member of our group expressed it: “There’s alcoholics.- W.J.R. letters for the satisfaction be gets in answering no percentage in trying to use a sieve for a con- them. And, by the way, who could beat another tainer.”-R.P.C. Holiday Bouquet A.A. as such a prospect to write to? While I doubt that a very large group would From Yonkers, N. Y. Recommends Letter Writing be particularly interested in acquiring A.A. “Pen Pals,” I feel there must be several who would Guess I qualify as a thoroughbred. Just dis- From Manhattan benefit through such a development. It is with covered this renewal slip in my coal pocket after Early in our experiences (or experiments) that viewpoint in mind that I am writing this wondering why no A.A. Grapevine. To me this with A.A., many of us have found the benefit of letter. subscription has been a wonderful help and inpractical application first evidenced through our A steady feature in The A.A. Grapevine would vestment. With a copy of The A.A. Grapevine in successful use of various forms of diversion dur- hardly seem warranted but an introduction of my pocket on the subway, bus, train, or troling those periods when even the 24-hour plan some plan for a letter club, or the like, may ley or on the “prowl” it is “open sesame,” seems like a gigantic struggle. offer an attraction to many and would meet with breaking down ordinary barriers, to strangers, Though the “means” of absorption or release enthusiastic response from members like Yours new members, prospects. But the thrill that clicks is as flexible to individual cases as so many of Truly, who may be seeking such a medium of is with “shut-ins”—(non-members). They too the other parts of the program must be, still it contact with interested A.A. correspondents. find new hope and interest in life through readis quite plausible, I feel, to assume that what Do you feel that such a child merits your ing copies of The A.A. Grapevine.—Niell F. P.

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A.A. Digest—Excerpts from Group Publications A.A. Tribune, Des Moines, Ia.: “Referring to Spencer Group) Spencer, Ia.: “That 1st Step the third anniversary dinner attended by about is a toughie for most guys BUT it must be taken Lynn, Mass., Telegram News: “A middle-aged 1,000 the manager of the hotel got a big bang 100 percent and sincerely or the other 11 Steps woman dropped into the office recently to ask for out of so many guests and NOBODY d r u n k . aren’t going to be of much use to us. In fact if help. Seems she was unable to buy dill pickles; “The A.A. Tribune got a fan letter (post- we don’t take that 1st Step and admit freely, sin- that she was ‘addicted’ to dill pickles. We conmarked Box 1222, the A.A. box in Cheyenne, cerely and wholeheartedly that we are powerless fess that we couldn’t think of a thing to help our Wyo.). It starts out: ‘UGH: Indian d r i n k fire- over alcohol we do not need the other 11 Steps caller. Had she been addicted to the demon rum, water. Him bad man; fight squaw. Squaw go because those 11 Steps are the blueprint for put- we could have recommended her to Alcoholics ‘way. Take papoose. Whiteman drink firewater. ting our lives on a new basis. Anonymous, but pickles is another story. We’ve Him bad man; fight white squaw. White squaw “Just a passing thought. The A.A. program never heard of Pickles Anonymous.” go ‘way; take white papoose. White man quit gives the soul-starved alcoholic a mental banquet d r i n k firewater. Squaw come back, papoose come in 12 courses. Take the courses IN THEIR Tulsa, Okla., Tribune: “Tulsa bootleggers are back. White man good man now. Indian no q u i t PROPER ORDER starting with course (Step) taking an awful beating from one organization in drink firewater. No squaw, no papoose, no come number one and DON’T hurry your feast. Con- this city. Members of the Tulsa chapter of Alcoback. I n d i a n heap sick. Ugh. HOW white man sume the banquet slowly and meditatively, ONE holics Anonymous at a meeting recently estiquit drink firewater? Indian want to q u i t drink COURSE AT A TIME and digest and assimilate mated that when its members quit patronizing firewater, too. How-HOW? WHITE MAN READ them. You will enjoy the banquet more that way bootleggers their combined ‘boycott’ cut bootleg A.A. Tribune. Him d r i n k no firewater. Have and your soul will better assimilate the nourish- income $190,000 a year.” A.A. in Cheyenne too, 27 faces, we gettum round ment contained in the mental food provided by campfire. No firewater. (Signed) Hiawatha.’ ” the spiritual menu.” Syracuse, N. Y., Herald-Journal: “How often have we heard it said that: ‘He is a fine fellow Dubuque Alanews, Dubuque, la.: “From doing Weekly News Letter (Deep East Texas Group) but drinks too much. I can not rely on him.’ stormy penance in the night, to stand still and Nacogdoches, Tex.: “A.A.s (wives, etc.) will “Thousands of valuable employes have lost proud as these; from w a i l i n g litanies of remorse, go directly to Mrs. H’s on North Mound where N— their jobs through drinking because in many to the l i l t i n g lullabies of peace. A l l this in a few of Palestine will lead a free-for-all discussion on cases the employe did not know he was an alcomonths time? It isn’t possible! No, it just isn’t ‘What’s Wrong With MY Husband’ or ‘What a holic and the employer did not realize that his possible. But it happened! These were our Wife Should Do, or Should Not Do, if Anything’, employe was suffering from a disease. Can anythoughts and the thoughts of many another, as we or the ‘Chapter to Wives,’ or ‘What Have They.’ thing be done for the valuable employe whose formed a part of that amazing event at Des (WANTED — two good spies to scout the wife drinking is out of control? Yes, in many cases, Moines. And where is the word to use when any- meeting.) straightening out these men can be accomplished thing impossible becomes a fact? We couldn’t “Let us ponder, the more A.A. (Alcoholics by the employer taking them to ‘task’ and disfind the word, but H.R. did. He knows them all. Anonymous) we get, the more A.A. (Absolute cussing their condition with them as they would When he gazed over the packed auditorium Abstinence) we want.” any other routine business matter. Generally, he turned to the Judge and said: ‘There’s only these employes have a high regard for their posione word to describe this. It’s miraculous.’ ” Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Ia.: tions but being alcoholics and not understanding “Everybody who is alive does five things as long the reason for their obsession, they stumble help- The Thought Starter, Minneapolis, Minn.: Re- as he or she lives. If one thing stops, all things lessly along until it is ‘too late.’ cent issue of this A.A. publication begin with stop and then, brother, you are physically dead, “It is not expected that an employer underinspirational poems, such as the favorite of the just as physically dead as Goering. Everybody stand the problem of alcoholism, he has enough late Dr. George W. Carver, world famed scien- who is alive thinks, breathes, takes nourishment on his bands to run his business, but if employers tist and humanitarian, and then go on to trace (food and liquids, mostly water) sleeps and understand that alcoholism is a disease and a story and to make comments. moves, or has motion . . . Who tells us how to talk to their slipping employees on this basis, Of Dr. Carver’s life the publication says, “It think? Who tells us when we are not thinking many valuable men would be saved to industry.” has been said some people grow under responsi- right? Who formulates our thinking policy? The bility and advancement to positions of authority; answer — nobody, that is nobody but ourselves. Batesville, Ark., Guard: “If we were to be others only swell,” and after a discussion of We take our t h i n k i n g orders from ourselves; how- given the job of selecting the organization in our Dr. Carver’s humility in attributing his accom- ever, we do have a guide to help us with our community which has contributed the most in plishments to God, adds, “true h u m i l i t y is the thinking — the 12 Steps — and we will never get the past year to solving the problems of excessive consciousness of the need of a power greater than far out of line as long as we sincerely try to live drinking, we would unhesitatingly select the local our own and a willingness to let that power con- by those 12 Steps.” chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous. trol our lives. Humility is teachability and an “This group has performed a service that has open mind to the truth.” New Broadcast Series all of the earmarks of modern miracles. In case Described as a survey of the social, medical, after case right here in Batesville we have seen Weekly Bulletin (Top o’ Texas Group) Amar- religious and other aspects of the use of alcohol men lifted from the gutter of habitual drunkenillo, Tex.: “KGNC is running a new 13-week as a beverage, a 13-week “You and Alcohol” ness to places of respectability and constructive program on Alcoholics Anonymous, scheduled series is heard at 6:15 p. m. Tuesdays on WCBS, service in the community. They credit the A.A. at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday nights.” New York, featuring a talk by Dr. E. M. Jel- Program for their salvation and are found hard linek, author of Alcohol Explored and direc- at work in the community helping others who The Aridity Review (Spirit Lake-Milford- tor of alcohol studies at Yale University. need their help.”

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit Matches Reno Hours.— Because Reno is has been swamped with requests for speakers and More Meetings Announced. — Cleveland, a “24-hour town” the new club house on which members have recently discussed A.A. before Ohio — All-Group meetings are being held in the members are working, will be open twenty-four such organizations as the North St. Paul Lions Allerton hotel ball room, East 13th Street and hours a day if necessary. Members of this Nevada club, First Christian church, Young Married Chester at 8:45 Tuesday evenings. These sessions, group will have the use of a library, card room, Couples club of Dayton Presbyterian church, the s u p p l a n t i n g the Sunday consolidated gatherings, club room and coffee bar as counter attractions young married people of Fairmount Methodist are on a three-month t r i a l basis. Various groups to other local activities. Starting with f o u r mem- church and the inmate group at St. Cloud state are sponsoring the meetings w i t h the sponsoring bers last May the membership grew to 19 in July Reformatory. Further acceptance of the effort group supplying four speakers, whose a n o n y m i t y with more than 80 now listed on the books al- was shown when Carl Swanson, director of state is assured. There is no discussion period. Regular though 44 per cent are transient. Some of these institutions told the St. Paul Group that the A.A. weekly meetings Thursday night at 8:30 at St. are new and some were members of other groups philosophy was a thing at which he marvelled Peter Calver’s R.C. Church of Montclair, located in New York, Utah, Arizona, California and and that if it could be made universal this would at 56 Elm wood Avenue, Montclair, N, J., are Connecticut. Inquiries have been received not be a better world. announced by the Essex County Group which only from all parts of Nevada, but from Brook- extends an invitation to all interested. The new lyn, N. Y., Southern California and even Canada A.A. Group in Binghamton, N. Y., known as the as a result of an advertisement in one of the 53 NEW GROUPS Alkanon club, now has club rooms, including a Reno papers. Various members who travel all New groups formed in the m o n t h ending recreation room and meeting hall at 91 State over the state and different parts of California November 9 include: Street, third floor, in Binghamton. visit any one in these vicinities wishing help and ALASKA—Anchorage. extend the usual invitation to any other A.A. CANADA—Nanaimo, B. C. Candles (Only) Lit Up. — Representing members to drop in for a visit. Three new groups, GUAM—Camp Wise. several thousand years of individual sobriety, and one day group are reported at Carson City, MEXICO—Mexico City. more anniversaries are reported to the A.A. Nev., Sparks, Nev. and Herlong, Cal. ALABAMA—Gadsden; Tuscaloosa, Box 304. Grapevine. The 350 A.A.s who attended the sixth Welcome in West.—A.A. Grapevine’s Los ARIZONA—Prescott. anniversary dinner at the San Diego Club, San ARKANSAS—Blytheville, Box 873. Diego, Cal., heard the founder of the Group, a Angeles correspondent writes: “In California CALIFORNIA—Los Angeles (West Jefferson) and friend from Los Angeles and two men who aided where everything is BIG we tried to make our (Studio, Box 22 Pruess Station) ; Olive View; the club in its start. San Diego also reports two welcome for B—national secretary, just that BIG Woodland, Box 761. new Groups, North Park and Down Town Study, . . . Come again, B., and stay longer!” Los FLORIDA—Crestview; Leesburg (Lake Sumpter and a celebration of “Goblin Night” by the Dry Angeles A.A.s also report that although they do County), Box 61. Mates. Changing from the banquets in honor of not believe there are any formal meetings in any GEORGIA—Statesboro, Box 82. one-year members, formerly held twice a year, studios just now, that after 20 weeks of meetings IDAHO—Caldwell; Moscow. The Alano Society of Minneapolis, Minn, gave on the Paramount movie lot the Motion Picture ILLINOIS—Mill Shoals. double significance by combining it with the group met for a while at the Hollywood hotel KENTUCKY—Frankfort, Box 316; Fulton. Founders’ Day Banquet to be held each year. and is now at the Masquers Club, 1765 North MASSACHUSETTS—Boston (South End); Brook- The sixth anniversary dinner was held at the Sycamore, between Hollywood Boulevard and field; Hyde Park; Worcester (No. 2). Nicollet hotel on November 16. Columbus, 0., Franklin on Sunday nights at 8 o’clock. About MICHIGAN—Hastings; Jackson (Prison) ; Mid- Groups gathered on a Sunday afternoon last 150 attended recent sessions of the group which land. month in the grand ballroom of the Neil house is an offshoot of the Brack Shops Group of Los MISSISSIPPI—Mt. Olive. where 750 A.A.s and guests celebrated the fifth Angeles. This correspondent also reports first MISSOURI—Maryville, Box 228; Richmond, Box 1. anniversary. A Columbus member gave a short a move to 730 South Grand where a group was MONTANA—Conrad. history of the founding and growth and then continued for about a year until the building was NEVADA—Carson City, Box 173. introduced a Cleveland doctor who was the printorn down. Meetings are now held Sunday nights NEW JERSEY—Glenridge, Box 254. cipal speaker. Following the meeting there was a at 2200 West Seventh for this latter group. One NEW YORK—New York City (Lennox Hill); social hour and banquet. Guests included invited new group in the Los Angeles area has been Rochester (Saturday Night). members of the clergy, medical profession, j u d i functioning for about six months while another NORTH CAROLINA—Chapel Hill; High Point. ciary, social workers, welfare workers and public is being formed. NORTH DAKOTA—Jamestown. health representatives. The South Bend, Ind., Public Gets Story. — Solid progress in tell- OHIO—Cincinnati (Eastern Hills); Cleveland Tribune devoted more than a column and a half ing the A.A. story to the public in a plan for .(Valley View) ; Columbus (North East) ; to an account of how more than 200 from 10 education is reported by the St. Paul, Minn., Mansfield (Monday N i g h t ) ; Milan. cities gathered there and “gave evidence of the Group which has four members on the mayor’s ( OKLAHOMA.—Norman. miracle which had been performed.” This dinner, committee for the study of alcoholism. The com- OREGON—Astoria; Eugene. the third anniversary, drew representatives from mittee has been placed under the auspices of PENNSYLVANIA—Connellesville; York. South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Laporte, Warthe city Council of Social Agencies, making SOUTH DAKOTA—Huron. saw, Indianapolis and Ft. Wayne, Ind., Benton available to them the use of existing facilities in- TEXAS—Floydada; Lubbock; Slaton. Harbor and Kalamazoo, Mich., and Chicago. The cluding a speakers’ bureau, newspaper space and WEST VIRGINIA—Huntington (Saturday Night), speaker said, “The secret of A.A. is the technique other c o m m u n i t y outlets. The St. Paul Group Box 1261. (Continued on next page)

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of surrender. We surrendered ourselves to vic- Doctors Approve A.A. — Toward gaining tory.” The newspaper concluded the account by support and confidence of physicians in Tarrant listing the postoffice boxes of the groups for county, Texas, a member of the Ft. Worth Group those desiring information. spoke to about 40 doctors in the county medical association in the Texas hotel in Ft. Worth re- Pleasant Growing Pains. — Among the activities of the Memphis, Tenn., Group are the cently. The doctors gave a spontaneous and apappointment of a member as Central Secretary proving reception to the explanation and offered their help in attending patients whenever called and club room director as a full time job in answering inquiries and requests as well as club on. room activities, organization of two small affiliated groups, an A.A. breakfast on the mezzanine Wide Awake at Waco. — A beautiful threeat Britling’s cafeteria on Sunday mornings at story old building, formerly a convent, has been 9:15 and continued growth of the Wednesday leased by the Waco, Tex., group and wives and night question and answer meetings for new members are redecorating the part to be occupied members. One of the two new groups is carrying by A.A. Organized about a year ago, the Group on separate activities under the name of the now numbers about 40 members and includes in Overton Park Group, meeting weekly at the its accomplishments the establishment of a group Overton Park golf club house on Monday nights in the Veterans Hospital nearby. The veterans’ at 8. Memphis A.A.s are happy over being chosen meetings are attended by 15 members regularly hosts to the Southeastern Conference of A.A. at and continuously as patients are entered into and Memphis on October 16, 17 and 18, 1947. released from the hospital. All of these men have been committed for alcoholism. The hospital Plan Vancouver Home. — Plans for a club- psychiatrists determine which are eligible to house for A.A.s in Vancouver, now numbering Near Supply Source. — Since June the enter A.A. meetings in the hospital, based on more than 300, have readied the stage of a draft Omaha, Nebr., Group has had a “skid row” ability to accept A.A. and respond to help offered. proposal in writing, detailing recommendations Group going right across the street from Omaha’s for site, size, management and upkeep, which has famous Hobo Park. For another dramatic touch been circulated with an architect’s drawing for they had an artist make a seven-foot, well dressed, Another Club House. — The Amarillo, Tex., consideration by a committee of the Kerrisdale domino-masked man to peddle a booklet on A.A. Group has acquired a new twelve-room club Group. The proposal is to obtain a clubhouse on in the lobby of theatres showing “March of Time house with approximately four acres of ground. the outskirts of the city, which can also serve as Problem Drinkers” and late showings of “Lost While remodeling is going on for occupation in a “first-aid hostel” for those needing medical Weekend.” About 1,500 pamphlets were put into the near future, offices are maintained in the city care to be provided by physicians included in circulation and phone calls at the club kept mem- auditorium by courtesy of the mayor and city A.A. At present the city’s numerous groups are bers hopping. Then, The A.A. Grapevine corres- officials. Further doings in Amarillo include making shift by using private homes and rented pondent goes on, “outstate members . . . are establishment of study and manual training public halls. With Christmas approaching there organizing their own local groups and this work classes at night in the public schools for A.A. have been extra social events, including a dance needs a hand. Even if all of us didn’t want to members desiring them. In seven or eight months’ given in honor of women who were patient with do 12th Step work, we’d be in it up to the eye- time the group meetings have drawn more than their once-bibulous husbands. brows.” The Group celebrated its fourth annual 80. Fall Festival with a banquet at the Elks club with more than 100 hearing talks by Judge John Double A for Attendance. – A Dallas A.A. Cut This Out and Mail to: Tinley and a member of the Foundation from who celebrated his first birthday recently has at- P. O. Box 328 New York. Present were members from North tended 67 closed A.A. meetings in Dallas and Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. Platte, Grand Island, Blair, Auburn and Fre- 45 in the other cities as follows: Phoenix, Ariz., Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) mont, Nebr., and Council Bluffs, Ia. For more Corpus Christi and Houston, Tex., Hollywood of for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- than two years two members met regularly in Los Angeles, Mayflower of Los Angeles, San vine (monthly). North Platte and remote control members have Francisco, all in California, Portland and Seattle, For additional subscriptions enclose separate been driving the 600-mile round trip to attend Wash., Denver, Colo., Des Moines, la., Omaha, sheet with name and address clearly printed. Omaha meetings. Now they have organized the Neb., Minneapolis, Minn., two groups in Chicago, Checks payable to The. A.A. Grapevine. Western Nebraska Group with 10 members from Buffalo, N. Y., Pittsburgh, Pa., Cleveland, Ohio, North Platte, Kearney and surrounding towns. three groups in New York, Washington, D. C., Total Enclosed At Grand Island a six-man Group was organized Memphis, Tenn., Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo., Renewal? (please check) by an Omaha member. Recently 25 Omaha A.A.s and New Orleans, La. PLEASE PRINT drove to Lincoln to meet with a new group. Just to keep things bubbling more than champagne New Group Grows. —Founded last summer Name at the Alano club, Omaha, an experiment is being by 12 members of the Montpelier A.A. Group, Address made with a set of recordings, 18 sides, which the Windsor, Vt., Group reports a considerable explain basic principles to prospects seeking in- growth from the original 20 with only a few formation during the day when no member is failures. Meetings are held in the members’ Note: Subscriptions received prior to December present. The data recorded is being mimeo- homes and feature a social hour with lunch and 15 will begin with the January issue. graphed in pamphlet form, pocket size, for 12th plenty of coffee. Visitors are promised a pleasant Step purposes. memory.

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VOL. III, NO. 8. JANUARY, 1947. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1947, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved. Yearly subscription $2.50 ($3 outside the United Slates); single copy 25 cents.

Doctor Calls “Slip” More Normal than Alcoholic by Dr. William Duncan Silkworth same idea to extremes in their analyses and treatment of alcoholics. Sometimes they make THE mystery of slips is not so deep as may appear. While it does seem odd that an a complicated mystery of a condition which is -•- alcoholic who has restored himself to a dignified place among his fellow-men, and found in all human beings, whether they drink continued dry for years, should suddenly throw all his happiness overboard and find whiskey or buttermilk. himself again in mortal peril of drowning in liquor—often the reason is very simple. To be sure, alcoholism like every other People are inclined to say: “There is some- (Continued on Page 4) Alcoholic Ills and A. A. thing peculiar about alcoholics. They may seem to be well, yet at any moment they may Compared to Mankind turn back to their old ways. You can never be RUTS ARE MIXED (Editor’s Note—The following is quoted from a talk sure!” delivered by Dr. Ervin Scale of New York City, president of the International New Thought Alliance.) This is largely twaddle. The alcoholic is a IN PHONE CALLS sick person. Under the techniques of Alcoholics I attended a meeting of Alcoholics Anony- Anonymous he gets well, that is to say, his TO A.A. AND AAA mous last Thursday evening. This is a self- disease is arrested. There is nothing unpre- (Editor’s Note—The following trial and tribulation generated group of earnest men and women dictable about him any more than there is any- story is reprinted from a recent issue of the Pittsburgh remaking their lives without any outside aids. [Pa.] Post-Gazette.) thing weird about a person who has arrested Out of great need and often great tragedy they diabetes. Pa Pitt needs a new pair of glasses. have called upon “a Power greater than them- Let’s get it clear, once and for all, that al- When it comes to looking up a number in the selves” and found help. Having first admitted coholics are human beings just like other human telephone book, Pa isn’t on the beam. At least their own helplessness, they have turned to a beings—then we can safeguard ourselves intel- that’s what the Bell Telephone Company and Power that can help. That One Power they ligently against most of the slips. lots of other people say. have experienced first in the sympathetic under- Both in professional and lay circles, there is Take, for example, the first listing in the telestanding and kindly counsel of fellow-sufferers a tendency to label everything that an alcoholic phone directory. For years it was that of the and then in the resurgence of confidence in may do as “alcoholic behavior.” The truth is, AAA — Automobile Association of America. themselves. Sincerity and honesty distinguish it is simply human nature! Now it’s AA—which is short for Alcoholics their procedures. These are not just words with It is very wrong to consider many of the Anonymous. them, but tools to blaze a way and ladders to climb upon. personality traits observed in liquor addicts as Everyone who has followed modern day trends The patterns are not new. Neither the pat- peculiar to the alcoholic. Emotional and men- knows that the A. A.s have saved many a man— tern of the disease nor the pattern of the cure. tal quirks are classified as symptoms of alco- and some girls, too—from being stuck in a rut, For the symptoms of the alcoholic mind are holism merely because alcoholics have them— the kind of rut that people who can’t handle found more or less in everyone— rebellion yet those same quirks can be found among non- alcohol eventually fall into. against the world, selfishness, pride, blaming alcoholics, too. Actually they are symptoms of So what happens? others, refusal to believe that oneself is at fault. mankind! Pa Pitt gets stuck in a rut. Not an alcoholic Only when one has been beaten back enough Of course, the alcoholic himself tends to rut, just a snowdrift. So, confused by the smog, does he acknowledge a higher wisdom than his think of himself as different; someone special, but not the grog, he reaches for a telephone own. Then he surrenders his aims to it and it with unique tendencies and reactions. Many book and calls Linden 1600, in the bemused idea lifts him up. psychiatrists, doctors and therapists carry the (Continued on Page 4)

Patching an Old Coat EDITORIAL: with New Cloth On the 3rd Step . . . . From Manhattan “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as Somewhere in the Bible it says, “A man does we understood Him.” not patch his old coat with new cloth.” Per- When one comes up against this Step, he is likely to ask: What does a decision haps I have not quoted it correctly but that is of this nature entail? Does this mean that forever after I must cut myself off from certainly the general idea. It bears thinking all the things and all of the people I have known? Must I become a hermit? Must about. I lead a purely esthetic life? At first I said to myself, “Why not? Suppose you have to make your old coat do for another The initial reading of the 3rd Step often conjures up in the mind of the new- year? Why not patch it as strongly as possible comer some pretty drab images of a dull and barren life he thinks he is going to have with the best new cloth you can get? You to live. In fact, sometimes the first reaction is, “I’d rather be dead.” can’t go around exposed to the weather, shiver- The reason, of course, is that in the early stages the newcomer has great difficulty ing while you wait for the time you can afford a new one. Yes, patch the old t h i n g up and imagining any kind of life except in a monastery from which d r i n k i n g has been dewrap it around you. it will, at least, cover the leted. Because he has included drinking in so many of his activities he cannot see rags beneath.” how they can be continued without the drinking. When we come into A.A., our lives are just Experience proves that anyone can do virtually anything without liquor that he about that threadbare. We clutch our old did with it. There will be, of course, a number of things which he won’t care to do coats to us, hoping that no one can see through that he formerly did while drinking. But this choice is voluntary. the holes; see the selfish, impoverished little personalities that we are. We have used that Turning “our will and our lives over to God” does not impose severe restraints old cover-up so long that we are afraid to let or require isolation from normal activities. It is not a shrinking process based upon a it drop. At our first meetings we pick up an series of negations and prohibitions. idea here and another one there. Patches. We To the contrary, this is an expansion. The application of the 3rd Step opens up grasp them eagerly and try to incorporate them into the old life. a whole new world of activities which the alcoholic usually has forgotten about or “We are sick people.” All, that’s fine. A good never really knew. Even when measured from a wholly realistic and practical view- dose of meetings and a little 12th Step work. point, the turning of our will and our lives over to a Higher Power unfolds new in- “Don’t take the first drink.” Swell, as far terest, new enjoyment and happiness greater than ever experienced before. as it goes. But many of us hardened sinners No one who has developed an extreme aversion to anything relating even re- have known for years that we were alcoholics and were quite aware of the fact that alcohol motely to “religion” need have any fear that this is an invitation to join a church or in any form was poison to us. Why didn’t participate in any ritual. The careful wording of the Step resolves that obstacle with we stop drinking? Because our personalities the phrase, “to God as we understand him.” were such that we had to have the illusion of Some may not “understand” Him when inside a church. Some may find it easier warmth that we got from it. We had to feel to direct thoughts in this direction while shaving in the morning or after retiring at that we were really remarkable people. night, or at some other time in some other place. That is their privilege, and it is one We are not remarkable people. We are, most of us, rather mediocre individuals who couldn’t of the key principles of A.A. bear the hard work and sustained effort that it The decision is one exercise of the privilege. We make it with a free will. We would have taken to lift us above this level; flashdo it voluntarily. And we find that we have much greater freedom than we ever had in-the-pan people, who achieved a small success before. Where previously we could do very few things without the up-propping of early in l i f e and have lived on the memory of liquor, we now find that we can do all of those things and many others, without it. We it ever since. learn that we have added to, not subtracted from, our lives infinitely by making this Throw the old coat away. Patches won’t do. We must accept the whole A.A. program, from decision. the 1st Step through the 12th. We must make Of course, at the point of development at which we usually take up this Step, our moral inventory realistically, from the considerable courage is required to make the decision. A look around at others who point of view that, on entering A.A., we were have taken the step helps. Are they hermits? The fact is that anyone who is oper- failures in life and were regarded as such in ating on a negative basis and who has surrounded his life with a chain of “don’ts” all eyes but our own. has miscued somewhere. Proper application of the 3rd Step is a wholly constructive Our new coat may have to be a very plain one. Our new life will perhaps be quite prosaic and positive evolution to which “do” rather than “don’t” is the key. It is a things towards and humdrum. Well, so be it. It will be far greater strength, greater safety and greater opportunity than can ever be experienced in better, far more satisfying to ourselves and a prohibitive and limiting theory of life. those who depend on us than those sleazy old This Step is a key that opens—not closes—the door to a rich and virile and happy rags of remembered glamour that we hugged life.—T.Y., Greenwich Village, N. Y. about us for so long.—M.N.

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Will A.A. Ever Have a Personal Government? by Bill f o u n d a t i o n for a happier and more effective mured, “And just who does this dictator think group life. he is?” If I sharply criticized, I usually got The answer to this question is almost surely double criticism on the return bounce. Personal Nowhere in A.A. is there to be seen any con- “no.” That is the clear verdict of our ex- power always failed. I can see my older A.A. stituted h u m a n authority that can compel an perience. A.A. group to do a n y t h i n g . Some A.A. groups, friends smiling. They are recalling those times To begin with, each A.A. has been an indi- when they, too, felt a mighty call to “save the’ for example, elect their leaders. But even with vidual who, because of his alcoholism, could A.A. movement” from something or other. But such a mandate each leader soon discovers that seldom govern himself. Nor could any other their days of playing “Pharisee” are now over. while he can always guide by example or perhuman being govern the alcoholic’s obsession So those little maxims, “Easy does it”—”Live suasion he can never boss, else at election time to drink, his drive to have things his own way. and let live” have come to be deeply meaninghe may find himself passed by. Time out of mind, families, friends, employers, ful and significant to them and to me. In such doctors, clergymen, and judges have tried their No Place for Dictators! fashion each of us learns that, in A.A., one can hand at disciplining alcoholics. Almost without be a servant only. exception the failure to accomplish anything by The majority of A.A. groups do not even choose leaders. They prefer rotating commit- Here at the Central Office we have long known coercion has been complete. Yet we alcoholics that we can merely supply certain indispensable can be led, we can be inspired, coming into A.A. tees to handle their simple affairs. These committees are invariably regarded as servants— services. We can supply information and literwe can, and we gladly do, yield to the will of ature; we can usually tell how the majority of God. Hence it is not strange that the only real they have only the authorization to serve, never to command. Each committee carries out what A.A.s feel about our current problems; we can a u t h o r i t y to be found in A.A. is that of Spiritual assist new groups to start, giving advice if Principle. It is never personal authority. it believes to be the wishes of its group. That is a l l . Though A.A. committees used to try to asked; we can look after the overall A.A. public Our unreasonable individualism (egocentric- relations, we can sometimes mediate difficulties. ity if you like) was, of course, the main reason discipline wayward members, though they have sometimes composed minute rules and regula- Similarly, the editors of our monthly journal, we all failed in life and betook ourselves to The A.A. Grapevine, believe themselves simply alcohol. When we couldn’t coerce others into tions and now and then have set themselves up as judges of other people’s personal morals, I a mirror of current A.A. life and thought. Servconformity with our own plans and desires, we ing purely as such, they cannot rule or propadrank. When others tried to coerce us, we also know of no case where any of these seemingly worthy strivings had any lasting effect—except, gandize. So, also, the Trustees of the Alcoholic drank. Though now sober, we still have a strong Foundation (our A.A. general service commithangover of these early trails which caused us perhaps, the election of a brand new committee! tee) know themselves to be simple custodians, to resist authority. Therein probably hangs a Surely I can make these assertions with the custodians who guarantee the effectiveness of clue to our lack of personal government in A.A.: greatest of confidence. For in my own turn I, the A.A. Central Office and The A.A. Grapevine; no fees, no dues, no rules and regulations, no too, have tried a hand at governing A.A. Each and who are the repository of our general funds demand that alcoholics conform to A.A. princi- time I have strenuously tried it I have been and traditions—caretakers only. ples, no one set in personal authority over any- shouted down; so loudly, in fact, that on several one else. Though no sterling virtue, our aver- occasions it looked as though I was due for Service Center Only sion to obedience does pretty well guarantee us swift and certain excommunication! It is most clearly apparent that, even here at freedom from personal domination of any kind. Sitting at a desk in our Central Office I often the very center of A.A., there can only exist a watch the incoming floods of personal, group center of service—custodians, editors, secretaries Follow Program by Choice and intergroup problems as they flow in. The and the like—each, to be sure, with a special Still, it is a fact that most of us do follow, in tide has been rising so fast of late that each vital function, but none of them with any auour personal lives, the “12 Suggested Steps to morning’s mail brings us an avalanche invari- thority to govern Alcoholics Anonymous. Recovery.” But we do this from choice. We ably containing at least one very critical prob- That such centers of service, international, prefer recovery to death. Then, little by little, lem from some place or other in the world. The national, metropolitan area or local, will be sufwe perceive that the spiritual basis of l i f e is the A.A. Central Office has become a hot spot; so ficient for the future, I can have no doubt. So best. We conform because we want to. hot, indeed, that a “crisis” a day is getting to long as we avoid any menacing accumulation of Likewise, most A.A. groups become w i l l i n g to be routine. wealth or the growth of personal government at follow the “Twelve Points of Tradition to As- Once upon a time my temptation was to take these centers, we cannot go astray. While wealth sure Our Future.” The groups are w i l l i n g to a strong position on every one of these prob- and authority lie at the foundation of many a avoid controversy over outside issues such as lems, to exert every bit of pressure and author- noble institution, we of A.A. now apprehend, politics, reform or religion; they stick to their ity that I could bring to bear, to write hot let- and thoroughly well, that these things are not single purpose of helping alcoholics to recover; ters telling erring groups or individuals where for us. Have we not found that one man’s meat they increasingly rely on self support rather to head in. At such moments, I used to be con- is often another man’s poison? than outside charity. More and more do they vinced that A.A. needed a strong personal gov- Shall we not do well, if instead, we can cling insist on modesty and anonymity in their public ernment—someone, for example, like myself! in some part to the brotherly ideals of the early relations. The A.A. groups follow these other After struggling a few years to run the A.A. Francescans? Let all of us A.A.s, whether traditional principles for the very same reason movement I had to give it up—it simply didn’t we be trustees, editors, secretaries, janitors or that the i n d i v i d u a l A.A. follows the “12 Steps work. Heavy handed assertion of my personal cooks—or just members—ever recall the unto Recovery.” Groups see they would disinte- a u t h o r i t y always created confusion and resist- importance of wealth and authority as compared grate if they didn’t and they soon discover that ance. If I look sides in a controversy, I was with the vast import of our brotherhood, love adherence to our tradition and experience is the joyfully quoted by some, while others mur- and service.

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“Natural” Tendencies Slips Called ‘Human’ (Continued from Page I) Oftimes Damaging disease does manifest itself in some unique ways. It does have a number of baffling peculiarities From Piedmont, Alabama which differ from a l l other diseases. At The same time, many of the symptoms and much When we have reached that stage in our lives of the behavior of alcoholism are closely paralwhen excessive uncontrolled drinking is a recogleled and even duplicated in other diseases. nized admitted problem with us, we are then at The alcoholic “slip,” as it is known in Althe cross-roads, the turning point. We have coholics Anonymous, furnishes a perfect exreached a crisis. ample of how h u m a n nature can be mistaken Let’s Not Fight Recovery for alcoholic behavior. The “slip” is a relapse! it is a relapse that The methods we may use, the attitude we adopt, occurs after the alcoholic has stopped drinking the efforts we may employ are no less important and started on the A.A. program of recovery. than the decision we have made to eliminate our “Slips” usually occur in the early stages of the drinking problem. We suffered a great deal and alcoholic’s A.A. indoctrination, before he has caused a great deal of suffering. We wasted a had time to learn enough of the A.A. technique great many precious years before we were beat and A.A. philosophy to give him solid footing. down to our knees. We took a terrible beating before recognizing and admitting we couldn’t Ruts Mixed But “slips” may also occur after an alcoholic has been a member of A.A. for many months, continue drinking. My sole purpose in mention- (Continued from Page 1) or even several years, and it is in this kind, ing these things is to caution against letting the that he is calling the three A’s, which is the above all, that one finds a marked similarity same forces within us continue to dominate, pre- second listing in the phone book, Montrose 6100. between the alcoholic’s behavior and “normal” vent or confuse us in our efforts to correct our Naturally, Pa tells the pleasant voice on the victims of other diseases. lives as these same forces did in causing years other end of the line that he’s in trouble. That’s No one is startled by the fact that relapses of delay before we finally admitted we couldn’t right up the alley for the Alcoholics Anonymous. are not uncommon among arrested tubercular drink. We can’t waste much more time. We have “I’m in a rut,” says Pa. “Can you drag me patients. But here is a startling fact—the been foolish in fighting liquor. Let’s not be so out?'” cause is often the same as the cause which leads foolish in fighting recovery. “Of course,” say the A.A.s “Stay right where to “slips” for the alcoholic. It happens this We will find the task ahead of us less difficult, you are and we’ll send someone out. But don’t way: less unpleasant and more quickly accomplished take another drink whatever you do.” When a tubercular patient recovers sufficiently if we can convince ourselves that our way of Pa gasps and explains that it is a snowdrift to be released from the sanitarium, the doctor thinking, our convictions, our opinions, our ideals he’s caught in. gives him careful directions for the way he is —the same ones that governed us during all our On the other hand, the AAA’s get similar calls. to live when he gets home. He must be in bed drinking years may also be inadequate for the “Listen, chum,” says an inebriated man. “I’m every night by, say, 8 o’clock. He must drink job of staying sober. right down in the gutter and I need help.” plenty of milk. He must refrain from smoking. You know the answer to that one. The three He must obey other stringent rules. How Good Are They? A’s go out with tow chains. For the first several months, perhaps for It was our “natural” tendencies, our “natural” Not only that, but there is an eye, ear and several years the patient follows directions. But characteristics, “natural” opinions, convictions nose specialist who has the misfortune to have as his strength increases and he feels f u l l y reand ideals that caused us to drink and they also the same number in a different exchange. The covered, he becomes slack. There may come prevented us from controlling our drinking. two A’s and The three A’s get calls from people the night when he decides he can stay up u n t i l These “naturals” prevented our reaching the who frantically beg for a doctor. 10 p.m. When be does this, nothing untoward decision to do something about our drinking Just to make things more confusing, there is happens. The next day he still feels good, he until we had beat our heads against a wall for a Bellevue market with the telephone number does it again. Soon he is disregarding the years and years. This would rather discredit of Linden 6100. The A.A.s, before they can directions given him when he left the sanicertain of our characteristics that we like to stop the callers, get orders for one dozen eggs, tarium. Eventually he has a relapse! defend and call “natural” and “normal.” We a box of cereal and two cans of condensed milk. The same tragedy can be found in cardiac defend them because we have had them all our The good housewives are horrified when they cases. A f t e r the heart attack, the patient is lives — they are a part of us. Yes, they are a find they are talking to an organization designed put on a strict rest schedule. Frightened, he part of us and just as natural and normal as a to help the tipplers. naturally follows directions obediently for a deformed or twisted arm or leg. The eye, ear and nose specialist also gets calls long time. He, too, goes to bed early, avoids We should question and ultimately realize that from people who want to rent or buy houses exercise such as walking up stairs, quits smokcertain of our life-long traits are abnormal, un- who believe they are calling the same number ing and leads a Spartan life. Eventually, though, suited and out of place. It was because of them in a third exchange. That belongs to a Mt. there comes a day after he has been feeling that we were prevented from living more con- Lebanon real estate company. He is also routed good for months, or several years, when he tented, happy and satisfactory lives. This would out of bed in the middle of the night by folks feels he has regained his strength and has also be true even though we never drank or had man- who think they are calling the Dormont police recovered from his fright. If the elevator is aged through sheer determination to remain sober station. out of repair one day, he walks up the three for long intervals. Surely we have cried, “Why The telephone company says Pa ought to get flights of stairs. Or, he decides to go to a (Continued on Page 8) some new bifocals. It could be. party—or do just a little smoking—or take a

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cocktail or two. If no serious after-effects follow the first departure from the rigorous schedule prescribed he may try it again, until he suffers a relapse. The Pleasures of Reading In both cardiac and the tubercular cases, the Stendhal or The Pursuit of Happiness acts which led to the relapses were preceded by by Matthew Josephson (Doubleday & Company, Inc., $4) wrong thinking. The patient in each case rationalized himself out of a sense of his own Henri Beyle, a French writer who took many pen names, made one pseudonym famous: Stendhal. Though he was jeered at in his own times, he is famous now for his b r i l l i a n t charperilous reality. He deliberately turned away from this knowledge of the fact he had been acter analyses, and is regarded as a pivotal figure in the world’s literature. A passionate, willy, the victim of a serious disease. He grew over- and adventurous Frenchman, he crowned his madcap career with two immortal novels, The Red confident. He decided he didn’t have to follow & the Black (1830), and The Charterhouse of Parma (1839). It was not until long after his directions. death, as he himself had predicted, that the literary world awakened to his true significance. It almost seems as if his writings were directed to the troubled times of our own century, yet he Now that is precisely what happens with the was born at Grenoble, in southeastern France, on January 23, 1783, during the later years of alcoholic—the arrested alcoholic, or the alco- Louis XVI’s reign. If any single adjective could describe his brilliant writing, it would be modern. holic in A.A.—who has a “slip.” Obviously he decides again to take a drink sometime before As a child he developed an abnormal sensitivity, and a tendency to morbid introspection in he actually takes it. He starts thinking wrong trying to escape from his narrow, provincial environment. A clever schoolboy, he was sent to before he actually embarks on the course that Paris in 1790; there he lived with the Darus, distant relatives who hitched their wagon early leads to a “slip.” to Bonaparte’s star. Young Beyle obtained a post in the ministry of war, then became a sub- There is no more reason to charge the “slip” altern of dragoons in Napoleon’s army of Italy. He received his baptism of fire in the Alps, to alcoholic behavior than there is to lay a witnessed the battle of Marengo, then rose to be an adjutant to General Midland. tubercular relapse to tubercular behavior or a Q u i t t i n g the army to be near an actress-mistress, he tried to be a business man at Marseilles, second heart attack to cardiac behavior. but Napoleon then was his god, and Italy his adopted country. He undertook a career as a The alcoholic “slip” is not a symptom of a soldier-diplomat under the new French empire from 1806 to 1814, pursuing various occupations psychotic condition. There’s nothing “screwy” and adventures in France, Germany, and elsewhere. He proved his fine courage during the about it at all. The patient simply didn’t fol- disastrous Napoleonic invasion of Russia in 1812. low directions. After the emperor’s first downfall, in 1814, Beyle returned to Italy. He was a conspicuous And that’s human nature! It’s life! It’s figure in Milan, and his close association with such eminent authors and radical politicians as happening all the. time, not merely among al- Manzoni, Monti, and Silvio Pellico made him politically suspect to Metternich’s police spies. coholics but among all hinds of people. Stendhal, as he now often was called, perforce fled to Paris in 1821. He was renowned for his The preventative is plain. The patient must wit in the Parisian literary salons. From 1831 to 1841 be served as French consul at a small have full knowledge of his condition, keep in Italian seaport, Civita Vecchia, a boring experience to a man of Stendhal’s energy and intellect. mind the facts of his case and the nature of his He returned to Paris and died there of apoplexy on March 22, 1842. disease and follow directions. For the alcoholic, A.A. offers the directions. This Mephistophelian giant of nineteenth century letters, who was both an incorrigible A vital factor, or ingredient, of the preventative, romantic and a profound searcher of men’s souls, was a writer of great power and originality especially for the alcoholic, is sustained emo- who exerted a marked influence on later novelists of the naturalistic school. In the age of tion. The alcoholic who learns some of the Chateaubriand, Stendhal sympathized with the earlier Voltaire and in the day of the romantic technique or the mechanics of A.A. but misses carnival he was practicing the reckless dissection of character which marks the works of Taine the philosophy or the spirit may get tired of and Bourget. The distinguishing feature of his works was the application of acutely analytical following directions—not because he is alco- faculties to sentiment in all its manifold varieties. holic but because he is human. Rules and Of Stendhal’s novels, the Charterhouse of Parma, notable for its account of the battle of regulations irk almost anyone, because they are, Waterloo, and The Red & the Black generally are regarded as his most important fiction, and restraining, prohibitive, negative. The philoso- are seen to have paved the way for the French psychologists of our own time. His best work, phy of A.A., however, is positive and provides however, may be his acute and cynical analysis On Love, which fell flat at the time of publicaample sustained emotion—a sustained desire to tion (1822), with only seventeen copies selling in eleven years, though regarded a century later follow directions voluntarily. as unsurpassed of its kind. In any event, the psychology of the alcoholic Racine & Shakespeare (1823) is a defense of romanticism, while the fragmentary postis not as different as some people try to make humous Life of Napoleon (1876) is less original in style than might have been expected, mingling it. The disease has certain physical differences, history with legend and gossip. yes, and the alcoholic has problems peculiar to Stendhal’s novels are realistic studies of social types of energy and passion. He analyzes him, perhaps, in that he has been put on the the forms of restlessness into which the fall of Napoleon had thrown a generation trained to a defensive and consequently has developed life filled with emotion. His great creation is Julien Sorel, the criminal hero of The Red & the nervous frustrations. But, in many instances, Black, whose career was founded upon fact. This psychological novel tells the story of a brilthere is no more reason to be t a l k i n g about liant, ambitious, and unscrupulous young man whose breviary was hypocrisy. The Charter- “the alcoholic mind” than there is to try to house of Parma, with its highly romantic plot and exciting picture of Italian court intrigue, was describe something called “the cardiac mind” Stendhal’s first popular work. His later writings include a fourth novel, Lucien Leuwen (his or “the t.b. mind.” first was Armance, 1827), Souvenirs d’Egotisme and Journal d’Italie, all published posthumously. I think we’ll help the alcoholic more if we can first recognize that he is primarily a human Stendhal has become a figure of increasing importance in French literature, and his appeal being—afflicted w i t h human nature! (Continued on Page 7)

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A.A. Digest—Excerpts from Group Publications Weekly Aridity Review. Spirit Lake-Milford- Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio: The early barracks at Fort Jay, four vets in our group Spencer, Ia.: “Yes, you CAN stay dry without pioneers have earned our everlasting gratitude (A.A. Seamen’s club) went over. They had an a t t e n d i n g your group meetings. It has been for the adherence to the high standards set by audience of about 50—reception reserved at done and lots of guys will do it again but be- Bill and Co. ‘Just think,’ one of our members first but interested and enthusiastic at end. lieve us it is not only the HARD way, it is said, ‘how long would this have lasted had B i l l Pamphlets snapped up. Major Nobile keenly the U N F A I R way. Did that ever strike you and Doc lowered their standards a l i t t l e and interested and w a n t s more. May form a new guys? Some guys accept A.A.; get what they permitted one binge a year? A program l i k e group there. Bacon and eggs, cake and coffee want (sobriety and its manifold benefits) and this would certainly s t i l l have been better than served. Second meeting had about 60 men presthen say to themselves, ‘Well, I’ve got it now. either of their records had shown before!’ ent. Very great interest shown. Weekly meet- My troubles are over. I’ve got straightened out “Yes, fortunately for us they set their stand- ings to be held there on Wednesday and we look and I don’t need those meetings. Better I ards high, and the entire philosophy has perme- forward to big doings.” should stay home and read, or listen to the ated into 30,000 families, probably, affecting radio, or go out to a show.’ the lives of from four to five times that many The Brighter Side., Waterloo, Ia.: “The word- “That guy’s t h i n k i n g may be all right for people. Just getting sober wasn’t the answer. ing of the 2nd Step suggests to me a gradual h i m (though we doubt it) but even if he does All of us had gotten sober by ourselves many, b u i l d i n g up of the belief in God. True, some stay dry himself he has revealed a selfishness many times—and got drunk again. It was the experienced a spiritual awakening right at the which in itself, is a 100 to I shot to upset him application and absorption of each of the ever- start; others, by keeping an open mind, an in the long run. important 12 Steps that changed our decadent honest desire to l i v e a normal life, plus a wil- “May we humbly submit that the guy who lives into purposeful ones.” lingness to grow along s p i r i t u a l lines now find stays away from meetings simply because HE t h e y possess an absolute belief in the power of no longer needs them is shirking a solemn obli- Rope Yarns, New York, N. Y.: “At the request God to enable them to live a happy normal life.” gation inherent in A.A. doctrine. It is the of Major Nobile, commandant of the detention duty of those of us who have enjoyed the bene- Blue Monday, Wooster, Ohio: “How far out fits and blessings of A.A. to pass them on. It can you reach? With your arm, perhaps not is not only our duty but, strangely enough, we more than a yard or so w i t h o u t moving your must pass them on or we lose them ourselves.” feet. How f a r can you reach with your per- * * * sonal influence? Probably as far as your acquaintance goes, for only a limited number Dubuque Alanews, Dubuque, Ia.: of people can make use of various means of “Tabloid biographical sketch— From The Brighter Side, Waterloo, Iowa: A communication without being personally pres- High chair Scotchman walked up to a friend at the bar and ent. How far out can you reach in Alcoholics High school began telling him about a h u n t i n g trip. “We Anonymous? The answer here is up to you. High position shot a couple of bears,” be said, “but the big- If you wish you may reach i n t o the heart of High hat gest thrill was tracking yuers.” every member in your group, other cities in High balls “What’s yuers?” asked the friend. the state or f a r t h e r . A l l you have to do is throw High jinks “I’ll have a beer, thanks,” replied the Scotch- your whole l i f e into the work of Alcoholics Hi, warden!” man. Anonymous. Work your Steps, help the other Just as they reached the bottom of their alcoholics, love God and your neighbor as you glasses, the friend said, “Well, I’ll have to be ought. How far do YOU reach?” going. Got to do my chores.” New Yale Study Includes “What chores?” asked the Scotchman. The Mixer, Vancouver, B.C.: “‘Steps’ is a “Beer, please,” said the other. good word. It implies climbing, advancement, Data from Questionnaire * * * growth, progression. The s p i r i t u a l steps begin Hillhouse Press (432 Temple Street, New Wife (to drunken husband) : “I suppose you with an intellectual conviction; that there is a Haven 11, Conn.) announces the publication of expect me to believe that you came right from Power able to do for us what we found we Phases in the Drinking History of Alcoholics by the office?” could not do for ourselves. From an intellec- Professor E. M. Jellinek of Yale University. Husband: “Sure did ( h i e ) , straight as the tual conviction, they go on to an act of w i l l ; This work, constituting Memoir No. 5 in a series crow flies.” we made a decision to t u r n our w i l l and lives of reports of studies conducted by the Section Wife: “Oh, I see. Stopping frequently for a over to His care.” of Studies on Alcohol of the Yale University little corn.” * * * Laboratory of Applied Physiology, presents the analysis of a questionnaire survey conducted OVERHEARD: A. A., SIR! . . . among members of Alcoholics Anonymous by “He can still get his humility in the eye of A r t h u r Godfrey of CBS told of the drunk reeltheir own official organ, The A. A. Grapevine. THAT needle and leave plenty of room for the ing up the street saying. “Shay, can you direct Professor Jellinek, the author, is a leading au- camel.” me to the Alcoholics Shanonymous?” thority’ in scientific research on alcoholism and * * * “What’s the matter?” asked a h e l p f u l one. director of the School of Alcohol Studies at Overheard at the Stork: “She drinks so much “Do you w a n t to join?” Yale. even Alcoholics Anonymous turned her down.” “No.” said the drunk. “I want to resign.”

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San Quentin, Cal., News (California State Prison) : “Modern penal advancements have brought recognition of alcoholism in its true light us a sickness or an element of sickness. A complete cure in all cases rests beyond the boundaries of science and yet, paradoxically, the base of the cure is known. It lies in the i n d i v i d u a l himself. “San Quentin has taken definite strides toward a i d i n g the alcoholically afflicted through a more sympathetic approach to them, understanding and a genuine desire to help them. The ins t i t u t i o n ‘ s program begins when a man enters the Guidance Center, continues d u r i n g his period in San Quentin through the psychiatric department and other media, and is extended to the period of parole through the parole authorities. “An important contribution in the fight on alcoholism in the battle of man to help man, is made by the inmates themselves through the f e l l o w s h i p of Alcoholics Anonymous. Here a man can get help from others who, too, are s t r i v i n g to become well. “Alcoholics Anonymous may not be the sole Pleasures of Reading NEW GROUPS INCLUDE answer, either in San Quentin or on the outside, (Continued from Page 5) to The modern reader undoubtedly is stronger ONE IN DUBLIN but through its efforts a man in prison finds the things he needs most: understanding and friend- than it ever was to his contemporaries. A close New groups listed with the Central Office ship and most of the answers to ‘Why?’ ” analyst of emotions, thoughts, and motives he from November 10 to December 10 include: was one of the earliest and most successful of ARKANSAS: St. Paul. A t l a n t i c City, N. J., Press: “Alcoholics French psychological novelists, and his influence CALIFORNIA: Eldorado C i t y ; North San Diego Anonymous are starting their fine work right in this field has been powerful. He may be re- County Group; North Long Beach, Box 546. here in A t l a n t i c C i t y . This comes to me in the garded as the creator of that modern novel of FLORIDA: Friendship Group, Box 2522, Station form of a letter from a member of that u n i q u e psychological analysis which Bourget and d’An- A, Jacksonville. and commendable organization.” nunzio did so much to popularize. The influence IDAHO: Lewiston, Box 346. of Stendhal, with his analytical methods, has ILLINOIS: Paxton; Danville. Montpelier, Vt., Argus: “We refer to the been paramount on the psychologists and the I N D I A N A : Warsaw Group No. 2; Plymouth. state institute for the study of alcohol and al- disciples of Maurice Barres (in his first manner) IOWA: Newton. coholics which is to meet here under the spon- and of Andre Gide. He also influenced Dostoiev- MASSACHUSETTS: Attleboro; Arlington, Men’s sorship of a Vermont committee composed of sky and Tolstoy, and is the spiritual father of Group; Newburyport, Box 165. state officials dealing w i t h health, public wel- Marcel Proust. MICHIGAN: Caseville; Eastminster, (Detroit). fare, educational and l i q u o r problems and rep- Stendhal’s characters are so completely moti- MINNESOTA: Hastings. resentatives of the clergy and Alcoholics vated, the springs of their action so wholly re- MISSISSIPPI: Lucedale, Box 281. Anonymous. vealed, that some critics have found them unreal, NEW H A M P S H I R E : Twin State Group, Lyme, “It is a p p r o p r i a t e that such an i n s t i t u t e should and call them mere puppets. Beyond cavil, Sten- Box 102. be held in this state at this time when the gen- dhal was a master story – teller, and his fertile NEW JERSEY: Essex County Group No. 2; eral realization is spreading that alcoholism is i m a g i n a t i o n could take flights of fancy surpass- Bridgeton. p r i m a r i l y an illness and not necessarily a sin— ing even those of the elder Dumas, for Beyle, NEW MEXICO: Roswell. a weakness—and not a crime. the master, of them all, was both a realist and a NEW YORK : Cuba, Box 72. “Probably no two groups have made the na- romanticist; in fact, he defies rigid classifica- NORTH CAROLINA : Hickory. t i o n so aware of this fact as have the Yale tion. His style is in The best French tradition O K L A H O M A : Cherokee; Blackwell; Cordell. School for Alcohol Studies and Alcoholics —fastidious, concise, and sensitive to every OHIO: Marysville; East Liverpool; Freeman Anonymous and that they are p a r t i c i p a t i n g is demand. Group, Cincinnati. evidence that experts in the new t r e a t m e n t of Mr. Josephson’s elegant biography makes PENNSYLVANIA: Burnham. alcoholism w i l l be on hand to demonstrate the Stendhal’s l i f e b r i l l i a n t , paradoxical, charming, TENNESSEE: Athens. revised altitude toward and treatment of the and defiant—as adventurous and passionate as TEXAS: Abilene; Pass City Group, Box 1752; problem, the solution of which is of such vital the tangled lives of his own elusive heroes in Permian Basin. import to The physical and social welfare of t h e i r quests for happiness.—R.E.B., Greenwich VIRGINIA: Danville. the nation.” Village., N. Y. IRELAND: Dublin.

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WHAT’S YOUR SCORE? “Natural” Tendencies Members of the Portland, Ore., Group make wide use of a personal inventory chart. New- (Continued from Page 4) comers find it particularly helpful when starling out on the Program of Recovery, and older members continue to check themselves by it at frequent intervals. (to I d r i n k as I do?” “Why can’t I live like other The inventory contains 20 questions. You can give yourself from one to five points on each. people?” There must be a very powerful cause A t o t a l score of less than 50 is regarded as poor; 50 to 60 fair; 60 to 65 low average; 65 to 70 behind it or else we would not have v i r t u a l l y high average; 70 to 80 excellent; over 80 “impossible in this world.” wrecked our lives against our will. Shouldn’t we This is the score card as sent in by Leo C.: abandon our cherished phrase — “nothing is wrong with us other than that we just d r i n k too much?” KEEP THIS AND CHECK YOUR GRADE EACH MONTH Why have we avoided looking for the real cause of our trouble? Could it be that we suspect Has my past been a mess and am I EARNESTLY DETERMINED TO ESTAB- that the characteristics we should question and LISH A BETTER WAY OF LIFE, and am I w i l l i n g to make the effort? work on are the very ones we never wanted to Do I admit BEYOND ANY DOUBT that I am powerless over alcohol— that admit and never wanted to do a n y t h i n g about? if I use it, it will destroy me? We give ourselves away in this by our display of defiance, i r r i t a t i o n or outright anger when Do I sincerely believe that there is a power greater than myself in which I WILL the discussion gets too close to home. PUT MY TRUST regardless of what happens? We, who have succeeded in breaking down our Do I realize the importance of talking A.A. and attending all A.A. MEETINGS defenses and eliminated our resistance and have POSSIBLE, or do I hedge and make excuses? become honest with ourselves, are equipped to acquire a philosophy that is far superior to our Am I really willing to MAKE RETRIBUTION where possible to those I have old distorted, maladjusted, unpleasant and harmed, or am I just kidding? twisted sense of values, basis of opinion, con- Do I SINCERELY OBSERVE daily moments of constructive meditation, think- ceptions and ideals. ing of my humility and desire to understand? I think I have an understanding of those who have yet to find means of accepting what science Am I TRULY HONEST with others, or will I chisel if I get a chance? through medicine has proven and knows about Am I PATIENT in waiting for the rewards of my efforts? us. I think I have some understanding of those who haven’t succeeded in breaking down their Am I FRIENDLY and do I TRY TO OVERLOOK the shortcomings of others, defenses and opened their minds and accepted regardless of who they are? the possibility that there is a philosophy that Am I tolerant—do I show consideration for those whose beliefs, practices, or is far more satisfactory to live with than the habits differ from my own? cherished, protected, impossible, unsuited and often distorted convictions, ideals and opinions Am I a gossip—do I repeal rumors or chatter about other people’s affairs?. . . we have held onto for so many years. I think I Am I GRATEFUL for ALL HELPFUL THINGS and DO I SAY SO? have an understanding because I have been through it all and not in the too distant past. Do I have REAL COURAGE and am I FREE FROM FEAR OF ALL KINDS? Many who come into A.A. are indeed fortunate Do I really have CONFIDENCE IN MYSELF and others, or am I filled with in that the needed changes seem to take place doubt and suspicion ? immediately and without apparent effort. But Do I cooperate with others and HELP PROMOTE constructive ideas? . . . . . . what of the others who have reached a crisis and want to do something about their drinking prob- Do I practice SELF-CONTROL and really forget and forgive differences? … lem and fail to get on the program and have Am I neat in my appearance, and do I keep as clean as I can under the circum- repeated relapses? Is it that they haven’t reached stances, both in body and mind? the full crisis in that they will not let down their defenses and resistance? Clearly the extent of Am I extending any effort to help others with their problems? their maladjustment is more pronounced. It is Do I realize that my problem is NOT MONEY, but mental and physical? . . . displayed in the degree of the development of their omnipotence. This often is the stumbling Am I making any reasonable effort to OVERCOME any other undesirable hab- block that prevents recognizing and accepting its or CHARACTERISTICS I may possess? their unsuited, out-of-place characteristics. This Total is not a chosen altitude. None of us would willingly prevent our own enlightment. I think I have found the means that enabled E.l.B. of Binghamton, N. Y., suggests that A recent issue of the Topeka State Journal me to overcome these life-long barriers. Others one way to avert cockiness would be to apply too, I think, may find the same means when they carried an ad for A.A. and this was followed the old Albanian proverb which goes: attempt, through practice, to have a true under- DO NOT MEASURE YOUR IMPORTANCE directly by one which read: “Wanted, Empty standing of the real difference between “being BY YOUR MORNING SHADOW Bottles. Topeka Pure Water Co.” pleasant” and “giving pleasure.”— Waller N. W.

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Mail Call for All A. A.s at Home or Abroad with no f u r t h e r advice or treatment after release. News from the Canal Zone They are lucky if a doctor will even speak to From Panama them, in such low regard are we held in the medical community. Hans left at four this morning for Colombia The documentary film, “Problem Drinkers” so you may be hearing something when he gets is now being screened in Sydney and all mem- back to the States before Christmas. He spent bers are making it their business to see it. Public a week in Panama. Got all the news of A.A. reaction seemed good, although some sniggers from him, and we went to a meeting here Friand wise cracks were heard. day night. When I left town in August there It is our intention soon to hold a dinner to were six of us. In the four months since, the celebrate the two years we have been in existence number has increased to 19 and we are looking Wives Need Understanding here. We also plan to have a telephone put for quarters. So far there have been only ininto our club rooms after a long wait due to formal gatherings at members’ homes. Now we From Omaha, Nebraska must have a place of our own. There is a lot the war,—Rex A. In reading the A.A. Grapevine for November, of interest, but without a definite location, the article by M.N. of Chicago is so right, but A Flier Lands phone, and someone to take care of inquiries I could not help wondering if maybe the reason we miss a lot of people. One of the members From Fort Knox, Ky. has so far handled calls and correspondence the “inexorable laws of nature” are set aside is because the truth is that alcoholics are more It was an unexpected pleasure to receive your from her home, but it is getting too big now. sinned against than sinning. If they are sick very nice letter. I suppose the explanation as It is a fine group here. I don’t get to town men—why would any just God punish them? to why I finally joined A.A. is now in order, so often, but when I do I always look them up. But let us, too, try to understand the wife. here goes. My gluttering career in the Army (Over a year behind me now, and I’m glad She has carried on in the face of discourage- was studded with several meteoric rises and just about it still. It has done a lot for me.) — ment, fear, resentment, love, hate, hope, despair, as rapid falls. I went from a private to tech- Bob S. etc., sometimes with kindness, and often without, nical sergeant twice before they finally made but all in all she has come to feel she is a l i t t l e me a flight officer. I managed to hold on to Travel Expenses noble. that for a little longer period than the others, From Philadelphia Then she and her husband walk into A.A. but even that wound up when I went on a ferry trip and landed the ship at the wrong base, so May I call the attention of groups throughout and lo and behold—she is the sinner—the one cockeyed I couldn’t walk away from it. I the country to a practice which may seriously who didn’t understand—and he the saint. might have gotten away with that if I hadn’t dampen enthusiasm for A.A. among members of Unless she experiences one of those rare spiritual insights, the laws of habit must apply. gotten my co-pilot drunk, too. This last little the medical profession? No one can turn off emotions overnight. The episode was really the whizzer of them all. I A.A. groups are constantly calling upon phywas transferred to a new base and became the sicians to speak at their meetings or attend conlonger it took to induce them, the longer it w i l l only flying private in the Air Corps. ferences for one purpose or another. Too fretake for them to die. And how are they dispersed? The psychi- Things went so well they decided to start me quently no effort is made to reimburse the phyatrist gives the answer. “Once you put it into up the ladder again; so they gave me a little sician for his traveling expenses, a custom which words, once you give it expression, it changes.” rank. (This was in January, 1945.) Naturally even medical societies follow when inviting visit- But how often do we consider the needs of I had to celebrate it so I went to town for two ing men to address them. the wife in A.A.?— Jean K. quarts and wound up in Kansas City, Mo. (60 This is, I fear, indicative of an apparent fallacy miles away). it was such a fine place and the in the thinking of many of our members. They people so hospitable that I lengthened my stay seem to believe that the doctors are lucky fellows New Clinic Down Under to be invited to come to A.A. and that they have to 60 days. On the sixtieth day they came after from. Australia me! The rest is history! I drew a sentence of unlimited funds for the expenditure of train fare A.A. in Australia progresses slowly but surely three years at hard labor which I very rightly or gasoline and oil. They seem to expect to have w i t h some of the original members now having deserved. doctors place at their disposal unlimited time and been sober for almost two years, many for more It was while I was at Jefferson Barracks that effort “for free,” a situation which is most emthan one year and a whole host for six months. a group of us decided to try and start A.A. in barrassing to the intelligent and conscientious By the time this is printed we hope to have the Disciplinary Barracks. It really worked men who are now helping us. opened our clinic for alcoholics, the first of its out much better than we had hoped. When we Another phase of this same type of wrong kind in Australia. it w i l l be situated at our moved down here we really went to work in thinking is the altitude of too many alcoholics headquarters in Vianni House, Fouveaux and such earnest, in fact, that a few of us are in regarding medical bills. They seem to think they Riley Streets, Sydney. One of our co-founders, for parole to the A.A. group in Louisville, and should be treated free and because the therapy a psychiatrist, and a physician will be in at- jobs are waiting there for us. I have made the physician supplies is so often only advice, tendance. several speeches before the Louisville group, counsel, and discussion they believe it should In Australia we have had no such luxuries which is some 300 persons, and all in all have cost nothing. Men who have poured thousands of as alcoholic wards, and inebriates are detained really come out of the fog for the first time. I dollars down their throats will complain loudly in asylums or gaols. Should they happen to be hate to admit it, but these people did me a and often profanely against a bill for profesin a bad way they are given medical treatment favor when they locked me up.—H. R. (Continued on Page 10)

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sional services involving four or five hospital few dollars, I am richer by f a r than many who Let’s stop kidding ourselves. Let’s admit that visits to the patient’s bed. possess millions. in alcohol we have caught the b u l l by the tail Certainly A.A. does not believe, I am sure, If things work out, as I have hopes that they and he has a down hill p u l l on us and as long that we should be favored by the medical pro- will, I will pay you a little visit before too many as we hang on he will p u l l us lower and lower. fession when we of a l l the patients they have ever more months.—L.T. Let’s let loose of the b u l l and grab on to the treated have been the most difficult, the most program of A.A. and start letting it p u l l us up costly of time and effort and the least cooperative. to the top of the b i l l , where all is peace, seren- Reluctance of people to pay for health is not Let’s Face the Disease ity and sunshine. Let our faith in God as we confined to the alcoholic. Every hospital admin- understand h i m restore us to the Garden of From Linda Vista, California istrator knows how hard it is to collect bills after Eden that is here for us when, through the the patient has recovered. But we who pride our- Alcoholism is a disease, not a symptom of a working of the 12 Steps, we find a way to live selves on assuming moral and financial respon- disease. happy, useful, contented lives free from worry, sibilities upon our recovery must lean over back- hate, fear, greed and envy. That is what we The symptoms are extended hangovers, inwards to avoid being identified in the minds of in A.A. are really t r y i n g to accomplish.—J.F. satiable thirst, inability to stop, jitters, butterthe medical profession as “dead beats.” flies, sleepless nights, blackouts, prolonged Quite aside from the problem of the physicians sprees and loss of moral character. These are I Saw Myself is that of A.A. men and women who are invited just a few; there are many others. from time to time to speak before A.A. groups in From Detroit, Michigan Our moral inventories show that we have fear, other portions of the country. They are always God permitting, I am about to celebrate my remorse, hate, envy, jealousy, dishonesty, loss happy to give of their time and energy but for sixth a n n i v e r s a r y as a member of A.A. Since of faith or other forms of moral or mental laxsome of them the financial outlay involved in the World War I, I managed to keep myself the ity. These are not trails peculiar to the alcotravel presents a serious problem. They, too, have greater part of the time under the influence of holic but are also found in the non-alcoholic. old debts to retire. They, too, have families to alcohol which shows quite a good many years. They do become more intense and aggravated support. None wants to turn down a bid to talk After having lost my business, as well as everyby the excessive use of alcohol. because of finances but some may have to unless t h i n g else man can possess and not even having every group inviting an out-of-town speaker The sooner we admit that we have a major the price of a drink, I wrote to A.A. offers to pay traveling and other incidental ex- incurable disease (by incurable I mean one I have often wondered just why at the first penses. that will always recur as soon as we start to meeting something clicked, for at that meeting Some groups now do so. But many do not. drink) and decide to hold that disease in an I was a changed man and proud to say never It is, I think, an oversight but it should be cor- arrested state the sooner we start to recover. had a slip. Convinced I am an alcoholic, that rected immediately.—J. The premise that we became alcoholic be- I am powerless over alcohol, that my life had cause we had an inferiority complex, fear, hate become unmanageable, I have tried hard to live or remorse is as wrong as it would be to assume the 12 Steps. Freedom in Prison that if because of any of these defects of char- From the first I have never allowed myself acter we went out and slept in a rainstorm and to become overconfident, I have avoided places From San Quentin woke up with pneumonia. The thing that would where there was alcohol and I do not keep it in (Excerpts from a letter received by an A.A. have caused us to have pneumonia w o u l d have my home. On this point other A.A. members from a prisoner in San Quentin whom he had been a weakened physical condition and over- have disagreed with me but it was of my own befriended by mail.) exposure to adverse weather conditions. The choosing. . . . It is so nice to realize that I am not stand- thing that caused us to become alcoholics was About two weeks ago my wife and I, together ing alone. For a long time I thought the world alcohol. We could have all the imperfections with six other couples, were invited to a birthwas against me when it was really I bucking the of body and mind known to man and still have day party. I knew this party would be more world. It took a long time and a lot of hard never become alcoholic if we had never started than wet but I was confident that I would not knocks to bring me to the understanding of to use alcohol. The records show that neither falter. The party was made up of weekend “Things are not as we see them but as we are.” the kind, quantity or quality of the alcohol drinkers and from my acquaintance with them The past 26 months have been kind to me. I made us alcoholic, but that it was what alcohol am sure none are alcoholics. have enjoyed many good breaks but the greatest did to us physically and mentally that finally As time passed on the party became livelier break I have ever had came when I really became made us alcoholic. and livelier and the men became d r u n k and the a part of the A.A. program and through it, be- The moral inventory of non-alcoholics shows women were feeling high. came acquainted with God and some of His that they also have the same physical, mental, While the women were getting lunch, I was greatest creations — friends, who gladly forgive and moral defects that we have and a large per- sitting by myself near the bar watching the and count f u t u r e possibilities as greater than past centage of them can and do drink, even get party. My wife came and sat beside me, saying, performances. drunk at times, but they don’t become alcoholic. “Watch Horace making for the bar”—drunk, I can truly say life began at 40 for me. Since Then why do we need A.A.? Because we staggering, not k n o w i n g he was there—tie off, that time I have enjoyed more of life than ever have lost faith in God and man. Because we h a i r mussed, he poured a drink, drank and fell before. And, believe it or not, I have been far have become social outcasts, because we need down. from unhappy, even though in prison. And, why an association of our own kind who understand My w i f e leaned over and whispered in my shouldn’t I be happy? I have good health, a love us, who believe and trust us. Why do we need ear, “That was you six years ago, honey. I am for and a desire to help others and I am sur- the 12 Steps? Because they show us how to terribly proud now.” rounded with opportunities to exercise them. I rid ourselves of these moral flaws so that we I just looked, shuddered and walked away, have more freedom than millions who have never can live the kind of a life God intended man- and as I walked I said to myself, “Thank God been behind bars, and though I possess only a kind to live. I do not look that way today.”—Julian ].

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit Growth in New England. — In less than doches, Texas, told of the 20 members from ber of a group of five who started out about a three years, A.A. groups in Massachusetts have that city who attended the area meeting of A.A. year ago, this man sought out A.A. in various increased from two to 36, or a gain of 1800 in Palestine recently where about 100 heard an places and finally worked out a system of menpercent, while Connecticut shows a 700 percent outstanding member of A.A., a prominent Dal- tal exercises, talking A.A. an hour a day, stressgain, according to a member of the Newtonville, las business man. Cities and towns represented ing church attendance, creating an A.A. bank Mass., Group. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont included Nacogdoches, Center, Henderson, account which is used for activities and “all in and Rhode Island, starting from scratch, now Douglass, Longview, Crockett, Palestine, Athens, all has had a fine time and hopes to be having have 13 groups. The formation of an efficient Centerville, Fort Worth, Dallas, Amarillo and a fine time when the end of this day comes.” Central Service Committee in Boston last spring Waco. Three ministers and the sheriff-elect of has been a v i t a l factor as was the attendance of Anderson county praised the organization’s ef- Alaska Thawing Out.—How A.A. is beginabout 600 at the sixth anniversary banquet. forts. . . An overflow crowd of members, wives ning to flourish in Anchorage, Alaska, in spite New England groups now include the follow- and friends flocked to the second anniversary of a frontier atmosphere and bad weather is ing, which the A.A. Grapevine has been asked banquet of the Montpelier, Vt., Group recently, related in letters from an Army officer at Ft. to list: Massachusetts: Boston, Brockton, Brook- A steak dinner was enjoyed by 132, including Richardson. A woman who had been a member line, Brookline Village, Cambridge, Cape Cod, members from Barre, Burlington, Ely, Newport, of a group in the States made arrangements be- Hyannis and Falmouth, Dorchester, Edgartown, Northfield, Richford, St. Johnsbury and Wind- fore her return in August for a notice to be Fall River, Fitchburg, Greenfield, Haverhill, sor, as well as Lyme, N. H., and East Orange, placed in the Anchorage paper when “Lost Holyoke, Hyde Park, Lawrence, Lynn, Malden, N. J. Prominent business men, ministers and Week-End” was to be shown. The officer and Mattapan, New Bedford, Newton, Norwood, state authorities were speakers. . . Columbus another man got together on it, arranged for Pittsfield, Rutland, Salem, Somerville, South and Central Ohio A.A.s celebrated the fifth an- the use of a Sunday school room, helped to cut Ashburnham, South End, South Shore-Quincy, niversary in Columbus with a meeting attended lumber and line it, and contacted others. Clas- Springfield, Upham’s Corner, Watertown, by 700 who heard an Ohio physician define alco- sified ads have been run every night and letters Wellesley Hill, Woburn, Worcester, and Lexing- holism as “soul sickness.” . . The Huntington, have been pouring in. At least 10 members ton; Connecticut: Ansonia, Bridgeport, Bristol, L. I., N. Y., Group held its first annual dinner formed the nucleus of a group which is attack- Danbury-Bethel, Greenwich, Hartford, Kent, on January 8 with several fine speakers and a ing a big field, complete with lots of liquor, Manchester, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, delicious dinner. high prices, 30 to 40 below temperatures, and New Haven, Norwalk, Norwich, Saybrook, other rough and ready conditions. Stamford, Stratford, Torrington, Waterbury, Going It Alone. —When a man who had been Westport, Winsted; Maine: Bangor and Porthospitalized by the Alkanon Club of Bingham- Doctor, Psychiatrist Speak.—Signing the land; New Hampshire: Dover, Manchester, ton, N. Y., was taken home and left on his own letter “A-lways A-chieving,” the A.A. Grape- Portsmouth and Hanover; Rhode Island: Providence; Vermont: Bennington, Burlington, Mont- resources it was decided to carry him as a cor- vine correspondent from New Orleans reports responding member, to w r i t e to him each week, Tuesday night open meetings have heard a pelier, St. Johnsbury and Windsor. telling of the discussions, carrying some of the prominent doctor of psychiatry, who agrees problems to him, or asking him to write some- with the A.A. program, and a national business No Strike in A.A.—The Tacoma A.A. Group thing for c l u b members to discuss. After either executive who recommends it. Visitors from reports progress a f t e r settlement of a recent six the Wednesday or Sunday night meeting some many places have visited the club room at 1113 weeks’ bus strike which hampered attendance one of the members starts a letter and leaves it Chartres Street in the basement of General Beauand affected the usual A.A. activities, although on the desk where it is available to all members regard’s former home and good Louisiana coffee there were enough cars to pick up regulars need- is promised to all who come that way. to add whatever they wish and by so doing cover ing transportation. Increased attendance and the meeting. Every member has written and interest is manifest at meetings and round-table to show the results a letter from the man, who Group Gets Going Again.— After a small discussions and at the time of w r i t i n g the group is 40 miles from the group, was received re- start in Wooster, Ohio, several years ago, the was looking forward to the visit of M. M., schedcently addressed to “all of the Happy Family” Group there dissolved, but in March of this year uled to address the Tacoma Kiwanis club. and expressing appreciation of the letters. To four alcoholics and two wives began attending the Group he writes, “My sobriety has been meetings in Ashland and eventually decided to Happier Birthdays. — Double celebrations since June 10 and now I feel quite safe. Of build a group in Wooster again. A local church of sobriety and the holidays are reported from course, one is never really safe—life isn’t even has provided rooms, programs and refreshmany areas. The Ottawa, Canada, Group’s first that, but I am happy and all of you help me ments have been planned, a weekly bulletin birthday was celebrated by about 100 members feel that way. I can imagine a light down the called “Blue Monday” is being put out and a and guests in the parish hall of Blessed Sacra- road and I want to make it without any turns program of social visits with new members is ment Church. An open meeting followed the or byroads, and with the help of you all, I think used. dinner, w i t h the founder of the Toronto Group I can make it. You can see you are playing a as the first speaker, using the topic of the 12 big part in my life.” . . Still more on his own New Quarters for Two Groups.—Tampa, Steps. He was followed by other members from is a correspondent from Ronceverte, W. Va., Fla., A.A.s are justly proud of the new club Toronto. A guest soloist and two short moving who says that “back here in the hills we don’t house into which they moved recently. Located pictures were included on the program. . . A have the meetings and all we got to talk to are at 405 Tyler Street, it is a two-story former resifull column in the Daily Sentinel of Nacog- drunks and preachers.” Left as the only mem- (Continued on Page 12)

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dence, which is being completely renovated inside and out and rearranged to provide with its ALKY ALBUM only to dwindle to two, who kept trying until now there are six or seven members with about 12 rooms, a lounge, assembly hall, buffet and half a dozen others listed as dependables and kitchen, quarters for the resident secretary, office about as many more who may make the grade. and study room and a game room. Financing The Rotary Club invited the secretary to speak was made possible by a building committee, on A.A. at a recent luncheon and the reaction open to any members of Tampa Groups who was favorable. wish to make a small monthly contribution in addition to their regular ones. The new build- Raking In the Chips.—The founder of the ing is the central headquarters for all groups. Elmira, N. Y., Group received his blue chips re- Tampa A.A.s are about ready for the third ancently at a meeting to which a local paper denual banquet scheduled for Sunday, January 26. voted considerable space. When members of Out of town guest speakers will be on the prothe Group start out they are given a white poker gram. The Tampa Groups also enjoyed a visit chip as an A.A. reminder. After three months from S. R., formerly of Alaska, who visited her an A.A. red chip is given out and after a year mother here, and gave several talks during her a blue chip goes into the pocket. At the blue stay … In Rochester, N. Y., the Central Groups anchip presentation the hostess brought out a now nounce a move to larger quarters in the downunused cocktail shaker, draped with a black town district, with room for 300 people. Meetribbon, and used it for serving coffee. Speaker ings are held every night in the week at 8:30, for the occasion was a member who joined the with a Monday morning group for shift workoriginal Group in Akron, Ohio, more than 10 ers. The new Monday night group, recently years ago. Guests were present from Addison, formed, had the first meeting, with attention Elkland, Endicott, Ithaca and Sayre. The Group concentrated on men under 35 years and exschedule included a New Year’s Eve party. G.I.s. The new address is 12 Andrews Street.

Mixer Starts Whirling. —Vancouver, B. C., More Meetings—Freeman Group of the Sal- A.A.s have a new periodical, The Mixer, provation Army meets at the Salvation Army Hall, meeting rooms on account of the good work duced by the West End Group. Its 12 pages 1514 Freeman Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, every being done! Gatherings at the hotel are held contain news, serious articles, humor and per- Monday night at 8, with an average attendance Friday at 8:30 p.m. . . The St. Mary’s, Ohio, sonal notes. Arrangements are being made to of about 40. A meeting is held the first Sunday Group, numbering five members, had its first extend its circulation throughout the district, of each month in conjunction with an open re- meeting in December with visitors from the Lima including Victoria. ligious service. About 80 attended a dinner Group which helped them get started…The Essex recently to hear a Cleveland speaker as well as County Group No. 2 will meet every Sunday at one from Lakewood and solos by a member of 7:30 p.m. at 139 Walnut Street, Newark, N. J., Austin Is Host.-—The Austin, Texas, Group the Cedar Group of Cleveland. . . The Haver- following its recent founding. Calls and letters was host to the statewide convention which was hill, Mass., Group was recently informed by the are invited. held in the Driskill Hotel this fall with a namanagement of the Hotel Whittier in that city tional officer attending. Another feature was that there would be no more charge for the Hopes Husband’s a Member The week- the distance traveled by some members, one ly broadcast of the Towson, Md., Group over coming 600 miles from El Paso, five coming 500 station WFBR brought a note from a Pittsfield, miles from Amarillo, and three from the Rio Cut This Out and Mail to: Mass., woman who asked the members to aid in Grande Valley. Nearly all Texas groups were her search for her husband from whom she has well represented. P. 0. Box 328 Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. been separated for 10 years. The woman hopes her husband may have become a member of a Proud of Achievement. — Proud of the Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) group somewhere and says that “his wife and growth from two members to 15, the A.A. Group for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- three grown children want to hear from him of Princeton, W. Va., numbers many who have vine (monthly). and see him,” although he may “feel we have been sober the full six months since the found- For additional subscriptions enclose separate no use for him.” He is described as being ing. The Group reports a large field in which sheet with name and address clearly printed. W.F.B., born July 10, 1897, at Whiteheads, Va., to work and feels confident of results. Meetings Checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. 5 ft. 11 in., blue eyes, was red-headed, probably are on Thursdays and information for visitors Total Enclosed gray now, and not too heavy. He is an expert can be obtained at 115 Bluefield Avenue. machinist. The radio program which brought Renewal? (please check) in the appeal has been changed from 7:15 Mon- Hospital Asked for Alcoholics— Con- PLEASE PRINT day to 7:15 p.m. Saturday, the Group reports. struction of two 150-bed institutions for the Name The Towson Group went in a body to a t t e n d for- treatment of alcoholics will be recommended to mation of the Hagerstown, Md., Group and at- the next legislature by the state commissioner of Address tended a later session. mental hygiene, a Columbus, Ohio, member reports. A.A.s are also watching with interest the Billings Keeps Trying. — After a former administration of the law already on the statute Note: Subscriptions received prior to January Atlanta, Ga., member brought A.A. to Billings, books to permit the admission of chronic alco- 15 will begin with the February issue. Mont., the Group enjoyed a growth for a while, holics to state hospitals.

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VOL. III, NO. 9. FEBRUARY, 1947. P. O. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1947, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved. Yearly subscription $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) ; single copy 25 cents.

A Word to the Wise A.A. Parent (Editor’s Note: The following was written by an A.A.’s 21-year-old daughter who was at first skeptical but now has up just where you left off. You’re both changed seen how A.A. works.) —so must your relationship be. UH HUH. A lot of drunks got together and solemnly declared they’re going to stay Steady recovery, determined picking up of dry. They’ll all help each other. Read the book. Have meetings and tell the pieces, calm resumption of life—it may take world what louses souses are. Meaning love. In this situation you’re not the patient weeks or months, but your kid’ll come around them personally. As if the world doesn’t but the doctor—not because she shouldn’t meet to accepting A.A. as a working hypothesis. Tenknow it.” you halfway, but because she can’t. You wouldn’t sion will ease as she feels a growing security Callous? Nasty? Sure. When I heard about at home. Gradually she will relax, learn to beexpect a neglected puppy whom you’d kicked this new stunt Mother was pulling to “get lieve, again to accept you. The more you can for ages to lick your face, would you? well,” that’s the way I felt. Probably even said help her to understand A.A. the quicker recon- Don’t ask more than your child can give. You so, out loud. Catch me calling it a good idea. struction will be. Give your child some feeling checked out of your parental status when you No matter how many people dried up in A.A. of contribution, some feeling of belonging to began drinking. Chances! are your kid had to be Of course, that didn’t help Mother much. The A.A. If she can live it with you, you have the responsible for you more than you realize. You wall drinking had built grew even higher be- basis for a real friendship. were nobody to look up to! It was practically tween us. We were both in a real emotional My own conversion to A.A. came when by a parentless life. Responsibility ages anyone, snarl. Until we could reach full trust and un- chance I went 12th Stepping with Mother. and your child has been schooled to independderstanding, neither A.A. nor home life could be Father wouldn’t let her answer a night call to ence. Don’t make the mistake of hoping to take what it was meant to be. this particular neighborhood alone. I went, High on the list of personal relation adjust- planning to stay downstairs. But there were ment comes this family relation. You must WHO USES ALL THOSE groceries to get, and a meal to cook. That was break down the conditioned response of distrust SLEEPING TABLETS? the least I could do. and disgust which you b u i l t in your child. Un- From the N. Y. Herald-Tribune It was the first time I felt A.A. bore any reladerstand, be patient, love, help her to under- Government officials say that it is anybody’s tion to my own life. As I saw Mother work, I stand A.A.,—and you and your child will live guess where all the barbituates go. could see the analogy between the 12th Step and a new life. The United States now produces almost 600,- my own feeble attempts to help schoolfriends Your offspring’s altitude is the real hurdle. 000 pounds of barbituate sleep producing drugs with our little problems. Here was the same But you must realize your child has been through each year. Experts calculate an “average me- feeling of accomplishment. It was a revelation. an emotional turmoil harrowing as your own dicinal dose” at about 2 grains. They estimated At last I understood, heart and mind alike. d u r i n g your alcoholic years. Her hopes for your the 1945 production of 582,000 pounds was suf- I still do some 12th Step work—mostly crisis recovery, your reappearance as the firm founda- ficient for every man, woman and child in the baby-sitting. But the other Steps are just as imt i o n of her life—have soared and crashed too United States to sleep every night for two weeks, portant in my life. I’ve learned to analyze my often. You’d wake up smiling (for her) one or, to put more than five million persons to own personality, to try adjusting my personal morning, and the nightmare would end. But sleep every night for a year! relations. Even the 1st Step’s mine. I’m the there was always another. Your child learned I n f o r m a t i o n available to Federal officials is best potential alcoholic I know. I just got A.A. not to hope. Far easier to hide the squirming v i r t u a l l y zero. No federal laws regulate bar- at a bargain price, thanks to Mother. agony of disillusion and fear under hard eyes bituate sales and many states have no barbituate And thanks to A.A., I got a mother, and a and an uncommunicative voice. laws or don’t require the drug to be sold on friend. Love and respect? Listen brother—if I To you, and at times to her, it will seem that prescription. The entire pharmaceutical and had to be born again and pick a new parent— she hates you. Never let yourself believe it. drug industry represented by the National Drug I’d take an A.A. They know what life is all Don’t berate her, goad her, show your resent- Trade Council is campaigning for stronger con- about—and they’re on the right path. That’s ment. She needs to be convinced of your mutual trols. the kind of mother who is worthwhile.

SOBRIETY FOUNDATION EDITORIAL: OF WHOLE NEW LIFE On the 4th Step . . . . From Port Clinton, Ohio The hardest thing for me to do when I first came into A.A. was to face myself; to be absolutely honest w i t h myself. “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.” A n d I was in A.A. five months before I experienced any s p i r i t u a l growth. Oh, I thought WE ONCE HAD a college professor who said: “If every man in this room would I had it a l l right a f t e r my first few meetings. take five minutes a day alone with himself, I would have the world’s most in- Then a f t e r a couple of months I began to lose dustrious class in Chemistry I.” We think we know now what he meant. And we be- patience w i t h those who said they just couldn’t lieve he meant that every man should take a daily personal inventory. get the s p i r i t u a l part of the program. I criticized the way they were going at i t . The leaders Now that we have taken the first three Steps of the program, we come to the 4th too came in for some criticism. Step. We have admitted that we were powerless over alcohol; that we came to believe I began to dream up a w o n d e r f u l lead that that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity; that we made a decision I would use some time if called on to lead a to turn our wills and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him. At this group meeting. In this lead would be a l l the point, we begin actively to do something about our alcoholism. answers to the many problems others couldn’t solve in their search for the s p i r i t u a l part of Experience has proved that the beginner in A.A. should make this personal inven- the program. tory alone—preferably in the quiet of his room. Obviously, he must be honest about More and more I w o u l d “buttonhole” one it. he should enter into this self-analysis sincerely and with determination because this or two after or before a meeting and let drop Step in the long run will give him peace of mind. a few words of wisdom on the right course to Because there are as many ways to take personal inventory as there are individuals take if they would get the most from A.A. in A.A., there are no rules about the process. Some persons make use of a list of Then it happened. I was invited to lead a meeting in a nearby town. This was what questions. Others simply take out a “quiet time” to meditate on themselves. At least I’d been looking forward to; this was opportwo members we know not only use a list of personal questions about themselves but t u n i t y knocking . . . but so were my knees. I score themselves daily. groped f r a n t i c a l l y for an “out.” It suddenly Such questions as—Am I in the habit of lying? Am I being honest with others? Do dawned on me that to face a quiet and attentive audience that would hang onto my every word I have any resentments? Am I a phony? Am I tolerant of the faults in others? Do I was more than I could stand up to. But I had really want to stop drinking or do I want to learn to drink like other persons? What an “out.” I was working nights. So I used is my motive in joining A.A.? Am I desperate enough to put a higher value on my that for an excuse to turn down the invitation sobriety than on anything else? Am I joining A.A. to help myself or to please some- to lead a group meeting. I was glad that I body else?—would do to get you started on the inventory. These questions are merely had, what I called, a legitimate excuse. suggestions, however, because only you will know what questions to ask. But I wasn’t happy about it very long. It bothered me a great deal because when I came Again, experience of ourselves and others in A.A. has proved that once an honest into the fellowship I knew it was my last chance personal inventory is made, the person is rewarded with a feeling of relief. Psychiatrists to lick “Old John.” I’d tried everything else call this a catharsis: a cleansing or purging of the mind. In any event, once the person in vain. My conscience gave me no rest. I analyzes himself honestly, he feels tremendously improved. had p u l l e d a fast one and I knew it. I felt ashamed t h a t I’d used a weak excuse to dodge The next step is to do something about the things that you have found wrong in a responsibility which in the long run would your life. Sometimes it isn’t easy. Sometimes it’s almost impossible. But if we are to o n l y hurt me. I was t r u l y humiliated. I realized arrest the terrible compulsion of alcoholism, a sincere effort must be made to correct our then I was f o l l o w i n g the same old pattern that faults. Generally, the person will find many things in his life that he can change easily. I’d f o l l o w e d in my 35 years of hard drinking. He will find that many of the worries and frustrations of his life no longer exist in the I was a phony pure and simple . . . but more cold light of sincere reasoning. simple than pure. That was a bitter pill to take, but I look it. At a meeting recently, a member remarked: “It’s your thinking that’s stinking, not From then on my thinking look a different your drinking.” How true it is. How often have we rationalized about the things in slant. I t h i n k that was the beginning of my our lives that are directly concerned with our drinking? Serious effort with this 4th s p i r i t u a l growth a f t e r five months in A.A. Step will do much for your thinking because if you are not honest with yourself, you When I looked back on those five months in can’t possibly be honest about the A.A. program. And remember, if you don’t face the A.A. I discovered that, although I’d remained sober. I hadn’t tried very hard to live up to The issues in your life, you are not fooling anyone but yourself. You’re the sick guy. Do precepts of The 12 Steps. something about It! I knew, too, that I wouldn’t be any great As it has so often been said: “Count yourself again, you ain’t so many!” (Continued on Page 8)

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Facing the Future Without Alcohol From New York City the dungeon into open air. It is relief from in- aware than his family of his periodic personquisitorial tortures. It is mental health in place ality changes. His home life is sweet once more. I am writing this article on my sixth birthday, of morbidity. It is self-respect in place of self- As sobriety continues, be finds himself usually which might strike you as a tender age at which loathing. It means being loved and trusted, in- contented, often happy, and sometimes exalted to be w r i t i n g an article so titled. Of course I stead of pitied and feared. —he who used to wonder again and again, in mean (as you have guessed by now) the sixth In the early days of their new, emancipated his black despair, whether he would ever, in the b i r t h d a y of my life without alcohol. I am f o r t y life, most A. A.s occasionally feel nervous and remainder of his life span, know any spiritual two. Looking back over the past six years, so con- tense; occasionally they suffer acute spiritual climate other than agony. pain. One often hears a fledgling sobriate (if I 4. At his work, be is surprised, sometimes structive and sunshine-filled and generally wonderful as compared w i t h the black, almost suici- may coin a word opposite to inebriate) say: “I’m astonished, by his new energy, his new capacity lost w i t h o u t alcohol.” It is still a glorious new for concentration and application. He turns out dal years immediately preceding them. I feel life. No matter what you may have to suffer more work in a month than be used to in a year. that some of my thoughts and conclusions about He has at his disposal, now, all the dramatically l i f e without alcohol might be of interest to fel- through at first, it is gloriously worth it. A new A. A. tends to feel “cheated” at first, potent force of his redirected mental and emolow A. A. members. if he stays away from parties where liquor tional power. He is no longer faced with the As the mighty force that is A. A. continues its necessity of hiding his “condition” from his boss phenomenal expansion, thousands on thousands will be served; or bored if he goes; or fearful, and from his colleagues. he is not, now, neglectof men and women are being, in the literal and because it seems like inviting disaster. But under ing his job, nor running away from it — nor best sense of the word, “saved”—fine, intelligent, this discomfort there is always a song of happitalented people who otherwise might have been ness, which swells gradually into a paean as days losing it! as mortally doomed by alcohol as were, in other of sobriety turn to weeks, weeks to months, and Gains New Respect eras, the victims of epidemic smallpox, cholera, months to years — the great and all-important 5. He has, as an eternal bonus, the respect and bubonic plague. And every alcoholic man or task getting less and less difficult all the time. We might strike a balance sheet on “Total others invariably feel (whether they express it woman who wins through to permanent abstinence has , along with many lesser gratifications, Abstinence for the Alcoholic—Its Liabilities and or not) when it comes out, gradually or sud- Assets”: denly, that he doesn’t drink. This is not a smug one crowning gratification: he has successfully exchanged the thing he hated most in his life LIABILITIES: or shallow gratification to A.A.s, whose great for the thing he wanted most. None. wish is that all others who, like them, are psy- ASSETS: chically allergic to alcohol, may find the same 1. From every viewpoint containing common path. Sometimes this manifestation of respect We Want to Get Well! sense, the alcoholic must stop drinking. So he has its comic side, since we don’t (and shouldn’t) For every alcoholic who is worth saving wants might as well make a virtue out of the necessity, tell our alcoholic past to everybody. Sometimes passionately to get well. and, in the white-hot beam of that one search- we find ourselves mistakenly regarded as life- In certain unanalytical moods, one is often light, burn out all reservations, all cheated feel- long abstainers when we are dying, inside, to startled by the apparent simplicity of the “cure” ings, all boredom, all fears. say: “Brother, if I told all, or roughly the half for alcoholism, i.e., “Stop Drinking!” In more 2. In the morning, he gets up clear-headed, of it, wouldn’t your hair stand on end!” Once in t h o u g h t f u l moods, the tremendous complexity of and steady-stomached, his soul unpoisoned by Paris, during the late war, I attended a party t h a t seeming simplicity is even more startling. remorse or the pangs of conscience, with a good where all The others present were French— Alcoholism has its vast complexities, which can appetite and good courage to face the day— French and stewed to the gills. After a while, never be too earnestly nor too e x p e r t l y probed; the famous next 24 hours. That’s glorious cham- beginning to take it i l l that I stuck to water, each alcoholic’s history has its complex causa- pagne in itself—without the hangover. these merry Gauls threw me to the floor and tions, which should, at the right time, be re- 3. His wife’s face (or her husband’s) is no tried to force my clenched teeth apart and insert searched. But I’m not concerned here w i t h look- longer white w i t h apprehension of what the day the neck of a bottle. They didn’t succeed. Finally ing into, or looking back, but w i t h looking may bring; her eyes are not pools of terror. they gave over, released me, brushed their forward. His children don’t shrink from him. Nor does his clothing, and downed a few indignant slugs of Every sincere A. A. faces a life absolutely dog, who perhaps had been even more sensitively calvados. “Mon dieu!” murmured my host, eyewithout alcohol—his whole future life without ing me bewilderedly (but, mind you, respectalcohol. It’s rather a staggering thought, when f u l l y ) , “quelle austerite!” “Mon dieu!” I put so baldly. New Headquarters thought, straightening my tie, “if you only Well, what about it? Properly Christened! knew the truth!” The whole thing was far too Well, the one outstanding thing about it is: The New York City office of The A.A. Grape- complicated to go into, of course, especially to it’s a glorious prospect! vine was moved in December from the Metro- French people, to whom wine is water and water I didn’t say an easy prospect. I said glorious. politan clubhouse to a basement location in not even potable. Thereafter, their respect was I didn’t say it must not be unremittingly, Greenwich Village. The very first day of our so marked that I, who in my day habitually though relaxedly (“Easy does it!”), worked at. occupancy, right on the heels of the men carry- got drunker than any of them, drunker than all I said it’s glorious. ing in our files and furnishings, and as soon as of them put together, was genuinely embar- I didn’t say it will solve all your personal we had tacked our name on the door, came a rassed. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t and business problems—or make you happy knock and a request for a handout for a drink! gratified by their respect. Every human being all the time. I said it’s glorious. Possibly we felt on the sentimental side that likes to be respected. For A.A.s, it is by no It is glorious because it is an emerging from day, for he got it without a word of argument! (Continued on Page 12)

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VINO VIGNETTE: The Story of Slap-Happy Sal Greenwich Village, N. Y. rived at her room in the dormitory, she was needle in his hand, he was Dr. Walters, the feeling fine. Just fine. Boy, oh, boy! An hour family physician. Dr. Walters didn’t scold her. We were sitting in the A.A. clubhouse one or so later she was drunk. He simply smiled and told her not to worry. day talking of this and that. My friend, an old- “The dean was very nice about it. She hadn’t “After the first night, it wasn’t so bad in the timer in A.A. from Cleveland, noticed a striking scolded. She merely pointed out that her drink- hospital. Father’s friends dropped in to see her looking girl who was talking to another girl ing was a serious infraction of the rules; that and everyone c a r e f u l l y avoided the subject of across the room. if it happened again, she would have to leave. her illness. Nobody scolded her. When father “Who is the tall girl over there?” my friend “The next time Sal started drinking, she didn’t took her home, he didn’t scold her. Somehow, asked. bother to stay around to be kicked out. She she felt very sorry for her father. “That’s Slap-happy Sal. She’s quite a worker packed up her things and drove home. It was “At home she began to drink again. This in A.A.,” I said. “Would you like to hear her going to be better at home anyway. She could time she preferred to stay in her room. She story?” drink where she liked and when she liked. And began to be miserable. Somehow, drinking “Sure,” my friend said, “she seems to be there were plenty of fellows to drink with, too. wasn’t as much f u n as it used to be. She felt lecturing a prospect!” She was going to have the time of her life! very sorry for herself. Where in the devil is the “Well,” I said, “Sal’s story begins in a small “At first, things did seem better at home. Her maid? I sent her for a bottle hours ago! town. . . . father had been very nice about the incident at “One evening, she heard father and Dr. Walcollege. He did seem a little surprised at her ters talking outside of her door. They were “The fellows in her neighborhood called her daily drinking, but he didn’t bother her and, for talking about her. Didn’t she hear Dr. Walters Slap-happy Sal. Even the girls, who stood a while, she had a gay time of it. say something about a sanitarium? What were somewhat in awe of her, called her by the un- “Soon she began to be bored with the boys they talking about? She poured a large drink flattering nickname. Older folks around the and girls of the town. As her drinking increased, and went to sleep. town, who knew and respected her father, called she began to lose interest in things. She took “It was a half hour later that she awakened. her ‘that wild Cherry girl.’ to drinking alone in cocktail bars, but was un- She felt terrible. Father and Dr. Walters were “Even in those days Sal was a character. happy because she didn’t like the people she seated across the room, talking in quiet voices. Tall and angular, with a shock of yellow hair, met. She became a familiar figure around the When they noticed that she was awake, father she always gave a startling impression, but she drinking places of the town. People began to said: was popular. Whenever she barged out to a notice that ‘the Cherry girl’ entered bars unusu- ” ‘Sal, John and I are here to help you. Don’t football game, or a dance, she was surrounded ally early in the morning! All the bartenders worry, we both realize that you are very sick? by five or six laughing and chattering boys. It got to know her. “Dr. Walters walked over to the bed and said: was a common sight in the town to see her roar- “About ten o’clock one morning her father ” ‘Sally, I used to think that a sanitarium was ing through traffic in her car with a crowd of appeared at a bar and took her to the hospital. the best place for a person as sick as you. I’m bare-headed young men. She was very drunk and didn’t remember any- not so sure today. The trouble is that you’ve “She really wasn’t different from the other thing about it. When she awakened, the doctor become an alcoholic. Don’t let the word young girls of the town, just more money, more was standing over her bed with a hypodermic frighten you. The condition is a form of illenergy, more joy of living. ness. Tell me, do you want to stop this “It was in her junior year at college that she drinking?’ began to have trouble. During the winter term ” ‘All I know, doctor, is that I am miserable of that year, she drove to the city to meet a man and that I want a drink!’ that she liked a little too well. He was quite “Dr. Walters poured her a drink and cona drinker. tinued : “She had met him at a dance and had become ” ‘I am calling a nurse for you, Sally, and infatuated because he was older, smoother and in a few days you w i l l feel much better. Will completely indifferent. He had been drinking you talk to me alone after you are feeling well at the time and he sneered at her because she again?’ gagged when she tried to keep up with him. “Sally said: ‘Yes, Dr. John, I want to get “As she drove toward the city, she determined well. I must get well. I promise to do anyto take drink for drink with him. Who the thing you say.’ devil did he think he was? She would show him. “In this state of mind, she began the weekend “Strange part of it is that Sal really meant that ended with her dismissal from college. In what she said to her doctor. He told her about the city, she had proved that she could keep up A.A. on his next visit. When a young woman with him. In fact, he had passed out of the in A.A. called on Sally, she was persuaded to picture early on the first evening. What a sissy come to an A.A. meeting. he had turned out to be! But what was more “It was easy for Sally. She really wanted to important to her: she was beginning to enjoy the get well. Her story happened two years ago. stuff. How good she felt after a few drinks! Since then Sally has helped hundreds of women “Driving back to college in the late after- alcoholics. But there’s one thing she does to noon, she began to nibble from one of the bot- women that I don’t understand. She scolds the tles she brought back with her. When she ar- hell out of them every time!”—J.T.

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The Pleasures of Reading New York, N. Y., Herald-Tribune: “Dr. An- The Practical Cogitator by Curtis and Greenslet (Houghton Mifflin Company, $3) ton J. Carlson, professor emeritus of physiology (Editor’s Note: Last of a series of reviews of contemporary books of permanent value on the intellectual, philoat the University of Chicago School of Medicine, sophical and spiritual concerns of man. The Consolation of Philosophy appeared in the June, 1945, issue; The Perennial Philosophy by Huxley in February, 1946; The Idea of Christ in the Gospels by Santayana in September, speaking at the New York Academy of Medicine 1946; and Men Who Walk w i t h God by Cheney in December, 1946.) on the treatment of chronic alcoholism by the When Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, speaking at a dinner given in the interest of Alcoholics general practitioner, said: Anonymous at the Union Club on February 8, 1940, said, “This idea of setting an ex-alcoholic “There must be an entire change in the social to catch an alcoholic is good,” he was echoing the thought of the sixteenth century philosopher attitude and public understanding of the prob- Montaigne, who said: lem (alcoholism). A recent survey of facilities “Experience stands on its own dunghill in medicine and reason yields in its place. Medicine for the treatment of alcoholism in New York has always professed experience to be the touchstone of its operations. Plato was right to City showed that probably less than 40% of the say that good doctors themselves ought to have had the diseases they want to cure, and been doctors here treat alcoholics. subject themselves to the misfortunes and circumstances which they have to diagnose. Let them ” ‘Yet compare this,” be said, ” ‘with the fol- catch the pox if they want to know how to cure it! I’d trust such a doctor.” lowing situation—no matter how contemptible, S i m i l a r l y , the greatest and last of the late Victorians, C. K. Chesterton, wrote: or how down-and-out a person may be who has “A man can understand astronomy only by being an astronomer; he can understand entomolcontracted pneumonia or who has broken a leg, ogy only by being an entomologist (or, perhaps an insect) ; but he can understand a great the medical profession will treat him. deal of anthropology merely by being a man. He is himself the animal which he studies. . . . ” ‘Frequently, if the alcoholic reaches a doc- It is necessary to cease to be a man in order to do justice to a microbe; it is not necessary to tor, the doctor sends him to a psychiatrist or cease to be a man in order to do justice to men. That same suppression of sympathies, that some sort of institute when, in many cases, im- same waving away of intuitions or guesswork, which make a man preternaturally clever in mediate medical attention is needed.’ dealing with the stomach of a spider, w i l l make him preternaturally stupid in dealing with the “Dr. Carlson said that the general practi- heart of man.” tioner here and elsewhere is handicapped by the The foregoing excerpts are culled from the collection contained in The Practical Cogitator or fact that most hospitals refuse to take alcohol The Thinker’s Anthology. As its alternative title suggests, this compilation of pieces is “for the addicts as patients. he said t h a t there were a thinker, and not for the feeler, primarily for the extrovert thinker,” but its authors concede that few exceptions to this but cited as one exception it runs over into some of his introverted and intuitive margins (as in the portions above quoted). the facilities at Knickerbocker Hospital where One gets the impression that Messrs. Curtis and Greenslet feel apologetic about anything which alcoholics can be kept for a few days, after has crept into their volume that does not meet their standards of what is pure reason. These are which they are placed in the care of Alcoholics very peculiar standards because we find in their book very little from the simon-pure rationalists Anonymous.” of any age or philosophical period. Indeed, this book is so full of quotations from the modern empiricists who are “feelers” and not “thinkers,” that one who has cerebral aspirations will be in- Council Bluffs, Iowa, Nonpareil: “In a letter clined to go back to Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas and Jevons On Logic for some good, old-fashto the editor, an A.A. member explained the ioned objective reasoning. operation of his organization as follows: Perhaps this is so because the compilers have followed a self-imposed rule of always using “There is no mysterious formula. Just a plain, the modern instead of the ancient; when they have used the ancient it was because (again the note frank, logical expression of workable ideas of apology) they knew of nothing better since. In consequence, this work is heavily loaded in which not only have kept but are keeping a favor of Holmes, James, Dewey, Whitehead, and the like. These people believe in relativism and spirit of 24-hour teamwork. The thought pragmatism. They have no philosophical belief in absolutes, universals, objective standards, a unistressed most is: If you can do without it for versal idea of being, but move in a chaos of phenomena, materialistic science and subjectivism. this 24-hour period, you can certainly do with- So, like Rousseau, from whom they stem, they wind up as emotionalists instead of intellectuals. out it for the next 24 hours. It was Irving Babbitt who explained the paradox in this wise: “The prime virtue of science is to ” ‘There is no ranting and old-fashioned roar- be unemotional and at the same time keenly analytical. Now protracted and unemotional analysis ing against the liquor interests. In fact, alco- finally creates a desire, as Renan says, for the opposite pole, ‘the kisses of the naive being,’ and in holic drinks are not advertised at all. Just a {general for a frank surrender to the emotions. Science thus actually prepared clients for the comfortable assurance that a very real human Rousseauist. The man of science is also flattered by the Rousseauistic notion that conscience problem is being faced and solved on a day-by- and virtue are themselves only forms of emotion.” The inevitable result of such spurious phiday, time-payment basis for solid investment.’ ” losophy is intellectual nihilism and loss of spiritual integrity. But these anthologists, being men of intellectual probity, have not permitted their natural bent Montgomery, Ala., Alabama Journal: “At for modernism to exclude many gems of wisdom from the “ancients” and extracts from the saytheir meeting recently in the City Auditorium, ings of both old and new thinkers on the eternal verities. Taken together, they make a good case Alcoholics Anonymous heard the former mayor for scholastic natural law, the unity of mankind, objective reality and a universal moral order of a city in Florida. This mayor remarked that binding on every man and ruler—our only hope of salvation, personally and spiritually, colleche believed that he is the only mayor who was tively and politically. Among the contributions in this category is Thoreau’s timely and famous ever thrown in his own jail. essay on civil disobedience in which it is insisted that the “State come(s) to recognize the indi- ” ‘In the end booze got me and I was retired vidual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are defrom office.'” With the help of A.A., the mayor rived, and treat(s) him accordingly.” About a hundred years later this principle was declared to now is “dry” and is slowly coming back. He was be law, in a flag-saluting case, by a majority of the United States Supreme Court, and the opinion recently elected city councilman.” (Continued on Page 7)

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A.A. Digest—Excerpts from Group Publications ‘The Paradox” Appears. — K n o w n as over on our side, but rather ask Him always failure—only a s t u d y course of development “The. Paradox” because “every A.A. is a living for the grace to go over on His side. That is with advantages for every disadvantage. Each paradox,” an attractive new publication has been it. It is the core and the meaning—the very day is a life in itself. In the morning you are started by the Kansas City, Mo., Groups, and quintessence of prayer as I understand it.” born, only to die at night again and wake up for is appearing monthly. it contains articles on a new d a w n and f u r t h e r lessons. This makes our A.A. philosophy as well as news and humor. The Eye Opener, Los Angeles, Cal.: “it has lives f u l l with the richness and beauty of many been possible to keep A.A. out of the talons of lives. We learn to live naturally—not as an those who might seek to use its tremendous mass actor in an acting world.” Squad One., Washington, D.C.: “All those who power, because there simply is no money to be have expressed themselves emphasize the imperative quality of the word ‘continued.’ It is made out of it. Never must we permit ourselves, Weekly Bulletin, A m a r i l l o , Tex.: “After a l l by constant application, not only of this Step, even with the purest of intentions, to deviate is said, the prayer of Alcoholics Anonymous, (the 10th) but of all the Steps, that we main- from this self-imposed restriction. We must ‘God grant me the serenity to accept the things never allow A.A. to be used as a money-making I cannot change, courage to change the things I tain our sobriety and gain more and more of the true spirit and practice of the A.A. program. agent. We must keep it pure, f u n d a m e n t a l , and can, and the wisdom to know the difference,’ is We must ‘continue’ the processes of the 10th basic. We must keep it as nearly as possible but a paraphrase of that more ancient dictum, as it was when B. first stepped forth on his ‘Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and Step all the time. We must ‘continue’ to remember and to apply all of the Steps all of the time. strange, unbelievable journey 12 years ago. It a curse; a blessing, if ye obey the command- It is a process that will never end for a prac- is a sacred trust to us to keep it, as he himself ments of the Lord your God, which I command ticing A.A.” has tried to keep it, simple and real.” you this day; and a curse if ye w i l l not obey the commandments of the Lord your God.’ This The Rope Yarn, New York, N. Y.: “Life is a deal between God and man is the only one which The Paradox, Kansas City, Mo.: “No virtue is school; a day is a session in class and each ex- has ever been made, and it can only be f u l claimed by more people and practiced by fewer perience an experiment. There is no success or filled by man’s dealing inside himself.” t h a n tolerance. An honest self-inventory will show that most of us are tolerant only of people and ideas agreeable to us. But without tolerance the A.A. program cannot be completely acquired or followed.” The Last Round-Up — On Subject of Gossip The. Toss Pot, Charleston, W.Va.: “The test From Windsor, Out. a doll named Cassandra. In her youth she got of your intelligence is your ability to take hold Now that A.A.’s of both sexes have taken their smart w i t h the gods. They cursed her by decreeof your own l i f e just as it is. Know yourself. own—and each others’—inventories so well, may ing she should thenceforth speak nothing but the Make an estimate of your situation. Consider I, a sexless sexagenarian, virtuous by necessity truth and no one would believe her. As a the circumstances of your birth, your childhood, and utterly uncritical except of those I don’t prophet of doom she was good—so good, she your home life, your wealth or lack of wealth, like, raise my quavering voice? perished by her own wagging tongue: She, too. the influence of the neighborhood in which you People talk too much. They gossip. Both died in the sack of Troy she had so dolefully live, your friends, your skills, your limitations, boys and gals seem to be unanimous about this. foretold. There have been misanthropes in all and your points of strength. You will find So what? A.A. has no monopoly there. Some eras. Most people with bum livers—and that shortcomings which you can correct, handicaps time ago, a male gossip got us all thrown out means most A.A.s—get that way sometimes. which you must accept and make the best of. of the Garden of Eden: “The woman tempted There is a lot of difference between seeming But begin. Act. Do something. things that me, and I did eat,” he said. Not so long after- smugness and the broad viewpoint which sees seem difficult at first w i l l become easy. Rise wards, Dinah spilled the beans on her lover past present bickerings to the better things beabove your failures. Excellence cannot be and got a whole tribe of Shechemites put on the yond. Many a guy who looks smug is only reached by merely looking for defects. The real spot. This sort of thing has been going on for sorry. But those who actually are smug—well, b u i l d i n g of a life or a machine or a social sys- ages, why get all hot and bothered because it they’re t a k i n g big chances. Too-great self-satistem is the result of positive thinking and con- crops up in A.A. now and then? A f t e r all, faction is p r e t t y dangerous ground to tread. Old structive action. It cannot be b u i l t by the feathers are few and far between on A.A. John Barleycorn has mined every inch of it. wrecking crew. It requires energy, goodwill, shoulders. “Pots of all sorts and sizes, great and small, i n i t i a t i v e , planning.” And there are ancient wolves, forsooth. Tut, that stood along the floor and by the wall; and tut. Sanctimonious billygoat whiskers have been some loquacious vessels were and some listened, The. Midwest. Council Bulletin, Minneapolis, the favorite camouflage of the genus “lupus” perhaps, b u t h a r d l y spoke at all.” Surely the Minn.: “Only because it may help someone else from time immemorial. Along about mid- old Persian Tentmaker must have been reportwho, in the same prideful conceit, the same folly dle life many of both sexes lose track of their ing an A.A. meeting when he penned those lines. and ignorance sought to serve self by prayer, emotional centre of gravity. It is not a coinci- Who is there among us that hasn’t been bored I pass on what to me is the secret of prayer. dence that some of these are also alcoholics. It is stiff by the guy or gal with the strong legs? This secret I learned only after coming into the law of averages. Nevertheless these, too, have their place in A.A. A.A. I hope earnestly it is not too simple for Prophets of doom, like the guy who’s confi- If talking endlessly and through their gats keeps understanding and belief, for it is this: Never, dent everyone else is due for a nose dive, are these A.A.s sober, who are we to kick? We go to in our extremities, ask Almighty God to come old stuff. ‘Way back there in Troy there was meetings for sobriety, not entertainment, and

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when we go for any other reason we’re getting perilously close to that next drink. Old Demosthenes, however, had something on the ball in t h i s respect, he went down to the seashore, put a pebble on his tongue, and talked to the waves —and by the t i m e he discovered his words made no impression on them, was ready to talk to people. Brevity being the soul of wit, these A.A. orators w i l l learn in time when to shut up, because most A.A.s are witty. In the meantime it might be profitable for all of us to reflect on the endless hours we spent t a l k i n g crass s t u p i d i t y w i t h our foot parked on a brass rail. We have 12 common sense Steps to guide us in this path we have chosen to tread. There are 35,000 of us, therefore there must be exactly 35,000 different ways of i m p l e m e n t i n g them. Each to his own, and more power to him, if he remains sober! That there are differences of opinion among i n d i v i d u a l A.A.s is not alarming. On the contrary, in view of the fact that all 35,000 of us s t i l l need considerable spade work done on our thinking, it is remarkable there are so few. How are we going to reconcile t h e m a l l ? Reference to the Big Book solves t h a t problem. There we are advised to be honest, w i l l i n g , and to keep an open mind. If we do this, we s h a l l also be t o l e r a n t enough to let the other A.A. hold to his own v i e w p o i n t regardless. Tennyson summed it up b e a u t i f u l l y nearly a century ago: “So many gods, so many creeds, So many ways that wind and w i n d : When just the art of being kind Is all this sad world needs.”

Kindness is the golden key which unlocks the exit for all our troubles. It is so in everyday The Pleasures of Reading (Continued from Page 5) life. It is also so in A.A. Let’s just be kind one of Mr. Justice Jackson therein is included in this collection. In nobility of spirit, it is the equal to another in brotherly love and forget our of Thoreau’s and in technique of demonstration it is superior. l i t t l e differences. After all, sobriety is what we There are many other items in this volume, more or less logically arranged, which are w o r t h seek in this new way of life—what difference reading and re-reading. There is an excellent statement of the best in pragmatism by W i l l i a m which road we travel to find it?—R.O.H. James, a summary statement of the twenty-four hour plan by the renowned Dr. William Osler, and a b i t (by Thoreau again) of the philosophy of the Puri Indians, of whom it is said that “for yesterday, today and tomorrow they have only one word, and they express the variety of meaning by p o i n t i n g backward for yesterday, forward for tomorrow, and overhead for the passing day.” Short Cornell Gets $150,000 s h r i f t of theology is made by the writers quoted on t h a t head, but no mention is made of Carlyle’s dictum that “a religion without a creed is like a body w i t h o u t a spine.” However, due t r i b u t e is For Alcoholism Study paid to the doctrine of faith by Holmes and Cozzens, and the pleasure of conversation (a lost a r t ) A gift of $150,000 to the Cornell University as well as of reading is extolled by Montaigne. Medical College for five years of research into A saving grace of the book, which, like a l l anthologies, w i l l completely satisfy nobody, is the the causes of chronic alcoholism has been an- inclusion of a judgment by John Jay Chapman: “I say that the great illusion of the period which nounced by the Research Council on Problems is now passing has been that anything whatever, no matter how recondite, could be discovered of Alcohol, an associated society of the Ameri- t h r o u g h hard i n t e l l e c t u a l work and mental concentration. Would it not then be n a t u r a l if, when can Association for the Advancement of Science, once honestly baffled in our search for truth, through concentration, we should be unexpectedly 60 East Forty-second Street. invaded by t r u t h in the relaxation that followed on our acknowledgment of failure? Surely the The project w i l l be under the direction of Dr. world will give a great sigh of relief when it discovers that a tremendous intellectual power has Oskar Diethelm, professor of psychiatry at Cor- been misapplied. We have been endeavoring to express the fluid universe of man’s emotions in nell and chief psychiatrist at the New York Hos- terms and symbols drawn from the study of physical science; and in the meantime we have all pital, 525 East Sixty-eighth Street, and calls for but forgotten the languages of Art, Poetry and Religion which alone can express the passion for the study of a limited number of patients over t r u t h with which we burn.” So, Cogitators, practical and visionary, Easy Does It!—R.F.S., Montthe five-year period. clair, N. J.

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sobriety is a small part of the program to me Sobriety Foundation now I never lose sight of the fact it is the most (Continued from Page 2) important part. In a nearby city, and near the center of town, shakes as a speaker at a group meeting. But I is a huge well-constructed f o u n d a t i o n made of made up my mind that if I was ever called on large brownstone blocks. It has been there for again I’d make some kind of lead if I got up The Brighter Side, Waterloo, Iowa— years and to all appearances the plans for before the group only to tell them how grateful b u i l d i n g on this f o u n d a t i o n have been aban- I am for this wonderful A.A. fellowship. Sandy: “Macintosh must have had a lot to doned. Hundreds of people pass it d a i l y and drink at the concert last night.” I’m sure very few give it more than a passing Accepted Next Invitation Mack: “How’s that?” glance. It has neither u t i l i t y nor beauty yet it So it came again. A friend who came into Sandy: “Well, when I was taking him home has potentiality for both. And so it is with our A.A. about the same time I did, and who was he let me fall twice.” sobriety. * * * now secretary of his group in another nearby There are times when we happen upon bits town, asked me to make a lead for his group. The Paradox, Kansas City, Mo.-— of wisdom in our reading that stand out like I accepted immediately and told him that I Son: “Pop, what’s an alcoholic?” glittering gems on a backdrop of black velvet. would do the best I could but not to expect too Father: “A man who tries to p u l l himself out Such is the following by Andrew Preston Pea much from me. I’d made the plunge and now of trouble with a corkscrew.” body which to me exemplifies the 12 Steps in I was going to face up to my responsibility. I A.A.: felt a great load lifted from my conscience and Mrs. Hibbs sought her hostess and inquired: “To live in the presence of great truths and I was grateful that he had asked me. But then “What’s become of that pretty waitress who was eternal laws, . . . to be lead by permanent ideals. anxiety set in and for days prior to the meeting passing the cocktails?” “I’m sorry,” apologized That is what keeps a man patient when the I was filled with apprehension and a sense of the hostess. “Were you looking for a drink?” world ignores him, and calm and unspoiled frustration. I’d never addressed a group before “Thank you, no,” said Mrs. Hibbs, “I was look- when the world praises him.”—Boots C. and I really wanted to tell them how I felt ing for my husband.” about A.A. I’d written out some things as reminders but * * * Prison and Welfare Magazines I got off the track and toward the end of the The barkeep kept a pet parrot and one eve- Carry Articles on A.A. lead I was mumbling in my beard and most ning a drunk climbed atop a stool and tried of those present couldn’t hear what I was saying. to catch hold of it. “Scram, landlubber,” Two articles on Alcoholics Anonymous have I had an a w f u l letdown feeling after I’d shrieked the outraged Polly. “What’s the big appeared in recent magazines. finished. But The secretary said something that idea?” The drunk looked surprised, tipped his “Here’s Looking at You!” appeared in The. put me at ease again. He said I’d mentioned hat, mumbled, “Golly, I’m sorry, mister! I New Era, a magazine devoted to developing a something in my lead that he hadn’t heard be- thought you was a boid!” better understanding between the prisoner and fore in other leads. What he referred to was society, while the other, “Some Aspects of A.A.” that I said sobriety, to me, was the foundation was written by a member of the Indianapolis of this new life. I thought it kind of him to say and which I’d turned down, called on me again. Group and appears in the fall issue of Public that. On thinking it over the next day I came We set a date and then I really took hold of Welfare in Indiana. to the conclusion he’d said that merely to relieve myself and put my new sense of values to work. The first begins: “The i n f a n t has matured. my tension and not because he really thought Before driving over to the meeting I went to The Leavenworth (Kansas, Federal Prison) it a new way to look at sobriety. my room and relaxed for 30 minutes and Group of Alcoholics Anonymous has discarded concentrated on that Power greater than myself. its swaddling clothes to become a formidable 24-Hour Plan Beat Frustration I prayed for guidance that I might present my factor in the reclamation program of the huge lead humbly, simply and sincerely. penitentiary. Eighty former tipplers, men who For four days following that lead I was in an a w f u l state of frustration. I felt defeated. My have run the gamut of riotous l i v i n g to suffer twisted thinking was a direct route to the bottle This Time at Ease social obscurity and prison sentences have now and surely would have led me there if it hadn’t I was very pleasantly surprised to find my- dedicated themselves to the Herculean task of been for one thing . . . the 24-hour plan. I self completely at ease. I stated simply and ‘ l i f t i n g the face’ permanently off the bar room had resolved in the beginning that come what honestly why I came into A.A. and what A.A. floor.” may, each morning, or at the start of each day, means to me today. This statement by the secretary is followed I would ask God’s help in seeing me through That night when I went to bed I realized at by an endorsement by Dr. Manly B. Root, the next 24 hours without a drink. last a full spiritual awakening. And it came prison psychiatrist, who says, “It is just as well That’s what held me up through those four merely by practicing the 12 Steps in my own that you don’t concern yourself with why you trying days. The fourth day I took my fishing way to the best of my ability. There were tears are alcoholics, but recognize your affliction as gear, went down to the river and rented a boat of gratitude in my eyes when I went to sleep a fact and seek to adjust your lives accordingly.” and rowed out into the lake for a little fishing . . . peaceful sleep. This is followed by half a dozen statements and meditation. I wanted to be free from any I believe one of the best things that happened from members and an explanation by prison interruption for an hour or two. I was out to me from my experiences in A.A. is the gain- authorities that they have maintained a “handsthere four hours. I don’t even know whether ing of emotional stability. off” policy. I got a bite or not but I came back in with a So, to me, sobriety is the foundation upon The second article explains A.A. and how it new sense of values. which I am building a new and better life. I functions, with emphasis on creating better un- The first group that had asked me to lead, am ten months old in A.A. And although derstanding on the part of laymen.

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Mail Call for All A. A.s at Home or Abroad lived daily. Every time we see a person down let anyone tell you that A.A. isn’t a swell deal.” and out from old John B. we say to ourselves, —Group Secretary “Were it not for A.A. and the Higher Power that would be me.” What Price Sobriety? Any help you can give me would be greatly From New York City appreciated. I would especially like to hear from R.W.E.—E.K.D. Until I took my moral inventory some months ago after being in A.A. several months I was content in being sober. Oh, I did 12th Stepping So The Day of Miracles Is Past! and a little thinking on the Steps in between the From Spencer, Iowa 1st and the 12th but until I actually wrote out Well, just try and convince any Iowa A.A. my inventory chart and was completely honest Wants Mail Contacts with myself I found I could no longer be content of that, especially since the following came to From Kentucky pass. with mere sobriety and 12th Stepping. Last January a certain “John Doe” was ar- I was first aroused to action at hearing an The letter in the current issue signed R.W.E. rested in an Iowa city, charged with operating older member say that he did not believe in getseems very apropos. ting mixed up or confused by wondering why he My last “whing-ding” was thrown while a motor vehicle while intoxicated and fined drank. He was content to accept the fact that celebrating V-E Day and my first contact with $250 which he paid. The news of this event was duly chronicled in “John Doe’s” home city there were no real reasons but excuses. This may A.A. was very soon after. be so but I found I could not just accept that I have had the misfortune of moving to a newspaper. Shortly thereafter “Doe” got on the Alco- fact or if I did I would do nothing about my small isolated place near a town of less than character defects. True as it may be that there 2,000 people. My official position is such that holics Anonymous program and, boy, did he are no real reasons for drinking there are surely I have hesitated to get out and hunt up the few ever get on! “Doe” has enough A.A. bubbling reasons why we tried to escape from reality or town drunks that are to be found in all small out of his ears to supply any shortages anythought we did by drinking. I found this out towns. That is, in a small village one cannot where. Well, in December of the same year, 1946, when I found myself as mentally drunk for sevkeep his anonymity. My superiors or bosses do eral weeks as I had ever been physically before not know of my alcoholism and being in a “John Doe’s” name again appeared in his home A.A. I found myself in a vicious circle and government job and hoping for advancement it town newspaper but NOT for the same reason as could not seem to step out of it because of would not be wise in my judgment to lay bare previously. The mayor of “Doe’s” city had resigned and mounting frustrated wrong thinking; The very my past life. Some A.A. members seem proud of their past the city council had to choose a successor and, same mood I was so often in while drinking. I went over my moral inventory chart and lives. I for one don’t feel so. When an A.A. you’ve guessed it, the aldermen UNANIMOUSLY made a more careful analysis. I found that my moves from one section of the country to an- elected “John Doe” as mayor. other I can’t see the use of telling his new “Doe” is slightly puzzled about one angle. character defects were not much better—if at all —than when I joined A.A. I could see that they acquaintances what a big drunk he was in his And that is the angle involved in newspaper needed much more working on than I had at former location. You may say that I am selfish business. and do not wish to share my A.A. with others. “The two-inch story about my O.M.V.I. ar- first suspected, if I was to change my way of thinking about problems and people.” To “know I don’t think I am as I was the fellow who al- rest,” he said, “cost me $250 and plenty of thyself” is really a lifetime job. It can also ways paid the check and was the “good sport” humiliation. The column-long story, with pic- be very interesting because to know why you in my drinking days. lure, about being elected mayor, didn’t cost me Just how would an A.A. go about in his prac- a dime and has boosted my morale and that of react to situations and people the way you do you first must realize you can’t “judge by aptice of the 12th Step in a small town where my f a m i l y 100 per cent. Seems like the news- pearance sake.” Your habits have been formed everybody knows everyone’s business and the paper business is rather screwy but don’t ever from childhood and I found I had to search alcoholic does not want his present boss to know way back to see why I reacted to problems tohis past record? There are s t i l l many people in the world who have no confidence in a reformed A LITTLE CHILD day the same way I did in my drinking days. To change my way of thinking I would have to drunk and are always expecting a slip. When From Ogden, Utah rid myself of old lifelong fears and get a new promotions are in order the former drunk is Stevie is my 51⁄2 year old boy. The first three slant in order to effect a new re-action. I displaced at the bottom of the list. This may not years of his life were separated from me by alco- covered that what I believed was a minor defect be so after many, many years have elapsed since holic fog, before A.A. It was evening, the Sun- in my character analysis, IMPETUOUSNESS, one’s drinking. day before Christmas. We lay there on the couch was my down-fall and that would have to be There may be others who have gotten on in together, listening to soft radio music. cleared up before I would be able to make much A.A. and moved to far distant small towns “Daddy, I like to be in the dark like this with headway with my other imperfections. I would where no groups are established. The writer you.” have to strive for PATIENCE both in myself would like to contact such people for mutual “Yes,” I said. “It’s fun, isn’t it?” and other people. help. “Uh huh.” He was silent a moment. “This One does not need to be confused by learning. I am of the opinion that unless we practice way I can dream without being asleep.” What is the meaning of “Keep an open mind” our 12th Step we may not too long keep our I wonder if there is a better way of explain- if not to hear other opinions which may be sobriety. To me it is a program that must be ing “meditation.”—D.P. (Continued on next page)

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better than your own if you would but take heed? One does not have to get mixed up to ALKY ALBUM my goal, is now secondary. Take friendship. Whereas I once sought to find it at bars, and make a “fearless and searching moral inven- many times accepted a poor s u b s t i t u t e as gentory” of themselves. Wouldn’t you think it uine, I now have a sincere and lasting friendship c h i l d i s h of anyone to say, “There is nothing new w i t h every member in my Group. I didn’t reato l e a r n — I know everything?” Or “I can hold lize that such sincerity existed in this world. I’ve but one t h o u g h t , the one I have?” on any given heard many state that they couldn’t say exactly subject. The one you have may be wrong as what kept them dry. One of the chief reasons it has often been in my case. It might be well I stay dry is because I know that I’d have to forto forget what you have learned and learn anew. feit the companionship of many fine friends if I am no longer willing to accept the state- I returned to my former way of life. ment t h a t sobriety is the most important thing From time to t i m e I’m amazed at the change in life. Unless you have MENTAL sobriety that has taken place in my personality. A short along w i t h it your life can be just as frustrated time ago I was critical, “cocky,” resentful. Now and complex as ever. To live with yourself and I prefer to reserve opinion until I’ve examined a get along w i t h your fellow-man you have to statement or s i t u a t i o n objectively. I ask queschange from within your old thoughts and tions and seek advice of people at whom I once habits. You have to change yourself and not scoffed. I don’t resent criticism, h e l p f u l or the other person. This is no easy task, I know otherwise. And, thank God, I’m humble. from my own experience, and though my goal One thing I like about my new l i f e is the is s t i l l a long way off I am sure sobriety is insatiable interest I have in other people and worth the price if you don’t stop there.— their problems and needs. I’m interested in con- Mildred 0. t r i b u t i n g what I can to their happiness, not for any material return. I like people now and want to help them. Healthy Thoughts for Healthy Lives Not so long ago I had a system of mental From Washington, D.C. catharsis that was little different from that used No man has ever been known to live yester- by m a n y people. A few Manhattans acted as a day over or tomorrow before it becomes a primer, generous gulps of rye or scotch put me reality. That is a sweeping generality, and us- in high gear. Then I was ready to bend the ear ually those statements have one or two excep- of anyone happening to be near. I had a multitions; but in the history of the known world to change their thoughts about them. And tude of troubles and could consume hours tell- I have never heard of the exception. And so ing about them, and I craved sympathy. My though thoughts may not literally be things it when confronting new A.A.s (and some old ones troubles have disappeared into t h i n air. And is only one’s thoughts about a day that can give verging toward the abyss) I have made this re- good or ill effects TO THE INDIVIDUAL, about sympathy—I want none of it. I now consciously mark w i t h implacable finality: “If you can tell and objectively go through some form of menthat day.—R.D. me how I can stay sober TOMORROW and do t a l catharsis each day. Used correctly I believe it TODAY I will gratuitously support you as t h i s is an all-round 365 day tonic. In conjunc- A Newcomer Looks at A.A. long as I live.” No one as yet is being sup- t i o n w i t h this I’ve set up a goal and budget for ported by me for that reason. It seems futile From Scranton, Pa. l i v i n g , giving me no time for frequenting cockto h a r p on the 24 hour program, for there seems The past two evenings were spent in A.A. t a i l lounges if the urge should ever present itself. l i t t l e left to say; but perhaps I can add some- work, and tonight will find me doing the same. S p i r i t u a l l y I’ve had a rebirth. Nothing miract h i n g that might have been unsaid, or at least I should work on my novel or study; Henry ulous has come about, nothing sensational that has not been called specifically to my attention. Morgan is on the air and I’d like to listen to is, in the ordinary sense. But this transforma- In the first place our emotions are the entities him, catch up on my reading and relax. There tion and rebirth of mine has something of the t h a t usually run riot and cause the immediate are many things I ought and should like to do. miraculous about it nevertheless. I read the upset; and they are controlled (or not) by our Instead of the many things I think I’d like to Bible now. and though I haven’t as yet gone thoughts and will. And our thoughts are more do, it is far more important that I do the t h i n g back to church, i n t e n d to do so. I pray differor less developed by the exigencies of circum- I KNOW I must do. Actually to me, 12th Step e n t l y , too. I used to tell God I’d be good and stances. Consequently we are never quite able to work is a selfish part of our program. It helps do certain things if he’d do certain things for say today what may be our thoughts for the me to practice sobriety. Each time I look upon me. Now I ask God to help me so that I may morrow. However, I will say that as long as we some man or woman who is ill, frustrated and help others. keep our thoughts (even 51% of them) con- discouraged and in need of help, I humbly thank When I was first admitted to A.A. I wons t r u c t i v e and positive our chances of being sober God for my sobriety. And, as my “charge” dered about The sacrifices I’d have to make. I the next day are fairly good. It has always been progresses, and health and confidence replace haven’t made any sacrifices. The gain has been my h u m b l e opinion that A.A. as a whole does pallor and jitters, I am rewarded. This is but entirely on my side of the ledger. not stress that factor sufficiently, nor does it even The beginning. Meeting a reunited family, hear- I’m hanging on to A.A. and The happiness it’s mildly importune its members to read some of ing their words of gratitude and joy causes my brought me. I’m hanging on with both hands the better and more constructive creations in lit- soul to truly sing. and clutching it jealously, eagerly, I know it erature. Most any individual is readily willing I reflect for a moment and realize that I’ve won’t fail me. My miraculous rebirth attests to to change his unpleasant circumstances, but he but faintly scratched the surface in reaping re- that. And speaking of miracles, I hope to help or she is seldom willing to expend the effort wards from membership in A.A. Sobriety, once perform one tonight.—F.W.

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit A.A. Message in Spanish—A second book- the Presidio of San Francisco. The year’s closed culate the years I’ve been in A.A. as the years let in the Spanish language, based p r i n c i p a l l y meeting activities were marked by visits from roll up by adding two years to the age of my on Akron No. I Group’s Manual for A.A., has B.B. of the New York Central Office and M.M. daughter. Our son was born about seven months just been made ready f o r the press by the Santa of the National Committee for Education on after my entry into A.A. so you can see we cer- Fe, N. M., Group. The first booklet, Ha De Ser Alcoholism. The former said it was the largest tainly have been receiving i n v a l u a b l e rewards Esto Nuestro Sino? was a translation into Span- closed meeting she had ever addressed. M.’s during the two years.” ish of the Salt Lake No. I Group’s Who? Me? address was transcribed and the records are now and portions of Akron’s Guide to the 12 Steps. in the hands of several Northern California Group Branches Out. — C o v i n g t o n , La. The material chosen and the translation w i l l , groups. Both visitors addressed meetings of ap- Group has started to include the towns of Hamt h e r e f o r e , not duplicate any work in process of proximately 500 A.A.s of Northern California. mond, Bogalusa and surrounding rural areas the Alcoholic Foundation in its f u t u r e p u b l i c a – since its founding in November, 1945. After the tions in Spanish. The t r a n s l a t o r is a news- A.A. on “Skid Row.” — H o w A.A. came to usual growing pains about a dozen are continupaper columnist and ex-editor of Spanish peri- some of those needing it most is described in ously sober with two new members celebrating odicals, whose f o r t e previously had been politics. the December issue of The Volunteers Gazette, their first year at a supper recently. Bogalusa Since becoming an active member his f o r t e is national publication of the Volunteers of Amer- will have its own group in the near f u t u r e and A.A. His columns are being p r i n t e d in Span- ica, in an article called “A.A. Joins V. of A.,” Hammond is expected to have a separate one ish weekly newspapers t h r o u g h o u t New Mexico. written by E.G. of the Omaha Group. “Moham- soon. The three towns may then hold an open med doesn’t come to the mountain so we’ll bring meeting each month with each town holding its Clicking in Canada. — R e a l l y tremendous the m o u n t a i n to Mohammed,” quoted one fellow own weekly meeting. Much cooperation has been advances are reported for 1946 by the A.A. to Lt. Col. Jeannette Spencer, district V. of A. received from the New Orleans Group. Grapevine’s correspondent of the Toronto Cen- officer. The article continues: “He means that t r a l Group which has meetings every night in A.A. has clubrooms in what folks in this end of Picture, Letters, Happy Ending.—The the week. Open Saturday night social meetings town consider the Cadillac-and-caviar-district of October 27, 1946, issue of The American Weekly have filled a distinct need with attendance Omaha. They don’t come out there, so we carried a series under “Letters to The Editor” around 100 while the Sunday meetings for be- would like to hold A.A. meetings in your chapel which resulted in what looks like another good ginners run about the same w i t h both new and every week, here on the fringe of Skid Row, member for A.A. An attorney wrote the magaold members a t t e n d i n g . The year’s work got where A.A. is needed.” Next day a new show- zine asking for a cover picture drawn by Percy underway with a big banquet in March w i t h for- card read: “Is D r i n k i n g Your Problem? Wel- Crosby several years ago depicting a family on mation of a central committee at the end of the come to Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings. Here the verge of divorce with the child i n q u i r i n g first six months. This group has b u i l t A.A. into Every Wednesday, 8 P.M.” The article then how he would explain the situation to his friends. a solid unit. There is a monthly meeting with tells how two dozen members and wives met The article accompanying it said the lawyer had all groups attending at the Central club rooms with seven men and women from Skid Row with shown this picture to several hundred prosat 1170 Yonge. According to our correspondent, Colonel Spencer an interested spectator. The pective divorce clients with the result that a this is the largest group in Canada and lends work has continued with new faces appearing majority of the cases were dismissed. The magaconsiderable help and direction for other groups. and the meetings have moved from the chapel zine sent the picture, asking about the case, to Members are proud that L.T.M., one of the to club rooms at the V. of A. headquarters. which the attorney responded with a case hisfounders, was made a magistrate in Toronto last Members of the Skid-Row Group donated a siz- tory, reporting the wife an alcoholic. Letters year, an event accompanied by much f a v o r a b l e able v o l u n t a r y collection for toys for children came to the Austin Group from A.A.s all over newspaper publicity. other favorable news- who attended its Christmas party. In addition, the country and the lawyer also received many. paper stories have had to do w i t h A.A. success the Omaha Group has completed redecorating A.A.s called on the lawyer but he said the where churches have failed in the work with and r e f u r n i s h i n g its clubrooms at 109 North woman had “sworn off” and was trying. Four alcoholics. 40th Street and celebrated the grand reopening days later the lawyer reported the woman wanted w i t h a gala housewarming. help, the A.A.s responded, and Austin has an- More San Francisco Groups. — The San other woman who shows every indication of fol- Francisco Group, which began the development A.A. Gets Namesake.—Celebrating his sec- lowing the program sincerely. of neighborhood groups slightly more than a ond year in A.A. recently, J.W.R. of the Mt. year ago, ended 1946 w i t h five such organiza- Vernon, Wash., Group reports that it was a Meet in Miami.—The Anona c l u b rooms tions. It began 1947 w i t h six and the prospect “double-header celebration, namely, two years and meetings of the Miami, Fla., Group have a of two or three more in the next month or two. of sobriety and happiness, and the arrival of an national convention air as ambassadors of A l l such groups retain their affiliation with the addition to our family, a baby girl! Having A.A. from many states meet at the coffee bar. central San Francisco Fellowship. Holiday week one of God’s best gifts bestowed on the second One visitor flew over from Cuba and reported was observed at the clubhouse in .the usual anniversary of A.A. may merely be coincidental, that he is starling a group in Havana. At a rehappy fashion while more than 100 attended the but Ruth and I rather think it’s just another one cent Sunday night open meeting The program Christmas dinner at the club and 275 attended of those spiritual awakenings which occur in the featured two married couples, all members of the a n n u a l New Year’s Eve dance. Outside pio- lives of A.A.s At any rate, we could think of the group. December saw the first anniversary neering activities of the group were extended no more appropriate name for our daughter of the Lake Worth Group, attended by a delewith the inauguration of an A.A. fellowship at than Alice Ann and for the sake of brevity she gation from Miami. January 26 was the a n n i the U. S. Army Letterman General Hospital, at will be known as A.A. R. It will be easy to cal- versary of the Tampa Group, also attended by

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many from Miami, while Hollywood started its first meeting with a new group last month. The Young Groups Growing. — The Maiden, Mass.. Group started last September with 18 Facing the Future big party this year was held at Sts. Peter and members and more than doubled in 90 days w i t h (Continued from Page 3) Paul through cooperation of the Catholic fathers, an attendance at the opening meeting of 65. means the most important thing in their new w i t h more than 400 present. Meetings are every Thursday at 8:30 p.m. in way of l i f e ; but it’s a nice bonus. the Spanish War Veterans Hall, 156 Pleasant 6. In overall adjustment to reality, the deci- Anniversaries Adding Up. — A n n i v e r s a r y sion to cut off alcohol w i l l not necessarily solve celebrations ranging from first to fifth have been Street. St. Mary’s, Ohio, reports a new member, total now six, with a local physician and a m i n – the u n d e r l y i n g personality f a u l t that caused unreported. The third a n n u a l banquet of the controlled d r i n k i n g . But in all cases, coping Tampa, Fla., Group was scheduled at the Bay- ister working w i t h the group on contacts. For with the u n d e r l y i n g problem—reeducating it shore Royal Hotel January 26, w i t h an excellent the present the members are attending Wednesgradually out of existence or at the least into menu, speakers from Jacksonville and Atlanta, day meetings at Lima. Present enrollment of harmlessness — becomes incomparably easier and m a n y out of town members welcomed. The the Pensacola, Fla., Group is 19 after less t h a n when alcoholism’s mighty m u l t i p l e grip on the Brooklyn, N. Y., Group plans include a dinner a year. The Clarksburg, W. Va., Group is nearly soul is loosened. on Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12, in the Hotel a year old, has 15 members and expects to i n – Enough of t a b u l a t e d assets. The list could St. George, for the fifth annual celebration. Otcrease due to the large supply of “timber.” be extended greatly. (As, for a final item, the tawa, Ont., reports the first anniversary banquet Members meet Wednesdays at 8 p.m. at 100 t y p i c a l A.A. now h a n d l i n g his own bank account w i t h over 90 present to hear six members of the Summit Court. With Essex County Groups Nos. w i t h confidence and wisdom, where in the old Toronto Group among the speakers. January days his Mr. Hyde w i t h d r e w as fast as his Dr. 26 marked the second anniversary of the Ft. I and 2 of Montclair and Newark, N. J., well J e k y l l deposited.) It’s a l l part of facing the Dodge, Iowa, Group at the Wahkonsa Hotel with launched and meeting respectively on Thursday f u t u r e without alcohol, which membership in a speaker from Minneapolis and an entertain- at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter Claver’s, Montclair, A.A., and “getting the A.A. program.” makes so ment program. The Kent, Ohio, Group made a and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at 139 Walnut, Newark, much easier. Call it group therapy, call it mass t r i p to Cleveland on the anniversary of 8005 an announcement of a third group is expected suggestion, call it what you w i l l — A . A . works! Lorain A.A. Group. Sixty made the trip, includ- soon. The first group started in September. The w i l l of an i n d i v i d u a l , pilled against alcoing eight from Ravenna. The way A.A. grows holism, hardly succeeds once in a million times was b e a u t i f u l l y demonstrated at the Morton Hold Information Meeting.—The Muncie, —for alcohol is such a powerful, wily, and Hotel in Grand Rapids, Mich., at the fifth an- m u l t i – w e a p o n e d enemy. But under the tremen- Ind., Mission Group has changed its name to nual dinner commemorating the start of A.A. the Muncie and Inter-County Group, although dous impact of mankind’s organized w i l l , Demon in West Central Michigan. More than 150 at- Rum has a l r e a d y been smashed tens and tens tended w i t h groups up to 25 coming from Ben- still meeting weekly at the Muncie Mission u n t i l a larger room can be found. Workers report a of thousands of times—and it is h a p p i l y obvious ton Harbor, St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Greenville, that defeat a w a i t s him in the f u t u r e in geometri- Lansing, Holland, Muskegon and one member great need for A.A. work in Muncie and an atcally rising numbers and world-girdling range. from Traverse City who made a trip of approxi- tempt to meet a lack of information led to a It is mankind’s organized w i l l , focused by A.A., mately 300 miles. All five of the original group meeting last month at the YWCA in Muncie that has made the great, releasing t r u t h s about are s t i l l dry and four attended the meeting. with speakers from Dayton and Indianapolis, alcoholism ring like carillons: That alcohol is including a minister, priest, physician and an not a s t i m u l a n t but a d r u g ; that alcoholism is A.A. member. About 300 invitations were sent not a habit, but an illness; t h a t the only answer Cut This Out and Mail to: to clergymen, doctors, judges and others and for the alcoholic is absolute abstention; that about 250 copies of Medicine Looks at A.A. and a sincere desire to get well plus intellectual P.O. Box 328 reeducation p l u s normal w i l l – p o w e r leads to the the A.A. booklet were obtained for the meeting Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. golden goal of not wanting to drink, rather t h a n which is expected to result in better contacts for futilely w a n t i n g not to drink. Every A.A., be- Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) 12th Step work. fore he became an A.A., knew it was utter f o l l y for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grapeto c o n t i n u e his d r i n k i n g . But he continued, he vine ( m o n t h l y ) . Happier Holidays. -Weeks after the Christ- knew it meant disaster unless he stopped. But For a d d i t i o n a l subscriptions enclose separate mas and New Year’s celebrations, reports of the he didn’t stop. And w i t h all his other alcoholsheet w i t h name and address clearly printed. way various groups rejoiced have continued to created burdens he had that n i g h t m a r e feeling Checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. trickle into The A.A. Grapevine office, telling of (we have a l l had it) of being alone in the world toys for the kids, dinners complete w i t h turkey w i t h his tragic, unsolvable problem—until he Total Enclosed and ham, coke and coffee, decorations, trees, joined the new b r i l l i a n t l y successful, and desdances, trips, Santa Clauses, elaborate programs perately needed brotherhood of man called A.A. Renewal? (please check) I remind you of Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick’s PLEASE PRINT and entertainment. Christmas parties were big eloquent words from his review of the A.A. affairs at Kent, Ohio, Tampa, Fla., Passaic, N. J., Name book”: Lincoln Park, Mich., Upper Arlington of Colum- “Stained-glass windows are not the only things Address bus, Ohio, Amarillo, Tex., Charleston, W. Va., that can be seen properly only from the inside.” Nacogdoches, Tex.; and Des Moines, Iowa. New We are inside and thousands are joining with Year’s also had parties and open houses at Cam- us. As individuals, and as a group, we face, with Note: Subscriptions received prior to February bridge, Mass., Nacogdoches, Tex., Jefferson City, high hearts, our glorious f u t u r e – w i t h o u t – a l c o h o l . 15 w i l l begin with the March issue. Mo., Louisville, Ky., Miami, Fla., and Roches- We are not lost w i t h o u t alcohol; we are found. ter, N. Y. —C. C.

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VOL. III, NO. 10. MARCH, 1947. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not necessarily, those of A. A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1947, by A. A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved. Yearly subscription $2.50 ($3 outside the United States); single copy 25 cents.

Remembering a Girl—Defeated Except Once From Arlington, Va. TODAY I am remembering. Remembering a girl of 25 who was buried not so long ‘SIWASH’ RANCHERS ago. This remembering is a form of insurance for me, insurance for more days like WORK OUT UNIQUE today. I don’t want to forget the conflict, the frightening struggle she had I had. I don’t want to forget how often she won. I do not resent her, and I do not fear her any 12th STEP TECHNIQUE longer, for now she will have to fight both God From Denman Island, British Columbia and me. And God never loses. Roundup In Texas I want to remember the day she acknowledged Remember back when you took the Scout oath and pledged yourself to do your daily good with quiet despondency that she was hopelessly Set for June 16-18 addicted to alcohol, that it was no mere beverdeed? Well, there’s an A.A. in Victoria, B. C., who practices this Scout pledge and his idea The Top o’ Texas Group’s National Round-up age, but the food and drug of her soul. And came to us from a visitor who knew his techand Barbecue will be held at A m a r i l l o on June with that acknowledgment began the, fear of nique. Each day he performs one unselfish act 16-18, it has been announced through the source of supply far more than the fear of in- which, in the ordinary course of events he would Weekly Bulletin of that group. evitable consequences. Intellectually she knew not have done. When our visitor mentioned it Preliminary estimates of the attendance indi- the outcome—emotionally she could not see far we agreed casually that it seemed to be sound cate 5,000 alcoholics and their wives as a pos- enough ahead to care. And a drink always procedure and it was not, until the following sible attendance as the dates were arranged to pushed the care aside temporarily. day that my wife and I (we’re both alcoholics) fall in vacation season and on Monday through I want to remember the nights I talked to almost simultaneously realized that here was the Wednesday when hotels and tourist courts, her—talked, threatened, pleaded, ridiculed and answer i n , simple, easy terms to a problem we which have promised f u l l cooperation, will be condemned her. How often we tried to get to- had magnified to formidable proportions. best able to handle visitors. gether to whip this thing! I told her no one Our place, called locally a “Siwash ranch” or The idea of a National Round-up of Al- else drank as she did, that she had everything broken-down farm, is on a little island 60 miles coholics Anonymous was first brought up last she wanted, so why didn’t she stop? I watched from the nearest group and there are no potenfall by Horace Fort, assistant director of the her try to pray, saw her fumbling to remember tial contacts here unless the neighbors go sud- National Committee for Education on Alcohol- the words of the De Profundis: “Out of the denly native, which I doubt very much. We, ism, in a meeting at Carlsbad, N. M. The plan depths I have cried to Thee, 0 Lord.” And therefore, have often wondered what we could was adopted enthusiastically at a meeting of the then we would resolve that tomorrow would be do in our daily living and thinking to take the Amarillo Group and was first announced outside different—we would start with a clean slate. place of 12th Step work or even compensate for at the state convention in Austin, Tex., in Oc- But tomorrow was no different. She arose the lack of contact with fellow A.A.s; we were tober. Texas groups immediately endorsed the full of determination, but ridden by fears of really quite concerned with our seeming inabilidea and pledged f u l l support. almost certain defeat. There was grit, but small ity to start repaying a very heavy debt to society. The Weekly Bulletin is now going to all hope. And before long, our time-worn game Well, here it was; all we must do was to find groups in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Ar- of duplicity was being played. We fenced with the opportunity to perform at least one unselfish kansas in addition to the regular circulation one another and her strokes became more and act each day, something a little bit hard or difto all Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma groups, more forceful until she won. And with her vic- ficult or even unpleasant. Each act, we felt, and is being extended to cover the entire United tory, again I had to sit as an onlooker, with pity would be one more cut taken at the toughest and States by April 1. Full information on plans but no strength to help in my heart, and watch thickest root of our alcoholic characters— and program will be carried. Nationally known this awful thing she was doing to herself. I selfishness. speakers, a three-day rodeo, barbecues, dinners, watched her as she slipped beyond my reach, What to do? Nothing very dramatic, I’m luncheons and other entertainment are planned. (Continued on Page 10) (Continued on Page 6)

Our Children, Too, EDITORIAL: Appreciate What On the 5th Step . . . . A. A. Has Given Us (The following letter was written to an Oklahoma City A, A., R.W.S., by his college student daughter) “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact My Darling Daddy: nature of our wrongs” 1 just got back f r o m Vespers— and just had to write you a n o t h e r letter. The speaker was George ADMITTING “the nature of our wrongs” to God and ourselves sounds much easier B., the man I was telling you about — and daddy, than confessing to another human being. We can do the first in complete privacy. his t a l k was simply wonderful! No one is listening, we say. Yet, it’s not so easy that we all are able to accomplish this He was a man about 40, I guess — and grad- Step in one sweeping confession. Several false starts sometimes are necessary before uated from law school when he was 21. He took his p r e – l a w course at Washington Univerwe find both the courage and the insight to admit even to ourselves the true, unvarsity — which is when he started d r i n k i n g — first nished nature of our wrongs. just socially w i t h his f r a t e r n i t y brothers — then One of the obstacles to applying this Step is our deep-rooted habit of refusing to on and on till he became a chronic alcoholic. face facts, or a d m i t the truth even to ourselves if and whenever the truth was unpleasant. When he graduated, he was given the position as assistant United States a t t o r n e y — and he said at We are grooved in the pattern of glossing over, covering up, beating around the multhat, time he knew he had arrived. At that time berry bush, sticking our head, in the sand—or any of the other old cliches which are there was prohibition — and he sort of laughed simply an indirect and longer way of spelling “1-i-e.” and said, “The U. S. Marshal’s office was right The truth is that during the active drinking period the patient has been doing more next door to mine — w i t h a l l the liquor that had been collected — I felt it my duly to help relieve lying to himself than to anyone else and even after he has decided to turn to the truth them of it — so I confiscated a great deal of it finds the way strange and difficult to follow. After 15 to 20 years of self-deception for them.” Then I t h i n k he must have been rethe truth is not easily recognized. moved from that office — because he said he and At first, the application of part of this Step may seem to have been achieved. his father were trying everything imaginable to solve his problem — even to the extent that he The newly enlightened patient has had a heart-to-heart talk with himself. He has admitwanted to go to a mental i n s t i t u t i o n if he thought ted to himself the nature of his wrongs. Or, has he admitted only part of the nature of it would help him. By this time, he said he had his wrongs? Has he spared himself just a little, left just a little of the varnish on the lost all of his friends — and had caused very truth? Has he spared himself again in just a bit more self-deception, in just one or two much tragedy to his loved ones. And also he had self-pitying reasons or explanations of the wrongs? been in and out of hospitals at least 40 or 50 times between 1928 and 1941. And finally his Frequently, a second and a third confession, or more, is needed before the truth, father discussed his case with a perfectly strange the whole truth and nothing but the truth is brought to light. Sometimes a great deal doctor (his father was also a doctor) and he of digging is needed to get beneath the many layers of self-deception that have been found out about A. A., and has now been sober piled on each other and become virtually petrified over the years. for five years, he also told about the, program— the meaning of A. A. — and just everything about Courage implemented by searching analysis and perseverance are needed here, it. I saw him in the hall later with his wife and the courage to face and admit the truth as it’s brought to the surface, and the per- mother and father — and daddy, they looked so severance to keep digging until it is. very very proud of him. I wanted to talk to him — but there were so many people around, that Usually the presence of an audience intensifies the difficulties of admitting self- I couldn’t get to him. truths, even when the audience is a sympathetic friend. Sometimes the mere voicing All I could think about d u r i n g the whole talk of inner secrets is a wrenching process, especially for anyone who for years has been was you, daddy — and how a w f u l l y proud I am h i d i n g all unpleasant facts even from himself. Furthermore, one must forgive h i m – of you. I know now, I should have been going self before he is ready to forgive the world of which he has been so resentful. to every meeting with you — because I guess I’m more grateful to A. A. than a n y t h i n g . It almost For these reasons many who have succeeded in the full practice of this Step recseems impossible now, that you ever drank — ommend that it be started with one’s own conscience as the sole audience. Better begin and that we were ever unhappy — because I’ve there, they say, first to learn what there is to be admitted and, second, to generate the been happier since you’ve been in A. A. than courage to take another into the confidence. I’ve ever been in my whole life. It makes me want to do better — and to make you just as But, all who have practiced the Step successfully are quick to say, too, that the proud of me as I am of you. tremendous relief which follows richly compensates for whatever mental pain and labor When that man was t a l k i n g about how hard may be experienced in the beginning. Confession, of course, has eased men all through he tried to quit drinking, I thought of the times history. Its rewards have not diminished and are within reach of the A.A. who has when I used to take you down to have a steam advanced to this point in his recovery of a useful and happy way of life. (Continued on Page 7)

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Dangers In Linking A.A. to Other Projects By Bill something” school; and, the “do nothing” we surely cannot do, about causes such as edu- .school. cation, research and the like. Our A.A. experience has been raising the fol- For example, we can say quite emphatically We have A.A.s so fearful we may become enlowing set of important, but as yet unresolved tangled, or somehow exploited, that they would that neither A.A. as a whole nor any A.A. Group questions. First, should A.A. as a whole enter keep us a strictly closed corporation. They ought to enter any other activity than straight the outside fields of hospitalization, research and would exert the strongest possible pressure to A.A. As groups, we cannot endorse, finance or non-controversial alcohol education? Second, prevent all A.A.s, whether as individuals or form an alliance with any other cause, however is an A.A. member, acting strictly as an individgroups, from doing anything at all about the good; we cannot link the A.A. name to other ual, justified in bringing his special experience (Continued on Page 5) total alcohol problem, except, of course, their and knowledge into such enterprises? And straight A.A. work. They see the spectre of the thirdly, if an A.A. member does take up these Washingtonian movement among alcoholics phases of the total alcohol problem, under what of a hundred years ago which fell into disunity An Open Letter conditions should he work? With respect to these questions, almost any partly because its members publicly took up to cudgels for abolition, prohibition—and what opinion can be heard among our groups. Gennot. These A.A.s believe that we must preserve Dr. W. D. Silkworth erally speaking, there are three schools of our isolation at any cost; that we must keep From Philadelphia thought, the ”do everything” school; the “do absolutely to ourselves if we would avoid like Almost six years ago Dr. C. Dudley Saul, perils. just recently deceased, did more than any other 12 STEPS Then we have the A.A. who would have us “do individual to start me on my road to recovery everything” for the total alcohol problem—any- in Alcoholics Anonymous. Since that time I’ve IN REVERSE time, anyplace and any way! In his enthusiasm, seen many doctors befriend many alcoholics in he not only thinks his beloved A.A. a “cure-all” the same manner; until today we recognize doc- From Chicago, III. for drunks, but he also thinks we have the tors everywhere as our best friends. Everyone is always talking about the 12 Steps answer for everything and everybody touching During the same six year period I have read in A. A. Another way of thinking about it are alcohol. He strongly feels that A.A. ought to many articles by psychiatrists, doctors, psychothe 12 Mis-Steps of A. A. Here they are: place its name and financial credit squarely be- logists and therapists; and I have heard many 1. Start missing meetings for any reason, real hind any first rate research, hospital or educa- speak at A. A. meetings. Handicapped, perhaps, or imaginary. tional project. Seeing that A.A. now makes the by having had little contact with any of us until 2. Become critical of the methods used by headlines, he argues that we should freely loan after we had become active alcoholics, these other members who may not agree with you in out our huge good will. Says he, “Why shouldn’t people invariably class us as mentally and moeverything. we A.A.s stand right up in public and be rally abnormal. Their theme has been that we 3. Nurse the idea that someday, somehow, you counted? Millions could be raised easily for took to drink because we had failed to grow up ; can drink again and become a controlled drinker. good works in alcohol.” The judgment of this we refused to face life’s responsibilities; we suf- 4. Let the other fellow do the 12th Step work enthusiast is sometimes beclouded by the fact he fered every sort of fear complex; we lived in a in your group. You are too busy. wants to make a career. But with most who mental state of childhood; we were so far below 5. Become conscious of your A. A. seniority enthuse so carelessly, I’m sure it’s more often par in society that we became alcoholics. We are and view every new member with a skeptical, a case of sheer exuberance plus, in many in- almost convinced that to admit being an alcoholic jaundiced eye. stances, a deep sense of social responsibility. is tantamount to an admission of inferiority in 6. Become so pleased with your own views basic character. of the program that you consider yourself an Policy Now Clear That I cannot take! I want to consider myself “elder statesman.” an average person ; a member of a cross section 7. Start a small clique within your own group, So we have with us the enthusiasts and the of the community of which I am a part. I admit, composed only of a few members who see eye- ultra-cautious; the “do everythings” and the thank God, that I am an alcoholic; that my life to-eye with you. “do nothings.” But the average A.A. is not so is unmanageable when I drink; that I can never 8. Tell the new member in confidence that you worried about these phenomena as he used to again safely take a drink containing alcohol. But yourself do not take certain of the 12 Steps be. He knows that out of the heat and smoke I want to continue to believe that I am and alseriously. there will soon come light. Presently there will ways have been an average person. That, being 9. Let your mind dwell more and more on how issue an enlightened policy, palatable to every- an alcoholic, my pattern of drinking led to exmuch you are helping others rather than on how one. Tested by time, that policy, if sound, will cesses which created in me all the character defimuch the A. A. program is helping you. become A.A. tradition. ciencies, the abnormalities which so many of 10. If an unfortunate member has a slip, drop Sometimes I’ve feared that A.A. would never your and your associated professions cite as the him at once. bring forth a workable policy. Nor was my fear cause or origin of my alcoholism. 11. Cultivate the habit of borrowing money abated as my own views swung with complete I find in your article in the recent A. A. from other members; then stay away from meet- inconsistency from one extreme to the other. Grapevine a comforting confirmation of my beings to avoid embarrassment. But I should have had more faith. We are lief. You have been a friend indeed. For me, 12. Look upon the 24-hour plan as vital to commencing to have enough of the strong light and I am confident for many other alcoholics, new members, but not for yourself. YOU have of experience to see more surely; to be able to you have contributed greatly to a sure confidence outgrown the need of that long, long ago.—C. L. say w i t h more certainly what we can, and what in recovery. — -F. H. C.

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Phone Call Across the Ocean Sets A. A. in Motion At 10 o’clock on the morning of Tuesday, a former Army officer. Fortunately, this man was Captain B. had gone well, he said that the man January 28, the switchboard operator at the available. He agreed to drop everything in order was indeed worth helping. He also reported that Alcoholic Foundation, general headquarters of to help. the captain was deeply grateful for everything Alcoholics Anonymous, received a signal from He pointed out that the first problem would being done for h i m and was enormously surthe transatlantic telephone operator in New be to get to the man when the ship arrived in prised, that a n y t h i n g was being done! York. New York. To arrange this detail, he got in At present, the captain awaits the disposal of “Will someone there be available for a call touch with a bishop of the Catholic Church who his case at Camp Kilmer, N. J. He is under from Nordholz, Germany, at 2:30 p. m. tomor- is also a friend of A. A. On learning the facts, arrest, but the A. A. secretaries have arranged row?” she asked. the bishop readily agreed to help. for visitors to see him. “Yes, of course. Can you tell us the nature of The bishop contacted the Port of Embarkation The lawyer is standing by for approval or disthe call?” in New York. There he discovered that the approval of the decision in Washington. “No, but I can say that the call is urgent,” the Father in charge formerly had been chaplain The Father at the Port of Embarkation has operator replied. on the same transport! This meant that the communicated with his colleagues at Camp Shortly before 3 o’clock the following after- Father would have no trouble boarding the ship Kilmer. They, too, have promised to do whatnoon, the transatlantic telephone contact was to contact Captain B. ever is possible for the captain. In any event, made. The message set in motion a series of Meanwhile, the A. A. ex-Army officer sought the young captain is not without friends. events that taxed the imagination and ingenuity and obtained the help of a lawyer who was The message from Germany was the first of the A. A. general headquarters secretaries and friendly to A. A. transatlantic telephone call received by the Alnumerous other A.A.s and friends. The Father reported that his interview with coholic Foundation. The telephone call came from the base surgeon at an Army hospital in Germany. He was troubled about his friend and patient, Captain B. The captain, it developed, was in serious 118 New Groups Reported In Last Two Months trouble. In fact, he had been tried by a military New groups reported to the Central Office be- NEVADA-—Nevada state Prison at Carson City. court in Germany and sentenced to dismissal tween Dec. 11 and Feb. 11 are as follows: NEW JERSEY—Ironbound Group (Newark) ; from the service. Would A. A. help? ARIZONA—Downtown Tucson. Fairlawn; Dumont. According to the base surgeon, Captain B.’s ARKANSAS—Jonesboro. NEW MEXICO—Silver City; Espanola of Sante Fe. troubles began when he tried again to drink CALIFORNIA—Walnut Creek; Polk-Gulch (San NEW YORK—Franklin Square; New York City “socially.” A member of A. A. in a western Francisco); Porterville; Bay Cities of Santa Salvation Army Group; Mt. Vernon; Scars state, the captain had earned an excellent record Monica, Highland Park, Eureka; Tehachapi dale; Orangeburg; Johnstown; Southampton; in the Army during the war. When the war Institution for Women, Eldorado County; Del Fleetwood Group of Mt. Vernon; Sidney; ended, he was stationed in Germany where even- Paso Heights; Burbank #3; Amazon (Sun Canton; St. Nicholas Group of New York City. t u a l l y be attempted “to take a few drinks.” The Francisco) ; Hawthorne. NORTH CAROLINA—Rowland; Graham. inevitable happened and now the captain had CONNECTICUT—Southington. NORTH DAKOTA—New Rockford. been convicted of drunkenness on duty. Was FLORIDA—Delray Beach; Lake Worth; Men’s OHIO-—Findlay; Linden (Cleveland); Veterans there anything A. A. could do? Group, Daytona Beach; Hollywood. Hospital, Marion; Saturday Night of Dayton; Further conversation with the base surgeon GEORGIA—Cuthbert; Manchester. Crossroad of Cleveland; Aurora; Saturday disclosed that Captain B. was aboard an Army IDAHO—Anderson Dam. Night West Side (Columbus); Carrollton; transport, arriving in New York at 8:30 a. m., ILLINOIS—Bloomington #2 and #3; Dupo. Superior (Cleveland); Dorr (Toledo). February 1. The general headquarters secretary INDIANA-—Thorntown; Franklin. OKLAHOMA—El Reno; Pauls Valleys; Hobart. promised to do everything possible. IOWA—Carroll; University of Des Moines; Mon- PENNSYLVANIA—Chambersburg; Upper Darby Realizing that time was short, the A. A. secre- day Night of Sioux City; Sunday Afternoon (Philadelphia); Ridgway; Bradford; Coatestaries immediately went to work on the problem. Group of Sioux Group; Cumberland. ville. A telephone call was put in to an A. A. friend, KANSAS—Coffeyville; Honor Farm Group; SOUTH DAKOTA—Camel Club of Aberdeen; Bat- United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth. tle Mountain. KENTUCKY—Fort Knox. TENNESSEE—Paris. THINK IT OVER! LOUISIANA—Crawley. TEXAS—Crockett; Gatesville; San Angelo; Pales- From While Plains, N. Y. MASSACHUSETTS—Hingham; Malden; Seamen’s line; Tyler; Centerville; Henderson; Athens; Then there was the gal who thought she only Club, Boston. Goose Creek; St. Cleburne; Shamrock. needed 10 of the 12 Steps. The other two were MICHIGAN—Tawas City; Center Line; Cosmo- VIRGINIA—Richmond. for the suckers and she decided she could skip politan (Grand Rapids) ; Saturday Night WASHINGTON—-Bellingham. them. She stayed sober but didn’t get complete Group of Flint; Tuesday Group of Grand WEST VIRGINIA—South Side Group of Charleston. release and happiness. One day, as she was strug- Rapids. WISCONSIN—Fond du Lac; Superior; Madison gling up the stairs (56 of them) from cellar to MINNESOTA—Robbinsdale. #2; Oshkosh. attic, bowed down under the weight of a heavy MISSISSIPPI—Amory; Houston. WYOMING—Big Horn. box spring and mattress, she had a sudden flash MISSOURI—Macon; Evergreen Group of St. CANADA—Exeter, North Bay, Wallaceburg, all of of illumination. “I’d be in a hell of a mess,” she Louis. Ontario; Saskatoon; Banff; Beacon Hill of reflected, “if I thought I could skip two of these NEBRASKA—Scotts B l u f f ; Hastings; Hastings Victoria; New Glasgow. steps!”—L. K. State Hospital at Ingleside. CUBA—Havana.

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Dangers In Linking A.A. to Other Projects (Continued from Page 3) enterprises in the alcohol field to the extent that the public gets the impression we have abandoned our sole aim. We must discourage our members and our friends in these fields from stressing the A.A. name in their p u b l i c i t y or appeals for funds. To act otherwise will certainly imperil our unity, and to maintain our u n i t y is s u r e l y our greatest obligation—to our brother alcoholics and the public at large. Experience, we think, has already made these principles self-evident. Though we now come to more debatable ground, we must earnestly ask ourselves whether any of us, as individuals, ought to carry our special experience into other phases of the alcohol problem. Do we not owe this much to society, and can it be done without involving A.A. as a whole? To my mind, the “do nothing” policy has become u n t h i n k a b l e , p a r t l y because I’m sure that our members can work in other non-controversial alcohol a c t i v i t i e s w i t h o u t jeopardizing A.A., if they observe a few simple precautions, and p a r t l y because I have developed a deep conviction that to do less would be to deprive the whole of society of the immensely v a l u a b l e cont r i b u t i o n s we could almost certainly make. Though we are A.A.s, and A.A. must come first, we are also citizens of the world. Besides, we “This shellac lasted better the last time—when we mixed a little fruit juice are, like our good friends the physicians, honor- with the thinner.” bound to share all we know w i t h all men. hire an A.A. And could that A.A., for this spe- the A.A. name became associated in the public We’re A.A.s First cial purpose, break anonymity? My answer was mind with a fund raising campaign, there was Therefore it seems to me that some of us that of course an A.A. could be engaged; that still more confusion. Some givers were under must heed the call from other fields. And those such an engagement could not, by any imagina- the impression they were contributing to A.A., who do need only remember first and last they tion, be a professionalization of A.A. as the only to be told by friends that A.A. did not are A.A.s; that in their new activities they are work to be done would be in another field en- solicit money. Hence a long-term l i a b i l i t y of individuals only. This means that they w i l l re- tirely; that if an A.A. could make a better edu- dropping anonymity is beginning to offset its spect the principle of anonymity in the press; cator, then why not? Though there has never short-term advantages. As experience makes this that if they do appear before the general public been much question that this was sound enough more clear, not only to me, but to my friends they w i l l not describe themselves as A.A.s; that policy, the same could not be said for my reply of the university and of the educational comthey will refrain from emphasizing their A.A. on the matter of dropping anonymity, to which, mittee, they agree perfectly and are now enstatus in appeals for money or publicity. in this instance, I gave approval. deavoring to correct the situation. These simple principles of conduct, if con- That course has since proved mistaken. A Naturally, and most earnestly, I hope that scientiously applied, could soon dispel all fears, good A.A. friend of mine took this particular none of those involved or the work of the comreasonable and unreasonable, which many A.A.s post and then dropped anonymity. The first mittee will suffer to any degree from our misnow entertain. On such a basis A.A. as a whole effect was good. It brought A.A. a considerable take. Such, after all, is the purpose of trial and could remain uncommitted yet f r i e n d l y to any a m o u n t of publicity and many members. On error by which we all learn and grow. non-controversial cause seeking to w r i t e a the educational side the public was made con- Briefly summarizing, I’m rather sure our polbrighter page in the dark annals of alcoholism. scious as never before that alcoholism is a sick- icy with respect to “outside” projects will turn A concluding word. Several years ago, I be- ness and that something could be done about out to be this: A.A. does not sponsor projects lieved that we might, in a limited and cautions it. So far, very good. in other fields. But, if these projects are conway, lend our name to selected outside ventures. But of late, some confusion has arisen. Be- structive and non-controversial in character, A.A. One of these was a very promising educational cause of the large amount of publicity linking members are free to engage in them without project. I was asked by faculty members of Yale the A.A. name and that of the educational proj- criticism if they act as individuals only, and are University sponsoring the National Committee ect, the public tends to think A.A. as a whole careful of the A.A. name. Perhaps that’s it. for Education on Alcoholism whether they might has gone in for alcohol education. And when Shall we try it?

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On the Subject of Drugs, by One Who Took to Them From Chicago more degradation attached to their use t h a n hav- to that s t a t e m e n t is this: To be f r a n k w i t h your Regardless of the merit of a single code of ing drunk to excess. doctor, whether he be y o u r f a m i l y physician or conduct, two codes of conduct still prevail in It must be impressed on the alcoholic that to a new doctor you are seeing for the first time. the emotional, if not the intellectual, make-up take any form of sedation is dynamite for him Tell him you are alcoholic and therefore allergic of the world at large. The drunken woman is or her. In my opinion the alcoholic is the po- to any s t i m u l a n t or depressant. After your canmore despised and far less tolerated than the tential sedative or drug addict. dor he w i l l not prescribe sedation except in drunken man. These tricky little pills that bring momentary specific illness or emergency. Keep in mind surcease are value changers. We strive for a that the average doctor has been at wits’ end Deceit, resentment, intolerance and false pride new set of values when we dry up, using the for years dealing with alcoholism and is usually are prevalent in the average woman alcoholic. conscience as a yardstick. Then it stands to rea- only too glad to hear from an A.A. who has The woman alcoholic has for years or months, son that we must be in f u l l control of our facul- self-knowledge and i n f o r m a t i o n to impart. as the case may be, tried to hide her affliction ties if we want to progress. We are o n l y in com- If I sound dictatorial, I have not meant to from family, friends, grocers, butchers, laundryplete control when we are using our brains in preach. I am a secondary sedative and narcotic men, repairmen, and the host of people with f u l l consciousness. The sedative acts upon the addict, just as I am a p r i m a r y alcohol addict. whom her pursuit of daily affairs throws her brain in the same theoretical, although more I use the term “primary” in connection with into contact. Deception has been a necessity! subtle, way that alcohol does. alcohol because I was first alcoholic, and “sec- Deception has become a major habit! There- We are aware of the personality change that ondary” in connection with my drug addiction fore, it is extremely difficult to meet this group look place after taking a few drinks—we know because in trying to control my alcoholism I and suddenly realize that complete honesty our resolutions went out the window and our became acquainted with sedatives, then narmeans very existence—complete honesty meansense of values was no longer the same. So it cotics. I say “I am” addicted because my ading the ability to be entirely honest with one’s is with the sedative and narcotic user. Drugs diction is arrested o n l y if I stay away from the self as well as one’s fellow man. It is difficult— change the whole thought process of an indi- first sedative and the first drink. but it is a requisite in this way of life. vidual. For every alcoholic the sedative or Resentment and intolerance are also major narcotic is dangerous, but to the alcoholic who characteristics to be eliminated, but in my A.A. not a Drug Cure has at any time used either to any extent, it is opinion the elimination of these traits is a slow tantamount to suicide for him or her to resort People ask whether A.A. is the answer for and constant process. The eight-year associate, to sedation. drug addicts. I, of course, am not qualified to as well as the two-month associate, is constantly People have said to me, “My doctor pre- answer that question, but, in my opinion, A.A. striving to overcome old or new resentments scribed this sedative for my nerves, therefore it is not the specific for a primary drug addict, and to maintain an attitude and practice of must be all right for me to take it.” My answer that is, the man or woman with no history of tolerance. alcoholism. I base my opinion on this premise: We, as alcoholics, have the common bond of Let’s Face the Problem pattern experience, pattern behavior and pat- ‘SIWASH’ RANCHERS tern recovery or arrestment; on the other hand, The total breakdown of false pride is a dras- (Continued from Page 1) if the alcoholic with no drug history were called tic procedure. The very presence of us women to see a fellow-being in the throes of narcotic alcoholics in A.A. means that at some time we afraid, just simple things like my wife’s carryor sedative agony the inexperienced alcoholic have had to let go the last vestige of that false ing our spare milk every day—in some pretty would have no personal knowledge to draw on pride. bad weather, too—for an elderly couple whose and therefore lack the very quality that the drug The peace, joy, self-respect and the respect cow had gone dry. She has so far outscored me addict needs—understanding. of her family and community are large rewards in her endeavors for I miss quite a few days, but We all feel the fellowship that comes from” she finds through A.A.’s way of life and amply I have discovered that I have more spare time m u t u a l understanding of a mutual problem, and repay her for all the initial doubt, fear and than I thought and have been able to help out trepidation. I think that common bond would be lacking bevarious neighbors with tough jobs. Sometimes tween the primary alcoholic and the primary I would like to discuss a problem pertinent we discover to our mutual embarrassment that to both the man and woman alcoholic—seda- we are helping each other out! drug addict. tives and narcotics. Actually, it works like a charm. It’s so much I do not for one moment believe that Alco- I would venture to say one-third of the mem- easier than trying to change one’s entire charac- holics Anonymous principles can only be utilbers of the group have had some experience ter overnight or making a dramatic gesture to- ized by alcoholics. I cannot think of any perwith barbiturates or narcotics. This subject wards the welfare of the world in general. It’s son in any situation to whom the 12 Steps would seems taboo for the new man—and some not simply the principle of “easy does it,” the old not bring great comfort and alleviation. Howso new—who feels that to admit attraction to 24-hour schedule again. ever, I believe that to be most effective there sedatives should be either forgotten or ignored. Anyway, it works for us and we are just as must be similar experiences shared and similar I think the man or woman with any acquaint- pleased as if our hens were each laying two recoveries or arrestments to serve as examples. ance with the host of sedatives or narcotics— double-yolk eggs a day or if Baby, the cow, If at any time I can share my experiences with nembutal, sodium-amytal, seconal, pheno-barbi- had presented us with twin heifer calves. any one of you who has had this problem perlal, codeine, morphine, pantapon and many It may be that some lone members could use sonally, or is sponsoring someone with a sedaothers—should by all means be perfectly frank the idea with as much profit as ourselves.— tive or narcotic problem, my time is yours.— about using or having used them. There is no Ted M. Mary M.

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The Pleasures of Reading Great Adventures & Explorations, edited by Vilhjalmur Stefansson (Dial Press, $5) From The Paradox, Kansas City, Mo. Here is an integrated, colorful, and muscular chronicle of the great adventures and explora- The English barmaid was a flirtatious piece tions which opened up a planet to its inheritors. The major discoverers, from earliest times to and the tall, sunburned Texas private was right the present, tell the reader, in their own words, what they saw. The editor’s attitude is as unordown her alley. The MP had left the bar for a thodox as it is fascinating. moment and the barmaid cuddled up to the By letting these colorful adventurers recount their stories in their own way, the editor has pre- Texan and murmured, “Here’s your chance, big served the flavor, ambitions, and emotions of other times. Readers may wonder if these travelers boy.” to strange and remote countries weren’t rebels getting away from it all, as alcoholics often do. “You said it,” agreed the private enthu- Of course, these explorers traversed real deserts of scorching sand and actual swamps of dark siastically—and drank the MP’s beer. and reeking muck, and climbed towering mountain ranges. Vivid prose catches the roar of tropical storms, the groan of tumbling ice floes, and the boom of the surf upon lonely islets. Many world-discoverers were rebels—ruthless, undaunted, and ambitious—their gallantry was From Utah State Prison Group fabulous, and their skepticism of things as they seemed was notorious. They were driven by curi- At a recent A.A. meeting one member re- osity, by lust for wealth and glory, and they created their own destinies. Such motives were their marked that it had always been his habit to use chief attributes. a drink to steady his nerves. Another remarked, There is Leif Ericsson, shadowy in the chiaroscuro of the Aurora Boreal is, who discovered “Yeah, me too, but after a while I began to over- North America; Columbus, nakedly and unashamedly seeking the fabulous Indies, a liar, bragdo it and sometimes my nerves became so steady gart, salesman, and hero; Magellan, glowering eastwards from Goa in his quest for cloves and 1 couldn’t even move!” nutmegs, finding death midway in his search. Theirs was the burning desire to see what lay beyond the “sunset and the baths of all the western stars,” to glimpse those newer worlds which have from C. W.F.., Portland, Ore. haunted the imaginations of all great explorers since Pytheas the Greek, of Marseilles, made the first recorded Arctic voyage in 330 B.C. Oldtimer: “How long you been in A.A.?” Other stories re-told are those of Balboa and Pizzaro, the Spanish Conquistadores; Frobisher Newcomer: “Two months.” and Drake, Elizabethan freebooters; the conquerors of the North and South Poles; the first navi- Oldtimer: “Take it easy, bub, you’re not even gators of the world’s great rivers—almost all these adventurers sought personal gain, and many dry behind the cars yet.” cheated and murdered to bring their dreams to realization. The reader experiences vicariously Newcomer: “I’m not interested in ‘behind the the mighty accomplishments of discovery throughout the ages. ears’; what I want to do is get dry ‘between The careers of these picturesque figures were magnificently adventurous; each was impelled the ears.’ ” by large and spacious ideas—curiosity and the yearning for glory and wealth—all great, all tragic; in the imagination of each adventurer was sounding From The Brighter Side, Waterloo, Iowa “the noise of a nameless sea Time tells on a man—especially a good time. On an undiscovered isle,” and not a few of them found A lady drunk was overheard to say early New “The undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveler returns.”—R.E.B., Greenwich Year’s morning, “All are not bugs that jitter.” Village, New York City.

Chuck: “What in the world makes your tongue Children Appreciate A.A. Prison Plan Successful so black?” Chick: “I once dropped a bottle of whisky on (Continued from Page 2) A year ago a member of the Glen Ridge, N. J., a freshly tarred road.” Group organized a plan of rehabilitation for bath—and of the afternoon when I went down alcoholics in cooperation with Warden D. with you to get that medicine—and of all the Knowlton Read of Essex County Penitentiary at From The Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio mornings I called you at the office and told you Caldwell, N. J., with the recovery of many men Woman is an extravagant creature, but here please not to get drunk that day. And then and women resulting. Warden Read is a strong are a few things she doesn’t do: f i n a l l y of the time you were all packed and supporter of A.A. and went all out for the Shoot two bucks worth of shell at a two-bit mother took you to the hospital—and told me program which began by segregating alcoholics rabbit. Buy a 55-cent meal and give the waitress a quarter for smiling at her. Hire a boat for $50 you were going on a little trip. And daddy— from the criminal element by placing them in to get where the fish ain’t. Play her winnings a l t h o u g h I loved you more than I could ever separate tiers. This was followed by a screening from a roll of quarters back into the one-arm to determine those receptive to the A.A. protell you before you took that little trip—now, I bandit. Pay $8 for a quart of liquor. Buy the gram, then interviews with those ready to begin not o n l y love you more than anyone in this house a drink when she owes the rent, the the A.A. program. After many weeks the whole world—I think you’re the finest and most inmate, if he has advanced to the point where butcher, etc. wonderful man I’ve ever known or ever hope to adjustment is assured, has his case presented Keep an open mind, but be sure it isn’t know. by an A.A. before the judge who committed him open at both ends! I’d better close and start studying.—Nancy and his release is sought.

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was able to help others, and with them formed a group which worked out a set of principles, the following out of which could produce sobriety. Hartford, Conn., Times: “The State Commis- on the back for salvaging many households that ‘”Basically religious in inspiration, but sion on Alcoholism, using funds authorized by were being destroyed by booze, the judge said. drawing strength from the group fellowship and the 1945 General Assembly, has selected Hart- Fathers who before drank and would not sup- from the practice of helping other alcoholics, ford as the location for a hospital for treatment port their families are now model parents, A. A. now has a membership of more than of 20 to 50 alcoholics. thanks to the A.A.s, Judge Deitrich said.” 30,000. They estimate that 50 to 75% are free of “The hospital, first of several planned for their former compulsion t o . d r i n k ! ‘ ” major population centers throughout the state, Nashville, Term., Banner: “A plan that would will be a ‘pilot set-up’ for other institutions in permit the General Sessions Court and Davidson Philadelphia, Pa., Record: “A Kentucky the state. Considerable research work will be con- County to treat alcoholism as ‘the disease which gambler has started an organization called Gamducted at the institution, according to Dr. Dud- it is’ instead of a moral issue which holds that blers Anonymous, modeled after Alcoholics ley Miller, executive director. Work on the every intoxicated person is steeped in sin, was Anonymous. His purpose is to save gamblers hospital will begin as soon as a desirable build- proposed today by Judge Henry K. Todd. from the gambling habit by forming clubs and ing can be found or land can be purchased and “Most radical, for Davidson County, was having the members encourage each other to a b u i l d i n g constructed, Dr. Miller said. Judge Todd’s plan to have at least eight beds as stop gambling. “The commission, which has received wide a starter set aside in some hospital for such alco- “But isn’t it possible that in these quiet everecognition throughout the country for its pro- holics who are sent there by General Sessions nings in the Gamblers Anonymous club the exgram on alcoholism, is financed by approxi- judges, instead of bundling them off to the work- horse and poker players might start having a mately nine per cent of liquor license fees.” house or imposing fines.” few snifters to pass the time in lieu of passing the blue-chip bet? Glasgow, Scotland, Bulletin: “While during “And then suppose that across the street, in Dayton, Ohio, News: “‘Alcoholism begins at the festive season thousands throughout the an Alcoholics Anonymous club, some of the home,’ Alson J. Smith, writing in The Woman, world will be thinking of Scotland, one Scot, by boys started a l i t t l e game of stud, with one-eyed says in an article illustrated by a drawing of the name of Beveridge, w i l l be dreaming of his jacks wild, just to take their minds off having a grim looking papa pouring his toddler a slug n a t i v e c o u n t r y as a place where habitual drunk- a few snifters? of whiskey. “Supposing, again, that the anonymous alenness is unknown. “An alarming number of children drink, coholics (cured of the drink habit) became gam- “Determined to make his dream as close to Smith reports, adding that ‘even when children blers and the anonymous gamblers (cured of reality as possible, Mr. Beveridge—Charles, 53 do not drink, the roots of a future addiction years of age, a machine-shop worker, of 182 gambling) became alcoholics? to alcohol are to be found in childhood.’ Boreland Drive, Knightswood, Glasgow, and ‘no “Perhaps this tragedy might be overcome, “Statistics reveal, he says, that the majority bigoted teetotaller’—is engaged in a one-man in a way. The victims of the ‘new’ vices could of America’s chronic alcoholics began their crusade to form groups all over Scotland of an change their club memberships and start all drinking as children. Alcoholics Anonymous re- American organisation which claims to have over again. cently distributed a questionnaire, and of those “Most of us are in favor of both Anonymouses. cured thousands of alcohol victims. replying, he says: ‘65.3% confessed that they We hope the G.A. is half as successful as the “Nor is the organisation, which carries the had become drunk for the first time between the name of Alcoholics Anonymous—A.A.—and al- ages of 15 and 19; 6.1% between the ages of 10 A.A.” ready has branches in a number of countries out- and 14; and 1% under the age of 10.’ The figside the U.S., a temperance society in the ordi- ures, he emphasizes, indicate only the first drunk nary sense. Its one purpose is to help the sick —not the first drink. Toronto A.A.s Busy alcoholic recover if he wishes. . “It has been found, he also notes, that. one A new Toronto, Ontario, Can., Group, the “Principal point about A.A. is that it is run of the characteristics of the average alcoholic Parkdale, has been organized and all groups for alcoholics by alcoholics and former alco- is that he is neither the oldest nor the youngest there report satisfactory results with the women’s holics. Its prospective Scottish founder, how- child in the family. Explanation is that the ‘in- group doing especially fine work. Much favorever, is none of them. But, he said, the need between’ child is most likely to feel discrimi- able newspaper publicity has been received in for such a body was so urgent that he had taken nated against or unloved.” Toronto, both on general understanding of the on himself the task of starting it. alcoholic problem and one article, a half-page “Plans include the formation of a committee Boston, Mass., Christian Science Monitor: “Al- spread, “Only Alcoholics Need Apply,” deof interested people and a public meeting in coholics Anonymous undoubtedly represents the scribed an A.A. party and told of outstanding Glasgow with a view to starting a group in the most promising therapeutic resource for alco- business and professional men who have been city.” holism now available, Dr. Harry M. Tiebout, rehabilitated through A. A. psychiatrist and authority on inebriety, said in a The successful growth of A.A. in this area Akron, Ohio, Beacon-Journal: “Postwar im- radio broadcast last night on the problem was also demonstrated at the fourth anniversary provements in home environment were credited drinker. banquet held in Toronto and attended by aptoday with cutting juvenile crime by 40 per cent ” ‘Twelve years ago a most hopeful present- proximately 600. Dick S., New York, was the in Portage County (Ohio) in 1946. This was day treatment for alcoholism had its inception principal speaker. Twenty-two Canadian and disclosed by Juvenile Judge Clay Deitrich in his when the man who founded A. A. had the ex- U. S. groups were represented at the affair which a n n u a l report to the Portage County Youth Com- perience which brought sobriety to him,’ Dr. began w i t h open house followed by a buffet mission last night. Tiebout told his audience. supper, a large open meeting and, lastly, a “Alcoholics Anonymous also received a pat ” ‘Spurred by what had happened to him, he closed meeting at the clubhouse.

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Mail Call for All A. A.s at Home or Abroad A. A. program. And I pray that together we will better nor have I ever been happier than I am Letters to this department are invited on any find a brighter tomorrow.—Doris R. at present. So to all the members, and especially subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limitations you are asked to hold your letters to a the newer ones, I’ll leave this thought—if we w i l l maximum of 350 words. let the A. A. program help us, we cannot fail. Is It Really Anonymous? Only initials will be published unless the We may get disgusted and become depressed, but writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- From Winter Haven, Fla. fication for A.A. friends. if we will stick to the 24-hour program and trust A very interesting story appeared in a local The A.A. Grapevine will not divulge the full in God, everything else will take care of itself name of any writer but will forward A.A. com- paper recently, outlining a talk given to one munications addressed to the writers of letters and work out all right. I hope that I do not of our men’s clubs by a member of the Tampa published here.—The Editors sound as if I were preaching. I am very, very A. A. Group. We have a friend whom we feel sincere in that thought. So thanks again to A. A. is just about ripe, and while I have not been Hook Encourages Wife and all my fellow members for the help they personally associated with the movement, I have have given me, and for the satisfaction that is From Keokuk, Iowa heard enough good things about it to recommend mine, due to the most wonderful organization Two days ago my husband, a member of A. A. it highly to him. The biggest bridge he has to in the world.—B. A. for four months, had a “slip”—the first since cross is that admission of being an alcoholic, as joining. But, for the first time, I do not feel I imagine it is for most people in his position. Helping Hands and Hearts discouraged. Instead my heart is filled with more The man may have a lot of false pride, but who From Binghamton, N. Y. hope, courage, and more enthusiasm for A. A. among us hasn’t to some degree and in some I was helped out of a taxi, half carried up than ever before. respects? Naturally, that came to the fore when two flights of stairs into a large room; helped You see, I’ve read the book, Alcoholics Anony- he read the article which I had just skimmed, into a chair and here let to cry, rave and rant mous, and was so moved over the soul-searching for it named two members of the Tampa Group, my head off. I was dirty, tired, mentally and technique of the chapter, Into Action, that I thereby giving him a fine argument against my physically. I was once more desperately seeking searched my own heart for the times when I, exhortations that A. A. was all the name implied. help. I had been on a week’s bender and I was too, have failed. The chapter, To Wives, has Is this a new policy? If so, as an outsider, I utterly sick to find I had done it again. constantly been a help when I have been tempted feel that it will set a good many people back A member of A. A. sat across from me listento be resentful and say things so much better a long stretch. From all I’ve ever heard or read, ing and calmly smoking and offering me cigarleft unsaid. At these times I’ve read again the that has been one of your strongest selling ettes. Finally into my ears came these words, helpful words and then asked God to give me points, and it’s been one of the refreshingly dif- “My dear, I understand.” These were the first strength to be more understanding and h e l p f u l . erent things about your movement. In small words after years of hell that meant a thing. I read the other day a prayer that seemed to towns anonymity is a hard thing to maintain, “I understand.” Here in this room I heard the fit so aptly the wives’ part: but the public print tears away any semblance most amazing facts I ever heard. Did I know “Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. of it, and scares people who are still trying there were thousands just like me? Didn’t I Where there is hatred, let me sow love. to put up any front for the sake of their families know I had already started to lick John Barley- Where there is doubt, faith. Where there and jobs. Maybe this isn’t a moot question, but corn? John Barleycorn? Lick him? is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, seeing the names linked to A. A. surprised me. “You admit your life has become unmanagelight. And where there is sadness, joy. —J. K. able.” “You have an honest desire to stop.” “0 Divine Master, grant that I may not so “You believe in a higher power.” That’s your much seek to be consoled as to console; Wants Anonymity Protected beginning. to be understood as to understand; to be From Jersey City, N. J. I was immediately given medical care. I was loved, as to love; for it is in giving that The enclosed clipping (from the Jersey Jour- taken into a member’s home and the treatment we receive, and it is in pardoning that we nal, reporting a talk given by an A. A. who I received from this member cannot be described are pardoned.” dropped his anonymity publicly and allowed his in words. I was beginning to see A. A. in action. I have come to love the A. A. book as it has name to be published) caused quite a bit of I was given every consideration. People came given me an insight that I’ve never had before. comment around these parts. Is he a fanatic or to see me. Happy people, telling me tales that Anyone could profit by its teachings. Its words is he running for dog catcher? We’re all proud I could hardly believe to look at them. People on “God as you understand Him” have brought to be members of A. A. but honestly hope there who said, “We alcoholics.” I wasn’t alone anyme for the first time to a daily communion with will not be a flood of these people to drown the more. Each of these people was going to help. God. Always having believed in God, I felt that effectiveness of A. A.—B. B. I started attending meetings. Here I learned I wasn’t worthy of His help because of a lot of so very much. People from all walks of life l i t t l e wrongs I had done and was doing. Grateful for Year’s Sobriety making the admission, “I am an alcoholic.” But through this book, I’ve come to feel that From St. Joseph, Mo. Telling what A. A. had done to help them. we are only humans and cannot be perfect, but As I am not able to be in attendance at the Stressing God as she or he understood Him. can daily strive to live the way God would have meeting this evening, I would like to write a few The Lord’s Prayer took on a new meaning. us live; and through our strivings become closer words to express my appreciation and thanks for Listening to this group of people praying earnto Him. what A. A. has done for me. Tonight, I com- estly, “Thy will be done,” I could feel God. Now you know why I am not discouraged pleted my first year of sobriety—so I am most With these people I learned to accept facts about this “slip.” The Lord is on our side, and thankful to God and A. A. for that and many about myself, not pleasant ones, either. No one I feel that He will answer my prayers, and open other things. I cannot find words to express my pointed a finger at me. I am striving to live my husband’s eyes to where he has failed in his gratitude but let me say this, I have never felt (Continued on Page 10)

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Remembering a Girl—Defeated Except Once Mail Call (Cont. from Page 9)

the 12 Steps and herein I accepted a new way (Continued from page 1) of l i f e and am b e t t e r i n g myself. A f t e r seven months (which I admit isn’t much into the never-ending flight, chasing an ideal, thing from Greek to millinery. She had known after years of drinking) I am happy. I am being and not knowing what she wanted or why, but what she wanted and had bent all energies and of use to myself and others. I am gaining back w a n t i n g it desperately. I watched her as she capacities to get i t , whatever it was. Oh, the my sell respect and the respect of my f a m i l y rode the highway of phantasy:-—she was a great cruelly of it all! What a dastardly trick Fate and friends. It is impossible to put in words what writer; she called her book The Battle of The had played on her. She was of no use to her- A.A. has done w i t h and for me these past few Bottle, but the first line of her message for pos- self or anyone else. And for a few m i n u t e s she months. There are so many, many things that terity was never written. She was a great pian- got a morbid pleasure from these thoughts. How make it stick. Gallons of coffee. Mountains of ist, but her genius was thwarted by the affliction tragic! But sort of p a t h e t i c a l l y , b e a u t i f u l l y sandwiches. A, A. handshakes. Working 24 hours she bore. She was the personification of the tragic! Here she was, so young, so gifted, and w i t h God. Doughnuts. Gifts of a book or perhaps perfect wife, and would be the perfect mother, the world would never benefit because of her a chair. Laughter, f u n . W i n k i n g l i k e f u r y to beat too, if only given a child to prove it. She was cursed malady. J o h n Barleycorn to the punch w i t h another alky. a well-balanced, cultured, charming young And then I watched the fear set in. At first, Company from out of town. woman, an inspiration to all who knew her. a mild rage at the unfairness of it all. But later, What has made A. A. work for me? Only She was artistic, creative, enthusiastic, bountiful I saw her wracked in stark fear and hopeless- God and I know it couldn’t all be put on paper. and compassionate—oh, infinitely compassion- ness. She was frantic with fright—fright for Believe me, I am so grateful.—Elsie J. W. ate. But misunderstood, and alone. So alone. her sanity, fright for her life. What was to I followed in her shadow and thought, like Min- become of her? I was as one on the outside, a iver Cheevy, she too was: spectator to this horrible transformation, and Agrees Politics are Dangerous . . . “born too late, was helpless. She watched the door, furtively, From Detroit, Mich. Scratched her head and kept on thinking, anxiously, knowing it to be locked, yet afraid. Just read Bill’s article in the January A. A. She, too, coughed, and called it Fate, She dared not look out the window for fear of Grapevine under the caption, “Will A. A. Ever And kept on drinking.” vague faces. She dared not answer the tele- Have a Personal Government?” Believe me, that I watched her slide from the phantasy of the phone for fear of unknown voices. She could is one of the finest and most timely messages perfect to the figure of the down-trodden re- not read. She could not sleep. She could not that we A. A.s could get at this time. former. Why must there be wars? Why were pray. And she heard music—a fragment of a Our experience here and elsewhere has taught children starving? Who were the fools who ran haunting theme, repeated and repeated, ending us what you so concisely point out to us in this things and how did they get there? And why each time in a discord. And then oblivion. article. didn’t they have the intelligence of a chicken? No, I do not want to forget that girl. I want Here’s another thought along the same lines. A chicken for President! No—she was losing to remember that she is only one drink away. I When we were d r i n k i n g heavily we were in the her grip. That wasn’t sensible—she’d have to don’t want to forget what time was to her. She hands, in my opinion, of John Barleycorn and p u l l herself together. Do the housework, that suffered through yesterday a thousand times in the devil. When we went into A. A., with God’s was it. No—better read something first—ele- her remorse. She feared tomorrow with terror, help, we went dry, but the devil is not going to vate the mind. Too much superficiality in the and hoped by some means she could escape it. give us up so easily. In my own case, for inworld today. Not enough people read Shake- Today never existed for her. I am glad she stance, during my first year in A. A., I had less speare and the Bible. Why, did you know if is dead. money than I had had since I was 13 years old, you really knew Shakespeare and the Bible, you And who has taken the place of that girl? which would have given me an excellent excuse need never know another thing. Those two books Quite a different person altogether. I find I am to resume drinking. I have always thought that had everything — all wisdom, all knowledge. a simple person—no thwarted genius after all. the devil had his crack at me then. Thank God, She’d read the Book of Job. She was like Job That great American novel will have to be writ- I had His help when I asked for it, and now I herself—everything was wrong. ten by someone else. I find, after sober prac- have at long last, after over five years, with And then I watched the indignation at life tice, that the concert stage can do without this patient, persevering effort, located my position come upon her. The world was run by igno- average parlor pianist. I find that being a per- in the business world again. What I am getting ramuses. She knew! She had worked at a fect wife requires some exertion other than at is that the devil not only works with us perwar plant! And oh, the waste! She’d call the dreams. I find that today builds into tomorrow. sonally, but works to destroy our groups, and President. She dialed the White House. Na- I find that we don’t just “get somewhere”—we when that happens we must renew our efforts tional 1414. He was busy. He couldn’t talk go there, one day at a time. I find it a l u x u r i o u s to swing heavily to the s p i r i t u a l side of the to her. Some democracy! sensation to be sane. program. And then the remorse and self-pity. I watched And what is time to me now? It is a most We must always remember that the saints of as she vaguely recognized her condition. Here precious asset. I have the luxury of being able God were more severely tempted than others she was, drunk, and only this morning she had to cherish the memory of yesterday, to live to- during their lives, so why should we expect, after been so full of determination to do better. She day with serenity, to wait for tomorrow. I find our drinking and being alcoholics, becoming had tried—oh, yes, she had tried. In fact, all great contentment in just knowing where I was sane, sober and truly happy thru A. A., to find her life she had strived to be a real person. and where I am. And I am grateful; grateful a royal road to success in it? We are always Lots of people floated along never giving a for the existence of Alcoholics Anonymous, going to have our trials and troubles and tough thought to the meaning of Life, but as far back grateful to my God for leading me to the doors tasks to meet, but with A. A., we have so much as she could remember, she had consciously of A.A. and to Himself grateful for hope. I am more with which to meet them. It has given us worked on herself. She had worked harder than grateful for this minute. My eternity may be courage to overcome obstacles rather than letting most, she had read more, she had studied, every- in it.—C.F.McD. the obstacles overcome us—L. L.

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit Mayor In By Mistake. —Syracuse, N. Y., your d o w n f a l l ? If so, let the A.A.s give you a Club Ownership Changes. — Three years A.A.s have been chuckling since the mayor of hand. We have helped many overcome this and after the San Francisco, Cal., Fellowship opened that city t u r n e d up at a meeting one night—not we can help you. W r i t e to Alcoholics Anony- its first clubhouse, it t u r n e d over its second club intentionally, though. He had gone to a local mous, P. 0. Box 342, St. Johnsbury, Vt.” One at 143 Bush Street, with all physical assets, to hotel to attend another meeting, originally sched- of the letters read “I saw your ad in the paper. the newly incorporated Alano Club, thus comuled for the room turned over later for the A.A. Would like to know if anyone could do this to pleting separation of the administrations of the get-together. His error was d u l y recorded by anyone and not let them know about it. Please Fellowship and the Club. Requirement for the the Syracuse press. Whether the mayor or the let me know and what the results would be!” Club membership is voting membership in the A.A.s were the more surprised by his appear- The group recently held its first anniversary Fellowship. Guest memberships will be extended ance wasn’t explained. The Syracuse Group now banquet. to new A.A.s, visiting A.A.s and relatives of boasts attendance of 75 to 100 at closed meet- members. The first club was outgrown in a ings, and attracts twice as many at open meet- On the Air and In Clinics. — A woman year, after beginning with 35 at a meeting in ings. Three shoots are growing out of this par- member of the Washington, D.C., Group ap- February 1944. The second club has a seating ent group—Liverpool, Cazenovia and Pulaski. peared on R u t h Crane’s ”Modern Woman” pro- capacity of about 250 and served as central The secretary of the recently organized Holly- gram recently on WMAL. Last year the speaker meeting spot u n t i l nine months ago when it was wood, Fla., Group writes that meetings are held was one who had attended the summer school necessary to rent an outside hall. The A.A. of- Monday nights at St. John’s Lutheran Church. session of alcoholic studies at Yale. There were fice will remain at the Club for the time being. A.A.s in Norfolk, Va., marked their first anni- questions and answers about A.A. objectives and San Francisco membership is estimated between versary with a banquet, attended by two mem- principles, together with detailed and local in- 400 and 500 with ten weekly meetings. bers of the Richmond, Va., Group who pre- formation about the alcoholic clinic operated by sided at Norfolk’s first open meeting a year ago. the District of Columbia at which A.A. volun- New Club Started. — Approximately 150 Three charter members of the Norfolk Group teers work. The program was aimed at house- members from various metropolitan groups traced the growth from the start of eight to the wives in the hope some member of a household have secured a clubhouse at 400 East 35th street, present enrollment of nearly 200, about 125 of might jot down the information and telephone New York, N. Y., as a social center. It w i l l not whom remain active. The principal speaker, a numbers given for f u t u r e reference. From Wash- be considered an A.A. group nor w i l l it func- Norfolk minister, h i g h l y commended A.A. from ington it is also reported that due to the con- tion in that capacity, the members planning to his p u l p i t two days later. stantly increasing number of patients and need continue their other A.A. activities through their for relief the Bureau of Mental Hygiene in the respective groups. The club is open from noon He Didn’t Lose His Lodging, B u t . — District of Columbia has extended its services to m i d n i g h t under the usual rules and an addi- A new group has been formed at Wallaceburg, in the two district alcoholic clinics. Dr. Leopold tional order suspending for 30 days anyone Ontario, about 50 miles up the Detroit River Wexberg, director of the Department of Mental entering while drinking. Members say the only from Windsor. The founder is a fellow who Hygiene, is in charge of the clinics to which difference between this and other social clubs had a habit of breaking up f u r n i t u r e . It didn’t local A.A. groups lend their services. will be the discussion of alcoholic problems as cost him his living quarters, for it was his own the principal conversation. furniture—he runs a hotel!—but it made plenty of people unhappy nonetheless. He first met Visiting with Australia. — Father Dunlea, Miami Gets Visitors.—-Many visiting A.A.s A.A. in Windsor, but didn’t completely succumb, sponsor of A.A. in Australia, and founder of its are reported from the Anona Club, Miami, Fla., he had another good drunk, then a friend got Boys’ Town, recently spoke to the Omaha, Nebr., with representatives from all over the United D.T.’s and 12th Step work came into play. The Group and said that he wished those attending States. The Northwest group of Miami coninnkeeper look the pal to Windsor for treatment. might visit his group “down under.” As a result tinues to grow while Ft. Lauderdale A.A.s Together they decided to try the program, and a recording machine was set up, a special pro- heard Dr. R. S. recently. held their first meeting with the chairman of gram was recorded during a regular meeting the Windsor South Group assisting. The Wind- and talks and greetings were sent to the Austra- Anniversaries Rolling Up. — Montclair, sor A.A.s turned out in a body for the second lian group. Getting together through the col- N.J., will celebrate the fifth anniversary as a meeting in Wallaceburg, and the new group is umns of the A.A. Grapevine the Balboa (Canal group on March 28. Starting with ten, the off to a flying start now, with five charter mem- Zone) and Omaha Groups plan to exchange let- group now numbers 90, though many have left bers. Attendance runs about 90 per cent in the ters and ideas on a regular basis. Members of a to form new groups. Five of the original eight new Woodland, Cal., Group, an offshoot of the neighborhood u n i t of the Omaha Group met last remain. One of The members spoke recently be- Sacramento Group. Starting with eight, there month at a suburban district fire station at the fore the Baptist Ministerial Association of are now 13 active members, meeting Tuesday request of the firemen. Northern New Jersey with 50 members present. evenings in members’ homes. Socials, with At Tampa, Fla., the third annual banquet was wives and husbands joining in, f o l l o w the closed Meet in state Hospital. — In response to a held at the Bayshore Hotel with Jacksonville, sessions. call for speakers for a new group at Rockland, Atlanta, and Cleveland, Ohio, speakers on the N. Y., State Hospital the Passaic, N. J., Group program and 300 attending. A fish fry with 97 Advertise for A.A.s.— The St. Johnsbury, recently took over a meeting there with 16 alco- A.A.s from the various groups in Northwestern Vt., Group has recently received several letters holic patients attending. The Passaic Group, Ohio was staged as the third anniversary of the and phone calls in response to advertisements eight months old, hopes to have larger meetings Port Clinton Group recently, members being in the local paper. One ad said, “Is alcohol for both men and women at the institution soon. present from Sandusky, Fremont, Bellevue, Nor-

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w a l k , Milan, Bowling Green and Toledo. A soli- Entertainments Scheduled. —The Token have been members in D u l u t h , M i n n . , recently tary A.A. in Oak Harbor reports prospects of a Club, social arm of the’ Louisville, Ky., A.A. started the Superior, Wis., Group which now group there. First anniversary of the Tallahas- Groups began a series of entertainments under numbers 19. Meetings are held Thursday evesee, Fla., Group was celebrated at the Cherokee the guidance of a newly appointed activities nings at Room 103, 1923 H a m m o n d avenue. A Hotel w i t h a speaker from Jacksonville. An off- committee. At its first meeting the committee high attendance record w i t h o n l y three slips shoot of this group, Thomasville, Ga., is using discussed formation of a soft-ball league, fish- and a g r o w t h from eight to 15 members in a the Detroit WWJ records after which they will ing parties and other hobbies. A publication, few months is reported by I n d i a n o l a , Miss., with go to the Federal Correctional Institution in “Friend Al,” will keep members informed. some members in Greenville. In less than a year Tallahassee. The group founded there a year the W i c h i t a Falls, Tex., Group has grown to 38, ago is f u n c t i o n i n g with seven members. A two- Holds First Open Meeting.—The V i r g i n i a a l t h o u g h no women are active as yet. Wives of year observance is reported from Springfield, Beach, Va., Group, which got under way only the members recently started their own meet- Mo., while Columbia, Mo., had the first anni- three months ago, held its first open meeting ings. A f t e r getting going some time ago as Eau versary party at the Daniel Boone Tavern in February 5. More t h a n 150 v i s i t i n g A.A.s and Claire, Wis,, Group No. 2, the organization is Columbia. This group has also gotten a new friends of the group from other V i r g i n i a cities changing its name to t h e Chippewa Valley club room. Council Bluffs, la., with the coopera- and from North Carolina were welcomed by Group of that city. Our reporter says the A.A. tion of the parent Omaha, Nebr., Group cele- the mayor and other city officials. Five A.A.s transcription Is getting good attention under brated its first year recently with several hun- from points in Virginia and one from Georgia sponsorship of the Eau Claire Group No. 1. dred members and guests from Iowa and Ne- originally were on the program. Because of fam- A.A. came q u i e t l y to Springfield, Mass., about braska attending the banquet at the Hotel Chief- ily illness, the Georgia A.A. telephoned that, he three years ago in the person of a doctor tain to hear three Iowa A.A’.s. A breakfast in was unable to attend. At the last minute, a from Boston, who was joined by a few others the clubrooms and a two-day open house fol- speaker from New York rushed down to Vir- who fell away, leaving him alone again. Howlowed. About 200, including delegations from ginia Beach to pinch-hit. ever, he held steadfast and the group now num- Minneapolis, Des Moines, Pocohontas, Marshall- bers 106 in spite of withdrawals that saw the town, Waterloo, Boone, Dubuque, Sioux Falls, birth of successful and growing groups in Hol- Getting Going and Growing. — E. K., a Chicago, Carroll, Algona Kanwha, Britt, Spencer, yoke, Pittsfield and Greenfield. Springfield A.A.s member from Hastings, Nebr., who made the Spirit Lake, Fonda, Rockwell City, Alden, Paton have a regular schedule of talks at the State program the hard way out on the lone prairie, and Ogden attended the second anniversary at Hospital in Northampton, the Veterans’ Hospiconducted the first meeting of the Hastings Ft. Dodge, Ia. tal in Leeds, the county jail and before church, Group at the Clarke Hotel there.recently. Thirtycivic and educational organizations. To accomfour attended including many who have pio- Hear Psychiatrist. — Dr. Theo. E. Tetreault, modate ever increasing attendance the open psychiatrist, who has had three years service neered different groups in the Middle West, meeting on Wednesday night is now held at with speakers from North Platte, Nebr., Jefferwith the Army in Europe, Africa and the Philip- South End Community Center where over 200 son City, Mo., Grand Island, Nebr., Des Moines, pines, discussed what he had seen of alcoholism, gathered recently to observe the group’s third Ia., Fremont, Nebr., and Ord, Nebr. A short especially while in England, before the Kent, birthday. time ago a North Platte contingent of two mem- Ohio, Group. A delegation of 36 Kent members bers started a series of district visits which went to Cuyahoga Falls to help celebrate the Succeed A f t e r Eight Years. —For the first called for much travel and long hours, but fifth anniversary there. time in its history the Saturday Night Group of which paid off with groups now operating in Fremont, North Platte, Grand Island, Hastings, Dayton, Ohio, has established a real Saturday Cut This Out and Mail to: Lincoln and other cities. Seven members and Night group, holding a regular meeting at 8:30 wives of the Danville, Ill., group, organized in Anna May’s Tea Room, 717 West Third P.O. Box 328 about seven months ago, visited w i t h Decatur street. This group has no affiliation with the Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. recently. San Mateo, Cal., is introducing its club house, the correspondent reports.

Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) year-old group which is one of the Peninsula Groups, which include Palo Alto, parent group, Attendance Growing. — Attendance at the for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grapeand Redwood City. The Peninsula Groups held Lincoln Park, Mich., meetings has grown 75 vine (monthly). percent in five short weeks with over 130 at a an open house for the general public recently For additional subscriptions enclose separate with three A.A. speakers, a clergyman, psychi- recent gathering. The A.A. Grapevines corresheet with name and address clearly printed. atrist and a judge on the program. Small groups spondent reports that the pastor of a local Checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. attend meetings in Agnew State Hospital and in church has been very co-operative and has Veterans Hospital, weekly and in San Quentin turned over the gymnasium of the church for Total Enclosed Prison monthly with good results. The North- meetings. Tuesday morning and Tuesday eveeast Nebraska Group got going at Norfolk re- ning groups are meeting at the church in the Renewal? (please check) heart of Detroit at Cass and Selden. cently with a dinner at a hotel attended by 30 PLEASE PRINT members including three from Sioux City, Ia., Name and four from Yankton, S.D. Dr. Charlton of Open Meeting Planned.—the Stag Group the Norfolk State hospital allowed four patients of Erie, Pa., has planned an open invitation Address ; to attend and has given his permission to hold meeting for civic, business, professional and meetings in the hospital. A doctor from the hos- shop groups at which it is planned to give the pital staff spoke briefly as did Father Robert leaders of the city’s groups a clear understand- Note: Subscriptions received prior to March Byrnes. Portland, Ore., now has three groups ing of A.A. the Rev. Fr. James P. Timmons 15 will begin with the April issue. with possibility of having to start a fourth as and a member of the Manchester, Conn., Group the result of continued growth. Nine A.A.s who were announced as speakers.

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V O L . I I I . N O . 1 1 , APRIL, 1947. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted, to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1947, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved. Yearly subscription $2.50 ($3 outside the United Slates); single copy 25 cents.

Will, Through A. A., Fosters Spiritual Grace From Montclair, N. J. “The fact is that most alcoholics . . . have lost the power of choice in drink. Our Mexico City Group so-called will power becomes practically non-existent . . . We are without defense against the first drink.” (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 35). Welcomes Visitors I There’s an added attraction now in Mexico We reject the view that there is nothing about a drinker that the exercise of a little for the A.A. tourist—a small, but vigorous will power won’t cure. We accept the dictum that whatever will power the alcoholic group in the capital, Mexico City. does possess is impotent to curb the urge to drink. We assert that alcoholics are com- The group meets in the Y.M.C.A, on Tuesday pulsive drinkers. Our program starts at nights and the fact that the American vacationer lacks knowledge of the Spanish language does these hypotheses. It is on these premises that the alcoholic in some degree has been NEWSPAPER SERIES not detract appreciably from his ability to thoroughly enjoy and participate in the discussions absolved from moral responsibility for his HELPS GROWTH conduct. of the alcoholic problem. At least half of the The foregoing notwithstanding, we offer to the IN BERMUDA discussion is in English; or at least the group alcoholic a Program of Recovery, the central A series of 12 weekly articles on A.A. is curarranges it that way when a unilingual visitor point of which is that he makes a decision to rently being published in the Mid-Ocean News, such as the writer shows up at a meeting. t u r n his w i l l and his life over to the care of Hamilton, Bermuda, and the response has been The first Mexican member of the group is God (as he understands Him). At the outset, good according to the St. Georges, Bermuda, Fernando I., a lawyer who made contact with therefore, we suggest to the alcoholic that he Group. the cooperation of the editor and pub- A.A. six months ago. His story of the mental, make a decision, that is, that he make up his lisher and the staff of the newspaper has done physical and economic tolls of alcoholism is no mind. He is called upon, without reservation or much toward a better understanding of alcoholic different, in substance, from those heard in A.A. qualification, to make an election, to exercise an problems and the A.A. approach to recovery. meetings throughout this country but there’s an Charles Jackson, author of Tim Lost Weekend, option, to choose between alternatives, to resolve indescribable charm in the way he tells it— spoke informally at a recent meeting, emphaa dilemma. He is expected to reach a conclupartly in English, a string of Spanish now and sizing that until the public ceases to look upon sion, to make a determination, to render judgthen when his enthusiasm carries him away, and, the drunk as a humorous character, progress through it all, a broad assortment of gestures ment, to choose the right fork in the road. will be delayed in the general program of eduthat actually help tell the story. Does not the 3rd Step (to which we have been cation on alcoholism. Although not an A.A., Mr. His favorite yarn concerns the night he broke referring), presuppose a modicum of will Jackson’s writing and talks have accomplished his ankle. Seems he had to jump off the roof power; is it not linked, like all morality, to a much 12th Step good. of the family’s one-story home because his wife hazardous theory of free will? Or is there a Visitors are invited to write Box 50, St. had locked the doors. She knew that Fernando distinction between the two? Indeed, it has been Georges, or phone 7395. Because of the wanderwas bender-bent. heretofore suggested in these columns that once ings of the rather cosmopolitan members the Neither Fernando, nor his charming wife and the alcoholic realizes the nature of his malady group varies, the latest news showing J.L.C. in their children must in any way bow to any and that “there is a solution,” an element of Iceland on a new job; H.V.W. returned home American family in their faith in the A.A. pro- moral responsibility enters into the situation, so to England after 10 years absence; R.G.R. and gram. Senora I., her oldest daughter and a sis- that the alcoholic may no longer plead his “sick- J.E.D. temporarily in the States; R.A.G. and ter all accompanied Fernando to one of the ness” in extenuation of wrongs committed. (See C.R.T. back in Bermuda after leaves at home (Continued on Page 2) (Continued on Page 7) in the States.

INTERGROUP OFFICE EDITORIAL: HANDLES INQUIRIES On the 6th Step . . . . FOR NEW YORK AREA Serving the Greater New York area seven “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character” days a week—including Sundays and all holi- A F T E R the preceding Steps, this one shouldn’t be too tough. Already, we have days—the Intergroup Association of Alcoholics admitted that we were powerless over alcohol; that we would take a moral in- Anonymous plays an important part in A.A.’s ventory to do something about it. Generally, an honest self-analysis discloses a number program of helping the sick alcoholic to recover of items on the “wrong side of the ledger.” We can do something about many of them. in the New York area. The association, which was organized last win- However, we discover a number of defects that we can’t do anything about. The 6th Step ter and which opened its offices at 194 East 75 is considered in the light of this latter type of defect. Street, New York, on December 1, 1946, is a The question of personal honesty comes to mind. Many of us became thoroughly non-stock, non-profit member corporation comdishonest with ourselves after years of alcoholism. Many of us reached the point where posed of delegates from more than 33 A.A. honesty was almost impossible. We rationalized. We evaded. We lied. We refused groups in the New York metropolitan area. to face the truth of a situation. In the end, we had made a habit of personal dishonesty. The officers of the association—president, vice Such a habit was not easy to break. president, secretary, financial secretary and treasurer—and its board of directors are elected by Another common defect among persons, especially sick alcoholics, is selfishness. the delegates. A steering committee, composed of Many of us reached the point where it was almost impossible to be unselfish. When the five officers and four board members, directs drinking, most of us were terribly selfish. When sober, many of us found little time to the affairs of the Intergroup office. think of the welfare of others. Again, this defect became a habit. In some cases, the Two delegates from each participating A.A. habit became an obsession. We became fascinated and intrigued with ourselves. group in the New York area form the general Such defects of character cannot be removed without help. Try as we might to assembly of the association. At present the area includes the counties of New York, Bronx, “turn over a new leaf,” or “mend our ways,” we found ourselves slipping back into Queens, Kings, Richmond, Westchester, Nassau the old, well established habit patterns that were part of our alcoholic sickness. and Suffolk. But there is an answer to this very common problem. In fact, the answer is so obvious, so simple and so near at hand that many of us did not see it at all. The Acts As Liaison complete solution to the character defect lies in this 6th Step. Some persons call it According to Fred M., president of the assosurrender. Some call it transference. We call it common sense. ciation, the purposes of the organization are: to Isn’t it common sense to ask for assistance in an emergency? Would you try to handle inquiries and referrals for newcomers to A.A., to arrange hospitalization for sick alcolift a 1,000-pound weight without help? If your child is ill, doesn’t it make sense holics who request it, to act as liaison between to ask for the help of a doctor? Of course it does. member groups of the association, to handle Defects of character will retard your recovery and mine. They will take from us public relations for the New York area and to that thing that we hold dearest: our sobriety. And if we lose our sobriety, we die. Does plan and conduct the weekly Intergroup meeting. it make sense to seek help from a Higher Power in removing these dangerous defects? To carry out its aims, the office is staffed by The answer is obvious. two paid secretaries and numerous volunteer Reach into your soul and admit that you cannot remove these defects alone. workers who carry out the 12th Step work. It is a busy place—the office handles more than Humbly ask God’s help with these life-destroying problems. We must call on the 140 telephone calls daily and an average of 40 “fellow upstairs” for life. Get ready to do it. Be determined to see it through. If letters a day. you do, you can’t miss because He can’t miss. He’s the one who is doing the job. On weekdays, the office opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. On Sundays and holidays, the office is open from 12 noon to 6 p.m. A tele- MEXICO CITY WELCOMES VISITORS (Continued from page 1) phone answering service goes into operation meetings I attended. A.A. was the only topic discussed when we lunched at their home. The when the office is closed. devotion of his family to our program of recovery indicates that A.A. will grow in Mexico. Those The paid secretaries spend a large part of who live there are convinced the program will prove to be a vital factor in improving national their time arranging hospitalization for alcoholhealth as it is in this country. It seems that not all of the souses live north of the border. ics who request it. Most of the persons are sent There are two Americans in the Mexico City Group: Pauline D., formerly associated with to Knickerbocker Hospital, New York, where the Washington, D. C., and Los Angeles Groups, and Les F., formerly of New Orleans. A.A.s are allowed to visit the patients and in- The only deterrent likely to affect rapid growth of A.A. in Mexico immediately is that there form them of the A.A. program of recovery. is no abundance of evidence among the Mexicans of the dividends of sobriety, such as the newer Other hospitalization is available in New York, A.A.s of our country are able to see in our larger meetings and in our business contacts. however, and, depending on the availability of In Mexico, where there is virtually no such evidence, it stands out sharply as an aid to re- bed space and the need, the secretaries make the covery. But, if the light to show the path to prolonged and contented sobriety is faint in Mexico arrangements. now—as it was when A.A. was in its infancy in this country a decade ago—there still is the The planning and conducting of the Intervigor of a young organization to make the bumps in the road seem less jarring.—L.J., Mineola, N. Y. (Continued on Page 5)

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CLUBS IN A.A. Are They With Us to Stay? By Bill use it, us an average illustration of club evolu- ward we held forth at a cafeteria, bill sometion, rather than as a model set-up. thing was missing. It was the home atmos- T HE club idea has become part of A.A. life. Scores of these hospitable havens can report years of useful service; new ones are being When A.A. was very young we met in homes. People came miles, not only for the A.A. meetphere; a restaurant didn’t have enough of it. Let’s have a club, someone said. ing itself, but to sit hours afterward at coffee, So we had a club. We took over an intereststarted monthly. Were a vote taken tomorrow cake, and eager intimate talk. Alcoholics and ing place, the former Artists and Illustrators on the desirability of clubs a sizeable majority t h e i r families had been lonely too long. Club on West 24th Street. What excitement! of A.A.s would record a resounding “Yes.” Then homes became too small. We couldn’t A couple of our older members signed the lease. There would be thousands who would t e s t i f y that bear to break up into many little meetings, so We painted and we scrubbed. We had a home. they might have had a harder time staying sober we looked for a larger place. We lodged first Wonderful memories of days and nights at that in their first months of A.A. w i t h o u t clubs and in the work shop of a tailoring establishment, first club will always linger. that, in any case, they would always wish the then in a rented room at Steinway Hall. This But, it must be admitted, not all those memeasy contacts and warm friendships which clubs kept us together during the meeting hour. After- ories are ecstatic. Growth brought headafford. aches; growing pains, we call them now. How Being the majority view, we might suppose serious they seemed then! “Dictators” ran that a blanket endorsement for clubs; we might think we couldn’t get along without them. We New Groups Reported amuck; drunks fell on the floor or disturbed the meetings, “steering committees” tried to nommight conceive them as a central A.A. institution—a sort of “13th Step” of our Recovery Program without which the other 12 Steps At Central Office inate their friends to succeed them and found to their dismay that even sober drunks couldn’t February 1 through 28, 1947 be “steered.” Sometimes we could scarcely get wouldn’t work. At times club enthusiasts w i l l up the rent; card players were impervious to act as though they really believed we could ARKANSAS—Little Rock (Group No. 4). any suggestion that they talk to new people; handle our alcohol problems by club life alone. CALIFORNIA — Los Angeles (Latin-American lady secretaries got in each others’ hair. A cor- They are apt to depend upon clubs rather than Group) ; La Habra; Indio (Coachilla Valley poration was formed to take over the clubroom upon the A.A. Program. Group). lease so we then had “officials.” Should these But we have A.A.s, rather a strong minority, COLORADO—Greeley. “directors” run the club or would it be the A.A. too, who want no part of clubs. Not only, they CONNECTICUT—New London; West Hartford. rotating committee? assert, does the social life of a club often divert ILLINOIS—Lincoln. Such were our problems. We found that the the attentions of members from the program, use of money, the need for a certain amount of they claim that clubs are an actual drag on A.A. INDIANA—Richmond; E v a n s v i l l e (Lamasco club organization and the crowded intimacy of progress. They point to the danger of clubs de- Group). the place created situations we hadn’t anticgenerating into mere hangouts, even “joints”; KANSAS—Great Bend. ipated. Club life still had great joys. But it they stress the bickerings that do arise over KENTUCKY—Cynthiana; 0wensboro. had liabilities too, that was for sure. Was it questions of money, management, and personal MASSACHUSETTS—Southbridge. worth all the risk and trouble? The answer was a u t h o r i t y ; they are afraid of “incidents” that MICHIGAN—Holland. “Yes” for the 24th Street Club kept right on might give us unfavorable publicity. In short, MISSOURI—Boonville; Rolla. going, and is today occupied by the A.A. seathey “view with alarm.” Thumbs down on clubs, men. We have, besides, three more clubs in they say. MONTANA—Havre. this area, a fourth is contemplated. N O R T H CAROLINA—Wilmington; C h a r l o t t e Need for Clubs Established (Myers Park Group). Toward a middle ground, for several years Start As Central Function NEW MEXICO—Artesia. now, we have been feeling our way. Despite Our first club was known, of course, as an alarms it is quite settled that A.A.s who need NEW YORK—Cohoes; Wayland; Ashland (Fed- “A.A. Clubhouse.” The corporation holding and want clubs ought to have them. So the real eral Correctional Institution) ; Nyack. its lease was titled “Alcoholics Anonymous of concern is not whether we shall have clubs. It PENNSYLVANIA—Easton. New York, Inc.” Only later did we realize we is how we shall enhance them as assets, how we SOUTH CAROLINA—Myrtle Beach; Florence. had incorporated the whole of New York state, may diminish their known liabilities; how we SOUTH DAKOTA—Hot Springs (Veterans Hos- a mistake recently rectified. Of course our inshall be sure, in the long future, that their lia- pital Group). corporation should have covered “24th Street” b i l i t i e s do not exceed t h e i r assets. only. Throughout the country most clubs have TEXAS—Temple. Of our four largest A.A. centers, two are club- started like ours did. At first we regard them as VERMONT—Wallingford ( R u t l a n d C o u n t y minded and two are not. I happen to live in central A.A. i n s t i t u t i o n s . But later experience Group). one which is. The very first A.A. club of all invariably brings a shift in their status, a shift was started in New York. Though our experi- VIRGINIA—Danville; Norfolk (Ocean View much to be desired, we now think. ence here may not have been the best, it is the Group). For example, the early Manhattan A.A. Club one I know. So, by way of portraying the prin- WISCONSIN—Portage. had members from every section of the metro-> ciples and problems we need to discuss, I shall CANADA—Regina, Sask.; Timmins, Ontario. (Continued on Page 4)

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A. A. Clubs – – – Are They With Us to Stay? politan area, including New Jersey. After a the club there is difficulty at once. The only to vote in the business meetings which elect while dozens of groups sprang up in our sub- way we have found to cure this is to separate the business directors of his club corporation. urban districts. They got themselves more con- the material from the spiritual. If an A.A. This would open a l l clubs to all A.A.s. But venient meeting places. Our Jersey friends group wishes to use a given club let them pay it would limit their business conduct to those secured a club of their own. So these outlying rent or split the meeting take with the club interested enough to contribute regularly. In groups, originally spawned from the Manhattan management. To a small group opening its this connection we might remind ourselves that Clubhouse, began to acquire hundreds of mem- first clubroom this procedure may seem silly in A.A. we have no fees or compulsory dues. But bers who were not tied to Manhattan either by because, for the moment, the group members it ought to be added, of course, that since clubs convenience, inclination or oldtime sentiment. will also be club members. Nevertheless sep- are becoming separate and private ventures they They had their own local A.A. friends, their aration by early incorporation is recommended can be run on other lines if their members insist. own convenient gathering places. They weren’t because it w i l l save much confusion later on as C l u b evolution is also telling us this: In interested in Manhattan. other groups start forming in the area. none but small communities are clubs likely This irked us New Yorkers not a little. Since Questions are often asked: “Who elects the to remain the principal centers of A.A. activity. we had nurtured them, why shouldn’t they be business directors of a club?” And “Does club O r i g i n a l l y starting as the main center of a city interested? We were puzzled why they refused membership differ from A.A. membership?” many a club moves to larger and larger quarters, to consider the Manhattan Club the A.A. Center As practices vary we don’t quite know the an- thinking to retain the central meeting for its for the metropolitan area. Wasn’t the club swers yet. The most reasonable suggestions area w i t h i n its own walls. Finally, however, running a central meeting with speakers from seem these: Any A.A. member ought to feel circumstances defeat this purpose. other groups? Didn’t we maintain a paid sec- free to enjoy the ordinary privileges of any Valuable Social Aids retary who sat in the New York Clubhouse tak- A.A. club whether be makes a regular voluning telephone calls for assistance and making tary contribution or not. If he contributes Circumstance number one is that the growing hospital arrangements for all groups in the regularly be should, in addition be entitled A.A. will burst the walls of any clubhouse. area? Of course, we thought, our outlying Sooner or later the principal or central meeting groups ought financially to support the Man- has to be moved into a large auditorium. The hattan Club; d u t i f u l children should look after club can’t hold it. This is a fact which ought their “parents.” But our parental pleas were to be soberly contemplated whenever we think no use. Though many outlying A.A. members of buying or building large clubhouses. A personally contributed to the 24th Street Club, second circumstance seems sure to leave most nary a cent did their respective groups ever clubs in an “off center” position, especially in send in. large cities. That is our strong tendency toward Then we took another tack. If the outlying central or intergroup committee management groups would not support the Club they at of the common A.A. problems of metropolitan least might want to pay the salary of its sec- areas. Every area, sooner or later, realizes retary. She was really doing an “area” job. that such concerns as intergroup meetings, hos- Surely this was a reasonable request. But it pital arrangements, local public relations, a never got anywhere. They just couldn’t central office for interviews and information, mentally separate the “area secretary” from the are things in which every A.A. is interested, Manhattan Club. So, for a long time, our area whether be has any use for clubs or not. These needs, our common A.A. problem, and our club being strictly A.A. matters, a central or intermanagement were tied into a trying financial and group committee has to be elected and financed psychological snarl. to look after them. The groups of an area will usually support with group funds these Clubs Separate Business t r u l y central activities. Even though the club This tangle slowly commenced to unravel, as is still large enough for intergroup meetings we began to get the idea that clubs ought to be and these meetings are still held, the center of strictly the business of those individuals who gravity for the area will continue to shift to specially want clubs, and who are willing to the intergroup committee and its central acpay for them. We began to see that club man- tivities. The club is left definitely offside; agement is a pure business proposition which where, in the opinion of many, it should be. ought to be separately incorporated under an- Actively supported and managed by those who other name such, for example, as “Alanon”; want clubs, they can be “taken or left alone.” that the “directors” of a club corporation ought Should these principles be f u l l y applied to to look after c l u b business o n l y ; that an A.A. our clubs, we shall have placed ourselves in a group, as such, should never get into active position to enjoy their warmth yet drop any management of a business project. Hectic ex- that get too hot. We shall then realize that perience has since taught us that if an A.A. a club is but a valuable social aid. And, more r o t a t i n g committee tries to boss the club cor- important still, we shall always preserve the poration or if the corporation tries to run the simple A.A. group as that primary spiritual A.A. affairs of those groups who may meet at entity whence issues our greatest strength.

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INTERGROUP OFFICE (Continued from Page 2) The Pleasures of Reading group meeting of A.A. each week is another function of the office. Speakers are chosen and Human Destiny by Pierre Lecomte du Nouy (Longmans, Green & Co., $3.50) a program arranged each week for the meeting Absolute power, which corrupts absolutely when brought into mankind’s feeble grasps, imin the Engineering Auditorium, 29 West 39 perils all civilization. Only spiritual forces, based upon sound moral values, can save humanity. Street, New York. In addition, a monthly “spe- Therefore, intelligent men must find a meaning to life which is compatible with scientific progress. cial events” Intergroup meeting is arranged in It is the thesis of Dr. du Nouy, internationally known French scientist, that man has finished that auditorium. his evolution biologically, and is evolving now on a moral plane. He postulates that h u m a n i t y ‘ s Each week a mimeographed b u l l e t i n goes out destiny is to achieve, through such spiritual evolution, a better and purer world. from the office to the secretaries of the member Speculating on the theory of evolution in the light of modern scientific thought, Human Desgroups. Once a month a bulletin, in color, goes tiny contends that specifically materialistic theories of the universe, and of man, no longer are out to the groups announcing the programs of valid. Though Charles Darwin’s theory has been presumed to have dealt religion its sockdolager, the next two “special events” Intergroup meet- Dr. du Nouy replies that whatever setbacks mankind may undergo through wars and catastrophes, ings. From time to time, a printed list of the these, in the long view, merely are veerings from a great human destiny, not measured in p a l t r y open and closed meetings of a l l groups in the fractions of time eternal. New York area goes out to the groups. Man, he says, is not on this earth by chance alone. He submits a series of convincing arguments indicating that, by the laws of pure chance, man—and even life—could not be here at a l l . Volunteers Explain A.A. Dr. du Nouy believes that science finds a purpose evident in the history of life which rises above the laws of matter. Thus, the twentieth century scientist comes to the same conclusion that Sir A considerable amount of work and an equal Arthur Conan Doyle, the nineteenth century spiritualist, propounded when, in The Valley of Fear, responsibility falls on the volunteer A.A. workhe had Sherlock Holmes ask: ers who are on duty in the office. Four desks “What is the meaning of it, Watson? What object is served by the circle of misery and for volunteer workers—both men and women— violence and fear? It must tend to some end, or else our universe is ruled by chance, which is are provided at all times. unthinkable. But what end? There is the great standing perennial problem which human rea- These volunteer workers answer the telephone son is as far from an answer as ever.” and, if the caller is a person seeking aid or in- Dr. du Nouy does not solve the perennial problem, either, but he does well in showing that formation, talk the problem over with him. If “an explanation of the evolution of life by chance alone is untenable today.” Then he affirms hospitalization is indicated, the volunteer worker that science can and will help restore God to man. turns the call over to a secretary. Volunteers “The time has come for nations, as well as individuals, to know what they want,” be insists. are the first persons to see visitors to the office. “If civilized countries want peace, they must understand that the problem must be approached If the visitor is an alcoholic interested in becombasically. The old scaffolding willed to us by past generations cracks on every side. It cannot be ing a member of A.A., the volunteer interviews consolidated by makeshifts, by bits of siring, by pots of glue and treaties gravely signed by Highly him, tells him the story of A.A., and directs Dignified Gentlemen. Moreover, consolidation does not suffice. Peace must be established by him to the group nearest his home. As all of transforming man from the interior, and not by erecting external structures. We have already this type of work is considered 12th Step work, said it: the source of all wars, the source of all evil, lies in us. No outside protection will be the paid secretaries do not handle it. efficient if the enemy cowering at the bottom of our hearts is authorized to live.” The following case, which was handled re- So he deals with the greatest drama of all time, The drama of creation, and concludes on a cently, illustrates how The Intergroup office note of hope. An American put it another way on March 4, 1933, saying, “The only thing we functions: have to fear is fear itself.”—R.E.B., Greenwich Pillage, New York City. At 1 o’clock in the afternoon, a 35-year-old man visited the office. An interview with a volunteer worker disclosed that the man not only begged, borrowed and stole to get liquor for a period of three weeks when his wife and family COLUMBIA INSTITUTE needed medical a t t e n t i o n but was jobless and without money. held a council of war to decide whether to com- HEARS ABOUT A. A. mit him to an i n s t i t u t i o n . Alcoholics Anony- Evidence of the ever-widening interest in the Medical Attention Arranged mous, however, was suggested and this suggessubject of alcoholism and A.A.’s contribution to tion brought the man to the office. better understanding of what is now recognized A f t e r hearing the man’s story, the volunteer Feeling better, the man was directed by the called a doctor who is sympathetic to A.A. The as a major social problem is found in the incluvolunteer worker to the South Bronx Group, doctor agreed to see the man who was escorted sion of a lecture on “Alcoholics Anonymous” nearest his home. At present, the man is sober, to the doctor’s office by another volunteer March 5 in Columbia University’s Institute of an active A.A. in the Bronx Group and has been worker. The man received the necessary medi- Arts and Sciences. reemployed by his company. cines and an injection of Vitamin B1. He was The Institute, of 25 years standing, is an a d u l t then escorted back to the office. Plenty of 12th Step Work education feature of Columbia composed of pay- Further talk with the man disclosed that he According to the secretaries, the Intergroup ing subscribers, and the programs consist of had been discharged from his job on Christmas telephone number will be listed in all direc- concerts, dramatic presentations and lectures by Eve for drinking; that he had continued to drink tories of New York in the very near future. At prominent persons in a variety of fields. until he became drunk, when he was rolled; that present The telephone number is BUtterfield About 500 persons attended the lecture on he had continued drinking and had drawn all of 8-9643. “We sure could use more volunteers,” A.A., which was given by R.F.S. of Montclair, his money from the bank. one of the secretaries said. “It’s the very best N. J., an alumnus of and holder of two degrees When his funds were exhausted, the man kind of 12th Step work,” said the other. from Columbia, but anonymous to his audience.

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Husband Sees Rich Rewards for Non-Alcoholics From San Diego, Cal. would keep me busier than before. I found that were married? “To love, honor and to cherish, It has often been said, and truly enough, that I had been impatient, irritable, resentful and in sickness and in health . . .” A.A. is an organization for alcoholics; yet the selfish to an amazing degree. Whenever I went The alcoholic is a sick person, despite the fact remains that the majority of the regular out of my way to do a favor for someone, I ex- fact that he has slopped d r i n k i n g . He cannot members of the organization are encumbered pected, in return, a favor of equal value, or at regain his health over night, nor in a week, a (or shall we say inflicted?) with non-alco- least profound appreciation. month or a year. The process of recovery is Further, I discovered that a l t h o u g h the alco- g r a d u a l and necessarily so because he is accomh o l i c wives, husbands or parents, w i t h whom they are l i v i n g or with whom they are closely holic has stopped drinking, he is still fighting, plishing the impossible and you have all heard associated. every day. Each morning presents new strug- that “the impossible takes a l i t t l e longer.” Im- A f t e r having been affiliated with A.A. for gles, new obstacles, which he overcomes by clear, possible? Yes. Because science couldn’t do it, about a year as a “dry-mate” and after having straight t h i n k i n g and with the help of a higher the church couldn’t do it and the dry-mate seen the amazing character and personality power, to whom he has turned over his life. couldn’t do it. Yet, we all know that the imchanges which have taken place about me, in We non-alcoholics have repeatedly stated, in possible is now possible through association with that time, it follows naturally that I have noth- times past, and I quote, “I’d give anything in A.A. and the Steps of its program. the world if he (or she) would stop drinking!” I say to you that the alcoholic literally walks ing but the deepest admiration and utmost respect for those who are; on the program. I have “I’d do anything if he (or she) would stop “through the v a l l e y of the shadow of death . . . drinking!” and fears no evil,” for the higher power to enjoyed the association of these people. I have enjoyed talking with them and I have learned To us, this meant peace of mind, freedom whom he has turned over his life is with him things from them which have helped me to from worry and embarrassment. This would and directs his thoughts and his actions. enable us to go about our life’s work with a I say to you, that the most you can do is understand their problems. clear mind and a light heart. It would give us but a drop in the ocean, compared to what the The serenity, the peace of mind, the patience, a real home; the kind of a home that others had; true A.A. member does every day of his life. the h u m i l i t y , the tolerance, the kindness, cheerfulness and understanding of these people, set the kind of a home which we felt we had a Our Job Is Cooperation forth ideals which all non-alcoholics can only right to expect. It would give us a mate of whom we could be proud. In my opinion, the non-alcoholic has a vital strive to attain. Unfortunately, however, the non-alcoholic is place here with respect to helping this program prone to forget the unpleasant things, the un- along. His f u n c t i o n is to do everything hu- Their Progress a Challenge fortunate things which have happened in the manly possible to cooperate at all times and to At the first dry-mate meeting I attended, we past. Ordinarily, with little or no effort, he sustain and intensify the interest his mate has were a l l in agreement that our mates had out- can and does cast these things from his mind, in the A.A. program. grown us; had so far outstripped us in their especially when the going is smooth for him. Because the non-drinking alcoholic is in many ideal way of living, that it was up to us to do Remember the little vow you made when you instances still sensitive, and at times a bit resenteverything possible to try to approach this ideal; f u l , the non-alcoholic should learn to keep his for if we didn’t, we felt that we’d be left behind. A Recipe for Sobriety mouth shut, bearing in mind that it takes two to To be perfectly honest, I felt that I couldn’t make an argument. He should, at all times, be From Chicago, Ill. very careful in what he says and to weigh statemake the grade. I still think so, although I have made some progress. I saw my alcoholic Select as a prospect a somewhat bewildered ments t h o u g h t f u l l y before he comes forth with man or woman who f u l l well realizes a lack of them. Perhaps your alcoholic mate is definitely mate slapped in the face time and again, in her 12th Step work, and in her dealing with the ability to control drink. Infuse into prospect wrong about something and you know it. By outside world, only to turn her cheek for more knowledge that he is victim of a disease—or keeping your criticism mild and light, or by at best, an allergy to alcohol. Remove from keeping your thoughts to yourself, you can often slaps. I couldn’t get this at all. True, I was prospect his traits of selfishness, intolerance, avert an argument which would upset your mate, w i l l i n g to do twice as much for the other fellow bigotry, and other character defects—much as who is having a difficult enough time of it as it as he did for me, but that was as far as I was you would remove pin feathers in preparation is. Often, you w i l l find that later, perhaps next able to go. of wild fowl. Baste thoroughly with sauce made day, or the f o l l o w i n g week, he or she w i l l come Yet, there were some few Steps which I was of unselfishness, tolerance, and understanding. around to your own way of thinking, w i l l i n g l y able to take; particularly the Step in regard to a searching and fearless moral inventory of Broil for a long period of time (the longer the and on his or her own initiative. better) over a slow, but ever-burning fire- Something like this: “John, I have been thinkmyself. These things helped, and I give them to other non-alcoholics for what they may be kindled constantly by the 12 Steps of the A.A. ing about what you said the other day, and I worth. I present them to the alcoholics for program. believe that you are right about it, after all. . . .” In most cases results will be a finished prod- This is the inherent honesty of your mate whatever interest they may bold. As usual, I want to say that these things are uct with new-found self control, who can be breaking through. This is A.A. speaking. And my own personal opinions and do not reflect served at any gathering with pride—and who when this happens, it is one more step forward in any way upon the opinions of. the organiza- can once again accept his rightful place as a for your mate, toward better thinking and better tion as a whole. useful member of society. living. First of all, I came to realize that even though NOTE: The word “broil” is not to be Perhaps you t h i n k that your mate is “half out my mate had stopped drinking, my job was not confused with “boil” as prospect usually has of cigarettes” or “doesn’t have all her marbles,” over by any means. On the contrary, my job been boiled many, many times. Always with because she keeps on trying to get “Sophie had become more important than ever and most unappetizing results!—W.C. (Continued on Page 8)

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WILL CAN FOSTER SPIRITUAL GRACE (Continued from Page 1) “What Is the Alcoholic’s Moral Responsibility?” A.A. Grapevine., November, 1945). Is there, then, a conflict between the doctrine of free w i l l insofar us it is i m p l i c i t in the program and the theory that the alcoholic is deficient in w i l l power in the domain of alcohol? Answering these questions, it is submitted that there is no such discordance. On the contrary, examination of the concepts of free will and will power and related human attributes reveals a potential inner harmony in man corresponding to the moral order of the universe. It supports the v a l i d i t y of the program. Such an inquiry does not, as one might suppose, involve a consideration of controversial theological speculations based upon .scriptural texts and dogmatic postulates. Nor does it req u i r e a study of the hair-splitting formulae of mechanistic psychology. We learn much, however, from s p i r i t u a l l y minded psychologists who have not excised the “psyche” (soul) from their psychology. And we obtain the answers from writers in the Christian tradition who give an adequate account of the observable facts of grace and inspiration and imagination and their relat i o n to be observable facts of free w i l l . II In its psychological aspect, as David Sea bury demonstrated a generation ago, we must discard the common notion that the w i l l is a sort of Liberation, however, is not enough. There constructive ones. The i n d i v i d u a l faces forward. psychic muscle, which, like the biceps, can be must be direction and guidance. ”The soul guides As Mr. Sea bury says: exercised and developed into a powerful and the will and is not mastered by it, which is only “The i n d i v i d u a l who has experienced such combative instrument. We must also abandon another way of saying that the soul may direct a release finds all l i f e transformed and h i m the notion that the will can or should be re- itself with wisdom; for if the will is a union self in a new relation to it; nor is the mirstrained, repressed or coerced. For these ideas, of all primary forces, it can be but a union of acle true only in bodily relations. As men there must be substituted the basic doctrine of the soul’s energies.” are sick or well, first of all as a result of reliance and self-development. Guided us it is by the soul, the will is never- the way they have lived, and as this has fol- This doctrine is based on the p r i n c i p l e that theless a reflection of the imagination. It might lowed the guiding images of the thought, so the w i l l is not a separated or insulated organ, be said that as a man imagines so he is. As long men are good or bad, strong or weak, brave but “the total expression of the impulsive ener- as he calls before his gaze an image of sickness or fearful, sane or insane, largely in obedigies of the human being, and thus inseparable (alcoholism or whatever else), his responsive ence to the imagination.” from instinct, desire, emotion, sentiment, interest organism will obey the pattern of his mind. If This happy result follows if we regard the and the deliberative processes which lead to the image is one of well-being, his w i l l answers w i l l not as an isolated faculty but as composed determination.” These are the motive trends accordingly. “The inner picture of today creates of a whole series of elements such as wishes, of the psychic. Therefore, if volitional expres- and recreates the man of tomorrow.” When the interests, attention and the like—elements which sion is found to be vitiated by misdirection of formative power of the mental image is recog- may be guided and directed in the choice and unspent emotion or obstinate misunderstanding, nized, and its influence on the will is understood, release of ideas– ideas that will be suitable stimcommon sense dictates a thorough self-examin- the problem of w i l l power is v i r t u a l l y solved. uli to the will and lend to happiness and sucation, possibly reaching into The past and ex- The first job, then, is by analysis and examin- cess. Mark how every Step in the A. A. program ploring hereditary and environmental factors ation to clear and free the w i l l . The second is contributes to the creation of serviceable habits, in order to locate the congestion. Then, the block- a matter of right direction. Intelligence will the heightening of the imagination, the formulaages must be dynamited, memory cleaned of its chart the course, but the power of the w i l l must tion of constructive and rational affirmatives, and debris, the mind opened to new attitudes and be animated by the impulse of live interests. so to the eventual liberation of the will on the the life given new aims. By a series of succes- These w i l l be supplied by the inward vision of highest level of being. sive, tangible steps of this character, the will an imagination turned away from negative and Thus viewed, the alcoholic’s so-called lack of may be liberated. despairing pictures and towards affirmative and (Continued on next Page)

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w i l l power need not long stand in the way of his return to sobriety and of the opportunity of ex- God-conscious. We have begun to develop this vital sixth sense.” RICH REWARDS (Continued from Page 6) pressing his best self. He may, above all, attain The “activities” referred to in the quotation the power of decision which is the highest ex- are the activities of service and interest already Blank” on the program, trying to get her to pression of volition governed, however, by discussed. The “vision” is the i m a g i n a t i o n which accept A.A., when you feel that Sophie is a forces over and beyond the power of the will. we have said colors the w i l l . The “vital sixth hopeless case, isn’t worth bothering about. This power of determination is not a function sense” is the spiritual grace we have tried to If you think so, don’t say it, but keep on drivexercised for an instant, once and for all. It is describe in relation to free w i l l . ing your mate out to Sophie’s place. If you rather a c o n t i n u i n g process, evolutionary in de- Free w i l l may be expressed in terms of surdon’t want to go in with her, then stay in the velopment. It is “work in progress” as W i l l i a m render as Huxley does in this statement: , car. Wait for her . . . and when she comes James might have put it. It is based upon con- “All our actions must, be directed in the structive and rational affirmations and the b u i l d – last analysis, to making ourselves passive in out, ask her all about it! ing of a forward-looking altitude. relation to the a c t i v i t y and the being of d i – W o r t h t h e Inconvenience III v i n e r e a l i t y . We are, as it were, acolian Despite its immutability, truth is a jewel of harps, endowed with the power either to ex- A f t e r a l l , you may be surprised in regard to many facets, set in diverse planes and positions, pose themselves to the wind of the spirit or Sophie and certainly you have no right to say through which its essence may be observed in to shut themselves away from it.” who is or who is not a hopeless case. My wife varied but consistent aspects. It is, therefore, Or, more positively, in the f o l l o w i n g passage has been i n s t r u m e n t a l in getting a number of appropriate to look upon the will not only, as from the writings of St. Francois de Sales, a new people started on the program. In each and we have said, as a reflection of the imagination most extraordinary description of the psycho- every case, I f r a n k l y admit that I thought that but as a function of the process of extroversion. dynamics of the soul: all of them were absolutely hopeless . . . and As Aldous Huxley says, we have been given “God did not deprive thee of the oper- said so. I never say that, now. free w i l l in order that we may will our self-will ation of His love, but thou didst deprive To some of you, 12th Step work conducted out of existence and so come to live in a “state Him of thy cooperation. God would never by your mate may seem hopeless at times and of grace.” Defined in psychological terms, grace have rejected thee, if thou hadst not rejected cause you some inconvenience. Perhaps you is something other than our self-conscious per- His love. 0 all-good God, Thou dost not forsake unless forsaken, Thou never takest wanted to spend the evening at a show or do a sonal self, by which we are helped. away Thy gifts u n t i l we take away our l i t t l e bowling, instead of waiting in the car for Of the three kinds of grace, animal grace is hearts.” an hour or so while she talks to some “Sophie.” said to be that which comes when we are living IV There will be times, at home, when you will in f u l l accord with our own physical nature on a biological level. Human grace comes to us In summary, moral psychology and empirical want to read the race results or find out what from persons, social groups (including A. A.), religion supply the answers, the same answers, happened to “L’il Abner,” or listen to Jack and from our own wishes, hopes and imaginings to the questions propounded at the outset. They Benny, and your mate wants to discuss A.A. with projected outside ourselves. Spiritual grace, with begin with rejecting the “muscular” theory of you. Then, throw your paper aside, or turn off which we are here principally concerned, is de- w i l l power and conclude t h a t one’s t r u e free the radio. Yon w i l l be discussing matters as rived from our ideals. w i l l is God’s w i l l . They declare that the will i m p o r t a n t as l i f e and death. You will be help- Spiritual grace involves, in its most perfect is not a single property of human nature but ing to strengthen a foundation for permanent form, a willing away of the self-will to the point a u n i o n of the soul’s energies. They emphasize security, lasting peace of mind and a better way where it may in truth be said, “Not I, but God the preponderating influence of m e n t a l images. of life for both of you, especially for your mate. in me,” and “Not my will but Thine.” While Progressive liberation of the will and union There w i l l be other times when your mate w i l l we all fall far short of perfection in thus ren- w i t h i n f i n i t y are phenomena which, when they become a bit impatient with you for your slow dering ourselves capable of receiving the grace happen, do so concurrently; it is as difficult as thinking and tardy answers to his or her queswhich is from instant to instant being offered it is i m m a t e r i a l to tell which is cause and which tions. Think n o t h i n g of it. Don’t fly off the to every soul, most of us do contrive to forget, is effect. Suffice it to say that there is no genuine if only partially, our preoccupation with “I,” handle. Alcoholics naturally think with lightc o n f l i c t in man’s many-sided n a t u r e . We are done “me,” and “mine,” and do attain, from time to w i t h the old n o t i o n s about “self-mastery” and n i n g speed. They have e x t r e m e l y quick and time and in varying degrees, a state of spiritual subjugation of self. The now dispensation rests alert minds. Be patient. grace. on self-direction and the power of self-reliance Turning to the book Alcoholics Anonymous, in the Emersonian sense. Our s a l v a t i o n depends Brings Peace of M i n d we find our analysis verified in the following upon the release and direction of the finer forces To some, these procedures w i l l seem a bit onepassage at page 98: “Every day is a day when of human nature by the p r i n c i p l e of their affir- sided. but remember, your mate is up against we must carry the vision of God’s will into all m a t i v e emphasis to ever higher levels of accom- the very toughest kind of proposition. You marof our activities. ‘How best can I serve Thee— p l i s h m e n t . This is the process of psychosynthesis, ried him or her, and the least you can do is to Thy w i l l (not mine) be done.’ These are beginning where analysis leaves off, recognizing cooperate always, forgetting yourself and your thoughts which must go with us constantly. We. and u t i l i z i n g the soul as the d y n a m i c core of real or fancied grievances. can exercise our will power along this line all h u m a n p e r s o n a l i t y . Above all, let us not in the To those who do these things, I am confident we wan. It is the proper use. of the will. Much process be b l i n d to the inner light which i l l u t h a t the rewards w i l l be great, after a while, has already been said about receiving strength, minates the l i m i t e d wisdom of the secular and inspiration, and direction from Him who has all f i n i t e mind, for as George Santayana said: both in y o u r own peace of m i n d and in the inner knowledge and power. If we have carefully fol- “It is not wisdom to be o n l y wise, feeling of s a t i s f a c t i o n in knowing that you had lowed directions, we have begun the flow of His And on the i n w a r d v i s i o n close the eyes.” some l i t t l e , part in helping to effect this miracuspirit i n t o us. To some extent we have become —R. F. S. lous transformation.—E.L.

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Mail Call for All A. A.s at Home or Abroad who achieves sobriety through faith and mental There Are No Graduates Letters to this department are invited on any education is a modern miracle. The function subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- From Linda Vista, California tions you are asked to hold your letters to a of A.A. is to produce modern miracles.—R.W. maximum of 350 words. How long will the alcoholic have to attend Only initials will be published unless the A.A. meetings and associate with alcoholics? writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- Going Slow in Mexico That seems to bother a lot of non-alcoholics and fication for A.A. friends. The A.A. Grapevine will not divulge the full From Culiacan, Sinalao, Mexico some alcoholics. First let us understand that as name of any writer but will forward A.A. communications addressed to the writers of letters Thanks for remembering me far across the far as anyone knows today there is no cure for published here.—The Editors border. Also thank the Central Office for the alcoholism. Once the individual has crossed Christmas Bulletin. Although I have been in that line which separates the alcoholic from Modern Miracle A.A. three and a half years and in Mexico al- other drinkers there is no trail back. They must most one year I can’t say that I understand the spend the rest of their lives without the use of From Daytona Beach, Florida Mexican race yet with regard to their alcoholic alcohol as a beverage if they want to live nor- I think we must remember that we are offer- problem. mal happy lives. ing something intangible. We are offering a Therefore part of the question has been an- Out here there are three people who are trying psychological and spiritual program. swered by the alcoholic. When he honestly and to stay sober on small talk that I have had with We are not offering a medical program. If sincerely admitted he was an alcoholic he made them. a man needs medical treatment, we call in a his own choice. In fact he made it long before I was well grounded on A.A, when I came out he admitted he was an alcoholic. The choice doctor. If a man needs sedatives or B vitamins, here and I keep that way by a constant effort was made for him when alcohol made an alcowe let the doctor give them to him. If a man to live the 12 Steps. Every word is important holic out of him. Seems to me then The only needs hospital treatment we let the hospital take to me—they all have their part and meaning. choice the alcoholic and his family has is— care of him. Our vital A.A. work starts when What has helped me a lot is the spiritual side what kind of alcoholic does he want to associate a man is physically able to receive it. of the program although I never bothered with with? The dry alcoholic or the wet alcoholic? We are offering a psychological program. A it before, now I live it the best I can. The llth man must be mentally able to receive it. He The alcoholic who has come into A.A. has Step opened a great key for me. I found a con- again made a choice. He prefers to spend his must have made up his mind that he wants to scious contact—more of a feeling with a kind time with the kind of people he finds in A.A. quit drinking and he must be w i l l i n g to do of knowing that you are being taken care of— He knows them and they know him because he something about it. Then we must get his con- that the helping hand is there—nothing to worry has been associating with them while he was fidence by showing him that we are his friends about-—so you simply let go and rest in content- drinking. He enjoyed their company in bars, and really desire to help him. When we have ment of heart and if you have that you have cocktail lounges and saloons. He and they had his confidence he will listen to us. Then fol- peace of mind, also of the soul. lows the group therapy, the fellowship of other a common purpose there. Now, in A.A., he and I think that by being willing to be helpful to they find another common purpose. This time alcoholics who understand his problem because all living things is the best way to be forgiven the purpose of remaining sober on an all time they have been through it themselves. or to have your burdens made light. I also basis. He did not, nor does he have to, change We are offering a spiritual program. The find that I must get rid of my old ideas and I his society, he only changes the place where he fundamental basis of A.A. is a belief in some humbly pray for understanding.—J.A. wishes to meet and associate with them. power greater than ourselves. This takes a man off the center of the universe and allows him How long he will be in A.A. or how much he to transfer his problems to some power outside Arrogance Doesn’t Pay will put into A.A. will depend on how much he of himself. He turns to this power for the needs out of it. He will receive only in propor- From Dharhan, Saudi Arabia tion to what he gives. No matter how much strength he needs to keep sober. Psychologists are turning to religion because On lonely evenings out on the Arabian des- time and energy he uses up in A.A., no matter just knowing about ourselves is not enough. A ert I think often of you and wish I could drop how much he is away from home, the most radiman needs the added dynamic of faith in a in for a moment and greet you, shake your cal A.A. in the world has a happier home life power outside of himself on which he can rely. hand and thank you. But behind that wish there and his family is better off that the best wet As I see it, books on psychology and psychiatric is also a vain and proud motive and that motive alcoholic in the world. treatments are not enough without the strength is to show off. I would like to show you a sun- The best advice I can offer to The non-alcoholic that comes from faith in God. burned, healthy and infinitely happy replace- members of the family is leave him alone, let Ministers and priests are turning to psychol- ment of that sallow, sick, dejected and unhappy him run his course. He may go on an A.A. ogy because faith is an act of the mind and re- specimen of manhood who came to A.A. for (Continued on next Page) ligion must be explained in psychological terms help that summer morning of August 17, 1946. to satisfy the modern man. Faith must be b u i l t It is only a l i t t l e while ago and even in that on our own psychological experience. short time I slipped. It was in Cairo on October PAGING R.W.E. We are offering an intangible, thing—a psy- 5, because in my new-found strength there was Will R.W.E. whose letter-to-the-editor regardchological and a spiritual program. The new- also arrogance, an Egyptian moon and I … oh, ing a correspondence club appeared in the Dewell, the rest is like A.B.C. to a postgraduate. cember issue of The A.A. Grapevine, please comer must turn to a Higher Power, with faith communicate with the editor, as to where he that that power can give him the strength he Can you arrange to send me the A.A. Grape- may be reached by phone for discussion of his needs. Then be must re-educate his mind by vine? Let me hear from some of you soon.— suggestion? learning to think along new lines. The man O.C.M.

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binge, he may get so honest that it’s p a i n f u l , he rowing” money to sober up on. We have had over my own soul. I am s t i l l on t h a t journey, may start out to tell you that your spiritual life members work on other members or prospects but by now am pretty well out of the wilderness. is all wrong, he may go off on any one of sev- day and night for which they were not o n l y It was as our late, unlamented friend Adolph eral tangents. But remember this, that sooner not rewarded with the g r a t i t u d e of those they would have said, Mein Kampf—my battle—and or later he w i l l find the middle of the road. sought to help, but. they were not even rewarded it remains so. It is necessary to keep this idea Remember also that he is starting out on a new with the common courtesy one man is entitled p r e t t y clearly in mind, I feel; no one can save way of l i f e and a lot of the road is uncharted to from another. me but myself. That is not to make light of for h i m . He w i l l make you mad, irritated and And it has looked pretty black sometimes e i t h e r psychiatry or A.A. I don’t know about resentful, but look around at the older members when on meeting nights there were o n l y four or the former except for a l i t t l e amateurish delvand you w i l l realize that it worked for them. five members present. ing. Where both these fit i n t o the picture is Most of them went through the same experiences. But on the credit side, there are at least half that they are the means at our disposal. We So too it will work for him. Don’t worry about a dozen members, who imagine themselves to do it. how long he w i l l have to do A.A. work because have been some of the world’s worst boozers, The soul e i t h e r grows or atrophies and betherein lies your and his salvation.—J.F.H. who are staying sober, and who are gaining comes deformed. You can put this in psychostrength with the passing of every hour. logical terms if you wish—any one of the 57 Prescott’s Growing Pains Knowledge and strength has been gained by schools, or in religions terms—any one of the those successful w i t h the program to the extent 5700 sects. It doesn’t matter. My soul in its from Prescott, Arizona that they l i t t l e resemble themselves of t h e i r pre- growth needed s p i r i t u a l inspiration—soul stuff B i r t h i n g and growing pains have probably program days. And if slowly, most surely the as it were—and got it through t h e fellowship of never been more acute and evident in any A.A. influence is spreading to what may someday A.A. There are a lot of people in A.A. whom group in the country than those experienced by stagger the imagination of present members.— I don’t care for—but I don’t have to make my the Prescott Group which was started little more K.C. bed with any of them. I do have friends though than six months ago. who give me this inspiration. Among some This present group which fluctuates in mem- Letters Help Clear Up Doubts 35,000 people who are all, in a measure, trying bership between five and 14 members, with at From Old Greenwich, Conn. to look themselves in the face you are bound to least half of them apparently getting a maxi- find a rather high level of honesty, sincerity and I recently called on a “prospect” at one of mum benefit from the program, was started by square dealing. our local sanatoria to spread the word. Only a a few desperate men who learned something of There are a number of false conceptions about little sank in, I am afraid. The prospect had the organization in a neighboring city and A.A.: considerable reservations about A.A. from a brought their findings back here. 1. They lean on each other. Bah! There is no previous contact. He had, we thought, been Since many of the members of the group had bludgeoned too severely. Perhaps he needed it. leaning in A.A. The guy who leans ends up never been on the program before, and because In any event it was decided not to force the in his own personal gutter again. the town is comparatively small, we have had to issue. To clear up some of his misconceptions, 2. One drunk grabs another, sits on his client go along to some extent blindly in an effort to however, I decided to drop him a line. Perhaps and pokes pamphlets down his throat. If you learn what is going to prove of the most value you can use a part of this: don’t want access to it as a source of inspirafor the most members. Dear A. tion, that is your own business. A.A. does We are finding out that we are going through In the short period of our recent visit—not not (properly) force itself on anyone. all of the stages and trials that all other groups being much of an orator—I hardly had time to 3. One goes to meetings according to a phyhave gone through in organizing and maintain- accomplish what I was aiming to do, namely, to sician’s prescription and sits, listening to lecing a working unit. give you my conception of A.A. This is, of tures. This affects the ear drums in some mys- For the first five months of the life of this course, a very personal conception; it is w h a t terious fashion or seeps through the skin gradgroup twice-weekly meetings were held in a A.A. means to me. u a l l y so that somehow one loses the desire to conference room graciously donated by the To begin with, if you will permit me to talk drink. The idea of A.A. as something to be management of a Veterans Administration hos- about myself, let’s clear the deck and for the taken like a pill is perhaps the most perp i t a l . During most of this time more of the moment forget about A.A., psychiatry and all nicious misconception of all. members came from the hospital, either pa- the rest of it. The most important thing to a 4. A.A. Is a cloistered group of misfits who tients or employees, than from the town of man is his own personality, his own soul, if couldn’t make the grade in modern life and Prescott two miles distant. you will. About a year and a half ago I sud- have bonded themselves together to create For obvious reasons it was deemed necessary denly awoke to the realization that I had lost their own l i t t l e monastery, safe from the to change the meeting place to the town and for the direction of my own destiny and that there rigors of the rest of the world. It is true that some weeks past now meetings have been held were forces over which I seemed to have no some of us move about too exclusively in A.A. in the sample room of a local hotel. This move control, pulling me downward. This had been circles, but this is generally due not to fear has so far just about wiped out our VA mem- going on for some time, only I hadn’t accepted of the “outside” world but to an excess of bership, because of personal and other reasons, it. I hadn’t in fact looked myself in the face enthusiasm at having found at last an atmosbut the move is still believed wise and one that for years. When I did so I was terrified. Look- phere of sincerity and spiritual inspiration. will prove more beneficial in the long run to ing back—it seems ages ago—the expression of One feels as though he had come home at most people. how I felt is pretty well summed up in a note last. It is almost universal that the A.A. We have had the problems of personalities, I have still, a note written in a drunken scrawl, contact helps one to better become a part of men who have declared that they were out as “What have you built?” the “outside” world, domestically, socially, long as certain others remained. We have had That was the beginning, although I didn’t economically. the problems of those who climbed aboard the know it at the time, of a slow and painful jour- 5. A.A.s run around like mad, doing 12th Step bandwagon for the obvious purpose of “bor- ney back along the path of regaining control (Continued on Page 12)

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit A.A. Benefits Community. — Members of A.A. members throughout the country is less Omaha Keeps Stepping. — The Omaha, the Wilmington, Del., Group heard a leading than two percent. We, of course, have not had Nebr. Group continues to throw off sparks of industrialist and the head of the medical de- as many people paroled, who had worked at activity, the latest being what is described as a partment of the duPont company praise the ef- the program, as the groups who had been work- “new hopped-up group bulletin to be printed on forts of the organization as a contribution to ing a longer time. However, there are now our old mimeo” and called The Twelve Stepper, industrial stability and happiness in the home several members in the community. So far our according to the newly elected secretary. The when the annual dinner meeting was held re- record is 100 percent. Believing that A.A. is publication will reprint articles from The A.A. cently. Dr. G. H. Gehrmann, the medical direc- of no value unless it goes through the portals we Grapevine and other group publications tor, was quoted at considerable length in news- have worked to that end. The moral psycholo- each week. A new hospitalization set-up has paper accounts of the meeting in one Wilming- gical program worked on our inner selves has made considerable progress with the medical ton paper while another carried an editorial resulted in the overcoming of complexes, fears, centers and Omaha A.A.s now feel that the headed “Manifold Benefits” saying in part “both resentments and self-pity.” next step is public, education on alcoholism. for the industries concerned and the i n d i v i d u a l s The group has been asked for material to pubaffected it is obvious that the gains have been Participate in Conferences. — A.A.s in lish in The magazine section of the Worldimpressive.” A further report from Wilmington California and Minneapolis have participated Herald and members’ articles w i l l also be goes on to say that A.A. was part of the pro- recently in conferences on the alcoholic prob- printed. On the lighter side the group recently gram during a four-day conference of com- lem. In Minneapolis, Minn., the second In- had a big bingo party plus a floor show and pany physicians from all over the country and stitute on Chronic Alcoholism, sponsored by refreshments. that the two local company psychiatrists work the Hennepin County and State Bar Associvery closely with the group. Founded about ation at the University of Minnesota heard Progress at Dallas. — Dallas, Texas, A.A.s three years ago with the help of the Phila- representatives from the Midwest Council on now number over 300 with about 200 of these delphia group, Wilmington A.A.s have an o u t – Alcoholism and A.A. d u r i n g a program b u i l t in the downtown group and the others in the standing record of community cooperation. around the theme of handling the chronic suburban organization. The downtown group Their operation includes a rotating committee alcoholic. Principal agreements at The con- recently hired a f u l l time manager, a nonfor managing group affairs with keen participa- ference indicated opinions that existing treat- alcoholic formerly associated with a Dallas intion by women members. Besides three regular ment by incarceration, medication, admonitions stitution devoted to treatment of alcoholics and meetings a week the activities committee ar- and release should give way to a modern clinical nervous ailments. He is paid through v o l u n t a r y ranges for visits to the Delaware State Hospital service, that chronic alcoholism requires the contributions of members who believe it will twice a month and there is always a car load to introduction of the concept of the latter as a aid in a more business-like operation of the visit at Dover each week. Plenty of social disease i n t o legal codes and practices, and that club. Dr. E. M. Jellinek, professor of physiciaffairs are scheduled and the wives hold sep- the recognition of the almost invariable associ- ology at Yale and director of its department of arate closed meetings and prepare coffee for the ation of neurosis or psychosis with chronic alcohol studies is scheduled to visit Dallas late social hour afterward. alcoholism requires the introduction of new in A p r i l and w i l l speak at a public meeting methods into the pratique of social service in- sponsored by the local u n i t of The N a t i o n a l Com- Discussions in Two Languages.—The stitutions. Many national authorities spoke. mittee for Education on Alcoholism and later Norwegian Sunset Group had scheduled an open In Los Angeles, Calif., alcoholism was viewed at a closed meeting of A . A . groups. house at the Norwegian Seamen’s House, 62 as a public health problem during a conference Hanson Place, Brooklyn, N. Y., on April 10 of leading doctors, psychiatrists and social Drouth Spreads.—Estimates of A.A. memaccording to advice received at press time. This workers under the sponsorship of the Welfare bership are likely to be revised upward soon is to be an anniversary meeting w i t h the talks Council, The Southern California Society for according to the rate new groups are being in English. Recently the group conducted an Mental Hygiene and individual members of A.A. formed! The Delray Beach, Fla., Group, an open meeting at the same location with discus- F. R., active Los Angeles A.A. who died recently, outgrowth and affiliate of the Palm Beach sion in Norwegian only. had worked for some months toward the con- County Group, is now under way while members ference and had met frequently with Dr. of the Fremont, Ohio, Group have started a “A.A. Inside.”—The tenth anniversary pub- Anton Carlson of the Research Council on morning group in the home of a member to lication of The Clarion published at the Cali- Problems of Alcohol in the interest of such a accommodate those who could not a t t e n d other fornia Institution for Women, Tehachapi, Cal., conference. sessions. Members from other towns have been carries the name of D. G. as editor and one attending the meetings which begin at 10 of the articles “A.A. Inside” tells of the story Not Out in the Cold —The North Group of o’clock Saturday morning. A two man group of A.A. in institutions in that state since the first Windsor, Ont., having been pushed about for has been created at Newport, Ark., according group was formed at San Quentin in 1942. The several months on account of the housing prob- to the Batesville, Ark., Group which also regroup at Tehachapi started in 1945, according lem, has finally found permanent quarters for ported growth. In the Nevada state Prison, to the article, which says in part, “Parole of- Sunday meetings in the Y.M.C.A, while Tuesday at Carson, The first meeting was attended by ficers are most enthusiastic in their reports of meetings are in a member’s home. Attendance, 14 alcoholic inmates and five members of the the success of A.A. members on parole. A f t e r including members from all groups in Windsor, Reno and Carson Groups. The move is supfour years of concentrated effort, it has been Detroit and other outside points has increased ported by Warden Richard Sheey and Gov. proven that the percentage of violation among from five to 35. Vail M. Pittman. The Fair Lawn, N. J., Group

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held its first meeting at the Warren Point club phone 2-1045, an alternate day phone the club open every night and that goal is being Lutheran church recently with one of the win- 2-1095 and a night phone 2-0346. Traveling approached. About 50 volunteers showed up ter’s worst storms failing to keep 65 members members may make contact at the night phone in Des Moines, Iowa, to help put the arch and friends away. The group w i l l meet in or with H.B. at 203 Harden Street. through the wall to take on 600 square feet of t h e church on Route 4, which is the main route additional space for the club there and it was from the George Washington Bridge to Pater- Anniversary Celebration. — The second reported as a great cooperative effort. One son. A member from Artesian, S.D., who anniversary of the Pine Bluff, Ark., Group will member brought a crew of five w i t h three has been talking the matter over with the Mit- be observed at a banquet April 24 with Rev. trucks and air and hand hammers. chell group, has decided to get a group going Sam D. of Rome, Ga., as guest of honor and in his own town and has written for A.A. Grape- principal speaker. Open to the public, the Short Snorts.—The Rev. Fr. James P. Timvine subscriptions, books and literature. affair will include guests from 15 to 20 other mins of Hartford, Conn., addressed an open groups in the area. Founded two years ago meeting in Strong Vincent High School audi- Clubs Want A.A. Speakers. —Civic or- by Bill F., Memphis, the group in turn fostered torium, Erie, Pa., recently w i t h about 450 atganizations, principally Kiwanis and Rotary in the Fordyce Group about a year ago. Lexing- tending. A f t e r the meeting there was a closed Tampa, Fla., and surrounding cities, have re- ton, Ky., held its first anniversary w i t h one session at Perry H a l l . Father Timmins, editor cently been requesting speakers from the Tampa of the original members, J.J. and H.H. of Cin- of the Connecticut Catholic Transcript, described Group to explain the A.A. program to mem- cinnati as principal speakers. Four of the his work with A . A . over the past five years. The bers, indicating a recognition in that section. original group as well as members from Mt. Southington, Conn., Group is giving each mem- Lakeland Kiwanians made the first request and Sterling, Paris, Cynthiana, Frankfort, Versailles, ber a year’s subscription to The A.A. Grapethe t a l k of one of the older Tampa members Louisville and Cincinnati attended. The Lexing- vine. Good newspaper stories and a favorable was highly complimented, the program director ton Group has grown to 40 with the central editorial in the local paper have also been hailing it as the best since his tenure of office. meeting on Thursday night and smaller meet- obtained in Southington. Recently the Linda The president of the club, who is editor of the ings in Frankfort Monday, Cynthiana on Friday, Vista, Calif., Group presented “Junior” with Lakeland paper, was so favorably impressed at the Narcotic Farm Sunday afternoon at 1:30 his first b i r t h d a y cake, “Junior” being 78 years that he printed a two-column article. Similar and the Veterans Hospital at 3 o’clock. A ban- old and with a record of d r i n k i n g for 74 years! requests have followed. An appreciative letter quet attended by 115 marked the recent first was sent to the A.A. secretary by the Lakeland anniversary of the Niagara Falls, N. Y. Group Buckeyes Get Together.—The North Westc l u b program secretary. which has grown from the original six to 25 ern Ohio Groups, which include Bellevue, Norat the present time. Speakers included the first walk, Sandusky. Fremont, Tiffin, Milan and Memberships Mount. — Including a few local member, dry three years, first Tonawanda Port Clinton, recently had a joint session at who are “playing hard to get” the Battle Creek, member, dry five years and first Buffalo mem- Fremont celebrating the fifth anniversary of Mich., correspondent reports a roll call for 65 ber, dry seven years. The group recently went G.C. of Bellevue, who has been promoted to members as opposed to 13 two years ago. After to St. Catherine’s, Ont., and helped form a group a job in Chicago. The groups gave h i m a pen f u n c t i o n i n g for a little over a year, Columbia, there. Little Rock, Ark., has sent out notices that and pencil set as remembrance, as he was the S. C., has about 50 members and the group its seventh anniversary will be marked A p r i l 27. only A.A. in the area five years ago. His sponhas acquired two nice rooms for a club. During Principal speaker w i l l be Dr. A. L. of Jackson- sor, Mrs. Blanche Mills of Bellevue, a nonthe past several months weekly meetings have ville, Fla. alcoholic, was present and told of his progress. been held at a church, but are now being There are now about 150 members in six comchanged to the well-furnished club rooms at munities. The social nature of A.A.s was also Clubs Open. —The Longview, Wash., Club has 819 Harden Street, Five Points, Columbia, with shown when Kent, Lorain and Ravenna got 171 opened new quarters in The Alano Club, 215 Empire Building, Hudson and Commerce together for a three hour meeting and banquet Cut This Out and Mail to: Streets. Regular meetings are each Wednesday at Vale Edge. There were six visitors from and Saturday at 7:30 with visitors invited. The Akron, f o u r from Cuyahoga Falls, and 40 from P . O . Box 328 Cleveland. Longview Group is also p u t t i n g out a card Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N, Y. bearing the P.O. Box number 1028, and phone, Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) 3075-J, with the admonition “Let us help you for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- solve that drinking problem” and a four page Mail Call (Continued from Page 9) vine (monthly). leaflet with questions to determine whether the work and if they run out of drunks to work on—bingo!—they are dead pigeons, drunk For additional subscriptions enclose separate reader is an alcoholic and A.A. i n f o r m a t i o n . again. This misconception derives from the sheet with name and address clearly printed. Clearwater, Fla., members have what our corshallow notion that A.A. is a formula or Make checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. respondent describes as “ideal” quarters for the group of 25, the former headquarters of ritual. 12th Step work is actually only the Total Enclosed the Garden Club with a palm tree which came natural expression of a person who has reto grief, and blew over, arching the doorway. gained control over his own soul, saying in Renewal? (please check) The palm, a real alcoholic, has risen again the fullness of his happiness—this is the way PLEASE PRINT and put out shoots. In spite of a small mem- I did it. Name bership the Butte, Mont., Group found a good Well, there it is, as I see it. I don’t ask you Address place with a kitchen adequate to prepare much to accept my ideas or those of any one else in coffee. A good many members are reported A.A. It is a hell of a lot better for you to familiar with the surroundings, (formerly a think things out for yourself. The important • N o t e : Subscriptions received prior to April 15 speakeasy) but redecorated considerably, from thing is that you do your t h i n k i n g honestly.— will begin with the May issue. new wall paper out. The ambition is to have Howard H.

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VOL. III, NO. 12, MAY, 1947. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1947, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved. Yearly subscription $2.50 ($3 outside the. United States) ; single copy 25 cents.

Our Blessings Prove Real Miracle of A.A. From Chicago, Ill. Family Groups Make Headway W HAT’S on my mind right now is nothing more serious, thank God, than a moving sense of gratitude for the blessings I have received, without remotely deserving them, and for the truths I have been induced to accept entirely and exclusively In California through Alcoholics Anonymous. This is combined with an intense feeling that I am obligated to express this gratitude and make of it a helpful, dynamic thing by my day- Treatment of non-alcoholic members of the to-day actions much more than by mere alcoholic’s family is one of the outstanding inwords. Still, by letting off steam I may You Can Take It With You! novations being practiced by the Signal Hill, Calif., Family Group which is reported follow- crystallize my thoughts into action; at any The question of whether an A.A. could take ing the lead of San Pedro. rate it will provide a starting point and a the program with him while on a trip outside of Each a d u l t member of the family is an active, reminder of my tremendous indebtedness the United States was decided in a few hours voting member of the group and children attend to A.A. recently in A.A.’s Central Office in New York. the meetings and grow up in the traditions of After all, talking does comprise a very An A.A., en route to Europe, stopped by the philosophy of the A.A. fellowship. Separate large hunk of our social intercourse; and when office to pose the question: What would she do weekly meetings are held for alcoholics and non- someone presumes to talk, someone else is stuck about her sobriety while away from her group alcoholics and all are welcome to attend the at the listening post—as any married man will on an extended trip? meetings of the others. testify. Furthermore, any A.A. knows that A few minutes’ conversation showed that the The Akron procedure is practiced at both only by listening can he get the stimulation of A.A. would be aboard the Queen Elizabeth. “Oh,” meetings, the same 12 Steps and 12 principles the other fellow’s slant, and only by sounding said one of the secretaries, “we have another are embraced except that the non-alcoholic group off can he ante in to sweeten the kitty of gen- A.A. traveling with her husband to Europe eliminates the world “alcohol” from their per- eral understanding. We have to take turns. aboard the same ship. I’ll try to get you two sonal problem. The philosophy is used to correct As it happens, right now I am convinced that together.” A telephone call did the trick. difficulties caused by long association with the al- in my thinking and acting I should strive to About an hour later, another A.A. stopped by coholic and his new way of life is made simpler accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative. and announced that he was leaving for Europe by the understanding acquired by his f a m i l y . How can I play up the positive, play down aboard the Queen Elizabeth. The San Pedro Group has held two annual the negative? Well, within the wonderful fel- The second day out, the three A.A.s held a open meetings to which such outsiders as judges, lowship of A.A. itself I can begin by de- meeting at sea. law enforcement officers, doctors and welfare emphasizing the t i n y percentage of our temworkers received special invitations. Results were porary failures. I can quit donning a long NOTICE, CORRESPONDENTS! so good that the recent first anniversary meeting face and whispering about “Poor Lushwell, who To meet new printing schedules, copy of the Signal Hill Group was the first annual open wouldn’t take our word for it and is now stop- for The A.A. Grapevine must bo received meeting with about 100 visitors responding to the ping at the Workingman’s Rest on Madison in our office by the FIRST of the month invitation, including the mayor, two councilmen, Street,” or about “Good old Chlorine, she’s to appear in the following month’s istwo judges from Los Angeles courts, two proba- back with us but her buttons have gone bye- sue. Group correspondents are urged tion officers from Long Beach, several police of- bye and her slip is still showing.” Compar- to adhere to this new deadline. ficers, a doctor and a clergyman. (Continued on Page 6)

EDITORIAL: Prayer Answered Ten Years Later On the 7th Step . . . . From Harrisburg, Pa. In 1937, ten years ago, I began to grope in “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings” the dark for the l i f e I have found through the 12th Step work of A.A. It is the way of life I Few are so fortunate that the change implied in this Step comes about easily or searched so long for. quickly. For the majority, considerable effort is required to gain the desired outlook. My l i f e was a complete mess. I felt beaten Both intellectual and emotional conditioning is called for here. The intellectual and frustrated. Where was I going? What seems the easier, as it is so often in applying other Steps and other A.A. principles and could I do about it? I was 22 and had been propositions. Getting the intellectual understanding usually comes first; getting “the d r i n k i n g steadily for f o u r years. For a year I had owned my own business and then it was feel” of the idea is more difficult. gone w i t h the faith of the woman who had Another way of expressing the difference between the two degrees or departments made it possible. of understanding is that the idea may be accepted in the conscious mind without pene- Unconsciously in a prayer I covered several trating to the subconscious, and it is in the subconscious that the emotional drive is of the Steps but the important first one was missing. I put my prayer away with other aimless generated. The terms used to define the process differ according to individuals, but dreams and proceeded on my alcoholic way. I apparently a full understanding of the 7th Step needs to be achieved on two levels came upon this prayer again about a month ago which some call intellectual and emotional, or conscious and subconscious. and the whole series of events came sharply From the experience of many who did not achieve this full understanding easily into focus. It was one of the things from which comes much encouragement. They testify that the mind and the spirit, the conscious I had been escaping. Before this reaches you I and even the subconscious, can be conditioned favorably even as the body. Though the w i l l have made amends to a kind and bewildered friend. On her advice I sold the few things left process requires perseverance, many have done it. of the business and decided on a new start. The First, they point out, the myth of man’s own self-sufficiency needs to be dispelled. following Christmas she gave me a note stating this is not too difficult if one begins by listing only a few of the things on which man that my debt to her was paid in f u l l . It has depends for his survival and which are beyond his own limited power to supply. Even taken ten years to make amends for my past such an elemental thing as oxygen is enough to lay the premise that man depends on behavior. The prayer follows: some other source or power greater than himself. The distance from this premise to the idea of a Supreme Power is not as great Supplication as when the individual was still entertaining the illusion that he was self-sustaining, Dear God, teach me to be patient; to be steadfast to myself; to be true to the ideals I have set that he could do it himself, his way. Once this point of development has been reached, for myself. Never let me grow weak before I common sense points the rest of the way. Having discovered that there is a greater Power, have atoned for the unhappiness I have caused it’s no more than good sense to make use of It in all possible ways, and to ask for the others. Teach me the way of atonement and removal of those defects that we could not remove ourselves. help me to bring to those I have hurt and The mystery of the 7th Step is that it works with a fairly simple technique. The wronged the thought that I regret my behavior and I earnestly beg their forgiveness. secret of some magic formula does not first have to be discovered. Rather, results are Oh God, let me see the light, that I may live obtained merely by reminding oneself of the existence of the Power which he already as others live, love and be loved as others are. admits does exist, coupled with a reminder of one’s own desire and willingness to rely Give me strength of purpose, soundness of mind on It. and health of body to accomplish my reconcilia- Frequent enough reminders develop a new way of thinking, as many who once were t i o n w i t h the world.—Grace. skeptics, cynics, agnostics or even atheists, now gladly testify. The new way of thinking is the way to the “personality changes” that are common in A.A. National Roundup In Texas Cancelled POTENT PROOF FOUND IN 12th STEP Postponement of the national A.A. roundup and barbecue planned by Top-O’-Texas Group The Bulletin (Midwest Council on Alcoholism, Inc.), Minneapolis, Minn.: “Prac- of Amarillo has been announced through The ticing the 12th Step in particular will help to promote an understanding of the 2nd Step. Weekly Bulletin of that group. Originally announced in The Bulletin for It so often demonstrates the operation of a Power greater than ourselves. No group of ex- June 16-18, later discussions brought out that drunks or any other mortals could alone bring about the miracles that are accomplished so delayed opening of the clubhouse, lunchrooms often in 12th Step work. Bit by bit, if not suddenly, even the most doubting will eventu- and other activities, together with crowded conally be able to say, too, that he ‘came to believe.’ ” ditions in hotels, made it advisable to defer plans.

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Adequate Hospitalization One Great Need By Bill help. We have seen excellent prospects who might have remained with us had they been received nothing but our brief and casual notice properly hospitalized and sponsored. Despite the general effectiveness of the A. A. continue their stumbling journey to the under- So, out of what is now a huge experience, our program we often need the help of f r i e n d l y taker, while seemingly impossible cases who had conclusions are these: That hospitalization is agencies outside A. A. received careful and considerate attention recov- imperative in many cases and because the hos- Nowhere is this more strikingly true than in ered on the spot or later came back and found pital provides such a firm basis for good sponthe field of hospitalization. Most of us feel that their sobriety. sorship it is desirable even in the less serious ready access to hospitals and other places of This careful and considerate attention can situations if the prospects are drinking or rest and recuperation borders on absolute neces- nowhere be better given than in the confines of “foggy” when contacted. They definitely have a sity. While many an alcoholic has somehow got a hospital. More and more, A. A. groups are better chance if hospitalized. over his bender without medical aid, and adopting the idea of “sponsorship.” Each new- Until recently few hospitals have wanted us while a few of us hold the view that the hard comer is assigned a reasonably stable A. A. alcoholics. We almost never got really well; we “cold turkey” method is the best, the vast ma- member whose ward he becomes during his brief were hard to manage and disturbed other pajority of A. A.s believe the newcomer whose case period of introduction to our way of life. The tients; we were regarded as sinners more than is at all serious has a much better chance of “sponsor” helps make hospital arrangements, as sick people and. as a class, we were finanmaking the grade if well hospitalized at the out- takes his man there, visits him frequently and cially irresponsible. The average hospital manset. Indeed we see many cases where recoveries sees that he is visited by other A. A.s whose agement has always said, and with good reason, without medical help would seem virtually im- experience might be specially helpful. Hence a “Why bother with drunks? We can scarcely possible, mentally so beclouded have they be- prospect so handled has received a powerful handle the people who are ‘legitimately’ sick, come, even when temporarily sober. shot of A. A. and a good preview of what our people we can really do something for. Sobering society is like before he ever goes to a meeting. up drunks is a sheer waste of time and money.” Aids Receptivity At The hospital he has time to soberly think through his situation, read our literature and Attitude Changing The primary purpose of hospitalization is not exchange impressions with other alcoholics who Happily this attitude is changing because it to save our prospect the pain of getting sober; are going through the same process. Contrast is now becoming clear to physicians and public its real purpose is to place him in the state this with the frequent situation in which, for alike that a true alcoholic is really sick, however of greatest possible receptivity to our A. A. lack of hospitalization, the sponsor has to try to lacking in character he may be. Hope has now program. Medical treatment clears his brain, “taper off” his prospect at home or drag him, taken the place of centuries of despair that anytakes away his jitters, and if done at a hospital half dazed, to an A. A. meeting where the new thing much could be done for problem drinkers. he is kept there under control so that everybody man proceeds to get a lot of confused impres- A. A. and other agencies are now proving that knows just where and when he can be visited. sions or unfounded prejudices. While many of recovery is possible to hundreds of thousands Moreover, the atmosphere of most hospitals is us have made our first contact with A. A. under and that adequate hospital care can and must extremely conducive to a good first presentation these unfavorable circumstances, and have stuck play a vital part in this process. of A. A. The very fact that he has now landed nevertheless, there are probably many who do Though the trend is now in the right direction in a hospital impresses the new man with the not slick on such a poor contact; people who it has not yet produced any large scale result. seriousness of his situation. If he has gone there Except the fortunate few, most A. A. groups are voluntarily (which should be the case if at all up against it. Reasonably priced or free hospital possible) he usually regards hospitalization as accommodation for alcoholics is still woefully the actual beginning of his sobriety. It puts, as itDr. Silkworth Honored scarce. Each group has to do the best it can. were, a “period” to his drinking. It is an admission that he needs help; that his drinking is out By New York A.A.s Let’s take stock, therefore, of what is generally available today and what kind of relations we of control; that he cannot do the job alone. More than 1,000 A.A.s attended a special In- can best cultivate with existing agencies. Let us Often enough, hospitalization is the event that tergroup meeting in New York recently, a testi- also consider what part we ought to play in beautifully clears his path to acceptance of that monial to Dr. W. D. Silkworth, of The Chas. B. securing improved hospitalization. all important 1st Step: Towns and Knickerbocker Hospitals. Many A. A.s have been state asylum inmates. “We admitted we were powerless over Dr. Silkworth not only endorsed the book, While our treatment at these institutions has Alcoholics Anonymous, when it was first pub- been far better than many suppose, it is a fact alcohol — that our lives had become unlished, but has worked tirelessly for more than that the average asylum superintendent still premanageable.” ten years to lead sick alcoholics to A.A. fers to handle insane persons. The average With each passing year we increasingly real- Bill, who was helped tremendously by the mental case stays put for a while. Then too, ize the immense importance of adequately pre- little doctor even before A.A. assumed any im- for mental cases an asylum could feel it was senting the program to every new prospect who portance, led the tribute. really doing something, either by way of cusis in the least inclined to listen. Many of us feel The degree of interest among A.A.s in the tody or cure. But The average alcoholic, unless this to be our greatest obligation to him and our meeting was emphasized by the fact that some permanently insane, was a headache. Brought failure to do so our greatest dereliction. The dif- 500 persons had to be turned away from the in temporarily balmy he would promptly reference between a good approach and a bad one Engineering Auditorium where the meeting was cover his sanity, at least legally speaking, and can mean life or death to those who seek our held! (Continued on Page 4)

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Adequate Hospitalization One Great Need (Continued from page 3) mistakes are usually corrected and we f i n a l l y as to which prospects deserve them in the would clamor to get out only to return in days come up with a friendly, clear-cut relationship first place. or weeks. No wonder the average institution which is often handled in large A. A. centers In still other instances A. A. groups, driven disliked alcoholics. through our Intergroup Central Offices or hos- by their acute need for medical aid, have started Now that so many of us are coming out of pital committees. p u b l i c money raising campaigns to set up “A. A. asylums to stay, the authorities are everywhere hospitals” in their communities. These efforts becoming more cooperative. In many institutions almost i n v a r i a b l y come to naught. Not only do Private Doctors Helpful the alcoholics able and willing to recover are these groups intend to go into the hospital busplaced in a ward of their own. They are no We enjoy fine privileges with many private iness, they intend to finance their ventures by longer mingled with the insane. Visiting A. A.s sanitariums and “drying out” places. Occasion- soliciting the public in the name of Alcoholics are admitted and meetings are held within the ally the reverse has been true. Here and there Anonymous. I n s t a n t l y all sorts of doubts are walls. While no asylum can, of course, be used we have found some tendency to exploit alco- generated; the projects bog clown. Conservative as a simple sobering-up place only, it is true holics— too much sedative, too many “tapering A. A.s realize that business ventures or solicitathat asylum doctors are now often willing to off” drinks, too long and too expensive stays, tions carrying the A. A. endorsement are truly take cases on less evidence of psychosis than an inclination to misuse the A. A. name for dangerous to us all. Were this practice to beformerly, provided they and the nearby A. A. business purposes, etc. But these tendencies are come general the lid would be off. Promoters, group feel that a permanent recovery is possible. disappearing. It is realized, even by those who A. A. and otherwise, would have a field day. The doctors are also more willing to commit might be tempted to take liberties w i t h us, that promising patients for much briefer periods and cooperation with A. A. is more profitable in the Rest Farms One Solution liberate earlier those who seem to be making long run than non-cooperation. But it must algood A. A. progress. So any A. A. group near ways be remembered that on the whole our This search for reasonably priced and underan asylum which contains alcoholics capable of treatment at these places is good — some of standing medical treatment has brought into recovery can usually form these desirable rela- them are staffed by the warmest friends we have. being s t i l l another class of facilities. These are tionships with the authorities but they should I cannot forget that the first physician ever to rest farms and “drying out” places operated by never try to tell the doctors how to run the place! take a serious and helpful interest in us is still i n d i v i d u a l A. A.s under suitable medical super- We must never blame any doctor who has not a staff member of a private hospital for alco- vision. These set-ups have proved far more satyet seen A. A. at work for his skepticism. Let holics; that the first psychiatrist to see the pos- isfactory than group directed projects. As might us remember he probably has good reason to sibilities of A. A., and one who had the courage be expected their success is in exact proportion be that way! to go to bat for us before his profession, is the to the managerial a b i l i t y and good f a i t h of the staff member of a sanitarium. When such excel- A. A. in charge. If he is able and conscientious, lent places offer us friendly cooperation we a very good result is possible; if neither, the Cooperation Growing surely ought to return it in kind. place folds up. Not being a group project and Our experience with public hospitals in large Many sanitariums and private hospitals are not bearing the A. A. name, these ventures can cities has been varied. Here we usually find much necessarily too high priced for the average alco- be taken or left alone. The operation of such reluctance to keep our good prospects even a holic. Public hospitals being too few, asylums establishments is always beset with peculiar few days, unless, of course, they happen to be and religious institutions too seldom available, difficulties. It is difficult for the A. A. manager delirious, psychotic, or physically injured. These the average group has been hard put to find to charge high enough rates to make the venture hospitals feel they have no right to use precious spots where prospective members can be hos- include a fair living for himself. If he does, beds to sober up run-of-the-mill drunks. But as pitalized a few days at modest expense. people are apt to say that he is professionalizing, public hospitals become aware that we are bring- This urgency has tempted some A. A. groups or “making money out of A. A.” Nonsense ing recovery to a substantial number of their to set up drying out places of their own, hiring though this may often be, it is a severe handicap regular habituees they become more hopeful A. A. managers, nurses, and securing the services nevertheless. Yet, in spite of the headaches enand cooperative. Visiting privileges are extended of a visiting physician. Where this has been countered, a good number of these farms and to us and promising cases are kept several days. done under the direct auspices of an A. A. group sobering-up spots are in active operation and The development of these relations takes place it has almost always backfired. it has put the can seemingly continue just as long as they are slowly. The hospital has to be thoroughly con- group into business, a kind of business about t a c t f u l l y managed, do not carry the A. A. name, vinced that we are bringing recovery to enough which few A. A.s know anything at all. Too and do not publicly solicit funds as A. A. enterpatients to justify any special consideration. many clashing personalities, too many cooks prises. When a place has an A. A. in charge we Because public hospitals are mostly free or very spoiling the broth, usually bring about the aban- sometimes do take thoughtless advantage of the moderate in their charges, we too often abuse donment of such attempts. We have reluctantly fact. We dump alcoholics into it just to get them our privileges. We are tempted to ask special been obliged to see that an A. A. group is pri- off our hands; we promise to pay bills and do treatment for “slippees” who have no present marily a spiritual entity; that, as a group the less not. A n y A. A. who can successfully manage idea of stopping drinking; we often insist on business it has to transact, the better. While on one of these “drunk emporiums” ought to be visiting at all hours and in any numbers; we this theme it ought to be noted that practically congratulated. It is a hard and often thankless are likely to brag about A. A. as the only rem- all group schemes to finance or guarantee hos- job though it may bring him deep spiritual edy for alcoholism and thus incur the displeasure pital bills for fellow members have failed also. satisfaction. Perhaps this is the reason so many of hard working nurses and doctors who might Not only do many such loans go unpaid, there is A. A.s wish to t r y it! otherwise be glad to help us. But these natural always The controversial question in the group The question often arises about what to do

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Hollywood Party Aids Building Fund Big names were plentiful at the second annual party for the building fund put on by the Central Hollywood Group of Hollywood, Calif. The first half of the program included a vaudeville show in the theatre, seating 1,000, at the Hollywood Legion Clubhouse. Leon Errol a n d ‘ Charlie Irwin appeared for the second time with Bob Hope, Donald O’Connor, Keenan Wynn, Eddie Garr, Art Wayne, Billie DeWolfe and others. At 9 o’clock, the voice of Bill, one of the founders, was brought in by wire for a short talk and later the theatre was cleared for dancing while downstairs in the cabaret room, which holds 600, the entertainment continued w i t h ‘ games and refreshments. Although Central Hollywood took the initiative in the building fund, the building will be for all local groups for any A.A. purpose, business or recreational.

From The Alanews, Dubuque, la.: You may be hell bent, but don’t insist on company. It’s all right to drink like a fish if you drink, what a fish drinks. The dizzy feeling some people complain about is hardly ever caused by doing too many good turns. Some women become nags because their husbands behave like mules.

with a severe case when no hospital is avail- about the merits of the several treatments. Ac- afforded special privileges in exchange for o u r , able. First of all, we ought, if possible, to call tually, our only concern about physical treat- cooperation. a doctor. We should ascertain for the doctor’s ment is that of being satisfied that the physician benefit how long our man has been drinking in charge understands alcoholics. Much Aid from Outside and particularly whether he has been taking Two other promising prospects for good and much sedative. Under no circumstances should reasonably priced hospitalization are in view. It surely may he said that the f u t u r e looks we laymen ever administer any sedatives. We These are the various general hospitals which bright. Much more hospitalization, based on the must leave, this strictly to the doctor. continue to open their doors to us. Very early certainty that we are a sick people and that in A. A. history Catholic hospitals in a few mid- plenty can be clone about it, is now on the way. western cities saw our need and took us in, re- We ought gratefully to acknowledge the work Treatment Up to Physician gardless of denomination. Their example has of those agencies outside A. A. who are strenu- In some places A. A.s take turns sitting the led other religiously oriented institutions to do ously helping this life-redeeming trend along. clock around tapering off a man with a bad likewise, for which we are extremely grate- State, county, and municipal governments, large hangover. Though this can sometimes be done, ful. Quite recently, other private and semi- universities are agitating our cause. They are the patient will usually insist on tapering him- private general hospitals have begun to show being ably seconded by various hospital and self “up” instead of “off.” Now and then we great interest. Sometimes they go so far as set- other associations. While traditionally A. A. does have to adopt the desperate expedient of putting ting apart wards for A. A. use, admitting alco- not ever exert any political or promotional presa man in jail, especially if violent. But when holics on our recommendation only, giving us sure, we can, as individuals, make our great absolutely necessary, patience, persuasion, and generous visiting privileges and very reasonable need for sufficient hospitalization known to all a doctor’s help will generally do the trick — if rates. Arrangements of this sort already func- who might he interested; emphasizing, of course, the patient will really try. If he won’t, there is tioning have been so satisfactory to both hos- that though we believe hospitalization to be prilittle to do but let him drink on until he has pitals and A. A. that many such set-ups should marily a medical problem for communities and. had enough. soon be active. In these situations we do not physicians to answer, we A. A,s would like to. Among A. A.s, one hears much discussion participate in hospital management. We are cooperate with them in every possible way.

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Our Blessings Prove Real Miracle of A.A. (Continued from Page 1) in Potter’s field I had been buying for years. me to this need, and now the blindfold is off, isons are not only odious but also very dan- This isn’t idle fantasy but cold fact. I never and for this l i t t l e step ahead I am t h a n k f u l . gerous to me. Too much of this dwelling on could have believed in myself five years ago As an early f r u i t of this blessing I have reached the other guy’s stupid antics and I may begin without the divinely managed discovery of some simple, sharply-defined views on the givesubconsciously to enjoy his troubles, to shed people so understanding that they first believed and-take of A.A.; a sort of creed for tolerance crocodile tears and to feel that, by contrast, in me. This faith, freely given by others, was which, I hope, w i l l help to guide my A.A. I’m quite a fine fellow. Worse yet, my faith my initial A.A. blessing and one of the richest. conduct. Here is the creed: in A.A. may start to wear a bit thin, and for If I am at all capable of gratitude now, I I must have no more wish to impose any me a return to doubt and cynicism is a return shall convert it into action by passing that idea of mine on others, with any effort to into whisky. If I must do some comparing, I’d blessed understanding along. flict its adoption, than I have of demanding better stack myself up against the huge major- the rocket franchise for the passenger run to ity of genuine successes in A.A., the persons Honesty An Individual Problem Mars. It is helpful to me, or should be, when I really admire and would like to emulate. a suggestion of mine is picked up, honestly I am grateful today for the budding sprouts This will deflate me, assuredly; but it will also considered and taken apart. If it still satisfies, of honesty in my heart. Already this innovakeep me in balance and improve my humility. me I may retain it; if it is proven wrong I’ll tion has given me the clarity of vision to face Or, if I have the nerve, let me compare myself abandon it and be intelligent enough to admit my many shortcomings, to recognize my direst just fleetingly with a man named Jesus Christ that it was cockeyed. needs, and to perceive that these don’t neces- —and then let’s see where I stand. I think There’s no special privilege in A.A. and no sarily have to coincide at any given moment with you’ll find me standing on my knees. monopoly on truth. I must accord a full, fair the other fellow’s needs. Let me try to illustrate My blessings, stemming from A.A., are count- and impartial hearing, for instance, to a brother that. A.A.s are forever saying “Keep it simple,” less; but I’d better count as many as I can, good with an honest leaning toward atheism, for and to that I say amen. God knows I have and loudly, as often as I can. It is a rare that is a grave problem and a cry for help; learned the hard way that the simple way privilege and a real joy for me to know and to one with disturbing doubt as to the Higher is the easy way. But to a dozen minds simplicity try to follow the example of those who have Power, for he needs encouragement; to one can mean a dozen things. “Keep it simple” risen high on the A.A. ladder from very low publicly affirming a simple faith and reliance doesn’t mean “Put your brain to sleep” or and sordid circumstances; or to watch and in God, for that encourages me; even to one “Stop trying to improve yourself.” I recently study the eager A.A. baby as he gratefully who knows all about God and still scoffs, though heard a good friend say, “Whisky is my probseizes the program, gains confidence, expands for him I may offer only pity. lem, period,” and I knew that for him, at and thrives and progresses. To be sure, I I must remember there is a place and a good that moment, that was simple honesty. For must never, never withhold whatever help I use in A.A. for honest differences, but neither my friend is an honest man. For me to echo can provide to someone in distress, for giving a place nor an excuse for pettiness or for neethe same statement at that moment would be help is in itself one of our prime blessings. dling a man till be bleeds. If I stoop to illa big lie. Whisky is not a problem to me as But I know beyond doubt that A.A. is posi- tempered sarcasm or venom, to questioning of this writing. Oh yes, I have well in mind tively successful, while the occasional slipper is others’ motives, to deriding their professions of the basic fact of my disease, that I am just one a negative influence. For my salvation I’d sincerity, I will have forgotten the basic indrink away from drunkenness and disaster. But better keep my eye on the ball. variable that we are here solely to help our- I also know whether I’ll take that first drink selves and others, and not to irritate or disturb by this nightfall. The answer is no. Cynicism Negative or confuse. Honest thinking convinces me that instead of I have mentioned cynicism. It used to be a pressing problem I have certain fundamental my besetting sin and it’s still an ominous threat. needs, currently humility and tolerance, and Tolerance Helps Humility And cynicism is 100 per cent negative, full undoubtedly it is a blessing that I shall al- I must carry this give-and-take further if of such mocking, tongue-in-cheek cracks as ways need and have to strive for them. I I am to function with honest tolerance. I must “Oh yeah?” and “He’s a good guy but—” and shudder to think of the sickening thud that bear in mind that your standard of ethical and “That babe’s a smoothie but what’s her angle?” would follow were I to wake up tomorrow and moral living is one thing and mine may well If I deliberately set out to show my ingrati- decide that I had attained perfection in any be something else, and either or both may be tude for countless blessings I could scarcely virtue. As to tolerance, you and I can plainly right. The important thing is that each man be do it more effectively than by questioning the hear the world crying for it; but as A.A.s true to his own highest standard, and each sincerity and the motives of my fellow-A.A.s. and individuals, how many of us actually view woman be true to hers. It is not important I’d jolly well better remember that when I it as a vital ingredient for our personal success? that we see eye to eye. I know dry A.A.s who came lurching into this outfit and began kick- And how many realize that a tolerant altitude for years have gotten away with what looks to ing things around, I was offered the most superb is no favor to be condescendingly granted, but me like murder in the first degree. Things I friendships and the finest tolerance that I have is vastly more beneficial to the fellow who adopts see no harm in doing, and do, may look very ever known. I desperately needed it all; it than to the fellow who is being tolerated? black indeed from where you’re silling. If we nothing less would have rescued me. Had a I, for one, need tolerance of others so that I both stay dry and contented—and personally I single tiny shaft of barbed criticism or scoffing may retain sobriety and tolerate myself. won’t stay dry long if I’m not satisfied with my doubt penetrated my sensitive skin I might We won’t become tolerant, though, until we own conduct—there simply is no conflict. have turned away—to fill eventually the space feel the need of it. Once my bigotry blinded So that is a creed for A.A. tolerance, offered

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for your consideration—though by no means clears up so many things in a comforting and for your compulsory endorsement. it is merely satisfying manner. It pays so many immediate the kind of tolerance that w i l l meet my own dividends. It functions with such quiet effistandard for myself and help to keep me dry ciency in wrecking our old, phony sense of and happy. And I believe I shall benefit by values and supplying a new, saner one. It ofit quite f u l l y if and when my other great need, fers such a complete answer to our prayer for true humility, is achieved in a rather advanced “serenity to accept things we can’t change.” degree. For h u m i l i t y turns the pointing finger Small wonder that I rate it as my No. 1 blessing. of criticism inward, and if I can see myself with Faith has convinced me that our 12 Steps honest eyes, as God Himself must see me, then are divinely inspired. I used to monkey around I will have neither the urge nor the opportunity with them like a kid with a tinker-toy, distorting to heap intolerance on those who also stumble. them all out of shape to conform to my per- I think each of you had to find, and found, sonal desires. Incidentally, during that period a deep h u m i l i t y when you encountered the 1st of experimentation I was also drinking a lot Step and accepted it. I’m sure each is t h a n k – of whisky. Now I have to accept the Steps of f u l today for the strength thus gained that Recovery as they are, and be eternally grateopened your door to A.A. happiness. I, too, ful for them. In my opinion the A.A. who mustered the grace somewhere to a d m i t the says “I’m fitting the program to my personbankruptcy of my w i l l ; but in a l l honesty I’m ality” is flirting with a dangerous doctrine; a f r a i d that early humbleness was a l i t t l e arti- he would be much safer in fitting his personalficial, a little superimposed. Meekness that is ity to the program. We like to kid ourselves impressed upon us with a blackjack in the that A.A. is free of rules and regulations and hands of old John B. is not too dependable for restraints; but to me the 12 Steps have become it’s apt to vanish when the bruises heal. This immutable laws, and when I break them I suffer. gloomy fact has been demonstrated to me by Of course, I break them. Being normally frequent reversions to arrogance and egotism. human and abnormally susceptible, I probably My need today is for a h u m i l i t y so firmly rooted will break one or more of them every day inside that it will stick to my ribs during pros- through my life. But faith breeds a kind of perity as well as adversity. I’ll be able to honesty which nowadays rejects an old formula report progress, I think, on the day some de- of rationalizing my sins of commission and luded person tells me I’m brilliant and I’ll omission, and of arguing that black is while. still know that I’m really touching a new high I used to say, “This isn’t really wrong because in mediocrity—and that it’s all right because it won’t hurt anybody but myself and it won’t I’m supposed to be mediocre. hurt me much.” I am surprised and pleased is enough that I learned through the A.A. philosto discover nowadays that when I say, “This ophy how to regain this healing force. And Faith Lies Within Self is wrong but I’m going to do it anyway,” quite I want to express my belief right now that often I wind up abandoning the whole silly I’ve said before and I still believe that enough unshakable faith will come to any A.A. who project. true humility would solve every problem and will supply an open mind, quite a bit of padissolve every unsettling influence that might tience and a willingness to give up the dubious arise in my lifetime. Those who know me as pleasures of sneering skepticism. Ralph Waldo What If We Can’t Drink? a gent with a badly swollen noggin may be Emerson contended that “Nothing can bring Thank God and A.A.—and in my mind these shocked to learn that I dare aspire to possess you peace but yourself,” and as a paraphrase agencies of my deliverance have blended into enough humility, some time in the future, to I suggest that “Nothing can deny you faith spiritual look-alikes—thank God and A.A. that fill all my needs and keep me contented in my but yourself.” I think faith comes by a gradual you and I can now view with positive optimism tiny, insignificant assignment on this earth. I process to those who want it earnestly but our status as alcoholics. If our faith means hasten to explain that I can and do hold this have lost or mislaid it, even to those who never anything it means that we now accept this conaspiration only through the soothing grace of had it if they can recognize their need. I first dition without further shrill queries as to the a blessing which transcends all others. gained faith in certain individuals in A.A.; reason for it. This is God’s will; and what I am grateful above all for the blessing that then in the A.A. philosophy as a whole, and have we got to crab about anyway? Hasn’t God came to me, belatedly but joyously, when finally I could see that this was also God’s also equipped us with a foolproof roadmap for cynicism had run its course and I returned to philosophy, whereupon I reposed my faith in progress along a path of contentment through the acceptance and application of the simple Him. This was certainly backing into it, self-improvement, a way of atonement through faith of my fathers. Of my countless blessings and even then I had to have a lot of screwball service? this is the most positive, for out of faith, re- Jap kamikazes emphasize the point; but that’s I know that each of you is as happy as I discovered, has stemmed everything good that another story. The truth is that I was using my am at the feeling that at last we “belong,” that has happened to me since. faith in God long before I acknowledged it; now we have some sort of a place in the scheme Faith hasn’t opened all doors and solved all and that leads me to suspect that many of my of things. When I recall my own dissolute mysteries but it has made me stop asking a A.A. friends are relying fully on the Higher past this takes on certain aspects of the miraclot of idle, unnecessary questions. I don’t yet Power without having yet gotten around to ulous. It is a place of regained self-respect know why I remained childish through most making an acknowledgment. and of quiet dignity—added, I believe, with of my adult life and yet tossed aside my child- Faith, which in our terms is merely the total the dawn of unselfishness. Of course we are ish faith. But I don’t have to know why; it acceptance and application of the 3rd Step, . (Continued on Page 8)

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No Time on My Hands! Our Blessings (Continued from Page 7)

From While. Plains, N. Y. speaking I’ll overcome my fears—just like that! grateful for material things like economic secu- Those of you who were early subscribers to This, at least narrowed me down to two sub- rity, but these we can safely take for granted, The. A.A. Grapevine perhaps remember a col- jects and I discovered that my approach and knowing that any fool can make more money u m n called “Time on Your Hands,” which ran my point of view had changed. I no longer sober than drunk. But measured by our new in the first six or seven issues. Though not a wanted to be a great or a famous anything. I scale of values, the early s t i r r i n g w i t h i n us of columnist, by the stretch of the most elastic just wanted to be a more adequate A.A. I altruism is really something. We are able, imagination, and certainly not an expert in looked up courses that appealed to me in these now, f u l l y to understand what Thomas a Kempis o c c u p a t i o n a l therapy, I had the temerity to write two subjects, not to become a great orator or was d r i v i n g at when he wrote: “Know thou that bit each month. I sent for catalogues, a famous writer, but to be able to do my A.A. t h a t the love of thyself doth h u r t thee more questioned friends and strangers, pored over jobs a little bit better and with more assurance. than anything in the world.” Man, how a lists and advertisements in order to collect data About this time I realized that I was many d r i n k i n g a l k y loves himself—and hurls him- —and what h a p p e n e d ? I got caught in the moons away from my school days and had for- self—and doesn’t k n o w it t i l l he sobers up toils! gotten, during my befuddled years, much of and joins A.A.! Now we read w i t h genuine I had been sober about three years when the the basic knowledge which I had learned, way gladness t h a t part of our doctor’s prescription first A.A. Grapevine appeared and had begun back then. My first courses had to be decidedly which directs us to go out and lend a hand to get itchy about myself—but didn’t know it. elementary—but I loved them. They were the to some other drunk. That’s a break com- Previous to A.A.. I hadn’t done much to im- intellectual stimuli I needed to get over my itch. parable to meeting a doctor in the old days prove myself or to bring out any latent abilities My brain, long inactive, started, slowly and who’d t e l l us, “What you need is good, n u t r i t i o n s —even as you and you! painfully, to wake up. whisky and plenty of it.” How often have we That was three years ago. Since then, I whispered to ourselves, “If I could only make Possibilities Unlimited have gone on to study some of the more chal- up somehow for all those wasted, barren years.” My first three years in the group proved to lenging and exciting things, but, always, w i t h Well, now the chance is here, tailor-made for me that I did have at least a modicum of ability the thought, first, will this help me to be a more our use, and it’s a finer and better-defined plan —but alas, very little fundamental knowledge useful A.A.? for service t h a n is given to any non-alcoholics to back it up. Going to school never occurred I am sure that there comes a time, in our I know. to me. Heavens! I was in my forties and process of growing up, when we all think about We’d better not sidestep the obligation and school was for adolescents! That was before I our wasted days. We realize that life is slipthe responsibility entrusted to us. In all fairread the catalogues and brochures which poured ping on—and where are we? It isn’t that A.A. ness, I don’t see any inclination to do any sidein by every post and saw the marvelous oppor- is not enough. It’s that A.A. t h i n k i n g awakens stepping. Instead I see an eagerness in everytunities offered for adult education—along spe- ambitions, long dormant, and we feel frustrated body to dig into the 12th Step, to “carry that cialized trade or professional lines or in just because we believe that it is too late to do anyold m a i l and don’t spare the horses.” Surely pure scholarship. I was fascinated, but in a thing about it. It isn’t! Take it from Grandyou’ll agree that’s a miracle, a spirit like this state of conflict. There was an embarrassment ma Lois! I have done something about it and showing up in a class of people f o r m e r l y 100 of riches to choose from and I wanted them all I never have had so much f u n ! What if you per cent introverted and egocentric. I t h i n k —instantly. I was going to be a chemist, do feel that school is for adolescents? Isn’t it’s a result of positive t h i n k i n g and acting, repsychologist, social worker and Greek scholar; that what we learn we are — we alcoholics? liance on the wisdom of the Higher Power, and I was going to write plays, get in the diploan indescribable sense of gratitude. matic service, design houses and learn Por- Programs Offered Widely tuguese. A stimulating and varied adult education pro- I said at the outset that my blessings were Yes—I’m an alcoholic. But I’m an A.A., gram is offered in almost every city, town and countless and I have certainly proven that point. too, so the slogan, “First things first,” popped hamlet in America if you want to look for It occurs to me at this w i n d u p stage that I into my mind. What was the first thing in my it. You can learn how to weave baskets or you haven’t even listed sobriety, a blessing which l i f e ? Why, A.A., of course. What would help can study law. The possibilities, especially in affords the real beginning of life for me and me most in my A.A. work? Well, a lot of the universities, colleges and trade schools, are for every other alcoholic. So many blessings studios probably would. So there I was with practically unlimited. remain unmentioned, but after all I only hoped only a few things eliminated. I started again. There is only one word of w a r n i n g that I to remind myself and you of the infinite riches, What, especially, was I doing in A.A. at the would like to give. Don’t get started if you far beyond the mere essential of sobriety, that moment? Aside from 12th Stepping, I was can’t go whole hog! When that sleepy brain lie w i t h i n our grasp if we simply f o l l o w the one of the editors of The A.A. Grapevine and, gets through yawning and stretching, it finds A.A. way of living. And I’ll lay anybody therefore, had to write a l i t t l e and edit a little, that it is ravenously hungry after its long hiber- ten to one right now t h a t if and when you sit among other things. I was also called upon nation. It nudges you and pushes yon and down to itemize y o u r positive blessings, the list to speak here and there and the u n f o r t u n a t e whines and howls to be fed—and. paradoxically w i l l begin—not w i t h material things like a situation existed that I was terrified both of the more you feed it the more i n s a t i a b l e be- bigger income or social prestige—but with speaking and of writing. Kind friends told me comes its appetite.—Lois K. s p i r i t u a l intangibles like increased f a i t h , h u m i l t h a t I didn’t show my fright, but / felt it and ity, tolerance and opportunities for atonement deep down inside of me was a horrible feeling through service. All of which are mighty strides of unsureness. Put yourself to as much trouble as toward our real goal, The peace of mind we all Well, thought I, maybe if I study writing and you do your friends! dream about.—E.B.

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit S.R.O. for A.A. — Police and firemen were Indianapolis A.A. Groups held in the St. Clair of St. Louis was the speaker. Down in Tuscaloosa, needed to turn away over 300 while 700 enthu- Room of the Antlers Hotel. A change was made Ala., some 40 ex-problem drinkers who used to siastic A.A.s and friends crowded into Brown recently to this more spacious meeting place pride themselves on drinking like Southern gen- Hall in Boston recently when the Central Service which offers a fancier breakfast and a two-story tlemen marked completion of their first six Committee there sponsored the largest meeting ceiling for the better accommodation of the to- months in A.A. recently. Two of the founders ever held in the area. M.M. of New York was bacco addicts. were patients in the Veterans Hospital nearby the speaker. She also addressed the New Eng- and talked over the idea of starting a fellowship Growing Up Fast—Last month the Wallkill, land Hospital Association and the National Com- in town. Members of the Birmingham Group N. Y. Prison Group celebrated its second anmittee for Education on Alcoholism as well as helped and home meetings started, with a later niversary with more than 50 members as coma local professional group and several citizens’ transfer to the courthouse where they are now pared to the h a n d f u l who began the work. This groups. Newspapers gave A.A. a great deal of held Wednesday and Saturday evenings. One of is an inmate group, first of its kind to become acfine publicity as the result of these efforts. The of the Tuscaloosa pioneers recently uncovered a tive in the State Department of Correction which report from Boston says there are now more paper written in 1936 in which he had drawn a includes all prisons and reformatories. Memgroups functioning under the Boston Central striking similarity to the first seven Steps, but bers have expressed their thanks for the interest Service Committee than there were members in had not talked it over with another alcoholic and of the warden, Dr. Walter M. Wallack and his the Boston Group in March, 1942. went through ten more alcoholic years before he sponsoring committee as well as the visitors from found the complete program. Austin gets Club—Austin, Texas, A.A.s report outside groups, many of whom have conducted that a six-room house at 405 West 18th Street meetings. The Wallkill Group is proud of the Saginaw Records Saga—A two-page history has been rented for clubhouse quarters. Parti- fact that 70 percent of A. A. members leaving of A. A. in Saginaw, Mich., written by Bill M. tions have been removed in order to provide the institution have become active outside and for the second anniversary, tells of growth from space for holding meetings on Tuesday and Fri- are making good records. “We are happy to 12 to 60 members. The start came when an day nights and Sunday afternoons. Out of town know that on leaving here we will be welcomed A. A. came to town after affiliation in Des visitors are invited to pay visits. into A. A. groups on the outside. With this Moines and Omaha and met a Saginaw memknowledge we can face the future unafraid,” the ber who had been attending Bay City meet- “Doubles” Record Claimed—The Indian Vilreport concludes. ings. They found two more and started home lage Group of Detroit announces that out of a meetings, put an ad in the paper and conmembership of 55 there are seven married Six Year Olds—Open house was held in Kansas tinued to grow until they moved to the Y.M.C.A. couples who are active members. They’re in- City, Mo., to celebrate the sixth A.A. anniver- About a year ago the group blossomed out in clined to believe that this might be some sort of sary there. Visitors were present from Missouri, the present quarters at the Metropolitan Club record, and would like to know if it is. Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, Arkanwith open meetings, continuing closed sessions sas, Illinois and many other states. The tenth Radio Programs in Baltimore—The Central at the “Y”. A coming-out party, active support member of A.A., from New York, and the foun- Baltimore, Md., Group now has four meetings a by The Saginaw News and townspeople aided in der of the Chicago Group were principal speakweek in the clubhouse at 857 North Eutaw Street. further growth with the renting of clubrooms at ers. A buffet supper and refreshments at the open Genesee and Washington while retaining the Monday at 8:30 there is a meeting for alcoholics house helped to make it a real party. Another Metropolitan headquarters. The group finally and their immediate families; Wednesday an sixth anniversary was observed recently at Kent, has ended up with the Metropolitan Club as the open meeting and Friday evening, also at the Ohio, when 160 heard Dr. L. of Dover as leader permanent headquarters. same time a closed meeting of the discussion type. for the event. In the foreign language depart- Sunday at 3:30 there is a beginners’ meeting ment, the Sunset Norwegian Group was organ- Groups Serve Special Interests—San Diego, which n e w members are asked to attend for four ized a year ago last month with the aim of help- Calif., reports three groups operating with real consecutive Sundays. An older member reviews ing Norwegian sailors in New York, many of success. The Alcoholic Women’s Group has held the 12 Steps with longer discussions of three of whom, it was felt, would feel more at home in a regular meetings for over a year and has grown them. Besides these meetings there are neighborclosed session of a Norwegian group. First meet- from four to over 70 members with 23 with more hood discussion groups at North Baltimore Fri- than a year of sobriety. The Non-Alcoholic ings were used to train the charter members to day evenings, East Baltimore on Tuesday evespeak A.A. in Norwegian and to translate the 12 Group started about the same time, meeting twice nings and the Valley, Monday evenings. The a month on the same night as the Alcoholic Steps into that language. The 12 Steps and an ex- Towsen Group meets three times each week, planation of A.A. have been printed in Norwegian Women in the same building, after which the two Tuesday and Friday at 8:30 and Sunday from and copies have been sent to the Alcoholic Foun- groups get together for coffee and doughnuts. 3 to 5. Since last September the Central Group This group has had considerable success in dation while others have been mailed to friends in has had a 15-minute spot on Station WITH on achieving better understanding and filling social Norway. This group meets Thursdays in the Noralternate Sundays with a script written and staged wegian Seamen’s House, 62 Hansen Place, Brook- needs of alcoholics. The Young Men’s group is by A.A.s. The Towson Group broadcasts every composed entirely of men under 40 and has lyn, N. Y., with the first open meeting held in Saturday over WFBR at 7:15. A.A. members March. The anniversary was celebrated in the as- grown so fast that it will soon become two groups answer questions for 15 minutes without a script. sembly hall of the Seamen’s House with an open or the age limit will be lowered. In this activity Response is reported good. session in English. Marshalltown, Ia., had plenty San Diego members feel they have found a solu- Invitation to Breakfast—Visitors are invited of visitors for the third anniversary April 26 with tion as to how the “old goats” can help the to attend the 9 A.M. Sunday breakfast of the a dinner at the Tall Corn Hotel. Father Dowling (Continued on next page)

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younger people in spite of the difference in out- ing them in their pockets and purses instead of well as a visit and talk from Rita S. of The Boston look of the two generations. These groups, meet- on the shoulder. A while chip given at the first Group. Bill P. of Cape Cod and Horace B. of ing in closed session, are supplemented by an meeting is exchanged for a yellow one after 60 Manhattan are reported attending regular Wedopen meeting for all interested. A central office days; the yellow for a red at the end of three nesday meetings in Bermuda. A large bulletin with a full-time secretary is open five and a half months and the red for a blue at the end of a board w i t h group news, items and letters of days a week. A central committee for A.A. public year of sobriety. At present Tacoma has four interest is used by the Passaic, N. J., Group to group relations and a management committee blue chip members with one holding three blues save time usually taken up with meeting anto look after the office and business complete the while over half have one or more red chips. These nouncements. Passaic held a spring party during San Diego picture. chips are felt to signify and symbolize an honest which 90 members enjoyed entertainment and effort to live the A.A. program. Although founded refreshments. New Chairman Every Three Months—In an only in January 1947 the members of the Tyler, outline of activities Ben B., secretary of the Empty Jug Discontinued — Because of the Texas, Group have prepared a booklet entitled Jersey City, N. J. Group says that this organiza- death of its editor, The Empty Jug, publication Slaves of Drink Find Peace of Mind. In addition tion elects a new chairman every three months, of the Chattanooga Group has been suspended.. to explanations of the A.A. program the booklet who with the secretary, books all meetings both However, if those who had subscribed wish the includes discussions of alcoholism as a public at home and away during the period. Jersey City publication continued, they are asked to write health problem, questions to determine whether has an average attendance of 125 to 150 at the to the secretary, P.O. Box 905, Chattanooga 1, the reader is an alcoholic and how to make A.A. Friday night sessions, having started three and Tenn. work. Hamilton, Bermuda, A.A.s report a visit one-half years ago with two. Two other groups, from Carla P. of the Manhattan Group who gave New Groups Reported—A good crop of new Union City and Jersey City Heights, have been groups is springing up in various sections of the first-hand information on the Central Office, as formed partially from the original group which country according to reports to The A. A. Grapehas continued to grow in spite of these losses. vine. Bay Pines Veterans Group at Bay Pines In conjunction with the regular meetings the group conducts two meetings each week at the NEW GROUPS Hospital, near Strasbourg, Fla., got underway Medical Center’s Psychopathic Ward with a REGISTERED with the help of several members from St. Petersburg and with speakers from New Jersey and “graduate” of the ward and secretary and results ARKANSAS—Pine Bluff (Group No. 2). Long Island. Clearwater and Tampa Groups are have led to quips that “A.A. may put them out CALIFORNIA—Avalon (Catalina Island Group) ; also expected to be of much help. Five members of business.” Anniversaries are observed with Burbank (Women’s Group) ; Hollywood (Hol- at Carroll, la. have selected Monday as their presentation of pins after three months and group lywood Night Workers Group) ; San Fran- meeting night after a send-off meeting by groups celebrations of a year the last Friday of the cisco (Richmond Group) ; San Luis Obispo. from Ft. Dodge and Pocahontas. The local paper month. An agreement has been established be- FLORIDA—Marianna. carried an account which was extremely helpful. tween the Round Top Group of Providence, R. I., INDIANA—Indiana State Prison. A new venture at Butte, Mont, is the organization and officials of the Charles V. Chapin Hospital IOWA—West Liberty. of a group at the state hospital at Warm Springs in Providence designed to supplement the physi- KENTUCKY—Bowling Green. with 18 to 20 patients reported at each meeting. cal treatment of alcoholics with the group therapy MARYLAND — Baltimore (North Baltimore Butte members have been attending and Dr. G. V. of A.A. Several beds will be made available Group). Holmes has taken a great interest in the project. for treatment of individuals recommended by MASSACHUSETTS—Boston (South End G r o u p ) ; An article in the hospital paper, Steam, recomthe local A.A. group which will hold meet- Lowell. mends the A.A. program. Butte members urge ings from time to time at the hospital. These MICHIGAN—Detroit (Mack Avenue Group). visitors to drop in at their place or visit the new meetings were requested by the authorities. Previ- MINNESOTA—Madelia; Worthington. group. Meetings are at 8 o’clock Wednesday. ously only alcoholics committed by local authori- MISSISSIPPI—Pascagoula. Easton, Penn., also reports a new group formed ties were accepted. There will be no obligation MISSOURI—Carthage; Eugene. within the past few weeks. About 80 Northern on the patients’ part to attend meetings. Waverly NEW JERSEY—Teaneck. Iowa members and friends helped the Algona and New Hampton Groups in Iowa held a joint NEW MEXICO—Tucumcari. Group get its start. Pocahontas, Estherville, Spenmeeting recently with visitors from Tripoli, NEW YORK — Attica (Attica State Prison cer, Britt, Kanawha, Fonda, Emmetsburg, Liver- Osage, Allison, Clarksville and Waterloo. Group); Black River; Bronx (Washington more, Linn Grove, Spirit Lake, Sioux Rapids, Heights Group). Laurens, Havelock, Humboldt and Ft. Dodge The Doctor Calls—A.A.s in Columbia, S. C., NORTH CAROLINA—Albemarle; Leaksville; New were all represented at Algona. Organized only are still glowing over a visit by Doctor R. S., River. a few weeks ago the Newport, R. I., Group has one of the founders of A.A., and his wife who OHIO—Jackson; Lakewood (Madison Lakewood more than a dozen members and has meetings dropped in on their return from a Florida vaca- Group) ; Rocky River. every Tuesday night at the Rochambeau House. tion. Dr. and Mrs. S. visited the newly opened PENNSYLVANIA — Altoona; Erie (East Side club rooms and joined in a general conversation Group). Along the Grapevine — Members of the Atwhich lasted several hours and during which lanta, Ga., North Avenue Group recently en- RHODE ISLAND—Westerly. members learned, as the result of many questions, joyed a visit to the daffodil gardens of Joel SOUTH DAKOTA—Artisan. of the start of A.A., and absorbed a lot more Chandler Harris, Jr. Son of the creator of the TENNESSEE—McMinnville. knowledge of how it works. immortal “Uncle Remus” and inheritor of his TEXAS—Shamrock. Plans and Ideas—The Control Board of the VIRGINIA—Lynchburg (Negro Group). wit, Mr. Harris has spoken twice to the group Central Baltimore A.A. Group has asked each WISCONSIN—Shawons. and although a non-alcoholic has attended several group to ask a member to report to The A.A. AUSTRALIA—Sydney. open meetings. Within the past six months this Grapevine each month. All members in the CANADA—Kelowna, B. C.; Winnipeg, Man.; group has grown over 100 percent. In a town Tacoma, Wash., Group are “in the chips,” carry- (Assinaboine Group). (Continued on Page 12)

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Mail Call for All A. A.s at Home or Abroad what of that? There was a nightmare, surely, readily accepted on my Bellevue record. I didn’t Letters to this department are invited on any but it is behind us. We are awake now. When subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- want money, although I had very little. If I had tions you are asked to hold your letters to a as a l i t t l e girl, my mother would waken me been up to any of those old panhandling tricks of maximum of 350 words. from an occasional frightening dream, I can mine, a drink would surely have been around the Only initials will be published unless the writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- remember the comfort and reassurance I felt corner. As it was I only wanted to know how I fication for A.A. friends. that she was there. I was free from harm and could put an end to my drunken way of life. The A.A. Grapevine will not divulge the f u l l safe in my own room, in my own bed, and my name of any writer but will forward A.A. com- It had been an old cry of mine that no one had munications addressed to the writers of letters mother would never leave me. That, to me, is the confidence in me. As a result of course, I had no published here.—The Editors sort of feeling we have when we find A. A. The confidence in myself. At once I caught the spirit nightmare is dissolved. We are safe and are not of the club. Every member had confidence in me, deserted, and we have found the comfort and had confidence that I had solved my drinking Happiness in A.A. reassurance that our Heavenly Father is here. problem. It was a l i f t I needed badly and I began Montclair, N. J. We have established contact with a Higher to find calm in the idea that it was t r u l y so. Some time ago a non-alcoholic who attended Power and we are no longer afraid. The 24-hour plan was easy for me. I was asked one of our meetings with a member of her Is it any wonder we are a happy people—we if I could keep away from a drink for the balance family, said to me, “I don’t see how you can alcoholics in A. A.?—B. W. of that first day. I was quick to assure the secreall be so jolly, because the whole thing seems tary that I could. Promises were not easy for me. like a nightmare to me.” (This is the sort of Just What I Needed I had broken my word so many times that I felt outsider remark which calls for all my newthat only the simplest pledge could be kept. This found tolerance.) But in t h i n k i n g this over, it From Chicago one fell in that category. It touched and h u r t seems to me, as an alcoholic and A.A., that this It takes a pretty hard blow to bring most of ussuch little pride as I had left. Of course I could statement is so far from right, as to be a com- around to thinking about our drinking problem. stay dry the rest of the day. plete mis-statement. Let me tell you why, as I In my case I was started for A.A. by a knock feel deeply about this. In that case, I was counselled, I was to try the on the head that left me unconscious. First, in my opinion, the word “jolly” doesn’t program again the next day if I liked it. The day- I was drunk in the apartment of a friend in fit. Rather, I would say, we are happy. We like Greenwich Village when my heart must have at-a-time way of getting A.A. was introduced that to laugh, and do seem to find every excuse to do slipped a cog and I went down on my forehead day into my life and now those days total over so. We’ve been unhappy for so long—maybe that cutting off a piece of skin and causing quite a two years in sober happy living. is why. But f u r t h e r than that, we have an inner flow of blood. My friend was frightened into As I look at it now that bump certainly must happiness that comes from release from fear, thinking I was at the point of death, telephoned have knocked some sense into my head that that comes w i t h that first blessed understanding Bellevue. Correct diagnosis was soon made and started me thinking for the first time in my life of what peace of mind can mean. I regained consciousness in the alcoholic ward. that I was an alcoholic and to prove that my life We have heard so much about the happiness It seems rather strange to me now, but at the had become unmanageable.—D.O’N. that comes from giving—rather than getting— time I did not see any inconsistency in hearing from doing unto others instead of waiting and about A.A. from my fellow patients in psycho. expecting others to do for us. We, as A.A. They were great boosters for A.A. and assured members, have found that special k i n d of hap- me that my problem was a good as solved. I had THE CLIP SHEET piness, too. For example, look about, during a someone write down the address of the old 24th Excerpts from the Public Press meeting, at the faces of the listeners when a Street club. A deterioration of memory had alnew member is giving a first talk of the grati- ready set in, in my case, and I did not trust my- Birmingham, Ala., News: “To The Editor of tude he feels and the joy that has come his way. self to find the way w i t h o u t a written address. The News: ‘With reference to the efforts of some These happy listening friends who have helped As soon as I was discharged I headed for the unauthorized persons to obtain funds for Alcoshow the way, have received far more t h a n club rooms. On the way I continued an argument holics Anonymous from the state, let me say they gave. that I was developing for the membership com- that A.A.’s program is worked out entirely by Finally, we have received happiness t h a t comes mittee. I took it for granted there must be such A.A.s themselves and neither accepts or needs from a re-valuation of what is important to us, a committee and they would have to be convinced financial help from outside. We do not care to in our daily lives. Health rather than wealth, or that I was a real dyed-in-the-wool alcoholic or become a political football, as several organimaterial possessions; the love of those we love I would never be permitted to take the treatment. zations which have attempted to help the afflicted and the respect of those we respect; the practice On that bus going over on 23rd Street I really have become. While we do not question the sinof loving our neighbor and being thoughtful and tore myself to pieces. I’m sure I built up an cerity of those seeking aid for A.A. from the considerate of him and his opinions. Not what argument based on pure logic that beat anything state, we think that it is ill-advised. All we ask happens to us, but with what courage and hon- I have ever done before or since. Evidence from is the moral support of our friends and the esty we face these problems—these things are my twenty-eight years of drinking was easy to divine guidance of the Great Spirit.” important to us now. Gone are the nagging small convince even The most thick-headed of the com- Detroit, Mich., Free Press: “A fine step in worries and resentments and hurts that made mittee that I was a hardened case. When I finally practical rehabilitation has been taken by Alus so miserable in the past. Oh, yes, there is hap- walked into the club I was really cut to size. I coholics Anonymous who are holding regular piness and plenty of it in an A.A. group. had almost convinced myself that I was hopeless. Sunday meetings at the House of Correction. And this nightmare spoken of by the visitor, Of course there was no committee and I was (Continued on next page)

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They started the meetings for men only, now in this field. Punitive measures are being dis- an article by a staff writer who has a regular plan another series for women. From 40 to 50 carded and the workhouse and jails abandoned assignment to cover A.A. there. A series has been inmates attend. A.A. hopes to break the circle as corrective institutions in the handling of the stalled in The Boonton Times-Bulletin. They are of a stay in the House, return to Skid Row, and problem.’ ” prepared by a member of the Passaic Group who back to the House again.” Southington, Conn., News and Cheshire: “Bob, is an employee of the paper. The Passaic Franklin, Ind., Star: “Dr. Howard W. Stone, who describes himself as not only a veteran of Herald-News has run a number of good articles in a letter to the editor, says: ‘Alcoholics Anony- the Battle of the Bulge but of the Battle of the prepared by a specially assigned staff reporter. mous has invaded Franklin. I was a guest at their Bottle, told his story on the Monday night Under the headline “24 in ‘Exclusive Club’,” first meeting in our town.’ Leaving the meeting broadcast over WTIC. Bob said he was stationed there is a lengthy article in a recent issue of The with a feeling that something important had two years in an overseas station where no liquor Pantagraph of Bloomington, Ill., while the come to Franklin, Dr. Stone says: ‘Let us ana- was available. After that length of time, he fig- Columbus, Ohio, Dispatch carries a two-column lyze A.A. Why has it helped so many thousands ured, he could drink again like a gentleman— picture w i t h the headline “Lawyers Hear ‘Mr. to recover? First, there is spiritual therapy. Sec- without trouble. But he was mistaken and his Anonymous’.” The story tells of this lawyer’s ond, there is group therapy. Third, there is serv- troubles with alcohol began all over again, he experiences before finding A.A. His face is ice therapy. The alcoholic invokes the power of joined A.A. and found peace. ‘Nobody wins the blocked out in the picture. The Post of Cincin- God to aid him in his illness. Next, he is with a Battle of the Bottle,’ said Bob, ‘at least, no alco- n a t i , Ohio, in the column “Cincinnatus” says in group of similar individuals who are fighting the holic. Our only hope for victory is first to admit its headline “Being the Story of Joe, the Alcosame hard battle. And, finally, each A.A. is a defeat. Then, in the skirmishes following, we holic Anonymous, Who Calls to Report 450th missionary. He will go out at any time of the stand a chance of survival on a 24-hour basis.’ ” Day.” The column is an account of Joe, newsday or night to carry his story to another sick paperman, and his gratitude and satisfaction at alcoholic. No one can talk to another alcoholic being an A.A. with such sympathetic understanding as a fellow alcoholic.’ ” News Circuit New Publications—The A.A. Beacon, bearing Washington, D. C., Star: “Judge Walter J. (Continued from Page 10) the picture of a lighthouse and the question “Are Casey of the Municipal Court, in an article en- of 1,800 the Cambridge, Minn., Group has 18 you on the beam?” has been started by the Beatitled, ‘A Judge’s View of Alcoholism,’ says: ‘We active members, its own club room and a lot of con Mill Group, Victoria, B. C., Canada. The have insisted upon treating the alcoholic as a prospective new members which leads A.A.s there first issue spells out “Sobriety” with a thought criminal, and we have subjected him to penalties to wonder if they don’t have a “per capita” for each letter and its well-edited material inas severe as those imposed upon offenders whose record, especially in a dry county. Much of the cludes news of hospitalization, visits to other acts are vicious in character and antisocial in progress is attributed to the Minneapolis Group, groups, correspondence, radio news and a back nature—deliberate law breakers. If the alcoholic 45 miles away. Members from the latter have page map showing locations of groups and memis a sick person, as I believe him to be, common been active with the Cambridge Group since its bers. The second issue reports participation sense dictates that his restoration to health should start a little over a year ago. The fourth A.A. in a delegation which presented an appeal to be the responsibility of those who, by training minstrel show was given by Cleveland A.A.s at the government for a sustained educational proand experience, are equipped to handle the prob- the Little Theater with both recent performances gram, provision for hospital facilities for alcolem from the time it is placed in their hands. sold out. At our press time a city A.A. bowling holics, and appointment of a commission includ- Therapies have been devised through years of championship was getting under way in Cleve- ing A.A.s. The delegation reported receiving study and patient experimentation which today land as another activity. a sympathetic hearing by all members of the are considered sound by recognized authorities cabinet. As a personal project and form of 12th On other Pages—”What A.A. Has Done for Step work a Rye, N. Y., member has begun Me” is the title of an article in the Anahgram, Dee Dea See’s Scrapbook which will pass along monthly publication of Anah Temple A.A. O.N. ideas he collects to the members there. An Cut This Out and Mail to: M.S. of Bangor, Me., in which a prominent Anah Introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous has also P. 0. Box 328 noble says be is glad to tell his brother Shriners been prepared by the Rye Group, which includes Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17. N. Y. how A.A. helped him. The Mid-Ocean Times of members from the Rye, Harrison, Mamaroneck Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) Hamilton, Bermuda, continues to give consider- and Larchmont communities, containing a confor one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- able space to A.A. with such articles as “New cise, complete outline, along with full informavine ( m o n t h l y ) . Way of Life for Alcoholics Based on 12 Steps,” tion on meetings, address and phone number. “A.A. Member Sums Up Aims of Growing Or- For additional subscriptions enclose separate Texans Have Parties—-In the spirit of tradiganization” and “A.A. Member Makes Comsheet with name and address clearly printed. tional hospitality two Texas groups recently enmunity-Wide Appeal on Dangers of Alcoholism,” Make checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. tertained members and friends. Tyler A.A.s all by members and another, “Wife of Former Total Enclosed Alcoholic Reviews Benefits Gained by A.A. Mem- were hosts to about 200 members and friends at bership.” A combination column of news, favor- a buffet supper and open meeting with speakers Renewal? (please check) from Longview and Dallas. A.A.s from Palesable editorial comment and feature material was PLEASE PRINT put together by the Maryville, Mo., Forum, tine, L u f k i n , Waco, Longview, Nacogdoches, Name praising A.A. activities in that community. Center, Austin and Dallas helped make it a big Northern New Jersey papers are contributing occasion, in honor of the second month of affilia- Address much favorable space to A.A. The Fair Lawn- tion with A.A. Between 100 and 125 A.A.s Radburn News has an editor’s note together with from other parts of Texas and New Mexico at- Note: Subscriptions received prior to May 15 contents of a letter sent by The A.A. Grapevine tended an open meeting and barbecue at San will begin with the June issue. correspondent; The Paterson Morning Call has Angelo.

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VOL. IV, NO. 1, JUNE, 1947. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25o The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1947, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved. Yearly subscription $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) ; single copy 25 cents.

SEDATIVES EASY, AND DEADLY, TOO (The author of the following article is both an M.D, drinking that the A.A. “12th Stepper” is treat- patience, understanding and ingenuity if we are and an A.A., and thus writes with the conviction of both professional and personal observation, — Ed.) ing, or rather, showing the patient how to treat to handle it properly. This is especially so himself. when the patient, his family, or both, f l a t l y From Victoria, B. C. “Alcoholism” includes many more problems refuse to have a doctor called in; and this often than just “alcohol addiction.” One of these prob- happens.

A N article in a lay publication, warning against the use of sedatives in acute intoxication, may seem rather superfluous. The law lems is acute alcoholic intoxication, in other words—a “drunk.” this particular phase of Regardless of how much knowledge, or experience we may have in A.A., we must never foralcoholism often faces us during our 12th Step get the fact that, while we may be arrested states that no one may give narcotics, sedatives work; and it w i l l usually tax our tolerance, (Continued on Page 4) or hypnotics, except on a doctor’s orders; therefore sedatives should present no problem to the A.A. member doing 12th Step work. In spite of the law, however, it is surprising the number JUNEAU, ALASKA, AMONG NEW GROUPS of A.A.s who t h i n k nothing of giving their New groups which registered with the Central Broadway-Filmore Group, all of B u f f a l o ; prospect, or patient, one or the other of the office d u r i n g April are as follows: East Rochester (Fairport and East Rochester barbiturates, when they t h i n k it necessary. CALIFORNIA—Burlingame; Del Paso Heights; Area Group) ; Little Neck-Douglaston Group; As A.A. members increase their period of Los Angeles 20-50 Group; Downtown Group, Kings Park State Hospital Group; Libertysobriety, increase their A.A. reading, and in- Golden Gate Group, Mission Dolores Group, Sullivan County Group; 35 and Under Group, crease their 12th Step work, their knowledge of North Beach No. 34 Group, all of San Fran- New York City; Ossining; Pulaski; Webster. alcoholism cannot help but increase. What cisco; Wilmington. NORTH CAROLINA — Durham; Lumberton; some forget, however, is that an increasing COLORADO—Denver (Home Group No. 5) ; Fort Raleigh; Southern Pines. knowledge of the disease does not mean an in- Collins. OHIO—Akron (Howard Street Group) ; Bellecreasing knowledge of its t r e a t m e n t – -except its CONNECTICUT—Darien. fontaine; Cambridge; Cleveland (Edgelake A.A. treatment. DELAWARE — Laurel; Lewes (Lewes-Rehoboth Group); Millersburg; Newark; Youngstown Some years ago Dr. Foster Kennedy, in dis- Beach Groups). (Argonne Group of the Salvation A r m y ) . cussing an address given by Bill to a group of FLORIDA—Deland; Eau Galli. OKLAHOMA—Holdenville; Stillwater. medical men (reprinted in Medicine. Looks at GEORGIA—Albany, Thomaston. PENNSYLVANIA — Erie (Roosevelt Women’s Alcoholics Anonymous), stated, “I have no ILLINOIS—Charleston. Group). doubt that a man who has cured himself of the INDIANA—Brownsburg (Speedway Group). SOUTH DAKOTA—Rapid City (Group No. 1). lust for alcohol has a far greater power for cur- IOWA — Algona, Waterloo (Brighter Side TEXAS—Center (Center Section Group) ; Deniing alcoholism than has a doctor who has never Group). son; Harlingen; Houston (Group No. 2) ; been afflicted w i t h the same curse.” That this LOUISIANA—Shreveport (Caddo Group). Victoria. statement is true, no one who has been in A.A. MASSACHUSETTS—Winchester. UTAH—Logan. for any time, or who has any knowledge of the M I C H I G A N — Brown City; Jackson (Cameron VERMONT—Bethel. spread of A.A. during the past 12 years, can Group) ; Niles; Sault Ste. Marie. WEST VIRGINIA—Williamson. doubt. But when Dr. Kennedy spoke of “alco- NEW JERSEY—West Orange. WISCONSIN—Osseo; Sparta. holism” he was actually referring to “alcohol NEW MEXICO—La Luz. ALASKA—Juneau. addiction”, the illness that has as its main symp- NEW YORK—Bayshore, L. I.; Meyer Memorial CANADA—Charlottetown, P.E.I.; Guelph, Ontom compulsive drinking. It is the compulsive Hospital Group, Thursday Morning Group, tario; Montreal D-R Group.

One In A Million Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share, their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alco- In All London holism. Strange and wonderful stories have been told The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. A.A. has no dues or fees. of the things that happen to A.A.s throughout It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober the world. Usually, they involve curious coinciand to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. dences, odd events, out-of-the-ordinary experi- The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps. The A.A. book of experience, Alco- ences. From London comes another which may holics Anonymous, and other literature, including The 12 Points of Tradition, are available through any group or the Central Office, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y. be classified as coincidence, luck or something more remarkable. An A.A., who has had indifferent success w i t h the program for five years, arrived in Paris on

EDITORIAL: a business trip, accompanied by his wife. The temptations of the city were great; his faith was small. Soon he was drunk. On the 8th Step . . . . The man disappeared for three days. The wife, accustomed to the drinking pattern of her “Made a list of all persons we have harmed and became willing to make husband, assumed that he could not make the amends to them all.” boat train for London as planned. She decided not to take the train but to wait at her hotel in Here the program demonstrates its reality, its understanding of the nature of the Paris. However, on the day planned for the trip to alcoholic. How often have we come out of the fog to find the path strewn with persons London, the man awakened on the boat train. we have injured or wronged? How often have we stayed awake at night thinking of Rumpled, shaky and unshaven, he pulled himthe wife or mother or sister who suffered far more than we did on our last drunk? self out of a seat to see the fast-moving country- Remember the kindly grocer who cashed our bum checks? Remember the look side in the window. A hurried examination disof anguish on the face of the boss when he had to tell us we were fired? Remember closed that (1) he had no money and (2) no the guy’s in the company we let down when our part of the work was neglected? Of passport. His watch was missing. course we do. But, more importantly, the A.A. program remembers and understands. Alone in London The 8th Step was written for us when we remembered these things. “Make a list,” On arrival in England, he convinced the auit says. “Be willing to make amends to them all.” In other words, stop being remorse- thorities of his a b i l i t y to obtain his passport by ful and do something about it. airmail and was admitted to the country. Even- The part about making a list is easy. Depending on our history, we make either a tually, he arrived at a large hotel in London. long or a short list. But the part about making amends is tough. That part takes cour- After rearranging his clothing as best he could, he took a seat in the lounge to ponder age and humility. A man we know made a list of 43 former employers he had harmed, his desperate situation, he had no personal wrote a letter to each, and—fearing the consequences—left town for two weeks! When friends in London. he was broke. All of his he arrived back in town, there were 43 answers. Every employer took time out to valuables were missing, he was tired and nervthank the man for his letter and to wish him luck! ous and, by God, he needed a drink. Many A.A.s find it impossible to make full restitution to all persons. That’s not Glancing at the large clock in the hotel, the essential if you have been willing to make amends. Sometimes, a trip across town to man found he was so foggy be couldn’t read it, and neither did be know the date. He saw a a person you have harmed is enough. Most people are happier to see you sober than well dressed Englishman seated on a divan and you think. It’s human nature to root for the horse that’s behind in the race. It makes asked him the time. A conversation developed. people feel good when you show enough courage to come up to them and tell them you When he told the Englishman his story, the are sorry. latter said: Making a list of things you did wrong is a good idea anyway. Just to look at the “It must be more than coincidence. Do you foolish and terrible things we do gives us pause to think. If we go further and try— realize that there are only five A.A.s in the city of London and that I am one of them? Somewe mean really try—to do something about them, we get a far greater satisfaction than how we have met here.” we deserve. The 8th Step is close to the 4th Step. It’s practical and simple. If you The rest of the story is commonplace. The found in the 4th Step that you were selfish, look at your list from the 8th Step and see English A.A. took the man in tow, provided rewho you harmed through selfishness. Then do something about it! freshment and friendship. He insisted that the The 8th Step convinces us that A.A. is a program of action. If you think it was man come to stay with him at his home in hard to admit you were an alcoholic, see how you feel when you go to the people you London. Later, when the man was joined by his wife, have been avoiding to tell them you are sorry. That’s really hard. all three attended the first A.A. meeting ever And yet, we cannot describe the wonderful satisfaction that comes if you go through held in England—a meeting that had been arwith it. Even the air seems cleaner. Yes, the 8th Step is a lulu, but it pays off at the ranged by another American who was visiting welcome rate of about 100 to one. (Continued on Page 14)

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LACK OF MONEY PROVED A.A. BOON By Bill nation—once the magic word “cure” got around. squads, platoons and regiments—well, that was Even as many newer A.A.s still have such fan- plainly fantastic, wasn’t it? Drunks, people said, Thousands of newer A.A.s inquire, “Just what cies, we oldtimers did dream these very dreams. were difficult enough, one at a time. Why preis The Alcoholic Foundation, what is its place Providentially, neither the A.A. hospital nor our sent each American community with an organin A.A., who set it up, why do we send it wholesale missionary dreams came true. Had ized regiment of them? Hadn’t the donors betfunds?” these then materialized, A.A. would surely have ter put their money into something constructive Most members, because their groups are in been ruined. We would have gone professional —like tuberculosis or cancer? Or, why shouldn’t frequent contact with our Headquarters in New on the spot. they invest in the prevention of alcoholism? One York, understand that place to be a sort of a more attempt to salvage hopeless drunks couldn’t Then there was still a third dream. That was general service to all A.A. Reading The A.A. possibly succeed. Such were the answers to our to prepare a Book of Experience—the one we Grapevine each month, they know The Grapevine plea for money. know today as Alcoholics Anonymous. We were to be our principal monthly journal. But the sure that unless our recovery experiences were Then, one day, in the midst of discouragehistory of The Alcoholic Foundation and its reput on paper, our principles and practices would ment, something momentous happened. It was lation to these vital functions, and to A.A. as a soon be distorted. We might be ridiculed in another of those critical turning points in A.A. whole, they scarcely understand at all. the press. Besides, did we not owe at least a of which we have seen so many that no man Now for a bit of history. During its first book to those alcoholics who couldn’t get to our can call them coincidence. At the office of my years, Alcoholics Anonymous didn’t even have hospitals, or who, perchance, weren’t reached physician brother-in-law, I was bemoaning, in that name. Anonymous, nameless indeed, we right away by our advancing missionaries! As typical alcoholic fashion, how little we poor consisted by late 1937 of but three small clusters everybody knows, the A.A. book dream did come drunks were appreciated, especially by men of of alcoholics—Akron, Ohio, the first group; true—the other dreams didn’t. means. I was telling my relative for the tenth New York City, the second, and a few members time how we had to have money soon—or else. But it surely looked, in 1937, as though we at Cleveland, our third group to be. There Listening patiently, he suddenly said, “I’ve got must have considerable money. Perhaps it was were, I should guess, about 50 members in all an idea. I used to know a man by the name because I lived at New York, where there is three cities. The very early pioneering period of Dick R. He was somehow connected with supposed to be lots of it, that I was delegated had passed, Dr. Bob and I having first met at the Rockefellers. But that was years ago. I to set about raising funds so our nameless move- Akron in the spring of 1935. We were becom- wonder if he is still there. Let me call up and ment might have its “field workers,” hospitals ing sure we had something for those other thou- find out.” On what little events our destinies and books. How simple it appeared. Did we sands of alcoholics who didn’t yet know any sometimes turn! How could either of us know not already have (in prideful imagination) the answer. How were we to let them know; just that a simple phone message was to open a new beginning of one of the greatest social, medical, how could the good news be spread? That was era in A.A.! That it was to inaugurate The and spiritual developments of all time? Weren’t the burning question. Alcoholic Foundation, the book Alcoholics we drunks all salesmen? Hadn’t I been a Wall Street man? How easy to raise money for such Anonymous and our A.A. Central Office. “Missionaries?” a cause as ours! The awakening from that money dream was Much discussion in a little meeting called by Encouragement rude. It soon appeared that people with money Dr. Hob and me at Akron in the fall of 1937 had little interest in drunks. As for our grandeveloped a plan. This plan later proved to be Two days alter my brother-in-law’s call, we diose scheme of banding alcoholics together in sat in the Rockefeller offices talking to Dick R. approximately one-third right and about twothirds wrong—familiar process of trial and error. The most lovable of men, Dick was the first Because the development of the first groups had of that early series of non-alcoholic laymen who saw us through when the going was very hard; been such a slow, hard process we then supposed A. A. RECORDINGS and without whose wisdom and devotion the that none but seasoned pioneers could start new ones. Though we had misgivings, it seemed in- A 15-minute general talk on A.A. by Bill has Alcoholics Anonymous movement might never evitable that about 20 of our solid members been transcribed on a set of two regular 12-inch have been. When he had heard the story, our would have to lay aside their personal affairs phonograph records. The records can be played new friend showed instant understanding. He and go to other cities to create new centers. on any standard phonograph. immediately translated understanding into ac- Much as we disliked the idea, it appeared as if These records, which are of interest to A.A. tion. He suggested that some of our alcoholic we must take on, temporarily at least, a squad of members, groups and friends of A.A., are avail- brotherhood meet with several of his own friends A.A. missionaries. Plainly, too, these mission- able at the price of $3.30 per set, prepaid air and himself. aries and their families would have to eat. express, New York; $4.00, Canada. The records Shortly afterward, on a winter’s evening in That would take money—quite a lot of it, we may be obtained by writing Works Publishing 1937, this meeting took place at Rockefeller thought! Co., Inc., P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, Center. Present were Dick R., A. LeRoy C., But that was not all. It was felt we needed New York 17. since known as “Chip,” Albert S., Frank A., and A.A. hospitals at Akron and New York, these Because the set is sold at near-cost price, it my brother-in-law, Leonard S. Dr. Bob and places being regarded as our t w i n “Meccas.” is requested that persons ordering it enclose Paul S. came down from Akron. The New York There excellent medical care and high power check or money order with letter. Cost of the ex-topers numbered half a dozen and were acspirituality could, we were sure, be sprayed on set to persons in foreign countries may be ob- companied by Dr. William D. Silkworth, who, drunks who would flock from all corners of the tained on request. (Continued on Page 13)

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SEDATIVES EASY, AND DEADLY, TOO (Continued from Page 1) any rate, we can see him and have a good more f u r n i t u r e has been broken; he hasn’t manalcoholics ourselves, w h i l e we may be veteran heart to heart, down to earth A.A. talk, and aged to get out and r u n up more t a x i bills—or “12th Steppers,” while we may have helped perhaps get somewhere. smash up his car—or himself—or meet the m a n y patients find the road to recovery; we are To a medical man the number of “12th “Law” and spend the night in j a i l ; the f a m i l y not doctors, not even “doctors of alcoholism.” Steppers” who travel armed with a “mickey” have had a moderately restful night (and so We have no knowledge of drugs, the indications ( p i n t ) , and one or other of the barbiturates have we) ; and we’re very popular w i t h everyfor their use, their contra-indications, their ac- (nembutal, sodium-amytal, seconal, tuinal, phe- one. Everybody feels fine (the patient perhaps tions, their dosage, their dangers, or how to treat nobarbitol, or what have y o u ) , and dish them not so much so), and the whole f a m i l y is “sold” the patient if he should show a had reaction out to “drunks” whenever, in their j u d g m e n t , it on A.A. and the fine fellows in it. to them. The only drug of which we have seems advisable (or the easiest way o u t ) , or But—does it a l w a y s work this way?—the k n o w ledge is alcohol itself. leave them with the wife to give later, is noth- answer is very definitely no! ing short of alarming. It is like giving a small boy a high-power, loaded, rifle to play with. Those Violent Cases Other Reactions Sure, in the majority of cases it works fine. Joe Doakes, a new prospect, has telephoned or The patient goes to sleep for a while, wakes a What will be the family’s reaction if, after has written to the box asking for help. Or Joe bit jittery and his wife gives him one or two our capsule, the patient becomes much more has contacted us some days ago, has been in- more and he goes back to sleep again, waking violent instead of going to sleep? How poputerviewed a number of times, and has decided still later well on the road to temporary sobriety. lar are we going to be if he goes into a coma, to take the A.A. treatment; Mrs. Joe telephones, All very nice: no one has had to sit up with with the resulting ambulance and frantic emerfrantically, that he has come back from town him (or on h i m ) ; no one has a “shiner”; no gency treatment at the h o s p i t a l — i f the doctor in terrible shape, and she can’t do anything gets to the house in time? Supposing, while w i t h him. Another Joe has been in A.A. for he is “out” under our capsule he has a heart some time, may be one of our best friends, and attack, dies, and an inquest becomes necessary? has a relapse (slip) ; we are called to straighten Men of Extinction What if he, later on, develops into a barbiturate him out. addict? When we arrive at the house we find that Joe (The third in a series of portraits of men who You say—”That can’t happen here!” It not is definitely “tight.” He may be violent. Per- enjoyed the finer things in life.) only can, and does, but it has probably haphaps he is abusing the kids, or his wife, or is pened in far more cases than anyone realizes. smashing the f u r n i t u r e . It certainly won’t Very frequently we pick up our newspaper and quiet h i m down or sober him up to talk A.A. read of someone who has died “from an overto h i m . A n o t h e r drink, obviously, is only go- dose of stepping tablets.” N e a r l y all of these ing to make him tighter; unless we can get sleeping tablets are one or other of the barenough i n t o him to make him “pass out,” and b i t u r a t e s , and they can be much more dangerthis type of treatment is not entirely without ous to the person u n d e r the i n f l u e n c e of alcohol danger; if he does pass out he may be still more than they are to the person who simply can’t difficult to handle when he “comes to.” Joe, sleep. a l t h o u g h he is f a l l i n g all over the house, may Barbituates, in fact all sedatives and h y p insist t h a t he is “going places and doing things.” notics, are dangerous drugs. If they were not, Joe and Mrs. Joe insist that no doctor be the law would not say that they cannot be adcalled. We can, of course, smack him in the ministered except under a doctor’s orders, nor jaw and put him to sleep—if we are the husky would it be necessary to have a prescription betype. This treatment, however, apart from the fore we can get them from the drug store. True, dangers of a broken j a w or missing teeth for they have a comparatively wide margin of Joe and a broken hand for us, isn’t going to be safely; and for this reason some druggists are very popular with Mrs. Joe; and Joe is not rather lax in supplying them, and even some going to be very enthusiastic about it when he doctors are a bit careless in g i v i n g out prescripwakes up. tions. Nevertheless, should we give an i n t o x i – What to do?—Well, we can’t let him suffer, cated alcoholic, or anyone for t h a t matter, a and we can’t let his f a m i l y suffer; why should “blue bomber” (sodium-amytal) on our own. we suffer? Let’s give him a couple of “nebs,” and should that person die, we might be just as or “blue heavens,” or “blue bombers,” or what- g u i l t y of manslaughter as we would be if we ever our particular choice of knock-out drops got d r u n k and killed .someone with our car— may be. A f t e r all we’ve used them before, we’ve and the coroner’s j u r y and the law would very seen older members use them, and they seem to possibly take just that view. work fine. Joe’ll soon get to sleep, we can leave What are some of the dangers of these bara few more for Mrs. Joe to give him if he wakes biturates? One is that the presence of alcohol up too soon or too jittery (and we won’t get a in The body may slow up the absorption of the call in the middle of the n i g h t ) . Tomorrow, drug. The desired action does not take place, a f t e r Joe has “slept it off,” or partially so at (Continued on Page 7)

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The Pleasures of Reading THINK! From Chicago Hindu Psychology: Its Meaning for the West. By Swami Akhilananda Numerous groups throughout the country (Harper & Bros., $2.50) have printed booklets, interpreting the 12 Steps A knowledge of the principles of Vedanta, or Hinduism, might seem at first impression to of the A.A. program. These booklets have been offer l i t t l e aid to the alcoholic, confounded as he is by the urgent perplexities of his own immediate seen by other groups and adopted by them as world. Conceding freely that the solution of his own difficulties must be found in a re-integration a help to newer members. . . . of his mind, he is, nevertheless, quite likely to reject, even w i t h ridicule, the notion that the teach- The question is whether the use of these ings of the Yogis could hold a n y t h i n g for him. booklets is more of a detriment than a help to And yet the Eastern philosophers have made the hidden mind, which we call the subconscious, the members. and from which so many of our troubles spring, their sole preoccupation for centuries. Hundreds If the use of the booklets tends to lessen the of years ago they passed the stage of excited exploration which we began only recently. For time disposition of the member to THINK for himout of mind they have been devoting themselves to perfecting useful methods of applying principles self, such use is h a r m f u l . the existence of which we have only discovered (or re-discovered) w i t h i n the past 50 years. Unless and until the member THINKS inde- All this is made clear, with simple modesty, in this publication of Swami Akhilananda’s in- pendently, he has little chance of properly emformal lectures. Never presuming to insist upon the i n f a l l i b i l i t y of his teachings, or to urge ploying any of the Steps in a way beneficial to their exclusive v a l i d i t y , he relates them to modern Western thought in psychology. his problems. For the Hindu, he says, the greatest expression of the mind lies in its total illumination. Man’s If there is one thing which is responsible for chief problem is to develop the total mind and thus to secure that inner joy, which Thomas a retarding the progress of members in assimilat- Kempis had called “the inborn light,” by bringing the mind and body into that balanced state ing and using the Steps it is f a i l u r e to THINK. which produces peace and happiness. If the members have an opportunity to avoid This, too, is our problem, particularly that of the alcoholic, whose mind is so often what the THINKING, by reading the thoughts and inter- Swami calls “an arena of conflicting urges and emotions.” It is in dealing with this problem that pretations of others, as contained in these bookwe may find help in what otherwise might seem an alien philosophy. We may, without either ac- lets, you may be sure that some will do it. cepting or rejecting the Hindu teachings, gain much from considering the practical rules, set forth There are members in most groups who have, by the author, and which have shown through the centuries how the human mind can be brought been in their group for extended periods of to peace with itself. time without actually absorbing the Steps. They These practical precepts are based on the fundamental proposition that a man through medi- remain mentally disturbed and are likely to t a t i o n may change the quality of his mental habits in the present and thus direct and determine what have “slips” occasionally. They have read and his f u t u r e mental state may be. How the Hindu monk accomplishes this, and teaches others to ac- re-read the Steps, have listened to other memcomplish it, is in itself a fascinating study; but beyond that, for the alcoholic at least, some slight bers discuss the Steps and have conscientiously notion of how the whole mind may be consciously and successfully directed to an ideal is worth all done everything possible to profit by the prohe can give to obtain it. This book perhaps may not provide the whole answer. It should help gram, except to actually THINK. They mistake along the way.—F.A., New York City. good intentions and wishing for actual T H I N K – ING. They mistake lip-service to the program for T H I N K I N G . They are sincere people who

THE FOREST AND THE TREES are trying their best to attain sobriety through the program but they DO NOT THINK. If From Richmond, Va. objective, is apt to build his bridge without a the use of the booklets by such people is going Here is a little thought that came to me the keystone. to postpone the day when they actually T H I N K other day. Even alcoholics have thoughts. That The thought that occurred to me was that in out their situations, THINK about the object of is one trouble w i t h them. Their fertile, active my drinking days I had seen neither the trees each of the Steps, THINK about the applicaimaginations run rife w i t h their thoughts. Fre- nor the forest. I thought I had. I thought I tion of each Step to their individual problems; q u e n t l y they have great thoughts which may had seen that great oak with its firm, tough if they are going to avoid their own i n d i v i d u a l carry them to the heights of accomplishment or t r u n k ; its widespread branches with their dense THINKING by reading and m o u t h i n g the sacrifice, only to be dashed into the pits of de- foliage, and its high, rounded crest. I thought thoughts of others, it would seem that the use feat and despair by their arrogance and in- I had seen the pines and the poplars, their tall, of such booklets is a step in the wrong direction. dulgence, where their thoughts are changed to straight t r u n k s reaching high to bear their The writer believes that these booklets of bad, fearsome, apprehensive thoughts and neces- smaller, more cone-like tops toward the sunlight. “Interpretations of the Steps” have a place in sitate recourse to the all t o o – f a m i l i a r method of I thought I had seen them; the hickories and the A.A. meetings, but, if they are going to be taken surcease—another drink. But this thought may walnuts, the beeches and the birches, the maples by any of the members as a means of avoiding have some value. and the elms, the ash, the wild cherry, the cedar, thoughts of their own, they are not as h e l p f u l You have all heard the expression, “He can’t even the scorned gum with its twisting grain and as they may have been intended to be. see the forest for the trees,” or some such vari- its soft, stringy texture so annoying to the wood- In the same sense that we could read the big a t i o n of an old familiar saying. It is usually worker. I thought I had seen them all and more. book and all other A.A. literature, u n t i l we applied to some meticulous individual who, in I thought I had seen the forest, too, with its were blue in the face, without getting any real his extreme carefulness of detail, seems to lose leafy canopy of varied color. I had been on good out of it, so it is with these booklets. sight of the objective toward which he is work- high places where I could look down upon it. Reading only acquaints us with what action we ing. It is usually applied by some cureless, rest- And I had done just that, for I could see it as it should put into the program. It does not conless i n d i v i d u a l who, in his anxiety to reach his (Continued on Page 7) (Continued on Page 8)

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AN ANALYSIS OF 12th STEP WORK (How can 12th Step work be made most effective? through others!—amazing moment. In doing p a r t i n g from which had never once occurred Can any specific techniques be developed for it? Patterns are becoming apparent in the sponsorship plans this exploratory work my sponsor and I were to me. evolved by a number of groups. Because of the interest guided by A.A. literature, what we observed That night of J a n u a r y 8, I was fogbound, in these and because of the vital importance of 12th Step work and the need to learn how it works best, the at meetings, and matters we discussed at dinner bewildered, lost, and very sorry for myself. I A.A. Grapevine will present a series of studies on the each night and always felt we were simply put- had heard of A.A.; I held a deep-sealed doubt subject, beginning with the following account of what kind of 12th Step work helped one A.A.) ting into practice the sound philosophy and that A.A. could help me. I was a confirmed preachments of Alcoholics Anonymous. “individualist”— and regarded all mass move- From New York City What was employed, eventually, was a device ments or group activities w i t h sharp suspicion. Sponsorship, as we now refer to 12th Step we referred to as a “home-made Freud machine,” I was a fine, home-made snob, too, and a terrific work, is being given much attention these not entirely u n l i k e the cartoon strip’s Dr. Won- egotist and my strongest impulses were in the days and since I have given some thought in mug and his famous “space-disintegrator.” In direction of speed, now, at once, immediately. truth, there is no special limitation w i t h i n the I was i m p a t i e n t , possessed of storming emothe last year to my own vivid impressions durhuman mind, and the intelligence, liberated from tional demons all urging i n s t a n t restoration of ing my first six months in A.A., I am going to attempt to record them for other members. I the inhibition of emotional cliche, can soar or the good K i n g Charles. The truth is I secretly am calling these first six months my “threshold delve, can race or walk, can investigate at free hoped t h a t my first A.A. visitor would be a period.” During that time a number of minor will. I tore a clipping from the masthead of an multi-millionaire, or at least a well-heeled citiand major upsets nearly plunged me back into editorial column the other night to reproduce it zen in the community who would enter my l i f e my former confusion. I am aware that others here: “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth w i t h charm and grace and resource, recognize shall make you free.”—John, viii, 32. me as the worthy young man I thought I was, have been less fortunate during their threshold and i n s t a n t l y summon my old and prosperous period. Working Backwards world back for me. Perhaps a few phone calls It so happened I was fortunate in having a would do it . . . and an immediate stake so I sponsor who was free, and content, to give a As a working formula, an over-simplification could heel myself w i t h t h a t rich, green folding great deal of his time to me. Moreover, we perhaps, but handy as a carpenter’s rule, my money in which my f a i t h for years had lain with proved companionable. He insists today he sponsor created the phrase: “A.A. works back- simple, trusting naively. learned more than I did. Be that as it may, in Instead, my first A.A. visitor was a nervous, wards.” This is not half so paradoxical as it our mutual desire to find to the last detail sounds at first and a world of wisdom is buried hurried gentleman, direct in speech whose wife those twists which had undermined our reason in this brief summary. Try talking an alcoholic was waiting for him downstairs and who had for years, we delved about as deeply into our- out of an impulse and see where you get and a date for dinner and who had just come out of selves as our groping intelligences, rather new the county j a i l himself and was now working then work it backwards with patience and underto this sort of thing, permitted. I lifted the lid standing and wait for him (with gentle guid- as a post office clerk. This was quite a come of many a long closed incident in my past, wan- down and my interest in A.A. wilted rapidly. ance) to talk himself out of this same impulse dered down many a dark, dank corridor of my My first visitor made a call to a second A.A., and see where you get! There is little question mind, viewed and reviewed the sepulchral na- however, and arranged for me to meet this secin my mind about the wisdom buried in “A.A. ture of this strange individual—the fugitive me. ond fellow an hour or so later. After a brisk works backwards.” It works backwards, as we I could not have done this alone, nor did I feel hand-clasp the first A.A. was gone. interpreted that statement, or it doesn’t work at complete trust in my sponsor at first. I gave all. The frontal attack is all those ways tried h i m sneak glimpses, or should I say I allowed Illusion, One on the alcoholic before he comes into A.A.! myself fragmentary exposure. I remember pre- I shall never forget the first visitor who came I went out for a walk and I doubt if my spirit paring the retreat before making the advance, into my hotel room the night of January 8, 1946, has ever been more sorely tried. I’d taken that in the early attempts at least. But about the in El Paso, Texas. Everything I then knew how fateful plunge of writing a letter, which to my time I was ready to expose the entire truth in any one instance, so was he ready to hear it, to care for in this world was gone—money, so- old hypersensitive nature was a shocking concial and professional standing, the people I fessional of weakness, and this letter had proand often when I revealed to him the final dethought were friends, the world as I had chosen duced—not my dream-wish of a rich and powertail it was only to discover that he had guessed to see the world for all my “adult” years, 15 f u l benefactor but a hurried, uninfluential, slimme days before. of them. I was sick, I was alone, I was smashed pursed post office clerk. Little did I realize then —and mightily disturbed. All I really knew was the profound contradictions of altitude which Eerie Navigating were at work within me, tearing me to pieces that something was terribly wrong with the As I groped deeper and deeper into my dis- world and me. I suspected that part of the inside. On the one hand I was an esthetic, sensiordered and cluttered mind, and made regular difficulty lay with me, but I wasn’t sure how tive, cultured person and on the other, and with return voyages down gloomy caverns gradually much. I also held a strong suspicion that my equal if not stronger force, I was a crass, arrobecoming familiar, I became a fairly competent drinking had had a heck of a lot to do with it, gant, conceited ass w i t h low materialistic denavigator in these eerie recesses. In months of but I hadn’t the slightest idea how I could “con- signs on everyone. constant probing I ultimately developed objec- trol” or “stop” my drinking. I’d tried for years, The man who walked those dark streets of El t i v i t y , and slowly escaped from the suffocation and in the last five years my efforts had grown Paso for that hour on that cold January night of an imprisoned subjective viewpoint. And, increasingly futile and hopeless. I knew nothing was a sick man whose great trouble in life was then, as my sponsor and I engaged in 12th about myself, as I really was, and held a fabu- he didn’t know how sick he really was, or in Step work I saw myself more clearly than ever, lous assortment of notions about myself the (Continued on Page 8)

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No A. A. Movie Hal H. Wallis, motion p i c t u r e producer, has THE FOREST AND THE TREES cancelled plans to make a f u l l – l e n g t h motion (Continued from Page 5) some succor to support me to safely as I turned picture about Alcoholics Anonymous. Present marched up and over the lesser hills, down and away. I had not the courage to look. heavy schedules would defer production of a through the valleys, u n t i l its green expanse had Neither had I seen the trees, for all that I saw f u l l – l e n g t h picture about A.A. u n t i l late 1948, spread about and beyond me as far as sight of that great oak was the danger that lurked in Mr. Wallis said. could reach. Who could fail to see its grandeur its shade where no blade of grass or blossoming In view of this and the fact that several mo- and beauty? flower could grow. All that I saw of those t i o n pictures have been and are being made on Yes, I thought I had seen both the forest and stately pines and poplars was the seeming waste the subject of alcoholism, the trustees of The the trees. but I had not seen the forest because in the rotting remnants of others of their k i n d Alcoholic Foundation have-decided to postpone in the glimpse that I had had of it its over- that had not been so strong. Death, destruction, indefinitely permission to make a full-length powering vastness had awed and cowed me. My and decay were all about me whenever I stepped A.A. picture. frightened, shrinking, gasping soul reached for among the trees. I could not understand, so became resentful, even rebellious. Now, after months of sobriety, I believe I am SEDATIVES EASY, AND DEADLY, TOO beginning to see. I have already seen that delicate wildflower blooming at the edge of the oak (Continued from Page 4) a heart attack and die. tree’s shade. Let us hope that the winds conso we decide that this patient has more toler- Many people are not aware of the fact that tinue to move those great branches about and ance than normal and needs a bigger dose. Over sometimes barbiturates can cause a definite permit the sunlight to filter through to the aid a period of time he may have several such doses. hang-over. This may be even more unpleasant of that little flower. Let us hope that the search- Then, as the alcohol in his system decreases, than an alcoholic hang-over, and if there are ing roots will permit sufficient sustenance to rethe body suddenly starts to absorb the drug the two together it can be very bad. main in the soil around it to keep t h a t flower which has been lying peacefully in the stomach Finally there is the question of addiction. from withering before its allotted time. I have or intestines; all at once our patient has sev- Barbiturate addiction is a very definite condi- already seen the young pines lifting their ambieral doses acting at once—-and the results may tion, and one that can be very difficult to treat. tious heads where some greater force has struck be disastrous. The alcoholic is much more susceptible to be- their elders down. Let us hope they are not There is another possibility, more l i k e l y in coming on addict than is the normal person. overcrowded. Let us hope they also may have the case of an A.A. member who has relapsed He has used alcohol for years as a crutch to the strength to lift their green heads on t a l l , (a slipper), than in the case of a new member. help him avoid the unpleasant things of life straight t r u n k s like the others that have gone Somehow the wires get crossed and a number and as an escape from his problems. He is in- before. of A.A.s are called. After our visit and seda- troduced to one of the barbiturates as a crutch I have been again where I could view the tive someone else t u r n s up. Joe doesn’t men- to help him over the jitters; and he finds that, forest from the hilltop and this time was not tion our visit—he may not even remember it— not only does it help him over this trial, but it cowed by its vastness. Rather in my glimpse of and he gets another capsule or so. Perhaps it will partially give him the same escape that its grandeur I caught a hint of an indomitable becomes necessary to call a doctor; he doesn’t alcohol does—and another addiction has been Force exemplified in it and supporting it from know of our medicine, so—some more capsules, started. above. This time I looked up as well as down or perhaps a hypo. The result is the same—an No! All sedatives are dangerous drugs, except and I caught a suggestion of the reason for its overdose. (I heard of one A.A. member who in the bands of the expert. None of them should magnitude. Every tree there had its roots like had given his “patient” a couple of capsules ever be given, except on the specific orders of a the great oak deep in the good soil of the earth without much affect, and finally a doctor had doctor. No “12th Stepper” should ever have beneath it. Yet none could live unless they to be called. Before he arrived this “doctor of them as part of his “emergency kit.” If our looked up as well as down. Therefore, all strove, alcoholism” said to his intoxicated patient, patient cannot be controlled by tact, reasoning, for the Power that come from above. Some had “Don’t tell the Doc I gave you anything, if he patience, or even a little mild violence—(you not the strength to continue their upward look gives you something just don’t take it.”) don’t have to knock him out; silting on his chest and fell, but in falling continued to give to those There are people who are very susceptible to may be excellent treatment and the exercise that came after. Others were stricken a f t e r all the barbiturates, and a very small dose will may be good for you at the same time), then reaching great height, but in falling made room be too much. There is no way of recognizing you must insist, whether it’s a new contact or for ambitious successors. Even the great oak these, even for a doctor, but he has the knowl- a “slipper,” that a doctor be called. may some day succumb. edge and the facilities to give immediate treat- On this question of sedatives it might be of I thank God that I have had this second ment. interest to know that a good many doctors are glimpse of the forest and the trees and t h a t I With some patients the b a r b i t u r a t e s , in the getting away from the use of sedatives in the was enabled to t u r n my glance upward. I presence of alcohol, cause intense excitement in- treatment of acute intoxication, and even in the pray for the strength to continue t h a t upward stead of sedation, and they become almost in- treatment of d e l i r i u m tremens. Other treat- look, that my shrunken soul may be restored, sane. Others have a definite allergy to them, ments are being tried, and some of them seem and that it may continue to grow, until the time and if given a dose may develop all sorts of to be definitely superior to sedation. None of shall come for me to leave those who surround things. these, however, are for the layman to use. Our me. I hope that when that time comes, I will, A patient under the influence of a sedative job, in 12th Step work, is to show the patient in falling, leave behind me some evidence of may swallow his tongue, and choke to death that there is a “way out” of his troubles, and good work done, some word, some thought t h a t before expert help arrives. Some patients may to try and show him the road to recovery. The w i l l prove useful to those who succeed to my have a heart condition that we don’t know treatment of complications—such as acute in- small place and be of assistance to them in their about; while under our sedative they may have toxication—must be left to the doctors.—Bill H. upward struggle.—J.T.W.

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AN ANALYSIS OF 12th STEP WORK (Continued from Page 6)

e x a c t l y what way. The grim necessity of “findi n g a way out” held me to my resolve to “see t h i s one through.” The adhesive of my resolve was the o n l y asset I had in t h i s world that night. I d i d n ‘ t k n o w t h i s , of course, and so, back in my hotel room a l i t t l e w h i l e l a t e r when the second A.A. came in w i t h a handful of pamp h l e t s and a curious, somewhat f r i g h t e n e d look on his large face, I heard my hopes crash to e a r t h l i k e the large oak in the forest. Pamphlets! Indeed. What had happened to the juices of h u m a n i t y ? My new A.A. acquaintance didn’t say much, had a r a t h e r o w l i s h appearance, and I f r e q u e n t l y caught h i m s t a r i n g at me curiously. I l a t e r learned he was scared to death of me, being a rather t i m i d soul h i m s e l f , and I being his first c a l l ! We went to dinner, and t h i s helped a l o t . S l o w l y the r u d i m e n t s of my p l i g h t were unfolded to his attentive ears. He was a marvelous listener, and I wonder if listening isn’t about the finest attribute any A.A. sponsor can delicate balances of psychology involved on that which were l i t t l e inclined easily to abdicate possess. This man became a cushion for my evening of January 8, 1946, were balances on their throne. Long a f t e r I had stopped d r i n k e m o t i o n a l outbursts, my heaving to left and which my f u t u r e hung by a slender, oh so slen- ing, I was s t i l l thinking, alcoholically. Nine right of center in the weeks and months there- der thread. So l i t t l e could have turned me back months a f t e r I had my last d r i n k , I was s t i l l after. He never faltered from his chosen role of that night. A few ill-chosen words w o u l d have able to verge on e m o t i o n a l h y s t e r i a , hysteria buffer, never obeyed the numerous impulses given that be-fogged and confused character w h i c h would have been strong enough to undo which must have surged w i t h i n him to throttle who was I reason enough to toss his own salva- everything accomplished up to t h a t time had it me and my ambitious complaints. I’ll never for- tion aside. The complex psychology of a l l of us not been for certain devices—bear traps, I called get how dull and disappointing this man seemed is our subject and the slight quality of the slen- t h e m — f o r s t a l e m a t i n g recurrences. to me that first night, and the night thereafter der thread which binds us at these p r o f o u n d A few weeks a f t e r I had joined A.A., my when he look me to my first A.A. meeting in El moments in our lives is our h a i r l i n e route to re- sponsor and I worked our way through the Paso. covery. This tender passion, the vagrant h e a r t , treachery of false recovery and p a r t i a l right the b l i n d f o l d mind, is to me the sacred concern t h i n k i n g . I nearly lost my own g r i p because I For This, Chess! of all of us in A.A. who wish to do 12th Step was u n a b l e to do as much as I felt should be work. All that we really know is that a vast done for an old railroader many months d r u n k . A sickening, limp feeling bit me inside— unknown world exists, a world into which b u t Throughout all this, my .sponsor, who never said so t h i s was A.A.? No instant remedy, no a few of the most skilled explorers have so far very much, paddled along, hoping for the best, smooth, gay companionship, no surging fellow- been able to navigate with any success whatsoever. p i c k i n g up a cue now and then, oaring occaship of good w i l l and monied generosity. I was What makes the heart beat so? What leads the sionally when the going was rough, but in the still alone. My first meeting dismayed me, I mind of man? Where lies the reason? m a i n l e t t i n g me do it a l l myself, especially when felt an outsider, I couldn’t seem to hook into I had to do it the hard way (and he knew how to a n y t h i n g real. Of course, I was in a chaos of do it the easy w a y ) , but felt it was better for Who Said, Easy? c o n f l i c t i n g passions. As we walked back to my me to learn myself any old way, so long as I got hotel from that first meeting he invited me to join And all this works backwards, gently and there myself.—Ned A. him in a quiet game of chess the f o l l o w i n g night. without effort, casually and slowly, and buried U n t i l my sponsor reads this, he w i l l not know w i t h i n this miracle of navigation there lies a l l how close I came on that El Paso street corner, the tender mercy of the human heart, the nobil- THINK! and in the sickness of my sorrow, to t u r n i n g ity of understanding and strength of compassion. (Continued from Page 5) down his humble offer of a game of chess. And During my first six months in Alcoholics I would be a n y t h i n g but honest if I said I ac- Anonymous I managed quite successfully to keep stitute the necessary action. A n y constructive cepted his offer for any other reason than that bone dry, but all that time I bitterly resented action that we put into A.A. w i l l only be such I was s t i l l desperate, and had nothing better to the phrase, “Easy does it.” I resented “Easy action as results from our own individual do t h e f o l l o w i n g night. does it” because that simple and p r o f o u n d hom- thought. I recite this a year later, w r i t i n g as I am on ily was exactly what I most needed to bring i n t o There seems to be some danger that this esa typewriter in an office from which alcoholism control the surging, i n f a n t i l e passions which sential i n d i v i d u a l t h i n k i n g may be replaced by hurled me five years ago, fully aware that the had ruled my life for nearly two decades and reading the thoughts of others.—J. O’C.

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit Out of the Red (Both W a y s ) — A l a n o n the extent t h a t you let nothing come between planned soon. Visiting A.A.s may make contact Association, Inc., club of Newark, N.J., A.A.s, you and y o u r sobriety. Outside influences can- at 83 Mitchell Street. With an attendance of 32 has announced that in six months it has changed not affect you if you build from the inside out.” and an actual membership of eight, the Neosho, a deficit of nearly $5,000 into a healthy surplus Mo., Group got launched with a strictly “town through a series of various activities and prompt hall” meeting as the result of a request to the dues paying. Alanon now has a yearly func- Organizers Are Busy—The Ossining, N. Y., Joplin, Mo., Group. There were visitors from tioning cost of $50,000 for a tremendous list Group, organized late in March, with its first seven towns in response to i n v i t a t i o n s and of activities. Copies of The Alanon News list meeting in April, now has about 100 at its offi- an advertisement in a local paper, which also community sings, parlor nights, women’s card cial sessions. New groups have been formed in carried a favorable news article written by The parties, booster club meetings, dances, game the northwest part of Rochester, N. Y., to be A.A. Grapevine’s correspondent. Organized in room entertainment and good restaurant facili- known as the North-West Groups of A.A., with January, 1946, the Clinton, Okla., Group now ties, in addition to monthly Inter-Group mass meetings every night except Sunday so that numbers 18 active members and about three members can attend the open meetings of the months ago was split into two groups, the other meetings and other major events in the auditorium. Plans for the f u t u r e are e q u a l l y ambi- Rochester Central Groups at 12 Andrews Street. being at Cordell, with many members attending The new meeting room is in the Riviera Theatre sessions of both each week. tious with modernizing the wiring and light, providing adequate fire exits and possible Building, 1451 Lake Avenue, with meetings starting at 8:30. Answering a definite need in changes in the restaurant operation are under the San Fernando Valley, a daytime meeting Discuss Northwest Conference—Possibilconsideration. Alanon has had a swift, mushhas been organized to meet each Monday at ities of a Northwest conference have been disroom growth from 70 members who bought the 12:15 in the North Hollywood club house at cussed recently, according to the Beacon H i l l club two and a half years ago to nearly 400 4343 Radford Street. The Group is described Group of Victoria, B. C., Canada, w i t h Vanwho own it today. A steadily growing number as “co-ed.” Wauchula, Fla., reports organiza- couver and Vancouver Island Groups to join use it daily and nightly. tion of a group which now numbers 10, doing with those from Washington and Oregon. Vicwell with 12th Step work. Visitors are welcome. toria has been mentioned as a possible locale Starting as a branch of the Sacramento Group with a two or three day meeting suggested. Women A.A.s Meet Monthly —Women Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma and other Northwest in September, 1946, the Woodland, Calif., Group alcoholics in the Kansas City, Mo., Group are groups are reported as welcoming the idea and has grown from eight members to 21. Meeting now holding m o n t h l y meetings at group head- promising to send good representations if it is on Tuesday nights at members’ homes, the presquarters for the purpose of making it possible held. Victoria A.A.s are also following the ent problem is to find more space, as the wives for new members to meet most of the women amendments and debates on a brief presented usually attend. members, who now number 54. These meetings recently to the Provincial Cabinet by Vancouver, supplement the central neighborhood discussions Victoria and New Westminster A.A.s concerning and the social meetings but are not offered as GI’s Group -Ex-GI members of the Omaha, education on alcoholism. a substitute for them. Sessions are i n f o r m a l , Nebr., Group have organized a group w i t h i n but a carefully planned program is presented, the group, open to all ex-servicemen, which followed by an open discussion in which new meets each Wednesday evening to discuss serv- More and Better Clubs—Formal opening members are urged to participate. Subjects icemen’s problems as well as servicemen’s alco- of new clubrooms last month was held by Mandiscussed deal w i t h phases of the A.A. program holism, which are often mixed together. Local kato, Minn., A.A.s, with speakers from Colfax, and problems peculiar to women alcoholics. A t – veterans’ organizations have been contacted. Wis., and Minneapolis. A local member gave a tendance has been good and it is felt the meet- World War I veterans are also attending. Since brief history and a letter from Bill W. was read. ings have a definite place in the Kansas City starting almost a year ago the Chapel Hill, N. C., According to the president of the Alano society program. Group has branched out with groups started in there, the group was two years old early this Burlington, Raleigh and Durham. Although los- spring and has grown from two men, who started ing some members to the new organizations, out in July, 1944, and by March, 1945, had Institution Feels A.A. Effect -An article, stimulating programs have kept the attendance drawn in five others. First meeting in homes, a “Five Years of Progress,” published in The between 20 and 40 and members report it has local hotel room was used later and served u n t i l Clarion of California I n s t i t u t i o n for Women, not been “to difficult to keep interest alive.” March, 1946, when two rooms were leased in a says: “In December, 1945, the i n i t i a l meeting About 15 attended the first meeting, an open one, downtown building. This year 2,600 square feel was held of Alcoholics A n o n y m o u s with a mem- in Atlantic, Ia., with visitors from Council of space in a new building were leased for f o u r bership of 15. That group has now grown to Bluffs, Ia., and Omaha, Nebr., present to help and a half years. The 46 regular members 120 with regular meetings every Monday and get things started. The three A t l a n t i c members spent about $4,000 in fixing up The quarters. open meetings w i t h outside groups the first have arranged to meet Wednesday nights at the Mankato has four women members, one of whom Sunday of each month. The entire campus has Hotel Whitney in Atlantic. Two members of is the oldest in sobriety. Quarters for the club felt the effect of this A.A. program for a better the Binghamton, N. Y., Group have joined a in Denver, Colo., have been enlarged substanway of living.” In another part of the anni- couple of others to start a Norwich, N. Y., Group tially during the past six months and the memversary publication is an account of the visit and have reported to The A.A. Grapevine that bership is still growing. In Omaha, Nebr., a of an A.A. Group from North Hollywood which an open meeting in conjunction with public spir- drive for the building fund closed last month. concludes, “Live one day at time. Be selfish to ited citizens, city officials, doctors, and others is (Continued on next page)

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About $2500 was put into the clubroom, includ- have been dry since the beginning. More than N. J., member v i s i t i n g there, who also spoke to ing; a kitchen w i t h modern, complete equipment 20 groups have been started by Kansas City the Rome, Ga., Group. Fair Lawn, N. J., refor social activities. Redecoration, remodeling, A.A.s, including two at the Federal P e n i t e n t i a r y cently elected officers by secret ballot with all l i g h t i n g and modern furniture were included in at Leavenworth, Kans. Recently 40 of the 68 but one member participating. A secretary, improvements. The recreation room in the base- members and 11 visitors from Kansas city chairman, treasurer, Grapevine correspondent ment is not complete, but the final drive is ex- groups helped observe the second anniversary and committee members were chosen. Cards pected to take care of this. at Leavenworth. This group has grown from bearing the heading, “Is Alcohol Your Probfive members under the Kansas City sponsorship lem?” and another telling of A.A. meetings have Birthdays Recall Growth—More than 400 which has provided books, literature and sub- been put out by the Dodd Town Group of East persons attended the third anniversary of A.A. scriptions to The A.A. Grapevine. At the re- Orange, N. J. Meetings for wives have been in Memphis, Term., at the Hotel Chisca recently. quest of members who had been transferred to planned by the Spirit Lake-Milford-Spencer, Ia., From three members in April, 1944, Memphis the honor farm a group was started there last Group. A new leader for May, June and J u l y now has three groups, Downtown, 152 Madison, August. Two members of the Kansas city Group was selected recently by Plainfield, N. J., A.A.s. closed meeting Friday; Crosstown, Character attend each of the weekly meetings. Less than Both groups in Eau Claire, Wis., are reported Builders Hall, closed meeting Tuesday, and 10 percent of the 80 members who have been growing w i t h good liaison. Many A.A.s take Overton Park, at the clubhouse, Monday, all released since the group started have been re- advantage of good roads to attend other meetsessions being at 8 o’clock. In addition there turned to the penitentiary or are known to have ings in a radius of 100 miles. The Bellflower, is an A.A. breakfast at Britling’s on Madison encountered legal or alcoholic difficulties. This Calif., Group is t r y i n g out a scheme by which Avenue, open, 9:30 A.M. Sunday; 12th Step figure is substantially lower than the percentage four leaders were elected at once, the one getdiscussion at 152 Madison, closed, 3:30 Sunday of the entire number of men released from the ting the greatest number becoming chairman, afternoons; open house, open at 8 Tuesday penitentiary. Eighteen members of the Jeffer- while the other three preside in weekly rotation nights; and Questions and Answers, closed ses- son City, Mo., Group took a local bus to attend with the chairman in an effort to bring more sion for new members at 8 Wednesday nights. the Kansas City anniversary sessions. First an- i n i t i a t i v e into the group and promote better Since many of these sessions are closed, the niversary for Wooster, 0., A.A.s was held last 12th Step work. Alcansia Inc., of the South Overton Park Group has been holding “Family month with a dinner at Weitzell Hall and speak- Los Angeles, Calif., Group, held a free gala Open Meetings” about once a month with local ers from Columbus and Toledo, 0. About 175 dance May 31 with many prizes and refreshpeople in charge. The open meeting at the an- attended the Daytona Beach, Fla., fifth anni- ments. Proceeds went to the building fund. niversary party was addressed by a well-known versary at the Hotel Osceola, coming from as From Charlotte, N. C., The A.A. Grapevine Des Moines, Ia., attorney, who told how be came far away as Sarasota, Fla., and Savannah, Ga. hears that the Myers Park Group held its first i n t o A.A. through a man whom he had prose- Judges, doctors and clergymen were among meeting in February and has grown fast since cuted for drunkenness. In Memphis there is those attending. Five speakers, including A.A.s that time. Meetings are Monday nights at 8 at also considerable interest in neighboring groups from Orlando, and Washington, D. C., as well the Myers Park Methodist Church. The workthroughout the region in Mississippi, Arkansas, as Father Brunton of the Episcopal Church, ings of A.A. were explained at an open meeting Tennessee and even in Southern Kentucky. The spoke and there was an open house at the club- sponsored by Cleburne, Tex., A.A.s at the First Central Club room at 152 Madison is open every rooms, 105 Ivy Lane, where the pool table had Baptist Church. A member of the Shawnee, day from 9 A.M. until midnight for visitors, with been transformed to serve as a buffet supper Okla., Group who works for a Wewoka paper a member in charge. With the cooperation of table. has been r u n n i n g A.A. articles there, telling of a physician in a nearby veterans’ hospital, week- the program and pointing out that A.A.s from ly visits are being made by Memphis A.A.s to Holdenville, Ada and other towns have been the hospital. The San Antonio, Tex., Group Seven Originals—the seven original mem- attending the meetings. bers of the Passaic, N. J., Group spoke at the held its second birthday party recently with the first anniversary there last month. The thought singing of “Thank God, We Have A.A.” to the was expressed that success in the growth of Church Welcomes A.A.— The Church in tune “The Eyes of Texas” as one of the features. membership has been of educational value to Aurora ( c o m m u n i t y ) program recently carried It has been printed on small cards for distributhe city. Interest and backing of clergy, doctors, a b u l l e t i n saying, “We are honored to have a tion by the group. and good coverage by a daily paper are reported meeting of A.A. here at the church every Sunas having helped. Interest on the part of a re- day afternoon. There is real “togetherness” in In Kansas city—At the sixth anniversary of porter resulted in friendly, intelligent, sympa- A.A. in Kansas city, Mo., it was recalled to those meetings, and a spirit of humility, honesty thetic columns stressing the spiritual foundation and mutual helpfulness not often encountered in the attendance of 550 that the group was started of the 12 Steps. The Rev. F. R. Edward Dowlwhen two local men, unknown to each other, ing, S.J., of St. Louis, Mo., was principal speaker these times. Perhaps the methods and the spirwere brought together by a traveling A.A. To- at the third anniversary of the Marshalltown, Ia., itual dynamic which have helped alcoholics so day the membership of 350 includes 54 women. Group at the Hotel Tallcorn recently. Four much could be well used in other areas of life, Ten have been dry five years; nine, four years; Marshalltown men representing industry, law en- too.” The program was sent to The A.A. Grape- 10, three years; 33, two years; 77, one year. forcement, the clergy and medicine spoke briefly vine, by a member of the Kent, O., Group. There are 10 husband and wife teams, six who summarizing the A.A. program with regard to have brothers or sisters in some group; two their vocations. In the afternoon Father Dow- A . A . on Sports Pages—In connection with father-son combinations; one man sponsored his ling conducted a Cana Conference and a smoker the Kentucky Derby A.A. drew mention from son-in-law, one non-alcoholic woman has a hus- was given at the hotel for visitors. two New York Herald Tribune sports columnband and brother-in-law in the Kansas City ists. Writing in “Views of Sport” Red Smith Group and a brother and sister in other groups. in describing the week said in part “The Ken- None of the original three are now in Kansas What Some Are Doing — The Atlanta, Ga., City’s Group, but all are still in A.A. and two Group recently heard a fine talk by a Red Bank, (Continued on Page 16)

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Mail Call for All A. A.s at Home or Abroad We, too, have squandered time, money, and too, can have peace and contentment as long as Letters to this department are invited on any subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- opportunity—but, through the grace of God— I don’t lose my grip on that bottom rung. tions you are asked to hold your letters to a and only through the grace of God—don’t ever My advice to new members, and all old ones maximum of 350 words. Only initials will he published unless the forget that, some of our time has been saved for who are having trouble, is get the 1st Step, but writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- us. Regaining the lost money and opportunities get it good and then take in the meetings regufication for A.A. friends. is up to us. larly, take part in them, help others, but don’t The A.A. Grapevine will not divulge the full name of any writer but will forward A.A. com- We need more than physical help, we need be in a hurry. You have a lifetime ahead of munications addressed to the writers of letters spiritual aid also. We are dependent on God. you to work the program, so learn to enjoy all published here.—the Editors We should link our arms in each other’s and go of it and stop that headlong rush to finish everyon, helping and strengthening each other, accept- thing today. Take it easy and the program will For the Young A.A. ing help when we need it and humbling our- take care of you and take you any place you From St. Louis, Missouri selves, so we can sooner reach the goal we are want to go, either here or hereafter.—J.F.H. Our A.A. Program is a very d i f f i c u l t one for striving to attain!—l.A.G. any alcoholic, but more so for the young alco- His Fears Banished holic, he has many obstacles to overcome. To Climbing Out From Inglewood, Calif. start with, in many cases, family and friends Undoubtedly, the prayers of my wife, and often sincerely believe he is just young, unset- Linda Vista, Calif. possibly those of friends, were responsible for tled, perhaps a little wild, but he’ll outgrow it— Years ago I started a downward plunge from my awakening from the benumbed insensibility just give him time—and there’s usually one. the top of the hill. I slid a short ways down, of my state of mind. My 50 years of drinking broad, understanding shoulder for him to cry dug in my toes and started back up, but after had left in my mind only thoughts of fear, reon, to help ease the rough spots, to smooth things a short climb I lost my grip and started down morse, and regret. The future seemed to hold over when they get pretty hot and he finds him- again. This time I slid past the place where I nothing for me but a continuation of the failself in the doghouse—again! made my first stop; before I grabbed on and ures and megrims of the past. By these constant His hangovers, shakes and butterflies don’t as- started back up again, only to slip again before thoughts a tomb was created in which I existed sume as much importance because he is young. I reached the top. This became a repeating with my egotism. Kind friends, and loved ones, And because he is young, his body responds process. Slipping, grabbing on, climbing up a with many gestures of friendliness and consolamore readily to medication — he snaps back ways, then down again. Each time farther down, tion, endeavored to enter my sepulchre, but with faster, is sooner on his feet, u n t i l the next excuse each time harder to start up again, u n t i l finally my acrimonious tongue, they were u n a d m i t t e d . for a drink arises. Our young alcoholic con- I plunged into a hole, not at the bottom of the Inside those walls I had many fears to combat— tinues to get by, bumping his head a little here hill, but below the bottom. The hole was so fear of want, fear of failure, fear of responsibiland there, stepping on his family and friends-— deep that there was no light at the top. All was ity, and the fear of my own inadequacy and “They know I didn’t mean it—I had a rough lost, there was n o t h i n g left to do but sink on loss of pride. The stupefaction attained from day—I needed a drink—have to have something into oblivion; just go ahead and drink myself alcohol seemed my only recourse, and I drank, to keep me going. If that’s all the understand- to death. long and hard. But one day, while in despair, ing I get around here, I’ll go back to Joe’s where Then a couple of strangers stuck t h e i r heads something entered that tomb of mine, and w i t h – I’ve got some real friends”—and he’s off again. down that hole and said, “Fellow, if you want out knocking. Then that something started right There’s a lot of room here in A.A. for the to get out of there, if you really want to be to work tearing the wall down from about me— young alcoholic. We have a terrific exchange sober and stay sober, we’ll drop you a ladder walls that I had been 50 years in building. department. Not only do we offer a new life and if you can grab the bottom rung and hold With those walls of doubt, fear and u n c e r t a i n l y for an old one, but a new life plus at least ten on to it we will help you climb out of that hole.” removed, I found myself gazing into a light that years and the bill of sale is guaranteed—if you Down came that ladder, the ladder of the A.A. revealed the happy faces of old and new friends, follow directions. It isn’t easy, as I’ve said— program of 12 Steps. I grabbed on and hung on and the contented look of loved ones. this was it’s very difficult, he’s having a terrific time to the first one like grim death. the miracle brought to me by the prayers of —the life of the party. You’re missing out Since then I have made some progress up the wife and friends, and a book called Alcoholics on a lot of f u n — b u t remember, my young alco- ladder and hope some day to reach the top. Anonymous.—B.A.T. holic friend, it’s going to be his hangover, not But I’m in no hurry. I took about 35 years to yours. Many times you will feel you are miss- slide down into that hole from which there was Progress Down Under ing out on a “lot of fun”—you’ll feel that you’re no escape except by the ladder of A.A., so if it From Spring Grove, New Zealand a wet blanket. Your friends may shun you— takes 35 years to get back up again I’ll be doing My first call to help a case came on the Thurstreat you as though you have the purple blight. a fair job. day before Good Friday. I had been w r i t i n g to Most of your new-found friends here in A.A. The way I look at it is this: I have close to a man who had not told me much except that have a few years on you. You t h i n k you made four years’ sobriety now, roughly that is one- the inquiry was not for himself. He wanted to a mess of your l i f e ! You say it takes a great ninth of 35, so I’m about one-ninth of the way- see me next time I was in Wellington. On deal of courage to start over. You’ve only started. back up to the top. And I’m enjoying every Thursday he telegraphed, “Come at once if pos- Take a good look around now and learn some- minute of the climb back. I had read about sible,” and with a bit of luck with an airway thing about real courage! The kind of courage peace and contentment, but had begun to figure booking I was in Wellington w i t h i n four hours. that makes them go on to find the serenity and that the only thing that had it was the contented I now have two members in Wellington. peace of mind, which probably in most instances cows on the can of milk. One is a widow, age 63, whose husband died will be the only gain, the only reward. But thank God and A.A. I’m finding that I, (Continued on next page)

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t w o years ago. I think periodic outbreaks have ment, then frustration, then more d r i n k i n g . A great credit to their profession. He told me been the rule for some time. I n q u i r y was from vicious circle which I was unable to break. that I needed a loan and that be alone was not her daughter’s boy f r i e n d , who was not supposed When I tried to stop d r i n k i n g , I was exerting a strong enough agent to u n d e r w r i t e it. Howto know about her “trouble.” During the holi- my will against the effect, the symptom, rather ever, he did k n o w of an agency t h a t was big days, when she could get nothing to drink— than the cause. In my condition this was rea- enough—kind enough—considerate enough and daughter was away—her reserve broke down sonable and consistent because I did not k n o w unselfish enough to help me. Further, I would and she approached the boy to get her some what was causing me to d r i n k . As I could not no longer have to do the seeking, he would alcohol. This cleared the way and I spent a eliminate the cause, I could not stop drinking. send their representative to me. deal of time with her. I got her sobered up I was like a person suffering from hay fever Shortly thereafter, a representative of Alcoand back to normal routine and left the book who is unaware that be is allergic to golden rod, holics Anonymous called on me. He explained with her. I know this is only the start, but it but who has developed a habit of walking how big his people were. Not only were they is a start and I’ll work on this case like mad. through fields of golden rod—trying to keep big, but they were backed by A Higher Power. I wish I was in Wellington—but if she breaks from sneezing. I went to meet other representatives of this great down I know she will tell me and then I will And then I came into A.A. True, I was an agency. They proved to me that if I could furb r i n g her over here for a time. As she was a agnostic. I thought I was an atheist, But I nish honesty and sincerity as collateral, there woman and I had never had anything to do with knew I was licked and I was in no condition to would be no f u r t h e r credit investigation. an alcoholic woman (except by post!!) I took argue or split hairs. I took the first 3 Steps They didn’t care if every other agency on over my letters from New York and read them with an open mind and my d r i n k i n g stopped as earth considered me a poor risk and had refused to her. I was delighted at the impression they abruptly as water slops when we shut the faucet. me a loan. They made it clear that, at all times, made. Oh, I feel so well and happy and fine When my mind started to clear, I look the 4th in all my dealings with them, I could negotiate these days! Step honestly and without equivocation or reser- directly with that Higher Power. They displayed My second member is H. C. This man is vation. It was then, and only then, that I started thousands of borrowers to me. Not one had single, age 43, an ex-sailor, army cook and gen- to learn what it was that had caused me to drink. reason to complain. A l l had been granted more eral man of all work. He saw the film, “The Lost I had reached a point where I could strike at than they had asked for. They, as I, had been Weekend.” and carried round our newspaper the cause. Now I could give up my senseless, willing to borrow the thing that to us was the announcement for weeks before writing. He futile battle against symptoms. I could start biggest loan in our lives—sobriety! In addition has taken stock of himself, his gradual fall in thinking along straight, integrated lines instead they had been granted serenity, tolerance, huthe world, his loss of personal belongings and of in circles which invariably bring us around mility, self-respect—even love. the usual things that go w i t h the alcoholic’s fall. to the bottle. Of course, I wanted this loan. I begged for His mental altitude is, therefore, just right and The first 3 Steps in A.A., if taken with an it. And yet, when it came time for me to turn I think he will make good progress. open mind, will shut off anyone’s drinking re- in my collateral—honesty and sincerity—I held A p a r t from these two people, there are a heap gardless of the circumstances. The remaining back. Oh, how difficult, how unhappy, how proof prospects and cases that will come our way in Steps, if accepted in the same manner, w i l l teach tracted I made those negotiations—to my own time. I am t r y i n g to secure a P. 0. Box in us why we drink, how permanently to meet our sorrow as well as that of the members of the Wellington in the name of A.A. I think it would problems and in addition will bring us serenity, agency—to say nothing of the Higher Power. be good to have this address. It could be the peace of mind, and the abundant life which A.A. Unless I saw the light, and put up my collateral, job of my new members to send the mail on to promises but of which so many alcoholics have even this agency—the last resort might not negome and I could answer from here. The Welling- despaired.—P.M.B. tiate with me. An agency member then told ton address would be the foundation of a permame that to avoid all the unhappiness I had crement headquarters—which will come in time. ated, I should get closer to and deal directly Is it possible that any members will visit this Don’t Default w i t h the Higher Power. country in the course of business in the next few From Fair Lawn, New Jersey I took my collateral to the Higher Power. years? A n y o n e would got a great welcome here In serious difficulty, I sought assistance from U n h e s i t a t i n g l y He granted my loan—sobriety— and might be able to help us a lot. every human agency w i t h i n my reach. A p p l y – with the m a n i f o l d beauties of l i f e it holds for I had a lovely letter from a member of the ing, first to one, then the other, I made the an alcoholic. Then He bade me abide by my Bermuda Group. It appears that my letter in rounds from family physician to hospitals, to contract w i t h Him. I must live the 12 Steps, reply to the good wishes of the group was read clergymen, to psychiatrist, then round and round live them, love them. He even made me a direcat a meeting and this new member added his again. It seemed that although all recognized tor of that great agency, Alcoholics Anonymous, good wishes. It really is f u n getting this sort the genuine need I had for assistance, none knew for all who have borrowed are directors; like of letters.—I.MacE. or seemed to know just what assistance I so the others, I was granted the power to make urgently sought. loans—with His sanction. Learning; Why It was as though I had approached these agen- The negotiation seemed concluded when he cies with a plea for a loan and that each had reminded me of the interest clause. I was told From Bennington, Vt. said: “You have no assets to offer as collateral, that the loan was mine—to have and to hold— When I was drinking, I was in an alcoholic you have no one to endorse your note, you have just as long as I met the interest clause. I looked fog. I couldn’t think straight. I was thinking a bad reputation, we find you a poor credit over my contract carefully and there, in the in circles. A c t u a l l y my t h i n k i n g was a combina- risk indeed.” concluding section of the contract, I found the tion of fear and worry which went round and Then, when I had become utterly hopeless clause. It is the last seven words of the last round but always came back to the bottle for and desperate, one of those agents, a psychia- step, “practice these principles in all our affairs.” relief and for escape. Then came the physical trist, told me that he knew what I was seeking. By the Grace of God I shall not d e f a u l t in my and mental jitters, then remorse, then resent- He was one of those fearless men who bring payment.—J.L.R.

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LACK OF MONEY PROVED A.A. BOON Vino Vignette: (Continued from Page 3) upon, early in 1938, Frank A., on his own time as the first physician ever to champion our and with expenses paid by his associates, went The Blind Lead the Blind (and They cause, had already given us measureless help to Akron to investigate. He returned most Really Do) in Windsor! and encouragement. Of course, we alcoholics enthusiastic. He was inclined to the opinion were delighted. Our money troubles, we thought, that $30,000 ought to be invested in a center Being blind drunk—if you like to get that were over. If money was the answer, we had for alcoholics. Our friend, Dick R., showed way—has its rewards; but being blind (Period) surely come to the right place! Frank’s report to Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., has few, unless you go looking for them. . . . Following introductions, each alcoholic told who at once manifested a warm interest. But C. G., living in Detroit, did just that. C l i f f ( to his own personal story, these accounts being Mr. Rockefeller also expressed anxiety about give him a name, discovered the best way to enthusiastically confirmed by our ardent friend, professionalizing us. Nevertheless, he gave us dispose of his own ever-present problem of total Dr. Silkworth. After which ( w i t h becoming re- a sum which turned out to be, however, about blindness was to submerge it in those of others. luctance!) we brought up the subject of money. one-sixth of the amount Frank had suggested. For over four years he has been an unofficial As our hearers had seemed much impressed by His gift came in the Spring of 1938 and its re- member of A.A., both in Windsor and in Deour recovery stories, we made bold to expand sult, was to help Dr. Bob and me through that troit, and, although a non-alcoholic himself, it on the urgent need for hospitals, “field work- very trying year. We could not have actively has paid him big dividends; paid off to others, ers” and a book, We also made it clear that continued without it. Yet, money wise, our too, for he has tried to carry the message wherthis would take money—quite a lot. budding movement of alcoholics was still left ever be could, and the other day became a very much on its own—just where it should sponsor. have been left, too, however difficult that seemed Life, for Cliff, was pretty grim that day. The Turn in Destiny at the time. We still had no ”field staff,” no weather was depressing and the gloom in his hospital and no book. heart matched the sodden clouds d r i f t i n g across Then came one more turn in A.A. destiny. These were the events that led to the formation the city like mobile lead. Cliff, remembering The chairman of the meeting, Albert Scott (now of The Alcoholic Foundation. The need for a that the Victoria Avenue Group over in Windsor deceased), a man of large affairs, and profound- volume describing our recovery experiences was holding a meeting that night, decided to go ly spiritual in his nature, said in substance, “I loomed larger than ever. Were such a book to over there, shake hands all ’round, and forget am deeply moved by what I have heard. I can appear a great flow of inquiries from alcoholics about it. see that your work, thus far, has been one of and their families might start. Thousands, may- But you can’t escape your troubles as easily great good will—one alcoholic personally help- be. These appeals would certainly have to be as that. It was raining in Windsor, too. Cliff ing another for the love of the thing. That is cleared through some sort of Central Office. was standing at the Tunnel Intersection, waiting First Century Christianity in a b e a u t i f u l form. That was most evident. for the traffic lights to change, when a thick But aren’t you afraid that the introduction of voice at his elbow asked: “Need a little help to hospitals and paid field workers might change cross the street, Mister?” all that? Shouldn’t we be most careful not to Everything but Money Gratefully, Cliff accepted the friendly arm the do anything which might lead to a professional stranger offered, but before they were h a l f w a y or propertied class w i t h i n your ranks?” For these saner purposes, our friends sug- across he knew his benefactor had just as big These were great words for Alcoholics Anony- gested the formation of a Foundation to which a problem as his own. The muscle tremors in mous. We alcoholics admitted their weight. givers might make tax free contributions. We the arm he was holding, The unsteady gait, the Disappointed that our hope of substantial money alcoholics endlessly discussed this new project slurred syllables when he spoke, told all too help seemed to be fading, we confessed, never- with them, consuming hours of their business clearly the man was d r u n k . theless, that we had often had such misgivings. time. Frank A. and a friendly attorney, Jeff W.( Arrived at the other side, Cliff thanked him. But, we persisted, what are we going to do? It put much effort on the original Foundation then said t h o u g h t f u l l y : has taken us three years to form three groups. Trust agreement. The lawyer had never seen “1 think you need a little help yourself, We know we have a new life for those who die anything like it. The new Foundation should, friend.” or go mad by thousands each year. Must our we insisted, have two classes of Trustees—alco- That’s about all there is to this story, except story wait while it is passed around by word of holics and non-alcoholics. But, legally speak- that Cliff brought his “foundling” to his first mouth only, becoming hopelessly garbled mean- ing, what was an alcoholic anyhow, he queried, A.A. meeting that night and added one more while? Finally our friends agreed that some- and if an alcoholic had stopped drinking, was member to the Victoria Avenue Group. But thing needed to be done. But they did continue he an alcoholic any more? Then, why two what Cliff had to say about it later is a story to insist our movement ought never he profes- classes of Trustees? That, said our attorney, all by itself. sionalized. This struck the keynote of our re- was unheard of. We explained that we wanted “You A.A.s,” he said, “have it pretty soft. lation to these men of good will for all the years our friends w i t h us. And besides, we urged, When you get down in the dumps, you can go since. Rightly enough they have never secured suppose all of us alcoholics should get drunk out 12th Stepping. I can’t. A f t e r all, even my us large sums of money. But each has given of at once, who then would hang on to the money! white cane doesn’t give me the privilege of gohimself to our cause, generously and continu- Surmounting many such obstacles, The Alco- ing around smelling people’s breaths. That ously; how much, few A.A.s can ever know. holic Foundation was finally inaugurated. It had night, I guess, the Higher Power look pity on Seeing clearly that we must now spread the four non-alcoholics and three alcoholic Trustees. me—No, I don’t guess; I know He did, because recovery message faster, they then suggested we They could appoint their own successors. It was I went back to Detroit afterwards whistling like might carefully experiment w i t h a small rest chartered to do everything under the sun. So a lark.” home at Akron. This could be presided over by it had everything—except money! For a blind man, Cliff seems to see that aspect Dr. Bob who was, after all, a physician. Where- (To he continued next month) of 12th Step work pretty well.—R.O.H.

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IT’S ALL “YOU” A taxicab driver in Boston couldn’t seem to get the A.A. program. Finally the reason dawned From Manchester, Conn. on him. He was still trying to run his own life, to do battle with the world. Time and time So you’re in A.A. How did you enjoy your first meeting? If you are like the majority of again he would get drunk, and time after time, new members, I imagine that you are a little someone smashed his teeth in. Finally he got mixed up and probably pretty confused as to wise to himself. He q u i t fighting and went along Middletown, Del., Transcript: “An estimated just what the score on A.A. is. Boiled down, with the other fellow in the A.A. that was 420,000 women in the United Stales ‘who drink the solution. too much’ can be expected to ‘smash up’ sooner w h a t you need to know to get started in A.A. is very simple. You’re now associated, in Alcoholics Anony- than the heavy drinkers among men, the Namous, with one of the finest groups of regular tional Health Research Bureau said. The bu- Do you know in your own heart and soul that guys in the world. It is no sissy-pants outfit. reau said Alcoholics Anonymous has found that booze has you licked? Without any sales talk from your w i f e or boss or neighbors? Do you As tough as you think you are, there are a dozen women ‘go to pieces’ at 30, while the average want to get sober and stay sober because you guys who will not only match you but top you. man who drinks to excess ‘lasts’ until he is 40.” and you alone have banged your head against These fellows all want to help you. They are the wall long enough and want to quit? all alcoholics and because they are, they have Newark, N. J., News: “In Russia, when a If you do, then A.A. is your solution. Do to help you, not out of charity, but to keep them- person has tarried too long with friends in a you still think that you can drink beer or wine selves sober. The more time they spend w i t h tavern, the result is likely to be the same as in only and leave the hard liquor alone? If so, you, the less they think about their own head- capitalistic societies. At that point, if there is don’t waste your time with A.A. It has nothing aches and the more they strengthen their own no disorder or violence, police authorities refor you. Go ahead and bang your skull against sobriety. Eventually you will do the same 12th move him to a sobering up station, of which the wall until it really hurts. When you are Step work. there are three in Moscow. There are separate finally, firmly convinced in your own mind that This A.A. program takes some “guts.” But stations for men and women. When a patient the booze has you licked, then A.A. will furnish it’s worth fighting for. And you’re a damn poor arrives at the station he is undressed and given you with the same tools it has furnished to thou- man indeed if you can’t promise yourself in the sands just like you. with them you can get morning that nothing in this world can make a warm bath. If simple medication is needed, started on this, the biggest, the most important, you take a drink until the same time tomorrow he gets that, too. Then he is put to bed and the happiest part of your life. morning. allowed to sleep it off. He is not booked on a Let’s look at the thing with simple logic. For I’ve purposely skipped talking about any spir- police blotter nor does he have to appear in years, during your drinking career, you have itual angle. But as you go along in A.A. you court. When he sobers up and prepares to deviolated every principle that the normal man will gradually, without any heavy thinking, come part full of remorse and better intentions, he is tries to live up to. Drunken driving, fixes, to realize more and more that there is some required to pay 25 rubles, more for moral effect fights, banging up creditors, quarrels with wife Power, bigger than you or A.A., or any other or as cost of the treatment than a fine. If he and neighbors, loss of friends by the score are physical factor, giving you a hand over the has not 25 rubles on him, which could often be some of the black spots. You have gradually tough spots. the case after a night out, he is told to bring it adopted a cynical attitude toward everything. Finally, remember that booze is not for you. around. If he fails to do so a messenger is In short, the world is screwy, and you alone Booze is not the solution to any of your prob- sent to remind him.” are sane. Well, brother, maybe you can con- lems. But A.A. is. When you are “down in vince the world and lick it singlehanded. But I the dumps,” lonely or just fed up with every- St. Louis, Mo., Globe-Democrat: “Representadoubt it. If you can’t even lick booze, isn’t it thing, seek the A.A. boys and not the bottle. tive Taber of New York, chairman of the joint safe to assume that possibly you have been Always remember you’re an alcoholic and a wrong in your mind all these years? Isn’t it pos- sick man. Above all, get it fixed in your m i n d : Senate-House budget committee, says it w i l l be sible that booze has twisted your thinking booze is not the solution to your problem.—V.K. difficult, but ‘we’ve got to cut back spending a around, so that you imagine all the wrong things lot more than the President recommended.’ May that have got you down? we offer a formula? Alcoholics Anonymous, an Just admit, for the sake of argument, that organization of rehabilitated persons who often you have been wrong. Things haven’t been too refer to themselves as drunkards who don’t good lately anyway. You are pretty near on One In A Million drink, works on the theory it’s foolish to vow the rocks; something has to be done about your (Continued from Page 2) grandiosely never to touch another drop. The drinking. Why not quit trying to battle the members merely promise themselves each day whole world and go along with this A.A. pro- England and who had brought the five A.A.s they won’t imbibe for the next 24 hours. From gram? At least give it a try for a few months. in London together for the first time. experience they know even a supersot can stay Figure it out this way: that thousands in these Consider the odds against the meeting of this on the wagon that length of time. Is it too United States and Canada have been in just the American A.A. and his British benefactor! There much to suggest that each congressman greet same spot that you are in, and have gone for were only five A.A.s in the entire city; the hotel each day w i t h a silent personal pledge not to this program in its entirety. They have not only was only one of hundreds in the city of London. remained sober, but have had a good time in A few weeks later, the man and his wife were appropriate an avoidable dollar?” the process. You can do the same. Just be walking along the banks of a river in England. man enough to admit that now you don’t know He turned to her and said: all the answers. Admit that someone else knows “I have been thinking about my friend in From Sarah K., Detroit, Mich. them and that you are going to ask questions London. I believe I know now what the spirinstead of giving screwy answers from now on. itual part of the program means.” “Take it easy, but TAKE it.”

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SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE Hope Is Born for the Hopeless WILL BE HELD IN MEMPHIS Behind Doors of State Hospital The Southeastern Regional Conference of A.A. has been scheduled for Memphis, Tenn., September 19 and 20 with several thousand men and women from 10 states expected to attend. From Forest Hills, N. Y. Through these long years he had been going Registration will begin Thursday afternoon, After having been a member of A.A. for six weekly to the hospital to conduct A.A. meetings Sept. 18, with an informal gathering of memmonths and thinking I had been doing a “good for the benefit of alcoholics committed to this bers that evening. The program proper will job,” I found myself in Creedmoor State Hospi- institution, arranging for their release, occupa- require two full days. In addition to a number tal, as the result of about six weeks’ intermittent tion and rehabilitation afterwards. All this he of inspirational and educational talks by A.A.s, drinking. I had once again taken the “first had been doing in an obscure manner. plans are being made for special conferences on drink.” To a person with no knowledge of hos- It was the only bright spot for me in all of special topics in which there is keen interest, pitals or mental institutions, this is a rude my 126 days stay at the hospital and it gave me such as problems of group secretaries, A.A, club awakening, to say the least. To me, it was the much to think of. The sacrifice and humility room management, sponsorship, hospital and end of my entire life, or so I thought. But A.A. of this man stirred me as no speech from an public relations and others. had taken hold and it took just this experience A.A. platform ever had. I absorbed the A.A. Families, wives, husbands or best friends may to prove to me how it “works” inscrutably. program in Creedmoor as I had never before attend. Activities are being planned for them On the night before going to Creedmoor, I been able to. I learned A.A. I practiced A.A. while the A.A. sessions are being conducted. stood at the window of my room in Bellevue I lived A.A. I was able to assist other alcoholics More specific information on the program and Hospital, knowing the next day I was to enter and in many cases, to assist mental patients who rates for accommodations will be sent out by this institution and feeling crushed to earth. were there because of a drinking problem of the Memphis Group in a series of bulletins. A l l The despair, torture, fear were indescribable. I loved ones in their homes. hotels in Memphis are cooperating and reservalooked out at the moon shining on the river and In state institutions, various occupations are tions are already being made. thought how good the world outside was; how assigned patients as soon as they are prepared Address of the Memphis Group is P.O. Box desolute my future looked; confinement to to work. I did stenographic and secretarial work 1364. what I did not know, or for how long. I was in the office with the staff psychiatrists and terrified. while the approach to alcoholism on the part In the past early days in A.A., I thought I of the psychiatrist is far removed from the A.A. had given my life and my will to God, my program, this A.A. group at Creedmoor has been Higher Power, but it suddenly came to me that able for more than five years to successfully Golden Opportunity I had done so with many reservations, even un- carry on in perfect harmony with the hospital consciously. It was then I saw how it could staff. Alanews, Dubuque, Iowa—”The question never avail me. I must do this thing unreserv- Alcoholics arrive in Creedmoor, broken in arises if there actually is such a person as a edly. In this moment of retrospection, I made spirit; they are sent to A.A. meetings once a hopeless alcoholic. We don’t think so. We the complete renunciation of life and will, lay- week and the majority leave Creedmoor with don’t believe any person is ever placed on this ing them before my God, asking only for physi- hope for the future for they have found A.A. earth and destined to become burdened with an cal strength to bear whatever the future held for They are able to rehabilitate themselves in so- obsession which would be so strangling as to me. Truly this was my spiritual experience in ciety, find happiness for themselves and others preclude any hope of recovery. It’s probably that almost instantly, a wonderful feeling of and best of all, they do not return as a charge axiomatic to say that despair is the only barrier serenity such as I had never known, pervaded of the state. to hope. If one talks to an alcoholic who is in my soul and a great strength of spirit upheld The field is wide open in all state hospitals despair—who believes there is absolutely no me, so that I was ready for the trial ahead. It for A.A. work among alcoholics. it is a most hope—if you meet such a man, your answer is is indeed a trial for an alcoholic to be confined natural thing in a mental hospital for alcoholics tailor made. We believe that every man, no in a hospital with mental patients. to find each other and to cling together. With matter how far he may have strayed from the From that moment, it was evident that God the operation of A.A. group therapy once a normal way of living or how numerous his did completely “take over” and from the begin- week, it becomes a daily therapy where alco- transgressions, will some time in his life, at ning to the end of my stay at Creedmoor, it was holics are in close contact. The older members least once, maybe oftener, be presented with an He who guided and strengthened me, smoothed assist new members and to both it is a source opportunity to return to a decent way of life. the rough paths one finds in such a place, of great comfort. In Creedmoor the alcoholics The very fact that this despairing alcoholic met shielded me and finally released me with peace look forward to Thursday evenings as a special you—you, who are a living, visible proof of and joy and love in my heart. occasion. recovery—the very fact be came in contact with When I entered Creedmoor, I was curious to Since my release, I return weekly to “lend a A.A., that he had a chance to hear about, the know the kind of treatment provided for alco- hand” to this man in charge of the group at program and see what it actually has accomholics. Being in good health, I soon found out Creedmoor and it is the best medicine I can plished—all this constitutes the opportunity and as far as I was concerned, there was no medical think of for an alcoholic. When I reflect upon the means he claimed he’d never get. Whether treatment, but that there was in this institution all I secure in doing this, it is not surprising or not he accepts the opportunity is beside the and had been for the past five years, an A.A. that the founder of this group has more than point, but this person can never again honestly group therapy conducted by a member of the six years of sobriety behind him, that he enjoys say he did not have the opportunity. It is up Forest Hills Group, a man who had been a pa- a way of living rich in serenity, in peace, in joy to us to help him realize that this is his opportient at Creedmoor more than six years ago. and in love.—M.M. tunity.”

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GRAPEVINE GOES TO PRISON GROUPS A.A. Digest—Excerpts from Group Publications A nation-wide move to see that members of Alanews, Dubuque, Ia.—”When a sports pro- and return to his old job behind (or in front A.A. groups in prisons receive The A.A. Grapemoter sponsors a newcomer to the boxing world, of) the bar. But that is exactly what happens vine apparently is developing according to rehe doesn’t merely take his protege down to some in some cases when a so-called sponsor brings cent communications to the magazine office. gymnasium, introduce him to a few other leather a potential new member in the A.A. c l u b rooms.” At least a dozen groups have subscribed to pushers, and tell him from there on he’s on his one or more copies for inmates of nearby Weekly, Jefferson City, Mo. — “Have you own. If he did, he’d never come up with a i n s t i t u t i o n s , the records show, while some are counted your blessings lately? Strike a trial champion. Maybe one or the other of the oldtaking steps to interest other groups in such balance between your condition six months betimers will spar a few rounds w i t h the new projects. fore you were shot in the arm w i t h the idea of man, then lose interest in him. He won’t learn Those already listed include District of Co- A.A. and your present status. Who among us who many of the fine points of the game. A f t e r all, lumbia Workhouse, Occoquan, Va., Newspaper know what a piker John Barleycorn can make if the boss doesn’t take any interest in him, he out of ‘Strangler’ Lewis when it comes to get- Group of Washington, D. C.; Hourst Prison probably doesn’t rate very high. A f t e r a few Farm, Chino, Calif., Los Angeles Group; Fol- ting a hold on y o u , can deny that we are each sessions the newcomer will say ‘to hell with it’ som Prison, Repressa, Calif., Richmond, Calif., and every one a m i l l i o n a i r e many times over; Group; San Quentin, Calif., Richmond, Calif., and by all that’s holy, Uncle Sam can’t tax you on that. There is also no inheritance tax when San Francisco, Oakland and Vallejo, Calif., News Circuit you pass it along to another who has been floun- Groups; California Institute for Women, Te- (Continued from Page 10) hachapi, Calif., Fresno and North Hollywood, dering along trying to break the ‘Strangler’s Groups; I n d i a n a State Prison, Michigan City, tucky metropolis is called the Fall City, pre- hold.” Ind., Benton Harbor, Mich., and South Bend sumably out of respect, for the f a l l guys who Aridity Review, Spencer, Ia.—”The thought Groups; United States Penitentiary, Leaven- rent hotel beds here during the first week in has come to us many times that after all time worth, Kans., Kansas City, Mo. Group; Federal May under the preposterous delusion that the does not change. Time stands still. We keep Correctional Institute, Ashland, Ky., Ashland beds will be slept in. However, it cannot be track of time, we are the ones that change and Group; Nevada Sate Prison, Carson City, Nev., said that the hotel managements are not both are responsible for that change. Periodic check- Reno and Carson City Groups; Ft. Jay, New forehanded and considerate. In one hotel, for ups are h i g h l y recommended and are advisable York, Bronx Groups; Wallkill Medium Security example, there is furnished to each guest, free whether in business or a mechanical device, Prison, W a l l k i l l , N. Y., Newburg, Phoenicia, of charge, the local address of Alcoholics whether p o u l t r y or live, stock. It seems that it South Bronx and Syracuse Central Groups; Anonymous together with the hours of its meet- behooves us alcoholics who have been out of Washington State Penitentiary, Walla Walla, ings and the notation. “Everybody welcome.” tune for v a r y i n g periods of time to keep up Wash., Seattle Groups, and District Alcoholic In another Herald Tribune column Joe H. the personal inventory.” Clinic, Washington, D. C., Washington, D. C. Palmer wrote “And a great many who do see The. Brighter Side, Waterloo, Ia.—”I would Group. The Derby have only a fragmentary idea of rather have people say, ‘Why did you stop drink- Washington, D. C., A.A.s are also active in what they are looking at. It is a combined in”;?’ instead of ‘ W h y don’t you stop drinksending out letters and suggestions to other picnic, old home week, fashion show and a naing?’ ” groups to start similar activities. tional reunion for all persons who have resigned from Alcoholics Anonymous.” A United The Eye Opener, Los Angeles, Cal.—”Very Press story sent out from New York says “Don often The remark is made in an A.A. gathering, Black, former big league bad boy whose es- ‘You can get out of A.A. only what you put into Cut This Out and Mail to: capades sent him back to the minors, was fol- it.’ I prefer to believe that no matter how much P. 0. Box 328 lowing the soda pop trail today to a comeback good I may do, it is but nothing compared to Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. with the Cleveland Indians” and goes on to say the amount of good I have received; that no that he has joined A.A. matter what effort I expend on what number Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) of people, it cannot compare w i t h the effort in for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- my behalf expended by every member of A.A. Publications Change—The Screwball, pubvine (monthly). from the founders down to the newest beginlication of the Deep East Texas Group of Nacog- For additional subscriptions enclose separate doches announces in a recent issue that it is ner. To each member of A.A. I acknowledge sheet with name and address clearly printed. “reborn” with a present circulation of about indebtedness, an indebtedness which I can never Make checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. 250. It serves all groups affiliated with the hope to repay.” Deep East Texas group. Editorial policy “will The Brighter Side, Waterloo, Ia.—”Just about Total Enclosed cling close to the 12 Steps.” From Omaha, the dreariest jokes in the world are the inevi- Renewal? (please check) Nebr., it is reported that The Twelve has grown table accounts of drunken husbands trying to PLEASE PRINT up and become a bi-monthly publication, being sneak into bed w i t h o u t rousing their terriblemailed on the first and fifteenth of each month. tempered wives. One concerns the wily party Name Its purpose is to give a more complete report who paused en route to the kitchen and labori- Address of local and national A.A. activities, to publish ously tied all the pots, pans and trays be could excerpts from other publications and to feature find to a rope. He then proceeded upstairs, articles and news from members of the Omaha dragging the rope behind him and muttering Note: Subscriptions received prior to June 15 groups, including those in neighboring towns h a p p i l y , ‘She’ll never hear me in all this w i l l begin with the J u l y issue. and cities. racket.’ “

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VOL. IV, NO. 2, JULY, 1947. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1947, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

Happy Vacation, With a Few Safeguards ICELAND AND SWEDEN S O, you’re going to take a vacation, we hope. Well then, you know, by this time in A.A., certain unchanging facts, we also hope. You know, for instance, that alcohol and salt water don’t mix, any more than NOW HAVE A.A. GROUPS gasoline and beer. You know that high dives The following groups reported their organiza- when drunk mean a nose dive; that the fish ad — make it buttermilk if you wish, but just tion during the month of May: that bites on a worm isn’t as dumb as you don’t make it you-know-what). CANADA — Duncan, B.C.; Toronto, Ont. (Rose- Vacation time can be and is meant to be dale Group). are if you start nibbling, because the fish pleasant, relaxing and fun. It won’t be for any ICELAND — Keflavick. doesn’t know any better. A.A. who permits it to get him off the beam. SWEDEN — Boras. You know, too, that no real golf course, or at A few simple precautions have helped many A L A B A M A — Eufaula. least no course that you should be playing, has an A.A. to get the fullest enjoyment out of a ARIZONA — Benson; Kingman. a 19th bole. The course stops at the 18th, and vacation even though far from the home group ARKANSAS — Siloam Springs. you should start counting from one again. And and temporarily cut off from the usual A.A. CALIFORNIA — Burbank (Magnolia Park Group); the wise A.A., when he stops for the pause that connections. Corona; Crescent City; Dorris; Downey (Para- refreshes makes sure that the drink is something that really refreshes, not regresses. (That’s no 1. Remember that the axiom, “Once an alcomount Family Group) ; San Francisco (St. holic always an alcoholic,” holds in any local- Francis Men’s Group and South of Market ity in the world and is just as true at the Group) ; Santa Maria. WHERE’D YOU HIDE IT? seashore as atop the Rocky Mountains. CONNECTICUT —Waterbury (24 Club). What was your favorite place for hiding 2. Before leaving, get the addresses of the FLORIDA—Lakeland; New Smyrna Beach; Tampa the bottle? Did you ever have one that groups nearest to the place or places you are (Our Group). wasn’t finally discovered? going to visit. I N D I A N A — I n d i a n a p o l i s (12th Step Group); The A.A. Grapevine is herewith announc- 3. Re-adopt, or carry on, the 24-hour plan. K e n d a l l v i l l e (Noble County Group) ; Ft. ing: Wayne (Wayne Group). 4. Read a little now and then along the way, IOWA — Sioux City (Thursday Night Group). MY BEST HIDING PLACE CONTEST or whenever possible, from A.A. literature or LOUISIANA — Maplewood (Calcasieu Parish kindred books. If you were an ingenious and resourceful Group). bottle hider, you may win a handsome two- 5. Drop a postcard, or if more energetic, a MAINE — Lubec; Rockland. letter, to some A.A. back home. You don’t quart cork or one of the Straight-As-An- MASSACHUSETTS—Jamaica Plain; South Boston; Arrow Co.’s shiny new corkscrews. even have to mention the subject. Writing a Worcester (Group No. 3). Confess, or brag about, your best hiding few words of greeting will help to keep the MICHIGAN — Allegan; Cheboygan. place or places, in a letter addressed to the A.A ties strong for you. MISSOURI — St. Joseph (Downtown Group). Bottoms Up Editor, The A.A. Grapevine, 6. While loafing, take a mental inventory of NEW HAMPSHIRE — Nashua; Portsmouth. Box 328, Grand Central Annex, New York, how much you have gained since you stopped NEW JERSEY —Belleville; Newton. N. Y. drinking. NEW MEXICO — Hobbs. The cleverest hiding places revealed will 7. Remind yourself of how much you stand NEW YORK — Jackson Heights, L. I.; Jamestown be illustrated by A.A. artists in subsequent to lose if you take the first drink. (Alanon Group and Women’s Group) ; New issues. 8. Take conscious notice of how pleasant it (Continued on Page. 6) (Continued on Page 4)

AlcoholicsAnonymous ONE DOCTOR—AN Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alco- A.A—TO ANOTHER holism. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. A.A. has no dues or fees. from Austin, Texas It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober (The following letter is reprinted by special permisand to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. sion of Dr. A.S.T., physician and sturgeon of Seminole, The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps. The A.A. book of experience, Alco- Texas. It was written to a doctor in Abilene, Texas, holics Anonymous, and other literature, including The 12 Points of Tradition, are available through any in response to his inquiry concerning the approach to group or the Central Office, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y. and the treatment of two alcoholic patients under his care.— Editor.)

“Dear Sir:

EDITORIAL: “Your request for information regarding Alcoholics Anonymous has been forwarded to me from the Fort Worth Group for reply. They On the 9th Step . . . . probably felt that I, as an M.D., could better explain certain points to another medical man. “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, “In the beginning, let me introduce myself so that you can understand my altitude, my deep except when to do so would injure them or others.” interest in this organization. I am 36 years of This one sounds simple. And, true, it does not involve some of the more complicated age, a graduate of one of the best medical mental probing required by several of the other Steps. schools. I own and operate my own hospital. I Having already made a list, in applying the 8th Step, “of all persons we had harmed, do general surgery and medicine, and have no and became willing to make amends to them all,” the path is clearly defined with all apologies to make concerning my professional stops plainly marked. All we have to do now is start doing. ability and training. I also am an alcoholic. This latter part I believe I have known for sev- But the “doing” is not easy. It takes considerable courage to confess a wrong, even eral years, but only recently would I admit it. in private, and much more courage to confess it to the person against whom the wrong It was only after a week with the group in Fort was committed. Worth that I really began to understand alco- The list very likely includes one or two previous employers whom we deceived in one holism. The things that I pass on to you are a way or another; friends whose friendship we abused; relatives whose sense of blood combination of known facts and my observations. obligations we exploited; the mate whose trust, patience and persistent hopes we flaunted. “I regret to state that you as a non-alcoholic To each we owe a debt, large or small, and merely saying “we’re sorry” does not dis- will never restore an alcoholic. I, as a plain M.D., can never do it. Neither medicine nor charge the debt. religion has been able to do the trick. Medical In fact, we actually do not have the right to the inward ointment that comes from science can and must treat the very sick alcosaying we’re sorry, unless we also have within us a sincere willingness to repay in full, holic physically. Then, the program of Alcowhatever effort this may cost, and an equally sincere determination not to repeat the holics Anonymous takes over. After that, he is wrongs against anyone. in a receptive mood for church activities or serv- Most of us, by the time we reach A.A., have been going around for a great many years ice to God as be sees it. I will later outline a suggested treatment for the acute stage. saying “we’re sorry” after each wrong and lightly thinking that these words made every- “Living in Abilene, you have a wonderful thing all right again. We’ve been annoyed if someone did not seem to accept our apologies opportunity for service if you are sincerely inas meaning much. How many can hark back and hear himself saying, petulantly, “What’s terested in the problem of alcohol. Because you the matter with him? I said I was sorry, didn’t I?” are a non-alcoholic, I suggest that you confine The 8th and the 9th Steps call for something more substantial, more tangible, more your activities to the physical treatment, but meaningful than words spoken casually. If it’s money that is owed, it has to be paid stimulate the interest of your patient in discussing his problem with an intelligent, restored back to the limit of ability to pay. If it’s a debt of meanness, it has to be paid off with alcoholic who has been saved through A.A. kindness. If it’s neglect, as it is so often of one’s family, then it can be balanced only Your town, I understand, is of about 40,000. by consideration and thoughtfulness. And let’s not forget that debts of this kind — of According to statistics, there are at least 2,000 neglect, thoughtlessness, mistreatment — have been piling up for years. They can’t be men and women to whom alcohol is or will be paid off in two weeks. a problem. Think of 2,000 potentially wrecked The qualifying phrase, “except when to do so would injure them or others,” should homes, lost businesses, injured friends. Think of 2,000 potential drunken driving accidents. prevent anyone from being righteously bullheaded, or stupidly “noble” about this. We Think of 2,000 potential unnecessary deaths or are scarcely making amends if we dig something out of the past in which we had a part hospital commitments. Then think of what you, that will hurt someone else. The privilege of confession does not extend that far. as an intelligent physician, can do to avoid that. A helpful guide in the application of the 9th Step is the reminder that by making “In your city, any two alcoholics could start amends, where we can, we are doing no one else a favor; a favor is done us if those we a group. I believe that if these two men could have wronged accept our offer. (Continued on Page 15)

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Book Publication Proved Discouraging Venture By Bill paid on monthly installments, being too broke to voting on a title for the new work we had dedo otherwise; save, of course, our good friends cided to call it The Way Out. But i n q u i r y by (Second in a series of articles recording the history of A.A.) at Rockefeller Center. Fritz M., our Maryland alcoholic, at The Library Our agreement with the Works Publishing sub- of Congress disclosed the fact that 12 books al- During the summer of 1938 we solicited the well- scribers was that out of the first book income they ready bore that title. Surely we couldn’t make our to-do for contributions to fill that grand new recep- were to get their money back; also that The Alco- book the 13th. So we named it Alcoholics Anonytacle, our Alcoholic Foundation. Again we encoun- holic Foundation was to receive the 10 percent mous instead! Though we didn’t know it, our tered a strange indifference to drunks. Nobody was royalty I might have had from a publisher. As for movement then got its name—a name which beinterested. We didn’t get a cent that I can remem- the shares of Works Publishing, the 49 cash sub- cause of the implication of humility and modesty ber. We were pretty discouraged; apparently scribers were to have one third, my friend Hank has given us our treasured spiritual principle of providence had deserted us. With the modest f u n d one third, and I one third. We also obtained a loan anonymity. from Mr. Rockefeller running out, it looked like of $2,500 from Charles B. T, proprietor of a Five thousand copies of Alcoholics Anonymous a lean winter ahead. There could be no book, no nationally known hospital for alcoholics. A friend lay in the printer’s warehouse, except the few we office. What good, we complained, was an Alco- indeed, he was to wait years to get his money joyously passed around. Each stockholder and holic Foundation without money! back. each story writer got one free. The New York Times By this time there had been roughed out what But, as anyone could then see, everything was did a good review. We hastened to the national are now the first two chapters of the book now all set —every thing, of course, but writing and sell- magazine to tell them we were ready for their known as Alcoholics Anonymous. Our friend Frank ing the book! Hope ran high. Out of the new fi- promised article. We could see A.A. books going referred us to a well known publisher who sug- nancing we could keep a small office going at New- out in carload lots! gested the possibility of advancing royalties to ark, New Jersey. There I began to dictate the text me so the book could be finished. That made us of Alcoholics Anonymous to Ruth H. (our first Things Weren’t Rosy at All feel fine until it was realized that if I ate up a lot national secretary). Rosily we saw scads of money What a debacle! At the office of the great of royalties while doing the book, there could be coming in, once the book was off the press. Still monthly periodical we were gently told they had no more payments for a long time a f t e r w a r d . We more, we expected the new book would turn right entirely forgotten to let us know, nine months saw, too, that my 10 percent royally would never about and help finance our poverty stricken Founbefore, that they had decided to print nothing carry the office expense of answering the pleas d a t i o n — which, strangely enough, it really did years later. about us. The editors had concluded that drunks for help that would surely follow publication. were too controversial a subject! This stunning Nor might a commercial publisher, anxious for Finally came April 1939. The book was done. announcement left us in a daze. The whole Alcosales, advertise it as we would like. Tales of recovery for its story section had been holics Anonymous movement could buy less than supplied by Dr. Bob and his Akron brethren. a hundred books, as it had only one hundred Publishers Without a Book Others were supplied by New Yorkers, New Jermembers. Besides, we had given away 79 free seyites. One came in from Cleveland and another These reflections led us straight into a typical ones! What were we to do with those other thousfrom Maryland. Chapters had been read and disalcoholic fantasy! Why not publish the book our- ands of books? What could we say to the printer, cussed at meetings. I had thought myself the author selves? Though told by almost everybody who whose bill wasn’t half paid? What about that little of the text until I discovered I was just the umknew anything of publishing that amateurs seldom loan of $2,500 and those 49 subscribers who pire of the differences of opinion. After endless produced anything but flops, we were not dis- had invested $4,500 in Works Publishing stock? mayed. This time, we said, it would be different. How could we break the awful news to them? We had discovered that the bare printing cost of Non-A.A. Group How could we tell them that since we had no puba book is but a fraction of its retail price and a licity we could sell no books? Yes, that A.A. national magazine of huge circulation had offered Formed in Austin book venture was, I fear, very alcoholic! to print an article about us when our book was Fourteen wives, mothers and husbands of Thus was the good book Alcoholics Anonymous finished. This was a clincher. How could we miss? members of the Austin. Texas, Group, recently born into bankruptcy. Some of the creditors got We could see books selling by hundreds of thous- formed the Austin Group of Non-Alcoholics restive; the sheriff actually appeared at our Newands— money rolling in! Anonymous. ark office. The promoters were very low — financi- What a promotion it was! An A.A. friend and Plans were made to hold a regular meeting on ally and otherwise. The house in which my wife I hastily organized the Works Publishing Co. My the first Friday of each month and discuss the and I had lived at Brooklyn was taken over by the friend, Hank P., then bought a pad of stock cer- A.A. program and also go over the 12 steps of bank. We took up residence in a summer camp tificates at a stationery store. He and I started sell- N-A.A. These steps, believed by Austin members loaned us by an A.A. friend, Horace C. and his ing them to brother alcoholics and any who would to have originated in Syracuse, N. Y., are being family. My friend Hank fared no better. Things buy at the bargain price of $25 a share. Our adopted by several auxiliary groups. certainly looked bleak. Still only three active A.A. confidence must have been boundless. Not only The N-A.A.s are planning picnics, boat rides, groups, we had acquired besides a bankrupt A.A. were we selling common stock on a book to cure buffet suppers and other social events for the book, one unpaid but loyal secretary, a tiny Cendrunks — t h e book itself hadn’t yet been written. group. The first buffet supper at the clubhouse was tral Office that might have to close any day and Amazingly enough, we did sell that slock, $4,500 such a success that some kind of get-together for an Alcoholic Foundation with no money in it. worth, to alcoholics in New York, New Jersey, and each week is being conducted. All visiting A.A.s That was the score after four years of Alcoholics to their friends. No one of the original 49 sub- and N-A.A.s are invited to join in on these occa- Anonymous. scribers put up over $300. Almost everybody sions. (To be continued)

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LEST WE TRAVEL PATH OF WASHINGTONIANS The Pleasures of Reading From Outwood, Kentucky Kilvert’s Diary, 1870-1879. By the Rev. Francis Kilvert. As a member of A.A. for two years I have (Macmillan, $3) enjoyed and received much help from The A.A. Here are excerpts from the diary of an English clergyman who served certain small villages in Grapevine. Bill’s articles are always tops. Central Wales in the placid seventies. Though it undoubtedly is one of the most unusual, engaging, I would like to add my humble opinion to and artistic literary journals in the English tongue, it is u n l i k e l y to become popular, for it was not certain questions which are discussed in our written in the style to which readers of this era of trashy fiction have become accustomed. Rather, publication. the excitement of its pages is along literary lines. 1. We must keep our anonymity as far as This young curate (he died at 39) had a poet’s temperament, but he loved life and his possible if we expect to be effective. fellow humans. The cleric who wrote these ubiquitous entries was poetic in mind, and jolted down, 2. Stay clear of those who wish to popu- in a very high and unrhetorical sense, prose poetry. For his are notations of the spirit — completely larize A.A. in such a way that eventually articulate, and intensively responsive. may lead to its becoming a racket. We do He recorded every day what was moving to his eyes, ears, and feelings, but most particularly to not need to appeal to the public in any the former two senses. His eye was sharp, and so, too, was his wit — on occasion. He tells of archery way for funds. To commercialize A.A. is on the broad lawns, of picnics on the shore, of his music box, and of his tomcat, Toby. He describes to destroy it. his many friends among the country gentry (he was just a wee bit snobbish, one t h i n k s ) , and speaks 3. Avoid as much as possible holding meet- of the more ordinary villagers, and the inevitable poor folk, though he pretends to “a peculiar dislike ings in churches or any religious houses. to meeting people.” The average alcoholic cannot be won Mostly he is engaged in recording the more radiant surfaces of life, as they were pressed against through any creed or sect. He is skeptical his own beaming spirit, rather than in even mentioning the seamier side of life. His is a record of of religion. things lovely and most present to him which become, for succeeding generations, much later and far-distant. To us, from afar, these are remembrances of things past; serene and lucid images of 4. We are not out to dry up the world. As the halcyon days when Victoria reigned. alcoholics we are sick people. The vast The diarist was a great walker, roaming about the countryside to hear the tales his superstitious majority of people can still take their flock told of the “Giant of Painscastle,” and the other weird legends in which they believed implicitly. liquor or leave it. Those people do not He loved the wildflowers — primroses, violets, and wood anemones which bedecked his church. need A.A. and may never need it. Let’s be While the descriptions of nature in the raw dominate this one volume, edited down from three tolerant with the non-alcoholic. As long as books by William Plomer, the most moving entries deal with the lives of the Welsh country folk. we “stick to our knitting,” live by our 12 His word-pictures of the Welsh woods and mountains are utterly charming. Steps, and offer our help only to those who With truly poetic soul he observed physical beauty of all kinds — in the landscape, the sky, and are powerless over alcohol and whose lives in men and women, but his prose sometimes is f u l l of contradictions. It can be genuine poetry, yet have become unmanageable and who are open to dual interpretation, as, for example, in one entry describing a young girl awakening in willing to go to any extreme to obtain the morning. sobriety, just so long will A.A. be effective. The Rev. Mr. Kilvert had a tender and generous feeling for his parishioners, but he always saw We do not wish to travel the same road as the them with clear eyes. The creed of this least prudish of clerics was “the gentle path.” However, he Washingtonians. does not drip the mawkish sentimentality of the Victorian era. Some entries might have been slightly It is gratifying to see how A.A. has grown. I less inclusive. There isn’t much sense in r u n n i n g an entry such as this one: “Neuralgia very troublethink this is due to its sincerity, the non-profit some.” motive, and the fact that most A.A.s are trying There the diary sounds somewhat like that of a not-too-precocious schoolboy. The first entry was to live the 12 Steps. There is a heap of brother- made when the diarist had just turned 30. Whether he was capable of more formalized writing, hood in this organization which could be de- as some critics have suggested, is beside the point, for, as an intimate chronicler of his times in a stroyed by commercialization in the very Welsh backwater, he was original, entertaining, and craftsmanlike.—R.E.B., Greenwich Village, minutest form.—E.K.D. New York City.

HAPPY VACATION, WITH A FEW SAFEGUARDS (Continued from Page 1) some kind of oil before be goes out to loll on the his usual orbit of thinking wherever he is. The beach. He knows that he’ll get sunburned if he mind is not earth-bound. is to get up in the morning without a hangdoesn’t.. There need be no mishaps for any A.A. who over. Why not apply even that slight degree of intel- sincerely wants to stay on the beam. Or, if that 9. Let your imagination play occasionally ligence to the other aspects of vacation time? statement sounds dogmatic, at least it is true that on how many more opportunities now lie Cases of mishap and misery for the A.A. on he can minimize the dangers almost to the vanahead for a useful and interesting life. ishing point by taking a few precautions which vacation can often be traced to a failure to set 10. And remind yourself, chum, that you up safeguards against the effects of changing the in themselves should add to the pleasures of a didn’t do it all by your own little self. vacation. daily routine. Anyone is likely to be more vul- Simple and perhaps crude as these suggestions nerable to distractions and disturbances when he As somebody once said, it’s not so much a matmay be, they work. is operating out of his usual orbit. ter of learning something new as it is of being Nearly everyone is smart enough to rub on But, it is a fortunate fact that one can hold to reminded of what we already know.

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DREAMS SECOND RATE COMPARED TO A.A. From Ossining, N. Y. I’ve stopped dreaming now. I found the truth in Kipling’s poem, If, in the line that reads: “If you can dream and not make dreams your master.” For years dreams led me far afield, aided and abetted by alcohol. The aura of bigness was my secret companion — my mate in loneliness. I dreamed of wealth — of title — of happiness — and I became lonelier. As I did it, I became more the willing and obedient slave of alcohol — of course not knowing what was wrong with me. I blamed everything on my loneliness — self-pity because not a soul wanted anything to do with me or would have anything to do with me, except the habitues of the bars. I was alone — with the boon — the solace — the conniving fixer of all loneliness — alcohol. That is what I thought then. I could not face tomorrow because I knew today’s dreams would not come true. Yesterday’s had not materialized so how could I expect today’s would come true tomorrow? But I kept on dreaming any way. It was f u n — or so I thought. Maybe it helped me cling to that bit of sanity I had to retain if I were to circulate among normal folks w i t h whom I came in contact in a vague sort of a way. I don’t know — and I really don’t dare now. But it was a year ago when I wound up what I like to think of as my last swirl in the whirlpool. I was Mr. Big Shot for three weeks. Of course I ran out of money, but that didn’t matter as anyone in A. A. knows. I borrowed to the l i m i t . My “credit rating” was excellent in all the local bars. From all my “friends” — the bartenders — I secured funds to continue my dizzy whirl. They admonished me with “Why don’t you stop this? You are too nice a guy to be doing it.” They were well-meaning, no doubt. But they let me have what I wanted when I needed it. But I was still dreaming. I was a different person in every town which I visited. I ran the gamut of occupations. That I could talk, either sensibly or insensibly, was due, I suppose, to the fact that I had 20 years of newspaper experience in back of me. tomorrow I won’t have any regrets. A. A. and its gentle but persuasive method of Oh, yes, I was impressive. I could cite facts, A simple formula, in effect, but difficult for rehabilitation gives you an appreciation of life figures, places, and important people, whether I most of us to grasp because we are re-educating without the fanfare — without the promises you knew them or not. I was Mr. Big Shot. ourselves on how to live, whether alone or with never keep and could not keep — without the But I was still dreaming. others. I don’t have that loneliness any more be- ostentatious show of ego. Today I don’t dream any more. I t h i n k of cause what I am doing today is something con- You are now a segment of a sane and happy tomorrow in terms of yesterday. That is, I know crete and worthwhile for me — and others. I have group of people who are getting a value from I can’t correct today what I did wrong yesterday no time to dream as I once did, because the life for something given. You no longer try to so why should I worry about the mistakes I might things I am doing or planning to do will affect take all — you no longer do it alone — you’ve make tomorrow? But I always had. I had never someone beside me. lost self-pity — self-centeredness. You are no heard of doing anything else but that, until I The dreams are no longer ethereal, alcoholic- longer selfish. You are selfless. came into A. A. Now I am learning how, and inspired visions. They are plans — not hallucina- It is wonderful and miraculous, isn’t it? Eswilling to learn more. I am trying to make to- tions of how big I am — how good I am — how pecially when you think back a year, nine months day’s foundations as firm as possible so that I am the Great I Am! or even less.—Eric E. T.

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Reference Library: Alcohol—A Management Problem ( E d i t o r ‘ s Note: The following article, reprinted by per- ging the alcoholic, which, of course, is the surest can only come after a l i t t l e t a c t f u l , persistent mission, appeared on the editorial page of the May 9th issue of Printers’ Ink.) method of driving him to the fancied consola- probing, comes s y m p a t h y . And with s y m p a t h y This is a difficult column to write. Many peo- tions of drink. Others ignore the problem, say- comes the first stage to reclamation. Too few executives understand that with very ple may misunderstand it—and in so many d i f – ing, “John is a good guy. He’ll work himself ferent ways. out of it.” Others look at the problem as simply few exceptions the alcoholic cannot save himself So, at the start, I had better make it clear that one of a desperate craving on the part of the by himself. That is the basis on which Alcoholics I am not a prohibitionist. I lived too long under alcoholic which has its roots in some mysterious Anonymous works. the shadow of the Great Experiment. But I find twist of metabolism that has no relation to a Let’s recognize the tremendous tax alcoholism that anybody who tries to take a square look at man’s childhood frustrations, his home problems levies on business. Then let us get an appreciaor his fear of business failure. tion of its causes. Then let us cease to treat the the problem of alcohol in business is likely to be accused by the extreme wets as a prohibition- I have found, on The other hand, a small minor- alcoholic as a k i n d of stubborn, wayward outist and by the extreme drys as a secret encour- ity of executives, particularly in larger com- cast. And if we are the head of a small company, panies, who have gone at the problem in the and cannot afford to lure the best medical help, ager of drunkenness. I hope I am neither. right way. They have hired trained medical men let us put the alcoholic in touch with the best More than a year ago I spent an evening with to work with alcoholics. I have found a few medical advice or with the nearest member of a group of company heads. One of them began to talk about his sales manager, who was engaged others who go out of their way to cooperate w i t h Alcoholics Anonymous. And, above a l l , let us remember the words of in d r i n k i n g himself out of a job and a home. that great organization, Alcoholics Anonymous. In some cases these are men whose own careers Sir Thomas Browne: “No man can justly cen- Within an hour, every man in the group told of similar experiences he was having or had had have been saved by A.A. sure another because no man t r u l y knows an- The first approach to the problem is, of course, other.” w i t h men of promise and achievement whose great weakness was that they could not take to have an understanding of the alcoholic and C. B. Larrabee his background. With that understanding, which President and Publisher, Printers’ I n k alcohol or leave it alone. Since that time I have talked with a great many executives. I have found that almost all of them, too, have the some problem in their own com- A. A. Digest — Excerpts from Group Publications panies. I doubt if any of us, except those who The Paradox, Kansas City, Mo.— “What we are The A.A. Beacon, Victoria, B.C., Can.—”The have made a deep study of alcohol and business, going to be in the future depends on what we do enthusiasm and apparent insight shown by some realize to what an extent this problem spreads through all business. now. The future is a reflection of our thoughts patients at the beginning of treatment is not due What bothers me is that so many executives do and acts in the present. Sobriety, tolerance and to a true understanding, but is due to an alcoholic not or cannot see that this is not as much a per- creative thinking will build for us a peace of euphoria; it may be followed in a few weeks by mind never to be found in a bottle.” revolt; only after that can f u l l cooperation be sonal problem of the man who is losing his fight expected.” with alcohol as it is a management problem. I am Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Ia.—”it surprised that so many business men have so will help us to make peace with ourselves if we Alanews, Dubuque, Ia.—”Sponsorship is both little understanding of or interest in modern realize that in this battle for self-discovery or an individual and a group responsibility. It is medical and psychological findings about the recovery we need not emerge either a genius or entirely u n f a i r , impractical and even uncharitcauses of alcoholism. I am appalled at the num- a saint. It will be enough if we hang two com- able to expect one or a few i n d i v i d u a l s to take ber of business heads who encourage junior ex- forting mottoes on the inner walls of our in- care of every potential new member. Yet this ecutives to be what is called “good entertainers” dividual souls. First is, ‘Respect yourself.’ The happens all too often. When several persons are and then have no compunction about casting second is ‘Trust yourself.’ Respect yourself in need of help at the same time, no i n d i v i d u a l aside the alcoholic when he becomes a problem with all your shortcomings and achievements. can give the necessary attention to any of the instead of an asset. cases. Even the o r d i n a r y case requires special Trust yourself to master the undesirable traits Some executives approach The problem by nag- of your character and to achieve both relative attention, not for a day, but for weeks. In many groups this process of r e h a b i l i t a t i o n of alcoholics inner decency and outer confidence. Such knowlis a continuous job, even if there are only a few New Groups (Continued from Page 1) edge and trust will tend to eliminate our all-too candidates each m o n t h . When the sponsoring human tendency to self-contempt. They will be York City (Riverside Group); Richmond duties are left to, or are assumed by a few infertile sources of that true love of self, which Hill, L. I. dividuals, there’s bound to be a notable lack of neither exaggerates its powers nor minimizes OHIO—Attica. success. Sponsors, like anyone else, have busiits worth.” OKLAHOMA. — Ada. nesses or jobs to attend to, and while they are P E N N S Y L V A N I A — C h a r l e r o i ; J o h n s t o w n (St. The Clarion, California Institution for Women, w i l l i n g to make any sacrifice called for, it is Thomas Group) ; Lancaster. Tehachapi—”There are those who wonder how s i m p l y impractical and even imprudent to con- SOUTH CAROLINA — Cheraw. A.A. can be of benefit inside an i n s t i t u t i o n , in t i n u e such sacrifices month a f t e r month and even TENNESSEE — Tiptonville. that we are of necessity physically dry. To be year after year. Further, when the work is left TEXAS — Lampasas; Plain view. mentally dry is another story and it is upon that to a few the results are often u n f a i r to those who VIRGINIA — Emporia. which we work, trying to remove the character need expert guidance in those critical first weeks. WASHINGTON— Mt. Vernon (Group No. 2). structures which create problems in our every- The just don’t get the attention they need and WISCONSIN — Janesville. day life.” deserve.”

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VINO VIGNETTES: The Hard Way It was 9:30, time for the collection. When the grinning boy was fighting a cup of coffee poured chairman asked for a volunteer to pass the hat, by a maid. I got up and started for the back of the room. At “Hello,” he said. “Didn’t think I would rethe end row, I shoved the old felt hat down the member, did you?” line, Because it was a rainy night, only about 20 “No,” I answered, taking off my coat. It ocpersons were present. I figured we would do well curred to me that this morning was the first to take in $5 toward the rent. Saturday I had been out of bed at 8 o’clock in 1 was wrong. The first man to grab the hat put years! in a $5 bill. I look a good look at this big-hearted “You seem nervous. Why don’t you take one guy. He was plastered. Now we’re just a little small drink?” I asked. group and we don’t particularly care about fi- “You mean taper off. That’s no way to sober nances. Matter of fact, we prefer to be a trifle up. I’m gonna do it the hard way.” “in the red.” I knew, too, that only a guy half- We talked together all morning and I could (Some of the greatest story-tellers of them all way in the bag would put in a fin so I made a see that he was getting more nervous a l l the time. have been alcoholics. A column of such stories point of looking him up after the meeting. Yet, I couldn’t persuade him even to take a glass should be made to order for A.A.s. So this will He was one of those well-dressed, grinning of beer. This guy could take it. At noon, the be the A.A. column of stories, chitchat, tidbits, drunks. You know the kind I mean. Kind of maid brought in lunch. He made a strong effort oddities, t a l l tales and trivia. We believe that cynical and with an “amused-by-it-all” look. But to eat but finally gave up. After lunch, we talked every A . A , has a f a v o r i t e story. Or several. Re- he was amiable and seemed pleased when I look some more. I left him at 3 o’clock. Somehow, he member that the first liar hasn’t got a chance . . . him aside to speak to him. seemed a trifle calmer. but we’ll welcome competition. We will allow “Well, fellow,” I said, “You probably don’t “Thanks for coming,” he said as I put on my you the usual 15% for alcoholic exaggeration. realize it but you kicked in with $5 tonight. Here coal. “Yon won’t believe me but I am not t a k i n g Send us your favorite story. Just mail it to: it is. How about making it a buck?” a drink tonight either.” Bottoms Up Editor, The A.A. Grapevine, Box He grinned at me, look the fin and fished out As I walked away from the house I got to 328, Grand Central Annex, New York.) a roll of bills. he peeled off two $1 bills and thinking of his history. He was an alcoholic. gave them to me. There was no doubt about that. Had been having Out in Chicago they tell of a new member’s “Thanks,” he said, “I did think I was putting trouble for 15 years. He hadn’t suffered much unorthodox entry into A . A . This alkie was sleep- in a dollar.” financially. In fact, he told me that he made ing off a d r u n k in the back room of a friend’s “How about talking to me?” he asked. “I’m money in the market whether he was d r u n k or bookstore. While he was out of this world, an a different type of alcoholic. My wife doesn’t sober. He had experienced ten different “cures.” A.A. who had forgotten about not taking the first want me to stop drinking.” His last effort at quitting the stuff had been an d r i n k , staggered into the store w i t h a copy of When I returned, he seemed a little drunker. a w f u l failure. A lay therapist had been working Alcoholics Anonymous under his arm. He wanted I felt that under the circumstances I couldn’t do with him for ten months. Yes, he had heard of to sell it for the price of a drink. The storekeeper him much good. You know how it is. You just A.A. but figured that it couldn’t help him. bought it and gave it to his drunken friend in can’t seem to get the story across to a guy while He told me that his wife was an alcoholic, too, the back room. The guy read the book and has he’s in the bag. but that she didn’t want to stop drinking. She been a member of A.A. ever since! “Come on,” he said. “Tell me all about it.” didn’t want him to stop either because she liked I tried to tell him about A.A. but gave up when cocktail bars and the drinking crowd. His wife’s One of the editors of The A.A. Grapevine is I saw that he was in no mood to understand. idea was that he cut down on drinking. He tried also an editor on a national magazine. Early one Yet, I felt I’d better do the best I could because it but it didn’t work. Always ended up drunk. morning the telephone rang in the editor’s apart- the guy wouldn’t be there at all if he had no He said that he had walked into the meeting ment and his wife answered it. “Is this T’s apart- problem. So I said: more or less by accident. He was “touring” ment?” a voice asked. “Yes,” answered T’s wife, “Listen, fellow. If you remember this talk to- Greenwich Village and happened to see the “but he’s still asleep.” “Don’t bother to wake morrow, telephone me. Here’s my name, address crowd in the room. So he wandered in. He said him,” the voice said, “Just tell him I am the and telephone number.” that he decided to stay after be realized that he correspondent from St. Louis. I’ll call him later.” I never thought I would see him again. was in an A.A. meeting. The wife, thinking that the voice was from a At 8 o’clock the next morning the telephone I called his home on Monday and was surcorrespondent for this periodical, said: “I’m rang in my apartment. It was my grinning friend. prised to learn that he had gone to the office. sure T w i l l want to talk to you. In the meantime A tremulous voice said: I figured that he had taken a large number of is there a n y t h i n g I can do for you?” “Yes,” said “Say, am I too early for you? I’ve been awake drinks after I left. But he fooled me. I called his the voice, “can yon give me the address of Mr. since 3 o’clock. Would you come out here and office. He was at his desk, apparently trying to L?” “I’m sorry I don’t know him, but I can talk to me? I’m nervous but I haven’t had a work. give you the number of the Intergroup,” the wife drink today.” “How about lunch?” I asked. said. “What’s that?” asked the voice. “Oh, that’s “I’ll be there,” I said, wondering how in the “Sure,” he said, “but I still can’t eat anything.” the office in New York where you can get in touch devil the man remembered anything about last At lunch he looked a lot better. He was still with almost any alcoholic,” continued the wife. night. nervous but was just as stubborn about taking a The voice let that pass. “Is the office open to- When I arrived at his home, I could see this drink. He asked if I would go to another meeting day?” asked the voice. Thinking the voice meant guy was in the chips. A butler answered the door with him that night. We went and he listened to (Continued on Page 16) and escorted me to a panelled den where old (Continued on Page 8)

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BELIEVES 1st STEP Men of Extinction LET’S CONTINUE HAS BECOME A “MUST” From Linda Vista, California (The fourth in a series of portraits of men who TO STAND ALONE We say or used to say there are no “musts” enjoyed the finer things in life.) in A.A. that was true when the book was written From Cleveland, Ohio because at that time. A.A. was in the f o r m a t i v e stage and e v e r y t h i n g was really t r i a l and error. the two most w i d e l y discussed, and most wel- There was no s u b s t a n t i a l proof that A.A. would come, too, articles t h a t have appeared in The w o r k in more than a few cases. The major por- A.A Grapevine, were Dr. Silkworth’s a r t i c l e on t i o n of A.A. is s t i l l trial and error and I hope the so-called alcoholic “mind”—and Bill’s recent it w i l l a l w a y s remain that way because we are long needed declaration on the dangers of bed e a l i n g with i n d i v i d u a l s and each case differs. c o m i n g a l l i e d w i t h various outside a c t i v i t i e s . But the fact r e m a i n s that a l t h o u g h each case Good. And so, from an outsider w h o most differs in t h e final a n a l y s i s the basic starting e v i d e n t l y has a keen insight i n t o A.A. a c t i v i t i e s point is the same. Each i n d i v i d u a l finally has to and purposes, I would like to quote. admit t h a t “he is powerless over alcohol and Because of v a r i o u s circumstances it becomes that his life is unmanageable”; therefore I be- necessary for the group of which I am a member, lieve that the 1st Step in the program of A.A. to find new quarters ( a f t e r seven years in our has passed the t r i a l and error stage and that we present meeting rooms). .So, we visited the pastor have come to the place where we can and should of one of the large churches; and in being corsay that the alcoholic must s w a l l o w that 1st d i a l l y i n v i t e d to make use of their facilities, we ex- Step hook, l i n e and sinker. He must chew it up pressed our sincere thanks but weren’t too sure and digest it so t h o r o u g h l y that it is absorbed that it might not e n t a i l more, expense than we into his system and becomes a l i v i n g part of him. ca red to assume. If necessary he could and s h o u l d develop as much The assurance that it w o u l d cost us nothing at of an obsession not to drink as he used to have all — w h i l e g r a t i f y i n g — was not to our l i k i n g to take a d r i n k , His “no thank you” must become either. We said, A . A . prefers to pay its way in as automatic a thing to him as his f o r m e r “don’t all of our f u n c t i o n s . This brought the f o l l o w i n g care if I do ‘ answer to an i n v i t a t i o n or urge to very s i g n i f i c a n t reply:— “Yes, I k n o w you do, drink. and therein rests one of y o u r greatest strengths; That 1st Step is the keystone of the arch, the as long as you remain w h o l l y self-sufficient you hub of the wheel or the corner stone of any w i l l be effective. Don’t ever let yourselves become structure he wishes to build out of his remaining involved with any outside agencies—don’t ever life. The whole A.A. program, for the alcoholic, let anyone else beside yourselves f u r n i s h you revolves around it or is based on it. There is no money or ‘advice.’ As soon as you do, you lose use in c o n t i n u i n g the treatment for a n y disease your ‘certain something’ peculiar to your fine u n t i l the patient has arrived at a decision that he mission — I have seen many fine purposes dishas the disease he is being treated for, because as sipated through the good intentions of outsiders.” long as he is not thoroughly convinced that he Thus, from a very wise man, not associated has the disease he will not follow through on A.A, where we should tell the new man that he with A.A., but with great experience with other the doctor’s orders. And when he doesn’t follow must get that 1st Step and get it good. The evi- Christian activities — and entirely in sympathy the doctor’s orders he has a relapse or recurrence dence is all in favor of that statement and conwith A.A. — comes seasoned confirmation of of the disease. clusion.— J.F.H. what. Bill points out to all A.A.s, the danger of The first step in the diagnosis of his case is ever becoming allied in any way with any other for him to really make a decision that he is an welfare movements. alcoholic and that his life is unmanageable. Then Vino Vignette No manager of a ball team that was constantly he is ready for the treatment to take effect. (Continued from Page 7) winning, would think of breaking up the team The treatment for the alcoholic is the balance everything that was said, met a few people and for experiment. If they went into a long losing of the program of A.A., the other 11 Steps. And went home. streak — then he might experiment. Hence, in the best part of it is that the balance of the pro- All of this happened about a year ago. He has the name of Heaven above, why should A.A. gram, although it comes slow to most of us, benever taken a drink. For the first few weeks he even for a moment ever give thought to breaking comes a pleasure and a joy to try and live by. went to a meeting every night. After two months, up a winner? I, for one, am thankful that I didn’t have any sudden spiritual awakening, because if it had his wife joined him at meetings. Now, they’re There have been hundreds, perhaps thousands been too easy at the start I probably would have both doing okay. of books written on alcoholism — yet only one done the some thing I had always done before, The other day I asked him what he thought was ever written by drunks, for drunks. Alcolost interest or said, “This is a cinch. All I have of A.A. holics Anonymous has proven to be the only to do is not drink.” If that had happened I would “A.A. helps me but it was absolutely refusing book ever written for lay drunks — and that is have missed the boat and by this time I would to take a drink that first day that fixed me. I told all we ever were. have been drowned and forgotten. you the hard way was the only way to stop Let’s, above all, keep our amateur standing.— So I say that we have come to the place in drinking.” DickT.

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A.A.’s Country-Wide News Circuit Hospitalization Works Well — Since last fall tation to A.A.s vacationing in Michigan to attend do not believe that they are alone in sponsoring when arrangements were made with Supt. A. F. meetings at Clare every Wednesday night and at this sort of program, they hope that others will be Branton of Baroness Erlanger Hospital in Chat- Mt. Pleasant every Thursday evening at 8:30 at interested in the results of their work with patients tanooga, Tenn., to admit alcoholic patients under St. John’s Parish house, corner Locust and Wash- and personnel. They estimate that about a third of A.A. sponsorship, all who have had hospitaliza- ington. Further information may be obtained from the patients at Perry Point and in other veterans’ tion have come to meetings since their release Box 121, Mt. Pleasant or Box 28, Clare. This hospitals are alcoholic. Two A.A.s who joined the from the hospital. Due to the shortage of nurses group was formed a little over a year ago with Baltimore Group after being released from Perry and attendants Chattanooga A.A.s provide some- four members and now has over 20. Point decided to visit friends made while they one to stay with each patient 24 hours per day. were patients. These became bi-monthly visits and These can be special nurses, members of the School Class Studies A.A.—Recently the arrangements were made to hold regular meetings. patient’s f a m i l y or members of A.A., the schedule secretary of the newly formed Neosho, Mo., Group At first some members of the staff were uncertain being so arranged that A.A. gets at least eight received a letter from a high school student at as to reaction of the patients but after a few seshours a day with the patient to present The pro- Grandby who said that his high school health class sions they not only sanctioned the meetings but gram along with the drying-out process. Expense had been studying A.A. via magazines and re- urgently requested that they be continued, and one is borne by the patient and based on ability to quested literature and i n f o r m a t i o n on how A.A. is enthusiastic doctor considers the meetings part of pay. The Chattanooga A.A. clubroom at 309 Ferger run, its financial backing and other features. The patients’ treatment although they are not required Building was redecorated recently with new f u r – new secretary wrote in part, “the health point of to attend. Meeting attendance has grown from n i t u r e t h r o u g h o u t . A t e l e p h o n e was i n s t a l l e d view on A. A. is a hard one to grasp. We are not doc- about ten a year ago to around 50 and is continu- (6-9753) and in addition to closed meetings on tors nor scientists. We are amateurs, 40,000 strong, ing to expand. Many who have been discharged Tuesdays and open meetings each Friday, the club- who have pooled our information, and who have from the hospital have joined A.A. groups in their room is open each Monday for the purpose of many times been the guinea pigs for experiments respective localities. Baltimore A.A.s have found introducing the A.A. program to prospective mem- which determined eventually what makes an alco- that four speakers each limited to 12 minutes, bers. Newspaper articles in both local papers holic. The conclusions are simply this: Alcoholism with a few remarks by the physician in charge, carried these announcements. In addition Chat- is an incurable disease. A n y alcoholic can arrest makes up a good hour’s program.They also believe tanooga A.A.s have made talks on alcoholism to the i l l effects and bodily ailments caused by drink- the spiritual angle should be brought into the the Pastors Association, at a dinner meeting at ing if he abstains. He can never drink normally, meetings, but should be handled cautiously at the First Christian church and at an open meeting and perhaps never completely rid himself of the first as most of the patients are transients and at Head House where they appeared with promi- desire to drink. Alcoholism is the sixth greatest their reactions should be studied carefully. Women nent visiting speakers. Some members of the Chat- health menace in the United States, and those speakers have proved useful in showing that drinktanooga Group met with Rome, Ga. members at afflicted should be treated as people who are very ing is not a male problem alone. Lafayette, Ga., recently to help start a group in ill. To finance our efforts we, as members, volunthe latter town. City authorities lent the court- tarily take care of the expense we go to in order New Papers Received— The Sahara is the room of the city hall and promised cooperation. to help other alcoholics. There is, of course, a name of a new publication from Birmingham, Ala., Chattanooga members and their wives have a central office, and it is also kept solvent by volun- with an illustrated front cover, and a full explana- Dutch treat dinner at a restaurant or hotel the tary contributions, the sale of the A.A. book and tion of A.A. in its first issue. In addition to articles first Saturday night in each month. other literature. Should you need further explana- the 10 pages carry a considerable amount of news. tion you should write to P.O. Box 459, Grand Although listed as the eighth issue the May 25th Miami Activities “Growing—After a d m i t t i n g Central Annex, New York. Maybe this will make Alky Argot of Wisconsin State Prison at Waupun, “it is possible that no other group has remained you the top man in your health class.” Wis., is the first issue received by The A.A. Grapedormant as long as Miami (six years),” a correvine. Consisting of eight mimeographed pages it spondent reports considerable activity. The delayed California Suggestions—No charge for ideas contains articles, news and humor. growth is reported as “probably due to f a i l u r e to is made by the Central Group of Los Angeles, recognize the importance of the new member — Calif., which has recently passed along a couple. When one member died recently a few others Tulsa Reports “Happy Group”—When the consequences being that our turnover has been about 200 A.A.s with an additional 100 relatives tremendous.” However, four neighborhood groups decided instead of b u y i n g flowers in his memory and visitors celebrated the third anniversary of the as well as the downtown group are now operating to donate four A.A. books to the Public Library. Tulsa, Okla., Group recently the general opinion under an inter-group steering committee made up Each book has a suitable inscription on the flyleaf was that “disagreements are few and bickerings from a representative of each group. This pro- and a copy of the meeting directory pasted in the aren’t allowed to occur.” Tangible evidence of the vides Greater Miami w i t h three open and three back. Members feel the volumes will help carry on the work the- former member loved so well. spirit is shown in such items as rent paid in adclosed meetings a week as well as a women’s auxvance for a year, $6,000 worth of furniture and iliary club. A hospitalization f u n d set up to under- Another idea from Central which has worked well is having a meeting conducted by a woman A.A. equipment and $1,000 in the treasury. A.A. came write the expenses of new members has been operwith all women speakers once every six weeks. to Tulsa in 1944 when a young business man got a ating two months with 23 patients receiving benecopy of the book and as he had graduated from fits; all are meeting their obligations. Along with Working With Veterans—”Consider Perry several institutions from Texas to New York, began the expansion has come The Anona News, a mimeo- Point” is the conclusion of the Baltimore, Md., attending meetings in Oklahoma City, 125 miles graphed publication. Central Group after experiences at the U.S. away, twice a week. Then came a luncheon meet- Michigan Visitors Invited—The Clare-Mt. Veterans’ Hospital for the m e n t a l l y ill about 40 ing in Tulsa with visiting A.A.s and two other Pleasant Central Michigan Group extends an invi- miles from Baltimore. Although Baltimore A.A.s (Continued on next page)

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prospects including the chief of police. Small office group there recently. From the story the speaker day at 4:30. WLEE, Richmond radio station, meetings, then a meeting with Oklahoma City termed Talbot the “patron saint” of A.A. and said recently completed a six-months weekly A.A. re- Group members in a union hall and the group his own work with heavy drinkers of all creeds has broadcast o f p r o g r a m s o r i g i n a t i n g i n D e t r o i t . was really launched. Meeting in various homes, been made much more successful since he him- State officials and judges attended the Richmond w i t h wives a i d i n g in serving luncheons, the group self has been r e a d i n g a n d s t u d y i n g the A.A. banquet. Governor W. M. Tuck sent an official has continued to expand, graduating to larger program. representative while state officials present included meeting places, aided by newspaper and radio Hunter Miller, incoming c h a i r m a n of the state publicity. By 1945 when the group numbered Many Attend Open Meetings — Orange alcoholic beverage control board and Dr. Joseph about 40, a hall was secured and reconditioned as County and Harbor Groups sponsored a huge E. Barrett, state commissioner of mental hygiene a clubroom which was formally opened with vis- j o i n t meeting in the New Masonic Temple, Long and hospitals. itors from Kansas City, Dallas, Houston and other Beach, Calif., recently with the six Orange County Groups, three Long Beach Groups, San Pedro, Memphis and Madison Celebrate—In cities. Our correspondent writes, “Almost every Wilmington, Signal Hill and Downey j o i n i n g anticipation of the third anniversary of A.A. in conceivable business, profession and trade is reptogether. Special invitations were accepted by Memphis, Tenn., 400 attended an open meeting resented. About 25 percent of our members have m a n y clergymen, doctors, w e l f a r e a n d c i v i c held at the Hotel Chisca. Among other activinever had a slip and probably another 50 percent officials, police and juvenile officers and others ties in Memphis is the redecoration of the club have sailed a straight course after getting their interested in the problems of alcohol in their com- room w i t h a b r i g h t e r and p l e a s a n t e r effect bearings. We have about 20 women members and munities. Reservations for the 750 seals in the although Clubroom Director Bess W is reported some 10 or 12 husbands and wives, both alcoholics. hall were made with standing room for others. to have lost 10 pounds in the process. Called the We have classes for new members, membership A university professor was the principal speaker first annual dinner, since it is planned to make meetings and open houses. We employ a full-time with others giving typical A.A. talks. The Ottawa, it a yearly affair, The get-together of the Badger secretary and clubroom manager and are open Can., Group was host to members and friends at Group in Madison, Wis., was attended by about 10 or more hours every day. Come out and see us an open meeting at the Justice Building Annex 120 members and guests. Speakers came from sometime.” with three members of the group speaking and one the Minneapolis and Chicago Groups. Founded R.I.C.E.A. Incorporated —Recently incor- giving the story of A.A. and the Ottawa Group, in December, 1946, the Badger Group numbered p o r a t e d as The Rhode Island Committee for while others told of the advantages of A.A. and 37 members a f t e r five months, and is the second Education on Alcoholism, a group of the state’s ways to combat alcoholism. Several clergymen in Madison. citizens, including representatives of the Round were among the 100 attending, this being the first Skid Row Feels A.A. Impact —A San Fran- Top Group of Providence has laid the foundation meeting to which they were invited. Visitors were cisco newspaper article begins “Down along San for a campaign to “increase public understanding present from many places including Hull, Quebec, Francisco’s Skid Row, for a l i t t l e army of approxiof alcoholism, its nature and its treatment.” The Arnprior, Ont., Renfrew, Ont., and Smith Falls, mately 300 persons who were bums once and are u n i t will be affiliated with the National Committee Ont. Recently there were visitors from Vancouver, men again, the talking mice don’t climb out of the for Education on Alcoholism. An executive com- B.C. and from the Beacon Hill Group of Victoria, necks of bottles any more.” Then the article goes mittee has been named and sub-committees are to B.C., both of whom spoke. on to tell of the transformation of their lives when be chosen. on January 20 the big sun-flooded club at 235 Seventh Anniversary in Baltimore — Minna Street was opened. A one-time Catholic Neighboring Groups get Together— About 250 members and guests attended the shelter, it became U n i t Fourteen of A.A. in San Members of the Atlanta, Ga., Group held joint seventh annual dinner of Baltimore, Md., A.A. in Francisco. By way of creating atmosphere a big meetings with three other Georgia Groups in the grand ballroom of the Lord Baltimore Hotel. American flag and a picture of firm-chinned Griffin, LaGrange and Thomaston recently with Non-A.A. speakers and guests included the Rev. Admiral Halsey were tacked up to encourage from 20 to 30 of the Atlanta Group making each Thomas G u t h r i e Speers of B r o w n M e m o r i a l the fighting spirit. The article goes on to tell of the t r i p . In Griffin and Thomaston the meetings were church, Dr. Edward Kerman, T. J. S. Waxter, di- brave struggles made by many who are finding a held in homes of members and in LaGrange at rector of public welfare of Baltimore, Warden Price way out and concludes: “Medicine and the clergy the First Methodist church, whose pastor, Rev. of the state penitentiary, Lonnie Staar of Station have tried for years to cure these people and failed. Charles S. Forester, attended the Yale Clinic semi- WFBR, Dr. John Krantz, head of the University Now, w i t h something in t h e i r own souls, they are n a r last s u m m e r . The groups i n G r i f f i n and of Maryland School of Pharmacology, Dr. John c u r i n g themselves. Some day, brother, there won’t Thomaston were both formed recently and being Evans, Dr. Hood, superintendent of Perry Point be any Skid Row.” only about 30 miles apart, plan to alternate attend- Veterans’ Hospital and Dr. Ayd, psychiatrist of ance at each other’s meetings. An Intergroup the same hospital and specialist on alcoholism. Report Growing Pleasures —On July 3 the Hudson Valley meeting at Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Guests were present from Philadelphia, Washing- Delray Beach, Fla., Group passes the six-months heard speakers from eight Hudson Valley towns, ton, Wilmington, Hanover, Los Angeles, New mark with a growth from the original three found York, Richmond, Alexandria and other cities. ers to at least 16 members and several prospects. Kingston, Newburgb, Middletown, Liberty, Peek skill, Ossining, Hudson and Poughkeepsie. The Still meeting in homes, they hope to have a per- March of Time movie “Problem Drinkers” was Convention Marks Fourth Year —the manent place before winter when many visitors shown to the attendance of over 150. Poughkeepsie Richmond, Va., Group celebrated its fourth anni- from the North are expected. The group pays speakers later went to Liberty to conduct a versary by holding a two-day regional A.A. con- t r i b u t e to the Palm Beach C o u n t y Group for meeting. vention. At the first day banquet speakers from assistance as well as to the one in Ft. Lauderdale Fayetteville, N. C. and from Arlington, Va., were while a visit by Dr. Bob, co-founder of A.A., Tells of “Patron Saint”—A talk on the life heard by approximately 300 A.A.s and wives from encouraged the members. Although the Fairmont, of M a l t Talbot, an alcoholic who stayed dry Virginia, North Carolina, Washington and Balti- W Va., Group is only about seven months old it through prayer for 40 years until his death in 1925 more. The Richmond Group has redecorated its has already sponsored a district banquet with was given by the Rev. Fr. James McCloskey of club quarters at 203 North Jefferson Street. Open more than 40 present. There were guests from six St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Plainfield, N. J., to the meetings are held every Friday at 8:30 and Sun- neighboring groups present. Plans are being made

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Ward in Rochester, N.Y. with Room 7, Riviera Theatre Building on Lake Avenue as the meeting place every night except Saturday and Sunday at 8:30. Newest group listing reported by the Central Office, Oakland, Calif., is that of District No. 7.

Mortgage Burned—The board of trustees of Alanon Association, Inc., club unit for Newark, N. J., A.A.s, paid off in full the second mortgage on the clubhouse amounting to $2,550 and the occasion was celebrated by a “mortgage burning” and big party.

Cooperation Helps—The Ossining, N.Y. Group, started early in April, is growing steadily, thanks to the cooperation of Westchester and Connecticut Groups and local newspaper support. Nearly 100 were present at the first meeting. White Plains took over the second meeting, the third was a home meeting and the fourth found many Yonkers members present while Stamford followed and a closed meeting preceded the Ossining Group’s first out-of-town invitation to lead a meeting at Yonkers. The membership roll now totals more than 20.

Deland Runs Ad—Started with nine members the Deland, Fla., Group had 16 on the roll at the end of five weeks although the town has only 6,000 population. Importance of 12th Step to make this a quarterly affair with different tial increase in the membership of Alcoholics work and quality of sobriety are being stressed. group as hosts. The Fairmont Group was started Anonymous and it is suggested that the quite con- The group has donated the book to the County by a woman. During the first five months, attend- siderable drop in first admissions for alcoholism Stockage and plans to visit there every two weeks. ance at the new group meetings in Hollywood, without psychosis to veterans’ hospitals may reflect A permanent ad is run in the local paper. A young Fla., have grown 50 percent. Much of this success absorption of this part of the alcoholic popula- ministerial student appeared before all local civic is credited to support from Ft. Lauderdale and tion into groups of A.A.” groups explaining A.A. The telephone number Miami Groups while a local pastor has been very is 164M and the post office box is 1364. The group Tyler Hears About A.A.—The alcohol prob- hopes to have permanent quarters soon. cooperative and has spoken at meetings. M a n y lem in Tyler, Tex., was brought realistically before visiting A.A.s from all over the United States have the public at a meeting conducted by the local Still We Spread—The Calcasieu Parish Group given talks and all others are urged to drop in unit of A.A. Principal speakers were a prominent of A. A. with membership from Lake Charles, Monday evenings at St. John’s Lutheran church, Dallas business man and a Shreveport newspaper Sulphur and Maplewood, La., has been formed 1746 Buchanan St. man. It was stressed throughout that members are with other towns nearby listed as Vinton, De Church Cooperates—At its 119th annual con- not reformers. The Tyler unit has listed P.O. Box Ridder, De Quincy, Kinder and Jennings. Meetvention the Episcopal diocese of Kentucky adopted 1074, for those desiring confidential information ings are at the Charleston Hotel in take Charles, or a call by a member of A.A. Room 201 at 7:30 on Thursday. The phone numa plan to provide psychiatric treatment for alcoholics in cooperation with A.A. The new wing New Groups Report— “Another group in ber is Lake Charles 4287 and the post office box being constructed at Norton Memorial I n f i r m a r y , Iowa, Storm Lake organized Tuesday night with 2584, Maplewood. Members of the Alconon Group the diocesan hospital, will be given over to the six members. Spencer and Pocahontas Groups of Ft. Wayne, Ind., who number about 30 and who program. In connection with such activities the aided. How can the Storm Lakers lose? Their post have been meeting at the Y.M.C.A, on Wednesday Rev. Canon Sydney B. Peters of Bay Shore, L. I., office box number is 711,” says a telegram to The evenings and Sunday afternoons, have announced N. Y., who has been active in cooperation with A.A. A.A. Grapevine, from Spencer, Ia. Since its start the organization of a group of five of their former calls attention to E. M. Jellinek’s Recent Trends in in March the Centralia, Ill., Group feels that it members at Van Wert, Ohio, 35 miles away. Alcoholism which says on Page 38, concerning is being helpful in the community and the mem- Another happy and active group is reported at admissions to mental hospitals, “While first admis- bers are acquiring experience which will help them Bellingham, Wash., where f o u r members got sions for alcoholic psychoses to veterans’ hospitals to become even more so. Members of Decatur together in January, and at the time of reporting show a small decrease after 1940 with a sharp and East St. Louis, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo., Groups had at least a dozen on the active list. They, too, upturn in 1943, first admissions for alcoholism are given credit for assisting and encouraging. have had calls from Everett and other nearby w i t h o u t psychosis show a sharp decline after 1940, Members meet in homes on Mondays and Thurs- groups. A new group called Riverside recently and this continued even in 1943 or became even days with an attendance of up to 15 members. held its first meeting at Blessed Sacrament School, more pronounced in that year. The years 1942 A highly favorable newspaper article recently 147 West 70th Street, New York, N. Y. and 1943 were the last years of the first substan- revealed that A.A. has been operating in the Tenth (Continued on next page)

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“Tramps” Do Some Traveling—A double claim to the title of “Tramp Group” is made by AN ANALYSIS OF 12th STEP WORK our correspondent at Vacaville, Calif., who says his organization uses the name because the mem- (Second of a series of articles presenting an intimate the early weeks of our i n i t i a l skirmish. he didn’t and detailed discussion of 12th Step work from the newbers are so widely dispersed and because they comer’s viewpoint). mark me off as somebody from another profesmeet in different localities. Seven towns are rep- sional world than he, and therefore legitimately In this discussion of sponsorship last month, I resented f r o m three counties with some d r i v i n g outside of his realm of understanding and interest, noted a simplification: “A.A. works backwards,” 70 miles to attend and with an average of 30 miles he kept, a dreadful silence as we crossed several a formula that calls for further analysis. travelled to meetings—and there is little absentee- dangerous shoals, although at times I assailed the That night of January 8 when my sponsor first most sacred citadels of his personal beliefs and ism. Originally the charter members belonged to a met me in my hotel room in El Paso he was as convictions. group in Sacramento, none of them living there. scared of me as I was dubious of him. In temper- Finally a few organized a group in Woodland and ament:, in personality, in social conditioning we begun to obtain recruits from neighboring towns were pretty much unlike. He was slow, cautions, Quite a Comedown! so that the group now numbers 27 with about deliberate, and his professional training was that three new members a month being added. Wives It would be nice to say that I never knew a of an engineer. I was abrupt, impulsive, eager, moment’s conflict w i t h my sponsor, t h a t a l l was t r a v e l to the meetings w i t h husbands to enjoy the and my training was that of a superficial newssocial hour. Meetings follow the usual plan except perpetual harmony between us. It would be pleaspaperman. I had placed constant emphasis in ant, but dishonest. The t r u t h is quite different. I there is no “Beginners’ Class,” some going to 15 years of professional life on developing Sacramento for that part of the program. The was a mass of complex emotional disturbances certain personality ornaments which were largely when I entered A. A. Fear, ignorance, vanity, congroup varies widely in age and has three women a curious assortment of conceits expressed in obvimembers. Present growth may force formation of ceit ran the show. Mine was no overnight change. ous mannerisms. I thought fast, made snap My sponsor, by the nature of the problem, came a new group soon although members feel it might judgments, did things rapidly. Because, in my in for his share of curious involvement. There are be like breaking up a family. Members often attend journalistic profession, this technique had proven things he and I never talked about and they lie meetings in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, successful, I held these personality ornaments way out in the deep part of the lake. We kept our Sacramento and Stockton. in high esteem. On the other hand, my sponsor fishing in the shallow waters. That is, he did, and First Open Meeting—The Staunton-Waynes- was a man whose work was impersonal, detailed, for companionship, I stayed inshore with him. boro, Va. Group held its first public meeting in the painstaking — a fractional error on the blueprint There were many trials. I was passing through Veterans’ Home at Staunton recently with an at- could wreck a construction project. I employed a major crisis — t h e process of discovering what a tendance of about 100. Guest speakers, six in all, sweeping generalities about as much as be avoided big fool I had been for many of the best years of were from Lynchburg and Richmond and all of them, and I doted on vast ethical and moral indict- my life. That’s no small crisis in itself. Doubts them emphasized A.A. beliefs and principles. This ments whereas he was mainly concerned with spe- assailed me, I passed down all the treacherous was the first public meeting although the unit was cific natural causes and effects. corridors of self-pity, regret-beyond-endurance, organized several years ago. futility-of-it-all, and so forth. Test of Patience For some ten years I had known, in New York Glances at Groups— The Rope Yarn, publica- City, a fine income as a newspaperman and pubtion of the A.A. Seamen’s Club, New York, N.Y., Here, then, were two opposite temperaments licity writer. I was a by-line writer for an importis now appearing in pamphlet form with attractive and personalities drawn together by their mutual ant newspaper in New York, and wound up illustrated cover. Squad One of Washington, D.C. enemy alcohol—welded by disaster. On the surnear the top of the heap with a $30,000-a-year has returned its meetings to Force School, 1740 face (the way I used to grasp things) one could Hollywood p u b l i c i t y job just w i t h i n grasp. Massachusetts Avenue N. W. on Monday nights at see an extravagant miracle of redemption born of When I woke up in El Paso I was a typist for a 8:30. The Pinehurst, N.C. Outlook carried a glow- a fellowship out of a touching common cause, a railroad earning 89 cents an hour. (And a very ing account of a public meeting and dinner given rather perfect Hollywood scenario. But, u n f o r good thing it was I had that job!) by the Southern Pines Group under the feature tunately for this romantic concept, my subsequent ” P i n e h u r s t Scoreboard” recently. Kent-Ravenna relations with my sponsor developed along less and Aurora, Ohio, Groups held a joint meeting at glamorous lines. In the long haul, which is the A True Sad Sack Aurora recently with the 8005 Lorain Avenue one that counts, what made us work as a team I’d sold everything I owned in this world, start- Group of Cleveland coming by bus, accompanied was his patience and my persistence; his con- ing in a rather grand way with the entire furnishby two clergymen. Attendance was 150. Entitled tentment with a plodding, gradual progress and ings of my New York apartment right down to the “First Sober Fish Fry We Ever Saw but A.A. my insistence on doing it all at I once. I had the last shreds of my personal luggage, a few items Members Had Best Time Ever,” the Pilot of steam on the upgrade and he had the brakes on of someone else’s luggage, and such cheap jewelry Southern Pines, N.C. tells of the group there go- the far side of the hills. “We can keep on the as I had left toward the end. My wardrobe, in the ing to a fish fry sponsored by the Fayetteville track,” he used to say, “if I can curb your more final week, was an old summer sport coat with Group w i t h other guests from Lillington, Clinton, violent impulses.” f r a y e d sleeves and elbows, a pair of brown gabar- Lumberton, Raleigh and other points, Fair Lawn, During the first few trying months, however, it dine slacks w i t h two crude, patches on the right N. J., reports they now have 14 members. A car- was his horse sense, that durable stuff you find in leg—holes made in drunken falls and clumsily n i v a l was held last month by A.A.s of Des Moines, work horses and never in race horses, which made sewed together by me. It was winter and I had no Ia., for the purpose of raising money to furnish the combination practical. He didn’t attempt to try overcoat, but for some reason had a swank pair a room at the Still Clinic for those needing hos- to cope with my rocketing ego, nor curb it. He has of light tan chamois gloves which were grimepitalization. Attractive printed cards with appro- since confessed to several extremely low moments. covered—a sad remnant of former gentility. I had priate A.A. thoughts and others with A.A. infor- I think he referred to them as “star-bursts.” He no hat. My box-like hotel room was shorn of mation and meeting places as well as directions didn’t express whatever tortured feeling my sav- everything which could be pawned or sold —even are being put out by Bayside, L.I., N.Y., A.A.s. age mental gymnastics brewed within him during (Continued on Page 15)

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Mail Call for All A. A.s at Home or Abroad the A.A. program I’m going to stay just plain have shown an interest in and sympathy with Letters to this department are invited on any subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- “ex-drunk”!—J. B. the A.A. work may be invited to make an occations you are asked to hold your letters to a sional appearance as guest speakers. Some docmaximum of 350 words. The Disease Is Sexless tors, too, who are interested in the welfare and Only initials will be published unless the writer authorizes use of his first name as identi- From Binghamton, N. Y. treatment of alcoholics may be invited to give fication for A.A. friends. Here I am again. I cannot help myself, I talks or attend as guests. Some local officials The A.A. Grapevine will not divulge the full name of any writer but will forward A.A. com- feel compelled to write you. may be invited in order to better acquaint them munications addressed to the writers of letters Having read some of the articles in The A.A. with how it actually works. However, care should published here.—The Editors Grapevine by my sister alcoholics and today read- be taken that all visitors f u l l y understand that Island of Sanity ing the article by Mary M. from Chicago they the names of all members must be kept anonyleave me somewhat bewildered. mous. From Salem, Ore. They separate us with sex. We the women This is just my observation of the grand work Most of us in A.A. were like shipwrecked alcoholics are far less tolerant than the male. We A.A. is doing after my first sober year in 25. sailors clutching to a piece of d r i f t w o o d in the are labeled different from him. We contain —J. R. middle of an endless sea waiting to be rescued. more deceit, resentments and false pride. We are Sobriety’s Favorite Dish Then we saw The Island of Sane Living. far less tolerated than the male. If it is intoler- Some of us may have been too far gone to see, ance in me that makes me feel compelled to write From Topeka, Kansas others may have thought it was a mirage. on this subject then I welcome and will accept Take equal parts of honesty, tolerance and un- Those of us who made it to The Island were viewpoints on the matter if they contain God’s selfishness and a shake of serious t h i n k i n g ; let welcomed by many others like us who were more truth. simmer in a sauce pan of conscience u n t i l it than willing to help us get acclimated to this Having visited a few groups I have heard these thickens to the consistency of a Group Ideal. Add haven of peace. questions raised time and again. “Why is it so several cups of unity of purpose and generous After we are there a while we realize that to hard for us to hold women alcoholics?” “Why portions of modesty and humility; a cup of pure leave is to perish. Most of us will be contented is it so much harder for a woman to get honest unadulterated tears of sorrow and direct amends. with our new life, thinking of the hardships we with herself?” Don’t we perhaps fail by these Skim frequently of all defects and shortcomings went through on that driftwood floating aimlessly questions? that may rise to the top. Season with spices of on the sea of life. Why should ideas like this be conveyed be- personal inventory, prayer and meditation and Some will leave and come back, others will cause we are women? Thought has no sex and a dash of anonymity. Bake in a kettle of iron, stay away. our males (God bless ’em) make the same admis- resolve to have a new life. Serve in a crystal bowl I sincerely hope God will give me the wisdom sions we do. with a sauce of spiritual awakening and garnish to stay in this haven called Peace of Mind. When I came into A.A. I heard nothing of with spiritual experience. —Bob S. this nature to set me apart from the male and (Sobriety always has as his guest of honor perhaps that is one reason why so far A.A. has “The Man from Upstairs.”)— P. L. Do You Like “Alky?” worked for me. Thought Is the Key from Muncie, Indiana Don’t you think it high time we change some At a recent meeting of our group we welcomed of our views on the women alcoholics? Can’t we From Washington, D. C. a visitor who joined in our discussion with some just remember that she is alcoholic and just as Nothing is ever said that is really new; but I fine ideas and news of other groups. However, tired of it all as her brother? Should we up our do believe there are two things that can never one expression which he constantly used bothered eyebrows and decide this case is different — cease being of interest to any alcoholic, regardme a little bit. That was his much used reference She’s a woman alcoholic? less of how old he is in A.A. He is interested first to alcoholics or A.A.s as “alkys” (or is it spelled A l l due respect to my sisters’ viewpoints if I in himself, and the second thing is staying sober. “alkies”?). I am wondering what A.A.s think cannot agree. I remain very much interested and Now in regard to the first I believe it behooves of this designation. happy in A.A. It’s wonderful what I have found. every alcoholic (or any other person) to accept When I came into A.A. two things happened. —Elsie J. W. what was said in Julius Caeser by Cassius, “The I learned that I was sick, suffering from an in- fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in Let’s Stay Anonymous ourselves, that we are underlings.” Following the curable but arrestable disease — and I began to regain my self respect. I hadn’t liked myself very From Clinton, Okla. 4th Step, it seems that if we can just accept our much before. And now after about a year I don’t We enjoy The A.A. Grapevine and think it is limitations and our assets we will be so much t h i n k I like to be referred to by the word “alky.” doing a great work in helping alcoholics. We the more at peace with everything. this does not We do not refer to a sufferer from diabetes as a would like to see more articles on the importance mean that we have to like even the circumstances “diabety,” we do not label a t u b e r c u l a r person of a n o n y m i t y as the unauthorized exposing of of the present moment, but we can control our as a “tuby” — why should we latch on to an names has caused several ‘slips’ in our groups. I attitude of what happens to us. Man is often unpleasant appelalion for ourselves? do not believe that holding open meetings where willing to change circumstances, but seems un- Yes — I am an alcoholic, but I think of my- groups of non-alcoholics are allowed to attend willing to change himself; but it is this simple self another way, and, I think, a more hopeful is good for A.A., especially in small cities. realization that man can control his thoughts way—as an “ex-drunk.” I know that I can revert After all, the non-alcoholic considers sobriety as above everything else that gives hope to any to being just plain “drunk” again any time I merely normal and considers the alcoholic as alcoholic. But — and here’s what hurts — he reach for that first drink. “showing off” when he (the non) is invited to must admit that the f a u l t usually lies w i t h i n But, with the help of God, all other A.A.s and attend the group meetings. The ministers who (Continued on next page)

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himself. After this humbling admission he can one pays him any mind, he feels neglected and our love for a Power higher than ourselves. Yes, then proceed to do something about his thoughts, if a former baby gives well meant advice, it galls I have been guilty of the very same thing myself, constructively. I wish I could in this short space him. His greatest need is relaxation and group but shall t r y very hard to e l i m i n a t e my former emphasize emphatically and even dogmatically fellowship, now, doesn’t give it to him. He hesi- barroom expressions f r o m f u t u r e talks. that, “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” tates, too, in throwing himself again into 12th In conjunction w i t h this, another defect that I w i l l give o n l y one concrete example of this in Step Work. Generally everything works out all we should e l i m i n a t e is the telling of “off-color” everyday life. Suppose there is some one specific right, but a lot of strain, I t h i n k , could be stories. They serve no point and create a very person whom we do not like. There is nothing avoided if everyone had the proper viewpoint of bad impression in the minds of those who hold we can do to alter that person’s personality; but sponsorship. Some people are specially gifted in A.A. up as a high ideal. we can alter our thought about him or her, or working with others, but after all A.A. does the Something usually happens to those who forsimply not think of the person at all. 1 have tried work. Christ himself never took any credit for get. Like forgetting the importance of a t t e n d i n g it, and like all of A.A., it works. any cure, saying “My Father, He doeth the meetings; or forgetting why we must not take Secondly, I said something about staying work.” We who have often times very l i t t l e on that first d r i n k ; or forgetting to apply the prinsober. That’s what most of us got into A.A. for. the ball should remind ourselves quite h u m b l y ciples of A.A. to our daily lives; or, forgetting It is really very nice to look forward a year or that we merely pointed out the way — “A.A. to let your barroom manners die a natural death. five; and wish we could say, “I’ve been sober did the work.”—J. O’D. I propose that we all try to remember not to ten years.” But the facts are not such, so the best forget!— B.B. we can do is to stay sober this particular hour. More Than Chance From Sydney, Australia The Spiritual Side — D e f i n i t e l y ! It takes hours to make a day, days to make a From Hoosick Falls, N.Y. week, and so on; but that is true in all of life. In the December (1945) A.A. Grapevine that has just been loaned to me, in an article, “Mail As a so-called “old-timer” in this section I see It takes cents to save dollars; it takes words to Order Therapy,” a member states “I shuddered fellows in A.A. who although “dry” are nervous, make a page, and pages to make a book; but we to think how close I had been to disaster, and i r r i t a b l e and in much the same frame of mind only read one word or one page at a time, dewas mystified by the chance guidance and t i m i n g as they were when d r i n k i n g . pending on our ability. I like this quotation which had brought that particular message at the I see other fellows who while they are not getfrom the Sanskrit literature, “Yesterday is but a moment it came.” ling “churchitis,” yet are d a i l y asking for help dream and tomorrow is only a vision; but today Surely if he is a good A.A. and practices our and trying to live a better life. They are quiet, well lived makes every yesterday a dream of way of life, he never refers his life or events to confident and happy in their existence. happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.” mere chance. He may, before accepting our way For myself there is no question. I asked for —R. D. of life, tag it chance or luck if a motor just help h u m b l y over five and a half years ago and Welcoming Newcomers slides past him, or he finds in a corner a hidden it is still working. from Wyandotte, Mich. dollar or so, or a hidden bottle! For an alcoholic, Last fall I suffered a heart attack at an A.A. Being a member of A.A. for a little over nine from his very first contact with us, chance and meeting. During the height of it I again called months, may I offer a suggestion? It is my firm timing should cease to be a factor in his life. A for help and received it. Otherwise I would not belief most of us make a sincere effort to wel- Power greater than himself takes over, and his be here and I would be pretty much of a dope if come the newcomer to our respective groups. In every move is guided and welded together by the I questioned in any way the spiritual side of most cases this is done by individual members. Divine Power. So if you believe, you can’t lose. A.A.—W. O. R. However, it has been my observation in attend- —R. S. J. Personalities in A. A. ing some meetings in and around the Detroit From San Francisco area, that this special welcome has often been A Bouquet from Hawaii From Heeia Oahu, T. H. Some alcoholics confuse personalities with sadly neglected. Every night I thank God for A.A. and pray A.A. They let petty, personal differences drive We in A.A. who are finding a new way of life for your continued success. You have succeeded them away from the program. I feel sorry for owe it to the ones who come to us in search of where we M.D.s have failed. Maybe with more anyone who lets a n y t h i n g or a n y personality an “out” to their drinking problem, a special research and more common-sense and livable keep him away from A.A. welcome from the group chairman on behalf of mental hygiene, the two of us, A.A.s and M.D.s, Stick to A.A., if d r i n k i n g has become the the otter attending members. The first imprescan really get this drinking problem settled. major problem in your life, if most of your trousion for the new member is a lasting one, ant God bless you all back there bles are caused by d r i n k i n g , if you can’t take one so much depends on the reception he or she —Muriel D. Cass, M.D. d r i n k and stop, if you have lost a w i f e or a receives. husband, if you have been in jail, if you are Let us then, be just a little more cordial, as a Barroom Manners shaking out a drunk or t h i n k i n g about getting group, in the way we welcome the new folks to From Jersey City, N. J. drunk, if you d r i n k when you’re h a p p y or when A.A. To the speakers, who have a message, and Before coming into A.A., I had more char- you’re blue, or if you just get drunk for no are giving freely of their effort and time, some- acter defects.than you could shake a slick at. reason at all. where in the talk, make the new member feel They were more numerous than I realized and by Through A.A. you can learn to look at yourthat he personally has at last found a place of far out-numbered my good traits. self fair and square and see yourself as you welcome and a place once again with his fellow- Since coming into A.A. I have applied the really are. And, by looking at ourselves honestly, man.—J.E.R, principles of the program to my daily life and we become more understanding of others and Guides, Only gradually have eliminated many of my worst their difficulties. We become more tolerant of From Seattle, Washington character defects. But not all! their opinions. When an older member who has sponsored This fact was brought home forcibly at our So it is to our interest to slick to A.A. and many of his own group slips, his position surely meeting last night. One of the speakers uttered a our obligation to carry the message to the alcomust be more p a i n f u l than the average. If no profanity which was a poor example of showing holic that still suffers.—Juanita W.

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An Analysis of 12th Step Work (Continued from Page 12) One Doctor to Another (Continued from Page 2) a pair of prized editorial scissors went the last been alcoholics and thus would have had no probday for 40 cents to buy a few beers “for courage.” lem to start with. be restored, they would form the nucleus of a The week before, New Year’s Eve, I had been run group that would be an asset to your town. down by a motorist in an El Paso street and when Anticipated Progress “The program of Alcoholics Anonymous is I got up I apologized to the driver for being a one of social and spiritual rehabilitation. The The wisdom which guided my sponsor, I have alcoholic is brought to realize and to admit his nuisance. I got a few comforting drinks out of since learned, was that it would all work out somehim for my alcoholic diplomacy and was delighted condition. A bond of comradeship, stronger how in the end, which it did, and that the only than anything I have experienced, is forged bewith my skill in handling this situation. For several way it could work out was the way we saw fit to days I had been hunting cigarette butts in the sand tween alcoholics. In one week A.A. did for do it. The easy way, the way we rejected, was, of me what religion, friends and family could not boxes on each floor of my hotel. course, a beautiful simplification but was absodo. I was bitter against religion; an egotist; a Opposites Attract? lutely no good since it was the forward way to do non-believer; one who resented life as it should it. We had to do it backwards before we liked what That, then, was the human being my sponsor be lived. In A.A. I saw the happiness on the faces we had. found in that small El Paso hotel room the night of men and women who had lived as I had lived. I have wondered since then if what we all went of January 8, 1946. My sponsor is an alcoholic Their faith, enthusiasm and understanding wore through in El Paso that winter isn’t just about too, and as he has so often said, his main problem down my resistance. I came to realize and to the same thing that happens in a good many was selfishness. Selfishness, reserve, retreat had all admit that there was a Power greater than myother A.A. centers around the country. self, without which I could not succeed. This played an enormous role in providing the twists So that was the picture then —I came into A.A. which had sent him spiraling into the self-made same thing has happened to others by the thoudesperate and hungry for aid. But no sooner in oblivion of drink. The remarkable contradiction sands. You could not convince an alcoholic than I hit the trail of my salvation along the lines emerges instantly—a mental and physical wreck of this unless you were an alcoholic and had of my familiar old alcoholic thought. My impa- experienced the same spiritual rebirth. leaning on a timid, shy, reserved and retiring indi- tience, my intolerance, my ego bucked around in vidual who had always shunned public exposure “Please remember that a temporarily sober or A.A. in those first few months in the same manner of any sort, and who particularly disliked meeting a reformed alcoholic is a different sort of perit had bucked around during all the wet years. strange people. There we were, as fine a brace of son. They are often the most generous and What did my sponsor have to guide himself with opposites as the good Lord in his almighty wisdom most valuable of our citizens. d u r i n g those turbulent early months? He used a ever threw together. And we made a perfect team. “The difference lies in the fact that only one system of checks. Having an orderly mind, he pro- Is it any wonder my sponsor rather insistently drink separates them from civic and social and jected a day or a week ahead and judging by my declared in the months to follow that “A.A. works personal worthlessness. That one drink can current notions tried to anticipate the ones I should backwards”? change a man or woman from an asset to a lialogically reach if I were making proper progress. A.A. works backwards in a good many ways, bility in a few moments. Then the thought of He didn’t try to reform me, he did not attempt to and a lot of them are far beyond me to pin down the next drink is primary and all moral, social show me the way. he contented himself with estiin so many words. and family responsibilities are secondary. Please mating my progress, and waiting patiently for the Here I was, obviously a fellow pretty much con- also remember that this person is not that way signposts of recovery to emerge over each new fused and lost in life. I had, surely, a lot to learn because he wants to be; he cannot help it; he horizon. if ever I was to regain my self-esteem again. needs help. As one medical man to another, I Along about the end of the first four months or Did I go to my first few meetings, meek and urge you to be more tolerant of him than I was so of our voyage together, I asked my friend, after humble of spirit, bowed by the awareness of my before I realized that I was an alcoholic myself. some complex issue had been cleared away: life failure, hungry for the crumbs of wisdom I “I am requesting that you be mailed some “Why didn’t you tell me the answer to that? might share with my stronger brethren who at literature on the subject. If at any time you You knew it all the time.” least had started earlier than I to find a way out have an individual patient that needs to talk to I remember being rather angry. I had gone of the maze? I did not. By my second meeting I someone, I will consider it a pleasure to discuss through some embarrassing gymnastics to reach was trying to run the show. I was telling others, our mutual problems. Furthermore, if at any a very simple solution. some of whom had been dry three to six months, time you assemble a group of men and women, “I don’t know that I should have,” he answered. what was wrong with A.A. I made a handsome I would be delighted to fly my plane to Abilene “I figured if you found the answer yourself you’d collection of enemies right in A.A. to have a discussion. I had not explained that appreciate it a lot more than if I told you.” My sponsor saw all this happen. He rarely spoke we gain our own strength of resistance by helpat meetings. My brazen attitude abashed him. He ing someone with a similar problem. Like Unraveling Yarn “Be assured that Alcoholics Anonymous is not held a grim and silent spectatorship at the circus in which I was the featured performer. He heard When my friend found me I was entangled in an organization of reformers. We do not practhe lions roaring and trembled buy never once the skein of my own life thread, like a kitten in a tice medicine; we are not fanatics; we are tried to restrain me. ball of twine. The only way out of that tangle was neither wet nor dry. We believe in God as the There was a lot of wild talk, finally, and then to unwind each strand and knot separately and individual understands Him. We have only one the whole thing calmed down and all of us went carefully—snarl and twist —backwards, slowly. thing to sell and that is a happy way of l i f e about the main business, i.e.— keeping sober. We One or two sharp or abrupt forward tugs might without alcohol. are all friends today. easily have entangled the mess pretty hopelessly. “Please be assured that, as a medical man, I We could all have sat down and talked things That danger of snarl was the danger my sponsor believe in it and in the soundness of its approach. over reasonably and come to fine reasonable con- most feared, not only for me, but for himself. Please also be assured that if I can be of any clusions in the very first place—except! —we were About the time I joined A.A. be was on the verge help to you or any of your patients, I will be not very reasonable fellows or we wouldn’t have of giving it up!—Ned A. available.”—A. S.T,

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(Continued from Page 7)

The A.A. Grapevine office, the wife answered: “Mr L and T don’t go to the office in the daytime Iowa City, Iowa, Press-Citizen: “Indications 300,000 alcoholics in t h e nation and the 7,000,000 anymore. You see, there are only two girls there that the alcohol problem has reached serious pro- persons in the country who d r i n k more t h a n they in the daytime and T only goes there about once a portions for some war veteran students at the should or is good for them. The excessive drinker week late at night.” The voice paused quite a University of Iowa appears in plans by more has a sickness, It is not a sickness that yields to long time. Finally it said: “I think I’ll go to than 100 A.A. members of eastern Iowa to meet o r d i n a r y medical or surgical treatment. it is not the ball game. Tell T I called.” When Mrs. T here for a discussion of the problem. Especially one that can be treated in clinic or hospital with reported the conversation to T later in the day, invited to the discussion are ‘young ex-G.I.s’ who a good prospect of success. But it can be treated, ( he finally figured that the voice was that of his are having trouble with drink. A spokesman for and is, with conspicuous success by this organimagazine’s reporter in St. Louis who had been A.A. said: ‘We discovered that a surprising num- zation of anonymous practitioners.” summoned to New York on an important assign- ber of young men are left with tough d r i n k i n g problems as an aftermath of the war.’ One young B u r l i n g t o n , Vt., News: “The Vermont Tax Dement! partment has ruled that payments made to Alcoveteran told local A.A.s in effect: ‘I see that I’m being left out of social life and am slipping in holics Anonymous are not deductible from per- Down in Virginia A.A. is growing like mad. sonal incomes because ‘we cannot strain our law A lawyer from there writes that he finally got my class work — simply because of my weakness for drink’.” sufficiently’ to permit this practice. A.A., says enough humility to tell this story on himself. the state tax body, is neither religions, charitable Seems he was an assistant prosecuting attorney Washington, D. C., Times-Herald: “High nor educational. This failure of a state unit to in his home town at one time. He was cross-ques- praise was paid in Municipal Court yesterday to recognize an educational organization having the t i o n i n g a prisoner accused of larceny. “Where the District Jail’s i n f i r m a r y and Alcoholics Anon- a l l – o u t support of the ministry, the medical frawere you on the night of May 15?” the lawyer ymous by Judge Casey when he observed what he ternity and most welfare officials is a result of asked. “I don’t remember,” replied the prisoner, termed ‘the remarkable change’ in three prosper- an e n t i r e l y understandable ignorance. Happily, “but I warn”t in no bughouse where you were!” ous looking businessmen brought to him for sen- A.A. members would be the last persons to The lawyer said the courtroom roared. Everyone tence after one week of the infirmary’s drying protest this ruling. A n y t h i n g which they conknew the lawyer had just returned from a trip out treatment. Judge Casey attributed the changes t r i b u t e for the support of their organization is a to the state insane asylum for drinking. to the ‘marvelous job’ done during the one week’s mere pittance in exchange for the sober newness treatment period and to A.A. which came to the of l i f e possible to them only through A.A.’s good A visitor from Switzerland reports that a party men’s aid during the week. ‘Now it’s up to you offices.” of mountain climbers started out to climb the and A.A.,’ the judge said in giving them one highest m o u n t a i n in Switzerland. On reaching year’s probation.” W i l m i n g t o n , Del., News: “‘To thine own self the top, one of the party said: “This is a wonder- be true, and it must follow, as night the day, f u l view from here. Where are the glasses?” Hot Springs, Ark., New Era: “A.A. has come thou canst not then be false to any man,’ was Two of the climbers answered: “To hell w i t h to Hot Springs! No fanatical reform organiza- the q u o t a t i o n used by a speaker and member of the glasses, let’s d r i n k from the bottle!” tion which seeks to banish alcoholic beverages A.A. when he addressed an open meeting of more by outlawing them, this group is made up of men than 300 persons here last night. The speaker, a and women who came to the realization that they resident of Massachusetts, alighted from a train could not ‘take it or leave it alone.’ The aim of here when he heard of the local group’s meeting A.A. is sobriety, not prohibition. As a group it and attended as a spectator. However, he was re- Cut This Out and Mail to: takes no position on controversial subjects. Its quested to speak when a speaker scheduled was P. O. Box 328 membership includes Catholics, Protestants and unable to attend. The theme of his talk, ‘Honesty Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. Jews. They are all as one, standing on common with One’s Self.’ was brought out when he said, ground, with sincere desire to help others who ‘Sincerity means the difference between those who Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) want to get well.” accomplish their aims in A.A. and those who for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grapevine (monthly). Passaic, N. J., Herald-News: ” ‘Let me tell you don’t’.” For additional subscriptions enclose separate the reason for A.A.’s traditional a n o n y m i t y . It is New York, N. Y., World-Telegram: “Sailors, sheet with name and address clearly printed. of supreme importance. First, for protection of who become A.A.s, have a tough time of it, far Make checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. ourselves, our families, jobs from h a r m f u l gos- tougher than their shore-staying pals here. The sip and criticism. Second, and more important, landlubbers have the c o n t i n u i n g help of other Total Enclosed A.A. deals, not with personalities, but with ideas A.A.s, and they can always drop into an A.A. — to think honestly, to forget ourselves, to look clubhouse for a friendly l i f t when the going is Renewal? (please check) with courage at our problems and stop being PLEASE PRINT tough. There are hardly any A.A. headquarters afraid’.” in foreign ports. When the ship docks in far-off Name New Orleans, La., States: “This evening A.A. places, and nearly everyone goes on a first-night- Address makes one of its rare public appearances, the ashore binge, the temptation for an A.A. is hard purpose being to explain to the public its manner to resist. That many of them do resist is high of throwing the life-line to tragic, helpless and tribute to the A.A. Seaman’s Club which schools Note: Subscriptions received prior to July 15 all but hopeless members of society. New Or- the ‘informed alcoholic’ to rely on himself and w i l l begin w i t h the August issue. leans has its share, and probably more, of the to stand alone.”

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VOL. IV, NO. 3, AUGUST, 1947. P. 0. BOX 328, G R A N D CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c

The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1947, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

Many Studies Aid Education on Alcoholism INVESTIGATION of alcoholism is expanding under the impetus of an increasing number of research projects at various educational institutions throughout the country, the creation of state and local agencies, the establishment of clinics and the sponsoring of many different types of activities, both private and public, all devoted to one phase or another of the problem. Information on the medical, sociological, economical and psychological aspects of the many faceted problem of alcoholism is being accumulated from many sources in a mounting volume of literature. The infor- PUT AND TAKE mation, too, is being spread over a widen- JOHANNESBURG JOINS ing area through all of the media of com- (The following points were set forth by a member of the Salisbury, N. C. Group). munication. OVERSEAS A.A. LIST Many of the leading educational institutions WHAT I MUST PUT INTO A.A. of the country are now studying one phase or The following new groups reported organiza- 1. Complete sobriety. another of alcoholism, and several groups of tion to the Central Office during the month of scientists are working on independent research June: 2. One hundred per cent 12th Step work. projects. Although Yale University’s School of 3. Love for my fellow man. Studies on Alcohol comes to mind frequently as SOUTH AFRICA—Johannesburg. 4. Attendance at the meetings, as essential to my one of the pioneers in the field, research projects CANADA—Penticton and Port Alberni, both Britnew way of life. also are being carried on at such outstanding in- ish Columbia. 5. Giving all in my power and time to help bring s t i t u t i o n s as Johns Hopkins. Cornell, the Univer- ARIZONA—Clifton. in new members who have an alcoholic prob- sity of Virginia, Leland Stanford, Louisville, CALIFORNIA—Lake Tahoe; Last Chance Group lem. Rutgers, the University of Texas and many (Los Angeles). 6. Above all, forever as now, remaining an active others. In addition, a variety of clinics has been GEORGIA—Americus. member. established in various hospitals, such as New IDAHO—Idaho Falls. York University’s project in Bellevue, the studies WHAT I GET OUT OF A.A. underway at the Milwaukee Sanitarium, and the ILLINOIS—Centralia. project underway at the Veterans Administration INDIANA—East Chicago; Broad Ripple Group, 1. Peace of mind and contentment. ; hospital at Palo Alto, Calif., to enumerate only East Side Group, Home Group, Hub Group, 2. The 24-hour program by which I can live a a few. North Side Group, Speedway Group, South clean and decent life. In the meantime, in a more humble and thor- Side Group, all Indianapolis. 3. Happiness in my home and in my daily life. oughly unscientific way, education of lay indi- IOWA—Buena Vista County Group (Storm Lake). 4. Better citizenship. viduals on the problems of alcohol also pro- MASSACHUSETTS—Amesbury; Nantucket. ceeds by word of the mouth, as for instance MICHIGAN—Grosse Pointe Farms and Oakman 5. Better health, physically and mentally. during a taxicab ride a New York A.A. took the Boulevard Groups (both Detroit) ; South Ma- 6. Respect, not disrespect, from my fellow man. other day. comb Group (East Detroit) ; East Side Group 7. Many new friends. On the uptown ride, the A.A. was taking a (Monroe). 8. Blessings from God, as a result of making a prospect to the hospital for a “drying out.” The decision to turn my will and life over to His prospect, a woman, was in pretty bad shape and MISSOURI—St. Clair. care is I understand Him. was doing a fair amount of wailing and moan- NEW HAMPSHIRE—North Conway. 9. The privilege of being an A.A. member forever, ing and dramatizing as only a well saturated al- NEW MEXICO—Dexter. and this I know I am, just as long as I say I am. (Continued on Page 6) (Continued on Page 16)

THE FORMULA Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alco- THAT WORKS holism. From Manhattan The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. A.A. has no dues or fees. It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage We say here in A.A. that we don’t know what in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober makes it work. Well, we don’t know just what and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps. The A.A. book of experience, Alco- makes it work; but I can t h i n k of one thing that holics Anonymous, and other literature, including The 12 Points of Tradition, are available through any has an awful lot to do with making it work. group or the Central Office, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y. Did you ever stop to think of the amount of love that is constantly being manifested in A.A.?

EDITORIAL: Not the human kind that man has for woman and woman for man, but spiritual love. Divine Love is the greatest thing in the world — the healer of all things — and in my opinion, On the 10th Step . . . that same Love is the back bone of A.A. I once read an analysis of love that seemed “Continued to take moral inventory and when we were wrong, to me pretty accurate. The word “love” was promptly admitted it.” broken up into eight attributes. You will notice that these eight attributes are not fancy words, Notice that the word “continued” is a past participle. We take it to mean that this but very common, every-day ones. They are: Step is an unvarying and unceasing thing. It is a part of the program that must be repeated Patience; kindness; generosity; humility; day by day. It is also a reminder that the program is a living thing — a way of growing. courtesy; unselfishness; good temper; sincerity. Remember how hard it was to accomplish the 4th Step — the first moral inventory? A l l these a t t r i b u t e s are being constantly manifested in A.A. Some call it group therapy—I Many of us finally got around to make it. When we finished, we felt a lot better. At least call it love. our own slate was wiped clean. But some of us let the matter end there. The 10th Step Can you think of anyone more badly in need serves to warn that the inventory process — begun in the 4th Step — is only a beginning. of love than the alcoholic? Now let’s look at the rest of the things. “When we were wrong, we promptly admitted it,” All avenues to love are eventually closed to is another of those easy-to-say but hard-to-do things. Most of “us are fairly egocentric; him and at last he finds himself on the Street it is part of the illness. In our personal relations, it’s a bit harder for us to admit that we of Regrets. It is along about here, if he is lucky, that A.A. finds him standing on its threshold. were wrong about anything. Early in our sobriety, especially when we were still in the The first attribute of Love to be manifested remorse stage, we went overboard on this matter. It gave some of us a sort of pleasure to in A.A. is that of courtesy. Instead of “Scram, admit that we were stinkers; that we were going to do better. Are you still feeling bum!” it now becomes, “Welcome, brother!” the same way? Our newcomer is invited to sit down and we sit There are several sound reasons for the 10th Step. In the first place, no alcoholic can down with him. We tell him our story and he afford to nurse resentments. If we know we are wrong about something and do not admit tells us his, amazed, usually, to find the pattern so similar. As this honest and sincere exchange it, we are likely to start building a nest for resentments. In the second place, none of us of stories takes; place, something else also takes can afford to be dishonest. We believe that it is dishonest to “think wet and talk dry.” place — a new-found hope — a new-found We believe it is dishonest to “get by with something” at the expense of someone else. friend — someone who is interested in him. When we are wrong and fail to admit it — even to ourselves—we are back in the old He is then introduced to others — all courtedrinking state of mind — dishonest, phony, stubborn and arrogant. ous, all sincere in their desire to help him. He But enough of this preaching. The really important thing is the effect this 10th Step is advised to take down some telephone numbers and to call any of these members if he feels will have on you. It will make you happier, kindlier, more serene. We know a number j i t t e r y , and “talk it over.” of A.A.s who practice this Step in their lives. We envy them because they have peace He can’t help but get the feeling that he is of mind. no longer alone. He is walking hand in hand Start practicing the 10th Step now. It’s a principle of living that can be used every- with hundreds of other alcoholics. where. Begin at home and then carry it to your office. You will be surprised how startled He is urged to come back to as many meetings — and pleased — your friends will he when you start taking your share of the blame! as he can. As he comes to these meetings, he sees further evidences of Love. He sees people get up on the platform and humbly tell stories of their ASK YOUR SECRETARY drinking days that are sometimes pretty sordid. Did you know that The Alcoholic Foundation—A.A.’s general service office—has been sending For one reason only—with the hope that in so out a monthly news bulletin for two years? This bulletin goes to A.A. secretaries all over the stripping their souls and laying the horror of world and contains interesting statistics, facts, news and doings of A.A s. If your secretary isn’t their drinking days before you, they may help reading this bulletin to you each month, get after him to do so. It’s always interesting! One recent you. item discloses that reprints of Bill’s articles published in The A.A. Grapevine may be obtained by As the days go by, the new comer gradually writing The Alcoholic Foundation, 415 Lexington Avenue, New York. (Continued on Page 12)

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Last Seven Years Have Made A. A. Self-Supporting By Bill servation that he was making us a modest gift. dinner, of course, was not only the money it Accompanying each letter was a reprint of the raised. What we did need then, even as much, (Third and concluding article in a series recording the early history of A.A. In later issues, talks given at the dinner and a copy of the book was favorable public recognition; we needed the series will be resumed with articles record- Alcoholics Anonymous. On receipt of Mr. someone who would stand up and say what he ing recent A.A. development and growth.) thought and felt about Alcoholics Anonymous. Rockefeller’s letter, many of his guests responded How we ever got the book and our office with donations to the Alcoholic Foundation. Considering the fact that we were then few in through that summer of 1939 I shall never quite This so-called “Rockefeller dinner list” has number; that we were none too sure of ourknow. Had it not been for a truly sacrificial act since been almost the only source of “outside” selves; that not long since society had known on the part of Bert T., an early New York A.A., money gifts to The Alcoholic Foundation. These us as common drunkards, I think Mr. Rocke- I’m sure we couldn’t have survived. Bert loaned donations averaged around $3,000 annually and feller’s wisdom and courage was great indeed. the d e f u n c t Works Publishing Co. $1,000, ob- they were continued for about five years —1940 The effect of that dinner meeting was instantained by signing a note secured by his own to 1945. This income The Foundation divided taneous; the news press wires all carried the business. This act of faith was followed by two between Dr. Bob and me to enable us to give story. Hundreds of alcoholics and their families more pieces of good fortune which barely got A.A. a good part of our time during that critical rushed to buy the book. Our little Central Office us through the year. In the fall of 1939 Liberty period. Not long since, The Foundation Trus- was flooded with pleas for help. It soon had to magazine published a piece about us. This pro- tees were able to write the original dinner con- be moved from Jersey to Vesey Street, New York. duced a flood of inquiries and some orders for tributors, with great thanks, that their help would Ruth H. got her back pay and forthwith became the A.A. book. Those few hook receipts kept our no longer be needed; that The Alcoholic Founda- our first National Secretary. Enough books were little Central Office going. Then came a burst of tion had become adequately supported by the sold to keep the office going. So passed 1940. articles in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. This A.A. groups and by income from the book Al- Alcoholics Anonymous had made its national started a prodigious growth of A.A. out there coholics Anonymous; that the personal needs debut. and created a little more demand for the A.A. of Dr. Bob and myself were being met out of book. book royalties. Rapid Growth Underway Nor were our friends at Rockefeller Center The significant thing about Mr. Rockefeller’s Just a year later, the Saturday Evening Post idle. One day in February, 1940, “Dick” R. assigned Jack Alexander to do a story about us. reported that Mr. John D. Rockefeller Jr. had Under the impetus of Mr. Rockefeller’s dinner been following our progress with intense inter- and Cleveland Plain Dealer pieces, our memberest; that he would like, for the inspiration of AUSTIN ENTERTAINS ship had shot up to about 2,000. Our Clevehis guests and for the benefit of Alcoholics Anonymous, to give a dinner. We regarded this as a AT STATE MEETING landers had just proved that even a small group could, if it must, successfully absorb great numten strike. A.A.s traveled far to attend the two-day Texas bers of newcomers in a hurry. They had exstate Conference held at St. Edward’s Gymna- ploded the myth that A.A. must always grow ‘Launched’ at Dinner sium, Austin, last month. slowly. From the Akron-Cleveland area we had In March, 1940, the dinner came off. Mr. R.’s The principal speaker was lla P. of New York begun to spread into other places — Chicago and friends turned out in force. An A A. member was City, and members of various Texas groups took Detroit in the mid-west. In the east, Philadelphia placed at each guest table. Dr. Harry Emerson part in the program, which included also a had taken fire. Washington and Baltimore were Fosdick, who had superbly reviewed our book, showing of the March of Time film, “Problem smouldering. Further west, Houston, Los Anspoke of A.A. from the spiritual viewpoint. Dr. Drinkers,” and recorded talks by Marty M. and geles and San Francisco were taking spark. Foster Kennedy, noted neurologist, gave his Bill. Growth continued at Akron and New York. We hearers the medical outlook. We alcoholics were The lighter side of life was enjoyed at a tur- took special pride in Little Rock, Arkansas, asked to talk also. At the conclusion of the eve- key barbecue, a Sunday brunch, Sunday night which had sprung up with no personal contact ning Mr. Nelson Rockefeller, explaining that supper, and swimming party. Several of the visi- with A.A., having caught on through books and his father had not been able to come because of tors enjoyed the hospitality of the clubhouse at letters from the Central Office. Little Rock was illness, went on to say that few things more 405 West 18th Street. the first of the so-called “mail order” groups deeply affecting or promising than Alcoholics now commonplace all over the world. Even then, Anonymous had ever touched his father’s life; we had started correspondence with many isothat he wished his friends to share this experi- lated alcoholics who were to form groups ence with him. Who’s Got the Bottle? later on. Though great wealth was present at the dinner Don’t forget the “My Best Hiding Place” con- Despite this progress, the approaching Saturmeeting that night, little was said about money. test now being conducted by The A.A. Grapevine. day Evening Post piece worried us. While our Hope was expressed that A.A. might soon be- Entries have started to come in already, but Cleveland experience had given assurance that come self-supporting. But the suggestion was your best biding place may be the winner. If it our few established groups would survive the made that until A.A. became self-supporting a is, you stand to win a handsome two-quart cork. impact of heavy publicity, what could we poslittle financial help might be needed. Follow- Anyway, the staff artist wants to illustrate the sibly do with the thousands of burning appeals ing the dinner meeting Mr. Rockefeller wrote a hideouts adjudged to be the most ingenious fool’s that would now swamp our little New York personal letter to each guest, expressing his feel- paradise ever devised. Write a letter about it to office then staffed by Ruth H., a typist and mying about A.A., and concluding with the ob- the Bottoms Up Editor. (Continued on Page 8)

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A TIP TO “SLIPPERS,” AND NEWCOMERS, TOO The Pleasures of Reading From Bronxville, N. Y. The Story of Mrs, Murphy by Natalie Anderson Scott Before we joined A.A. most of our prolonged (E. P. Dutton, $3) drunks were in reality just a “slip” — we thought Something sat by Jimmy Murphy’s bed at night. Something intangible, without form, face or we’d have just one drink. voice, but frighteningly there. The foundation of sobriety in A.A. is sim- The Story of Mrs. Murphy is a grimly detailed account of the life of an alcoholic from the plicity itself — it is simply not taking the first time he is 25 to his ultimate and complete disintegration at the age of 40. “Booze is your wife, drink. You can call it Step No. 1⁄2, or l1⁄2 but Son,” his mother told him. “You are married to booze.” it is simply NOT taking the first drink, and the The tragedy of the book lies in the fact that the reader, never for one moment, feels that ones who succeed in the A.A. program base every- there is any hope of recovery for this warped ill-starred young man. His downward march through thing and every good that follows upon this. the years seems so inevitable that one looks with pity on the naivete of his family in believing If an A.A. embraces just one or all 12 steps, that his brief periods of rehabilitation are anything but a lull before another and wilder storm. his success still depends on NOT TAKING There is nothing in his compulsive, unbalanced nature to fight against alcohol or any other addiction. THE FIRST D R I N K . Nobody has yet found last- Jimmy Murphy, when the story opens, is a lad in his 20’s, a member of a middle-class, Irish ing benefit from A.A., no matter if he or she Catholic family. He is vain, over-fastidious when sober, coddled by his indulgent mother and be dry one day or ten years, unless before and condoned by his brothers and sisters, who feel, in spite of the trouble and disgrace he heaps upon beneath everything is the continued practice of them all, that he is a cut above them. His father, who appears briefly in the first part of the book, NOT TAKING THE FIRST DRINK. has a more realistic view of him but is persuaded by his wife that her prayers and the weekly In A.A., what is a slip? It is TAKING THE novenas will accomplish more than harsh discipline. FIRST DRINK. The members of the Murphy family are warm lovable people and their loyally toward Who has slips? Mainly, those who may have their black sheep is real and touching. It wears a little thin in Evelyn, the sister who suffers placed great importance on any one or all of most from his instability; there is increasing friction between them. However, in accord with the 12 Steps in A.A. — and still persisted in takher mother’s dying wish, she is ready to stand by him in the last desperate emergency. Mom’s ing the first drink. devotion to her ne’er-do-well son is heartbreakingly credible, w i t h o u t becoming sticky or. over- Often those who have slips have mental resersentimental. vations. Often they think of their own case as There are three young women in the story, and their infatuation for Jimmy endures over different from the others, as being unique. Peramazingly long periods in view of the rough treatment they receive at his hands. sonalities and circumstances may differ among Sue, his fiance, throwing over her family, her strict religious training and all her standards A.A. members, but one thing does not — and that of behavior, lives with him as his common-law wife and bears him a son, with the mistaken is the inability of anybody in A.A. to succeed idea that it will awaken a sense of responsibility in his breast. One is glad that she eventually with the program if he does not f u l l y realize escapes from this thraldom into the waiting arms of a more substantial man. that the entire program is based on the founda- There is Dolores, a wealthy, beautiful and rather unbelievable siren, who drifts in and out tion and premise of not taking the first drink. of his life, adding little to the integrity of the story. The 12 Steps and other A.A. teachings are There is Kay, a talented young artist, who sticks by him through thick and thin, suffering made effective only by not taking the first drink; degrading indignities and real dangers until she discovers a love letter from Dolores to Jimmy. the repetition of this phrase should not be tire- Infidelity is apparently the one thing that she will not take from her erratic and difficult lover some to those of us who always failed because and like Sue, she escapes into what one hopes is a more satisfactory life. of “just one.” The new member who, feeling his case is Jimmy’s essential characteristics are firmly outlined in the first few chapters and he never deviates from them by word or action. He is what he is; charming, unscrupulous, generous, unique and different, comes to meetings “to see what you people have to offer,” is doing it the violently cruel at times, variable as the wind, yet steadfastly loyal to the strange fellowship of hard way. Why is such an altitude an immediate down-and-outers who are the companions of his long binges. Those who come in contact with tip-off? Because it indicates a “show-me” him can take h i m or leave him. Mostly they take h i m — for as long as they can stand it. attitude. It overlooks the fact that in most cases It is an absorbing book and if there are characters and situations in it which are beyond A.A. has a great deal more to offer the candi- our credence, the devastating power of alcohol over a maladjusted personality is depicted with date than the candidate has to offer A.A., but such force that one has the nightmarish feeling that Jimmy’s destiny is inextricably tangled up more importantly it shows that the candidate with one’s own, or at least has, by the grace of God, been escaped by a hair’s breadth.—M. N., doesn’t realize this, hence his path will be more Manhattan. thorny than that of the fellow or gal who steps up and says, “I don’t care what you have to ment that the program is a selfish program. There The spiritual side of A.A., which admittedly offer — if it keeps you sober, I want it!” If he is a difference in meaning here. A.A. is a pro- is what makes it tick for the most successful says instead, “If it will keep ME sober I want gram that concerns self, true enough, but the followers of the program, helps most those who it,” you ran detect a lack of humility. He is keynote of its operation is certainly not selfish- are humble and desperate for help. And what is saying in effect, “Maybe it can keep all of you, ness, lest 12th Step work should never be done — the help we need? We need help in walking a and thousands of other alcoholics sober, but boy and most of us who have attained sobriety should new road in life — but before we start let us it’s good if it can keep ME sober, etc.” “Me, I, not be here. Instead we would be nursing “self” f u l l y realize that the foundation of sobriety in me, I, me, I”—not the best sign of humility. in some’ saloon, or more probably in a booby- A.A. is simply: NOT TAKING THE FIRST One of the things that may confuse the bud- hatch — with a plush-lined tongue and a brain DRINK. You can’t slip until you forget that! ding or full-blown egotist in A.A. is the state- composed of last year’s jello. -P.B.

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Blackbirds Helped Convince Customer About five years ago, when I thought A.A. could be sold to people who didn’t want it, I journeyed some 75 miles each way to see a chap who was confined in my old alma mater where I had spent some nine weeks — and learned nothing about alcoholism nor about myself as an alcoholic. I would see that this didn’t happen to him, by golly! No, sir! I would spread the glad tidings of great joy and he would come home and never take another drink as long as he lived. This fellow was a smart cookie — a super C.P.A., and working for an important outfit. He couldn’t miss, I said to myself. What if gasoline and tires are rationed, get yourself up there. Yes, sir! That’s what I said and what I did. Well, naturally, he thought it was swell, but, of course, it didn’t apply to him, so five years slipped by until the afternoon that he called me and asked for help.

The five years had not used him very k i n d l y , and as he sat on the sofa in my living room, shaking to pieces, he presented rather a sorry picture. I immediately asked him how he was, and he said, “Fine” and I countered quickly with, “You don’t look it,” so we got down to cases. We talked at length. (Anyone reading this The Advantages of Being An Alcoholic who has not seen “The Lost Weekend” can just Are you glad you’re an alcoholic? stop here and read something interesting. I The question is answered both “yes” and “no” in A.A. Some members are glad should have warned you to start with.) As we talked I heard a slight rustling in my fireplace they can’t drink socially, others regret it. Two letters answering the question in the to which I paid no attention. We talked on. He affirmative happened to come to The A.A. Grapevine recently and are published bethought he might be losing his mind, maybe? low. The same columns are wide open to anyone who wishes to present the other More rustling in the fireplace. Maybe he was side! going to have D.T.’s, he thought. He felt like he was going to jump out of his skin, he said. About A CHANCE TO HELP LIFE IS FULLER that time — whooosh! Out of that fireplace flew From Portland, Oregon From Fresno, Calif. a black bird that promptly began to fly around Yes, I am glad I became an alcoholic, and I’m glad I became an alcoholic! my living room. Behind him and hard on his here is my reason for saying that. I would have To many people that statement sounds fanheels came another! Behind him came another — gone through life as a social drinker or an oc- tastic, but to me it’s the honest truth. Life has and another — and another, u n t i l six of those casional drinker who often d r a n k to excess, dealt a far from pleasant hand to us alcoholics, things were circling around like mad! saying and doing many wrong things at the one which brings disgrace, sickness, insanity He took one look and froze solid with his right time. And by my unnatural actions while and many times even death. But an alcoholic hands over his eyes to blot out this unreal- under the influence of alcohol, I would have hurt who has found a new way of life through A.A. ity. Occasionally he would peek out, but it feelings or perhaps actually harmed my loved is far richer than those poor mortals who was still going on. I guess he wondered why I ones and friends. Had I not become an alcoholic, have seen only one side of the picture. It’s like was killing myself laughing. He hadn’t seen the I would have been a very miserable man without being deprived of something you wanted despicture. It wasn’t f u n n y to him, not by a long peace of mind, and I would have had a constant perately all your life, and then, all of a sudden, shot. Well, I caught them all, four in the living dread of what might happen next. having it handed to you on a silver platter. room and two in the pantry. Alone and unaided Don’t misunderstand me. I did all of the afore- People who have always had that silver platter I caught them. He was still unable to move. mentioned things and many far worse things seldom know its worth, but we alcoholics know. “What a thing to do to a drunk!” he said. I think over a period of d r i n k i n g years in my develop- Life offers little that we take for granted now. he still thinks I planned it. One of the boys said ment of the alcoholic pattern of life. And I After having lived in the depths of despair, full he thought the Man Upstairs planned it. Any- went far down that road of life (and I mean of disgust, hate and fear, we appreciate and hang way, it looks like we have a pretty good man skid road) before 1 would admit I was com- on with all our strength, to every moment of n o w . — J . C . H . , Ferguson, Greater St. Louis, Mo. (Continued on Page 11) (Continued on Page 11)

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Many Studies Aid Education on Alcoholism (Continued from Page 1) lem, and before the ride was finished he learned The projects themselves reflect a wide range coholic can. After the A.A. had gone through about the organization called Alcoholics Anony- of interest in the general subject. The study unthe patience-testing and muscle-wearing business mous which tries to help the one kind of drunk. derway at Rutgers is defined as a survey of pubof getting the prospect into the hospital, he re- By word of mouth, through the little dramas lic altitudes towards the alcoholic and alcoholturned to the waiting cab, sank down into the of daily experience, in encounters and contacts ism. The survey has three chief objectives: “(1) seat and sighed deeply. with hundreds of people in all walks of life, To measure the degree of acceptance by the “Pretty sick, that woman,” said the cab driver members of A.A. are helping to pass on infor- American public of the main scientific findings as he started the downtown trip. “What’s the mation on the subject. with reference to alcoholism; (2) to determine matter with her?” A.A. experience, too, is being drawn upon in the barriers that exist in popular thinking which “Right now she’s drunk,” answered the A.A. a more formal manner by many of the research keep people from accepting these propositions; “Drunk!” exclaimed the cabbie. “Just drunk?” projects and clinics which are being conducted (3) to ascertain differences in popular thinking “Not ‘just’ drunk,” the A.A. countered. “She’s along the more precise lines of scientific inves- as they may be affected by such factors as resick, too, mentally as well as physically.” tigation. Members of A.A. and other alcoholics gion, age, sex, education, economic status, reli- “0, I get it. Sick in the head, eh? But why are giving of their experience and their case his- gion and nativity.” does she drink that much? Now, take me; Mac, tories for whatever may be derived from them to I like a few myself. Maybe I even get light on the cause of research and education on the mat- Variety of Angles Studied my day off, but never like that. I never have to ter which is a vitally personal problem to them go to the hospital.” and a public health problem to the nation. In Chicago, the Chicago Committee on Alco- Whether it’s an individual member of A.A. holism was created with objectives based upon It’s Greek to Some Folks having an unplanned conversation with a taxicab three premises: “(1) Alcoholism is a serious “Then you’re lucky, brother,” said the A.A. driver, or a researcher in the laboratory proceed- problem; (2) alcoholism can be treated success- “But probably you don’t start drinking all over ing along a carefully planned procedure of study, fully; (3) the development of addiction to alcothe morning after, do you?” they are engaged in a common effort in which hol can be prevented.” “I can’t look at the stuff for a week after I’ve the experience of each can help the other. At the University of Texas, the line of study been on a good one,” the cabbie replied with an Although A.A. is not connected formally, or in parallels that underway at Bellevue Hospital as a emphatic jerk of his head. “Is that what she any way as an organization, with any research New York University project, where primary atdoes—keep right on, eh?” project or clinic, individual A.A.s are assisting tention is directed to the bio-chemical aspects of “She does, and so did I and so do a lot of in a variety of activities. alcoholism. people,” explained the A.A. “That’s one differ- At the Milwaukee Sanitarium, the topic is reence between us and you.” flexes, while at the the Veterans Administration “Us?” The cabbie turned around for a quick Hospitals at Palo Alto, Calif., Roanoke, Va., look at his passenger, regardless of the traffic. and Richmond, Va., several phases are under “Us—alcoholics,” the A.A. went on. “You study including; administrative procedure as it get drunk and quit the next day. When an alcopertains to the legal status of an alcoholic vetholic gets d r u n k he goes right on—often right eran. on into a hospital.” “Why do that?” came the familiar puzzled At Cornell University, individual alcoholics query, the query that doctors and men of science, are studied for long periods, in both the laboand mothers and wives, and alcoholics have been ratory and as out-patients, and are given both asking for a long time. “When you get enough physical and physiological examination. why don’t you stop? Why start it all over again In Minneapolis, Minn., there is the Midwest the next morning? ‘Scuse me, mister, but I don’t Council on Alcoholism, which is primarily interget it. You look like a smart guy and I could ested in helping the alcoholic in the small comsee that woman was well educated. Me, I ain’t, munity. At the University of Minnesota there, but I got sense enough to quit sometime.” the Institute on Chronic Alcoholism conducted “You’re asking the 64 dollar question, fella, its second program with a three-day session in and I certainly don’t know the answer to it. All February as a sequel to the Institute held in I know is that some can stop and some don’t 1946. The aim of the Institute was stated this stop. Those who don’t are called alcoholics. I’m year as being ”to analyze the actual handling of one and so is that woman.” the chronic alcoholic by various agencies of our The cabbie was silent for more than a block. society.” Then he flung back over his shoulder, “I think From these and many other centers of investi- I get what you mean, Mac. There are different gation not mentioned in this cursory summary, kinds of drunks—is that it?” much additional information on the subject of And, thus, one more person had learned a alcoholism is being accumulated. In future islittle about the problem of alcoholism. He had sues, The A.A. Grapevine will undertake to relearned that there are “different kinds of port on the various projects individually as data drunks.” In a crude way, he had advanced a on their objectives and progress becomes availlittle along the road of understanding the prob- able.

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Cleveland Is Host To 400 Visitors Washington, D.C., Times-Herald: “Rehabilita- lost almost complete control of his life. But there More than 400 visitors came to Cleveland June tion of chronic alcoholics through the therapy of are thousands who have regained their self-con- 14 and 15 to participate in the observance of the Alcoholics Anonymous was 61% successful in trol, self-respect and the respect of their families 12th anniversary of A.A. There were four from cases referred to that organization last year by and communities merely by applying A.A.’s simple Vermont, two from Florida and one from Texas. form of psychology. Indiana A.A.s operate on the All of the intervening states were well represented, the Municipal Court, Judge Waller J. Casey testitheory that once a person realizes that he has a the largest contingents coming from Michigan, fied before a Congressional subcommittee today. number of friends pulling for him and giving him New York, North Carolina and Ohio. During the first part of this year, the success of this program has increased to 85%, he said.” the courage he needs to throw off chronic alco- The 83 groups in Cleveland entertained on holism, he will think twice before letting them Saturday with three open houses. down.” Sunday evening, 900 persons attended a ban- Fort Lauderdale, Fla., News-Sentinel: “It would quet in the large dining room of Masonic Audibe well for families of alcoholics to make an honest torium and the two-hour affair included group effort to discover the cause of the personality con- Live and Let Live singing and short talks by 20 “stalwarts” who flict within the patient. If he is willing to be helped, From Peekskill, N. Y. included two women who had contributed much to Alcoholics Anonymous can help him to victory the movement in Cleveland. A meeting followed over this pernicious habit. Then, further explora- Every human being has a tendency to worry in the Masonic Auditorium, attended by 1500 tion should be made through a competent psychia- about the other fellow. It is a characteristic persons. trist or counsellor. The cause for the patient’s which none of us seems able to control. To be An operation made it impossible for co-founder flight from reality and circumstances into the able to live our own lives without worrying about Dr. Bob S. of Akron, originally scheduled to be realm of unreality should be explored.” the other fellow is a virtue few of us possess. chairman of the meeting, to attend. I have noticed in myself a feeling of depression when a friend of mine was driving a new car. The chairman explained that the gathering was Erie, Pa., Times: “Under the Erie plan, chronic called on a theme of thankfulness as he intro- I felt inferior because my friend had something drinkers who become repeaters in police circles, I could only wish for. Is this not the pattern duced the first speaker of the all-Akron cast, Bill are put in touch with A.A. members by Chief Don- D. who was referred to as the “guinea pig” for most of us follow in our lives? And isn’t it also ahue. If the drink victim shows a desire to over- Doc and Bill. He told how he was “dried up” after true that we many times concentrate on things come his drinking, he is released in the custody of waking up in City Hospital (Akron) 12 years ago; which are of no concern to us; thus find our- A.A. groups. In the case of women drink victims, and how Doc and Bill had asked him the questions selves in a “jam” because we didn’t pay more women members of A.A. take over. If hospitaliza- which now are fundamental; how important workattention to ourselves? tion is indicated, they are taken to a nursing home ing with others was in achieving uninterrupted When a defect of character such as this prehere or in Cleveland. Restoration is both physical success. sents itself, it is only natural that we want to and mental. It achieves two definite purposes- J. Paul S. gave the wives of the early memstrive to change our pattern. The alcoholic in recreates a useful citizen and reduces jail popu- bers much credit for their faith and great encour- A.A. finds the slogan “live and let live” a trelations.” agement, and stated that this was still vital today. mendous help in this particular trait of character. J. Richard S., brother of Paul, completed the He begins by trying to eliminate jealousies or Memphis, Tenn., Press-Scimitar: “Definite dates program and gave interesting information relative resentments. He then tries to live his own life for the most unusual convention Memphis ever to the Alcoholic Foundation (of which he is a without depending upon the pattern of another has entertained were announced today for Sept. trustee) and added factual information on condiperson. He concentrates more on his own prob- 18-20. It will be the Southeastern Regional Con- tions 12 years ago. In 1935 there were but four lems and weaknesses rather than criticize his ference of Alcoholics Anonymous, with from 1,200 members; at the end of 1936, there were ten; friends. (We cannot criticize others when we to 1,500 delegates from ten southeastern states and in 1937 there were 40. Now, he estimated, ourselves are open for criticism.) The alcoholic expected to join some 300 Memphis members. there are 1500 groups with an excess of 50,000 in A.A. will begin at last to see and feel the There will be speakers from various parts of the on their rosters. benefits of living with himself rather than by country—but, for the first time in Memphis conven- Another interesting fact disclosed by Dick was living by some other person’s pattern. tion history, they won’t want their names in the that the 69th person of the 75 whom Bill tried to If we alcoholics are to gain happiness and papers. ‘We feel that our power in helping fellow dry up unsuccessfully before A.A., had just come serenity through sobriety we must to some degree alcoholics lies largely in remaining anonymous to in a year ago—11 years later. live by ourselves and not be dependent upon the general public,’ the chairman of the conven- In the course of leave-taking we met a man from the actions or emotions of our neighbors. It is tion explained. ‘We want publicity for our princi- Pulaski, N. Y., who stated that he had been the 70th not necessary that the alcoholic become a hermit ples, but not for our own personalities. We are man whom Bill contacted. It took him more than or a prisoner of himself or that he should not proud of what A.A. has done, and proud to be nine years to see the light and he has enjoyed two accept advice from friends. He simply should members. We simply feel that should the cloak of and one-half years of sobriety today. try to live his individual life without patronizanonymity be removed our power to help others The meeting closed with the recognition of vising the abilities or successes of his neighbor. and ourselves as well would be weakened.’ ” itors from other states, who rose to acknowledge A.A. teaches me to try and live with two beings. the applause as their states were called. I have found that by living with these two beings Cleveland enjoyed being host; many ideas were Indianapolis, Ind., Star: “There isn’t a member I am living happily. exchanged with the visitors. of Alcoholics Anonymous in Indiana or anywhere These two beings are God and myself. — else in America who at one time or another hasn’t D.H.M. -H.W.D., Cleveland

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A.A. Self-Supporting Publishing by calling in the stock of the outstanding cash subscribers of Works. Several (Continued from Page 3) thousand dollars were required to do this and, of course, group funds could not be used for this self? How could three people handle the thou- purpose. sands of frantic inquiries we expected? The So The trustees, spearheaded this time by our Post article would bring more book sales, but old friend “Chip,” turned again to Mr. Rockenot enough to handle this emergency. We needed feller and his “dinner list.” These original domore office help — and quickly — o r prepare to nors most gladly made the Foundation the necesthrow heartbreaking appeals into the waste- sary loan which enabled the Foundation to basket. acquire full ownership of our A.A. book (Works We realized we must, for the first time, ask Publishing, Inc.). Meanwhile, Works Publishthe A.A. groups for assistance. The Alcoholic ing, being now partly relieved of supporting the Foundation still had no money save The $3,000 Central Office, had been able to pay its own a year “dinner fund” which was helping to keep creditors in full. Later on, when out of A.A. book Dr. Bob and me afloat. Besides, some of the income the trustees offered to pay off the creditors and cash subscribers of Works Pub- Foundation debt, several of the lenders would lishing (the A.A. book company) were getting take only a part payment — some none at all. anxious again. At last we were in the clear. This event marked the end of our financial troubles. $1 Per Member from Groups Two of the alcoholic members of our Founda- Now Worldwide in Scope tion traveled out among the A.A. groups to explain the need. They presented their listeners The last few years of A.A. have been phewith these ideas: That support of our Central nomenal. Nearly everybody in America knows Office was a definite responsibility of The A.A. about A.A. Seemingly, the rest of the globe will groups; that answering written inquiries was a soon learn as A.A. travelers go abroad and our necessary assistance to our “12th Step work”; confronting our Service Headquarters with group literature is translated into other tongues. Today that we AA.s ought to pay these office expenses problems as well as personal inquiries. The our General Service Headquarters has a staff of ourselves and rely no further upon outside office then began to publish a list of all A.A. twelve. Because of our prodigious growth and charity or insufficient book sales. The two trus- groups and it furnished traveling A.A.s w i t h the continuous entry of A.A. into more foreign tees also suggested that The Alcoholic Founda- lists of prospects in cities which had none. Out- countries, the headquarters will presently need tion be made a regular depository for group of-towners we had never seen before began to twenty. Popularly known to thousands as “Bobf u n d s ; that the Foundation would earmark all visit us, so starting what is today the huge net- bie,” our A.A. General Secretary now serves group monies for Central Office expenses only; work of personal contact between our General world A.A. On the Board of The Alcoholic that each month the Central Office would bill Office staff at New York and A.A. groups through- Foundation three of the early trustees, whose the Foundation for the straight A.A. expenses out the world. contribution to A.A. is incalculable, remain. of the place; that all group contributions ought The year 1941 was a great one for the grow- New faces are seen at the quarterly meetings, to be entirely voluntary; that every A.A. group ing A.A. It was the beginning of the huge devel- each as anxious to serve as the original group. would receive equal service from the New York opment to follow; our Central Office got solid The A.A. Grapevine, our national monthly perioffice, whether it contributed or not. It was esti- group backing; we began to abandon the idea odical which made its appearance three years mated that if each group sent The Foundation a of outside charitable help in favor of self-sup- ago, is now taking its place among our General sum equal to $1 per member per year, this port. Last, but not least, our Alcoholic Founda- Headquarters’ Services and is almost paying its might eventually carry our office, without other tion really commenced to function. By this time own way already. Out of its Works Publishassistance. Under this arrangement the office linked to the A.A. Central Office because of its ing income, the Foundation has accumulated would ask the groups twice yearly for funds responsibility for the group funds being sent a prudent financial reserve for the future. That and render, at the same time, a statement of its there, and to Works Publishing (the book Alco- reserve now stands at more than a full year’s expenses for the previous period. holics Anonymous) by partial ownership, the Headquarters expense, which still remains Our two trustees, Horace C. and Bert T., did trustees of our Alcoholic Foundation had al- not much above the very low figure of $1 per not come back empty handed. Now clearly u n – ready become, though they did not realize it, the A . A . per year. Two years ago The trustees set derstanding the situation, most groups began custodians for Alcoholics Anonymous—both of aside, out of A.A. book funds, a sum which encontributing to The Alcoholic Foundation for money and of tradition. Alcoholics Anonymous abled my wife and me to pay off the mortgage on Central Office expenses, and have continued to had become a national institution. our home and make some needed improvements. do so ever since. In this practice the A.A. tradi- Quietly, but effectively, the evolution of our The Foundation also granted Dr. Bob and me tion of self support had a firm beginning. Thus Foundation has since continued. Several years each a royalty of 10% on The book Alcoholics we handled the Saturday Evening Post article ago the trustees had a certified audit made of Anonymous, our only income from A.A. for which thousands of A.A.s, are today so The Alcoholic Foundation and Works Publish- sources. We are both very comfortable and grateful, ing from their very beginnings. A good book- deeply grateful. The enormous inpouring of fresh members keeping system was installed and regular a u d i t s This account of the stewardship of Alcoholics quickly laid the foundation for hundreds of new became an established custom. Anonymous d u r i n g its infancy brings us to the A.A. groups and they soon began to consult the About 1942 it became evident that the Founda- p r e s e n t — t h e year 1947 — w i t h continued A.A. Central Office about their growing pains, thus tion ought to complete its ownership of Works growth and A.A. service the future’s promise.

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Prison Group Gets Hope—From the Attica, group of Spencer A.A.s went to Storm Lake and group was founded, and members have also at- N. Y. State Prison an A.A. member writes as helped get six members started. That group now tended from the capital city, Helena. follows: “A new venture has come to Attica numbers 11. In June the Spencer representatives Holiday Meetings Suggested—Since holi- Prison; its members—inmates whose shortening of went to Estherville and helped about 10 get going. days were the days when alcoholics formerly their days of liberty to a great extent can be placed In spile of the losses to the new groups, Spencer looked forward to drinking, the members of the on alcohol and who seek recovery; its object—to still has about 25 to 30 active members. A group Northwest Groups of Rochester, N. Y., held a Memprove to these same men that A.A. knows them. in Emmetsburg is the next step in a campaign to orial Day meeting at 10 a.m. instead of the even- The standards are high but there are specific establish a group in every county seat in Northwest ing meeting and had such a good turnout that steps to remedy the terrible situation of the prison Iowa. members decided to have another gathering on alcoholic. Thanks to the warden, Dr. Waller H. July 4. They are passing along the idea to other Martin, various members of A.A, visit each Thurs- Years Add Growth—About a year ago the South Bronx, N.Y., Group started with 16 mem- groups to give a thought to holidays to come! day for an hour with the men, who now number 20, a nucleus expected to increase. Thus far 14 bers. At the June celebration of the first anniver- A.A. Crusoe Looking for Fridays—Since meetings have been held. The hopes of the sary in St. Jerome’s School there was an overflow an A.A. member expects to be 30 miles “as the fish Attica Prison Group lie today with the methods crowd of more than 600! An eight-year member swims” on Nantucket Island this summer he has of A.A. We are helpless without them. The from Manhattan and a five-year member from asked any visiting A.A.s to contact him through South Orange, N. J., were the speakers while P.O. Box 452, Nantucket, Mass. He says the police observer can be certain of one thing. A.A. is groups from Metropolitan New York, Westchester and the island paper, The Inquirer and Mirror, here to stay. Appreciation for these A.A.s who County, and Connecticut were represented. Dr. also know of him and he hopes that with the aid spend their valuable time with walled-in al- W. D. Silkworth was also a guest. After the meet- of visitors he can start a permanent group that will coholics is very great. May this group, who ing there was cabaret style entertainment, dancing remain to function when he and his wife leave. are attempting to lead prison alcoholics away and entertainment by several Broadway favorites, He believes this would be the easternmost group from alcoholism, see their efforts rewarded.” and by a group from the Alanon Club of Newark, in the United States. Memorial Day Celebration—What may N. J. The Rev. Fr. Clement J. Rieger of St. Jerome’s praised the organization’s work and said Fly to Anniversary Dinner—The Lewesbecome an annual affair was the observance of Rehoboth, Del., Groups were well represented at Memorial Day by the A.A. Groups of Washington, it was the “talk of the neighborhood”…Six oldtimers were on the platform when the Kearny, the 13th anniversary dinner in Cleveland, two D.C., at the last open meeting before that date. members from Rehoboth and two from Berlin, Colonel F. G., one of the first members in Wash- N. J. Group celebrated its fourth anniversary recently. The spirit of A.A. embodied in the talks Md., flying there in the plane of one of the memington, a veteran of World War I who also saw bers. They reported royal treatment after going service with the U.S.A.A.F. in the C.B.I., spoke in gave an insight into the strength of purpose and the fortitude making A.A.’s earlier members suc- through some threatening weather on the crossmemory of deceased members of the group and cessful, according to those attending…In James- country hop. One of the men, a former parain particular of two who served in the late war, town, N. Y. the anniversary celebration was at the trooper, said be enjoyed it, though, as he didn’t Lt. Col. H. C. and J. H. M., founder of the Wash- have to jump. ington Group. On Memorial Day members of A.A. Hotel Jamestown where more than 250 heard placed a wreath on the grave of the former in Rock speakers from New York and Cleveland. Speakers Starting Off Well — With about 75 members, Creek Cemetery while a second group went to West praised the Jamestown General Hospital for its friends and observers in attendance, the newly- River, Anne Arundel County, Md., and left a cooperation as well as the local press and radio… formed Westerly, R. I. Group got off to an auspiwreath on the grave of the second in the Christ On July 25 and 26 the Deep East Texas Group cele- cious start at a recent open meeting at Caledonia Church graveyard. brated the second anniversary of its existence with Hall. Moderator was a member of the Providence several entertainment features including a barbe- Round Top unit who was accompanied by a good Public Asks Information—People in the cue at a lake near Nacogdoches. The public was sized delegation from that group. In the audience vicinity of Kansas City, Mo., are becoming more invited to an open meeting at the high school were District Judge Walter S. Flynn, representainterested in the problem of alcoholism and in the auditorium .. .The Pocahontas, Ia., Group held its tives of the state probation department, and memhelp A.A. offers, judging from the fact that there anniversary dinner with Dubuque and Des bers of the Norwich, Conn. Group…The Durham, have been more than 20 requests for speakers Moines men as speakers. N. C. Group was reorganized early this year with answered by the public relations committee during five members, one former member of the old the last eight months. Most of the requests have Patients Make Good Record—A.A. groups group, and it now numbers about 30, all new come from churches but there have also been calls have been started in the Montana State Hospital at except the one mentioned. Progress is felt to be from business men’s clubs, women’s organizations Warm Springs and the State Prison at Deer Lodge on a solid basis. The Durham Group, with the and one from the Mental Hygiene Association with gratifying results. Of approximately 15 cooperation of the Chapel Hill, Burlington and whose membership includes the medical profes- patients released from the hospital only one so far Raleigh Groups, hopes to hold a public meeting sion and municipal welfare officials. has been known to slip, while many others are soon. Several Durham members recently visited active in groups in their home towns, and at least New York and enjoyed a visit to the Alcoholic Proud Parent—The Spencer, Ia., Group is two groups are being formed in Montana by Foundation. proud of the fact that while the group itself is former patients who joined A.A. while at the less than a year old it is the parent of two other hospital. Members of the Butte, Montana, Group Meet in Bank —Four members of different flourishing groups in the area. Late in May a have attended all the Saturday meetings since the (Continued on next page)

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groups meeting with a new man who had just cooperation of the clergy, the warden and his staff of the Salem, Ore., Group and Chuck Y. This lost his w i f e caused the start on March 14 of the in our work, but it is the task of the inmate mem- group has continued to grow with an average Oakman Boulevard Group in Detroit, Mich., Mem- bers to obtain inmate speakers. At first glance attendance of 50 to 60 instead of the 15 to 20 of bership is now 38 with an attendance averaging it may seem difficult to the outsider for us to con- a year ago. Influence in the community is demon- 95 at the open meetings and 40 at the instruction tact men willing to tell their story before the strated by opinions expressed by a member of the sessions on Friday evenings. The group, affiliated group. The public, perhaps, thinks of men in police department who was impressed to see a with the Greater Detroit office, has excellent facili- prison as being cynical and intolerant and it is number of his old “regulars” sober. A Methodist ties for meetings in the hall of the Hostess Banking likely that at one time these men had those char- minister recently requested one of the group to Co. at Oakman Boulevard and Twelfth. acteristics. However, for most, that is a thing of occupy his pulpit and talk on the principles of the past, due to the A.A. program. Each speaker, A.A. Twelve members of the group have blue chips Last Chance Group —From the Eye Opener as he unfolds his life story, is listened to attentively representing a year of sobriety. of Los Angeles, Calif., comes the following acby all and there is no scoffing as one might expect count: “One day the writer went to Lincoln Texans Have Big Ideas —Spacious new club from an audience of inmates. As the listeners Heights Jail with J.L.V. to carry the message of rooms in the down town area are now occupied note the changes that have come over men who A.A. to the women there. Although they listened by the San Antonio, Tex., Group, the new address have made frank admission of their faults they intently I seemed to sense an unexpressed reaction being 5031⁄2 West Commerce Street. The club ocare encouraged to speak also. These men see that from them which said, ‘This is all very well, but cupies the entire upper floor of a commercial the speakers are not looking for sympathy but are what about me? I am here now. I have no clothes, building, having a total floor space of 6300 square gaining courage through A.A. to face life again no money, no friends.’ Driving home the nagging feet of which 4500 square feet is given over to an when they are released. They have come to the thought persisted. Could anything be done to com- assembly room for meetings and social gatherrealization that there is nothing they can do about plement the splendid work J.L.V. is doing? An idea ings sponsored by the club. The room has been the past but there is much they can do in the took shape. Could a group of alcoholic women completely redecorated and renovated. It is flufuture. The program committee, consisting of 10 be formed whose main activity would be to make orescent lighted, and a water heater, cabinet sink, members and a chairman, acts as a contact in personal calls in Lincoln Heights, the hospitals electrically cooled water f o u n t a i n and public arranging for inmate speakers and our programs and institutions to sponsor a girl before her release address system have been installed. There are also have never been lacking for material.” so that when she regains her freedom her outlook candy, cigarette and coke vending machines. The is toward A.A. with its abundant living instead of club membership is increasingly rapidly and with Grapevine Sprouts —At a recent meeting of toward the first bar? The idea materialized into the employment of a full time paid secretary the the Kent, Ohio, Group there were f o u r clergymen a new group for women alcoholics — t h e Last goal is to be the largest club in the largest state. as guests, both Protestant and Catholic, one of the Chance Group. It has met with outstanding success San Antonio members are also holding regular latter having been located in Kent several years so far.” ago when he was helpful in getting the group weekly meeting at the State Hospital with a patient Advertises for Prospects—A woman alco- started. An increasing number of A.A.s are war attendance of 25 to 35. The doctors are cooperatholic who has stuck it out for over two years as veterans, it is reported from Minneapolis, Minn., ing fully and each week some patients are brought the only female member of a group has inserted where one member estimates at least 25 percent to closed meetings…A dinner dedicated the new an ad in a San Bernardino, Calif., newspaper, of the 2,000 in that city are veterans, including club rooms at Marshallowtown, Ia., with meat and calling for women interested to attend a session several women. Re-establishment of a city farm coffee furnished by the group and members bringat the Y.W.C.A. or to write PO. Box 1096. Although for working out Corporation Court fines would ing the rest of the food in covered dishes. she regards San Bernardino as a difficult spot for aid in the rehabilitation of Dallas, Tex., alcoholics, women drinkers she is hoping for a good response. members of the city administration were told Permian Basin Goes Plural—The Permian recently. Favorable consideration has been given Basin Group started in November, 1946 at Mona- Issue Letter in Booklet —A letter by a Semithe matter. A carnival staged by Des Moines, Ia., hans, Tex., in an informal session, had its first nole, Tex., doctor to another doctor who requested A.A.s to furnish a hospital room for the treatment regular meeting at Odessa in December with four i n f o r m a t i o n on A.A. has been printed in booklet of alcoholics had a goal of $580 for the necessary members and now has several groups located at form by the San Angelo, Tex. Group. The San cost. When the receipts were counted it was found Odessa, Monahans and Midlands. Big Spring Angelo Group is making it available at low cost that the affair brought in $750, which minus $170 is also one of the Permian Basin Groups although to other groups who wish to write to Box 943 in expenses, netted just the amount needed! Santa it did not originate from the first small meeting. their city. The San Angelo Group also reports that Fe, N.M., A.A.s went to Albuquerque recently for These groups visit each other virtually every week. its new address at the permanent club is 191⁄2 East the opening of the clubhouse of the Duke City Average attendance at Odessa and Monahans is Harris Avenue and the telephone number is 4662. Group. About 35 went in a motor cavalcade. about 20 while Midland had nine at the first ses- Now numbering 58 members, the group keeps sion. Addresses are Odessa—Box 2567, Monahans a daily register at the club which shows the visitor Score Slam in Clubs — When it comes to -505 West Lang, and Midland-807 West Texas average of 16.5 per day in April rising to 24.92 achieving new club rooms or quarters, A.A.s still Street. per day in May and about 30 for June. The figures don’t seem to let the housing shortage bother are regarded as significant because many members them. North Hollywood, Cal., recently held a New Nursing Home —Over 600 visited the travel from towns as far as 82 miles away. In recently established Cleveland Alcoholic Clinic at housewarming at the new clubhouse at 4343 Radaddition to furnishing membership information ford Avenue, the group having outgrown its 7809 Euclid Avenue, and consumed uncounted the register gives a permanent record of visitors gallons of coffee and ice cream. An innovation in original building on Chandler Boulevard. The celefrom other cities, all of whom are welcome. nursing homes is the spacious third floor club bration was old time Western style…The Tacoma, Inside Prison Walls From Wallkill, N.Y Wash., group now is quartered in attractive rooms rooms providing billiard, cards, ping pong and State Prison The A.A. Grapevine’s correspondent on Pacific Avenue. Many hours of scrubbing, other diversions as well as the usual A.A. sessions. writes: “The average A.A. member may be inter- painting and other work went into the conversion On the first floor there is a completely equipped ested to learn how A.A. can flourish and grow of an old bootleg joint. On opening night main dining room open to A.A.s and their guests. in prison. At Wallkill we have the wholehearted addresses were given by one of the founders A doctor will give a thorough physical ex-

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amination and trained nurses will be in at- An Iowa City man was chairman with the main Anonymous, we have a desire to straighten out tendance at all times. speakers from Des Moines and Dubuque. Empha- our confused lives as much as possible. We also sis was placed on working with younger people. have a desire to help the other fellow find and Iowa Veterans Hear About A.A.— Over help himself. Therefore, we make many amends The sheriff and county attorney pledged their 100 A.A.s gathered at a dinner at the Uni- for the wrongs we have done, and when we realize support. . . . C. G. K. of the New Orleans Group versity of Iowa in Iowa City, to get an idea of that we are overcoming some of our shortcomwrites in to say that he went to his first meeting how A.A. handles the drinking problem. A good ings, we are more capable of helping others to representation of G.I.s and about 125 A.A.s at- on May 10, 1944, when the membership was avoid making the same mistakes we made. tended, the latter being from Dubuque, Iowa City, about 15. Nobody could have told him then, he How? By applying ourselves to the 12 Steps Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Oelwein, Marengo, writes, that three years later the group would and not in applying the 12 Steps to ourselves. Davenport and Fremont, Nebraska, while guests number approximately 150, with another 400 Let us keep that always in mind. And always be included the sheriff, county attorney and the press. or so A.A.s active elsewhere throughout the state. careful not to get the cart before the horse. Here is what Robert 0. Ballou has to say: seems to soften a person’s heart, open his mind, Life Is Fuller and give to him an infinite understanding. “Do not push forward a wagon — you will only raise dust about yourself. Do not (Continued from, Page 5) People who live in a world where nothing think of all your anxieties — you will only happiness. We revel in the fact that each day drastic happens, and living is comparatively make yourself ill.” is new, is beautiful, and given to us to do with unconfused, miss the complexities in life that Just how many times we have done what this as we see fit. To live better, to learn more, and we alcoholics experience, and through which man has said not to do isn’t really important, to help others. Life is very small, meaningless we gain a fuller value of life. Perhaps these but the fact is that we did become very ill in the and unhappy, if we live it in a shell, never giv- people think we’re unlucky creatures of fate, process of developing into alcoholics. As begining of ourselves. Through A.A. we learn the but to me we’re the luckiest of them all, and ners, we may say, “Ah, I don’t believe that.” power of unselfish giving, and helpfulness, the I’m glad I’m an alcoholic.—Belly F. Well, whether we believe it or not doesn’t alter outcome of which is fulfillment, satisfaction, and the fact that it is very true. All alcoholics are ultimate happiness. We have worked hard for very sick people who have contracted a two-fold our sobriety, but the f u l f i l l m e n t of success is a A Chance to Help sickness from drinking to excess over a long never ending reward. Life is fuller, its meaning (Continued from Page 5) period of time — an obsession of the mind greater, and its beauties more vivid. pletely whipped. I came to the place of realiza- coupled with an allergy of the body. Yes, an in- To say I am glad only because I have learned tion we all must reach if we are alcoholics be- curable disease, but it can be arrested through a new way of living, is untrue. I am glad be- fore Alcoholics Anonymous can help us to find the proper application of this wonderful precause of the people I have met. They are so and help ourselves. scription— the 12 Step program of Alcoholics honest and sincere. They are people who work After we begin to find ourselves and learn Anonymous — just as sugar diabetes can be arhard at making life worthwhile, people you can how to help ourselves through acceptance and rested by proper diet and prescribed injections depend upon when you need help. Going through willingness to apply our lives to the very best of of insulin — or tuberculosis by proper treatment the agony of alcoholism and overcoming it our ability to this 12 Step program of Alcoholics and rest.—C. T.

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A. A. Digest—Excerpts from Group Publications The Eye Opener, Los Angeles, Calif.—”The re- The Paradox, published by the Kansas City, markable thing about this A.A. is that it sneaks Mo., Groups, recently carried an interesting up on you exactly as your drinking did. All I article by the wife of an A.A. husband-wife team have to do is to refer back to my first hypercriti- there. Among the advantages cited were: “Twocal attitude. Of course, when I first came in, every- stepping in A.A. means dancing to the same body told me to ‘relax and take it easy.’ I didn’t music. … If it is possible to meet an alcoholic know it then but I was so tense when I joined stranger for the first time, and tell him all his A.A. that I didn’t need the aid of a hypnotist to mental twists and pet intolerances, it is i n f i n i t e l y stretch myself between two chairs…The hardest more possible to understand and follow the job I had then — a n d still have — i s to take it thought patterns of an alcoholic mate. . . The easy. I think I’m on the right track now, however A.A. program is a double delight to live, when …We’ve found A.A.—which means that our sobri- there are two of you to do it.” ety is practically a foregone conclusion. And if that be true, why not relax and enjoy it?” As we go to press, a lady A.A. from California, Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio—”The well who has spent many years in Social service work, wishers of Don B. are making it tough for him and submits the following conclusion: “I am con- The Brighter Side, Waterloo, Iowa—”Alcoholic his ball club. In their zeal, some have been pester- vinced that there are two things which cannot be diseases: The First Drink, Resentment, Self Pity, ing Bill Veeck with extraordinary requests, even concealed — alcoholism and pregnancy.” Ego, Selfishness, Overconfidence, Intolerance, to the extent of asking a transfer of a regularly Jealousy and Discouragement. Cure: Try A.A.” scheduled game the Tribe plays in Philadelphia Johnny P., one of the early members in Chito Cleveland, on June 15, the day of our 12th cago, who also helped found the Kansas City anniversary. Let’s not make pests of ourselves. The Sahara, Birmingham, Ala.—”The only thing and Oklahoma Groups, and who now lives in Let’s let Don lead a natural ballplayer’s life as well offered by A.A. which can be counted as originally Buffalo, can tell of an experience which is not as a good A.A. life. He is a grand fellow and new is the technique of one alcoholic in his ap- u n f a m i l i a r to other A.A.s — an encounter with a shouldn’t be subjected to embarrassment.” proach to another alcoholic’s problem. A trans- prospect’s wife who is bent on proving that you mission of confidence is established between the can not only push the horse to water but you two which is wholly lacking in any other relation- can also make him drink. ship that the active alcoholic can make. Other Formula That Works Johnny was doing his best to talk to the 12th sources seem singularly unable to create this bond. (Continued from page 2) Step prospect. But the prospect’s wife kept an- No matter how well his case may be understood swering for him. The prospect kept mum. Johnny by his doctor, his minister or his family, and no sees more examples of kindness, generosity, pa- tried to explain several times to the wife that matter how much respect he may have for each, tience, humility. He sees people dashing up to A.A. was a voluntary matter, that the alcoholic he is not at ease in discussing his alcoholic prob- Knickerbocker Hospital, to the alcoholic wards himself had to want to get sober for himself, lem with them. He feels or senses that such things of Kings County and Bellevue. He sees and hears that nobody else could take the program for him. are outside of the realm of their experience.” A.A. members talking to those who have unfortu- “You should attend meetings,” said Johnny to nately gone “off the beam”; but he does not see the prospect. “But it’s all up to you. A.A. is those who have “slipped” criticized, condemned. voluntary.” Rope Yarn, New York, N. Y— “It can be said He sees them talked to with patience, kindness, “He’ll do it voluntarily, all right,” chimed in that each of us has conflicts; that is, we all have unselfishness—with Love. He sees families given the wife. “I’ll see that he does.” to make decisions. Hourly, we are torn between the same courteous, patient, unselfish attention two decisions that seem equally satisfactory or the alcoholic receives. equally distressing. Many times we would like Little by little this constant manifestation of He was one of those who had not made A.A. to avoid these situations but life, being a process Love begins to take effect on our newcomer. He And then he died. All of his friends were sitof growth, does not allow us if we are mature. has been constantly surrounded by it, he has ting around at the wake. One arose, walked over Conflicting emotion is part of the adult age. Our been constantly receiving it, and now, as he to the coffin and stood looking down speculajousts with conflicts are to the mind what physical begins to make the grade, he begins to give it. lively. exercise is to the body. Lack of emotional battles, Slowly but surely Divine Love has registered “He sure looks better,” said the friend, “since the feeling that we can ignore the battle of life, in all aspects with our newcomer. Instead of fear, be quit drinking.” leads to spiritual flabbiness and inertia. The he now registers courage. Instead of intolerance, deeper we probe into conflicts, the greater we grow he now displays patience. Instead of condemna- Did you know that owl’s eggs are a sure cure in spirit.” tion, he now registers sympathetic understanding. for alcoholism? And that another way to destroy Instead of sickness he has health. Instead of an appetite for liquor is to put a live minnow Squad One, Washington, D.C.—”Bill P. stressed weakness, there is strength. in the poor fellow’s whiskey? the importance of a clear understanding that the One can hardly recognize in this well-poised, That’s what Vance Randolph has written in 1st Step is composed of two elements: (1) We clear-eyed, smartly groomed confident man the Ozark Superstitions (Columbia University Press, admitted we were powerless over alcohol (2) That once trembling, bleary-eyed, sick, weak, fearful 1947), in which he also reports that ’tis said our lives had become unmanageable. It is so often creature who a short time ago crept through the doctors out that way sometimes, in the dim past, true that this Step works backwards, or it does not doorway of A.A. A miracle stands before you! tried “to quiet the nerves of alcoholic patients by work at all.” —Jack C. (Continued on Page 16)

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their message of hope to the despairing alcoholic of keeping sober by working the 1st and 12th Letters to this department are invited on any subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limita- who thinks his case is hopeless. Perhaps one steps only. That is not only possible but is entions you are asked to hold your letters to a question of interest to readers would be: “How tirely in line with the teachings of “the Book.” maximum of 350 words. Only initials will be published unless the is it done?” “How does A.A. work over the air?” I hold that when a person takes the 1st Step, writer authorizes the use of his first name as identi- Different localities are using different methods. the admission of his powerlessness over alcohol, fication for A.A. friends. The A.A. Grapevine will not divulge the full This brief article is about what goes on in the he has subconsciously taken the 2nd Step, inasname of any writer but will forward A.A. com- Baltimore area. much as having admitted that a power for—shall munications addressed to the writers of letters published here.—The Editors Although we started later than some groups, we say evil?—is greater than himself, it naturally Baltimore now has two regular weekly programs follows that, as there are two sides to every Anonymity Has its Limits! — the Towson Group working over Station question, a power for good is also greater than From Port Washington, L. I., N. Y. WFBR Saturday evenings at 7:15 and the Balti- himself. more Group broadcasting over Station WITH As good is synonymous with God in many When this A.A. first read about Alcoholics Sunday evenings at the same time. Both stations different languages, he has also taken the 3rd Anonymous he was convinced that it was just are enthusiastic supporters. The programs them- Step, as he understands God, by doing good in t h a t — a one-hundred per cent anonymous orselves, their handling and their development are making calls and otherwise trying to help others. ganization. Articles telling about members who entirely different; and the contrast in methods is The 4th Step, the inventory, has been partially had been helped by an interchange of letters interesting because both are effective. Towson’s worked by the admission of his being a drunkstrengthened this belief. He wanted A.A. but he program has remained somewhat the same, while ard. I can think of no better place for an alky didn’t want the “stigma” of being an outright the Baltimore Group did considerable experi- to start making a list of things wrong with us member. Then, too, he was afraid of having a menting before arriving at its present type of than right there. couple of hefty boiler makers dashing to his program. The 5th, the admission of the exact nature of home to sit on his chest every time he wanted Towson’s program is an informal, unprepared our wrongs, has also been automatically disposed a drink. discussion of A.A. under the moderatorship of a of. As a result of all this befuddled thinking he professional, non-alcoholic announcer, ably as- The 6th, the removal of shortcomings, is selfwas struck with a brilliant idea, why not start a sisted by an A.A. It has remained nearly the same evident by the attendance at meetings and the correspondence course? The Inter-group office since its inception, with A.A.s from the whole making of 12th Step calls. in New York to which he wrote under an alias area lending a hand. It is “homey,” comfortable Yes, I think that any one can keep sober by had other ideas about him and promptly sent and spontaneous with the announcer or the A.A. working the 1st and 12th Steps, because he is in the names and addresses of two of his A.A. neighasking leading questions to keep the ball rolling, truth, working the entire A.A. program, even if bors. With fear and trembling he got in touch and the participating A.A.s answering readily he is unaware of that fact. I further hold that if with one of them, still under an assumed name, and with no difficulty, as A.A.s discussing their the 1st and 12th Step work is continued, the and finally attended several closed meetings. The favorite subject can. It has proven very effec- transition from the idea of working only two open meetings were too public and not chummy tive, and especially with regard to mail inquiries. Steps, to embracing the entire program will be enough. It can be imagined how successfully WFBR has good range; and Towson has received natural and inevitable. As “the Book” calls it, that worked. You guessed it — at the end of five letters about drinking problems from beyond the “this simple program,” let’s leave it so. weeks of being sober he took the worst flop of limits of the United States. —Gay M. B. his drinking career. It lasted for eight months solid. Finally he crept back to a closed meeting Baltimore’s program over Station WITH is Our Program on Long Island, many miles from his first at- handled entirely by A.A.s. Two A.A. members From Portland, Oregon tempt. This time he gave his right name and write their own five-minute stories of their ex- The A.A. Program of Recovery, as outlined in periences. These are coordinated with an opening address — that did it. He was asked why no the 12 Steps, is so simply written that almost A.A. came to his rescue when be slipped so and closing announcement by an A.A. member anyone who can read can understand it easily badly. His reply will probably live with him acting as announcer. The results of this program without the aid of a dictionary. Yet, compressed forever, “Oh, no one could find me. I gave a fake have been surprisingly good. As in the club into this brief program of only two hundred name and address.” rooms, after much experimenting the Baltimore words, is the wisdom of the ages — a proved Later in talks I told this on myself, chiefly Group found the simple straight-forward stories plan for living a good, useful, and happy life. of the members to be the most impressive means because I had become imbued with the honesty Insofar as we of Alcoholics Anonymous are part of the program, still later because people of getting A.A.’s message over the air. When our concerned, and especially with reference to the laughed at it, but now I am telling it because I people are broadcasting on Sunday evenings, and 1st and 12th Steps, it was gotten up in this think it may be useful to A.A.s in dealing with the professionals within hearing grin and signal form especially for alcoholics, but it is a pattern just such timid or should I say dumb people as “Solid,” our A.A.s know they are clicking at the for living, or way of life, that is suited for and myself.—Tom C. E. station, and hope fervently that they are doing available to all mankind everywhere and at all the same with some sick alcoholic who may be times. Baltimore A.A. On The Air tuned in “out there.”-—Tony F. Yet, these precepts, or guide posts to right From Baltimore, Md. Transition Inevitable living, so simply stated, and so easily read, were Along with all the other attendant publicity, From Long Beach, Calif. not easily come by. They were learned and dismany A.A. groups are now using the radio to get There has been much talk about the possibility (Continued on next page)

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covered the hard way — by bitter experience — I stopped my work and just stood. It came to me had built up our self-confidence enough to try by man’s foolish efforts to promote his own as a miracle — it had been so easy to refuse again? Were we honestly and sincerely humble? welfare and happiness at the expense of others. without even a struggle! It didn’t seem that it Being one who had to learn this bitter lesson It can’t be done! We live in a universe so de- was I, of myself, for with my will I haven’t over, I’ve once again soberly turned to my A.A. signed as to make this forever impossible. Its been able to decline alcohol for 30 years with- pamphlet for an answer to my problem. laws, unlike man-made rules and regulations, out an awful urge and a struggle so terrific In the 1st Step—1 failed in sincerely and genucan never be broken, but can, and do, when we that many times it was beyond my self-control. inely determining to sober up for myself. oppose them, break us. That is a purely scien- This time, instead of a strong desire to drink, I honestly believed in the 2nd and 3rd Steps. tific statement. And absolutely true! But the I felt as if a mighty force possessed me, shut- Although f i n d i n g it hard to give these Steps the great religious teachers, or moral instructors of ting me out of the old world into the new. “right approach” I tried f a i t h f u l l y and it was mankind, have never thought it wise, nor feas- It opened my eyes to an untroubled, clear and only when I began to give it up as a “hard job” ible, to give strictly scientific explanations for steadfast world which seemed far above the that I also began to run into trouble. their teachings, but have appealed to man’s world from whence I came. I felt the mild faith I half way did the 4th and 5th Steps. The sense — his conscience. which I once held had been restored, strength- worst inventory and the worst wrongs I tried to They have put their own hard won knowledge, ened and a much greater faith in God assured. forget and made amends only for the ones that and the accumulated wisdom of the race into I was strengthened spiritually, mentally and would put me in a better light. the simplest and fewest words. The Golden Rule; physically; directed in this new world with The 6th and 7th Steps were fine — except — The Sermon on The Mount; The Ten Command- clearer meaning and deeper realization of for the most important item. I was not humble ments, are our own best examples of this. In spiritual power brought into existence. It all that alone ruined this Step. every age, and amongst every race, these teach- made me humble — my heart was touched and Only doing half the 4th and 5th Steps, it was ings, though they may have been couched in I was made glad, and it truly convinces me that only natural to do half of the 8th and 9th. different terms, or presented in a different form, we as individuals can rise above our old modes I can only group the 10th, 11th and 12th Steps are substantially the same. of thinking and do more in accordance with A.A. together for it speaks for itself that if I had The rich residue of them all are embodied teachings by reliance and dependence in a Power failed on the first nine, I could not help failing in our own 12 Steps. If we have faith in the greater than ourselves.—Lillian R. on these last three. 12 Steps and accept them absolutely without Due to help I’ve received from friends in A.A., reservation, they will most assuredly work. Half Measures Not Enough I have found heart to try again — only this time If we try to reason them out and understand I will bear in mind one of the last sentences in From Martinville, Va. them, before we are willing to work them, we the Guide to the 12 Steps: shall never get anywhere. I have been wondering how many A.A mem- “In conclusion, practice these Steps in all your We must DO, before we can KNOW. That is bers who have been.in A.A. a few weeks or a few affairs. The 12 Steps are not something to be the meaning of experience. And we shall never months have slipped by the wayside as I. gone through and then forgotten. They are a set attain to a “spiritual experience” until AFTER On which of the 12 Steps did we fail? Were of rides for living that must be practiced at all we have put into practice “in all our affairs” the we only skimming the surface of A.A. until we times, never forgotten.”—J. D. M. whole of our program — the 12 Steps — and until we seek through continued prayer and meditation, to improve our conscious contact VINO VIGNETTES: Who’s a Poor Prospect? with God, as we understand Him.—Leo C. Like a lot of the others I used to wonder what Then one night came the sort of thing that Red was doing at our A.A. meetings. makes members who are inclined to be smug stop He was a perfect type, but not what you’d expect short and check up on their own A.A. status. For Spiritual Awakening Red got up and in well-laden accents proceeded to in an A.A. session. Words dropped with a husky From Spokane, Washington accent from one corner of a mouth resembling dish out the A.A. dope in about as clear and forcea mail box slit and the cauliflowering of his ears ful a manner as I’ve ever heard. Two years membership in A.A. gives me a was a distinct departure from the classical lines It’s almost anti-climax to say that there were clearer viewpoint toward spiritual growth. A of beauty. Kinky red hair topped off a heavy head changes made. Red gave up the crooked card neighbor passed our house one morning during set on a thick body without much apparent sign game, he took to buying broken down vacuum one of his periodic binges; he appeared quite of neck. cleaners and other appliances, rebuilding them shaky so I surmised he was after more alcoholic Someone had spotted Red in the company of the and peddling them from door to door. beverages. On his arrival home he ventured out canned heat drinkers under the city bridges where Pretty soon he had a nice little income of $15 to to hand me a quart of beer over the fence. I be was making out an existence as dealer in a $20 a day for his work. He appeared in a neat refused it with no temptation whatsoever. Having strictly dishonest poker game. Getting him to a suit, still dropping words of accented wisdom from been in the same sorry plight so many times, meeting in the first place was one of those ex- his square cut mouth. The fact is that Red got however, I couldn’t help but sympathize and un- amples of human persistence and miracles which to be one of the social favorites in A.A. derstand another so afflicted. I had a deep desire flourish in A.A. It sounds like a combination of Horatio Alger to be helpful, to find assistance but at that par- When Red continued to arrive punctually at and the better known fairy tales, but Red actually ticular time I was handicapped in being any meetings everyone was considerably surprised did it. He bought a neat house, brought his aged great help. Then it came to my mind how helpless although they certainly didn’t give way to any mother to town and continued on his A.A. way. and completely lacking we mortals are at times wild hopes. At first he just sat there and then he When I think of a vignette I always think of even in our desires to be helpful and how very began to circulate, talking earnestly to everyone Red—solid A.A., solid citizen, and a sturdy, living much we need the help of God. into whose ear he could slide a word or question. manifestation of those mysterious powers we have After coming inside and working about the We all thought he was curious but didn’t expect come to know.—Bob H., Greenwich Village, New house I suddenly remembered the beer incident. a lot. York City.

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Fundamentals of Psychiatry (Editor’s Note: For a broader understanding of alcoholism, The A.A. Grapevine will each month in this department ing very deep levels of regression are commonly print articles and writings of others than A.A.s themselves. Last month the first of these reprints appeared, an editorial observed, even descent to the level of infantile entitled “Alcohol — A Management Problem,” which had originally appeared in Printers’ Ink. This month’s “Reference Library” reading is taken from the book, Fundamentals of Psychiatry by Edward A. Strecker, M.D. helplessness with abandonment of control of the Portions of pages 81-88 are reprinted by permission of the publisher, ]. D. Lipinncott Company, and the author.) ordinary bodily functions. he is more apt to be preponderantly an intro- A careful study of the life histories of many ALCOHOLIC PSYCHOSES alcoholic patients would seem to indicate that vert than an extrovert. Of course, there is much Among the psychiatric disabilities due to ex- drinking among those whose dominant traits are one is fairly close to the fundamental causation ogenous poisons, those conditioned by alcohol out-going and social, but the real, purposeful in the discovery of the very frequent recurrence are by far the most common. Alcohol is quickly consumption of alcohol is more common among of a childhood environment which thwarted, and effective in screening unpleasant reality; it is those who tend to look inward and who are not even completely blocked, the attainment of an readily obtainable and the pathologic d r i n k e r is socially facile. They have a logical surface rea- adult emotional stature. The common pattern in tolerated socially until he has fallen to a very son for their drinking. For them, it lessens the these histories is one in which the psychological low level. In spite of its reputation among the usual friction of the social wheels and makes crime of parental loving-dominance was perpelaity as a stimulant, alcohol is always a narcotic. contact with their follow men bearable and even trated against the child. The aftermath is obvious. It is only within recent years that the light of pleasant. As for the extrovert, his personality The time comes all too quickly when the child modern science has been focused upon alcohol endowments have already granted him the grace arrives at the chronological age at which society and alcoholism with sufficient intensity to pene- of being “easy” with the herd. He does not really expects and demands emotional maturity accomtrate the enveloping fog of traditional error. need alcohol, though he does use it to heighten panied by adult behavior. The emotionally im- Nowhere in medicine is the survival of archaic the pleasures of reality. mature individual makes a sorry attempt to post hoc ergo propter hoc thinking more appar- Likewise does it seem true that alcoholism is satisfy these demands by a few futile and inent than in theories concerning alcoholism and one of the psychoneuroses of introversion. Care- adequate gestures. He fails. Society begins to its treatment. Loose concepts concerning organic ful clinical study of alcoholic patients leaves exact the penalty for such failure. Perhaps the pathology, often based on nothing more than a one with the conviction that alcohol is utilized remainder of the picture, its alcoholic composequence of events, were freely accepted. Now, as psychoneurotic symptoms are utilized — in nent, is a matter of chance. But it is a chance as is well known, even such pathologic “verities” order to screen effectively unsatisfactory external in which the dice are loaded, since alcohol is as cirrhosis of the liver or neuritis can no longer and inner realities. Painstaking analyses of the not only the most rapidly acting solvent of unbe attributed solely to alcohol. clinical life histories of alcoholics and psycho- pleasant reality, but is also the most available Concepts concerning the psychopathology of neurotics will reveal, and not infrequently, sub- and least socially reprehensible of the technics the alcoholic labored under even more ancient stitution phases during which, in the first group, for evading reality. and more erroneous fallacies. Consequently, un- the intake of alcohol ceased and neurotic phe- Perhaps the theme has been advanced to the til quite recently, therapy, as might be expected, nomena were in the foreground, while in the point at which the definition the author has proconsidering its derivation from such concepts, second group, the psychoneurotic picture faded posed for the chronic alcoholic should be rehas consisted of a queer hodge-podge of so- to be replaced by alcoholic overindulgence. pealed: “The chronic alcoholic is the percalled psychotherapy. Practitioners of medicine Both in one of its chief psychopathologic son who cannot face reality without alcohol, participated with families of alcoholic patients motifs and in its deeper motivation, the psycho- and yet whose adequate adjustment to realin various plans which depended for their hoped- neurotic pathologic drinking of the introvert ity is impossible so long as he uses alcohol.” for effect upon persuasion and threat, reward asserts itself as a neurosis of emotional imma- The highest hurdle that the alcoholic patient and punishment, usually ending in eventual in- turity. must finally succeed in clearing is that of the carceration. All in all, these plans and methods Once the potential alcoholic has satisfied the acceptance of a completely nonalcoholic future. conspired to wrap the alcoholic even more tightly surface reasons for his drinking, that is, the The difficulty of taking this hurdle is not enin the swaddling clothes of emotional immatur- attainment of greater social ease and satisfaction, tirely due to the renunciation of the pleasures ity. This was doubly unfortunate in thought and he soon begins to drink pathologically. A much of alcohol, but it is due, in considerable degree, in practice, since the only hope for the alcoholic, deeper need demands satisfaction and this need to the emotional immaturity of the patient. His psychologically speaking, is to be stripped of is of great significance in the psychopathology ego has been somewhat p i t i f u l l y shamed by the the garments of his immaturity so that he may of alcoholism. This urge is a demand for re- view he has had of his childish behavior. He learn to face himself in the nakedness of truth. gression to lower levels — levels of lessened wants to be a “man” and, somewhat paradoxi- Just as in the physical segment of alcoholism responsibility, immaturity and finally, fantasy. cally, he dallies overlong with the thought that certain principles are beginning to emerge so, Here we are dealing with something very ancient, a “man” can “take it or leave it.” When he too, on the psychological side, are we beginning as old as alcohol itself, the ever-present neces- finally does attain the emotional stature of adultto suspect certain truths. In this brief presenta- sity for a technic which may be relied upon to hood, he understands all too well that no ego tion the author wishes merely to put forward, blur the sharp outlines of reality and to soften belittlement is involved in the self-made decimore or less arbitrarily, certain principles of its hardest blows. That the journey to regressive sion that the only possible choice is never to the psychopathology of alcoholism which in the levels is the raison d’etre for pathologic drink- take alcohol again. In any event, unless such a light of experience have been found to possess ing is obvious. Even in more or less normal so- conviction is formed within the patient, and is therapeutic value. cial drinking, alcohol quickly dissolves, for the formed so definitely that it is inculcated into his Contrary to general and public lay opinion, drinker, the garments of sober responsibility and personality, then, although he may have long the alcoholic is not very likely to be the “hail years and temporarily reclothes him with the periods of sobriety, yet he will never attain comfellow well met” type. In his personality traits vestments of carefree youth. In pathologic drink- plete recovery.

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inner shelters except as a pattern to fashion our Wives Can Well Follow A.A.’s Example own, not only to shelter us in our sorrows, but to lend security and meaning to our joys. For From Ogden, Utah I once read the story of a small mid-western to live according to God’s will for us is to find town that was having a serious drought. For a fuller, more abundant l i f e with protection and The old saying, “You can lead a horse to many days the sun shone down with withering gifts and powers far beyond our dreams.— water, but you can’t make him drink”, might, it heat and the crops were w i l t i n g in the fields. In Mrs. R. seems to me, be applied to some of the A.A. desperation the people called a prayer meeting wives. Some of us come to meetings with our and made their way to the little white church husbands, purely for their good. In order to from miles around. They prayed and sang hymns a t t a i n sobriety, our husbands have climbed the and listened attentively while the minister re- A.A. Steps until they have contacted a Higher (Continued from Page 12) counted the beautiful stories of the miracles in Power and gained for themselves a spiritual ex- rubbing the head of the patient with a paste of the Bible. During the services clouds came up perience. For them it was a necessity. They had sunflower seeds” . . . “A thick sassafras-bark and soon rain was beating down on the little found their way into such trouble and confusion shampoo” was “sometimes used in similar cases church. The people heard it and j o y f u l l y gave by following their own wills that they just had and had the added advantage of killing head lice thanks. At the conclusion of the meeting though, to find some way to contact the will of God and all the members of the congregation stood hud- as well as soothing jangled nerves.” by obeying it redeem their mistakes. dled in the doorway of the church, unable to But, we heard the member of one of the New For most of the wives, seeking a spiritual ex- York groups tell how he had the idea for quite leave because of the downpour. All, that is, experience through the A.A. program may not be a time that if he took his morning drink out cept one small girl. with perfect faith of childa necessity, but it is a privilege. There is no hood she had come prepared for rain, and while of a tin cup it straightened him up better. And deeper happiness than the feeling that you are the others waited, she calmly put up her um- then there’s another New York A.A. who really following God’s will for you and attaining a brella and started off down the steps, the only believed for a while that although he was an way of life that will develop all that is best. one to prove her faith with action. alcoholic in New York, he wasn’t one in Florida. Although we all admit the 12 Steps are good Faith is like a muscle. It atrophies if we don’t Guess there’s no need to go back into history for our husbands we sometimes put off actively use it, so we must keep doing small, definite to find alcoholic superstitions! working to apply them in our daily lives. The things that show we really believe. most complete set of tools in the world though, Perhaps some of us have wondered how to One of the reasons A.A. works so well with can build nothing unless there is a workman to really go about contacting this Power greater drunks is because “it takes a drunk to know a use them; and the world’s most modern radio than ourselves. Well, The A.A. Steps call for drunk.” A new twist occurred recently when one will not play a single tune no matter how you humility, prayer and action. Surely if we pray of our friends among the priesthood took a hand twist the dials unless it is plugged into a source humbly and sincerely, and consistently try to w i t h a prospect in a New England state. The of power. Likewise, we can read the 12 Steps live up to our highest impulses we w i l l finally father made an arrangement to meet his “charge” and hear lessons about them for months, but in find actual contact with God’s will for us and each Thursday, escort him to the A.A. meeting. order to have them really work for us we must when that happens we will feel a greater surge Things went along beautifully for about six definitely try for our own spiritual advancement. for peace and happiness than we have ever known. Thursdays until, on the seventh Thursday, the It is so easy to claim faith in a thing without We know from our husbands’ experiences that following through with the confident action that father found his prospect a wee bit the worse God can do nothing about, us until we really proves our f a i t h ! for drink. Speaking to the f a m i l y about it, the want him to. God’s will is not aggressive. It father said: “Well, anyway, he’s been sober for doesn’t seek us out and force itself upon us. the last six weeks.” “I think you’re mistaken, But if we earnestly desire it, it will come to us Father,” remarked one of the family, “John has Cut This Out and Mail to: quietly and point the way for us, day by day. been sober only the last six THURSDAYS!” P 0. Box 328 Some people seem born with an inner sense Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. of serenity and a deep understanding. But it

Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) only comes to others after they have really been New Groups beaten by life and have finally found their way for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- to peace and patience. The path of peace of (Continued from page 1) vine ( m o n t h l y ) . mind is not too difficult. We must cease to follow NEW JERSEY—Woodbridge. For additional subscriptions enclose separate our own selfish wills and must learn to be less NEW YORK—North Side Group (Binghamton) ; sheet w i t h name and address clearly printed. concerned with ourselves and more concerned Swillburg Group (Rochester). Make checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. with the lives of others. Always we must be NORTH CAROLINA—Bladenboro; Boone. t r u t h f u l to ourselves and others, looking for the OHIO—Bucyrus; Dennison Avenue Group (Co- Total Enclosed lumbus) ; Downtown Group (Springfield); real truth behind appearances. For a while each Renewal? (please check) day we must put aside our hurried every day Van Wert. thoughts in favor of high, clear thinking. that OREGON—North Lincoln Group (Ocean Lake). PLEASE PRINT is the way to our own serenity. PENNSYLVANIA—Erie County (Corry). Name Too many of us look for our strength in some- TENNESSEE—Dyersburg; Overton Park Group one or something outside ourselves — persons (Memphis). Address whose balance cannot be upset. Why can’t it be TEXAS—Kilgore; Midland; Ward-Winkler Counupset? Because they have built a shelter within ties Group (Monahans) ; Port Arthur. themselves. They have built it with the power VERMONT—Franklin County Group (St. Albans). Note: Subscriptions received prior to August 15 that lies to all our hands. We cannot use their VIRGINIA.—Warrenton. will begin with the September issue.

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VOL. IV, NO. 4, SEPTEMBER, 1947. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1947, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

Clinics to Highlight Convention in Memphis T WO THOUSAND members of Alcoholics Anonymous are expected to gather in Memphis, Tenn., this month for the third annual Southeastern Regional Convention, IF You CANT PHONE Sept. 19-20, at which Bill W. will be the principal speaker. A unique feature of the convention will be a series of clinics to be held each morn- From New Rochelle, N. Y. ing on a variety of group and individual problems such as: Club Room Management; It was about the end of April, after the 25th Problems of Group Secretaries; Types of A.A. I’m sure. I had been seven months dry and Meetings; Methods of 12th Step Work. rarely phoned anyone to ease the jittery nerves. Data for the clinics was obtained in question- On this particular evening, after having felt naires sent out to southeastern groups and has NONE SO BLIND relatively serene and relaxed for a few weeks, been correlated for presentation by discussion From Temple City, Calif. I was suddenly upset by something I read, I leaders. Eight clinics have been scheduled. decided I’d shake it off, distracting myself with Other activities include a steamboat ride on A.A. has gone to far places and reached into other things and finally prepared for bed. But the Mississippi, a barbecue in the park, both dark deserted corners to cut the tentacles of alcono sleep! I was badly disturbed. I got up, open and closed A.A. meetings, and an informal, holism; but it has not gone far enough, or deep read a book, smoked a lot, and then went back social pow-wow. A.A. members are invited to enough—as we have reason to know when we find to bed. But still no sleep. bring wives, husbands, families and friends, for ourselves smack up against a barrier of misin- Finally, I decided I’d get this thing out of whom the schedule provides plenty of activities. formation erected by a disinterested public. my system. I’d make a call! I jumped out of The meeting w i l l be held in the Memphis Some of the inaccuracies are funny—some are bed and grabbed my bathrobe. I was going to Auditorium. According to Maryan H., chairman tragic, but all should be corrected even if we have talk on that phone as never before. Then an- of the convention committee, registration will be- to shout from the house-tops. other jolt. The bloody phone strike! This was gin Thursday afternoon, Sept. 18, w i t h an in- Even after reading Alcoholics Anonymous I long distance. Coast to coast. For an alcoholic formal gathering of early registrants scheduled myself had some sort of vague delusion that there it must always be the best, biggest, and longest. for that evening. was a great deal of “hush-hush” about not giving Vern W., chairman of the reservation and reg- your right name. I thought that all the men Thanks be to God I had nothing around to istration committee, says that the registration fee were called Bob and Bill and all the women were drink. of $5, payable on arrival, includes a ticket for Mary and Sue, and before my first meeting I In a few moments I was praying and looking was not a little apprehensive that I might meet the steamboat ride and the barbecue; extra tickat my typewriter. Then I realized how often someone I knew and cause them great embarassets may be purchased for friends for $1 each. I had expressed myself silently on paper better ment. I wondered if I should acknowledge the Hotel reservations may be made through P. O. than talking over the phone. acquaintanceship, or look blank when we were Box 1364, Memphis, Tenn. There I sat late at night tapping out my heart In one of a number of bulletins sent out to introduced. and mind, disturbed only slightly by the sound members by the convention committee, the chair- I have collected quite a few of these “mis-guidof a plane winging its way to the airport or a man said: “We are in no sense endeavoring to ing lights” and I think I have a story about two boat as it passed on the Sound. I poured out promote a national convention or set Memphis drunks that will end all stories about two drunks: my thoughts, gave vent to my emotions, and was up as headquarters for such a meeting. How- These two drunks had reached that maudlin greatly relieved. ever, we feel that A.A.s from regions other than stage, full of love and emotion found only in I signed my letter and sealed it, went to bed the Southeastern will be interested and that much two perfect strangers who have spent an evening and slept peacefully. can be gained by an exchange of ideas by A.A. holding down the same bar. “Lissen,” said the If you can’t phone, write.—D.G. from widely different sections of the country.” (Continued on Page 14)

A.A. Program Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alco- Opens Door to holism. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. A.A. has no dues or fees. It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage Spiritual Birth in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. From Washington, D. C. The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps. The A.A. book of experience, Alco- I am an alcoholic, now sober in A.A. for two holics Anonymous, and other literature, including The 12 Points of Tradition, are available through any group or the Central Office, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y. and a half years. For that I am grateful to A.A., to a Power greater than A.A., and to a power which vastly transcends any power I have ever had, or now have. I like my A.A. sober life better than my former drunken life. I hated that drunken life long before I ever heard of A.A. I wanted to change it, and I tried. But I did not know how to change i t , and I failed. Others tried to help me. They failed also. They were as powerless over my alcoholism as I was. On the l l t h Step And I like my A.A. sober life better than another sober life I once had, long before A.A. I can make both comparisons. The A.A. life “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact is best. with God, as we understand Him, praying only for knowledge of His will In bygone years there were extensive periods for us and the power to carry that out.” when I did not drink at all. I was then continuously sober longer than I have now been sober Many A.A.s, including the writer, have found this one of the most difficult of the in A.A. And yet, I got drunk the first time I 12 Steps. ever took a drink, which was at the age of 14. I got drunk the last time I ever took a drink, It is easy to believe in a Power greater than ourselves—we have only to think of the which was just before I came to A.A. I know inexplicable marvels of the universe—but it is hard to believe that we can interest this I will get drunk the next time I ever take a Power in our own insignificant needs through the medium of prayer and meditation. drink, if I ever do. I do not know how long Many of us have heard a newcomer say, “I can believe in His existence a l l right, that next d r u n k would last, or whether I would but I can’t swallow the idea that He will bother with a worm like me, or that he should!” live or be able to get back to A.A. again. An- There’s nothing wrong with this attitude; it is the beginning of an arrested alco- other drink of whiskey is not worth that chance. holic’s true humility, and it leads right into the llth Step, which may be approached ex- I believe I have had my lifetime quota of being drunk. Any alcoholic who feels that way perimentally. It may be approached on the “try it and see” basis. about it is ready for A.A., and A.A. is ready No one is going to jam prayer and meditation down anyone’s throat. it is a job for him. Any alcoholic who intends to do some that must be undertaken by the individual from his own desire and his own need. Per- more drinking is not ready for A.A., and A.A. haps he will fumble a little at first. Like every other worthwhile activity in this life, it cannot help him until he is ready. There is requires a technique. One’s own is the best. One shouldn’t be confused by the form of always the hope that he will change, if he lives address or even the content of the prayers in church. They are designed to encompass long enough. Not all live that long. Meanwhile, there is plenty more misery for the alcoholic, the general congregation. One’s own prayer will be his individual way of consulting and continued hell for his loved ones. Another God, of stating his simple desire and hope for a better life. And his thanks. drink of whiskey is not worth that. The clue to the whole thing is contained in the very wise phrasing of the Step it- 1 came to A.A. in about as wretched an alcoself—”Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with holic condition as anyone I know. I do not God.” This implies that everyone, to a greater or less degree, has, conscious contact with want to return to that. I can return by drinking a Higher Power. That is exactly right. It could not be otherwise. All through our again. My practice of the 12 Steps to the best lives we have been more or less aware of a part of ourselves which was different from of my understanding and ability is my only sure way of not drinking again. and superior to the obvious phenomena of nature. During my years of drunkenness I gave my- Some people call it their better nature; others their will; still others call it that self much sorrow, and gave even more to others. spark of divinity in each one of us which unites us to the whole Divine Principle. Terms During my years of total abstinence I had conare not important so long as we recognize the fact of “our conscious contact with God, siderable happiness, and gave some to others. as we understand Him.” The things merely suggests that we improve that contact. But I did not have something then that I do have It is helpful to many to think of prayer and meditation as a consultation with the now, in A.A. God within us. This makes it easy to reconcile prayer with the exercise of will power, I was just dry then, just not drinking, just on (Continued on Page 14) (Continued on Page 6)

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Chicago Committee on Alcoholism Spurs Civic Interest (This is the second in a series of articles reporting finding that many of them can be helped.” Carlson is professor emeritus of physiology at on various research and educational projects relating to the University of Chicago. Chairman of the Chicago Committee is Dr. alcoholism, now being carried on throughout the country under both private and public sponsorship, by official Anton J. Carlson, who is also president and sci- The Chicago Committee offers four proposals and non-official agencies.) e n t i f i c director of the Research Council on for action on the problem in Chicago: “One of the first things a man who wishes Problems of Alcohol, an independent agency (1) A consultation center for alcoholics offerto cure himself of alcoholism must do is to w i t h headquarters in New York, which is seeking ing preliminary diagnostic service and direction recognize the fact that there is no cure.” to coordinate the various research activities to treatment facilities should be established. These pragmatic words, especially meaningful underway in the United States and to provide a (2) A program of public education on the to all members of A.A., were the opening para- means for correlating and disseminating the nature of alcohol addiction, its results and its graph of an article appearing in the J u l y 20, knowledge accumulated through their work. Dr. treatment, utilizing all possible media of com- 1947, issue of The Chicago Sunday Tribune. The munication, should be developed. article closed with the following note: (3) Additional facilities for treatment will be needed. Experience gained through operation “The Chicago Committee on Alcoholism, of the consultation center will serve as a basis through its vice president, Walter 0. Crom- for determination of the nature of facilities well, is prepared to supply information to ex- which must be established in order to provide cessive drinkers seeking medical, psychiatric, more adequate treatment and treatment for more or institutional care. The committee also can Portland, Me., Express: “Judge Armand 0. people. arrange contacts with Alcoholics Anonymous. LeBlanc of the Westbrook Municipal Court to- (4) We need to know more about alcoholism. Mr. Cromwell’s address is 816 Halsted Street day was of the belief that the present all-time In conjunction with the consultation center and and his phone number is Monroe 0135.” record of addiction to alcohol in this country any new treatment facilities which may be estabcould be traced to the passage of the prohibition lished, a comprehensive program of scientific act. Speaking at a meeting of Alcoholics Anony- research in all aspects of the problem should be The Chicago Committee on Alcoholism is one mous, Judge LeBlanc said that the Volstead Act initiated. type of agency set up in recent years to deal was a ‘horror of laws.’ He said the act atwith the problem of alcoholism directly, to pro- tempted to legislate the morals of the citizens.” Portal House Described mote public education on the subject and to stimulate research. The Chicago Department of Welfare’s Portal House is one of the agencies with which the Wide Representation Philadelphia, Pa., Bulletin: “Helpful hand of Chicago Committee on Alcoholism is cooperat- Alcoholics Anonymous is stretching out with ing. Reporting recently on the work being done Members of the committee include representa- new determination to help the Philadelphia ad- at Portal House, The Chicago Daily News said: tives of medicine, psychiatry, law, religion, so- “Seven men with seven stories and seven loves dict. Campaign has been launched to instruct cial work, industry and labor. As outlined in the for liquor today completed the first phase of a personnel managers, plant superintendents, office original statement of its purposes and policies, new course of treatment for alcoholism at Portal issued at the time of the committee’s formation bosses, etc., how to deal with the Monday morning stayouters, hangover boys and those who House, 5059 Vincennes Avenue. The result: in October, 1946, the objectives of this group Seven men with futures. A month ago the seven are based upon three premises: slip away from work for a quick one at every were drunkards. Every morning was the ‘morn- (1) Alcoholism is a serious problem; (2) al- opportunity. All these they consider potential ing after.’ Every ‘morning after’ called for a coholism can be treated successfully; (3) the alcoholics, if not already full-fledged. Cooperanew round of drinks. There was no future. development of addiction to alcohol can be pre- tion with executives as well as whiskey distribu- Today they sat around a table in Portal House vented. tors, taproom and cafe proprietors, has been ex- and reported on the Chicago Department of In support of the premise that alcoholics can cellent, according to report.” Welfare’s experiment in treatment of alcoholics. be treated successfully, the committee’s statement They told of the month-long program of psychopointed out: “During the past decade we have logical and medical treatment. Being men of struggled to break the bonds of prejudice toward Charleston, W. Va., Mail: “Let us this Friday bitter experiences, they had some wise words to the alcoholic and pessimism regarding his treat- afternoon give a deep bow to members of the offer. Their words, in part: ‘We’re not cured. ment. Alcoholics Anonymous have led the way We’ll always be drunks. It’s just that we’re not organization called Alcoholics Anonymous. All in showing that alcoholics can be helped; the drinking today. Tomorrow? We’ll see about of them once looked too long and too well into augmented usefulness of thousands of their that in the morning. We’re in pretty good shape members demonstrates they are worth helping. the frosted amber of forgetfulness. Unlike some now. A month ago we were a mess. This must A small number of devoted scholars, physicians others, they did not let the vanity of alcoholic be the ‘right road.’ Members of Alcoholics and laymen have begun to lay the foundations splendors prove permanently hypnotic. They Anonymous are cooperating in the come-back of a scientific approach toward the problems of kicked off the self-persecuted ego of the rum- program.” alcoholic addiction and its treatment. ridden Narcissus, got up and walked away from The Chicago Committee on Alcoholism is in- “Even under our present limitations of k n o w l – the mirror reflecting their own poor selves and corporated, not-for-profit, under the laws of the edge and experience regarding the treatment of fought their way back to respectable sobriety State of Illinois and is supported by voluntary alcoholics,” the statement continued, “we are again.” contributions.

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LITTLE ROCK PLAN The Pleasures of Reading GIVES PROSPECTS People in Quandaries, by Wendell Johnson (Harper & Bros., $3.75) CLOSE ATTENTION This is an extremely pertinent book, simple enough for most laymen’s comprehension. (Following is another of the reports published from People, in Quandaries is written for the widest possible reading p u b l i c : People in quandaries— time to time by The A.A. Grapevine on group methods this means you! and techniques. The reports, in addition to correlating The problems with which this strangely articulate psychologist copes are those which floor us information on group activities, show how varied are the methods and techniques followed by different groups all, day after day, as we strive to live at peace w i t h ourselves and with one another in a world in different parts of the country and how policies which growing more complicated hourly! Dr. Johnson’s angle on such problems of personal adjustment might not work in one area do work in another.) is sharply direct, and soundly practical. Elaborating upon the thesis that “man is the only crea- From Little Rock, Ark. ture able to talk himself into difficulties that would not otherwise exist,” he makes it perfectly Greater Little Rock A.A. was seven years old plain that the “language of maladjustment” affects not only individuals, alcoholic or otherwise, but last March and has helped establish most of the entire classes of society. groups within the state. More than five hundred Surely it has occurred to many t h a t their maladjustments to current tempos may spring from men and women have been initialed into A.A. their failure to understand and use words and symbols to their own advantage. Such maladjustthrough the Little Rock Approach Plan since its ments fundamentally are at the base of home, community, school, business, national, and world creation seven years ago when five men got to- problems. gether and began to use the book, Alcoholics The first part of this clearly written book explains in general terms what semantics signify, Anonymous, which had just been published. and is recommended heartily as an inoculation for the beginner. About 20 pages suggest re- It is interesting to note that of these men, the search problems in the individual’s own language habits as a sound method for approaching perfounders of the movement here, all are alive and sonal problems. only one ever had a relapse. They are living, Having done this, Dr. Johnson makes equally clear the “language of adjustment”—the ways walking proof of the statement that “it works.” of using words and other symbols which make for personal growth and social progress. The reader who would wish something more practical must realize that semantics already has brought us tre- Records Carefully Kept mendous gifts in the realm of personal communications—but that painstaking groundwork in the field of pure science must precede exposition. The Little Rock Plan was, we believe, the first Of particular importance is Dr. Johnson’s analysis of the language of science, in connection of its kind in the country. By adhering strictly with which he describes science as a general method—”a way of life, no less”—which can be used to the “Plan” hundreds have been brought into not only by research workers in their laboratories, but by people everywhere, every moment of their A.A. and because this group has kept accurate daily lives. He contrasts our pre-scientific habits with the scientific ways of behavior essential for records and statistics, we can report that our adjustment, if not peace, in the atomic age. success is better than the national average of “Only in our more stately mansions,” he warns, “may refuge still be found.” He provides 75%—or to put it another way, our “slip” rec- detailed directions for moving into the “more stately mansions” of our own souls, and for learnord is lower than the 25% expected and reported ing how to live in the marbled halls of the mind. from other groups over the country. Dr. Johnson is, as was his l8th century namesake, a stickler for the exact word. He permits It is not easy to become a member of this his enthusiasm to make him understress many non-semantic features of personal maladjustments, group. When a person has expressed a desire to such as psychological and temperamental influences caused by the shattering impacts of traumatic achieve sobriety and has had a sponsor appoint- episodes in individual lives. Furthermore, he seems to be overly sanguine about getting people to ed for him, he must leave his work or position change the errors of their ways. However, the positive values of People in Quandaries far outfor at least two weeks. Usually the prospect is balance its minor defects. required to spend that entire time within, the With its fluid and engrossing style, this book makes rewarding reading. Dr. Johnson has confines of the club rooms, studying, preparing presented, clearly and interestingly, the case for a new clinical interpretation of what his book a case history, meeting and filling assignments subtitles The Semantics of Personal Adjustment.—R.E.B., Greenwich Village, New York City. laid out by the sponsor. If, after two weeks, he has discharged his as- him a small diary and ask that each day there- required by his sponsor, be serves his apprensignments to the satisfaction of his sponsor, he after for 28 days, be record his impressions of ticeship in what is known as “The Prospect is brought before the executive committee and the day, any event, whether a happy one or a Squad.” Here he learns from a squad leader there his request for membership is presented by sad one, and enter therein, “1 have not taken various phases of the work of A.A., mingles his sponsor in his presence. In some instances, a drink this day,” and sign his name. with other neophytes, hears their experiences and because of the peculiarity of his case, he may At the end of this period he returns the diary contributes his own. If he needs guidance or adnot be admitted for varying periods as high as to the club, is again welcomed and is admitted to vice this is where he gets it, along with other six months in some cases. However, if he is full membership, the privilege of the ballot and new men, seeking the way out. deemed eligible by the committee, he is brought an unrestricted part in the activities of the fel- There is the “slip squad,” where the man who before the next meeting, receives a warm wel- lowship. He is then assigned to a squad, given has suffered a setback, no matter how severe or come, is handed a copy of the “Approach Pro- some definite task, and encouraged to work, how light, must serve from two weeks to six gram” and the 12 Steps. guided by some older member, with new pros- months before he is again recognized as a full- This is not all, however. We do not simply pects. fledged member. Often the slippee is assigned say, “Now here you are, you have had it all, go In dealing with the new man, there are other tougher, more strenuous assignments than when your way. and may God bless you.” No, we do procedures. First of all, in addition to being he first was admitted. Here be discusses the slip not cut him off in mid-air, so to speak. We give required to adhere strictly to the assignment? freely with those men, who like himself, have

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“missed the boat” somewhere down the line. He him through again (and again if necessary) by Foreign-Language Listing tries to find out why he made the mistake and way of the “Slip Squad.” Set Up in Cleveland learns again that “to err is only human” and Credit is due the state Hospital and Fort that a slip in the beginning is not uncommon, Roots, one of the Southwest’s largest veterans’ Since Cleveland is one of the largest centers certainly not fatal. hospitals, where we have complete cooperation of foreign born population in the United Stales, The executive committee is comprised of rep- from the entire staff of doctors and psychiatrists. there are many calls at the Cleveland District resentatives from each squad. The squads meet From Fort Roots especially, come more and Office for A.A. contacts in languages other than once a week on nights other than the regular more men, having been told by the psychiatrists, English. To meet this need the Cleveland Office meeting and transact the actual business of the “We can do nothing more for you, your best bet is building up a foreign language contact service Fellowship. is A.A. It works.” The courts of law in Arkan- so that the calls can be promptly answered. We spend much time in planning and exe- sas in general and Little Rock in particular During the past few months the office has recuting the new man’s graduation from the fresh- without exception lend a willing ear and helping ceived requests for contacts in German, French, man stage. We carry him slowly and carefully hand to unfortunates who stand before the court Polish, Lithuanian, Greek, Roumanian, Hunthrough the “Prospect Squad”; admit him to and even so much as intimate that they would garian and Czech. The office was able to supply membership; keep our contacts with him through like to q u i t drinking. While we have gone far all of these except the Roumanian, but learned that critical period, the first month or so, through and progressed much, no small amount of credit on investigation that the Roumanian understood his daily diary; put him in a squad after he be- is due to all these factors plus the altitude of all Hungarian well enough to make communication comes a full member and then if be slips, put business men of this city.—G.H.B. possible in that language!

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A. A. Sobriety Opens Door to Spiritual Growth (Continued from Page 2) self. The first step of any 12th Step work I can do is to stay sober on the A.A. program myself. the wagon. Now I am not just dry, not just not Doing that, I may be able to influence a fellow drinking, not just on the wagon. I am now a alcoholic to try being honest with himself. sober alcoholic doing my honest best to live Self-honesty is the basis and the essence of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. I do the program. No one gets on the program by not always succeed, but I have continued to try. continuing to drink, and c o n t i n u i n g to call it That way, I have been able not to take the first “another little slip.” When he faces the fact drink. that he has not honestly taken The 1st Step, he And that way I have found in A.A. more peace has a chance of really starting in A.A. We do of mind and inner tranquility than I ever had not get on the A.A. program by starting out to before. It is based upon a simple and humble prove that the 1st Step is a joke, and that God effort to harmonize my life with the purposes of is surplus in the 12 Steps. We do not get on the Higher Power, as I try to understand them this program of self-honesty by commencing it Letters are pouring into the office in response and Him. I had wanted some such spiritual with self-dishonesty. Being dishonest w i t h one’s to the “Best Hiding Place” contest. One memconception all my life, during both my d r i n k i n g self in A.A. is not slipping. It is not starling. ber, in a Victoria, British Columbia, Group, years and my non-drinking years. I sought it, It is not being anywhere from which to slip. wrote that he hid his bottle under a potted too, in my groping fashion. In vain. That is why some who come to A.A. still have palm. He reports that his wife watered the I had to become a drunkard and seek sobriety to undergo terrific alcoholic punishment before palm frequently “working havoc with the label.” before I found A.A., and I had to find A.A. they will finally admit that they are licked by Another member in a Savannah, Ga., Group before I found what for me is the God I had alcohol, and before they can become capable of successfully hid the bottle in his mother-insought without success. the absolute fundamental self-honesty which the law’s shoes. This member added that he “hid Steps require. himself as often as he did his bottle, the favorite No License Over Others That is the crux of the matter. Until an alco- place for himself being under his mother-inholic really believes he is bested by Barleycorn, law’s bed.” Other interesting repositories re- 1 have been a pretty hard-boiled newspaper honestly recognizes alcoholic defeat, and hon- ported to date: behind the mantlepiece; in the man all my life. I have never been identified estly desires A.A.’s answer, which is based upon medicine cabinet among the prescription bottles; with any religious sect, creed or denomination, the operation of a Higher Power, he is not qual- in the Witch Hazel bottle; under the attic floorand am not now. I am not a prohibitionist, temified or equipped to start the A.A. program suc- ing; in a shaving mug; in a gas mask; inside perance crank, religious fanatic, reformer, upcessfully. He commences being qualified and the flush tank of the water closet; behind the lifter or crusader. A.A. is none of those things. equipped when he commences being honest with bath tub. A member, from a Yonkers, N. Y., I may have become an Alcoholics Anonymous himself. Group, solved the problem of remembering fanatic. I like that better than being an alcohol where he bid the bottle by w r i t i n g notes to himfanatic—and far from anonymous about it— Faith Can Be Cultivated self in shorthand! which is what I was before. I do not feel that A.A. has given me a war- In addition to self-honesty, A.A. is based upon We’re off to a good start with this contest rant to become arbiter of any other person’s life, hope, faith and effort. All who come to A.A. so send in your favorite hiding places. Just or a license to try to take charge of his affairs. have hope. Mine was merged with despair. address your letter to the Bottom’s Up Editor, I do not feel privileged to anoint myself or pol- But hope is always there, in A.A. That hope in care of The A.A. Grapevine, Box 328, Grand ish my halo, just because I have tried to practice grows into faith for those who continue to come Central Annex, New York. Incidentally, send the 12 Steps and thereby stayed sober. What has to A.A., make a steady effort during those foggy along any other of your odd, humorous, unoccurred is that a Supreme Power has operated. first days to understand A.A., and who try to usual or exciting A.A. experiences for this col- That is miraculous enough, but it qualifies me resist cynicism in the beginning. Faith can be umn. for no medal. All I have done is supply an cultivated within the spirit, just as certainly as Next month we’ll begin publishing the “Best honest desire and make an honest effort. muscles can be developed within the body. Many Hiding Place” contest letters in full and the And I do not feel that the 12th Step gives me thousands of A.A.s have proved that. A n y alcostaff artists will prepare illustrations of some of a commission to try to be bigger than God in holic can do the same. the best. another person’s alcoholic problem. My own But he will have to make an honest and perl i f e became unmanageable. I am powerless over sistent effort, and start w i t h an honest desire. From an Outwood. Ky., member comes the alcohol. A.A. teaches me that only a Power He will have to try to live the 12 Steps, not just story of a young alcoholic who lived with his greater than myself can restore me to sanity. It fool around with some of them now and then. old maid sisters. At the end of each binge he does not teach me that I, who am powerless over No one can live all the Steps perfectly all the would come home declaring that this time surely my own alcoholism, have power over Jimmy’s time. But all of us can try. The sober alco- be was going to die. The sisters, having used alcoholism. I do riot know how to stay sober holic who is practicing A.A. as best he can finds every means possible to get him to stop drinkwithout God’s help, and I do not know how a new way of life that is happier t h a n anything ing, finally decided that the next time he got J i m m y can stay sober without God’s help. I he had dared dream of before. Indeed, he finds d r u n k they would convince him that he really must tell Jimmy that I cannot help him unless a new way of life that is fairer by far than any- was going to die. The next time be arrived he will ask God to help him. And I can help thing that millions of persons, alcoholic or not, home drunk, the sisters put him to bed and J i m m y most by not taking that first drink my- are ever privileged to experience at all.—Pete D. (Continued on Page. 12)

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A.A. Utilizes Factors Inherent In Our Makeup From Montclair, N. ]. has stated, that an effort must be made to resolve to our understanding comes from a rather unthe moral issue. expected source, the now familiar monumental What the alcoholic, then, must remember, to A Study of History, by that most scientific of I paraphrase a statement from DuNouy’s Human Many of us are content, w i t h o u t question, to world historians, A. J. Toynbee, who says: Destiny, is that the struggle against alcoholism “We may find an alternative starting point accept Alcoholics Anonymous for what it appears has been transposed from the material onto the in the postulate that the divine nature, in so to be, namely, a fellowship of alcoholics which spiritual plane and that his own dignity, his far as it is accessible to us, must have somehas had extraordinary success in releasing its n o b i l i t y as a h u m a n being, must emerge from thing in common w i t h our own; and, if we members from the mortifying grip of alcoholism his efforts to liberate himself from his bondage look for one particular spiritual faculty which by assisting them to lead lives socially useful and to obey his deepest aspirations. The distin- we are conscious of possessing and which we and spiritually rewarding. However, some sysguished biologist adds: can attribute with absolute confidence to God tematic analysis of factors present in the problem with which this organization deals may serve “And let (the alcoholic) above all never for- . . . then the faculty which we shall think of to satisfy the intellectual curiosity of those in- get that the d i v i n e spark is in him, in him first as being common to man and God will clined to philosophical or metaphysical specula- alone, and that he is free to disregard it, to be one which the philosophers wish to mortion. Such an i n q u i r y may also be of u t i l i t y k i l l it, or to come closer to God by showing t i f y ; and that is the faculty of Love. This and significance in revealing the possibilities and his eagerness to work w i t h Him, and for Him.” stone which both Zeno and Gautama have so the limitations of a therapy, fundamentally psy- “To come closer to God” is another way of obstinately rejected is become the head of the chological and spiritual. The following outline, describing his “spiritual experience” which is corner of the temple of the New Testament.” necessarily brief, is intended to be suggestive “more than purely a psychological phenomenon and not conclusive, partial and not complete, II tentative and not definitive. It is impossible to dissect the human person- What does the beginner bring to A.A. in the ality. Imponderables cannot be weighed and way of liabilities which handicap and assets any analysis of individuality has its obvious lim- which aid his attempt to achieve that regeneraitations. The methodology of the scientist or the tion which will both rid him of his alcoholism technique of the accountant are alike inappro- and start him on the road to his proper destiny? priate in the examination of a man’s soul or the On the debit side there is, among other things, evaluation of his character. Nonetheless, we the matter of will power, the lack of which is recognize that in the alcoholic we are to a degree frequently said to be the root of the alcoholic’s dealing with a specific type—a particular brand trouble. And it is undeniably true, that the of neurotic—marked with definite peculiarities. active alcoholic when in the grip of the alcoholic However much we may generalize and say that obsession, seems powerless to reject a drink, these qualities are characteristic of all neurotics, But as has been suggested in an earlier discusand, indeed, are universal, we may find our sion (A.A. Grapevine, April, 1947), there is the understanding enlightened and our usefulness power of volition which has never been lost, enhanced if we limit our investigation to the namely, the ability to make the initial decision alcoholic as such. represented by the 1st Step of the Program; wit- The alcoholic eludes precise description. But ness the thousands of “condemned” alcoholics some sort of working definition is helpful to an who have made the choice. Moreover, our whole orderly, if unscientific, discussion. Provisionally, philosophy is predicated on the proposition that then, let us say that the person we are dealing man is a free moral agent, otherwise there could with is an egocentric, defiant, narcissistic, self- be no moral responsibility. sufficient individuality, supreme in his own do- Yet, in respect of daily action as well as ultimain, brooking interference by neither God nor mate goals, the will appears to be atrophied to man—or, more simply, a neurotic with an obses- arising only from his own resources” (say the a large extent. It cannot be reactivated, howsional tendency—suffering a malady which is authors of Alcoholics Anonymous). It is to have ever, on the false theory that the will is a sepamalignant, progressive and mortal. a “recurrence of birth” ( w h a t the Greeks call rated or insulated organ that can be treated by a Thus to state a proposition goes far to supply “palingenesis”), more simply and most signif- “muscular” therapy. The will is a composite an answer to the problem inherent therein, and icantly represented by the words of Jesus to faculty, a union of the soul’s energies, requiring we can begin to see the reason for the lack of Nicodemus when he said, “Except a man be born for its fullest exercise the proper motivation, success of medicine and psychiatry in this field, again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” guidance and direction. Self-examination which preoccupied as they have been with superficial But it is difficult to contact a person unless reveals debris to be cleaned out, the adoption of manifestations rather than basic causes. So those one has an affinity or something in common with new altitudes towards old values and the estabmedical men, most experienced and knowledge- him. Our conception of the duality of man’s lishment of new aims and objectives w i l l bring able, say, as Dr. Jung has said, that a v i t a l spir- nature, human and divine, has obstructed as about the complete liberation of the will and itual experience is essential to effect a recovery; often as promoted our union with the Higher the release from alcoholic bondage which permit or, as Dr. Tiebout has observed that a spiritual Power–usually because the idea has become a person to attain his highest destiny. The cataforce is used to attack the fundamental nar- enmeshed in the technical vocabulary of the- logue of things to be done sounds formidable but cissism of the alcoholic; or, as Dr. Silkworth ology and metaphysics. At this point, assistance (Continued on Page 16)

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Half-a-Man A Year Ago Now Does Work of Many In Salisbury, N. C. Group We started our group here in Salisbury, N. C. November 6, 1946, with what we called five and one-half members! This half member had just come off a terrible three-weeks’ bender and was so shaky we told him he really didn’t count as a whole member. But, believe me, be counts now. He has enjoyed complete sobriety since then, and has brought many members to our group. During our ten months of existence, more than fifty alcoholics have joined us. Not all of them stuck, but the m a j o r i t y did. Some of these have moved away or have traveling jobs which prevent their taking an active part in our group work, but they are sober and giving credit to A.A. More than two dozen of us are wearing A.A. pins which means that the wearers have three or more months of sobriety to their credit. Our success and growth has been due to several factors. In the first place, two of our charter members had commuted weekly to join and meet with the Charlotte, N. C., Group for about five months prior to starting a group in Salisbury. Thus many friends from there came A.A. Grapevine Recommended as 12th Step Aid on the double to help us organize here, and in From Macon, G a , comes a letter with a sug- furnishes technical or specific information and the succeeding months have visited and talked gestion which has been made with increasing “The Clip Sheet” general information, on the w i t h us on numerous occasions. frequency of late: common problem. The editor of our local paper has given us “I think it would be nice if you would have A subscription to The A.A. Grapevine is limitless amounts of the right sort of publicity. an article sometime suggesting The A.A. Grape- known to have been the means sometimes of Even d u r i n g the acute shortage of newsprint he vine as a gift to the loved one or friend of the bringing a straying member back into the fold. always found space for anything concerning reader. I don I know of any gift so nice for any Even where he has severed all other contacts A.A. His w i f e is program director of WSTP, alcoholic.—K.R.” w i t h the group, the magazine pursues him un- Salisbury’s radio station,, and has contributed Many other A.A.s have been getting the same obtrusively, carrying a monthly reminder that hours and hours of free station time for A.A. idea and subscribing to The A.A. Grapevine for help awaits—a silent but eloquent call to come transcriptions and announcements. They could a friend, or relative, and even more often for back. not have been more cooperative had they been some A.A. member who happened to come in A number of members also have used gift members of the group. at low tide financially. They report that it’s not subscriptions as one way of helping relatives and Our courts and police force have “leaned over only “a nice thing to do,” but that the idea also friends to gain a better understanding of the backward” to give us an opportunity to help al- offers a number of highly practical benefits. problem of alcoholism and A.A. This techcoholics who had come within their jurisdiction Older members of A.A. use their national nique tends to make it easier for the A.A. to wherever there was the slightest indication that periodical as a medium for sharing thoughts rehabilitate himself with his non-alcoholic friends the i n d i v i d u a l s involved really wanted help with and experiences w i t h other members all over and kin. their drinking problems. We secured privileges the world, for group discussion topics, for In one case, a non-alcoholic wife who had to visit and help at the county workhouse, some- watching A.A. growth and for keeping up on pulled out before the alcoholic husband came thing that was hitherto unheard of. A.A. news, trends and policies. New members into A.A., returned after he sent her three issues. Letters of commendation and encouragement get a considerable amount of instruction from His letters about A.A. had left her skeptical, have come from almost all the ministers and the magazine. In the editorials on the 12 Steps but The testimony she saw here convinced her clubs and fraternities in our locality. they find the studied opinion of older members that be had really found something. Three of our fellows went to Cleveland in applied to the operating backbone of the Re- . . . and so we have written the story . . . June for the convention. One of these, a man covery Program. In the letters appearing in as requested . . . suggesting t h a t giving The who is handicapped by having only one leg, “Mail Call” they find firsthand accounts of A.A. Grapevine, The national periodical of Alwanted to go so much that he hitched rides up personal problems similar to their own. In the coholics Anonymous, to someone in addition to there! His d r i n k i n g career prior to joining A.A. general articles they find s t i l l other experiences reading it yourself, is a form of 12th Step work. had cost him a great deal and as he had been of benefit to them, w h i l e in “The Pleasures of At least the word should be passed to all making amends financially as well as in other Reading” they can keep up on h e l p f u l books. A.A.s that The. A.A. Grapevine is about them, (Continued on Page 10) The new department, “the Reference Library,” by them, for them and is available to them.

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Mark First Year—The Fellowship Group of meeting by passing out papers for questions Elbow Bending A.A. Style—The Monday Windsor, Vt., held its first anniversary dinner about the program, and she and a non-alcoholic f o l l o w i n g the picnic held by the Kingsport, J u l y 19, with 118 in attendance. Guests came woman who has been h e l p f u l in establishing the Johnson City and Bristol, Tenn., Groups, sevfrom St. Johnshury, Montpelier, Burlington, St. group both provided answers. Others who have eral members sported sore right arms, in this Albans, Bethel, Lyme, Randolph, Bennington and offered their assistance include a clergyman and case the result of horseshoe pitching, so the Rutland, and guest speakers from Haverhill, a physician. The editor of the daily newspaper “hangovers” were fairly painless. The picnic Mass., South Orange, N. J., Mt. Kisco, N. Y., and has cooperated by r u n n i n g weekly items about was held during the summer at the Tri-City airthe New York City Seamen’s Group. the meetings. port, and there was ham, chicken, coffee, coke and watermelon. The three groups plan more Cleveland Troupers Plan New Show Nurses Hear A.A.s—Two members of the San A n t o n i o , Texas, Group responded to a call of these get-togethers. —Though performances of the musical revue staged far and wide by Cleveland A.A.s have from the City Health Nurses to make talks be- Notes From Correspondents — Next been curtailed during the summer months, mem- fore that group. The San Antonio Group, now month, the Duluth, Minn., Group will be two bers are busy planning a new show to take to numbering 140, finds increasing support for its years old. starting with a nucleus of three on . the local boards in the fall. The show was orig- activities from city officials and law enforcement Oct. 2, 1945, it now numbers over 200. D u l u t h inally the outgrowth of a purely amateur stunt agencies, it reports. During the past few weeks, helped start groups in Superior, Wis., and sevnight program last February. An i n v i t a t i o n San Antonians have entertained visitors from eral other neighboring towns. . . . Erie, Pa., now from another group to repeat the 30-minute Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, boasts six groups, with meetings every week revue led to more requests, and the show was Chattanooga, Mexico City and several other night, and on Sunday a meeting of the men’s polished and expanded and engagements were Texas groups in the new clubrooms in the heart training class. . . . Patients, members, or emplayed in many nearby towns. The show has of the business district. One of the members ployees are invited to regular Wednesday night not been used as a money-raising venture, but has organized a Thursday night discussion group meetings of the Los Angeles Veterans’ Adminpurely for its entertainment value and fun. for men on various aspects of the program and istration A.A. Group in the Gray Ladies’ Hut. pertinent reading. The first book read and dis- . . . An A.A. Group has been formed at Grenada, Growth Keeps Pace—As the population of cussed was Alcohol—One Man’s Meal, Another Miss., with ten at the first meeting, some of them Houston, Texas, continues to expand, so too, do new venture in San Antonio has been the in- coming from Greenwood. The Grenada address the A.A. activities there. Group No. 2 was auguration of a meeting for wives of members, is P.O. Box 1010. formed less than five months ago, with an initial at the same time the members hold closed meetmembership of 17, which has now grown to 47 ings. Two copies of Alcoholics Anonymous have Overflow Crowd — Although none of the active participants. Meetings are held twice been placed in wards of the State Hospital and speakers was introduced by name, an overflow weekly in the Parish house of St. Stephen’s two others in the San Antonio Public Library. crowd jammed the Little Theatre of the Sacra- Episcopal Church, and the rent for the hall is donated to the alcoholic ward of St. Luke’s Winonans Advertise, Too — The A.A. mento (Calif.) memorial auditorium to attend Episcopal Hospital which will be part of the Group in Winona, Minn., runs a classified ad daily the first open meeting staged by the Sacramento medical center to be constructed in Houston. in the Republican-Herald, the local newspaper, A.A. Group. A businessman, a housewife, an Among the speakers at the open Monday night changing the wording every six or eight weeks. insurance man and a shoe salesman told the meetings have been prominent physicians, The current ad has read: “Is drinking a prob- audience, which included clergymen, physicians, judges and others. The closed sessions on lem that is affecting you domestically, socially, judges, nurses and other interested persons, how Thursday are given over to round-table discus- economically, and physically? Possibly we can they had arrested the disease of alcoholism sions of the 12 Steps. Sometimes the discussions help you. Write Alcoholics Anonymous, P.O. through following the A.A. program. A.A.s follow the form of the “Information, Please” Box 122. No treatment, confidential, no dues.” from the vicinity got together following the meetradio program, with four of the older members Twenty members from Winona were among 300 ing at the clubhouse. answering questions submitted by others as to who attended the first anniversary dinner of the Alano society of Rochester (Minn.) A.A. in July. Milwaukee Women Organize—A women’s their interpretations of the A.A. program. Saturgroup has been formed by A.A. in Milwaukee, day evening parties in members’ homes have Georgians Get Around—Members of the with meetings every other Wednesday in the helped members of the group to become better Atlanta, Ga., Group have been active lately in Alano Club at 1012 North 3rd Street. The Alano acquainted. aiding in the establishment of new groups. One Club is now 16 months old, and occupies a suite Advertising Pays— In last month’s A.A. member on vacation in Selma, Ala., felt the need of six rooms in downtown Milwaukee. Grapevine there was a brief item about an ad for a group there and helped form one. Anrun in the San Bernadino, Cal., newspaper by other started a group in the Lawson Veterans’ Dr. Jellinek A Visitor-Dr. E. M. Jellinek the lone A.A. woman in the city, asking that Administration Hospital w i t h the cooperation of of the Yale University School of Alcohol Studies others interested communicate with her. Now the psychiatric staff. In answer to a request was a surprise visitor to the 1947 Texas state she reports that the Women’s A.A. of San Ber- from Athens, Ga., another went there and as- Conference of A.A. held in Austin during the nadino was organized at a meeting June 18 in sisted in getting a group underway. Atlanta summer. The biggest event in A.A. history in the Y.W.C.A. with seven active members attend- plans to invite several of these nearby groups Texas, the two-day meeting was attended by aping! An open meeting on J u l y 2 attracted 20, to conduct some of its meetings this fall and proximately 400 A.A.s representing 25 groups. and the chairman, herself an A.A., lead the winter. (Continued on next page)

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ROCHESTER, MINN. GROUP Half-A-Man (Continued from Page 8) MARKS FIRST ANNIVERSARY ways, he felt that he could not afford the fare. On July 27 the Rochester, Minn., Group played giving up the struggle—and surrendering to We often say that if we put half as much effort host to 300 members and friends of this and A.A. principles of life.” into staying sober as we did into staying nearby communities. Attending the first anni- “Alcoholics Anonymous have won a b a t t l e “slopped up” we would be in fine shape. Well, versary banquet and reception were representa- against the greatest enemy of m a n — m a n him- not many of us would have put forth that much tives from Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Fort self.” effort and time in r u n n i n g down a drink in the Dodge, Waterloo, Waverly, Dubuque, Cedar “We are gathered here to celebrate a mir- old days. Rapids. and Monticello, Iowa; La Crosse, Sparta acle performed, not by science, not by the We have two meetings weekly, Monday nights and Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and Owatonna, wisdom of man, not by will power, not by closed, and on Thursdays we welcome mem- Blooming Prairie, Hastings, Mankato, Caledonia, tragedy or the pleas of mothers, wives and bers’ families, doctors, judges, ministers and St. Paul, Faribault, Winona, West Concord, friends, not by any h u m a n agency, but by others who are genuinely interested in the group. Grand Meadow, Wykoff, Fountain, Stillwater the 12 Steps of A.A. which constitute the On these occasions we have refreshments furand Minneapolis, Minnesota. Local representa- stairway to lasting sobriety and peace of nished by the wives of members. As yet, we do tives of the judiciary, clergy, social agencies mind.” not have permanent clubrooms but hope to have and of medicine as well as other interested “Humility lowers a man to his proper size something with kitchen facilities soon. friends were also in attendance. without degrading him.” About once a month we have a big supper. Following a message of welcome by Lou B. of “Good ideas will make you money, but We serve fish, or Brunswick stew or barbecue. the Rochester Group and an introduction by good ideals will make you happy.” These are really events, and make us all keenly toastmaster Andy A., H. A. R. of Eau Claire, The meeting was also addressed by Pat C. aware of the FUN it is to be sober, and remind Wis., better known as Rip, gave a thought- of the Minneapolis group and by local repreus all too poignantly of the parties and picnics provoking message built around what he termed sentatives of the clergy, the judiciary and mediwe’ve missed in past years, or those which we the two phases of A.A. cine. attended without remembering or ended in spoil- In explaining the two phases of A.A., Rip Pat C. also represented the Mid-West Council ing for ourselves and everyone else. Man, if all pointed out that in the first phase the man gets on Alcoholism, and introduced the visiting the coffee and good talk we’ve soaked up since A.A. and that in the second phase A.A. gets the groups from other communities. we started our group could be measured, it might man. The first phase represents knowledge of Dr. Harold Trost, representing the clergy, even outweigh the hootch we consumed! A.A. as outlined in the 12 Steps whereas the stated that in the past the church had found itsecond phase represents the practice of the 12 self quite impotent in dealing with the prob- On July I we had a big open meeting in our Steps; in phase one the A.A. serves himself, lem of alcoholism and that whatever success was high school a u d i t o r i u m . Four members from in phase two he serves others; in phase one he gained was usually of short duration. He other A.A. groups in North Carolina and an acknowledges God, in phase two he worships praised the ideals of A.A., stating that they A.A. from a South Carolina group conducted God. Rip stressed the point that the surest could be made fit subjects for many sermons. t h i s for us. We of the local group took no pubway to reach phase two was through action and Dr. M. N. Walsh of the Mayo Clinic, repre- lic part, merely making preparations and then through development of A.A. ideals which he senting medicine and psychiatry, likened his ex- entering; and m i x i n g with the crowd in the audilisted as charity, faith and humility. perience with alcoholism to his experiences with ence in a way that made us unnoticeable. Those Following are other highlights of Rip’s mes- the medical corps of the army in the theatres of five speakers conducted an inspired A.A. meeting sage which we wish to pass on: action. He stated that he could minister to and had the mouths of their audience agape “In the University of A.A. there are no the physical and mental ills of the men in serv- with their honesty, sincerity and robust good graduates—all are students.” ice, but against destruction in battle he was humor. Some of the listeners may have come “Alcoholics Anonymous have won a war by quite helpless. So also he felt inadequate to the to scoff, but they surely remained to pray. task of combatting the ravages and destruction It still seems funny that many people harbor caused by alcoholism. Dr. Walsh stated that the idea that membership in A.A. is available News Circuit A.A. has taught psychiatry many things about the only to alcoholics who have become complete Members from Austin, Dallas, Houston, Fort value of group therapy and has given sugges- derelicts and gutter bums. When those outside Worth, Schulenberg, Seminole, Waco, San An- tions for the treatment of other psychiatric dis- A.A. see the healthy, contented people who have tonio, Taylor, Nacogdoches and New York City orders. achieved peace of mind in a new way of life it spoke at the various meetings. There were also Judge Vernon E. Gates of the District Court must make them squirm inside to recall that here movies and recorded talks by Bill and Marty M. stated that throughout his service on the bench are individuals whom they once considered hopeit has been his duty to commit many persons to less and beyond all help. (And for J. B. of 60 At First Open Meeting—The Calcasieu Parish Group held its first open meeting at Lake penal or correctional institutions, and in many Muncie, Indiana: No, we don’t like being called Charles, La., in July, w i t h M. H. of Memphis cases he has recommended that if a solution alkies!) as the guest speaker and 20 A.A.s and about 40 could be found for their alcoholic tendencies, At present we are working on a plan whereby friends and relatives attending. Not only have leniency should be shown in shortening or com- each member who can spare a few dollars will several calls been received by the group since muting their terms. According to Judge Gates buy a book on alcoholism or some related subthe meeting; the newspaper announcement of it no such solution was found u n t i l Alcoholics ject and pool them into a nice little c i r c u l a t i n g also brought forth a couple who were formerly Anonymous, with its appreciable success in re- l i b r a r y for the group. There is also a lot of affiliated with the Kansas City, Kan., and Cor- habilitating such cases. Judge Gates also interest in sending in confessions about our pus Christ! Groups, and didn’t know of the ex- stressed the value of A.A. to The c o m m u n i t y , favorite places for h i d i n g our liquor, as menistence of a chapter in their new home. the state and the nation.—W.C.H. tioned in the J u l y issue of The A.A. Grapevine.

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His Morbid Farewell Note Carried Seeds of New Life From Newburgh, N. Y. that binge, for I had seen that .plastic foam trees crack; the soft touch of a summer rain or oozing out from the baseboards and under the the slashing sleet; the potency of thunder and The mental barometer was at an all time lightning; the majesty of earth and sky in harlow. The swirling vortex of the emotional storm door, seen those awful eyes such as I had seen during a bout or two with the old DT’s. But mony, whether it be clear or stormy, for one reof which I was the epicenter turned with inbeing in two state hospitals and in the hospi- flects the mood of the other. Science explains creasing violence as the alcoholic rains lashed tal of the county’s poor farm had been no de- i t — b u t God wills it that way.” me relentlessly, yes, almost gleefully. I fought My attempts at prayer over a period of years to get out of the storm. The thought waves, terrent previously. To analyze the strange demise of alcoholic were countless, f u t i l e and tenuous. My childthe encouragement of those outside the sphere drinking in me I believe would be impossible hood reminiscences of the Power greater than of this monstrous .cataclysm reached me vaguely and could cause a worriment that might be detri- myself, whom I call God, were like so many, but without substantial effect. I was powerless. mental to my s t i l l neophyte way of reasoning. fearful. For years I lived in fear of myself, in a Suddenly the barometer commenced a slow I say that because I think I will be a long time sense, but more of life. I hid behind a bulkhead rise but its upward advance was firm. The slashgetting rid of the manifestations of the alcoholic of alcohol against which the waves of real l i v i n g ing rains and tornadic winds, which had bruised mental q u i r k s and I doubt seriously if I will beat relentlessly—and I was afraid. Now that an almost inert body, lessened and the clouds, ever be free of them. I believe subconsciously bulkhead has been washed away—and not with began to lift. Blue skies were studded with sun- I was t h i n k i n g of A.A. A friend of mine in drinking. flecked clouds, soothing breezes caressed me, and New Jersey had written me, telling me of the life returned to a body, thirsting for decent, Life Has Purpose Today Newburgh group. But I had been dilatory, havself-respecting ways. Yes, I had come to A.A. By the grace of God—and I write that sining, naturally, the alcoholic ego that some day I after 22 years of fumbling along the byways, cerely and humbly for I flirted with death too would conquer this thing alone. never being able to find that smooth road along many times and nearly died in the hospital in Having been a newspaperman for over 15 which was all I had sought through the in- 1943—I am alive today, disgustingly healthy for years (I lost the best job I ever had due to sidious companionship of alcohol. one who punished himself as I did, happy and d r i n k i n g ) , I had been aware many times of working, all because of sobriety, aided and Glad of Experience the obvious fact that so many persons were abetted by A.A. To that end I bend my efforts. I am glad I had that experience, strange as found dead without identification or the funda- For as radar sends out impulses, and returns a mental data on whom to n o t i f y in case of a sudthat may sound, for I might have lived just as picture of an obstructive object, so when I help den death. So in my pocket I have always carried hollowly, just as pointlessly, just as unhappily another to find sobriety and peace of mind, I in a “To Whom It May Concern” note, with the being a total abstainer or even a dubiously- turn benefit myself. necessary facts about me, and also a brief, titled social drinker. That I don’t want to re- Twenty-two years of drinking lie behind me, though sometimes, somewhat morbid farewell to turn to that false way of life today is emphati- cluttered like an invasion beachhead with broken life. And the strange fact is that in the last one cally true. That what has happened in the past marriages, bankruptcy, pauperism, deceit, steal- I wrote, May 4, 1946, after my last alcoholic I don’t wish to entirely forget but I won’t brood ing, intolerance and the host of other vulturine tour of the Hudson Valley, I had penned: “You about it is true also. That I am the happiest incidents. That is yesterday—a foggy, painful can say mine was a wasted life but it’s not hard today I have ever been (as long as I can re- experience. Today is here—and opportunity, to explain my actions when you consider I was member) is written without a single reservation which knocked so often and was ignored, may an A.A. (an active alcoholic, so designated to me mentally. And I know I was forever saying come again, this time to be received sanely and in the first state hospital I was in) most of “yes” or “no” with reservations so it seems in- happily. Tomorrow—let’s not be troubled with my life from high school on.” There was the credible that I could mean it now. But I do. it today. I feel more confidence in being able admission on the first page but I still didn’t I came into A.A. sober—yes after three to tackle the problems at hand instead of subknow what to do about it. months of forced sobriety which followed a merging, or better preserving, them in that first binge I like to think of as my last. Those three Motivated by Fear drink which leads down—down—down— and, months were almost as torturous as the periods for me, to an oblivion from which this time On the third page (oh, this was a thought-out when I reached a semi-state of sobriety during there will be no reprieve, whether it be mental “goodbye,” written when I still had the shakes) the drinking years. I was—in the actual use of or physical death.—E. E. T. I wrote this: “I am convinced that only in death the word—a first class stinker. My mind cleared can there be any peace (how screwy that was slowly to a point where I could reason more in view of the resultant peace of mind I have normally, but the fact remained paramount—I attained since coming into Alcoholics Anony- ANNUAL N. Y. DINNER was still concentrating on just me, what I thought was right and to hell with the rest of mous!), whether you go to Heaven or Hell, TO BE HELD NOV. 6 both places which I have always held in the world. Nervous? I was one big nerve, Announcement has just been made that the doubt. That there is a God, I am sure. (The jumping at the slightest noise, even when it was annual dinner of. Alcoholics Anonymous will be seed of the A.A. idea was sprouting.) But I am a perfectly normal one. held in the Grand Ballroom of the Commodore sure we all find him in different ways. Why did I stop drinking at a time when I Hotel in New York City at 7 p.m. Thursday “That He is seems more profound in the wound up a 14-day bat during which I worked evening, November 6th, under the auspices of the wonders of Nature, the birth of Life in the only three days? I can’t tell you. Was I broke? Spring, its recession in the Fall; the sun- Intergroup Association of New York. Silly question! After all, that had never bothered sets, the glorious inward exhilaration of stand- Tickets may be obtained from the Intergroup me before, as alcoholics know. Was I a f r a i d ? ing under a star-studded sky when the snow Office at 194 East 75th Street, New York 21, Frankly I did get scared several times during lies deep and the frost in the air makes the and are priced at $5.50 each.

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STEPPING STONES TO SOBRIETY Beginning with the October issue, The A.A. Grapevine will initiate a new, regular monthly From New York City feature—the group meeting page. The purpose of the new feature will be to Religion look a back seat with me for many present a number of topics which have been years. I was neither an agnostic nor an atheist found to be s t i m u l a t i n g subjects for group disthough I had definite resentments against my cussion. The new feature is being established own church. Most of them puerile, I realize now, in response to requests from a number of the but I clung to them and rationalized that I had smaller groups where the personal experiences had too much religion in my childhood. Perhaps of the members are soon exhausted and new sometime in the far distant future I might again topics are needed. turn to God, I would muse, but now I was not The new department also will describe the ready for or inclined towards any sort of organvarious types of meetings to be found among ized religion. I believed myself to be a good the many groups throughout the country. Christian in the broad sense of the word and took Shakespeare’s “to thine own self be true” philosophy as mine. Here again I was rationalizing because now I know I was not true to even myself. I blamed circumstances and people for (Continued from Page 6) my misfortunes and felt that hard luck was my called in a very religious neighbor—an elderly fate. My motto was “God helps those who help lady—to pray for him. When the neighbor themselves” so instead of turning to Him I arrived, she took one look at the drunk and turned from Him and became a self-willed, cried, “Oh, Lord, help this drunken man!” determined individual intent on taking happiness The drunk stopped muttering and, gazing up where I found it. Gaining an insight to the spiritual part of the at her in bewilderment, said, “Hell, lady, don’t My search for happiness was never realized program has helped me tackle problems by tell Him I’m drunk, tell Him I’m sick!” for I never knew quite what I wanted from life. getting to work on myself and not blaming cir- I was dissatisfied with my lot, bored, bitter and cumstances or people. I am comforted by the resentful and tried to cover up my frustrations In Washington, they’re telling of a conversarealization that I am not alone no matter what by pretending to be the Pollyanna. I made a tion between two new A.A. members. Both happens. I know that I shall be shown the way if feeble attempt to return to religion but without members are men; both had been running all I do my very best each day and sincerely try to a sincere desire to get to the root of my trouble over town and staying up half the night doing improve. Without the spiritual approach I doubt and organize my life. I rather enjoyed my ruts 12th Step work. After a particularly trying that I would have had the desire or i n i t i a t i v e to and didn’t do much about getting out of them. night, the boys stopped for a bit of rest and stay sober. With it I have seen how f u t i l e and I had to have my excuses to drink and by playing coffee at an all-night restaurant. When they empty my life was and how complete and f u l l the role of a martyr I found sufficient reasons for had been seated, one asked the other: “Tom, it can be. Problems are not so much to be dreaded drowning my sorrows periodically. what were you doing a year ago?” Tom wiped as expected. How I rise above them is the imthe perspiration from his brow, considered a portant part. Gaining an insight to the spiritual Patience Helps moment and said, “A year ago I was seated in angle has also made me realize I must know a nice, air conditioned bar, drinking a Tom I joined A.A. about the same time I tuned in myself before I can sufficiently help my fellow- Collins and minding my own damn business!” on a spiritual program on the radio. The two man. seemed synonymous to me and I took a genuine Faith, belief and practice have taken the place interest in the daily inspirational talks. I believe of analyzing and not utilizing with me, resulting Anyone who has had much experience hanwhatever spiritual progress I have made has in a new set of values and principles. I am not dling drunks should also be good with children. come from my delving into metaphysics. I have implying that because I have recognized my They have to be treated much alike. In fact, only touched the surface in the past year and a need of a spiritual approach and am doing my come to t h i n k of it, they are alike—ain’t we, half but am convinced I have been helped. I have best to lead a better l i f e that all is serene. Rather kids? turned to God and discuss with Him anything it means that I now know that all of l i f e has its that bothers me. I have learned to wait, “to let ups and downs. We must all face it in our own A member of a Little Rock, Ark., Group won go and let God” instead of rushing ahead with- way with a will and determination to do our best the City Golf Championship twice several years out thought of consequence. I have always been with the help of God. It is only by facing diffi- ago. Since then, however, he almost bit bottom impetuous, and have had to do much disciplining culties that we strengthen our minds and our —broken home, children in orphanage and all on this score. I have learned to accept my tem- mistakes of yesterday can be stepping stones for the rest of the old, old story. Then he found perament and to strive to improve those charac- tomorrow if we do something about them today. A.A. and sobriety. Recently be came to the ter defects I recognized as potential hurdles. I —Mildred O. secretary and said, “I feel that this trophy have as many low moods as before I stopped should be here in the clubhouse. Without A.A. drinking but they don’t last as long because I I certainly wouldn’t have had it.” Last July, am fortified and recognize them for what they he won the trophy for the third time, giving are and know that in time they shall pass. him and A.A. permanent possession.

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First Things First! certainly contrary to the spirit of A.A. For anyone to whom publicity is commercially valufrom Jackson, Miss. able to use A.A. to get such p u b l i c i t y is scarcely My experience has taught me that, above all in keeping with the A.A. concept of giving to others, the 1st Step is of the utmost importance. others. This is plain, unvarnished seeking for And because of the stubbornness which seems to personal gain. be a natural part of alcoholic thinking, I Finally, what happens when one of these spotthink this Step is probably the most difficult of light seekers falls flat on his or her face in full a l l to take. It is easy to say we take it, but to public view—what is the effect on A.A. then? a c t u a l l y and permanently know that we cannot Not good, certainly. One Man’s Influence handle that first drink is indeed d i f f i c u l t . I know No one has any authority to set himself or From Tuscaloosa, Ala. because I have had several so-called “slips” and herself up in public as being representative of The Tuscaloosa Group has witnessed a remark- I know from those experiences that the real dif- A.A. in any respect. I don’t want to be repreable transformation of one of its members who ficulty was that deep w i t h i n my thinking I still sented by these publicity seekers, and neither do literally overnight grasped the 3rd A.A. Step had not admitted that I could not handle alcohol. a lot of other A.A.s. and the meaning of the spiritual side of the It has been many months since my last slip and But, most important of all, the anonymity part program. I am earnestly praying that at last I am f u l l y of A.A. is linked closely with the spiritual ele- For many months B.W. was slipping and slid- convinced.—M.T.W. ments of the program—the humility, the giving ing this way and that in A.A. One could tell he without thought of return, the unselfish brotherwas groping, trying to find the answer. He Why Name Names? hood, the non-commercialism and non-profesmissed many meetings, he sought the bottle many sionalism—or in short, anonymity is protection From Manhattan times. He had not fully accepted the A.A. way for the most important things, the priceless of life. Regarding J.R.’s “Let Stay Anonymous,” from things, we have in A.A. Let’s not let publicity A domestic crisis brought B.W. to the fork of Clinton, Okla., I would like to say that I have seekers destroy them.—H.H. the roads. He had to choose, not for someone never been able to understand the customary else, but for himself, he was helped by a min- practice at A.A. meetings, especially open ones, Another Name ister who knows and understands A.A. principles. of the use of f u l l names by the leaders and speak- From Newark, N. J. This minister likes to consider himself an hon- ers. It does not seem to make sense.—R.R. Well, I see by the July 10, 1947, issue of the orary member in Tuscaloosa. He attends all the Newark Star-Ledger that another member of open meetings he possibly can, and he uses A.A. Publicity Seekers A.A. seems to have dropped his anonymity and in his church work. It was to this minister t h a t “rushed into print” to tell about some fine jail From Detroit, Mich. B.W. went with his problem. prisoner rehabilitation. I’m for helping jail The change was startling, almost miraculous. N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g Bill’s article on anonymity, prisoners all we can, but I’m not for dropping One had only to look at B.W.: his face and ex- which seemed to me to state the voice of experiour anonymity or for any individual member pression were different, and his voice carried a ence pretty well on this crucial subject, there giving out statements on behalf of A.A. Can’t quiet assurance. still seem to be a number of A.A.s who don’t we really help more anonymously?—A.N. Perhaps the experience of B.W. has had some- understand the reasons for anonymity. thing to do with the change in the tone of the My work calls for me to read newspapers Maintenance meetings in Tuscaloosa. It seems that a more from all over the country, and many magazines. At first I was astonished when I would come From San Luis Obispo, Calif. sincere and deep frankness prevails, that members are beginning to speak up and get things off on an article revealing the identity of some A.A., A man had a good car. The starter kicked their chests, and interest in the spiritual side is with his or her obvious assistance. I no longer off promptly, the timing was good, and everygrasping those present. am astonished; there have been too many cases, thing ran smoothly. The owner appreciated the The group in Tuscaloosa, with a membership but I can’t help worrying about it. convenience of this well adjusted machine, but of 64, will observe its first anniversary in Sep- The reasons for a n o n y m i t y seem plain to me. he came to take it too much for granted. tember. An open meeting in the spring, con- The promise of anonymity is certainly reassur- Several thousands of miles rolled by. One ducted by C.W. and M.L. of the Birmingham ance for the new prospect. Many would not morning the old buggy was not very responsive. Group, contributed to public understanding in come to A.A. if they thought it was going to The battery barely turned the engine over. The Tuscaloosa. It was following this meeting that be made public. When they see the names of motor stuttered a lot. Squeaks and rattles added the group received the first of its five women A.A.s splashed all around they naturally doubt to the general discord. Steering was difficult. members. that we really mean we are anonymous, or that The owner became aware of all these symp- It was at this time, too, that O.E, working they can be anonymous if they wish. toms with shocked surprise. He nursed the car out a fine for the police department, had the fine A n o n y m i t y prevents—or it would prevent— down to a service man whom he trusted. He remitted because he was proving to be a good personal p u b l i c i t y exploits, those cases where ruefully admitted the many errors of omission A.A., and went to work for pay with the same an individual member cashes in personally by in his treatment of the machine. police department. He look a job as driver of publicizing the fact that he or she is a member. Things had not gone too far. The battery rethe city water wagon.—H.Y. In my opinion, this is pretty cheap stuff and (Continued on next page)

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sponded to a slow charge. Oil was changed, the whole chassis greased and tightened, and adjustcan take care of the material side of our existence. We have as a class been pretty successful None So Blind ments made throughout. in taking care of ourselves and our families in (Continued from Page 1) The result was an adequate restoration of the material ways even while drunk both physically first drunk, “This is purty terrible, you know it?” functions of the car. With the b i l l for material and mentally. “Sure is,” said the second drunk, not bothering and services, the owner meekly accepted some The simple act of not drinking will destroy to find out what was pretty terrible. pertinent advice on the proper steps necessary to the old physical disease and give us a new solid “Yes sir, it sure is! It’s purty terrible!” the upkeep of his vehicle. The mind of the footing for the second part of our foundation. ”Oh, how right you are!” owner was receptive to these suggestions because When we have dried ourselves out physically “Well, wait a minnit—I haven’t told you yet! his means of getting around had been threatened and have a good footing, we are ready to start It’s p u r t y terrible that I should be here getting with complete failure. on the foundation, the old mental or spiritual fried at this hour and the little woman sitting at How many A.A. members have learned the part of our structure that we wish to replace. home crying her heart out over a nice hot supper steps needed for recovery, and then gradually We start to do this when we admit that our lives that she hadda throw out. You wanna know somedropped one step after another until they were are unmanageable. Actually the part of us that thing? I am a louse!” doing little or no active thinking toward keep- has become unmanageable is our spiritual or “You sure are!” ing themselves “in good working order”? Our mental life. And why is this? The answer is “Whawuz that last crack?” program has a maintenance clause for our use. very simple. When God created us, He made us “1 said, I sure was.” It is as clear as the booklet of instructions which in two parts, our bodies and our minds. He intended us to use our mental powers to keep in “Tha’s what I thought you said. You know what our car owner got with his car. The 10th Step I’m a good mind to do?” is particularly effective as a reminder. Let us touch with Him, because He is the only one who “Go home?” learn it well, and know that we have to make can and does know the purpose for which we were created. “Oh no, I couldn’t do that now. She’d only routine inspections of ourselves in order to keep throw me out again. I am a good mind to walk “running smoothly.” When we, in our egotism, tried to take over right out of here and go join the Alcoholics A good goal in this part of our work would the management of our spiritual life, we ran into Anonymous!” be to apply continuing self-knowledge until it trouble. How can you direct or guide some- The second drunk looked horror stricken. “My becomes habit. While such an aim is worth- thing that you know nothing about? Try driv- God, man, you can’t mean that—please say you w h i l e with any Step, emphasis on the 10th Step ing a car without a steering wheel or a boat don’t mean it! Why do you know what those lousy would seem to be good insurance for good living. without a rudder. If you do this you will have so-and-so’s DO to you?” —Ed. a fair idea of what happened to you when you The first drunk shook his head with the slow took over the job of running your spiritual life The First Step precision of the very intoxicated—as though it without the spiritual guidance of your Creator. From San Diego, Calif. might come off if he were not careful. So, to complete your foundation give your “First Alcoholics Anonymous makes you prom- Any structure we erect in life, whether it be a spiritual life back to God. Let Him take over ise never to take another drink so-help-you as long material or a moral structure, must have a solid the wheel. He is the only one who knows where as you live. And then… and THEN if you break foundation on which to rest or it will crumble you are going, and He is the only one who can your promise they gang up on you and beat the and disintegrate. get you there safely. living daylights outta you!” The 1st Step in the A.A. program of life is Now, you are ready to take up the balance “Is that a fact?” said the first drunk in dismay. that kind of foundation. A complete understand- of the program—the other 11 Steps which show “S’trutb, so help me!” said the second drunk, ing of it is necessary before we can hope to be you how to turn your life over to God.—J.F.H. “And I got proof! I know a guy who joined and able to know how to use the other materials fur- he’ll tell you himself that he’s off liquor for life nished by the balance of the program with which because on account of the teriffic beating he took to erect the kind of structure that we wish to Editorial from it.” dwell in for the rest of our lives. That story was passed along to me by a member The disease of alcoholism has for its founda- (Continued from Page 2) from Glendale, California. tion two parts, a physical and mental combina- a force which many A.A.s are reluctant to Then there was the one about the man and his tion that makes it hard to tear down and replace. give up. Nor need they give it up. Will wife who had called A.A. to send someone out When we start, we should realize this and not who could help them both. The lady who answered power is the motive force which is fueled try to do the job all at one time. the call was a delightful person with a winning by prayer and meditation. The Step ex- The 1st Step points this out very clearly— personality but it just happened that she was on “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol” presses this idea clearly—”praying only her way to a hiking trip in the mountains. She (Part One, physical), “and that our lives were for the knowledge of His will and the power answered the call attired for the hike in kneeunmanageable” (Part Two, mental). Let us to carry that out.” length heavy sox, short skirt, Tyrolean hat and a then start to rebuild the basic part of our foun- We must not be afraid to ask generously walking staff. When the husband opened the door dation, the physical part of our structure. How —pray fulsomely—for what we need. We to her he almost slammed it shut again because are we powerless over alcohol? his first impression was that this must be the shall be answered generously. It is not the We are powerless over alcohol as long as we costume worn by A.A.s and that he himself would amount of our demands on God that mat- have to dress in a like manner. use our physical powers to lift a glass of liquor to our mouths and drink. We are powerless over ters, but the love and sincerity and good The initial step to cure is twice as tough for an alcohol as long as we use it as a beverage. will behind them. alcoholic if he doesn’t know what to expect from We know, because we have proven it, that as Try it and see.—C.B., Greenwich Village, us. He may want us, but. is afraid of what we will long as we don’t drink, we stay dried out and New York City. give him. A young wife (non-alcoholic) told me

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that she got her husband as far as the building where A.A. held its meeting, but unfortunately a church group had gathered in another section of A.A. Holds Key to Powers the same building. They were admirable people, (The author of the following died as the result of a A.A. way of life. There is much pleasure that no doubt, but it was hardly the place for a man traffic accident on his way home from a meeting at can be obtained from this procedure and it will which this talk was given.- Ed.) who had just put a few under his belt for reinsure our final objective of continued sobriety. courage to join A.A. From Chicago The word “power” comes into our A.A. talk “This can’t be the right place,” said the wife, and literature with regularity. There is the hanging tenaciously to her husband’s coattails. I hadn’t been on the program very long before “Power greater than ourselves” referred to in ”Sure, it’s the right place!” he answered, very gradually the idea begun to sink in to the our 2nd Step. There is also the power of the heading in the other direction, “Look at ’em— recesses of my mind that self betterment was group and we often think of the power of the all prayin’. That’s all they do—getcha in there one of the basic pillars on which our program is grip John Barleycorn had over us as individuals. and pray over you. Right now I ain’t in the based, and is indeed a primary essential if we A power that we hear of all too little and the mood to be prayed over.” wish continued sobriety. What I wanted on the importance of which ofttimes escapes our attenprogram was sobriety and I could look the other tion is the power of example. We seldom realize Still clinging to her husband’s coat, the wife members of the group in the eye and tell them or comprehend the power of our own individual tried the door at another entrance to the building. that all my troubles could be summed up in one examples on other members of our group. Do That night marked her husband’s last drink! word—booze. Actually, however, there were you think that if the founders and earlier mem- Another woman, a God-fearing, well meaning many defects in my personality and character bers of the group had practiced erratic behavior soul, almost upset the apple-cart by what she and I didn’t realize how many until I had been with continuous slips that our organization would didn’t know about Alcoholics Anonymous. To a on the program for a considerable period. woman friend she had recommended A.A. as an have grown to a membership of 40,000 to 45,000 organization that would guarantee a cure for the According to many psychologists and psychi- w i t h i n a period of twelve years, or that if E.T., husband. She pictured the A.A. sponsor as a sort atrists, most alcoholics take to drink as a means C.L. or L.H.’s handling of their application of of escape. However, by a rigid application of the A.A. program had been less consistent that of watch dog who stood guard day and night to the 12 Steps it is possible for us to lead lives our Chicago Group would have enjoyed its phekeep the wayward husband out of bars. She insisted that the A.A. member would eat and sleep in which the need for escape is eliminated and nomenal growth and success? Most of us would with him until a cure was affected. in effecting this miracle we act as our own be surprised and pleased if we realized the im- “Well, I don’t know—” said the wife doubtfully, psychiatrists. portance of the power of our example in our “We just have a small place—how long would it If it w i l l make this idea more clear, it is my own groups—it is a power we should jealously take?” experience that a psychiatrist tries to locate guard and treasure. “Sometimes a week, sometimes years,” said our some f r u s t r a t i o n or troublesome matter in a per- The transition between power of example and authoritative little press agent, “but isn’t that son’s background, then brings it out in the open slips is not difficult. They are closely related as better than being married to a drunkard?” for the patient to recognize and handle in a the chronic slipper has a negative effect on the normal fashion instead of trying to run away group as a whole. For lack of better name we If that were the case it would open an interestfrom it. Using the 12 Steps as our tools, we call the following a slip. As the case may be, ing line of conjecture about the sponsor’s own A.A. members gradually eliminate these things this person gets into his car or takes the elevator family. It might be tough having him away from in our own way and create for ourselves a way down from his office and makes for the saloon home for a couple of years, but if a wife figured of life in which we are happily dry. of his choice. He opens the door, goes in, and anything for the cause, it might go like this: This is, of course, closely related to our 8th deposits himself within arm reach of the bar. Wife: “Hello dear, where have you been since and 10th Steps wherein we “made a list of per- When the bartender says, “What will you have?” 1944?” sons we had harmed and became willing to make he lays his money on the bar and replies in a A.A. Member: Sponsoring an A.A. baby. It was amends to them all” and wherein we “continued distinct voice, “Bourbon and soda.” The bara tough fight, but I’m home now.” to take personal inventory and when wrong tender puts a shot glass down, gets the soda and Then again it might be a good solution to the promptly admitted it.” Since we are to be alco- reaches to the back bar for the bourbon which housing problem! holics all of our lives and must be everlastingly in good time is poured and in turn gulped down. Of course we always have with us the wife with on guard, we have in reality assumed a lifetime This describes what, with some minor variations, a martyr complex. She doesn’t know it but she job. Our quiet time is closely inter-related with is called a slip. To most other people, however, doesn’t want her husband cured. I have in mind the application of these two particular Steps and it would appear simply that here is a fellow who a particular wife who thoroughly enjoys her bus- their importance in planning our sobriety and wanted a drink and stepped out and got it. Perband’s bondage to Barleycorn because it not only new way of life cannot be overlooked. Most of haps slips aren’t slips at all but wilful deviations gives her something to wail about but also gives us plan our work after a fashion once we get to from the program—shall we say vacations from her the upper hand in the home. When I put all the office. If a motor trip or a vacation is in A.A.? Our program has never failed—but there of the facts of A.A. before her, clearly and con- view many pleasurable moments are attained in have been many misapplications, on the part of cisely, she threw up her hands in rejection: planning each particular leg of the journey, aspiring A.A.s, of the program to their daily “Heavens, no! If he quits drinking, I’ll never get maps are brought out and equipment is reno- lives. rid of him because it’s his only weakness.” vated and cleaned. Some of us, particularly Progress in my personal transition from lying, Truly there is much to be said for the old adage, when going hunting or fishing, even plan for cheating and general dishonesty was effected be- “None so blind as those who will not see’.”— unforeseen contingencies and alternative routes. cause there seems to be a line of demarcation Idabel O. This is a technique which I believe fits very well which my conscience readily recognized between into our A.A. quiet times. Let us during this truth and lies and honesty and cheating. Howperiod practice providing for unforeseen con- ever, the gradual change from arrogance and tingencies and alternative routes in our daily (Continued on Page 16)

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A.A. UTILIZES FACTORS INHERENT Loud, But Good Every A.A. knows how miserable he has felt IN THE ALCOHOLIC PERSONALITY coming off a binge. There simply aren’t words to describe the experience. However, at a hos- (Continued from Page 7) be inherent in the subject. The frequent and pital in New York which has a wing for alcomore or less systematic foregathering of the clan holics and in which A.A.s may sponsor prospects, the comforting feature of the matter is that they for the purpose of drinking, conversation, self- there is a “recovery room” that the boys call can he done a little at a time. And the saving improvement and mutual admiration and crit- Duffy’s Tavern. Here, patients are admitted after grace of t h e situation is that this is exactly what icism, is a phenomenon too common to require the first horrible 48 hours. When the new prosthe 12 Steps are designed to accomplish. comment. Equally obvious is the same phenom- pect is escorted into Duffy’s by a nurse he is Another liability encumbering the candidate enon observed in A.A. circles, as are also its greeted with loud cheers, guffaws and a round is a general lack of faith. Faith in one’s fellows therapeutic value when it occurs at the A.A. of truly remarkable kidding. The sad one can’t is quickly restored by contact with A.A. memlevel. help but laugh at himself, for here’s a crowd of bers. Faith in a Higher Power is often not so Another property of the alcoholic (by no guys that understand him! quickly revived. It is a great handicap for an means restricted to h i m ) is an inherent altruism. alcoholic to lose, as many do, his spiritual an- In the conflict between egoism and altruism, the chorage. Having no aims, life being bereft of purpose and significance, the alcoholic feels no impulse to help others often prevails. It is characteristic of the alcoholic and is reflected even A.A. Holds Key compelling reason to stop drinking. Having reduring his drinking period. Herbert Spencer (Continued from Page 15) jected divine aid, human assistance being insuflong ago observed that every generation of social ficient, he feels it hopeless even to attempt a re- conceit to tolerance and humility is a fine line living deepens the impulses to mutual aid. The covery. This, undoubtedly, is the greatest han- not easily discernible and my program has been altruization of the behavior of persons and dicap of all, but we know that the suggestion, difficult and slow. As to those virtues of tolergroups is currently the subject of analysis and d u r i n g the course of the Program, of a Power ance and humility, both you and I can hear the investigation with a view to bringing about hargreater than himself insidiously, almost sur- world crying for them; but as A.A.s and indimony among groups, societies and nations. It reptitiously, frees the man from frustration, fear, viduals, how many of us actually view them as has been said that each man can quicken the anxiety and resentment; brings about self-real- vital ingredients for our personal success? And pace of moral evolution (du Nouy supra). None ization and discipline; and eventually there how difficult it was for me to realize that a is more qualified to do so than the alcoholic by comes a free recognition of God and lavish self- tolerant altitude is no favor to be condescendvirtue of his possession of the quality of altruhelping of His bounty. ingly granted to my wife and friends, but is ism. If he can find, as he does in A.A., a con- Turning to the asset side, there are at least vastly more beneficial to the person who adopts structive outlet for the altruistic urge, he obtains three redemptive qualities which the Program it, than to the person who is being tolerated. his own release and may become a factor of unturns to good account. The instinct of gregari- I, for one, must develop tolerance for others so common significance in the evolutive transformaousness is an outstanding attribute of most alco- that I can retain and tolerate myself. tion of mankind from physiological slavery to holics. Actuated by this basic desire, the habit A.A. asks an answer to but one question, “Are spiritual freedom. of seeking the association or company of others you ready?” The answer must be categorically is formed and practised to an extent enlarged Anything Is Possible yes or no. When the question is asked, our by the liquidation of any introversion that may newcomer is at the fork of the road; to the left The last asset possessed by every alcoholic, no is continued alcoholic excesses and to the right matter how depraved, to which reference will be the A.A. way of life with its attendant happiness made, is the element of d i v i n i t y which is present and peace of mind. It requires no exercise of Cut This Out and Mail to: in every man. Without this, little could be done; the will to answer this question. All that is re- P. 0. Box 328 with it, nothing is impossible. A.A. in its em- quired is an election freely made between two Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. pirical way has demonstrated that “there is that choices—and any alcoholic may be free. Don’t Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) of God in every man.” This and this alone makes be mistaken—this is not high-faluting philosophy for one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- no damage to the human personality irreparable. —this is the record of A.A. vine (monthly). This and only this makes it possible to say that Since I was first introduced to A.A. many no alcoholic is beyond redemption. Upon this things have happened. The war has been brought For additional subscriptions enclose separate proposition depends the ultimate v a l i d i t y of every to a successful conclusion. My personal war with sheet with name and address clearly printed. Make checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. technique and procedure employed in the Pro- alcohol has, at least, reached the armistice stage. gram. Our hopes and our realization thereof Peace with all its ramifications has gained access Total Enclosed rest on the premise and the promise that man is to my life and home. not merely an automaton reacting to a physio- I have discovered I am not a “big shot” but Renewal? (please check) chemical determinism, but a person created in only a small cog in a big wheel. I have learned PLEASE PRINT the image and likeness of God with whom he that yesterday cannot be recalled and that to- Name may become a communicant, whose power he morrow is an unknown quality and that today— may draw upon, by reason of his kinship, once this present 24-hour period—is the time to prac- Address the decision is made and some effort shown. This tice t h e principles of A.A.—H.R., Chicago. is the alcoholic’s primary asset upon which no creditor can levy but which, under A.A. auspices, Note: Subscriptions received prior to September may be the subject of benign inflation.—R.F.S. 15 will begin with the October issue. (To be concluded)

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VOL. IV, NO. 5, OCTOBER, 1947. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1947, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

Traditions Stressed by Bill in Memphis Talk U RGING all members of Alcoholics Anonymous to strive for humility before success and for unity before fame, Bill W., speaking before the third annual Southeastern Norwegian Group Regional Convention in Memphis, Tenn., on September 19, reviewed the 12 suggested traditions for the organization. Among New Ones Pointing out that the success of A.A. could be “heady wine and a serious problem,” Bill reminded members that as alco- From July 1st to August 14th, the following holics “we are a people who could not exist new groups registered with the Central Office: FRISCO FAMILY GROUP at all except for the grace of God.” NORWAY—Lillibro Drobak. Here are the highlights of the talk as given CANADA—Camrose and Red Deer, both Alberta; SUMS UP PURPOSES to the A.A. Grapevine in advance of the Memphis Kamloups, British Columbia; Brantford and Work of the San Francisco, Cal., Family meeting: Kinsway Group (Toronto) both Ontario; Group as a vital link between the alcoholic and “Some years ago, Dr. Bob and I, among Moncton, New Brunswick. the non-alcoholic has been summed up in a others, did a lot of traveling and speaking at ALABAMA—Brewton, Fairhope and Wetumpka. “Statement of Aims and Purposes.” A.A. Groups the length and breadth of the coun- ARKANSAS—Warren. “Recognizing that we are members of this A.A. try. Alcoholics Anonymous was just starting its CALIFORNIA—Benicia, Camp Meeker, Cathedral, Family Club because of our close relationship astonishing growth. There was concern whether Glendale Central Group, East Bay Group of to and love for a member of A.A.,” the state- we could successfully expand so fast. Widely Long Beach, Los Gatos, Crescenta Valley ment goes on to say that the club members re- separated clusters of A.A.s were making their Group (Montrose), Group No. 2 in Sacrasolve to live in an exemplary spiritual manner, uncertain start, often too far from the original mento, San Bernardino Women’s Group, San to eliminate fear or worry over the problem of few groups to get much direct help. Many had Jose Men’s Group, Southern Marin Group alcoholism and instead gain “guidance and to rely wholly on literature and letters. (Sausalito), Taft, Trona, Twenty Nine Palms. strength through our Creator,” to assist and “To meet this seeming emergency, the few of COLORADO—-Pike’s Peak G r o u p (Colorado encourage the alcoholic to follow all of the 12 us who could do so got out among the new Springs). Steps by following them themselves, to eliminate groups. We wanted to bring our experience and CONNECTICUT—Greater New Haven Group, Walfaults and habits in themselves which may hinder encouragement directly to the incoming thou- lingford. the maintenance of sobriety and to develop an sands who were still unsure; we wanted them to FLORIDA—Belle Glade, Murray Hill Group of intelligent understanding of all phases of the feel a part of the growing whole; we wanted Jacksonville, Miami Beach, Coral Way Group program and activities of A.A. them to see that A.A. had nothing to do with of Miami, Panama, West Palm Beach. Further resolutions include giving sympathetic geography; that it would work lor them under GEORGIA—Athens, Cairo, LaFayette. understanding to the alcoholic to enable him to any conditions whatever. We wished to foster ILLINOIS—Christopher, Macomb. maintain sobriety of thought, purpose and habit, a sound growth and the spirit of unity. So a few KANSAS—Mission, Salina. giving active spiritual and material support to of us traveled much. LOUISIANA—Welch. families of the group and others who are in any “Times have changed. As everyone knows, MARYLAND—Annapolis, Cumberland. emergency due to alcoholism, pledging mutual A.A. has since exceeded our wildest expectations. MASSACHUSETTS—East Milton, Taunton. assistance by calling on group members when Speaking for Dr. Bob and myself, we feel that MICHIGAN—Alpena. necessary, meeting weekly for free exchange of we oldsters need not take the prominent roles we MISSISSIPPI—Grenada. ideas and inspiration, and making voluntary once did. A.A. leadership is becoming, happily MISSOURI—Camdenton, Rocket Group of St. contribution weekly to assist some individual in and healthily, a rotating matter. And besides, Louis. combatting alcoholism. (Continued on Page 8) (Continued on Page 12)

DAILY INVENTORY Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alco- SHOWS UP ASSETS holism. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking, A.A. has no dues or fees. From Chicago, Ill. It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage If I kept a diary—and I do not—-there might in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. be an entry in it something like this: The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps. The A.A. book of experience, Alco- April 2, 1942: For the first time, I admit I holics Anonymous, and other literature, including The 12 Points of Tradition, are available through any group or the Central Office, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y. am powerless over alcohol. I know now I can’t safely ever take another drink. I have decided to turn my will and my life over to God, without reservation. I have seen tonight—in one hall—600 other men and women afflicted as I am. They are leading happy respected lives. If they can find joy in sobriety, so can I. By my voluntary presence at this meeting, I have told them I want to lead a life of continued sobriety. The odds are greatly in my favor. On the 12th Step Many times before I have tried to quit drinking and each time failed miserably. If there’s any “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of those Steps, we tried to intelligence left in me, I’ll follow their example, carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our abide ful. by their advice—because they are successaffairs.” That, I believe, is what I might have written Now comes the last Step in the Program of Recovery. We will consider the two when I came into A.A. But how has it worked aspects of this Step: ( I ) we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and (2) to prac- out during the past five years? Were my adtice these principles in all our affairs. missions and decisions made then enough to keep me sober and happy? Our own peculiar personal histories as alcoholics make us singularly fitted to per- The answer is very definitely “No,” because form the first part of this Step. Indeed, it is the fact that we are alcoholics in the procthe A.A. Program is not a sign-up-and-forget ess of recovery that makes us effective at all. Where medicine and the ministry have affair. It isn’t a one-time inoculation against failed, A.A. often has been successful because the prospect somehow felt a “bond of all the ills that may come in the future. It understanding.” isn’t a college in which degrees are conferred or In carrying this message to other alcoholics we must remember that we are carriers one that boasts a single graduate. Rather, it is of information, not reformers. If the prospect indicates that he has no desire to stop a continuous daily program of living, and I have observed that the happiest and most sucdrinking, we should let him alone. We cannot force a person to stop drinking. We cessful A.A.s are those who take a perhaps brief shouldn’t try. but daily refresher course. However, if the prospect convinces us that he has a real desire to get well, we Every one of the 12 Steps is of course vital, should be prepared to go to any lengths to help him. Sometimes the indirect approach but I believe the Step that has been of greatest is better. Tell the prospect your own story. See to it that he has a chance to read the help to me is the 10th, which reads: Continued book, Alcoholics Anonymous. Take him to a meeting and see that he has an opportunity to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. to talk with other members. For me, that personal inventory must be In talking A.A. with the new man, use common sense. If you do, he has a much daily. At the end of each day, I try to review better chance of getting well. If he is in a hospital, for example, and very jittery—be at least the highlights of the day. If anything, kind and sympathetic but use discretion about how long you stay. Remember that A.A.s especially good or especially bad has happened do not moralize or preach. We simply give information about ourselves. to me I won’t have to dig too deeply. It will be right out there in clear view for me to tackle Above all, don’t get discouraged. There’s an old saying around A.A. that your prosas I will. pect never gets well when you want him to. This saying isn’t always true but there’s a As entries on the wrong side of the ledger lot in it. You might remember that 12th Step work always helps you regardless of the loom up, I can at least see where I was mistaken success or failure of your prospect. and decide what must be done to not only Think of your own experience. Did you get well because of another person? Of correct the error, but to avoid repetition of it. course not. You got well because of A.A.; its 12 steps; its Program of Recovery. Your Bemoaning isn’t going to help one bit. Selfreproach is silly unless I use it constructively sponsor merely brought the message to you. and try to use the mistakes of today to make a The second part of this things is by far the most important part of the program. How better day tomorrow. many of us practice these principles in all our affairs? You guessed it. Too few of us. In this personal inventory there are bound to (Continued on Page 4) (Continued on Page 6)

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WHY CAN’T WE JOIN A.A., TOO? Dear A.A.s: ever potential weakness. We are alcoholics. “sidelines” where, if they have retained the con- Dr. Bob and I have a problem. We’d like to Even though now recovered, we are never too fidence of all, they are frequently consulted. By share it frankly with you. far removed from the possibility of fresh per- common consent they have become unofficial In actuality, A.A. has a score of “founders,” sonal disaster. Each knows he must observe a coaches, reservoirs of longer experience, to be men and women without whose special contribu- high degree of honesty, humility, and tolerance, sought out in the pinches. Their Alma Mater tions A.A. might never have been. But somehow or else drink again. For us of A.A. to drink is is now served by new teams. These too will have the title, “founder,” seems to have attached itself to die; to love God and fellow man is to live. their day on the field, then finally retire. This almost solely to Dr. Bob and me—a phenome- Under such potent conditions the impossible is, we think, as it ought to be. non due perhaps to the general lack of informa- has become possible. When each A.A.’s life lit- Dr. Bob and I feel this sound doctrine should tion about our early days. This sentiment, erally depends upon his unselfish service to apply to us as well. There seems no good reathough it prompts A.A.s to set us somewhat others, when false pride, self-pity, or unhealthy son to make an exception of “the founders.” the apart from the whole, is deeply touching to us self-seeking is almost certain to be unmercifully more we early members continuously occupy the both. We surely have more reasons for grati- chastised by John Barleycorn, he needs but a center of the A.A. stage the more we shall set tude than anyone in the world. But we are be- minimum of man-made rules or inspired leaders risky precedents for a highly personalized and ginning to ask ourselves if this over-emphasis to hold him on the right course. Nor for long permanent leadership. To insure well A.A.’s will be good for A.A. in the long run. Is so is he apt to continue anything harmful to A.A. future, is this not the very thing we should caremuch sentiment for “the founders” entirely wise? unity. He knows so well that we A.A.s shall fully avoid? Of course, Dr. Bob and I do not Perhaps we A.A.s can become a new kind of have to hang together—or else hang separately! want to ignore any special responsibility remainhuman society. To a degree hitherto unknown, At first living the spiritual life because he must, ing still upon us. Quite the contrary; our prin- A.A. may be able to function upon the power he presently lives it because he wants to. Such cipal mission today is probably that of helping of its own fundamental principles rather than is the truly providential circumstance in which A.A. form a sound tradition. But how, for upon the prestige or inspiration of a highly per- we all find ourselves; that is why we are begin- example, can we advocate the traditional prinsonalized leadership. Thus the whole can be- ning to see new values in A.A. We perceive in ciple of rotating leadership if we allow the become of transcending importance over any part; our midst a spiritual realm which can be little lief to grow that we ought to be permanent excepcontinued unity and success can then mostly de- disturbed by the distractions of wealth or self- tions ourselves? Of course, we cannot. pend upon God as we understand him working serving egocentricity. Take, for instance, my own situation. It is vitally in thousands of hearts rather than a few. Against this background let’s have another known that my health is recently improved; that Deep down, I think we A.A.s have begun to look at Dr. Bob and me. Seemingly, the larger I’m going to a large regional conference. Insense this magnificent possibility. The widening A.A. grows, the more our particular part in its stantly come warm but most urgent invitations conviction that active leadership ought to be creation and continuance tends to be emphasized. to speak at gatherings all over North America. transitory and rotating; that each A.A. group Our status remains exceptional. Nearly all other Most A.A.s being good salesmen, the pressure on with respect to its own affairs needs be account- early A.A.s have long since slipped over to the me is truly enormous. able only to its own conscience; that our com- While it’s a wonderful feeling to be so much mittees and boards are really servants, not offi- wanted, these bids do leave me in the middle of cials; that we, as a movement, ought to remain an acute dilemma—a real heart-breaker. How, poor, so avoiding the risks of disrupting wealth; in fairness, can I speak at ten anniversary dinthat as individual members of A.A. we should Cleveland Boasts ners and refuse 90; how can I make special reremain anonymous before the general public— cordings or telephone talks for all these occathese are the signs and portents of a unique New Claims to Fame sions? Or, again, how can I respond to all the future. Such concepts certainly leave little room mail I receive; how can I advise hundreds of for a prestige-clothed leadership. Records for long distance communication and individuals and groups about their special prob- “But,” some will say, “how shall we make such formation of new groups are being claimed by lems? It is a physical impossibility. Even a vision actually work when most societies have the Cleveland District Office of A.A. though I could somehow accomplish all these to rely so greatly on management, money, and The first came when the wife of a Cleveland things, and so remain in the center of A.A. afheavily-publicized leadership exercising power- A.A. stationed in Japan called the office to say fairs indefinitely, would that be best for A.A. ful personal suasion?” Yet incredibly, we are her husband had written an A.A. friend of his in the long run? Surely you will agree it beginning to see our vision come alive. Even he was being transferred from Tokyo to Florida. would not. though we persist in looking with misgiving on The Cleveland office immediately informed the So the problem of Dr. Bob and me comes any large accumulation of money or personal A.A. secretary in the Florida city with the result down to this: We shall somehow have to decide prestige in the name of Alcoholics Anonymous, just what few things we are still specially fitted that when the service man arrived he found an we do continue to grow despite the absence of to do for A.A. and, within the limits of our A.A. welcome waiting. According to Cleveland those sometimes unstable factors upon which health, set about them. Public Library figures, this made Cleveland a other human endeavors must so often depend. For my part, I feel I ought to do much more Why is this possible? Is it because we are station on an 8,831-mile A.A. relay. writing: more A.A. Grapevine pieces, more pama superior people? Well, hardly! Far from The end of August also marked the formation phlets and possibly a new book dealing with the being better than average, we are surely much of more new groups in the Greater Cleveland vital matter of A.A. unity. This material ought more fallible. Strangely enough, our group area than ever before in a similar period, five to be widely informative of our developing tradistrength seems to stem from our individual and new ones bringing the total to 76. (Continued on Page 7)

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Texans Travel Far YALE PLAN ON ALCOHOLISM: To Get Their A.A. (Editor’s Note: The Yale Plan on Alcoholism is the name which has now been adopted to describe the overall activities outlined in this article. This new name, and the story of all the activi- A.A.s of West Texas are adding to the stock ties for which it stands, have not yet been released to the public press. The A.A. Grapevine was of tall tales which grow up so naturally around given this pre-release story in response to its request for an article on the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism which is an integral part of the Yale Plan on Alcoholism. This is the the Lone Star state, our correspondent at San third article in a series of reports on some of the various research projects, studies, investigations, Angelo reports. and educational programs pertaining to alcoholism now being carried on throughout the country.) “In a land where there is plenty of room for everyone to breathe deeply all the time, Texas Three years ago this month the National Com- present 25 local affiliates, is overwhelmingly A.A.s think nothing of driving 100 miles to at- mittee for Education on Alcoholism was officially made up of non-alcoholics. tend meetings,” the correspondent writes. “One launched. An instantaneous response greeted The two memberships are working toward the rugged individualist of our group drives 165 the new organization throughout the country. same goal: the rehabilitation of alcoholics. But miles each way to meet and mingle with his fel- This response was particularly strong from A.A. they are approaching this goal from completely low alcoholics. Others, fortunate enough to be members. They apparently were deeply inter- different angles: A.A. directly, through working with city groups, pile into cars for the week- ested in this untried venture which was in no with alcoholics themselves (a “method of treatend and carry the message to struggling bands way connected with A.A. and yet whose efforts ment”) ; and the N.C.E.A. indirectly, through 400 miles from the home base. were to be directed toward the same problem, of working with the non-alcoholic public (a “Of course, this is the state where ‘take it easy’ alcoholism, in a different field of action. “method of teaching”). This dual effort could originated. The loose-limbed amble of the A.A. To clarify this statement still further, A.A., as be described as a pincer movement on the probis a natural for West Texans, whose only com- every member knows, concerns itself wholly with lem of alcoholism, with promise of all the effecmuter’s clock is the slow roll of the seasons. alcoholics who want help and with developing tiveness such a method of attack usually has. With the livestock watered and turned out on the its own program of recovery. This could tech- For this “teaching” is designed to create an enrange, a 200-mile trip once a week to attend nically be called “a method of treatment.” The vironment in which alcoholics can recognize their meetings is regarded as only one step in the 12 National Committee for Education on Alcohol- condition without shame, and seek treatment, or —a philosophy which suits the ranchers so well ism, on the other hand, took up the challenge help. And they usually seek that help in A.A. that they believe Bill and Dr. Bob are Texans of a broader field of action—the whole general Further, this “teaching” is designed to spur the who happened to be born in the East.” public of non-alcoholics — and set out, three non-alcoholic public to the promotion of further years ago this month, to develop its own pro- facilities for that treatment and help—facilities . gram of education and community action. This which A.A. itself has always sought, too often in vain, to assist its groups in their efforts. Editorial could be called “a method of teaching.” In those early days the working relationship I (Continued from Page 2) between the N.C.E.A. and A.A. was very close, The Yale Plan came into being piece by piece, Fact is, many entirely overlook the second part of necessity. Much of the interest in education starting many, many years ago without any name of this Step. Recently, a member looked of the general public came from A.A. members at all, as one small bit among a multitude of reat us queerly when we mentioned part two of all over the country, and they often wrote the A.A. Central Office, requesting the services, both search projects in physiology, under one of Yale the 12th Step. He had never thought of it. University’s greatest scientists, Yandell Hender- To practice A.A. principles in all our affairs lectures and literature, of the N.C.E.A. They son. It continued as one of many projects going requires growth and full-scale adoption of every were frequently not quite clear as to the relation- on under the direction of his successor as direcphase of the program. Those who accomplish ship of the two groups, and perhaps assumed tor of Yale’s Laboratory of Applied Physiology, it are A.A.’s happiest and most serene members. that the N.C.E.A. was an offshoot, or even a part Dr. Howard W. Haggard. The early alcohol re- They are finding peace of mind. They have of, A.A. search under Henderson, and at first under Haghumility without humbleness. They have true The Yale sponsorship of the N.C.E.A., with gard, was confined to physiology: the effects of tolerance and gratitude. all that that meant in scientific background and alcohol on the body. It isn’t possible to tell you how to practice material, in direction and support, both moral Many similar and related experiments and A.A.’s principles in your life but we know the and financial, was not well understood. Today studies have been carried out over the years by payoff is tremendous! it is still not well enough understood. scientists everywhere: usually on rats, sometimes Finally, a word about our conception of 12th It is partly for this reason, then, that on this, as studies of human beings, in hospitals and in Step work. Although it is generally associated its third birthday, the N.C.E.A. is releasing, dissecting rooms. It was Dr. Haggard who first with active help for the sick alcoholic, it doesn’t through the A.A. Grapevine, the story of its saw the need for expanding alcohol research into have to be. We believe 12th Step work is any strengthened and tightened relationship with the the field of alcoholism, and who began adding work, direct or indirect, that helps other alco- group at Yale University. At the same time it is to the laboratory staff, researchers in others holics to recover. The volunteer workers; the hoped to clarify its relationship with A.A.: to fields besides physiology. This expansion began group secretaries; the members who perform the make closer the friendly cooperation which has in the 1930’s. By now it has reached a point service of providing refreshments at meetings; always existed, and to make clearer the com- where it has given birth to the Yale Plan, of the man who takes time out from his business pletely separate identities of the two organ- which it, too, is an integral and vital part. to mail 100 post cards for the group—all are do- izations. We quote here some extracts from a speech ing 12th Step work just as surely as if they The membership of A.A. is made up entirely by one of the members of this Yale Plan Rewere visiting drunks in hospitals, jails, sana- and exclusively of alcoholics. search Division. He is also a member of other toriums or homes. The membership of the N.C.E.A., and of its divisions of the overall plan, and is connected

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National Committee Undertakes Job of Educating Public on Subject with outside activities in this field as well: Dr. etc. Other books available here are Volume I of 3, This is a public health problem, and there- Selden Bacon, Assistant Professor of Sociology Chronic Alcoholism and Alcohol Explored . . .” fore a public responsibility. of Yale University, Chairman of the Commission “The third large division is the Summer School All N.C.E.A. publicity, all N.C.E.A. speeches, on Alcoholism of the State of Connecticut, and of Alcohol Studies, whoso Director is Dr. E. M. all N.C.E.A. literature, carry this slogan. And Secretary-Treasurer of the N.C.E.A. Jellinek . . . The fourth division is the Yale it has taken hold, as recent figures indicate. In his speech before the annual convention of Plan Clinic . . . This is a diagnostic and treat- Last year Dr. John Riley of Rutgers Univerrepresentatives and executive secretaries of local ment clinic for alcoholics . . . It is also a pilot sity, made a survey of public opinion on alco- Committees for Education on Alcoholism, held at plant, a service center and a research center . . . holism. He included public knowledge of A.A. Yale on August 2nd last, Dr. Bacon described It is a potential training center for personnel in his questions. His findings indicate that: the Yale Plan as follows: for other clinics everywhere.” 40% of the adult population know the name, “The Yale Plan on Alcoholism is divided into “The fifth division is the N.C.E.A., which will Alcoholics Anonymous, six major divisions. They occasionally overlap as be dealt with later, and the sixth division … is but only to function; all of them overlap in relation to Administration and Finance. This concerns the 16% of the adult population know the funcpersonnel. The first division is Research and is administration and financing of the entire pro- tion of A.A. subdivided into three parts: (a) physiological gram . . . and also what may be called liaison 36% of the adult population said that alcoresearch (b) social, psychological, legal, and with other groups. This division is under the holism is a disease historical research, and (c), (really an adjunct personal direction of Dr. Haggard . . .” whereas 4 years ago, only of a and b), bibliographical, technical and trans- 5 to 6% believed that alcoholism was a disease. lating services. I start here because this is the II According to these figures, then the N.C.E.A. core, the cornerstone of the whole business . . . When the National Committee for Education campaign of education of the public has helped Our research is our production line . . . The on Alcoholism was launched in October, 1944, to change the opinion of more than 30% of the physiological research is directly under Dr. Hag- the overall title for all the work being done at adult population—or nearly’ one-third. gard . . . The other research is under the general Yale, or by their representatives, had not been N.C.E.A. methods of reaching the public have direction of Professor Jellinek, who is quite coined. The actual relationship, however, has included the use of all possible means of comlikely to do research in any field . . . One of the existed from the beginning. It was the specific munication: the press, national publications, most important of research jobs is a constant job of the “division for education and com- radio, movies, lectures and literature. Alchecking of all research in the field of alcohol munity action” (the N.C.E.A.), to condense, re- most every national magazine has published studies . . . This . . . means collecting everything phrase in popular language, and spread far and something on alcoholism in these last three years. of any relevance of a serious nature, abstracting wide news of the findings and activities of the The overwhelming majority of these articles have it, and classifying it so that it can be used . . . other divisions. And to launch, wherever pos- been prepared and written with the active as- You will find . . . here . . . all the studies, in any sible, a program of community action designed sistance of the N.C.E.A. staff. They furnish backof the major languages, of the last 10 years. You to further spread these facts, and to promote ground material, advice, active editorial work, will find most of the studies of the last 75 years and establish facilities which could help solve and original signed articles. The staff also aided . . . I need hardly add that this is a bibliography the problem of alcoholism on a national scale. in production of two movies released during the that cannot be matched or even haltingly ap- The first step taken was to find a formula same period: the March of Time film “Problem proached anywhere in the world . . .” which would condense the basic facts into words Drinkers,” and “Smash-Up.” “The second large division of the Yale Plan and phrases that would be easily understood and The N.C.E.A. now has five field representatives is . . . Publications. The Quarterly Journal of easily remembered by everyone who heard them. on its staff, in addition to its executive director, Studies on Alcohol, the Lay Supplements, the This resulted in what is called N.C.E.A.’s three and a growing number of volunteers on its Na- Memoirs, the book, Alcohol, Science and Society, concepts: tional Speakers Bureau. The executive director and reprints of many, many articles . . . Under 1. Alcoholism is a disease, and the alcoholic alone has given over 300 talks before audiences this division too, are all the materials prepared a sick person. totalling 100,000 people. The other speakers beby and for the National Committee for Educa- 2. The alcoholic can be helped and is worth tween them have at least equalled that, although tion on Alcoholism, pamphlets, leaflets, reprints, helping. (Continued on Page 14)

exercised a l i t t l e self-control or restraint when The Pleasures of Reading the going was tough. Perhaps I’ve been a little more tolerant today than I was yesterday. Maybe I’ve benefited by keeping my big mouth The Sleeper Cliff by David Davidson (Random House, $3 shut when my natural inclination would be to tell somebody off. Lieutenant Andrew Cooper, who fought the war in Brooklyn, half an hour by subway from his own home, finds himself in Munich, a month after the last shot has been fired. He is one of A l l these things belong on the right side of a group of American officers assigned to reconstruct the newspapers of Bavaria and his duties the ledger and as I look at them in my personal consist of finding German newspapermen, trustworthy enough to edit these papers. He learns inventory, I know I w a n t to keep them on my about a man named Lorenz, well known for his liberal editorials during the dangerous days of Nazi shelves and to enlarge my stock. tyranny, and determines to locate him. As I say, I generally take my inventory at the Side by side with this quest is Cooper’s search into his own soul for the extent of his courage. end of the day—and follow it up with a little He needs desperately to prove to himself that he possesses courage at all, for there were two inci- prayer of thanks for the good things that have dents in his boyhood, when, in the face of danger, he turned tail and ran. In his rather prosaic come to me d u r i n g the day—and the not-sol i f e since then he has never been called upon to show any special degree of bravery and he enlisted good things I’ve managed to avoid. in the hope of finding out, once and for all, if he were all coward, or if under fire, valour would It’s not in the cards for me to take the 1st be born. Step just once and say, “0. K., I’ve admitted As he tells himself frankly: “I am afraid. I have always been afraid, afraid of an almost I can’t drink any more. That’s that.” I can’t unbelievable number of things; afraid of high places, afraid of fists, afraid of third rails, afraid do that. I can’t skim over any Step and regard of dogs and horses, afraid of firearms, afraid of knives and razor blades, afraid of deep water and it as being finished, for there is no conclusion to shattered glass, afraid of automobiles, afraid of fire and the dark, afraid in some form or other A.A. it would be like an attempt to give up of everything in the world.” eating entirely after one f u l l meal. Adam Lorenz is a man of Cooper’s own age and the more he learns about him, the more con- In addition to this daily “examination of convinced he becomes that they are enough alike to be two facets of a dual personality; Lorenz the science” or inventory, I find the regular meetings hero and himself the craven. The search becomes an obsession and he carries it on regardless of most helpful. As a matter of fact, I believe the disapproval, and against the direct orders of his superior officer. they’re actually vital if I am to get the f u l l In the course of running down clues, Cooper meets and falls in love with Brigitte, the missing benefits and flavor of the program. In regular man’s beautiful and lonely young wife. attendance over five years, never once have I A strange romance develops. Brigitte recognizes the young American’s complete identifica- come away from a meeting without learning tion with her vanished husband and knows that he is really searching for his other self—the self something really worthwhile and helpful. who will show him what courage is and how it can be proved. Both realize that the consummation Personal visits with A.A.s are not only helpof their strong, mutual attachment depends entirely on Lorenz’s reappearance, or the final proof of ful, they’re a lot of fun. his death. During my first year in A.A. another mem- The book is f u l l of interesting data on post-war Germany and the characters live and breathe. ber and I had coffee together practically every One suffers with Herr Wolfrat, a “good” German of honest convictions, who was forced to day and I found his counsel and example always knuckle under to the Nazis to save his job and keep his family from want. One gets terrifying an inspiration. In the building where I work glimpses of Nazi punishment and torture, or fortitude that could withstand this for incredibly long now there are a number of other members and periods, only to break at last. we meet for a cup of coffee or lunch at least Mr. Davidson’s presentation of his story is honest and his manner of writing is fresh and very once during the day. These daily contacts are readable. With The exception of Brigitte, who is perhaps purposely idealized, none of his main mighty valuable and unquestionably have helped characters are all black or all white. He rounds out his plot and makes his point at the end by each of us over some rough roads. Even though convincing us that we are all, the best and the worst of us, half-hero, half-coward.—M.N., New A.A. itself is not mentioned (which is rare!) York City. the things we discuss are approached from sane viewpoints and with patience. By each others’ example we try to see life and its problems Daily Inventory Shows Up Assets — (Continued from Page 2) through eyes other than our own; and even when we don’t see eye to eye, we can disagree withbe some good and comforting entries. And I and outmoded—they may even injure his repu- out being disagreeable. think it’s a wise thing to dwell a bit on the pleas- tation. The wise merchant discards such goods ant things, too. Activities that are good deserve as being unworthy and replaces them with prod- Along with The daily inventory, I try to keep to be enlarged upon and it’s all to the good if ucts he is proud to display. always in mind the last phrase of the last Step we build good works into permanent habits. Now, my personal inventory undoubtedly in- in The A.A. program: “. . . and practice these I like to look on a personal inventory pretty cludes such items as selfishness, impatience, lazi- principles in all our affairs.” I firmly believe much as a storekeeper regards his inventory ness, anger and a dozen other very undesirable that A.A. should be a part of my daily program of merchandise. He has certain items that enjoy . things. In taking a daily inventory I can see of living and often like to recall Henry Van a good turnover and are profitable for him to where they cropped up in the day’s business. Dyke’s prayer poem: handle. He builds up his stock of those items. More than that, I can see how they cropped up “Let me find it in my heart to say Other merchandise he handles may be shoddy and if I’m learning anything at all, I’ll try my When vagrant wishes beckon me astray— or otherwise undesirable. These items not only best to avoid the occasions of such mental mis- This is my work, my blessing, not my doom. take up a lot of valuable space on his shelves; haps. Of all by whom this work might be done they occupy space he should allot to profitable On The other hand, it’s possible that I have I can best do it, in the right way.” merchandise. The undesirable items grow stale tried to do some good during the day—perhaps —L.J.R.

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Group Meetings Benefit by Exchange of Ideas Here begins a new feature in The A.A. Grapevine which will be continued each month if it proves to be helpful in conducting group meeting DISCUSSION OUTLINE PROVIDED discussions. Well established groups in the large centers rarely lack for a variety of discussion topics. BY TWIN CITIES MIDWAY GROUP The continuous influx of new members with new One of the groups which has given consider- you are an alcoholic.” Following this statement questions, experiences, case histories and per- able thought to the discussion type of meeting is of the topic, 11 sub-points are listed for discussonalities, or with variations of the old, familiar the Twin Cities Midway Group in St. Paul, sion as follows: questions, provide a constant stimulation. Some Minn., which has prepared “A Series of Outlines 1. We were unwilling to admit that we were groups, however, due partly to population limita- for Squad Meetings” in that area. alcoholics. tions whose membership stays fairly constant, As stated in the foreword of the outline, the 2. Had you been thinking that you were an and new groups just getting started, may find group stresses that, “These pages are not inalcoholic for some time but were not great value and aid in suggested discussion topics. tended to be A.A. gospel but only as help for quite ready to give up? those who say, ‘I’d like to take part in meetings Experience indicates that it is not so much the 3. Vain attempts to drink like other people. but I don’t know what to talk about or what size of the group that determines the virility and 4. Making a normal drinker out of an alcoto say.’ ” variety of the discussion meetings, as it is the holic. Can this be accomplished? The Midway outline is presented only as a sort type of meeting being held. The set program 5. Obsession for control. of skeleton of ideas for “the convenience of each type of meeting for which speakers are selected 6. Fully concede to ourselves that we were group in adding or substituting its own angles in advance generates its own topics. Many alcoholics. and ideas.” groups, however, also hold discussion meetings 7. Being an alcoholic is nothing to be “A good meeting,” the foreword states, “is one for which there may or may not be a leader and ashamed of. in which sound theory is illuminated by the pracfor which no particular program of subjects is 8. Does admitting we are alcoholics clear up tical and personal. These outlines are intended laid out in advance. This type of meeting can our troubles and problems or must furto provide only the skeleton for a helpful meetalso furnish lively and invaluable discussion, ther action be taken? ing; the blood and sinew must come from the even without advance preparation provided it in- 9. The hopelessness and futility of life as we individual experience of each member. . . .” cludes self-starting members who get the discus- had been living it. “The measure of a meeting leader’s success is sion under way and keep it rolling. 10. Coming into A.A. we are upon a life-andthe extent to which he gets others to add their The experience of a number of groups has death errand. personal thoughts, angles and experiences to the been that a list of topics to draw upon for dis- 11. Suggestions for stimulating discussion. rough framework of the assigned topic. At each cussion is helpful in providing both stimulus meeting the subject of the next meeting should In subsequent issues, four topics—or enough and direction to the conversation. be announced and possibly sketched out with a to carry through a month of weekly meetings— The purpose of this group meeting page is to few questions for individual consideration be- will be presented on this page. Suggestions for present various topics which different groups tween meetings.” topics which have been found to be productive have found to be good material for discussion One of the first suggested topics presented in of lively and useful discussion are invited from meetings. the Midway Outline is: “Admitting the fact that all groups.

Why Can’t We Join A.A., Too? (Continued from Page 3) THE A.A. GRAPEVINE invites an exchange of ideas and experience on this page relating to the different tion and of the little understood A.A. General types of group meetings to be found throughout A.A. Service Center. Occasionally I would like to Do you have squad meetings for small, intimate get-togethers? Do you, have a leader or moderator for these, or is discussion purely spontaneous, originating without plan from anyone present? appear at the larger regional gatherings for the purpose of discussing these matters with as many Do you plan your discussions in advance? Just how do you do it, and what are the various types of meetings you hold? A.A.s as possible. Your experience may be very helpful to other groups. Send THE A.A. GRAPEVINE an outline of how Over the next two or three years it will be yon do it in your group. Address the Group Meeting Editor. desirable to broaden the base of our General Service Center here at New York so that it can include a yearly meeting of out-of-town A.A.s For the good of A.A. as a whole these seem often wish to come and go among you like other with the trustees of The Alcoholic Foundation, the things most needful to be done. If these people, without any special attention. And while the A.A. General Office staff, and The A.A. projects are ever to be finished, I’m sure we can we would like always to keep the wonderful satis- Grapevine editors, this to be called The General do little else. To succeed we shall need real faction of having been among the originators, Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous. freedom of decision and few diversions. Hence, we hope you will begin to think of us as early To help construct such a conference w i l l be a we beg your whole-hearted cooperation. A.A.s only, not as “founders.” real task which may eventually require us to Though these assignments are still before us, So, can’t we join A.A., too? visit a number of our large A.A. centers the Dr. Bob and I are now going to confess a deep As Ever, country over. yearning. As private citizens of A.A., we shall Bill

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Memphis Convention Any two or three alcoholics gathered together non-alcoholics. Such special services may be for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, well recompensed. But our usual A.A. 12th Step (Continued from Page 1) provided, of course, that, as a group, they have work is never to be paid for. our literature, a generous press, and thousands no other affiliation. “9.—Each A.A. group needs the least possible of new travelers are carrying A.A. to every cor- “4.—With respect to its own affairs, each A.A. organization. Rotating leadership is the best. ner of the world. group should be responsible to no other author- The small group may elect its secretary, the “Yet there does remain a problem—a serious ity than its own conscience. But when its plans large group its rotating committee, and the problem, in whose solution A.A.s will expect us concern the welfare of neighboring groups also, groups of a large metropolitan area their Cenoldsters to occasionally take a hand. That is those groups ought to be consulted. And no tral or Intergroup Committee, which often emthe problem of success itself. Always a heady group, regional committee or individual, should ploys a f u l l – t i m e secretary. The Trustees of The wine, success may sometimes cause us to forget ever take any action that might greatly affect Alcoholic Foundation are, in effect, our General that each of us lives on borrowed time; we way A.A. as a whole without conferring with the Service Committee. They are the custodians of forget that we are a people who cannot exist Trustees of The Alcoholic Foundation. On such our A.A. tradition and the receivers of volunat all, but for the Grace of God. The wine of issues our common welfare is paramount. tary A.A. contributions by which we maintain forgetfulness might make us dream that Alco- “5.—Each Alcoholics Anonymous group the A.A. General Service Office at New York. holics Anonymous was our success rather than ought to be a spiritual entity having but one pri- They are authorized by the groups to handle our God’s will. The very malignancy which once mary purpose—that of carrying its message to over-all public relations and they guarantee the tore us apart personally, could again com- the alcoholic who still suffers. integrity of our principal newspaper, The A.A. mence to rend us as groups. False pride might “6.—Problems of money, properly, and au- Grapevine. All such representatives are to be lead us to controversy, to claims of power and thority may easily divert us from our primary guided in the spirit of service, for true leaders prestige, to bickerings over property, money, and spiritual aim. We think, therefore, that any in A.A. are but trusted and experienced servants personal authority. We would not be human if considerable property of genuine use to A.A. of the whole. They derive no real authority from these illnesses didn’t sometimes attack us. should be separately incorporated and managed, their titles; they do not govern. Universal “Therefore, many of us think today the main thus dividing the material from the spiritual. respect is the key to their usefulness. problem of Alcoholics Anonymous is this: How, An A.A. group, as such, should never go into “10.—No A.A. group or member should ever, as a movement, shall we maintain our humility business. Secondary aids to A.A., such as clubs in such a way as to implicate A.A., express any —and so our unity—in the face of what the or hospitals which require much property or ad- opinion on outside controversial issues—particuworld calls a great triumph? Perhaps we need ministration ought to be incorporated and so larly those of politics, alcohol reform, or secnot look far afield for an answer. We need only set apart that, if necessary, they can be freely tarian religion. The Alcoholics Anonymous adapt and apply to our group life those princi- discarded by the groups. Hence, such facilities groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters ples upon which each of us has founded his own ought not to use the A.A. name. Their manage- they can express no views whatever. recovery. If humility can expel the obsessions to ment should be the sole responsibility of those “11.—Our relations with the general public drink alcohol, then surely humility can be our people who financially support them. For clubs, should be characterized by personal anonymity. antidote for that subtle wine called success.” A.A. managers are usually preferred. But hos- We think A.A. ought to avoid sensational adver- Bill then went on to explain in detail the 12 pitals, as well as other places of recuperation, tising. Our names and pictures as A.A. mem- Points of Tradition, first printed in an article ought to be well outside A.A.—and medically bers ought not be broadcast, filmed, or publicly in the April, 1946, issue of The A.A. Grapevine: supervised. While an A.A. group may cooperate printed. Our public relations should be guided “Two years ago my old friends urged that I with anyone, such cooperation ought never go so by the principle of attraction rather than protry to sum up our experience of living and work- far as affiliation or endorsement, actual or im- motion. There is never need to praise ourselves. ing together; that I try to state those definite plied. An A.A. group can bind itself to no one. We feel it better to let our friends recommend us. principles of group conduct which had then “7.—The A.A. groups themselves ought to be “12.—And finally, we of Alcoholics Anonyquite clearly emerged from a decade of strenu- fully supported by the voluntary contributions mous believe that the principle of anonymity has ous trial and error. In the spirit of our original of their own members. We think that each group an immense spiritual significance. It reminds us 12 Steps, and strictly within the ample proofs should soon achieve this ideal; that any public that we are to place principles before personaliof our experience, I made the following tenta- solicitation of funds using the name of Alco- ties; that we are actually to practice a genuine tive attempt: 12 Points to Assure Our Future, holics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether humility. This to the end that our great bless- An Alcoholics Anonymous Tradition of Rela- by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside ings may never spoil us; that we shall forever tions. (Recently revised in the light of later agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any live in t h a n k f u l contemplation of Him Who preexperience) : source or of contributions carrying any obliga- sides over us all. “Our A.A. experience has taught us that: tion whatever, is unwise. Then, too, we view “I hope the day will soon arrive when each “1.—Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous with much concern those A.A. treasuries which A.A. is just as conscious of the A.A. Traditions is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate as he now is of the Recovery Program. continue to live or most of us will surely die. funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience “To sum up: For thousands of alcoholics yet Hence our common welfare comes first. But in- has often warned us that nothing can so surely to come, A.A. does have an answer. But there is dividual welfare follows close afterward. destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes one condition. We must, at all costs, preserve “2.—For our group purpose there is but one over properly, money, and authority. our essential unity; it must be made unbreakably ultimate authority—a loving God as He may “8.—Alcoholics Anonymous should remain secure. Without permanent u n i t y there can be express Himself in our group conscience. forever non-professional. We define profession- little lasting recovery for anyone. Hence our “3.—Our membership ought to include all alism as the occupation of counseling alcoholics f u t u r e absolutely depends upon the creation and who suffer alcoholism. Hence we may refuse for fees or hire. But we may employ alcoholics observance of a sound group tradition. First none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. mem- where they are going to perform those services things will always need to be first: humility bership ever depend upon money or conformity. for which we might otherwise have to engage before success, and unity before fame.”

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Busy Around Boston—Boston, Mass., isn’t those wanting it, were held in Malden and Nor- alcoholic in prison can’t get his first drink but known as “The Hub” for nothing—at least if wood during September. On Sept. 12 the Mal- that doesn’t eliminate his craving, nor his desire A.A. activities mean anything. Meeting places den Group, on its first anniversary, held a big to get drunk and shut out the reality he must in the metropolitan area are rapidly expanding. meeting at Rotary Hall in that city while the face each day, nor the fear that is constantly According to the Central Service Committee, the Norwood Group welcomed many visitors with with him—’Can I leave it alone once I get out?’ newest offspring are at Waltham, with sessions special speakers at K. of C. Hall on Sept. 26. . . We sincerely believe that A.A. philosophy is the every Thursday night at the USO hall, and at Some of the Greater Boston groups have moved answer to his problem.” The group hopes to Medford, where meetings are Tuesday nights at to larger meeting places. The Arlington Group publish its own paper soon. Its first printed Colonial hall, while another group is getting now meets at Spanish War Veterans hall, which matter is an attractively gotten-up commemoraunder way in Wakefield. . . The Salem (Mass.) is the old town hall, Arlington Center, on Friday tion of the first meeting. Group reports that 44 members chartered a bus nights. Worcester No. 2 Group has changed to attend a Braves game in Boston while on an- to CIO Hall, 74 Main Street, third floor, on Speakers Exchanged—In the interest of getother occasion two chartered busses and many Thursday nights. . . Another newcomer to the ting varied views and opinions the Austin, Tex., private cars took members and guests to Canobie Greater Boston groups during the summer was Group has inaugurated an exchange of speakers Lake Park, Salem, N. H., where there was a soft- East Milton, which holds sessions Sunday nights among neighboring groups. Austin has sent at ball game between old-timers and new members at Ellsworth hall. . . The Manchester, N. H., least two speakers to talk at Waco, Houston, and other entertainment. . . September affairs Group now meets at the Franklin Congregational Lampasas and San Marcos. The Waco Group included a clambake sponsored by the South Church on Tuesday nights, starting at 8 instead recently sent two members to the Tuesday open Shore Groups at the Braintree Rod and Gun of 8:30. . . Record attendances were set at two session at Austin and the idea is proving so mu- Club and an outing sponsored by the Woburn, unusual Wednesday night all-group meetings at tually beneficial that other groups are expected Mass., Group at Johnson’s Grove, Burlington, 30 Huntington Avenue, one a “Women’s Night” to join the “speakers’ circuit” soon. where there was a catered dinner, with steamed with the women taking over the whole affair, and clams and corn available all afternoon for the another the “Mr. and Mrs. Alcoholic Night” with News from Newark—Judging from the vaheavy eaters, a program of sports and entertain- married couples as the speakers. riety of activities, past and planned, the publicament for the members’ children. . . An article tion of the Alanon Association of Newark, N. J., written by Bill Cunningham, Boston Herald col- Spreading the Word—The Lampasas, Tex., is well named The News. Included in the Sepumnist, dealing with A.A., brought many in- Group, recently organized, is doing all it can tember issue are announcement of a bowling quiries and phone calls to the Boston Central to let people in the locality know about A.A. season, report of a Monte Carlo Night, a venture Office at 30 Huntington Avenue with an average The nine members recently staged an open meet- in sound moving pictures, a corn cob and hot of 10 new persons a day coming into the office ing at the court house, with Dr. David Wade, dog party, a series of games, a fall dance, a for the three weeks following publication, for prominent Austin psychiatrist, as the main “Monster Ball,” rehearsals for the second anliterature and contact w i t h the nearest group. . . speaker and five other speakers, all alcoholics, nual “Show Boat,” a contemporary art exhibit A recent affair which sent many A.A.s away on from other towns. and tea as well as a report of the regular an overnight trip was the establishment of a new monthly inter-group meeting and announcement group at North Conway, N.H., well-known re- Into Another Prison — Firmly convinced of the first annual New Jersey Inter-Group bansort. The opening session was at Mitchell’s Ski “A.A. has come to stay” at Stillwater, Minn., quet to be held at the Terrace Ball Room Octo- Ranch, Kearsarge, N. H., with members from Prison, our reporter there says the first meeting ber 16. various groups in Massachusetts, and New Hamp- of eight members was held recently under the shire lending support. . . The Portsmouth, sponsorship of Warden L. F. Utrecht and the Growth Fast and Good — The San Angelo, N. H., Group had a gala picnic recently at guidance of members of the Midwest Council on Tex., Group believes it has duplicated in less Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, Me. . . The Central Alcoholism, Inc. By the time the third meeting than a year the phenomenal growth of A.A. in Service Committee, which sponsors the All-Group was held there were 17 members and several the nation. From four “founding fathers” in meetings every Wednesday night at 30 Hunting- more applications on file. Meetings are every November, 1946, membership has grown to ton Avenue, Boston, has been trying out a pro- Saturday afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 with A.A.s around 75 with new prospects almost every day gram at which old-timers are chairmen and from Minneapolis, St. Paul and Stillwater in and a surprisingly low number of slips. It is a round up their own speakers. Previously indi- charge. The fourth Saturday meeting will be matter of chest-thumping pride that the majority vidual groups ran these sessions, but the old- conducted by inmates. “We are not proud of of members “get it” and maintain sobriety after timers have been doing a good job. . . The sec- our status as a prison group,” the reporter writes, the first contact. Spark plug in the first hard retary of Central Service has had so many calls “but we are extremely grateful to the warden and days was Dan W., at whose home the first meetfrom the Boston City Hospital for A.A.s to visit, the outside groups who have made and will con- ings were held with his wife serving coffee and and for additional help in carrying out work tinue to make these meetings possible. Physi- cake. In March, 1947, the club rented an office with the Boston Psychopathic Hospital, that an cally and mentally there is little to distinguish and club rooms in a downtown office building. appeal has been made for more volunteers from between the alcoholic who occupies a cell and Closed meetings are now held in the club rooms the Greater Boston groups. . . Two large open the one in a penthouse. Each is a sick man, each with open meetings in the ballroom of the Cactus meetings, designed to inform the community must meet and master the same tragic reality— Hotel. At the present rate of growth larger club of A.A. activities and directed at giving help to he can’t take that first drink. Of course, the (Continued on next page)

quarters will be necessary soon. The San Angelo line, Arthur F. Desmond, Brookline, and George to publish The A.A. Visitor twice a month. The Group has acted as parent to groups in Menard, C. Wiswell, Winchester. pamphlet features editorials which have been Brady and Coleman with detachments of old- widely quoted. Begun through the cooperation timers driving regularly to meetings in these Clam Bake on Anniversary—-The Cornof the Minneapolis Group and Warden C. W. towns. In May, 1947, the group sponsored pub- ing-Addison Group marked its first anniversary Humphrey, the group has followed a program lication of “The Doctor’s Letter” by Dr. Andy T. by playing host to New York State groups re- fashioned a f t e r the set-up at San Quentin. There of Seminole, Tex. This letter was given wide cently at Seneca Lake. A member’s estate on the is a beginners’ class on Monday and Wednesday circulation and was reprinted in the July 1947 west side of the lake offered plenty of space for evenings and a meeting on Sunday which is atissue of The A.A. Grapevine. Softball, quoits, swimming, boating and other tended by a visiting group from Minneapolis, games. The crowd of about 75 found a large tent St. Paul, Superior, or D u l u t h . We’re the Prize!—To help the A.A. pro- with tables and chairs, soft drinks, cold cuts, gram in Washington, D. C., a raffle is held at cheese and cold clams ready for afternoon en- More New Groups — The Eye Opener of each Friday night meeting with the two winners joyment. Dinner was served after an afternoon Los Angeles, Cal., reports a new group at Toreach receiving a year’s subscription to The A.A. of games with hot clam broth, chicken, sweet and rance with meetings on Saturday, and formation Grapevine. Irish potatoes, carrots, hot rolls, sliced tomatoes, of the Glendale Central Group with meetings steamed clams in butler, iced watermelon and every night in the week throughout the Glendale Ship Comes In— First issues of The Derelict plenty of coffee. area . . . A group to be called Lake of the Schooner have drifted into our office. Appropri- Ozark Group with the address, P. 0. Box 67, ately headed with the picture of a listing ship, Barbecue for Visitors—”The general idea Camdenton, Mo., has been announced. A group the Jacksonville (Fla.) Group’s publication car- was visitation with neighboring groups who have from Jefferson City helped get things going. ries a lively assortment of news, ideas and re- helped us immeasurably in establishing this commarks in four long mimeographed pages. pletely happy little group of 14 and our wives,” A.A. in Other Papers—the Roswell, N. M. the St. Mary’s, Ohio, Group reporter says of the Morning Dispatch has recently published under Meeting Interests Public —The Roanoke, barbecue for visiting members held recently at “Sidelights on The News” an article discussing Va., Group was well pleased by the number of the shelter house at Lake St. Mary’s. Two promi- the 12 Steps and telling of the local group . . . interested citizens and A.A.s from Charleston, nent speakers in the state led afternoon and eve- Half a column in a recent issue of a Richmond, W. Va., Martinsville, Charlottesville and St. ning meetings with the rest of the time spent in Cal., paper is devoted to A.A. ideas . . . A Petersburg, Fla., who attended an open meeting getting better acquainted. Seattle, Wash., paper tells of police plans for a held recently at the Lee Junior High School. The rehabilitation farm for chronic alcoholics w i t h Anniversaries Celebrated—Recently about A.A. included among agencies cooperating . . . two local papers, The Times and The World- 150 attended the third anniversary at C a m a r i l l o , From Galena, Kans., comes announcement of News and three radio stations, WDBJ, WROV Cal., State Hospital. Present were members of the the opening of the Tri-State Clinic there with and WSLS were also most helpful in publicizing hospital staff, patients, ex-patients, former leaders Dr. Frank W. James, Galena physician in charge the meeting. In the past several months members of the group and visitors. After brief talks cake and the Tri-State Group working with him . . . have been asked to address the ministers’ conwas served and an informal social hour enjoyed Houston, Tex., papers carried lengthy, favorference and speakers have been requested for . . . About a year ago six men and one woman able advance notices and reports of a talk on Bible classes. Although the Roanoke Group is alcoholic met at the country home, of one near A.A. by Dr. Andrew W. Tomb, West Texas fairly new it now has a membership of about 40 Vincennes, Ind., to form a group after attending physician who told of the organization’s work with meetings on Mondays and Fridays in the meetings in Evansville for a long period. This in bringing persons back to useful lives . . . A YMCA at 8 P. M. year a picnic supper and meeting at the same story of the first annual picnic of the Winona, country home found 22 alcoholics and their fami- Minn., Group was carried on the first page of Prison Group Grows—The first session of lies present with all of the first seven there. Seven .The Republican and reported about 50 present. the A.A. Group at Montana Sate Hospital, Warm or eight other regular attendants could not be Springs, Mont., had only three members but present. Members of this group come from Bick- Report from Stillwater — “We h a v e t e n there are now 40. The hospital secretary who nell, Bruceville, Oatstown, and Washington, Ind., members and are doing fine,” happily reports conducted the first meetings reports he has now and Lawrenceville, Ill. . . . First anniversary of the correspondent at Stillwatcr, Okla., which turned the programs over to the inmates themthe Spencer, Ia., Group was celebrated September has a comparatively young A.A. group. selves and that they are as “sincere a bunch of 14 at Camp Okoboji-Walther League. The profellows as I’ve met from Chicago to San Frangram listed dinner, music, speaking, singing by a cisco at A.A. meetings.” quartet and the group, dancing and other enter- Ten Los Angeles Groups Commission Named —Governor Robert F. tainment and attendance at the famous Clay Stage Round-Robin Picnic Bradford of Massachusetts has appointed a com- County Fair. The first annual round-robin picnic given by mission on alcoholism which will serve for four Entertain at Banquet—Members of The St. ten groups centering around the south side of years and report annually. The commission is Cloud, Minn., Group were hosts to about 250 Los Angeles, Cal., was strong on statistics and unpaid, will make a continuous study of methods A.A.s and their wives from other groups in the happiness according to The A.A. Grapevine’s of treating alcoholism and other practices rela- state at a banquet at the country club just south reporter. tive to the problems arising from alcoholism in of town. L. C. was the principal speaker and an Thirteen picnic committee members agreed the Commonwealth, and is empowered to request A.A. orchestra furnished music and entertain- that 1,241 adults and children attended, the reany information necessary for its work from all freshment group reported 2,319 pop bottles were ment. departments, boards, offices or other commissions emptied and 61 gallons of coffee were consumed of the Commonwealth. Named to posts were Dr. Prisoners Publish Paper — A c t i v e since free, while the entertainment group reported Sarah M. Jordan, Marblehead; Dr. Robert Flem- March 1 the group at the Federal Correctional baseball games, tug-of-war, rolling-pin throwing, ing, Boston; Dr. J. Morrison Faulkner, Brook- Institution, Sandstone, Minn., has been allowed nail driving, egg tossing races and other contests.

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Sure, we have two arms, two legs, a head and the rest of the physical equipment. But not two of us think alike or react alike. So how can we expect to stay sober on the same precise formula as Phil J., or Joe M., or Harry T., much as we admire each of them? I count among my good friends in A.A. men who have been sober since the very f o u n d i n g of the organization (I am a member of an Akron Group), and yet if I should try to follow them step by step in sober living, I’d be drunk within a week. What, then, is the answer? Simply this: Use the flour, eggs, sugar, milk, etc., provided by A.A. That is, the very f u n d a mentals. And from them mix your own philosophy of life. Your fundamentals are the 12 Steps and a few assorted odds and ends such as honesty, decency, faith and humility. Then for the details, pick and choose for yourself. I am frank to admit that I have borrowed, stolen or picked up my own philosophy from half a hundred men and women. I have tried a thousand little odds and ends, and those that have not seemed to fit into my own mental pattern, I have thrown out the window. For a specific example, I long ago learned that the great majority of so-called “inspirational” writers throw me into a slow burn. I can picture them beating the typewriter with a strict eye on the cash register. So I studiously avoid the literary efforts of the “professional do- VINO VIGNETTES: Musings from the Backbar gooders.” They remind me vaguely of radio commentators. Along about 8 in the evening I’ll hear From Akron, Ohio had taken up the A.A. formula for living. And one say excitedly, “Here’s a bulletin just handed today I find it is still a keystone in my structure My friend Cliff, after seven months of sobriety, me.” And as telegraph editor of a newspaper, of life. miscued, fouled out, sliced into the deep rough, I read that same bulletin ten hours before. or in plain English, got drunk. It is simply this: But don’t get me wrong. This is strictly a It was sudden. Yesterday he was sober, ap- BE YOURSELF! personal view. Inspirational literature may be parently doing a splendid job without too much When a great figure passes from the public exactly the thing that will help you, because difficulty. Today he was looking up at me from scene—a Lou Gehrig, Enrico Caruso, Abraham what is your meat may be my poison. And, ina hospital bed—and not looking too well. Lincoln, John Barrymore, David Belasco—the cidentally, I wallowed in inspirational stuff the “O.K.,” I prodded. “What happened? How cry goes up: “Who’ll replace him? Who’ll be first six months I was in A.A., until I discovered come?” the new Great Man?” it was doing me more harm than good. “To tell the truth, I don’t know,” he said, a The answer to that is simple. No one! There My sincere advice to the new man is, try bit thickly. will be other great ball players, singers, states- everything once. In fact, give it the old college And he was telling the truth. He actually men, etc., but the idol who passed out of the try. If it fits into your personal jig saw puzzle, didn’t know what made him do it. I asked a picture will not be replaced. And in a lesser by all means adopt it. If you find that it is few more questions. way, no one entirely replaces your first, sweet- doing no good, or even causing you some mis- “I’ve been trying to walk in the footsteps of heart, your favorite teacher, or the good friend givings, dump it down the sewer and forget it. Phil J.,” Cliff reflected. “Trying mighty hard.” of a decade ago. A.A. is so broad in its concepts that there are Phil had been a member in A.A. for some To use another analogy or two: a hundred general roads to sobriety. six years, and I knew that Cliff admired him Provide 20 housewives with flour, eggs, milk, Stick to the 12 Steps and other fundamentals, enormously. But in that simple sentence he had extracts, sugar, and tell them to bake a cake. and form your own philosophy from there. unwittingly put his finger on his trouble. They come up with 20 entirely different cakes. Above all, don’t try to follow strictly in the He had tried to be like Phil J. Give 20 composers the same poem and in- footsteps of the hypothetical Phil J. It gave me something for reflection as I lay structions to write a song in the key of G, four- He, my friends, is an entirely different personin bed that night. And I finally came up with four time, tempo moderate, and you’ll get 20 ality and what he digests easily may put you in an answer. My conversation with Cliff took entirely different songs. bed with an acute case of ptomaine poisoning. place nearly five years ago, two years after I In other words, there are no two of us alike. —E.W.

Passaic, N. J., Herald News: “A New Jersey been able to get up the courage to do so. Maybe congressman who plays an occasional practical you understand how it is. I’m very grateful for The “Best Hiding Place” contest goes merrily joke on his Washington colleagues was feeling your call. I’ll come to your next meeting.’ The on as we report a number of ingenious places gay about a year ago. A capital idea struck Jersey congressman had heard enough. He hung contributed by our readers. “Never Underestihim while he was having a few drinks and he up, suddenly ashamed of himself for thinking mate the Power of a Woman” could be the title proceeded to execute it immediately. Among his that what he had done would be f u n n y . The of this report. Oh! Brother, of all the conacquaintances was a congressman from another other congressman’s voice, so plainly sincere, niving . . . state who had become a notorious rummy, the touched him. He kept quiet about his prank. An estimable housewife in Oakland, Calif., redespair of his friends and a nuisance to all But as time when on, he could not help notice ports that she was invariably successful when she whom he met while on his benders. The Jersey- the change which came over his colleague. And put a string around the neck of the bottle and man thought it would be excruciatingly funny eventually he pieced together the rest of the lowered it into the pants leg of her husband’s to steer the congressman into the arms of Alco- story. The rummy had gone to a meeting of seldom-used trousers! Another lady, now a holics Anonymous. He telephoned the rummy: A.A., all right. And he had become a member. member of the Montclair Group in New Jersey, ‘This is Alcoholics Anonymous,’ he said, dis- From a man who was wrecking his career, he hid the bottle in the top of a toy garage in her guising his voice. ‘We have been watching you, changed overnight to a model of sobriety. It five-year-old’s playroom. and we think it’s about time you joined us.’ has been a year since the Jerseyman played his A late report from Brother H.G.H., of Mt. There was a brief silence on the other end of prank. His colleague has not touched a drop Sterling, Ky., adds honor and glory to the enterthe wire. Then the rummy spoke. ‘I want to since.” prise of the male A.A. Brother H. calls his thank you for this call,’ the rummy said. ‘I’ve cache “The Imported Secret Hide-A-Way.” Tobeen thinking of coming to see you, but I haven’t Hartford, Conn., The Hartford Courant: “St. ward the end of his drinking days, H. had his Francis Hospital is to be congratulated for its doctor in practically daily attendance. When alertness in organizing a program for combat- the doctor arrived, H. would lie quietly in bed New Groups (Continued from Page 1) ting alcoholism. It is a realistic recognition of to be diagnosed as “another hangover.” When NEVADA — Fallon, Hawthorne, Donner Trail the fact that this is a medical rather than a the doctor left the room to confer with H.’s wife, Group (Verdi). moral or penological problem. There is nothing H. would dash out the rear of the house to the NEW HAMPSHIRE—North Conway Group (Kear- in the world so illustrative of futility as the doctor’s automobile where he had two quarts sarge), Rochester. steady stream of men who are locked up for a hidden away under the car seat! NEW JERSEY—Central Group of Newark, East few days, charged with drunkenness, and later Other odd places: In an unbroken patch of Side Group of Passaic, Penns Grove. turned out again with the same problems and new fallen snow; secured with adhesive tape or NEW MEXICO—Loving. the same attitudes that brought them into court Scotch tape to the top of the bureau drawer; NEW YORK—Beacon, Cortlandt, Hispano Group in the first place. Of course, it would be a mis- among innocent packages in a shipping room, of New York City, Harlem Valley Group take to believe that a brief five-day period in a neatly labeled for mailing to a foreign city! ( P a w l i n g ) , Rochester, Southwest Group of hospital, even under expert medical care, can Ron A., of the Victoria, British Columbia Rochester, Wellsville. do more than put the victim back on his feet. Group, has told his wife that the foot-wide flower NORTH CAROLINA—Kings Mountain, Lincolnton. No doubt he is strengthened physically by the pot in his bed- OHIO — Barnesville, Pioneers Negro Group treatment, and is free from the acute symptoms room used to hold of Cleveland, Hamilton, Lima, Portsmouth, of his disease. Whatever rehabilitation is to be a good deal be- Struthers, Wakeman. accomplished must necessarily be done in the sides the potted OREGON—La Grande, Group No. I in Pendleton. follow-up period. At St. Francis this supportive p a l m . Mrs. A. PENNSYLVANIA—Group No. 2 in Harrisburg, work w i l l be rendered by Alcoholics Anony- f a i t h f u l l y watered Pocono Pines, Negro Group of Philadelphia. mous, who have accomplished a great deal of the big plant, and SOUTH CAROLINA—Andrews, Greenwood, Marion. good along these lines.” her husband’s SOUTH DAKOTA—Deadwood, Wagner. quart suffered only TENNESSEE—Cleveland. Saugerties, N. Y., Telegraph: “Results of exterior damage— TEXAS—Conroe, Oak Cliff Group of Dallas, Mer- establishing an Alcoholics Anonymous chapter the water rotted cedes, San Marcos, Seminole. at Wallkill Prison, Ulster County, have been so the labels, but VIRGINIA—Petersburg. successful, according to State Commissioner never the contents, WEST VIRGINIA—Midtown Group of Charleston. John A. Lyons, that he favors extending A.A. to of the b o t t l e s WISCONSIN—Horicon, Taycheedah. the rest of the prisons of the state. The Wall- which he hid unkill chapter was started more than two years der the sod. Mr. ago at the suggestion of Dr. Walter M. Wallack, A. could l i f t the A.A. ARITHMETIC warden, formerly of Albany. With Commissioner whole palm out From H.G.H., Mt. Sterling, Ky. Lyons’ approval, Dr. Wallack asked the two when h i s t h i r s t 10 cents make I dime; prison chaplains to discuss with inmates the gave him that extra ounce of strength, but Mrs. 5 dimes make one drink; idea of forming the chapter. In the beginning A. probably never thought of trying. Now that 10 drinks make I drunk; about a dozen men attended the meetings regu- he’s been a member of the A.A. Group there for I drunk — 10 days. larly. Now there are 90, about a fifth of the nine months, she can laugh at this, too. Ain’t it The truth? prison population.” (Continued on Page 16)

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Look at the Ledger! the sick.” The A.A. Program is our gospel; alfrom New York City coholics are our sick; carrying the message to Recently, while in a sustained, depressed them is our supreme task.—S.K. mood, when my alcoholic thinking seemingly made sobriety little worthwhile, and while toy- Sincerity Impresses Prisoners ing with the idea of a “good bender” (you see (Editor’s Note: The following letter was written by a prisoner, a member of the Riker’s I was still honest enough in my thinking not to Island Group, New York City.) say I’d like “a drink or two”), I delayed long After my perusal of A.A. literature with the 12 enough to sit down and compile a list of the suggested Steps of Recovery and considering Dublin Sends Greetings following: my compulsory sobriety, (or perhaps I have Things I have gained from the day I found the way to genuine sobriety, who knows!) From Dublin, Ireland stopped drinking to now. the desire for sobriety is there as it has been We have just received our first copies (the Things I will undoubtedly or very like- with most of us alcoholics time and time again. August edition) of The A.A. Grapevine, and I ly LOSE if I start to drink now. However I realize that I must have help from am writing to say how pleased we are with it. If you’re still honest enough in your thinking another source in addition to myself, for the It is really fine and will give us all a lot to think to give the true answers to these two items, per- flesh is weak and I shall fail. about and talk about. haps you, even as I, will avoid that needless, It is interesting to listen to the A.A.’s humble We are progressing slowly—summer is against disastrous slip.—-A.A. and open, free and frank confessions, which are indoor meetings, but we hope to make a big push 12th Step Is Obligation both humorous and sad, for it reminds the listenin the darker months. We have about 20 good er of his or her experience, for if you have up members, which is hopeful as we haven’t yet had (Editor’s Note: The writer of this letter is the widow of an alcoholic who has given generously to this time thought that you were just a periodiour first birthday. of her time to A.A.) cal drunkard you are convinced that you are an Good luck to you and all your readers from From Detroit, Mich. alcoholic and that there is no such thing as a the Dublin Group.—S.M. It is important that we be faithful to the 12th periodical. A periodical perhaps suffers more Step and “carry the message to others.” First, mentally than physically, and he sincerely Newspaper Aids Organization there is the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as promises himself and others who are near and From Goshen, Ind. you would have others do unto you.” We know dear to him “never again,” only to flop, each A unique experiment in the foundation of an in our time of suffering what it meant to have time a little harder. A.A. group has been tried in Goshen, Ind., and the word of healing brought to us, and we should After listening to the various experiences of found successful. The city has a population of crave the wonder of taking it to others. Down A.A. members I feel like one of them, for they approximately 12,000. through the ages has come the question that stirs speak my language and they do know the score, Through cooperation of the Goshen News- our souls: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Had making it a double positive that I am an alco- Democrat publisher, a series of six personal we pondered and answered that question we holic screwball with no control of myself after experience stories was printed in the newspaper would have been spared the untold suffering, the first drink. It is here that A.A. membership on successive evenings, each accompanied by a death and carnage that we are enduring today. fills a need, by proving to good-time Charlie box setting forth the purpose of the articles, ex- We of A.A. know that hatred and resentment that he can have fun with his own kind without plaining what A.A. offers and how it could be make us do terrible things for which we pay a being “gassed.” reached. The stories were local in that they were terrible price—and that means hatred of anyone The A.A. discussions bring out the subtle written by veteran A.A.s, all within a 25-mile anywhere, for “God has made of one blood all schemes an alcoholic uses to get his or her radius of Goshen. Regular every-other-day ad- nations of the earth.” drinks, and they are no more original than the vertising has followed. A just society can be built only on the alibis or reasons we give for getting plastered, Four were present at the first meeting, by foundation of human solidarity. The classifica- when we know beforehand that we can’t handle which time several letters had been received. tion of human beings into.categories has pro- it properly. The proof is the many times I and Late in August, the group had doubled in size, duced appalling wreckage. Jesus’ scale of values untold others have tried again and again, always a half dozen prospects were being interviewed was rooted from principle—God the creator and ending up behind the eight-ball in one way or and mail was coming in almost daily. man the son—so we are of the family of God other. The only solace and a mighty poor one Original members, who started their contact and our altitudes should be that of brotherly was that I am not the only one—that there were at Elkhart, Ind., 10 miles away, are pleased to be conduct—”Freely thou hast received, freely give.” drunkards from the beginning when man found “on their own,” but all Goshenites still attend The high trail cannot be traveled alone. Mutual that there was a kick in “alky.” the Saturday night open meetings in Elkhart. aid is essential if we are to scale the peaks. Com- The informal method of A.A. on the subject Such an August session, addressed by a mid- radeship is imperative. Jesus found it so and of drink gives to the neophyte a conviction western priest who is an A.A., attracted an at- spent much time in intimacy with the disciples. that he is among his own kind, people who speak tendance of 125 persons. The Elkhart Group, The fellowship of the twelve as they questioned his language and are his friends in his sincere now in its third year, has three mid-week and listened is the pattern for us. After they had effort to attain sobriety. In addition he is left gatherings for members and will soon need a been counselled they were told to “Go ye forth, free to interpret the Supreme Power that perfourth.—D.L.B. into all the world; preach the gospel and heal (Continued on Page 16)

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The Yale Plan on Alcoholism Explained (Continued from Page 5) state-wide, and one embracing a part of a state) police captain. One is a probation officer. One they have joined the staff at later intervals. The have organized citizens’ Committees for Educa- is a woman lawyer, who became interested in the talks given are of two kinds: those designed to tion on Alcoholism, affiliated with N.C.E.A. work of her local committee almost by accident. arouse interest in the formation of a local com- This means that they have adopted constitutions Each of them has some special qualifications mittee, and straight “informational” talks, usually approved by N.C.E.A, and have agreed to launch which fit them for this work. Each of them atgiven before professional groups such as social N.C.E.A.’s five-point program in their area. This tends the Yale School as basic training, and reworkers, medical societies, etc., or before schools, five-point program is as follows: turns each year for the Refresher Course and and certain types of clubs or societies. their own annual convention. 1. An intensive educational campaign in their There are also a growing number of Institutes Alcoholic (or Alcoholism) Information Cenarea. on Alcoholism, usually put on through the efforts ters are just what their name implies. They are 2. Securing of hospital facilities for acute of N.C.E.A.’s local affiliates, which enlist the centrally located offices where groups, families, cases. services of other members of the Yale Plan in or individuals can go for all extant information, 3. Establishment of an Alcoholic Information addition to the N.C.E.A. staff. The services, as both general and specific, on the subject of alco- Center. speakers, of Drs. Haggard, Jellinek and Bacon, holism, and on available treatment facilities for 4. Establishment of a diagnostic and treatas well as members of the Clinic staff, are of alcoholics. They are NOT clinics, and they do ment clinic. course available to affiliates. NOT give either diagnosis or treatment. They tell 5. Establishment of a rest center for pro- A word should be said here about the staff of the inquirer what hospitals will accept acute longed care, at reasonable cost, or free if the National Committee, which now numbers 10 cases; what doctors w i l l treat, either medically necessary. people. Five of them are recovered alcoholics, all or pyschiatrically; what sanitariums give what of whom recovered through A. A. Five of them These 25 communities dot the country, reach- kind of care and for how much; and—most imare non-alcoholics, and this latter group includes ing from coast to coast, and from Canada (one portant of all—how to get in touch with A.A. Dr. Bacon, who, as the new Administrative Sec- is in Vancouver) to our southern borders. Their They work closely with all other agencies, acting retary, has taken on an assistant and a typist, committees number 100 or more of the leading as a coordinator of efforts to help a particular and opened another N.C.E.A. office in the same citizens of the community. They have elected offi- case. They of course work most closely with their building that houses most of the Yale Plan in cers, an executive committee, various subcom- local A.A. groups, on whom they must depend New Haven. This office will handle much of the mittees in charge of their various projects, and as the best resource in their community for helproutine work of the N.C.E.A., dealing with the as soon as financially possible, a full-time paid ing alcoholics. affairs of local committees after affiliation, send- employee who is their executive secretary. They More generally, Information Centers act as ing out literature, editing and publishing a are autonomous and self-supporting: that is, they public relations offices for the local committees. projected bulletin, and, most important o f . all, conduct their own internal affairs, elect their own They do not sit and wait for the public to ferret maintaining a close liaison with the rest of the officers, and hire their own personnel. And they them out and discover their functions. They are Divisions of the Yale Plan. raise their own funds, using their own choice of the center of aggressive educational campaigns: The N.C.E.A. staff members, particularly the methods to do so. they give out publicity material to the press, prerecovered alcoholics, realize that the fortunate Their chairmen are drawn from varied groups: pare radio programs, see that proper literature few—50,000 A.A.s and perhaps a few thousand four of them are judges, three, are college presi- is in all public libraries (and in school, church more who recovered by other means—are as a dents, three are doctors, three are clerics (one and hospital libraries as well), and they disdrop of hope in a bucket of despair and tragedy. a Catholic priest, one a Protestant clergyman, tribute a great deal of N.C.E.A. literature to They realize too, that that drop can be made one a rabbi), and the rest are. businessmen, or, both individuals and groups. to spread its hope faster and further, until the in two cases, women who are civic leaders. None A student writing a thesis can go there for whole bucket of four million excessive drinkers of these chairmen are A.A. members. No elected up-to-date material—and many do. Civic, profescan know hope instead of despair. officers are A.A. members, although every execu- sional, and lay groups can and do go there for The distribution of literature is a large part tive committee has one or more members who are speakers on alcoholism, for this is the headof its work. There are now 12 pamphlets and also A. A.s. These A.A.s are not officially repre- quarters for the local committee’s Speakers Bureprints, prepared by or for N.C.E.A., which it senting their A. A. groups, but are there as i n – reau. They are very busy places, for they work distributes without charge, except in bulk orders. dividual citizens who have a special interest in to stimulate further interest among more and These cover many phases of the problem of alco- and knowledge of alcoholism. more i n d i v i d u a l s and groups, and then must holism, and are also widely distributed by local Most local affiliates have active sub-commit- work to satisfy that newly-aroused interest with affiliates. In the last 12 months, N.C.E.A. Na- tees on hospitalization. Some of them have sound unbiased information. A.A. groups and tional Headquarters has sent out 110,000 pieces made great progress in persuading their local members—and their families—often are heavy of this literature. general hospitals to accept acute cases. All of users of Information Center services, just as In- All of this work, however, is a preliminary to them are working hard at this project. formation Centers are heavy users of A.A. servthe real core of The N.C.E.A. program: the organ- Fourteen of the local committees have at this ices. In short, they complement each other. izing of local branches to put the Yale Plan into date taken their first concrete step: opening an In New York City, where there is as yet no action in their communities. It is hoped one Alcoholic Information Center, under the direc- local committee to set up and support an Inforday to have a network of these local committees, tion of the executive secretary. Some of these mation Center, N.C.E.A. National Headquarters comparable to the TB Associations, and doing executive secretaries are A.A. members. Some in the N. Y. Academy of Medicine Building for alcoholism what they have done and are are not: they are trained social workers, welfare serves in this capacity as best it can. It of doing for TB. or public health workers, or people who have had course also serves as a National Information At this writing, 25 communities (two of them experience in related fields. One is a retired (Continued on Page 15)

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Do You Yearn for Fellowship? (Editor’s Note: The following article is reprinted by permission from the September issue of Guideposts, a non-profit, non-sectarian publication of Guideposts Associates, Inc., Quaker Hill, Would You Believe It? Pawling, N. Y., subscription $1 per year. Norman Vincent Peale is editor-in-chief. One section From Lexington, Ky. of the September issue was given over to articles and explanations of Alcoholics Anonymous.) 1 month has 30 days; 8 months — 240 days; Fellowship 1 day has 24 hours; 240 days have 30 x 240 or 7,200 hours Alcoholics long for fellowship. As humiliations 30 members, therefore, would have and misbehavior add up, they withdraw from 216,000 man-hours. society—from life itself. The cold fog of loneli- The “24-hour” plan of A. A Will it work? ness closes down. Even then they are pursued by Darned if I know; I won’t say that it WILL the Four Horsemen: Terror, Bewilderment, Frus- but I will say, tho, that it HAS . . . with the tration and Despair. Lexington, Kentucky Group. Perhaps you—even though you are not an Although only a little over a year old this alcoholic and never will be—are hunted by one group has a total enrollment of probably 75; or more of the same Four Horsemen. They will some have died, others, have moved away and make you insecure, unable to enjoy life and we have lost track of them; some had their finally downright i l l . Instead of the disease of curiosity satisfied; some got their wives to stop alcoholism they may cause ulcers, migraine, in- nagging; some have reached that lowest strata somnia—any one of the hundred afflictions that and we never see or hear of them BUT we do anxiety and nerves bring. have, we KNOW, 30 staunch and true members When an A.A. begins to put new viewpoints with an average of at least eight months of into action, he is apt to find it a long tough sobriety. pull filled with pitfalls. Most A.A.s have the These were not “screened”—they were the fellowship of others who are striving along the high and the low; they were the boys who acsame paths. knowledged they were powerless over alcohol; Together the A.A.s learn to escape disaster, who came to believe that only a Power greater and shoulder to shoulder commence the common than themselves could restore them to sanity; journey, sharing their own experiences, and who turned their will and their lives over to the working together to help someone worse off. care of GOD, as they understood HIM; who When one falls down the others rally to pick made an effort to follow the teachings of the 12 minds throw fresh viewpoint on your problem. him up and encourage him to learn (as they Steps—AND MEANT IT. They were a lot of Such groups take courage and prayer to start. learn themselves) from his slip. self-confessed, egotistical drunks. Those boys One person seeks another in difficulty, through In closed meetings they argue out practical now have a record of 216,000 man-hours of a doctor, a minister, friends or strangers who ways to meet special tests or problems that come sobriety BEHIND THEM. are distressed. Two find a third. Somehow to each. Rich and poor, educated and illiterate, And yet each of them is only 24 hours AHEAD when the Lord knows you stand ready to help, men and women, of all ages, from all walks of of a drunk BUT they are AHEAD of it and not He sends along your path those who need you— life, they meet and talk openly, in all humility, BEHIND IT. It looks like a photo-finish but I’ll and whom you need. about how each can build a finer, richer life the take a ticket that it will show in another eight A.A. way. months that each of these will show himself in Morale and interest strengthen through this the “Winner’s Circle” and that John Barleycorn fellowship, the regularity of meetings, and will be given the place, or second, position. Yale Plan (Continued from Page 14) IT HAS WORKED. through building up a special list of names and. phone numbers that can be called when one feels Center—and lately an International one—to all WILL it? Darned if I know—BUT . . . H.G.H. fearful of some impending blow, rattled over those cities, towns and rural areas where there some fool mistake, or just out of sorts and are as yet not local committees. Omaha Holds Festival restless. It took vision and courage on the part of Two big days of a fall festival were staged by Pride is put in the checkroom, and half the those scattered individuals, both A.A.s and non- Omaha, Nebr. A.A. Groups Sept. 27 and 28, worry disappears with talk—with sharing. To alcoholics, who started local committees in their with programs both Saturday and Sunday. some people this seems appallingly lacking in communities, who dared to fight a wall of in- Registrations were made for hotel or resiself-sufficiency and modest reticence. But if it is difference hiding an abyss of fear. But their suc- dence reservations, sightseeing tours and church more blessed to give, there must be a taker for cess has been infectious. Each year N.C.E.A.’s services. There was a dinner and floor show, every giver. To take earnestly and t h a n k f u l l y local affiliates have doubled in number. with no speeches, at the Elks club. Sunday beis a touchstone of humility. All normal men and The Yale Plan on Alcoholism is really a co- gan with a breakfast at the Alano club and the women must stand graciously on both ends of operative venture. Its staff believes that the vast sightseeing tours included a visit to Boys’ Town. the line. problem of alcoholism can be solved by the co- An A.A. meeting was held Sunday afternoon Many others could, no doubt, benefit by such operative efforts of all concerned—A.A., the with speakers from North Platte, Fremont and a fellowship. Shared burdens are lighter; other scientists, and the general public. Grand Island, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Ia.

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similar to tubercular cases, which also are never Mail Call completely cured. It is not unusual for a mem- (Continued from Page 13) ber to slip due to the craving, or perhaps fectly operates the universe of which he is a through a major misfortune, but after he resubordinate; hence the ego must accept and be covers from a week’s hard drinking, the teachsubmissive to some Power, something he or she ings he has received from A.A. will be felt and respects, let it be the sun, the moon, the stars he will return. Do you think he comes back to or nature as a whole in evolution, whatever you those men who were his friends in A.A. with a have faith in, but it must be something you re- hang dog look on his face? Certainly not. He spect. will try again, and be more successful the next I believe this mental approach erases the time he tries. “Great-I-am-able-to-take-the-first-drink-and-han- 4. In A.A. there is no preaching, no lectures; dle-it” altitude. only friendly discussions. The meetings themselves give a man who is on the verge of “slip- (Continued from Page 12) One Man’s Explanation ping” something to get hold of, something to We don’t have to tell you how pleased we are From Loving, N. M. get his teeth into so to speak. Therefore a man with your interest in the contest. Let’s have The discourse below was written for A.A, as- is not likely to go back to that “half-world” more of the same. Remember to address your sistance in handling “hard” cases, and for of drunken stupor if he attends every meeting letter to the Bottoms Up Editor, The A.A. Grapefurther information to beginners: he possibly can. vine, Box 328, Grand Central Annex, New York. Alcoholics Anonymous is a nationwide organi- 5. It is that mutual understanding among al- By the way, why not send us some of your zation of men who had wrecked or nearly coholics which prompts a man to get things off other humorous experiences with old demon wrecked their lives through liquor, some of his chest, because he would not think of spilling rum? This is your column and we want to inwhom had already lost their families, friends, everything of this nature to anyone else, even clude the f u n n y things that happened to you. jobs, business and health. his own family, and certainly to no non-drink- Send them along to your Bottoms Up Editor. 1. These men have banded together for their ing friend, as that friend would not understand, mutual interest in discouraging further drink no matter how hard he tried. A check with your general service office in among them, and the astounding fact remains 6. A drinker once told me, “I guess it takes New York reveals that there are now more than that while in the company of even one other a drunk to cure a drunk.” Little did he know 48,000 member of A.A. in some 1,600 groups! alcoholic, his craving for drink is diminished, that he quoted the basic principle of A.A. This Between 50 and 75 groups are coming into the and sometimes lost. is the confidence inspired by association with organization a month! 2. Doctors, preachers and law enforcement the finest body of men I have ever known. officers admit that A.A. is the only agency in 7. A non-drinker will ask you, “Why don’t A.A.s in New York were happy to meet so the world which has accomplished the almost you quit?” That question is just as silly as many members from other cities last month impossible, causing those unfortunates to regain asking a tubercular why he doesn’t get well. when the American Legion was in town. The. their self-respect, and the respect of their families Alcoholism is strictly a disease, one for which boys in uniform told us that their visit to New and friends, by eventually abstaining com- the doctors have found no cure, but A.A. has York was wonderful. This time they got only pletely from any alcoholic drink. found a way to cause a man to stop drinking, one view of the tall buildings; formerly there 3. Do not misunderstand—a man is never which is a long step forward. were three views of everything! cured, he merely attains an arrested state; very 8. With an alcoholic, the first drink is the dangerous one; after that it is only a question For some reason or other, an A.A. Group in of time for him to consume a pint or more. Mexico City, Mexico, was refused a post office Cut This Out and Mail to: 9. When a man admits to himself and to an- box address which was requested by the general other that be can no longer control whisky, service office. To obtain a box, the group went P. 0. Box 328 that it has got him whipped, that he cannot into one of the city’s suburbs. Here, the request Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. even take that first drink without going on and was granted. Name of suburb: Non Alco, Mex- Herewith $2.50 ($3 outside the United States) on into that half-world, then he is ripe and ico! . . . The Columbus, Ohio, Group is wonderfor one year’s subscription to The A.A. Grape- ready for his first visit to a meeting of Alco- ing about the street intersection where it meets. vine (monthly). holics Anonymous.—H.B.R. Name of intersection: Gay & High. For additional subscriptions enclose separate sheet with name and address clearly printed. Make checks payable to The A.A. Grapevine. A. A. Digest—Excerpts from Group Publications Total Enclosed The Sahara, Birmingham, Ala.—”Strange as hurry. The antidote? Steps 10, 11 and 12 . . . it may seem to an outsider, it is common knowl- if you want additional insurance for your so- Renewal? (please check) edge in A.A. that one does not have to experi- briety, the 5th Step will add double indemnity.” PLEASE PRINT ence a sudden craving for alcohol in order to The Eye. Opener, Los Angeles, Calif.—”After fall off the wagon. A strong sense of guilt over being a member of A.A. for a few months I often Name some shortcoming or sin will often do the trick find myself wondering, when I hear the word Address just as effectively. A feeling of a need for pun- ‘dry’ used, if there were others who, like myself, ishment and guilt are synonymous: one and the were on a ‘dry’ program. A.A. is not a ‘dry’ same. Mingle with this a fear of the consequences program. There’s nothing arid about it; it is Note: Subscriptions received prior to October 15 to follow and one has a diabolical poison in his life itself—a life that teems with vitality; that will begin with the November issue. system for which he must seek an antidote in a is filled with serenity and happiness.”

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Vol. IV, NO. 6, NOVEMBER, 1947. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1947, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

Group Meetings Grow, and So Do Expenses (Are the expenses of large group meetings becoming a dation must be counted in the overall group who never visit any other meeting, but religburden? Can they be distributed more equitably? Or can they be reduced? Here is what one A.A. thinks expense budget. An increasing number of groups iously, once each week, set aside an evening to would help.—Ed.) also give A.A. year pins to members who have attend their own group meeting, and having From Long Bench, Calif. attained a year of sobriety. In the larger groups, done so, close the book for another week. They this becomes quite an expense item. Many have done their duty. They have attended a MORE AND MORE, our meetings are outgroups also purchase a limited number of copies meeting and when the hat was passed they caregrowing the small home gatherings where meetof The Grapevine, Eye Opener or other local fully put in the usual 25c. For the balance of ing needs are at a m i n i m u m . The greater proarea paper, to be given to newcomers. Even re- the week they will not be disturbed; no 12th portion of meetings are now of necessity held in freshments add to the expense. Step work, for they have carefully refrained some hall or meeting room where it is necessary Actually, this meeting cost may now average from divulging their telephone numbers. A.A. to pay rent. more than 50 cents per person, per meeting; is a great thing! They are sober! Happy? The very growth of A.A. and the size of the and, when we remember that newcomers and No, they can’t claim much happiness, but, they average group is the primary factor behind this non-alcoholics do not contribute, that means at a re sober! necessity. By the same token, expenses mount. least one dollar per alcoholic member per week. Then there is that group of people who are Heat and light are in some instances added ex- In the face of this growing expense, our always the last to leave the meeting; who are pense. The increasing demand for A.A. literagroup leaders bravely and proudly stand before deriving so much good and so much happiness ture becomes an expense factor. The group share the groups and proclaim to the world that, “We from A.A. that they prefer A.A. meetings to any of area Central Committees and the A.A. Founare self supporting?” No outside financial aid is other way of spending an evening. They make solicited or accepted; that our expenses are it a point to meet and talk with the newcomers small and are taken care of by voluntary con- at each meeting, take the address or phone num- DELAYED EN ROUTE tributions of members at each meeting . bers of newcomers and call them or visit them Sometimes the editorial staff gets a l i t t l e be- The leader may also say, “Visitors please do during the week. They quietly drop a dollar hind in its work and The. Grapevine reaches its not contribute,” and so the visitors depart later bill in the hat at every meeting, nearly always subscribers a few days late. in complete ignorance of the fact that the local (Continued on Page 11) Or, the p r i n t e r may get piled up on his presses, secretary has hastily called a quiet meeting of a with the same result. few of the steadfast members to inform them For once, however, both can plead not guilty. that the evening collection was far short of the The reason the October issue was so long reach- amount needed to meet the cost of the meeting. ONE WORLD IN THE MAIL ing everyone was the railway express strike in These few steadfast members, who have earlier One day’s mail received at the A.A. Central New York. This diverted a lot of shipping into put their dollar bill in the collection, calmly Office in New York recently brought letters from the postal system. The postoffice, though working and quietly make up the deficit: t h a n k f u l that Manila; Mexico City; Puerto Rico; Capetown, around the clock with augmented personnel, was they have enjoyed another evening of sobriety, South Africa; Dublin, Ireland; and points in swamped. Mail stacked up ceiling high, and which, even counting the extra donation is far England and Finland. the Grapevine was one of scores of magazines less costly than an evening of drinking. Un- As a further indication of the spread of A.A. that lay piled in the postoffice for days until consciously they have added to their insurance throughout the world, requests also have been overworked hands could send it on its way. that another evening of drinking is extremely received at the Central Office for the translation The strike has ended and all should be back unlikely. of A.A. literature into the Slovak, Polish and on schedule for this issue, or nearly so. But if Another group who happily departed as soon Finnish languages. Spanish inquiries are already there is still a few days drag, you’ll know why. as they had their coffee, were those members being handled at the office in Spanish.

Incorporations: Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. By Bill The only requirement lor membership is. an honest desire to stop drinking. A.A. has no dues or fees. It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage Many an A.A. Group ruefully writes the New in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. York General Office asking how to unscramble The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps. The A.A. book of experience, Alco- endless difficulties which have arisen over the holics Anonymous, and other literature, including The 12 Points of Tradition, are available through any group or the Central Office, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y. incorporation and financing of clubs, drying-out places, educational projects, and the like. Most sincerely, these Groups wish that they had never gone into business. Once off to an awkward start, these difficulties are sometimes hard to cure. Still, if we intellig e n t l y use t h e experience we’ve already had, our newer Groups ought easily avoid these growing pains. The purpose of this piece is to assemble and focus our experience on these particular problems. On the Value of Tradition First, lei’s review those parts of the “12 Points of A.A. Tradition” which bear directly on the Mutual experience is the common ground on which A.A.s meet individually and status of incorporations and their financing: “Tradition 6” states: “We think, therefore, upon which A.A. has been built collectively. that any considerable property of genuine use to As written in the pamphlet, “Alcoholics Anonymous Tradition: Twelve Points to A.A. should be separately incorporated and man- Assure Our Future,” A.A. was not invented by anyone—it grew. “Trial and error aged, thus dividing the material from the spirhas produced a rich experience. Little by little we have been adopting the lessons of itual. . . . An A.A. Group, as such, should never that experience first as policy and then as tradition. That process still goes on and go into business. . . . Clubs, hospitals, etc., ought to be incorporated … so set apart that they can we hope it never stops. Should we ever harden too much, the letter might crush the be freely discarded by the Groups . . . hence they spirit. We could victimize ourselves by petty rules and prohibitions; we could im- ought not use the A.A. name . . . their manageagine that we had said the last word. We might even be asking alcoholics to accept ment should be the sole responsibility of those our rigid ideas or stay away. …” who financially support them. . . . Hospitals or But, as the pamphlet says further, “the lessons of our experience count for a places of recuperation ought to be well outside. A.A. and medically supervised. . . . An A.A. great deal—a very great deal. . . .” Group may cooperate with anyone, but such co- What each of us has experienced individually counts for a great deal in helping operation ought never go so far as affiliation or to show another how to gain sobriety in A.A., and in developing even beyond the endorsement, express or implied.” level of sobriety into a new and fuller way of life. “Tradition 7” states, after declaring for f u l l financial self-support as soon as possible, “that Likewise, the experience of each group may be invaluable to other groups, new any public solicitation of funds using the name, and old. ‘Alcoholics Anonymous,’ is highly dangerous, Sharing experience for mutual good is an A.A. principle and practice. whether by Groups, clubs, hospitals, or other out- The “Twelve Points of Tradition” cover all of the most vital experiences encoun- side agencies—that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any oblitered in A.A. For instance, why is anonymity so important; what are its spiritual gations whatever, is unwise . . . that we view with values? Why should A.A. as a whole, and each group individually, have but one concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beprimary purpose? What has been learned through actual experience about the prob- yond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for lems of money, property and authority? What does experience say on the question of no stated purpose . . . that nothing can so surely professionalism? destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over properly, money, and personal authority.” These are some of the topics incorporated in the Twelve Points. They are indeed Being clear on these basic principles, it is next vital to A.A. now and to the future of A.A. suggested that four of the articles in this booklet For this reason, the Grapevine editorials, beginning with the next issue, will take be carefully reread—the ones on money, clubs, up each one of the “Twelve Points of Tradition” in succession in the same manner that hospitals, and outside enterprises, which show “The 12 Steps” have been covered successively in the past. And, as was done with our past experiences in these fields. They clearly reveal the fundamentals of our “money-managethe Steps, different writers will give their views on and interpretations of the Points of ment” Tradition. And, in a general way, they Tradition, so as to gain a cross-section treatment. quite clearly indicate what the corporate status Again this will be a sharing of experience—the practice and the principle by which of any useful or related enterprise ought to be. A.A. grows, and A.A.s grow. Next, then, just what special type of incorpora-

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Their Uses and Misuses lion is best, how should it be corporately named, directors of the Club Corporation are at what should be the limit of its scope, who should odds with our Group rotating committee. he its members (or stockholders), and how The Club directors try to run both the Club should it be financed? Many A.A.s write us ask- and the Group. The Group committee also ing for samples of model charters. As precise tries to run the Club. What do we do about Group purposes, local conditions, and state laws that? may vary much, it would probably he unwise for A. This is a natural difficulty. It can be cor- A.A. Headquarters to try to meet these requests. rected by a realization on the part of the Club A n y good attorney, once he is sure just what is directors that theirs is the duty of providing a needed and just what should be avoided, will do suitable Club only—a pure business operation. far better than we. They merely hold or rent the properly, keep the In response to the many Group inquiries, we place policed and swept out. They raise money wish, however, to be as definite as possible. So from individual monthly pledges; they also rehere follows a set of typical questions such as ceive rentals from the treasuries of such A.A. Groups ask. To them we append definite an- Groups as may hold meetings in the Club. This swers. Of course, these answers aren’t to be conis usually a generous proportion of those funds strued as final or perfect. Nor are they to be membership is identical, and in our town which result from “passing the hat.” Each A.A. thought of as rules, regulations, or “musts.” But everybody contributes to the Club? Group ought to have its own small treasury. Out they may help in perplexing situations. of these funds the Group pays for whatever use A. If your Club has to sign a lease, buy prop- 1. Q. Should an A.A. Group, us such, it may make of the local Club. This avoids con- erty, or have a sizable bank account, by all ever incorporate? fusion as between Group monies and Club Cor- means incorporate. Establish this way of doing A. No. Some have, but usually wish they poration funds. Under these conditions the Club and thinking and you will avoid later complicahadn’t. has no special hold on the Group or vice versa. tions. We suggest you be careful about mixing Pure A.A. matters are handled by the Group A.A. affairs with your business meetings—busi- 2. Q. Should an A.A. Group as such go committee. But jurisdiction over social activi- ness only there! into the business of running a Club, a hos- ties in a Club will vary; sometimes the Club A Clubroom may, of course, be so small and pital, a research, educational, or “rehabili- directors handle them, sometimes the Group inexpensive, or its future so uncertain, that it tation” venture? committee, sometimes a special committee. would be premature to incorporate. That’s a A. We think definitely not. Experience has There is often confusion between Club mem- matter for sound judgment. been telling us to avoid this. The A.A. Group bership and A.A. membership. In a limited sense, ought to remain a spiritual entity. 6. Q. Should a Club Corporation charthey are one and the same thing, as practically ter include other activities — such as re- 3. Q. But how about Clubs? Being so all Clubs open their doors to every reasonably habilitation, hospitalizations, education, reclose to A.A., shouldn’t they be an excep- well-behaved A.A. who wishes to frequent them. search, etc.? tion; just why shouldn’t they bear the A.A. But when Club management is involved, we name and be managed by the Group itself? are beginning to believe a distinction should be A. We think definitely no. We suggest you A. We used to think they should. When a made between Club privileges, Club voting mem- limit Corporation charters to one activity and Group is small and merely hires a room, it is bership, and A.A. membership. Any A.A. inter- one location only. To incorporate the whole quite natural to call the place an “A.A, Club- ested in a Club ought to be willing to contribute world of alcohol and mix that up with A.A. alroom.” Conversationally, most clubs are still regularly to its support. Though he may not most invariably leads to confusion. A simple, called “A.A. Clubs.” But when an area contains be able to contribute much, it will be something. sharply limited objective is best. Mixtures of many A.A.s, and perhaps several Groups, not all Obviously, as a monthly contributor, he should several functions we have sometimes tried, but the A.A. members w i l l care for Clubs. Hence the be eligible to serve as a Club officer or director usually with poor results. business management of the club (or clubs) in and should vote at business meetings. While 7. Q. May individual A.A.s organize the area must become the function of those who straight A.A. is free as air and most Clubs are Foundations and raise money for research, individually contribute to their support and the wide open to all, there seems no good reason why education, rehabilitation, etc.? corporate title should omit “A.A.” The con- a persistent non-contributor should claim any A. There can be no objection if they act as tributors ought to elect the business management. right to vote at a club’s business meeting. If he individuals only and do not use the A.A. name Then other A.A.s can “take the club or leave it wants to help manage the Club’s money, he ought in any way. But experience shows that there is alone.” Club Corporations often adopt a related to contribute a little himself. So, when we come always a strong temptation to use the A.A. name. title, such as “Alano” or “Alkanon.” But more to distinguish clearly between Club privileges, If that is done, the project will ultimately suffer remote ventures, such as farms or drying-out Club voting membership, and A.A. membership because the surrounding A.A. Groups will protest places operated by individuals A.A.s, ought not itself, we shall have surmounted many current strongly—and rightly so, we think. The Alcouse these “related” titles. troubles. holic Foundation itself, though it unofficially rep- 4. Q. Our Group did form a separate 5. Q. Our Group is small. Every local resents A.A. as our General Service Board, has Corporation for our Club. We made every A.A. member is a Club enthusiast. Do you solicited no outside funds in recent years and it one of our A.A. Group members a voting think we should incorporate just the same, will soon abandon the title, “Foundation.” members of that Corporation. Now the even though A.A. membership and Club (Continued on Page 12)

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YOU HIDE IT, THEY FIND IT! A White Christmas From Albany, N. Y. of this bird doesn’t go with the sale.’ A n d be- “A favorite hiding place in winter was in the fore the astonished eyes of the owner of the snow on the porch roof outside my bedroom w i n bird, he unwrapped it, dug deep into the turkey’s dow. Many times I concealed a pint in each inner sanctum and extracted the bottle. Then be overshoe. calmly re-wrapped the bird, handed it back and “But my best hiding place was several tons of said, ‘Thank you.’ “—I.S. gravel which had been dumped against the house near the back door. . . . It c e r t a i n l y beat the coal Four Roses, No Doubt bin and was much cleaner, too. from Sugar Creek, Mo. “A friend disposed of the contents of several bottles of maple sugar which his wife had in their “My gravest problem when on a binge was cellar storeroom and filled the bottles with whiswhere to hide a big drink where it could not be key, he put the whiskey in the vinegar cruet found and yet easily accessible when I awoke and used it at the table, once even p u t t i n g it on Just about everything from hot water bottles from my nightmarish sleep. My wife, through his morning cereal.”—G.C.M. to dog houses have been used for hiding the some sixth sense, almost always knew when I had bottle, judging by the letters that have been en- a bottle. Who’s Hiding Who? tered in the Best-Hiding-Placc contest being spon- “My wife and I (when I’m sober) love cut sored by the Bottoms Up Editor. flowers about the home. By watching closely I From Midland, M i c h . The alcoholic must have been especially good managed at times to empty the water from a “Regarding hiding places, here is a story at “Hide the Thimble” and all other similar flower ‘vase’ and fill same with something more about one that involves a bit of reverse English. games of childhood. His ingenuity in finding potent. The unhappy flower, of course, was soon “We lived in a small house and it was not places to protect his supply from discovery—and pretty no more. very long before I ran out of successful hiding destruction—stands unsurpassed. If you don’t “Whiskey was always my favorite but due to spots. My wife had acquired the faculty of believe it, read a few of the following: the conditions that prevailed I often used gin for knowing about when and where to make a search. a ‘morning after.’ . . . There was usually a cup She would find the bottle and, somewhat seri- Big One that Got Away or two or sometimes a glass filled with water ously, re-hide it. Then, in her absence, I would From Chapin, S. C. among the dishes soaking in the sink from the do the same. It turned out to be a sort of un- “I have a small cottage on a large lake. We night before. I found that by refilling one of planned game for a while. ( w i f e ) fish a lot, so I could arrange before time these with gin it was never discovered.”—S.D. “One day, however, I missed a bottle and for to tie a pint on the back of the boat. It worked the l i f e of me could not find it, even though I several times until she hooked a large bass and was very positive it had been re-hidden. I needed the line got around my bottle cord. She lost the a drink at the time. fish and after a good argument I lost my pint.” “Later I found out that my wife had trans- —H.E.L ferred the liquor into an empty vinegar bottle where it serenely stood on the pantry shelf in Over-Dressed Turkey plain sight and as big as life. In my search of From Warm Springs, Mont. the pantry, I had pawed all around it without “This, I believe, is the prize hiding place as the slightest suspicion.”—S.P.F. revealed by a group member of Montana State hospital who prefers his anonymity be main- My Aching Tooth! tained even in correspondence to you: From Union City, N. J. “The patient, an alcoholic who was working in “My husband works a five-day week and when a butcher shop in eastern Montana, had tried all I wanted to drink weekends I had to think up the time-worn recipes for seclusion of the bottle. some weird methods. One Thursday I told him Although no secrecy was necessary at home be- I had a toothache. He n a t u r a l l y suggested that cause he lived alone, this alky was at wits’ end I take my troubles and my aches to a dentist and when it came to keeping a supply at the store for have the darn things yanked. Friday (my tooth- ‘medicinal purposes.’ There was no sneaking out ache being just a snappy figment of my imaginanor chasing down the alley for a quickie. tion) I carefully cleaned the house, ordered “So he stuffed a fifth into a 15-pound turkey, enough food for the weekend, bought myself two and put the bird in the walk-in refrigerator. The fifths of rye and put them in the laundry hamper. butcher sold the bird, which strangely weighed I washed off my makeup, put on a layer of white more than it should, and the customer walked pan-cake makeup and a little blue eyeshadow on out. The alky watched the transaction in hor- my lips to make me look ‘suffering.’ I soaked a ror; the customer was rather straight-laced and good-size hunk of cotton in oil of cloves and put a fifth of whiskey was hardly apropos for a dress- that in my mouth. It made a nice looking swelling. The alky made a hasty excuse to the butcher, ing and killed all scent of alcohol. Next I filled dashed madly out of the door in his while apron my hot water bottle with rye and climbed into and pursued the customer. The chase ended in bed. a grocery store. ‘Pardon me,’ said the alky, ‘part (Continued on next page)

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A.A. Utilizes Factors Inherent in the Alcoholic Personality (Editor’s Note: The first in this series of two a familiar and tested psychological principle. words, charity in the broadest and truest sense articles appeared in the September issue.) The suggestions and advice, however sound, of- of the term. III fered to alcoholics by professional advisors If we find among some alcoholics on the road Following a working definition of the alco- have usually been rejected or disregarded be- to recovery a sudden and abrupt change in their holic, an attempt was made in our last discus- cause of the source whence they came. The mentality and overt behavior in an altruistic sion, to point out some of the assets and liabil- same counsel out of the mouths of fellow al- direction, it is because, in the rendering of asities of the alcoholic personality. Among the coholics is received with credulity and even sistance to other alcoholics, they find at hand handicaps to recovery we found a so-called lack eagerness, and, more important, is acted upon, an almost perfect outlet for the altruistic urge. of will power and a loss of faith. On the other also because of the source whence it comes. The alcoholic is peculiarly qualified to help hand, there are three qualities present which The principle of identification is at work, and, other persons in like conditions, and so he need make regeneration possible: an innate gregari- whatever the explanation may be, its efficacy is look no further for a “cause” so conveniently ousness, an innate altruism and “the seed of beyond question. It is the talisman that opens supplied by the mandate of the 12th Step. Such God in us” (Eckhart). the candidate’s heart. It is the open sesame to a satisfaction of what is a powerful, innate In its application to this situation the A.A. the Program. desire to serve other people without ulterior Program makes use of at least four principles Self-analysis is induced by the fact that man motive is, as we all know, one of the most potent and techniques: (1) the principle of identifica- has always been curious about himself and his and efficacious therapeutic agents in the Protion, (2) the practice of self-analysis, (3) the make-up. This quality of curiosity has im- gram. Moreover, it goes without saying that principle of altruistic activity, and (4) the pelled him to explore his body, investigate his the altruistic interests of the awakened alcoholic preparation of the ground for the spiritual ex- mind and examine his soul, sometimes in sheer may be as varied and as broad as his inclinaperience. wonder, at other times in search of a clue to tions favor and his time and resources permit As Dr. Fosdick has said, “we set an alcoholic some malady or disorder. Long before they him to satisfy. to catch an alcoholic,” and thereby employ a have become aware of the gravity of their problem or set out in an honest and systematic way IV to solve it, many alcoholics have vaguely felt If, as was stated at the outset, a spiritual ex- You Hide It. They Find It! that something should be done about their con- perience or conversion in some form is essen- (Continued from Page 4) dition and that they should begin with a sort tial to the ultimate recovery of the alcoholic in of mental purge. In theory they were, of the fullest sense of that word, how does the A.A. course, right, because a clearing of the mental Program bring this about—or does it bring it blocks is a process required in any alcoholic about—or is it intended to bring it about? therapy, but they were seldom intellectually These are difficult questions to answer. We honest enough to undertake the job or were are, perhaps, on surer, if narrower ground, if otherwise incapable of carrying it through. But we say that participation in the Program does when they come to the point of making a sincere not of itself bring about the conversion, but that effort to rid themselves of the liquor habit, this it prepares the ground for the entry of the inquisitiveness about the self, so inherently spiritual element. A place is cleared for the characteristic of human nature, becomes the spirit. The individual is made ready for a procbasis upon which a personal inventory may ess of transubstantiation. On the passivist side, properly be made and the mental catharsis we have obeyed the injunction to resist not evil, achieved which must be at the center of any plan and turned the problem over to a Higher Power. of recovery having prospect of success. On the activist side, we endeavor to overcome The third principle which is applied in the evil by good and practice our new faith even Program is one which again takes a man as it before we may be intellectually convinced of its finds him, exploits a quality with which every- validity. one is endowed and turns it to therapeutic ad- The resulting transmutation of the dross of “When my husband came home he was nat- vantage. In this instance, it is the quality of materiality into the gold of spirituality is an urally concerned . . . ‘You poor kid. You just altruism—devotion to the interest of others— operation as ineluctable as it is unexplainable stay right there in bed and I’ll take care of as evidenced in the 12th Step which inspires in secular terms. All we know is that it does you . . .’ the good works without which we are told faith happen. “That was just what I wanted. While he would is dead. Nor is this a purely theological concept. We be busy in the kitchen, I could take out my oil- Psychologists have told us repeatedly that a have it on the authority of the great pragmatist of-clove-soaked cotton, unscrew the stopper of man, even a man whose conduct is normal by James that “God is real because He produces the hot water bottle, take a good swig. . . Did I current standards, cannot be happy unless he real effects” and that “We and God have busitie on a good one! But Monday I was out ten cultivates habits that interest and serve others. ness with each other and in offering ourselves dollars I could ill afford and I had the grand- These students of human behavior maintain (and to His influence, our deepest destiny is fulfilled.” mother of a hangover. I thought I had pulled without thought of any religious implication) Moreover, James says that “prayer, or interthe wool over Ed’s eyes in a very, very intelligent that man cannot live a satisfying life, unless, in course with the spirit, is a process wherein work way—but like all alcoholics, I was fooling only addition to pursuing his more materialistic ac- is really done and spiritual energy flows in and little me.”—J.S. tivities, he engages in some cause having social produces effects psychological and material (The contest will close Nov. 30. You can still significance or in some more or less continuous within the phenomenal world.” When we realwin—if you know a better hiding place.) endeavor of value to other individuals—in other (Continued on Page 7)

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The GROUP MEETING Page Letters received f o l l o w i n g the i n i t i a l appear- they are props. If t h e y were to be relied upon ance of the Group Meeting Page in the last issue indefinitely, they could be called inconsistent indicate that this new feature will prove helpful w i t h the basic A.A. philosophy. C e r t a i n l y t h e y in suggesting topics for discussion meetings. are an indication of insecurity. Obviously, any topics suggested here are just But, they are intended m a i n l y as temporary that—only suggestions. gadgets, for use d u r i n g that early, troublesome The topics will be presented in question form. period when the new member is t r y i n g to over- How they are answered is a matter for each A.A. come a habit pattern of 10, 15 or 25 years, and to determine—in keeping with the A.A. tradi- t r y i n g to readjust to a new way of life. tion that each individual applies A.A. as be un- During the transition period, the newcomer derstands it. needs every bit of assistance he can get. He Any thoughts that may follow the topic ques- needs to know, and he is entitled to know, all tions are intended merely to amplify the ques- of the l i t t l e tricks of the trade that have helped tion and provide still further leads for discus- others before him to make the long step from sion. Anyway, they are of course only the opin- drunkenness to sobriety. ions of the i n d i v i d u a l writer, “and not neces- Not all newcomers; can make t h a t long step in sarily those of A.A. as a whole.” one leap. In fact, few of those who have now than names. Anonymity has a great spiritual value. By preserving anonymity, principles are been enjoying sobriety for a long time made it ANONYMITY in one jump. U s u a l l y there is a period of unplaced ahead of personalities. It is through The question: Does anonymity involve more anonymity that we renounce personal glorifica- certainly, of groping and stumbling—a period t h a n the individual’s own feeling as to whether tion and dedicate ourselves to the practice of when one misstep can t h r o w the newcomer back he wants to remain anonymous or is willing to modesty and humility. into the morass he’s t r y i n g to climb out of. One let it be known that he is a member of A.A.? The principle of anonymity is protection l i t t l e thought can do it. One A.A.’s Thoughts: Yes, much more. Each against the misuse of A.A.s good name for per- During this period, the newcomer is not thinkhas the right, of course, to reveal that he him- sonal gain. In so far, as it is preserved, it ing too much about basic philosophy. He may self is a member, but he does not have the right proves that A.A. practices what it preaches, and not even understand what those A.A.s are talkto reveal that someone else is a member unless that individual members are really giving of ing about when they are discussing a “new way he knows surely that the latter has no objection, themselves and their experience without thought of life,” or “spiritual growth,” or “a bridge to either. of material return or personal publicity. Ano- happy, normal living.” He’s w o r r y i n g at the Even for the individual who does not mind it nymity is the foundation of genuine brother- moment about how to keep from taking that first being known that he is in A.A. there is another hood moved by an honest desire to give, not drink, how to get over his jitters, how to quench question to consider. The majority of new- take. It is proof of sincerity; it is consistent the “beer flash” w i t h o u t beer, how to get out of comers—even as you and I were—are skittish with the other principles of A.A. the depression. at the start. The most notorious drunk in town, Finally, anonymity probably has done more The mechanical devices have been found to be whose escapades have been public property for than any other thing to gain A.A. its high public h i g h l y useful in getting a person through the a long time, may still shy sharply from the standing. The public would not respond to a first, most hazardous time, helping him to hobble thought of it ever becoming known that he is band of self-seekers, or personal ballyhoo pro- along u n t i l he can find more solid footing. joining A.A. He wants to be dead certain that moters, as it has to A.A. The world has too As a matter of fact, these devices are always the “anonymous” part of Alcoholics Anonymous many self promoters now. It welcomes and re- useful, no matter how long one has been in A.A. means just that. He’s not likely to think so if spects a group of people who show they are w i l l – Most anyone experiences a siege of depression he hears members shouting their own names ing to forego personal gain and glory to pre- now and then, or gets restless and nervous on from the housetops and disclosing the mem- serve a principle. occasion. If he ignores the danger signals, even bership of others. he may slip back into those old grooves that are Too little regard for anonymity may in this A.A. DEVICES still deep even though no longer used. It alway drive some poor soul away from A.A., at The question: Isn’t the reliance A.A. places on ways helps to call up an A.A., even if the main least for a time and prolong his misery un- certain mechanical devices inconsistent with its subject is not mentioned and the conversation is necessarily. basic philosophy? about the weather or the ball game or business. Then, too, there is the angle of responsibility One A.A.’s Thoughts: By “mechanical de- And a bit of food, or a cup of coffee can be to A.A. when an individual member publicly vices” probably is meant the suggestion made to used as a s t i m u l a n t , while a walk may be the proclaims his membership. Once he has done new members that they get into the telephone action that helps to break the grip of melanthat he has set himself up as a symbol of A.A., habit—”a nickel in the slot may save you a lot,” cholia. an example of A.A. Suppose he slips; that re- if you’ll call an A.A. when you get jittery. Or. To be sure, the more one grows in A.A. the flects on all of A.A. To be sure, the effect is that he eat a candy bar, or take a glass of milk, less need he has of mechanical devices, and once not serious. A.A. continues to grow and its or eat a bowl of soup, when the “beer flash” has gained the basic philosophy and draws upon record and reputation need no defending, yet comes. Or, that he write notes to himself as the spiritual strength that he has discovered, he each member naturally wants to add to, not de- reminders of what he does not w a n t to do dur- may never have to resort to mechanical devices. tract from, A.A. if he can. ing the next 24 hours. But he’s wise to use them as long as he feels he There is a still greater value in anonymity There are many such mechanical devices, and needs them. They work.

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A.A. UTILIZES … (Continued from Page 5) ize, if not yet from our own experience at least The Pleasures of Reading from observation of others about us, that what the psychologist James describes really happens, HOW TO KEEP AWAKE—AND LIKE IT! we can perceive and understand the cryptic wisdom of St. Augustine when be said: To newer A.A.s who complain that they can’t sleep, and to older members who have wakeful “To have faith is to believe what you do nights every now and then, this reading list of mystery-detective-thriller novels is dedicated on the not see, proposition that, if you can’t sleep, you might as well have good reason. And any one of these And the reward of faith is to see what you little adventures into fearland will accomplish far better results than your own morbid imaginings, believe.” which are likely to be, after all, merely amateur efforts at scaring yourselves. It is said that faith is a gift which comes by Your nearest rental library will have most of these titles. Space alone limits the extent of grace following an act of the will. We conceive, suggestions, which could be as many as an alcoholic’s rationalizations. from the standpoint of the A.A. Program, that FIRE IN THE SNOW by Hammond Innes: An international spy thriller that effectively combines the act of will here involved is the exercise of volition which is explicit in the 1st Step. The suspense and action. Good for all night. grace which descends upon the individual and NEVER BY CHANCE by Sylvia Tate: One of the so-called “psychological” mysteries, all about a makes him receptive to the gift of faith may Hollywood piano player and a light o’ love, who, believe it or not, lied to the poor guy. Blah, come under a variety of circumstances. Thus, but chilling. Mrs. Clare Booth Luce, writing in another but MURDER IN THE TOWN by Mary Richart: Professor plays detective in atmospheric tale filled similar connection, observed: with interesting characters. In the Leslie Ford tradition. Good for half the night. “A conversion is sometimes preceded by a convergence, a swift coming together in the DEPARTURE DELAYED by Will Oursler: Amnesiac ex-sergeant attempts to unravel killing of mind of all that the i n d i v i d u a l has ever which he may be the sponsor. Improbable, but try it. been through or thought or felt. It is the SEARCH FOR A SCIENTIST by Charles L. Leonard: Investigator Kilgerrin at it again this time culmination of confusion, the exhaustion of in Marseilles for the Intelligence Service, as usual. Excellent international espionage thriller. expediency, the zenith of doubt, the nadir of faith and the crisis of despair.” DARK INTERLUDE by Peter Cheyney: Post-war British intelligence in France, with our old The same writer furnishes a brilliant and friends Shaun O’Mara, Quelvada and Quayle, plus that super-adventuress, Tanga. Only Callaghan, penetrating description of doubt which is the of the other Cheyney series of thrillers, is missing. No droopy eyelids on this one! root of the alcoholic neurosis. She says, in part: FASHIONED FOR MURDER by George Harmon Coxe: Young Boston commercial photographer “Doubt distills its own strange poisons in gets mixed up with New York model, and how! Not as good as most Coxe detections, but still the mind and heart. It is at the bottom of many chills ahead of the average.. that painful feeling of uncertainty, malaise, THE SEVEN DEADLY SISTERS by Pat McGerr: Second attempt of the author at long distance restlessness, discontent, depression, insuffideduction; the first, PICK YOUR KILLER, being a successful novelty. This time the formula fails ciency, nonentity, that seizes you, sometimes to jell. If you’re only half awake. in even the most triumphant or successful moments. . . . It is often that unaccount- BLUE CITY by Kenneth Millar: Hard-boiled, fast paced, Hammett type of thriller about veteran able all-gone, sluggish, inert, what’s-the-use- who returns to home town and gets involved with practically everything nasty. Try to sleep on of-it-all feeling that wells up in you when this! you are not absorbed in the radio, movies, THE STRIPED SUITCASE by Carol Carnoc: London humor tale about misadventures connected games, drinking, dancing, romance or busiwith identical striped suitcase. Well told, but not unguessable. If you’re determined to stay awake. ness. It is also what drives you to these things so frenziedly, that you may forget DEATH TAKES A PAYING GUEST by Aaron Marc Stein: Again those archaeological crime huntit. . . .” ers, Elsie Mae Hunt and Tim Mulligan do their stuff, this time in Washington, D. C., guest houses. The fourth principle of the Program, then, Amusing; good characterizations and nimble, if slightly far-fetched plot. Pleasantly wakeful tale. which we have selected for discussion is that we THE CASE OF THE FAN DANCER’S HORSE by Erie Stanley Gardner: Another Perry Mason, this try to facilitate the removal of the alien doubt, time with horsehair on its shoulder, and in its plot. Sub-par for Gardner. Action will keep you to restore in its place our natal faith and to pre- awake, along with strip tease. pare the way for the admission of the spirit— without which life is barren and with which life HOUSE OF DARKNESS by Allen McKinnon: Excellent international adventure yarn, satisfyingly is f r u i t f u l . This is all that is attempted under reminiscent of John Buchan’s tales. Good for all night! the Program. It is a great deal to attempt, but AND HOPE TO DIE by Richard Powell: Arab and Andy again, this time in Florida. If your it is within the demonstrated powers of a regthinking is alcoholic, you won’t know which is you and which is the story. Good for a laugh and imen based upon the sound psychological and a thrill. Eye-opener.—C.P., Manhattan. spiritual principles just briefly described. What saner, more sensible and more practicable objective could we have than that which was so simply stated almost 300 years ago by the great seeing one’s own imperfections; but to stand without becoming pettish—this is to desire French thinker Fenelon: face to face with them, neither flattering nor what is good for its own sake and for “It is mere self-love to be inconsolable at tolerating them, seeking to correct oneself God’s.”—R.F.S.

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Univ. of Minnesota Institute on Alcoholism (The fourth of a series of articles reporting on re- ward the study begun in 1946 and to analyze ested persons, special i n v i t a t i o n is extended to search, educational work, studies and other activities the actual h a n d l i n g of the chronic alcoholic by lawyers, social service workers, psychologists underway throughout the country related to the subject of alcoholism.) various agencies of our society. This study calls and psychiatrists, probation and parole officers for a review of what we know about the chronic and others representing a c o m m u n i t y interest in The University of Minnesota is another of the alcoholic as a diseased person and a portrayal the problems of alcoholism. country’s leading educational institutions which of what we do as a society in handling his case. A feature of the program each year has been has been giving formal attention to the subject The discussion of those subjects by experts in participation by those attending in the discusof alcoholism. the medical, psychiatric, legal and social service sions, with the specialists from the various fields The University has set up the Institute on professions will, it is hoped, point the way to of study. Chronic Alcoholism, to direct attention to “the more intelligent and more effective practices.” Between the sessions of the Institute, material social handling of the chronic alcoholic.” Two In addition to the University’s own staff, the brought f o r t h at each is placed under analysis sessions of the Institute have been held at the policy for the Institute is to draw upon spe- and c o n t i n u i n g study. Center for Continuation Study on the main cam- cialists from other institutions and agencies for The I n s t i t u t e furnishes another example of pus, the first in 1946 and the second early this their particular contributions, as speakers at the the various ways in which data and thought on year. sessions which this year extended over three the whole subject are being accumulated in the As stated in offering the second program, the days. hope that a d d i t i o n a l guidance will be developed “aim of the University this year is to carry for- Although the Institute is open to all inter- for the treatment of the problems of alcoholism.

— Remember This One? JOHN BARLEYCORN coholic, no matter how he wriggled and squirmed Pirates and out-drank the toughest of the longin attempting to avoid the appellation, and is in- shoremen in the water-front saloons. It takes by JACK LONDON tensively interesting as such. Jack London’s him through adventures on the high seas, the Jack London’s first brush with alcohol or John fight against the disease was a robust, two-fisted first gold rush i n t o the Klondike, through vicis- Barleycorn, as it was called in the days when one and time after time it was only his physical situdes too numerous to mention and leaves him the problem was not faced as openly as it is now, stamina that saved him from what seemed sure at m a t u r i t y ; wealthy, successful in his chosen came at an extraordinarily early age. He was a death. field of writing, a f a m i l y man of substance, owner small boy of five years and he had been com- Aside from the alcoholic angle, “John Barley- of everything he could wish for in a material missioned to carry a pail of beer from the house corn” is a good racy yarn of the author’s life way, yet surveying his life with a jaundiced eye, to a field where his father was plowing. It was from the time he sold newspapers on the streets sad because John Barleycorn is still beside him. a hot day, The pail was heavy and the little of San Francisco, through the colorful years With great ingenuity throughout the book. boy sought to lighten his task by drinking some when he bore the title of Prince of the Oyster London rationalizes his drinking. He drank beof the beer. Once started, and in spite of a cause liquor was a v a i l a b l e at every turn, to be nauseous aversion to the taste of the drink, he a good fellow, to prove his manhood, because he continued to gulp it down until he had drunk was a host or a guest, because fortune turned his all that be could hold. way or was set against him. for The thousand and Before a r r i v i n g at his destination, he made a one reasons t h a t cause any d r u n k a r d to drink. quick cover-up by stirring the remaining beer It all seemed quite logical to him. He did not with a slick to make it foam up to the brim. His l i k e the taste of liquor—therefore he could not f a t h e r drank from the pail without noticing that be an alcoholic. He had long periods of sobriety half of the beer was gone, but it was a very sick — t h e r e f o r e sobriety was his n a t u r a l state and the l i t t l e boy who later was carried back to the house. orgies were purple streaks of i n s a n i t y which The boy grew into a youth of curiously dual could e v e n t u a l l y be controlled. He was w i l l i n g personality. He was sensitive, studious and con- to vote for Women’s Suffrage because he t h o u g h t scientious; hoarding; the few pennies that he did that the women’s vote would hasten prohibition; not have to turn over to his family against the not for his own sake, mind you. b u t for the day when he would go to college. On the other Youth of Tomorrow. side he was w i l d l y adventurous and at the tender He is very c o n v i n c i n g , at times, about his age of fourteen was learning to hold his own plans f o r an eventual t r i u m p h over alcohol, and w i t h water-front characters such as “Whiskey” if one did not know t h a t at the last during an Bob, “French” Frank and “Old Scratch” Nelson, illness, he succumbed to it e n t i r e l y and died whose reputation for violence was a legend. The from a self-administered overdose of drugs, one s p i r i t of adventure won and when he became the might be templed to say “Here was the one man proud possessor of the sloop Razzle Dazzle, he who was strong enough to beat the game—the joined the ranks of the oyster smugglers and Superman who fought his personal demon felt himself a man indeed. through a l i f e t i m e and came off victorious.”— This is a story of alcohol, written by an al- M.N.

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Grow Into New Quarters — The Long Monday night, the purpose being to indoctrinate New Quarters, New Group—The Permian Beach, Cal., Group has moved from the Ebel quickly the new men in the program principles Basin Group at Odessa, Tex., has moved in, set club, scene of many fine meetings to new quar- and to acquaint them better with their fellow up shop and begun holding meetings in its new alcoholics. Meetings are of an informal, educa- and first clubroom. Moving wasn’t difficult, The ters in the New Masonic Temple and w i l l contional nature and attendance has averaged over Grapevine hears, as possessions consisted of a t i n u e to meet on Wednesday nights. Recent open 30. Few who have attended regularly have had couple of dripolaters, a pound of coffee, some meetings have been drawing about 250 members. trouble regaining or maintaining sobriety. . . cups and a dozen folding chairs. The club is at The Monday night closed meeting in Bowling Finding that many women had difficulty in mak- 2191⁄2 West Third Street, or as members point Green club house continues to attract good at- ing the A.A. program, the Plainfield Group de- out, between the city jail and an undertaking tendance while the Paramount Group of Downey cided to give women early and proper A.A. help parlor. Meeting night has been changed from supplies A.A. needs for Tuesday nights. Friday to carry them past the first enthusiasm, which Wednesday to Tuesdays and Thursdays, while nights the San Pedro Group keeps all in that was found to wane too often. To remedy this plans are being made to include a regular Saturend of the “harbor area” happy and there are and to promote better understanding and friend- day night open house. . . Another Group, the rumors of a new Sunday night group to com- ship a New Woman’s meeting was inaugurated Andrews-Seminole, has been home by the alplete the weekly cycle. The Wilmington Group, about three months ago. Successful from the ready prolific Permian Basin Group, bringing the meeting on Monday nights in the Woman’s Club, start, they are held semi-monthly at members’ number to four. Regular meeting night w i l l be has to compete with the other Monday meeting homes and are patterned very much along the announced later. . . The Odessa-Permian Basin same line as the New Men’s meetings. Many Group held the first of a series of regular m o n t h as does the Men’s closed meeting in North Long women who previously had trouble with the pro- ly open meetings about two months ago w i t h Beach on Thursday nights. The speakers’ comgram are reported to have benefited. A.A.s from Big Spring, Midland, Seminole, El mittee of the Los Angeles Central Committee has Paso, Hobbs, N. M., and San Angelo on hand for been providing the harbor groups with excellent Good and Hot—With a gain of a member or brief addresses. speakers. . . Newest group in the harbor area is more every meeting, members of the Woodland, the East Bay of Long Beach, which had an aver- Cal., Group report that they are “hot” and their St. Mary’s Is Host—Simplicity and punctualage attendance of 55 at its first nine meetings. aridity is good. Troubles are few and even ity helped to make the gathering of more than It is an open session, Thursday nights, in the those who were really hospital cases have re- 250 guests a success when the St. Mary’s, 0.. dining room of the Naples Hotel. This group covered. Group entertained neighboring A.A. groups at has P.O. Box 3531 and a new secretary. . . the National Guard clubhouse on take St. Recently the Signal Hill Family Group was Second Fall Festival -Inaugurated as an an- Mary’s. The affair was so successful that it has honored by a surprise visit of about 20 mem- nual affair last year to regenerate enthusiasm for been suggested that this be made an annual affair bers of the Glendale 20-40 Group. These younger the winter season and rededicate combined efforts at the same place. Guests attended from Lima. members have a deep understanding of the basic to A.A. work and study, the second annual Marion, Toledo, Defiance, Findlay, Dayton, Van principles and the 150 present enjoyed their Omaha, Nebr., groups’ Fall Festival was attended Wert, Columbus, Bellefontaine, and Canton, 0., presentation of A.A. concepts. by more than 200 members, many with their and Ft. Wayne, Muncie, and Richmond, Ind. Two wives and families. Saturday evening at the Elks prominent speakers led meetings in an afternoon Farthest Northeast? —Island Fall, Me., is club they attended a banquet with no speeches, and evening session with a substantial lunch and advancing a claim to being the farthest northeast but with a program featuring an array of profes- social time in between. The St. Mary’s group was group of A.A. Our correspondent hopes to be sional talent which starred “Miss Omaha,” Mad- started January 31, 1947, and now numbers 15 able to report at least one other member soon to alyn King, whose fast tap dancing won the talent members. form the Big Woods Group since he is the only award in the Atlantic City Miss America Beauty member. He moved to Maine from Baldwin. Pageant. Song leaders from two Iowa groups North Carolina Groups S o l i d — F r o m L. I., N. Y. competed in leading the community sing with Kings Mountain, N. C.. The. Grapevine’s correa Council Bluffs member winning over one from spondent reports that not only his own Group Program Strengthened — W h e n the Plain- Des Moines, Ia., both putting on excellent shows. with 12 members, but others, are “solid.” The field, N. J., Group was in its infancy and the A free Bingo game with several hundred dollars Kings Mountain Group was started some years worth of prizes was followed by dancing, cards ago by Paul M., a non-alcoholic, who provided meetings small, new members attending their and impromptu entertainment. Sunday morning transportation to Shelby for anyone w i s h i n g to first gatherings were the center of attraction and members and guests had breakfast at the Alano try the A.A. way. The group reports a gain of got plenty of A.A. help. Growth was so rapid club, then visited Father Flanagan’s Boys Town about a member each week. . . The Shelby Group d u r i n g the next year and the attendance so great and other places in Omaha. The meeting of the is over six years old and has been a i d i n g men at the Friday night meetings that new members day was at the Elks club with Omaha’s oldest from all over the South. . . Lincolnton is growing were quite often taken for oldtimers from neigh- member as chairman and members in attendance and has a fine clubroom open all the time, while boring groups and unintentionally neglected dur- from Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri, Illinois, Col- Hickory, too, has a growing Group and good ing a period when A.A. was required in big orado and Nebraska. The principal address was quarters. . . The Gastonia Group has started for doses. To overcome this condition a New Men’s delivered by Roy M. of Chicago. The open house the third time, with new determination to sucmeeting was inaugurated and has been held each session at the club ran into morning hours. (Continued on next page)

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ceed. . . Rockhill now has about 30 members. 1946, w i t h three members, the D a n v i l l e Group They meet with men from York, Chester and now numbers 24 and meets Saturday nights at Fort M i l l each Wednesday. Members from other the YWCA at 8 w i t h the women meeting in an towns also attend. . . Andrews Group has also adjoining room. Out of the present active membeen growing and helping Conway, S. C., and bers only three have had slips. A l l are back on M y r t l e Beach get going. Bennettsville, S. C., and the plan and doing well. R o w l a n d . N. C., are h o l d i n g regular weekly League Camp on take Okojobi for the b i r t h d a y meetings w i t h good results. . . Average attend- party and heard the principal speaker, Carlos C. Goshen Growing—The Goshen, Ind., Group ance at Charlotte has been about 50 with six to of Sioux City, who, a year ago, made three trips now numbers 14 members. eight new men at each meeting. The new club from his home town to help the original three room is ready to go. The Myers Park Group members get launched as an active group. He Group Interest Helps—Although a relameets at Myers Park Methodist Church Monday traced the history of alcoholism and the handling tively small group of 21 members, the Greenville, of its problems. other speakers included Ray H. Mich., A.A.s find that active interest in social and Friday nights at 8, with open sessions and of Des Moines, Ia., and Spencer representatives. and business affairs of the organization pays. fellowship gatherings following. New men and . . Eleven Estherville members were present with Picnics, fish fries, a n n u a l banquets and get-towomen from all groups meet at the YMCA on four from Storm Lake, w h i l e there were others gethers help to make good fellowship possible. Sunday night to the number of about 85 to 90, from Ft. Dodge, Pocahontas, Sioux City, Des This Group also reports it has the sheriff’s office starting w i t h a general subject and splitting up Moines, Cedar Rapids, Algona, Ida Grove and and the probate and circuit court judges behind into three discussion groups. Knoxville, Ia., and Minneapolis, Minn.; Fremont, the program. Sheriff Walter Arntz frequently Wakefield and Omaha, Nebr., and Yankton and attends the meetings, accompanied by one of his Another Women’s Auxiliary—Along with Sioux Falls, S. D. “pupils” and has frequently said, “Jail is no a list of 10 subscriptions to The Grapevine, the place to cure an alcoholic.” Probate Judge Ras- Hickory, N. C., Group reports that all these new mussen and Circuit Court Judge Morris K. Davis Advertising Draws Many—A series of adsubscribers are part of a recently formed A.A. of Ionia and Montcalm counties. vertisements run in Winona, Minn., papers have A u x i l i a r y of 36 members who plan to study A.A. brought many inquiries, some for the local Group as w e l l as h e l p other women who are “going and others for information in other places. The Card System Inaugurated — A card index through what we have, and maybe through the Winona Republican-Herald carried a good ac- of all members has been started by the West wives bring other men into A.A.” There are two count of the open meeting at the Senior high Palm Beach, Fla., Group. Cards have also been meetings and one social every month. school auditorium on October 20 where A.A.s, printed listing the place and time of meetings and as well as local physicians, clergy, judges and these are being mailed to a l l hotels, churches and others, spoke. There, was much favorable pub- police stations, along with a letter asking them Chicago A.A.s at Retreat — Twenty-eight licity on the radio as well as in the press. The to place it where everyone interested can see it. members of Chicago, Ill., A.A. attended a retreat Other activities include the appointment of two Winona Group held its final picnic recently in at Childerly, a country estate owned and main- correspondents for The Grapevine; naming three the form of a birthday celebration for three tained by the Calvert club of the University of men and three women as a welcoming committee members, one having two years’ sobriety and Chicago, principally for its Catholic students and to receive new members who arrive at meetings the others one year each. Attendance was about a l u m n i , near Wheeling, Ill., recently. Both Cath- 50 with representatives of one family each from without sponsors; and having the 12 Steps olics and non-Catholics were in the group which Dubuque, Ia., and Rochester, Minn. printed on a banner which is hung back of the included a Catholic priest who was the retreat speaker’s stand at each meeting. W i t h the anmaster, and a brother who belonged to one of the nual i n f l u x of winter visitors the group antici- Speakers to Montreal —the Forest Hills, Catholic orders, eight salesmen, two insurance pates many old and new friends. N. Y., Group recently made plans to send three adjusters, two tax collectors, a lawyer, account- representative members to speak at the opening ant, advertising writer, buyer, advertising agent, meeting of Montreal groups which comprises Happy B i r t h d a y s — H e l p i n g the Niagara business agent, broker, advertising art director, eight groups joining in the first session of the Frontier Area celebrate its sixth anniversary at mechanic, physician, manufacturer, storekeeper season. a banquet at Hotel Buffalo were delegations from and printer. Toronto, Hamilton, Guelph, St. Catherines and Public Forum Planned—On October 17 the Simcoe, Canada, Eric and Bradford. Pa., Cleve- History and Humility—Members of the Danville, Ill., Group held a public forum w i t h land, 0., and Elmira, Corning, Rochester, Sala- Spencer, Ia., Group report that they are having a guest speakers from Indianapolis, Ind. This is a manca, Lockport, Jamestown, Eden, Niagara hard time getting rid of a little tinge of human part of the community activities of the Group Falls, Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, N. Y. which recently sent members to speak before a Trustee Dick S., formerly of Akron, 0., and now pride since the recent celebration of the first civic group at Sawville, Ill., to disseminate of New York, was the speaker, t a k i n g as his theme anniversary recalled the history of the group. . . knowledge of A.A. Members have also been call- the traditions and the need of unity. Among the Organized on August 6, 1946, the Spencer Group ing on patients at the local Veterans Hospital, 500 in attendance were several guests who have now has 50 active members on its rolls. Besides where one of the chaplains has been conducting been good and h e l p f u l friends of the Buffalo t h a t 13 men, residents of Estherville, came to meetings for patients. Two patients now out of groups, including Chief Judge of the City Court their first meetings in Spencer and now have the hospital are attending the Danville meetings. John J. H i l l e r y , Dr. Donald C. O’Connor, supertheir own group. The Storm Lake Group also In addition The members were recently asked to intendent of Meyer Memorial Hospital, and Sunwas founded through Spencer, making a total of participate in an open meeting before some 60 derland P. Gardner, chairman of the Committee 77 individuals who got their start there. . . Some people to help start a group in the Champaign- on Alcoholism for the Council of Social Agen- 316 A.A.s and their friends joined at the Walther Urbana area. Officially organized in September, cies. Invocation was pronounced by Rev. Robert

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F. Kilroy, O.M.I., who authored an article on The club is open every night from 7:30 to about A.A. that was widely circulated in Catholic pub- midnight and from 1 p.m. on Saturdays and EXPENSES lications earlier this year. Through the courtesy Sundays. The Saturday night open meetings (Continued from Page 1) of RKO, the film, “I Am an Alcoholic,” was have long since outgrown the club, which holds shown as a finish to the largest and most success- about 100. Meetings are now held in the school remembering how much cheaper that is than a f u l A.A. demonstration ever held on the Niagara across the street. fifth or a pint. They seek out the leader or co- Frontier. . . The Rosemead, Cal., Group celebrated its first leader after the meeting, thank them and tell “Remember Des Moines in November” was the year in the Rosemead Women’s club with a them what a good meeting it was. Frequently, slogan for the fourth anniversary holiday, No- home-prepared super-colossal spaghetti dinner. they quietly approach the local treasurer and ask vember I and 2, at Des Moines, Ia., where the Over 250 members and guests from surrounding if the collection was adequate and offer to help two day program started on Saturday with a noon A.A. groups were present. A year ago the aver- if it was not. These are the backbone of the lunch at the club, followed by a closed meeting age attendance of the Rosemead Group was A.A. movement! Happy? You bet they are for alcoholics, while the women were entertained around 30, while now it runs between 100 and happy! They will tell you that they never beat Hotel Ft. Des Moines at a tea with Betty Wells, 125. The women’s group, started last spring fore have enjoyed the happiness that is theirs radio commentator, as speaker. Saturday evening with seven members, has grown so large that since finding A.A. Serenity? Yes, they have there was a banquet and floor show at the hotel. meetings are now held in a hall at 1921 E. Valley at last found a serenity they did not dream Sunday morning began with a free “chuck Boulevard, Rosemead, on Thursdays at 8 o’clock. would ever again be possible for them. wagon” breakfast at the club, followed at 2 This is not an attempt to scold. Neither is it o’clock by an open meeting in the grand ball- Into Larger Quarters—Since September the an attempt to take The other fellow’s inventory. room of the hotel with Clem. L. of Chicago as Kansas City, Mo., Group has been holding its Rather, it is intended as a helpful suggestion that speaker. Des Moines gestures of thoughtfulness Friday night meetings in the ballroom of the we in A.A. receive more benefits from our parincluded a transportation committee to take BPOE at 612 Grand Avenue. After many months ticipation in all A.A. activities as we give more guests any place in the city and a committee to of searching the committee decided the Elks ballroom to be the most suitable place as it offers of our time and of ourselves to the program, carry luggage. morally, spiritually, physically, as well as ma- The fourth anniversary banquet of the St. parking facilities as well as direct public transterially. A constructive suggestion that the Cloud. Minn., Group was attended by 235 from portation from any part of Greater Kansas City. group is only as successful as the participants all parts of the state. Members of the Minne- The hall, at 34th and Main Streets, will continue allow it to be; and a reminder that we in A.A. apolis and St. Paul Groups spoke briefly and to in use for other activities. strive for the greatest good for the greatest the point, while other talks were given by public officials and members of the clergy. Two New Iowa Groups — A.A.s from Wav- number. These are controversial .issues, you say? And Scheduled for November 16 and 17, the third erly, New Hampton, Greene, Ionia, Allison, Osage, New Haven, Oelwein and Waterloo, Ia., you further remind me that we do not indulge anniversary plans of the Wichita, Kans., Group in controversies. Can we not look at these were not complete at the time for Grapevine gathered recently at Rockford, Ia., to help launch copy. Open house at the club rooms, 536 North a new group there. About 40 attended. . . Inde- things as the less pleasant details of our daily Broadway, on Saturday afternoon and night with pendence, Ia., has also taken her place in the living? Things which we all hate to bring up, the dinner and main meeting to come Sunday A.A. register with the help of members from Oel- yet, of which we are always conscious? Isn’t it afternoon are the principal plans. Good repre- wein and Waterloo. About 25 visitors braved a far better to discuss them openly here where all sentation from groups in Kansas, Oklahoma, Mis- storm to attend the meeting in the gymnasium may participate, than to have them arise in souri and Texas is expected. of the parochial school of St. John’s church. whispers in corners after the meetings? Shouldn’t we, as normal people now, squarely Jamestown, N. D,, Group, which was organface the small common issues which so closely ized September 28, 1946, observed its first anniversary recently with the two members of the St. NEW GROUPS touch our daily lives? Doesn’t “our path” partially consist of sharing equally the cost of hold- Paul, Minn., Group who started the organization The following new groups reported organizaing meetings for our mutual benefit? r e t u r n i n g for the meeting to present year pins to tion to the Central Office during September: three of the original group. During the year the FLORIDA—Coral Cables, West Palm Beach Let us fairly admit that the group expenses Group has tripled in growth and in becoming ILLINOIS—Paris are the responsibility of every alcoholic in the associated with the North Dakota State hospital INDIANA—Goshen, Michigan City group and each of us should honestly try to do in the city has aided with hospitalized alcoholics IOWA—Independence, Monticello our share. Let us go beyond the expenses and as a major part of its 12th Step work. More KENTUCKY—Harlan, Maysville (K.O. Group) each bear our share of the little tasks of operathan 30 patients have been exposed to A.A. MAINE—Island Falls (Big Woods Group) tion. Where necessary, help place the chairs through this group and have been sent out to MASSACHUSETTS—Medford and tables, help clean up after meetings, offer other groups or to organize their own groups in MISSISSIPPI—Columbus our services on the various committees apsome other part of the state. The project for the NEW YORK—Geneva, Merrick, New York City pointed to attend to the mechanics of meetings. coming year will be to acquaint better the local (Lexington Group). Staten Island Day Group Let us be thankful that we have the companionand civic community w i t h the workings and NORTH CAROLINA — Asheville (Beverly Hills ship and fellowship of these meetings. Thankbenefits of A.A. Group), New Bern ful that we have the blessings of sobriety. Hum- First anniversary celebration .for the Park PENNSYLVANIA—Honesdale bly grateful for the happiness and serenity that Slope, Brooklyn, N. Y., Group was observed with TEXAS—Bryan is offered to every person who will accept and a dinner-dance at Michel’s restaurant on October VIRGINIA—Emporia, Front Royal (Warren Coun- practice the principles of the program. 23. Starting with eight members in August, 1946, ty Group) “Rarely have we seen a person fail who has and without quarters, the Group has had its own WEST VIRGINIA—Weirton thoroughly followed our path.” clubhouse since March, at 80 Sterling Place. WYOMING—Casper We can be self supporting.—H.J.W.

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o n l y one. The St. Joseph A.A.s probably just got too big for the close knit, little family association that marked the early months of A.A. One thing may be taken for granted. The break Altoona, Pa., Mirror—”Dr. Roy W. Goshorn, did not come over whether or not the club should saved through The influence of this group. They superintendent of the State Mental Hospital at have a bar.” have a new sparkle in their eyes. The more we Hollidaysburg, at a public meeting early this Fairmont, W. Va., Times—”Members of the learn of the organization and what it is accomweek said, ‘Alcoholism is a disease and of all the Rotary Club heard a startling speech last week plishing, the more f u l l y we realize it is a blessing when a member of Alcoholics Anonymous told types of sick people in our society the alcoholic to humanity.” is understood the least, sympathized with the something of his own experience and more about Saint Joseph, Mo., News-Press—”St. Joseph how A.A. works. This speaker left the Rotarians least and consequently, helped the least by other A.A. has had a split. That organization dedi- convinced that the work being done by A.A. is members of society.’ It is commendable that Dr. cated to sobriety has gone the way of all flesh. the right approach to the drink problem. . . . Goshorn showed a willingness to take the lead The news stories do not say just exactly what This newspaper stands ready to assist the A.A. among professional men to widen public knowlhappened. But a faction has drawn away from movement in any way that it can. Of all the edge of Alcoholics Anonymous. Any program the 522 South Twelfth Street location and taken different methods employed in the effort to help which has as its goal sober, constructive living clubrooms in the King Hill building. All this alcoholics we believe the A.A. method offers the is certainly worthwhile.” goes to prove that the A.A.s are not creatures best chance for success. . . . We agree with them Gastonia, N. C., Gazette—”A small but growapart at all, at all. They’re human beings just and wish them continued success in a movement ing group of Gastonia men assembles in a room like the rest of us. As we say, we do not know that is a lot more spiritual in a practical way in uptown Gastonia each Thursday in the interest of self help. It is a sober group, pursuing a sane what brings two A.A. bodies where there was than they would have you believe.” and sober objective. It is a unit of Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization of those suffering Incorporations: Uses and Misuses from the disease of alcoholism or near-alcohol- (Continued from Page 3) “11. Q. We realize that our present Club ism, and to reclaiming their lives for wholesome (or hospital) set-up is contrary, in some 8. Q. We want to build a Clubhouse. and productive living. That it is a stride forward ways, to the general experience. But it Should we do so? And how shall we finance in the interest of both the individual and society hasn’t yet given us much trouble. Shall it? is evident from the thousands of lives reclaimed we now change it to conform to the A.A. A. Chances are that any Club built w i l l prove from stagnation and turned to constructive pur- Tradition? too small. Better lease if you can. A thickly suits by A.A. already.” A. That’s entirely up to you. The material in populated A.A. area will eventually do better Salt take City, Utah, Desert News—”One of this booklet is suggestive only. If your present with several small leased Clubs than a single the simplest and least expensive cures for what set-up works very well, it may not be worth the costly one. If a Club is big, expensive, and is now being called the disease of alcoholism—a trouble to change now. But if there is much owned outright, it can later prove very difficult condition always heretofore known as confirmed serious objection locally, it may be well to try to “take or leave alone.” drunkenness—is that offered by the group known those principles best proved by our large general It’s always better for members to raise the as Alcoholics Anonymous. Almost unbeknown experience. money among themselves if they must build, supto most people, this movement has now spread 12. Q. Just what form of corporation plemented if absolutely necessary by a friendly over the whole country and persons having a sin- structure is usually test? outside loan calling for easy but definite repaycere desire to throw off the yoke of drink are A. Most states and countries have special corment. Our reputation for complete self-support being helped to do so.” porate forms variously called membership, chariis a valuable asset. Beware of loans or contri- Bloomington, Ill., Pantograph — “Last night table, eleemosynary, etc. Trust your lawyer to butions, with implied obligations, political entanmore than 200 men and women dined at the select the best. You might emphasize to him glements, or controversial issues attached. And, I l l i n o i s hotel and drank soft drink cocktails. these points: If h u m a n l y possible, eliminate the obviously, public solicitation using the A.A. M a n y were out-of-town members of Alcoholics name, “Alcoholics Anonymous” from the Corname a dangerous. Anonymous. Those who are members were once porate title. (This name ought to be the sole 9. Q. What about drying-out places— properly of A.A. as a whole.) Limit the “purthe worst of common drunkards. The fact that how ought they be handled? pose clause” to one simple objective only. Limit today they are respected, and more important, self-respecting, members of the community is be- A. We feel that A.A. Groups shouldn’t go into the activities of the Corporation to one locality cause A.A. literally picked them out of the gut- these ventures. But individual A.A.s sometimes or address only. Don’t try to incorporate a ter. The organization succeeded in 75 percent handle these situations very well if they avoid whole state or country; otherwise A.A.s in nearpublic solicitations and advertisements using the by places may well object. of the cases. The cases they took on were only those that had been given up by social agencies, A.A. name. Places of recuperation ought to be This article has been written to help alleviate the church, the medical profession and in many private undertakings purely — and privately the many complications that have arisen throughinstances, their own families. This record is financed. out A.A. touching Clubs, hospitals, and “outside A.A.’s own tribute. Few could name a more use- 10. Q. What should be the attitude of ventures.” There is nothing i n f a l l i b l e about the ful organization.” an A.A. Group toward “outside” ventures principles set forth above. But they are, never- Clinton. S. C., Chronicle—”Alcoholics Anony- like education, research and the like? theless, the distillation of much actual experimous is one of the most remarkable organiza- A. No attitude at all. Participation in them ence. It’s very greatly hoped they will prove of tions that has come into existence in many years. is an individual matter. But individuals should especial assistance to our hundreds of new It recognizes alcoholism as a major problem and not be discouraged from participation if they are Groups. They may be able to avoid many of the is doing a marvelous job for those who seek its careful of the A.A. name. Please reread The arti- natural but painful mistakes we A.A. oldsters help. We know some fine fellows who have been cle in this booklet on outside ventures. have so often made. Bill.

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change is by practicing the principles of the 12 trast recently. Bill came down here to speak to Steps in all our daily affairs. You will get out the regional convention. As always, he was of the program in proportion to what you put tolerant, understanding, sympathetic—no big into it. shot stuff from him; no expert speaking with If you only take I 1/3 Steps of the program authority. No “do’s” or “don’t’s,” or “musts.” I don’t see how you can expect to experience Then I read that thing from Little Rock. Quite the benefits contained in the 12 Steps. You a difference between the way they think and the can also make the program so simple for your- way the founder of A.A. thinks. self that it will be elusive. The effort required No wonder that group has only had 500 pass to a t t e m p t to practice all of the principles w i l l through it in seven years. That’s pretty slow DUBLIN ANNIVERSARY not equal the effort put forth to create our al- growth and quite understandable. They seem from Dublin, Ireland coholic dilemma. You will notice I said “at- more interested in statistics on slips than in We are very pleased to get y o u r letter and are tempt” to practice all of the principles, and that’s practicing A.A.—T.L. eagerly awaiting . . . The Grapevine. all that is required. We strive for progress not Progress has been slow of late, probably due perfection. Plus Little Rock to the summer holidays, but A.A. is getting itself The peace of mind that we hope for is not the From Boston, Mass. known over here in surprising fashion. When absence of conflict, but our ability to cope with we do get over our growing pains I fancy we’ll So Little Rock prides itself on being tough it, and this ability increases as we make progress find a lot of unsuspected ground already h a l f . . . and obviously the article you published in the practice of the principles contained in the prepared. New ideas breed slowly over here. sounded as though they pride themselves more 12 Steps of the program.—J.A.M. We hope to celebrate our first anniversary on on their slip record than on letting everyone November 25.—S.M. who asks it have a helping hand from A.A. About Little Rock That may be a group of something but it The 12th Step From Los Angeles, Cal. didn’t sound like on A.A. group. . . . They really From Wollaston, Mass. How can you in the name of A.A. allow such believe in rules and regulations, don’t they? I an article as the ‘Little Rock Plan” be printed in wonder who judges out there.—E.B.T. In the August issue, under heading “Mail Call for A.A.’s at Home and Abroad” there was a the Grapevine. . . . This sounds more like the police department or probation department plan. Simple or Complex? letter from Long Beach, Calif., signed Gay M.B. The author points out the possibility of keep- There is only one A.A. plan and that is right From Oklahoma City, Okla. ing sober by working the 1st and 12th Step and out of the book. No organization. No rules. Enclosed please find check for renewal of subby so doing you are, supposedly, subconsciously That’s the plan we in Southern California try to scription for Grapevine. Enjoy same very much, and automatically working the other Steps. follow.—A.M. but some articles like one published last (Sept.) So many people get the erroneous idea that issue from writer in Montclair, N. J., are too the 12th Step merely embraces the carrying of the More Little Rock deep for me. In my 18 months of A.A., the best message to other alcoholics. There are three From Detroit, Mich. has always come from the “humble.” definite phases to the 12th Step, if we read it Good grief and little fishes! What have they The A.A. program is fundamentally sound. carefully. The step reads: “Having had a spiri- got out there in Little Rock, Ark.—a concentra- It is only complex when one wants to make it tual awakening as the result of these steps, we tion camp? It sure doesn’t sound like A.A. to complex. The further we stay away from “thetried to carry this message to alcoholics and prac- me, at least not like anything I ever heard or ory” and the nearer we get to “reality” the tice these principles in a l l our daily affairs.” read about A.A. in the four years I’ve been in quicker we get “results.” The alcoholic—after This would mean that before we are ready to (no slip, either). sobering up and getting on the program, should carry this message to alcoholics, we should have Where do they get the authority to keep any- again be a normal person, and should be so experienced a spiritual awakening as a result of body out of the group? Or, rather, where do handled and advised. That an alcoholic has a the other eleven Steps. Does this not indicate they get their authority—period! One of the deep dark background of mystery is plain nonthat we must or rather should, work on all of the great virtues of A.A. is that it vests authority in sense. The doctors told us 50 years ago that Steps? Then the last part of the 12th Step “and no one. Those people, if that’s a correct report, consumption (T.B. now) was incurable. They practice all these principles in all our daily af- just seem to have appropriated it on their own. say the same today about an alcoholic. God’s fairs.” How can you practice these principles if Imagine bragging about making it tough for fresh air, God’s sunlight, God’s abundance of you intend to ignore the principles referred to in anyone to join A.A.! As I read the book, one good food, God’s factor of “time” as a dealer the other 11 Steps. of our obligations is to get the message to as and “rest” were what the consumptive needed. Too many of us (alcoholics) take the slogan many as we can, help everyone we can, open the God, to man alone, gave the power of “reason- “Easy does it” too literally. We were always door wide to everyone who knocks.—H.E.T. ing.” In man’s drinking era this “reasoning past masters at taking short cuts and procrastina- power” went dead. After sobriety and A.A. man tion. I can’t imagine sobriety without happi- regains same. This “reasoning” plus “time,” And Little Rock ness and the o n l y way I can see for an alcoholic plus “A.A.” is all the medicine the alcoholic to be sober and happy is by a personality change. From Memphis, Tenn. needs. Why confuse the issue? Sure, we are The only way I can visualize this personality Around here we were treated to quite a con- (Continued on next page)

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going to have our percentage of “slips” just the same as we are going to have bankers that steal IN ALL HONESTY, bank f u n d s . The “alcoholic” as a problem is o n l y complex when he or she makes it complex. WHO FAILED? This i n v a r i a b l y leads to excuses or alibis to cover up t h e i r own short comings. The daily prayer of (Editor’s Nate: The, following article was written by a priest, of the Holy Cross Fathers Order, an “alcoholic” should be “God helping, let me and The A.A. Grapevine is glad to observe, his be a part of the answer and not part of the prob- request to join our anonymity.) lem.”— E.E.A. modern miracle of healing, are obliged to keep Because by the grace of God (no credit to my- Thought Power First the miracle alive—to pass it on. “Having had a self) I never had any leanings towards alcohol, s p i r i t u a l awakening”—we must carry the mes- I cannot be eligible as a full-Hedged A.A. However, From Watertown, S. D. sage to other alcoholics in order that they, too, I have attended many A.A. meetings and have Just finished the article “Will, Through A.A. may benefit from the miraculous healing, and, tried to be an apostle of A.A. everywhere I go. I Fosters Spiritual Grace,” published in April in turn, pass the message on.—Bill R. cannot speak for others but for myself, I say that Issue. It’s an a r m f u l of t h o u g h t starters. What when I leave the meetings, I leave w i t h the firm we alkies should c u l t i v a t e most is t h o u g h t power. No Wasted Words determination to walk on the straight and narrow W i l l power w i l l follow right in the groove.— From Mt. Sterling, Ky. path and do what I can to help others back on to B.W.H. the right road. 1 believe the following is the shortest “appeal” ever received at an A.A. office: There is one statement, however, which I have Articles Enlightening heard and read time and again which needs clari- BEREA, KY. From Detroit, Mich. fication. As a recent issue of this magazine put it, ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, Just received The Grapevine, and believe me, LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY. “It’s not your drinking that’s stinking, it’s your we can be proud of our A.A. magazine. Every thinking…” Correct t h i n k i n g leads to correct HELP! item in it is worthwhile, and even the cartoons living. This statement so often heard, usually is (SIGNED) W I L L A R D T. spoken by new members in an effort to sufficiently are good. I was indeed glad to read articles under the caption “Last Seven Years Have Made I might say that Willard T. was immediately extol the glories of A.A. and manifest their grati- A.A. Self-supporting.” Those articles were most contacted, our A.A. kit was opened to him, he tude towards the society. They say with great enlightening to us early A.A.s. That new item took a small “dose,” attended our next meeting vigor, “I’ve tried doctors and they failed me. I and now is a member in whom all of his asso- tried religion, it failed me. I found A.A., it on the Cleveland meeting is also very interesting, ciates have great confidence.—H.G.H. saved me.” showing the tough time you had starting A.A. Like all worthwhile efforts, it certainly required Is this statement 100% t r u t h f u l ? I know a man patience and persistence in those early days. He Didn’t Strike Out born with crossed-eyes. Growing up, he was kidded I am now on my seventh year in A.A. ab- From Wallkill, N. Y. and ridiculed so much (a crime worse than d r u n k solutely dry since June 20, 1941—thank God and enness) that he became highly self-conscious. “The count was three and two on me,” the A.A.—L.C.L. Later, he started d r i n k i n g his troubles away. He umpire explained. The man who said this had became a hopeless d r u n k and was confined to a formerly been a professional baseball umpire mental institution. An understanding official Miracle of Healing but through, drink had ended up as an inmate at looked into the case, arranged for an operation From East Orange, N. J. Wallkill Prison. He was telling The A.A. Group on the eyes and not only were the man’s eyes that alcohol had been responsible for this count “I was very interested to read in the September straightened but he has straightened out his life. on him but that after coming to prison and findissue t h a t ‘Rip’ of Eau Claire, Wis., in his mes- But even here, the main trouble was not the man’s ing A.A. he felt that he could not be struck out. sage to the Rochester, Minn., Group, on the oc- eyes but his vision of life. His t h i n k i n g was That man has since been released from W a l l k i l l casion of their first anniversary, said, “We are crossed up more than anything else and the reason and is speaking before groups several nights a gathered here to celebrate a miracle.” why pills, potions and doctors cannot cure the week. Through A.A. he found the means to ar- Alcoholics Anonymous is indeed a miracle- alcoholic is because these reach the body and it’s rest his alcoholism and once more faces life yes, thousands and thousands of miracles—mod- not the body that’s at fault but the spirit. And the w i t h o u t an alcoholic fog clouding his vision. ern miracles. Miracles just as miraculous as Bible certifies, only God can reach the spirit of This is typical of the cases of other men who those described in the New Testament, specifical- man, he who created us to His own image and have left here and are succeeding due to the help ly the miracles of healing. Certainly, it is easy likeness. of A.A.—An A.A. to see the comparison of the blind who were en- And why did religion f a i l the alcoholic? Or abled to see. Have not we, who were blind, been did religion? Did God f a i l y o u ? Rather, did you Experience Can Help Teach given to see? Have not we been literally bidden not fail God? Did you not try to write out your to take up our beds and walk? From Bronxville, N. Y. own prescription on y o u r religious cure? We Every one of us who has been privileged to In A.A. the incongruous often is right and cannot go to God on our terms; man must go to experience this spiritual awakening, this change logical in the operation of the program. For in- God on His terms. So often, we’re a f r a i d God is of personality, this transition from mental and stance, a few Sunday nights ago my attention going to ask too much, that He will take away physical Hell to peace of mind, is, in effect, a was riveted on a young lad at an open meeting. all beauty and joy in l i f e , as though He is pleased l i v i n g example of a modern miracle—yes, un- He looked about 17, except his eyes showed the when we are miserable. A.A. does not seek to subdeniable evidence that miracles are not dead, not utter bewilderment that I have recognized in so stitute for God; it does not replace religion, it confined to the days of the New Testament. many “first timers” at meetings. I was introduced helps us see Our Heavenly Father for what He is, a We, who daily reap the rich rewards of this . (Continued on Page 16) true Father, vitally interested in our welfare, able

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and willing to help even the worst of us, if only we trust Him and ask Him. AND A MOTHER WINS BACK HER SON Our first task in A.A. is to correct our thinking about the two most important persons in the From Chicago seem ; like other people, in fact made me world, in our viewpoint, God and ourselves. When “superior” to many of them. It wasn’t long be- It is sometimes said that the age of miracles we see our true relationship to each other, then fore The quantity had to be stepped up. And it is past. I’m afraid I can’t agree. Why? Beour cure, our joy and happiness will follow as the wasn’t long before I had to have a few drinks cause I’ve been sober for a year. I don’t relight of day follows the rise of the sun. Is it not the before dinner. member what I was doing a year ago, but I am tendency of man to make himself the center of the From then on the pattern is that of thousands sure of one thing. I was drunk. I detest the world? To take the easy way out? Not to stand of others. More drinks to calm down, frequent word and all that it implies, It isn’t ladylike. up and face a problem but to avoid it or escape oblivion as the result of too many, a hangover Neither was I ladylike then. it through drink? Why, we tend to make God in the morning. Then all day drinking, and Twelve months ago I was finishing up a binge all night drinking, then just drinking, not knowapproach us on our mean terms. When we think t h a t had been going on for years; a binge that ing or caring whether it was night or day. A thus, we’re due for a quick fall, But to avoid this grew steadily with the passing days, and months, compulsion to drink that I couldn’t control, fall, we must first literally fall on our knees, and and years; a binge that was robbing me of my and the certain knowledge that my continued with bended head, plead for help. Then, to borrow health; a binge that had all but alienated my drinking would take from me everything that I a phrase from Clare Booth Luce, we will rise, for God Himself will reach down to lift us up. A.A. son and my husband; a binge that had com- wanted and held dear. properly understood fosters this correct thinking. pletely divorced me from all friends. I didn’t Then came the inevitable collapse. I was realize it then, but I was at the end of my rope. As we say in the prayer at the close of the meet- hospitalized. Three days later I realized where I was on “skid row” figuratively if not literally. ings, “Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed I was. Those 12 days of terror, fear, misgivbe Thy Name (not mine but Thine) ;…Thy will I had done all the usual things. I had been ings, recriminations, physical torture, the bebe done on earth — (again, not mine but Thine).” a social drinker. One drink would give me a ginning of D. T.’s, of which the Good Lord Sometimes, we catch ourselves really meaning lift; two, a bounce. Three brought a delightful permitted me only a glimpse, make up a period these words. Why not put meaning into these fog in which the world was lovely, everyone in my life which I recall only with horror. But words? Then life will enter in, for there’s no was so nice, and “weren’t we having fun?” through the maze that my alcoholic mind joy living alone, even among the best of men, But this didn’t last long. All my life I had wandered constantly recurred the only thought even in A,A., unless we have our Heavenly Father suffered from an inferiority complex. The that had penetrated from a visit of three A.A.s with us, watching over us, helping us, blessing us drinks—in those days bathtub gin—made me the night before my illness became acute. —A Friend. forget myself. They calmed me down, made me That thought was: “A.A. can save you! A.A. can save you.” I clung to it as a drowning person does to a A.A. Digest—Excerpts from Group Publications straw, for I knew that without it I would die A.A. Tribune, Des Moines, Ia.—”At the house universe and look around you for a place where from drinking or end in an insane asylum. committee meeting last night we discussed spon- you can sow a few seeds of happiness—are you To most of us the early days in Alcoholics sorship, and the lack of it, and how we are t r y – w i l l i n g to do these things even for a day? Then Anonymous are days of confusion. The transiing, with growing numbers, to hang onto close you can stay sober.” tion from a life of alcohol to a life divorced sponsorship. And then we also named several The Eye Opener, Los Angeles, Cal.—”The from the bottle is abrupt. Those first few weeks new men and women who came in on their own, world and other people are all wrong? So and months are difficult. We are impatient to who were not coddled, who just got from A.A. what? Are you going to try to straighten out the grasp all at once all that A.A. has to offer, to what we hoped they would get—and they are do- world—or you own life? One successful A.A. grab at it like a package we might purchase at ing such a wonderful job. We concluded that at attitude is, ‘If I q u i t drinking, get sober and the store. We want immediately to become as least in some instances, if a man wants sobriety clear-headed, then I can do something about non-alcoholic in our thinking and actions as we strongly enough, he’ll get it with attendance at situations that now defeat me.’ Your first prob- once were alcoholic. one meeting, whether he’s chauffered to the meet- lem is: What do you do about yourself?” Despite my haste, one thing firmly embedded ing or not—and whether or not he’s coddled into Squad One, Washington, D.C.—”Are you in itself in my reasoning very early in my rehabili- A. A.” the doldrums? tation. To me it is the most important thing in The Screwball, Nacogdoches, Tex.—”Are you “The members of Squad One who attended last following the 12 Steps. That requisite is honwilling to forget what you have done for other Monday’s meeting asked themselves that question esty, not honesty with others but honesty with people and to remember what other people have and some decided that they were. . one’s self. It has been harder for me to be done for you; to ignore what the world owes “For the purposes of the discussion the dol- honest with myself than anything I have ever you and to think what you owe to the world; drums was defined as not making much progress tried to do. I find, though, that if I am honest to put your rights in the background and your in advancement on The A.A. program, or at best, with myself, I don’t have to worry about honesty duties in the m i d d l e distance and your chances very little progress. with others. It comes automatically. to do a little more than y o u r duty in the fore- “Like any A.A. discussion, this one produced With that as a stepping stone, I am slowly ground; to see that your fellowmen are just as a good many varying ideas, but there seemed to building a structure in which I can live with real as you are and try to look behind their be a pretty general agreement on this: myself. As the structure rises I find many of the faces into their hearts; to o w n that probably “There is no standing still in this A.A. busi- bricks and stones are placed imperfectly and the only good reason for y o u r existence is not ness. You either go forward or you slide back. have to come out and be reset. I make mistakes, what you are going to get out of life, but what And if you are not going forward you are court- but I am soon aware of them and make an honest you are going to give to life; to close your book ing disaster. effort to rectify them. Many times I am not of complaints against the management of the (Continued on next page) (Continued on next, page)

A.A. RETREAT MAIL CALL MEMPHIS FIGURES A group of A.A.s made a pilgrimage high into (Continued from Page 14) Final registration figures from Memphis, the Sierra Nevada Mountains during September to him, but somehow when they said he was an Tenn., reveal some interesting things about the to hold a two-day “A.A. Retreat” on the shores alcoholic (his own admission) and had just been heavy attendance at the regional meeting held of Lake Tahoe. Lying 6280 feet above sea level, in one of the most robust state institutions, it there in September. Lake Tahoe is the largest body of water in the seemed incongruous and I made a mental bet A total of 24 states and Canada, and 1 1 2 world at that high an altitude, and is about six that he’d be gone for many more years and we’d groups were represented in the registration. hours by auto from San Francisco. never see him when the heat was off at home. But Tennessee, of course, led in both the. number of The retreat was “devoted to reaffirmation of he haunted me for two weeks and I wished I groups represented—11—and in the number of the 3rd Step and to gain a deeper understand- had drawn him into conversation. I called the individual A.A.s attending—173. Alabama was ing of the l l t h Step,” and was defined as: woman who had introduced us. “He’s been drunk second with 57 members from 10 groups attend- “To think deeply and courageously. most of the time since the meeting,” she said. ing. North Carolina was t h i r d in the number of “To make a sincere and open minded inquiry “His family are aghast at his even considering groups represented, accounting for n i n e , but into the problem of maturity. A.A.—his father is a well-known liquor dealer.” Oklahoma, though technically outside the con- “To reaffirm Step 3 …” There it was. The kid was trying A.A. against ference region, reported the third largest num- “To afford an opportunity for each reatant some first-class odds. The next week I met him ber of i n d i v i d u a l A.A.s present, with 47. to evolve for himself within the framework of at another open meeting. His eyes looked more Total attendance in the Auditorium for the group discussion, an appropriate program of ac- frightened than before. Finally he said, “I de- program at which Bill gave his talk was estimattion to answer the crucial question—’How can I cided to come here at the last moment. Things ed at approximately 2,200. improve my conscious contact with God, as I have been bad for me all day. I’ve got a pint The Memphis newspapers, the Commercial Apunderstand him.’ ” in my pocket and planned to go to New York peal and the Press-Scimitar, gave the convenand drink it. I’m terribly shaky.” t i o n considerable a t t e n t i o n , publishing altogether WINS BACK HER SON I asked him his age. He was 21. What came 12 news articles on the meetings. (Continued from Page 15) out of the afternoon together proves my point The Clinics which were held each morning, of the incongruous often being right in A.A. w i t h two going on simultaneously each period, honest with myself. But when I am not, that I am 48. The lad opened up all the stops to covering various group problems proved to be which goes hand in hand with honesty—conme after I had told him the story of my drinking one of the most interesting and useful features science—asserts itself immediately. And to live up to the time I was his age — adding, “think of the convention. with myself I have to do the right thing. what extra grief you can save now.” His story I accepted A.A. on blind faith. I didn’t try to reason it out. I couldn’t rationalize it. All from early boyhood to the present was so near PETITION WINS CLUBHOUSE like mine one almost could change the names and From Burlington, Vt. I knew was that other people who had embraced I would be the boy. It was so uncanny I felt Aided by a petition signed by interested citi- A.A., people who said they were as bad or certain this could be no happenstance. When 1 zens i n c l u d i n g doctors, lawyers, ministers, a worse alcoholics than I, had become sober. It added the story of my life of drinking after I judge and the sheriff, the Burlington Group now was the last street car as far as I was concerned. 1 accepted what I was told to accept. I did had been his age, pointed out the lost oppor- has a two-story brick building for its headquarwhat others said they had done, and out of that tunities, the misery and frustration and failures ters. The b u i l d i n g , owned by the city, provides blind faith has arisen a faith of my own, a — I know the boy was thoroughly jolted. a meeting hall, kitchen, lounge and recreation faith that has carried me along for a year. I If the results with this lad are good it certainly room, and a “recuperation” room. don’t know whether it is truth, or honesty, or can be traced to a divine guidance in bringing conscience, or good, or God. I call it God. together a boy and a man with carbon-copy DIGEST And I pray for his help each day to enable that histories, one to help the other. At least he {Continued from Page 15) faith to carry me through a succession of 24 didn’t open the pint; more than I would- have “As Pete put it, ‘This is not a program you hours as long as I live. done at 21!— P. B. can play with and fool around with.’ I think my greatest desire for sobriety was “And Howard, an old weather forecaster, that I might restore myself in the eyes of my RESPONSE, IT’S WONDERFUL! says he can always spot the approach of the son, a 19-year-old Navy photographer. I wrote Subscriptions have been pouring in by the doldrums. The first sign: Missing meetings,” him some time ago that I had been hospitalized, scores in response to a letter from the editor to Rope Yarn, Seamen’s Club, N. Y.—”Why that I had become an A.A., and I told him what group secretaries asking their assistance in ac- does the alcoholic want to win every round in I was trying to do. I’d like to quote a portion quainting A.A.s with The A.A. Grapevine. the battle of life? Most of us, a little thought of his answer to me: The letter explained that although no effort w i l l prove, are of a volatile nature given to “It wasn’t such a horrible thing to admit you had ever been made, or ever would be made, to vivid flights of imagination that sometimes carry needed care, Mom. You said this fact might “promote” the Grapevine,’ the editors did feel us into a never-never land. Man, inherently, has startle me. On the contrary, it is the best thing that the magazine was available the urge to create, to add to the construction of that could happen. I am prouder of you than to all who might want it. The the society in which he lives. But, the men who I have ever been before. Please believe me. group secretaries were asked to contribute most to their fellow men are men of This is from the bottom of my heart. I am make announcements to this ef- vision. They are not visionaries, who set fanproud of you for facing the music and your fect or post notices on their bul- tastic goals for themselves and feel frustrated spirit for not quitting. I feel all empty inside letin boards. Every one of them when they fall short. That is a failing of the when I try to express my gratitude. I thank must have complied, judging by alcoholic setting his sights too high, and, the peryou, Mom, with all the humbleness in me.” the response in new subscrip- fectionist that he is, neglecting to accept partial And they say the age of miracles is past!—J.Y. tions received since. success if that is to fall his due.”

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Vol. IV, NO. 7, DECEMBER, 1947. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1947, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

‘Tis the Night Before Christmas “THIS is Christmas, fella! Just one won’t hurt you.” ceiving shows pretty discriminating taste. What Where have we heard that one before? better gift, what more practical and at the same time more valuable gift, could one give an alco- We’ve heard it in many places, many times—every Christmas, every New Year’s, holic than sobriety? every holiday season. At the office party where all is hilarity. In the warmth of our good Not everyone subscribes to the theory somefriend’s home. From the doorway of the times expressed in the words, “I’m glad I’m an bar where the gang is gathering for a bit weeks. How does that compare to the length of alcoholic.” Some think that is straining it a bit, of libation on the way home. time that you have been in A.A. and sober— perhaps almost as much as if a bed-ridden pa- Any holiday can be trying, and the Yuletide and you, and you, and me? How does it comtient proclaimed he was glad he had tuberculosis. with its extended period of f u n and frolic, start- pare to the years ahead that all of us can go on But it’s reasonable to assume that, having deing before Christmas and carrying on through in A.A., sober? veloped into an alcoholic, we are glad now that New Year’s, can be the hardest. Two weeks isn’t so long, especially when it’s we found A.A. and sobriety, and glad for the Perhaps the most dangerous moment comes broken up into periods of 24 hours each. What’s knowledge and the viewpoint that we have at the instant when our good friend is gently 24 hours compared to all we’ve gained so far gained in A.A. trying to persuade us, “Just one won’t hurt you.” and all that we can gain in the future? Just This knowledge and the A.A. viewpoint com- He’s proud we joined A.A. and stopped drink- 24 hours is all that anyone needs to get through bine to give us the opportunity to make a great ing. He thinks it’s wonderful. But he doesn’t the whole Yuletide safely. deal more of Christmas than we ever could bequite understand. He can’t see why “just one” Eight of those 24 hours can be disposed of fore. We already have learned through rough during this gay and relaxed season w i l l hurt us. easily by taking the doctor’s advice about sleepexperience that it really is better to give than The Yuletide poses a choice—we can take the ing. So that really leaves only 16 hours to receive and that, in fact, only by giving do we short view or the long view, the dim view or the worry about, at a time, and no one who knows receive. We have been forced to learn the real bright view. We can be worried and miserable, anything about horse trading would trade 16 meaning of Christmas. To help ourselves, we or relaxed and happy. Or, to put it bluntly, we hours for a lifetime. Furthermore, a good share have had to undertake to help others; to stay can get d r u n k or we can stay sober. of those 16 hours can be filled with A.A. friends sober ourselves we have had to help others get From the short view, the setup looks unfair— and A.A. talk and A.A. thought. sober. unfair to us. Look at everybody! They’re all But time is not the only comparison that the Through no virtue or nobility of our own, but having a good time. They’re gay and giddy, long view brings into focus. Santa Claus, it has through a choice imposed on us by circumstance, romping from one exciting party to another. often been said, comes only once a year for we have learned the real meaning of Christmas, Everybody but us. We’ve been discriminated most people. and its true spirit of giving, and of good w i l l , against. The fates have been unjust. Life is Must we not admit that Santa Claus comes and peace. cruel. every day for us? Hasn’t he been coming every We have learned this day by day. The ex- And so, for one week or 10 days, or however day for however many days we have been sober, perience of A.A. has piled up the proof until long the party season seems to go on, we can after all those years of being drunk, mentally what was once only fatuous sentiment for which mope around with our chins bumping the floor, or physically? we had little time, especially at Christmas, has bemoaning our raw deal and oozing self-pity Old Kris Kringle, if we want to use that name become a vibrant, living truth. We know so by from all our pores. We can even wind up tak- for the moment, has been a regular caller. Fur- personal experience. ing “just one.” thermore, the choice of gifts we have been re- Christmas, then, brings us a warming reminder ‘But let’s consider the long view, just to see of all the good we have received and can now what it has to offer. pass on to others, and that where we once had At the most, the Yuletide period runs two little to give, we now have much.—T.D.Y.

On the 1st Tradition By Bill “Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of us will surely die. Hence our common welfare comes first. But individual welfare follows close afterward”

Our whole A.A. program is securely founded on the principle of humility—that Not a Little Prayer is to say, perspective. Which implies, among other things, that we relate ourselves From Dublin, Ireland rightly to God and to our fellows; that we each see ourselves as we really are—”a In this group we base our sobriety and our small part of a great whole.” Seeing our fellows thus, we shall enjoy group harmony. happiness in sobriety—in the words of an American priest—on an actual day-to-day observance That is why A.A. Tradition can confidently state, “Our common welfare comes first.” of two ancient commandments: “Honor God;” “Does this mean,” some will ask, “that in A.A. the individual doesn’t count too ”Love thy neighbor as thyself.” much? Is he to be swallowed up, dominated by the group?” “Honor God.”—perhaps we should really No, it doesn’t seem to work out that way. Perhaps there is no society on earth change the emphasis on these words and say “Honor God.” We hear some people say “Ho! more solicitous of personal welfare, more careful to grant the individual the greatest I find religion a great help in keeping dry. I possible liberty of belief and action. Alcoholics Anonymous has no “musts.” Few say a little prayer in the morning to keep me A.A. groups impose penalties on anyone for non-conformity. We do suggest, but we safe, and another little one at night when I’ve don’t discipline. Instead, compliance or non-compliance with any principle of A.A. got though the day.” is a matter for the conscience of the individual; he is the judge of his own conduct. “I. say a little prayer in the morning . . .” Those words of old time, “Judge not,” we observe most literally. Suppose a good job was going in your line, suppose your livelihood depended on it—-would “But,” some will argue, “if A.A. has no authority to govern its individual mem- you be content just to write in “Please give me bers or groups, how shall it ever be sure that the common welfare does come first? that job; I want it very badly”? Wouldn’t you How is it possible to be governed without a government? If everyone can do as he try to show that you were qualified, loyal, trustpleases, how can you have aught but anarchy?” worthy? That you were worth the job? Would you really t h i n k that the equivalent of “a little The answer seems to be that we A.A.s cannot really do as we please, though there is prayer in the morning” would get you the job? no constituted human authority to restrain us. Actually, our common welfare is protected “And I say another little one at night . . .” by powerful safeguards. The moment any action seriously threatens the common wel- Just as you’re f a l l i n g off to sleep? Or like fare, group opinion mobilizes to remind us; our conscience begins to complain. If the little girl’s “God Bless Mummy and Daddy one persists, he may become so disturbed as to get drunk; alcohol gives him a beating. and make me a good girl and please Mummy Group opinion shows him that he is off the beam, his own conscience tells him that he may I have a chocolate”? We don’t expect yon to spend your lives in is dead wrong, and, if he goes too far, Barleycorn brings him real conviction. prayers and meditation. But at the end of each So it is we learn that in matters deeply affecting the group as a whole, “our com- day, each week, each month, you ought to, you mon welfare comes first.” Rebellion ceases and cooperation begins because it must; surely must realize that something rather wonwe have disciplined ourselves. derful’s been done for you. You’ve been got Eventually, of course, we cooperate because we really wish to; we see that without through without a drink . . . and you failed in that yourself so long. You can give back somesubstantial unity there can be no A.A., and that without A.A. there can be little lasting thing else than lip service. You can show your recovery for anyone. We gladly set aside personal ambitions whenever these might gratitude in many ways—speaking at meetings, harm A.A. We humbly confess that we are but “a small part of a great whole.”- finding out other alcoholics who need help. (All of the editorials by Bill covering the 12 Points of Tradition appear in the new 48-page And you can at least by your continued absten- Tradition pamphlet, along with the 12 Points themselves. Copies of the new pamphlet were distrib- tion and the example that you set give living uted free during November by the Alcoholic Foundation through the group secretaries. Extra daily proof to all you know that there is somecopies may be had at 10 cents each by addressing requests to: Alcoholic Foundation, P.O. Box thing real and vital in A.A. for every man and 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y.) woman alcoholic in the world.—S.M.

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ON THE INDUSTRIAL ASPECT (Following is a letter from G. H. Gehrmann, M. D., the medical director of the duPont Company, written coholism until it has reached the advanced in answer to an inquiry regarding the progress of A.A. work in the company and, with his permission, turned over stages. to The A.A. Grapevine by an A.A. member who has been spearheading the work dealing with alcoholism among Accidents occur in industry but in any well duPont employees.) organized industry with a good safety program, there are not too many. Just how many do I could write a good sized book on our ex- occur which are due to alcoholism, it is imperiences w i t h the alcoholic and the A.A. in possible, I believe, for anyone to say. An emthe duPont Company but u n f o r t u n a t e l y I have ployee reports for duty and if he is staggering not the time to do it. Therefore, I w i l l briefly drunk, he is held up at the gate and sent back try to give you some of the high spots of our home. There are, however, many p a r t i a l l y unexperiences. der the influence of alcohol who come to work I would like to preface anything that I might and nobody knows it. Accidents occur in this have to say with the statement that the success group and naturally all attention is focused on of A.A. in the duPont Company has been phe- the accident and unless the employee is obnomenal and has even exceeded my own expec- viously drunk, no attention is centered on his tations and I was the one who introduced it into alcoholism at the time. I make this statement our organization. based upon actual experience of over 30 years I have been with the duPont Company over in industry and I do not believe it is ever going 30 years in a medical capacity and although to be practical to answer the accident or abwe have no more alcoholics in the duPont Com- sentee question. pany than any other company, alcoholism had The loss of personnel is also subject to disbeen, up to the time of introduction of A.A., a guise in the records. Many an employee is let problem w i t h us. We have had experience in out because of alcoholism and so far as his 28 states. N a t u r a l l y experience in 28 states record is concerned, the reason for discontinuwould involve a large number of doctors, sani- ance is usually put down as “unsatisfactory toriums, methods of cure and individual prob- services.” Employers in general refuse to put lems. Much money was spent and I can definitely down the truth. In all probability the reasonassure you that the results were highly unsatis- ing behind this sort of record is that John Doe factory to say the least and putting it on a is really a capable man. We had all we can mathematical basis, I would say that zero would better job than they were during the period take because of his alcoholism and maybe if we represent the end result. while they were alcoholics. They all have a fire him and he has to go somewhere else, he Somewhat over four years ago I became in- new outlook on life. They are all happier in will straighten out and we would not like it to terested, in A.A., not because alcoholism was a their business life, their home life and their show on the record why we fired him because it problem to me as far as I myself was concerned social life and insofar as I am concerned, I might interfere with his future progress. but because of the problem to the company. believe they represent as fine a group of citizens These are the few brief thoughts which I am I soon realized that here was an organisation as one could hope to find anywhere and further- transmitting to you. In summing up I would that really understood the problem and could more they are better Christians than a large say that in my opinion, based upon almost handle it 98 per cent and probably 100 per cent percentage of people that I know who are reg- four years of experience with A.A. and many better than I could and also could handle it ular church members. years of experience without it, that any industry better and more successfully on the same per- You ask for specific information on the sub- or organization that does not avail itself of the centage basis than any other professional group ject of absenteeism, loss of personnel, and ac- services of A.A. is missing the only means of in the country. I am not a psychiatrist but I cidents, due to excessive drinking. I cannot rehabilitating the alcoholic. have a good fundamental basis of psychiatry give you factual information on these subjects P. S. and I came to the realization that the only per- nor do I think any organization can. There is David M.’s duties with the duPont Company son who could handle one alcoholic was another undoubtedly a great deal of absenteeism due are purely A.A. He started a branch in Wilwho had been through the same experience and to alcohol but on the company records it does mington. He has started branches in other furthermore the alcoholic was not interested in not appear as alcoholism. I am sure that it is plant locations. He still has a big field ahead a n y t h i n g I had to say because he did not recog- quite obvious to you that employees who do of him and years of work as we look forward nize me as an individual who understood his not report for work because of alcoholism do to the time when we will have “active” branches problem. not notify their employer that they are out at every location. I have several members of Three and a half years ago I took David M. because of drunkenness. They notify their em- my staff who are members of A.A. and they on my staff here in the Wilmington office. At ployer that they are out because of illness and were members before I hired them. I am not that time we had no brunch of A.A. in Wilming- in most instances the family physician substan- at all concerned nor do I waste any time worryton. Through his efforts there was started a tiates the illness without going in to detail as ing about their future with alcoholism as I Wilmington Branch which now numbers about to what the illness is or if he does send in a am reasonably certain that I will have no trouble 150. About 30 per cent of this 150 are du- report it is a disguised diagnosis. I might with them. If I were to concern myself and Pont employees and with Few exceptions they also point out to you, and you may question worry about any of my staff, I would worry are valuable employees who have been rehabili- the truth of this, but I can substantiate it, that about those who have not yet suffered alcotated and are now doing at least a 75 per cent the average practitioner fails to recognize al- holism and found relief in A.A.

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drink be would loosen a screw on the bottom SAVINGS (!) OFFERED of the chandelier.” TO SUBSCRIBERS One of the general office secretaries scent us Just, in case you haven’t heard: the following letter, received last month at the Alcoholic Foundation. Here it is: “I have read The A.A. Grapevine has two new subscription that you can do something to prevent Alcoholics rates, one of which saves the individual sub- Anonymous. If you can do something about scriber a little, while the other offers a way for this, please let me hear from you at once.” the groups to net a little from b u l k orders. The regular subscription, as you know, is $2.50 per year. If you subscribe two years run- Charles E. G., of the Detroit Group, tells of ning, as of course we hope you w i l l , you can a telephone call that came into the A.A. clubnow get a two-year subscription for $4.50. house. A woman, obviously on the drinky side, Maybe that’s o n l y a small saving in these indemanded that someone come to her rescue imflated days but it is a saving. mediately. She explained: “I’m all right. But I have two little dogs here that need to go out Groups can net five cents per copy from the Gather around, kiddies, and let your Bottoms for a walk. I’m scared to go out. Send some- sale of The A.A. Grapevine if they order 10 or Up editor tell you about the progress of the one over to walk my dogs now.” Charlie tried more copies at a time. By ordering 10 or more, “Best Hiding Place” contest. Either this issue to find a “dog walking specialist” in the club- they can get this monthly for 20 cents per copy. or the next will wind it up. You have been house but reports that none was available. Groups must sell it to individuals for the reguswell to send us so many interesting and in- lar price of 25 cents per copy. Naturally, The genious stories and we want to take this oppor- A.A. Grapevine should never be sold to inditunity of thanking you. How about sending us Most unusual A.A. Group to come to our viduals for less than the printed price. And other f u n n y experiences before or after you attention is a five-member affair in a southern that nets each group five cents per copy for the joined A.A? We would dearly love to publish state. All five members are brothers! One is coffee till. them here. the secretary. The group is duly listed with the Foundation. A Long Island, N. Y., member—an architect —sent us a drawing of an elaborate open fire place which he designed for his borne during his d r i n k i n g days. Included is a secret hiding place for the bottle! He constructed a special niche over the damper which was never discovered.

Saddest story of the month comes from a Midland, Mich., member who wrote: “I was staying temporarily with relatives. In an attempt to keep them from knowing that I drank much at home, I kept my bottle hidden in the basement in a stored rolled-up rug. It made a good hiding place as it was convenient to the work shop, furnace, lavatory, etc. “I returned home one evening really needing a d r i n k and looking forward to ‘fixing the furnace.’ It was more than dismay and disappointment—rather, it was like a pin pricking a balloon—when I discovered that the rug (bottle and a l l ) had been sold and moved that day.”

R.A.T.W. of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., sent us a sketch of a “vicious Dalmatian dog” and dog house. Brother R.A.T.W. hid his bottle in the dog house straw! The dog acted as guardian. V i r g i n i a H., of the Fairmont, W. Va., Group, hid her whiskey in the f a m i l y vinegar bottle. In p l a i n sight of everyone, it was never discovered.

Peter H. R., of the Minneapolis Group, tells of a f e l l o w patient at a rest home who “brought a q u a r t of whiskey in the ward with him; poured it into the chandelier. Whenever he needed a

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A WIFE LEARNS HOW BEST TO REALLY HELP From San Francisco application of the 12 Steps. As our thoughts particular hell because it didn’t. I learned, It was after one—the last one—of our nu- change, our actions change. Remember, it’s no instead, that happiness comes with the peace of merous separations. I was waiting, with a com- good trying to change our actions without first mind that follows acceptance of growing and bination of the usual fervent hope and skepti- changing our thoughts. With the change in maturing as the greatest adventure of l i f e ; I cism, for my husband’s usual repentant promises. thoughts and actions there comes a change in learned that happiness comes with serenity that And then, “You’ve been no help to me!” he personality, and finally in consciousness, so can rise above any situation or circumstance. said. that what was deliberate effort at first becomes I learned that happiness lies entirely w i t h i n The words were a dash of cold water on me. I a continuous and unchanging attitude of being. myself, in my own integrity and peace of mind, had been no help? Why, I had not only helped, Another mistake:—I had felt responsible for and in my own expansion of awareness. And I had practically carried the whole burden- my husband, for his drinking and his sobriety, I learned that only with detachment from selfish paid the bills, the rent, the debts, told lies, for his whole life. I practically tried to keep and possessive emotions can love, so-called, becovered up—every wife of an alcoholic knows him in diapers. This is a very common form come real love. To be able to love, unselfishly, the story. And that was the thanks I got! of wifely possessiveness, under which any man understandingly, undemanding and expecting no But my husband was absolutely right. I had w i l l chafe at the bit. I had to learn to under- return, increasing in depth and scope as our been no help to him. The shock brought me stand that I am responsible only for my own horizons widen, no matter what the circumstance, up short and I began to take stock, and that thoughts and actions. To arrogate to myself is a mark of maturity. point marks the beginning of my regeneration more is sheer conceit. In order to grow out of Love holds infinitely more for me than it did as a person—to which a l l else is incidental. that mistaken thinking I had to learn to be de- before, when it was bounded by my limited con- Some of the mistakes I had been making may tached, to be non-attached. I had supposed cepts and confined within the narrow horizons be of interest to others. (All thinking wives will that detachment meant indifference—-a prevalent of my selfish little being. Love carries on, recognize them.) I had rather fancied myself mistake. It means that I keep my foolish little joyously. Love understands. Love is peace of as a good wife. I was even pointed out as an emotions out of the cog wheels of relationship mind. Love is compassion. Love loves! Love example of a good wife. I was familiar with and circumstance. It means that I gain, step transcends the merely human husband-wife rethe book Alcoholics Anonymous, had attended by step, more and more perspective, so that in- lationship and becomes an expression of divine meetings and thought I understood the 12 Steps. stead of seeing in a distorted fashion a tiny love, divine strength. But I understood them in this way, that I section of the picture I see more of the whole As wives, some of us have a continuing alplaced all the emphasis on my husband’s al- picture with the clear vision of serene and bal- coholic problem. Some alcoholics are unable coholism, t h i n k i n g that he was the problem in anced emotions. yet to accept or practice the 12 Steps, unable to my life. My holier-than-thou altitude must in- Another mistake: — I had felt very noble let the miracle of regeneration come forth under deed have been trying. about being the family mainstay. My attitude the guidance and care of God. But the wife Soon, I began to understand that I was my of “Look at poor me and look at that heel!” who grows as she no longer tries to “help” by own problem, that I f a i r l y swarmed with faults was certainly not conducive to a happy mar- her old blundering methods, learns to stand by and deficiencies, prejudices, notions, neuroses, riage. I learned that the gift without the giver during this time and help in the only way poscrooked thinking, cockeyed emotions, rampaging is indeed bare. I learned that the gift with the sible, by understanding and loving. She learns interior conflicts, feelings of fear and insecurity giver is riches and joy to overflowing. that the only help one human being can give and doubt and suspicion. And I learned that Another mistake:—I thought that happiness another is of divine origin, flowing through her application of the 12 Steps would begin to meant financial security and total lack of trou- increasingly as she grows in love and peace of change my personality so that I would be a bet- bles. In other words, I wanted my life to drift mind. ter person, a happier person, a more mature along effortlessly on a rosy cloud, with God in I have caught a glimpse of this vision, like person. No f a u l t can stand up against persistent f a i r l y constant attendance, and I was raising a frog squinting up at a star from the bottom of a well. And I shall spend the rest of my life climbing up toward that vision.—Ruth G.

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THE ‘BORDER BOYS’ WANT IN! from Bristol, Tennessee So much emphasis is placed on extreme al- there would have been no way whereby I could coholism, that the ordinary drunk is almost over- have enjoyed life without an occasional binge. looked. There are thousands who have never The occasions would have grown closer as had D. T.s, never been in jail, or hospitalized, time wore on, and I too would have lost my never lost their wives or their jobs, but who, job, my family, and everything worthwhile, like myself, are very definitely allergic to al- simply because I was not to learn that I was cohol, and are therefore alcoholics. We are an alcoholic until I reached that bitter end. very generally told that we may be border cases, Why then make the rules of entry so rigid? and can come in if we like, but nobody seems to I know they are not literally rigid, but why think it matters much. Let us have a look at not say that an alcoholic is any person adthese “border boys.” versely affected by the use of alcohol? If the use My complaint is that most A.A. literature of alcohol makes you sick and continues to overlooks this group. My own case is a very makes you sick, surely that, in and of itself, clear example. I only drank when my work ought to be plenty of proof. You don’t have to permitted it. I never liked to drink alone, but wallow in poison ivy to be allergic to the vine, did so on rare occasions of necessity. As I and you don’t have to get in the gutter to be drank, my wife and children suffered the pains an alcoholic. of death through mental anguish, but never Just one more word to alcoholics in the gutter: through physical violence. I believe they found Please move over. The Border Boys are comin’, me more generous while drinking than other- for they’ve got to prove a point!—H.H.H. wise. But I was an imbecile at least once out of every three times I touched the stuff; and very soon I would become sick unto death— A.A. Digest—Excerpts from Group Publications violently sick. I had to drink from the faucet because I couldn’t hold a glass; plain drinking The Brighter Side, Waterloo, Iowa—”This day. He is called upon at any time to keep water wouldn’t stay on my stomach, and of is what we tell beginners; A.A. is served cafe- them sober, to change their thinking and their course food was out of the question. For a day teria style—you may and should help yourself character and to give them the power to help or two the second, third, or fourth drink would liberally to everything on the menu. You will others.” stay down and straighten this out, but then a make some very close new friends. Numerous l i t t l e later on no drink would stay down in opportunities for recreation, social activities Twelve Stepper, Omaha, Nebraska—”Isn’t any form. I couldn’t write my name, and on and sincere advice from those who have been it easy for us, who think we have the program occasions I actually couldn’t get out of bed. through the mill and won, are offered you. well in hand, to forget that only a short time But I had picked a time when I could stay but—you must reach for all parts of this ago we walked in a fog? Don’t we, perhaps in bed—hence no loss of job. Now, no living program and be anxious to learn and have an in word or action, tend to brand as hopeless mortal can tell me that I am not an alcoholic, open mind on all suggestions, steps and phases. ones who have difficulty? It may take up our in the light of the pain, suffering, remorse, and You must look for good things rather than un- time, rob us of sleep, cost a few dollars perhaps h u m i l i a t i o n I have suffered. Yet much of the favorable factors. You must make your own —but the knowledge that we are doing someliterature I read indicates that inasmuch as I decision and complete surrender. You must thing that only an A.A. member has the power was able to abstain for long and continued carry out this program primarily for yourself to do far overshadows the efforts expended.” periods of time; and because on some occa- and your own future. If your decision is made The Screwball, Nacogdoches, Texas—-“Add sions I didn’t get hurt (I could pick the time), to please someone else alone, usually, the pro- life to your years instead of years to your life.” and since I did not become violent, have D. T.s, gram will not succeed.” get in jail, lose my wife, or abuse my children, Alanews, Dubuque, Iowa—”This brings up and especially since I was able to continue to The A.A. Beacon, Victoria, B.C., Canada the point of just what is the responsibility of the support my family, I may only have some al- —”We may take it for granted that one who A.A. group to the citizens in its community and coholic tendency. This is utter and complete habitually flies to the narcosis of alcohol when to the alcoholics numbered in that citizenry. folly. faced by problems he feels are unbearable will We do not believe that the group should operate Now that A.A. has taught me to be honest also be reluctant to face those problems when as a missionary unit, either collectively or as with myself, I have to admit that under no cir- the escape is no longer available and that he individuals. We hardly have the time or the cumstances can I use alcohol in any form with- will struggle with all his might and main to ability to ferret out all the alcoholics in a comout risk of the sort of sickness I have described. avoid the pain of frankly facing his difficulties.” munity; nor can we presume they would be I have a number of friends whom I have been willing to listen to us if we did. Nor yet can unable to interest in A.A. because the pamphlets, Central Bulletin, Cleveland, Ohio—”Every we sit back idly in the hope that anyone who literature, etc., I am able to furnish them, con- member of this fellowship has his or her own needs our help will hear about us and come to vince them that they are doing at least reason- idea of the Greater Power. Whatever their con- us of his own accord. We can arrange to make ably well, when the plain truth is they are suf- ception, however, it is simple and workable. our presence and our purposes known to the fering as I suffered, and brother, that’s plenty. This is because the members of Alcoholics Anon- community. The public is interested and will- I know that without God’s help through A.A. ymous live with that Power every hour of the ing to learn.”

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The Pleasures of Reading The Meeting of East and West by F. S. C. Northrup (Macmillan, $6) At first blush this closely written 500-page book seems not to be one for the general reader but a work which requires for its understanding and critical appreciation a degree of learning and scholarship above the average. Such a limitation would be unfortunate if the central idea of the author’s thesis is to receive the broad dissemination he probably intends. However, notwithstanding a terminology that is sometimes formidable and the introduction of concepts often abstruse, any interested reader of this volume will undoubtedly find much informative material presented with sufficient clarity and simplicity so that his store of knowledge of the subject matter will be All alcoholic is a person who takes a drink enlarged. As to the conclusions and recommendations of the writer, many will receive ready for a reason. acceptance, some will be rejected, upon others judgment will have to be reserved. In this Inquiry Concerning World Understanding, attention is drawn to the fact that the world From the patron medico of A.A., Dr. William is f u l l of conflicting ideologies. There is, of course, the opposition between the traditional democ- D. Silkworth: racies and communistic Russia. There are also the differences between the Jews and the Arabs “Nothing is ever so bad that a drink won’t in Palestine and the Mohammedans and the Hindus in India. The author stresses the conflict make worse.” between the medieval Roman Catholic conception of moral and social values “grounded in naturalistic Aristotelian divine law” and “the modern Protestant democratic and pragmatic concept of an As an example of the terrible effect liquor has ecclesiastical and civil law which derives its authority solely from the humanistic convention of a on some people, there was the case of the majority of men.” In the East, it is pointed out that the political institutions and religious ob- Scotchman who thought be was getting one servances inspired by Shintoism combat those which are the fruition of Confucianism, Taoism drink free everytime he bought one when all the and Buddhism. And in Pan-America the traditional Latin-American ideals and values conflict time he was only seeing double. with those of traditional Anglo-America. Dr. Northrup (Professor of Philosophy in Yale University) has analyzed the problem and Kate S. at Midland, Mich., tells of a drinking suggested a solution which “defines a more inclusive truly international cultural ideal which profriend and neighbor coming by late one evening vides scientifically grounded intellectual and emotional foundations for a partial world sovafter doing a considerable amount of imbibing ereignty.” This ideal “defines the criteria also for relating democracy and communism, Roman to tell her: “Kate, I hear you’ve joined up with Catholic medieval and Protestant modern values and Occidental and Oriental institutions so that those A.A.s and I want you to know that I they support and sustain rather than combat and destroy each other.” The solution offered inthink you’re too good a woman to be associating volves a philosophy of culture and a philosophy of science. “Thus,” the author claims, “the huwith a bunch of drunks. Hic.” manities as exhibited in the ideal culture and the natural sciences grounded in nature are essentially and intimately connected and reconciled.” The Secretary of the San Francisco Group The substantive part of the work consists of an exposition of ancient and modern science reports the following call: (especially physics and mathematics which seem to be the mother of philosophies) and the c u l – Lady on phone: “Will you please help me tures, philosophies, religions, politics and economics of the major racial and nationalist groups with my husband? He’s tearing up the house with side excursions into their folklore and idiosyncracies. The analysis of the cultures of Europe and throwing everything be can lay his hands and its American manifestations is pushed back behind Marx and Hegel, Hume and Locke, Deson.” cartes and Las Casas, St. Thomas and St. Augustine and even behind Aristotle to Plato (and Secretary: “There’s nothing we can do unless Democritus) where in the vision of the “New Atlantis” in the Dialogues of Plato its roots are your husband wants help.” found. The meaning of Western civilization and the explanation of the revolutionary character of Lady: “Just a m i n u t e and I’ll see what he its evolution, in the opinion of the author, lies in its identification w i t h a system of knowledge says.” based upon inferences and scientifically formulated factors subject to change w i t h o u t notice, l i k e Husband on phone:. “Sure, I want help. Send a timetable, upon the discovery of new factual information. somebody out right away. She’s hidden my Examination of the Eastern civilizations, ancient, modern and contemporary, takes the reader wooden leg and I can’t get out to get a drink.” through Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism and the Western influences in India, China and Japan. The characteristic of Oriental civilization which differentiates it from Western civilization is the Orientals’ concentration upon the nature of all things “in their emo- Stronger With Age tional and esthetic, purely empirical immediacy” in contrast with the Occidentals’ predilection for More than 320 Youngstown, Ohio, district the rational, scientific and theoretical. “Thus, the basic philosophical problem of the East and A.A. members gathered at the Y.M.C.A, recently West is the same. It is the problem of determining the relation between the esthetic and the theto wish themselves a happy seventh birthday and oretic components in things.” If this problem can be solved the author believes that it w i l l be gird for another year of fighting alcoholism. the guiding principle in the achievement of the following, constituting the task of the contem- Helping them celebrate were two visiting mem- porary world: (1) the relation of the East and West; (2) the similar merging of Latin and bers, Mrs. M.D., a Cleveland business woman, Anglo-Saxon cultures; (3) the mutual reinforcement of democratic and communistic values; and and Dr. J. L. of Dover. The former, who once (4) the reconciliation of the true and valuable portions of the Western medieval and modern attempted suicide, said that whenever tempted at worlds. Through all of these special tasks is the more general one of harmonizing the sciences and first she said a short prayer, got help “right the humanities. now” and it worked 90 times the first month. As has been indicated, Dr. Northrup stakes everything upon the assumption of the existence The doctor stressed the 12 Steps with emphasis of an “esthetic component” and “a theoretic component” in man, in nature and in the universe. on the 10th. (Continued on Page 16)

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You Don’t Know What Lonesome Is! CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ARE SIGNALS From Portland, Oregon are. Life is a bed of roses, and someone has You don’t know what lonesome is until you kindly removed all the thorns. That’s what ALONG A.A. ROAD have taken your first slip after being exposed to YOU think. From Chicago, Ill. the Alcoholics Anonymous program. You Then comes the first bump. The boss says thought you were lonely before you ever at- something that hurts your feelings. Or you The Red Lights of Christmas are glowing at tended an A.A. meeting. Sure, the alcoholic is see a girl you want, but she doesn’t want you. us from friendly windows and outdoor Christt h e loneliest person in the world — isolated, Or maybe it rains, or the sun shines too much. mas trees. They’re symbols of cheer—but they’re ignored, scorned. You can admit no one to Whatever the reason, the old despair comes into signal lights of warning to us. your little twilight world. your heart, the old glaze d u l l s your eyes, and This is a season of “Peace on Earth and Good Then you are exposed to A.A. Dozens of you head for the nearest tavern. W i l l to Men.” But, along w i t h the Christmas f r i e n d l y hands are extended to you, dozens of So you start pouring it down. You could quit rejoicing, this is also a season of emotional upwarm voices say, “Hello, pal. Have a cup of after the first one, then you remember that it set for many of us. For some years, Christmas coffee.” You start to tell them your story and doesn’t matter now. You’ve already taken the thrilled me, yet upset me. Some of my most unthey say, “Sure, we know. We’ve been there, first one. There’s a meeting tonight, but you expected difficulties seem to have come on me at too. We know what you’re talking about.” can’t go. You may be a heel, but you’re not the Christmas season. Perhaps it was because So you bask in the cheerful warmth of their that much of a heel. You’ve shut yourself away I was off my guard. Perhaps I drifted along friendship, you listen to their talk, you study from those people, and you sit there crying in with the color and pageantry, and confused the the program and try to clear the fog out of your your beer, remembering how good they were to Christian rejoicing w i t h “just another opporbrain. Pretty soon things begin to look rosy. you, how they tried to help you. t u n i t y for celebration”—alcoholic celebration. Why, say, this is peaches and cream, this is the So the sun goes down and twilight comes on So, as I reflect on the cheery Red Lights of l i f e you’ve been looking for. Somebody gave and the tavern fills up and you’re beginning to Christmas, I find myself taking heed of their you a dollar and a clean shirt, maybe they even understand what lonesome is. That bleary clear warning. And I say to myself: “My got you a job. The program is easy. blonde over there is watching you and the look Christmas present to me this year can be so- All you have to do is follow it, and that’s a in her eye makes your stomach churn a little. briety for the day.” simple matter when you’re traveling with people The tavern is full of loud, hoarse voices, and The Christ Child came into a world of povwho are struggling toward the same goal you there is no sense in what they are saying. And erty and struggle, but came into it to bring the juke box is playing “When You Were Sweet relief, salvation. His birth brought re-birth to Sixteen” and you try to think back to a girl you the transgressors of the ages. It brought promknew who was sweet 16, but you can’t remem- ise of life, of death, and of resurrection. NEW GROUPS ber her name, and she’s probably dead anyway, and life is a pretty sad mess, so you cry a little I feel that A.A. is t r u l y in the spirit of Christmas—and follows the Christ Child. It comes to The f o l l o w i n g new groups reported organiza- more and call for another beer. us as a cause for rejoicing that a means for saltion to the General Office during the month of The meeting will be starting just about now, vation from our special chaos, our special pov- October: but you can’t go. Everybody is standing, some- erty and struggle is at hand. It comes to many ARIZONA—Douglas. one is reading the 12 Steps. “We admitted we of us in our own “stables”—with the wise men ARKANSAS—Bentonville, Hot Springs (Spa were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had of A.A. guided to us by a mysterious bright Group). become unmanageable.” The words of those star. It brings to us a new life. One with firm- CALIFORNIA—Avalon (Catalina Island), Chico, Steps are written on your heart and the first ness of purpose needed, but one with a program Linwood, Napa, Ocean Park, San Francisco thing you know you are repeating them out loud to make that firmness possible. (West Portal Group). and the guy next to you gives you a fishy look We have a great g i f t , direct from the hand of CONNECTICUT—Plainfield. and goes over and whispers to the bartender. our maker, I fervently believe. The gift of ILLINOIS—Alton, Champaign (Urbana Group). Remember how you looked when you were ourselves—restored. The gift of life . . . under MASSACHUSETTS — Palmer (Happy Valley drunk—like an old sick cat that has been left control and worth something to ourselves and Group). out in the rain too long? Remember how you others. The g i f t of being able to help ourselves MICHIGAN—Otsego. felt—like the frazzle end of a misspent life? through helping others. The gift of self-knowl- MISSOURI—Anderson. Remember what went through your mind—the edge, through frank appraisal. The gift of tol- NEW JERSEY—Bayonne, Caldwell, Jersey City bells and birds and bees and the little slithering erance for others. things which nobody could see but you? But you Yes, as I see them, the Red Lights of Christ- (Hudson County Negro Group). didn’t remember soon enough. You struck a mas are signal lights, warning me to be on NEW YORK—New York City (Inwood Group), blow at your last hope, you tried to tramp it guard against complacency, reminding me that (West 48th St. Group), Pelham, Whitestone, to death in a senseless frenzy for one more drink. each day needs attention, that the gifts which L.I. And those friends you had made—you struck a have been so freely given can be as freely thrown OHIO—Newton Falls, Oberlin. blow at their defense as well as your own. away through complacency or thoughtlessness. SOUTH DAKOTA—Brookings. And the great beacon light turns on, trying And, as I read their warning, I also read their TEXAS—Borger, Fort Stocton, Perryton, Snyder. to light your way through the fog. And you message of good cheer, of blessing, of rejoicing. WASHINGTON—Seattle (Empire Way Group). know that it will always be there, b u r n i n g bright A n d I give thanks that this day has been a true WISCONSIN—Richland Center. when your eyes become clear enough to see it. gift, and pray t h a t tomorrow, and all tomorrows, CANADA—St. Thomas, Ontario. But you’re sitting there, and at last you really I may again receive the gift, and receive it well. MEXICO—Coyoacan, D. F. know what lonesome is.—I.S. —M.F.

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The GROUP MEETING Page (This is a discussion page. Ideas advanced here are only suggestions, put f o r w a r d to help furnish group discus- It’s not that A.A.s have any deep, dark secrets sion topics, without any intention of reaching fixed conclu- left. The truth is that by the time one reaches sions or dogmatic “rights” and “wrongs.” All readers are A.A. his spouse already knows the worst, or invited to submit group discussion topics.) may even “know” much worse than ever really How Soon The 12th Step? was. Nor is it that A.A.s want to get together to Topics previously discussed on this page are: throw “wild” orgies (on coffee and “cokes?”) “Admitting . . . you are an alcoholic;” “Ano- or conspire in some foul plot. They’re conspirnymity;” and, “A.A. Devices.” Another topic ing to stay sober and it helps a great deal to which sometimes bothers the new member and be able to talk freely with each other, not so on which views differ among older members much about the events as about the why’s and is this: the wherefore’s. The question: How soon after coming into No matter how understanding, forgiving and A.A. should a member undertake to do 12th attends 12th Step work. Furthermore, the re- sympathetic a wife or husband may be, or how Step work? cent dry can sometimes help the recent wet. He’s wholeheartedly they are in favor of A.A., their One A.A.’a Thoughts: Three months, say nearer the viewpoint of the brand new prospect presence at a meeting can be a restraint. One some; six months, say others. But how can than the oldtimer is. might feel no restraint at all in discussing anyany given time be chosen arbitrarily? At three Doesn’t the idea of 12th Step work being done thing with his own wife, but he might feel quite months, or even three weeks, some members are by teams—each team composed of a new mem- self-conscious if other wives were present to disready to do highly effective 12th Step work. ber and an older member—offer the best way for cuss personal matters. He might also feel quite Others who get the “feel” of A.A. more slowly all concerned to get the most out of it? self-conscious in front of non-alcoholic men, may not be ready at six months. the husbands of women A.A.s in the group. Two factors are always present in 12th Step One reason why the alcoholic never seemed work. One is the effect on the prospect and the to get far through the ministration of the psyother is the effect on the 12th Stepper himself. Open or Closed Meetings chiatrist, the medical doctor, the social worker Perhaps it is true that regardless of whether the The question: Can a group operate to great- or even the clergy was the line between them. prospect gets any good out of a 12th Step visit est benefit of all by having no closed meetings? The alcoholic, rightly or wrongly, felt that these by a member of A.A., the member himself al- One A.A.’s Thoughts: We think not. At least people had not shared his experiences and theremost always benefits. He’s making the effort the practice of having all open meetings fol- fore couldn’t help him. His characteristic beto pass along his knowledge and he is bound lowed by a few groups here and there seems to havior was to withhold from them. He was, to derive some good from the desire to give be trying it the hard way. again, self-conscious. And it must be admitted good. No doubt a number of members may be sur- that the reluctance to discuss one’s own large But, the effect on the prospect can scarcely prised to learn that any group has only open and many faults in front of someone who apbe ignored. If a visit leaves him more confused meetings. A few do, however, at least to the pears to have many virtues is a thoroughly than ever, or antagonistic to A.A., or fearful extent that non-alcoholic wives and husbands human, even if irrational, reaction. for one reason or another of joining, then he attend all meetings. These groups have no A.A. is generally admitted to be the thing has suffered a setback. To this possibility the meetings which are attended only by A.A.s. that has worked best for the alcoholic and one answer is sometimes heard, “If he really wants Perhaps if all groups had gone to the other reason it works is that it provides private, in- A.A. he’ll come around.” Perhaps that is true, extreme and followed the practice of having timate and non-critical meeting places for altoo, but how much better it is when he can be only closed meetings and never holding any coholics. persuaded to come around sooner than later— open meetings A.A. would not be as widely Those are just a few of the reasons why this that is, persuaded by an exchange of experiences known as it is today. The open meeting cer- member believes that the group that does not and by example, not by high pressure selling. t a i n l y has a valuable function. It is a medium provide any closed meetings at all is h a n d i – So, the effect on the prospect would seem to for spreading the word through the mass tech- capping its members. have some bearing on the question of how soon nique. It is a way of demonstrating A.A. to 12th Step work should be tried. Since the time large numbers. The large open meeting is im- * * * required for absorbing enough A.A. to be able to pass it on varies with each individual, there pressive to outsiders and even many A.A.s themselves derive comfort and strength from the Color Scheme should be a more logical approach to the ques- large meeting. Earl T, of the St. Joseph, Mo., Group, says tion than by an a r b i t r a r y selection of three On the other hand, the closed meeting also that alcohol has a definite color scheme. “It months, or six months, or some other period. seems essential, and more essential to many mem- gives you a red nose; a black eye; a while, liver; A compromise suggestion is this: Why bers than the large, open meeting. The closed a yellow streak; and a blue outlook.” He also wouldn’t it be a good idea for the new member meeting is where the exchange of experience says that alcohol is a wonderful remover. “It to get started on 12th Step work by accompany- that is so vital in A.A. works best, where the removes stains from clothes, clothes from the ing an older member? Let him go along and trading of helpful suggestions can be carried man who drinks it, clothes from the man’s wife listen; let him see how it’s done before he strikes on most effectively. In a closed meeting, a free- and children, food from the table, rugs from out on his own. This way he will learn from dom of expression prevails that never seems the floor, furniture from the home, lining from the older member and at the same time he will quite attainable in any meeting at which non- the stomach, liver from the side, hair from the be sharing in the benefit that unquestionably alcoholics are present. head and sight from the eyes.”

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Open Meeting Draws 1,000 — A turnout of Washington, D.C. Adopted some months Tacoma Attendance Gains — Attendance of about 1,000 in a city of 27,000 population is ago, the emblem is worn at group meetings is picking up in Tacoma, Wash., our reporter a source of pride to the Winona, Minn. Group and other A.A. gatherings. The figure is de- writing that there were 14 new faces, eight of which held its first annual open meeting in the fined as the first five Steps of the A.A. program them women, at a recent meeting. A.A. in the high school recently. Representatives of the with members of the squad attempting to aid Northwest is receiving considerable help from a clergy, judicial and medical professions as well each other up and through the first five Steps. series of much appreciated articles written by as A.A.s spoke to an audience which represented The color of the figure and letter is symbolic Byron Fish of The Seattle Times which give a a good cross section of the city, all of them of the light that is necessary for members to good picture of how A.A. works. The reporter supporting the A.A. movement. Comments from seek to accomplish the task. The blue field of also writes that during a recent vacation he those attending the meeting indicated that an the triangle denotes the caliber of personality visited groups in Portland, Ore., and 10 in the impression was made which will do an im- necessary to aspire to such an undertaking. The Los Angeles area. measurable amount of good in educating the letter stands for the name of the squad and the public in the problems of chronic alcoholism important human quality which manifests itself Omaha Women Organize —A group comand the efforts of A.A. to reach the alcoholic. at meetings. posed entirely of women has been organized in More than 150 A.A.s from Dubuque, Waterloo Omaha, Nebr., and a series of meetings schedand Cedar Rapids, Ia.; Eau Claire, LaCrosse Mississippians Meet — One of the largest uled. While this group retains membership and and Sparta, Wis.; Rochester, Faribault and Owa- and most enthusiastic A.A. meetings ever held in attendance in their respective groups, members tonna, Minn., helped swell the crowd. The the state of Mississippi was staged at Phila- meet each week in a session for women only and Winona A.A.s used considerable newspaper ad- delphia, Miss., recently when members of the discuss their special problems and development vertising space and received much favorable Columbus, Jackson, Louisville and Meridian of practicable and effective 12th Step activity. comment in the columns of the Republic Herald, groups convened for a big barbecue and open local paper. meeting. The feature speaker of the four-city joint session was Maryan H. of Memphis, chair- Discussion by Letter — The Polk County A. A. Lands on Okinawa — “Happy to in- man of the southeastern regional meeting held Group, composed of A.A.s from Lakeland, Mulform you that we now have an A.A. group in the Tennessee city in September. berry, Barlow, Winter Haven and Lake Wales, started and going on this island, with the help Fla., feel they have something novel in the way of my A.A. friend E. W. of the Miami, Fla. of meetings. John G. wrote to the Rome, Ga., Cincinnatians Active —Under the auspices Group and asked that they put on the program, Group,” our correspondent writes from that of the Salvation Army’s Men’s social center a spot in the Pacific. “We’ve had five meetings; which they did by letter. Different members of banquet at the Cincinnati, Ohio, Club recently at the first one, we were only three and at last the Rome Group explained different Steps, and attracted more than 250 men and women. Major week’s meeting we were 20. Both E. W. and I after the letter was read there was a general Paul Harvey of the Salvation Army served as have been on the beam here in Okinawa, thanks group discussion which lasted three meeting chairman and introduced Major Peter Hofto A.A. and the A.A. way to stay sober. Will nights. Our reporter, who lives in Lake Wales, man of Cleveland, the man who first infiltrated you please send The A.A. Grapevine air mail, reports only four members there. They have A.A. into the work of reclaiming men. The as it takes about six to eight weeks to get here group meetings Thursdays and then go to Bar- Akron, Ohio, member who styles himself “the by boat.” low for the Polk County meeting. By next first guinea pig in the A.A. operation” gave a spring each town hopes to have its own group Bowl Over Pins, Not Bottles — Cleveland, much enjoyed talk. Cities represented from but it will have the county group as the “parent.” Ohio, A.A. bowling leagues are again in full outside Cincinnati with its seven u n i t s , were swing playing host to some exceptionally fine Hamilton, Springfield, Dayton, Columbus, Middletown, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Covington, Nominations Made Easy—”We have found keglers as well as those satisfied to settle for Lexington and Frankfort. Plans are under way a good way to appoint committees,” the secenjoyment rather than high scores. Growth of to make the dinner an a n n u a l affair. In Cin- retary of the South Charleston, W. Va., Group the leagues has been phenomenal with about cinnati at present the A.A. Group of Greater writes. “Just let some bird holler for some- 300 men taking part and finding not only pleas- Cincinnati operates out of the Palace Hotel. thing—he is right away made a committee of ure but a good way to let off steam. Many new The Cincinnati Fellowship Group occupies its one to do it. Sometime ago someone suggested members find new and mutually helpful frienda Thanksgiving party. He was IT. Someone ships on the lanes. Cash prizes are awarded handsome home at 405 Oak Street with a f u l l nightly schedule of meetings and a secretary in else suggested t h a t it was getting so hot that we each learn in the order of its average at the daily attendance. The Freeman Group (Salva- should have a fan. Guess who was at once season’s end; matches are strongly contested tion Army) meets weekly at 1508 Freeman nominated to get it. I am hoping that someone with many A.A. spectators as well as bowlers. Avenue and the Covington, Ky., Group meets suggests getting another secretary. Boy, do I Cleveland A.A.s are looking forward to the weekly in the Cathedral Lyceum in that city. know who is going to get that job!” holiday party season with many plans made. Four suburban home-meeting groups are now Badge Shows Squad Pride — A blue tri- operating and all things point toward a record Seamen’s Group in Montreal — A new angle with the figure “5” and letter “P” in a year for A.A. in this locality. A Hallowe’en group for seamen has been inaugurated formally yellow monogram identifies the wearer as mem- party staged at the clubhouse was heavily attend- at the Montreal Sailors’ Institute, Place Royal, ber of Squad Five or the Perseverance Squad ed by members, their wives and children. Montreal, Canada. The four charter members

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have the cooperation of the Rev. W i l l i a m Mac- recreation center for that city and much of includes A.A.s from the surrounding towns of Lean, manager and chaplain of the institute, who Southern Minnesota. Located at 502 North Delevan and Elkhorn as well as Rockton, Ill., sat in on the first meeting, offering all the facil- Front Street, the new club is described in the while recently several summering at Lake Geneities of t h e Institute. The group was well re- Mankato Free Press as comprising a foyer, of- va drove down for the mid-week discussion. ceived by the press, The Montreal Herald in fice, squad room, a large attractive lounge, a Chicago A.A.s are frequent visitors and their particular. completely equipped kitchen and serving coun- talks have been inspiring. One of the Chicago ter and large assembly and game rooms, with members will discuss A.A. before the local Sponsor Prison Group— The Springfield, bright, attractive furniture. The newspaper ar- Kiwanis club soon. Recently families of the Mo., Group has been sponsoring an A.A. meet- ticle describes the growth of the group from its Janesville and Beloit Groups joined in an alling at the federal prison in that city for more start three years ago, to 60 members and in the day picnic at Big Hill park with a baseball game than three months. The prison, k n o w n as the e d i t o r i a l columns the paper supports the A.A. between the two groups as a highlight. Much U. S. Medical Center, has inmates here for program. cooperation from representative citizens includtreatment from all over the U. S. and many have ing the police chief, ministers, doctors and hoshad previous experience with A.A. Notice of Houston Judge Helps—Through the influ- pital staff and the editor of the Daily News has the first meeting carried in The Prison News ence of a prominent Houston, Texas city court been received, the letter’s publicity bringing in brought dozens of applications to attend. How- judge, a new building has been erected at the several new members as well as educating the ever, Warden Pescor and Educational Director penal farm where old offenders are placed and public. One of the moving picture houses ran Bowman carefully screened the applicants and held in a clean, sanitary abode until they are the movie short, “I Am an Alcoholic.” allowed only eight, of whom five had had pre- released and returned to the city, where A.A. vious A.A. experience, to come. Meetings are and other organizations can aid them. The Family Hour Enjoyed—Wonderful success held at 6 o’clock on the first and third Tuesdays judge, who spoke at a recent meeting of the in enjoyment of “the Family Hour” is reported of each month with at least two members from Suburban Group, deplored conditions and treat- from Sacramento, Cal., where it was first urged the Springfield Group attending and w i t h at least ment and said many could be restored to use- by a member coming in from Portland, Ore. one new man going each time. f u l citizenship. The executive secretary for the Fortunately another member helped and man- Houston Committee for Education on Alcohol- aged to get Sunday night set aside for the meet- Hold Vermont All-State Dinner— More ism followed the judge to cite the work being ing, which was greeted with eagerness and unthan 350 Vermont A.A.s, guests and friends done for the establishment of an alcoholic clinic derstanding. One member has affected a reconattended the first a n n u a l statewide A.A. dinner and the contacts now being made with all Hous- ciliation with his wife and son after 17 years of at Montpelier, Vt., on ton hospitals to accept separation. Every Sunday morning five or six October 18. The dinner alcoholics as such and men from this group go up to the Folsom Prison was also the occasion of render the necessary Group. Many other activities center around the the third anniversary of treatment. It is hoped the Billois Club, named for Bill and his wife, while t h e M o n t p e l i e r , Vt. civic a u t h o r i t i e s , the recently 37 chartered a bus and went to Stock- Group. Principal A.A. committee and the four ton to bear M. M., as they also did to start a speaker was Bill W., co- local A.A. Groups will new group in Marysville. Many went to Rosefounder of A.A., who cooperate to remedy con- ville for the second b i r t h d a y of that group. emphasized the need for d i t i o n s . The Houston attention to the princi- Suburban G r o u p has Non-Alcoholics Speak —A Cleveland, Ohio ples of A.A. and declared opened its new club Group recently heard two non-alcoholic wives that these principles would go far to assure its per- house at 1959 West Alabama Street and extends of alcoholic husbands and a non-alcoholic huspetual unity. Principal non-A.A, speaker was a cordial welcome to A.A. visitors. band of an alcoholic wife in a program which Father James Timmons, editor of The Sign. The proved helpful and illuminating. Major purlarge crowd caught the Vermont A.A. Intergroup Take 11 steps —The Twin City Group, com- pose of the discussion period was an attempt to Committee, sponsor of the meeting, unaware and posed of members from Benton Harbor and arrive at the best and most h e l p f u l k i n d of cohastily erected seats had to be prepared to St. Joseph, Mich., have formed the A.A.A. or operation with the alcoholic on the part of nonhandle it. The committee reports, however, that Alcoholics Anonymous Auxiliary. The mem- alcoholic members of the family. It was felt everyone was comfortably seated and that the din- bers are trying to live by 11 Steps, all but the the expressed reaction was of great value to the ner was a huge success. first of the 12. They advocate attending all groupopen meetings and lectures, as well as social For A.A. Grapevine 100%—Subscriptions gatherings in order to learn all they can about Open Meeting at San Quentin —the received from the Fairport-East Rochester, alcoholics, their own associates in particular. third quarterly open meeting of the group at N. Y. Group make all nine members subscribers. California State Prison, San Quentin, recently Formed early this year the group has started a Busy in Beloit—The Beloit, Wis., Group, an was attended by 109 members from the Bay policy of giving a year’s subscription to The offspring of the Chicago Group, has grown from Area Groups in addition to 150 members of the A.A. Grapevine to each member reaching a one member less than two years ago to 25 at group in the prison. A.A.s from San Francisco, three months’ period of sobriety and hopes to present with one or more newcomers at each Oakland, Alameda, Richmond, Vallejo, Santa keep up its 100 per cent subscription record in meeting. Originally the group included Janes- Rosa, San Rafael, Burlingame, San Mateo, Palo this manner. ville, but seven months ago the latter group Alto, Pittsburgh and Redwood City were among Mankato Proud of Club —A barren ware- became so large that it was necessary to split, invited guests. The general session was devoted house room has been transformed into a mod- although the two groups get together for the to discussions by both men and women A.A.s ern and a t t r a c t i v e clubroom by Mankato, Minn., weekly Saturday night social gathering when and non-alcoholic visitors. Dr. D. G. Schmidt, A.A.s to serve as the official meeting place and husbands and wives attend. Beloit membership (Continued on Page 15)

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dose of benzedrine—it may be enlightening to Is It Fair? again consider the case of the live worm angler From Wooster, Ohio who was in the habit of administering benzedrine to his worms in order that the superactivity of To n o n – d r i n k i n g A.A.s who do no 12th Step their wriggling might more effectively lure his work and do not attend meetings—IS IT FAIR? quarry. One dawning, one of these worms, un- This question is asked simply and humbly der the heavy influence of this drug, fought and and addressed to A.A.s everywhere, who are battled under water, freed himself from the leading sober, happy, and w o r t h w h i l e lives due hook and sped ashore, where he lurked in am- to the influence for good they first received from bush awaiting the arrival of his traditional the A.A. movement. Recognition enemy. When they appeared upon the scene Is it fair to your God—to yourself—to other From Chappaqua, N. Y. in considerable numbers, be attacked, overpow- members of the organization—and, most of all, This year, during the National Convention of ered and strangled to death 35—just one short to suffering alcoholics everywhere who wish to the American Legion in New York City, I went of three dozen, mind you, by actual count—35 have l i f t e d from their shoulders the burden they to an A.A. meeting of the Lenox Hill Group. EARLY BIRDS!—J.M. are carrying just as you received this blessing? As I entered, I was greeted by several A.A.s at Is it fair for you not to attend meetings? Is the door. At once I became a part of the group Going It Alone it fair for you to do no 12th Step work? and no longer felt a stranger. One introduced me to another and the evening stands out as a From Island Falls, Maine This question is being asked in the most humgem in my memory. This idea of a welcoming ble spirit simply to find out if there are dry As usual, The A.A. Grapevine is proving most committee is a great thing and worth adoption A.A.s who feel this non-activity is fair.—C.F. helpful, and especially so way up here in northby all groups because so many strangers, or ern Maine, with the nearest established club newcomers, are reticent about talking to people God Heals Us over one hundred miles away. Many times in and their shyness seems to create in them a sort the past two months, since moving here from From Richmond, California of isolation, which, although self-imposed, is Baldwin, Long Island, I have had reason to be The longer I am a member of the fellowship there, nevertheless. A friendly greeting goes a thankful for the many good friends in the Bald- of A.A., more of the good things in a life of great way in combatting this attitude. win Group and also at the old 41st Street club- sobriety become apparent to me. The greatest Several members have told me of going to house where I found A.A. myself. It is the ex- thing we do is share the good with others, so I group meetings where everyone was strange to periences and visits with those grand people hope some others will be aided by my thoughts. them and, although they enjoyed the speakers, that I have now as a background in trying to To many members of A.A. the spiritual phase they felt left out in the cold. get a group started up here. is the hardest to straighten out. Another point on this same theme is that My dear fellow State o’ Mainers seem to be I used to think of a physician as a man who many of us who have done 12th Step work are able to take a great many poundings and rise healed the sick. Then one day I read that over apt to take our older babies for granted once we again for more, but as many of them in this the door of a college of physicians was this have gotten them well launched. We neglect section are old drinking pals of mine, I am sure motto — “I dressed his wounds; God healed them for our new problem children and, by so they will begin to ask questions before long. him.” That is A.A. pure and simple. Followdoing, cause them anguish unintentionally. We Three good prospects have been in camp with ing the comparison farther—the physician atforget that it takes the novice quite a long period me for a week, bringing the usual supply of wet tempts to aid his p a t i e n t according to his skill; of time before he can build up enough assur- goods. After the first shock to them of my turn- our method is understanding, sympathy, examance and self-confidence to enter into the group ing the drinks down the only result I could see ple and leaching the 12 Steps. s p i r i t by himself. was their satisfaction that there would he much Sometimes the physician has a patient who is This timidity, which so many have, is danger- more for them! Not very encouraging, but I not seriously sick, but he has lost the will to ous—it might easily lead to wrong thinking or know these folks are by nature slow to change survive and he dies. We meet the same kind. an eventual relapse. To me it is a frightening any habit and would be more so in this one, so Sometimes the patient is seemingly incurable, thought that I might undo the good that has “easy does it,” I suppose, and I must not get too but he has the will to live and the seemingly imbeen done, by a simple sin of omission, forget- anxious to add the next number to The Big possible happens—he survives. A.A. has paralting to say, “Hi ya, fella,” to someone whose Woods Group which at the present time consists lel cases. very sobriety might hang on so little! of one and even though he, the writer, still tips We waste too much time trying to find out why Isn’t it something to think about—that happi- the scales at 270 pounds, it is a darned small we drink. Almost all of us drink for three ness or tragedy might just depend upon a slight group. diverse reasons—Prosperity—we must celebrate; sign of recognition, a nod of the head or, per- If anyone could give me their experiences in Adversity—we can’t take it; Monotony—we haps, just a friendly wink?—F.V.G. starting a group in their old home town (only are poor company for ourselves. What screw- 1.000 people) it would be much appreciated. balls we are! No wonder no one understands Beware That Overdose! Before my recent retirement I had been away an alcoholic. From Philadelphia, Pa. about 25 years so most of my heavy drinking Some of us feel we are giving up one of our On the subject of drugs—and, specifically, on was done “outside” as they say. My guess is that privileges when we stop drinking. Not so; we the possible violence of the reaction to an over- patience is one necessary item.—P.L.C. traded drunkenness for sobriety and I for one

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got the best of the bargain and don’t want to My mother and dad had to make me leave I wanted to live without taking that first drink, trade back. We lost our places in decent society their home. The shame and humiliation I I had to find out what was wrong with me, and by our drunkenness. We have an opportunity brought to them and to myself, was more than do something about it. That was some job! to gain it back and climb higher by vigorously any of us could take. I landed on Skid Row; This is a disease of the body, the mind, the using the 12th Step. We are ex-drunks, but somewhere along the line I became a waitress. spirit and the emotions. God forbid that we get confused and think we From here on, the entire pattern of my life was If I wrote from now until Christmas I couldn’t are ex-alcoholics. to take the line of least resistance. I was be- get it all down. The A.A. Program of Recovery I was sober today all day. This is very im- coming very tired, and very, very ill. I had no embodies sincerity of purpose, honesty and tolportant but not unusual. I have more than self respect, no feeling of kinship with my fellow erance. Through practicing its principles in my 1,000 days of sobriety behind me today. That creatures, and I had become agnostic. daily life, I am becoming, slowly, the woman is gratifying but not so important. Sobriety to- At this time, a man came into my life. He God wanted me to be. I have my self respect, day is important because I w i l l awaken tomor- loved me, and wanted to marry me. I had no more friends than I could ever accept before, row with a clear mind and thankfulness and capacity left for any kind of emotion, but I hung and a workable relationship with God. humility in my heart. The sun w i l l shine on, because I guess it was all I had to hang onto. My marriage to another A.A. is as wonderful brighter, my f a m i l y will be happier, my work In May 1944, after a terrible drunk, this man an adventure as the rest of my life has now bewill be better done, the world w i l l be a little finally persuaded me to see a doctor again, this come. We are both too happy to talk about it better off because I was sober today.—C.S. time a psychiatrist. You know very well I didn’t without losing control a little! go willingly. I was afraid of what he would Please forgive this long, rambling letter. I’ve tell me. wanted to write it for three years to partially Making Amends I can’t explain what happened that morning. make amends for some of the grief I caused. I From Los Angeles, Calif. That wonderful, kind man! He told me that I cannot only say that I am sorry, but I can point This letter is not going to be easy, but be- am an alcoholic! That alcoholism is an illness; to the last three years as proof of my sincerity. cause this day is an important anniversary for that there are thousands of us; that I could get —A. A. me, I awakened this morning with a sure con- well if I wanted to. Grateful for Serenity viction that this was my job for today. If I could only describe to you how all of the From Vincennes, Indiana I must go back more than 11 years to the time emotional turmoil rushed out to meet the hope It will be a year in November since I read the when I left Chicago. There was so much wrong that was held toward me. For three and a half book, Alcoholics Anonymous, and attended my with me then. I couldn’t put it into words, months there was sobriety under intensive treat- first A.A. meeting. Although I am only 39, because I didn’t understand it myself. I only ment; at the end of that time the pressure was drinking has been a problem to me for over 20 know that I was baffled, unhappy and frustrated. too great. Even though I fought like a mad years. Because of several unhappy incidents in Inside, I was filled with resentment against every- woman, I took that first drink that led on to a my childhood, by the time I was in high school body and everything. Fear and a terrible heart- drunk, and almost cost me my life. I had a full fledged inferiority complex. I disbreaking loneliness possessed me. I had a feel- For thirty-three days I went through a private covered this vanished into thin air after a few ing that no one understood me. Of course, now hell that I simply could not take again. Only drinks. As the years went on, my drinking pro- I know that that was not strange, because I God knows why I lived. gressed until I was using alcohol as the proverdidn’t understand myself. On September 29, 1944, I was literally car- bial crutch—as an escape from any and every- I found release from inner tensions. I dis- ried to a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. thing of an unpleasant nature that I had to face. covered it in alcohol. I found that when I took The next day I stopped drinking. Today I am Like all alcoholics, I had caused much unhappia few drinks, I could (at least in my m i n d ) , celebrating three years of total abstinence. ness to myself, my husband and little girl. Last become something of the woman I wanted to be. It’s been a long hard job, and one that will year I had reached the point where I would The tragedy of it was, as you well know, I go on all the rest of my life; it’s been re-education walk the floor at night unable to sleep, frightnever stopped with a few drinks. in every sense of the word and I have loved it! ened at the kind of person I had become and at I can’t tell you how hard I fought whiskey; Alcoholics are maladjusted personalities. If what our future held. I knew I could not stop I can’t tell you how terrible the shame and re- drinking. Then a neighbor who was an A.A. morse. I can’t tell you how b i t t e r the resent- gave me the book to read and I attended my first ment against society, and finally against God. meeting. Here was the answer. When I returned here in 1936, it was w i t h a Tonight I was thinking of the many things for high resolve that my life was going to be differ- which I am grateful to the A.A. way of life. To ent. I felt that by cutting myself off from the mention a few—for being able to awaken in the past, I could b u i l d a f u t u r e according to my morning knowing where I am and where I was own plans. the night before—for being able to hear the The next few years of my l i f e are what I phone ring and not being afraid to answer it choose to call my reign of terror. In spile of because of what I might hear about my actions my f r a n t i c efforts, my l i f e was completely out of w h i l e I was d r i n k i n g — f o r being able to meet control. I tried everything: Hard work, hobbies, my neighbors and look them in the eye without falling in love, various forms of religion, a seri- a feeling of shame—for the wisdom to see my ous talk with my doctor. I always ended up shortcomings and the desire to do something drunk and in jail. Sick, broke, and miserably about them—for my good and understanding unhappy I’d try to pick up the pieces and start friends in A.A.—for being able to go to bed at over again. I finally came to the soul-scaring night and sleep—and not dream! Big things, (and very private), conclusion that I was losing these, for an alcoholic. I hope I may be an A.A. my mind. for the rest of my life.—Connie M.

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DR. PEALE ADDRESSES 13th ANNUAL BANQUET “Alcoholics Anonymous is not an organization. It is a movement. Moreover, it is one of the greatest movements for good of our generation,” said Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, pastor of the Marble Collegiate Reformed Church of New York, and guest speaker at the 13th anniversary banquet of A.A., held in the Hotel Commodore, New York, on November 6. The banquet was sponsored by the New York Intergroup Association of A.A. and executed by the association’s banquet committee acting under the supervision of Hank G., of the Mt. Kisco, N. Y. Group. In addition to Dr. Peale, three members of A.A. spoke. They were: Norman B. of the Forest Hills, N. Y. Group, who acted as toastmaster; Joe C., of the Brooklyn, N. Y. and Forest Hills, N. Y. Groups; and Lucy P., of the Bronxville, N. Y. Group. The first speaker, Norman B., told the story of his recovery from alcoholism through the A.A. Program. He pointed out that “once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.” To prove his point, he told a personal experience. The second speaker, Joe C., described the progress of his alcoholism to a point where he was drinking when he didn’t want to. He said that although he promised after every binge • that he would stop he knew in his heart that he couldn’t keep his promises. After seeking help through A.A., he continued, be realized that • there was a way out. The third speaker, Lucy P., urged women alcoholics to come into A.A. She said that women undoubtedly have a harder time “admitting that they have an alcoholic problem” but assured the audience that A.A. welcomed members of her sex at all times. Bill W., who introduced the guest speaker, spoke briefly on the need for u n i t y in A.A. He cautioned that “success is a heady wine” and that the time had come for all members to stick success in w o r l d l y attainments, they asserted an together “to preserve our unity.” To emphasize his point, he read and commented on the 12 Prison Group a Year Old even greater strength in being humble. Traditions of the fellowship. From Salt take City, Utah Of 13 guests invited, ten were fellow-members Throughout the evening, messages from other The first anniversary meeting of the Golden of the A.A. brotherhood from Salt take City sections of the country and abroad arrived at Key Chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous proved and Ogden and three were state officials, Warden the speakers’ table. One cablegram from the strange, surprising and interesting. John E. Harris, Deputy Warden VanFleet and Dublin, Ireland, Group, read: “Best wishes for Strange because the 50 members of the Golden Dr. Leslie D. Burbidge, a member of the Utah a happy birthday from your Irish brothers.” Key Group are inmates of the Utah State Prison, State Board of Corrections. Large delegations from almost all states in and it was there in the prison’s old, second- The officials, before attending the meeting, the nation began to arrive in New York early story chapel the members assembled. It was had gone over figures which showed that out of in the week for the annual event. On Novem- surprising because of all places where sincerity the 15 A.A. members paroled from the instituber 5, one delegation arrived by chartered air- would be so seldom expected, there it prevailed. tion since the Chapter had been formed, none plane. Interesting because it produced true stories of had violated the conditions of their parole agree- One hundred and eighty-two out-of-town mem- men who ignored pride and pretense in realizing ments. In leaving the meeting, they probably bers of A.A. were entertained at the traditional and confessing their shortcomings. They discov- had evidences less tangible but more convinc- A.A. luncheon on the day of the banquet. ered that in being unlike the man who measures ing than that which can be printed.—W .W.

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Williamsport Reports Country-Wide News Circuit (Continued from Page 11) On Year’s Activities acting chief medical officer at San Quentin, Forum at Danville — Four Indianapolis This is Richard. Richard is knocking on The spoke from the point of view of a psychiatrist A.A.s conducted an open forum at Danville, A.A. Grapevine door for the first time. Richard while Warden Clinton T. Duffy, long a supporter Ill., recently which was attended by about 200 wants you to open that door to the A.A. Group of A.A., and Associate Wardens D. C. Rig and and drew good comment and favorable newsfrom Williamsport, Pa. Thank you. H. 0. Tees were also invited to speak. The San paper publicity. A small printed pamphlet was Since this is our first attempt at trying to Quentin News, prison newspaper, carried an ad- widely distributed by members to friends, crush the portals, we believe you would be inter- vance news story and an editorial praising and churches and other civic groups while at the ested in a brief sketch of our A.A. group and explaining A.A. door of the forum meeting one of the member’s growth. We are an offspring of the Harrisburg, wives handed out another pamphlet to each one Pa., No. I Group. Our founders, Horace H. Judge Advises Joining A.A. — Two men entering as well as slips of paper for questions, before North Adams, Mass., district court on the latter resulting in good discussion. One and Earl B., both members of the Harrisburg drunkenness charges were advised to join A.A. mob, knowing they came from virgin territory Danville member was on the platform with the by Special Justice William A. O’Hearn recently as far as A.A. was concerned, conceived the idea visitors. The audience included members of in an action which is believed by members of of forming a group in Williamsport. So, on the clergy, social workers and those with althe Pittsfield Group to set a precedent for Mas- cohol problems in their families. Several calls September 26, 1916, Horace and Earl met at the sachusetts and perhaps for the country. Statformer’s home with three other alcoholics. have resulted from the session. ing that the commonwealth classifies drunken- We celebrated our first anniversary with 16 ness as a crime and does little or nothing to members. The wives of the members of our bring about rehabilitation, Judge O’Hearn said Winnipeg Has Open Session—A large group presented us with a large birthday cake, he feels it is a disease and “we should begin to theatre was rented for the first public meeting having a lone candle on the top. During our do something about it.” The judge continued at Winnipeg, Canada, on December 4, with Mr. year’s growth, we have had as high as 23 in our one case for a year and placed the other on a R. of Wisconsin as the speaker. It is reported group. Some have moved away, others did not year’s probation, concluding by saying, “I had that the public there is becoming more conscious hit bottom hard enough, but our 16 present little faith in A.A. when it was first organized of the alcoholic problem and that the Winnipeg members have been on the ball. but I have watched the growth of this organi- Group now numbers 100 with the majority do- Our group has furnished speakers for the vari- zation and know some of its splendid accom- ing well. ous service clubs, manufacturing groups and the plishments. I feel that today it perhaps offers county medical society. All these have endorsed the greatest opportunity in overcoming this ter- Happy Sobriety — A dramatic contrast bethe work of A.A. and our group, and the medical rible curse.” The Pittsfield Group, which in- tween five and one-half years of sobriety marked society has been making extensive use of our cludes members from North Adams is following by restlessness, dissatisfaction, resentments and services. through on this by planning a big open meeting a relapse into drinking was made by Bill H. of Our group expects to run a number of arti- at the Hotel Richmond in North Adams soon. the West Palm Beach, Fla., Group on the ancles in a local newspaper, f e a t u r i n g the 12 Steps, With the splendid cooperation of the local radio niversary of his four years of A.A. coming and giving our postoffice number, Box 11. and press it is hoped that this will be successful into A.A. in South Orange, N. J., The speaker We procured our own club rooms in Williams- and result in the formation of a North Adams said that in some mystic manner he had changed port in May of this year. Here we meet each Group. from an agnostic. After The meeting there was a Tuesday evening at 8 o’clock and anyone is party with anniversary cake, and for a joke welcome. We tried closed meetings, but they Steps to Sobriety — Ten steps to sobriety Bill was first presented with a neatly iced cake proved a failure as attendance fell off so we have been worked out by S. R., secretary of the of card board before the real one was brought reverted back to our open meetings. Springfield, Mo., Group and printed on small out. If you come our way be sure to look us up at cards for distribution. The final steps express 29001⁄2 West Fourth Street, Newberry Square, the thought that through the A.A. program he Williamsport, Pa.— R.K. can achieve “a peace of mind; a tranquility Growth in Northwest—Recently about 30 that will enable me to live in serenity of spirit Seattle, Wash., A.A.s made a trip to Olympia with my family and friends; and to be in har- to get a group with eight members started and RYE BIRTHDAY mony with whatever Higher powers there are later another Seattle contingent of the same The Rye, N. Y. Group is now moving along that guide the universe and that I accept as size took a trip to Cle Elum and Roslyn to start on its second year, still glowing with the success living proof the thousands of men and women new groups there. Good growth is expected for of its first anniversary meeting. Approximately who have been helped.” It concludes with the these. There have also been several trips to 400 people t u r n e d out, as reported by The Daily statement, “I strongly desire a life of sobriety Bremerton and other smaller groups by Seattle Item (Portchester, N. Y.), including members and w i l l try with honesty and sincerity to prac- members. As an innovation at one of the regfrom the New Rochelle, Mt. Vernon, Yonkers, tice charity and tolerance with all people.” ular open meetings held each Friday in the Bonxville, Scarsdale, While Plains, Port Chamber of Commerce auditorium the meeting Chester, Greenwich, Stamford and Bridgeport Prison Group Planned — A.A.s of Santa was put on by the Toastmasters group, number- Groups. Among the speakers, the only one Fe, N. M., recently proposed to officials of the ing 30 A.A.s. Twelve men spoke for five minwho, as The Daily Item put it, “could be iden- state penitentiary’ that a group be formed there utes each, giving their interpretations of Steps tified . . . was a non-alcoholic Rye man, Leonard in the near future. A.A. officers met with in- of the A.A. program. It was felt that the idea V. Harrison, chairman of the Alcoholic Founda- mates recently and distributed literature in Span- was tremendously effective, and has been hailed tion, Inc., . . . and former Commissioner of ish and English and asked those interested to as putting the program out where the people Welfare, New York City.” consider forming a group. needing help can get it.

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The Pleasures of Reading (Continued from page 7) To the explanation of what these terms mean and to the demonstration of their v a l i d i t y the major part of the book is devoted. To this job the author brings all the resources of learning, scholarship and reasoning at his command, which are considerable. Roughly speaking, the esthetic is that which is immediately sensed and the theoretic is t h a t which is assumed or inferred and upon which a course of action may be based subject to modification if the theory does not stand up to test. The thesis is that some philosophies, some religions, some c u l t u r e s have too much of the one to the exclusion of the other, and that the ideal s i t u a t i o n is reflected in an appropriate balance between the two components. The author feels that his f o r m u l a w i l l u n i t e the unique achievements of both the East and the West and also reconcile and reconstruct the t r a d i t i o n a l l y incom-

GROUPS MARK patible and conflicting partial values of the West, “so that each is seen to have something u n i q u e to contribute and all are reformed so as to supplement and reinforce instead of combat and destroy each other.” ANNIVERSARIES There’s the rub—”that all are reformed.” Certainly, those i n d i v i d u a l s who have definite no- Wichita, Kans., A.A.s had their third a n n u a l lions of the nature of man, the soul, God and the universe, notions which are unaffected by changes jamboree and dinner November 15-16 at the in the laws of thermodynamics or mathematics but are verifiable, to their satisfaction, by reason club house, 536 North Broadway, beginning and by the experience of the spirit—such persons are not going to give up or “reconstruct” conwith registration and getting acquainted on cepts of philosophy and religion which are of the essence of their being. Nor will they t h i n k it Saturday afternoon, open house, entertainment necessary to do so as part of the process of world conciliation. A s i m i l a r response may be exand fellowship meeting Saturday night, scenic pected from those who have different or no convictions on these matters, but who properly feel trips Sunday morning, a dinner and meeting in they can, nevertheless, be good members of the good society and participate in the work of world the afternoon. reconciliation. This is, notwithstanding, a stimulating book, a valuable c o n t r i b u t i o n , a n o t a b l e piece of spe- Second a n n u a l banquet of the Head of the cial pleading. But The author is in no position to object if the reader, applying the author’s own Lakes Groups was held at the Spalding Hotel test to his conclusions—namely, that they be “realistically grounded, s c i e n t i f i c a l l y verifiable”— in D u l u t h , Minn., with more than 200 from comes up with some different answers. D u l u t h and Superior attending, including 25 from Hibbing, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eau Claire, Wis., and several other cities. Instead of two It seems appropriate to footnote the foregoing by c a l l i n g a t t e n t i o n to a recently issued re or three speakers about a dozen extemporaneous print of Saint Thomas Aquinas by Gerald Vann, O.P, (Benziger, $3). In this book Thomism is presented as an ideal synthesis between the East and the West. Believing w i t h Professor Northspeakers look part. Duluth also reports that rup that the East and West have each something to contribute to the other, Father Vann feels that nine months ago when the group seemed to be an understanding between the two can be brought about by the balanced philosophy of St. Thomas buying more than its share of slips it was de- Aquinas, with its synthesis of rational and intuitive reality. The two books have this in common: cided to start a beginners’ class and to organize they purport to deal with a “perennial philosophy,” one which will hold at a l l times in all places. into squads or discussion groups of about a See also, The Perennial Philosophy by Aldous Huxley, reviewed in this column in the issue of dozen members, a system which has worked well. February, 1946.— R.F.S., Montclair, N. J. A gala dinner-dance celebrated the third anniversary of the group in Montreal, Canada, was guest speaker. The group started w i t h one IT MIGHT WORK with more than 100 gathered in the first joint lone woman member, V. H., now secretary. celebration of all the groups in the city to honor Memphis, Tenn., Press-Scimitar: “the secret the man who started the ball rolling. There The Dallas, Texas, Committee for Education of A.A.’s success is that they bring religion out on Alcoholism has passed its first year with a are now more than 150 in nine groups. Repre- of the clouds and put it to work on earth. They record of having given in formation to approxisentatives of the groups and a special speaker never fool themselves or let others fool them. mately 12,000 persons in the past year. During from the U. S. were heard. They look facts in the face. But they never give the year 412 calls for help were received, speak- Recently the El Paso, Texas, Group cele- up hope. If they fail, they pick themselves up ers were sent to address 107 clubs and other brated its second anniversary with an all-day and help the other f e l l o w up. They plug in groups, 885 pamphlets were distributed, three open house for visiting A.A.s from all over on a higher power. Is this just for alcoholics? radio addresses were sponsored and 9,317 let- West Texas and New Mexico. There were visi- Why not apply the A.A. technique to other ters were received and answered. During the tors from Shreveport, La., Denver, Colo., and needs? Why shouldn’t men who aren’t alcoholics next year emphasis will be on setting up and op- Washington, D. C. A large open meeting for form similar groups cutting across denominations erating a diagnostic clinic patterned on the Yale the public was held in the evening with the Ft. in order to achieve the goals which all religions, Clinic. The committee will have an exhibit in Worth Group, who arrived 30 strong in char- Protestant, Catholic and Jew, have in common; the Dallas Health Museum at Fair Park during tered plane and Pullman, in charge. The El to help each other to be good and do good; to the State Fair of Texas, this exhibit to remain Paso Herald Post and El Paso Times gave much bring harmony in labor-management relations, as a permanent feature of the museum. favorable publicity to the group. Special praise decency and honor in politics—even prevent went to Ft. Worth A.A.s who spent $2,000 of their own money to get A.A. started in El Paso. On Other Pages Fairmont, W. Va., observed the first anni- The Catholic World for September carries an versary of its group “with a banquet in the Amer- article by Joseph B. McAllister called “Apoloican Legion home with an attendance of about gies Unnecessary” dealing with the philosophies 80. N. Y. of Canton, Ohio, a blind member, of A.A.

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Vol. IV, NO. 8, J A N U A R Y , 1948. P . O . BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17, YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25. The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics every where. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1948, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved

The Seven Freedoms of the New Way of Life T HE New Way of Life is a l i f e of freedom. The alcoholic seldom realizes what a slave he is. Temporary confinement in jails, hospitals and rest homes are the least important of the curtailment of his freedom. He is a slave not only to drink but to his defective self as well. The New Way of Life gives back to the A.A. member his freedom if he follows it faithfully. Having lost his freedom, he can now properly appreciate it. What freedoms does he gain or regain? 1. Freedom from hate. The alcoholic usually becomes a bundle of possible to dodge creditors and whisky at the has been an aim consciously or unconsciously of resentments. Through the New Way of Life, he same time. Therefore, for a time the new A.A. much drinking. Sometimes these have been comes to understand that his fellow man is be- member may not enjoy this reacquired earning compulsive fears. Sometimes they have been set with difficulties, too. He learns human sym- capacity fully. For a time, he may have to bafflement at the unknown. Sometimes they pathy and tolerance. He comes to realize that economize to pay back old debts, but the re- have been vague general fears of what the future it is the lot of our common humanity to be sults will be richly rewarding. By and large, holds in store. Sometimes specific ones. The weak, that this f r a i l l y calls for help, not hatred. however, the New Way of Life will provide a New Way of Life may not provide complete free- He learns that it is more f u n to create than to freedom from want never known before. dom from fear. It certainly will not do it all destroy. He learns that m a n y of his resent- at once. But in placing our lives in the hands ments were inspired by the u n w o r t h y motive of 4: Freedom from fear. of God as we understand Him, we find that our debasing others to his own u n e n v i a b l e level. Most alcoholics suffer from one or more of anxieties are reduced, that we have the necesa variety of anxieties. To escape from these fears sary courage to cope with them. They become 2. Freedom from guilt. manageable. We come to see that the big thing, our escape from certain insanity, or death, A g u i l t y conscience goes hand in hand with drinking. A clear conscience may not cure GREAT EXPECTATIONS: makes our fears seem small by comparison. New courage comes with the New Way of Life. alcoholism but it helps. Our recovery can start A New Year’s Greeting only after we have made amends to those we have wronged or proved our willingness to do (From Dr. Bob and Bill) 5. Freedom from self. so. We must he able to live w i t h ourselves be- A new chapter begins.. Maybe we shall bor- When sober, the alcoholic often displays many fore we are good company to others. The A.A. row its title from Dickens. Why not call 1948 commendable traits of altruism. When drink- Program, literally followed, frees us from a “the year of great expeditions”? ing, his personality becomes entirely egocentric. sense of guilt. We may rightly expect that thousands of our He pushes aside and does not consider the wellkind w i l l be released o’ their soul sickness; at being of his family, the good will of his friends, 3. Freedom from want. the year’s end most of us will acclaim 1948 the or his own good name. Two things only matter Most A.A. members find themselves more pros- happiest yet. Should misadventure befall any to him, his ego and his alcohol. They, more perous than they ever were when they were of us we shall remember that joy is to be and more, become one so that in truly chronic drinking. The typical alcoholic is a person found in the midst of any difficulty, if we can alcoholism, the alcoholic feels that his drink is with considerable talent and he can turn his abandon ourselves to God’s will. essential to the support of his ego, almost to life aptitudes into good pay checks when he has What great gifts there! Who indeed could itself. been sober long enough to regain the confidence expect more? It is perhaps in the disciplining of the ego of his associates. When he “dries out,” how- So, at the beginning of this fresh chapter— that the New Way of Life has scored its most ever, it is necessary, for his permanent recovery, the good year of 1948—may we all look thank- spectacular success. By iterating and reiteratto begin paying back the sums he probably bor- fully at each other exclaiming, Great Expecta- ing the idea of service to others, it draws the rowed in his drinking days. It’s next to im- tions and Happy New Year! (Continued on page 6)

conscience of the group will, given time, almost surely demonstrate its perfect dependability. The group conscience will, in the end, prove a far more infallible guide for group affairs than the decision of any i n d i v i d u a l member, however good or wise he may be. This is a striking and almost unbelievable, fact about Alcoholics Anonymous. Hence we can safely dispense with those On the 2nd Tradition exhortations and punishments seemingly so necessary to other societies. And we need not depend overmuch on inspired leaders. By Bill Because our active leadership of service can be truly rotating, we enjoy a kind of democracy rarely possible elsewhere. In this “For our group purpose there is but one ultimate author- respect we may be, to a large degree, unique. ity — a loving God as He may express Himself in our Therefore we of Alcoholics Anonymous are certain that there group conscience.” is but one ultimate a u t h o r i t y , “a loving God as he may express himself in our group conscience.” Sooner or later, every A.A. comes to depend upon a Power greater than himself. He finds that the God of his understanding is not only a source of strength, He is also a source of positive direction. Realizing that some fraction of that infinite resource is now available, his life takes on an entirely different complexion. He experiences a new inner security together with such a sense of destiny and purpose as he had never known before. As each day passes, our A.A. reviews his mistakes and vicissitudes. He learns from daily experience what his remaining character defects are and becomes ever more willing that they be removed. In this fashion he improves his conscious contact This is the silent type. with God. He never misses a meeting but never Every A.A. group follows this same cycle of development. We makes any contribuare coming to realize that each group, as well as each individual, tion to the. discussion is a special entity, not quite like any other. Though A.A. groups at hand. When asked are basically the same, each group does have its own special his opinion, his stock, atmosphere, its own peculiar state of development. We believe hot potato answer is: that every A.A. group has a conscience. It is the collective con- “Well, it’s a serious matter. What do you science of its own membership. Daily experience informs and think?” Newcomers instructs this conscience. The group begins to recognize its own take his silence for defects of character and, one by one, these are removed or less- sober genius until time ened. As this process continues, the group becomes better able proves otherwise. to receive right direction for its own affairs. Trial and error produce group experience, and out of corrected experience comes custom. When a customary way of doing things is definitely proved to be best, then that custom forms into A.A. Tradition. The Greater Power is then working through a clear group conscience. We humbly hope and believe that our growing A.A. Tradition will prove to be the will of God for us. Many people are coming to think that Alcoholics Anonymous is, to some extent, a new form of human society. In our discus- Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their sion of the 1st Tradition, it was emphasized that we have, in A.A., common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. no coercive human authority. Because each A.A., of necessity, The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. A.A. has no dues or fees. It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, has a sensitive and responsive conscience, and because alcohol organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay will discipline him severely if he backslides, we are finding we sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. have little need for man-made rules or regulations. Despite the The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps, the A.A. book of experience, Alcoholics A n o n y m o u s , and other literature, including fact that we do veer off at times on tangents, we are becoming The 12 Points of Tradition, are available through any group or the Central more able to depend absolutely on the long-term stability of the Office, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y. A.A. group itself. With respect to its own affairs, the collective

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THERE ARE NO PROXIES FOR SOBRIETY from Washington, D. C. And so, I came to A.A. to find out what to which I came defeated, desperate and in des- I came to A.A. three years ago (February 24, power it had, and to try that power whatever pair three years ago. I have also found other 1945) because I did not know what else to do, it was. I had a grim desire to live, and I had gratifying things, but they are of lesser imand because I had heard it was some sort of full knowledge that I could not keep on living portance, and they are contingent upon that screwball outfit where dried-tip drunks helped and keep on drinking. I came to A.A. to learn basic find in A . A . — f o r each of us, the God of others of their ilk to stay sober. how to quit drinking for keeps. his and her seeking and understanding. Personally, I feel very deeply and intensely Staying Sober Was My Problem about what I consider to be the poisonous fal- Program Is Practical lacy of the “another little slip” theory. I know That was what I wanted to do—stay sober! too many who have died drunk after coming to And yet, we are not professional goody- I knew how to get sober. I had done that many A.A., because they took the easy and the dis- goodies. We are not starry-eyed dreamers, nor times. And just that many times, I got drunk honest course, of thinking, and then, naturally, are we an outfit of zealots, crusaders or reagain, eventually. Not because I wanted to live going, the slippity-slip way. That way involves formers. We are pretty practical, common-sense a drunken life. Simply because I did not know kidding one’s self, and trying to kid A.A. and persons, on the whole—that is, about everything how to stay sober continuously. God. It won’t work. Ultimately it ends in that except alcohol. At last we realize that we have I came to A.A. in despair and defeat. I have last little slip—six feel underground. no sense at all regarding alcohol; we face that not swallowed a drink of anything containing fact; we ask God to restore us to sanity; and we The slip setup is made to order for Barleyalcohol since that day—so, of course, I have pitch in and help God do that job by doing the corn. He has a trump card there that can take not been drunk since that day. best we can, ourselves, in trying to live the the 12 Steps away from any alcoholic who ac- As a result, I now have, upon the whole, cepts that slip card trump. And when Barley- principles of our 12 Steps of Recovery. more harmony in my life, and less bafflement, corn calls that last little slip, he also calls the We have no fairy tales to tell anybody in more tranquillity and less disturbance, than I morgue. Then it is too late to call A.A. A.A., and no magic wands to wave. We have ever had before. I yet have much more to gain. no hocus-pocus, no quackery and no trickery. Nevertheless, I have gained much. But we do see in A.A. lives turned into paths I did not come to A.A. looking for God. I Honesty First as happy as any fairy tale ever told. We do came to A.A. because I was utterly weary and Some of the grandest A.A.s I know got drunk see lives actually transformed as dramatically disgusted with the chronically miserable life of after they had come to A.A. They were not as any legendary magician’s wand has ever a practicing drunkard. Anything that would then ready for A.A. They were unable at first wrought in song or story. We do see changes get me away from that was what I wanted. No to he honest with themselves. but they did not every day that no pills or potions, no nostrums one forced A.A. upon me. keep on drinking and keep on shrugging it off or gibberish, have ever been able to accomplish us “just another little slip.” They faced the —for alcoholics. Readiness Varies fact that they got drunk because they are alcoholics and drank alcohol; and that they drank A person has to be ready for A.A. and want Miracles Apparent alcohol because they had not got on the Pro- A.A. before A.A. can be effective for him or gram. They realized it was not a matter of her, he has to take hold of A.A. before A.A. We see those things occur us the result of our “slipping,” but a matter of not starting. 12 Recovery Steps. But only the individual can can take hold of him—or her. Some are ready to take hold of A.A. the first day they walk in. Then they got sober, got on the Program, and accept, for himself or herself, the 200 simple Others are not. An alcoholic who believes he is stayed there—but not until they quit trying to words of those Steps, and their simple meaning. still not licked by alcohol, still has some power slip a fast one over on God, on A.A. and on No one else can accept them for him. A.A. over alcohol—even just a little power over alco- themselves. The Program is based upon self does not work by proxy. hol—cannot honestly take the 1st Step of the honesty. It becomes a miserable flop and farce Only the individual can take the steps for A.A. Program. And certainly no one can get for the individual who tries it with self-dishon- himself or herself. No one else can substitute. on the Program as a whole who cannot even esty. It becomes a success for that individual It cannot be delegated to another. start on the 1st Step. when he adopts self honesty. The accepting and the taking of the Steps, I was in a hospital after my last drunk, when A.A. was not started to add a new excuse for and their continued application, can change an I decided that if I ever got out I would go to getting drunk to the alcoholic’s already abun- alcoholic life from misery and degradation — be this A.A. thing, of which I knew little. But, dant lexicon. The quicker a newcomer forgets that already an accomplished fact, or be it, so one thing I did know, even then, and even in that he ever heard the word slip in A.A., the far, only a potential, not yet actually reached — that fog. I knew that if this A.A. business quicker he will line himself up to really get on to one of essential human decency, dignity, worked, it had to have some power which then the Program. worthiness . . . and . . . peace. was. alien and unknown to me. I also knew I did not come to A.A. looking for God. I It works. That is what I have found in A.A. that I had decided plenty of times in the past came looking for nothing at all except to stay —Pete D. that I would drink no more, but that the deter- sober. Nevertheless, I have found, in and mination had always proved to be worthless. through A.A., a Supreme Power which I think of as God—the God of my understanding; of my effort at understanding. It is a Power that works, and that is what I have found in A.A.,

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Families First In Readjustments From Clearwater, Florida “How good an A.A. are you at home?”—that’s the question the wife of a five-year member asked me in Minnesota last summer. It opened up a new trend of thought. When I came into the organization I had no home—although in the 20 previous years I had had 20 d i f f e r e n t ones. I still have no home but a hotel room. My husband divorced me while I was in a sanitarium and took the custody of my three children. I had been sure that such a thing could never happen to me; furthermore I was banished from Kansas City and exiled to Chicago. My lawyer, who had been in A.A. three months, made it plain that it was up to me to make a success of what was left of my life—to adopt a “sink or swim” policy. Halco was my first home in Chicago. The resentment was too much for me, and I had not learned to accept my limitations. I spent two miserable weeks on the near north side with daily trips to the A.A. office because I did not trust myself. Everyone was kind to me— Grace gave me the small sum of money that had ready for the insane asylum. ileged to help a few people with their drinking been sent in her care from Kansas City, saying, My children have come back to me—last sum- problems. What more could I ask? “Here it is. If you want to get drunk, go ahead.” mer I had all three of them together—they know Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau, the American I have never had a drink since. what I am attempting—they respect me for trying. physician who spent virtually all his adult life I moved to Evanston because there were no I used to be too wrapped up in my own misery adjusting to tuberculosis, wrote some profound bars, the possibility of a job and more women to realize that I was destroying their sense of words which apply equally appropriately to alcomembers. Everyone knew the worst about me to security and leaving them no one on whom to holics: “To cease to rebel, to stop fighting back, begin with, but gave me the benefit of the doubt. depend. When my son was 15, he told me he did to be content with half a loaf when you can’t have I was black and blue, both mentally and physi- not think it was a disgrace to be an alcoholic but a whole one—these are hard lessons but all of us cally—I was resentful—I had no training for work that it was a disgrace not to do something about must learn them. I have found that the great word —I was practically middle-aged and I knew that it it. Adolescents have a way of looking at things is ‘acquiescence’.” would be easier to die than to go on struggling, squarely. You can’t fool them. Last spring my By writing letters to my offspring I try to make but I could not leave that heritage to my children. 16-year-old daughter wrote me that her favorite them realize their part in my life and what a I began to understand that it was up to me to do teacher had told her about an open meeting she boost their approval gives me. At present one is something hard. I had never realized my selfish- had been to in Kansas City and what a wonderful in Paris—one at Harvard and one in Washington, ness. I was ignorant of the reasons for my actions organization she thought A.A. was. Cynthia wrote but they know I am on the beam. I can’t give and I began to absorb some of the philosophy “I did something you may not approve of—I went them a home but I can give them understanding, other A.A.s had worked out. against the anonymity and said my mother be- even at long distance. I believe in them all People asked me to their homes; they look longs and if there’s anything you’d like to know thoroughly. I settle small differences as they arise me in and were gracious about it: I still envy about it I’ll be glad to tell you.” I am thankful and refuse to look for slights or to give them. I people whose partners see them through. I have she feels that way. When I went to her graduation am trying to teach the children to stay big without real admiration for those partners because I am in June that teacher and her alcoholic husband stooping to pettiness and to look for privileges of sure it is easier to be an alcoholic than to live were at an A.A. meeting I attended. service rather than their rights. I expect the best with one. I no longer blame my husband or my I try not to look for perfection in my chil- from them and have been amply rewarded. children for not wanting to live with me—I could dren—after all who am I to even dare hope for It’s not enough to solve the problem of the not even live with myself — at times it is still anything approaching such a state? I have to moment—you have to solve yourself as a problem difficult. remain emotionally undisturbed and to keep away and make the answer come out right. However, I know now that the real cause of all from bitterness and self-pity. When the children The phrase from one of Cole Porter’s songs— my troubles lies within myself. I have learned to are with me I have to rejoice in their presence and “Use your mentality, wake up to reality” fits aptly accept my limitations and to go on from there resign myself to the fact that I can’t have them into the life of an alcoholic—be thankful you still without rehearsing grievances and dwelling on always. I have to create a home of the spirit in have a home in which to practice your A.A. symptoms. If, by being a horrible example, I can which we all have a part. I want them to know principles. help anyone I am humbly grateful. Alcoholics they can depend on me and all my efforts are bent It’s easy enough to throw out the life line to a Anonymous has granted me a reprieve—I appreci- toward that goal. A.A. has given me renewed faith drunk who yells for help but it is infinitely harder ate my blessings and if, knowing the answers, I in God—I have learned to surrender my problems to lead a balanced life with a family when you take the first drink, it will prove I am actually and to wait for His guidance. I have been priv- live up to your responsibilities.—Polly A.W.F,

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The GROUP MEETING Page (This is a discussion page. Ideas advanced here are only suggestions, put forward to help furnish group dis- GROUP MEETINGS cussion topics, without any intention of reaching fixed conclusions or dogmatic “rights” and “wrongs.” All readers are invited to submit group discussion topics.) IN IRELAND From Dublin, Ireland ON THE SUBJECT Our member meetings are run as follows at OF DEPENDENCE present:

From Portland, Oregon 1. Correspondence read; reports of any contacts made. The word, God — with the pronoun Him — is used seven times in the reading of the 12 Steps, 2. In weekly turns: but after that, many a good A. A. member-chair- (a) Reading of three or four selections from men alike— in addressing groups, omit use of the current A.A. Grapevine, followed by the word altogether. Spencer, Iowa, Group discussions. This open lack of recognition is often due to the foolish and harmful fear of being thought Issues Statements (b) Reading of a chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous followed by discussions a “religious sissy,” or of hurting the so-delicate on Local Policies on it. feelings of the smattering of sceptics and ag- (c) Round-table debates on a series of nostics to be found in every group. “We, of A.A., have no constitution, charter or by-laws. Experience has shown us that it is alcoholic questions. This fear is both foolish and h a r m f u l because, imperative, however, to establish something in (d) Impromptu discussions on alcoholic without an inward sense of and an open acthe nature of general policy covering our rela- subjects—names of speakers (who can knowledgment of God, as being “the Power tions to one another. choose own subjects) drawn from a hat. greater than ourselves,” we tend to rely increasingly on meetings and on group therapy to keep “The Spencer Group has two such policies 3. Any general group business. us dry. which our advisory committee thought wise to 4. Appointments for speakers for next public The importance of meetings and group re-emphasize and to establish in this pamphlet weekly meeting. therapy can never be overemphasized, but we so that there may be no misunderstandings. “(1) It is the approved policy of the group 5. Recital of The Lord’s Prayer.—S.O’C.M. should always keep in mind that the A. A. that is going to keep you or me dry, and enable us that no member who has attended his first meetto form a new pattern of living, is not in the ing shall be allowed to attend a future meeting meeting— in our fellow members — nor in the on the day upon which he has had one drink. This is not to say that he has been expelled Any Suggestions A. A. Book— but in ourselves, as personally responsible individuals, always seeking to im- from membership. he may always come back For Younger Ages? prove our conscious contact with God who is to any f u t u r e meeting but he must he sober From Forest Hills, N. Y. our first and last source of wholly dependable when he attends the meeting. “(2) Recognizing that many misunderstand- A.A. has traveled a long way since its incephelp. All of us, especially the newcomers, should ings and arguments are caused by financial mat- tion. but one thing is becoming noticeable, and endeavor to keep constantly aware of this. None ters, it has been established as the firm policy is certainly gratifying. of us are angels — or even reasonable facsimiles of the Spencer Group that personal loans be- This is the increase in the number of memtween individual members of the group are not bers, especially those in the younger age groups. — and old or new, every member of A. A., no approved. A.A. is not, and we think should However, in the case histories in the original matter where he goes, w i l l sooner or later hear not be, set up as a loan office. book, Alcoholics Anonymous, and in much of things he doesn’t believe in, see things he doesn’t approve of, and meet people he just can’t seem “However, we realize that some men on first the literature distributed the emphasis seems to coming into the group are in desperate financial be on so-called “low bottom drinkers.” to get along with, but if he is wise he will refrain from criticism, and let none of those things straits. For these men the group has provided It has been suggested that the book and the interfere with his own working of the Program. a simple method of obtaining funds necessary literature either be amended, or revised, or that Otherwise, he w i l l be seeking more “con- for the basic necessities of life. Such a new new literature be prepared, citing some instances genial” groups for the rest of his life! member should explain (or have his sponsor that will appeal more to this younger element, As water flows into our homes through pipes explain) the situation to the secretary, the ad- who fortunately, have not as yet traveled so far from a central reservoir, so God channels his visory committee or to our financial advisor. If on the downward and painful road. power to us through other h u m a n beings, but his needs are legitimate, that is for food, lodg- Please understand, this is merely a suggesuntil we recognize and acknowledge Him as the ing, or perhaps necessary clothing, those needs tion, and it is the thought of this group that only true source of the help we receive in A. A, may be met from the group’s treasury as a other groups might have some ideas on this subwe shall always be more likely to “resume drink- loan to the individual. Group loans, in small ject. ing,” especially if away from home, and where amounts, it is understood, are to be confined If your group has any suggestions along these A. A. meetings and group therapy are not avail- to this category. Any larger money expendi- lines, why not have them published in The. able. — Leo C. tures (such as possible hospitalization or medi- Grapevine, and in this way some means may be cal costs) must be approved by vote of the en- devised that will help some younger person who tire membership, just as any expenditure must is not sure as yet that he or she is alcoholic, or be authorized.” that he has alcoholic tendencies.—Florence S.

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A.A. Digest—Excerpts from Group Publications Seven (Continued Freedoms from page 1 ) alcoholic’s t h o u g h t s away from self. By pro- Squad One, Washington, D. C.—”Eliminat- Alanews, Dubuque, Ia—”It is during those viding him w i t h a way to support his thoughts ing, but not judging, those alcoholics who are first weeks, or months, of a man’s sobriety that w i t h action, it enables him to b u i l d up new not serious, it is possible that slips can he di- the ladies face their most difficult test. A male behavior patterns of unselfishness, he learns vided into two classes: (1) Those which happen in the drying up process is not a very companw h a t is at the center and core of nearly a l l the during the first weeks or months and occasion- ionable person. The fact that the little woman great religions; namely, that the h u m a n perally continue for a longer period. In this case may be suffering from f a i n t i n g spells, malnutris o n a l i t y is i n v i o l a b l e , has d i g n i t y , is worthwhile, it is probable that the member has not yet been tion, muscle twitching and nervous prostration is and must be respected. In learning to respect blessed with the vital spirit of A.A.—the spir- a set of minor inconveniences not to be menothers, he learns a genuine respect for himself. i t u a l experience, the personality change, the tioned lest it disturb his majesty. After all, he In serving others, he serves himself. brand new happy altitude toward God, toward has no rememberance of the past 20 years. A l l life and toward fellowmen; (2) Those which he remembers is his regal role of the past three happen to a member who has been so blessed. weeks. It’s tough, girls, but you’ve got to re- 6. Freedom from frustrations. In this case it is probable that the briefest and member that at this stage the old boy considers In this area, progress will be slowest and least best answer is given by our book—’Something a woman as something that boils at nothing, encouraging. Nevertheless, I am convinced that has happened to his spiritual status.’ ” freezes in a minute, highly explosive; in inex- if the A . A . program is to succeed over a conperienced hands, something that can’t he avoided siderable period of time, the alcoholic must because she exists wherever man is found. We learn to resolve his conflicts. We must frankly Blue Monday, Wooster, O.—”Each person on know a lot of you have put up w i t h 20 years of and fearlessly face the fact that we are neurotic, this earth has magnetic power. We have the hell. And we praise the Lord t h a t you are and which is only another way of saying that in one power to draw friends and also to make our were kind to us, especially during those first few way or another we are frustrated. Alcoholism choice of friends. If we are drunk we are a months. Few of us, maybe none of us, would is one of the ways of neurotic behavior, one of strong magnet and draw many other drunks our have made the grade if it had not been for your the out-croppings of f r u s t r a t i o n . Impatience is way. If sober we draw sober persons. There is long suffering, your tolerance and understand- another when carried to an extreme. A.A. some power beyond the lives of men that draws ing. None of us deserves any special considera- provides t w o ready-made answers which are them to nobler, higher living. When we live by tion for going sober, but the fact that you are very h e l p f u l in c o m b a t t i n g frustrations. “Easy God’s will a stronger magnet than our own leads and were considerate is one of the reasons. We does it” and “first things first.” Frustrations are us through each day.” especially hope that all of the wives of the new stubborn things to fight. It is for t h i s reason men will profit by your example. We know that more than any other t h a t the alcoholic is only The Screwball, Nacogdoches, Tex.—”There’s reprieved, never pardoned. He must follow the none of you will get much of a reward on earth a lot more to 12th Step work than picking somebut the great St. Anonymous has informed us New Way of Life and continue to follow it. one out of the gutter and urging A.A. upon him. The New Way of Life may not free the alcoholic that there’s a special heaven waiting for you.” Every good deed, every kind attention, every of all his frustrations but they w i l l become worthy act is the result of your experience in manageable. From the source of all strength A.A. and can rightly be termed good 12th Step Aridity Review, Spencer, Ia—”Speaking of will come strength and wisdom adequate for his work, as we see it.” needs. slips, which we don’t like to do, we are always going to have them. We must remember at all Twelve Stepper, Omaha, Neb.—”The good times that our membership is comprised solely 7. Freedom from despair. A.A. knows that the motive power of A.A. is the of alcoholics and everyone knows that God only The New Way of Life offers hope. The al- Higher Power. He has a firm intellectual con- knows what an alcoholic is likely to do. It is im- coholic begins to be happy again, and to enjoy viction that this Higher Power deals with us portant for our own safety that we do not let the life. These are i n d i c a t i v e of hopefulness and are through the ministry of A.A. He observes the other fellow’s slip upset us too much. Sympa- good. It is good, too, for the A.A. member to two-fold rule of anonymity, never giving the thize with him, yes; try to help him get back on march forward again to new accomplishments name of another member without permission of the beam if, as and when he decides that he through his regained self confidence. that person, and realizing that we are but the wants to come back. But, we must never let a The New Way of Life offers a spiritual freemessenger boys for carrying the word, the chan- friend’s slip send us haywire to a slip of our own dom from despair which is greatest of all. One nels through which flow A.A. ideas.” or what good w i l l we be to him when the time is freed from the death in life which is living comes when he again needs our help?” without purpose. He is freed from his faith Alky Argot, Wisconsin State Prison.—”It in nothing. He is freed from the cynicism that seems to me that we must love ourselves not as nothing has meaning, and that death is a coma master but more as a servant. If we have ac- The Paradox, Kansas City, Mo.—”One A.A. plete and final defeat. The New Way of Life cepted the 3rd Step we find the key to the self- was recently heard to say that he did not have affirms that life is worth the struggle, that hapcentered evil in our lives. Using this key is a the multiplicity of troubles hanging over him piness is worth t h e effort, and that God is good. permanent life-time protection against ending up that is customery for most neophytes to bring to In our prayers, we have o f t e n said, “Thank in a bouquet of table flowers. We are now work- • A.A. for solution. His wife had left him, the God, I’m sober.” Let us add, “Thank God, ing for the betterment of ourselves with an ally mortgage company had taken his home, the I’m free!” whose advice is medicine for the soul. Now we finance company had picked up his car, he had can be free by breaking the vicious circle of our lost his job, his health was ruined and he was (The above is a copy of a speech given at an open district meeting at Brewton, Alabama, October 30, egocentricity and substituting a new nucleus in overdrawn at the bank. Drinking was his only 1947, and repeated at Mobile, Alabama, November 10, His all-embracing love,” problem.” 1947, by Bill M.- Editor)

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WESTERN NEW YORK GROUPS PLAN TWO-DAY SEMINAR Discussion seminars w i l l feature a two-day and the A.A. Foundation. A wide variety of regional conference of Western New York groups questions of great interest to all A.A.s is slated to he held January 24 and 25 at Rochester, N. Y., for discussion. winding up with a dinner at which Bill W. will The announcement of the conference stressed he the principal speaker. the point that “this is a participational rather The program announced by the Rochester than invitational” type of meeting with all groups (Ol’ John’s Stuff) Group will open Saturday morning, January 24, with registration at the Hotel Powers. The having a part in conducting the sessions. For example, the Saturday night open meeting will seminars will get underway at 10 a.m. of the Jack London’s autobiographical novel, John be arranged and conducted entirely by nonfirst day and run concurrently through both Barleycorn, concludes with the following para- Rochesterians. open and closed meetings, with findings of the graph: “They (the younger generation) will groups to he reported at a closed meeting Sun- Hotel reservations should be made direct with know of the saloon only in the pages of history, day, January 25, at 3 p. m. Data compiled will the Hotel Powers. Inquiries and dinner reserand they will think of the saloon as a quaint old be the basis for the official report of the confer- vations should be addressed to the secretary at custom similar to bull-baiting and the burning ence, copies of which will he sent to groups 79 Brooks Avenue, Rochester 11, N. Y. of witches.” (Publication date: August, 1913)

Walking his beat in a big city park one moon- KEEPER: Overeat himself, sir. drawn, your credit is lost, and you are not worth lit evening, a policeman noticed a stooped-over MB. A.: Did he? A greedy bird. What did a penny. Your wife asked me to tell you the drunk teetering perilously on the edge of a small he overeat of? news, sir. She took off with the iceman immelake. The drunk seemed to be admiring his re- KEEPER: Horsemeat, sir; he died of eating diately after signing your commitment papers. flection. “Hey,” warned the Law, “stand up horsemeat. Poor lady! She couldn’t stand that song you from there!” Mil. A.: How did he come to get so much? were singing last night. The inebriate didn’t raise his head. KEEPER: All your father’s horses, sir. MR. A.: What song? “You,” said the Law, “get away from that Mr. A.: What! Are they dead, too? KEEPER: “Another little Drink Won’t Do Us lake.” K E E P E R : Yes, sir; they died of overwork. Any Harm.” Welcome back to Bugley Hall, sir. Slowly turned the drunk. He pointed at a MR. A.: And why were they overworked? . face in the water. “Offisher, who’s zat feller?” KEEPER: To carry water, sir. The constable moved alongside. “Him?” he MR. A.: To carry water! What were they carasked. “That’s you. Now, see the cop? That’s rying water for? New Version of An Old Chestnut me.” KEEPER: To put out the fire, of course. One sleety winter evening, visability zero, the Enraptured by the beauty snd poetry of it all, MR. A.: Fire! What fire? doors of a saloon flew open and three drunks the d r u n k clapped his hands. “S’wunnerful,” he KEEPER: Your father’s house; it burned to the staggered in. The first stumbled into a telephone exclaimed. “And who izzat feller with the pale, ground. booth and began making long distance calls. round face? See ‘im? He’s peekin’ over our MR. A.: My father’s house burned down! How The second lurched to the bar and began searchshoulders.” did it get on fire? ing through his vest and the lining of his hat for “That,” sighed the gendarme, “that is the KEEPER: I think it must have been the cig- hidden dollar bills. The third tripped over the moon.” arette, sir. doorsill and crash-landed flat on the floor. “Moon?” marveled the drunk. MR. A.: Cigarette? What cigarette? “Name it, gentlemen,” invited the bartender, “Moon,” firmly insisted the copper. “Luna.” KEEPER: The one you dropped when you ar- as soon as the first dollar bill came out of the hat. Suddenly, a great truth dawned. “Wheee!” rived drunk at your mother’s funeral. “Two whiskies,” ordered the drunk at the bar. shouted the stew, joyously, “Ain’t we high up!” Mil. A.: My mother dead! “One fer me, an’ one fer my friend in the phone KEEPER: Poor lady, she never looked up booth.” after it. The barkeep cocked an eye at the drunk on HOW TO TELL THE BAD NEWS Mr. A.: After what? the floor. “An’ how about your companion?” he The following (humorous) account has been KEEPER: The loss of your father, sir. inquired. “Doesn’t he need another drink t’ adapted to the experience of a well-to-do alco- MB. A.: My father gone, too? straighten up?” holic who wakes up in a sanitarium after a KEEPER: Yes, good gentleman, he died as soon The drunk with the cash considered the idea, slip. as he heard of it. then shook his head, wisely. “Not him, pal. Mr. A,: Ha, Keeper! How are you, old boy? Mr. A.: Heard of what? Don’t give ‘im a drop. We’re keepin’ him sober; How are things at home? KEEPER: Why, the bad news, begging your he’s drivin’ our car.” KEEPER: Welcome back, sir. Things are bad pardon, sir. enough since your slip. The Magpie’s dead. MR. A.: What! More miseries? More bad MR. A.: Poor Mag. So he’s gone. How came news? There is no happiness so perfect that a drink he to die? KEEPER: Yes, sir, your bunk account is over- won’t ruin it.

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Regional Meeting January 31—The last summer at the summer session of meetings have included the Rev. Ever- be in with the Western New York first assembly session of the newly the Yale clinic. Judge Fox said that ett H. Jones, Episcopal bishop of San regional conference. . . . Another designated Central-Atlantic Region while he cannot sentence men to A.A. Antonio, Star Dailey, U. S, Congress- new group has also been formed in group of Alcoholics Anonymous will he can at least guide their footsteps man Paul Kilday and others. . . . For Rochester. be held at the Statler Hotel in Wash- that way. . . . The Richmond Group the fall party one of the members arington, D. C., on January 31. Bill W reports that it is fortunate in having ranged and had printed 200 copies of Ministers are Guests— Two closed will head up the speakers at the din- a very liberal minded newspaper pub- a song book for social gatherings and m e e t i n g s are held each week by Sparner which will follow regional meet- lisher who has given a full column, the holiday season. tanburg, S. C., to each of which two ings and a forum. The new region written by a member of the group, of the local ministers are invited. Inembraces Maryland, Virginia and the every Thursday afternoon. This has v i t a t i o n s w i l l be continued u n t i l all District of Columbia and arrange- appeared for seven months and the Many Cakes Cut—An increasing n u m ber of one year sobriety anniversaries m i n i s t e r s in the c i t y have been asked. ments are being made for about 1,000 group has been advised that it will Members feel t h a t they need the minvisitors. Tremendous growth in the appear as long as copy is provided. is making the West Palm Beach, Fla., Group, proud of its “step away from isters’ help while the ministers in t u r n number of groups in the region caused . . . The Richmond Group also fur- have been asking for help from A.A. members of the Washington Group, nished the main luncheon speaker at infancy.” Recently four were celebrated in one night w i t h the cutting on numerous occasions. . . . The which began in 1939, to feel that it the Kiwanis Club luncheon recently group is also sending a year’s subwould be wise to combine its annual and the same speaker will be sched- of the symbolic, cake and presentation of books to the men and flowers to script ion to The Grapevine each month dinner with a regional meeting and uled for several other civic group to one doctor and one minister until ask the cooperation and participation meetings. the women. A little later a party was given for one member, originally it w i l l be in the hands of all doctors of all groups in the region. The as- and ministers in Spartanburg. . . . sembly is scheduled for the entire from the pioneer Greenwich, Conn., That Wagon Again—What is prob- Group who was celebrating his eighth The group has just moved into new day of January 31 at the hotel with ably the first police raid on an A.A. quarters at 109 Wall Street in the the forums and gatherings in the year. . . . A policy of v i s i t i n g group group was the distinction received by speakers has been inaugurated in co- heart of the city which provide a morning and afternoon. The dinner the Tidewater Group at Norfolk, Va., meet ing room, four small rooms which in the evening will climax the day. operation with Ft. Lauderdale and recently. A few members of the Miami. are used for showers, telephone and group were sitting around the still coat room, game room, kitchen and A.A. Pilots Friendship Train—The unopened new quarters one evening Visitor Finds Growth—On a recent another large room which is the club Milwaukee Railroad had the choice of discussing improvements to be made trip through Eastern Canada, New room. . . . Family night is enjoyed its crack engineer to carry the Friend- when the police vice squad received York and Chicago, a member of t h e the first Friday of each month and ship train as far as Dubuque, Ia information that the “joint” (the Beacon H i l l Group, Victoria, B. C., members of the group go out for a “And whom do you think got the quarters had been illegally used by Can., found steady growth in the va- supper get-together once each month. honor?” asks Hildagarde of the A.A. preceding tenants), recently pad- rious groups he was able to visit, Tribune. “Old Dingbat who had been locked, was open again. The police according to the Beacon Group Big Open M e e t i n g – the Montgomery, fired under Rule G and who is now burst in on the preoccupied alkies, publication. In Winnipeg he found Ala., Group recently invited all others back at the throttle because of A.A.” proclaiming a raid. They were con- a membership of well over 100 w i t h to a big open meeting in the city ausiderably more embarrassed than the two groups, Winnipeg No. I and the d i t o r i u m where a member of the A.A.s . . . The move to these new quar- Assiniboine Group. The latter, show- Jacksonville, Fla.. Group, was the Institute Shows Results — Effects of ters at 505 and 517 Colley Avenue, speaker, introduced by an Andalusia the recent Institute held at the Uni- ing good progress since its f o r m a t i o n Norfolk, is the second in 17 months a year ago, recently held a success- member. The club room at 161⁄2 versity of California at Berkeley, Cal, as the result of the growth of the South Perry was open throughout the are already beginning to be felt in f u l week-end at a well known holigroup. Ironically both the first quar- day resort a few miles out of W i n n i – day and immediately a f t e r the prothe San Francisco Bay Area and the ters and the new ones were lavishly gram there was an informal social Bay Area Groups are very happy over peg. . . . The Capital City Group of equipped with the most adequate fa- Ottawa is now meeting in St. Pat- session w i t h refreshments in the club it. Two municipal court judges have cilities for dispensing alcoholic bev- room. come out recently with public state- rick’s College after holding t h e i r meeterages. The bars left by previous ings for a long time in the Justice ments regarding the “drunk” prob- tenants provided quite a familiar atlem, one of them, Municipal Judge building, headquarters of the famed Secretary Dies – Death of its secremosphere for the incoming group and RCMP. . . . The group in Montreal t a r y for many years, Bill M. was re- Twain Michelsen of San Francisco serve well as coffee bars. saying “eighty per cent of the county Canada’s largest city, is really going ported recently by the Indianapolis, jail population consists of inebriates.” to town with several English .speaking Ind., Group. A l l regular services and Judge Michelsen said he fully in- Social Calendar Full—San Antonio, groups and a recently-formed French a c t i v i t i e s are continuing without intended to free all men brought before Tex., A.A.s had a full social calendar speaking group. An open meeting in t e r r u p t i o n and w i t h as little change him on drunkenness charges, unless for fall, with the women of the aux- Montreal recently attracted more t h a n as possible, the mail address, P.O. they seemed in need of medical care. iliary inaugurating a series of Sunday 250. . . . The club room at 1170 Box 1474 and phone FR 2743 reevening suppers. The first was an Yonge Street, Toronto, is well patron- m a i n i n g unchanged. One of the mem- In this way, he said, he hoped to foall-Mexican affair with a spaghetti ized, too. bers has been serving as temporary cus public attention on the problem. He reached his decision after a tour supper, a barbecue and others fol- secretary u n t i l a permanent selection of the “drunk tanks” in San Fran- lowing. For the fall party for the Open Meeting Series—The combined can be made. cisco police stations on which he was children and members, there was pro- groups of Rochester, N. Y., recently accompanied by the executive secre- fessional entertainment including a inaugurated a series of open meetings Films Shown – An overflow crowd of tary of the San Francisco Committee skilled hypnotist who put several in the auditorium of the Brick Church 400 attended a recent special meetfor Education on Alcoholism. Judge members “under.” . . . For the first Institute, 121 North Fitzhugh Street, ing of the South Bronx Group at Christ B. Fox of the Oakland Mu- time in the history of the club there with outstanding A.A. members as Jerome school, 222 Alexander Avenue, nicipal Court is turning the considera- was a one year birthday party for speakers. A New Rochelle speaker New York, N. Y. In addition to three tion of the problem of drunks ap- both a husband and wife with a was heard at the second meeting. At outstanding speakers the film, “I Am pearing before him over to two pro- beautiful cake served during the so- The Grapevine’s press time it was re- An Alcoholic” and last year’s picture, bation officers, one of whom spent cial hour. . . . Recent speakers at the ported that the third meeting would “Problem Drinkers,” were shown

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with sound. A motion picture ex- The new group recently formed in burst into the scene, hurried to the 89 members, wives and guests, while ecutive, a non-alcoholic friend of A.A. Ypsilanti, Mich., has announced that darkened bar off to one side and a nine-piece orchestra provided mudonated the equipment and operated it is holding closed meetings on Wed- complained to waitresses within hear- sic. . . . In connection with the obthe machine. nesdays at 8 o’clock at the Kaiser- ing that he hadn’t been notified, had servance it was recalled that the first Frazer chapel, Willow Run. Mailing no chance to get extra help and had meeting in the vicinity was held July Asheville Into New Quarters—Formed address is P.O. Box 210, Ypsilanti, to try to service 500 people alone. An 12, 1945, with four members and in March, 1944, and now numbering Mich. assistant manager heard his grum- three visitors from the Sioux City, Ia, 60 members, the Asheville, N. C., Nearly 50 members of the Dubuque, bling. ‘I guess you don’t know what Group. After five meetings were held Group recently moved into its new Ia, Group, along w i t h similar cara- banquet this is,’ he told the barman. the group was disbanded, the memclub and celebrated with open house. vans from other cities went to the ‘You can put your bottles away.’ It bers affiliating with the Sioux City Included in the new home are a spa- Amvets hall in Manchester recently to was the annual dinner of A.A. The Group. On January 17, 1946, meetcious lounge, comfortably furnished attend the first meeting of the group’s bar remained dark all evening.” ings were resumed with five members club rooms, coffee bar, large log- there. from Pender, two from Wayne and burning fireplace, a pool table and Anniversaries Adding Up—The Or- two from Wakefield. Eight members Emulate Mates—The Associates, so chard Grove Group was organized from Sioux City assisted in getting two bowling alleys. named because of the members’ de- eight years ago as the first group on the Pender-Wakefield Group started. sire for close association to their A.A, the west side and the second in Cleve- Of these members six are still active New Groups Announced—Inaugura- mates has been formed in Santa Rosa, land, O. A roundup of the old timers and one has died. For about a year tion of several new groups has been Cal., following the pattern of the who contributed much to Cleveland’s meetings were held in homes, after reported to The A.A. Grapevine. Family Group in San Francisco. A.A. growth was held in Lakewood which meetings were held in Wake- Because their work on night s h i f t s Meetings are held once a week in field as being most centrally located Community Center recently with the prevented them from attending their separate quarters, but in the same Lakewood and Lakewood-Clifton of the towns represented which inregular evening meetings, 11 mem- building us the Santa Rosa Group. clude Rosalie, Bancroft, Pender, Groups collaborating to make a members from the seven Grand Rapids, A f t e r the meetings the two groups orable meeting. Wakefield, Wayne, Pilger, Madison, Mich., Groups have formed their own join for a social hour. Influenced by The fifth annual banquet sponsored Stanton, Norfolk, Pierce, Wausa, daylight group, the first meeting be- the article “Husband Sees Rich Re- by the Life Group of Grand Rapids, Bloomfield, Crofton, Hartington, Newing held November 26 in the YMCA wards for Non-Alcoholics” in the Mich., set a new attendance record of castle and Ponca. Total active memwhere the members met for lunch, April issue of The Grapevine, the bership is 36, with four of more than 165 at the Rowe Hotel where a turkey followed by the first session. Mem- members met early in May and drew dinner was enjoyed and a member two years’ standing, three with 18 bers of other groups in the city have up a series of “steps” similar to those months or over and six been invited to attend the meetings of the Family Group, including the a year or longer. and from the enthusiasm shown the recognition of alcoholism us a disease About 125 A.A. memdaylight group gives promise of be- and through study and meditation to bers and guests gathered coming important. Meetings are aid the other in maintaining sobriety, in Lutheran Parish held Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 to apply the 12 Steps to every day church, Waverly, Ia, to p.m. and afford an o p p o r t u n i t y for living, to give moral and material honor the Waverly, Tripmany A.A.s who lunch downtown as support to families of the group, and oli, A l l i s o n , New well as visiting members to a t t e n d a In s u b s t i t u t e tolerance and under- Hampton and Clarksmidday meeting. s t a n d i n g for resentment and fear. ville members celebrat- Two members of the Aberdeen, ing their second year. S. D., Alno Group were i n s t r u m e n t a l Broadcasts Bring Response — Reaction from listeners to a series of Dinner was served by in forming a group at Britton re- the church women, while cently. Starting November 6 with broadcasts begun November 23 over station WCSH are reported as grati- a member from Cincinthe Aberdeen Alno Society coming nati was chairman and up about 20 strong, the group re- fying by A.A. members in Portland, introduced a Minnecently had eight new members. At Me. Heard at 1:15 Sundays, the from Chicago talked. In addition to series calls for nine broadcasts. . . . apolis member who gave the address the first session the Methodist min- representation from the seven Grand of the evening. ister and state attorney were present. Portland A.A.s are also pleased with Rapids Groups, A.A.s came from The Alconon Group of Ft. Wayne, The address is P.O. Box 82, Britton, their progress in the last six months. Muskegon, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, A new club room was acquired about Ind., had its first anniversary banquet S.D. Allegan, Greenville and Saginaw. A at the YMCA. Seating space being The organization meeting of a that time and has been furnished member from each group was in- limited, invitations were confined to group at Vernal, Utah, was held at the mostly by gifts. Coffee facilities, tele- vited to speak briefly by the chairphone and radio are available. . . . those groups who had cooperated in Uintah County courthouse November man, and the growth of A.A. in West- an exchange of speakers and visitors. 30 with representatives of A.A. from Meetings are held twice a week with ern Michigan and u n i t y of spirit were an average attendance of about 30. The speaker of the evening was a Salt Lake City, Provo, and Spokane, the favorite topics. member from Indianapolis. Among Wash., on hand to help. The first Watertown Reports—From “this high, “Wichita did it again,” it is trium- those present were members of the gathering, an open one, was helped dry and windy country,” the Water- Defiance, O., Warsaw, Lagro, Logansphantly reported from that city in by local radio broadcasts and news- town, S. D., Group asks, “How about Kansas with regard to the third an- port, Muncie, Kendallville and Albion paper publicity. recognition of our group? We are niversary which drew about 350 per- Groups. Six members were present from 16 strong with periods of absolute sons, representative members from Lake Wales and four visitors from sobriety ranging from one to 16 eight states. Included in the two Tampa and Barlow when the Lake Exchange Leadership — “Reciprocal months.” The address is P.O. Box day session were speeches by the Wales, Fla., Group got under way A.A.” is a new plan being tried by 398, Watertown, S. D. . . . In this founder of the Des Moines, Ia, Group, early in November. This group is area the open meeting of the Bis- groups in the Long Beach, Cal., area, the founder of the Amarillo, Tex., affiliated with the Polk County Group marck-Mandan Chapter held recently meaning that on a given date another Group, a woman member, and Dr. R. group is requested to take over the in Bartow, which will continue to aid received a large amount of newspaper M. Gouldner, prominent non-A.A. the new organization. . . . The county publicity which has been helpful in meeting with leader, co-leader, speak- Wichita physician and surgeon who ers and others from the visiting organization was aided greatly by the making contacts. has assisted the group. Lakeland Ledger’s favorable publicity. group. Since there are some 80 to . . . At a recent Barlow meeting there No Customers—From San Diego, Cal., In observance of its second anni- 100 groups within easy driving diswere 55 present and it was necessary comes an account from a column in versary the Wakefield, Nebr., Group tance it is regarded as being posto move from the club rooms to a the Daily Journal which says, “A few met at the American Legion hall, sible to set up a long time program f u r n i t u r e display room. The Adelia evenings back as the Continental room a f t e r which there was a social hour avoiding too frequent appearance of Group of Tampa was in charge with of the Hotel San Diego was being with refreshments. At the evening the same speakers. . . . The East Bay visitors from Sebring. prepared for a banquet, a barman banquet a steak dinner was served to (Continued on next page)

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Group, which reports this plan to an “all-A.A. orchestra” provided the The Grapevine now has grown to 34. Since there are only 103 chairs availmusic for dancing . . . Southbridge, Group has become associated with The Pleasures of Reading able at the Naples hotel dining room Central Service Committee in Boston. and attendance is usually more than Meetings are held Monday nights at The Musorgsky Reader, translated and edited by Jay that, a set of “wall stretchers” or a 8:30 and is an outgrowth of Worces- Leyda and Sergei Bertensson (Norton, $6). division of the group may soon be ter No. 1 Group . . . Waltham Group necessary. has opened up w i t h meetings on Fri- Modeste Petrovich Musorgsky is k n o w n to most A m e r i c a n music lovers day nights at 8:30 at 712 Main St. by only a h a n d f u l of works—his opera Boris Godunov, his orchestral A.A. In Veterans Facility—What The . . . Attleboro Group has shifted its revelry Night on Bald Mountain, and his Pictures at an Exhibition, Grapevine’s correspondent believes to meeting hour from 8:30 to 8 p.m. either in its original piano form, or its v a r i o u s orchestrated versions, the be the first group formed in a Veterans Bureau Facility was started re- Reciprocity Move — Salem, Mass., work of later arrangers. Few w o u l d regard t h i s l i m i t e d o u t p u t as the cently at Mountain Home, Tenn., Group put on an open meeting that work of the greatest genius among Russia’s many composers, yet he was with the full cooperation of Col. Lee packed the large hall in Town House just that. B. Harr and the staff doctors. The Square on Friday night, Nov. 28, The strangest figure among Russia’s famous Five, Musorgsky’s l i f e Johnson City Group helped in the or- when the members of Manchester, span (1839-188l) covered the most e x c i t i n g period in the development of ganization which includes members Conn., Group conducted the meeting. from Maine to California. Meetings Salem A.A.s had previously gone Russia’s own music. Yet his own l i f e was s i n g u l a r l y u n i n t e r e s t i n g . He are held in the staff doctor’s consult- down to Manchester to put on a did not have the flair of Tschaikowsky or R i m s k y – K o r s a k o w ; there was ing room. meeting there. The Rev. Fr. James P. no great romance to lend color to his fame; no spectacular escapades or Timmins of Manchester, a non-alco- junkets abroad in his l i f e , and none of his pupils achieved sufficient fame Cleveland Over 2,000 Mark—The re- holic but long a supporter of the A.A. sult of the annual census conducted to spread the gospel of their master. He had only two loves—himself, group there, was the guest speaker by the Cleveland, O., district office in Manchester. and the little brown jug of vodka. shows that there are now approxi- Musorgsky received a m i l i t a r y e d u c a t i o n , and became an officer of the mately 2,300 persons in Greater New Hampshire Jottings—East Jaf- Czar, but his restiveness soon caused his resignation, and his two later Cleveland actively participating in the frey, a new group started several attempts at governmental service f a i l e d . His fondness for drink and his A.A. program. This total is com- weeks ago, held an opening meeting many excesses soon marked him as a Bohemian whose dominant passions prised of group membership figures in the Town Hall on Wednesday submitted to the office by secretaries. night, Dec. 3, with Massachusetts visi- and savage i n c l i n a t i o n s could brook no rest. The same brute qualities tors providing all the speakers. Mal- are exemplified in his music, he was a poet in music, expressing in his Boston Birthday—The Boston ban- den, South End, Woburn, Sommer- greatest melodies the passions and miseries of Russian h u m a n i t y , but he quet celebrating the seventh anni- ville, Quincy, Arlington, Medford, never look the trouble to master t h e orchestral refinements of his art. versary of A.A. there drew a capacity Cambridge, Fitchburg and other Bay attendance—800—at the Hotel Copley Thus, his two operas, Boris Godunov and Khovanshchina, did not meet State group members made the trip Plaza on Wednesday evening, Nov. by auto to lend support. The group with favor u n t i l smoothed and polished by his friends. The same is true 19. This sellout of banquet tickets meets on Saturday nights at the Fire- of his Night on Bald Mountain, and a lesser-known orchestral intermezzo. was an indication of the strides A.A. men’s Hall at 8 p.m. . . . Nashua Though his compositions displayed d a r i n g o r i g i n a l i t y and a g i f t of itself has made. In the same hotel, Group is holding its meetings on Sun- charming melodies, his harmonizations were not always s k i l l f u l . 510 attended last year and 225 in day nights at 8 p.m. at the Church of 1945. A.A. co-founder, Bill W., dis- In this book, the t r a n s l a t i n g editors tell us of Musorgsky’s first falter- Good Shepherd hall. cussed the 12 Points of Tradition. ing steps in the Balakirew circle, his growing distaste for m i l i t a r y life, his He told his audience “we will avoid Boston Experiments — The Central progress in composing Boris Godunov and Khovanshchina and selling any exclusiveness, material wealth, Service Committee at Boston is letting the poems of Heine and Goethe, as well as Russian contemporaries, to tempting alliances, controversy, pro- delegates thresh out the method of songlike melodies. Then come his fatal illness, and his tragic end. fessionalism, promotion and public r u n n i n g the All-Group meetings on pressure. We are weaker than the Through all this documentary evidence the dominant atmospheres are Wednesday nights at 30 Huntington average and we need not take such Ave., Boston, next year. Earlier this those of gaiety, oppression, and hysteria. In his own letters, Musorgsky risks. You and I, as alcoholics, can year, the old practice of having each did l i t t l e or no complaining or whining. That was left to the others of sit down and talk over our problems group associated with Central Serv- the Five. More courageous was Musorgsky, whose life was the hardest -w i t h our brothers and sisters—and ice conduct a meeting was followed for he was a sick man. penniless, unappreciated, and a slave to the little that’s all. The less we have to do and then some experiments were with organization and prestige, the brown jug. tried: “a married couples’ night,” “a better.” women’s night,” and several “old- Here, then, is Russia’s greatest musical genius, in a portrait which Other speakers included A.A.s timers’ night.” Then the delegates should appeal to all who feel drawn by the forces which control human from Maine, New Hampshire and switched to the appointment of in- destinies. Even those who are tone deaf, and never look a drink in their Connecticut. Special guests were the d i v i d u a l A.A. members to have com- dreary lives, might feel .something of the emotions which stormed and newly appointed members of Massa- plete charge of the program and selecchusetts Governor Bradford’s Com- raged within this strange, elemental, bearded Russian malcontent.— tion of speakers. This made for varimission of the Study of Alcoholism ety in speakers and enabled the meet- R.E.B., Greenwich tillage, N. Y. which will serve for four years. ings to get away from single group Helen B., the Boston secretary, re- sponsorship. It was finally decided to ported a membership of 1,450 asso- finish out this year with selected ciated w i t h the Boston office. Since chairmen or chairladies and then vote March of 1946 when the Boston Cen- on what plan would be used next year. tral Service Committee of A.A. opened, membership of A.A. groups Real Birthday Celebration — The has mounted from 13 to 59 in Massa- members in Newburyport, Mass., had chusetts, Maine and New Hampshire. a gala time for themselves on the night of Nov. 30 when surrounding Massachusetts Notes—The East Mil- groups popped in to help the local ton Group held a pre-Christmas party members celebrate the first A.A. on .Sunday night, Dec. 14. There “birthday” of four of the Newburywere presents, etc., and as a feature, port Group.

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muddled head. Why not order an ambulance by telegraph? This arrangement was made and Sobriety is a Friend our traveler arrived at the rear entrance of a Worth Cultivating Cleveland hotel amid the clanking of an ambulance siren. We didn’t learn whether he ever From Topeka, Kansas Now that the “Best Hiding Place” f u n is got to Chicago or not. Through A.A. we first met sobriety and now ended, let’s put our heads together and dream * * * it is the one thing we strive to always keep in up another contest! To start things off, your John D., of the Greenwich Village, N. Y., mind. Not only in a personal and in a literal Bottoms Up editor offers a subscription to The Group, who is a navigator for a trans-Atlantic sense but also as a symbol—a symbol of every- A.A. Grapevine to the reader who comes up first airline, tells us of a startling dis- thing that is good in life. with THE idea. Then, we’ll give another sub- covery in Paris. He walked into We like to think of sobriety as a cornucopia, scription to the winner of the contest! All set? Harry’s Bar to watch the other a horn of plenty, held in the hand of that Higher Send your ideas for the new contest to the Bot- boys have a drink. Looking over Power from Whom all good things must flow. toms Up Editor, The A.A. Grapevine, Box 328, the joint, he found a huge beer We like to think of it as the glowing torch Grand Central Annex, New York. pitcher which had been used for held aloft by liberty; a guiding light. For to * * * beer drinking bouts. An inscrip- us sobriety is liberty; liberation from the chains The last thing on earth we want is for this tion beside the pitcher announced of alcohol. It is also the token of a thousand column to become the “grim and earnest” de- the current beer drinking cham- other things; honesty, tolerance, humility and partment of The Grapevine. We believe that pion. On closer observation, he the Golden Rule. It is the very heart of A.A. most A.A.s like to laugh perhaps a l i t t l e more was attracted to a red and yellow We did not begin to live the A.A. Program than other people. Think of your whacky drink- object nestling at the bottom of the pitcher. It and the 12 Steps until we first were sober. We ing experiences and send them along to us for was the book, Alcoholics Anonymous. did not know how to ask for help and feel the publication here. We want to make this column * * * handclasp of “the Man Upstairs” until sobriety YOUR column. So give out with those f u n n y H.G.H., of the Mt. Sterling, Ky., Group, ex- introduced us to Him. experiences! plains high finance in the Blue Grass country: But best of all we like to look upon sobriety * * * “For years I made regular trips to Lexington. as a companion who walks with a hand on our An Akron, Ohio, A.A. writes in of a quick- On each visit I look ‘just a bottle of beer’ and shoulder, who even dictates as we write. He is thinking drunk in an Ohio police court. Seems ended up drunk. Each visit I would return home our friend and councilor. that this party—a b i l l – d i p p i n g female— had been with a load of useless stuff as gifts for myself, arrested for driving while drunk. She pleaded There are, however, several conditions that we the wife and children. The trip was always an should observe and fulfill. The first, that we not guilty. Her defense was that she wasn’t expense and I never had anything to show for “driving” anybody’s car. She said t h a t she sim- should grow with and into A.A. and give our it. When I joined A.A., in Lexington, I made whole-hearted cooperation and unselfish supply ran out of gas before she ran out of whisky the t r i p every Thursday. I worked out a plan. and that the car stalled. Two men total strang- port to all of its undertakings. Second, in or- I figured that $20 was the cost of the weekly trip, der that our friend sobriety may live and thrive ers—were pushing the car when the cop arrested judging from past experiences. My first A.A. her. She admits she was steering the car but we should feed him on the thoughts and ideas visit called for expenditures of $2 for railroad that are offered at our weekly meetings. For how could she be d r i v i n g the car? The judge fare and about $2.50 for meals. But I also spent us to miss a meeting is for our friend to miss a agreed with her. $4.50 for toys for my two grandchildren. When * * * meal. By losing our A.A. contacts we might I returned home, the old lady was agreeably sur- even starve our friend to death. We bring Down in Virginia there’s a story of a struggle prised to see me sober, and could not say: ‘Why by a drunk to get to Chicago. He started out sobriety to the club room on other occasions, did you bring all that junk home?’ When I and he always gets a thought sandwich and a at Charlottesville, Va., via the Chesapeake & Ohio told her that it cost me nothing, she asked if railroad; arrived safely in his stateroom. After cup of ideas. they were giving things away in Lexington. I depositing his bags, he proceeded to the club Sometimes of an evening when we may be explained that my usual expense was $20; that car for a small drink. A lively party was in feeling a little uneasy, jittery or blue, sobriety this t r i p had cost less than $10; therefore, that progress and our traveler joined up. At a late taps us on the shoulder and says, “Buck up, old this t r i p didn’t cost me A N Y T H I N G ! I can see hour he returned to his stateroom; made ready man, I’m getting hungry, let’s go up to the club that I w i l l have the best financial year of my for bed by getting into his pajamas. A knock for a snack.” There he meets other sobrieties, life-” * * * tolerances and humilities and has a good time, sounded on the door. It was one of the boys from the club car who wanted someone to have . One of the mail boys at The Alcoholic Foun- while we sit and chat with fellow A.A.s. a nightcap with him. Our friend promptly left dation says he saw A.A. go into action by acci- We could go on telling many things about his quarters and joined his pal in another car. dent. He was w r a p p i n g sobriety and we learn something new from him The nightcap developed into a d r i n k i n g party A.A. pamphlets for a reg- each day. For instance, we sometimes envision and our traveler passed out. Next morning he ular mailing and a few him as a warrior; this clubroom the field of awakened in the men’s room of the other car. copies accidentally landed tournament-—here we have seen arrogance in its He was s t i l l clad in pajamas. When he made his in his overcoat pocket. death throes, have observed self-pity weep and way to what should have been his car, he dis- When he arrived at home, die. In this place selfishness, insincerity, discovered that he was near Cleveland and that his one of the pamphlets fell honesty and a host of their ilk have met their clothes, bags, car and all were on the way to from his pocket to the kitchen floor. His alco- doom. From here we have seen king alcohol slink Chicago! Having no clothes, he sat down to holic uncle, who was visiting, picked it up and away like a whipped cur. Here is the prize figure out how he could leave the t r a i n in Cleve- read it. All this happened several months ago and ring where sobriety meets all challengers and land. Finally, a bright idea came out of his the mail boy swears that his uncle is still sober! here is “the champ.”—P.O.L.

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only for today, that, fact nevertheless makes the the worst, when the best is a l w a y s a v a i l a b l e to program “fool proof,” seemingly or theoretically, an honest alcoholic: in A.A. membership.if we live it every day. Walt K. But no matter what the treatment may be for alcoholism, some h u m a n beings by their very Seeing Is Believing nature are prone to forget. A f t e r a year or From Defiance, Ohio more of sobriety certain ones of us get curious During attendance at the seventh anniversary to see if we can handle a few drinks, even though of Toledo, Ohio, A . A . I heard a very fine speaker it has been proved beyond a l l doubt that we from Chicago. In the l a t t e r part of his talk he cannot. related how he had been asked by a prospective Lei’s Mind Our Manners Nevertheless, this doubt has come over some, member–“How do I know A.A. w i l l work?” From Si. Mary’s, Ohio including myself and it was not because I did A f t e r some t h o u g h t he replied; he gave an annot study and practice the program and attend swer concluding t h a t if anyone else had an an- Why is it that the dominating alcoholic tendency toward procrastination seems to remain the meetings regularly and w i l l i n g l y . swer to his question, he would like to hear it. with many of us long after we have started mak- Furthermore, many w h o have slipped cannot Such an answer look place in my mind and I ing an attempt toward the new way of life? We tell you exactly why they look that first drink. thought perhaps it might be of interest to Grape- Perhaps they forgot for the moment what they vine readers. have in mind right now the guy or gal who is had learned in A.A. More probably they shut How do I know A.A. w i l l work? Because contacted by mail to lead a meeting in another that information off temporarily, even though it others have found t h a t w i t h an honest effort to town. The secretary sends the invitation, enwas not really forgotten. by-pass for a short time the stumbling block (alcloses a stamped addressed postal card for reply. There is one thing that cannot be forgotten if cohol) that for years had caused them trouble, No reply is forthcoming, even to a telegram we are not to “slip”—the fact that an alcoholic they found happiness they never thought possible when the time is getting short. So the secretary, cannot successfully take that first drink. This is before.- R.W.C. in desperation, contacts someone else. After renot a suggestion. It is a scientific law regarding arranging his schedule to fit our needs, the subhuman behavior as it pertains to an alcoholic. stitute shows up only to find that the person orig- A New Hook —W.L.G. i n a l l y contacted is there, blithely explaining to From Hoosick Falls, N. Y. the secretary that he “just couldn’t get around Some of the Answers to answering.” For the briefest moment our old Some time I would like to write a book. The inclination is to answer, “Nuts.” From St. Petersburg, Fla. name of it would be: I’ve Done, It Again. Somehow we can’t figure how this breach Knowledge of “answers” never made anyone For years on end this was the remark (only would pass Emily Post under the good manners slip — it was failing to practice t h e answers stronger) that I would make on regaining conchapter. It indicates laziness, inconsideration known. sciousness a f t e r the breaking point of a binge for others, and can be just plain embarrassing There is no premium on ignorance in A.A.— was reached and I awoke. to everyone. If we are uncertain at the time we that is why we have the Big Book, which con- As I slowly opened my eyes and took in the are contacted, at least we should answer the in- tains all the answers needed. surroundings. I knew I had done it again. If I vitation and explain that. A.A. does not postulate a gloomy, tedious life was in the l i t t l e back room reserved for me for We didn’t mean to editorialize but this situ- of self-fighting—far from it! We have merely these occasions then I would say, “God, what am ation has developed so often that it might be learned the common sense value of substituting I to do?” timeful to call it to attention. Get on the ball new and better pleasures for our old, and h i g h l y Their was then no answer. My friends said, when you get an invitation to lead and let the dangerous ones, acquired in abandonment to ”You should not drink.” Doctors told me the chairman or secretary know your situation. Be- alcohol. same, ministers and psychiatrists tried but they lieve me, he w i l l appreciate it.—T.H. Instead of poisoning the brain, we c u l t i v a t e did not understand me, and no one ever said, and nourish its productivity. “You are an alcoholic!” Scientific Fact Instead of courting a dismal hangover, we Sure, I wanted to stop. My wife left and awaken refreshed and gay. took the children. The boss said this is it or From Shawnee, Okla. Instead of inviting financial disasters, we else. I didn’t want to be as I was but I could Life is such that a man has a choice of doing spend our funds judiciously, with an eye for not stop. right or wrong regardless of his teachings, sensible saving. This went on and on. as we know what hapknow ledge or conscience. Instead of repealed borrowing, we are far pens to an alcoholic! Then the D.T.’s, shakes If his desire to quit drinking is greater than more apt to lend. and attempted suicide. any desire; if he prays for Divine guidance in Instead of inward condemnation and petu- Then came the decision! Not a promise as this matter and if he studies and practices all lance, we have access to A.A. fellowship, and before. I went to a hospital to do something the Steps to recovery from alcoholism as set “at-oneness” with a Higher Power, fully able to about it. forth in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, aid and cheer us, at all times. To know these While I was there, my wife found A.A. for we all wonder why he slips. answers is not to know all the answers—that’s me by i n q u i r i n g at a “nut house.” They said For we learn in A.A. that, although we quit true—but it must be a lapse of sanity to choose A.A. is working for such as he. He is a sick

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person- and that helped her understand. So Newlywed Sobriety our inner selves, resources and potentialities, in two fellows came to see me. order to improve our characters.. From Muskogee, Okla. Here were two men who told me they had I am not advocating the life of a Puritan by been just as bad or worse. At last here was Yes, it is an A.A. marriage, which places so- any means. For we certainly do not want joy proof that I wasn’t the only guy who drank just briety at the head of the list of “musts” for the and laughter ruled out of our lives. Remember the way I did. I thought I was alone, but now newlyweds. We found this happiness in sobriety. that the hermit is not the highest type of being, I have plenty of company. When I came into By the grace of God and Alcoholics Anonymous, after all. So, get out and take part in some civic A.A, there were 2,000 in the country. Now we plan each 24 hours on a sobriety basis for club. To safeguard your continued arid state, there are better than 50,000. we do not wish ever to lose the serenity we have take all the active part in 12th Step work you After the hospital I began to live. I saw for found.—W.C.P. possibly can. I made several slips before I the first time in 20 years that the grass was found out why I slipped. I was too lazy to take green, the sky was blue, the flowers had colors an active enough part. Now I go looking for it A Word for Little Rock and, above all, that there would be happy ex- and in a very short time have learned to love it. pressions in the faces of my l i t t l e f a m i l y and from Jonesboro, Ark. Already I am made happy to see ex-alkies joypeople about me. What’s all this about Little Rock? I went to ous, full of fun and good humor, adjusting them- Much water has gone over the dam since I them 14 months ago for help and found a group selves to the exigencies of life and to each other. made my decision, humbly, to a Power greater more than w i l l i n g — w i t h no rules or restrictions, I love to see them become broadminded, tolerant than I. only that I have a sincere desire to quit drinking. and outspoken. but remember, fellow alcoholic, to try to avoid the discipline of life, or to solve Now I wake in the morning with the thought, I returned home with a new outlook on life our problems through escape in day dreams, “I’ve done it again,” but now it’s ‘I’ve done an- for me and a way to maintain sobriety. We superficial pleasures, and too much excitement is other day without drinking.”—W.O.R. formed a group here in Jonesboro, Ark., in Jandisastrous. For, after all, there is no such thing uary, 1947. We, as a group, have visited Memas escape. Our problems must be solved or we Rose for a Thorn phis, Little Rock, and Blytheville. are defeated. Unsolved problems only pile up From Jacksonville, Florida I don’t have any chips on my shoulder. I got on us and produce a tension within us that help from all of them and realize a lot is being causes many of us to go through a wingo or One month ago, I called A.A. accomplished. Far be it from me to criticize as bender. Life demands that we grow, especially Words are so weak and inadequate when I try I am still trying to clear up my own house. I we alcoholics. We must learn to grow spirto use them to express my gratitude for the won- only hope I can do part of what was offered me. itually, mentally, physically, socially and finanderful comfort, strength, courage and renewed —Pete F. cially. All of these five departments must be hope brought to me by you and your friends developed to insure the utmost success and hapthrough the A.A. program. Five Departments piness in life.—L.P.P. There is a sweet, sacred something in the knowledge that we are brothers and sisters under From Hattiesburg, Miss. the skin and that we are all of one mind, seeking Thank heaven thousands of us have come to Still Amazed the same help, one from the other and from God. realize that we were compelled to face life in a From Tampa, Florida From the first meeting I attended the currents crisis; we had to change radically and take life of my whole l i f e have changed. Instead of a I entered A.A. in Mt. Vernon, New York, a little more seriously. For a while we may find in October, 1945. thorn, there is a rose; instead of a desert, a ourselves spiritually unprepared to surmount a fertile field. As I look back it must have been the grace of major crisis in life. Some collapse, and have The 12 Steps are easy for me to accept. God God that brought me to that A.A. meeting in lost their nerve. I have found that I cannot fly grant me the grace to keep and abide by them Mt. Vernon, as I was as drunk as I ever was in through life like a butterfly. I find that life will each new day. my life and remember nothing of that meeting. not permit me to live for enjoyment alone. Yet, The loving help, the encouragement and deep I am happier already in my 12th Step work than Since that unforgettable night I’m in conincentive received from each meeting attended ever before in my entire life. We should all live stant amazement at the blessings God continues inspires this l i t t l e message of gratitude.—A.A. a life that allows us to develop our minds, and (Continued on next page)

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to bestow on me. Every day, when I’m faced bitterness, self-righteousness. But now as I go with a difficult decision and ask God for guid- into my third year of A.A., I can t r u t h f u l l y say, ance to do His will, the right answer always for the first time in my life, I have no enmities. comes to my mind (thanks to God and A.A. Life now seems worthwhile. Tackling one probtracking). lem at a time will lead to growth. Incidentally, I find the greatest help from A.A. teaching in we can’t be content w i t h just a l i t t l e growth the 3rd Step of the program and in trying to here and there. This is d e f i n i t e l y a never-endl i v e all 12 Steps on a 24-hour plan.—A.A. ing program. All changes have to be made from w i t h i n . I know it can be done. I know A.A. in London that w i t h God all things are possible;, and with A . A . it’s a cinch.– M.O. From Portsmouth, Hampshire, England It’s rather difficult to tell you about A.A. here. I live about 90 miles from the London Group, but do get up there occasionally. I leave Portsmouth at 3:30 P.M. and arrive back ‘THE GOOD MEN DO at 7 next morning. I have to catch a train at 2:15 (milk train) A.M. LIVES AFTER THEM’ The London Group really started in the Dorchester Hotel early in the year with five English- from Los Angeles, Calif. men and four visiting firemen from the States. I faced more problems and difficult situations than ever before in my life. I can look back Received your reminder saying that our sub- Here the problem of drink is not approached scription has expired. My husband, who was the now and see that the reason I thought I was like it is in the Stales—for instance, we tried to subscriber, has passed away, and I would like to having more trouble in spile of staying sober put a very carefully worded ad in the newspaper take this o p p o r t u n i t y to tell you that being a was only because for the first time I was really and, believe it or not, the only paper that would member of the wonderful A.A. organization trying to do something about my life. I was accept it was The Financial Times. The secre- brought, him 27 months of happiness and peace facing situations instead of escaping them. tary of the London Group is an indefatigable of mind. Naturally it gave those gifts to me, too. worker (a Canadian) who has travelled about A year ago I earnestly took the 4th Step and made a searching and fearless moral inventory. I am t r y i n g to carry on the 12th Step work quite a lot seeing prospects. But we are so far I wonder how many in A.A. realize that “sober” where he left off. Being a non-alcoholic, I do not apart. We have had several nibbles and have not only means “habitually temperate in the use have very much scope, but at least I can help two new members who seem to be making the of alcoholic beverages,” as defined in the dic- to steer the faltering footsteps of those who need grade. You people in the States don’t know tionary, but also: “not affected by passion or and want the Program towards A.A. where a how lucky you are being able to go to a meetprejudice, well balanced.” I had thought that sponsor can then take over. ing most any night you wish and always being I was possessed of all these qualifications, in I shall always be grateful to Alcoholics in constant touch with each other. This is the spite of personal difficulties, until suddenly I was Anonymous, not only because my husband got soberest town I was ever in. I haven’t seen a shaken out of my complacency, I went into a his sobriety, but because it has given me a new drunk and disorderly person in this joint yet mental tail-spin for weeks. I was anything but sense of values. When we attended our first and I have been here 10 months. sober in my thinking. I actually believed it was meeting, I discovered that the program was ap- On the rare occasions I get up to London to because I had helped or tried to help the “wrong plicable to me. a meeting I always stress the importance of a people.” I hope that the program eventually reaches regular meeting at least once a week. Now they Since then I have come to realize there are every hamlet all over the universe. Its great meet every Thursday at the home of a member no “wrong people.” I can’t blame my wrong message of hope is badly needed by everyone in who lives nearly in the center of London. They thinking on them. True, I had tried to play this material world of ours.—H.C.T. have succeeded in interesting a couple of doc- God and used poor judgment many times. But tors and a Catholic bishop in A,A. the very people I blamed and criticized were I hope to attend another meeting early in just as necessary to my growth as the many From Lynchburg, Va, December and will try and write a more concise others who have helped me in and out of A.A. My father died June 23. He always enjoyed letter next time. In the meantime thank you Now instead of criticizing others for “lack of receiving The A.A. Grapevine. while he lived. again for all you have done and if possible quality in their sobriety,”‘ I praise them for the My sister and I w i l l be grateful always for please remember me to the group in (I think) progress they have made. I know now we can’t what A.A. meant to him in the last year of his 42nd Street—they meet, or used to, last De- judge others by our own standards. Progress life, and to us for him. He was always the cember, in a bank building. That was the only is relative. As Bill says, “I must never be angry sweetest, kindest, most loving of fathers, but was group I had a chance to visit on my way home. at the unreasonableness of sick people.” I will harassed all his life by alcoholism until he met I came from Bermuda to New York, Baltimore, go even further and say, “We must never be A.A. It brought him peace and serenity and Washington, night boat to Norfolk, Va. and angry at people.” We can’t afford to be. For made that year a benediction to us who had sufhome on an aircraft carrier. So cheerio! whenever we hold any bitterness or resentment fered with and for him many times. We grieve -H.V.W. towards anyone, we are bound by our own limi- over his passing but his happiness in his last tations. We block our own growth. few mouths gives us much solace. All Things Are Possible It has taken me two years to learn to apply A.A. has our interest and affection. We shall From Manhattan Christian principles in all my affairs. Two always feel we are part of the group for his A year ago I reached my first year of sobriety. years of much wrong thinking, discouragement, sake.—D.W.

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14 Pointers MUSINGS FROM THE BACKBAR To A.A. Success From Akron, Ohio “I wonder what all these pigeons have in times getting there two or three times a day. F. was the “get out and do it” type. He was From Manhattan, N. Y. the typical George of ”Let George do it.” If common that keeps them sober. What’s the If I am to stay sober, I must: common denominator for sobriety in A.A.?” money was needed to help a needy member’s 1. Cultivate continued acceptance of the fact My friend Joe, with whom I shared a down- family, F. look up a collection. If someone was that my choice is between unhappy, drunken town office at that time—buck in 1945—looked needed to shop for coffee and doughnuts for a drinking and doing without one small drink. up from what I thought was his work to ask meeting, F. got out his market basket. 2. Cultivate enthusiastic g r a t i t u d e that I have the question. It was typical of our day, spend- But it proved nothing. C., for example, hadn’t had the good f o r t u n e to find out what was wrong ing half our time talking A.A. And I might been inside a church for years. F. hadn’t read with me before it was too late. add, for a good liberal education in A.A., just three books in his life. A. did precious l i t t l e 3. Expect as being both natural and inevitable share an office with one of its more rabid mem- meditating, and D. managed to get to a meeting that for a period of time (it may be a long bers. about once every two weeks. one) I w i l l recurringly experience: a conscious, It probably was discouraging to our boss, but Yet every last, living one of them was successnagging craving for a d r i n k as such; a sudden, most enlightening to us. At that time Joe was f u l l y and happily sober! but compelling, impulse just to take a d r i n k ; about four years old in A.A.; I was five. Was the common denominator faith? Or hua craving, not for a d r i n k as such, but for the Anyhow, there was his question: mility? Or charity? Was it strict adherence soothing glow and warmth a drink or two once to the 24-hour plan? Was it work? Or, on WHAT IS THE COMMON DENOMINATOR gave me. the other hand, fear? OF A.A. SOBRIETY? 4. Remember that the times when I don’t As we pondered each answer we would find want a drink are the times in which to build Before continuing to read this, you might one or more on the list was not particularly up the strength not to take one when I do kick that one around in your mind for a minute wealthy in that virtue. want it. or two. Then see what you think of the answer Finally one of us came up with it, and to this 5. Develop and rehearse a daily plan of we finally came up with. day I have not found a more satisfactory answer: thinking and acting by which I will live that We decided that the only way we could arrive Everyone of them put his sobriety ahead of day without a drink, regardless of what may at an intelligent conclusion was to examine per- everything else in life! upset me or how hard the old urge for a drink sonalities. We wrote on a sheet of paper the Everyone of them put first things first! may hit me. names of some 15 men who had been not only If there is a single key to sobriety as prac- 6. Not allow myself to think: “Isn’t it a pity successfully, but contentedly sober, for four ticed in A.A., I believe that is it. or an injustice that I can’t take a drink like so- years or more, and some of them at that time Nearly nine years ago my wife joined A.A. called normal people.” could look back on 11 years of sobriety. for me. It didn’t, as you well know, take. I 7. Not allow myself either to think or to After each name we put down the activity that didn’t come in out of the wet for two more years. talk about any real or imagined pleasure I once seemed most important to the owner’s sobriety. In fact, during that two years I completely fordid get from drinking. A. was a “meeting-goer.” At least five nights got there was such a thing as A.A. 8. Mot permit myself to think a drink or two a week he attended a meeting somewhere. In that first introduction I spent two hours would make some bad s i t u a t i o n better, or at 13. was the semi-religious type, a great be- or so one night in Doctor Bob’s office—and he least easier to live with. Substitute the thought liever in prayer. Of the Roman Catholic faith, did all the talking. that one drink will make it worse, one drink he was forever attending retreats, going reg- Then two years later I was hospitalized, will mean a drunk. ularly to mass, and never missing confession. started to attend meetings. And strange as it 9. Minimize my situation. Think, as I see C. got his greatest inspiration out of reading. may seem, the only thing that came back to me here and there a blind or otherwise handicapped Upon hearing of an inspirational book he’d be out of two hours of Doctor Bob’s conversation person, how j o y f u l such a person would be if off to a bookstore to buy it. was that one phrase: his problem could be solved by just not taking D, spent hours in meditation and introspec- “Put first things first!” one little drink today. Think gratefully of how tion. The 10th Step was the greatest of them all, And if you can convince yourself that sobrilucky I am to have so simple and small a in his book. ety is the very first thing in your life, you can problem. E. haunted the A.A. hospital ward, seldom pretty safely look ahead to a full life. 10. Cultivate and woo enjoyment of sobriety. missing a day talking to the patients, some- I’m not just guessing at it. I know!—E. W. Catalog and recalalog: how good it is to be free of shame, mortification and self-condemnation; to face whatever life may dish out with peace tude that I can trade away just one drink for how good it is to be free of fear of the con- of mind, self respect and a full possession of all the happiness sobriety gives me; gratitude sequences of a drunk just ended, or of the all my faculties. that A.A. exists and that I found out about it coming drunk you have never before been able 12. Cultivate a helpful association of ideas. in time; gratitude that I am only the victim of to prevent; how good it is to he free of what I associate a drink as being the single cause of a disease called alcoholism, that I am not a people have been t h i n k i n g and whispering about all the misery, shame and mortification I have degenerate, a moral weakling, the self-elected you, and of their mingled pity and contempt; ever known: I do this ad infinitum. I associate victim of a vice or a person of doubtful sanity; how good it is to be free from fear of yourself. a drink as being the only thing that can destroy gratitude that because others have done it, I 11. Catalog and recatalog the positive enjoy- my new-found happiness, and take from me my can in time bring it to pass that I won’t want ments of sobriety, such as: the simple ability to self-respect and peace of mind. I do this ad or miss the one drink I am doing without. eat and sleep normally, and to wake up glad infinitum. 14. Seek out ways to help other alcoholics I am alive, sober yesterday, and glad I have 13, Cultivate gratitude: gratitude that so much and remember the first way to help others is the privilege of staying sober today; the ability good can be mine for so small a price; grati- to stay sober myself.—J.S.B.

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Reference Library — THE ECHOING GREEN (Following is an excerpt from The Echoing Green by Eleanor Estes; copyright, 1917 by twelve. “Yes, that’s it, when I am twelve I’ll Eleanor Estes; reprinted by permission of the Macmillan Company.) have the courage,” she t h o u g h t . Then she sank into sadness, it seemed such a hard t h i n g to do. One evening Poppa said, “All right, Edie, you “If I were A l i c e I w o u l d have the courage,” she get the hell out of the kitchen and Jemmie and thought. ”I’d just b l u r t it out and it would be I w i l l do the dishes, eh, Dutch?” Jemmie nodded. said.” Poppa was going to wash and Jemmie dry. This was the first time she could remember. Poppa washing the dishes. It was an unusual occasion. Poppa was in a good humor and talked about No Froth on the Tea the darkies and hummed “Massa’s in de cold, cold ground,” and as he talked and washed she At Dublin’s First Birthday wiped the dishes, and as she wiped each dish she From Dublin, Ireland carried it to the pantry to put it on its proper A dinner was held at the County Shop Noshelf. “Why don’t you stack them on the table vember 27, when 33 members, their wives and and then carry the whole pile to the pantry at friends got together. Many of us looked around once?” Poppa asked her. “You’d save steps.” f u r t i v e l y to see if anyone was noticing us pour- “Cuz,” said Jemmie. ing water i n t o our glasses and one or t w o ab- “Cuz why?” sentmindedly a t t e m p t e d to blow the froth off the “Cuz I like to do it this way,” she said. She tea. But a leal happy evening, which spun out did not like to wait while Poppa washed the next far later t h a n we had realized, was spent by us dish. The walk to the pantry filled the gaps. all. We led off w i t h a cable from C. and a spe- Poppa certainly was in a good humor, he cial message w r i t t e n to our own group by Bill. smiled at her and said, “You’re just like I am. These had a grand reception. Then our founder Like to do a thing a certain way, and do it that spoke of A.A. and in p a r t i c u l a r of the i n v a l u a b l e way, that’s all there is to it. See? Our fore- advice, aid, i n f o r m a t i o n and practical assistance fingers are made the same, that is why.” received from The Foundation -so far away, Jemmie smiled back at him. This was the and fear just goes away.” What she should do, yet so closely in touch. scene she had always evoked in her imagination, if she was scared of anything, was tell Momma Our doctor advanced the proposition that a l – Poppa good-natured, and she and he alone, and right away, not wait four years. It had been coholism is not heredity from a f a m i l y sense she’d say as quick as she had said to Momma on the tip of her tongue, but she just had never but is from a racial point of view. He said about the button, she’d say, “Poppa, please don’t been able to say it, like now, “Poppa, don’t Poles and Irish were the two peoples most addrink any more.” It would not be necessary to drink.” Three words, or you could even leave dicted to alcoholism. go into any long speeches such as she sometimes out “Poppa” and it could be, “Don’t drink.” planned in the nighttime. All she would have Two words. They hollered in Jemmie’s mind, A musical performance finished with Auld to do was to say these few words. It shouldn’t the unsaid words; it was a wonder Poppa did Lang Syne, and the party reluctantly dispersed. be so hard, she assured herself, while Poppa not hear them without her opening her mouth. The keynote of the party was the surprisingly went into the apple pies on the Housatonic. Here Well, here she had a chance to tell him alone happy atmosphere- and the “we must have more she was, eleven years old. And was Alice afraid in the kitchen, like her and Momma alone there of this” altitude. Our thanks to A.A. for giving of anything? No. So she shouldn’t be. Besides in the nighttime. So now, as she placed a glass 33 men and women an opportunity of having there was last winter with the button. She had on the pantry shelf, she said to herself, “When their return to society and for recovery itself. had this thing on her mind so long that she I go back for the next dish, I’ll tell him.” And It wasn’t a large number judged by American should tell someone about the button she had her heart thumped against her ribs. but he said, parties, yet we all felt that behind those 33 of swallowed, and the longer she had not told it, “Dutch, how many kisses do you owe me?” So us hovered the spirit of happiness engendered the harder it was to tell. But in the end she just she smiled and said with a pert upward thrust of by all the 50,000 in A.A. opened her mouth and let the words out, “I her face, “Twenty-nine.” “Uh-uh, cheating,” he A happy Christmas and New Year—and may swallowed a button. Will I die?” There she said. “It’s one hundred and twenty-nine.” And we have the pleasure of seeing a lot of you in was just walking along the street with Momma, so that game was on, with the pretended dispute Dublin in 1948.— S.M. going over to Aunt Gabbie’s one cold night last about the number of kisses, and though she winter, and suddenly blurting out about the but- played the game in frantic anguish, thinking to ton. With passionate relief she heard Momma break into it with what she had to say, the dishes say, “Oh, but that button has been gone long, were all washed and dried and put away, and long ago.” It hadn’t stayed inside her at all, the words were still not said. like Jemmie thought; her mysterious system had She went outdoors to the front porch, feeling got rid of it years ago, probably the next day sad; a dismal sense of failure engulfed her. after she swallowed it, according to Momma. At Somehow she was beginning to think she just these liberating words she had been suffused never could talk to Poppa about not drinking. with immeasurable love and gratitude. “Look,” Maybe when she was eighteen she could, even she thought, “all I have to do is tell Momma, sixteen, may next year when she would be

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Vol. IV, NO. 9, FEBRUARY, 1948. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c. The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1948, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

Calls For Restatement of A A. Purposes From San Diego, Calif. Having accomplished that, we should turn the scientific part of the alcoholic problem over to

A • A. helps the individual alcoholic create within himself a spiritual and physiological change. A.A. is not trying to start a mass movement for the betterment of the whole human race. the agencies that have been created for this express purpose, and go back to the original and prime purpose for which A.A. came into being. A.A.s are banded together not for the purpose of educating the general public on the A.A. must leave to others the answers to: problems of alcoholism but for the prime What is the disease of alcoholism? How can it purpose of helping the individual alcoholic guided efforts of some individuals in A.A. who be prevented? How can it be cured? What wish to hang the alcoholic up on a clothes line. causes some individuals to become alcoholic? with his individual alcoholic problem. A.A. needs today to take an inventory of it- A.A. has only one reason for its existence, that A.A. as a society is not primarily interested self and find out whether or not we have or are is to help the individual alcoholic with his indiin hospitalization, psychiatry or theology. Those being crowded off the main course by these mis- vidual alcoholic problem. If we lose sight of are all a part of the education of the individual guided individuals who, seeking self-aggrandize- that or allow A.A. to be crowded off that main alcoholic and he learns to use as much or as ment, are using A.A. for their own selfish inter- course we will be guilty of killing the goose that little of them as he needs as an individual in the ests and riot caring who knows about them, are laid the golden egg for us. And when we kill solution of his personal alcoholic problem. forgetting that maybe the newcomer and some that goose we will kill ourselves. A.A. is not a cure for alcoholism!” There, is of the others do not care to wash their dirty A.A. cannot do its job and allow itself to beno known cure for the disease of alcoholism. linen in public. come involved in the mass alcoholic problem A.A. is a society of alcoholics who have found Don’t misunderstand me; I am not as an indi- because that job involves organization, finance, a successful method of staying sober and who vidual ashamed of the fact that I’m an alcoholic. and leadership, all of which are dynamite to are trying to pass that information on to other As an individual I’m proud of the fact that I the program of life set forth in the book, Alcoalcoholics who are honestly looking for a way to had courage enough to admit it and then did holics Anonymous. rid themselves of the obsession to drink. something about that admission, by joining A.A. teaches us the broad principles of true A.A. did not come into being to make a public A.A. I’m very much of the belief that A.A. has democracy plus the spirit of true Christianity, show of the alcoholic—he can and does that job done its part in arousing the interest of the gen- and those go out the door when we build an expertly himself—but rather to give the indi- eral public, the medical profession, the ministry, organization out of A.A. vidual alcoholic a sanctuary where he could find and the judiciary. the help he needed from other individuals. Every member of A.A. today should ask him- A.A. exists today, not because of the vast self this question: Am I doing what I’m doing amount of publicity it did and does receive, but in the name of A.A. because of a true desire on rather in spite of it : The reason it does exist to- TODAY’S THOUGHT my part to help the individual alcoholic or am I, day is because it does continue to help the indi- / am but one, but I am ONE; deep inside me, looking forward to the time vidual alcoholic and shows him how he cannot when I will be known as the man who helped I can’t do everything, put A.A. on the map as a big time organization, only help himself but can help others who have the same disease, and shows him how he can in But I can do SOMETHING; with hopes that I will receive the homage due me this way make amends for some of the havoc he What I can do, I ought to do, as a great benefactor of mankind? has created in the world—and shows him how A.A.’s continued existence depends on our com- What I ought to do, God helping me, he can do this and still remain anonymous him- ing up with the right answer and that answer self if that is his wish. —I WILL DO. must be an honest, fearless and lasting one.— A.A. does not exist today because of the mis- J.F.H.

ing at all, there are no fees and dues.” Thus, in a brief hour, is our friend disarmed of his suspicion and rebellion. His eyes begin to open on a new world of friendship and understanding. Bankrupt idealist that he has been, his idea is no longer a dream. After years of lonely search it now stands revealed. The reality of Alcoholics Anonymous bursts upon him. For Alcoholics On the 3rd Tradition Anonymous is saying, “We have something priceless to give, if only you will receive.” That is all. But to our new friend, it is By Bill everything. Without more ado, he becomes one of us. “Our membership ought to include all who suffer alco- Our membership tradition does contain, however, one vitally holism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. important qualification. That qualification relates to the use of Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money our name, Alcoholics Anonymous. We believe that any two or or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered’ three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themtogether for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, selves an A.A. group provided that, as a group, they have no provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation” other affiliation. Here our purpose is clear and unequivocal. For obvious reasons we wish the name Alcoholics Anonymous to This is a sweeping statement indeed; it takes in a lot of terri- be used only in connection with straight A.A. activities. One can tory. Some people might think it too idealistic to be practical. think of no A.A. member who would like, for example, to see It tells every alcoholic in the world that he may become, and the formation of “dry” A.A. groups, “wet” A.A. groups, Repubremain, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous so long as he says lican A.A. groups, Communist A.A. groups. Few, if any, would so. In short, Alcoholics Anonymous has no membership rule. wish our groups to be designated by religious denominations. Why is this so? Our answer is simple and practical. Even We cannot lend the A.A. name, even indirectly to other activiin self protection, we do not wish to erect the slightest barrier ties, however worthy. If we do so we shall become hopelessly between ourselves and the brother alcoholic who still suffers. We compromised and divided. We think that A.A. should offer its know that society has been demanding that he conform to its experience to the whole world for whatever use can be made of it. laws and conventions. But the essence of his alcoholic malady But not its name. Nothing could be more certain. is the fact that he has been unable or unwilling to conform, either Let us of A.A. therefore resolve that we shall always be incluto the laws of man or God. If he is anything, the sick alcoholic sive, and never exclusive, offering all we have to all men save is a rebellious nonconformist. How well we understand that; our title. May all barriers be thus leveled, may our unity thus every member of Alcoholics Anonymous was once a rebel himself. be preserved. And may God grant us a long life—and a useful Hence we cannot offer to meet him at any half-way mark. We one! must enter the dark cave where he is and show him that we understand. We realize that he is altogether too weak and confused to jump hurdles. If we raise obstacles, he might stay away and perish. He might be denied his priceless opportunity. So when he asks, “Are there any conditions?” we joyfully reply, “No, not a one.” When skeptically he comes back saying, “But certainly there must be things that I have to do and The ham psychiatrist believe,” we quickly answer, “In Alcoholics Anonymous there — this type just disare no musts.” Cynically, perhaps, he then inquires, “What is covered psychiatry six this all going to cost me?” We are able to laugh and say, “Noth- months ago and he thinks that it has done him so much good that he can’t wait to pass the word around. He Alcoholic] Anonymous if a fellowship of men and women who share their ‘ has wrecked many a experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their 12th Step enterprise common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. with his constant mis- The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. quotes of Strecker, Jel- A.A. has no dues or fees. It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, and linek, Freud, A.A., etc. neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay Newcomers shy away sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps. The A.A. from him. Everyone is book of experience. Alcoholics Anonymous, and other literature, including wondering how long he The 12 Points of Tradition, are available through any group or the Central will last. Office, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y.

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DOES A PILL JAG COUNT AS A SLIP? From Greenwich Village, New York City fact, many A.A.s, sympathizing. with fellow getting together with other A.A.s to “talk it out.” drunks, carry a supply of pills with them on If he knows about goofballs, he may end up I know a person who is planning to celebrate 12th Step calls. It doesn’t occur to these persons by using them. He rationalizes that pills are not three years of “sobriety.” He hasn’t had a drink that they are not only practicing medicine with- alcohol and that he, an alcoholic, can take pills in three years. He has been a sturdy member out a license but may be endangering the lives without any of the bad effects. If he resorts to of A.A., often a speaker. For the past eight of their prospects!’ these drugs and finds temporary relief, he may months, however, he has been using pills secretly. The reason doctors warn against indiscrimi- very well be on his way to becoming an addict. On a number of occasions, he has appeared at nate use of these drugs is the fact that the aver- Some doctors distinguish between “addiction” meetings and elsewhere under the influence of age layman doesn’t know anything of the history to and a “dependency” on drugs. But it is absothese drugs. Has he had a “slip?” Can he honof his “patient.” All too often, the patient may lutely true that goofballs, like alcohol, develop estly celebrate three years of “sobriety?” have taken a handful of pills before his rescuers a tolerance in the body of the user. The more The answers to these questions seem obvious, appeared on the scene. When he receives more you use, the more you need. The period of rebut it is surprising how many persons celebrate of the same, he may die from an overdose. lief from the drug shortens and the user com- A.A. anniversaries, although they continue to The A.A. who gets sober on the Program has pensates by using larger doses. Just like whisuse pills. In New York and other large cities it no need for pills. He will have days ‘when he key, only the name and the effect are different. is by no means unusual to hear of persons who feels the need for a lift in spirits; when he thinks Now let’s look at the effect of pills on the claim long periods of sobriety while they stagger that he needs “something to sleep.” He avoids user. Some persons become elated after a pill around under the strange influence of goofballs. alcohol in any form because he knows that he or two. Their reactions sometimes are similar Personally, I think a pill jag is worse than can’t take the first drink. And yet the dry jit- to reactions from alcohol. Others appear only a slip. Surely it is more dishonest. Psychoters persist. If he knows nothing of pills, he to be quieted for a period by pills. Symptoms of logically, the pill baby has a worse, time than solves his problem by “toughing it out” or by overdoses are drowsiness, lack of coordinathe garden variety drunk who says to hell with it and grabs a bottle. Physically, he has a much tion, disorientation and a general appearance of worse time. Drugs are not eliminated from the “goofiness.” The hangover eventually becomes body as quickly as alcohol and he suffers more. just as severe as an alcoholic hangover, but it ADDICTS ANONYMOUS lasts longer. If the drug is withdrawn imme- He has no one but another pill baby to discuss his problem with, even if he feels so inclined. ENDS FIRST YEAR diately, patients may go sleepless for a week. He soon takes to the benzedrine habit to combat From Lexington, Ky. It has been said by observers that pills bring the sedative-induced depressions. Inevitably, he out all of the “worst qualities” of the individual. A year ago, several members of the Alcowinds up in the old squirrel cage: goofballs, Be that as it may, the reaction is progressive and holics Anonymous Group in this vicinity aphangover; hangover, benzedrine; benzedrine, soon the user suffers violent withdrawal sympproached the Medical Officer in Charge of the hangover; hangover, goofballs, and so on until toms. Because there is no odor on the breath United States Public Health Service Hospital he hits bottom. of the pill baby, he is often at a loss to explain here in Lexington, Ky., for the purpose of intro- Let’s look at goofballs. Like many other his eccentric behavior. For this reason, he beducing an A.A. group into this institution. It medicines, they come in tablet, capsule or liquid comes all the more secretive, guilt-ridden and was out of this beginning that the charter group form. They come in all colors, even in stripes. frustrated. of “Addicts Anonymous” was formed. The drunks have tagged them with many nick- In my opinion, an A.A. who deliberately gets The success of our organization is measured names. Narcotic users quickly discovered that goofed up on pills has slipped. He cannot, with only by the success of its members in abstaining most of them would “cook up” in a spoon for honesty, claim to have been on the A.A. Program from the use of drugs, even though they may be injection to bring almost instantaneous relief to during the period in which he used pills. in an environment where they are readily obtainjangled nerves. Drunks discovered almost as . That the pill habit is dangerous—indeed, far able. quickly that they would bring at least temporary The underlying purpose of Addicts Anony- more dangerous than the alcohol habit—is an escape from the shakes, insomnia or “that de- mous is outlined in our preamble: accepted medical fact. There are many cases of pressed feeling.” “Our, precepts are patterned after those users who suffered permanent brain deteriora- Until recently, such pills as barbital and ben- of Alcoholics Anonymous to which all tion. One case on record describes a doctor who zedrine could be purchased over the counter at credit is ‘hereby given and all precedence is. built up a seconal habit to 60 grains a day. He the corner drugstore. Now most states require acknowledged. We claim no originality but was hospitalized for eight months before he bea prescription. In some states only the first pre- since we believe that the causes of addiction gan to show signs of slow improvement. scription is required. The purchaser simply and alcoholism are basically the same, we Another curious effect of pills on the body of takes the box back to the store for refills. In wish to apply to our lives the truths which the user is the fact that pill addicts lose all inothers states barbiturates must be obtained by have benefited so many otherwise helpless terest in the sex urge. The drug not only inprescription but benzedrine and, curiously, pare- alcoholics. We believe that by so doing, we capacitates the addict but destroys the desire. goric may be bought over the counter. may regain and maintain our health and This effect often is the factor that brings about In New York, where habit-forming drug laws sanity.”. the discovery of the habit in a husband or wife. are strict, all of these drugs may be purchased Those interested in obtaining more informa- The A.A. who takes, to pills is trading the from bootleg druggists and doctors. Prices, tion may contact us at the address below, and devil for the witch. If you are using pills, depending on the supply, vary from 10 cents to every confidence will be given inquiries, unless openly or secretly, don’t try to convince anyone 50 cents a piece. otherwise stated. — Secretary, Addicts Anony- that you’re still sober or living the A.A. way of And so it is quite easy to get goofballs. In mous, Box 2000, Lexington, Ky. ‘ life. It just ain’t so.—J.T.

3

GROUP MEETING DISCUSSION PAGES (This is a discussion page. Ideas advanced here are membership, that being an honest and sincere de- “12. We believe that the group and the club only suggestions, put forward to help furnish group dis- sire to quit drinking. We assume that anyone who should be set up as separate organizations, each cussion topics, without any intention of reaching fixed conclusions or dogmatic “rights” and “wrongs” All fulfills this requirement will use every means known having its own governing body but closely coreaders are invited to submit group discussion topics.) to A.A. in overcoming the obsession to take the first operating.” drink. Failure to do so, in our opinion, is evident All groups are invited to contribute to this admission of the lack of the requirement for membership, and hence an alcoholic automatically forpage not only discussion topics which they have feits his claim to membership on taking the first found particularly stimulating, but also other drink. Automatic reinstatement is effective the mosuggestions and ideas pertaining to the conduct ment the alcoholic expresses a sincere desire to stop Greece Joins List of group affairs. Their experience may help drinking again, provided the expression is made at other groups. a time when the former member is completely free Of Foreign Groups from the influence of alcohol or drugs of any form. Last month, for example, a statement of local “4. The clubhouse of the group is a sanctuary Heading the list of new groups registered with policies issued by the Spencer, Iowa, Group was in which a member may enjoy and share his sothe General Office of A.A. during the months of published here. Following is a statement of pol- briety. It is our belief that anyone who has for- November and December is one in Athens, icy on which the Austin, Texas, Group operates: feited his membership has also forfeited his right to admission to the clubhouse, and that since he Greece. The complete listing of new groups “Statement of policy of the original can’t help but may hinder the recovery of others follows: Steering Committee of the Austin Group of present, it is the duty of each and every member present to refuse admission to any former member GREECE—Athens Alcoholics Anonymous.” should he seek it while drinking. AUSTRALIA—Adelaide, South Australia “Since a person seeking assistance for the first MARIANAS ISLANDS—Guam (BMP Camp No. I Foreword time is not a former member, he or she is an exception to this policy. Group) “The method of selecting members of the Steer- “5. All financial needs should come from within ALASKA—Anchorage ing Committee was adopted at a meeting in Janu- the group and donations from outsiders should be CALIFORNIA—Bell Garden, Colton (Hub City ary, 1947, after the group had been in existence for graciously and politely refused. We take this alti- Group), San Francisco (Park-Presidio Group, a little over a year. All members of the group were tude for obvious reasons, one being that we do not St. Francis Women’s Group) urged to attend and a preponderant majority did desire that the group feel obligated to anyone; secattend. At this meeting it was decided that a Steer- ondly, that no criticism may be made of the organ- COLORADO—Grand Lake ing Committee composed of the seven members who ization on the grounds that it charged for its CONNECTICUT—Norwich (City Group) had the longest record for continuous sobriety services. ‘ FLORIDA—Lake Wales, Sebring, Winter Park should constitute the original Steering Committee “6. We believe that the good of the group should GEORGIA—Dublin and should serve without change for the next seven come first in all matters. The welfare of each indi- INDIANA—Anderson, Wabash months. At the end of that seven months the mem- vidual is important but is secondary to the welfare ber with the longest record of continuous sobriety of the group as a whole.’ IOWA—Grundy Center (Grundy County Group), was to drop out and the member of the group (not Mason City, Sioux Rapids on the original committee) with the longest record “7. We believe that all members should at all KANSAS—Argonia, Lawrence, Parsons (Lone) of continuous sobriety would become a member of times place the emphasis on principles rather than KENTUCKY—Covington, Mayfield the Steering Committee. The next month the sec- personalities; therefore, the principle of anonymity LOUISIANA—Houma ond oldest on the committee would drop out and be should be conscientiously upheld. replaced in the same manner of selection. This was “8. ‘Wet nursing,’ as such, is not a function of MAINE—Newport to be a continuous and automatic process. In the Alcoholics Anonymous and futhermore, in our opin- MARYLAND—Colmar Manor same manner the chairman of the meetings for a ion, is harmful to the individual in the final out- MASSACHUSETTS—Westfield week’s period was to be chosen, that is by having come. Our definition of ‘wet nursing,’ as used here, MISSOURI—Sedalia the member with the longest record of continuous means the attention to and care of any ex-member MONTANA—Anaconda sobriety lead the meetings for the first week and so of A.A. whose attitude is one of ‘Give me what I on. The Steering Committee members were to select want when I want it’ rather than one of ‘Do for me NEBRASKA—Columbus from among them the chairman, vice chairman, sec- what, in your sober judgment, is what I need in NEW JERSEY—Newark (Forest Hill Group), retary, treasurer, etc., of the Steering Committee. The order to gain permanent sobriety.’ Passaic (Central Group), Westfield (Union duties of the Steering Committee are to administer “9. We believe that while the clubhouse and fel- County Negro Group) the affairs of the group in a manner deemed bene- lowship are important adjuncts to the program, the NEW YORK—Larchmont, New York City (Murficial to the best interests of the group as a whole. real basis for success of the A.A. program is that part which deals with the spiritual—that without ray Hill Group), Pleasantville the spiritual basis we have merely sworn off drink- NORTH CAROLINA—Henderson Preamble ing in a new manner. In other words, the program OHIO — Cleveland (Baxter Avenue Group), “The following statements are statements of pol- is he one thing in A.A. that is of primary impor- Strongsville icy only and are in no way to be construed as being tance, anything else is secondary. OREGON—Roseburg rules. In support of this, it is the belief of the “10. We endorse the present method of selecting PENNSYLVANIA—North East, Philipsburg, Wash- Committee that a rule as such must have a penalty members of the Steering Committee and leaders of attached and since there is no penally attending vio- meetings by automatic rotation according to senior- ington, Wellsboro lations of these statements, they can be classed as, ity in continuous sobriety. SOUTH CAROLINA — Charleston (Tidewater policies only. “11. We recommend, for the group and for indi- Group), Edisto Island viduals, strict adherence to the tradition of A.A. as TEXAS—Colorado City, Henderson “1. The group has but one purpose: To help the set forth in the pamphlet entitled Alcoholics Anonysick alcoholic recover if he wishes. UTAH—Nephi (Nebo Group), Salt Lake City mous Tradition—Twelve Points to Assure Our Fu- (Altrum Group) “2. The group has no opinion on any controver- ture and the pamphlets detailing these traditions. sial subject nor does it oppose anyone. We also believe in close and active cooperation with VIRGINIA—Warsaw (Northern Neck Group) “3. The group has only one requirement for the Central Committee of A.A. WISCONSIN—Edgerton

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Real Oldtimers Meet with New ‘Babies’ To Exchange Views on Program From Manhattan, N. Y. ing vitality of A.A. and showed that instead of A panorama of A.A. firsts was unfolded the retiring to some musty corner to yearn for the other night in New York City when several of its good old days, they have continued to grow, too, first members, including one of the co-founders, and are looking forward with confidence and gathered in the world’s first A.A. clubhouse in optimism. the first meeting of its kind and inevitably took Horace C. opened the meeting with a brief up the first question that so many ask: What reference to his own story and how when on his makes A.A. work? way to see Bill for the first time more than a An experiment in bringing together some of decade ago he was saying to himself, “If this the oldest “greybeards” and some of the dewiest fellow hasn’t got the answer, the river has.” newcomers, the meeting was held for members Horace introduced Bill who also gave a brief with either five years or more, and six months case history of himself, recalling again “the man or less, in A.A. Six who attended could count across the kitchen table” who gave him his first old lesson of the child who finally learns that more than ten years of A.A. each, and several inkling of the practical results of a Spiritual he’ll burn his hands whenever he touches the hot could go up to six and seven. The meeting Power. Getting into a discussion about the Steps, stove. We also have a new, compelling interest, place was the old 24th Street Clubhouse, now Bill said that in his opinion, an alcoholic “is and because drunks are usually bankrupt idealthe A.A. Seamen’s Club, and even as in the past perhaps half way well” as soon as he takes the 1st ists, a compelling interest is vital. Yet, we know whenever more than 100 people crowded into the Step and admits, honestly and completely, to him- that all of the devices we use have been tried downstairs room, the chairs were straight, hard self that he is powerless over alcohol. before, at least separately. We have lumped and uncomfortable, the smoke became so thick When the meeting was thrown open to ques- them all together and added one more element. that from three rows away the chairman was all tions from the floor, the eager interest of the new- Doctors call the latter, ‘X.’ We really can’t exbut blotted out of sight, but it was “home” for comers prompted a steady flow of queries that plain it.” many and altogether wonderful. kept the greybeards on the edges of their chairs Horace voiced a similar answer. “I call it ‘The The audience covered quite a spread of years, for more than an hour. Typical of the demo- Great Intangible.’ I have spent many hours trying both in and out of A.A. Some of the oldtimers in cratic flavor of most A.A. meetings, the newcom- to analyze the various elements of A.A.—the 12 A.A. have been around for a half century plus, ers showed no hesitancy about probing the old- Steps, the group therapy, the fellowship and though the glow in their eyes and the smile on timers with searching questions and were even brotherhood, honesty, and so on. I can see how their lips belied it. Some of the newcomers were ready to debate, six months against 10 years, all of these things help, of course. But no matter pretty young, younger than the original members if the answer given did not seem to completely how I add it up or analyze it there is something were when they first came in. It was a mixed satisfy them. Yet, there was plenty of evidence that I can’t quite define. I don’t know what it is, gathering of men and women of many walks of of the deep appreciation of each other that runs or at least I can’t describe or classify it exactly, life. Doctors and lawyers, business men, stenog- through A.A. and it was spoken not only by the but I know it works. That’s what I call ‘The raphers, ex-GI’s, a number of seamen, an actress newcomers but also by one of the oldtimers him- Great Intangible.'” and actor or two, a lovely young gal with a page- self, Dick S., who in discussing how his relation- Bert T. cited the three H’s: “I believe the boy bob and a lovely elderly lady with white ships with people had undergone a basic im- three most important elements in the A.A. prohair. It was, in short, a typical A.A. meeting as provement since joining A.A. said, “I am deeply gram are honesty with self, humility and helpto audience, but a new kind because of its grateful to the people who have come into A.A. fulness.” He also stressed the importance and historic “firsts.” after me.” the value of active prayer. .. The purpose of the meeting was not to set a With Horace in the chair as a relaying point, Similar answers, varying- according to indipattern for all meetings, but to determine whether the newcomers asked the questions and the old- vidual interpretations and viewpoints, yet folthere would be any interest and extra discussion timers tried to give the answers. Practically every lowing along A.A. fundamentals came from Jack value in bringing the oldest and youngest to- subject that comes up in A.A. discussions was S., Sim R., and other oldtimers. Answers came gether occasionally. tossed out onto the floor and kicked around a bit, also from some of the newscomers who had be- The six who have been members a decade or and then came the big one: What makes A.A. gun to feel that “this is going to work for me.” more and who came out from behind their whisk- work? After nearly two hours, the chairman decided ers to talk a little about those earliest days when Bill’s answer: “That question may never be that it was time to “close the meeting in the A.A. was newborn and almost still-born, and fully answered. Why A.A works is fundamen- usual way,” after which the coffee began to aptheir combined assets could be measured in tally a mystery. When we consider that for thou- pear from the kitchen, and the audience broke nickels and dimes—on some days—were: Bill sands of years few alcoholics escaped from their up into clusters of people, still talking, and W., who with Dr. Bob of Akron, started it all; misery and that we are now witnessing a whole- laughing, too. Horace C., Bert T., Dick S., Jack S. and Sim R. sale escape, that adds up to a miracle. And a Perhaps it was a symbol of A.A., when look- But the greybeards indulged in surprisingly miracle is a mystery. Of course, we know that ing across the room at that moment, one could little reminiscing, although the return to 24th A.A. has certain elements which have proved ef- see in each of the little groups one or two of Street naturally revived many memories of the fective. We now can understand, be understood the greybeards surrounded by several of the past. What interludes of remembering-when that and be understanding through our identification “youngsters,” and the murmur of voices telling the oldsters did permit themselves, were merely, with fellow alcoholics. We have a program for that the word of A.A. was being passed along as Bill expressed it, “for purposes of identifi- living through which we can readjust our lives. from oldtimer to newcomer, and being passed cation.” The greybeards reflected the rejuvenat- We even use the element of fear, applying the right back again.

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AND YOU TAKES YOUR ‘CHERCE!’ From Pittsburgh, Pa. with a good many hundreds of people of all Compare any of these finite, temporary gadgets All up and down the ranks of some 50,000 kinds, faiths, races and intellectual endowments, with the self-reproducing body and the noble A.A.s in the United States and the rest of the including a few professed atheists, there is a and ignoble soul of man—the soaring bird, or world you frequently hear of “spiritual trouble” recognition of spiritual life in all. the cold-blooded fish! —that is, difficulty on the part of A.A.s, chiefly All do not create the God concept in their These few examples are reached at random to new A.A.s, in accepting a Higher Power. own image, visualize the Higher Power as a indicate, rather than to prove, the existence of When I had been dry two years I said in my gigantic being of human shape with a long white “Something.” The light shed cannot compare anniversary speech that any guy or gal who got beard and benign countenance, however. Nor with the bright sun seen by those who proclaim drunk and blamed the spiritual phase of the do all—perhaps not any, really—agree on stand- revelation from the feed box. It is not even A.A. Program was a damned liar looking for ard definition of the spiritual factor, since all bright enough to lead anyone, myself included, trouble. Now I have mellowed somewhat and thinking men and women have their own indi- to a clear perception of all the intricate relationlook on this difficulty with a more sympathetic vidual concepts. They merely sense, innately, ships in a confusing world. eye. that there is Something that created, designed Perhaps it is better so because a bright light It is true the 12 Steps mince no words about or controls. would t u r n my eyes on others and how they the necessity of accepting a Higher Power as a Even the groping agnostic mind, which is walk rather than on my own inner self. What corollary to the admission that “our lives have only dissident in that it refuses to accept a light I have found is but the small lamp of my become unmanageable” because we are “power- broad, general definition of Deity, senses char- own fumbling thought, dimly burning, shedding less over alcohol.” It is also true that the 12 acteristics in this “Something” which may be only enough light to keep me sober and at peace Steps formulize several times on “God” or readily personified—or do we tend to personify 24 hours at a time through more than eight “Him” or “His” as synonymous with the Higher in order to understand in our own terms? For years. Power, but with assurance that this spiritual example, the giraffe had to get its neck out of This necessary and vital recognition of a entity may be accepted “as we understand Him.” joint to reach and eat leaves high up on jungle Higher Power—which is really a recognition This language does not brand A.A. as a re- trees, and it has kept its evolutionary neck out. that the sum total of all other men and women, ligious cult, a sect, or even a church-loving fel- There are little forms of insect life which when electricity, atomic power, gravity and a lot of lowship. These are the only readily available danger approaches roll themselves into tight, other things that I can see or prove are greater terms with which anyone may name a Power hard balls that roll away to inconspicuous safety. than I—does not in any way mean that I must higher than we poor humans and human ex- Anyone who has ever suffered a terrific acci- join any or all of the some 75 Christian faiths drunks. dent to body or limb knows the haven of un- that m a i n t a i n churches in this country, unless “God” is employed because a good, large ma- consciousness, which serves as an anesthetic I personally want to join up because joining jority of the world’s population accepts this term when pain becomes too great for endurance— may help me get and keep dry. I still hold to and understands it in one way or another. Ac- the quality of mercy. Alcoholics who have the concept of a Power “as I understand” that cording to the latest edition of the Yearbook of finally made up with the world after years of concept and as that concept in terms of me im- American Churches, there are some 667,700,000 rebellion, slippery dealings, cheating and dou- presses me with my own finiteness. Christians of all faiths in the world today. ble crossing learn something of the quality of If the newcomer in A.A. will stop struggling, There are about a billion and a half people who forgiveness by others that is too general to be breathing hard and making ripples on the spirbelong to other faiths of one kind or another— really personal. itual waters, he will soon see what I mean. He meaning that about two billion men and women Human minds have dreamed and worked for can begin with any “Power” higher than he— know what the word “God” means—to them, centuries to bring forth a moving mechanism, the greatest good for the greatest number, the individually or collectively—when it is used. the automobile, the airplane, the submarine. corner policeman, the sun and the stars, or any- I am not one to say that more than two bil- thing else he can grasp. he doesn’t have to take lion of the world’s population is out of step A.A. on faith alone, because all around him he with me because I have no physical proof that actually can see men and women who punished God exists and am, consequently, in the cate- Anchorage, Alaska The Creature for years now moving calmly, gory that “doesn’t know,” hence agnostic. I Now Boasts a Group their noses clean and their lives comparatively serene, all because of A.A. He can begin to get have merely quit arguing theology, which doesn’t get many people many places, and have From Anchorage, Alaska dry on the Power that regenerated these characcepted a spiritual concept that I do know does I wish to inform The A.A. Grapevine that a acters before he came in. exist far higher than my poor powers in this new group was formed in Anchorage, Alaska, A new A.A. need not worry about forcing world. one month ago (November), composed of for- himself into a religious mold to get at the spir- Let us get down to cases. Is there anywhere mer members from different groups in the States. itual teaching of the A.A. program. If he will a really sincere person who truly dissents, even We have had several newcomers already and relax and let easy do it, he will find a spiritual intellectually, from the belief in a Higher have plans for club rooms in the near future. mold filling in around him to hold him secure. Power, who believes that individual man is self- Our address is P. 0. Box 551, Anchorage, If that spiritual mold later comes to resemble created and a law unto himself, that there is no Alaska. one of the faiths of Christendom—or even of more unity and coherence to the Universe than This country certainly needs A.A. in the worst magic!—and he has an open mind about rethat created by man-made laws, ethics, morals, way. Anchorage has a population of about 15,- ligion, he will have time enough to consider rules of conduct, folkways? I truly doubt it. 000 and over 80 drink-dispensing establishments affiliation with men of like mind in an existing After a good long time on this earth, talking —14 in one block on the main street!—J.R.B. faith.—Bill L.

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The Cliche Expert Boston, Mass., Post: “Guernsey Island in the Testifies on Alcoholism English Channel has an effective way of handling topers. It still retains its ancient custom of (With apologies to Frank Sullivan) blacklisting alcoholics, in the hope of reforming Q. Mr. Heister, you are an expert in the use of A. I had a brutal hangover, violent nausea, hot them. A member of the tippler’s family applies to the court, which issues an official order that the cliche as applied to alcoholism, are you and cold sweats, no appetite and a completely no one is to sell him liquor thereafter, and to not? shot nervous system. I was full of guilt and put teeth into the ruling the court orders a police A. Indubitably. remorse. photo of the offender to be posted in every bar. Q. In that case, would you give us your defini- Q. What caused you to do all this to yourself— “In England in the days of Oliver Cromwell tion of an alcoholic? to start drinking again—to slip? drunkards were punished by being forced to walk A. An alcoholic is a very sick person. A. I had an argument with my wife while an around in a barrel with their heads protruding Q. How sick? old Navy chum and my college roommate from the top and their arms dangling on the A. Sick as a dog. were in town for a visit. Besides, I had just sides through holes. It has been suggested that Q. Any particular kind of dog? lost my job and I was thirsty. this custom may be the origin of the term A. No, just any old dog. Q. Hmmm! Tell me, Mr. Heister, what does ‘pickled.’ Q. Mr. Heister, what happened to you the last Alcoholics Anonymous think of such goings- “The ancient Romans used an ‘aversion ther- time you had a drink? on? apy’ that is not unlike certain modern methods A. I had a slip. A. I think they call it “wet thinking.” in use. Chronic alcoholics had to drink wine in Q. What is a slip? Q. Would you say, Mr. Heister, that this slip had which live eels were swimming, on the theory A. A coy word used by members of Alcoholics anything to do with a personal feeling of that this would create excessive disgust. Anonymous to convey the idea that they al- frustration, resentment, elation or self-pity? “The word teetotaler, by the way, stems from most murdered themselves. A. Yes. the French ‘the-a-toute a 1’heure,’ which means Q. How did this slip make you feel, Mr. Heister? Q. What was your next course of action? literally ‘tea in a little while.’ A. First, I felt high as a kite, then tight as a A. I put a nickel in the slot and had a long talk “Alexander the Great would have lived longer tick. After that I was loaded but the police with a fellow who’s got the Program. if he had squeezed less grapes. He was a pro- said I was soused. Q. What did he recommend? digious drinker, one of the mightiest, in fact, of Q. And how did you feel the next day when it A. Sobriety. his era. But he carried the crock to the spigot was all over? Q. Anything else? once too often. After two nights of guzzling he A. It wasn’t the next day; it was the next month. A. The 12 Steps. drained the so-called Hercules cup, which was Q. Very well, but how did you feel? Q. Just what are the 12 Steps, Mr. Heister? the equivalent of six bottles of wine. He never A. Oh, they are various Steps which most slipawoke.” pees skip. Q. Which one did you skip, Mr. Heister? A. The first one. Q. Mr. Heister, what are your plans for the future? A. I don’t worry about the future. I’m on the 24 hour plan—day-to-day living. Q. Does that help? A. Yes, I’m on top of the heap. Q. What heap, Mr. Heister? A. On top of the world, feeling fine. I’ve had a tremendous release. Q. Release? A. Yes, my divorce decree became final yesterday. Q. Let’s stick to alcoholism, Mr. Heister! What are you doing about it? A. I’m tapering off and reading the book, Alcoholics Anonymous. Q. How do you like the book? A. It doesn’t make sense to me. Just a lot of case histories proving that alcoholics have to stop drinking. Q. Are you an alcoholic, Mr. Heister? A. I don’t know but I am an expert on cliches. Q. That will be all, Mr. Heister!—A.P.

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English Coffee Improved—”We re- members are reported as following the wares from the roof tops but as a re- A feature story in the Pittsburgh, port progress both in spiritual strength program in an especially serious way. sult of a quiet, dignified presentation (Pa.) Press recently ran to more than and in materially improving the pota- Most of these are in their late thirties, of the drinking problem as we under- a column with a description of how bility of English coffee,” reports our one in the late twenties. Recently a stand it, to both the medical profes- a hospitalized alcoholic became a correspondent from London, England. meeting was held for members of the sion and clergy. In this manner many member. The Press praises the more “One stalwart who met A.A. through clergy, medical profession and police alcoholic cases are presented to us t h a n 500 Pittsburgh members who the Bermuda Group makes weary and of North Bergen County, about 300 and more than a few have accepted celebrated the seventh anniversary of frequent journeys from Portsmouth to being invited. One of the speakers the program and are well on the way their group in Carnegie Music Hall help and to keep in touch. The mem- was Dr. E. Blaisdell, senior director, to complete rehabilitation. Like other recently. bers have gladly welcomed nine trans- Rockland State Hospital, Orangeburg, groups, we have social f u n c t i o n s as a Recently a newspaper editor from Atlantic visitors since Bert T. and N. Y. part of our therapeutics, but the pri- Prince Albert, Sask., Can., who has Grace 0. did so much to get the mary purpose of the group been “lone wolfing” it, in his efforts movement started some months ago, is never lost. We intend to start a group there, made a 2,800but they still regard American and to safeguard the sobriety mile trip to attend a third anniversary Canadian A.A.s as too much a stay- of our members and ac- celebration in Winnipeg. Since that at-home crowd. We feel that with quire the necessary knowl- time in a column in The Herald, rationing and travel difficulties, nu- edge and experience of “Speaking for Myself,” he has w r i t merous small groups adaptable to the group to pass on to ten a series of articles discussing va- ‘home visiting’ will show the greatest others having a similar rious phases of A.A. rewards.” The London members problem.” Pat Paterson, w r i t i n g in the Paterwould like to hear from any other son, N. J., Morning Call heads a rereaders to help maintain and further Army Co-operates-— cent column “Tipplers’ Tip,” or a good relations policy. The contact Things are looking up for “Better the Slip Before Cup Reaches is BM/AA1, London, WC 1. the Pioneer, G r o u p on Lip” and points out that of 29,000 A.A. Properly Tax Exempt—The Okinawa with a regular chronic alcoholics in New Jersey less state board of tax appeals gave the attendance of between 10 t h a n 800 each year are given treatand 15 at the t w o weekly ment in p r i v a t e and public hospitals. Cincinnati, Ohio, Fellowship of A.A. meetings on Monday and “Less t h a n 50 per cent of the general a friendly pat on the back recently Thursday. Quite a few hospitals refer alcoholics to other inin an order exempting its property from taxation. Exemption of the Attend Tri-State Banquet—Thirteen have been coming in from the States s t i t u t i o n s or organizations,” he writes, members of the Pioneer Group of who have been members there. An “but of those who do 21 per cent of Group’s residential property at 405 Winona, Minn., recently went to Madi- effort is being made to obtain club- their patients are referred to A.A. Oak Street was granted on the ground son, Wis., where they attended the rooms for use of the men in their Nine out of 12 mental hospitals rethat it is used exclusively for chari- Tri-State anniversary banquet and spare time. Recently an Army chap- port that they refer their patients to table purposes. The order applied open meeting sponsored by the Madi- lain and a chief psychiatrist, Captain A.A. and at one institution investigatonly to the Cincinnati Fellowship. son Group. One carload got lost on Horneck from the Army base hospital ing professors learned there is a Other units of A.A. operating in Ohio the return trip, not from nipping, and were present. This hospital cares for chapter there.” are understood to rent the property traveled back by way of Black River, men from the camp, which now inused for meeting places. Along with Want Clubroom in ’48—Members of a considerable distance out of line. cludes about 2,000 men. the order came a commendation from the Aberdeen, S. D., Group have the board which said in part: “As The Pioneer Group has been advertis- Brady Tries Open Meeting—Although adopted the slogan “A clubroom in this is the first exemption asked by an ing in the personal column of the _ started only in August, 1947, the 1948” and three energetic members institution of this character the board Republican Herald as follows, “Prob- Brady, Texas, Group recently held its have been assigned to combat the feels that it should receive such con- lem or Compulsive Drinkers. We help housing shortage in the community ourselves by helping you. Write Alco- first open meeting for the public. The sideration and comment as it richly and find suitable quarters. Members holics Anonymous, Pioneer Group, group numbers less than 10 members deserves. Many applications come to of the group, founded in March, 1946, P.O. Box 122, Winona.” and there was some doubt as to pubthis board for exemption on charitable were entertained at a special Christlic response. However, more than 300 grounds wherein it is extremely diffi- Non-A.A.s Aid Growth—Non-alcoholic mas party by the Gerhard Kiddie representatives of business, profescult to ascertain that charity is ac- wives and husbands of the members Troop, ages 4 to 12, who put on varisions, civic clubs and churches turned tually dispensed. The present re- of the Houston, Texas, Suburban ous dances. Several members of the out, although the city’s population is quests are indeed refreshing in that Group have banded together to under- Britten Group, started by three foronly about 7,000. Speakers from the herein is found affirmative answer to stand better the program and in an mer Aberdeen members, attended. The San Angelo, Coleman and Seminole Cain’s question, ‘Am I my brother’s attempt to adjust themselves to any group meets every Wednesday and Groups helped to give the session a keeper?'” The news story in the possible change which occurs in a Sunday night in the Milwaukee lift. Cincinnati Enquirer then goes on to member of the family upon accepting Women’s clubrooms. praise A.A. and tell of its work. the program and working closely with What Newspapers Say—Discussing Six Complete Year—Six men observed New Members in Earnest—The Du- the 12 Steps. This auxiliary has been the flourishing branch of A.A. in the their first 12 months of sobriety at a mont, N. J., Group, founded in De- successful in many ways in promot- State Prison at Waupun, Wis., of recent meeting of the Pioneer Group cember, 1946, as an offshoot of the ing the growth of the Suburban Group, which John H. Woodhouse of the of Winona, Wis., with members, their large Hackensack Group, continues which now meets in its new club- prison record office has been adviser, wives and guests gathering at the to help alcoholics in North Bergen house at 1949 Richmond Road. “Like the Milwaukee Tribune concludes in Steak Shop. Four visitors from Eau County. In the past six months the a ‘voice crying in the wilderness’ we an editorial, “A.A. at the Prison,” Claire were present. attendance has grown from about 15 are endeavoring to offer a way of life that A.A. is an excellent form of group to 30 active members at closed meet- to the more than 36,000 known alco- therapy and that “perhaps there is a Business Men Endorse A.A,—A resoings, every other Friday, and more holics in this city,” the report to The clue to the direction we should take lution adopted by a unanimous vote than 50 for open meetings, these lat- Grapevine says. “We are. accomplish- in the success of A.A. at the prison. of the directors of the Front Royal, ter not including the public. New ing this growth, not by shouting our It is at least worth thinking about.” Va., Chamber of Commerce recently

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read: “Whereas it has come to the at- kitty one meeting night before Christ- Indiana Anniversaries Observed— son City meetings in the basement of tention of the hoard of directors of this inns supplied the funds and the family That there were only two A.A.s in Ft. the public library. chamber that a chapter of Alcoholics was designated by the Salvation Army. Wayne, Ind., five years ago, while now A.A.s of the new Parkchester Group, Anonymous has been organized in Los Angeles, Cal., A.A.s went to the there are three groups in the city as Bronx, N. Y., have been meeting in Front Royal . . . and whereas the Camarillo State Hospital for a party well as others in Warsaw, Kendall- St. Helena’s School since the founding members of this board are in thorough w i t h alcoholic patients for an annual ville, Wabash, Monroeville and North in October and report things going sympathy and accord with the pur- party and Christmas meeting. Many Manchester was recalled at the recent well. A leaflet put out by the church poses, aims and objects of the said former patients, now members of out- anniversary banquets in Ft. Wayne says that the meetings represent “a organization: Therefore be it resolved side groups, returned for the gather- and South Bend. Group I of Ft. practical, well-working society which . . . that this board . . . endorse the ing. Two subscriptions to The Grape- Wayne observed its fifth anniversary has done wonderful work. We are purposes, aims and objects of the said vine were given as presents. with a banquet at the Chamber of proud to have them with us.” Meetorganization which has thus far re- Music, coffee, a floor show, buffet Commerce with representatives of the ings are held Tuesday nights. sulted in accomplishments not here- turkey dinner and dancing made up groups mentioned as well as from Wichita, Kans., A.A.s are proud of tofore believed possible of consum- the New Year’s party program for Marion, Indianapolis, Lima and St. the groups they have sponsored in mation.” Kansas City, Mo., Group members at Mary’s, Ohio, together with represen- nearby towns with three established Garrett Hall. A party for the young- tatives of the clergy, medicine, busi- and two others in process of formation. Open Meeting Draws 900—An esti- ness, professional leaders and city offi- According to The Derelict Schooner sters was also arranged. mated 900 people thronged to the cials. A magazine writer of national of Jacksonville, Fla., the St. Augustine First Christian Church of Palestine, New Year’s Eve was celebrated by renown was chief speaker. The South Group had its first meeting just before Texas, recently to attend the first open Niagara Frontier A.A.s with a party Bend banquet was held at the Oliver the holidays at the home of G. W. meeting of the group there. Although at the Food Craft Hall in Buffalo. Hotel with 225 present. with four members present. Three some guests were from surrounding The Guild hall of St. Stephen’s members of the Murray Hill Group counties, the attendance was believed Episcopal Church was the scene of Some New Groups—Although a regu- also attended. outstanding for a city of 15,000. the New Year’s Eve party in Spencer, lar meeting hall had not been obtained Seven new members at Manchester, Among the speakers was Bishop Clin- Iowa, with many visitors from other at the time The Grapevine was in- Ia, started their own group recently ton S. Quin of Houston. groups in that section. formed, Olean, N. Y., now has a group with the aid of 130 other members Wichita, Kans., A.A.s had two par- formed of members who formerly at- from Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Ma- Get Clubrooms—Clubrooms have been ties, a Christmas dinner at the club, tended meetings in Salamanca and ringo, Oelwein and Waterloo. Princisecured by members of the Staunton, and a New Year’s Eve party. Bradford. Starting in October, these pal speakers were from Dubuque and Va.( Group, which reports it hopes to With a guarantee in advance of “no cities inaugurated a regular monthly Wisconsin. Meetings will be held be installed in the quarters by the headaches” the Rutland, Vt., Group joint meeting the second Sunday of Monday nights at the home of T. C. time this issue appears. celebrated New Year’s at the club each month with each group taking its rooms with food, favors, punch, danc- turn as host. ‘ Frontier Has Paper — The Niagara Attendance Wins Subscriptions—At a ing and cards. Frontier A.A. Bulletin is the latest of Another new group in this area is recent meeting of the Endicott, N. Y., The first annual Christmas party of the Amherst Group in North Buffalo, the new exchanges to reach The Group, it was voted to give all of those the Brighter Side Group, Waterloo, whose members are meeting in the Grapevine office. The fourth issue is who have attended three meetings a Iowa, was held before Christmas in Main-Fillmore rooms at 2629 Main an attractive mimeographed sheet caryearly subscription to The Grapevine. the Sacred Heart Church basement Street on Friday and Sunday evenings rying a good selection of news as Fourteen names were included with parlors with an attendance of nearly at 8 o’clock with the former a closed well as a table showing how 62 years the notice to this magazine. 100 members and families. Visitors session. of sobriety were reached by various were present from Grundy Center, members in the last two months, the Building on the foundation laid times ranging from one to seven years. Many Holiday Parties—Although the Reinbeck, Tripoli and Independence. some months ago by J. M., Sioux holidays are weeks past, reports of a . Falls, S. D., attorney, a group has considerable number of observances Like Open Meetings—With regard to been formed in the South Dakota State Forms Own Group—F.A.R., writing have been sent to The Grapevine. open meetings, our correspondent in Penitentiary at Sioux Falls. J. M. to The Paradox of Kansas City, Mo., Goshen, Ind., A.A.s joined with San Luis Obispo, Cal., writes, “We was aided by F. 0., an inmate of the says that he has formed a group of his members at Elkhart, 10 miles distant, began a group effort here on the ‘open’ prison. Address is the South Dakota own. After association with groups in celebration of New Year’s, which basis largely because our members Penitentiary Chapter of A.A., Box 911, in Galveston, Houston, Dallas and drove in from fairly great distances Sioux Falls, S. D. Kansas City he took a job on a paper was marked by an informal program, in King City, Cal., where he has been a short talk and a buffet supper, en- and the couples just naturally attend- First meeting of the Hutchinson, trying unsuccessfully to found a group. joyed by about 100 persons. The same ed together. Kans., Group was held late last fall His previous experiences had contwo groups plan to join early in Feb- “The same tendency was noted in at the Leon Hotel and now numbers vinced him that without God’s help ruary for the third anniversary party general family relationships such as five men and one woman. Four of the he was hopeless, but now he writes: of the Elkhart organization which held sister bringing brother. This was an present members were associated with “I found myself in Phoenix, stiff as a its first meeting February 6, 1945. open territory on the California Coast, the Wichita Group. Meetings are held plank. So I went back to Galveston The Goshen Group will be a year old and we have watched with interest the twice weekly in members’ homes, where I came to realize that only with next July 21 and now numbers about founding of other groups nearby. Thursdays and Sundays.. Address is the help of God could I quit drinking. 20 members who meet twice weekly. They have all seemed to grow in the P. 0. Box No. 845, Hutchinson. That’s when I took the 3rd Step and An afternoon party at Kent, Ohio, open tradition, without any decisions The Johnson City, Tenn., Group re- God and I formed our group. You was given over to the children with taken by the founders. cently sponsored a group at the Na- won’t find it listed in the A.A. directoys of all kinds to fit their ages. Ice “We have felt that the wives and tional Soldiers’ Home just outside the tory, but there’s a group in King City, cream, cake and balloons were handed close relatives of the alcoholics have city and another at Elizabethton, both Cal. Its members are God and F.A.R.” out around a large tree. Presents helped in all phases of group work. of which ore growing well. were exchanged at the regular evening “Advantage has been taken of meet- The Elizabethton Group meeting and there was a songfest and ings in which we found ourselves meets Tuesday night at dancing. Over 150 enjoyed the cele- ‘closed’ by accidents in attendance to private homes and minbration. sound out the members on the matter isters are honorary mem- About 50 children from the Polk of holding closed meetings. There bers. The Mountain Home County Juvenile Home in Des Moines, has been no desire for a change in Group has changed its Iowa, were guests at the club there that direction thus far. meeting night to Friday at for a dinner, entertainment and gifts. “These comments are from small the Veterans’ Administra- The Chattanooga, Tenn., Group gave town experience. We shall be inter- tion Hospital staff room. food, clothes and toys to a family in ested in reactions from areas of heav- M e m b e r s of the two which both parents are alcoholics. The ier population.” . groups attended the John-

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aration room, where the embalming is done, there opened it and what do you suppose I found? was a cabinet full of shelves for embalming fluid, You’re wrong, I found almost 200 doses of ‘Keely etc. I kept one shelf for my booze and, as a rule, Kure.’ ” there were a dozen or more used fluid bottles H.H., of the Charleston, S. C., Group, reports: there which had been refilled with gin. My wife, “I bought a half dozen coconuts and, with my who by all odds is a great little bottle finder, knife, bored holes in three of them. After pour- Just in case you didn’t see it in the column was completely baffled until a certain day when ing out the m i l k I refilled with whiskey and carelast month, may we remind you that you can she hid in the room pretending to he a corpse. fully plugged the holes with small cork stoppers, win two subscriptions to The A.A. Grapevine in When I slipped in the cabinet for a refresher, clipping them off even with the shell. As the the next few months? The first goes to the gal she popped out from under the sheet and caught corks were about the same color as the nuts, they or guy who submits the best idea for a new contest. The second goes to the winner. Because me!” were not noticed when mixed in with the others. everybody liked the Best Hiding Place Contest Marjo C., of the San Angelo, Tex., Group, When I felt the urge, it was a simple matter to we want to get another one going as soon as reports that she had her husband, family and remove the corks. This trick fooled the law durpossible. Send your ideas to the Bottoms Up friends slowly going nuts trying to find her hid- ing prohibition as I drove through the country- Editor, The A.A. Grapevine, Box 328, Grand ing place. They knew it was somewhere in the side as well as my nosy relatives at home.” Central Annex, New York. house, but where? Marjo would drink two bottles of beer under supervision and then go about her housework. But she kept getting drunker by And now for the news you have been waiting the minute. Everywhere was searched but Marjo for. The winner of the Best Hiding Place Con- As we go to press, Paul B., of the Bennington, continued to catch one every now and then. test is Peter H.R., of the Minneapolis, Minn., Vt., Group, sends us the first idea for the new After she got into A.A. she ex- Group, who poured a quart of whiskey in the contest. He suggests that readers compete for plained that the old vacuum chandelier. Peter would loosen a screw on the prizes for the best A.A. beverage. Paul believes cleaner had been her friend. bottom of the fixture and pour himself a drink that anything would be better than the non-alco- Seems she fitted a cork into a whenever he wanted one. Remember him? Runholic drinks available now. He offers the fol- coke bottle, slipped the whole ner up is the member from a Savannah, Ga., lowing recipe for “The Switchell”—two table- thing into the cleaner. Appar- Group who successfully hid a bottle in his spoons molasses, one teaspoon vinegar, one-half ently, the bottle didn’t impair mother-in-law’s shoes! teaspoon dried ginger, small pinch salt (op- the function of the cleaner and tional). Ice water to fill large glass. Try it. was a handy portable bar. Paul says it’s tops. A character from the Richmond, Va., Group H.S.J., of the Longview, Wash., just walked into the office to say hello. By twist- Group, reports: “A few years ing his arm we made him tell us about this large ago I spent several weeks in the orthopedic Before we announce the winner of the hand- ward of a large hospital. In the bed next to me and flourishing Virginia group. He says that some two-quart cork in the Best Hiding Place was a fellow with a spinal injury. He was in a things are going wonderfully well and that one Contest, we would like to include a roundup of cast which extended from his arm pits to his of the members bought 30 subscriptions to The last-minute entries. The following reports of ankles and had lost a lot of weight. There was A.A. Grapevine as a Christmas present for the hiding places arrived at the office late. We think a good sized cavity above his chest. Boy! What group. He reports that the club had a very inthat all of them are good, some of them excel- a place to hide the bottle! Suspicious doctors teresting speaker from Philadelphia recently; lent. Here they are: and nurses never found the supply.” that the fellow was not only effective but amus- L.T.G., of the Mobile, Ala., Group, reports: G.S., of the Pittsfield, Mass., Group, reports ing. This speaker, telling of his drinking experi- “Of all my numerous hiding places, I believe my that a local woman alcoholic got away with a ences, said: “Well, folks, don’t think I haven’t favorite was pouring gin in the alcohol bottle. hiding place to the bitter end. When she died been through the mill. I was arrested so Weeks went by recently of acute alcoholism it was discovered many times for being drunk and disorderly that before my hus- that she had cleaned out all her cold cream jars, they changed the charge to ‘reckless walking.’ band, confused by perfume bottles, etc., to make room for her I don’t have to worry anymore, anyway. The my many trips to “quickies.” government takes care of my money; my neighthe bathroom dis- H.V.W., of the Portsmouth, Hampshire, Eng- bors take care of my business; and A.A. takes covered that the. land, Group, reports: “There was one hiding care of my sobriety.” innocent and obplace that my wife never found. I always kept vious container of a bottle of rum under a pile of manure at the rubbing alcohol The next time you hear a good story or a end of our garden. She found the other bottles didn’t c o n t a i n f u n n y drinking experience rubbing alcohol but never that one.” send it to the Bottoms Up at all!” Carl, of the Cincinnati, Ohio, Group, reports: Editor for the column. W.W.H., of a “My wife generally could find my bottle. One Drop us a line every now Chicago Group, reports: “I remember a couple day, however, I decided to tidy up the house and then with suggestions. of hiding places I used with great success. ‘ I was when she had gone to market. Coming to the If you do we can make this in the undertaking business for many years be- kitchen cabinet, I noticed the sugar canister. I LOW- BOTTOM column the best read part fore my drinking caught up with me. In the prep- had always wondered why it was never used. I of your magazine!

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CHICAGO SECRETARY A.A. Digest —Excerpts from Group Publications DIES SUDDENLY The Visitor, F.C.I., Sandstone, Minn. end for himself which has been such a miracle From Chicago —”I’ve tried many different reforms, churches for those of us who are more fortunate in that She knew all about us and loved us anyway. and institutions in my pursuit for truth, but as we have been the recipients of the A.A. miracle. Grace Cultice, 57, was a blessed paradox—a yet, I have found none which gives the satisfac- In one word—tolerance, not just when a man non-alcoholic who spoke the language of the tory answers to the questions I naturally put to comes to us at first, but every minute of our alkies, an “outside” believer in Alcoholics Anonythem. Actual faith in anything which does not lives.” mous who backed her faith with good works. come under the feeling of my own two hands is When two alcoholics got together eight years extremely difficult for me because I can’t believe Alky Argot, Wisconsin State Prison ago to form the first A.A. group in Chicago, in things which to me are magical promises. —”A good business man advertises his wares, Grace was on hand to help. She’s been helping The greater power which guides me is an A.A. either sending a salesman out or going out to ever since. member who has maintained sobriety for a dec- solicit business himself. In either case, he bene- She gave those eight years willingly, eagerly, ade. He is the living proof that I will have fits. After an A.A. member has reached the unselfishly. Indeed, she literally gave her life. peace of mind and contentment for as long as I point where he is thoroughly familiar with the Grace died in her Chicago apartment January want it. He is stronger than I. He is a power working principle of his organization he can 8 of a heart attack. She had endured a long greater than I. I look up to him, not in adora- advance himself by securing new customers, illness, but was thought to be recovering. tion as one would to a God, but in humble re- thereby guaranteeing his success for the future. Against medical advice she had persisted in spect. I can only respect A.A. members and So you see, A.A. is a sound business, a good one, many of her duties as secretary and office manearnestly strive to imitate them.” and it’s ours for the taking. We need no capital ager of the Greater Chicago group. She’d tried or investment, yet we can establish ourselves in to slow down, but it was next to impossible to The Brighter Side, Waterloo, Iowa the prosperous business of right living if only keep her under wraps. —”Remember, someone needs us for a friend. we heed the voice of opportunity.” For two days her flower-banked casket lay in Let us be that friend. Remember always those a Chicago mortuary. Thousands came to mourn. who were good to us in those dark days at the The Weekly, Jefferson City, Mo “Did Then the body was taken to her native Xenia, start while we were still picking up pieces of our you ever raise a child from a handful of scrawny, Ohio, for burial by relatives. personality and trying to fit them into new and squalling humanity to a full grown individual, Miss Cultice was a familiar figure in Chicago lasting forms. Once we do that, we have cast to fit himself into his little niche in this universe advertising circles when she became interested off the old shell of self-pity and self-interest and and live the life of a normal citizen in his com- in A.A. through friendship with the local group we begin to care deeply about what happens to munity? Did it give you a thrill? Well, we founders. Often she acted as hostess at early others. When we learn to be happy in their have the same feeling of thankfulness, only in- meetings of three, four or a half dozen members. happiness, hurt with their hurt, we are delivered tensified, nearly every time we attend an A.A. She grew up with the Chicago group. Along from all indifference to others. Thus A.A. lights meeting—just to know that we have some little the route to its present 5,000-plus membership, the lamps and charts the sea so unhappy, dis- part in helping a fellow man onto the broad, the need became pressing for a full-time secretressed folk can find the way to a higher, joyful bright road of the A.A. way of living. Would tary. Grace took the job, ignoring the financial life of sobriety.”; I miss it? I’m going to make a good hard try sacrifice. Aridity Review, Spencer, I o w a — ” A s a to help another one today. I don’t mean just Because she knew how alkies talk and think thought for the week let your editor repeat the stand around and talk about it. I mean I’m go- and act, she shepherded hundreds into the ways statement on membership printed in 1939 in the ing to contact someone who wants what we have of recovery. She was a genial “greeter” for first edition of the Big Book: ‘The only require- and try to help him get it.” A.A.s visiting Chicago. On her last Christmas, ment for membership is an honest desire to stop cards came from A.A.s the world over. drinking.’ And there is no provision setting us The Screwball, Nacogdoches, Texas Alcoholics have an inherent distaste for maw- —”Time heals the scars of sorrow and erases or kishness. But none feels shame for his tears for up as judges of the sick man’s honesty of desire. glosses over the memory of pain and suffering Grace, nor for his devastating sense of personal We can, and must, assume that his openly expressed desire is honest and go on from there of the dying, but for the alcoholic there seems loss.—E.B. to be no surcease from living suffering and no to help him as we can to accomplish the same solace in dying. He is the epitome of misery. But, my fellow sufferer, the alcoholic does have New Quarters a friend—we can find comfort for our miseries; The last letter from Grace to The Grapevine Bill Starts A. A. Tour the balm of Gilead for our soul is available. was written the day before she died and said Bill W., accompanied by his wife, Lois, left Why do we say there is hope of such a friend? that as of February 2, the Central Office of the New York this month for an extended tour of Because we know, for we have found Him!” Chicago Group is located in new quarters at 123 large A.A. centers in the United States and Can- West Madison Street, Chicago 2, Illinois. The ada. His itinerary includes parts of Canada, Rope Yarns, Seaman’s Club, New York new phone numbers are: Financial 1475, 1476 the West Coast, Texas, St. Louis, Mo., and —”A.A. is the personification of democracy, for and 1477. Chicago. in A.A. all are equal, all are given the same Reporting the change, Grace wrote: “The move Because all stops already have been sched- chance to help themselves. Each one can speak is due to the fact that we need more space, and uled it is impossible to change the itinerary, his mind, do his part, is given a chance to learn we will have almost twice as much as now. Of Bill said. He added that both he and Lois re- and think for himself. Here respect is earned; course, we won’t have a view of the Lake, but gret being unable to drop off in many more it can’t be bought. In A.A. rich and poor are we have been too busy to look out the window cities and towns to visit with A.A. groups. one; only responsibility gives privileges.” anyway.”

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The answer to the second is: Why not? mixed with a sort of mischievous and exhilarat- The answer to the third: They certainly ing pleasure — from the time of that highly should, for if everyone was to follow the three tragic discovery, we alcoholics were initiated suggestions, it certainly would work! In fact, into the Kingdom of Bacchus and the servitude it is just what this benighted world of today of John Barleycorn. needs.—R.R. Years passed, t i l l , coming one day to realize our abject enslavement, we determined to free Why All the Congratulations? ourselves from the desire, use, and effects of From Manhattan, N. Y. alcohol, only to discover ourselves powerless to do so. Let’s Stay Simple It seems to me that in the New York metro- Essential vitamins were at a low ebb in our From Detroit, Mich. politan area, at least, we are going badly over- bodies—not only the famous Bl, but, as since Is A.A. going the way of all flesh? board in the matter of celebrating personal anni- proven, a serious shortage of all other vitamins I begin to think so when I read in The Grape- versaries at open meetings. Of the last eight necessary to good performance of mind and vine of A.A. buttons, pins, banners and all of the open meetings I have attended, no less than six body. This shortage gave place to a craving other doodads that distinguish the great-orders- have been “anniversaries” with, in most cases, which we attributed entirely to lack of alcohol of-this-or-that, the ladies’ aid sewing circles, the birthday cakes with candles brought in during whenever we were either forced to abstain, or dinner clubs, and the push-the-home-town boost- the meeting, singing “Happy Birthday to You” tried to quit on our own. ers. I’m not taking a crack at those groups. They and other antics. I am somewhat loath to bring Also, we grievously missed the “lift,” the have their place and some of them do a grand up the subject because I realize that the anni- pleasurable “release,” the exhilarating and job in civic and social enterprises. versary date—whether six months, one year, two “conscience-numbing” joyousness, with an at- But I thought A.A. was different. And then years or longer—is a “red letter” day in the life tendant adolescent sense of sportive mischief. I read about and see the formation of commit- of the member. But with everyone, particularly This, of course, was the base for our craving— tees for this and committees for that, and boards the speakers on the program (sometimes at in- the denial of which brought on a sense of monotand councils, and heavens knows what. Just like ordinate length) telling Joe Doaks what a grand ony, ennui, and boredom, which made our sothe board of directors. Squabbles, of course, fellow he is and what a record he has achieved, briety worthless. We were abstaining, yes, but follow. Cliques appear and the old, ugly head it would be too much to expect that at least some our hearts were not in it. of politics rises up. of it will not be absorbed into Joe’s system— Today, all that is changed! Our essential Can’t we stay simple? No matter how large with a consequent displacement of some of his variety of vital vitamins is up to par. Our vision A.A. becomes in its totals, we can still stick to essential humility and of his hardly-won knowl- and our enthusiasm of, and for, the Spiritual small groups—except for the occasional large, edge that it is not Joe himself but the Higher Power of A.A. is a priceless substitute for the open meeting held mainly to show the public what Power that is responsible for his success. As we evil pleasures we once enjoyed in our use of A.A. has to offer. It was in the small, intimate, all know, too much “laudatory exegesis” is bad alcohol! And, t r u t h to tell, we all did really personal relationship that A.A. began. That is medicine for the temperamental alcoholic and, enjoy it. Many a time we actually escaped penstill the way A.A. works best, in my opinion. in the let-down after the celebration, too often alty—many a carefree hour or day, when we, And that’s the way to avoid all of the organiza- disaster follows. As usual, Bill F. puts it suc- “loaded lightly,” seemed to prove at the time tion with all of its attendant evils. Let’s please cinctly: “When we start taking bows (even on that alcohol was a real blessing. Some of us stay simple, basic, fundamental—let’s stay A.A. anniversaries) we bow ourselves right into the honestly thanked God for it! -O.R. cuspidor.” Today let us thank The Higher Power that we Criticism, unless it is constructive, is not help- are far happier, without that illegitimate enslave- It Wouldn’t Hurt ful. I suggest, therefore, as a partial remedy, ment to alcohol, and the ultimate penalties that the birthday cake and the trimmings be rele- of its abuse. —Walt K. From Manhattan, N. Y. gated to the “coffee and cake” period after the The last article on Page 16 of your December meeting proper is over and that speakers on an Congenial Family issue, entitled “It Might Work,” asks three anniversary program be requested to very strictly questions. From Vacaville, Calif. limit and tone down their laudatory remarks; all (Editor’s Note: The reference is to a reprint to the end that newcomers, as well as oldtimers, We are the most congenial family on earth of an article from the Memphis, Tenn., Press- will realize that the meeting is a real A.A. meet- and that is our greatest asset. No matter where Scimitar, which asked, in effect, these three ques- ing and not the annual banquet of a Mutual or when two of us meet, there is a feeling of joy tions: Is the brotherhood and spiritual philoso- Admiration Society.—J.A.D. to have seen or talked with the other. We are phy of A.A. just for alcoholics? Why not ap- gregarious as English sparrows. No danger of ply the A.A. technique to other needs? Why A Better Lift at Last one of us ever passing another up or dodging shouldn’t men who aren’t alcoholics form similar him. Every time we meet, we are strengthened. groups cutting across denominations in order to From St. Petersburg, Florida Perhaps that leans a little to the spiritual side; achieve the goals which all religions . . . have Let’s talk a little about our former use of love of a fellow being in trouble. We see the in common?) alcohol. From the time we felt that first “lift,” best in each other. One even dislikes the parting The answer to the first question is: No. that first mysterious sense of “release,” not un- at the conclusion of our meetings. Our feeling

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for each other is free from the jealousies and Gone are our delusions, our torturous self-pity, DUBLIN GROUP cruelties of life which we have to face so often our fears and doubts, and we live a life of servapart. ice, serenity and happiness, regaining our self- WANTS LETTERS We will never be paragons; but it’s a cast respect and the respect of those with whom we From Dublin, Ireland iron cinch we will be better men and women live.—E.C.L. This letter is an appeal to all other groups. since becoming Alcoholics Anonymous and We are handicapped here by not being able to “dry.” “Easy does it.”—M.S. A.A. Saga call on speakers from other groups to come and From Bronxville, N. Y. relieve the weekly routine. Selfishness Loses Out Will others please send us letters, instead, tell- For 30 years writer in various branches of From Montgomery, Alabama show business. ing us how they make out and about them- A.A. is broad in scope and simple in practice In the bag most the time. selves? —a vehicle which carries us from a frustrated Made a small fortune. Blew it. (And how We will gladly reply to any letters we get, and and unhappy state to one of clear thinking and I got rolled!) give our own news. useful living. In its flexibility it teaches us to Joined A.A. Memorial Day 1946. I have written to over 50 myself in the past believe in and rely upon a higher power just as Took year off for recovery. two months—but I hear so much criticism of my we understand him. We, who have been filled Started to rebuild career, the A.A. way. handwriting that I thought a printed request with resentments, doubts, prejudices and suspi- Honest, it worked. Am back, on solid rock. might be fairer. cions and filled with an inborn fear of our in- On solid rock until I forget, 24 hours a day, All best wishes to you and your staff—and our adequacy, learn to live our lives in such a man- A.A. thanks for the great work you are carrying on ner that for the first time we can meet and face Which I haven’t yet, thank God!—P.B. so successfully.—S. men and situations openly and fearlessly, with (Address: The Country Shop, 23 St. Stephen’s a willingness to show our real selves and hide Green, Dublin, Ireland.) How Thin Is the Ice? nothing. We attain a firm desire to see and understand From Tuscaloosa, Ala. the other fellow’s viewpoint. We want to lend After returning from a business trip to a large There’s the core of the problem, there’s the a helping hand to those who need us. We want southern seaport city recently, H. M., a Tusca- answer to why I slipped three times during the to give pleasure rather than be pleasant. loosa A.A. who had been sober for 16 months, past year, my first in A.A. The answer comes In our daily living we put aside selfishness told an interesting story. The point of his story straight from the “Big Book”: and practice generosity. We give ourselves and illustrates clearly the crux of the sobriety prob- “The alcoholic at certain times has no effecin so doing we become a part of the scheme of lem for all recovered alcoholics. tive mental defense against the first drink. Exthings. Our friends learn that they can count H.M. visited the A.A. club in this seaport city cept in a few rare cases, neither he nor any other on us and we will not be found lacking, whereas and there he met a man we shall call Mr. X. Mr. human being can provide such a defense. His in our drinking days we spent a great deal of X was an insurance adjuster and had come from defense must come from a Higher Power.” our time running away from reality. We can a northern city only a short time before. He Memory of the last spree’s torture is very now meet the issues and problems of the day had been sober for 18 months and had several short. And when we travel to unfamiliar surgiving our best, and in giving our best we have thousand dollars in the bank. roundings, perhaps among drinkers who are not the genuine satisfaction of knowing that no one Something happened to Mr. X in the seaport alcoholic, the danger is great, the ice is very could do more. city. He began drinking, and with a woman thin. No human can help us in this spot. Only We have put aside our defensive, our defiant, companion, visited all the best bars and had a God can do this. H.M. on his business trip look our headstrong and arrogant attitude. We regain gay time. Finally X’s money was gone, all the out insurance against that first drink by listening a faith in ourselves and our beliefs which for so several thousand dollars, and he had a nice load to Mr. X’s story, and he found Mr. X at the many years was lost to us. of remorse and a severe case of jitters. His A.A. club. For the first time in years we see the true and father, also an A.A., had written him, “No more Many in A.A. are like I have been during the finer things of life. We find a great relief and money from me.” past year—they have given lip service to the idea peace which comes with our honesty, sincerity, H.M. told this story to the Tuscaloosa Group. of turning over their lives to their higher tolerance, patience and good will toward our When he finished he said, “I realized just how power. Traces of the old cynicism, of rugged fellow man. thin the ice is.” (Continued on Page 16)

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A.A. GOES ON THE AIR (Editor’s Note: On New Year’s morning, a member of the Manhattan A. A. Group appeared as the guest star on “Hi, Jinx,” morning program of Jinx Falkenburg and Tex McCrary, over WNBC, New York City, Because the script was admirably handled in deference to A.A. principles of anonymity, and with great care to bring out the ideals of A.A,, it is reproduced with the permission of the principals.)

TEX: “Well, we could run through a bunch of JINX: “Oh, then you mean you don’t drink VOICE: “Because drinking, as such, is accepted New Year’s Resolutions.” any more.” socially . . . and, to be a social drinker is all JINX: “We could do that . . . except that I still VOICE: “Not at all.” right. . . . But the fellow who carries it too have a strange feeling nobody’s listening . . . TEX: “And you used to drink a lot?” far is sort of an outcast. They say he is lack- 8:45 on New Year’s morning is a time for VOICE: “Too much, Tex. Much too much.” ing in principle, or in ordinary common sense sleeping … not good resolutions.” TEX: “And now . . . how long have you been or will power.” TEX: “And the people who aren’t sleeping are dry?” J I N X : “Well, isn’t he?” probably nursing hangovers . . . which means VOICE: “Five years, come next September.” VOICE: “Not always. It seems to be a differthey can think of their own good resolutions TEX: “But hasn’t it been sort of tough really ence in the chemical makeup of the man. without any help from us. . . . They’ve got swearing off . . . and making it stick? I mean, While the first few drinks may act on him the plenty of help from their hangovers.” hasn’t it cost you a lot of fun because you can same as on the next fellow at the bar, the over- JINX: “I read the other day that there are 50 never take a drink . . . no matter how much all effect is more like a drug. The only thing million drinkers in America and I suppose this you feel like it?” that will keep him together and able to carry is the day most of them will pick for a hang- VOICE: “Well, at first, I did feel a little strange. on after a certain stage is another drink. over.” I think it was fear that I might start again. Where the normal drinker this morning, after TEX: “If we could only dream up a cure for Then, as things became a little plainer, they his over-indulgence to celebrate last night, hangovers . . . one that would really work also became simpler. I realized that I was a will shudder at the thought of a drink, the . . . we’d have lots of listeners even this morn- free man, for the first time in years. Com- alcoholic will probably take more as a mediing. You know . . . something like the whites pletely free!” cine in an effort to bring himself back to norof two eggs in a glass of Florida orange juice JINX: “But why didn’t you stop before . . . a malcy. Then the cycle starts all over again, mixed with a dash of tabasco.” long time before … if it meant so much when for no alcoholic ever stops in time. The results JINX: “That would give me a hangover . . . you finally did stop?” are always the same . . . uncertainty, more not cure one! But I wonder what does help VOICE: “You. see, Jinx, in the beginning, we drinking, drunkenness, lost jobs, family quar- … I wonder . . . what is a hangover?” just won’t believe that we are alcoholics. . . . rels, sickness, separations, and worse. The TEX: “What is a hangover? That question will Even if we do feel it in our hearts, we won’t alcoholic doesn’t drink—he goes on b i n g e s hold me until I can do some outside reading. admit it, even to ourselves.” each morning he tries to undo what happened . . . But this I do know . . . it’s got something JINX: “Then what makes men like you finally to him yesterday. This leads to another even to do with singed nerve fibers.” wake up and know you can’t drink . . . that worse day and so on until his whole system JINX: “You sound very professional.” you are an alcoholic?” rebels. An alcoholic seldom eats after the TEX: ”Well . . . after seeing ‘Lost Weekend’ VOICE: “Jinx, there’s an old saying among first two or three days of drinking and sooner and reading a lot of articles about an organ- drinkers: ‘If you fall down three times . . . or later it’s blackout—sorrow, remorse) and ization called Alcoholics Anonymous and and only get up twice . . . you’re drunk.’ An a very sick body.” hearing a lot of jokes about the same outfit alcoholic is definitely faced with absolute fail- JINX: “How does he get well?” on the radio, I’m beginning to feel like an ure and unhappiness. . . . It’s just a matter of VOICE: “Vitamin B or tonics to reduce acid expert . . . second-hand expert.”. time. If we can catch a fellow before he’s all and create appetite. Slowly he comes back. VOICE: “Those jokes about Alcoholics Anony- the way down, so much the better. But most Three days of hell can be expected and only mous are about the most stupid things I ever of us in Alcoholics Anonymous did hit the the alcoholic knows the mental pain and heard. It shows that the guys who wrote the bottom . . . and I mean the bottom. We fell agony of those days and nights wondering jokes . . . and the people who laugh at them the third time and came up with no job, no what he has done to friends and loved ones . . . don’t have the slightest idea of what A.A. friends, no help. Then we know we’re alco- . . . feeling that he is a complete loss. Suicide is all about.” holics.” is often contemplated.” JINX: “Hey! Who are you? What’s your TEX: “There’s been a lot written and there has TEX: “When he does get straightened out, name? How do you know so much about been a movie made about this problem . . . doesn’t he make a resolution?” Alcoholics Anonymous?” one movie in particular. Do you think the VOICE: “Every time. . . . If God will only let VOICE: “Well, Jinx, I know what I’m talking story . . . the problems . . . were well depicted, me get well this once, I’ll never touch a drop about . . . because I am an alcoholic . . . well portrayed, in the movie ‘Lost Week- again.” anonymous!” end?'” TEX: “What happens?” JINX: “Oh, you’re a member of Alcoholics VOICE: “Just about as well as could be expected VOICE: “As a rule, just as he knows the depths Anonymous.” … I mean when you think that the audiences of remorse and sorrow, so an alcoholic knows VOICE: “Well, Jinx, I’m not a member because of pictures like that are non-alcoholics.” great joy and happiness when he finally gets we don’t exactly have ‘memberships.’ . . . But TEX: “Why can’t non-alcoholics . . . social well. A new lease on life comes with his new I go to the meetings. I’ve been going for a drinkers … or just plain non-drinkers, under- resolutions. Great ambitions fill him. There long time.” stand the problem?” is a renewed a spring in his step and it’s this

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very ability to rebound that is often his un- with men who do not look upon him as an once a long time ago, I wrote an article called doing. Whether it is trying to got away from outcast but as a guy or gal who has the same ‘I Was An Alcoholic’…” reality, to drown a sorrow, or to celebrate a problem that they overcame . . . and those who TEX: “You put it in the past tense.” great happiness. It’s the first drink that starts have found their freedom from this enslaving VOICE: “Yes, and I know now the mistake I the alcoholic on another binge. They like to disease are anxious to help, for in constantly made, Tex, because years after, maybe two, call themselves periodic drinkers, but there is keeping in touch with others who are fighting maybe three, I felt so strong and so bold that no such thing. Or better still, there is no other their way out, they are themselves kept con- I took another drink . . . and had what we kind of alcoholic. The drinking periods get stantly in the knowledge that once an alco- call a slip. I got drunk. It was a year later longer and the in-between sober, normal pe- holic, always an alcoholic.” When I sobered up. And so that’s when I riods get shorter until they meet. Look for TEX: “You mean you are never really cured?” joined A.A. and I know that once an alcoholic, them then in Bellevue, Keeley Cure, Green always an alcoholic. We just can’t drink.” VOICE: “Tex, the man who gets a rash when he Hill, or other sanitariums or hospitals—or TEX: “The job is never done.” eats strawberries will stop eating them, right?” just alone and despised in their lonely rooms.” JINX: “You know, there’s one thing I have al- JINX: “How does Alcoholics Anonymous stop TEX: “Right!” VOICE: “So he stops eating strawberries, right?” ways wondered. Are there women members all this?” of A.A. as well as men?” VOICE: “Well, I have said in effect that only an TEX: “Right!” VOICE: “Yes, indeed. Your sex is well reprealcoholic understands an alcoholic. There’s VOICE: “Then time passes and he eats straw- sented, Jinx. Today I think it’s about 50-50.” your secret. In days gone by, a man afflicted berries again—and gets a rash again, right?” JINX: “You mean there are more women now in this way would go to his doctor or spiritual TEX: “Right!” than there were . . . say ten years ago?” advisor and not even get sympathy. They VOICE: “No, you’re never really cured. You’re VOICE: “Yes, they came to us a little slower!” would be apt to say, ‘Why don’t you think of still an alcoholic. But there isn’t any great your loved ones—why don’t you use a little TEX: “How about other countries? Does A.A. sorrow there, Tex . . . not for the alcoholic operate outside of America?” will power?’ Believe me, they do think of who has changed his whole life from depressed their loved ones, and as for the will power, VOICE: “Yes, we have been forced to spread. sorrow, failure, and unhappiness . . . changed Of course, you know the growth of A.A. has you might as well tell a man dying of tuber- all that to a free and full life . . . accepted by culosis to use will power to stop his coughing. been tremendous in these past 13 years. Thirhis friends and in his profession . . . in his teen years ago, it was one man and his buddy. We know now that the alcoholic is suffering job. He will not only thank God for his newfrom a disease as surely as is the man with They got together with their problems. Today found joy, but he’ll be forever grateful to his there are thousands and it is international.” high blood pressure or Bright’s disease. But friends in A.A. or anywhere else … the friends it’s a combination of mental and physical dif- TEX: “What are some of the other countries . . . who helped him out of the slavery that is the England, Mexico, Canada, or do you know ferences, that up to a point are accepted as lot of every alcoholic. From then on, he’ll be normal and after that point, looked down that list offhand?” glad to live by the 12 rules that guarantee his VOICE: “England was first, and France is in, upon and avoided. The doctor or the spiritual freedom.” and South America, yes. There are others I advisor today will probably submit to the man the advisability of going to A.A. or some JINX: “Twelve rules? What are they?” can’t list right now.” other similar organization. Why? Because VOICE: “Well, Jinx, here are a few of them. JINX: “How do you get to meet somebody in then he will find men who understand, who They might be of interest to some of your lis- A.A. . . . I mean, suppose somebody wanted talk the same* language. There he will mingle teners this morning. . . . A few of the Steps a help. What would they do?” member of Alcoholics Anonymous takes be- VOICE: “I think the easiest way would be to fore he finds security and freedom from fear. open the telephone book, look up under Alco- 1. We admit that we are powerless in the holics Anonymous, and call one of our clubs.” hands of alcohol; we recognize that our TEX: “You just look for Alcoholics Anonymous lives become unmanageable as a result of in the Manhattan telephone book?” using alcohol. VOICE: “It’s listed like that in New York and 2. We learn to believe that a power greater wherever there is a club.” than ourselves must and can restore us. JINX: “And are there people . . . specific people 3. We make a searching and fearless moral whom you are helping now?” inventory of ourselves. VOICE: “You mean our pigeons?” 4. We make a list of all persons we have JINX: “What?” harmed and we set out, willingly, to make VOICE: “Pigeons.” amends to all of them. JINX: “Pigeons! What are they?” VOICE: “Well, if we are fortunate enough to be 5. And finally, strengthened by/the spiritual able to help another alcoholic, we call him or experience of taking these Steps, we try to her our pigeon while they are in the process carry the same idea, the same message of of being cured.” hope to other alcoholics while we continue JINX: “How many pigeons do you have at the to practice the sound principles in all our moment?” own affairs.” VOICE: “I have three now. Two male and one JINX: “And these are the principles that cured female pigeon.” you of alcoholism?” JINX: “Are they good pupils or do you call VOICE: “Cured me, Jinx? Cured me? We them pupils?” never put that in the past tense. You know, (Continued on next page)

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TEX: “Are they homing pigeons, in other wards now. They are cooperating to the very 1. “of the intellectual and higher endowments words?” best of their ability. And it’s a wonderful of the mind.” VOICE: “Homing pigeons is very well said. To help because an alcoholic, in his first five or 2. “of the moral feeling or states of the soul.” date, these three have been very good. One six days goes through Gethsemane and in the 3. “of the soul or its affections as influenced I’ve stood beside for about four months and hospital he is cared for not only by the doc- by the divine spirits; pure; holy, opposed to is doing very well. I don’t think we have tors and the nurses but Alcoholics Anonymous carnal.” any more worries concerning him. The other keeps a member constantly there.” fellow is doing very nicely. He wrote me JINX: “I think we should repeat the telephone The word religion is not mentioned in this only yesterday that he had a slip but he is out definition. number—although we haven’t mentioned the of it and he is going to try again with both* phone number in closing, we do want any- Now, how do these definitions apply to A.A.? feet on the ground. My female pigeon isn’t one who is interested in this whole campaign First, “of the intellectual and higher endowdoing so well. She’s in the hospital now but to phone . . . and you suggest looking in the ments of the mind.” This simply means you be- I’m going to get her out soon.” book, not giving the number.” gin to think on a higher plane. Your thinking TEX: “Have you told your pigeons that the old VOICE: “I understand that you in radio do al- becomes straighter and more intellectual. Remaster is on the air this morning?” ways repeat the telephone numbers. It’s very member—”It is your stinkin’ thinkin’ that causes VOICE: “No, I haven’t.” simple in this case because you simply look stinkin’ drinkin’.” Therefore, as soon as your JINX: “That’s sort of a secret we kept from in the telephone book for Alcoholics Anony- mind begins to think on a higher level, you have everyone but isn’t it much easier since you mous.” started on the spiritual phase. were an alcoholic for you to teach your pigeons Second—”of the moral feeling or states of the TEX: “Thank you very much for the story you’ve the right way, the way that you profited by all soul.” The alcoholic is most certainly an abantold this morning. I think it has been of trethe things that you did wrong?” doned soul. For the sake of liquor, alcoholics mendous interest to a lot of our listeners.” VOICE: “You mean that I’m a pretty good ex- cut themselves off from everyone—God included. ample?” JINX: “And thank you for being anonymous this morning.” Third—”of the soul or its affections as influ- JINX: “Yes, I do.” enced by the divine spirits. Pure; holy, opposed TEX: “And that you speak their language?” VOICE: “And Happy New Year to you both.” to carnal.” VOICE: “Yes. All the way through, I’ve told Man is a creature composed of body and soul. you that that’s the strength of Alcoholics He is both material and spiritual. He needs Anonymous, the fact that the habits of all health of soul as well as health of body. Therealcoholics are so similar. We know before fore, the spiritual help received through A.A. is they say a thing what they’re going to say. no more than medicine for the soul. . We know before they slip that they are going to slip almost. We can tell by the feel .ex- The newcomer in A.A. commences to undergo actly what’s going through their mind because a personality change at such a rate that he often it went through ours so often.” cannot account for it. He is a new creature and JINX: “Didn’t you say that A.A.s live almost all things become new. He is starting a “New Way of Life,” which includes material help and day by day?” spiritual help. Where does this help come from? VOICE: “Yes, I think that’s one of the safest —from “a Power Greater than himself”—from ways that we do it. We don’t say ‘next year’ the A.A. group. or ‘year after’ or ‘how long’ we say ‘If I can live these 24 hours happily, free from al- Is the word religion mentioned in this? Not cohol, I’m satisfied. Just today’.” once. A.A. is neither a religion nor a creed, nor TEX: “Is there more fear of the night than there a philosophy. There is nothing occult or mysis of the day time, or do the 24 hours just terious about it. A.A. has a spiritual program, melt together as one problem?” but not a religious program. VOICE: “That’s a very pertinent question, Tex, When a man has a sincere desire to give up because in actual practice, those first few drink, to give up that which has meant everydays and weeks, the night time is the tough thing to him, he must find something to fill up time . . . and we stay with them very closely, the void. Now there is only one thing that will but when we’re on our own, I don’t think there individualism which said, “I am master of my fully satisfy the heart and mind of man. Man is much difference. One day blends into an- fate . . . ,” remained as a barrier to contact with in his extremity has ever turned to God. A.A. other and very happily for me and for the the Higher Power. does not define God for you. That is for you rest.” Yes, the ice is very thin, but the insurance to do. JINX: “Do you get specific help from doctors? against breaking through is ours for the asking. A.A. asks you to believe in a Power Greater Are there doctors that are sort of associate ~H.Y. than yourself, and to live by spiritual principles members in case anybody doesn’t trust you and a simple spiritual discipline—to ask for amateurs?” Spiritual—Not Religious help just for the day. Philosophers and saints VOICE: “Very often we’ll have a doctor at our practiced the need of living just for the present From Fairmont, W. Va. —neither in the past nor in the future. That meetings and he will say very nice, kind things. More and more, the doctors are be- Many alcoholics coming into A.A. object at program is as old as the Proverbs, and anyone ginning to join us. In fact, the hospitals are first to the spiritual aspect. Perhaps they do not who can follow this simple program for 24 hours giving over some of their space. In two of understand the definition of the word spiritual. can follow it for the rest of his life—a life of the New York hospitals, we have alcoholic The dictionary defines it as follows: sobriety.—V.H.

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Vol. IV, NO. 10, MARCH, 1948. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1948, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

The Saga of a Coat That “Belongs” to A.A. From Akron, Ohio was soaked through and so was he. After he died I got it back from the hospital.”

A LONG toward the end of the last act in Puccini’s opera, La Boheme, the little heroine, Mimi, lies dying in the garret home of her lover. And while the others wring their hands in a “what to do?” fashion (and Then there was another time. One of the boys dropped into the barber shop. “Say, Henry,” he said, “I think I just saw incidentally, haven’t you known a lot of And so on, far into the afternoon. • that prize overcoat of yours in the gutter down A.A.s like that?) Colline, the philosopher, But out of that gabfest came a practical idea. on Blank Street.” We would assemble a “rag-bag.” Cast-off suits, “”Good Lord, man,” Henry was genuinely disdecides to do something. shoes, shirts, underwear, socks, neckties, or what turbed, “why didn’t you bring it in?” Medicine is needed. He has a warm although have you in the way of castoffs, but still pre- “Oh, it’s all muddy and I didn’t think you somewhat shabby overcoat. Alors! He w i l l hock sentable. Henry volunteered to keep the stuff wanted it.” the coat and buy medicine. And so be sings a in his barber shop and see that it was kept clean. But Henry didn’t hear him. He had grabbed plaintive song of farewell to his coat—that is, if The idea was that down-and-outers could “bor- his hat and was heading for Blank Street on the a basso can be plaintive. He tells how this an- row” outfits, and then return them after they gallop. Tenderly he picked the muddy garment cient garment has befriended him in the wintry got on their feet and could buy clothes of their up and took it to a cleaner. chills, of how it has carried in its pockets the own. “One guy brought it back, not because he had works of philosophers and poets. At just about that time the well-to-do father sobered up, but because spring and warm It’s a knockout! of one of our members’ died, leaving behind him weather had come,” Henry mused. “And I’ve , This, too, is the story of a coat. It is not set a virtually brand new overcoat that had cost in pulled it out of hock shops.” to the lovely tunes of Puccini. It has not shel- the neighborhood of $150. It was far too small But there’s a bright side. Out of the 21 who tered the works of philosophers and poets. And for the son, so he pitched it into the rag-bag. had worn the coat, 15 had succeeded in A.A., if you’re looking for a moral you can stop read- That was back in 1943. had found jobs, bought new clothes, and reing right now. For a moral there is not. It is A few days ago I was in Henry’s barber shop turned the old coat for the next fellow. And that, just the story of a f r i e n d l y garment, of an A.A. when a chap I had known as a drunk and down- my friends, is a pretty fair average. garment. and-outer walked in. I looked at him a couple As I said, there’s no moral to this tale. It It was back in about 1943. A small group of of times. simply is the story of a coat. the lads were congregated in Henry’s barber “Say, Henry,” I asked, “isn’t that the ” But I sometimes suspect that it has had a lot shop, talking of this and that. Henry, let it be “Yep,” grinned Henry. “That’s the coat. He’s to do with the sobriety of quite a few men. known, is a Grade-A, practicing A.A. the 21st one to wear it.” The wearing of it must have given them the Somehow the conversation got around to the “And it came back all these times?” feeling that they had not regained their self reraggedness of some of the new boys, fresh from “Well, yes, in a manner of speaking.” And he spect until they could earn and buy something the gutter, their last decent piece of clothing gave me some highlights, to replace it—and consequently put forth just a probably hocked for a crock of high-voltage “You remember Jasper M ?” Henry little more effort that some other down-and-outer wine. asked. might have a whirl at it. “It’s hard for ’em to get jobs.” I remembered that Jasper had given A.A. a And I’m certain that it has been a help to “It’s tough to have to attend a meeting in brief whirl and then had died in a hospital of Henry. For he has followed and guarded that rags.” pneumonia. That is, they called it pneumonia now well-worn garment just as he would an A.A. “It’s rugged to try to get your self respect that killed him, but a lot of us knew better. baby. back when the stuff you’re wearing is patched “Well, Jasper was wearing that coat when the And doggoned if I don’t feel a little bit better, and threadbare.” cops picked him up out of a snowbank. The coat just thinking about it!—E.W.

‘, -, 1 group’s own affairs. Rightly enough, this Tradition goes on to say, “But when its plans concern the welfare of neighboring groups also, these groups ought to be consulted.” Obviously, if any individual, group or regional committee could take an action which might seriously affect the welfare of Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole, or seriously disturb surrounding groups, that would On the 4th Tradition not be liberty at all. It would be sheer license; it would be anarchy, not democracy. By Bill Therefore, we A.A.s have universally adopted the principle “With respect to, its own affairs, each A.A. group of consultation. This means that if a single A.A. group wishes should be responsible to no other authority than its own to take any action which might affect surrounding groups, it consciences. But when its plans concern the, welfare of consults them. Or, if there be one, it confers with the interneighboring groups also, those groups ought to be con- group committee for the area. Likewise, if a group or regional sulted. And no group, regional committee, or indi- committee wishes to take any action that might affect A.A. as a vidual should ever take any action that might greatly whole, it consults the trustees of The Alcoholic Foundation, who affect A.A. as a whole without conferring with the trus- are, in effect, our over-all General Service Committee. For intees of The Alcoholic Foundation. On such issues our stance, no group or intergroup could feel free to initiate, without common welfare is paramount.” consultation, any publicity that might affect A.A. as a whole. Nor could it assume to represent the whole of Alcoholics Anony- This Tradition, Number 4, is a specific application of general mous by printing and distributing anything purporting to be A.A. principles already outlined in Traditions I and 2. ‘Tradition I standard literature. This same principle would naturally apply states, “Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small to all similar situations. Though there is no formal compulsion part of a great whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of us to do so, all undertakings of this general character are customwill surely die. Hence our common welfare comes first. But indi- arily checked with our A.A. General Headquarters. vidual welfare follows close afterward.” ‘.Tradition 2 states, “For This idea is clearly summarized in the last sentence of Tradiour group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving tion 4, which observes, “On such issues our common welfare is God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.” paramount.” With these concepts in mind, let us look more closely at Tradition 4. The first sentence of Tradition 4 guarantees each A.A. group local autonomy. With respect to its own affairs, the group may make any decisions, adopt any attitudes that it likes. No over-all or intergroup authority should challenge this primary privilege. We feel this ought to be so, even though the group This man is not might sometimes act with complete indifference, to our tradition. trying to help some- For example, an A.A. group could, if it wished, hire a paid one solve an alcopreacher and support him out of the proceeds of a group night holic problem but is club. Though such an absurd procedure would be miles outside’ deep in a problem our tradition, the group’s “right to be wrong” would be held in- of his own. How violate. We are sure that each group can be granted, and safely . can he get his pal granted, these most extreme privileges. We know that our X elected as a onefamiliar process of trial and error would summarily eliminate man door commitboth the preacher and the night club. Those severe growing pains tee? If X could be which invariably follow any radical departure from A.A. tradi- elected, then, along tion can be absolutely relied upon to bring an erring group back with pals Y and Z of the steering and into line. An A.A. group need not be coerced by any human entertainment comgovernment over and above its own members. Their own experimittees, he could ence, plus A.A. opinion in surrounding groups, plus God’s pretty well run the prompting in their group conscience would be sufficient. Much whole group and be travail has already taught us this. Hence we may confidently the big shot he so say to each group, “You should be responsible to no other author- justly deserves to ity than your own conscience.” be. Obviously, this Yet please note one important qualification. It will be seen type of fellow does that such extreme liberty of thought and action applies only to the an awful lot of good.

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TO GIVE IS MORE BLESSED-AND VITAL! from New York City It gave me temporary courage and security, it An old theme perhaps, but we can only speak removed the barriers between me and other people, men and women. I really wanted to be Resentment Described from our own experience and to me, at the age of 50, the truth of it comes as a startling dis- kind, I wanted to be generous. Like all alcoholics, I became so openhanded that it was ri- As Spiritual Alcohol covery. Is forgetting it the reason why some of (Speaking recently be/ore the Park Slope Group in diculous. I wanted to give, share, love. It our best A.A. success stories end in a bad slip? Brooklyn, George B. quoted several passages taken from Man gets sober, man regains important job or worked like magic at first and for the first time the weekly bulletin of the Church of the Ascension in in my life I could be natural, unselfconscious Pittsburgh. The article is reproduced here with the finds one even more lucrative. Girl marries man permission of the rector of the Church of the Ascension, of her dreams and when everything seems very and free of fear. the Rev. Wilburn C. Campbell.—Editor) We all know what happens.. Friend Alcohol rosy, he or she gets drunk and ruins the whole turns into a devil and takes us over, body and THE SELFISHNESS OF LOVE set-up. Have you ever heard the expression, “He is the soul. It frees us only to tie us up in more hor- Someone said to me quite recently, “You hate most lovable person I have ever known, comyourself, don’t you?” I answered that I did, and rible coils. Now, it is alcohol that we must pletely unselfish and always doing things for why shouldn’t I? The mess I’d made of my life, have—not money, not love, not respect. We need others, giving himself to every good cause.” Now the harm I’d done to my children, etc., etc. Then it so badly that the bottle is our only security. the peculiar thing about this lovable person and I -started to think and realized that the self- Give it away? Share it? Not a chance! Hide it his unselfishness is that he feels that he is selfish! hatred started long before the drinking. It be- in your closet, in your clothes hamper, under The fun and joy and happiness which are his far gan in my childhood, as far back as I can your mattress, any place where it will not be outweigh what little he feels he does. remember. found. It is yours, and no one must find it, or Yes, love which is the embodiment of honest I was a shy, frightened child, scared of so drink it, or take it away. Other people are eneunselfishness is the most soul-satisfying selfishmany things that it is difficult to enumerate mies, even your nearest and dearest, particularly ness in the world. Love has a way of quickening them, but some will do. I was afraid of horses, your nearest and dearest. It is man and his botone’s heart so that it beats ecstatically, opening strange dogs, cows, even chickens, although we tle against the whole world. one’s eyes to behold unseen beauty, piercing Now we are sober, or to go back to me, now spent our summers on a farm. The elements one’s eardrums so that earth’s silent symphonies frightened me—intense heat or cold, thunder I am sober. I have accepted the fact that I must can be heard, and bathing the world in colors of storms, wind storms; I was frightened in the be, and want to be, sober for the rest of my life. richer harmony. Life takes on an altogether woods and in the fields unless I could plainly At last, after many years, I can think clearly different meaning, is somehow, more wonderful again, can make plans and carry them through. see our own house and know that I could get when love takes hold. Love expands your life. back to it quickly. I must have been afraid of What kind of plans? What do I want? Is it You receive more than you give. poverty, for I hoarded my allowance and when going to be the same old story over again? On the other hand, resentments, ill-will, and I did spend it, it was on myself. “Get what you’re after—be secure—save money hate shrivel life and shrink the soul. A member . Above all, I was afraid of being hurt emo- —be smart and get a good job—save your own of Alcoholics Anonymous said recently, “Just as tionally, rejected, pitied or ridiculed. I guess I hide and to hell with the rest of the world.” soon as you build up a resentment against a permust have figured that, if I didn’t give love or This is the danger point.—M.N. son or a thing or the world, when you begin to friendship, I couldn’t be hurt by having them feel sorry for yourself and feel nobody loves you thrown back in my face. —look out! The devil is about to take hold of Poor, pathetic, mean, selfish, miserly little Job Interviews your soul and heart and mind. You are about to girl. If this is self-pity, I will admit to it. My drown your life with alcohol.” Resentment is object in life was to get what I wanted or needed For A. A. Salesmen spiritual alcohol: it pickles your heart and damfor myself, take it back to a safe place and sit “The best salesmen in the country can be ages it more than alcohol does the liver. Resenton it. found in the ranks of A.A.,” writes Wally S. ments are not natural, either. They have to be How could such a child love or be loved? Wally, also a member of A.A. in New York, built. It is foolish and stupid selfishness to bear How could the girl she grew into fail to know is salesmanager for one of the largest manu- ill-will and resentment against others. The others she was a selfish coward and hate herself? “Get facturers of industrial floor maintenance ma- may or may not be affected by it. No good cerwhat you want, hoard it, protect it, learn to do chines and floor products and reports “phe- tainly can ever come of it. Definite harm always things well so that you will be smarter than the nomenal success with the ex-drinkers.” results to the one who harbors the resentment. other girls, play games better than the boys so As he jokingly puts it, “The alcoholic has had If you would be really selfish, then, cultivate you can pay them back for ignoring you. Pre- a lot of experience selling various people the an unselfish and loving attitude towards things tend to be kind, for that seems to be the way to idea that they should finance his drunks and as and persons. be liked and to be liked is vastly important, but a consequence has developed a sixth sense.” One final thought: The word “love” is much don’t slick your neck out, be sure you don’t Wally is ready to talk to any salesman who, abused and debased. True love must spring from give anything away that you might need your- due to his drinking background, is finding it the one pure source of love, God. God in the self.” difficult to take his rightful place in the business nature and being of Jesus Christ is the one per- What a way to live, and it was my way until world. fect Person Whom to serve is freedom and Whom I discovered alcohol.’ Alcohol (it seems tragic Anyone interested can write The A.A. Grape- to love is absolute peace. If you would love that the thing that helped me so much at first, vine, P.O. Box 328, Grand Central Annex, New others, if you would know an expansiveness of turned against me almost fatally in the end) York 17, N. Y., and the letter will be turned soul, begin by recklessly loving God Who first freed this cramped, mean, little soul of mine. over to Wally. loved you.

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When his first week in the asylum was ended and he was committed for trial on the. insanity charge I had laid, he was acquitted but he returned v o l u n t a r i l y to the institution for a longer time because he was s t i l l shaky, his wife and family would have nothing to do with him, he had no money and couldn’t risk living in rooms or a hotel and, needless to say, he couldn’t work. When he did come out and got his first work— a laboring job—he collapsed under the strain. We got him lighter work. He became reconciled with his wife, was at hand when their son was born and this Christmas spent the Yuletide with his family for the first time in five years. He thanks God— not me. He has. not achieved contented sobriety. God has given it to him and God thereby has also given to all of us the indisputable testimony that, if, in His name, we ask Him and if we give to Him alone the glory, no case is incurable. Another case involved dope. The first time I encountered it personally the victim had lain in a snow bank all night. Police had found him and taken him in. The doctor at the jail said he might not live through the day and ordered him I to a hospital at once. I went into the case with the police and with another member of our group who had gone with me to the jail. It cer-

NOBODY IS HOPELESS tainly seemed hopeless. Indeed, it was the most hopeless case I have ever encountered. While the others were still talking about the From Canada worked for me—numerous times in a manner absolutely incontrovertible. details, I got away in a corner of the guard We read much about cases like on page 13 of One of these cases called me one busy morn- room and committed that case to God. In my the December issue: “On September 29, 1944, ing from a hotel room. He was in terrible con- pretty colloquial terms, I pointed out that it I was literally carried into a meeting of Alco- dition. His “shakes” were well advanced con- might be His desire to make an example of this holics Anonymous. The next day I stopped vulsions. He hadn’t eaten for days. His body case—to show everyone who knew this man that drinking. Today I am celebrating three years was emaciated, his eyes sunken and he was very booze and dope were terrible killers but I added of total abstinence.” Such cases are marvelous. weak. He had accidentally killed a man. He that, if He would restore him to health and con- Thank God they are so numerous. We have had misappropriated company funds. His wife tented sobriety, His, alone, would be the power many in our group. But what about the so- was pregnant and she and their other six chil- that could do it and His alone would be the called incurables? dren were destitute. He had been an active and glory. And I said, too, “If he recovers, I’ll write Personally, I don’t think an incurable case of enthusiastic member of A.A. previously and had a letter to The Grapevine and tell about it so alcoholism exists. The trouble with so-called gone for nearly a year without a drink but he that all who read the story may know the lesson “incurables,” I believe, is that we believe them had taken a job in a lumber camp “down north” that by Thy grace alone are we made whole.” incurable. We start at the beginning by admit- and had been unable to withstand the desire for The man spent a year in jail. In that time he ting that the victim is, himself, incapable of ex- liquor which was plentiful—and regarded almost got away from dope. When he came out, he erting any will power. We know that no other as an essential to life in that region. I called a started to celebrate his release and, for a time person (including church, doctors, and the po- doctor and we had him put in an asylum but, it looked as if he had hit the skids again. But an lice) has been able to do anything for him and while discussing his affairs with him, I had a opportunity presented itself and I gave him the we think that, because we have become ac- good opportunity to explain to him the hopeless- works just as I had given them to the other man. quainted with A.A. therapy, we hold the magic ness of his case without the help of a Higher Already he had turned to the use of hypnotic wand that can turn the trick. Of course we are Power. I could do nothing for him—I was drugs but had kept away from the narcotics so I wrong, so we fail and, because we have been merely another human being and none other felt that there was still a last shred of hope. It’s unable to do anything,, we consider the victim had ever been able to help. I stressed this point a long story, of course, but he has been on the incurable. and added, “God alone can do anything for you. beam for months and has spent his first sober It should stand to reason that, if the victim I can’t. I’ll make certain that you don’t get any Christmas in 20 years among relatives. and everyone else has failed, no mortal influ- booze for a while—in an asylum—but after that, I’m not even keeping my fingers crossed about ence will help. Then why not leave the matter what?” Frankly, I prayed for him. I said, in either of these cases. I don’t have to. They are to that Power greater than ourselves? We all effect, “This is in Thy hands. No man, no other in better hands than mine, believe me. Both are had to do that in our own cases. Why not do it power, can do anything and none other can take back on the production line; both are again gainwith cases we encounter in 12th Step work? the credit for returning this man to contented fully employed. And neither of them thanks me. Believe me, it works. I know, because it has sobriety.” They thank God, so I’m not worrying.—C.E.D.

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GROUP MEETING DISCUSSION PAGE (This is a discussion page. Ideas advanced here are usually made either at the start of the meeting And here are a few specific topics that can only suggestions, put forward to help furnish group discussion topics, without any intention of reaching fixed or between the last and the next to the last always stand reiteration: conclusions or dogmatic “rights” and “wrongs.” All speaker, at which time the collection is also Why A.A. should remain anonymous. readers are invited to submit group discussion topics.) generally taken for the rent and coffee. What makes A.A. work. Why any member will actually get more if he The A.A. Grapevine is frequently asked: CLOSED MEETINGS tries to put something into A.A. instead of only What’s the best type of group meeting—open taking something out of it. or closed; with one speaker or several; with no Many groups conduct their closed meetings the same as their open meetings except that no speaker and no set program? The Grapevine would not attempt to answer outsiders are on the program or invited to attend. Visual Technique However, a great variation is to be found in Aids Concentration that question. The type of meeting that is most types of closed meetings. Many of them are dissuitable depends upon several considerations— A form of visual aid is being employed by the cussion meetings with general participation; the purpose of the meeting, the size of the group, Passaic, N. J., Group as a stimulant to discussome have formal programs; some are conducted the community environment and character, and sion meetings. As described by the group by a moderator; some have no set programs of finally, of course, it depends on the wishes of reporter: any kind; some are conducted in the form of the majority of the group. “We have had printed in large clear, black panels with questions being put to the members One kind of meeting may prove satisfactory letters, 12 individual posters, with one of the of the panel by members of the audience. in one kind of community and for one particu- 12 Steps on each. At each meeting we place one One type of small, discussion meeting is prelar group where it would not for a group in of the posters on an easel so that all may see sided over by the moderator, or leader, who some other part of the country. Even in the each word distinctly. states the topic for discussion, states his or her same town, one type of meeting may he excel- “The leader, or whoever opens the meeting, views on it and then calls on each member of lent for one occasion and inadequate for an- reads the particular Step on display and talks the group to give his or her views. The leader other. about it, giving his or her own interpretation of for the next meeting is selected, with an alter- But The Grapevine is glad to print the follow- or views on this Step. nate, before adjournment. ing outlines of some of the different types of “During the ensuing talks, this Step is dis- In another type of discussion meeting, there is meetings now to be found throughout A.A.: cussed by the other speakers. no leader and no planned topic. The discussion takes the line of whatever questions or opinions “We are delighted with the way this plan of PUBLIC MEETINGS are “tossed out” for “a kicking around” by all ours has worked out to give us a broader idea The public or open meeting usually has a set and anyone present. This is strictly a catch-as- of what the 12 Steps mean and to focus the inprogram headed up by a program chairman, the catch-can kind of meeting, and some members terest of new members on this direct and simple chairman for the evening or the “meeting would not like it at all, while others would get method of learning the Steps in their early days leader.” more out of it than any other kind of meeting. in A.A. Apparently the most common procedure is for (Still other types of both-open and closed can “We thought this might be of interest to other the leader to open the meeting with a brief ex- be found in different parts of the world. How groups, so pass it along as a suggestion.”—R.W. planation of the purpose of the meeting and do you conduct your meetings? Do you have OPEN EDUCATIONAL perhaps a short summary of his own case his- different kinds of meetings? Help other groups tory. He then introduces his first and each suc- by writing your group experience to The A.A, MEETINGS SPUR GROWTH ceeding speaker, the number usually being three. Grapevine, Box 328, Grand Central Annex, New IN GRAND RAPIDS Some leaders highlight some point from each York 17, N. Y.) Since May of 1946, open educational meetings speaker’s talk, at the close of each talk, and then sponsored by the mixed groups of Grand Rapids, sum up at the close. Mich., have been held every other Saturday night Virtually all types of A.A. meetings close Topics for Discussion in the Grand Rapids Museum Auditorium. with all reciting The Lord’s Prayer. The harried looking fellow you sometimes see These meetings have been well attended by Other variations of the open meeting, to which running around A.A. gatherings, saying: “Know A.A. members and their wives or husbands and the general public or relatives, friends and in- any good discussion topics?” is going to lead many seeking help for themselves or others. A.A. terested persons are invited, include the one- the meeting next week. speakers for these meetings have been drawn speaker program. With this type of program, Sources of discussion topics are as varied as mostly from groups in Akron, Cleveland, Canthe secretary of the group, or it may be the gen- types of meetings. Here are a few suggestions: ton, Chicago and Detroit. eral program chairman, introduces the speaker Discuss each of the 12 Steps in succession, Many new members have had through these of the evening. When the program presents only one at each meeting, letting several different meetings their first contact with A.A. and beone speaker his talk usually lasts for 45 minutes members give their opinions as to the meaning come associated with one of the various groups to an hour. When there are several speakers, of each Step. in Grand Rapids, of which there are now four each talk is limited to from 15 to 30 minutes, Do the same with each of the 12 Points of mixed or open, three for men and one for depending on the length of the meeting to Tradition. women. which the group is accustomed. Take a copy of The Grapevine and pick out Growth in membership and groups in Grand Some groups also have one “outsider” or non- one of the articles, or letters, and discuss it pro Rapids in the past 20 months has been rapid, alcoholic speaker on the program with member and con. Each issue of The Grapevine contains and at the same time these meetings have given speakers at some of their open meetings. enough discussion material for a half dozen an interested public an opportunity to learn of Announcements by the group secretary are meetings. A.A. and understand its objective.

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Clip Sheet – – Items of Interest from the Public Press Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “Vicious Den of Alcoholics Urge Special Clinic—’Many women itself—does all that and more unless by some Pinochle Players Unmasked: VICE RAIDERS have experienced mental hospital treatment miracle he can find the way not to take the drink CRASH A.A. PARTY—Police Snoopers Smash when recognition of their malady as a public that numbs and dooms him.” into Roomful of Ex-Drinkers Quietly Whooping health problem would have been more humane,’ It Up for Abstinence—It was the members of a said a spokesman of Alcoholics Anonymous New York Herald Tribune: “TOWN’S 80 police squad who wanted to be anonymous and Inter-Group today. ‘We know alcoholism as a TOPERS EXILED FROM BARS—5 Women in not the Alcoholics, after an incident Saturday disease. In most cases, proper place for treat- Group Facing 90-Day Discipline—Bedford, Pa. night which left the four raiders red-faced and ment is in a public hospital or alcoholic clinic. (UP)—Drinks were shut off today for five sputtering. As you might or might not know, . . . Because no hospital or clinic exists, many women and 75 men of “known intemperate hab- Alcoholics Anonymous is a group of persons alcoholics are forced into institutions and gaols its” in this mountain community of 3,500. The whose purpose is to rehabilitate tipplers. Satur- where no treatment for their disease is given.'” ban was put into effect through resurrection of a day night is usually the thirstiest night of the nearly forgotten state law forbidding sale of week for a drinker and, in an effort to get him Santa Rosa (Calif.) Press Democrat: liquor to persons of such habits. Proprietors of ‘over the knuckle,’ as they say, the A.A.s spon- “There was a contribution to Santa Rosa’s Meeach of the 11 bars in the town were ordered to sor a little social every Saturday eve for mem- morial Hospital Fund last week that is, perhaps, post in a prominent place lists containing the bers and wives. This social consists of card one of the most unusual to date. It was a $1,600 names of the 80 drinkers in the police departgames such as bridge, pinochle, ‘500’ and other donation. There have been others larger, others ment’s ‘doghouse.’ The lists will be brought up amusements such as bingo. Everyone pitches in smaller, but none with a more dramatic story to date every 90 days. If any of the wayward for the sandwiches and coffee, and a good, dry behind it. The contribution is money that might drinkers shows improved habits their names will time is had by all. Such was the situation Sat- have been wasted, and came from men whose be removed. Assistant Police Chief H. A. Clark urday night on the second floor at 3701 Fifth lives, too, might have been wasted. It came from said: ‘We just decided we’d put up with these Avenue where the A.A.s were laughing it up to the Santa Rosa Chapter of Alcoholics Anonypeople long enough. If we had to help them the tune of ‘nine under the B’ and ‘four no mous. It is the grateful contribution of former home every night, it was a nuisance. If we trump’ when there came a knocking at the door. alcoholics now devoting their efforts to aid other brought them in and fined them, we were taking It was the kind of bold, hard knock that settled victims of alcoholism, including some now sucbread out of their wives’ and children’s mouths. silence over the 100 or so persons gathered in cessful businessmen for whom A.A. provided a This will work better.’ ” the recreation room. An anonymous member turning point in life. . . . The substantial hosopened the door, and a broad-shouldered man pital contribution is too significant to pass unshouldered his way into the room, flashed a noticed, and calls for some recognition of the Brewton (Ala.) Standard: “If there were badge, and blustered: ‘What’s going on in here? role A.A. has been playing in rebuilding lives any who might have gone to the meeting of Alco- We’ve had a complaint about this place.’ Three right here in our community, lives that faced holics Anonymous which was held here recently other policemany-looking men followed him and ruin as a result of the disease of alcoholism. in order to scoff, we are quite sure that they resurveyed the soiree with steely eyes. It was ex- The local group was established October 9, 1945, mained to offer prayerful thanks for an organplained that this was a harmless Alcoholics with six members. . . . There is now a member- ization that is doing such a wonderful piece of Anonymous social and they were welcome to ship of 75, but over 100 have been benefited work. Most of us are inclined to look on a man join in the card games if they didn’t mind not during the past two years. . . . The need for or women who is a victim of the alcohol habit as playing for stakes. The four men clutched their hospitalization and medical attention is critical just another sot. But the A.A.s will soon conhats, muttered something about ‘we must have in a great many cases. Since alcoholism is rec- vince you otherwise. While the disease is inmade a mistake,’ slowly backed out of the door ognized as a disease, the medical profession, curable, it can be arrested through the own efand tiptoed away. Some of the A.A. members the psychiatrists, courts and the hospitals are co- forts of the victim and with the help of his claimed at least two of the raiders were members operating with A.A. in every way possible. But friends, so the A.A.s say. And they not only say of Lieutenant Lawrence Maloney’s vice squad. the A.A. here recognizes the need for an ade- it, they demonstrate it by their own experience. This, however, the lieutenant denied, declaring quate hospital in Santa Rosa, and is doing its One remarkable thing about Alcoholics Anonythat all members of his squad were with him on share to get one—doing it with money that cured mous is that it is not a crusading organization. other business Saturday night.” alcoholics might have wasted had it not been It solicits no members and does not impose itself for Alcoholics Anonymous.” on any alcoholic who does not first request help. Sydney (Australia) Sun, January 1: “Syd- And therein, in our judgment, lies its greatest ney Women Alcoholics in New Group—Inaugu- Elmira (N. Y.) Advertiser: “It is a great strength. It does not presume to interfere with ral meeting of a women’s group of Alcoholics privilege to attend a meeting of this wonderful the personal rights, and liberties of any person Anonymous, first of its kind in Australia, will group which has found the way to bring peace to consume as much alcohol as he chooses. But be held in Sydney on January 14. The meeting and sobriety to so many hundreds of sick and it does offer to that person who seeks aid in his is open to any woman with an alcoholic problem troubled folks. Its method is simple and direct. problem what seems to be the greatest ‘cure’ and no other visitors will be permitted. . . . This It works for the proud and the humble, the rich for drinking that has ever been devised. The society of mutual aid is expanding rapidly in and the poor—works because an alcoholic of word ‘cure’ as we have used it here is ours— Australia. Alcoholics Anonymous is non- any estate is the suffering blood brother of every not that of the A.A.s. They make no claim that sectarian and non-political. A.A. is so busy other man or woman who has passed beyond the their philosophy can cure alcoholism. . . . The applying its principles to alcoholic sufferers border into the land where drinking is a thief inspiring thing about the organization is the that it has no place for arguments about creeds that steals away family and friends and respect spiritual rebirth that appears to take place in or politics.” Sydney Sun, January 16: “Women and money and health and mind and finally life those who adopt the philosophy which it teaches.”

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Friendly Follow-Ups by Mail Help Newcomer Get Started (Following are excerpts from a letter from an A.A. have heard, including doctors, psychiatrists, to a new member with whom he had had several talks before she returned to her home in another city—an- clergymen, men, women, youngsters, oldsters; other example of doing 12th Step work by mail.) college professors and individuals who can barely read and write (at some stage that last From Manhattan, N. Y. includes all drunks!). The only requirement ap- Hi, Mollie: Here are the A.A. reprints and parently is that you can feel pain—or worse, denames and addresses of groups in your locality. spair—and want to stop feeling it. If you write any of these, don’t use the words Going back to the slippees: The 50 per cent Alcoholics Anonymous or letters A.A. in the who have slips after coming into A.A. don’t address. realize fast enough, it seems to me (based on my i A couple of the Greenwich Village Group gals two and one-half-year slip after reading the A.A. ‘ said they, would write to you. (Remember, if book but before I knew there were groups) that you feel too tired to answer them, they weren’t we got drunk on deeds, wrong acts, and that we too tired to write to you. Incidentally, Mollie, get and stay sober on deeds, the kind that jibe from here out try to take the initiative in all with A.A. principles. I think that they think—’ things connected with A.A. instead of asking or and I thought—that some kind of magic has even dream that you’ve had a short, secret slip. expecting others to do it. That seems to be medi- taken place and now you are wrapped in cello- (There ain’t no such thing as a “secret” slip; cine in itself, whereas asking others to do our phane and can’t be damaged. Lady it only else we’d be controlled drinkers and not need A.A. chores is just continuing what we’ve always seems so! (It does seem so. I think that’s be- A.A.) The idea of having a slip makes me a bit done: leaning on others. It gets us back in the cause we go around only negatively charged— sick when I think of the terrific adjustment in swim in outside matters if we get going within that is, just not doing wrong things and not my life that I’d have to start making all over A.A.). positively doing right things. again. Besides, the boys and gals who have had I went to a meeting Thursday night and after The InterGroup Office just phoned to say they a slip tell me, there’s, no fun at all anymore in four weeks absence found the place full of new were sending down a chap just out of the hos-, their drinking. The remorse started at once, apfaces. So you have lots pital who is afraid he ‘patently, as they reached for the first drink— of company as a new- might still go for a drink. which must mean they knew they were going to comer, here and all The Office wants me to get drunk, that they weren’t really setting out over the world. These take him to a meeting to prove they could be controlled drinkers— newcomers are sober, tonight and hang out • which was their rationalization that it was all have all the friends with him so that he can right to down a few. they want, don’t have gradually calm down After all that, this is truest and most importo go looking for easy and get hold of him- tant: Your ideas are as good as anyone’s on how company in a barroom self. So how can I go , to make A.A. work—better, in the matter of how because they are lone- out and get in trouble to make it work in your own case. In fact, your ly. They are back in —tonight? (My re- A.A. ideas are the only ones that will work for the herd, understood, sponsibilities! B u t you because they are the only ones you can comappreciated, and being helpful and useful. They then—I figure my responsibilities are my ticket pletely know and put into, operation effectively. are not Zeros or Small Fractions—they are im- to growing up. And I do so want to be a big But, you have to work out your ideas and give portant in and to a big movement and also able boy someday.) them a workout. Miracles but no magic. (Faith to be important to some other individual. About the slippee again: I just heard that one is conviction that good acts produce good re- Of these newcomers, on the average half of the of my A.A. pals had a slip. My fingers started sults. So there can’t be faith—only superstition total number will have slips and get drunk. Half to cross one time months ago when he said you —without works. It comes after the act. A of these will eventually return to A.A. and make can’t carry A.A. principles into business. That miracle is the end result of an act of faith that it stick. The others—25 per cent of those who is, that A.A. was for your personal life but busi- the mathematically impossible will happen. took a look at A.A.—will keep getting sicker ness is business and fish-eat-fish. I thought then Again, the act must be performed—or no miraand wind up in the gutter, the nut house, die, or he was setting himself up as an expert on just cle!) Miracles aren’t my job. I just do the leg go out of circulation in some other manner. how much A.A. medicine is needed to meet, a, work. The Higher Power guarantees the results The 50 per cent who want A.A. and make it particular situation. For myself, I feel safer and produces a. miracle when one is necessary. stick right from the start prove that it isn’t taking the biggest dose I can handle for any (They’re not necessary too often in my smallnecessary to go through more hell. I think it situation. If I start diluting it, say in connec- scale affairs.) You can’t criticize the results or proves also that this bunch considers from the tion with my job, or making money, or dating., the lack of them until you’ve done the work. start that it is his or her job to make A.A, a gal, or any of my human contacts—suppose I If the results are not good, you’d better go back work — NOT A.A.’s job. A.A. has already just miss using enough and it doesn’t do the., and examine the work done that produced the proved that it offers everything needed to make job of keeping me sober? Based oh what al- results, I find Fifty thousand A.A.s can’t be and keep you sober—in 50,000 demonstrations ways happened, I’d be afraid that I never would wrong—but you could be! Good beaming.— including me and other! A.A.s whose stories you be able to climb back on the beam. It’s hell to Bill McA.

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Junket by Bus—Thirty members of contest on the 14th; a night of games New Groups — Salem, Va.. got o n t o m i l i t a r y forces on the island, introthe Upper Darby, Pa., Group char- the 21st, and a Leap Year dance with the A.A. circuit recently w i t h the or- duced to A . A . by the A r m y chaplain. tered a bus and journeyed 50 miles a male popularity contest on the 28th. ganization of a new group w i t h six Fun for Wives, Too—For the Kansas to spend the evening with the newly A dance and chowder party on Janu- members. Meetings are held at the C i t y , Mo., Group, the last Saturday in formed Bridgeton, N. J., Group, Janu- ary 31 was the last of that month’s First Methodist Church on College the m o n t h has become “party night, ary 28 . . . Passaic, N. J., now has many events. The Alanon Club’s tele- Avenue, and t h e group can be ad- w i t h arrangements by the group’s three groups—East Side Group, Cen- vision programs draw good attendance, dressed at P. O. Box 189 . . . The Ladies’ A u x i l i a r y . Large parties were tral Group and the Passaic Group. for the boxing bouts on Mondays, Laurens, S. C., Group was formed held on Hallowe’en, Thanksgiving, Tuesdays and Fridays, and other pro- J a n u a r y 6 w i t h 11 charter members Christmas, and the schedule calls for Head of the Lakes—Continued steady grams on Wednesdays and Thursdays. attending. An open meeting is being s i m i l a r events to be held u n t i l spring. growth of the Duluth, Superior and The latest addition to the extensive planned for the near future. The One of the objectives of the Auxiliary Two Harbors Groups is reported from entertainment facilities is a grand group’s mailing address is P. O. Box is to help make the wives of new mem- Minnesota, highlighted by the first big piano, a g i f t to the club. 215 . . . The Janesville, Wis., G r o u p bers feel at home. open meeting held January 6 in the became so large that members from city hall at Duluth. Exactly 189 per- Caracas New Outpost—Bob N., a for- Edgerton a n d D e l e v a n recently Visiting “Firemen”— The West Palm sons, nearly all of them A.A.s, at- mer North Jersey A.A., who has been branched out on their own and estab- Beach, Fla., Group might lay claim to tended, our correspondent reports. in South America for two years, writes lished groups in each of t h e i r com- something of a record for having vis- The chief speaker was a member from that he has started spreading the word munities. Once a m o n t h all of the itors from the greatest number of d i f – Minneapolis, an attorney, who de- in Caracas, Venezuela. He first ran a groups in the Beloit area hold a joint ferent cities. Recent visitors In the scribed three types who come into personal ad in the local paper, which group came front Detroit, A.A.—the first who just “lays bricks,” has since carried a story reporting or- Bronx, N. Y., Brockton, the second who comes in only for per- ganization of a group in that city. Mass., Pittsburgh, Pa., New sonal gain and what he can get out York City, Stamford, Conn., of A.A., and the third type, who dedi- What’s a Little Snow?—The Bayside, H a r t f o r d , Conn., Passaic, cates himself to helping others and N. Y., Times noted that a snowstorm N. J., Toledo, Ohio, Park who symbolically “builds a beautiful which all but paralyzed rail, air and Ridge, Ill., Hillside, N. Y. cathedral” that inspires others. . . . highway traffic was no deterrent to the From Here and There — Members of the Pioneer Group of town’s local A.A.s. “The regular week- Winona, Minn., had so much f u n at ly open meeting of the Bayside Group The Beckley, W. Va., Group t h e i r first New Year’s Eve party that of Alcoholics Anonymous was held has an active membership they have decided to make it an an- . . . as scheduled, despite the howling of 20 . . . Twenty months n u a l a f f a i r . Twenty-five attended and snowstorm which raged outside. Little ago three men with the asall enjoyed the experience of waking or nothing was as it should have been sistance of a member of t h e up New Year’s morning without hang- that night, but nine, sober, happy al- Kings Mountain, S. C., overs. Later in the month five mem- coholics and three friends—non-alco- Group founded the Benbers traveled to Dubuque, Iowa, to holics—met and enjoyed themselves.” n e t t s v i l l e , S. C., Group. Toparticipate in that group’s third anni- day the group numbers 12 versary celebration, and recently an Six Out of Seven—New quarters for meeting, and on another night once a regular members who have helped or- Iowa member journeyed to Winona to the Henderson (N. C.) Group are month the two Beloit groups, East and ganize a d d i t i o n a l groups in Roland, t a l k to the Winona Junior Chamber ready for occupancy, the membership West Side, get together for a joint Cheraw and Marion. On three occameeting. Weekly meetings are held sions they have chartered a bus for of Commerce about A.A., with the Wi- roll totals about 30 and the record at the homes of members and a social treks to group meetings in neighbornona Group represented at the meet- shows two open banquets, with 80 pergathering for a l l groups is held each ing cities. The wives of the Cheraw ing by two of its members. sons in attendance at each, in addition Saturday night for members and t h e i r and Bennettsville Groups have formed to the regular weekly meetings—all in wives . . . Manchester, Iowa, is an- an a u x i l i a r y which meets once a For the Public—Sponsored by the scarcely five months. The group held other new addition, a group now meet- m o n t h , and at Christmas they gave a five Lake Wales members of the Polk its first meeting last October 1, with ing there every Monday night . . . p a r t y for 60 people . . . The Chippewa County (Fla.) Group, a successful seven alcoholics present. Of those Five members of the Marshalltown, Valley Group began the year with a open meeting was held in Lake Wales original seven, six have gained and Iowa, Group traveled to Eldora, Iowa, regular membership of 15, including January 22 for—as the local paper maintained their sobriety. recently to attend the inaugural meet- one of the youngest members in the expressed it—”drinkers, non-drinkers ing of the new group there . . . A clas- country. He’s 23 . . . New club quarand curiosity seekers.” Approximately Eye Opener Suspends — The ‘Eye sified advertisement appearing in the 75 guests and members from Lakeland, Opener, publication of the A.A. Cen- paper in Jerome, Idaho, testifies to the ters have been obtained by the Kilgore, Winter Haven, Bartow, Mulberry, tral Committee published at Los An- efforts of an A.A. to found a group Texas, Group . . . Only two years old, Tampa, Daytona Beach and Wauchula geles, Cal., was suspended with the there. He’s a former member of the the Wichita Falls, Texas, Group has attended. The Lake Wales correspond- December issue due to the amount of New Orleans, La, Boise and Twin grown from the original six to apent reports that the meeting brought proximately 100 members, with a club work and financial problems involved, Falls, Idaho, Groups. one recruit and the possibilities of house, t w o large meeting rooms and according to a front page notice. two more. The Polk County Group, Okinawa Growing—”Slow but sure” office. Members have helped establish with which the Lake Wales members Form Social Group—Members of the growth on Okinawa is reported by the groups in Vernon and Goree, and in are affiliated, now numbers more than the Wichita Falls State Hospital. The Durham, N. C., Group have formed secretary of the Pioneer Group there 30 members. Goree Group is only a little over six an organization for social activities who writes that two meetings a week months old but already has 15 memcalled the Dalco Club, Inc., “a non- are now being held regularly with at- Newark Has Full Calendar—The latest bers who, incidentally, are reported to profit corporation to aid in Alcoholics tendance ranging from 12 to 15. Alissue of the Newark, N J., Alanon average over 200 pounds per man! Anonymous work whenever possible.” though members are leaving the island News (which incidentally was the first New club quarters have been obtained periodically for the States, as they The Vernon Group has six memanniversary issue) listed for February and the organization will be financed complete their work, their places are bers and holds an open meeting each a card party on the 7th; a Valentine through dues, with membership open taken by others. New members also Wednesday while the Wichita Falls party and dance with a Sweetheart to all A.A.s in the Durham area. are now joining the group from the Group now has a meeting every eve-

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ning in the week except Saturday and Happy Birthdays —One hundred and Sunday. The wives of members also sixty-eight people attended a banquet meet one evening a week, with an av- given by the Savannah, Ga., Group to erage attendance of about 50. The celebrate its third anniversary January local radio station, KTRN, broadcasts, 31, in the Gold Room of the De Soto a recorded A. A. program one evening) Hotel . . . Speakers from Chicago, a week. Kansas City and Jefferson City took part in the third anniversary program Planning Convention — The Jackson- of the Springfield, Mo., Group, at a ville, Fla., Group has sent out an in- dinner held at the American Legion quiry asking for an expression of pref- Memorial Home January 17. Approxierence of dates for the annual South- mately 200 attended. The membership eastern Regional Convention this year, of the group has reached about 50 suggesting that the two most logical . . . Anniversary meetings held by the times would be either the last week- Jefferson City, Mo., and Wichita, Kan., end in August or the first week-end in Groups were augmented by visitors October. The date chosen will be re- from the Kansas City, Mo., Group. ported in the next issue. About 90 members traveled to Jefferson City, 30 going in a chartered bus, and about 45 traveled to Wichita for Vancouver Camels — Organization of a that group’s birthday. Members of the Camels Club is reported from Van- K.C. Group also have gone visiting couver, B. C., where the group now lately to group meetings in Des numbers more than 400. Members of Moines, Iowa, Galveston, Texas, and the A. A. group there who join the Springfield, Mo.. . . Wives of members Camels Club will participate in plans of the Grand Island, Neb., Group for the construction of club quarters. were the beneficiaries when the group celebrated its first anniversary. The Passing the Word —Since its start a occasion was turned into a dinner for year ago, the York, Pa., Group has dis- the wives at the Yancey Hotel . . . A tributed A.A. literature to physicians two-day celebration marked the first and members of the clergy, provided anniversary of the Hastings, Neb., articles for newspapers and recently Group January 25 with A.A. visitors inaugurated a weekly broadcast over from Fremont, North Platte, Kearney, radio station WSBA in the form of a Grand Island, Broken Bow, Ogalalla round table discussion patterned after and Sioux City, Iowa, and Minneapothe Towson, Md., Group program. The lis, Minn. More than 120 attended York Group now numbers 18 members a banquet held at the Hotel Clarke in and holds two meetings a week, one Hastings . . . Blytheville, Ark., also NEW GROUPS open and one closed. can now mark up its first year in A.A. New groups registered with General Headquarters during January were: Although the group is small it is very CALIFORNIA — Costa Mesa, Lancaster, Los Angeles (South Broadway Prison Librarian Helps—Due to the active and continued growth is indi- Group), San Francisco (Seven Seas Group) constant turn-over of patients in the cated for the second year . . . About CONNECTICUT — Bridgeport (Black Rock Group) institution, the Wilmar, Minn., A.A. 100 “happy men and women” attended FLORIDA — Bradenton, Hollywood, Wauchula (Hardee County Group) Group at the state hospital in that the third anniversary of the Ogden, city has found it necessary to have Utah, Group, celebrated with a dinner, ILLINOIS — Ottawa, Rock Island someone who will keep complete rec- speaking program and a dance . . . INDIANA — Rochester ords of membership and advancement The St. Mary’s, Ohio, Group cele- IOWA — Eldora (Pine Lake Group), Manchester, Wadena and to help in securing educational brated its first anniversary at the KANSAS — Arkansas City, McPherson, Pratt data and maintain a current and per- Westwood Supper Club January 27 LOUISIANA — Hammond manent file on group matters. Mrs. with 46 present, including the wives Eleanor Johnson, hospital librarian, of members. The guest speaker came MARYLAND— Berlin. has accepted the task along with the from Columbus to help the growing MASSACHUSETTS — North Adams, Provincetown, Roxbury title of honorary chairman of the and active group mark its birthday, MICHIGAN— Bay City (West Side Group), Fenton, Grand Marais, Munisgroup. with the rolls showing 19 regular mem- ing, Oscoda bers. Plans are already underway for NEW JERSEY — Jersey City (Horseshoe Group), Newark (Forest Hill To Make 19th Hole a Meeting—An the second annual fall barbecue . . . Group) annual golf tournament open to all It was number three in the way of NEW YORK — Bronx (Gunhill Group) members of Southern California A.A. anniversaries for the Stag Group of Groups is being planned. The course Erie, Pa., on February 6. The anni- NORTH CAROLINA — Oxford will be selected according to the num- versary was marked by a special pro- OKLAHOMA — Pawhuska, Seminole ber of members showing interest, with gram and buffet supper. OREGON — Portland (Business Professional Group) Fox Hills at Culver City re- TENNESSEE — Lebanon garded as most likely at TEXAS —’Dumas present. A nominal entrance fee of 25 or 50 cents UTAH— Monroe will be charged with prizes VIRGINIA — Fredericksburg, Kenbridge, Salem donated by golf profession- WASHINGTON — Seattle (Wallingford Group) als and others. Only other WEST VIRGINIA — Moundsville (Mound City Group), Sisterville expenses will be greens WISCONSIN — Menominee Falls, Rice Lake fees. Those i n t e r e s t e d should contact Ed I,., May- CANADA flower Group, phone PL NOVA SCOTIA — Halifax 1-7083. ONTARIO — Meaford

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A. A. DIGEST—Excerpts from Group Publications about by easy stages—from the first glimpse of the happy way to its ultimate fruition?” . . “One of the main reasons for anonymity in A.A. Central Bulletin, Cleveland; “Take Care of That Cold! It’s when is that it helps those who need aid most. It also helps to keep the guy you’ve got the sniffles and your back is aching and you feel that you’re who decides to quit A.A. and go back to his old drinking ways from gonna die, when you search your mind for some remedy, that ye old time being pointed out as a ‘bright and shining example’ of A.A.” rock and rye recipe keeps edging into the forefront. Na! Na! Na! Don’t touch that bottle. Get the thought out of your mind. Stop drooling! Load The Paradox, Kansas City, Mo.: “Alcoholics Anonymous—Analysis yourself up with lemon juice and orange juice and call a doctor. Tell & Adjustment—To the explanation of the initials A.A., which we use to him, if you value your sobriety, that you’re an alcoholic so that he pre- describe our association . . . we might well add the terms ‘analysis’ and scribes a non-alcoholic prescription.” ‘adjustment’; for no matter what method we use to work out the solution of our problem those two factors are the basic elements in any suc- Alanews, Dubuque, Iowa: “Sitting at a meeting the other night, we cess we may enjoy. To most of us the need for self analysis has been looked at the crowd and we thought of our ladies. Memory took us back too apparent to go unrecognized, even if unheeded, . . . A really honest 20 years. Here were the flappers of the roaring ’20’s, those madcap, session with ourselves is all the analysis we need and having come upon addlepated, hell-bent, tantalizing she-devils we chased over many a county the facts, however distasteful they may be, we are better prepared than line in our Model T’s. Brother, if you think the pre-New Look skirts ever before to proceed with any necessary adjustments .The real were short, you should have seen them in the 1920’s. To us oldtimers, and the lasting adjustment comes within ourselves and is predicated the New Look skirts are not much of a disguise. They remind us of upon the more complete and realistic appraisal and understanding of prohibition. The joints are still there, just harder to find. But here were our character that the searching analysis has produced.” these same flappers, whom we once lovingly called our bungalow girls— painted in front, shingled in back and nothing in the attic. When we Alky Argot, Wisconsin Prison A.A. Fellowship: “Humility is the state bought the wedding license, they thought they had a through ticket to or quality of being tolerant in spirit. It is to be free from pride and heaven. And then came the detours—detours that led them through arrogance. It is the opposite of being conceited and vain. Psychiatric corridors of hell that even Dante couldn’t describe. And yet, here they studies reveal that most alcoholics are introverts, that we bend and direct were, right beside us Thursday night. Rattle-brained ninnies? No morals? our thoughts within us. From this we see the importance of humility No stamina? No loyalty? God grant us another generation like the in our lives. Introverts are so wrapped up in their own likes and disflappers of the 1920’s!” likes it is difficult for them to see two sides to any question.” The Brighter Side, Waterloo, Iowa: “These are the (12) Steps we A.A. Tribune, Des Monies, Iowa: “Remember me writing several took, which are suggested as a Program of Recovery. . . . Many of us ex- months ago about the fellow who came into the club and, told us, he claimed, ‘What an order! I can’t go through with it.” Do not be dis- wanted to resign? Well, the poor fellow, 78 times arrested last year for couraged! No one among us has been able to maintain anything like drunkenness, thought he didn’t have any problem. To me that illustrates perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints. The point is, how twisted our thinking becomes—we think we don’t have a problem, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have and yet, on 78 occasions it was necessary to lock us up.” . . . ‘A fellow set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather in from New York this week who travels all the time; when he checks than spiritual perfection.” into a hotel he immediately sees the house physician and tells him if, during his stay he can help another drunk in the hotel, under the doctor’s Thought Starter, Minneapolis, Minn.: “Consulting engineers emorders, that his room number is such and such and he’s’ available for ployed to study defects in a big factory system usually make their notes calls. So far, he’s received great reception from the house doctors;” on their first visit. They know that on later visits they will be less observ- Twelve Stepper, Omaha, Neb.: “Not so long ago, we had a complaint ant. The reason most of us are slow to correct our own faults or habits is that we have ceased to notice them.” that someone had received very cold treatment at one of our Monday meetings. Is it possible that some of us have forgotten the agonies of Weekly, Jefferson City (Mo.): “When everybody thinks alike, nobody that first meeting? Have we become so smug in our sobriety that we thinks.” have no time to offer a word of cheer to a fellow sufferer? Remember, Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Iowa: “Making friends re- these are the people who could have been you had you not been forminds me of a little dog that trotted up to me wagging his tail as though tunate enough to find A.A. And judge them not, for you must, not forget he was genuinely happy to see me. I leaned over and patted him and he they may be ‘just a little more ill than you!’ Next time you see a was overjoyed. I wondered just how many friends he made in a day, prob- stranger there, go up to him and extend your heart, and give him his ably more than I make in a year; yet he had never read any books on chance, as you had yours. In order that someone accept the responsipsychology, but by the divine instinct, he was interested in people.” bility of hospitality, the board has asked that two people be appointed Rope Yarn, Seamen’s Club, New York City: “My Blarney lies over each Monday night to welcome strangers.” the sea. A sea of suds. That’s the way it is. When we are hanging over a bar we are the most wonderful people in the world. What a sparkling wit we have! What wonderful repartee! After a few drinks, how brilliant we can be! It really is amazing how so much brains could be contained in one head! But next morning it appears more amazing still Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their how such a headache could be contained in one head. Truly the way of experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. the transgressor is hard, and this is most true of the poor drunk. But The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. virtue actually can be its own reward and a clear head is the reward we A.A. has no dues or fees. It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, get for being sober, and it is not the only one.” organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay The Screwball, Nacogdoches, Texas: “Don’t be alarmed if you fail to sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. catch the full vision of A.A. like a bolt from the blue. Was not your full- The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps. The A.A. book of experience, Alcoholics Anonymous, and other literature, including fledged plunge into the limbo of alcoholism a progressive business from The 12 Points of Tradition, are available through any group or the General an occasional social drink to absolute drunkenness? Wouldn’t it be just Service Office, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y. as reasonable if your final, richer, more complete A.A, experience came

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promised to take care of the child for the afternoon. He dressed, walked over to his Frisco’s “Derelicts” son’s house, and took the little girl to a Mark Year of Sobriety city park where she could romp out-ofdoors. Every ten or fifteen minutes he From San Francisco would slip off to a nearby tavern for a The South of Market Group of San Francisco, Suggestions for a new contest are beginning quick one, hurrying hack to keep an eye Fellowship of A.A., housed in the heart of San to trickle into the office. A member from a on the child. Finally, some of the mothers Francisco’s notorious Skid Row and drawing al- Cleveland Group would like to see one based on in the park begun to notice his strange dis- most exclusively from that area for its memberfamous excuses used by drunks. It could go appearances. They must have discussed ship, became one year old on January 20, 1948, something like this. How did you explain the them within hearing of the child because and observed its birthday with its regular meetbroken date with.your wife? How did you acon his return from the last trip she asked: ing on that night. count for that prolonged absence from the job? “Grandpa, where do you go when you’re Speakers included Major George Ferguson, A member from a Chicago Group wants a congone?” chaplain of the Hunt Street chapel of the Salvatest about experiences with the pawnbroker. Or how did you raise the money for that drink you tion Army, also in the heart of Skid Row, where A friend who has had quite a bit of speaking the first meetings of the group were held. Anneeded so badly? We’re off to a good start so experience in A.A. recently other speaker was Edward Wrenn, secretary of send us your ideas. ran into an amusing situa- the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which succeeded tion because of the same the Salvation Army as landlord-patron of the F.H.M. of the Decatur, Ill., Group suggests a A.A. speaking habits. contest entitled, “The most unbelievable excuse group and gave the group the use of the society’s He was attending a busi- day shelter at 235 Minna Street as both a club- I ever heard for drinking,” and recalls the case ness convention of all the house and a meeting place. of a man who blamed his continued drinking on important bigwigs of his the fact that a call from two A.A.s had upset The closing speaker of the evening was Juanita firm and was unexpectedly W., known to the boys of the group as the A.A. him so. V.H., secretary of the Fairmont, W. Va., called upon to address the who “needled” the men of the San Francisco Group, has similar suggestions, contests based on convention. Unprepared but Fellowship to make the South of Market Group the best excuse or the poorest excuse for taking unflustered, he stood up and spontaneously said, possible and who took part in the pioneering of a drink, like the fellow who was so mad because “My name is Joe Doakes and I am an alco- the early meetings. he buttoned his vest wrong that he had to have a holic!”— A.P. drink! Or the fellow who couldn’t find the A.A. More than 4,000 men attended one or more meeting hall, thought A.A. had folded, and meetings of the group during its first year. That A member of a North Carolina Group large figure is explained by the transient nature bought a fifth. A.A.D. comes forth with the idea writes that his clergyman has a wonderful of the neighborhood, which is the proverbial of My Most Embarrassing Drunk Contest. We’re sense of humor. The pastor, who had of- “wino belt” of the city. waiting for more nominations! fered his parish house for the new group’s At the Salvation Army chapel, the group held meetings, appeared early on the evening Don’t forget that The Grapevine is offer- two meetings a week. Since moving into the St. of the first meeting to he helpful in getting ing two subscriptions as prizes in the new Vincent de Paul clubhouse, it has held four things started. He was not the first person contest. One goes to the member who meetings a week—three in the evenings and one there, however. A brand new A.A., from a comes up with the idea; the other goes to Sunday afternoons. The average attendance has neighboring town, was sitting there when the memher who wins the contest. Send been 150 men. At the last business meeting, 153 he arrived. Spying the pastor (who was your suggestions to the New Contest Editor, qualified as voting members, the requirements informally dressed), the new member The A.A. Grapevine, Grand Central An- being sobriety for 30 days or more and attendrushed up, slapped him on the back and nex, New York 17, N. Y. ance at at least one meeting a week. On that said: “Glad to see you, fellow. This A.A.’s date, 84 members, all former derelicts of society, a great thing for us drunks!” The pastor Bill and Lois got away on February 6 for their were usefully employed and had been sober from explained that he was not tour of Canada and parts of the United States. three to 12 months. An even half dozen had an A.A., that he was the They will arrive in California by March. The been sober since the group’s first meeting. minister of the church. other day a member of the Hollywood, Calif., In recent months, word of the apparent sta- The new member looked Group, dropped in to tell us about the welcome bility of a group in the heart of Skid Row has him over carefully and planned for them. He said everybody was ex- spread so widely that scores of A.A. visitors said: “Well, you LOOK, cited over the prospect of seeing them and that from all parts of the United States have attended like a drunk anyway!” a rootin’ tootin’ celebration is on the way. South of Market meetings while in this city. “Where will you hold your meetings?” we Members of the San Francisco Fellowship who asked. “The Hollywood Bowl. We do things in a BIG way in A.A. out in California!” Editor’s Radio News Wanted — took part in the pioneering of the group and gave We are hearing more about A.A. programs the new members aid until the latter were ready Note: The Hollywood Bowl holds 25,000. Could over local radio stations. Because our check- to handle their own affairs, feel that in a small that guy be kidding us ? ing service covers only national radio chains, we have no way of obtaining important facts measure they have tried to meet the obligation about these local programs. set forth in the Big Book “to carry the message A member of the Fairlawn, N. J., Group If there is an A.A. program on your local to alcoholics who still suffer.”—O.K.P. writes that his granddaughter, a five-year- station will you write us about it, giving type old, really stumped him with a question a of program, dates and time? If we get comfew years ago. He was nursing a terrible plete information we will publish a monthly “Radio Log.” hangover when he remembered that he had

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad But for the Grace of God— bit of h u m i l i a t i o n , defeat, and misery in the seven years I drank. I would like to suggest From Seattle, Wash. these points to someone wanting to explain A.A. I enclose a clipping from the Seattle Post In- to some young person. telligencer of December 20. (Editor’s Note— ( 1 ) Explain the companionship, and common The clipping reported that with Christmas only a bond of alcoholism that ties all A.A.s into “one few hours away, a shabbily dressed, unidentified big, happy family.” man climbed over the railing and leaped to his death in Elliott Bay, after telling a man nearby, (2) Explain to him the physical side of alco- “I am an alcoholic and I am going to commit holism. Show him how much unnecessary misery suicide.”) can be averted. Likes Closed Meetings What the man said was the same as what a (3) Take him to a meeting and show him we From Manly, New South Wales, Australia great many of our members have had in mind; are not a bunch of “sissies” or temperance We of the Savoy Group have handed over our at least I did. Five years ago I was washing workers. meeting rooms to the women and have taken the dishes in San Francisco and living in a dump in (4) Help him understand that he doesn’t lose Adyar Hall nearby. For future convenience we Skid Row. his freedom but gains a greater freedom than will probably be known as the Adyar Group and I joined A.A. there in San Francisco four years he has ever known. the women will adopt the Savoy Group as a ago, slipped three times, then came to Seattle two name. In both cases we are, to my knowledge, years ago. My shirts are clean here in Seattle, (5) Explain that even though he hasn’t hit the only, completely closed meetings in Australia. my old home town, and I am going to keep them bottom as hard as some, he may still come and Personally, I had attended open meetings but clean. I have a fine job, I am busy and happy. get all the benefits of the 12 Steps. could not make much progress. Non-alcoholic —L.M.W. (6) Help him realize that this way of life friends after attending the meetings would give will enrich his outlook on life and pave the way me the usual friendly chatty lectures on the way No Money Problems Here to greater achievements. home, and I would mostly bottle up my own From Cleveland, Ohio On numerous occasions older members of A.A. ideas and emotions. I wanted to pour out my I just read a reprint from The Grapevine on have come up and said to me, “Son, I wish I thoughts and troubles and not listen to friendly the subject of money in A.A. with which I heart- could have joined A.A. and caught myself beadvice. ily concur. fore I got this old.” Others have said, “I won- A few of us started a branch for alcoholics Our Lake Shore Group in Cleveland gets der if I would have had the courage to admit I only and we have never looked back. Naturally, plenty of money for dances, picnics and miscel- was an alcoholic at your age.” If through some I am pleased at my attainment of sobriety, not laneous expenses by raffling off an A.A. Book measure I can point the way for others I shall be only physically but I like to feel mentally. I am, each week, collecting state tax stamps for refunds happy. My most difficult task is convincing the now doing 12th Step work and at times become and keeping a dish handy for voluntary contri- “prospect” that I am an alcoholic. emotionally thrilled with the results. Sometimes I actually feel that power go through me to a butions. We charge admission to dances, etc., If there are other members of A.A. who are as prospect. Having had a spiritual experience, I only when the treasury is below $200 to $300. young or younger, please write to me as I would can feel others’ pain or joy and work with We do not wish to accumulate more than this in like to exchange letters.—J.A.L. them, talk with them, and be spiritually with our group, which now numbers approximately them. We as a young movement here in Sydney 100 members plus their wives. look forward to any help or guidance you can We frown on owning any real estate such as a She’s Glad to Be Free! give us.—K.G. clubhouse, particularly because an A.A. owning From Muncie, Ind. a piece of such a clubhouse can too easily let I finally got my divorce from John Barleyhimself believe he is just a little better than the corn! I just got sick and tired of him beating A.A. Enlarges Objectives newer and poorer A.A.—W.W.D. me up all the time. Honestly, I don’t know how From Decatur, III. I ever lived with him as long as I did. He was I feel that the frequent statement made by Advice on The Younger Set making a nervous wreck of me. older A.A.s to the effect that sobriety has become From Quincy, Fla.. The doctor told me it would be the nut house secondary with them is an inaccurate expression. or the grave soon, if I didn’t get away from him. I would like to notify your readers of the for- One day, though, a friend of mine (her name I could not reconcile such a statement with the mation of a group here in Quincy. At present is Conscience) talked me into making a date with equally oft-repeated statement that sobriety must our membership is small, only three, but we a fellow named Alcoholics Anonymous. It was be put before everything. I think the explanation is the shifting of ob- have great expectations. love at first sight. jectives as we progress in A.A. We come into In the January Grapevine, Florence S. had an I applied for a quick divorce, and got it. John A.A. feeling that the program is a means to so- article asking how the younger people might be didn’t bother me very long; guess he finally realbriety but we eventually come to feel that so- brought into the fold before hitting bottom. ized I was through with him. He’d better not briety is a means to the A.A. way of life. I have been told that I am one of the youngest, come hanging around here much now, for my This way of thinking about it does not lessen if not the youngest member of A.A. in the United new husband will sure take care of him, but the importance of sobriety but actually empha- States. I am 20 years of age and have eight solid good! He is so good to me, always ready to help sizes it.—F.H.M. months of sobriety behind me. I suffered quite a and he is so understanding.—R.K.

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Feels Thrice Blessed meets the obstacles of life as a brave man goes Liked Restatement of Aims into battle. From Vincennes, Ind. From Chicago While under the pressure of experiencing mis- I am the wife of an alcoholic and I am glad fortunes, sobriety and calmness will alleviate I am always grateful for The Grapevine. It’s I am. I am glad for three reasons. their weight and we will surely surmount them. a monthly reminder of my good fortune in being First, I might always have been intolerant of an A.A. in good standing for nearly 12 years, Where did most of our uneasiness come from? an alcoholic; I might always have felt superior and of the fact that the activity continually From our own false pride, our own folly and our to the alcoholic if I had’ not learned that alco- spreads, including other fortunate alcoholics. own disillusioned and distempered fancy. How holism is a disease. And who am I to feel su- I was especially impressed by the article from do I know and how did I find out? Simply by perior? What right have I to be snobbish toward San Diego, “Restatement of A.A. Purposes,” in following the advice of the 4th Step. I made an one who is ill? I would not feel superior to a the February issue. inventory and tried to be honest about it. I used person with cancer or diabetes. Alcoholism is a Some seem to forget that we don’t aim to reto kid myself as well as others. I found that I disease, too. It is a three-way illness, physical, form the world, that we are not authorities on had put my desire to quit drinking “above the mental and spiritual. I did not know this until alcoholism, are not educators, doctors, religious wishing level.”—L.P.P. my husband became an A.A. and now I want teachers, lawyers, or courts of domestic relaother wives to understand, too. tions, that we should not become promoters (we Second, I am glad to be the wife of an alco- A.A. Builds Faith have been promoting until we dry up) even of holic because if I had not known the sorrow I From Chicago A.A. (it needs no promotion), or try to build had at one time I might never have known the My interpretation of the 2nd Step after 16 complicated organizations. A.A. has grown bejoy I have today. cause it has but a thread of organization. Nor Third, if my husband were not an alcoholic I months of sobriety has brought me to the folshould we try to use A.A. activities to gratify would never have seen the happiness that shines lowing conclusions. our own egos. in his face when he has helped another alcoholic. The person who is self-centered and self suffi- It seems that too often we forget that we are I would never have known that deep joy that cient, the person who is arrogant and who struts just alcoholics, that by the grace of God and comes to me when he asks me to talk to the wife in the presence of his God sooner or later colwith the help of A.A. we have arrested our malof another alcoholic. To see A.A. bring happi- lapses and there is a break-up. The balloon is ady, and because of our gratitude we should ness to other homes as it has to ours is one of the pricked and bursts. There follows the mental hold ourselves ever ready to help some other greatest joys of my life.—A Wife anguish, the inner turmoil and attendant troubles poor devil stop drinking by explaining to him that beset all alcoholics. Why? how we did it. Because he or she has no faith, either in God There ends our obligation, indeed any real Fortify Your Mind or the A.A. Program. What is faith? ability we may have. From Hattiesburg, Miss. Faith is the hope of things unseen, the assur- We can best serve by continuous attendance at I tried to change my way of drinking but had ance of things hoped for. Faith is also the con- meetings, thus making ourselves available to the to change my way of thinking. viction of the reality of the unseen. new prospect, or new member; by assuming our It will ultimately pay you to fortify your mind We in A.A. after a time begin to regain some small share of the expense of local meetings; by with courage and patience, not alcohol, so you confidence of things hoped for, and the convic- contributing a buck or two to the General Headcan support your allotted portion of bad breaks. tion of things unseen. After restoration of confi- quarters each year, by subscribing to The Grape- Dangers, misfortunes, want, pain and injury, dence we become sure of the unseen, and when vine—two agencies that have carried first hope, are to be expected by all of us in this life, but sure of the unseen, then we are sure of victory then help, to those not located near organized that first drink will not stop or alleviate them of our ideal; that ideal is sobriety, peace of mind groups, and in helping new groups by passing in the long run. and serenity of living. along the experiences of the older groups. Remember you are not drinking now, so raise We came to believe that a Power greater than A.A. needs no promotion; by the example of your head like an honest man. After all, yester- ourselves could restore us to sanity—is that not members, those in need of our help are attracted. day is water under the bridge, only to be remem- faith? If we are not sure of the unseen and We need no great sums of money; we can support bered in the sense of a lesson of life’s experience. have no faith then we are without hope. our own activity. Individually, we should be Repetition of the old life is out. Let our credo be: “God, I believe, help Thou able to stand on our own ability to do our jobs, The alcoholic who has arrested his disease mine unbelief.”—Ernie L. (Continued on next page)

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not on the fact that we are non-drinking alco- MAIL CALL The Alcoholic Palm holics. (Continued from Page 13) From St. Petersburg, Fla. Some weak sisters feel they must proclaim themselves alcoholics to attract attention, but the Even a palm tree can grow crooked for a while real plumber, bricklayer, doctor, lawyer, or can- and live . . . travel along a crooked, unnatural dlestickmaker stands on his own ability, in his path, and then perk up to spread its glorious chosen field, and wins the quiet respect of his foliage upward and blossom forth into a thing neighbors, and incidentally his own. of splendor. Suppose I am a recovered drunk? So what? Over the doorway of the A.A. clubhouse in I am one of 50,000, no more, no less important Clearwater, Fla., the alcoholic palm tree curves than any of the others. u p w a r d and over the door, just high enough for Thanks again for the restatement of the real the average person to walk under without bumpaims of this very simple program of Alcoholics ing his head. It is a living example to those of us Anonymous. Let’s keep it simple, and anony- who have traveled high and low roads, f u l l of mous.—J. Paul S. curves and crooked paths. It is a constant reminder to those who find peace and serenity in What’s on Your Mind? surrounding themselves w i t h others more desperately in need than they . . . that even trees From North Hollywood, Calif. can be buffeted into grotesque shapes by living Well, don’t bother. Those around you know? Seeing Spurs Believing and growing against nature. whether it’s friendly or false. Just don’t bother From Bronxville, N. Y. Something happened in the life of this palm about putting on the front because when we are tree to start it across the walk, up over the door- The Chinese are an old and wise race and one false, “what we are” speaks so loudly folks can’t way and then down . . . down as low as it posof them said, “One picture is worth 10,000 hear “what we say.” In other words, we broad- sibly could go and continue to live on until somewords.” The very graphic drawing on page 8 cast ourselves at the exact level of our thinking. thing else happened to straighten it up. Maybe of the February Grapevine caused me a shudder Realization of this fact is so important to the conviction had something to do with it, as in the and a solemn thought. That gaunt, nervous “growing” or “progressing” A.A. member. That case of an alcoholic. Convictions put a spark hand holding the whiskey glass . . . craving it, great defensive mechanism — boastfulness — at- into life. Those who are content to hold opinions wanting it more than anything in the world! tempts to cover the imagined inadequacies, and they scarcely take the trouble to express, much All that I well remember. But for the grace of yet after a display, it leaves us feeling more for- less to defend, miss the fun that people convinced God . . . that hand with the glass is mine. I’ve lorn than ever. How difficult it is to be one’s of the rightness of their ideas so heartily enjoy. lived more in the last two years than I did durself. How difficult to accept the fact that fooling ing the gay, grim, and godless (in the order But a conviction is a positive idea, never a others is only fooling ourselves. Why should named) 30 years when alcohol was my love, my negative one. It is not enough to be against, we we not realize so profoundly these developed passion—and my master. God bless whoever must be for something with all our hearts and traits—and having given birth to these vain and drew that picture!—P.B. with all our souls. Only then will we really ill-proportioned estimations of ourselves, why come alive . . . to think and grow straight. should we expect the world to accept them when “what we do” and “what we are” proves the Honesty Is Convincing! What changed the growth of the alcoholic falsity of “what we say.” From St. Petersburg, Fla. palm tree? Maybe it was the men and women It’s like Aesop’s damsel, changed from a cat Those “rascally thoughts” which barge into who walk beneath its arch, straightforward huto a woman, who sat very demurely at the the mind, urging drink on occasion, are either mans . . . walking erect without leaning upon alboard’s end until a cat came by. Let’s be our- neatly and squarely dealt with, or they are pain- cohol for a crutch. selves and do the best we can with what we have fully sidetracked into the subconscious only to In a lovely Florida twilight a woman stood to do with at the time. And as time goes on, re-attack us with increasing vigor another time. under the alcoholic palm tree, looked back 20 by individual purification and refinement we will My little formula for them is a true answer, years burdened by sorrows. And yet she was able grow to such stature that “what we once wished a short answer, and an answer for which the little to say: “To live soberly is to be thankful; to we were” will seem unimportant, and we will be “devils” have so far been unable to have a re- know night and day, and changing seasons, to glad for those around us to know in truth, ex- joinder. hear golden laughter, and even to weep softly actly “what we are”—F.D. It is simply this: “Sure I can take a big double . . . just to be alive and sober is to be thankful.” shot and then I’ll be drunk for a year, if I live For what shall a man give thanks? For A.A. that long!” and sobriety; for glad laughter; for neighbors Pikesville Aids Education You can imagine how those poor “devils” and friends, and strangers, too, who pause in a shake their heads, and with their spiked tails teeming, turbulent highway called Life to re- From Philadelphia, Pa. tucked between their legs, walk sadly away.— mind us that it is good to be sober and alive. The Pikesville, Md., Group is following the Walt K. Pity him who weighs his blessings by counting suggestion of the Spartanburg, S. C., Group what he holds in his pocket. Pity him who canabout giving the neighborhood’s doctors and Come Call on Us! not feel a real exultation and a deep humility ministers subscriptions to The Grapevine as a Note to out-of-towners: When you come to as he says, “I will give thanks because I am means of acquainting them with the vast activity and aspirations of A.A. New York why not drop in and meet the gang alive in A.A.!” Please accept our sincere thanks for the many at your General Service Office? It’s Room 1106, For in that is the root of gratitude . . . the interesting articles which appear each month.— 415 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan, N. Y. Tele- principle of divine, law, whether it be human’s D.N. phone is MUrray Hill 7-6523. or palm tree’s.—B.H.

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sobriety in our homes, we are humble, grateful, ALABAMA PAPER A.A. Contacts and not too self-satisfied, HELPS OKLAHOMAN During our years of battle against alcohol we Help Wives have built a reserve around ourselves as a de- SURVIVE COLORADO fense against the rest of the world. We have From Oklahoma City, Okla. In Comeback built up fierce pride and resentment, and have As was our usual custom, my wife, daughter, determined that although we hated and detested From Ogden, Utah and I, went to Manitou, Colorado, the first of the alcoholic problem in our lives, the rest of The Ogden Group of Alcoholic Anonymous the world should not know it if we could keep July, last year. I had been an A.A. for about held its first open meeting something over a them from doing so. Too often we fooled only seven months, and had been on the Program. year ago. I attended that meeting. I sat all ourselves. So we came into the A.A. Program— This year we had rented, a house and when we alone in the very back row. tense, morose, often sullen and resentful, and arrived everything was in a mess and things did I went home from that open meeting and told not start off too well. The house had not been often as neurotic and ill as our alcoholics. my husband all about the Alcoholic Anonymous cleaned up as expected. Weeds and grass were One meeting is enough to make us realize Program, he was interested, but not sufficiently up to my waist, and we had difficulty in getting that here in this very room with us are 25 or to investigate further. I thought about it a lot gas, water and lights turned on. We had driven 30 women just like us, who have faced identical and read everything that came my way on the all night and we arrived about 11 A.M. and it or worse problems than ours, and yet they are all subject. Evidently he did too. I was greatly sur- was really hot, especially for Colorado. Not too chatting happily together as if they hadn’t a prised a few months ago when my husband good a setting for an alcoholic. It was a little care in the world. It seems to me that the A.A. came home and announced that he was going to early for many vacationists. Well, I am putting Program wipes the slate clean; and sets us all investigate the A.A. Program and that two men it mildly when I say, that for the first few days off to a fresh start with a new lease on life, and were going to call on him that very evening. especially it was difficult for me to maintain frees us from that stiff and unnatural attitude They came and talked to him. They told him sobriety. I survived, however, and I would like toward the world in general. of their experiences and explained the Program to relate what I believe saved me. Each meeting night, one Step of the 12 Steps to him, and invited him to attend a meeting the Previous to this year these conditions would of the Program is discussed at length. Individfollowing Saturday night. not have bothered me for I would have been ual problems are brought up. The new mem- I did not stay in the room while they were pretty tight when I arrived and would just have bers have many and the older members help so talking. I felt it better to let them talk together turned everything over to my wife and gone to much with their counsel and advice. New memman to man. They left the book entitled Alco- a bar, for it’s quite true that this is the first bers are introduced to the group. Strict forholics Anonymous for him to read at his leisure. year that I hardly knew what Colorado water mality is conspicuous by its absence and the air Saturday afternoon, my husband invited me to tasted like. fairly vibrates with a feeling of friendliness and . go to the meeting with him that night. I wasn’t Well, the first night I pulled a chair up by my goodwill. There is no feeling of being a stranger sure I was supposed to go, but he reassured me bed and got out the “Big Book” and I’m telling so I went. within the gates. We, I mean our family, are grateful for the you I worked the 24-hour part of the program The stairway to the A.A. club rooms is very A.A. Program. We are grateful to the men who the first week as I never worked it before. In steep and narrow. We paused in the hallway as introduced it in our home, and I haven’t words addition to this, I contacted the A.A. Group in we were about to go up and these words ran to express our gratitude for the effects of the Colorado Springs. But this still was not enough. through my mind, “Straight is the path and nar- They told me of a nurse at Cripple Creek about Program on our lives. row is the way.” That stairway has become a 50 or 60 miles from there who had been having If we in turn can help someone as A.A. memsymbol to me. I regard it as an obstacle course a lot of trouble. So the next morning I told my bers have helped us, it will take us the rest of which an alcoholic must travel on his road to our lives to show our gratitude in deeds of help- wife to get ready, that we were going to Cripple recovery. Each step could well be a trap that fulness to others, for “Faith without works is. Creek. We did and I am sure it was a trip well would cause him to stumble, fall and even when spent for both the nurse and me. Perhaps it did he has almost reached the top plunge him clear dead.”—A..H.McK. me much more good than her. This is still not to the bottom badly bruised and shaken from all that kept me sober. his course. But look! On the right is a sturdy From The Alky Argot I have a brother in Birmingham, Ala., who handrail, symbolizing the Alcoholics Anonymous Burning the candle at both ends is a poor way has always been a tee-totaller. I wrote him quite Program; if he will but grasp it firmly, he will of making ends meet. a lengthy letter about me and A.A. Immediately be able to march steadily onward and upward I received an air mail reply and a copy of The into the ultimate light of sobriety. From The Twelve Stepper Sahara (the Birmingham Group’s paper). He The non-alcoholic section of the meeting is Liquor doesn’t drown your troubles—it only knew a lot about A.A. and was so happy to hear just like any other well conducted women’s club. irrigates them! I had aligned myself with them that he wrote (Our weekly open meeting is divided into two The Sahara a letter and enclosed a check for sections, one for the alcoholics and the other for the work of A.A. Of course they returned the the non-alcoholic wives, sisters, friends, etc.). check and I knew nothing of this until they pub- There are, however, these paramount differences lished his letter in the following issue. he asked between this non-alcoholic group and other them to mail me The Sahara there during July clubs. Since joining, I have never heard a re- and August. They were kind enough to do so ligious, political, or any other kind of argu- and have been mailing it to me ever since. I ment, nor have I seen vanity flamboyantly dis- give this incident and The Sahara credit for a played. The blight of alcoholism through the large part in getting me over that first week or years has bowed us down, until now, in our new ten days. From then on I have had no trouble. found freedom through A.A. and consequent —G.A.P. 15

man. Straight up the side wall, over the ceiling, Applause down the bark wall and out of the door ran the midget. The lone customer’s eyes popped, he t u r n e d From Detroit, Mich. to the barkeep. “Did you see ‘im c l i m b those The chairman of the Parkdale Group, Toronto, w a l l s w i t h o u t sayin’ a word?” Ontario, raised an interesting question d u r i n g a The b a r k e e p shrugged. “The l i t t l e guy’s moody, tha’s a l l . Sometimes he says he’s gonna talk before the group there, he spoke as follows: c l i m b ; sometimes he doesn’t say a bloomin” “Flushed with success, I held my violin at my side and bowed to the roaring applause. Again word. and again, I played short encores, yet the ap- From K e n t u c k y comes t h i s aged-in-the-wood plause continued. I was wonderful and I knew dram forwarded by F..K.D., who writes: it. I joined them in toast after toast to my virtuosity. Then I departed, shoved myself behind (Ol’ John’s Juice) “Upon i n q u i r i n g of a man who had about reached the bottom of degradation from his long the wheel of my car and awakened to find my- “Plenty of time for jus’ one more drink, pal, bout with old John B. as to just why he did it, self in a steel barred cage.” an’ I’m buying thissun,” insisted Drunk No. I his answer was ‘he drank the way he did to pre- “Yes, the applause had done it again. I got pointing at the clock on the railroad station. vent him from worrying about the wicked life he off with a reckless driving charge, thanks to “Okay, one more before the train goes,’ was living.’ friends. I also took stock. I can’t take applause agreed Drunk No. 2, setting down a suitcase for “Now I t h i n k I’ve heard all the excuses.” without a drink. I quit the concert stage.I the 12th time. “Here’s lookin’ atcha.” took a subordinate position in a stock broker’s “Lotsa time, gents, drink hearty,” suggested office. Now, as I speak to the Parkdale Group from The Central Bulletin the barkeep—no man to let an easy buck hastily of Alcoholics Anonymous I ask that when I am And then there was the dying midget who ordepart. finished there be no applause, no flattering re- dered a short bier. Ten minutes and three drinks later, the final marks. I can swallow those only with a drink.” call of “A-l-l-a-b-o-a’-r-d,” sounded from the sta- As the speaker finished an inspiring talk From J. R., Grand Island, Neb. tion gate. The two drunks galvanized into action. there was no applause. None of the 75 A.A.s Grabbing change, hats, newspapers and suitcase To see if he, couldn’t do something about his and visitors told him he was good when the hearing, the d r u n k went to a doctor. The docthey sprinted in a dizzy and spectacular brokencoffee and doughnuts were served. He had found tor informed him that if he would quit his drinkfield run through the gate. Down the platform out the truth about himself, and his fellow A.A.s ing, he was sure that his hearing would improve. they charged, Drunk No. I leading by a lurch. respected his utter honesty. And only by such The drunk quit drinking and upon meeting the Suddenly the train began to move. Drunk No. I honesty and candor with oneself and one’s fel- doctor a week or so later told him his hearing tripped and fell. Drunk No. 2, nimble as a goat, low men, can an A.A. get in tune with his God was fine. However, about a month after that, the skipped over his fallen comrade, and using the and keep his feet firmly on the good earth. doctor happened upon the d r u n k who was about body as a platform for his spring, caught the At this same meeting, three other speakers three sheets to the wind. The doctor said, “I moving train and swung aboard. were applauded at the end of their talks. Should thought you had q u i t d r i n k i n g ? ” Breathless, the station attendant arrived in they have been? Why? A.A. is no show. The drunk replied, “I liked what I drank so time to help the fallen drunk to his feet. “Won- Neither is it a church. Yet, it is so much a part much better than what I heard that I started derful running! I never thought you’d make it of the Lord’s work, that the meeting was taking drinking again.” in time to get your friend on that train.” place in a church. Stew No. I thoughtfully scratched his head. Our unsung chairman that night observed From Bruce H., St. Petersburg, Fla. “Yessir! Now I’m wunnerin’ if m’pal knows that when a speaker at an A.A. meeting is talk- The collection box for the “kitty” was missing where he’s goin’ when he gets there. He only ing for the applause and laughter he expects to at a meeting, so a hat was passed in its place. came down to see me off.” get, he is quite likely to exaggerate. And, when As it passed from hand to hand, and aisle to that occurs every real A.A. knows it. That aisle, the hat was greeted with giggles and loud Diligently working his way down the bar, speaker is known as a “phoney” in A.A; circles, bursts of laughter. When the meeting chairman drink by drink, a roving male drunk finally until he proves himself honest. examined the hat he found it contained a card; came alongside a blond female drunk who was There is a great temptation to “color up” nuzzling at the rim of her sixth Martini. “Huh with the owner’s name and the admonition: “Like and otherwise adorn an A.A. story when the hell it’s yours. Put it back!” lo, Sis,” he greeted. speaker speaks too often. Take it easy. Don’t “Huh lo, Bub,” greeted she. be a zealot. The root of all evil is speech—too “Think maybe seven of those will make you much of it, that is. If you’re inclined to be a dizzy?” inquired the rover. “professional” A.A. speaker, stop and take stock. The blond hiccuped gently. “The count’s Remember what applause did to one man; it right, son, but y’u got my name wrong.” Got any stopped a successful concert stage career. good How about ending applause at A.A. meetings? A midget toddled into a saloon late one eve- stories? Silent humility is much better, our Bible tells ning. He climbed on the brass rail, stood on tipus. What do you think?—F.C.O. Send ’em toe, and signaled the barkeep. As one lone cus- in to Ol’ tomer watched, the barkeep poured three drinks John. –

Easy does it and set them within reach of the midget’s arm. In three gulps, the triple-barleycorn vanished. Then, up to the top of the bar climbed the little

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Vol. IV, NO. 11, APRIL, 1948. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY, 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1948, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

Expenses of Speakers Pose Problem T HE problem of expenses for out-of-town A.A. speakers is being discussed by groups throughout the country, according to letters received by The A.A. Grapevine. The following letter—quoted in its entirety—was received on March 4: ‘ we see that he has sufficient money for meals, etc., that we don’t take care of. “If anyone has a criticism of our plan or can offer any ideas on this increasingly important From New York, N. Y. this manner, and that no speaker who did would subject, we would like to see them in The A.A. “I wonder how other A.A.s and groups feel be asked again. Grapevine.” about payment for out-of-town speakers? This “Generally, the need for out-of-town speakers Another writer, from a group in the South, problem has come up in our group and although is more acute in smaller groups with little fears that some A.A. speakers are “making their we solved it, we would like to get other opinion money. It is often a burden on the group to living” by speaking at A.A. meetings—for a on the way we handled it. pay large sums for speakers. More often it is price. This group believes that such “profes- “Our group is a relatively small one for a a burden on individual members who find that sionals” are more concerned with money than New York group. We therefore call on mem- they are stuck for the bills. with being helpful. This group pays traveling bers of other groups to speak at our open meet- “Our group also feels that it should not en- and hotel expenses of its guest A.A. speakers but ings. Most often we ask out-of-town members to courage a certain type of A.A. speaker who is does not encourage repeat performances. visit us and speak. The problem came up as to trying “to make a good thing out of A.A.” There Most of the letters received agree that A.A. how we should take care of the expenses of such is too much evidence, we feel, to ignore the fact speakers may lose their effectiveness if they make guest A.A. speakers. that some speakers are making a good living by too many speeches. They develop a professional “There was some difference of opinion about speaking at A.A. meetings. air, a platform manner and often attempt to payment for speakers. Some of our members “Our decision on the matter finally came down “put on a good show” rather than tell a story felt that we shouldn’t pay a guest speaker any- to on agreement for hotel expenses, meals and honestly and sincerely. As one letter puts it: thing. Others felt that we shouldn’t pay guest traveling costs but no fee. To avoid any em- “Some of these ‘professional’ boys should respeakers but that we should exchange speakers barrassment to the guest speaker or to the group, member that they are alcoholics, too. If they with other local groups and out-of-town groups. we mail the speaker his round trip, first class would do a good job they must be humble, hon- “Members who didn’t want to pay guest speak- railroad ticket or plane ticket. We make and pay est and helpful. If they don’t they’ll get drunk ers anything took the position that guest speakers for hotel accommodations before the speaker’s themselves.” were doing 12th Step work and that they should- arrival. When the speaker arrives, we quietly In other words, the effect on the speaker n’t expect payment for it. They felt that to pay slip an envelope into his hands. This envelope himself may be demoralizing. Unless he watches A.A. speakers would be to commercialize A.A. contains cash for incidental expenses, including it, his popularity as a speaker may swell his ego. Others argued that guest speakers shouldn’t be meals. We entertain the speaker, of course, but One member, in a letter appearing in the March paid for services but that they should be paid issue of The A.A. Grapevine, even questioned the expenses for their hotel, food and travel. effect of applause. So far as he was concerned, “In the course of the discussion several mem- he wrote that he didn’t want any applause when bers spoke of the danger of getting into the habit he made a talk. He doesn’t think it’s consistent of either accepting or offering expense money. with humility, or with the spiritual conception One member told of a group that got stuck for held in A.A. After all, applause is not heard an out-of-town speaker’s hotel bill, meals, travel- in church, is it? ing expenses, a fee for the “speech” and all of In any event, the question of speakers and the speaker’s wife’s expenses, including expensive speaking seems to have created some problems gifts to the wife. It was pointed out, however, which might well be discussed in The A.A. that this case was extreme, that no sincere Grapevine. speaker would take advantage of a group in What are your thoughts?

Pleasures of Reading That Winter by Merle Miller (William Sloane Associates, $3) The winter of 1945, the first civilian winter for the three veterans in this story, was a time of disillusionment, a period of searching for answers and of making mistakes. On the 5th Tradition Peter, the protagonist, and his two friends and roommates Lew and Ted, were perhaps not quite typical of the average young man just let By Bill out of the army in that their problems were not primarily concerned with jobs, money or a place to live. Very typical, however, was their tough realistic outlook on life. It was no exultant “we have won a war” Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be altitude, no wild rush to celebrate and have fun and there was not the a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose slightest misapprehension — that of carrying its message to the alcoholic about the futility of the who still suffers. whole business of war. The suffering and killing Says the old proverb, “Shoemaker, stick to thy last.” Trite, had not proved anything, yes. But very true for us of A.A. How well we need to heed the never would prove anyprinciple that it is better to do one thing supremely well than thing and there was no many things badly. glory in it, no achievement and no victory. Because it has now become plain enough that only a recovered “We a l l d r a n k too alcoholic can do much for a sick alcoholic, a tremendous respon- much that winter.” Their sibility has descended upon us all, an obligation so great that it drinking was largely centered around the more reamounts to a sacred trust. For to our kind, those who suffer alco- spectable bars and restauholism, recovery is a matter of life or death. So the society of rants in Manhattan and Alcoholics Anonymous cannot, it dare not ever be diverted from for Peter and Lew at its primary purpose. least, it was a pointless business. They got drunk, Temptation to do otherwise will come aplenty. Seeing fine they went through their works afoot in the field of alcohol, we shall be sorely tempted to hangovers, and for them and the girls they drank loan out the name and credit of Alcoholics Anonymous to them; with, there was no gaiety as a movement we shall be beset to finance and endorse other in it, not much satisfaccauses. Should our present success continue, people will com- tion and not much remence to assert that A.A. is a brand new way of life, maybe a morse. They just drank. new religion, capable of saving the world. We shall be told it For Ted it was different. he was an alcoholic, and in my opinion a rather poorly drawn and unauthentic one. His background was a family is our bounden duty to show modern society how it ought to live. fortune and a neglected, loveless childhood. The war was his big mo- Oh, how very attractive these projects and ideas can be! How ment; his experiences in the Normandy invasion, the push across France and into Germany were dramatic and in spite of a wound that made it flattering to imagine that we might be chosen to demonstrate that necessary to amputate his right arm, it was his period of fulfillment. olden mystic promise: “The first shall be last and the last shall be Back in New York, his motto was “the hell with everything,” and his first.” Fantastic, you say. Yet some of our well-wishers have downward slide was quick and apparently not too painful. His suicide begun to say such things. left me cold, I just didn’t care about him, one way or the other. Dick Westing, a successful writer, was also an alcoholic and a more Fortunately most of us are convinced that these are perilous convincing one. He and his nice but homely wife Martha are familiar to speculations, alluring ingredients of that new heady wine we are us. Martha was a real person and we don’t wonder that Peter picked her now being offered, each bottle marked “Success”! out as a confidante. She understood about the girl he lost because he didn’t know that he loved her until she became engaged to another man, Of this subtle vintage may we never drink too deeply. May about the job that he held because he was good at it and made money we never forget that we live by the Grace of God—on borrowed and then suddenly quit for no reason at all. He could let down the bars time; that anonymity is better than acclaim; that for us as a move- and show her that there was a tender side to his toughness and an idealistic side to his disillusionment. Her advise to him, an admitted cliche, ment poverty is better than wealth. was “Do what you know you must do.” And may we reflect with ever deepening conviction, that we There are other characters in the book, brief but startlingly clear shall never be at our best except when we hew only to the primary vignettes that tell us a lot about why the men and women of this particular age group feel as they do, think as they do, and act as they do. spiritual aim of A.A.-“That of carrying its message to the alcoholic That Winter is a book to be read and to be kept for f u t u r e reference. who still suffers alcoholism.” —M.N., New. York City.

2

Pros and Cons on Applause for Speakers From New York, N. Y. more gush about how wonderful he is. change the conditions. Therefore, since applause The article entitled “Applause,” which was We also are seeing too much of the profes- has been an accepted part of A.A. for more printed in the March issue of The Grapevine, sional speaker who runs around addressing than ten years, the Parkdale Group member’s pointed the finger at the possible bad effects of luncheon clubs, business groups and virtually dilemma might better have been solved by his what should be no more than a friendly custom. any organization that will ask him. He presents recognizing and accepting the fact that the ap- We’ll probably always have applause at meet- himself as the shining example, and devotes plause was not. for his self-gratification but ings, and I don’t see why we shouldn’t. After much more verbiage to his personal triumph rather as indicating the group’s participation in all, applause is a practice to which we have long than to the principles of A.A. the sentiments he expressed. This course apbeen accustomed at many kinds of gatherings, Then there’s the braying type who tells every- pears to me considerably less egotistical than events, the theater, etc., and in itself is no more one he encounters that he belongs to A.A., not for a speaker to ask, during a talk, that when he than an expression of good will. because he really wants to spread the story of concludes there should be no applause. After The danger in A.A., of course, is that a A.A. where it will do some good but because all, maybe the audience might already have despeaker, and particularly one who is speaking he wants to get attention for himself. cided that they would not applaud!—J.A.D. frequently, may get to listening for the applause Certainly this kind of behavior and any of and become more concerned with that than with these forms of personal tribute tend to inflate Thinks Applause Helpful saying something to help some other drunk sober the ego. Even applause is too much for some to From Detroit, Mich. up. When, this happens, the speaker starts shap- stand. I just finished reading the letter from the ing his talk for applause, and the applause be- Since inflated ego was our common disease, I member who would do away with applause at comes food for the vanity. think we’d be wise to avoid anything that plays meetings. I don’t agree, because I think ap- In my opinion, more dangerous than ap- to it.—T.D. plause is helpful to the speakers, especially those plause are other forms of personal tribute which Too Drastic who may be appearing on a public platform for are becoming quite common in A.A. For exam- the first time. It’s a way of telling them we’re From New York, N. Y. ple, I have attended several meetings of late with them.—D.H. which were given over almost entirely to the It seems to me that your make-up editor, celebration of some individual’s anniversary, who placed the A.A. slogan “Easy Does It” im- Prefers No Applause with very little time left for a discussion of the mediately after Detroiter F.C.O.’s article in your March issue gave (probably by pure accident) From New York, N. Y. principles and practices of A.A. Here the indithe short answer to F.C.O.’s closing query “How The article “Applause” in the March Grapevidual is elevated above the group, and personabout ending applause at A.A. meetings?” Such vine is one of the best things you’ve ever printed. ality takes precedence over principle. Personal slogan, and indeed the whole of our A.A. experi- I have done quite a bit of speaking in A.A. tribute gushes forth, in a way that could easily ence, would indicate that we should “make haste In the beginning,. I was terribly nervous and lead the unwary individual into thinking, once slowly” before embarking on radical experi- didn’t like it, but did it because it was supposed again, that he’s done it all himself rather than ments. And, in my opinion, the elimination of to be one way of helping other alcoholics. the Power greater than himself. applause might well change the essential nature But after I got over my nervousness I found Then there’s the personal story appearing in of an A.A. meeting, because in our, meetings the I didn’t mind it. Then I began to kind of enjoy the local newspaper, sometimes even accomaudience is far more important than the speaker, it, and when I found I was getting to like the panied by a photograph of the individual, and who is just another alcoholic who reflects in his applause and the people coming around aftertalk not only his own experience but that of a wards to say, “Wonderful talk,” I decided I’d large part of his audience. The audience feels better cut it out. with him and, when he concludes, it is only nat- As active alcoholics, we always were playing ural that they should give vent to their emotions for applause in one form or another, or at least with applause. Handcuffing an A.A. audience playing for an audience. I think applause is still Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men may kill the enthusiasm which differentiates our pretty heady stuff.—H.B. and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve meetings from those of other organizations. If their common problem and help others to recover we do that, it may not be long before we become from alcoholism. just another sect or cult in which there is a wide The only requirement for membership is an gulf separating the preacher from the “preached Elizabeth Bergner Stars honest desire to stop drinking. A.A. has no dues at.” or fees. It is not allied with any sect, denomina- It is true, as F.C.O. points out, that now and In Play about Alcoholic tion, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, and neiagain an A.A. speaker misinterprets applause ther endorses nor opposes any causes. Our pri- and gets egotistically “puffed up” but, after all, A.A.s will be interested in the opening of mary purpose is to stay sober and to help other that does not happen very often and, when it Cup of Trembling, a play adapted from Louis alcoholics to achieve sobriety. does, the “self-executing” remedy in our disease Paul’s novel Breakdown. Elizabeth Bergner, well The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated is very likely to quickly correct the speaker’s mis- known on stage and screen, will appear in the in The 12 Steps. The A.A. book of experience, understanding. In other words, he is very likely leading role of a woman alcoholic. Opening in Alcoholics Anonymous, and other literature, inshortly to find himself drunk. Boston on April 5, the play will move into New cluding The 12 Points of Tradition, are available through any group or the General Service Head- Turning now to the earlier portion of F.C.O.’s York about April 20. quarters, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, letter, I think it is generally agreed that we grow Featured in the cast with Miss Bergner are New York 17, N. Y. in the program by adjusting ourselves.to condi- Millard Mitchell, Arlene Francis, Margaret tions as we find them, rather than by trying to Rycherly, Hope Hampton and Beverly Bayne.

3

P. 0. BOX 459 IS INTERNATIONAL HUB P.O. Box 459, just an ordinary looking Post 415 Lexington Avenue, with five employees. under the same circumstances—she will tell of Office box number, but into it daily flow letters Since then the staff has grown to 16 full time how a group got the where-with-all to open club postmarked all over the world. It is interna- employees in the General Service Headquarters, rooms, how another started a radio program, tionally famous because it is the address of four of whom are members of A.A. and was successful, how and why another failed. Alcoholics Anonymous General Service Head- Into the office come approximately 200 trav- The traveling questioner can listen to the “voice quarters, New York City. elers each month. Many of these travelers, who of experience” and take his choice as to what To many active and even ardent A.A. mem- through the years have built up a friendship by would be the most practical way to proceed with bers, what goes on at General Service Headquar- mail with Bobbie B. and Charlotte L. (who came his problem. ters is a mystery. Because many have inquired to the General Service Headquarters as associate Answering these questions personally makes as to how the office functions, The Grapevine secretary, in 1946) meet for the first time these up the large intangible part of the services of went snooping and found that the only mystery A.A. workers who before have been only signa- this headquarters. Besides requests by mail there to the General Service Headquarters is how it tures on letters and bulletins. are countless telephone calls—they may be from operates so smoothly, so efficiently and what is Travelers ask all sorts of questions—and get the executive of a large corporation who has an most important—so personally. the answers—or sound suggestions based on ex- employee with an alcoholic problem—how can perience of how to proceed. And much experi- he get the man hospitalized—whom can he con- The General Service Headquarters is a service ence has piled up since the book Alcoholics tact. Whoever it is or whatever the nature of the center for all Alcoholics Anonymous Groups. Anonymous was written in 1939. At that time call, it is answered with understanding and per- It is directed by and is directly responsible to there were 100 members; now there are approxi- sonally by one of the members of the General its Board of Trustees. mately 60,000. Service Headquarters staff. Acting as a clearing house, General Service One of the most common questions asked is These are only a few things done at the Gen- Headquarters represents A.A. as a whole to the how to open a club house, or club rooms, spon- eral Headquarters. The Grapevine will do some general public in anything of national or inter- sor a radio program, and bring knowledge of more snooping to tell in detail other phases of national nature. the A.A. program to other sick alcoholics with no the activities here at General Service Headquar- It publishes and distributes A.A. literature in money. ters. For instance: Did you know that more English and Spanish; it maintains and upholds No one in the General Service Headquarters than 2,000 letters come into the office each the traditions as practiced in the groups. will tell a questioner what to do or how to do it month? We will tell you all about the mail Like all other A.A. groups and activities, —but she will tell what happened to other groups handling next month. General Service Headquarters has grown through the years. It had its beginnings in what was Bill W.’s business office over in Newark, N. J. couple to make the work of A.A. in many cases Here Ruth H. used to answer letters and fill or- A.A. at Fort Jay very difficult. ders for the book, Alcoholics Anonymous. In For example, the inmate possibly has been those days, before groups had been organized The great majority of the men now at Fort “sweating out” a parole board for two or three in all parts of the world, many alcoholics dried Jay, Governors Island, N. Y., are confined for months. Then one day he is called over to the up by mail. Personal answers to letters make offenses evolving either directly or indirectly main office and told that his parole has been disup a great part of the functions of the General out of alcohol. Most cases of AWOL, desertion, approved by the Department of the Army in Service Headquarters. disorderliness in uniform, assault and battery, Washington. Now what is his first reaction? It It wasn’t long before the business of A.A. and numerous others can be traced directly to is basically this: drove other business out of the little office in alcohol. Many more premeditated offenses came The inmate has been keeping “on the ball” Newark. It grew to such proportions that larger about as a result of the man being drunk and for months on end, keeping out of trouble and quarters were necessary. It was moved into not knowing what he was thinking of at the time possibly doing a little more than his share and offices on Vesey Street, in downtown New York. of the offense. then the Army shows its appreciation by dis- An A.A. group was organized there in October, approving his parole. He does not stop to realize The Vesey Street office was a luxury. It was 1946 and from the start has been recognized by that there may be some very sound reasons for really one large room but a slight partition made the authorities as a valuable factor in the “reha- denying his parole. He doesn’t see all of it seem like two rooms. Those who were in that bilitation” program. The group has had its ups this and the first thought that flashes into his office downtown say that in those days a traveler and downs since the organization, but at this mind is raising a little hell. Getting good and took his life in his hands to set foot in the time it has achieved considerable stability and drunk. With these thoughts in mind he heads for door. He was immediately put to work! No attracts approximately 20 members who realize the nearest liquor, gets all soused up, gets discivisitor ever left the office without a stack of mail that their main trouble is alcohol. plinary punishment and probably loses some to be delivered to the post office! The greatest problem of the alcoholic con- good conduct time, his trustee status and gets a About six years ago, Bobbie B. became gen- fined at Fort Jay is the fact that liquor is very, transfer to a maximum security prison. eral secretary, replacing Ruth H. At that time very easy to procure and that many of the men Crises come up in the confinement of every there were 100 groups in the whole of A.A. Now find it very difficult to repress the desire to use inmate. Some are saved by the fact that they there are more than 2,000. Naturally the whole it. Men working in officers’ quarters, messes, are non-alcoholics, but we alcoholics do not operation of the General Service Headquarters and clubs continually have access to the liquor have such immunity. This is where A.A. steps has increased tremendously. stocks if they so desire. This availability of alco- in. By living from day to day the A.A. way the In 1944 another move was necessary. The hol, together with the many disappointments the inmate keeps out of trouble until the crisis is offices were moved into the present quarters at prisoner is likely to receive while on the island, over.

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nated one end of their meeting rooms as a “pouting corner.” If a member arrives at the club angry, upset or resentful, he is asked to sit in the corner! Believe it or not, it works. Our man reports that a few minutes in the pouting corner snaps most Scads of suggestions are coming in on the new of them right out of it. contest. Thanks a million! But keep ’em com- Or, You Can ing! We’re going to decide soon, so get your Ned M., of the Alexandria, Va., Group, tells Lead a Horse . . ideas in now. Don’t forget that we’re giving a subscription to The Grapevine for the best idea. us of a carpenter in Washington who was nailing a siding on a house and threw away every From Bronxville, N. Y. Latest suggestions: a contest on the best thing to kill a whiskey breath; a contest on the most third nail. The foreman, noticing the odd be- The most frustrating thing about A.A. was, unforgettable A.A. character. havior, came over to the man and said: “What’s until a few months ago, the fact that other the big idea?” The carpenter replied: “The nails I am throwing away have heads on drunks could not accept the Program, particu- Joe P., of the Windsor South Group, the wrong end.” “Don’t be a fool,” said the larly as I presented it to them. Then I stumbled Canada, reports the following: “One night —long before A.A.—I stag- foreman, “those are the ones you use on the onto this from some little book I read about gered out of a friend’s house other side of the house.” religion: to get a package of cigarettes. “Jesus counseled a selectivity when he said, When I got back all the lights According to D.L.B., of the Goshen, Ind., ‘Into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not,’ were out. I was furious and Group, two of his drunken friends finally de- adding to go instead to ‘the lost sheep.’ Take more than a little drunk. Un- cided to end a prolonged those well prepared and disturb not the venoable to open the front door, binge. They locked them- I stumbled around the side mous. Jesus took care not to impart his teachselves in a hotel room and of the house, kicked in a win- ings to those not ready for them. Those ready started talking things over. dow and fell into the base- During the conversation will give thanks, those not ready will return rement. Groping my way up one of the drunks passed sentment. It is more spectacular to seek the the stairs, I arrived in the kitchen and put out. His pal, thinking him reform of the hardened sinner, but more wideup a yell for my friend. No answer, I put dead, called the house physician. “This man spread in good to guide the children and the on all the lights and yelled again. No an- isn’t dead,” the doctor said, “Have you men swer. In the icebox I found a pint of whis- lost sheep.” been drinking much?” “About three months,” key. With this discovery, I immediately That thought cleared up a lot for me and rethe drunk answered. The doctor asked: “Did forgave my friend and started in on the your friend see anything strange before he passed moved the frustration of unsuccessful 12th Step bottle. In a few minutes I noticed that I out? You know—purple elephants, funny little work. Obviously, every drunk is not going to had company. It was a big, yellow cat. I men or snakes?” Came the reply: “That’s a respond to me or to even the most persuasive of found a bottle of milk in the icebox and funny thing, Doc, all the things you mentioned A.A.s—because he is not ready, is venomous, tried to fill a large bowl for my companion. were in here but he didn’t see them!” I slipped, slid and finally fell on my face. will return resentment and will not give thanks. The last thing I remember was taking a Even as I, up to a year and a half ago. So, slug out of the bottle. I woke up in jail! From The Brighter Side now realizing this, I shall stop expecting to be It was not until I saw the headline in the If you growl all day it’s only natural to feel “spectacular” in 12th Step work!—P.B. local paper, “BURGLAR FEEDS CAT” dog-tired at night. that I realized I had stumbled into the wrong house! From the Central Bulletin “No, what happened?” Rob. A., of a Chicago group, says that the fol- Did you ever note how often a narrow mind “He had an alcohol rubdown and tried to lowing happened to one of his “babies”: On this and a wide mouth go together? lick it off.” drunk’s 27th trip to the nut house, a weary psychiatrist said to him: “Now I am going to tell you a story. When I have finished, you tell me From The Alky Argot, Wisconsin State Prison: what’s wrong with it. Here it is. A drunken The bellhop interrupted a noisy party in a woman, fighting with her husband on the 35th hotel room. floor of a hotel, fell out of the window and “I’ve been sent to ask you to make less noise,” landed on the sidewalk. She was so angry with the bellhop said. “The gentleman in the next her husband that she got up and walked away room says he can’t read.” without brushing her clothes.” The drunk re- “Shame on him,” said one of the noisy celeplied: “Gosh, Doc, she sure must have been brants. “I could read when I was six years old.” awful drunk not to notice it.”

A member of a group in Massachusetts From The Paradox, Kansas City, Mo.: reports that they are having success with a “Hear about the Cornell grad who died of a new resentment device. They have desig- broken neck?”

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GROUP MEETING DISCUSSION PAGES (This is a discussion page. Ideas advanced here are business; the 12 Steps can be distorted and mis- In Richmond, A.A. is represented in the Doonly suggestions, put forward to help furnish group discussion topics, without any intention of reaching fixed interpreted, but once the candidate has admitted mestic Relations courts every day, and we have conclusions or dogmatic ‘rights” and “wrongs.” All he is an alcoholic and helpless, and is willing prospects from the Magistrates’ and the Police readers are invited to submit group discussion topics.) to write out the moral inventory, he is ready for courts also. The judges were easy, but we had a the classes—ready to go to school to learn how job in educating the courts otherwise. We try to From Washington, D. C. to stay sober. make the defendant feel he is among friends; the What are members of A.A. thinking about Should one man run the classes? Certainly seed is planted even if it doesn’t sprout the first spiritual growth, and about organizational and not. He introduces too much of his own person- time. From the jails come some of our best other problems, as the fellowship grows to un- ality. We tried 21 leaders before we found four A.A.s. Suppose we screen 300 and get one; that dreamed of numbers? What are the plans for to head them up. Some of our best A.A. speak- one is going back and get one more. Some day keeping the movement within workable size and ers didn’t have the teaching qualities to impart they are coming in. It seems that if you don’t proportions? How does A.A. fit into the whole information so that it would register in the com- get A.A., A.A. will get you. pattern of its communities? And what are its prehension of the listeners, and it look us two Summer P. opened the forum with the quesresponsibilities to the individual compulsive years to select three of our leaders, and then sev- tion, “How can we bring in alcoholics who need drunkard asking help? eral sessions were needed before they could get help?” These were among the questions canvassed in sharp and carry the simple lesson to the hundred a series of seminar-forums which preceded the or more candidates who attend each Monday Topic: Hospitalization, Clinics, Informafirst annual dinner of the Middle Atlantic A.A. night class. tion Centers. Paul H., Washington, chairman; Region in Washington, D. C., on January 31. James G., Richmond; Eileen B., Washington. Should the alcoholics, some of them still shak- The coverage is by members of the Washington James G.—(As a state senator he introduced ing, be permitted to ask questions during the Newspaper A.A. Group, all veteran and seasoned in the Virginia Legislature a bill to divert $750,class sessions? We found this was not good. writing men, and adds up to a reporter’s report, 000 from the State’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Discussions? No. There will be plenty of opheld within the facts of the discussions, and re- Board to establish and maintain clinics for the portunity for discussion and questions afterflecting no editorial or doctrinaire views except treatment of alcoholics.) Public health authoriwards. Our leaders tell the story as well as they as they may have been expressed in actual state- ties have called alcoholism the nation’s No. 4 can; they don’t try to cram it down anybody’s ments by the participants themselves. tragedy; it is actually tragedy No. I when one throat, but the interpretation and the instruction The value of this report, if any, must reside is laid out cold turkey just the same, and it is a considers that from five to 10 innocent persons in the fact that it tells a realistic story (but one big dose of medicine. are directly affected by each problem drinker. sharply condensed), citing the spoken words of The ABC plan returned $16,000,000 in revenue the A.A. members who were charged with point- When the candidate has completed the four classes embracing the 12 Steps he is ready to to the state in the last fiscal year and less than ing up and leading the discussions. These repre- one per cent is sought for the treatment and resented some 30 groups in Maryland, Virginia join one of the squads and in them he can ask habilitation of alcoholics. and the District of Columbia. all of the questions he wants or needs. It is in the squad, a completely closed meeting with old- The Virginia state report on inebriety recog- All sessions were held in the Statler Hotel and nizes the alcoholic as a sick person and a probtimers serving as leaders, that the alkies can let more than 1,000 persons attended. Speakers were lem for the state government. Treatment of the their hair down, and the percentage of slips selected by the over-all Regional Committee, and alcoholic is a medico-psychiatric task, and since among the regular squad members is almost negwere pretty well representative of Alcoholics ligible. The squads are a vital factor in con- few psychiatrists devote their full time to alco- Anonymous in the area. The reporters were holics, the state should provide treatment at low tinued sobriety and A.A. growth. Ed S., “Doc” F., Bruce M., Harry H., Vince M., cost and with the least disruption to families. The Bill B., Bill P., and Tony S., and Pete D. made Harry S.—The first weeks for the newcomer general concept of an alcoholic as a nuisance the assignments. The report, unadorned with are critical; the circle hits both hypersensitivewho should be “put away” yields slowly to the feature writing, has been held to the solid brass ness and laxity, and constant surveillance is view that an alcoholic is a person requiring treattacks of the participants’ words. Space limita- sometimes advisable while the candidate is faced ment, but progress is being made. Cost and tions require that it be boiled down. Therefore, with the need for building a new personality, other statistics indicate the states cannot afford overlapping or duplication in the talks has been one strange to our old ways. The inventory Step not to do something about the problem of alcoeliminated.—Harry H. detects mistakes; general conduct unknowingly holism. can become a discipline as he approaches A.A. In summary the report runs: (From the floor a Philadelphia member asked Influential companionship is important for the Topic: Education for New Members. candidate and this takes in the whole matter of for copies of the proposed Virginia legislation Sunmer P., Portsmouth, chairman; Doug H., group selection. When he finds his right group, to present to an interested group of Pennsyl- Washington; Harry S., Baltimore; Tom L., his problem eases up notably. The sponsor vania legislators.) Richmond. should feel responsible for the newcomer . . . Paul H.—The 12th Step worker encounters well past the danger point. many difficulties from the uninformed relatives Doug H.—The Washington method of classes, copied from the Minneapolis Group, has had Tom L.—There are 50 ways to stay sober in of the alcoholic. Much time and effort is taken some success. Having come to believe that a A.A. and all are good, even if some of them don’t up in explaining to the family that (1) the alco- Power greater than ourselves could restore us to suit me, and the beauty lies in the fact that none holic is a sick person; (2) he is worth rehabilitasanity, could change our negative thinking, we of these ways is wrong. You learn your way— tion, and (3) alcoholism is a public health probwant to bring this lesson to others. after you learn that those verticle things you lem. The Committee for Education on Alcohol- The approach to the alcoholic is a delicate were looking through were not harp strings. ism is doing valuable work in Washington.

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A.A. has a working agreement with Gallinger becomes the common sense thing to work on all Topic: Internal Organization and Club- Municipal Hospital and the eventual building of our other evils, so as to be better able to reduce room Operation. Jack W., Richmond, chairnew hospitals in the District will bring about a the effects of the predominant one. The way to man; Ray N., Baltimore; Bob P. and Russ W., constructive program on a broad scale. Facili- do that is to reconstruct our daily mode of life Washington. ties in the great new George Washington Uni- to the point where we are living right. . . . Ray N.—Baltimore has had its ups and downs. versity Hospital, a teaching institution to be Whether we approach A.A. from an emotional Four or five times the group has grown to 75 opened in April, have been ear-marked for treat- or a common sense point of view, alcoholism and or 80 members, and then slid back to 20. The ment of alcoholics—as a starter. In Arlington, screwy thinking are like the hen and the egg. growth in the last 18 months has shown a better across the Potomac, the courts refer alcoholics It doesn’t really matter which came first, the trend with the organization of the neighborhood to the recently opened diagnostic clinic. Congress drinking or the screwy thinking. What does groups. A.A. is healthy now in Baltimore with has appropriated funds, drawn from retail liquor matter is that we start living right in a spirit of some 250 members. The trouble started when sales, to set up and maintain a series of clinics brotherly love, guided by the 12 suggested Steps the group grew up to around 60. Everybody for alcoholics in the national capital. of Alcoholics Anonymous. These are based on knew how to spend money, and quit coming. Inthe cardinal virtues and the conventional code of stead of picking up their toys and going home Topic: Spiritual Aspects of the Program. ethics. they went out and started the neighborhood Tom W., Richmond, chairman; Ben L., Towson, The alcoholic is taking an awful chance when groups, and this has worked. Md.; Jim C., Silver Spring, Md.; Dave S., he gets off the path laid out by the 12 Steps. If Personally I know what I have been through, Arlington, Va. he does not follow that suggested code, he will, I know the pain and anxiety I have caused my Ben L.—The new member should be condi- being an alcoholic, find himself back in the same family and, personally again, I find I have to tioned to accept the necessity for belief in a old rat-race of screwy thinking which leads to have a balance between A.A. and its social activi- Power greater than ourselves, in a practical way, screwy drinking. As we grow in A.A., as our al- ties. There has often been a wrong inference before he goes to his first meeting. Otherwise a coholic fears dissolve, as we learn to sample the when a fellow says he would join the A.A. club; groping and often cynical prospect may miscon- what he needed was to join the group. As to the strue a possible heavy dose of Higher Power club I believe everybody who drank whiskey discussion, at his first meeting, as just some more which got him down, if he tries to keep up with mission work, without drum, horn or free meal. the card players, is getting off on the wrong foot, . . . The A.A. member who is working with a and the club situation in Baltimore was a sore prospect or newcomer should remember always spot for years. A.A.’s social functions, the activthat the latter has probably lost faith in medi- ities of the Alconon Club and A.A. work should cine and religion. He is looking to A.A. for be separated. Neighborhood groups are a great something different and new. A Greater Head asset, protecting anonymity among other things. Sponsor must be relied upon to chart the course Jack W.—The A.A. clubhouse is essential; for leading the newcomer to these new (for him) poker can be thin ice. When a new member is faiths and convictions which are implicit in our holding aces back to back he may be missing 12 Recovery Steps. some essential A.A. Alcoholics and the club are Jim C.—Discussion of the spiritual side is not two absolutely separate items, although local apt to register with the newcomer until he gets conditions and group personnel have a lot to do Group Meeting over expecting a magic pill. There should be an with both of them. Every group contemplating initial and thorough exposition of the basic fact having a club has to find out by trial and error that A.A. means a new way of life, and is not a serenity of sobriety and can face each 24-hour the best rules to govern it. mechanical or magical process either for staying span with confident realism, it becomes easier to Why do A.A.s have trouble meeting expenses? sober or learning how to drink like a normal picture, in transposition, a sign that is in every I suggest a weekly envelope on a voluntary yearhuman being. No such thing is possible, ever, A.A. meeting-place: “By the Grace of God, I ly pledge. I don’t think the club should create for an alcoholic. It is fundamentally important Am What I Am.” a separate fund unless it is for some specific purto coach the newcomer in the necessity of exam- A question from the floor: Is it necessary in pose, like a building of its own. Too much idle ining the A.A. Program as a set of building A.A. to have a religion, as long as the person money brings dissension. specifications for a new structure of life. Then involved has come to accept the fact of a Higher the spiritual side will come as a natural growth Ray N. (interpolating)—We tried pledges and Power?” . . . with time. the like in Baltimore. The Alconon Club has The panel consensus was: It is not necessary. the right to charge dues; in A.A., a voluntary The new member should be allowed to come . . . Practice of a religious doctrine, adherence movement, there is no such right. to this slowly, after he has begun to understand to the teachings of a sect or denomination, or that in none of its phases is Alcoholics Anony- Bob P.—In any internal organization we have particular church, are not mandatory. . . . A.A. mous a static cure for alcoholism, nor a mechan- to remember the least number of rules, the betteaches faith and willingness to turn over will ical thingamajig inducing normal sobriety min- ter. There is a minimum of rules governing and life to God, as that Power is understood by gled with normal drinking. Don’t rush the new A.A. and the Alconon Club in Washington. It the individual alcoholic. Beyond that it does not members. Alcoholism is not new, nor is reli- is characteristic of the alcoholic that he resents presume on individual religious thought or con. gion new, but growth in A.A. coming from sin- controls, he is a revolutionary; if we ever work science. . . . Prayer in the A.A. program will cerity of purpose and effort is a new understand- in complete unanimity we will be falling apart. lead, step by step, to a consciousness of God; to ing to an alcoholic. a knowledge of how to apply this consciousness We wanted something permanent for A.A. activi- Dave S.—A.A. is, in the main, a crystallization in an everyday, useful life; to an ability to draw ties in Washington; we believe in social activity of common sense. We in A.A. know that alco- on this consciousness as a source of inner and we are bent on having a home. holism is our predominant evil. Therefore, it strength. (Continued on Page 8)

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GROUP MEETING (From Page 7) As to A.A. finances. When we were spending money on binges we borrowed and we hawked. Now that we are solvent, it takes much of what we earn to carry out our budgets. Whenever we reach a crisis, however, we say we need so much and the boys kick in. As to card playing, poker was barred four years ago; bridge and gin rummy are permitted in the club. Card playing members are there when a newcomer comes in, although there are some of them who don’t give a hoot about the newcomer. Another asset is found when we have a considerable number in the club. We get a lot of drifters, down-and-outers without a dime. Where only two or three are around, they have to dig down or have a fund. We have one rule, no drunk is permitted. We feel helpless because he can’t understand what we say when we talk to him. During cold weather the Ninth Street boys d r i f t in; our chairs are occupied by those who seek warmth, not the Program. Fifty-cent smoke drinkers were filling our $69 chairs—so we hired a manager. Russ W.—We have panhandling troubles, the mop and shovel squad moves in. There sometimes seems to be a question of how to keep a club after you get it. Oldtimers point out that it was a club room in which they got sober, but for the shaking, sick alcoholic coming for help the sight of a lot of men playing cards is no inviting spectacle. So here in Washington we have two floors. The A.A. rooms where anybody can come for information, where receptionists are always on duty and where the volunteer secretaries are available to talk with the candidate for sobriety or to assign one of the regulars to hear his story. Then we have the club upstairs. We have two types of panhandlers in Washington. First there is the ordinary panhandler who says “you help drunks.” He is there at 8 o’clock to get 50 cents for a bed; even the police send them up. Are they drunk? No. This fel- General Structural Description of low is sober, broke, and he’ll “yes” you to death. Comes noon time. He looks hungry and some- — THE A.A. BRIDGE — body buys him a sandwich or two. Comes dark. FOUNDATION: Extra depth of “vast experience-rocks.” He has no place to sleep. He gets 35 cents for FRAME-WORK: Of Divine Steel of truest temper, welded at each joint with Faith. the Mission, or 50 cents for the Volunteers. FILLING: A concrete composition of time-tested material, the strongest known to man, The next morning he’s right there again—and called “Fellowship.” Strongly laminated to the frame-work and foundation by a sober. We watch him for a couple days, bed supreme desire for a better life and the will to win. him down two or three nights, then the manager, who made it through jail and knows most of COSTS: Up to you. them, says, “Let’s talk this over.” The A.A. TOLL: 12 Steps. Program means a return to normal life, he tells them, and he accents the fact that nobody is go- the fellow who says he has been a member of the ine; today we offer to prepay a telegram or a ing to pay the visitor for staying sober. Louisville or the Chicago group and has had a long distance call to his friends. Yet, on the other hand, we have the man who slip while visiting Washington. If A.A. will let As to the regular floaters, after they have been does make the Program, and if we take one out him have, say $10, until an answer to his tele- around three days with no evident effort to find of a hundred it’s worthwhile. Some of our finest gram comes it would be a big help. He will jobs, we tell them to go to work or to look for A.A.s came out of the courts. offer you his personal check. Well, a lot of work. Then we have the other kind of panhandler, money went into those hands in the past, I imag- (Continued Next Month)

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WIVES ARE PEOPLE, TOO going through a periodic emotional “binge” just as habit had forced me to do over a few years. When my husband first called for A.A. help, wife’s life has become just as much of a squirrel And I suddenly recognized that our minds, our the boys rallied round in such force and with cage as the alky’s. bodies, get pretty used to a pattern, and we such avid interest that he groggily asked where She, too, trying to hide her shame and em- can’t entirely shake off all that in a few months, had they all come from—the woodwork? barrassment and discouragement, has built walls much as our hearts may want to. I felt the same way. It was the most wonder- around herself; has dropped friends, cut out Alkies recognize these symptoms in each ful relief imaginable to have someone to tell our many normal interests. I know what it is to other, and try to help out during tough periods. troubles to and I know that I benefited every stay indoors for two or three days, not even Wives can use the same understanding, the same bit as much as my husband from those first early going to the grocery, dreading to meet anyone sympathy and tolerance from each other. contacts with A.A. who might ask in a casual way, “How’s your Just as talking over their problems with some- All of a sudden, as I heard more, read more, husband?” The fear of bursting out in tears, or one who has been through the same mill is talked to more members and their families, and of just looking like a damned liar, was too great. such a vital part of A.A. for the alcoholics watched my husband go to work on his own I was as bound up with remorse, feelings of themselves, so is it important for the wives if problems I came to realize that I had plenty of failure and degradation as anyone else in our they’re to adjust more happily to following the personality discrepancies to get over myself. twosome. Program and building side-by-side with their For sane and sober as we wives may seem to Why didn’t I leave? For the same reason husbands. a guy rocking out of the jitters, we probably that my husband kept banging his head at the New members’ wives are liable to be bundles haven’t remained entirely that way and it may stone wall of “normal drinking.” I kept hoping of nerves; they may shy away from contacts be a long time before we discover how deeply against hope, trying to kid myself that each even more than the men do; they may never alcohol has affected us, even if it hasn’t passed binge would be the last, but instead trying to want to let it be known that their husbands our own lips in years or even if we can hold have things in shape so that there would be weren’t always perfect gentlemen and discussing our own and suffer none of the horrible after- money, job excuses, etc., if another should crop their ups and downs may seem at first sacrimath. up. I tried to kid myself that going on the legious. A lot of my restraint, I found on close Living with an alcoholic is the closest thing wagon was the way he could do it (all this be- examination, was false pride; I didn’t want it to being one, I’ve discovered. And for that very fore A.A.), feeling all along that something was thought that my husband had ever called me a reason, wives and husbands of A.A.s can help lacking, that another drunk was inevitable, but certain few undignified names because I was trytremendously by grabbing hold of many of the hoping to postpone it.’ And not leaving when ing to preserve a moonlight and roses illusion for precepts and going to work on others who have the unpleasant days did come, for scores of years rather than face a lot of the realities of been in close contact with the disease. reasons—mostly that I never wanted to leave life. It’s a defense for us, of course, and one Tolerance is one of A.A.’s first lessons, and my husband, despite the horror of those times. that overtakes us very subtly, but, nevertheless, yet how frequently we hear ex-drunks despair- I wanted too much the life I knew he wanted, if we probe around a bit, most of us can find ing of slippery brethren, wondering what makes that I knew we could have if we could only similar basis for our actions. them behave as they do. somehow be sober and happy at the same time. A.A. is such a wonderful gift to bring to Even more often, we hear the hapless wife of We found the answer in A.A. But then would other sufferers that we are liable to concentrate such a prospect criticized pretty roundly, not come periods when I would grow taut inside, all our attention on the drinker himself. That’s only by confirmed A.A.s but also by wives now nervous and irritable, and after a couple of right at the outset. But I find that the work of enjoying comparative peace and calm. spells, and looking back, I discovered that I was helping to loose a family from its bonds is True enough, we have all heard the experi- much pleasanter and fuller if I try to be a friend to his wife, and show her where the Proences of others; we have heard how sometimes the most effective care of a drunk is the absent Did You Answer? gram holds every bit as much for us wives as it does for our better halves. She is probably treatment; we are told that it may hasten the sobering-up process if a guy is allowed to hit If Not, Please a pretty sick person, too, and helping her get bottom earlier in life and not be protected by We hope you filled out the reader survey ques- rid of some of her complexes and neuroses will a doting female. And it’s wonderful when the tionnaire which was enclosed in the March issue help her husband put his best foot forward wife of a drunk can profit by the experiences of The A.A. Grapevine. faster.—/.T. of others and behave in purely exemplary fash- If you put it aside to fill out later, will you ion in trying to help her husband attain sobriety. do it now—please? OVER 300 AT ANNIVERSARY Too many wives, though, are thinking almost Although The Grapevine has to have a staff More than 300 persons attended the first anas alcoholically as the patients themselves. The to put the magazine to press each month, actu- niversary meeting; of the St. Nicholas Group, ally all members of A.A. are its editors. The New York City, held February 29 at St. Philip’s THE IRISH HEAR OF AMERICA Grapevine is as much a group activity as a group Episcopal Church, West 133rd Street. One of the best of the St. Patrick Day stories meeting. Chairman of the meeting was Jimmy S. of heard hereabouts came, fittingly enough, from So, the editors on the staff want to know the Washington, D. C., and the program included Dublin, Ireland. likes and dislikes, and the preferences of the three non-alcoholic speakers, Congressman Ad- The secretary of the Dublin.Group was read- editors in the field. ams Clayton Powell, the Rev. John Johnson, and ing a letter from an Iowa A.A. One of the Please send us your survey, if you haven’t al- the Rev. Sheldon Bishop. newer members of the Dublin Group listened ready done so. If you’ve lost it, write us a letter The St. Nicholas Group, which first held its attentively enough but with a surprised look on and tell us which features you find most help- meetings at Judson Memorial Church on Washhis face. When the secretary had finished the ful. That will help us make The Grapevine still ington Square in Greenwich Village but has letter, this member asked: more representative of A.A. viewpoint and ex- been meeting at the uptown address for the past “Why, have they got A.A. in America?” perience. year, numbers approximately 40 active members.

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Mail Call for All A. A.s at Home or Abroad Make a Decision Use the Tools From Washington, D. C. From Wichita, Kansas The A.A. Program is the very life line by It is the tools of A.A. which bring sobriety. which an alcoholic can pull himself back to a These tools are the A.A. book, the 12 Steps, normal position in life. Don’t toy with it. This the Traditions, and the therapy expressed in is a serious matter. Insanity or an early date group action. However, no one can stay dry by with the undertaker is awaiting you if you are knowing only the names of the tools needed to do powerless over alcohol and your life has become the job. The mere knowledge of the names of unmanageable. Let go and make a decision to each of them is insufficient; we must learn turn your will and your life over to that Power through use and understanding the tools of our greater than ourselves. You will have an experi- sobriety. The way is long but it is filled with ence that will be a revelation to you. How Much Is Sobriety Worth? the satisfaction and joy of accomplishment. The newcomer who is here for the first time If the apprentice quits before serving his stint and who is dubious of this plan of recovery From Youngstown, Ohio is he qualified to say that it is no good? That should look around. You may see someone whom What are you willing to pay for security, the method of learning does not work? That it you have been drunk with—someone you have peace of mind—happiness? To me they are doesn’t work for him and therefore doesn’t really met in a hospital or even someone you have priceless. No price can be set upon them, yet I work for anyone else? Look at all the finished been with in jail. Many of these people are have them by simply following the A.A. Procarpenters, the first rate lawyers and doctors. working the A.A. Program. It is working for gram—a joy to awaken to the dawn of each new The top printers, accountants and a host of other them. You, too, can work it and it will work for day—to be able to have a vision above the next trades and professions. It is certainly true their you—if you sincerely want sobriety more than drink. apprenticeships worked for them though the anything else in the world. I have banked each day for several years, and way was undoubtedly long and rocky, and often Many men have hit bottom, all the way down, from that bank I can draw checks for a won- they must have been tempted to quit. Still, deand have made a comeback by the proper appli- drous living. spite set-backs they fought on to ultimate succation of the 12 suggested Steps in A.A. Some Upon reading the call for the semi-yearly sub- cess. Are we, then, so different? I do not think of these people were so near going off the deep scription for the support of the New York office so. end into obliteration that any plan or program —and in going over the breakdown of expenses, Let us not, therefore, blame A.A. if we are for recovery seemed humanly impossible to then looking at what we subscribed on the last having difficulty with the Program. Remember them—yet by the Grace of God and the help of call I detected a malodorous situation. Here are that it isn’t A.A. that doesn’t work, it is we who A.A. they are here. about 50,000 of us enjoying a life such as we have not yet learned to use the “tools” of our The A.A. Program of recovery embodies sin- never knew before, and yet we are in the red “trade.”—Duane S. cerity of purpose, honesty and tolerance through —eight grand—snap out of it, fellows, figure it practicing the principles outlined in the 12 sug- out. Your sobriety only costs you less than onegested Steps in your daily life—24 hours at a Remember but Don’t Brood half a cent a day to maintain our New York oftime. You can and will slowly recover, regain fice for a year—yet we are in the hole. Is grati- From Pasadena, Calif. self-respect, the respect of others and finally re- tude only found in the dictionary? RALLY One of the most wasteful occupations in the gain your rightful position in life, physically, ROUND, BOYS—LET’S GO AND PAY FOR world is brooding upon what cannot now be mentally, socially, emotionally and spiritually. OUR NEW WAY OF LIFE. helped, while neglecting that which can be —Bob C. It’s the cheapest greatest thing you ever pur- helped. “Ballyhoo” Viewed with Alarm chased, and you are helping the other poor be- This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t regret wildered soul who sends in a call for assistance, past errors, nor does it mean that we shouldn’t From Hoosick Falls, N.Y. or are we going to be as we were before—all think of how we would face a similar situation To my way of thinking you people are doing take and no put, with no gratitude to Him who if we should again meet it. a fine job with your paper. You are sure doing has kept us sober?—One Alky to Another It does mean that to brood ceaselessly about the right thing for A.A. when you publish artithat which is forever beyond recall is a shamecles like the one by J.F.H. that appeared in the February issue of The Grapevine. ful waste of life. It is as hazardous as to drive an automobile with eyes fixed on the rearview I view with some alarm the “ballyhoo” that is being made for A.A. Although nothing can hurt mirror instead of on the road ahead. us, the continued effort to make A.A. a “by- It is the road ahead that counts now. We word” is not good. Articles restating the plain must devote our minds to the present and the simple purpose of A.A. as outlined in the “big future and let the wreckage we have passed serve book” are very good at this time. Keep up the as a warning, not as a brooding obsession. good work! “It might have been,” is the cry of a lost soul, I’m on my way to seven years of A.A. sobriety but what might yet be, in spite of all past errors and I can and will do all I can for it because it and mistakes, is worth living and working for. saved me and has given me a new concept of life. Forget what can’t be helped and live for what —W.O.R. can be helped.—Louis A.

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Rough Draft Why Humility? Constant Reading Great Influence from Honolulu, Hawaii From Piedmont, Ala. From Nelson, New Zealand 1st Step: “Admitted we were powerless over The word “humility” is often batted around A great influence has been derived from conalcohol and that our lives had become unman- in A.A. and the use of it is so constant that it stant reading of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, ageable.” must surely be important. What has it got to do surely to us, the most remarkable book ever We, a group of ex-drinkers, condemned to with liquor drinking and where does this hu- written. I read it at all times—before going to death or insanity by Judge Barleycorn, had all mility business fit into our efforts to overcome work, before going to sleep, while doing this or too long ignored the laws of decency, society our excessive drinking? that. I have also been helped by carrying your and nature. Humility. This is no longer a word that has letters around in my pocket and reading extracts We repeatedly served various sentences for not been satisfactorily explained. I now have a from them at odd times during the day. what we thought were minor offenses, such as conception of its meaning and a practical appli- No one realizes better than I do that I must disregard of honesty, resentment, self-pity, jeal- cation of its use that force me to believe that we ousy, criticism, intolerance, fear and anger. We never underestimate my old enemy. At last, howmust have some degree of humility before we ever, I can truthfully say with conviction that I always sought the easy way out by getting drunk, can become successful in our efforts to find a have won victory over that which has been a until we received that judge’s sentence. contented satisfactory life. So, we applied for a pardon. We had hired curse to me for many years. My whole way of Humility is not the means whereby we be- life and outlook is transformed.—Ray the best attorneys our dwindling funds could come enlightened. If we have humility, we no afford, such as medical doctors. Never admitting to them for one minute, how much we drank longer say, “I can’t accept that,” or “That A First Birthday doesn’t appeal to me,” or “I want no part of From Los Angeles, Calif. (usually only two beers), until finally they that.” Humility is the starting point. Without turned us over to a psychiatrist, who also found It’s been just a year since I’ve had a drink. it we cannot accept the truth of our basic conour case to be hopeless. That in itself means much to me, for I was so dition, or become willing to follow the practices Some of us took time out for various types of full of remorse, anxiety, fears, horror of im- A.A. advocates. treatment at hospitals. We finally decided our pending disaster, and despair that I wanted Humility is the means that enables us to re- to stop so very desperately. And yet I didn’t— families, friends, doctors and psychiatrists were verse ourselves and retire from our old impos- if that makes sense! Alcohol had become such a right. We had to admit that our lives had besible line of thinking. It is through humility part of my life that I could not separate life come unmanageable through alcohol. that we are enabled to learn. Humility is not from drinking—they were synonymous. We received a parole with A.A. as the Parole the result of sobriety. It does not come as a Board. We, like any other parolee, must live by So from my viewpoint of a year ago, 12 consequence of having eliminated our drinking the Board’s decision. We must report regularly months of sobriety would not have meant life problem. It is through humility that we effect three times a week to our Parole Board (A.A.). to me. But that is the point—now it does. Now the needed changes. We cannot carry concealed weapons (alcohol I know that before that I had never really lived. in our systems), we cannot and must not asso- What is humility? I have heard that it is Not even before I began my drinking career. ciate with other criminals or drunks (not to be modesty of soul. This modesty of our real being But I didn’t know it then; I’ve only just begun confused with ex-drunks) and we must at all enables us to realize and accept our limitations. to realize what I’d been missing. times remember what caused us to receive this Knowing our limitations we become conscious of needing help. We question the infallibility of Each day I still remind myself that I am an sentence so that the same thing will not happen our intellect. It is the realization that we are alcoholic—that I am still but one drink away again.—Van not omnipotent, even in the process of our think- from a drunk, which is inevitably one step lower 12 Keys to Happiness ing. By virtue of humility, we can gain true on the ladder towards insanity or death. No mat- From Bronxville, N. Y. knowledge of ourselves, our condition and how ter how many years of sobriety I may push be- A.A. gives the alcoholic a ring of 12 keys it can be corrected. Humility causes the collapse hind me, my status will never change. Only as which, separately, will unlock many doors of our excessive ego, which I believe to be the I follow the A.A. Program to the best of my hitherto closed to him—together these 12 keys most common and outstanding characteristic of ability, keeping our 12 Steps in mind daily, and will unlock every door leading to a happy, con- all alcoholics. This excessive ego has caused us remain in contact with others on the same Prostructive, purposeful life. The keys cost nothing to worship self to such a degree that we have gram, am I enabled to keep my thinking straight but a sincere desire for sobriety—the greatest no place for a true recognition of the real God. and maintain the sobriety that will mean that I bargain in history. Greater than the old free This may explain our agnostic views rather than may live to have other birthdays—which will be lunch, eh?—P.B. too much Sunday school.—W.H.W. but the accumulations of more yesterdays.—C.S.

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Convention Date Set—The third an- A Plea from Brazil—A plea for 12th New Group in Federal Prison—A new Two men recently released have nual Texas State Conference and Step work by mail has come to The A.A. group was recently formed at the jobs, attend the meetings and are do- Southwest Convention of A.A. will be Grapevine from Brazil. An A.A. mem- Federal Prison, McNeil Island, Puget ing a good job as A.A. members. held in Austin, Texas, on June 11, 12 ber and his wife would like to have Sound. Meetings are held every and 13. Tentative arrangements have some new ideas, experiences, case his- Wednesday night with two members A Snowbound Trek—Visions of venibeen made for the attendance of Bill tories, happy domestic situations and from the Tacoma Group in attend- son, done to a turn in true Southern W., and other leaders in the field of sponsorship procedures. Letters on ance. style, or fellowship the A.A. way, alcoholic studies. these subjects would be of tremendous Liquor has been responsible for the brought some 40 members, families interest to the A.A. members in South imprisonment of many on McNeil Island, and friends together recently in An- Hospital Care Asked — Through the America. and A.A. offers new vistas of courage, drews, S. C. A member of the Anefforts of members of A.A. the civic hope and security on their release. Many drews Group opened his cabin for a welfare committee of Toronto, Ont., The A.A. asking for correspondence are attending the meetings regularly, di- venison barbecue to A.A. members has been asked to consider placing arrived in Rio de Janeiro several gesting the A.A. literature and the Big from groups in the surrounding terri- $35,000 in the estimates to make beds months ago only to find himself with- Book. tory. The chosen evening turned out available in general hospitals for the out the benefits of A.A. Following a to be one of the most fiendish in years. treatment of alcoholics. It is believed logical procedure he looked around These boys have an understanding Over icy roads and through blinding that 10 beds would permit a start in for another A.A. or a prospect. The friend and sympathetic counselor in snow guests came from Columbia, 106 providing hospital treatment to assist group now numbers six. the chief medical officer, who while miles from Andrews (each way), the work of the A.A. organization in Because of the handicap of unfamil- not an alcoholic has seen the results Georgetown and Charleston. Despite Toronto. The committee agreed to the hardships, those sturdy souls from take the proposal under consideration “down yonder” report a good time was and commended the organization for had by all. its work in the city. Housing Problem —. From Chicago Bristol Group Sets Up Fund — The comes the report that a group of hun- Bristol, Tenn.-Va., Group has recently gry A.A. members are facing a housset up a fund to be loaned in certain ing problem. Overcrowded conditions cases where hospitalization is neces- have occurred, says a spokesman of sary. the group, because a simple little luncheon held in 1946 has grown, like Knickerbocker Hospital Anniversary all A.A. activities, to huge propor- —Under the sponsorship of Alcoholics The Amateur Physician— tions. A few members started meet- Anonymous, the Alcoholic Pavilion at benign but befuddled, this type ing for luncheon in a “Loop” depart- Knickerbocker Hospital, New York provides the paraldehyde, nembu- ment store restaurant. Soon they had City, was established in April, 1945, tal, seconal, benzedrine for every outgrown one table and moved to a with the enthusiastic support of A. R. private dining room. At present the Munro, president of the Hospital 12th Step case he works on. This daily luncheon guests number more Board. saves him a lot of talk and trou- than 30 and are increasing each day. In the three years since the incep- ble. The fact that he’s practicing If the increase continues the diners tion of this service, approximately medicine without a license and may spill over to such an extent that 3,100 men and women have been treat- may some day kill someone never they will occupy most of the main ed. Knickerbocker Hospital officials dining room! Also from the Chicago feel that the three-year experience in seems to enter his addled head. area comes the news that the Skokie caring for alcoholics justifies the fol- Group has grown to such proportions lowing statements: that a split was necessary. The group “The alcoholic is a sick person and, also boasts of three husband and wife in many cases, can be helped by combinations and one mother and son. proper medical and psychiatric treatment. From Honolulu, Hawaii—The Hono- “It is quite feasible to care for such lulu Group, like most A.A. groups, has patients in a general hospital if they outgrown its small home and school are properly screened before admis- meeting place. Since June meetings sion. have been held in conveniently lo- “Such a service need not interfere cated club rooms in downtown Honowith other hospital services. lulu. Though not lavish, the rooms “It poses no great nursing problem. are well equipped and adequate for “It is less expensive to operate than iarity with the language the little of A.A. throughout the country and is in complete accord with the Program. three weekly meetings. a general surgical or medical service. group feels that the transmission of “It lends itself readily to inclusion experiences loses through the inter- Near Fort Lewis the state of Wash- Monday and Friday meetings are as a regular medical service for teach- ington has an “Honor Farm” where devoted to educational study for mempreter. It is difficult for the Brazilian prisoners are brought from Walla bers only, while the Wednesday meeting purpose. members of the group to realize the “It is desirable to operate such a Walla. Many of these trustees are in ing is for members and their wives or scope of the A.A. organization. Let- A.A. and are not neglecting their husbands. An outside speaker usually service in close cooperation with Alcoholics Anonymous. ters would stimulate interest in the weekly meetings while in this camp. addresses this meeting. The first “It is highly worthwhile because of group and help to get across the idea Several of the Tacoma Group have at- Monday evening in each month is an the number of sick people who are re- that A.A. is a bond of fellowship that tended these meetings and have found open meeting to which anyone interstored to useful and vocational life.” extends to all parts of the globe. them interesting and refreshing. ested in A.A. work is invited.

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A.A. Digest—Excerpts from Group Publications The Screwball, Nacogdoches, Texas—”Traditionally there are 13 Weekly, Jefferson City, Mo.—”You will succeed better when you put steps to a hangman’s platform, and sometimes an alcoholic winds up the restless anxious side of affairs out of mind, and allow the restful side there because of a deed he commits while in a drunken stupor. While to live in your thoughts.” this statement isn’t calculated to scare anyone, we would point out that there are just 12 Steps to a life full of happiness in the A.A. program.” The Paradox, Kansas City, Mo.—”The passing of the 24-hour periods

NEW GROUPS of sobriety dims our memory of our first night at an A.A. meeting. Whether sponsored or on our own, we should not forget the self-con- The following new groups reported organization to the General Service sciousness, bewilderment and shyness with which we surveyed the meet- Headquarters during the month of February: ing and its aftermath of fellowship and refreshments. ALABAMA—Lanett. “Some of our strongest A.A. friendships began when a member walked COLORADO—Denver (Group No. 2). up to us with a smile and outstretched hand and spent a few minutes CONNECTICUT—Bridgeport (Group No. 3), New London, Torrington. making us feel at home. FLORIDA—St. Petersburg (Gulf Beaches). “The people now coming to meetings are no different than we were— IDAHO—St. Anthony. a welcome gives them as big a lift as it gave us. ILLINOIS—Batavia, Joliet, Woodstock. “Even though we’re not natural born glad handers, we are masters of INDIANA—Greenfield. self assurance compared to the first nighter. They can easily be identified IOWA—Ames, Emmetsburg, Keokuk. by their resemblance to our own selves on our introduction to the A.A. KANSAS—Abilene, Hutchinson. Program. MAINE—Biddeford, Sanford. “Try it—it will help you, too!” MASSACHUSETTS—Reading. MICHIGAN—Crystal Falls, Grand Rapids (Midweek Day Group), Hastings, Pontiac. MINNESOTA—Elbow Lake, Winona. A.A. Tribune, Des Moines, Iowa—”Every night I tell my youngster MISSISSIPPI—Indianola, Natchez. a story—usually it’s about how I fought the Indians—or how I sank a MISSOURI—Moberly, St. Charles. Jap submarine—but here’s one that’s the truth. It has a strong lesson MONTANA—Great Falls. for me so I thought I’d pass it on. Recently an A.A. who flies his, own NEBRASKA—Ponca. plane landed in Des Moines and came right to the club. He had to fly on NEW HAMPSHIRE—East Jeffrey. to Sioux Falls, S. D., on the day of our meeting, although he wanted NEW JERSEY—Burlington, Milburn, Paterson. to stay. He took off on the morning of the meeting but the control NEW MEXICO—Albuquerque (Downtown). tower grounded him—too much wind velocity. That gave him the oppor- NEW YORK—Albany (Pine Hills), Bronx (Parkchester Group), Far tunity to attend our evening meeting. During the meeting I was looking Rockaway, Rochester (Group No. 19), Rockville Centre, Westvale. over my portfolio (an old shoe box that I keep for the club correspond- NORTH CAROLINA—Clinton, Columbia, Rockingham. ence) and in it I found a letter from a lady at Grundy Center—just one OHIO—Akron, Minerva, New London. of those pitiful letters that we get all the time—this lady wanted us to OKLAHOMA—Muskogee, Tipton. write and have someone call on her father in Birmingham, Ala. And OREGON—Portland. what do you know—the flying member who was grounded was from PENNSYLVANIA—Chester, Cresson, Doylestown, Dubois, Girard, Newton, Birmingham, Ala. I know it’s easy to say that the wind velocity that Philadelphia (Darby Group and 52nd Street Group), Pittsburgh (Mt. grounded the flier, thus allowing him to attend the meeting, was coinci- Lebanon Group and Young People’s Group), Pottsville, Sharon. dence—BUT—I prefer to think it is something else. And, with a call SOUTH CAROLINA—Charleston. that got a start like that one, I’ll be willing to wager that the man will SOUTH DAKOTA—Bereford, Gayville, Martin, Sioux Falls. make A.A. Any takers?” TENNESSEE—Elizabethton. TEXAS—Bay City, Brady, Corrigan, Dallas, Muleshoe, Tahoka. UTAH—Murray. VERMONT—Burlington, White River. A.A. Deacon, Victoria, B. C.—”There is not a member of A.A., who VIRGINIA—Richmond (South Side), Vienna, Wytheville. is really sincere, who has not had experiences which, looked upon in the WEST VIRGINIA—Beckley (Women’s Group), Wheeling. proper light, cannot help but have a lesson to teach to someone. This WISCONSIN—Delavan, Milwaukee (Metropolitan Group), Wisconsin lesson cannot be taught—or learned—if we continue to remain silent and Rapids. only listen to the other fellow. Everyone must have some sort of an WYOMING—Elk Mountain. opinion and idea on the philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous—if he MARIANAS ISLANDS—Guam (Pomeroy Group No. 2). hasn’t he had better get one in a hurry—and that idea or opinion will VIRGIN ISLANDS—St. Thomas. surely be of benefit to someone else. If we refuse to give these thoughts CANADA—British Columbia, Butedale, Lake Cowchan, Prince Rupert; to others we are either being very selfish—and selfishness can soon return Nova Scotia, Amherst; Ontario, Chatham; Quebec, St. Anne de us to drinking—or we are hanging on to our original self-consciousness Bellevue, Westmount; Saskatchewan, Kamack. which is a result of the inferiority complex which originally had to do FRANCE—Paris. with the start of our problem, and if we continue to hang on to it and MEXICO—Mexico City. do nothing to rectify it we are very apt to be drinking again.”

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THE CLIPSHEET —Excerpts from the Public Press Classified Directory 11. The talking drunk—tells interminable institutions have made a working arrangement Alliance, Neb., Times & Herald: Worn stories, invariably about himself. None of the with this group, providing space in the hospitals and haggard police officers who wonder what yarns has any point or interest. for A.A. meetings and personal interviews with will happen next on Saturday nights will be very 12. The important drunk—this is the person the patients. In turn, many cured veterans bemuch interested in a classification of drunks as who wants to dominate everybody around him come A.A. crusaders and work in the wards on outlined by a New Jersey police chief some time and who is filled with yarns about all the big new cases. ago. shots he knows. This unsavory crew are all well known to most Night Club Now A.A. Police have met most of the following engaging characters and if not, they will be glad to be policemen. The average citizen meets them once Des Moines, Iowa, Register: Babe’s nighton the lookout for the types they haven’t yet had in a while. They make up 12 good arguments club in downtown Des Moines, under padlock the displeasure to meet. for Alcoholics Anonymous. Because they aren’t. as a liquor nuisance since Oct. 29, was taken Here are the different classifications of per- VA Recommends A.A. over Wednesday by the Des Moines chapter of sons who have swilled too much C2-H5-OH in Alcoholics Anonymous as a clubroom. one form or another: Newsweek: Even the harassed doctors, long District Judge Loy Ladd, who had ordered the used to sobering up lost-week-end revelers, had place padlocked, required the A.A. group to Alias Joe Louis never seen anything like it. From Friday to post a bond guaranteeing that no liquor will be Monday, drunken veterans reeled into Veterans brought on the premises. 1. The fighting drunk—gets nasty after a few Administration hospitals demanding the cure. “I am granting this application because I feel drinks and wants to fight anyone he sees, male or Of the thousands who applied, about 10,000 that this particular group (Alcoholics Anonyfemale. veterans were treated for alcoholism in 1947, as mous) is one of the best organizations for sup- 2. The religious drunk—heads for the nearcompared with 6,459 in 1946 and 3,529 in 1945. pression of intemperance in existence today,” est church and drops off to sleep. (This species is comparatively rare in Alliance.) Although tests showed that almost none of the Judge Ladd said. 3. The leaning drunk—is reluctant to move alcoholics had service-connected disabilities or “In Des Moines they have proven themselves and wants to lean on the nearest upright solid appeared to be suffering from alcoholism because successful in curbing and curing alcoholics,” he substance, whether it is the policeman, a fellow of service connections, alarmed relatives, ener- said. pedestrian, lamp post or a plain wall. getic local politicians, and veterans’ organiza- Sentenced to A.A. 4. The crying drunk—this obnoxious person tions insisted that they be cared for in the alcarries a good part of the community’s alcohol ready overcrowded VA hospitals. Westport, Conn., Herald: A sentence was in his system and a large part of the woes of the Boozers: In exasperation, authorities finally imposed in Town Court this week by Judge Leo world on his heaving shoulders. Nevas that deserves more than local attention. made a nationwide survey among the VA hospitals. Last week Dr. Harvey Tompkins, assist- A chronic alcoholic who is a solitary drinker “Unsweel Adeline” was before the bench. Such cases have been ant chief of the neuro-psychiatric division, gave 5. The singing drunk—here’s the person who there before, leaving the judge and prosecutor Newsweek these facts: after a few bottles or drinks is convinced he can worried because the state has no hospital to make Tibbett look and sound like a chump. Flats Two thirds of the veteran cases are “pure, un- which the habitual drunkard can be sent for where he should sharp. complicated alcoholism,” with no evidence of treatment. Although medicine and jurispru- 6. The suspicious drunk—he’s convinced that mental illness. The others have accompanying dence are today looking upon these cases as sick the police or his companions or both, are trying mental or emotional ailments ranging from people rather than as only inebriates, nothing to railroad him into some asylum or jail, where manic-depressive psychoses to less serious psy- official has been done to cure them. he rightly should be, by the way. choneuroses. More than 10 per cent of all VA The court cannot overlook the offenses when 7. The wife-beating drunk—this character is neuropsychiatric cases are alcoholics. (Inex- the drinkers become public nuisances, which the usually a small man mentally and physically plicably, the Southeast and Southwest account case of this week definitely is. But fines do no and would not engage in a fight with a 7-year- for more than half the alcoholic patients.) good and jail sentences too often aggravate the old boy without the false courage of a bottle. The Veterans Administration has no specific mental illness which makes a man or woman a When he drinks he wants to lambaste somebody, treatment for alcoholism. In some instances it drunkard. What can the court do? usually his ever-suffering wife. takes weeks, and in others months or years, to Judge Nevas decided. He imposed a jail sen- 8. The running drunk—this guy is always in curb the craving for drink. VA doctors have tence but suspended it on certain conditions. a hurry. He goes crabwise down the street, usu- tried insulin injections, forced vomiting to make These conditions are what make his decision ally in search of another shot. the men “rum-sick,” and group psychotherapy— important. but with very little success. The drunkard, he ordered, must once more be- The Big Gesture In some hospitals, Dr. Tompkins said, “as few come a member of Alcoholic Anonymous. She 9. The generous drunk—this slaphappy per- as 10 per cent of the patients show themselves must report to the Yale Clinic for treatment. son is tighter than Jack Benny with a nickel un- amenable to treatment at all.” . The great ma- She must keep in close contact with her own til he drinks too much and then he makes a fool jority entering the hospital with uncomplicated physician. She must report to the probation ofof himself by going around waving fistfulls of alcoholism merely stay long enough to sober up ficer weekly. Should she fail to do these things bills at everybody. It’s usually the money to and then demand release. she must go to jail even though Judge Nevas pay off an old telephone bill. A.A. Aid: For the veteran who wants to re- knows well that a term there will do her no good 10. The loving drunk—he always wants to cover, VA doctors recommend Alcoholics Anony- unless it should frighten her to do the things he kiss every woman in sight except his own wife. mous help as the best course. Nearly all VA has ordered.

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This sentence was imposed in the hope that the woman wants to help herself. If she doesn’t, none of the suggestions will help. Alcoholics Anonymous, with its increasing record of aid to 12th STEP OBLIGATIONS From Indianapolis, Ind. able source of daily power. drinkers, can accomplish nothing without the de- In the light of our first inventory we all made Let us look at another phase of A.A. termined cooperation of the patient. It is un- some unpleasant discoveries. We’re all here with a common purpose—the likely that the Yale Clinic can help those who re- A great many of us came to A.A. practically pursuit of a happy, useful life. We have come fuse to help themselves. without hope, overwhelmed by a feeling of in- here to find ourselves. And while we have only Judge Nevas, however, was willing to believe ternal inadequacy to meet external strains. We begun to learn to distinguish the true from the the woman’s insistence that she did not want to had never been deeply and strongly organized false, most of us, I believe, have been set upon drink and would do anything to stop the habit. within. We had not the moral or spiritual the right track. We have begun to see and act If she really means that, the clinic will probably backlog to provide us with an inner strength with clearer vision and to proceed along the turn her back to society completely cured. against the gradually worsening situation. And new course with reborn assurance. we did not know where or how to find that inner Meanwhile we are absorbing the benefits of This is a little court but into it can come strength. A.A. fellowship. The originators of this moveproblems of great importance, and this was one Something like intellectual and moral paraly- ment, recognizing the need for sharing our exof them. Other courts might well emulate the exsis had set in. And we found, after the smoke periences with other similar gropers, have ample set by Judge Nevas. Other courts, too, had cleared somewhat, that we had not been emphasized the remarkable therapy of this assomight well watch how this case turns out. It building anything, or even thinking of building ciation. Great healing properties are inherent should be of interest to everyone. anything, over the years, but had been steadily in frank discussions of the common problem. And the case plus the decision emphasizes tearing down. Consciously or not, we had been Wounds inflicted upon us by alcohol, which have anew the need for a state-operated clinic in destroying instead of constructing. been allowed to fester and grow malignantly Fairfield County set up properly for the treat- Those of us who were able to grasp the sig- within us, are partially drained by honest, unrement of habitual drunkards. There seems to be nificance of the trend realized that we needed served admissions to those who can understand. no other way to help them. to be taken apart and put together again, this And in the process of reciting our individual time on another principle. . . We needed the troubles, we find ourselves listening sympathetiresource of inner strength that would make for cally to those of our companions. There is an “De-Smartize” Drink endurance. . . Deep, spiritual strength was unburdening of loneliness, without the usual Boston, Mass., Boston University News: needed to endure the trying experiences of life, barriers and prejudices. and preserve for us an unembittered equanimity. The subject of admission or mutual confession “Our culture is too tolerant of drunkards of The vital transforming spark or key to this new brings me inevitably to the 12 Steps. For me, either sex,” claims Dr. Herbert D. Lamson, Proinner strength, many of us found, not too will- as indeed for most of us, the Steps have defessor of Sociology. ingly, was God—God whom we had been too signed a new pattern of living. They have given Commenting on the proposed Massachusetts selfishly preoccupied to consider seriously. me a new way of looking at life. law to control the sale of alcoholics to women God, or the acceptance of God or a Higher A fellow unfortunate may be desperately in “barflies,” Dr. Lamson argues that “the alco- Power, proved to be for us a great and depend- need of the same “medicine” that saved you and holic problem should be controlled for both me. It is quite possible that you or I may be sexes. A law which differentiates cannot be a the “appointed” one—perhaps the only one from Have We Got far-reaching measure nor can it touch the basic problem.” whose hand the sufferer will take the medicine. Surely he would be an unfeeling fool who would “We must ‘de-smartize’ the drink. We have Elephantitis? say, “I will not take the responsibility.” been sold a bill of goods that it’s smart to con- From New York, N. Y. I contend that the members of this illustrious sume liquor by persons who have profit motive After reading the news items about some of fellowship have an obligation before God—an at stake. Profits in the industry are great,” con-the groups throughout the country, I get the obligation to use the particular talents He has tinued the sociology expert. ‘”Alcoholism plays feeling that this is one great big circus, and given us for the salvation of other alcoholics. a great role in family disintegration, and societygetting bigger. The fact that we are alcoholics who have been must face its abuses.” We have bigger and bigger meetings, bigger vouchsafed a new life offers us an open-door and bigger banquets, bigger and bigger club- opportunity to help where a non-alcoholic samar- As an alternative program to laws, Prof. houses, more and more publicity, louder and itan finds himself persona non grata. In a very Lamson suggests preventive methods. Alcoholics definite sense we are singularly blessed with a Anonymous is now in the first stages of the louder radio programs, more and more organization, stuffier and stuffier committees, and less gift for helping others. And we would indeed curative method, but a preventive approach must and less anonymity. be wasting our time if we failed to propagate be begun in schools with health and alcoholic the truth (as we have discovered it) that some education, commencing in the grade school and If it’s numbers and bigness we want, why not hire a barker, give him a big megaphone and set needy one might grasp and apply it to his or varying at different school levels. him out front, with a hula dancer on the plat- her own life. “We must have institutions for alcoholics, and form with him? Those of us who have organized our lives not throw them in jail. Jail isn’t helping them What’s become of the old idea of sitting down according to the A.A. pattern, have found the solve their problem,” says the doctor. “Provide with an alcoholic and talking over his problem new ways and modes easier and more habitual recreational facilities, hobby centers, and ath- quietly, intimately and confidentially? That’s with the passing of the years, and our lives ever letic contests as outlets for escape,” concludes how A.A. began. That’s how the real A.A. still more strongly integrated. We have been trans- Dr. Lamson, “and it will do more than any works. formed by the renewing of our minds and our patch-work laws can possibly do.” Or have we got elephantitis?—D.T. spirits.—H.W.

15

MUSINGS FROM THE BACKBAR My friend Joe, who had been on the telephone, “He can go along patiently for fourteen years cradled the instrument and drummed his fingers learning to be a doctor, but he quits after two on the desk. months when he tries to learn something of a “Can you imagine a guy,” he said with a dammed sight more importance to him now than touch of disgust in his voice, “who’s desperately a knowledge of medicine. sick with tuberculosis getting up and leaving the “It just doesn’t make sense!” sanitarium after a couple of months simply because the cure isn’t fast enough? And further- Nor did it make sense to me. We come into more, because he doesn’t fully understand A.A. and find after a month or two we still have what they’re trying to do to cure him?” a longing for whisky. What, two months and I opined that it was slightly beyond my im- I still want a drink? To hell with it! This “cure” can’t be any good. Never for a minute (Ol’ John’s Juice) agination, wondering who was wandering around remembering that we didn’t acquire that longing on a cold, blustery day with a prime case of T.B. for whisky in a couple of months. No doubt you’ve heard about the fellow who Joe motioned toward the phone. “That was Or at the end of a couple of months we sudwalked into a saloon optimistically and came Paul R.,” he said. “He tells me that Doc M denly decide that we don’t understand the Proout misty optically. has suddenly been taken drunk. How long has gram. Again, to hell with it! And yet this the worthy doctor been in the group?” same gent spent six years learning the printer’s And have you heard what one cigaret said to I thought back. “About two months,” I trade; or three or four years learning to be a another? guessed. butcher; or six years in law school learning to “I hope I don’t get lit tonight and make an “Just what I thought. Paul picked him up be an attorney—or pick your own racket. ash of myself.” last night and the only explanation he had was We marvel at the technique of a Jascha Heifetz that he couldn’t get the hang of the Program.” and speculate on the size of the check he’ll re- Somebody has invented a new game for alco- “Is Doc your imaginary T.B. case?” I wanted ceive for his concert. The check will be a whopholics. It is called “Blackout” and takes four to know. per. But we don’t think of the years and years people to play it. “Well, it’s as good a comparison as any I Heifetz spent on dreary finger exercises trying to Each of the four is supplied with a quart of know.” acquire the technique that pays him off. whisky and all go into a room which can be Joe did a bit of figuring on a scratch pad. Just for fun some time, read Sinclair Lewis’ darkened completely. Make it inky black. Then “As I make it,” he said looking up, “Doc spent about seven years in college—pre-medical Main Street and then read his. Kingsblood each drinks his quart until each has just one and medical schools. Then he put in two years Royal or another of his recent books. You won’t drink left in his bottle. as an intern. Then say he spent five years build- believe the same man wrote them both, so com- At this point one of the four goes out of the ing up a practice, before he started knocking it paratively amateurish is the former. Or comroom and the other three sit around and see if down again by boozing. That adds up to about pare Beethoven’s First Symphony with his Ninth. they can figure out who’s left. fourteen years. You’ll get the same reaction. A certain fellow was an alcoholic but also a And what is the difference between the early very good golfer. In this particular tournament, and late works? Simply maturity gained by he ended up in a tie with one of the country’s practice. leading amateurs. The play-off was set for the We know very little about Christ in the period next day, but the alky had to do a little cele- between his boyhood and the time he burst forth brating the night before, anyway. So he started upon a world with the finest philosophy ever to out with a terrible hangover—the shakes and be evolved. Do you think that the Master picked jiggles, blurred vision and sweats. But by super- that philosophy out of t h i n air as he went along? human effort he kept in the running and the two Do you think the Sermon on the Mount was encame up to the final hole. If the alky could sink tirely extemporaneous? If we knew the truth I a 20-foot putt, he’d win the match. dare say it was that Christ built up that phi- The tension was terrific. His nerves were losophy during the course of twenty-odd years From The Alky Argot screaming. He shook himself, took a deep breath by study, prayer, and observation. It was the first train ride for the two hillbillies. and lined up the shot. Taking his stance, he was They wandered into the clubcar and cautiously Let’s not be so impatient. about to stroke the ball when a black, shaggy ordered one bottle of beer between them. As one I have been sober in A.A. for approximately dog ran onto the green and right between the of them took a drink, the train entered a tunnel. 2,500 days—remember, we DO have a day-byalky’s legs. The alky nearly collapsed. But again He spoke to his friend in the darkness: day plan. If I had learned one single thing he somehow collected himself, sank the putt and “Have you had a drink yet?” about A.A. every day, I’d be a walking encywon the match. “Nope, why?” clopedia by this time, and fellows like Bill and In the locker room afterwards, a friend came “Don’t touch it. I just took one and I’m blind.” Doc would be ambulating libraries. up and said, “That was the greatest exhibition of nerve I ever saw. When that dog ran between * * * You’ll give your wife a three-month trial beyour legs I thought you were done for.” From The Twelve Stepper, Omaha, Nebr.: fore filing for divorce. How about giving A.A. The alky looked surprised. “Good grief. Was Whistler’s Mother has switched to Calvert— a similar chance? It will grow on you just as that a real dog?” because it makes her sit tighter. your wife has.—E.W.

16

Vol. IV, NO. 12, MAY, 1948. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1948, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

A. A. Is Bridge to Happy Living From New York, N.Y. acceptance of life and the world as it is. He hasn’t a chance of living on a 24 hour program.

T HE Alcoholic Anonymous Program is a bridge from the negative or egocentric personality of the sick alcoholic to the more desirable affirmative personality of the sober man, Dr. Harry M. Thiebout, physician in satisfaction. He is full of resentments and Why doesn’t this man give up? Because he has will power—he can fight the world, alone—he thinks.” charge of Blythwood Hospital, Old Greenwich, The more desirable, affirmative personality is hostility. Conn., believes. quieter and feels fewer compulsions. He shares In order to overcome these feelings he seeks “An incident that happened 25 years ago when happiness in excitement and liquor is one out- in fellowship and feels less guilt. This man is I was an interne, explains to me, the alcoholic let. Then he becomes gregarious, noisy, opin- even-tempered and has learned to take things personality,” Dr. Thiebout told an open meet- ionated, in his fear of becoming a “Mr. Milque- in his stride. He has an affirmative enjoyment ing of the Manhattan Inter-Group recently. toast.” This person, too, may become overcon- of life as it is. He no longer demands that life Patients of the “quiet ward” in the hospital scientious—he is selfish and full of guilt. produce thus-and-so. He’s no longer trying to where the doctor was an interne became upset whip the world single handed. “The ‘aginner,'” said Dr. Thiebout, “has no and jittery. The nurses on the floor told the “The Alcoholics Anonymous Program,” Dr. doctor that the trouble was caused by a patient Thiebout continued, “tends to produce the ‘Yes’ who claimed to be able to read minds—and state of mind. seemed to be doing so. Convention Dates Set “This of course was of great interest to me,” The third annual Texas Conference Admits It said the doctor. “I couldn’t read anybody’s mind and Southwest Convention of A.A. will so it seemed like a good idea if I met the man he held in Austin, Texas, on June 18, “In your 1st Step the alcoholic admits that his who could. I called the patient to my office. I 19 and 20. life has become unmanageable. He can’t whip asked him how he could do this impossible The second annual Virginia State the world alone—and admits it. Then in the thing.” Assembly of A.A. will he held in Nor- 2nd Step, he reiterates; admitting that he canfolk, Va., on May 28, 29 and 30, with not manage his life himself, he asks for help the Tidewater Group acting as host. from the Power greater than he. He reminds A Matter of Muscles Headquarters will be at the Monticello himself of this constantly. ” ‘It’s easy,’ the man said, ‘all yon have to do Hotel where registration will begin “By attending group meetings he gradually is watch the muscle reaction. If a man is think- May 28. Highlighting the Assembly loses the feeling of aloneness—he is no longer ing “no” his muscles unconsciously contract and will be a banquet on Saturday evening set apart. He has become an integral part of a he pulls away. When he is thinking “yes” he is when outstanding speakers are sched- group of people, enjoying their activities with relaxed.’ ” uled to appear. All members of A.A. them; he belongs. “It wasn’t until this summer, 25 years later, are invited. “By doing 12th Step work the man or woman that the full impact of that incident hit me,” The Southeastern Regional Conven- begins to ‘sell’ someone else and, by so doing, Dr. Tiebout continued. “When the alcoholic is tion will be held in Jacksonville, Fla., sells himself for what he is. sick, he is an ‘aginner.’ His mental attitude is on September 3 and 4. Convention “The person on the A.A. Program then begins one of withdrawal—his psychological ‘muscles’ headquarters will be at the George to say ‘yes’ to the kind of person he is. He takes contract.” Washington Hotel where registration a moral inventory and when he begins to say The “aginner” cannot enjoy life, Dr. Tiebout will begin September 2. All communi- ‘yes’ he begins to grow. continued, “No, I won’t go along, I’ll do it my- cations may be addressed to South- “Then as he begins to grow, he says ‘yes’ to self,” is his attitude. He feels an apartness from eastern Regional Convention of A.A., God. Thy will be done. Through this he gains others because of this inner refusal to go along. P.O. Box 621, Jacksonville, Fla. humbleness and humility,” Dr. Thiebout em- This person feels unrest, discomfort, tension, dis- phasized.

enterprise does a lot of good with a lot of money. To these efforts, money is usually primary; it is their life blood. But money is not the life blood of A.A. With us, it is very secondary. Even in small quantities, it is scarcely more than a necessary nuisance, something we wish we could do without entirely. Why is that so? On the 6th Tradition We explain this easily enough; we don’t need money. The care of our A.A. procedure is “one alcoholic talking to another,” By Bill whether that be sitting on a curbstone, in a home, or at a meeting. It’s the message, not the place; it’s the talk, not the alms. That The sixth of our 12 Points of A.A. Tradition is deemed so im- does our work. Just places to meet and talk, that’s about all A.A. portant that it states at length the relation of the A.A. movement needs. Beyond these, a few small offices, a few secretaries at to money and property. their desks, a few dollars a piece a year, easily met by voluntary Too detailed to print here, this Tradition declares in substance contributions. Trivial indeed, our expenses! that the accumulation of money, properly and the unwanted per- Nowadays, the A.A. group answers its well wishers saying, sonal authority so often generated by material wealth comprise “Our expenses are trifling. As good earners, we can easily pay a cluster of serious hazards against which an A.A. group must them. As we neither need nor want money, why risk its hazards? ever be on guard. We’d rather stay poor. Thanks just the same!” Tradition 6 also enjoins the group never to go into business nor ever to lend the A.A. name or money credit to any “outside” enterprise, no matter how good. Strongly expressed is the opinion that even clubs should not bear the A.A. name; that they ought to be separately incorporated and managed by those individual A.A. Digest- A.A.s who need or want clubs enough to financially support them. Excerpts from Group Publications We would thus divide the spiritual from the material, confine the A.A. movement to its sole aim and insure (however wealthy Camel Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Iowa: “‘We all know that as individuals we may become) that A.A itself shall always re- A.A. is designed specifically for the alcoholic—but that other persons can main poor. We dare not risk the distractions of corporate wealth. and are helped by its teachings. Hence the A.A. wife and family are the first to feel the blessings and the greatness of the Program. To an A.A. Years of experience have proven these principles beyond doubt. wife it gives relief from fear and worry that is almost beyond words to They have become certainties, absolute verities for us. express. However, I believe it is right to bring out that, in spite of all Thank God, we A.A.s have never yet been caught in the kind the fine tributes which are paid to the women who have stuck by their of religious or political disputes which embroil the world of to- husbands through this trying period, she has usually become a quite neuday. But we ought to face the fact that we have often quarreled rotic person. I think you could almost describe her neurosis as “battle violently about money, property and the administration thereof. fatigue” and, like the soldier, she may have it even though she feels she is winning the battle at last. Consequently most wives need the Program Money, in quantity, has always been a baleful influence in group as badly as their husbands and, moreover, they must believe in it if it is life. Let a well meaning donor present an A.A. group with a to really work for their husbands and for them.” sizeable sum and we break loose. Nor does trouble abate until that group, as such, somehow disposes of its bank roll. This ex- A.A. Rebound, Asheville, N. C.: “We have heard recent talk about perience is practically universal. “But,” say our friends, “isn’t ‘. A.A. Tradition and that we should study and familiarize ourselves with this a confession of weakness? Other organizations do a lot of the 12 Points. There may be some who immediately view with alarm good with money. Why not A.A.?” and look around inquiringly to ask, “What’s wrong?” There is nothing Of course, we of A.A. would be the first to say that many a fine wrong. The ship is on an even keel. All is well. But do we recall our various school day (and later) vaccinations and their purpose? Well, that’s what a study of the A.A. Tradition can be, preventive medicine. We owe it to ourselves and to the group to inoculate ourselves against any possible disease of disharmony or disunity. In knowledge we are Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their forewarned and forearmed. The booklet of A.A. Tradition, properly experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their absorbed, is a concrete vaccination.” common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. A.A. has no dues or fees. It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, The Sahara, Birmingham, Ala.: “A good way to ‘stay away from organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay liquor,’ as your friends advise, would be to go either to the North or sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. South Pole. Any good member of Alcoholics Anonymous can buy a The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps. The A.A. friend a drink and yet leave it alone himself. He does not stay away book of experience. Alcoholics Anonymous, and other literature, including The 12 Points of Tradition, are available through any group or the General from social affairs to maintain sobriety, nor does he urge anyone else to Service Headquarters, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y. leave liquor alone. Nor is he sanctimonious. At a party, he’ll probably have more fun than you if you are a heavy drinker.”

2

Young Men Solve Meeting Problems From San Diego, Calif. things alcoholic when they were our age, there- The first meeting of the Young Men’s Group In the January issue of The A.A. Grapevine fore they had to go down until their hand was was held October 31, 1946, with six young men there is a letter from Florence S. of Forest Hills, forced. We have been fortunate in having the and 20 of the older men in attendance. The sec- N. Y., asking for suggestions for the younger subject discussed in almost each magazine we ond meeting saw 15 young fellows and 23 “old ages who need A.A. read these days. Their immediate families are goats” attending. The “old goats” stayed with In San Diego, this problem has been met by usually better established so far as understanding us for three months, by which time we had such the formation of the Young Women’s Group (un- goes, because they have been married for a much a large attendance it was necessary to form a new der 35), and the Young Men’s Group (under 40). longer period. The average young man is just meeting. Left on our own, we changed to round- These groups have been very successful and beginning his family life and it is often harder table type meetings and outlawed any applause seem to have tapped an unending source of new to get his wife to go along in the new way of life. for the speakers. The newer men soon found it A.A.s. The young wife is more apt to resent the huswas quite easy to speak since it was no longer The young men seemed to have the idea, “Hell, band’s attendance at closed meetings. necessary to stand in front of an audience. Also, if I was as old as John Doe, I’d quit drinking, The vast majority of our members are combat some of the quieter men found it easy to questoo.” It was rather disheartening to listen to veterans with some horrible memories in their tion the speaker since it wasn’t necessary to adsomeone tell of 20 years of hard drinking, and minds. The older members have the same memodress the chair. realize that we had five or ten years to go before ries but time does do a lot to erase the strength of such thoughts. Only a few of us have seen Questioning and general discussions led to we could even approximate the same low bottom. prohibition days, but a lot of us have put away deeper explanations, better understanding and, These “old goats” gave us the idea we had to a surprising amount of GI alcohol, de-icer fluid generally speaking, better working of the A.A. hit several cures, try a few types of “goof balls,” (that was what we distilled in the Air Corps, and Program. The younger fellows strike right at the and have at least two or more trips to psychoit wasn’t too bad then), saki, and other drinks heart of any problem placed before them, and pathic wards, before we were ready for A.A. that are native to Hawaii, China, the Philippines Heaven help the person who isn’t serious when It gave us the feeling we couldn’t make the Proand other Pacific Islands. he offers a problem or question for discussion gram because we hadn’t been knocked around and possible solution. We let our hair down in enough. The younger man has an inherent cockiness no uncertain manner with no holds barred. There The first accomplishment noted by the Young that gives him a bit of trouble once in a while. are times when we have asked for help from the Men’s Group soon became its strongest selling There are quite a few problems that confront older members because of their greater experipoint: It had automatically raised the level for the young man of today; problems that the “old ence in handling some particular problem. the young man’s turning point. goats” must have had but have now forgotten. The older person’s problems are greatly dif- These problems and many others, we believe, can On the whole, our group has been a great sucferent from ours. There was no education on best be solved by a Young Men’s Group. cess. Some of the boys have naturally dropped by the wayside, but most of these have re-enlisted in A.A. and are now doing a splendid job. We have had quite a few drop out in favor of meetings nearer their homes, but this is a natural separation and we feel that our group has played a huge part in selling them on this new way of life. The temporary win and lose columns of A.A. will show our group with an exceptionally high percentage in the win section. The wolf—or lady killer. This is the Don For almost 17 months, our active member list Juan type. He will tell you so himself. He is has averaged about 50 men and the average meeting will find around 30 members attending. Holiusually married and his wife does not underdays have not affected our attendance. Rather, it stand him. Often he has a 16-year-old daugh- has been found that the men are glad that their ter who is so sweet and charming that it makes meeting will be held on the eve of a big holiday. you wonder how she got that way, considering The third Thursday of each month we open what she has for a father. The younger female, our meeting to the oldtimers and they are very members seek him out for fatherly advice and welcome guests. They do not speak unless the you can bet he takes advantage of their confu- leader asks for any word they may have, or unless one feels he may have a message of special sion. His antics soon make him the source of benefit for the group. All business discussion of ridicule. Amused members pass the warning be- any sort, clubs, parties or what have you, must fore he can do too much damage. Here he is giv- be left until the A.A. meeting has closed for the ing a new prospect the eye. evening. The only ironclad rule that is never excepted: NO WOMEN. We “charter members” are very proud of our group and its work, and certainly hope it will continue to grow long after we have passed on into the category of “old goats.”—W.B.A.

3

VINO VIGNETTE-“Let’s Keep A.A. Simple” He would wait until the meeting had started the theory that he would be able to handle it if Though extremely skeptical and v i r t u a l l y withand then come easing, almost slinking, in at the he could find the right altitude, and he was pre- out hope, he persisted in coming to A.A. meetback and sit in the last row. Before the meet- pared to give up his profession and his practice ings. A.A., or that X in A.A., began to work, ing ended, he would pop up and scuttle out. once he found the alcoholic Shangri La A few and the man who had turned inward began He would talk to no one and he was really weeks later he came home on the train blind slowly to face outward. drunk. Even the mountains of Mexico had failed The evolution of this doctor was one of those anonymous. to provide the proper altitude. quiet but stirring personal dramas that are go- That was about four years ago. At that stage He knew about A.A., but he confided to me ing on all of the time In A.A. Slowly the glum, he was acutely shy, as uncommunicative as an from the bed that, “I’m a man of science and of tense face began to relax, and he would stay a Indian, skeptical and painfully conscious of be- course I can’t believe that Higher Power busi- little longer at meetings. He grew less taciturn ing a physician. As a doctor, of course, he sim- ness.” and even began to join in conversation after the ply couldn’t let it be known that he had joined This “man of science,” who incidentally was meeting, asking a few questions, hesitantly at A.A. If anyone did recognize him at a meeting and is very able in his profession, had gone first, but earnestly. and speak his name, you could almost see him through years of torture. He had resorted to all The tiny spark within became a glow that reshrivel. kinds of treatment, including several spinal flected itself outwardly. Today he’s genial, He and I were once “guests” at the same hos- punctures, to get sober after binges. Fortunate- quick, and hearty with his greeting and generpital and he had told me his story, punctuated ly he had never attempted to practice while ous with his smile, excellent company, always by shakes, after which I told him mine, punc- drinking, but he had absented himself for peready to discuss the mutual problem whenever tuated by shakes. Among other things he told riods from his office, and of course he knew that he thinks it will be of some benefit, and a beme that he traveled all the way to Mexico once he could not continue to do that indefinitely and liever in A.A. fundamentals. looking for the ideal place where he would be remain successful in the profession that he loved. able to drink “normally.” He had picked up He was lonesome, despairing, beaten. As a physician, one would not be surprised if he were still pursuing the causes of his alcoholism and interested in the neuroses and the psy- Letters Ask for Bottle of “Cure” choses of it. “Enclosed you will find $2.00 for a bottle of to bring it to the attention of her husband. Her “I don’t care about that,” he will say. “I know . .. Alcoholics Anonymous.” letter was answered and pamphlets were en- I am an alcoholic and I know what I have to do Judging by inquiries received at the General closed. to stay sober. That’s enough for me, right now Service Headquarters of A.A. in New York City, at least.” A few weeks ago came a letter from the hussome people think A.A. is a cure that comes in band. He had been reading a book, he wrote, In simplicity he finds his answer, though he a bottle to be given preferably while the victim and between its pages were the letter and pam- has the training and the knowledge to probe is asleep. phlets from the General Service Headquarters into the devious paths and by-paths of alcohol- But others of the thousands of letters received sent two years ago. He read the pamphlets, be- ism. “Let’s keep A.A. simple,” he says. at the office—P.O. Box 459, Grand Central An- came interested and joined A.A. So he goes along, “happier than I’ve ever been, nex—are tragic, bringing desperate appeals for Letters addressed “Anonymous, • New York drunk or sober,” a man of science who found help. Still others, written after A.A. has done its City,” and even some addressed, “Anonymous, something that science couldn’t give him and work, are couched in words of gratitude and joy. U.S.A.,” sooner or later find their way into the cannot explain, and that he finds no reason for Added up, the letters present a stirring pano- General Service Headquarters. Many letters are explaining because it works. rama of human drama, and their number con- now coming from foreign countries from people tinues to grow. Last year, the office received who have received anonymous gifts of food or Guam Calling 21,989 letters and sent out 50,383 pieces of mail . money from ‘the U.S.! These are most always including bulletins and special mail to the written in the sender’s native tongue, posing a From Guam, Guam groups. problem of translation. We hanker for Stateside voices, and Stateside In the past much 12th Step work was done In recent months, many inquiries hove been letters is the plea to The A.A. Grapevine from through the mails. Now, since there are groups received from doctors and members of the clergy. Guam. It is pretty lonesome out here so some in ail parts of the world it is rare when a per- Letters from groups are full of questions— letters or recordings would be greatly appreson asking for help cannot be referred directly how to raise money; how to organize; how to ciated by the group on the island. The islanders to a group nearby. run a club house on no money—are common promise prompt reply to anyone caring to write. Of the thousands of inquiries that come into* questions. Some ask the General Service Head- Letters may be sent to: M.K.K., c/o USED, the General Service Headquarters each year, quarters to settle disputes that arise from time Station 15, Guam, Guam. many are from families or friends of persons to time, but no specific instructions are ever needing help. The women who answer the letters given. Instead, the groups are told of the experi- One Man Missing would much prefer to contact directly the alco- ences of others in the same situation so that the holic needing help and in many cases are able members may make up their own minds as to Worcester, Mass., Gazette: SANFORD, Me. —The advertisement announcing a meeting of to do so. But whether they can or not, the letters the best method of procedure. Any suggestions are answered and often with gratifying results. given are intended to be of the most service pos- Alcoholics Anonymous for tomorrow night in the municipal courtroom concluded: Recently the fruits of an answer to a wife ask- sible to the groups and its members. ing for help for her husband came into the of- Requests for the book Alcoholics Anonymous “The judge will be absent on this occasion.” fice. Over two years ago the wife had written require only clerical handling since most are “After all,” said the member who placed the asking how to contact A.A. in her city and how purchases. ad, “we can’t afford to lose our sense of humor.”

4

Some People Are Much Sicker Than Others From New York, N. Y. the constant companions of the alcoholic, are The treatment that we can offer is almost un- “Some people,” a friend of ours says, “are a doubled in weight by a dose of A.A. limited. It consists of companionship, patience, lot sicker than others.” But guilt is entirely foreign to the concept of tolerance and the example of our own sobriety. He was talking about a man who, after two alcoholism as a disease! What our unfortunate Above all it consists of being convincing in our months of sobriety in A.A., was now floundering fellow-member needs is treatment and not pun- willingness to help. from bar to bar. He was talking, moreover, ishment. We may listen and we may suggest but only about a man whose failure to maintain sobriety rarely may we advise. Even though the cause of a and whose typically aggressive alcoholic be- slip is crystal clear to us, we can usually impart this knowledge only by indirection, by relating havior had created considerable tension among his would-be companions and helpers. A “Platform Manner” part of our own experiences. This is because the He was talking about a sick man. Calls for Quick Exit “slipper,” for the time being, is entirely subjec- Our friend, we think, stated the case with rare tive; he is inside the picture looking out. He insight and common sense. He realized that the From New Orleans, La can see a fact as it applies to somebody else, but man’s drinking must have been a source of deep The evolution of the A.A. speaker is an inter- not as it applies to him. That is part of his sickpersonal distress or he would not have come to esting phenomenon to watch and perhaps it ness. A.A. He also realized that sobriety must have offers a warning that has to do with one of the When we “read the riot act” to a brother in been even more painful, or the man would not most dangerous bogs encountered along the road distress, we usually defeat our own purpose. In have resumed drinking. to recovery. the first place, any criticism we make of him is Here is a familiar problem; someone reaches Most alcoholics have an aversion to platform of such a deeply personal nature that it is bound for the Program, gets his hands on it briefly, but speaking—that is, when sober—though they may to increase his guilt. We don’t lighten his burcannot hold on. What are we to do? do plenty of talking at the bar, with or without den; we add to it. Secondly, we don’t offer any- “Let him go,” we sometimes hear; “he isn’t introduction, when drinking. By the time they’re thing new. ready yet.” Or, conversely, “We can’t give up. ready for A.A., they have little confidence, The art of helping a “slipper,” it seems to me, Let’s keep after him.” they’re skittish and nervous, and they prefer the lies in finding some part of the Program which We think that whenever a member slips he background to the spotlight. So it probably is he has overlooked, and then showing him how stands before us as a challenge—a challenge to true that in the beginning most A.A.s dislike he can use it. The chances are he will grasp at our understanding and to the way of life which giving talks at meetings and do so only because something new, provided we make it real. has brought us serenity. they know it may help some newcomer get “The thing that cures a neurosis,” writes one Probably there are as many methods of deal- started or some other member keep going. of our foremost psychologists, “must be as coning with this problem as there are members in Aversion to giving talks remains with some vincing as the neurosis; and since the latter is A.A. One formula cannot fit all cases; we are in- members, probably forever. But not so with only too real, the helpful experience must be of dividuals and are dealing with an individual. But others. Some gradually recover from their equal reality.” it is certain that no method will be successful un- fright and actually get so they enjoy standing up For many alcoholics who have slipped and less we make some attempt to recognize a slip for in front and telling others how it’s done. These come back into the fold, the assurance that they what it is—the anaesthetic of a man in pain. are the ones who become perennial speakers. were not rejected, but were awaited and later It makes no difference whether he has been Theirs is the evolution that is fascinating, but welcomed, was a real strength in a world of sober five days or five years. It does not matter disturbing to watch. These are the speakers who evasive unreality. This gift of assurance is whether you, personally, like the word “slip” or begin to appear more frequently on the platform, within the power of all of us. not, or prefer to qualify it as to duration and at this meeting and that, here and there, several As our lives in A.A. have become dynamic, as intensity. A slip means, in all cases, that a mem- times a month. Soon they’re on the circuit. our Program is positive, let us put some positive, ber is still sick or sick again. Usually these people are good speakers and dynamic and optimistic effort into our treatment When most of us came into A.A. we were re- do a good job, and consequently are in demand. of the member who slips.—W.J. lieved to learn that we had a disease. Everyone No doubt that for a time they help many with around us recognized that we were sick people, their talks. But for how long? And what does Thank You! not pariahs or lepers. Furthermore, instead of it do to them? remaining helpless before the onslaught of a The danger, of course, is that any human being From Denango, Colo. dread moral decay, we set out to combat our is likely to become spellbound by the sound of Alcohol has never been a problem to me as I enemy with weapons of proven effectiveness. his own voice, and to begin to rate himself, sub- have been a teetotaler all of my life. It has, Yet somehow this idea that the alcoholic is a consciously at least, as something of an oracle. however, come too close for comfort in my imsick person seems to apply only to newcomers. Up sprouts the big “I” again, inwardly, even mediate family and we have A.A. to thank that The member who slips is too often put into a though outwardly the individual may appear to it was no worse. different category. “He should have known bet- be oh-so modest. What goes on inside is im- I am in the hotel business and see so many ter,” we are apt to think. And then our judgment portant to him and it may not be good. with a drinking problem. In order to in some suddenly grows near-sighted and we tell our- If anyone finds himself developing a platform way express my gratitude to Alcoholics Anonyselves, “Well, he knows the answers. He’ll come manner, stretching his story to make a point and mous, I am subscribing to The A.A. Grapevine. back when he’s ready.” waiting for the applause, he’d better get off the and placing it in the lobby of my small hotel. By this attitude we are adding to the burden stage quick, both for his own good and also for I hope that in this way someone who needs A.A. of guilt that the “slipper” carries. And we have the good of his listeners who soon will detect may see it and perhaps become interested in its ample evidence to show that guilt and remorse, the inevitable affectations.—N.M. way of life.—E.J.G.

5

GROUP MEETING DISCUSSION PAGES (This is a discussion page. Ideas advanced here are from a man I hadn’t seen in 20 years. I told Margaret S.— The importance to the newcomer only suggestions, put forward to help furnish group discussion topics, without any intention of reaching fixed him to mind his own business and for the sole of attending meetings, meetings and still more conclusions or dogmatic “rights” and “wrongs.” All purpose of hitting that gentleman in the nose, I meetings cannot be overemphasized. He, or she, readers are invited to submit group discussion topics.) went to his office. He was out, but there was an should be warned not to expect immediate re- The following is the conclusion of the ques- oldtimer waiting there, and because I wanted lease from the alcoholic problem, but encourtions discussed in the April issue of The A.A. something, I listened. As he talked, sincerely aged to have faith that, having taken the 1st Grapevine. These were among the questions can- and honestly, I began to see something. Three Step honestly, daily vigilance and sincere effort vassed in a series of seminar-forums held in weeks later my original sponsor sent for me. He to understand and apply the 12 Steps on a 24- Washington, D. C. The report is made by mem- had had a slip, but three weeks of listening at hour basis will carry him or her safely over the bers of the Washington Newspaper A.A. Group, meetings had given me a story. It has changed first difficult weeks. all seasoned reporters. It reflects no editorial or my entire life and I will do 12th Step work It is neither necessary nor wise to emphasize doctrinaire views except as they may have been ahead of anything else—it is the most important unduly the spiritual aspects of the A.A. Program expressed by the participants. thing there is. in the first approach to one who is likely to be I don’t know of any better sponsorship in the rebellious or impatient, as well as mortally sick. Topic: Sponsorship and Twelfth Step world than to take a bird who drinks, live with In such cases, place emphasis on the effectiveness Work and First Forum. Bill A., Arlington, him, listen, and with the help of God, he will of the whole A.A. approach to the problem of chairman; Bill C., Arlington; Katherine L.; come through. Sure, there are a lot of discour- alcoholism; particularly the value of example. Ray H., Chevy Chase. agements and for moments we are apt to forget The key to success of the Program is contained Bill A.—A.A. does not pretend to cure any that we, too, are just drunks. But for me A.A. in the last part of the 12th Step—”we try to pracalcoholic but if one intelligently and diligently is my life. tice these principles in all our affairs.” tries he can find the answer. I speak from ex- Bill C.—We owe our lives to some one’s spon- There is no final word on the value of formal perience. There are no graduates in A.A. but in sorship and we are dealing with the most sacred sponsorship. Circumstances and individuals getting this program there is peace of mind from responsibility—the life of a man or woman. vary. Certainly there should be recognition of here on out; happiness by helping the other fel- Nor should we let it throw us if we should try a definite responsibility for personal assistance low. Do we know of anything to do one’s heart to play God; His idea wasn’t to make one call as long as it seems needed and helpful. more good than rehabilitating a human life? and tap your shoulder when something right A.A. is our opportunity to give God a chance. Gene S.—Excessive rules and rule-making, tenhappened. Yes, there are disappointments, and some of For the A.A. engaging in 12th Step work, the dencies found sometimes in new and growing these sponsorships pretty nearly threw Willy. following considerations appear: (1) You must groups, are not too good. The importance of Well, all watermelons don’t get ripe on the same a n o n y m i t y should be stressed. The prospect assume responsibility for your candidate. It’s day but we can trust to God that they will get a critical time in his life and he looks to you for coming into A.A. signs nothing; the only reripe before the frost gets them. quirement for admission to the fellowship is an comfort and guidance; (2) does he know he is Katherine L.—I never believed that one day I honest desire to quit drinking. Early difficulties an alcoholic? (3) does he want to do something would stand before such a tremendous audience about it? and (4) does he want your help? with the Program are no evidence that the indiand I feel that this right now is 12th Step work Don’t be too arbitrary in your judgment. Re- vidual may not become a steadfast member if he because I have received so much from A.A.—my member the alky has been in a violent anti-social keeps on trying. Rules, regulations, charters, life. Five years ago I worked for A.A., I wanted scene, and he is accustomed to surround himself by-laws and the appointment of bouncers are exit, I needed it, I learned by trial and error, and periments sometimes regretted later. with a wall to keep the world out. Try to be now I try to give to others what helped me in his friend. . . . Everlastingly put yourself in his To the prospective member the protection, as my dire need. When I asked for help not to shoes. he then regards it, of anonymity can be of high take a drink something seemed to flow through Bill A.—(Closing) Let’s call A.A. crystallized importance. He is promised it, and individuals me, and I think that was a spiritual experience. Christianity. in the group should see to it that the promise is Now when I get a call I try to let the prospect made good. Granting there are two schools of talk herself out. I ask her to have faith in what Topic: Sponsorship and Twelfth Step thought on the subject of anonymity, still the I tell her, to be honest with herself and to stay Work (Second Forum), George C., Alexan- decision to join one or the other should be left dry long enough to hear what we others say. It’s dria, chairman; Margaret S. and Eugene G., to the person most concerned. Every A.A. shares important that every candidate you bring to a Washington. a great responsibility with all fellow members meeting be introduced to as many people as pos- George C.—We face consideration of the mer- and to A.A. as a whole. If in his enthusiasm sible; some other girl may have the answer. its and demerits of “babying” as against the and gratitude a fledgling makes his affiliation About anonymity. Everybody in Christendom “cold turkey” treatment of newcomers. The ques- known, or if an older member deliberately or knew it when I was drunk. Its important that tion of prolonged personal sponsorship, whether inadvertently does the same, then a so-called slip the new member understand her illness may be workable or valuable, and in what circum- by either can do great harm to his group and to caused by resentments; and it’s fine to find, after stances, should be examined. The feeling is an undetermined number of actual or potential a time, that we can learn we are rather nice pretty general that the sooner the new person in members. people to live with—our families, too. A.A. comes to depend on the Program and the Protect the anonymity, do not take the first Ray H.—I had a sponsor. If there was ever group, rather than upon any individual, the bet- little drink, try to practice the 12 Steps in all our an element X used by psychiatrists when they ter. And I think it is generally accepted that it affairs—that way we cannot harm A.A., or speak of the spiritual, this must be it. After may be better to make a 12th Step call even if it others, or ourselves, and it is almost certain, we seven years of living hell, a ‘phone call came does not come from the prospect himself. will do some good.

6

Non-Alcoholic Wives Form A.A. Auxiliary has gotten away from things of importance—the From Rome, Ga. Knowing that A.A. is a fellowship of ex-drinkfamily has drifted apart. Love, affection, and In July, 1947, seven wives of members of the ers banded together with an aim to help fellowalcoholics recover their health and therein main- respect have flown out of the window, and reason- Rome, Ga., Group of Alcoholics Anonymous ing and understanding are things of the past. formed an auxiliary. tain their own happy sobriety, this auxiliary was We read and study any educational matter on After several months of study and association set up to serve one, and only one purpose—to alcoholism with topics of interest being assigned together, we thought it might be interesting to help the alcoholic’s wife or other close relative to be better equipped to meet the situations that to certain speakers. We look upon our efforts as set down our ideas. We asked each member of clinical education and take seriously our particithe group to write an article on what purpose arise when the alcoholic affiliates himself with pation in the auxiliary. We close our meetings they thought the auxiliary should serve, and one A.A. Education in A.A. is essential to the wife of with The Lord’s Prayer, which is followed by a of our meetings was devoted to the reading and an alcoholic if she is to understand and be fa- half hour of informality and refreshments.—The discussion of the eight or ten papers. The folmiliar with the program that is to lead her hus- Wives lowing is a condensation: band back to a normal life and sobriety. The auxiliary must in no way take over the Humility’s Twin privileges that belong to the alcoholic fellowship, Many Enter A.A. and never overstep the bounds for which it Is Anonymity stands. Unsponsored From Chicago, III. Every wife of an alcoholic has tried countless From New York, N. Y. ways to sober her husband, but has met defeat In these days of rapid growth and broader Alcoholics Anonymous could never have on every count. Now A.A. has stepped in and reached its present amazing rate of growth with- public enlightenment, a fair proportion of newis doing a job that she could not do. comers enter Alcoholics Anonymous unsponout anonymity and whoever plays lightly with She must now adjust her own daily life to cothis basic principle threatens damage to the sored. This is especially true of the large cities, incide with the new way of life her husband has where a member is often lucky to know the man movement, as well as himself. adopted. In order to change, she must learn It really is presuming a great deal for anyone sitting next to him, let alone some suffering cavethoroughly and unselfishly, what she must do in dweller two miles and 900,000 people away. to think that he is helping A.A. by proclaiming order to help—not hinder his efforts. And, of course, a sponsor is not necessary. A his membership, and those of others, up and The auxiliary program should be a serious down the highways. His train of thinking obvi- man is as much and as good a member of A.A. and effective one with a purpose and aim behind who weaves his lonely way into his first meeting, ously runs along the line that because he is such it, a program that will serve to aid newer nona fine fellow, such a shining example, such a admitting only that he has an alcoholic problem, alcoholic wives by an exchange of ideas and as his neighbor who is endorsed and shepherded sterling character, he helps A.A. by letting it be problems among members. known that he’s a member. He has lent his noble by three group chairmen and the man who passes We should learn to apply the 12 Steps to the plate. support to A.A., therefore the movement must be our own problems of life. The alcoholic’s wife all right. That’s what he apparently thinks Still and all, there is much to be said for the other people will think, completely forgetting sponsorship system. It’s friendly, for one thing, that outsiders who hear him broadcasting will and unselfish. It strengthens the ideal of brothwonder what’s become of the second word in the Syracuse Resume’ erhood within A.A. Moreover, it’s just plain name of Alcoholics Anonymous. Then, of course, Like so many groups throughout the world, common courtesy. if he has a slip, which often occurs as an after- the Central Group, Syracuse, N. Y., is growing How many prospects do you know, who got to math of boasting, he just fixes everything up in size and strength. In so doing, it follows that the door of their first meeting and then turned pretty. small discussion groups feel the need of being away, terrified to face so many strangers? But the principle of anonymity contains a directly affiliated with the A.A. General Service How many newcomers rush from their first spiritual essence that is the most important of Headquarters. At the same time these new groups meeting to a bar, because they are confused and the several vital advantages it has given us. are not forgetting the wealth of friendship, faith nervous and, in spite of what has been said from Anonymity is humility’s twin. The individual and spiritual understanding gained through the the platform, friendless? who comes into A.A. expecting to be anonymous warm fellowship of the Central Group. How many questions are left unanswered by and who is content to remain anonymous, except Recently some excellent speakers have gone to even the best meeting? of course in A.A. work with alcoholics, is prac- Syracuse to give their interpretations of the A.A. Among the many true things that Bill has ticing at least one form of humility. He .is not Program. By extending invitations to leaders said, perhaps the truest is that the most imporseeking self-aggrandizement as long as he is of all industrial plants, as well as members of the tant guy at any meeting is the guy who is just willing to stay anonymous. clergy, judiciary and medical professions, the coming in the door for the first time. He should Anonymity gives encouragement to the spir- group has been able to inform them at firsthand not be alone. itual works of helping others without anticipa- that help for the alcoholic is available at all It makes little difference if the sponsor and tion of personal reward. It is a safeguard against times. The regular semi-monthly open meetings newcomer are not acquainted, if they come from personal ambitions. increase in size by the month. The group at- different walks of life, if they have little besides Conversely, the fellow who is seeking personal tempts to arrange speakers to apply to every age alcohol in common, or even if their contact does glory must as his first step compromise his group present. not ripen into companionship. The sponsor has anonymity. Local newspapers cover the open meetings; his sobriety to offer, while the newcomer offers The principle of anonymity is a shield for the their articles are entirely factual yet maintain the opportunity of a 12th Step job. The score is very heart of A.A.—D.T. complete anonymity for the speakers. even.—J.W.

7

months, without being convinced that he was an One balmy evening we were doing a thorough alcoholic, because the Program was doing his scavenging job at the home of old and trusted wife so much good. friends. Luck smiled upon her favorite c h i l d : These little histories might be cited as evi- some witless guest had forgotten her drink endence of a lack of objectivity. On the other tirely, and it stood, b r i m – f u l l and challenging, hand, they might be taken as proof that the won- on the edge of the piano. The population of the world, we are fast dis- derous 12 Steps exert their influence even on Yep, you guessed it—castor oil. covering, is composed of two types of people — that screwy and inexplicable non-alcoholic thinkthose who do not like contests, and A.A.s. Our ing. mail these spring days is burgeoning with new Stew, according to his friends in Cliford, Ont., A member of the Greenwich Village, N. Y., contest ideas, and the postman is getting meas- was a man of dignity and purpose even while un- Group wins our vote for having devised and carured for a pair of Adler Elevator shoes just in der the influence. One night he managed to get ried out the most ingenious method of defraudcase he doesn’t spring back to normal height his body and a small part of his mind home, ing a liquor store. This man, during the course when the weight of the mailbag battled his way into his pajamas, and then for of a two-week binge in Washington, had fallen drops to par. many long minutes stood motionless and glassy- into the habit of buying his morning pint in the A member from Vista, Calif., eyed in the center of the room. l i q u o r store next to his hotel. He always asked leads the race, at least from a “Well,” demanded his wife, “why don’t you for the same brand, a popular one which comes quantitative standpoint. He rec- get into bed?” in dark brown bottles. ommends contests on: 1. the “I will,” Stew replied, “just as soon as it The morning came, at last, when our friend funniest joke, 2. ideas on build- comes around again.” found himself without money and without whising a clubhouse without running key. He was desperate. Vainly he scrambled into debt, and 3. the most trouble Back in the days when we were the higher through the pile of brown bottles on the floor with the A. A. Program. power and had all the frustration tolerance of of his closet, hoping to find a forgotten drink— Clarksburg, W. Va. would like an old garter belt, it just didn’t seem reasonable even a t h i m b l e f u l . It was hopeless. But then, to know the most outlandish or spectacular stunt for people to enjoy a cocktail or two and then in his darkest hour, he noticed that the empty ever pulled by an alcoholic to get sympathy. amble off to dinner, like as not leaving a half- bottle he held in his hand had an almost per- From Jackson, Miss, comes the suggestion to run inch of Martinis in the bottoms of their glasses. fect seal. Quickly he took it and filled it with a poetry contest, while a Buffalo, N. Y. corre- Being far-sighted, we cultivated the habit of tap water. He pressed the seal tenderly against spondent proposes the question: “How did you helpfulness and usually managed to find ourself the glass. There was a gleam of pure inspiramanage to raise the money for that last drink busy emptying ash trays or counting the piano tion in his eye. you needed so badly?” keys when the rest of the party marched into He struggled into his overcoat. The bottle Two more potential prizewinners come in just the dining room. Then a quick garbage disposal upon which all his hopes were riding went into on deadline. What was the most interesting inci- job on the partly-filled glasses. his left hand coat pocket. He made his way undent you experienced on a 12th Step call? How Of course this was done so cleverly that posi- der forced draft to the liquor store. about a prize for the best cartoon submitted? tively no one ever grew suspicious. That was “Hello,” the proprietor said, recognizing him. And so it goes. The contest is closing with one thing we knew beyond all doubt. “Same thing?” this issue and the prizes — two subscriptions to “Yes. Don’t bother to wrap it.” The A. A. Grapevine — are lying snug in the vault. Our friend seized the bottle from the proprie- So put your ideas on paper today. Vacation Hint Via tor and rammed it into his right hand coat pocket. “I’ll be in and pay you later,” he began. The A. A. Grapevine “No you don’t,” said the man. “It’s against the law. Here—give that bottle back.” The dry state of Mississippi, through the sec- Probably 99.9 per cent of the members of “All right,” the genius replied. He took the retary of the Greenwood Group, proudly reports Alcoholics Anonymous have never heard of Sum- bottle of water from his left hand pocket and the enrollment of one of the district’s leading merside, Province Prince Edward Island, Can- slammed it on the counter. “But you’ll never bootleggers. “Believe it or not,” the letter ends,ada. Though hard to find on the map, it has see me again,” he said t r u t h f u l l y , rushing from “he’s since disposed of the whiskey business, three distinctions: It is the smallest of Canadian the store. gotten a legitimate job and is doing fine. So provinces; it has a form of prohibition; potatoes far, he hasn’t missed a meeting.” are its main product. Everyone knows what can be made from potatoes. It can also be made Certainly the best and most pertinent malafrom sugar, malt, hops, rye and corn. Under prop of the year was heard The wife of a Salem, Va., member writes us the prohibition law one must first visit a doctor at a recent meeting of the very touchingly about the reformation of her for a prescription, then obtain a permit for one Bayside, L. I., Group. The spouse. “After John had been sober several, purchase per week from the government liquor speaker, an extremely nervmonths,” she claims, “things were beginning to store. The prospects for A.A. growth here are ous and sincere young man look better all around and there was a cheerful excellent. The town of Summerside has a popu- making his maiden speech, air of congeniality about the home. One eve- lation of 3,000. There are approximately 50 – . managed to cover the story ning, in the midst of a pleasant conversation, he bootleggers doing a thriving business. The A.A. of his downfall and finally spoke of that period turned to me and said, ‘Honey, you’ve changed group was organized 18 months ago. There are where he realized that liquor was ruining his so much!'” not as many members as bootleggers, yet. Sum- judgment. A similar story is currently being told by one merside is a fine place for a summer vacation, “Yes sir,” he said, transposing unconsciously, of the most popular speakers from Brooklyn, for goods A.A.s who maybe want to help find “one little think certainly changes your drink- U.S.A. It seems that he stayed sober for three more A.A.s. ing.”

8

From Old Greenwich, Conn. “Not entirely,” corrected Pete, “the main thing having received the Certificate and Halo from Once upon a time there was a rabbit named is getting organized. B.B. no longer carries on the Anniversary Cake Committee, we can now Ronald. He was allergic to carrots. He could by the tedious process of one bunny helping an- carry this message to others.” eat lettuce, artichokes, asparagus tips and other other. We expect to become the fastest multiply- “This is done by becoming a member of the choice selections from the garden—but not car- ing rabbit organization in the world. Everything B.B. travelling circuit and by making speeches rots. must be planned to the most minute detail. This before civic organizations. Would you like to Somehow or other this weakness only made is taken care of by the committees, especially the have me sponsor you, Ronald? Are you ready his appetite for carrots worse—and with the most Stereotyping Committee. This is the ‘Higher to admit you are powerless over carrots?” disastrous results! Often after a feast of these Power,’ which you have probably heard us men- “How does this sponsoring deal work?” Ronvegetables he could not synchronize his ear wig- lion. Then we have the Two Hops. This is the ald asked. gles. His nose became purple and twitchy. His streamlined version of the now obsolete 12 “With a bang,” said Pete. “Come over here. tail bobbed sideways instead of up and down. Steps.” Now back up. This little ceremony will show He was most unhappy. you how we have improved the ancient slogan, Two Hops Enough ‘Easy Does It.'” One day he met another rabbit named Pete. It didn’t take any paw-twisting for Pete to tell “Sounds great,” Ronald interrupted, “why take So saying, Pete poured a bottle of turpentine Ronald that he, too, was allergic to carrots. But 12 steps if you can do it in two hops?” on Ronald’s tail and as the new convert took off thanks to an organization called B.B. he was now “The First Hop,” resumed Pete, “is to admit on a wild zigzag flight over the meadows his free of his obsession. you are powerless over carrots. The Second Hop sponsor moralized: “That’s wonderful,” said Ronald, “tell me reads, ‘Having become an expert on carrotism “We may not know where we are going, but more. What does B.B. stand for?” and psychiatry through our training in B.B. and it sure won’t take us long to get there!”—A. Sop “Bunnies Bombastic,” replied Pete. “We meet once a week and listen to a team of bunnies from another group. They tell us the story of their carrot-eating careers, emphasizing the f u n n y aspects and summing up with a little bragging about their humility.

Hopping Teams “We select teams of speakers and a leader who hop over to other B.B. groups and put on similar performances each week. The ritual also calls for a secretary who announces coming attractions (after the third speaker). “We also have a Stereotyping Committee which is in charge of promotion and publicity. Whenever we have a special attraction the committee has handbills printed, announcing the full names of the anonymous speakers.” “Well,” remarked Ronald, “that sounds interesting, but I fail to see what it has to do with abstaining from carrots.'” “It’s very simple,” continued Pete, as he pulled up a bean sprout, “one gets so tangled up w i t h politics and promotion he hasn’t time to think about carrots. This is an improvement over the old way of doing things in B.B. In the old days they called themselves the Bunnies Brotherhood and actually operated without a ritual. Very primitive methods, you know—spiritual principles and that sort of stuff.” “What is ‘spiritual’?” asked Ronald, l i f t i n g an ear. “I’m not sure,” replied Pete, “but I believe it’s something you can’t eat. We serve lettuce and beet tops after the meetings instead. A great improvement.'” “You mean,” asked Ronald, “that eating beet tops and lettuce cures one of the curse of carrotism?”

9

DON’T BE AFRAID, business section of the suburb where I live and getting something to eat. While crossing a street I had a powerful feeling

JUST HOLD TIGHT that I was to be on the alert. Just be on the alert, that’s all. Be ready for some sign, which might come from any direction. An instant later my

AND HE DID eye fell on the decalcomania sign pasted on the door of a small stationery shop on the other side of the street. From Mt. Vernon, N. Y. It read, “Visit Our Fountain.” has actually lived through such an experience, it In any other circumstances I would, of course, If you look back over the Sunday supplement sounds absurd. Those who have been up against have ignored it. I didn’t want anything at the which carries Jiggs, to an issue that appeared a it understand. For a solid week I stared out my fountain, and even if I had craved the kind of couple of months ago, cast an eye into the upper window by day and beat my pillow by night, try- refreshment the place offered, I would have gone right-hand corner of the first sheet, and read the ing to decide. But I could not. It was a per- somewhere else, where the surroundings were text in the topmost right-hand balloon, you will fectly simple design, mind you. Nothing fate- more pleasant. find an excellent A.A. slogan. I would like to ful, or irrevocable, or even particularly impor- At the time, though, the sign had the force of tell my fellow Grapevine enthusiasts how it first tant in the long run. It was a simple matter of an order. I went into the place, feeling embarcame to my attention. I know that such experi- deciding which of two sensible ways of investing rassed and a little foolish, as one usually does on ences as mine are common in A.A., but they are my next two weeks’ time would be preferable. going into a small shop with no intention of always, it seems to me, worth reporting. But I could not make the decision. buying anything. I was going through one of those awful pe- The fountain was toward the back of the store. Finally, thick-skulled soul that I am, I adriods of indecision that alcoholics know so well. mitted it. It seemed incredible that a mature I went there. Stacked up against the fountain To avoid boring you with the details of my parman, presumably in his right mind, was in- was a pile of Sunday newspapers, folded with ticular hard-luck story, I will simply say that my capable of making a simple choice. But it was the comic section on top. My eye went directly affairs had gone pretty thoroughly to pot, in all true. to the top, right-hand balloon. I noticed in a departments. Nothing I turned my hand to would vague way that the strip was Jiggs,and that someclick. Every effort I made in any direction After this admission I felt a mild sense of dething was going on about a sleigh-ride. But the seemed to grind to a frustrating, humiliating, feat and hopelessness, but this was drowned out message of the text absorbed me so completely enervating, exhausting, sickening, inexorable by an overwhelming sense of relief. I could not that other details were hardly noticed. stop. make the decision, true. But I knew Somebody It read: Finally I decided to try to be as objective as who could, the same Somebody who had helped “Don’t be afraid. You’re with Papa. Just hold possible about my situation, to analyze it ruth- me make my decision about drinking. Why not tight.” lessly and consider what might be done. In this just turn it over? Well, why not? I did. Reading it was followed by an indescribable I had some success. I narrowed down the alter- I reached this state of mind on Sunday around sense of peace, which lasted for more than an natives to two feasible courses of action. All I noon, after a solid week of desperate stewing. hour. The experience has, I believe, worked a had to do now was choose between them, throw Shortly after that I began to act more or less small but permanent change in my outlook on on the coal, and get rolling again. But I could automatically. I knew what I was doing well life. Needless to say, the decision I could not not choose between them. enough, but I had no particular plan of action, make was, the next morning, made for me, crys- To anyone but an alcoholic, or someone who beyond a vague thought of going down to the tal clear.—J.E.

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The Alcoholic Approaches Middle Age To grow older serenely and happily is a great sneaking suspicion that some of the past—per- simply an alcoholic!” a woman whose neurosis achievement for even the most balanced person. haps his once famous wit—would come back if defied analysis once said to me. Here is the gist For us alcoholics it is a triumph. A part of he had a few drinks, or even one. He decides of the matter: Would you, now that you have everyone’s personality, in varying degrees, re- not to take the drink because the price is too stopped drinking, change places with any sucvolts against growing up at all, and the much high, but even so, he is a little sad with the cessful person of your acquaintance? I doubt it. thicker problem of accepting middle age is one thought that he is missing something. The damage to human relationships is more of the knottiest a human being has to solve. The necessity of facing middle age is only one serious. It is a frightful shock to our ego to be When it is complicated by homesickness for the of many general human problems which the alcoalcoholic Never-never Land it presents dangers holic is apt to think of as his own and particular given the gate by relatives or friends. We want that could easily become compulsions. Every- misfortune. to fight back with explanations of what nice perbody has his own angles to the problem. Here The Regretful Angle. The longer we have ex- sons we have become. Then we are sorry for are some of mine: perienced the joys of a non-drinking life, the our friends because they are missing the com- The Romantic Angle. My drinking, when I more poignantly do we realize the magnitude of pany of such nice persons. “If they could only was young, was, on the whole, delightful. Some- riches lost during our drinking days. Memory see us now,” we say. “Here we are, working in times I was made ill, often I made a fool of my- may not fill in the gaps from the past, but our the garden, or sitting sedately at our desk doing self, a few times I committed serious breaches of restored sense of proportion is more and more a good job, or (in a dignified way) being the decorum. But I was no worse than the general deeply shocked by the knowledge of how much life of the party, and they don’t know anything run of young people who frolic on Saturday we have missed in our career and our human about it!” We seem to think that sobriety is an night and then meet again on Sunday morning relationships. If, as is often true, the career and unusual and spectacular virtue to be commended to compare hangovers and ask nervously if they relationships have been wholly destroyed, then at every turn. And we feel angry and insulted have done anything a w f u l . the realization becomes, in certain moods, almost not to be recognized as desirable companions In general, drinking was the concomitant of insupportable. These moods are an abyss of again. soft lights, laughter, music, dancing, and all the loneliness and humiliation, and such softer sen- The fact is, that if our former intimates are release and shelter and coziness at the end of the timents are too easily transformed into impulses going their own ways without showing any desire week when the sun goes down. to assert ourselves and into resentment once to renew the old bonds, that is their business. The non-alcoholic knows, with resignation or more (for the hundredth time!). From there If we love them, it is best to dismiss them from dismay as the case may be, that after a certain the steps to the bar or the liquor closet are few. our thoughts with a valedictory wish for their period of years one does not dance gracefully or What we must remember is, that again we are happiness. But if they are hateful (and I think shed responsibilities at dusk, or, in short, grow merely facing, in intenser form, problems that that the non-alcoholics are, perhaps ignorantly, young again. He accepts the evidence of scales are common to the whole human race. Many just as much at fault as the alcoholics, though and mirrors and saves up to get his daughters non-alcoholics have damaged or ruined their this may be A.A. heresy) it is no function of married. But that willful child who lives in careers by the same traits which sent us to the ours to get back at them. We could only injure every alcoholic’s heart, not a nice child but the bottle. Many successful people go on to the end, ourselves. Let the past bury the past. At night Imp of the Perverse, still believes in a half-whis- secure and smiling to the world, but underneath especially, resentment may go round and round per that a few drinks are the golden key to open more bored and dissatisfied than we. Read E. A. and all our best efforts will not turn it off. Still, the past again. A few drinks will bring back Robinson’s Richard Corey, wherein the most glit- we must not telephone. We must not write that the whole world that went with them when one teringly successful man in town inexplicably letter. We must not take that sudden and deswas young. Without them, social gatherings are puts a bullet through his head. The alcoholic perate drink. As one wise alcoholic has said, by dull and fly-specked with reality. Even the alco- is not the only misfit, but he has the good luck to cultivating humility we avoid humiliation. And holic who has not had a drink for years has a know exactly what his poison is. “I wish I were the morrow will bring new interests.—X.L.

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Better Than Commuting—Two dejected in- Birthday Meeting—Celebrating its second an- Judge Lauds A . A . Warm commendation of mates of La Tuna Federal Prison, just outside of niversary, the Atlantic City Group will hold a the work of the Richmond Group is given by El Paso, Texas, whose constant bouts with the meeting on May 22, to acquaint the public with Judge J. Hoge Ricks of the Juvenile and Domesjug had finally landed them shaking behind bars, the A.A. Program. Dr. C. Nelson Davis of St. tic Relations Court, Richmond, Va. In his anone day discussed A.A., something vague and Luke’s Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa., and A.A. nual report he stated: “The court has tried for intangible to them, but yet a possible ray of members will speak. years to find an answer to the liquor problem. light in what had become total darkness. Calling To this end it has used probation, good behavior upon a member of the prison parole board, the Growing Up — After nine months of steady bonds, treatment in the various state and local pair asked if it were possible to contact A.A. growth, the Philadelphia, Miss., Group has hospitals, suspended sentences, confinement in and perhaps find a solution to their problem. moved into a large and modern club room. The the city jail and state farm, all with little suc- “I’ve tried everything,” admitted one, “and any- room is equipped with chrome furniture, an cess. The one ray of hope in this dark picture thing would be better than commuting between electric coffee urn and game tables. Besides the is seen in the splendid activity and fine cooperathe prison cell and the bars.” Moved by the regular weekly meeting a study group for be- tion of Alcoholics Anonymous, a group of citiearnestness and sincerity of the two men, and ginners is held each Monday evening. zens who have found an effective method of dealgratified that there were men in the prison who ing with this problem. About two years ago, the sought to improve their lives, the board member court began referring cases to this organization. immediately dispatched word to the El Paso When the person referred followed our advice Group. Here was a real opportunity for 12th and contacted the organization, he was invari- Step work, and the group rose to the occasion. ably helped. However, we discovered that many With the full blessing of the warden, parole of those referred did not go to the A.A. meetboard and prison chaplain, the new La Tuna ings. In recent months members of the A.A. Group was launched with 26 prisoners attend- group have been attending court three days a ing, and eight members of the El Paso Group week when domestic relations cases are heard. sitting in as organizers and general informants. They are ready to give i n f o r m a t i o n concerning A second meeting held a week later brought one the A . A . and its activities to any man or woman additional member into the fold, and today the who indicates a desire to stop drinking, and they La Tuna Group is well on its way to becoming extend a cordial invitation to such persons to an effective and determined organization. It is participate. Many individuals who have been the second major piece of 12th Step work done before this court time and again for drunkenness by the El Paso Group, which numbers approxi- in past years are now keeping sober and have mately 60 members, and which has been in ex- SEALED ORDERS been rehabilitated in their homes.” istence for two and one-half years. A Spanish- Several months ago the Morehouse Parish speaking group was started a short time ago Group, Bastrop, La, began a practice which to among members of that race who found it diffi- date is quite successful. Realizing that alcoholics, New Meeting Places—What is to be known as cult to discuss their problems and capture the when drinking, are incapable of sane reasoning, the Alcoholics Anonymous Assembly was formed spirit of A.A. with English-speaking A.A. mem- the majority of the group gave explicit instruc- recently in Jacksonville, Fla. The Assembly is bers. tions as to what action, if any, should he taken located in new quarters where any member of by the group or an individual member if they A.A. or anyone desiring help is welcome. From All the Ships at Sea—The Seven Seas Club has should start drinking again. Winona, Minn., comes the report that the Pio- These instructions were placed in a sealed enbeen recently opened in San Francisco, Calif. neer Group is moving into new clubrooms. The velope and filed with the secretary. This action Primarily for the benefit of the sailors and men was completely voluntary and no pressure was permanent rooms are located in a downtown around the Embarcadero it is open to all who applied to influence anyone who did not wish to building and are now in the process of redecorawish to do something about their drinking prob- comply. The securing of a declaration from tion. lem. One of the club’s major activities is keep- sober members eliminated the worry and doubt ing a steady flow of literature on alcoholism as to what steps to take if and when a slip occurred. The “slippee” also benefited by having going to all the ships at sea. The new club Mississippians Meet—The first annual Missishis sanity restored at the earliest possible monumbers approximately 50 in permanent mem- ment. sippi A.A. Conclave was held at Allison Wells, bership but has an additional 200 who drop in Fourteen members submitted these instructions. Miss, on May 8 and 9. Founders of the first while in port. It also serves about 50 luncheons Only one has had to be acted on, and his drink- A.A. Group in Mississippi were invited as guest everyday. ing lasted only one day. Nine members did not speakers. participate. They have all since become inactive Lest They Forget—Just to remind members of in A.A. or continued to drink as before. The Morehouse Parish Group would be intermeeting night the Bloomington, Ill. Group sends ested in hearing from any other group which A New Baby—The first meeting of the Morrisa penny postcard reading “A Date Tuesday might have adopted this practice and comparing ville, Vt., Group was held late in March with an Night.” The first large “A” is above the printed results. Being also of an open mind, the group original member of the New York Group as line and another “A” with a question mark after would like to hear any criticism of its plan. guest speaker. Other speakers were A.A. memit is placed below, thus forming the initials A.A. bers from Montpelier and St. Johnsbury.

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How Stuffy Can We Get? From New York, N. Y. We promised our visitor that we would do what we could. We agreed Are some of us losing our tolerance? Are we inclined to be critical of that this case was poorly handled and that there probably was something our fellows? Do we feel superior to new members who are having trou- that we could try. We agreed that we shouldn’t give up on the man. ble with the Program? Above all, are we getting stuffy? When our visitor left we got to thinking. Surely, this older member wasn’t typical. He was just the stinker who can be found in almost every We think these questions are important. And if we answer them group. We also got to wondering if there were many A.A.s who were “Yes,” we may be heading for trouble, no kidding. If some of us don’t as intolerant as this fellow. We think not but we still wonder. We can straighten up and fly right, we’re gonna be drunk. Maybe some of us name several borderline cases in our own group. Last week two older need a refresher course and a kick in the pants! members were reported drunk. Did intolerance have anything to do These sentiments came to us the other day. An A.A. visitor called with it? and told us of a case of rather “unsympathetic” handling by an older The story of this newcomer and this older member is extreme. It member in his group. Here’s what happened: probably doesn’t happen often. But does it happen more often than we A new member—a lawyer of retiring nature—joined the group about think? Does it happen too often? four months ago. He had been suffering from alcoholism for 15 years. We have been dry almost four years and we honestly don’t believe that He was a steady drinker. He couldn’t remember a day in six years we are as tolerant as we should be. Or as grateful to A.A. We can when he hadn’t had a drink. Although he knew of A.A., he was too shy remember several guys that we gave up on recently. We are getting to approach the group and too timid to discuss the problem with his worried. Has anybody got a real tough 12th Step case?—W.T. friends. After a particularly serious binge, he wandered into an A.A. meeting, and took a seat in the rear of the room. After the meeting, he sneaked1 out and took a few drinks to fortify himself for some deep thinking. Having decided to join A.A., he began to attend meetings. For two months he managed to go without drinking in spite of the fact that his New Groups Announced shyness hindered him in making friends and entering group activities. The following new groups reported organization to the General Service He slipped. Office during the month of March: My visitor had made a slight acquaintance with this man and, learning ALABAMA—Troy. of the slip, went around to see him. He suggested another reading of ARIZONA—Superior. the book and regular attendance at the beginners’ meeting. The new man CALIFORNIA—Los Angeles, Camaux Group, Latin American Group; San agreed. He also agreed to make an extra effort to participate in group Carlos; San Pablo. activities. After two months, he slipped again. He was kicked out of his house by the wife. FLORIDA—Fort Pierce; Quincy; Vero Beach. IDAHO—Rigby. According to our visitor, an older member of the group decided to do something about this new member. Although he had never talked with ILLINOIS—Robinson. the new man or been friendly with him, he took over. MAINE—Caribou: Presque Isle. The older member, an A.A. who had been dry six years, went imme- MARYLAND—Frederick. diately to the man’s house and talked with the wife. He agreed with her MASSACHUSETTS—Brighton, Allston-Brighton Group; Boston, South Bosthat she should make him “suffer it out,” “go his own way for a month ton Group. or two,” “be hard as hell on him.” he then delivered a lecture on the MICHIGAN—Hillsdale. evils of drink, the road to ruin and the way of all flesh. He did not MINNESOTA—Colfraine, Itasco Group; Red Wing. bother to contact the slippee. MONTANA—Livingston. Several days later the drunk telephoned his wife and asked meekly to NEBRASKA—Nebraska City, come home. The wife, feeling completely justified, refused. The drunk NEW JERSEY—East Orange. then telephoned our visitor who agreed to drop around to talk with NEW YORK—New York City, Abyssinian Negro Group. the wife. OHIO—Cleveland, Garfield Heights Group. On his arrival, he was met by the older member who not only refused OKLAHOMA—Tulsa, Pioneer Group. to let him talk to the wife but bawled him out for being so lenient with OREGON—Medford. a “damned slipper.” Eventually both went out in search of the lawyer. They found him in a gin mill. PENNSYLVANIA—Doylestown. SOUTH CAROLINA—Beaufort. The lawyer was plastered and feeling sorry for himself. After looking over the situation, the older member gave another lecture on the evils of TEXAS—Innis. drink and began to lay the lawyer out on general principles. “You’re VIRGINIA—Culpepper, Orange. just a hopeless bum, anyway,” he said. WEST VIRGINIA—Follansbie, Kingwood. . Our visitor reports that he was plenty disgusted with the older member WISCONSIN—Stanley. by this time and urged him to lay off. The lawyer got drunker and CANADA—Manitoba, St. Boniface; Ontario, Sudberg, Port Arthur. finally passed out. He awakened in jail. KOREA

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Mail Call for All A.A.s at Home or Abroad Advice to the Newcomer of six. I am 21 now and have been in A.A. for about a year, although I regret to say that I had From Columbus, Ga. a slip after my first three months. I believe that Some newcomers to Alcoholics Anonymous I was an alcoholic from birth because I liked the seem to experience difficulty in grasping the first drink I ever took. I have been in several spiritual aspects of the program. I’m glad that hospitals for alcoholism and by the time I was this wasn’t too hard for me. I had tried virtu- 17 I was d r u n k more than I was sober. I am ally every human agency seeking relief from now t h a n k f u l that I have a personal relationship alcoholism, and nothing helped. I was desperate with God and the desire to drink has left. It is enough to grasp at anything that promised aid. indeed a miracle. I am giving my life to the I admit that I had some misgivings at first, Where Would I Be? preaching of the Gospel. I am now a student at but as the days of sobriety became weeks, and From Philadelphia, Miss. Oklahoma Baptist Seminary.—B.C.E. the weeks months, I became more and more If it weren’t for A.A., where would I be today? convinced that He was keeping me sober—some- This is a question that I frequently ask myself thing that I had been utterly unable to do for because I find it to be a stimulating, beneficial Membership Dues myself. tonic to my continued sobriety. From Chicago, Ill. The longer I remained sober, the clearer I If it weren’t for A.A., I very definitely would We all know that A.A. membership requires came to see other evidence of His handiwork not be writing these lines on this beautiful spring no payment of money dues. about me. The scientists are constantly learning day. new secrets of the universe. Nearly every day After battling the bottle for more than 20 However, sound thinking should tell every they uncover marvels that tell us of a superior years, I had come to the conclusion that the only member that membership in a movement which engineering intelligence. Too many of their dis- place I could find sobriety was in the dictionary. means more to him than anything else in the coveries can be worked out with mathematical But now, thanks to an Almighty God and the world is not scot-free and his standing as a certainty for our world to have just happened— A.A. Program, I have enjoyed a sober life for member does not continue automatically and it was created by some Power of infinite wis- 11 months. without some payment, on his part. dom. With all of science’s remarkable discov- The program has clicked with me because I If you do not pay your dues in a club, lodge, eries, life and growth remain veiled in mystery. wanted it to click. In other words, I had a sin- association or fraternity, you are no longer a member and you know it. Why should member- Our Creator endowed us with the power of cere desire to live a sober, happy life. I came ship in a movement, greater than the combined reason, the ability to visualize things unseen. onto the A.A. program with an open mind, deter- This bestowed intelligence allows us to observe mined to give it a fair trial; although I, and membership in every other club in the world, be the wonders of nature, and to arrive at some con- others, considered myself hopelessly enmeshed in assumed, if the member pays no dues? clusions about the unwavering natural laws. the clutches of King Alcohol. Membership in every other organization re- There are three reasons for my remaining quires that the member live up to the objectives One of the most thought provoking object lessober: (1) Attending the meetings regularly; of the organization and requires that he observe sons comes from The Sermon on the Mount— (2) Reading A.A. literature regularly; (3) Ask- and respect many rules and by-laws. Any dis- “Consider the lilies of the field how they grow.” ing God every morning to keep me sober for to- regard for these objectives and by-laws means I don’t think that this was merely an appeal to day; applying the 24-hour plan regularly.— loss of membership. Why should continued consider nature. We are not to consider their membership in A.A. be assumed the inalienable beauty alone, but how they grew—how without Fred McE. and irrevocable right of every person who joins? anxiety or care, the flower woke into loveliness; how without any effort it slowly came ready- Another Youngster Should not each and every member pay the made from nature’s loom. Shaped into beauty From Shawnee, Okla. very small dues of some small indication that he by secret and invisible hands, the flower develops or she is honestly trying to live up to the objec- I claimed to be the youngest member of A.A. we know not how. We do not wonder at it—it in the United States until I read J.A.L.’s story tive of A.A.—sobriety? Is this asking too much is Nature; it is God. for continued membership? in the March issue of The A.A. Grapevine. The same is true of our own physical growth. Believe it or not, I started drinking at the age Is a member who shows very obviously that When we come into this life, we are very small. he or she intends to remain a member of A.A., We gradually grow in size without effort on our and drinks whenever he feels like drinking, paypart. One or two simple conditions are fulfilled, ing the very small dues required? Are such people and growth goes on. Try as we may, we can’t paying any respect to the Program? Are they Have YOU not doing the exact opposite of what they joined accelerate our growth. It can be retarded by told a certain things, just as the growth of the lily can for? Are they not violating each and every rule FRIEND be retarded when shut away from sunlight. of the game, as it should be played? Are they about helping themselves? Are they helping their A.A. Isn’t this indicative that our spiritual lives are The A.A. retarded when overshadowed by self, just as is Grapevine? group? Hardly. the lily when denied sunlight? Doesn’t it follow The foregoing has absolutely no reference to that our spiritual stature will increase when beginners, for whom there is some excuse for bethis retarding shadow is removed?—F.G. ing a member of a “dry” Program and drinking

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at the same time. It refers to those who know the score. Is there any tenable reason why a member should not be reminded to either try to attain sobriety or give up membership in A.A. until such time as he or she has an honest desire to try to work the Program? There is no suggestion herein that anyone be barred from membership in A.A. . . . only the reasonable suggestion that every member, who knows the score, is fully expected to show some sign that he or she is trying, in return for continued membership . . . only an honest effort to play the game.—J.O’C.

Even the Best Have Slipped From Pacific Grove, Cal. When one of us A.A.s gets feeling we are heading into trouble, we call up some of the gang and some one will come out to try to get the fellow who is having trouble over the rough spot. A lot of us have kept sober by doing that. That’s a big part of A.A., knowing we don’t have to meet our trouble alone. Now I’ve noticed and some of the fellows have told me that when they had their slips, they thought all hope was gone, that A.A. couldn’t help them. All that is poppycock. Some of the very best A.A. fellows have slipped, not once but several times before they could get right bang on the target. again this year. Then I heard that there was a oped for the purpose of being talked about. They The slip is just another wallop on the button group in Bermuda and was able to contact a are to serve as a blessing to others. A true blessto knock into us the knowledge that booze is just member here. I was on my way. I have the St. ing is not a forced activity. It is a spontaneous plain poison to us and we might as well figure George Group to thank for a wonderful vacation. act that goes out from the heart.—Dr. B. we’re through with it. —B.S. Hope isn’t gone as long as A.A. is still here, Anonymity SUBSCRIPTION BLANK and you still think you want to stop drinking. You’re not to be ashamed to meet the gang again From Palestine, Texas The A.A. Grapevine, —because we know. A lot of us have slipped The individual who does not seem to care if P.O. Box 328, Grand Central Annex, and the rest of us have come pretty close to slips. the public knows he is a member of A.A. is New York 17, N. Y. You’re not guilty of anything except not call- taking on a double responsibility to A.A. and ing upon every ounce of reserve and not realiz- other groups around him. Suppose he slips: One Year $2.50 —Two Years $4.50 — Outside ing we’re ready and happy to come and help that reflects on all A.A.s The effect would not U.S. $3.00. when the going gets rough. You don’t have to be too serious—but we all should want to add For additional subscriptions enclose separate fight just by yourself. You’ve got a company of to A.A. and not detract. sheet with name and address clearly printed. pretty good soldiers behind you—H.T. There has been quite a lot of personal pub- Make checks payable to The Grapevine, Inc. licity of late in various groups in Texas. This There Is A.A. on Vacation, Too means no personal criticism. Your opinion and Total Enclosed conscience guides you as mine does me. But we From New York, N. Y. can thank the founders and writers of A.A. for Renewal? (please check) I am writing this letter to emphasize how im- a Program that has saved our lives, so we might portant it was to me to contact A.A. on my re- do well to read and listen to their counsel as put PLEASE PRINT cent vacation. I want to remind people, too, forth in the official A.A. journal, which say that who are going on vacation or away on business the first, oldest and most vital tradition of A.A. Name that A.A. is always there to help you. It is up is our anonymity. It proves that A.A. practices to you to get the information about other groups what it preaches, and that individual members Address either from your own group secretary, General are really giving of themselves and their experi- Service Headquarters or the intergroup office in ences without thought of material return or peryour city. sonal publicity. In 1939 I went to Bermuda and was unable to No one ever has to call attention to his own Note: Subscriptions received prior to the 25th enjoy any part of the trip. I felt some doubt in ability or virtue. His good qualities speak loudly of the month will begin with the following my mind as to whether I should make the trip for themselves. These qualities are not devel- month’s issue.

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And then, in “Rathburn Psychopathic,” one of the best private sani- Pleasures of Reading tariums (many A.A.s will recognize this one) he loses his chance to stay and get real psychiatric care. The examining board does not believe that he has forgotten that he hid a bottle in the toilet tank back home. If A Man Be Mad by Harold Maine They tell him he “has reservations” about getting well. (Doubleday, $3) Now he is in the custody of his second wife. There is a brief period of sanity and happiness. Then, of course, trouble starts again. The, To say that there is a treat in store for you, when you read this book, novel, which he has just submitted, is flatly rejected by the publishers. is a strange way of putting it. I myself often shun what is called “strong The old wounds are opened, shame and g u i l t return. All the bitter inreading.” But I have read this book twice and I find it the most moving security of a childhood with a religious fanatic stepfather, who was unand thrilling of all the “alcoholic” and “psycho” books, except possibly loving and cruel—all this piles back on him. He says, “I cringed like The Lost Week-End. an exposed embezzler.” Like The Lost Week-End, it launches a very unusual writing talent on the world. But whereas The Lost Week-End is a fragment of a sick man’s Just as the author of The Lost Week-End describes the alcoholic riot life, a thing that does not act, so this author describes the wild explosion in which alcohol is just not resolve itself, If A Man an aftermath. Be Mad is a complete This is the period where he nearly dies of drink. His chapter called and true autobiography. “City Drunk” will startle everyone in A.A. It is the whole of Harold This is the A.A. period, also Bellevue (for which he has nothing but Maine’s bitter and tragic praise), a crackpot religious farm for men which A.A.s w i l l recognize, career as “an alcoholic and elaborate guilt-inspired DT’s in his own home-town jail. who becomes psychotic But the will to get well is still in him. He knows he is not ready for when drunk,” a man who the outside world, and so decides to take a job as an attendant in a can’t help flying off into hospital. a dream world, even when He gets in several. A private place, for the very rich, where the treatsober. It is the story of ment in the violent wards is just as bad, the system just as corrupt. He how he tries to get well, how in spite of every- is a male nurse to a millionaire psychopath, and these chapters are thing, he insists on getting Rabelaisian and extremely funny. Then comes the end, with the goal in well, and how he finally sight. Oddly enough, this is the worst place of all. A VA hospital, that succeeds. makes The Snake Pit look like a pale pink boudoir. Since this book has been published—and I don’t know how much the Harold Maine is a pseubook has had to do with it—there have been newspaper exposes of our donym. Quite a few old state hospital systems. There have been Congressional hearings, and timers in A.A. know the VA cleanups. But some day, it is to be hoped, the voters and taxpayers author by his real name. (all of us) will do a real job on all our hospitals, mental and otherwise. There was a short period of desperation when he You ask yourself how this man could get well in such a place. And hung around the 24th here, I think, is the most interesting part of the story. In this ward, Street Clubhouse, trying his best to get the Program, going all out on where there is one attendant, to 120 violent patients, he is set upon, one the 12 Steps and finally giving way to a wild and almost fatal pill jag. day, by a prizefighter. The prizefighter knocks him out, but not until His own sick mind stood between him and A.A. Thus his observations he has given him a bloody nose. Beat a patient as you will, it is not etiare not altogether flattering, nor altogether sane. But here, as in the rest quette to draw blood. of the book, the writing is brilliant, often very witty. Mr. Maine is dragged up before a hospital board. The blurb on the bookjacket is misleading, for it refers to the author “Collectively and individually they represented that group of people as an alcoholic, and speaks of the alcoholic problem. This is clearly a whose morals are certified by accepted membership in the community problem of alcoholism plus. The author had to find a more drastic cure or institution. To have given me approval at all would have been a sign than A.A. He had to invent one for himself. of personal weakness. They represented what my stepfather had repre- The A.A. episode is just a lull in this long career of violence, both in sented in my early childhood. A feeling from way back in my childhood and out of hospitals. There is the first state hospital, “on an island” swept through me.” (Honolulu?) where he goes to hopefully “to be cured.” A kindly and But this was the re-living of the original shock, and the breaking point, well meaning judge, and his loving wife both feel that this is the perfect Suddenly a change comes over him. For the first time in his life, he solution. Before he gets in the door, he sees two nurses “damn near feels that he is in the right. His life-long guilt leaves him. He answers twist a girl’s arm off.” He enters the hospital, and just inside the door- the charges properly, and is exonerated. And when he resigns, and walks way, he asks a question. The answer is not verbal—it is a good beating up. out of the gates of the institution, he is free and happy at last. He has Next day the attendant comes to see him in solitary. “You fell over the started to get well. bed yesterday,” he says instructively. “Your doctor will come, and it’s Mr. Maine had an article in The Saturday Evening Post a few months better you don’t talk too much.” ago. It describes The Winter Sanitarium, a model veteran’s hospital, What could a doctor have done, anyhow? Even a good doctor. As run by the Menningers. In this place, the patients have the best of scienone of them explains to the author, “There are three of us here for 850 tific care. Also, they are made to feel wanted and loved. This is a patients.” training center for doctors, nurses and attendants, who go from here to But the suffering he endures inside of himself is equal to the suffering institutions all over the country. This is a drop in the bucket, still it is in the institutions. During his periods at large, he is just as wretched. hopeful. It is a beginning.—F.G., Manhattan.

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Vol. V, NO. 1, JUNE, 1948. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole. Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1948, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

One Swallow Doesn’t Make A Summer From New Orleans, La Taking a nip out of the bottle every time We plan where we’ll go. We make great THE price of worms is going up here a fish takes a nip at the worm on the hook preparations. We talk about it; we even and there around the country. The is ancient ritual. This is the primary rea- dream about it. Then the day finally arprice of the more wiggly species is setting son, sometimes the only reason, why cer- rives and we are free of troubles for two the pace, but quotations on all types are tain cane pole fishermen of the oldest clan whole weeks. So we promptly drink too definitely turning upward. In fact, one among them, go fishing. Be there an alco- much, create all kinds of troubles for ourmight say—if he’s prepared to duck after holic who has ever been in a rowboat who selves and everyone else, become sick and saying it—that the market on worms is has not belonged to that clan! wake up at the end of two weeks remembullish. Of course, the same kind of activity bering very little of our vacation. None of this has anything to do with in- can be carried on aboard a sailboat, or in We sure wish, we could answer the dear flation in the normal sense. Nor is it un- the rocking chair on the front porch, or at lady, but we can’t. usual for this time of the year. This is the 19th hole, or in the cottage at the We do have the answer, however, to June; June means vacation time; vaca- lake, or after a swim—the same kind of another vital question—how to avoid this tion time means fishing; and, fishing to activity has been fitted to any and all of kind of thing. How to have a vacation many means cane pole fishing. the various things that one does on his va- and stay sober and really enjoy it. The trout stream angler and the deep cation. The answer is found in the devices, the sea fisherman look down their noses at the But the cane pole fisherman who hap- friends and the philosophy we have discane pole fisherman, as do the troller and pens also to be an alky seems to symbol- covered in A.A. If we use them, we, too, the plug caster to slightly less degree of ize the whole idea more perfectly than any can have happy vacations. But don’t set disdain. The cane pole fisherman does not other kind of vacationer. Perhaps this is out unprepared. An older member who have social standing among the more ac- because he always comes home completely has now had nine happy summers in A.A. tive, versatile and skilled anglers. out of everything he started with. His puts it this way: worms are all gone, requiring that he Complete Loafer either buy some more or dig some more Pack A.A. Book But whatever the cane pole fisherman before he can go out again. He has no “I give as much attention to my A.A. lacks as a fisherman, he has no peer as an fish. His bottle is empty. He is quite often gear as to my fishing gear. I pack the A.A. unregenerate, unreconstructed, unashamed dripping wet from having fallen in the book to read at odd moments. I make sure and completely abandoned loafer. He is lake. He’s bleary-eyed. He’s a mess and I have my address book and I take along the epitome of relaxation, the personifica- he’ll be a worse mess by morning. some penny postcards. Writing to my A.A. tion of indolence. Someone’s dear, sweet and innocent aunt friends helps keep the right thoughts in That is, he is if he’s a good cane pole might ask, “But why ruin a nice day in my mind. I find out where the nearest fisherman. One truly versed in cane pole the beautiful outdoors by drinking too group is to the place where I’m going. I fishing and in whom the high traditions much? Why do you spoil your vacation make sure I’m firmly in the habit of startof cane pole fishing are well bred never that way. Why don’t you just take a little ing the day with a little thought to the worries about catching any fish. To hook each day—maybe even enough to ‘feel whole subject of A.A. Then I start out a fish means you have to disengage it from good,’ if you must, and then stop? I just with faith, good cheer and a feeling of the hook, and that requires effort. Any don’t understand it.” freedom.” kind of effort, except one, is a violation of Lady, neither do we. It certainly does He even goes cane pole fishing and get’s the code. All that a true cane pole fisher- seem utterly ridiculous, stupid, asinine and the relaxation without the other. He has man wants is a reasonable succession of just plain dumb to spoil a vacation by become an honorary member of that anbites—about one every 15 minutes to start, drinking too much. For many of us, vaca- cient clan. And the price of worms, no coming along faster to one every two min- tion is just two weeks out of the year. We matter how high, is still way under the utes, until the bottle is gone. look forward all year to these two weeks. price of a binge.—D.T.

Survey Results Are Announced Read Further Editors Ask for Reader’s Vote In A. A. Book On Pocket-Size A. A. Grapevine For 12th Step Aid The editorials which have appeared each from Detroit, Mich. month in The A.A. Grapevine show up, Anyone who is having trouble- apply- I LIKE THE PRESENT SIZE AND naturally enough, as the favorite feature ing the second half of the 12th Step, the FORMAT OF THE A.A. GRAPEof this periodical, according to the re- part that suggests, “. . . and to practice VINE cent readership survey conducted among these principles in all our affairs,” might Grapevine subscribers. I WOULD PREFER A POCKET- get some help by reading a little further Next, in order of their popularity, come SIZED A.A. GRAPEVINE on that page of the A.A. book. It’s Page the Group Meeting page, Vino Vignette 72 in my edition and the part I refer to case histories, Mail Call letters, general reads: articles, News Circuit, cartoons, A.A. Di- It was recommended by several that in- “Do not he discouraged. No one among gest (excerpts from A.A. group publica- stead of humor columns, our jokes be us has been able to maintain anything tions), Clip Sheet (excerpts concerning sprinkled throughout the pages of the like perfect adherence to these principles. A.A. taken from the public press), Ref- magazine. The same was suggested for We are not saints. The point is, that we erence Library (reprints of pertinent items previously used in the A.A. Digest are willing to grow along spiritual lines. pieces on the subject of alcoholism), Bar- and Clip Sheet, and we have already in- The principles we have set down are guides ley Corn, Pleasures of Reading (book re- stituted this type of handling, with the idea to progress. We claim spiritual progress views), and Bottoms Up. that it will appeal more to a larger num- rather than spiritual perfection.” Since the metropolitan New York area ber. Book reviews and Reference Library To me, at first, applying the principle returned almost as many answers to the reprints will be selected from time to of complete honesty alone seemed too big questionnaire as the rest of the country time whenever any writings of special im- an order. How could one get along in combined, the ballots for New York were portance or interest to our theme comes to business, the way business is constituted, tallied separately, and interestingly, pref- our attention. if he were completely honest? How could erences were identical with those expressed So many suggestions for a pocket-size one bargain? He would be taken advanfrom other areas and from small isolated A.A. Grapevine were received that the edi- tage of if he were completely honest.’ First groups! torial board is seriously considering pub- of all, how can one really he completely lishing it in that form. honest? How can one practice all of the Will Follow Numerous readers pointed out that a A.A. principles of honesty, humility, toler- Since the questionnaire was designed pocket-sized type publication would be ance, anonymity, etc., in a world rife with to serve as a guide to those editing The easier to carry at all times and would actu- greed, competition, trickery, deceit and A.A. Grapevine, these indications of what ally remain more anonymous when in use all the rest? our readers want will be followed as in public. I didn’t think it could he done. But I closely as possible, with regular monthly Upon checking production figures we decided to take the book’s suggestion and emphasis on features most appreciated by find that we could publish, at present sub- try anyway. Much to my amazement, I the majority. Those which ranked lower in scription prices, a magazine 71⁄2″ x 51⁄2″ found it can he done. Strangely enough, approval will be used from time to time containing about 40 pages bound in an at- too, I haven’t been exploited half as much when they afford material of general intractive cover. This pocket-sized formal as back in the days when I used to try to terest. would enable us to publish approximately out-connive the other fellow. I’m doing Several excellent criticisms and suggestwice as much editorial material as now much better than ever before. To be sure, tions are being taken under consideration contained in The A.A. Grapevine. being honest requires a little more inalso, as a result of the questionnaire. In- Many have also stated that they like genuity, perseverance, patience and even clusion of a hobby column will be the the distinctive appearance of the present hard work. But the satisfaction is much first addition, based on the number of format, find it easy to bind for perma- greater, too.—D.O.R. readers who said they’d like to have one. nent use, feel that it is more dignified than pocket-size and less monotonous than the Jack, You Daid! average small magazine format. Kinda Dry, Ain’t It? Bottom is a combination of many things The editors feel that this important “Al Tronzo, the housing official, tells of physical, mental, moral and spiritual. question should be decided by the sub- a friend who dropped into a downtown When the realization dawns that John scribers. liquor store for a little something for his Barleycorn is coming out fresher for each Will you please check above which size cold. The clerk who waited on him had round, when one’s thinking processes point you would prefer and mail to us within a booklet sticking out of his shirt pocket out inevitable defeat, when there is no a few days? If you don’t want to tear this and he gaped when he saw the title, Aldoor in the vicious circle—bottom is section out of The A.A. Grapevine, will coholics Anonymous. He asked: ‘Are right around the corner somewhere. Some you drop us a penny postcard stating you passing those out?’ The clerk refind it sooner, some later and some never. your preference? Just mail to P.O. Box plied: ‘Oh, no; I just read it in my spare If one of the latter—Jack, you daid!— 328, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, time. It’s very interesting!’ “—Post-Gazette, A.A. Rebound, Asheville, N.C. N. Y. Pittsburgh, Pa.

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Vino Vignette—Pampered Homer From New York, N. Y. At the bar he explained that he had annoyed with him by now although I esslipped up on the program somewhere; corted him again to the city hospital. Once upon a time there was a jolly that he would soon get over his present When I got home, my wife said: “This little drunk named Homer. Everybody drinking. He was most appealing. It was is the end for Homer. I refuse to cook liked him. Everybody pampered him. a real pleasure to see Homer’s humility. him another meal. To hell with him.” When Homer was drinking he was never I pampered him. To be sure he wouldn’t Sadly, I agreed with her. When he came objectionable. He borrowed money like suffer that night I forced a pint of bour- out of the hospital, I didn’t meet him. mad but he was so appealing that he al- bon on him. That was a mistake. I didn’t When he telephoned, we were not at home ways got it. Nobody felt sorry about lend- see him at all for about two months. to him. After a time we only heard reing Homer anything because Homer was About noontime one day, the reception- ports of him—all bad. cute. It was a tragedy. ist in the office announced a visitor. She It has now been a year and a half since It was during the war years that I first was a trifle skeptical because the visitor we saw him. The other day I heard somecame in contact with him at an A.A. meet- looked disreputable. It was Homer. And thing. An old friend reported that he had ing. He was, of all things, conducting he looked simply awful. He reported that seen Homer who looked wonderful. It the “beginner’s” class, and he was doing he had lost his job and, of course, was seems that when we gave up on him, many a darn good job. I have thought since that broke and in need of a drink. I felt sorry other A.A.s had given up on him. Force I learned more solid A.A. that evening for him and took him out for a couple of of circumstance had made him realize from Homer than I have ever learned b e – drinks. I asked him to meet me at the end that no one would pamper him anymore. fore. It was only my third meeting, too. of the day. He was forced to do something himself. I took him home and fed him. We In short, Homer found it necessary to Homer Grinned patched up the quarrel with his girl friend. stand on his own feet for the first time in We were so sorry for Homer that we fed years. Homer’s appealing manner attracted me. him off and on for months. Part of the He grinned. He exhibited a wonderful time he was sober and full of good resosense of humor. He was thoroughly charm- On Own Feet lutions; but most of the time he was ing. When he told how he always did first drinking and pathetic. His girl friend, Last night we saw him at a meeting for things first, lived and let live and easy did who was working, fed him the rest of the the first time in months. He told us what it, I was impressed. Homer did a lot for time. had happened. When he realized that alme that night. most everyone was leaving him strictly After the meeting he brought his girl alone, he got a job washing dishes. From friend over. She was charming, too. I A Job that job, he went into a small company as couldn’t remember meeting a more charm- When he got too bad, I would carry him a delivery clerk. From there he got a selling couple. Later we had coffee. It was to a city hospital for a few days. The ing job with a small salary. He returned a privilege to pay the check. We exchanged doctors would dry him out and he would to active A.A. work in a distant group. addresses and telephone numbers. That be back on our hands again. He was al- He found sobriety through the program. was a mistake—or maybe it wasn’t. You ways full of plans for a job he didn’t We asked him how long he had been be the judge. really want. He was so pitiful that I pamsober. “Ever since the day you left me Late one evening about two weeks after pered him, fed him and lent him money. at the city hospital,” he said. “It was that first meeting the apartment buzzer One day it occurred to us that Homer sounded. My reward for an answering then I realized that I had to find A.A. for could render us a service and make a little click was a slightly intoxicated visitor. It myself.” We congratulated him. As he money at the same time. Our apartment left us he asked: “Are you two still pamwas Homer. needed painting and Homer had told us pering drunks?” We had to tell him that He bowed from the waist, grinned and that he was good at such things. Another we were.—J.T, sideslipped into an easy chair. A.A., down on his luck, agreed to help “I’m sorry to barge in on you like this him do the job. Homer gratefully accepted but I’ve been through an ordeal. My girl the offer. friend has kicked me out. My family has We bought paint, brushes and a stepkicked me out. I need a drink something ladder and set the time for the job. We awful and I’m broke,” he announced. moved to a hotel so that the boys could My heart went out to him. Hadn’t he work without interference. We felt happy confessed everything? Wasn’t he humble to be able to do something for Homer. about it? There wasn’t any whisky in the We were sure it would work out. apartment at the time so I couldn’t offer Two days later we met the other A.A. him a drink. However, I gave him a cup He told us the bad news. Homer was of coffee and suggested that he allow me drinking when he appeared for the job. to buy him a few drinks. He accepted re- He had asked Homer to take it easy and luctantly. Feeling magnanimous, I prac- sober up but he had refused. He had tically forced $5 on him and went for my therefore finished the job himself. About hat and coat. Homer certainly had a way a week later Homer appeared at the apartwith him. ment again in a sad state. I was getting

3

and the meeting is opened with a prayer. while in prison?” Some of the men made Group Meeting After the talk (there is no applause) the meeting is open for general discussion, quite pertinent remarks: “You can learn to be honest with yourself and with others.”

Methods Are which is usually based on the topic which the speaker stressed. After the discussion, . . . “If we are willing to be humble and sincere and take advantage of all this

Discussed new members are introduced.—E.E.B., East Akron, O. extra time we have to build our characters, we can look forward to a happy fu- (This is a discussion page. Ideas advanced here t u r e upon our release.” . . . “We know are only suggestions, put forward to help furnish Less than a year ago our group was about A.A. now and we’re the biggest fools group discussion topics, without any intention of reaching fixed conclusions or dogmatic “rights” formed in Plymouth, and we now number in the universe if we don’t take advantage and “wrongs.” All readers are invited to submit close to 30 members. Outside speakers of it.” group discussion topics.) are brought in for our weekly open meet- We recently discovered that newcomers There may be more types of A.A. meet- ings, group singing is enjoyed, and movies were inclined to think that we were a reings than the Greenwich Village, N.Y. are shown after refreshments.—H.R.K.— ligious group, and many of them fell off Group offers on its five-times-a-week pro- Plymouth, Ind. for that reason. We have now practically gram, but it’s hard to believe. About a In recent weeks enthusiastic interest has discontinued religious discussions, leaving year ago this club pioneered the now-popu- been aroused among the membership of that part of it for the member to absorb lar “Panel” meeting, to supplement the the Baltimore Group with the scheduled himself as he gets further into the Proorthodox schedule of “Open” and “Closed” interchange of scheduled visitations among gram. We also have a three-man commitmeetings. Later they added a “One-Speak- neighborhood groups, all of which has tee to talk to the new member before he er” night to the list, inviting a prominent borne a rich harvest in the wealth of sound attends his first meeting.—F.O.R. So. Da- A.A., clergyman or psychiatrist to address ideas exchanged at these meetings. kota Penitentiary Chapter. the members. This short talk is followed This operational plan serves a multiple In Phoenix we now have an active memby an informal social get-together. Next, purpose, particularly in the discovery of bership of over 300, with meetings held the group chairman decided to precede the talented speakers, the formation of new every night in the week. We hold four “Open” meeting on Tuesdays with a one- and lasting friendships, the opportunity closed meetings, our big open meeting for hour Beginners Session. And now a fifth to observe techniques used by other groups, members and their friends, a “Cup and type, called the “Spotlight” meeting and and the genuine interest caused by visi- Saucer Club” for A.A.’s and their wives held on Friday nights, is underway and tors.—H.D.S. Baltimore, Md. and/or husbands, and a Saturday night sogrowing in popularity. cial. This latest addition to the Village activi- Radio Program Six months ago our group formed an ties may be of interest to outside groups A.A. chapter within the walls of the state The radio program “I Am An Alcowhich are looking for variety. The meet- Prison in Florence, Ariz. During this time holic” of the Towson, Md. Group of A.A. ing is conducted by a leader and two six of our members have been released, was inaugurated about 10 months ago as speakers, who confine their talks to a pre- four of whom are still on the beam and a 15-minute program from Station W.F. viously assigned phase of A.A. On a re- leading useful lives.—L.W. Phoenix, Ariz. B.R. at 7:15 p.m. Saturdays. cent Friday, for example, the topic was Louisville now has seven neighborhood In connection with this program, the “Honesty”, and both the regular talks groups clicking and just recently the method of the Towson Group is to elect, and the informal discussion which fol- Ladies’ A u x i l i a r y held the first meeting of each month, a radio chairman who asks lowed were kept to this subject.—A.G. what we hope will become a happy habit for volunteers—both men and women— Greenwich Village, N. Y. of regular get-togethers for A.A. wives and to participate in the broadcasts. These sweethearts, sometimes referred to as often include discussions by the wives or From the Reporters “Dry-Mates.”—J.S., Louisville, Ky. husbands of alcoholics, who give their We are one of many groups who have views of the A.A. Program. Rotating Chairmen discovered the need for a little more con- Many letters and telephone calls requestcentrated study of the mechanics of the ing information about various phases of To help those who are shy or inclined to Program than can be given in a general A.A. have been received as a result of take a back scat, we have inaugurated a open meeting; so last week we instituted these broadcasts, and many new members system of rotating chairmanship, thus ala small, closed “Study group.” It is a bit have been added to the Towson Group. lowing every one an opportunity to talk early to tell just how successful the new It is a fact that through this medium a about ourselves and bring up our own effort will be but it has already aroused great number of listeners have become sin- particular problems. Open discussion folconsiderable interest. We sincerely be- cerely interested in A.A. and the results lows, which is helpful to all, as we must lieve it will be of great help to those who have been remarkable.—E.L. Towson, Md. think to make an interesting meeting, not do not feel free to talk and to ask ques- Our meetings here in the South Dakota just read the literature or repeat the words tions in a large open meeting.—H.E. Whit- Penitentiary Chapter are opened by the of others.—G.H. Grand Rapids, Mich. tier, Calif. singing of a couple of hymns. We have We have not found it necessary in our Here in the East Akron Group our meet- just finished going through the 12 Steps new quarters to install pinball machines, ings are open. We like this type because for the first time. At present we are pick- fountain dispensers or carnival activities they give our families an opportunity to ing topics at random from these Steps for to maintain the club, as members have dolearn something about us alcoholics and our discussions, which have been aided nated and pledged funds when and as they get a better understanding of our problem. greatly by visiting members from the were able to meet the current expenses. We use the “one speaker” program. The Sioux Falls Group. Recently the topic In this manner, a dignified atmosphere speaker is introduced by our chairman, was: “What can a member get from A.A. has been maintained which offers a direct

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to all members of both professions in the The majority of neophytes we get in Group Meeting county.—F.S.M., Upper Darby, Pa. The secretary of our group presented a stay with it, and we try to assist them to do so by personal contact following meetpaper on A.A. before the Medical Associa- ings. Like all Groups we find it difficult contrast to that taproom atmosphere which tion of the District of Sudbury, at its regu- to get the neophytes to give their opinions the individual seeks to forget. lar monthly meeting, April 13, 1948, in at large meetings, but at the Thursday New members and visitors having an St. Joseph’s General Hospital, Sudbury, special meeting for beginners they find alcoholic problem are invited to the Con- Ontario.—Nickel District Group, Sudbury, expression, which helps them. We finance ference Room following meetings to ask Ont. by the monthly pledge system and freeany questions of older members for a The A.A. Winnipeg Group is making will offering at all meetings. The public solution of their problems. This is of good progress and has endeavored to help at large now know that A.A. Winnipeg proven value here to the member seeking out by assisting in the formation of new Group exists—our name is the first in the help and has contributed to a solid growth groups in this territory. During early Feb- telephone directory—they can’t miss it. of active, interested members.—Alany ruary a number of members drove West to By trial and error we have made steady Club, Houston, Tex. Brandon, Man. and got A.A. going there, headway since we started in 1945. A.A. Here we have hit on the idea of having with three members giving special ad- Winnipeg Group is a going concern and small group meetings during the week. dresses to a large gathering of doctors, will be glad to hear from the secretaries As an example, an A.A. will invite three nurses, clergy and interested business men of groups in Canada and the United States. or four couples up to his home for the in the auditorium of the Mental Hospital —A.A.T. Winnipeg, Man. Can. evening—especially the newcomers. In . . . largest in Western Canada. It woke fact, the best A.A. meeting I have attended ’em up. On following Sunday ministers What Is the Answer? for a long time took place on a street cor- were preaching on A.A., and after the open ner.—P.B.M. Hastings, Neb. meeting we got Brandon A.A. Group or- Recently our group had a discussion ganized. about the member who has a relapse or Okinawa Beachhead French-speaking members from St. Boni- slip. We couldn’t agree on the answer to face, recently started their own group—a the $64 question. We would like to know Well, at last we A.A.’s here on Okinawa what others think about the problem. The wise plan to assist their compatriots. The have our own club house, all fixed with a St. Boniface Group are going ahead won- case of our hypothetical “slippee” is this: coffee bar. We are now planning a special derfully. Some members also aided in A man comes to a member of A.A. for meeting, to which we are inviting the starting a group at the lakehead Twin medical officers from the alcoholic ward help, he is down and out and has the jit- Cities of Fort William and Port Arthur, of the army hospital, also two chaplains ters. He has no friends, no room and is at Western end of Lake Superior. and company officials. Our group is going in bad with the Veterans Administration. At our meetings we have chairman and along nicely; we are all working hard on He does need help very much. Through sub-chairman for each evening. Study is the 24-hour program and learning the the efforts of a small group of A.A. memmade of the analysis of the 12 Steps, and “Easy Does It” way.—S.K. Pioneer Group, bers he is taken care of. With the good often special papers are given by some of Okinawa. breaks a person gets in A.A. he is, in the older members. We believe our situation is unique in time, well on his way to living a fine northat we number one woman among 15 mal life. He has worked, has bought new men. Of course it’s easy to see who handles clothing and has attended three or four the refreshments. We vary the routine of meetings weekly. Then he drops away our meetings. Sometimes we have a round- from the meetings. He is contacted and table discussion; sometimes a main speaker for always gives the excuse that he had a date. with other members called on for short Group Discussion On all the contacts made to him by memcomment; or a definite discussion with a bers he promises to come to the next Topics believed to furnish main speaker supplemented by remarks meeting, but fails to show up. All this good material for group discusfrom members on the 12 Steps. time he is sober. Then comes the fall, in sion will he presented here each One of the main topics at each meeting issue in the form of questions, less than 48 hours of drinking, he is is the old-time one of how much pressure one question per month. No at- broke, lost his job, sold his clothes and to exert on prospects, and the “till ready” tempt will he made to present lost his room. In that 48 hours he has angle always gives us something to think any discussion simultaneously lost everything he has gained in three about. There has been some talk about with the question, but readers months of sobriety. He comes back bumfixing up a horseshoe pit for the summer are invited to send in discussion ming money, and of course reminds us of months, as a focus for our social activi- letters on each question for pub- our 12 Steps. He reminds us that we ties.— G.L.B.. Westfield, Mass. lication in subsequent issues. If should never give up on another alcoholic. Recently our Upper Darby Group spon- your group develops a particu- Now comes the $64 question. Do we sored on open forum on Post-War Alco- larly good discussion topic, you start all over again? The man has been holic Problems, which attracted numerous also are invited to send it in to given the tools to work with, but did not guests. The forum was conceived as an The ? Box. This month’s ques- use them. Are we supposed to go through opportunity to parade the name and aims tion is: all the same things? Sitting up nights, of A.A. before the eyes of the local clergy getting rooms, getting jobs, for this same and medical profession. This was done by IS A.A. BECOMING TOO man who ignored the members pleas to SOCIAL? come to meetings?—A.G., Rochester, N. Y. direct contact where possible and by mail

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A.A.s Voice Opinions On Speaker Expense The article, “Expenses of Speakers Pose they managed to keep sober and build up public gatherings. He usually takes his Problem,” which appeared in the April a tradition that is keeping thousands sober wife along on his trips. The group which issue of THE A. A. GRAPEVINE brought today. has him for a speaker not only pays his forth many letters from readers. Follow- Today, with few exceptions, there is an expenses but also his wife’s expenses, plus ing are some of the opinions expressed: A.A. group within easy driving distance a fee. To me this is not A.A. When folks from any new group—I am talking about begin to find out about this racket it is I am slightly scorched after reading within the United States. Out of the hun- going to hurt the A.A. Program. Some your Page One article in April—”Ex- dreds of A.A.’s of my acquaintances, I damage has already been done. penses of Speakers Pose Problems.” Not don’t believe there is one who doesn’t con- Some groups figure that they must have scorched at you, understand, nor the writer sider it the price of 10 gallons of gasoline a “big name” instead of calling on the of the articles, nor the good folks in the well spent to go to a neighboring town to folks from nearby. I have never, in my group who find themselves confronted with talk. A.A. experience heard a speaker, who cola problem. Our groups in Akron are forever having lected a fee, whom I felt was really sin- But — completely burned up by any speakers from Canton, 22 miles; Cleve- cere. I believe that humility and sincerity, mugg who will accept a fee other than land, 35 miles; Youngstown, 45 miles; count the most. expenses for speaking at an A.A. meeting. Mansfield, 60 miles. And unless the speak- My heart is in the A.A. philosophy and Actually, my thought on the subject can er must ride train or bus, I doubt if bitter against anyone who tries to use it be boiled down to two brief sentences: there has ever been mention made of ex- for personal gains.—G.A.S., Minneapolis, NO A.A. SPEAKER IS WORTH A FEE. pense. (During the war it was considered Minn. NO SPEAKER WHO ACCEPTS A FEE cricket to offer gasoline coupons.) IS WORTH A.A. Speaking from an Akron viewpoint, Should Pay Non-A.A. when we are asked to go to Pittsburgh, But the thing has a number of ramifi- Toledo, Columbus, Grand Rapids or some I believe that whenever an A.A. group cations. other point over a hundred miles away and invites a non-alcoholic to speak, that group Almost all of us are proud of the fact virtually requiring that the trip take over- should offer to pay expenses. In most inthat A.A. has been added to that pitifully night, it seems only fair that the host stances the offer will be declined but it small list of free things on this earth. group should pay hotel room and train should be made. Older members will give hundreds and expenses. Food? What the hell, we’ve got I am rather doubtful if many persons thousands of dollars of their valuable time to eat, anyhow. are making a living out of speaking at in guiding some unfortunate soul to so- It is my own observation that there is A.A. meetings. If they are, such persons briety. And it does not cost the lad on no speaker in the world so important that will be quickly detected and the warning the receiving end one thin dime. If he is we cannot do without him—and that goes will go out through the usual channels and jobless he is not asked to contribute at quadruple if he thinks of his services in invitations will gradually cease. meetings. If he cannot afford reading terms of dollars and cents. matter, someone will lend or give him When a long trip is involved, it seems And at any rate, thanks for listening.— only right that the group should proffer literature. If he can’t afford bus fare to a E.W., Akron, Ohio. meeting, some one will pick him up. Even expenses. It may be suggested that we pay our own way and make that a contribution the coffee and doughnuts are free to those Should Restrict who are broke. to A.A. This, too, is unfair. We want to I was interested in the article “Expenses contribute to A.A. and take our part in its This state of being free does not stop of Speakers Pose Problem,” which ap- support. there. I have seen men actually shocked peared in the April issue of The A.A. My suggestion for a solution to the probinto sobriety at learning that the fellows Grapevine. Personally, I think this a seri- lem: (1) offer expenses to all non-A.A. who are trying to help him expect absoous problem. I feel that some restrictions speakers; (2) offer to pay expenses for lutely nothing in payment. should be laid down so that these highly all out-of-town speakers invited. If the One of the founders made a profound paid orators could not speak as repre- group is too small to assume such eximpression on me many years ago when senting the Program. penses, explain this to the speaker invited I heard him say: “You don’t owe me a During the past 16 months I have trav- and assure him that if he feels he cannot thing, but you owe the man who comes eled over 20,000 miles visiting A.A. afford to come, the group will understand. after you everything!” groups, “loners,” and have given many —J.P.L. Philadelphia, Pa. The person who charges to give a talk talks before service clubs. I have never is undermining one of the very founda- collected a penny, even for traveling ex- Were Surprised tions of A.A. Those who aid and abet penses. I realize that few men could do him are as guilty as he is. this as it costs money. I do it because of It seems unlikely that the group which Consider the early history of A.A. How the help I received from the A.A. phil- voiced the problem of “Expenses for did the first dozen or so pioneers manage osophy and I want to do what I can for Speakers” is any more isolated than ours. to keep sober? Did they import a speaker the fellow who needs help. To the general Except for bus fare for one leader and a from New York or Chicago to talk to public, I remain anonymous and there is hotel room for another we have not had them here in Akron? You know they never any publicity. the problem since the group was formed. didn’t because the first couple dozen mem- I know of one man who makes a busi- I believe that most A.A.s in this part of bers came from Akron and vicinity. Yet ness of talking at A.A. banquets and large the country were equally surprised.

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Because a cross-section of life is prevalent in our membership, different types of San Diego Women’s Group Tells leaders are important to our meetings. For special occasions we like a colorful and Of Organisation Procedures interesting leader. If the person chosen From San Diego, Calif. are elected by blind ballot at the regular by the hosts is one who devotes all of his time to A.A., certainly he is entitled In answer to the request by the editors monthly business meeting. of The A.A. Grapevine for suggestions All business is confined to meetings to a fee as well as his expenses. Nonfrom women alcoholics, we feel that we which are held once a month, prior to the A.A.s should receive traveling expenses are justifiably proud of what has been ac- regular meeting; any emergency business and either, their hotel expenses or the complished here in San Diego, Calif. We which comes up is brought to the chairhospitality of one of the members. are happy to share our experience with man of the group who consults with the An invitation to lead a meeting is an other women’s groups. other members of the rotating committee. opportunity to do 12th Step work. If we The first women’s meeting was held, They decide whether the business is imare staying sober, and finding happiness September 9, 1945. portant enough to bring up at a non-busiin the A.A. program we know that we ness meeting. This is evidently a good are receiving as much at least, probably Gold A.A. Pins idea, as it gives us the entire meeting time more than we are giving the program. for A.A. study and discussion. The rotat- Since the chances are that we are getting In February of 1946 a sufficiently strong ing committee through its chairman is remore than we are giving we should connucleus had been attained, numbering sponsible for the manner in which the sider the invitation to lead a privilege for about 15, and an outside meeting place meetings are conducted. This also seems a us, rather than for our proposed audience. was rented for regular meetings. A weekly very fine plan, as it gives the chairman —C.L.H. Defiance, Ohio. meeting has been held every week since confidence and a chance to use her own It is Free September 1945. ideas. One of the best things ever said about In September 1946 we inaugurated the A hospital committee of three is also A.A. is that no one is making any money custom of presenting tiny, gold A.A. pins appointed and changed each month. The out of it. Paying guest speakers is against to the women who had achieved a year of responsibility of this committee is to check the spirit of mutual help. This makes sobriety in the group. Forty-two of these on new prospects who may be hospital- A.A. what it is. Applause is not consistent one year pins have been given to mem- ized. with humility. We alcoholics are too ego- bers. Our records now show more than We also have an elected secretary and tistical as it is.—R.W.R. Plainfield, N.J. 20 women with over six months of unin- treasurer. Each have at least one year terrupted sobriety. We feel that nothing of sobriety and serves for six months, their New Groups can now disturb the stability of our Women’s Group. terms, corresponding to the A.A. Directory issued by the General Service Head- The following new groups reported or- In the past year, a second group has quarters, New York City. ganization to the General Service Office been started confined entirely to women The 12th Step work with women prosduring the month of April: under 35 years. There are now about 20 pects is the responsibility of the members, CALIFORNIA—Compton, Southern West- of these young women who are holding who make calls in pairs whenever possible. ern Group; Long Beach, West Side Fam- their own weekly meetings. Another The follow-up contacts are made by the ily Group; Riverside; Santa Paula; Women’s Group in the outlying area is in women making the original call. Turlock. the making, and we have also been able to FLORIDA—St. Augustine. help one of our northern cities get a group Complete Card File ILLINOIS—Moline. started. A complete card file is kept on all con- INDIANA—LaFayette; Rensselaer. During the first year and a half of op- tacts, including the names of sponsors and IOWA—Hampton. eration, the group used the plan of hav- dates of calls. Most of the requests for KENTUCKY—Paducah. ing a leader and a secretary who served help come through our Central Office, LOUISIANA—LaFayette. terms of three months and were required which we find invaluable. The women who MAINE—Dexter. to have a minimum of three months so- make the calls report back to the office MICHIGAN—Cadillac. briety. As the group grew the work of so that their records also may be com- MISSISSIPPI—Yazoo City. these members grew also. In February plete. MISSOURI—Lebanon. 1947 the setup of the group was reorgan- We have recently opened a club house NEW JERSEY—Lakewood; Kirksville. ized and the present plan seems to work which we feel will be of great help. The NEW YORK—Bronx, Molt Haven Group; well. Women’s Group is entirely self-support- Williston Park, L. I. We set up a rotating committee of five ing and on several occasions has been able OHIO—Oak Hill. women, two seniors and three juniors; the to raise funds to help with various A.A. PENNSYLVANIA—Latrobe; Lewistown. seniors are required to have over one year projects in the area. TEXAS—Corsicana; Beeville; Kingsville; of sobriety and the juniors over three We feel that the growth of our group Texas City. months but less than a year. Each month is due to the rotation of responsibility, VIRGINIA—Bluefield; Orange. the woman who has been longest on the keeping business and personalities out of WASHINGTON—Everett. committee serves as chairman for the the meetings as far as humanly possible. CANADA—New Brunswick, Grand Falls; month and then steps out. She is replaced We would be very glad to offer any help Nova Scotia, Kentville; Quebec, Sher- by another senior or junior as the case we may and when we hear that old cry brooke. may be. The seniors are named in order “Women can’t get along together” we know ALASKA—Fairbanks. of duration of sobriety and the juniors it isn’t so.—Women’s Group.

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should not each of us tell himself, “Yes, we A.A.s were once a burden on everybody. We were ‘takers.’ Now that we are sober, and by the Grace of God have become responsible citizens of the world, why shouldn’t we now about face and be- On the 7th Tradition come ‘ t h a n k f u l givers’! Yes, it is high time we did!”. By Bill The A.A. Groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contribution of their own members. We think that each group should Good Reading soon achieve its ideal: that any public solicitation of funds using the name The A.A. Grapevine will publish from of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, time to time a list of books worthy of hospitals or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any reading and studying. The following are source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. recommended for your bookshelf: Then too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, Alcoholics Anonymous, Works Publishing beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Co. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spir- Prophet in the Wilderness, Herman Hageitual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority. dorn. Our growth continuing, the combined $2,000. a month—the direct result of not Words to Live By, Edited by William Niincome of Alcoholics Anonymous mem- drinking. chols. bers will soon reach the astounding total “But”, some will contend, “our friends The Human Mind, Karl Menninger. of $250,000,000, a quarter of billion dol- want to give us money to furnish that new Modern Man in Search of a Soul, G. G. lars yearly. This is the direct result of club house. We are a new small group. Jung. A.A. membership. Sober we now have it, Most of us are still pretty broke. What Physic. Energy. Its Source and Goal, N. drunk we would not. then”? Esther Harding. By contrast, our over-all A.A. expenses I am sure that myriads of the A.A. Alcohol — One Man’s Meat, Stretcher and are trifling. voices would now answer the new group Chambers. For instance, the A.A. General Office saying, “Yes, we know just how you feel. How Never to Be Tired, Marie Beynon now costs us $1.50 per member a year. We once solicited money ourselves. We Ray. As a fact, the New York office asks the even solicited publicly. We thought we groups for this sum twice a year because could do a lot of good with other peoples’ not all of them contribute. Even so, the money. But we found that kind of money sum per member is exceedingly small. If too hot to handle. It aroused unbelievable an A.A. happens to live in a large metro- controversy. It simply wasn’t worth it. politan center where an intergroup office is Besides, it set a precedent which has absolutely essential to handle heavy inquir- tempted many people to use the valuable ies and hospital arrangements he contrib- name of Alcoholics Anonymous for other utes (or probably should contribute) about than A.A. purposes. While there may be $5.00 annually. To pay the rent of his little harm in a small friendly loan which own group meeting place, and maybe your group really means to repay, we coffee and doughnuts, he might drop really beg you to think hard before you $25.00 a year in the hat. Or, if he be- ask the most willing friend to make a longs to a club it could be $50.00. In large donation. You can, and you soon case he takes The A.A. Grapevine he will, pay your own way. For each of you squanders an extra $2.50! these overhead expenses will never amount So, the A.A. member who really meets to more than the price of one bottle of his group responsibilities finds himself good whiskey a month. You will be everliable for about $5.00 a month on the lastingly thankful if you pay this small average. Yet his own personal income obligation yourselves. may be anywhere between $200. and When reflecting on these things, why

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. ‘ The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. A.A. has no dues or fees. It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps. The A.A. book of experience, The pessimistic Pollyana. She’s always proph- Alcoholics Anonymous, and other literature, including The 12 Points of Tradition, are Available esying a slip for one person or another. through any group or the General Service Headquarters, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, Right now she’s looking around with sweet New York 17, N. Y. but ghoulish glee for someone to put the finger on.

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An A. A. Discovers Psychiatric Therapy From Jersey City, N. J. earnestly trying to get his pupils to under- which is more important and more diffistand as a proper approach. cult, is to modify the broader characteris- Recently, I spoke before a class in psychology at a college in New Jersey. As Many times, we have been astonished tics of the individual’s personality and imthe date to speak neared, I began to feel and pleased, because of the quick response prove his persistent habits of adjustment. we have had from the individual. If some- In practise, these two tasks are inseparathat perhaps I had acted too hastily. Orone had inquired as to the reason for our ble.” dinarily, I do not have much difficulty addressing a group. But, when I thought success we might have had difficulty in To accomplish these tasks the psycholoof talking to 75 embryonic phychologists trying to explain it. The reason was that gist recommends psychotherapy as the most the proposition became appalling. we did the very thing which the phycholo- generally applicable technique. If we Besides a sincere desire to give a good gist teaches his students to do, to establish pause and think, we will discover that we a friendly relationship with the one af- are getting this treatment every day in picture to these non-alcoholics, as to how A.A. works, something else bothered me. fected. Alcoholics Anonymous. It is in the form I have two sons who are majoring in psy- He says “The interviewer should show of mental hygiene for one’s self. chology at another university. To say they that he is interested in and knows about Shaffer says: “Persons may legitimately would have been mildly critical, if they the things the subject values. A little flat- demand of psychologists if there are not found out their father didn’t know what tery or humor is not out of place in get- some principles of mental hygiene by he was talking about, is an understatement. ting the subject into a suitable mood. The which individuals may help themselves to So I consulted their books. interviewer should not give obvious praise attain fuller, happier and better adjusted or condemnation of the conduct of his lives. The answer is in the affirmative.” With Misgivings patient nor show surprise or disgust at any disclosure. The interviewer must se- Profound Significance With misgivings, I opened up the one cure the respect of the subject without overnearest to hand. It was The Psychology awing him. It is necessary to have the This thought is constantly being exof Adjustment by Doctor Lourance F. Shaf- patience to listen to a tale of woe with- pressed in A.A. “First things first” infer. I noted that the purpose of the book out restlessness or boredom.” cludes the positive suggestion that you was An Objective Approach to Mental correct your own behavior. You are the Hygiene. As I began to read, little did I Described A.A. only one who can do it, the others, in A.A. suspect that I would find fundamentals can only assist. Upon re-reading this, I recalled the first This psychologist continues “One of the which A.A. has been practicing since its. day my sponsors came to call on me. beginning. first steps in the improvement of adjust- They were two business men, whom I had ments is the understanding of one’s own The first thing I found was the word never seen before, yet they had been in my “rapport”. I had heard it used and had behavior”. From the study of psychology home but a few minutes when they ceased the individual gets a clearer conception of a vague notion that somewhere it was to be strangers. They had started the innecessary in the practical application of his own motives, of their origins and of terview by describing the trouble they had the ways in which they are satisfied.” psychological concepts. This mysterious had with alcohol. When they finished, I thing, I found—”implies a condition of As we read this, we cannot help but thought, “At last here’s a couple of fellows gather the profound significance of the confidence, trust and friendship, and the who understand my language.” From creation of a positive emotional response value of the first step in A.A. “We adthen on, I unburdened myself to them. mitted we were powerless over alcohol— on the part of the subject toward the ex- They then described how A.A. had aminer.” that our lives had become unmanageable.” helped them to obtain and maintain their In this admission we are able to undersobriety. They informed me that if I was stand our own behavior. Through Rapport sincere in my desire to quit drinking, I Only through rapport, I read, can the would have to admit to myself that I was Confidential Relationship client be made to disclose the really im- powerless over alcohol, for they and no portant casual factors in his past experi- one else could state that as a fact. To help Besides advocating a confidential relaences. When a desirable relationship has in an understanding of my condition they tionship with some other person as we do been established, the amount of personal advised that I go to an A.A. meeting, and in A.A. to aid us, the psychologist also information that the client will give con- go with an open mind and to listen. I recommends social participation. The varicerning intimate affairs is often astonish- did follow their advice, and I was helped ous groups of A.A. are indicative of this ing. considerably. I have often wondered why. for he advises: “Social activity in work I paused, for this struck me singularly. As I read further I found an answer. or in play is more healthful than indivi- Why, this was a description of the begin- The psychologist states “The treatment of dual activity. In a group, each person bening of what we term a 12th Step call. maladjustments presents two fundamental comes forgetful of his own immediate Usually we meet the person, call them tasks. One is to remove or remedy the needs and difficulties, while he finds satisby their first name and follow up with a particular inadequate behavior that is the faction in joint achievements.” statement like “Understand you’re having evident cause for seeking clinical assist- Like A.A. with its many facets upon a little trouble with alcohol.” Unwittingly, ance. This must be accomplished, of which one can expound for hours, I found without the benefit of any education in ap- course, not by treating the symptoms, but many things in psychiatry which can be plied psychology, we have started in the by redirecting the entire present adjustive readily compared to our way of life as manner in which the psychologist is so scheme of the individual. The second task, alcoholics in A.A.—A.W.

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Officials “Sold”—Officials of Santa Clara News Circuit of A. A. Groups County, Calif, are “sold” on Alcoholics Anonymous. So f i r m l y do they believe in

From All Parts of the World the group therapy offered by A.A. that Judges, the Sheriff and the District Attorney have agreed to the use of the County Jail Farm and the County Hospital Opens Club Room—By way of celebrat- Will Welcome Advice—In order to reach for rehabilitation of those who cannot afing its second anniversary the Beloit, Wis- the man under 30 with a drinking probford hospitalization or treatment in private consin, Group has opened club rooms lem a new group was recently formed in which will be used for joint meetings, institution. Alcoholics who have hit Rochester, N. Y. The newly organized social get-togethers on Saturday nights, and “bottom” and desperately need care and Young Men’s Group would like suggesweekly beginners meetings. A subscription confinement may approach a group comtions from other groups of this type. to The A.A. Grapevine has been donated, mittee and make known their need for to the Beloit Public Library by one of the confinement. If the screening committee members. The address of the Beloit A.A. Speakers Wanted—Since its organiza- believes them to be sincere, the cases are is written on the front of the magazine so tion in September, 1947, .the Cumberland, turned over to a “contact man” for the that anyone interested can contact the Md. Group has moved to new and larger four San Jose, Calif, groups. He in turn group, the librarian having put The Grape- quarters. Being relatively new in A.A. notifies the District Attorney and applivine in “circulation so that it can be taken work this group would welcome speakers cants are sent to the “farm” without subout on readers’ library cards. from other towns. Any group wishing to mitting to legal red tape. Should the alsponsor speakers may contact the secre- coholic require hospitalization he may be tary at P.O. Box 323, Cumberland, Md. transferred from the Jail Farm to the Growing Up—The little group down in County Hospital for treatment. Facilities Anderson, S. C., is growing up. After get- Seven Years Old—The Kansas City, Mo. at both County institutions are excellent. ting off to a slow start and dropping to Group recently celebrated its seventh an- The plan is now in operation and Alcoone member a year ago, it now reports niversary. This was the second group or- holics Anonymous members as well as ofabout 20 working members. ganized in Missouri. More than 500 A.A.s ficials of the county regard it as a step and their friends were present at the two forward in the move to consider alcoholics Don’t Spare the Rod—Mississippi, one day celebration which was highlighted by as sick people rather than moral parasites. of the three “dry” states, has been going speakers who had “dried out” during each through a stormy session of the state legis- of the seven years of the group’s existlature because of a bill which will legalize Just a Line to Tell You—That nearly ence. The featured speaker was the the sale of liquor. One state senator, a every A.A. group in Vermont was reprefounder of the Des Moines, Ia Group. temperance leader, has prescribed for sented at the first anniversary meeting of There are now approximately 450 active “drunks” a sentence in the state peniten- the Valley Group, Bethel, Vt. . . . The members of the Kansas City Group, in- Montrose, Calif. Beginners Group uses tiary including the use of the whipping cluding 88 women. post four times a day as a reward for the this bit of wisdom for a motto; “There is crime of drunkenness. It is reported that no limit to the amount of good a man the press and intelligent citizens of Missis- Open New Club—Beginning with one can do so long as he doesn’t care who sippi took the senator strongly to task for member and one dollar in December, gets the credit.” . . . Out of town speaksuch an expression. A.A. took no part in 1947, the Alano Club, San Diego, Calif., ers go over big in Louisville, Ky. Any the controversy but could not fail to note now boasts more than 100 members. travelers who want to exchange ideas with some of the fine things said about that the Kentuckians can get in touch with the organization by friends and the public Token Club. . . . An A.A. of a year’s press. sobriety found himself in Okanogan, Wash. He contacted two alcoholics. Result: A The third annual Texas Con- thriving little group. . . . A hangover on To the Travel-Weary — Texarkana, ference and Southwest Conven- May 12, 1947 developed into a new group Texas-Ark., it is said, is the gateway to the tion of A.A. will he held in Aus- on May 27, 1947. That was in Storm Lake, Southwest. This location brings many tin, Texas, on June 18, 19 and Iowa. Now a year later it is going strong travelers to the city. The Texarkana Group 20. as the Buena Vista County Group—The wants A.A. travelers to know that the wel- The Southeastern Regional Mayfield, Ky. Group has a husband and come mat is out at new club rooms located Convention will he held in Jack- wife who do their 12th Step work as a at 102 Gazette Building. sonville, Fla., on September 3 team. They would like to hear about the and 4. Convention headquarters methods other husbands and wives use. From Small Beginnings—The group at will he at the George Washing- Do they work together or separately? . . . Filmore, Utah, was organized last August ton Hotel where registration will The Mishawaka, Ind. Group while still with five members. It now has 12 with begin September 2. All com- one big happy family, has divided into more becoming interested everyday. The munications may be addressed three sections for closed meetings. . . . most recent member drove 115 miles for to Southeastern Regional Con- The group down in Brazil that wants lethelp from the Filmore Group. Meetings vention of A.A., P.O. Box 621, ters now has a post office box: Alcoholics are held every Monday, evening for mem- Jacksonville, Fla. Anonymous, Caixa Postal 254, Rio de bers and their wives. Janeiro.

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Any Takers? From Brooklyn, N.Y. I have been around A.A. for three and one half years but now, because of my job, I find myself unable to attend as many meetings as I used to. I wonder if there aren’t others in the same boat who would like to exchange letters? During my first years in A.A. I achieved little more than physical sobriety. But all the study, physical effort and lip service I gave did keep me constantly conscious of A.A. The knowledge, if not the spirit of the Program became mine. After a year which included four slips, I suddenly was blessed with the spirit of our ideas. The only thing that kept me going during that second year was the knowledge of the mechanics of the Program. When that knowledge was added to the spiritual faith I found, I saw that everything given to this cause comes back a hundred-fold. I had no fear of the new way of life that would interrupt my A.A. , activities when I accepted this new job. I knew that I could take the A.A. principles right into my new surroundings. I’d like to add 12th Step work by mail to my daily schedule. Any takers?—B.L.

News Circuit THE WINNER! Never Underestimate—The ladies took Change of Address—The Chattanooga, Here it is—the winner of the charge of a meeting held recently in Tenn. Group outgrew its old quarters and Contest Contest. Tacoma, Wash., when four members of has now moved to 8011⁄2 Broad St. The That’s not double talk, either. Or the Seattle Women’s Group spoke. In the new clubrooms have four times as much a typo. For those who came in late, audience were ten persons, attending an space as the old, the furniture is in place The A.A. Grapevine got into the con- A.A. meeting for the first time. Proof of and the membership is awaiting any or test business a few months ago with the power of a woman came the next week all travelers who find themselves in the the Best Hiding Place Contest. When vicinity. that was completed and the winner at the Step Meeting. Of the ten who came announced, it was decided to hold a to listen, eight returned to learn. The Young and Thriving—The Fulton, Ky. contest to decide what kind of a con- County Sheriff also spoke. Group, now six months old, reports 30 test to hold next. The winning sugactive members. . . . A new group has gestion, in the opinion of the eds, is: It Is Rumored—The Jefferson City, Mo., also been formed in Beacon, N. Y. boast- Group is tossing around the idea of organ- ing three charter members. The group MY BEST ALIBI izing a “Slipper Group.” It w i l l be de- meets weekly and recently held its first So here we go on the Best Alibi signed for those boys and girls who really open meeting. Approximately 138 mem- Contest. want A.A. but for some reason or another bers and friends turned out. . . . Another What was your best alibi, or at fall off the beam now and then. new group is thriving in Oxford, N. C. least the most novel, that you gave Starting with five members last December the boss for not showing up, or the Weekly Radio Program—The Fair- the group now has 20 members and re- wife for not showing up until mornmont, W. Va., Group is sponsoring a ports no slips to date. . . . Plans for a first ing—or for not showing at all? Or weekly program over the new radio station anniversary dinner to be held sometime maybe your best alibi was conceived WVVW. The program, heard at 12 noon in July are being made by the Goshen, for some other occasion. Whatever every Saturday, has been running success- Ind. Group. . . . A few months ago three the purpose, send it in to: f u l l y for several weeks. Four members of men with an .interest in A.A. started a the group appeared recently on an open group in Princeton, Minn. Just three weeks The Best Alibi Editor forum which proved so successful that after the first open meeting the group P.O. Box 328, Grand Central Annex more programs of this type are being opened its new club room with more than New York 17, N. Y. planned by the radio station. 40 guests present.

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Wants Letters gestion at the time. Being dry since Janu- Letters to this department are invited on ary, 1946 has brought many changes in From Toronto, Canada any subject pertinent to A.A. Due to space limitations you are asked to hold your let- my thinking. Six months ago I was rescued by mem- ters to a maximum of 350 words. When I was dry about 13 months, I apbers of Alcoholics Anonymous, Toronto, Only initials will he published unless Canada. the writer authorizes use of his first name plied for a position which I did not get. as identification for A.A. friends. However, I did get as much personal help Prior to this over a two-year period I The A.A. Grapevine will not divulge the had gone through physical, financial and full name of any writer but will forward out of that interview as I have from some A.A. communications addressed to the meetings. The man who interviewed me mental hell. writers of letters published here. But I know as I pen these words that was interested in A.A. and the problem —The Editors I am free of both drug addiction and of alcohol. In discussing A.A. with him alcoholism. And having had a bad case I told him of some of the things we talked family, friends, and employers must have about in meetings. of both I can definitely testify that the thought a light case of tuberculosis would “Gosh,” he said, “I should think that A.A. therapy, so effective for alcoholics, be more welcome! ; always t a l k i n g about your drinking would is equally effective for addicts. Now, we alcoholics who are arrested actually drive you to drink more!” Out here again it is of utmost imporcases via A.A. still have something which I replied in effect that it might seem tance, first to free one’s mind of whatever can affect those with whom we come in that way to a non-alcoholic but that I upset or disturbance it was that caused contact; and what we have now can be was like the woman talking about her the addiction in the first place and secondly contagious, to the happiness of the in- operation. She may do a lot of talking to have a deep, sincere, inward desire to fected. about it but I have yet to hear a woman quit. Let us be as unselfish in sharing our say that she would want to go through I was down on my back with both bare new way of life as we were in sharing the with the operation again. I used to do a shoulders in the gravel when A.A. men ways which went with our drinking days. lot of drinking but very little talking were called in. I was impressed by their Each day try these simple experiments about it, except to lie. Now, I do an awsincerity. When I attended their meetings on at least one person: ful lot of t a l k i n g about it but I don’t do and met their members I was convinced Smile. . . . You were a sourpuss before! any drinking. these men were so “sold” on their Program Be Tolerant. . . . You could be wrong! How many times have I vowed never to and so imbued by the spirit of it—so Be Understanding. . . . And soon others drink again. Each time I expected everyobsessed—that it amounted to a religion; will want your way of life! one within hearing to believe me and was and I am not using the word “religion” For your way (practice of A.A. prin- highly insulted if they didn’t. Down deep loosely. I was a tough one and had a relapse— ciples) is the road to peace and serenity in my heart I didn’t believe it myself but (lost my reason for nearly a week)—had for which all are searching, whether they I expected everyone else to. a seizure that fractured my spine—spent know it or not. Now I see no reason why I should ever 32 days on boards in bed, 52 days, in all, Whereas others lived in terror of your drink again if I continue to think as I do in hospital, yet the ideas and thoughts former condition, they will now want to —and I can add without malice that I these A.A. men gave me stuck with me. It be a part of the life lived by the new don’t give a hoot whether anyone believes is, I believe, to their everlasting credit that you. me or not. A.A. does work in reverse bethe kindly and helpful thoughts given me With a sense of humility and a sincere cause I believe it does.—P.A.C. by these men stayed with me all through desire to help others, let us be generous with ourselves. It works.—Jane the terrible ordeal that I underwent. On Attending Meetings So I would like to invite anyone who From St. Paul, Minn. reads this and who has had the misfortune In Reverse? to be addicted to drugs to write me. For I From Philadelphia, Pa. I wish it were possible to get a check shall consider it a pleasure to correspond on slips due to non-attendance at A.A. I recently read in The A.A. Grapevine meetings. I am sure the percentage would with anyone—so happy am I that I am and have heard elsewhere that A.A. works be much too high. well and am experiencing the oft-quoted in reverse. I certainly scoffed at that sug- The person in A.A. for three, six or but little understood “peace that passeth all understanding.” nine months is not firmly enough on the To all addicts; I would feel it a privilege Program, in my opinion, to stay away to correspond with you if you write Hugh from meetings. It took most of us years in care of The A.A. Grapevine.—Hugh. to mess up our lives. We cannot expect to clean up the debris in such short order. Contagious! I think that the new member should attend meetings twice a week, or at least From San Francisco, Calif. drop by the club (if such is available). Alcoholism as a disease is unique in For us alcoholics our d r i n k i n g problem that it is not contagious, but its effects was number one. Now we should make are felt by all who come in contact with our A.A. meetings our number one MUST. those afflicted. How often the alcoholic’s —EJ.F.

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I, Too, Have a Shrine From Bala-Cynwyd, Pa. Last summer w h i l e in Quebec, I visited the world-famous Shrine of Sainte Anne de Beaupre. Evidences of cures, including testimonials, were on display. The miracles were many and I couldn’t help but think of the faith and devotion of those who were cured. I did some f u r t h e r t h i n k i n g . Until May 18, 1947, I had been having trouble with my hearing. That was normal for a man of my age, I reasoned. Especially one whose left ear drum had been slightly punctured us a youth. I thought I’d get a hearing aid. I didn’t realize, of course, that with a befogged brain I couldn’t hear or comprehend what was going on. My left knee often buckled. This, I protested, was n a t u r a l . What more could I expect? Hadn’t I had poliomyelitis when a young man? I should carry a cane. I would get one. Even Atlas’s legs would have collapsed under the d r i n k i n g I did. My sinus condition was becoming progressively worse. That was due to my advancing years. I was 49. Perhaps I required an operation. I would get in touch with the doctor. Of course, my d r i n k i n g would have aggravated a sneeze. For the past 10 years I have been secretary of a corporation. As such I was required to read the minutes of the meeting before the Board of Directors. In September, 1946, I suddenly became mute. I could not read the minutes. I developed claustrophobia, I said, and asked to be excused. I didn’t realize that my heavy drinking made me self-conscious, if indeed I remained conscious at all. I tendered my resignation. poration was held in abeyance for a year. SUBSCRIPTION BLANK Finally, I confided to my wife that a It was withdrawn at the request of the The A.A. Grapevine, man of my age should retire. At least I Board of Directors. Again I perform my P.O. Box 328, Grand Central Annex, should relax a bit by moving to a New duties normally. New York 17, N. Y. England town. I decided on Springfield. Again I start my day’s work with the One Year $2.50—Two Years $4.50—Out- I could get a job in a branch office of a energy and hopeful outlook that befits a side U.S. $3.00. Stock Exchange firm and work about five man who is in the best and most produc- For additional subscriptions enclose sepahours a day. I wouldn’t drink so much in tive years of his business life. Any thought Springfield. rate sheet with name and address clearly of retiring or tapering off is a thing of I didn’t realize that now I had become printed. Make checks payable to The the past. a complete escapist. It is little wonder that I look upon A.A. Grapevine, Inc. I attended my first A.A. meeting on as my shrine.—E.G.S.F. Total Enclosed May 19, 1947, and on sober reflection, my Renewal ? (please check) visit to the Shrine of Sainte Anne de PLEASE PRINT Beaupre made me realize what A.A. and Wish I’d Said That. Gerri Gale: the Higher Power have meant to me. “Alcoholics Anonymous takes a drunk Name I have discarded the thought of a hear- apart and finds out what makes him hic.” Address ing aid. —New York Post, New York, N.Y. I know I need no cane. My sinus condition does not bother me Note: Subscriptions received prior to the and I certainly need no operation. Have YOU told a NEWCOMER about 25th of the month will begin with the fol- My resignation as secretary of the cor- The A.A. Grapevine? lowing month’s issue.

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gratitude for these opportunities and for are not secrets or anonymous, only the knowledge of their existence as oppor- persons and their problems are, so feel tunities, for the friendly handclasp and free to discuss A.A. with your loved ones even for just the accomplishment of a as it makes for better understanding and Thinking Brings Problems good day’s work. In this manner we are lessens the chance for domestic problems. From Waukegan, Ill. going about “Our Father’s business” and Above all, talk; don’t be the silent type. When alcoholics first come on the Pro- for those who don’t acknowledge a God It doesn’t work in our case. If problems gram usually they are so fouled up that —you are simply putting into operation arise let’s talk them over with the parties they evidence no reluctance to turn the a philosophy that works.—Jerry concerned, and then when that has failed whole sordid mess over to a “Power great- it is time to call in a third party as arbier than themselves.” They say with no Careful—Slippery Road trator, who may help us to see things more reservations, “Thy will be done” and im- clearly. From Chicago, Ill. A l l through the period of our drinking mediately they get the honeymoon ride. Then they go to meetings and begin to From time to time it becomes necessary our constant wish was “God restore me to think and form their own opinions which for some very plain speaking about slips. sanity and normalcy.” This prayer thereimmediately brings problems. It should It is high time to abandon finesse and fore should make us hesitate to excuse be very simple to see why we have to come out in the open with some plain ourselves for alcoholic t h i n k i n g and slips hasten back to the very simple truth truths and facts. by saying, “Well, I’m alcoholic.” You can’t which worked so beautifully at the start— If we look at it squarely and honestly, be normal and be alcoholic, so make your “Turn our will over to a Power greater we ask some very pertinent questions, such choice. Either face life as a normal perthan ourselves,” and mean it. as: Is the Program insufficient? Are its son in sobriety or hide from it in a bottle. Steps too difficult to grasp? An honest d r u n k is more to be admired This is such a simple operating prin- The answer is definitely no, for does it than a l y i n g dry .—Ernie of Ravenswood ciple that most of us cannot appreciate its potency. As soon as we begin to learn not teach all of us the futility of trying about the Program we want to make it to subordinate reality in alcohol ? There Ringside Table complicated and we revert to our old ways is no point in trying to put the blame on anything but ourselves. Reasoning will A member of A.A. had occasion to take of thinking. No doubt if we honestly show lack of interest in the Program, and two business clients to one of the better searched our innermost being we would an unwillingness to understand it, mental night clubs in Chicago. Having no reserfind it was our assertion of our own will and moral reservations as well as the vations or special pull, the three were that has caused us the difficulty we are experiencing. desire to keep on drinking. These are the seated at a table fairly far removed from causes of slips. the floor where the show was about to It seems too that when we are capable Furthermore the unwillingness and re- begin. of meeting problems, they come to us to A waiter appeared to take orders. Both be solved. This serves to keep the knowl- fusal of the slipee to bow in humility to the Power greater than himself, the only of the business clients ordered Scotch. edge we have acquired in good working thing that can restore him to normalcy, “A coke,” said the A.A. order. Somewhere I read we are never will cause trouble. “Coke and Scotch?” asked the waiter. given a cross to bear that we do not have Grousing and griping about real or fan- “No. Just a plain coke without anythe strength to carry. It has proven itself for me because whenever a problem has cied wrongs doesn’t help. Why not instead thing else, please,” the A.A. explained. come I have found it keeps coming back do something about these things yourself? “Just coke? No whiskey?” said the until it is solved. The Program can’t do it for you. waiter, looking at the A.A. somewhat quizzically. The latter nodded. The A.A. Book gives us the tools and Be open and aboveboard in your dealtells us how to use them. Perhaps the ings with others, quit kidding yourself, Soon the waiter reappeared with the reason everything else failed for us in our your wives and families, above all don’t orders and as he set the coke down, he search for sobriety or the answers to our try to kid your fellow A.A.s. All this pre- asked: “Do you always drink just plain reasons for drinking, was the fact that all tense and sham must cease if you are to coke?” we found was “what we should do” but be sober happily instead of dry miserably. Somehow the question didn’t seem to be nothing showed us “how to do it.” Lip service to A.A, once a week or just offensive. The waiter wasn’t that kind. once in a while won’t get you anywhere. He really seemed to want to know, for Knowing the theory is fine but unless we watch for every opportunity in all our This is a 24-hour program, yes, but 365 some good reason. daily actions and learn to apply it we days a year, 24 hours at a time until “Well, coke, or maybe gingerale or a cannot benefit or grow. We may stay death severs your wedding to alcohol. You seven up. Why?” countered the A.A. sober for a time but that is all. There is must work at it and be of it wholeheart- “Just curious,” said the waiter. After unlimited opportunity to demonstrate the edly if you want to retain your sobriety an instant’s pause, he added, “Did you principles as laid down in the 12 Steps, and sanity. Nothing less can or will do. ever have a ‘slip’?” in our daily contacts with our families There is no compromise. The A.A. looked up quickly to find and business associates. On the proposition of dealing with the waiter grinning broadly at him. The When you begin your day with a prayer others, why not do your first 12th Step A.A. grinned back as broadly. They spoke for guidance you cannot help but find op- work at home where it is so sorely needed the same language and later met at the portunity to be of service, to counsel one for the others of our families to readjust downtown meeting of A.A. Now, when in trouble, to show consideration for your themselves? The more they know about the first A.A. takes business clients to fellow men, and to put another first in the Program the more they can help us. that night club, he always gets a ringside your thoughts. Then you need to express The teachings and Steps of the Program table.

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Alberto Finds the Good Way of Life with Friends From Seminole, Texas was sober, a kindly gentle soul, given to far there have been no slips, but Alberto Fate was unkind to Alberto. South of generous impulses and friendly polite at- being human there may be. Whether there the Rio Grande, he would have been alto- titude. is or is not is a matter of conjecture along gether at home, an integral part of his own Somewhere along the road and for some with the fourth dimension and origin of race; with people whose soft and fluid obscure reason, destiny changed its course species, but one thing is sure. Alberto has vowels were part and parcel of himself. in Alberto’s case, directing his wanderings formed ties of mutual respect that will en- It is even possible that he might in time to a small southwestern town and to the dure for life. He has found in humanity have become a Jefe, in a minor way of doorsteps of two men who lived there. a group whose creed builds structures of course, for his eyes were calm and level, These men after long search had hope and contentment. Alberto is only a and widely spaced beneath a forehead found for themselves a way of life where, neophyte in that creed, but the 12 Steps showing much character. among other things, intolerance, discrim- he now faithfully follows, are a shining ination or distinction of race and creed reward for human effort.—C.O.B. In Impish Mood played no part. Finding Alberto in his usual post pay day condition they took Other than that, Mother Nature must him in hand. Parents and A.A. have been in an impish mood when she Again Destiny played a part. Within “The most important new human welfare formed his head, for the rest of his fea- reasonable distance was a small Clinic, movement in America today is the organitures were ungainly. The profile was pure where advanced practice, competent medi- zation called “Alcoholics Anonymous.” Indian, after the pattern of his forebears, cal attention, understanding and sound At least that is the way I feel about it. hooked nose and high check bones on red- theory for the care of alcoholics could be “Frequently, in these columns, I’ve talked dish brown skin. Full faced, his ears were had. After dark, because they too were about the seeming increase in alcoholism large and angular, stuck straight out from working men, these two in the exercise of among parents. I have described the tragic behind the thick black hair, as with all their creed, drove Alberto to the Clinic. results of that alcoholism in the lives of Aztecian sons and daughters. In a demonstration of their practical Chris- children and loved ones. Let’s look at the Unfortunately Alberto was not born tianity the men underwrote the cost of his other side of the picture today, the remesouth of the river, but among the Texans care. dial side. to whom he and his people were merely “America desperately needs Alcoholics “Pelados”, hewers of wood and drawers of water. Tolerated because of their useful- No Interest Anonymous. Increasing numbers of psychiatrists and general physicians are reness but certainly not encouraged or ac- For three days Alberto took small interfusing to treat alcoholism. Many hospicepted socially. est in his surroundings. Gradually undertals don’t want to be bothered with them. Although born in America, he was not standing returned. A smiling nurse min- Apart from A.A. they can turn chiefly to considered American. To his puzzled istered to his needs. Doctors listened to quacks who take their money and give childish mind this attitude was incompre- heart and lungs, ribbing him meanwhile them little or nothing. hensible, for he thought of himself as about the brand of liquor found in his much a unit of his native state as anyone. pocket. He noticed that there were no bars And usually they receive from family Because his mind was good, absorbing nor locks. Instead of the dingy furnish- and friends only condemnation which inand easily retaining all knowledge that ings and soiled wall paper of a cheap flop tensifies their troubles. came his way, such discrimination was house, his room was spotless. He was No wonder it was commonly said that even more mystifying. Since it was a coaxed to eat good food and treated with ‘alcoholics can’t be- helped. They are bematter of daily occurrence he came to ac- vitamins. He became Alberto the Welcome yond treatment. They are incurable.’ cept as fact the thought of being an in- Guest. Friendly comradarie replaced usual “The geniuses who organized Alcoholics ferior of an inferior race, doomed to serve abuse and disdain. Anonymous a few years ago, themselves and be subservient to a lighter hued domi- On the fifth day Alberto became helpful alcoholics, knew more about human nanant humanity. and help was needed. In his friendly way ture than the rest of us did. They knew Creation of this belief in turn created he filled water pitchers, swept rooms and that a person suffering from alcoholism a subconscious sense of frustration, a psy- halls and became an extra pair of hands desperately needs friendship, companionchosis or complex that caused Alberto to for the nurse. On the eighth day Alberto ship, and affection. They provide it. Day become a “Wino” drunk, he ceased to be was ready to leave. or night, anywhere, any time, there is Alberto the Pelado. He became, instead, Several hours before departure he was someone willing to help. a person of importance. A man to whom called to the main office. He was asked to “Theirs is a Christian doctrine of servdoors opened as long as his money lasted. stay on as night attendant. The physician ice, applied even more directly than most After that, bleary eyed and hopeless, he’d in charge, himself an alcoholic, pointed of our churches have applied it. start another round. He would wander to out how difficult constant sobriety was to “And the men who started this organizaanother job, accumulate another stake, get attain, even at best and for the most fa- tion knew that another basic human need on another drunk. Each bout was worse vored. “Remain with us,” the doctor said, is for religion. Most of us can feel sethan the one before. “Among those who have the same problem cure only if we can sense that there is Between sprees Alberto was a good em- as your own. They need your help and by a power greater than ourselves whose ployee. Even when drunk there was no helping them you help yourself.” strength we can draw upon.”—by Richmalice in his makeup. He remained as he All of this was some time back. So mond Barbour, Californian, Salinas, Calif.

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A.A. Program Makes Its Own Chance From Big Sur, Calif. and got drunk when I was near success at place one is capable of free choice and can either extreme. Was I a business man or move onward. People who have read my story, If A a writer? Alcohol kept me from ever hav- I often wonder how many alcoholics Man Be Mad, often charge me with having stubbornly resisted A.A. My personal ing to decide. I wanted the joys of mar- have truly studied Bill’s life. We all know riage with none of its responsibilities. Al- that he was a successful man in the popuopinion is that A.A. makes its own chance, cohol quite logically kept me from hav- lar sense, that he held a position of wealth often having its greatest effect on those ing either. Although I had succeeded in even though he was powerless over alcohol. who seemed to resist most. Something in losing guilt feelings I hadn’t lost an un- But I wonder how many of us have asked them isn’t ready and they are honest quenchable vanity. why he didn’t try to make a spectacular enough to know it. But when they are ready they will remember. My sponsor What I needed to do was humbly and comeback just to show his old friends what gave A.A. to me in a humble and believ- simply say, “I am powerless.” I had to he could do when he was sober. ing abundance. From the point of imme- withdraw from the whole baffling struggle, We who didn’t understand — worried drop the vanity that kept me fighting a about our own resentments and at Bill’s diate results, they were wasting their time. I believed in them but not in myself. losing battle and really give up. The 1st calm answer to our questions. That all Step applied to me as much as it does to of these resentments were a natural prod- Somewhere a reviewer said, “When the the least complex alcoholic. This is prob- uct of our own strident vanity, we wouldn’t disciple is ready the Master will appear.” ably the most difficult thing an American allow ourselves to know. What he had Parenthetically, he added that, of course, ever has to do. Our society is based on come to know each man has to find out the master and the disciple are one. He for himself. Some of us admitted readily the ideal of victory and the ignominy of has, I feel, a key to the success of A.A. defeat without a valiant struggle. Com- enough that we were powerless over drink Each disciple can in time become a master. petition is our basic formula of life. while still holding out a reservation as to Most of our popular fiction is based on our power in other areas from which our Everything Ganged Up drinking sprung. We weren’t humble. Ofthe “comeback.” Probably it was this If A Man Be Mad recounts a story that will to win that kept me, and keeps many ten,’ indeed, we were vain about being ended on New Year’s 1944-45. I started others, on a destructive course. I had so smart enough to find A.A. writing the book in April 1946. In that little idea of what one did with survival month everything that had made me an besides fight for it that I hated to give up Great Impression alcoholic ganged up on me. Drink was no the fight. Pure survival was, to me, more The impression Bill made on me in that longer a great problem in itself. Every- frightening than the D.T.’s. old 24th Street club house was great. I thing was out of hand; I had no more And yet it is by giving up—by accept- had experienced a free man. He could affoundation in life than a toy balloon. ing ourselves as we are—that we find peace ford to be impersonal, anonymous. “We admitted we were powerless over for ourselves, a realm beyond craving. We Back in April of 1946 I did learn what alcohol—that our lives had become un- are almost unique among, the men and can come of a man truly giving up. I manageable,” came to me with startling women of our time in that we learn that a had always supposed that when a man gave . clarity. I had long since admitted that I spiritual experience, the great, calm flow up he cowered in a figurative corner. Then was- powerless over alcohol but never, I of freedom, comes only when we have ac- suddenly I knew there was nothing to then realized, had I admitted that my pre- cepted defeat and refuse to fight anymore. cower from. I had given up fear. While cious life itself had been unmanageable. Cowardly? I think not. Cowardice has no I was writing If A Man Be Mad I was at- For me, the 1st Step had to be worded in meaning to a man who has given up vanity, most entirely emancipated from pride. reverse. “We admitted that our lives had even if only in a small area of himself. The book was a sort of 4th Step, a moral become unmanageable—that we were pow- How simple this is, and yet how terribly inventory of myself. There were many erless over alcohol.” That my alcoholism difficult to come by. things about myself that I didn’t say, but was a product of one way of life, just as To me the words, “I admit I am pow- I recognized them and you can be sure that much as my sobriety would have to be the erless,” have come to have an extraor- they weren’t deleted because of fear. I product of a new way of life, had never dinary meaning. Man’s hope is in a di- knew that I could display before I was inoccurred to me. rection opposite to the one he has been vestigated; admit instead of protest. No I have since been told that I wasn’t an taking, whether he be an alcoholic or a one could say anything about me that I alcoholic in the ordinary sense (none of us nation of men. Once a true giving up takes couldn’t say about myself. Here was freeare) but that my problem stemmed from dom as I had never before dreamed it. a larger neurosis or conflict. A neurosis, Only when I had given up did I realize the authorities tell me, is simply a situa- what a vicious tyrant my pride had been. tion in the individual that stems from his As I look back on it now I am amazed inability to make a choice, or compromise. at the fidelity with which I was following Wanting everything at once, he is unable A.A. without being conscious of it. To me to choose anything. The method of evad- the idea that I was suggesting that the path ing the responsibility of making a choice followed by me in my book was the way determines the type of neurosis and its out for anyone else but me is fantastic. intensity. All right, I couldn’t make up The histories in the book Alcoholics Anonymy mind whether to go my own way or mous were written on the same principal my stepfather’s way, and so I did both of catharsis, or moral inventory.—H.M.

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Vol. V, NO. 2, JULY, 1948. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1948, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

Groups Form World-Wide Chain of A. A. Philosophy A sea captain recently Now, as of June 1, 1948 there are 144 March, 1945—”After many trials, diffilanded in Lima, Peru. groups in other countries and the United culties and disappointments, I am now Finding himself in a bar States Possessions registered with the Gen- very happy to report that a branch of A.A. in the company of busi- eral Service Headquarters. has been formed in Sidney. It now conness acquaintances, he no- In studying the files of international sists of four members— ticed another man in the group correspondence, it is interesting to “At present they are using my house for group was not drinking. He wondered note that the problems and birth pains a meeting place—In the near future they about it for a moment but said nothing. of A.A. groups throughout the world are will meet in a club room in Sidney or in After awhile the captain’s non-drinking parallel. For the purpose of example and private residences—Mr. A. is writing to companion said, “I notice you’re not because it was the first group organized you asking for formal affiliation as a drinking either. I don’t know why you across the sea, excerpts from the Sidney, branch of A.A. NOTE: The first Austradon’t drink and I don’t care—I know why Australia correspondence are quoted here lian A.A. slipped after four months—his I don’t—I can’t.” at some length. These excerpts plus notes first 12th Step case continued on to so- The man who spoke was an A.A. origi- from other countries show that a firm, briety— nally from Palo Alto, Calif., living in strong chain of A.A. philosophy is begin- Oct., 1945—”We meet once a week as a Equador and visiting in Peru. The sea ning to encircle the world. club. Individual members see each other captain is no longer lonely for A.A. com- The second letter from Australia came frequently and are always visiting prospanionship on his visits to South America. in April, 1943. It read in part: pects. By newspaper publicity and by lec- His next port of call was Dublin, Ire- tures we are becoming better known and April, 1943 — “Our our mail is increasing—Our inexperience land. Upon docking, the boss stevedore problems with chronic al- has multiplied our pitfalls. It took us came aboard. Following the custom of the coholics are very similar many months to discover that so many sea, the captain took the stevedore to his to those you have in who so willingly joined us at first, did so cabin. He offered him a drink. America—All that I can to get what they could from us— “No thank you,” said the boss steveshow after 20 years of exdore, “I don’t drink.” November, 1945—”I pointed out that perience in the treatment That night the two of them attended the A.A. technique may have to be modified to of alcoholics, and the experience of other , meeting of the Dublin Group. suit Australians. The extensive experience psychiatrists in New South Wales has Coincidence? Perhaps, but the same been the same, is a very small percentage gained at the clinic will prove or disprove thing could happen today to any A.A. trav- of recoveries—a very great proportion of this theory. At any rate we will analyze eler in almost any corner of the world. failures. Acute alcoholics recover rapidly the whole position over the next few It all began in 1942 with a letter to The in the hospital and relapse just as rapidly months— General Service Headquarters. The letter upon their discharge. March, 1947—”Rapid expansion, howwas from a psychiatrist in Sidney, Austra- ever encouraging, has had the disadvantage lia and written to The American Journal July, 1944—”We have received every en- of loss of personal contact and a suspiof Psychiatry. It said: couragement and offers of assistance from cion of contest for control—Clashes of “I am interested in the formation of a the executive officers of all government de- personalities made us hasten the formation branch of Alcoholics Anonymous in New partments dealing with inebriates—there of three branches. Conflicts of opinion, South Wales. As the names and addresses should be many converts providing we which are inevitable, occur when members of the executive officers of A.A. are un- find the man to start it. So far we have think more of the organization and policy known to me, I am forwarding this letter not succeeded—Australians tend to be than they do of A.A. When this occurs, reto you, confident in the knowledge that rather reserved and do not accept a new lapses are frequent. you will forward it—” thing with the enthusiasm of Americans— (Continued on page 2)

Group Has Come-back System Korea—”We have had many set-backs but they strengthened the ones who remained to learn the Program the hard Members Draw Wages from Finance way.” Mexico City, Mexico— Committee until Confidence Returns “With f a m i l i e s and friends we usually have November, 1947—”We continue to make of the evening was, of course, the letters between 18 and 20 people. progress. Our foundation is solid—we and literature that had previously been re- Through a close personal have overcome the difficulties we had at ceived from you and the General Service friend who owns one of first.” Headquarters in New York. I read all of the hotels down here we Nuriootpa, South Australia—situated in those to the members and afterwards we may get a club room in which to meet. the wine country—”We have a scheme had a lively discussion. It is not possible She is now trying to convince her family, whereby our members, when if they slip for us to belong to any international or- who know nothing about A.A. This is a and get to the down and out stage, are paid ganization (they don’t understand yet, of difficult city in which to find a meeting their wages by the group, receiving . course, how we can be organized without place. The men have tried every available enough to get on their own feet again, then actually being an organization. Wonder- place in town, including the Red Cross— drawing the balance when confidence has ful, this A.A.) as we would have to have all f u l l up. Wish some good A.A.s would returned. For instance, I’ve had three a special permit. But we feel that those head here for a vacation—our new mem- “alkies” picking grapes in my vineyard things are secondary. We will continue bers need to hear and see them.” this season. They collected their money to hold regular meetings at which we will Tokyo, Japan—”Help, Help, we are from the group’s financial committee when discuss such problems and questions starting a group here. The thing has the needed and we find that it works well. The which are of mutual interest to us as mem- blessings of high army officials and army group pays off pressing debts and the bers.” doctors. It has great possibilities but the member is under obligation to his fellow Boras, Sweden — “Our membership is situation here is somewhat unusual due members to discharge the loan and it never now over 80 and I think that about two to many factors—the most important of fails. Also as you probably know, “al- thirds will go ‘the good way.’ I have which is that all civilians and officers are kies” are by nature too good hearted and many propositions to start new groups but allowed a regular monthly ration of aswould pay all wages, etc., in a lump sum. as you know it is difficult to convince many sorted whiskies.” That would be placing temptation within to come to us. But I can say that we have In the jet-propelled aircraft future it reach and put a heck of a strain on the most of the doctors in this town as our may be possible to make personal calls on average A.A.’s good intentions. Of course supporters.” these far-away groups. Since it is not feasthis system is entirely voluntary.” Keflavik, Iceland—”We are now two. It ible at present to make these calls, a letter Adelaide, South Australia—”We were to those A.A.s would be more than welis a difficult thing to start a group on these three months old a couple of days ago. We come. To make this easier for those who bases, unless two or three members are on have gone through quite a deal of trial and care to write, the list of groups in other hand. However I haven’t given up hope. error in those three months, and are prof- countries up to June 1, 1948 and the mail- From my experience it seems as though iting from it in some degree. Thanks for ing addresses are printed below. an alcoholic who really wants to stay sothe advice on the establishment of a Founber can do so through living A.A. I am AUSTRALIA dation, here. As a matter of fact I agree coming to the conclusion that it is easier New South Wales that there is no place in A.A. for authority to stay sober than to truly live the A.A. Barellan—Contact through P.O. Box 459 and money. A.A. is simply charity and way of life—that your sobriety depends (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, love for your fellow man, obeying the will on just that.” N. Y. of God and helping others to see it in that light too. True, indeed we have found Johannesburg, South Sydney—Central Office, P.O. Box 101 that there is no place in A.A. for money. Africa—”We had a pub- Broadway—(20 Groups) A little is necessary to pay for stamps, lic meeting recently and Queensland phone calls, literature, the Big Book and there was a very good re- Brisbane—Contact through P.O. Box 459 things like that.” sponse. There was an at- (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, tendance of about 120. N. Y. Athens, Greece—”There is a great deal This also brought in quite of drinking among the Americans here, South Australia a large number of applicants. I feel we but we are both on the beam—we will Adelaide—P.O. Box 1640 M, G.P.O. are really beginning to be felt now. The have a real group in operation here Nuriootpa—P.O. Box 63 doctors are interested as also a percentage soon—” of our Social Welfare Sections. Our weekly Victoria Niebull, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany— meeting is being attended by about 40 Melbourne—Contact through P.O. Box 459 “We the undersigned members of the A.A. now. We had a social meeting recently (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, group, Nordfriesland, held our first meet- with an attendance of about 65.” N. Y. ing in my home today. Thanks to your generosity we were able to discuss those Helsinki, Finland—”Perhaps some of BELGIUM new messages from across the sea, while your members could come over and see us. Brussels—Contact through P.O. Box 459 drinking coffee and eating cookies. Nine We really need some help from alcoholics (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, eligible members were present. The issue in this important rebuilding work.” N. Y.

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BERMUDA Kingston—Contact P.O. Box 459 (Grand GREECE—Athens—Contact P.O. Box 459 St. Georges—Contact through P.O. Box 459 Central Annex) New York 17, N. Y. (Grand Central Annex), New York 17, (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, Kitchener—Room 20, 33 King Street, East. N. Y. N. Y. Leamington—P.O. Box 759 ICELAND—Keflavick—Contact P.O. Box London—P.O. Box 130 459 (Grand Central Annex) New York BRAZIL Meaford—P.O. Box 39 17, N. Y. Rio de Janeiro D.F.—Alcoholics Anony- Ottawa—P.O. Box 38 mous Group P.O. Box, Caixa Postal 254 JAPAN—Tokyo—Contact P.O. Box 459 Sarnia—P.O. Box 94 Sault Sainte Marie—P.O. Box 391 (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, BRITISH GUIANA N. Y. Saint Catharines—P.O. Box 133 Georgetown—contact through Group P.O. St. Thomas—P.O. Box 87 KOREA—Anscom City—Contact P.O. Box Box 459 (Grand Central Annex) New Simcoe—P.O. Box 371 459 (Grand Central Annex) New York York 17, N. Y. Stratford—P.O. Box 21 17, N. Y. Toronto—Contact through P.O. Box 459 MEXICO CANADA (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, Coyoacan, D. F— Apartado Postal 9571, Alberta N. Y. Sucursal Nonalco, Mexico, D. F. Banff—P.O. Box 98 Wallaceburg—P.O. Box 494 Calgary—P.O. Box 371 Sudbury—P.O. Box 203, G.P.O. NEW ZEALAND Camrose—P.O. Box 718 Port Arthur—P.O. Box 114 Wellington—P.O. Box 202 Edmonton—P.O. Box 134 Windsor—P.O. Box 452 NORWAY Red Deer—P.O. Box “AAA,” Advocate Woodstock—P.O. Box 791. Clifford P.O. Bergen—P.O. Box 459 (Grand Central An- Box 5. Haileybury P.O. Box 241 nex) New York 17, N. Y. British Columbia Alberni—P.O. Box 60 Prince Edward Island Lillibro, Drobak—Contact P.O. Box 459 Duncan—P.O. Box 869 Charlottetown—Contact P.O. Box 459 (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, Kamloops—P.O. Box 353 (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, N. Y. Kelowna—P.O. Box 307 N. Y. SCOTLAND Lake Cowichan—Contact P.O. Box 459 Emerald—Contact P.O. Box 459 (Grand Campbelltown, Argyll—Contact Through (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, Central Annex) New York 17, N. Y. P.O. Box 459 (Grand Central Annex) N. Y. North Rustico—Contact P.O. Box 459 New York 17, N. Y. Nanaimo—P.O. Box 15 (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, New Westminster—P.O. Box 3 SOUTH AFRICA —Johannesburg —P.O. N. Y. Penticton—P.O. Box 314 Box 1868 Summerside—P.O. Box 607 Princes Rupert—P.O. Box 575 SWEDEN—Boras—Contact P.O. Box 459 Powell River—P.O. Box 341 Quebec (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, Vancouver—P.O. Box 464 Montreal—P.O. Box 271—Station H N. Y. Victoria—P.O. Box 1 Rowanton—Contact P.O. Box 459 (Grand Sardis—P.O. Box 1 Central Annex) New York 17, N. Y. SWITZERLAND — Lausanne — Contact P.O. Box 459 (Grand Central Annex) Manitoba Saskatchewan New York 17, N. Y. Winnipeg—P.O. Box 301 Kamsack—P.O. Box 418 Regina—P.O. Box 11 VENEZUELA—Caracas—Contact P.O. Box, St. Boniface—P.O. Box 103 459 (Grand Central Annex) New York Gimil—P.O. Box 1046 CUBA—Havana—Contact P.O. Box 459 17, N. Y. New Brunswick (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, Moncton—P.O. Box 53 N. Y. U. S. POSSESSIONS Saint John—Contact through P.O. Box EIRE—Dublin—Contact P.O. Box 459 ALASKA 459 (Grand Central Annex) New York (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, Anchorage—P.O. Box 551 17, N. Y. N. Y. Juneau—Totem Club P.O. Box 982 Nova Scotia Seward—Contact P.O. Box 459 (Grand EL SALVADOR—CENTRAL AMERICA Amherst—P. 0. Box 125 Central Annex) New York 17, N. Y. Halifax—P.O. Box 447, Armdale P.O. San Salvador—Contact P.O. Box 459 New Glasgow—Contact through P.O. Box (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, CANAL ZONE—Balboa, P.O. Box 2031 459 (Grand Central Annex) New York N. Y. Ancon 17, N. Y. Margarita, P.O. Box 258 . ENGLAND—London BM/AAL London, Yarmouth—P.O. Box 198 WCI MARIANAS ISLANDS —Guam—Station Ontario No. 6, P.O. Box 535 FINLAND—Drumso, Helsinki—Contact Brantford—P.O. Box 67 OKINAWA—Contact P.O. Box 459 (Grand P.O. Box 459 (Grand Central Annex) Clinton—P.O. Box 188 Central Annex) New York 17, N. Y. New York 17, N. Y. Durham—Contact P.O. Box 459 (Grand HAWAII—Honolulu, P.O. Box 1238 Central Annex) New York 17, N. Y. FRANCE—Paris—Contact P.O. Box 459 Guelph—P.O. Box 153 (Grand Central Annex) New York 17, VIRGIN ISLANDS—St. Thomas, P.O. Box Hamilton—P.O. Box 13′ N. Y. 484

3

31. What is meant by the expression— Quiz Program Is Popular “Watch Your H u m i l i t y ? ” 32. Some alcoholics say they simply can’t

For Group Meeting Discussions surrender. . . . Did you? If so, explain how you did it. 33. What are your credentials for mem- (This is a discussion page. Ideas advanced here you have a feeling of being cut off bership in A.A.? are only suggestions, put forward to help furnish group discussion topics, without any intention of from life and worthwhile people? . . . 34. When someone asks you to—”Come reaching fixed conclusions or dogmatic “rights” Did you care? 1 on, have a drink!” . . . Do you say and “wrongs.” All readers are ‘invited to submit group discussion topics.) 11. Did your association with A.A. help “I’m not d r i n k i n g because I’ve got a you regain your self-respect? . . . or bad heart, flat feet, etc.” . . . or, “I’ve A NEW A.A. quiz program, designed to were you secretly ashamed? q u i t because I learned I can’t handle spark personal opinions, has met with 12. Does it matter much if you contact alcohol.” . . . or, “I’m a member of enthusiastic response from members of the another A.A. before or after you take Alcoholics Anonymous!” Grand Rapids Group. The questions are the first drink? 35. Compare Fear versus Desire as they thought-provoking, instructive and, we feel, 13. What is the 13th Step? apply to an A.A. prospect. purposeful. So far, we have carried the quiz 14. Have you read the Big Book—Alco- 36. Does sobriety make the price of one through six consecutive meetings of our holics Anonymous? . . . What did you drink too high? own Group, and loaned it to neighboring get out of it? 37. Can you give the A.A. Prayer? . . . groups. 15. Why is the loneliness of an alcoholic Explain what it means? As we all know, there is no authority in licked by the comradeship of A.A.? 38. In case you could get away with a A.A. except the “Big Book.” So the 50 16. Is anonymity vital to the success of secret slip, would it be helpful or questions included in our quiz are merely A.A.? h a r m f u l to your conscience to report stimulants for individual thinking and it at a meeting? 17. How far do your responsibilities go group discussion. 39. Does the fact that the word “alcohol” toward helping the individual compul- The method of procedure is flexible, de- . is used only twice in the 12 Steps have sive drunkard who asks for help? pending on the chairman’s whim. Here we any especial significance to you? 18. Explain how practicing the 12th Step have a master list of the questions, printed 40. In relation to the A.A. Program, excan help promote an understanding of on small cards, which are passed out to the plain the meaning of the statement. the 2nd Step? members. The chairman can then call for . . . “A rear view mirror is useful, but the questions in sequence, or skip around 19. Why is the 10th Step more important to our mental rather than our physical its use too much can be dangerous.” at will. well-being? 41. Does it embrassass you to be the only Our experience has been that members 20. Did you make direct amends to any- one in a business or social gathering who have never before ventured an opinone? who doesn’t drink? ion, gave forth with amazing interpreta- 21. Why do you resolve to practice A.A. 42. Just how honest and fearless was your tions to the questions. When a topic is thorfor only 24 hours a day? “Searching and Fearless Moral Invenoughly exhausted, the quiz moves on. 22. Does sobriety bore you? tory?” 23. Does an “open mind” refer to under- 43. When you get an A.A. prospect who Quiz Questions standing of the spiritual phase of the needs hospitalization, How do you go program, personal behavior, or what? about getting him into a hospital? . . . 1. What is alcoholics anonymous? 2. What is an alcoholic? 24. Why is the A.A. Program the world’s How do you finance him? With your 3. Does it matter when or how you be- strangest commodity? . . . You can’t money? . . . H i s money? . . . Group sell it. … You can’t buy it. . . . The subscription? came an alcoholic? . . . Yes or No. . . . Why? only way you can keep it, is to give it 44. Give three reasons why you’ve been 4. How many types of prospects are away. . . . Explain. sober today. there for Alcoholics Anonymous? 25. Is there such a thing as a dry drunk? 45. Does tolerance—or lack of it—affect 5. Is A.A. a magic formula for staying . . . How do you cure it? your relations with others? . . . And sober? . . . A method for learning 26. Why should we realize that every in turn affect you? how to do controlled drinking. … A morning we are potential, or possible, 46. Is it a daily battle for you to stay on new way of life? drunkards for that day? the Program? 6. Is there any difference between being 27. Has the A.A. program taught you that 47. Explain the difference between selfish on the water wagon or on the A.A. you have more trouble with yourself and self-enlightenment in relation to Program? than anyone else you know? . . . If the A.A. Program. 7. What are some of the indications of so, is this humility? . . . Spiritual 48. Does a “slip” constitute one drink or an alcoholic? . . . General and per- awakening? . . . Honesty? a drunk? sonal. 28. Why do you pray only for knowledge 49. What is your understanding of the ex- 8. Is alcohol (or drinking) the cause of of God’s will for you, and for the pression. . . . “Working the A.A. Proour troubles, or the result? power to carry that out’? gram on faith.” 9. What incident or series of situations 29. In A.A. parlance, what is meant by 50. Do you believe peace of mind can be made you decide you had to do some- “H-o-w?” a daily accomplishment, or can it only thing about your drinking problem? 30. Why is progress preferred to perfec- be attained through a lifetime of right 10. During your last drinking days, did tion on the A.A. Program? living?—R. M., Grand Rapids, Mich.

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N.A.A. Organized Give A.A. Book The wives and husbands of the Rochester We approach the new members when A.A. members have organized a non-alco- they are put in quarantine. When the inholic group, which we simply call “N.A.A.” mate is low in spirits and is thinking a at present. We thought you would be in- great deal, we pass the large A.A. book to terested in knowing about our group and him and let him read it. Later we have a how the meetings are conducted. • chat with him and then we have a new Our meetings are opened with a moment member in our group. of silent prayer and closed with the A.A. Of the 12 members that have left us only prayer. A member reads our “Six Steps” two have failed to make a go of it. and “Four Aims,” and some pre-arranged by the hotel in our meeting room. The Last May we had our first birthday. Two topic is informally discussed. We have A.A. mates usually come by for their hundred people attended the first anniverthirty-five members and the interest in our N.A.A. mates after the N.A.A. meeting, sary meeting of the state Prison Group of group is very encouraging. Our “Six and remain to have coffee and join in our Alcoholics Anonymous at the prison audi- Steps” and “Four Aims” were decided social period. torium.—C.P., Vermont State Prison Group. upon by us after several weeks of discus- Our officers include a chairman, one cosion and rearranging. They are: chairman, secretary, and treasurer, and are elected to act for a period of six months. Enthusiasm Key Word Six Steps We change officers at the same time our 1. We admitted that we were powerless to Enthusiasm is the key word of Birming- A.A. groups in the city change—February help the alcoholic. ham Service Guild, or Wives’ Group, as and August. it’s called. Since its first meeting in Oc- 2. Came to believe that a power greater Our N.A.A. group has been functioning tober, 1947, the membership has grown than ourselves could restore us to a life since the early part of February of this from 51 to 71. These are wives or relaof happiness. year and we hope to continue to grow.— tives of members. M.P., Rochester, N. Y. 3. Made a searching and fearless moral Here are some services rendered by this inventory of ourselves. Humbly asked group recently: A baby shower for two God to remove our shortcomings. Akron, Ohio Marks of the women members of A.A. who are now proud mothers; six Sampson card 4. Continue to take personal inventory, to keep defects of habit from creeping AA. 13th Anniversary tables, 36 folding chairs, presented to the club. back into our lives. 5. Became willing to make amends for the With Large Turnout Donations of cups and saucers, cash and other gifts have made the club rooms in mistakes of the past and to constantly From Akron, Ohio Birmingham more attractive and livable. be on the alert for any destructive hab- The Akron 13th Anniversary of the At Thanksgiving, Christmas and New its, such as nagging and criticizing. founding of A.A. was a history-establish- Years this group gave a series of parties 6. We try to carry this message to alco- ing meeting. and provided the refreshments. They made holic mates and to practice these prin- It was attended by 4,000 members it possible for the Birmingham A.A.’s to ciples in all our affairs. living in this area, who showed their enjoy a more festive holiday season in appreciation and gave thanks to Dr. Bob 1947 than would have been possible with- Four Aims and Bill W., the co-founders, and the out their help. 1. Help ourselves. non A.A.s who were instrumental in mak- Well organized, hard-working, this ing their meeting possible and most help- group has definitely worked-out purposes. 2. Have a complete understanding, insoful during our formative period, also Bill Here are some of their objectives: far as we are able, of the whole prob- D., the first firm believer in Dr. Bob and lem of alcoholism. 1. To create better understanding and co- Bill W’s idea. 3. Find out what we can do to help the The meeting was opened with a prayer operation between the A.A. member and alcoholic. by Rev. Walter F. Tunks, Rector of St. his or her family. 4. Help the mates of new members of Paul’s Episcopal Church. The first speaker 2. To lend assistance and advice through A.A. to better understand the alcoholic was Honorable Judge Bernard J. Roetzel, personal experience to the wife of an problem. who outlined the rehabilitation that has A.A. member. been done in this community, through the We feel that we have already been works of A.A. 3. To originate A.A. social activities in helped greatly by our group and have The second speaker was our Dr. Bob the club and elsewhere. learned how to better understand the al- who introduced the non A.A.s who were 4. To aid A.A. families with acute matecoholic problem. We also find that a defi- helpful and instrumental at the begin- rial needs. finite fellowship and friendship exists ning of our formative period, gave a deamong our members. scription of the early history and the The above and many more services have Each week some member volunteers to basic teachings of A.A. The third speaker been, and are being, generously given by bring refreshments and coffee, which is was Bill W. who talked on A.A. Traditions these loyal friends of A.A.—Service Guild, paid for out of our treasury, and is served and Yearly Conference plans. Birmingham, Ala.

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overlooked was the simple fact that we An Oldtimer can’t buy sobriety for anyone, even for A New Club Room ourselves. Nothing had happened to Joe; Answers the $64 he’d only been on the wagon; he’d transferred the responsibility for his life and Comes From Price his family not to himself, but to us, his “Slipee” Question new-found friends. Of A Cup of Coffee I have often wondered if we hadn’t First of all I want to congratulate you ruined any chance Joe had to learn A.A., A year ago there were 15 of us ex-stews on The A.A. Grapevine. I suppose that as by not giving him the same opportunity in Fargo. Number 16, upon completion of A.A. grows throughout the world more and we had—that of becoming an A.A. and hospitalization for his last drunk—that is better material is available for our na- straightening out our own affairs. In my —nervous breakdown—asked a 12th Steptional paper, but the task still remains of opinion this is a very important part of per to pay for his coffee. Because, he said, making it interesting and readable—and the A.A. Program of recovery. all he had to his name was a silver dollar you are doing a fine job. I think we should never give up on any- which had come his way the day he was The $64 question posed by A.G. of Ro- one. To say a person is hopeless is to released. This A.A. neophyte, still thinkchester, N. Y., in the June issue is about limit the power of God. But a buck, ten, or ing alcoholically, saw an opportunity for as old as A.A. itself. More than ten years a thousand, isn’t ever what makes an A.A. a free cup of coffee. The old 12th Stepper ago a nice young fellow came to our group It is, rather, that spark within the person saw hope. Fargo’s ex-Scotch-drinking and told what liquor had done to him— himself, born often of desperation and best Scotchman and intellectual par excellence and of course to his family, a wife and described, it seems to me, as a sincere de- visualized a symbol. Says Mac, “And your three fine children who had been forced sire not to drink, a recognition that he carrying the silver as a Symbol of Soto live with her parents. Our new friend’s alone is powerless, and the acceptance briety?” furniture was gone, he had lost his job of God’s help. So our group became the S.O.S. Group of and had no place to sleep. Fargo. We purchased a new clubhouse . . . Well, we got together and found Joe SILVER DOLLAR, SYMBOL OF SOBRI- Aid of Greater Power a room (and in those early days any- ETY, SOCIETY OF FARGO, NORTH DAthing over a buck in A.A. was high KOTA, and became a non-profit corpora- When this has happened, then a new finance), a job was secured, and with our member should enjoy all the privileges of tion set up in accordance with the laws help he persuaded his wife to give him sobriety, for he has the aid of a Greater of North Dakota for giving the philosophy another chance. She came to the next Power for his personal problems. of A.A. and holding property. meeting with him, and instead of hopelessness, hope shone in her eyes. Shortly after- All this doesn’t mean that we should let Perhaps we were piqued when we were ward we had a picnic and the whole fam- a guy go hungry, nor is it suggested that tagged the Society of Soaks. Because that ily attended, including the children. sometimes a buck or two won’t be helpful, Silver Dollar was our own non-abstract It was agreed that “something should be but this sort of encouragement should be symbol of the abstract philosophy freeing done.” A house was rented, their pitiful a matter between individuals, not a part US from desperate terrifying distress . . . of A.A.—and we must always guard scraps of furniture were added to—a chair even as it is the international call of disfrom one A.A., a bed from another, a stove against “keeping a man drunk with kindness.” tress. And should we reach for the change from a third—and with the help of several for that first drink there is that 1922 mint A.A. mates our new member’s wife made “Pampered Homer” in the June Vino dollar, with our initials and dry date suither home attractive. Vignette is a good example of how we can ably inscribed, reminding us of our mornkid ourselves that we are being helpful.— R. S.—New York, N. Y. ing pledge. Why even the United States Were Thrilled Mint cooperated with the words . . . “In God We Trust”! ! ! We couldn’t have been more thrilled! Here was really an instance of “sudden re- Humorous Suggestions habilitation.” What, we thought, could be more appropriate than a housewarm- Yes, we were even flattered when such ing? It was arranged for Saturday night— humorous suggestions as “Shakes Over a surprise picnic dinner with each one to Scotch”—”Scarcity of Stimulants”—”Sobring his share. licitors of Stews”—”Soaks Often Shaky” Of course we arrived early, before Joe . . . and such sober truths as “Surrender or was due home from his job. For an hour Stumble”—”Slippers Often Skeptical”— we sat around enjoying ourselves in an- “Soaks Open Sanitarium”—”Scotch, Opiticipation of this fitting climax to our efforts. But Joe was late, and then later, ates, Stumblebums” . . . were proposed. and finally he came home—drunk. Now there are 50 of us … and that Sil- Yet, as far as we know, Joe had com- ver Dollar???? pleted his longest period of sobriety—two JUST ASK THE MAN WHO OWNS months—in many years. What we had ONE! ! ! !— E.V.G., Fargo, N. Y.

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A.A. Meetings Seem More Social Than A.A. From Cincinnati, 0. its attractions for me was its simplicity, The question presented in last month’s its singleness of purpose, and its disregard The ? Box, “Is A.A. Becoming Too So- of the social distinctions and social values cial?” will undoubtedly draw a variety of that inevitably are emphasized in the ordifor nary clubs. answers and I would like to get my two- Group Discussion bits in early, if I may. Social events require organizations. They I am one who has thought for some time Topics believed to furnish also require financing and they require that we were becoming much too social— good material for group discus- planning and supervision. so social that in some places an A.A. sion will he presented here each In the beginning, A.A. was a simple meeting seems more social than A.A. issue in the form of questions, movement. The purpose was to sober up one question per month. No at- and then help the next guy to sober up. I am presuming that in this case the tempt will he made to present This was done by close, intimate work, word “social” does not mean coffee and any discussion simultaneously usually between two individuals. cakes, or the little informal gatherings of A.A.s that have become common to the with the question, but readers As A.A. grew, the size of the meetings movement. These have my vote, not only are invited to send in discussion naturally grew, too, and a fringe of social letters on each question for pub- activities around and about the groups bebecause they are congenial and encourage lication in subsequent issues. If gan to develop. Up to a certain point, the companionship, that we all need, but because they also are a form of 12th Step your group develops a particu- these things are helpful. work and group therapy. larly good discussion topic, you But the “certain point,” beyond which also are invited to send it in to in my opinion social affairs become a The kind of “social” affairs that worry The ? Box. This month’s ques- hindrance rather than a help and after me are the big events and the full protion is: which they divert and distract from the grams that some groups seem to be carry- IS A.A. GETTING TOO MUCH purposes of A.A. is that point where they ing on in the form of testimonial banquets, PUBLICITY? begin to take more time and attention than weekly dances, bingo parties, bridge par- 12th Step work and personal recovery ties, golf tournaments and even popularity problems. I know members who are spendcontests. ing so much time arranging parties, run- There is nothing harmful in these things in American life. I belong to some of ning clubhouses, attending committee meetin themselves. They are a pleasant part these clubs myself and enjoy them, and I ings that they don’t have any time to go of the affairs of the Elks, the Rotarians, support their affairs. work with some poor, miserable and the Country Club, the Downtown club, etc., But in my opinion A.A. is different, or troublesome drunk. They’re too busy with which have become wholesome institutions at least it started out differently. Among the extra-curricular affairs. Some organization is necessary, but I believe it should be regarded as a neces- New Groups Are Organized sary evil and be held to a very minimum. Organization has killed other movements. The following new groups reported or- NEW JERSEY—Metuchen. It could kill A.A. and it may already be ganization to the General Service Head- NEVADA—Reno, Group Two. hindering its most important functions. quarters during the month of May: NEW MEXICO—Aztec; Las Vegas. Let’s consider our social programs on a ALABAMA—Huntsville; Sheffield. NEW YORK—Auburn; Bronx; Mott Ha- basis of their contribution to the recovery ARKANSAS—Lonoke. ven Group; Brooklyn, Bushwick Group; program. What kind of activities are es- CALIFORNIA—Glendale, Women’s Greenpoint; Malverne, L. I.; Riverhead, sential and which are not? Since they all Group. L. I.; Rochester, Group 21. take organization, and since some of them FLORIDA—Jacksonville, A.A. Assembly OHIO—Niles; Shelby. also tend to put emphasis on the very af- Group; Palm Beach, Group Two; Tar- OREGON—Hood River. fectations we are trying to get away from, pon Springs. PENNSYLVANIA—Kane; Kingston. let’s go slow. ILLINOIS—Carmi. RHODE ISLAND—Providence, Westmin- Most important of all, let’s keep upper- INDIANA—Rensselaer. ister Group. most all of the time the fact that the IOWA—Clinton. TENNESSEE—Columbia. strength of A.A. has been its simplicity KENTUCKY—Somerset. and singleness of purpose. We want to VIRGINIA—Lovingston. LOUISIANA—Natchitoches; Oak Grove, stay sober and to do that we must help WASHINGTON—Naches. Caroll Group. others. That’s the meat of A.A. and I MAINE—Lewiston, Auburn Lewiston WEST VIRGINIA—Weston. personally think such things as popularity Group. WISCONSIN—La Crosse, Group Two. contests not only don’t help, but they be- MASSACHUSETTS—Attleboro, South At- CANADA—British Columbia, New West- cloud and confuse our purpose.—H.E, tleboro Group; Everett. minister, Sapperton Group; New West- MICHIGAN—Charlevoix. minister, West End Group: Nova Scotia, MISSOURI—Columbia.Group Two; Kirks- Yarmouth: Manitoba, Gimil: Ontario, Have YOU told a NEWCOMER about ville. Clifford; Haileybury. The A.A. Grapevine?

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Aiding Others Gave Dr. Liebman Peace of Mind On the 8th Tradition By Bill The death of Dr. Joshua L. Liebman on June 9 at the age of 41 from a heart at- “Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional. We define pro- tack which physicians said was due to fessionalism as the occupation of counseling alcoholics for fees or hire. But we may overwork may raise a question concerning employ alcoholics where they are going to perform those services for which we might his book, Peace of Mind. otherwise have to engage non-alcoholics. Such special services may be well recom- The book is favorite reading among pensed. But our usual A.A. “12th Step'” work is never to be paid for.” A.A.’s (see Good Reading, page 16) as well as being a national best seller, and Throughout the world A.A.s are “12th quite small, we would certainly wind up undoubtedly it has helped many alcoholics stepping” with thousands of new prospects with less competent workers than we need. in their search for serenity. a month. Between one and two thousand We are beginning to see that our few’ of these stick on our first presentation; paid workers are performing only those But the question which now arises is: past experience shows that most of the re- service tasks that our volunteers cannot How much peace of mind did Dr. Liebman mainder will come back to us later on. consistently handle. Primarily these folks himself have if he died from overwork? Almost entirely unorganized, and com- are not doing 12th Step work. They are The question is based on the fallacy that pletely non-professional, this mighty spir- just making more and better 12th Step overwork indicates a distraught mind. Or, itual current is now flowing from alco- work possible. Secretaries at their desks to put it the other way around, that peace holics who are well to those who are sick. are valuable points of contact, information of mind precludes activity, that it requires One alcoholic talking to another; that’s and public relations. That is what they a state of static and statuesque immobility all. are paid for, and nothing else. They help or pleasant stagnation. Could this vast and vital face-to-face carry the good news of A.A. to the out- To the contrary, peace of mind for many . effort ever he professionalized or even or- side world and bring our prospects face requires activity, action, work. Many alganized? Most emphatically, it could not. to face with us. That’s not “A.A. therapy”; coholics are numbered among those to The few efforts to professionalize straight it’s just a lot of very necessary but often whom inaction would be troublesome and “12th Step” work have always failed thankless work. for whom activity is essential to their quickly. Today, no A.A. will tolerate the So, where needed, let’s revise our atti- peace of mind. idea of paid “A.A. Therapists” or “organ- tude toward those who labor at our special izers”. Nor does any A.A. like to be told services. Let us treat them as A.A. asso- No one who is familiar with Dr. Liebjust how he must handle that new pros- ciates, and not as hired help; let’s recom- man’s life could imagine that he ever pect of his. No, this great life-giving could have been happy doing nothing. He pense them fairly and, above all, let’s stream can never be dammed up by paid had to be doing much. Even in doing absolve them from the label of profesdo-gooders or professionals. Alcoholics sionalism. more than he could stand physically, a Anonymous is never going to cut its own reasonable assumption would be that his Let us also distinguish clearly between life lines. To a man, we are sure of that. “organizing the A.A. movement” and set- work contributed to his own peace of But what about those who serve us full ting up, in a reasonably business-like man- mind. Having discovered something he time in other capacities—are cooks, care- believed to be of value to others, he sought ner, its few essential services of contact takers and paid Intergroup secretaries and propagation. Once we do that, all to pass it on, as A.A.s seek to pass on in “A.A. professionals”? will be well. The million or so brother their 12th Step work the special knowledge Because our thinking about these peo- alcoholics who are still sick will then they have acquired. ple is still unclear, we often feel and act continue to get the break we 60,000 A.A.s Dr. Liebman overtaxed himself physias though they were such. The impression have already had. cally. But a man can be at peace in the of professionalism subtly attaches to them, Let’s give our “service desks” the hand knowledge that his work is helping so so we frequently hear they are “making they so well deserve. many. money out of A.A.”, or that they are “professionalizing” A.A. Seemingly, if they do take our A.A. dollars they don’t quite belong with us A.A.s any more. We sometimes go further; we underpay them on Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others the theory they ought to be glad to “cook” to recover from alcoholism. for A.A. cheap. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. A.A. has no dues or fees. It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; Now isn’t this carrying our fears of does not wish to engage in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our professionalism rather far? If these fears primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps. The A.A. book of experience, ever got too strong, none but a saint or Alcoholics Anonymous, and other literature, including The 12 Points of Tradition, are available an incompetent could work for Alcoholics through any group or the General Service Headquarters, P.O. Box. 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y. Anonymous. Our supply of saints being

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Musings From the Back Bar— A A. – The Distaff Side From New York, N. Y. I didn’t like women; it would have been A.A., which qualifies me twice in the A.A. “If there’s anything worse than a drunk, totally illogical. After all, I was included circle and ought to help me to see both it’s a woman drunk!” in that category of women. Given half a sides of the Wives vs. Women debate. My chance, these “drunken dames” were not story doesn’t entitle me to throw stones at That was a bartender talking, several only good A.A.’s, but good friends. anybody, and the slingshot arm feels years ago. He meant me, and thousands It occurred to me that I needed to do a mighty quiet these days. of my sisters-under-a-skinful. I blushed, lot of work on myself. There was the I no longer worry about being a woman and teetered quietly to the next bar. matter of “First Things First.” Well, then, drunk. My only fear is that other A.A.’s Came the dawn, came the light, came I was a woman first and an alcoholic sec- will cast a skeptical eye in my direction A.A. Here was a whole new life with a ond. Selfishly, I had to learn to live with- and announce. “She probably wasn’t an group of people who didn’t point the fin- out alcohol or die—it was that serious. I alcoholic anyway . . . or at least, that ger at a female lush. Another gal guided me received my help from “women.” It there- wasn’t the whole trouble.” That sentence through the complex simplicities of A.A. fore seemed reasonable that I could best is guaranteed to start a first class A.A. “initiation” and an A.A. wife became my “carry the message” to another woman. I battle, anywhere. warm friend. Thus was I launched on a had to get the chip off my shoulder. Maybe the A.A. who says “I can’t underneat pink cloud with the whole “family” Some A.A.’s whose opinion I respect say stand women alcoholics” just means cheering. I loved everyone . . . A.A.’s that women alcoholics have great difficulty “women,” period. But it’s more important male or female, wives or husbands . . . in learning to departmentalize their lives; not to misunderstand us than to undereveryone! I became a part of the first men apparently grow up with more or- stand us, anyway!—L. T. women’s A.A. group. They were wonderderly ideas about the distinction between ful, too. home and business, work and play. Our

Hands Off Policy feminine logic is often half emotion, half Value in Repeating instinct. We may find it difficult to tackle Before A.A. women had never been a A.A. on an impersonal basis, to work with Old Discoveries real part of my life. Most of the girls I others on a basis of justice without jealousy. Could it be that women have a spe- From Flint, Mich. knew were acquaintances only. By mutual agreement, we maintained a “hands-off” cial problem, or maybe that special women Those of us who have come along in policy. My drinking finally took me be- have a problem in A.A.? A.A. during the last couple of years probyond the pale of local society and into bars A.A. women, operating in their own ably cannot add much to the knowledge which were chiefly populated by men. groups, or just as individuals, have set a already accumulated by those who have They seemed more friendly than my own wonderful example for us to follow. I’m preceded, yet perhaps there is still value sex . . . maybe they were just less discrimi- grateful for all the help which the Women, in repeating some old “discoveries.” nating! Thence to solitary drinking in one God bless ’em, have given to me. As the If I may be permitted that assumption, of those rooms to which drunks gravitate, margin of time between my drinking ca- then I would like to say that the idea that thence to A.A. None of these experiences reer and the happy life of today widens, anyone has to drink in his business is just prepared me for life among the anonymi I’m trying to give expression to that grati- plain bunk. I cannot conceive of any job . . . though they did prepare me for A.A. tude by fitting into the overall A.A. picture that really requires drinking, except perin some helpful way. haps that of taster in a brewery and I After a few sober months, several girls from the nearby workhouse’ were chan- There are a few heartening indications guess that is one line of work that an neled to the women’s group. Some of us that I may make the transition from frus- alcoholic should avoid. respectable A.A.’s were horrified! Must trated prima donna to one of the girls with- My job is entertaining visiting salesmen we accept girls like that? Of course, their out bloodshed or halo cramps. My stand- and agents. I have no other function. only crime was drinking, and they were ards are tilting upwards, and the old false That’s it. I have to see to it that the visiunluckier than most in not having friends, front has dropped away. I married an tors have a good time. Some business goes family or money to cushion them against along with it, but the main business is the harsh world of alcoholism. But some entertainment. of us dreamed of the past, filled with fab- Yet, I have discovered that I can do my ulous friends and fictional glories. Cliques job much better by not drinking than I developed, personalities clashed and the could before. Salesmen who knew me begroup rocked. Some of us got d r u n k and fore say they enjoy my company much returned to the group with a new definition better and have a lot better time. New of humility. We needed and received help salesmen don’t pay much attention to the from those very women we had once fact that I don’t drink. scorned. As I say, it’s not a new discovery, but For me, this marked a t u r n i n g point. I I am much relieved to have found out that became grateful to those new and different other people aren’t half as concerned A.A. gals who had rescued me from my about whether we drink, or not, as we snobbishness. I could no longer say that think they are.—E.A.T.

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News Circuit of A. A. Groups The original membership of the New Cumberland D.B. Group was 10 men and continues to fluctuate because of releases. From All Parts of The World —A.A.F.

New Women’s Group—Beginning three New Latin-American Group — The Indianapolis A.A.s Open Club—-A three years ago with a few members the Bakers- Downtown Latin-American Group has re- story brick building, used during the war ville, Calif. Group now has approxicently been formed in Los Angeles, Calif. as the USO Center, is now the new Alano mately 100 members. The newest project At present the group activities are con- Club of Indianapolis. The clubhouse is to he undertaken by the organization is a fined to discussions with Anglo-American complete with a large room for dancing, Women’s Group. These meetings held visitors. lounges and coffee and sandwich bar, each Tuesday are open to both A.A.s and equipped with a brass rail so that the non-alcoholics. Alcoholic Ward Group — Working in members will feel at home. The opening close association with doctors and the chap- was attended by approximately 500 mem- Second Birthday Party-—Called by the lain of State Hospital No. 2, St. Joseph, bers and friends. The clubrooms are open press, London, Ontario’s most exclusive Mo., the Downtown Group of that city has at all times and groups from all parts of fraternity, the group there recently celeformed an A.A. group in the alcoholic the city hold meetings there. brated its second anniversary. The Lonward. Patients of the ward, after a period don Metropolitan Group which numbers of isolation, are paroled to a member of Large Turnover—Only two members of about 90 members toasted the anniversary the Downtown Group on Saturday and the Anchorage, Alaska, Group have lived in ice water and black coffee. Sunday nights. At this time they attend in the territory for more than five years. regular meetings of the A.A. Group. The membership of the little group is Hold First Open Meeting—Because of Weekly meetings are held at the hospital therefore made up of roving A.A.s, many a limited sealing capacity in the new clubwith the assistance of the discharged pa- of them construction workers. rooms of the Winona, Minn. Group, the tients who are permitted to return. first open meeting was limited to attendance of the clergy, medical, and legal pro- With True A.A. Enthusiasm—The Few Men Confined fessions. This type of open meeting will Fresno, Calif. Group heard some of Bill be held every six or eight weeks. W.’s talks over wire recorders. The mem- In U.S.D.B. Will bers were so enthusiastic about them that Oldtime Get-Together — Former Towthey took up a collection and bought the Admit Alcoholism son, Md. Group members met recently for recordings. The enthusiastic group sup- From New Cumberland, Pa. a large rally. The visitors were folks who posed, of course, that it could rent a record- • Through the efforts of the psychiatrist have moved out of the city or joined ing machine to play back the spools and and the understanding and interest of the groups nearer to their homes. The group recordings. Such was not the case. So Commandant of the U.S. Disciplinary Bar- has approximately 45 members. being true A.A.s they took up another col- racks, New Cumberland, Pa. an A.A. group lection and bought the reproducing ma- First Joint Meeting—The Monroe and was formed. With the help of A.A. memchine. Now that the group owns the re- West Monroe, La, Groups recently sponbers from the Harrisburg, Pa., Group bicordings and the machine the members sored a large open meeting. This was the weekly meetings are held. feel that it would be a real privilege to first to be held by the groups with the Of the number of men confined here the take them to surrounding groups for meet- purpose of stimulating interest in A.A. in percentage admitting alcoholism and deings. this section of the country. There were siring to do something about it is very approximately 175 in attendance. New “Baby”—San Diego County, Calif, small. This reluctance to admit may be now has 30 group meetings each week. due to many reasons. Among those are: Fellowship Group—A Fellowship Group The newest “baby” is the Pacific Beach skeptics, who cannot understand how the has been organized in Huntington, W. Va. Group. This group conducts a purely in- mere meetings of the group will solve Anyone having a grudge against another formal meeting. There is no leader, the their problems; those who refuse to admit member of A.A. will find special welcome 12 Steps are read by a member and a dis- to themselves that they are alcoholics and in this group, preferably with the “becussion follows. Seating is arranged so a large number who are afraid that they grudged” member. It is said that their that members and guests may talk easily will be admitting a fault and will thereby differences seem to disappear into thin air. and freely without having to address the lose the chance for clemency and home chair. parole. It is true that the matter of drinking is being brought out by the Parole Calendar Sunday Brunch—The groups of Flint, Board. Mich., have recently inaugurated a Sun- Of A.A. Events Because the percentage admitting to day Brunch. Eggs, toast, juice and coffee themselves that they cannot handle liquor July 25—Rochester, Minn. Group all add up to a very successful project the is so small, they can be believed to be second annual banquet. members report. sincere in their effort to stop drinking. September 3-4—Southeastern Re- Another Anniversary—The Westerly, The psychiatric report for 1947 shows gional Convention, Jacksonville, Fla. R. I. Group celebrated its first anniversary 170 alcohol addictions out of 3,000 men recently with an open meeting. Civic who were interviewed and classified here. October 23-24—Iowa Conferminded men and women were the guests Of the 170 men only 14 were members of ence, Des Moines, Iowa. for the evening speaking program. an A.A. group.

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line in the first block from 14 years on to ing in the morning for medici- The Spirit Level their age and will have little interest in this unfamiliar form of biography. Others nal purposes after a hard night. (4) At what age did you hide liquor (Two members decided to see if they perhaps who have reached a stage of for an emergency after you had could draw a graph of an alcoholic, before drinking experience extending to three or experienced difficulty in obtainand after A.A. They took themselves as more days may be inspired to lay down ing it by interference of misunthe subjects and came up with the accom- their line of alcoholic progression and re- derstanding people during a panying chart. They claim nothing for it call anecdotes similar to those of admitted drunk. scientifically, but said they found it inter- alcoholics and wonder why somebody else (5) At what age did you experience esting and enlightening to them and knows so much about what they have been hallucinations seeking shadows, thought perhaps others would find it use- through. This individual must realize that dogs, or grotesque forms on ful.—Ed.) the two sample graph lines are as real as a walls and picture mouldings. hangover after a seven-day bout and once Forms most convincing after These graph lines indicate life drinking the three-day bender stage has been reached long binge. career of two typical alcoholics, the lines sand must be used to keep from skidding into the lower blocks in the left hand (6) At what age were you really are fictitious but deviation from two actual convinced that you could not cases is very slight, they are given as an column. control liquor and could not aid in plotting lines. Both cases are the Excessive drinking develops symptoms drink normally and that some- Career of Periodic Drunks. and habits which are characteristic of the thing must be done about it. Owing to limited space the biographic majority of alcoholics. They do not occur in succession as do the stages of drinking (7) Mark an asterisk or X on your stages in the left hand column are divided graph line at the approximate into the least number of steps of progres- therefore to obtain a complete record these symptoms and habits should be shown as time for each time you were hossion for a periodic drunk. A steady drunk pitalized as a result of alcodiffers somewhat and judgment must be indicated on the sample graph lines. The number is to be put on the line at a point holism. used in arriving at equivalents when plotting his line. The three last stages fit both indicating the age at which the act, ex- If this interests you get out your pencil types. perience, or realization occurred. and see how well you remember. The Spirit Level is not intended to pro- (1) At what age did you experience For conciseness many results of drinkvoke a discussion on normal drinking and ing such as loss of friends, embarrassment, remorse after drinking. Prohibition as the top block of the left fear, financial difficulties, blackouts, fight- (2) At what age did you fear retri- ing, extravagance, staying home from hand column will testify. Normal drinking is assumed to be normal living. bution for drinking. work, jobs lost, wrecked homes, and others Most people will lay down a straight (3) At what age did you start drink- are omitted.

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We Humbly Ask To the Newcomer From Chicago, Ill, From Bronxville, N.Y. The 7th Step, I believe expresses most The other night at a closed meeting a completely that attitude which appears to beginner spoke of the “affliction” of not be the final basic requirement for our rebeing able to take the first drink. Being covery from alcoholism—humility. new myself, I felt too timid to speak, but Christ described the door to the Kingsince the thoughts have been recurring, dom of Heaven as a narrow door, and He would like to offer them to other newsaid that few would find it. comers for what they are worth. Could it be that our 7th Step marks that door? Call it “affliction” if you will, as Milton Would it be easier to discover that door As Good as You would have been justified to view his blindif we stopped looking for an entrance into ness, Beethoven his imperfect ears. Yes, From Columbus, Ga. every blind man and lame could follow the Kingdom of Heaven and looked instead for an exit—a door leading out of One of my minister friends told me the negative call of complaint. the dark unventilated cell which is self? that he only asks people to believe that But how few of them do! Fact is, com- When we ask God humbly as in the 7th God is as good and kind as they are. pensations are sometimes so glorious that Step to remove our short-comings, are we Who among us hasn’t been exasperated the worst obstacles appear as blessings. not, in addition, seeking God as we un- by some misdeed of our child? We may To the alcoholic, A.A. offers uncounted derstand Him? Further than that, are we correct or punish him, but who doesn’t compensations, and gradually the vaunted not knocking at a door, trying, not neces- forgive him? Do we hold this misbehavior first-drink slips from the picture. Somesarily to get in anywhere, but to get out against him after he shows that he is where in the new A.A. subconscious we of these private one celled prisons called sorry? hear the glass shattering and wonder why self-centeredness? Here every wall is I think this wise minister has something it didn’t happen before. filled, and every corner is stacked to the here. If we can find it in our hearts to forgive our children, it seems only rea- Compensations? First, an unfogged ceiling with twisted attitudes, the little sonable to assume that our Heavenly vision—was the sunset ever before so crimes and ugly debris of our shortcom- Father will forgive us our shortcomings beautiful, or people kinder? No, awareings.— D.G. if we are truly sorry and try to do better. ness to the miracle of God and his plan I don’t believe that our compassion is for man comes through A.A. thinking. I Work the llth Step greater than His.—F.G. Second, understanding. Could a real From Montrose, Calif. A.A. be narrow and critical? No. He was “When we are conscious of a thing we once down at the dregs himself, nobody naturally live in it.” When we have made No Cutting Corners could be worse that he was. Therefore, conscious contact with God, it would seem From Wausau, Wis. a workable theory of live and let live. to me we would naturally live in a God- Some months ago I experienced a spir- Third, faith in God and human beings, like manner. For me it means to be itual awakening and have had peace of the only victory over neurosis. kindly, courteous, considerate, tolerant, mind since then. But there is no cutting and sober. This is in a small measure Fourth, happy and affirmative living. corners. For 20 years I had bargained Challengeful adventure in the every-day demonstrating the qualities of a God-like with God. This time I had to prove to manner. experience. him that I wanted to stay sober. I did so We in A.A. are trying to “Improve our by confession, admission and apologies— Fifth, freedom from despair and doubt, conscious contact with God as we under- and by living the 12 Steps. All God wanted a gift often denied to the most brilliant stand Him”, and in improving our con- was a little effort on my part. He did the thinkers, yet offered—by some incompretact it becomes a pleasurable practice. rest. hensible justice—to humble, “afflicted” For me came a feeling of freedom from I need complete honesty with myself. A.A.s.—E.T. alcoholism, also a feeling of freedom from I have to face every trial of life squarely. insecurity never experienced before. A I never wanted a drink as badly as I want The Same Goal feeling of a glowing content to be at last this happy life I am now living.—D.D. in touch with the source of all things. By “It seems to me that we are all striving degrees I came to rest in this contact, to for the same goal, namely, sobriety and depend upon it, knowing the right direc- the way we reach that same end is by adtion would be shown me if I kept spiritu- herence to the A.A. way of life. We may ally fit in my thinking and my every deed pursue or gain our peace of mind by to the best of my ability. somewhat different courses, but in the end When at times I stray from this con- or final analysis, we find that the means tact, I get back into it by prayer and used has produced the desired results. meditation, doing this earnestly and hon- That is the factor that makes A.A. so sucestly, seeking to keep my contact renewed, cessful and practicable.”—A.A. Twelve and someday, I hope, constant.—M.K. Stepper, Omaha, Neb.

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There Is a Place From Longview, Texas There is a place acceptable to all of us in A.A. It is a place where we find everincreasing happiness, confidence, ability, poise and peace. When I came into A.A. new thoughts, ideas and conceptions began coming to me. I began to see God’s good. This Program gives me peace, assurance, strength, courage and a sense of “all is well.” I give thanks to A.A. because it has taught me a new comprehension of what is meant by “good.” Nearly everyday a new viewpoint challenges my attention. I am taught to alter my point of view, my behavior and to be on guard anew. I am given the wisdom to understand and the strength to abide by every new revelation that comes to me. — B.C.

Give Honest Answer From North Birmingham, Ala. The North Birmingham group and members from all of Birmingham enjoyed a barbecue recently. “Problems” were forgotten and, until dusk, over a hundred people laughed and talked. The speaker, F.D. not only gave an enjoyable talk — he cleared up a couple of questions that frequently puzzle new members. F.D. quoted that thin bit of so-called reasoning, i.e., “A.A. doesn’t keep you Group to Give Oscar for Anniversaries sober — it’s your will power; either a man has will power or he hasn’t; if he is sober From Larchmont, N. Y. The Larchmont Group has adopted the in A.A., it is merely that he is using will Camel as its emblem, and has dubbed the power.” In some sections of the country, the memento the “Oscar of the Larchmont He pointed out that there are thousands practice of recognizing “anniversaries” has Group for all good acting A.A’.s.” who tried the will power method and grown to such an extent that an abuse has The “Oscar” has been modeled by a well- failed, but found sobriety in A.A. developed. The Larchmont Group of A.A. known artist and sculptor, a Fellow of He’s done real thinking on another queshas overcome this practice in an inexpen- tion of new members — “What is an alcosive, yet practical, way. the National Academy of Art. It will be cast in bronze, then silver-plated and holic?” and he effectively answered that Special “Oscars” will keynote the first, question: “If I am an alcoholic, how is it mounted on a mahogany base. A silver fifth and tenth anniversaries, in place of I managed to never lose a job, never was plate on the base will be engraved to read: parties, wrist-watches or diamond rings. If hospitalized, or suffered any of the degramovie stars, authors, actors and all the rest THE CAMEL MADE IT—SO DID dations so many members suffered?” are to be honored with an achievement “I, too,” said F.D., “escaped all that.” “Oscar,” or medal, or other awards, in JOHN SMITH He had been told by friends outside A.A.: their respective fields, why not those who First Anniversary, June 10th, 1948 “You are not an alcoholic — just a heavy have achieved the so-called “impossible,” drinker.” Presented by the i.e., an alcoholic in good behavior and He cited many instances of his “escape” “on the beam?” Larchmont Group drinking— drinking to run from things; Under the Larchmont plan, three anni- Please note that no mention of A.A. is of his three-day drunks that began with versaries will henceforth be recognized by made on the engraving, nor does it appear “Just one or two.” that group. They will be the First, the on the ‘Oscar” casting itself. The psychol- It is F.D.’s opinion that one of the best Fifth and the Tenth. ogy of having individuals within A.A. gain criterions whether you are an alcoholic is The recognition will take the form of a recognition for their control of one of the the answer to the question “Why do you Camel. The Camel is wholly emblematic greatest problems with which they have drink?” Answer that question honestly, of the purposes of most sincere A.A.s, i.e., ever been beset in life, speaks volumes for New Member, he said; then you’ll get to live for 24 hours without a drink. the merit of the basic idea.—P.O.D. your answer to “Am I An Alcoholic?”

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An Eye to Future A Vacation Help From Sparta, Wis. From Wilmington, Del. It is just possible that four self- Now that all wives are thinking and A Step in Time Saves Nine appointed carpenters, members of the planning various ways and means of get- Sparta, Wis. Group,! had an eye to the ting away this summer, the following may From Vallejo. Calif. future. prove a very helpful hint: Isn’t it queer how our A.A. way of liv- One of the rural members recently ac- The woman who has an alcoholic ing can help when we least expect it? Re- quired a new farm and with it a setting husband who is trying to do something cently I was calling on a young minister of chicks due to arrive momentarily. There about the problem, had better not leave who has been stricken with a very serious was no brooder coop on the place. him alone this year to keep the home fires disease. There were so many things I At 1:30 p.m. one Sunday the four “car- burning. He might pour on a little bit wanted to ask him about faith, I guess I penters” left Sparta. At 6:30 p.m. an of alcohol out of sheer loneliness—and a was really hungry for knowledge on the 8 x 12 brooder coop was ready and await- little bit goes a long way. subject. I wondered if all his trouble ing the expected hatching. Don’t forget that A.A. members are hadn’t weakened his belief and faith in going through an “about face” and need At the present time the four hungry the future. His answer was very simple. a guiding influence. If you have stuck “carpenters” are watching several hun- “If there is happiness within, no outside with him this far, he’s worth helping over dred healthy chicks grow to the proper malady can be too great an obstacle, to the summer holidays too. It is hard for frying dimensions. overcome.” He has real faith and some- all of us to forget the parties that this how I know he will recover. season of the year usually brings on, and Our conversation covered a lot of terri- the weekends away or with guests, but, be- Being a Part of A.A. tory and finally I told him a great deal lieve me it can be done with two people of my story and how I found the answer. From Wilmington, Del. doing it. A husband or wife simply can- First, to accept those things I couldn’t not be relied on to do it alone and there- On a number of occasions I have heard fore, for complete unity within the home, change, second, to be humble enough to A.A. declared, by members of the clergy, make it a deal. admit my weaknessess, and third, to have one of the greatest spiritual movements of faith my life would turn out all right. After succeeding for two Summers, with this century. To a person whose life at Among the many things I had to learn the third one coming up, I can truthfully least in a spiritual sense has been a total was the fact that I don’t have unlimited say I am grateful to all the very friendly loss, this is indeed a most thrilling reflectime so I must be careful how I use it, suggestions and cautions I received our first tion. trying to go where I am most needed. year, I was all for going away and put- It has been an inspiration to me to be- ting my husband on his own, as he had It wasn’t until a few days later that I lieve that we as individuals can be a part been a member for six months by then. found out our little talk had not only of A.A. just as big a part as almost any Another member who had been in A.A. helped me, but had helped him too. He other individual. After all, our sobriety a like term said, when he heard I was entold me that being ill was giving him vast can be complete only to the point of total tertaining the idea of taking the three knowledge not found in books and that he abstinence and our success in A.A. depends children away, “I wouldn’t do it if I too, would have to save himself for the simply on trying to the best of our ability were you, for I doubt if I could take bemost important things he wanted to do as to live up to the ideals defined by the ing left home alone, as yet, and I don’t he couldn’t possibly do all he would like twelve steps. think your husband could.” to. When we set a good example to our as- I look this suggestion for what it was The thinking that helped him was not sociates we have the most powerful agency worth, and to me it meant everything. mine, it was our A.A. thinking.—A.R. of spreading our philosophy to others. We Just the other night my husband said: “I should bear in mind our greatest source of don’t believe, had you gone away that first happiness as well as insurance against re- summer, I could have made the grade. I Responsibility Continues lapses is found in really becoming a part believe I would have slipped.”—R.M. From Sioux City, Iowa of A.A. by taking an active interest in A.A. functions. In this connection, it would I’m pretty much convinced that a spon- seem that our happiness is in direct prosor’s responsibility does not cease as soon portion to the amount of our own efforts. Small Package as the new member begins to attend meet- It is with a feeling of almost awe that I ings regularly and remains sober. “We alcoholics, apparently, are among realize the potential power of good which I am convinced that this responsibility the most egocentric of them all. To this we have. Just think of the changes in your extends over the entire rehabilitation pe- writer, it seems that the difficulty we exlife and its effect on your family and riod or at least until the new member perience in making the program is govfriends then think all of this may be given begins to live right and changes, if neces- erned by the degree of our self-centeredto some other unfortunate person and this sary, some erstwhile habits of living and ness. And, without doubt, a person miraculously adds to our own enrichment. ideas as to how to get along in this world. wrapped up in himself does make a very —Bob W. small package, indeed. So let’s forget I think it would do the individuals and the group as a whole a lot of good inside ourselves for a few moments and get down to the fundamentals of A.A.” Camel and out if this last were given study and action.—G.W.H. Live and let Live Club Chronicle, Marshalltown, Iowa.

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Don’t Pick It Apart We Are Patients From Brockton, Mass. From Worcester, Mass, When I first came to A.A., sick and The first requirement of a patient is pasorry, I was warned that I would do better tience. Quite a hurdle in itself because we not to try to analyze the why of the Pro- alcoholics are an impatient lot. Since most gram. The popular phrase was, “don’t of us spent years getting down to where pick it apart.” I followed this advice with we were sufficiently licked to accept A.A., some difficulty because I share with most isn’t it logical to expect that the way back other humans the natural curiosity that up will also be hard? I feel sure that makes me want to know what makes things Hints for New Members “Easy Does It” should not be treated as work. In this case my curiosity was par- a catch phrase but as a definite rule to ticularly sharp in view of my character- From Birmingham, Ala. go by. istic experience of complete defeat by al- If the going is hard at first, here are When one is a patient one usually has cohol. some hints. They work. a doctor; We have one—the book, Alco- I agree that the advice was valuable. It holics Anonymous. If we really want to seems to me that some of those who fail Keep Busy recover from an illness, we have faith in to make A.A. work have suffered from neg- our doctor and take the medicine he prelect of this wise admonition. Instead of Not slavishly, but when your day’s work scribes. If we want to stay sober we must accepting the overwhelming evidence that is done, A.A. offers all kinds of interest- accept and endeavor to follow every word A.A. works that is before them, they try ing things. From serving coffee to writing of advice the Big Book gives. Our medito see a reason and then, without really articles for your group’s paper or The cine may be hard to take and we may not knowing anything about it, they decide A.A, Grapevine. There’s telephoning to be able to swallow it the first try, but the that A.A. has worked with many but they do. And how about 12th Step work? more we try the sooner we’ll get results. are “different”, it will not work in their If the Big Book is our doctor, then it case. Be Choosy follows that the group is our nurse. The This reminds me of a certain advertising moral inventory is our X ray. The 24 man I knew several years ago, who suf- Get with just you, yourself. Have a thought-fest ; put your finger on those hour plan is the chart and the acceptance fered from some strange derangement of of God’s will is the blood transfusion. We the digestive system. Despite all forms things that are slowing your progress and peace of mind. Maybe it’s a crowd you have at hand all the assistance necessary of medical treatment by the best doctors, to combat the disease that threatens to his misery continued. Finally, in despera- used to run with, perhaps for a while you’d best let them mix their own drinks, if ruin our lives. It is up to the individual tion he descended to the underworld of how well he avails himself of the faciliquack healers. Approaching one of them that worries you. Maybe your time is too full of non-essentials. Eliminate those ties which our “hospital” offers.—F.S.H. who exhibited an imposing array of “miraculous cures” our friend submitted to things that get you nowhere. an examination. Included were a great Clear the decks for effective living. SUBSCRIPTION BLANK many seemingly irrelevant questions re- The A.A. Grapevine, garding the patient’s history and habits. Have Fun ! P.O. Box 328, Grand Central Annex, After pondering the case for an impres- Too many folks fail to plan daily recrea- New York 17, N. Y. sive length of time, the “doctor” elicited from his victim a solemn promise that his tion. Relax! There’s lots of social life going on in your A.A. club room. One Year $2.50—Two Years $4.50— treatment would be followed without ques- Outside U.S. $3.00. tion. He then revealed his simple formula for curing this man whose case had baffled Get That Yoke Off Your Neck For additional subscriptions enclose a number of eminent medical men. It was separate sheet with name and address Suppose two men started to walk a clearly printed. Make checks payable simply this: “For 30 days, you are to conmile. One is bowed by the burden of a to The Grapevine, Inc. fine your diet to pop-corn and prunes and heavy yoke round his neck. The other each morning at sunrise you are to bathe in a running brook.” has no hindrance, he walks with an easy Total Enclosed .., stride. He finishes the mile faster, and Since the sufferer lived in New York even is able to enjoy the scenery as he Renewal? (please check) City, the running brook routine was not goes along. easy. It required early rising, conse- Your life is like that — you can walk the PLEASE PRINT quently early retiring as well as exercise. world upright and untroubled. Turn it all Miraculously, at the end of the 30 days, the Name over to your Guide. You’ll find the unipatient was cured. verse works toward your happiness. You The moral that I see in this tale was Address can quit worrying right now. God lives. this: If our friend had tried to decide -L.F. whether or not the treatment would work, he would never have tried it. Instead, he Note: Subscriptions received prior to simply followed it blindly. It worked. The 25th of the month will begin with the reason was perhaps hidden, but the result showed clearly.—E.A.H. following month’s issue.

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“Easy Does It” One of A A.’s Most Good Reading The A.A. Grapevine will publish from Workable and Useful Sayings time to time a list of books worthy of reading and studying. The following are recommended for your bookshelf: From Nashville, Tenn. the emotional understanding as well as the intellectual understanding of the A.A. Alcoholics Anonymous, Works Publishing ONE of the most useful of the sayings Co. philosophy will come along much more that have been adopted in A.A. is that readily. Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis. which advises, “Easy Does It.” So uni- Fortunately, this is a saying which can The Art of Seeing, Aldous Huxley. versally workable is this good advice that be tested easily. It does not have to be it qualifies as the expression of one of the Alcohol, One Man’s Meat, Edward Strecker accepted on faith alone. Anyone can find fundamental steps in personal rehabilita- and Francis Chambers. out for himself whether it works simply tion. by trying it himself. Man Against Himself, Karl Menninger. If this particular saying is applied sin- Suppose a problem has arisen. Suppose On Being A Real Person, Harry Emerson cerely and intelligently, it will greatly it is the old urge to reach for the bottle. Fosdick. ease the path of the newcomer in A.A., Or suppose the problem is one of those avert “slips” and further the development Release from Nervous Tension, David by-products of alcoholism which continue of a mature life both inside and outside Harold Fink. to come up long after the urge to drink A.A. Tell It to the Padre, Robert W. Serle. has gone. The reaction of the alcoholic, Axioms are only words in themselves, and of more than a few non-alcoholics, is The Glass Crutch, W i l l i a m Wynne Wister. of course, and the phraseology has become to fight the problem, to worry about it, to trite in many cases. Pseudo-intellectuals Great Time To Be Alive, Harry Emerson get into a slew. The tension begins to are especially scornful of old sayings, and Fosdick. mount. Emotion runs wild. Self control is even less snobbish observers may overlook Peace of Mind, Joshua Loth Liebman. slipping rapidly. the worth to be found in the meaning be- That’s the usual sequence. It can be Escape from Freedom, Eric Fromm. hind the words. broken if in the midst of it, the victim sits way back, physically and mentally, It Means Relax! and relaxes. First he must relax his muscles, because that’s the easiest to do. A.A. Is Religion For example, “Easy Does It,” means— Then he must relax his mind, by directing relax! Don’t fret and worry and stew and his thoughts to pleasant subjects, to a re- With Feet On Ground struggle! Take it easy! Relax! minder that others have succeeded and so Everyone who has an intimate knowl- From Akron, Ohio can he, to mental pictures of peace and edge of the alcoholic will agree that one In a sermon recently delivered in St. success. If he will but direct his mind of the first things he needs to do is to re- Paul’s Episcopal Church, Akron, Ohio, away from the problem, he will find a new, lax, not only in the early stages of A.A. Rev. Walter F. Tunks, D.D. said: source of strength rising up within him. but forever after and a day. “Easy Does It” applies no matter how long one has. “Therein the patient must minister to Has Advanced been in A.A. and, in fact, it is essential to himself. But ministering to one’s self continued progress in A.A. and to a return At least that is the way it has worked isn’t enough! Many of you who have tried to more normal living outside. and still works for others. The individual it, know that! This week I attended a Physical relaxation has long been iden- who has learned how to relax has already meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. If you tified as a characteristic of great athletes. advanced a long way towards happiness want to see a religion with its feet on the The DiMaggios and the Williams have an and success. ground, still working miracles through easy swing that belies yet accounts for Relax and enjoy A.A. Relax and enjoy the power of God, get in touch with that much of the power of their bats. The life. earnest group that is lifting men and fastest of swimmers relax with each stroke. “Easy Does It.” If you don’t believe it, women out of the gutter and restoring In football, the relaxed player is less prone try it.—J.M.D. them to lives, of usefulness. But as one to fumbles and injuries. The great run- of them said the other night, ‘Take God ners have a relaxed stride even when they out of our group, and we have nothing are driving the hardest. left but human fellowship, and that isn’t Relaxation frees the intellectual, the enough’! Over the place where I stood emotional and even the spiritual function- to speak hung a motto of the group with ing of the personality no less than it its terse reminder, ‘But for the grace of loosens the muscles of the body. G o d — ‘ Maybe alcohol isn’t your problem. “Easy Does It” for the newcomer dur- But whatever your weakness is, you will ing those first early days of confusion, never overcome it by flexing your own fear and doubt. If, instead of worrying muscles. We can’t swing up a rope atand “tensing up” because he does not tached to our own belt straps. All our hugrasp the whole A.A. program in the first man efforts fail until they are anchored in sitting—if he will relax, he will find that the rock that is higher than I.”

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Vol. V, NO. 3, AUG., 1948. P. 0. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK 17. YEARLY, $2.50; COPY 25c The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, devoted to those seeking further knowledge on the problem of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics everywhere. Individual opinions expressed here are not, necessarily, those of A.A. as a whole.

Contents of this publication copyrighted, 1948, by A.A. Grapevine Inc. with all rights reserved.

Those Depressions—Make Them Work for Good! From New York, N. Y. “All right. Perhaps I never will do any- MOST of us have them, I guess, those thing spectacular. Maybe I’m not any ball depressions that attack us without of fire, never was, never will be. Suppose warning and apparently without adequate I have to plod along in the middle of the cause. I am sure that they are not limited road just like the vast majority of human to alcoholics, but for us they are danger- beings, scoring a small success here, a ous, much more dangerous than they are small set-back there, never getting very far to the average non-alcoholic, for they in- ahead, trying not to get too far behind.” duce a craving, not for liquor necessarily, If we face these thoughts honestly and but for the effect of liquor. without shame, we have done something. I remember reading an article some time We have turned our depression into an ago about mood cycles. I think it said that adjustment that is a necessary one for most the mood swing for an average normal of us. It is quite probable that our lives person took place in a matter of fourteen will be spectacular only in that they are to eighteen days as a rule. It advised us so much better than they were during our to keep track of our feelings—that is, if drinking years. We will be important only we wake up feeling unaccountably happy to ourselves and the few who are close to and go through the day in that frame of us. If we stay sober, and we know that mind, mark it down on our calendar and we must, we can say these things to oursee how long it is until we have another instead of day dreaming—do something selves and go on from there. such day. Do the same with the black days. that is within the realms of possibility and As active alcoholics, the word mediocrity This might be an interesting experiment keep on doing it until we have accommeant all the dull, boring aspects of life and prove helpful enough if it were not plished something concrete. At such times that we were trying to escape. If we for the fact that our mood swings are our self-confidence is high and we are apt couldn’t be tops, we didn’t want to play at wider than those of the average person. to do a good job. all. Well, most of us, not all of us by any Our black times are blacker, our happy Our depressions vary in length and inmeans, but most of us are pretty run-ofperiods, perhaps because we have gotten tensity—at least mine do. Sometimes they the-mill individuals. We can do a job as used to doing without them, cause an ela- are black indeed and last as long as a well as the next fellow but perhaps not any tion that is unrealistic and almost as dan- month. Sometimes they are light brown and I get over them in a few days. Dark better. We can make as much money if we gerous to us as the depressions. We make or light they are distressing, unproductive work as hard as he does, and if we can plans that are out of all proportion to our times and life seems like a very dull stop this frantic drive to prove that we are abilities, at least without years of sustained effort. We are not too long on sustained business. Even A.A. loses its reality. I go remarkable people, it is quite likely that effort and when a few stabs in the direction to meetings, and come away bored and dis- we will settle down and really enjoy whatof our goal, whatever it may be, don’t pro- satisfied. If it is a discussion meeting and ever life has to offer us, and it offers a duce immediate results, we are prone to I contribute any optimistic thought, I listen great deal now that we are sober and can to myself cynically and think, “Why don’t appreciate it. give the whole thing up. To make these violent changes in mood we stop kidding ourselves? We’ll never There is one job that we can do supersafe for ourselves, I think we will have to really amount to anything. We missed our latively well, and there isn’t anything that do something about them, turn them to chance long ago, we are way behind in the can keep us from doing it if we are serious account in some way. I wouldn’t know race.” in wanting to. That is the job we do on what to do about the elations except to pull These, to my mind, are the times to go ourselves, inside ourselves. It means clearourselves down out of the clouds by main to work, fight it out with yourself, answer ing out a whole mess of false values, unforce and go out and do something active yourself back. Say to yourself: (Continued on page two)

ing party and before long, most of the bars Vino Vignette- were being visited by A.A.s on the alert They Celebrated for Rollo. They found him in a small saloon in the And Talked It Was That suburbs. He was drunk. When he was. sober enough to talk, he confessed that the About Drinking Hungry Feeling pressure had become too much for him. He said that he had been eating for eight from Atlanta, Ga. months on loans from anyone who would give him money. Finally, he said, A.A.s It was a man-sized celebration, but every- From New York, N. Y. began to ask too many questions. They one was as sober as the proverbial judge. The first time I saw Rollo I was im- They talked about drinking, about some had put him on the spot. He seemed quite pressed. He was enthusiastic. His conversad about it. of the really big bouts they had staged, sation about A.A. and what it was doing but there wasn’t the faintest odor of alcofor him indicated that he knew the “pitch” After Rollo got sober and returned to the clubhouse, a committee greeted him hol about the place, and no one had buland was on the beam. Over the coffee table ging pockets. with orders to get out and stay out until after meetings he held forth on the 12 he had made some effort to pay back at The occasion was the seventh anniversary Steps, the “Spiritual” angle and the danger least part of the money he owed. After of Atlanta’s Chapter of Alcoholics Anonyof goofballs. New members attached themthat he disappeared altogether from A.A. mous, with some 400 or 500 persons fillselves to him and fell over one another to and a year passed. ing Taft Hall. get close to him. Recently I passed a restaurant in the The experiences they related—these an- A nice-looking guy, Rollo had a way center of town. There was Rollo working onymous men and women who have conwith women. Many A.A. women, especially’ as the counterman. He was sober and look- quered Demon R u m — w o u l d make a conthe older ones, were interested in him. ing fine. I stopped in to see him. “Well, fession at a revival meeting seem tame. From time to time nearly everyone in the I finally got off the angle,” he said. “Soon Take Steve, for example. Steve, who group—particularly the women—helped Rollo with his “financial problem.” Be- I’ll have all the guys and gals paid off and hails from Washington, D. C., was the cause he certainly had a problem. It was I’ll be back at the clubhouse. It was being guest of honor. It was he, with the help hungry that got me. This job solved all of his wife, who founded the Atlanta group eating. my troubles.”—W.J. seven years ago in their basement apart- Since the opening of the new clubhouse, ment in Buckhead. he had been around steadily. He would “I was drunk for more than 20 years,” lounge around, talking to new people, he recounted. “My wife had tried every drinking coffee, and generally making him- Those Depressions cure known to mankind on me, and nothing self available. If the telephone rang to worked. In fact, one of the cures made me summon someone for a 12th Step call, he was the first to put on his hat and make a Make Them Count so drunk I was unconscious for four weeks. “We were living in Washington at that dash for the door. If a brand new visitor (Continued from page one) time,” he continued, “and some man came appeared, he made it a point to be nice to in from New York to establish an A.A. him and to give him the lowdown on A.A. realistic ambitions, worn out resentments group. My wife prevailed upon me to join. All in all, Rollo was a most useful man. and putting in their place the qualities we I did and I sobered up. it was tough going But he was on the angle. He had to be. want to have—kindness, tolerance, friend- for a year but after that year I began to He had to eat. liness, for instance. We can begin to see enjoy life, and when I was transferred to One day someone made a complaint what the real values of life are, and they Atlanta I was determined to start an A.A. about Rollo. “Where’s the 10 bucks I lent are very different from the hazy, distorted group here.” him?” it was asked. “Do you think its fair dreams we had of becoming famous over The Rev. Sam, now pastor of a large of him to ask me for half of my last $25,” night. North Georgia church, described some of another member asked. If we can really talk to ourselves in this the difficulties of launching the Atlanta When he got word of these mutterings, manner during our depression, we have group, explaining: “It was a little story he sought out the complainants and paci- made use of it. Instead of letting it sub- in the Atlanta Constitution that led me to fied them with tall stories about the “check merge us and perhaps drive us into a slip, Steve.” he was expecting” or the advance he would we have used it as a stepping stone toward Bert, who now operates a home for forcollect “next Thursday” from one of his a better understanding of what our sober mer drunkards, said he was in Atlanta’s “deals.” For a long time this system lives can hold for us. City Stockade 105 limes for being drunk. worked. He took on the sleek appearance In our happier moods we will still day “I guess I am the original man of disof a well fed cat. The only thing missing dream, and I wouldn’t want to stop, but tinction,” he concluded. “I changed from was the “purr.” they will be constructive dreams rather bay rum to canned heat.” Suddenly Rollo disappeared. After a than mere flights of fancy, and if we keep Charlie, a successful Atlanta businessweek members began to ask each other them within the bounds of possibility, we man, traced his reclamation to the time about his whereabouts. No one seemed to will have a good chance of making them he asked a friend for a dollar to buy a know where he lived. A search of various come true.—M.N. drink and was told to go to the A.A. club- “business” addresses failed to find any- rooms, after which he could return for body who knew him. The creditors began the money. He never came back to get the to get panicky. They organized a search- dollar.

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Man—Not the Bottle A Beginner Tells Why He Is An A.A. “The scientists are searching for the causes behind problem-drinking—for they From Kingston, Pa. soul torn asunder and body quivering with know that the root of the trouble lies in Briefly, why am I an A.A.? There is but terror and remorse he stands alone as we the MAN and not in the BOTTLE—and one answer. After suffering the tortures of first met him. No one wants a drunk. His what can be done to remove those causes the damned and enduring the penalties mind is befuddled, it is grasping out, seek- and with them the problem drinker’s unwhich every alcoholic must pay, I have ing, searching for that it knows it needs, controlled drive to drink himself into probed my soul to its innermost and with but can’t just find. Pleadings to God, self- oblivion. the help of the Supreme Being, I have promises, he tries everything, he walks and “Their findings are still incomplete. come out of the bewildered chaos to under- walks and then a thought strikes him. John They have found no panacea to effect an stand f u l l y that there is no road back but Smith,—What was it he once told me? overall cure. But they have come to some that very difficult route, which sometimes “If I ever wanted to be honest with myself definite conclusions, which should be tries our determination severely but which and stop drinking to come to him.” I’ll known to every member of the liquor inis the only way in the end—the direct route try it. What is John Smith’s answer? dustry: to self confidence and respect—total absti- First, let’s get straightened out. It took five “The problem drinker is a sick man; nence. days to get him to his senses. He is intro- his real problem lies within himself, not duced to A.A. his one remaining hope. in the alcohol he drinks without care or In A.A. with its Program, I have found Does he succeed, who knows? One never control. The problem drinker is a pubthe only solution for an individual who can tell the story of an alcoholic in words lic health problem; he is essentially a will try to understand and accept it to the of success until the lid is closed on his community responsibility. The community fullest. We are not in a class which should casket. —and that includes the liquor trade— be considered with whispers and pointings After our final accounting if we adhere must work with medical scientists, public of fingers. On the other hand, I feel that to the principles of A.A. the Almighty will health authorities, hospital administrators, as the public becomes aware of the effects greet us with “Well done, thou good and police officials and legislators to bring of alcohol and its influence upon the sysf a i t h f u l servant.” about sane and appropriate treatment for tems of alcoholics, our organization will Remember, God meant men to look the the problem drinker. The public must be flourish as a builder of men and the world in the face. That is why he stood educated to the fact that uncontrolled and saviour of those who heretofore have conthem on two feet.—J.K. chronic drinking and their underlying facsidered themselves as hopeless. It cannot tors are medical problems, so that it will be disregarded when its appeal strikes lend its support to sound measures for home. dealing with them. A man stands by the side of the road, A Son Speaks About “From these conclusions there would his eyes are bloodshot, his body shakes as seem to emerge three important requirehis tortured nerves seek to readjust them- Alcoholics Anonymous ments to deal with the problem on pracselves, his vision is blurred, his self-con- tical lines, namely: A model Union law fidence is gone, forgotten by friends, sick, From Salem, Mass. dealing with problem-drinking; an anbroken, destitute, ready for an i n s t i t u t i o n Maybe you would like to know how the alysis of the medico-legal aspects of probor better yet the river. Here is a partial son of an alcoholic feels toward Alcoholics lem-drinking and a redrafting of the law, description of an alcoholic. Anonymous. placing problem drinkers under the juris- Yes, he started out with just a few cock- Do you know what it is to have a Dad, diction of health rather than legal authoritails. What a glorious sensation, he was who you respect, who you think is the most ties; and assistance for the health and welhigh—awfully high, no one ever felt bet- wonderful man in the world come home fare agencies concerned with the care of ter—trouble vanished like the “bubbles in d r u n k ? That’s what I saw many a night. problem drinkers to develop common conchampagne. One more, oh yes, one more I am 15 years old and while I was still clusions concerning the type of facilities and then lots more. very young I wondered what was wrong necessary for their care.”—The South with my father. Was he sick? Was he African Hotel Review, Capetown. mad? I didn’t know but I soon found out. Money Getting Low Never Again That was before he became a member of And then day after day—hours meas- A.A. “Carlos Monroy, 40, a laborer, was ured by the number of quarts and pints he When my father joined A.A. something on the wagon today. Monroy got three consumes, money getting low, need a h a i r happened. It was like a story. After bottles of rum during the height of the cut and shave—do it tomorrow, better stop awhile I could look up to people and say, rioting last week. He drank them and in Joe’s Bar, Tom will be there—got to “See that man? He’s my Dad.” I was so passed out in the street. A government hang on to a few bucks for a bottle to- happy over this that I got interested in truck sent out to pick up the bodies of morrow. Work—to hell with it!—lots of A.A. too. I went to meetings, and learned those killed in the revolt gathered up jobs,—my wife, what’d she ever do for more about A.A. Monroy and carted him off to the morgue. me? Kids are brats too. Burned a hole in To me A.A. is a magic something that “He fled screaming when he came to my pants—get ’em fixed tomorrow. Down came from nowhere and saved our whole and found himself surrounded by dead goes brother alcohol and further down goes family. To me a son or daughter can bodies. the individual. realize more what A.A. does for a father ” ‘I’ll never take another drop, so help Finally, When everything is pawned, or a mother than anyone else in the family. me,’ he told friends.”—Bogota, Columbia, every dollar gone, friends offended, his —Norman S. (U.P.).

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Group Meeting and Discussion Pages (This is a discussion page. Ideas advanced here “attend an A.A. meeting.” In this case the with the problem, drop a letter to The A.A. are only suggestions, put forward to help furnish group discussion topics, without any intention of non-alcoholic was not only a close friend Grapevine.—J.T. reaching fixed conclusions or dogmatic “rights” of my wife but was interested in the proband “wrongs.” All readers are invited to submit lem of alcoholism because of a member of What’s the Answer? group discussion topics.) her family. However, when we learned In the J u n e issue of The. A.A. Grapevine From New York, N. Y. that the meeting that night was a closed I read an item, e n t i t l e d , “What Is the one, we explained the situation to her and Answer,” written by A. G., Rochester, N. Y. MY wife insists on attending closed According to the item, Brother A. G’s suggested that she visit our group “on meetings with me,” writes a troubled A.A. group was discussing the case of a another night. member of a group in suburban New York. hypothetical “slipee” or an unfortunate On another occasion, however, we took “We haven’t any rules about this sort of member who had had a relapse. To make a non-alcoholic to a closed meeting withthing,” he continued, “but I find it hard to a long story short, the victim had hit botout thinking about it. No one noticed it, explain to her that non-alcoholics are al- tom, and hard,—no job, no money, no but we have never felt quite right about it. lowed to attend open meetings but not room and no friends. A group takes hold We don’t expect to do it again. closed ones. Have any other A.A.s been and reclaims him from the dregs of hu- Members in smaller communities, parfaced with this problem?” manity. After three months in A.A., he is ticularly in the New England states, seem The writer of this letter lives in a small sitting on top of the world because of his to take the appearance of non-alcoholic community. His group numbers no more sobriety, but he has been lax in attending members of an A.A.’s family at any kind than 30 members, most of whom have meetings although constantly contacted by of a meeting as a matter of course. They known each other and their families for the men who brought him back from the say that mothers, fathers, husbands and years. To these A.A. and their husbands “living dead.” And then he slips and withwives are all interested in the family drunk and wives, A.A. functions of all kinds in 48 hours he has lost everything he had and that “families enjoy the fun and have become “family” activities. Appar- gained in three months of sobriety. frolic of A.A.s anyway.” Although these ently the wife in this case feels “left out of Now, permit me to quote my friend, groups don’t have any rules about the matthings” on the one night a week the group A. G. “Now comes the $64 question. Do ter, everything seems to work out alright holds its closed meeting. we start all over again? The man has under present arrangements. In some groups a strict tradition has been given the tools to work with, but did Husband Objects grown up on the subject. In these groups, not use them. Are we supposed to go “My husband objects to my going to non-alcoholics are forbidden to attend through all the same things? Sitting up an A.A. meeting of any kind without him,” closed meetings. Some groups go so far nights, getting rooms, getting jobs, for this writes an A.A. wife from an Alabama as to insist that women sit in one section same man who ignored the members pleas Group. “Tom (the husband) isn’t exactly of the room and men in another. These to come to meetings?” jealous but he tells me that he has stuck groups take the position that a closed Probably I can offer a small fraction with me so far and he can’t understand meeting means what it says; that such a of help by citing a mistake I made. An why he can’t continue to go with me to meeting is the one time in the week when alcoholic, whom I shall call Ed, came to me any meeting, open or closed.” A.A.s can let their hair down and discuss under similar circumstances. He had a Another letter reflects the opinion of an their personal problems in privacy. They large family, a sick wife in a sanitorium, A.A. who is upset about the attendance of feel that in a strictly closed meeting it is and he was broke, disgusted and sick. I non-alcoholic members of an A.A.’s family easier to get frankness and sincerity into took Ed along to our group meetings at at closed meetings. He says, “It burns me the discussion of personal troubles. More- Williamsport and he took to A.A. like a up to see every non-alcoholic Tom, Dick over, many A.A.s feel that the chief benefit duck to water. Within six months time and Harry at our closed meetings. Unless of the closed meeting is its privacy. If non- Ed was looking at the world through rosewe do something about it I’m not going alcoholics are allowed, they say, why call colored glasses. We, in our group, had to any more meetings. Last Thursday I it a “closed” meeting? given Ed the tools to work with. saw Fred J.’s wife at the meeting. She was Curiously, a number of A.A. Groups— After seven months of sobriety Ed sitting in the back of the room and she particularly in foreign countries—have slipped. No, he did not fail us; we failed didn’t say anything but I felt uncomfort- been started by non-alcoholics. In Aus- Ed. His case was parallel with the neoable having her there. Believe me I tralia, a non-alcoholic was largely respon- phyte who was given the finest set of wouldn’t discuss my personal problems sible for the beginning and growth of A.A. watch-making tools and then instructed to with her or any other non-alcoholic in the in that country. We have had no news on build precision time pieces. This he was room.” the subject of closed meetings from these unable to do because of lack of training. In view of letters recently received by foreign groups. We gave Ed the finest set of working tools, The A.A. Grapevine, it occurred to us that Some A.A.s prefer to be anonymous to the 12 Steps, and told him to become it would be interesting and, probably, the extent they will attend closed meetings master of himself. Realizing the serioushelpful to request other opinions from only. If they are getting the Program in ness of our mistake, we again got Ed back readers on this subject. that way no one can criticize. For these on the Program and taught him the fashion In our own group this problem hasn’t A.A.s it is extremely important that closed and use of God’s Working Tools for alcocome up. Our group has only a few closed meetings remain closed meetings. holics, the 12 Steps. meetings. On one occasion a non-alcoholic If the question has come up in your Perhaps that will answer your $64 quesvisitor in our home expressed a wish to group or if you have had any experience tion.—Dick K. Watsontown, Pa.

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C AN A.A. be effective in prison? How many times have we asked ourselves We are f o r t u n a t e to be located just nineteen miles over the Golden Gate Bridge that question since we joined the Arizona from San Francisco. This enables us to State Prison Group. We do know we are invite speakers from there at most any groping for an honest answer. But there time. We also exchange speakers with are so many posers. many of the Bay Area Groups. Didn’t we all go through a compul- Our Group also participates in institusory period of dehydration? No doubt tional work at San Quentin and Napa State about that. We were all as dry as the sun Hospital, which is not only helpful to the seared desert. Weren’t we all more or less inmates, but helps all of us. rebellious at being confined and being told Recently we had the privilege of sitting what to do 24 hours out of each day for 365 in on a staff meeting of doctors at Napa days out of each year. The answer to that State Hospital. There were three members would come when we were free to order, of Alcoholics Anonymous present, who “steak, medium please, and a bottle of Group Meeting were asked direct questions by the doctors. beer.” Weren’t we looking into the f u t u r e Our meetings are closed with the excepwhen we could stage a good king-sized No person can prevent a thought from tion of the last week of each month when entering his or her m i n d . If we see a fire binge? No doubt about t h a t . We’ve heard visitors are welcomed.—Z. S., San Andreams of the f u t u r e voiced too many we are going to t h i n k of a fire. If we read selmo, Calif. about a baseball game, we are going to times to even imagine that the m a j o r i t y of us would do anything else. And wasn’t the think about baseball. There is no door we brightest dream of all the one embracing can close to shut out those things we see Afternoon Meeting or read about. But we can meet the train new friends we would make when we were of thought at the threshold of our minds For the members who work at night and again members of free society? and guide it along a good or bad track. many women who cannot attend evening As a result of this we started trying to meetings, the Franklin Square, L. I. Group Few Who Care find the good parts of things and keeping has organized a closed afternoon meeting. our trains of thought on the track of The meeting is held every Tuesday after- Few of us have anyone who really cares “straight thinking.” noon in the basement of a church and is about us, as men, to go to when released. limited to one hour. Since its organiza- Many of us will be w i t h o u t friends of any We found that even if a person is so mixed up he feels like “Tom and Jerry” tion in April this meeting has proved very kind. Past habits may send us to a cocktail batter, he w i l l in time get some hint that successful in helping newcomers over the lounge in our search for human comw i l l awaken him to the right answer if he first hump and keeping older ones “on the panionship. We all know every bar has a keeps a steady attendance to meetings, tries beam.” The meeting procedure is very inready friend for the guy—good or bad— his best to live according to the “12 Steps.” formal with refreshments being served durwho w i l l buy drinks and be a good fellow. This answer may come from the most un- ing the talks.—M.A.J., Franklin Square, Where can we step back into the stream of expected place, but it will come. L. I., New York. free l i f e with less effort? Then came a letter to one of the collaborators of this By that we do not mean our thinking article. took an abrupt angle turn. Our thoughts With the assistance of A.A.s on the outhad been careening down the road of least side, Texas Prison System Group, No. 1, The letter was from an executive officer resistance too long for, anything as sudden Huntsville, Texas, was recently organized. of a company the collaborator had once as that. But our t h i n k i n g is in a state of worked for. It was a fine letter of com- The first meeting held on June 27 was metamorphosis like the caterpiller chang- attended by seven inmates and seven memmendation on the inmate j o i n i n g A.A. It ing to the b u t t e r f l y . Maybe we are getting was fine morale b u i l d i n g letter. But the bers of the Houston and Conroe Groups. some place.—Gene and Verle. biggest thing in that letter was a few words The second meeting had eleven inmates in that allowed a sliver of light to filter attendance. This group has been organized through the clouds of doubt that kept our They Have Gained along the lines of other successful prison minds hazy. Quoting from that letter. groups and meets with the f u l l approval Our Group (Marin County Group) is “The main joy in l i f e comes from * * * of the prison authorities.—Clair and Anna, two years old and is now r u n n i n g along and straight thinking.” Now straight t h i n k – Houston, Texas. smoothly. We did have some difficulties ing was nothing new to us from an ad- the first year, but with deeper understandvisory standpoint. We had been told about ing of the program, the 12 Traditions and Louisville, Ky. groups are experiment- “straight thinking” since the first day we tolerance we have gained a great deal. ing with beginners’ meetings. They are went to an A.A. meeting. but somehow it We now have a steering committee of keeping in mind the hazard of inviting had evaded us. three members and they in turn select a new members to look upon the speakers as Controlling one’s thoughts in prison is chairman for each meeting and take care “officials.” To overcome this, the group is not one of the easiest t h i n g s to do. The of any business along with our secretary. trying to swing these beginners meetings general atmosphere in prison is not con- About a year ago a group branched out to a form of round table discussions. In ducive to “straight t h i n k i n g . ” Then one of from our group in Sausalito, which is this procedure no one is considered an exus remembered a psychology professor’s known as the Southern Marin Group. This pert, but rather as one who has had more i l l u s t r a t i o n of c o n t r o l l i n g thought t r a i n s . gives us two meetings a week which are experience in the Program.—J.S., Louis- His i l l u s t r a t i o n was something l i k e this. well attended. ville, Ky.

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From Muskegon, Mich. I think it behooves the wife or husband Families, Wives Need Help Too of the alcoholic to read the A.A. literature. We families in A.A. need to help ourselves too. Living in close contact with an alcoholic is one sure way of soaking up “My daddy gels d r u n k and he gets uggsy.” the house with the address of Alcoholics a lot of alcoholic thinking and acting. Poor little guy; he didn’t know the neigh- Anonymous Inc., so I wrote my letter in bors were already well aware of it—un- care of t h e Saturday Evening Post. Believe me, I know from experience. canny, isn’t it, that sixth sense the neigh- W i t h i n 10 days a f t e r writing my letter It is now just a little over three years bors seem to be blessed w i t h ! I had an answer to it. I m a g i n e my glad since my husband became a member of Uggsy or ugly, and d r u n k ! That’s what surprise to note t h a t there was a group A.A. I can well remember the day I wrote our pet spaniel dog t h o u g h t too, if dogs right here in Muskegon! A little less than my letter asking for help. Our f a m i l y think. She never f a i l e d to scoot for shel- a week later one of our local members difficulties brought about by the old demon ter under the table and w o u l d stay there called on my husband and gave him a “booze” parallel thousands of other probuntil the “storm” w i t h the big feet that brief o u t l i n e of t h e 12 Steps. From there lem-drinker family situations. It is the didn’t track right staggered a w a y out of on it would be just a r e p e t i t i o n of what same story one hears over and over again sight and hearing, and to bed. every A.A. knows a b o u t the recovery of in A.A. A sad story indeed, but not withthe alcoholic to sane and sober l i v i n g . out a happy conclusion. Nightmare Vanished I’m w o n d e r i n g if the w i f e of the alco- I, personally, believe that the recovery holic may be possibly more cooperative, of an alcoholic to the way of life that A.A. Our n i g h t m a r e seems to h a v e vanished tolerant and w i l l i n g to let by-gones be teaches, is something of a revelation and and we are a happy f a m i l y , h a p p i e r than by-gones, than is t h e husband of the alcoan education. Surely, money can’t buy we ever were before, even before the dis- h o l i c ? It seems the d r i n k i n g wives have this kind of education, except as the exease alcoholism struck. more d i f f i c u l t y getting on w i t h the Properience is acquired through untold dol- Yes, I tried everything, and I mean gram. Most of the wives that I have lars spent in the cost of alcohol and all talked with are so t h a n k f u l and happy that goes with it. EVERYTHING to get my husband to q u i t drinking or not d r i n k so much. t o k n o w t h a t t h e i r husbands a r e m a k i n g an honest effort to overcome the d i f f i c u l t y , Better People After many years of f u m b l i n g and gropthat they want all the information they ing, trying to figure out w h a t the real I know that in our own individual fam- can get on how best they can be h e l p f u l . trouble was and what to do about it—just ily that the whole process of bad years literally beating my brains out against a caused primarily by the effects of alcohol, stone w a l l , I came to the realization t h a t Read A.A. Literature has brought about an outlook on life that there was nothing at all that I could do to w i l l make us better people for having had remedy the situation. In desperation I For myself, I read every piece of A.A. the experience. called our f a m i l y physician’s w i f e on the l i t e r a t u r e t h a t comes my way, it also helps The older of our two boys, age 16, never telephone and told her that I was at the me to h e l p myself as well as my husband knew his father to be anything other than very end of my rope and couldn’t take it and some of the other wives as well. Ocyesterday’s hangover and today’s binge any more. She asked me if I knew any- casionally we meet a wife who is intolercoupled together. They make an interest- thing about Alcoholics Anonymous. Also, ant and d i s i n t e r e s t e d in t h e Program ing and comic combination, or perhaps way back before that, I had read an article ( t h e y ‘ r e few and f a r between) but u s u a l l y peculiar and tragic—all according to in the Saturday Evening Post on the same in these cases, the husband has difficulty where one sits, the view one gets. His subject. Queer, how dulled one’s senses with the Program. That is why I’m wonwas a miserable childhood, but unfortu- become—it was there all the time. I dering j u s t w h a t approach, if a n y , can be nate as conditions were, I have a feeling busied myself right then and there with a used in the case of the i n t o l e r a n t husband he has profited by the experience. At least letter to the N a t i o n a l Headquarters in of the alcoholic wife. Does anyone have he realizes and understands that he is not New York. I couldn’t find a magazine in any suggestions?- Mrs. F.O.S, alone or that our particular situation is unique or outstanding. We are just one Remember Well f a m i l y numbered among many having the same kind of problem. We are learning “Remember well w h a t we wanted when g r a d u a l l y , as are many other families, we adopted t h i s design for living– not how to overcome our difficulties and l i v e to be a s a l e s m a n of a p h i l o s o p h y — not to in harmony w i t h others. be a r e f o r m e r , not to he a zealot of a n y Since our younger son was o n l y four f a n a t i c t y p e but to subscribe to a plan years old when his daddy quit drinking, of sane l i v i n g , proven by others to be a he won’t remember much of the old days. safe v e h i c l e for a sober passage through He did make some private observations the day. No g l o w i n g promises—no quiband some p u b l i c admissions. He made his b l i n g w i t h t h e t r u t h – n o concessions t o regular rounds of the neighborhood, call- social s t a n d i n g s – i n a word, no deviation ing on all and sundry, spreading the regu- from the simple plan is necessary to offer lar news and some not so regular—at least to man such a great reward for so little from my point of view. It got to be like e f f o r t . ” -A.A. Twelve Stepper, Omaha, the phonograph record w i t h a crack in it, Nebraska.

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the kind of a wife that I should be and a And Can Gain from the 12 Steps help and inspiration to my husband and to others.—Wife of an A.A.

From Vincennes, Ill. I must take inventory of myself to see if I have been just the kind of a wife that Group Meeting I am not an alcoholic, but being human The Birmingham Group held an enthuinspires my husband to right living. If do have my faults and some habits that siastic discussion recently on a problem not, I must be just as ready to admit it as are not conducive to good living. From presented by a new member. he. God cannot give much help to an ineach of the 12 Steps of the A.A. Book, I The husband of this new member is bitdividual who gives offense and is not big may gain help in overcoming these handi- terly opposed to her membership in A.A. enough to ask forgiveness as we must need caps. My major fault is a quick temper It is a bone of contention and a cause for ask God to do for us. which vents itself in a sharp tongue. his heaping abuse each meeting she attends. Having had continuously and religiously According to the 1st Step, each time I done all this, it is now easy for me to say The member’s husband, himself, drinks give way to these temper outbursts, it be- to myself that I am now master of the often and to excess, but says he doesn’t comes harder to control myself until, in situation, but as the 10th Step tells us, we need A.A., and furthermore uses A.A. as time, I am a slave to my temper. Then never “stay put”, either I am improving the excuse for violent abusive scenes. like the A.A. I must admit I am powerless myself or backsliding. I must constantly alone and ask God to take over. be taking inventory of myself and never To Keep Peace As in the 2nd and 3rd Steps, I too must fail to make amends for every misdeed. Recently, for the sake of peace, the wife admit that if I am to correct my faults, As the llth Step brings out, when I feel stopped coming to meetings. Last week she I shall have to put my trust in a Power myself getting jittery or upset, I must of had a slip. Now she’s back with us again. greater than myself and turn my will and necessity take time out to talk to God and The abuse at home continues. my life over to God. When I feel myself he will show me the thing to do and give The Birmingham Group discussed the slipping, I must of necessity take time out me the calm I need. God never interferes problem, trying to offer helpful suggesto relax. With peace of mind restored with our lives unless we ask Him. He tions. We’d like very much to see it disthere will be no occasion to “blow my never fails us when we ask Him for help. cussed further, in The A.A. Grapevine. top”. I cannot help my husband when I I should take time out more often to How to meet this unreasonable attitude on cannot control myself. thank God for those blessings which I the part of wife or husband of a member? have received and not always ask God for MF said: “Just sit tight, stick to A.A., Takes Inventory, Too things. I am sure that the good things in keep sober, and let time be on your side.” my life would far outnumber the bad A member objected: “But living in con- As humans, we all fail to see our own things. Keeping this in my mind, I know stant turmoil makes it so hard to make the shortcomings. As in the 4th Step, I, too, that I will be a much happier and pleas- Program” (especially when the husband must make an inventory of my faults. Do anter wife. Too, I should help others to also drinks). I have self pity, resentment, jealousy, critisee this way of thinking and in so doing Someone asked: “Have you tried an apcism, fear, anger, hate, in my heart mild, will increase my own happiness. peal to reason, and to explain to him A.A. passive or violent? If so, then I must admit these things to God and be honest so he will appreciate it?” (She said he God Produces Harmony won’t listen.) with myself as the 5th Step states. I share equally with my husband the responsi- I shall end this little discourse with a A new member said: “Why not let one bility for a happy home and a successful section taken from “Our Southern Friend” of our older members talk to the husmarriage and need to see and correct my as given in the 12th Step. “God produces band?” own faults. Having made a clean breast harmony in those who receive His Spirit Birmingham Group would welcome furof my weakness and assured of both spir- and follow its dictates. There are disturb- ther suggestions on this difficult problem. itual and human help, I feel strong and ances, but I have learned that if I seek pa- —L. F., Birmingham, Ala. confident of the victory almost won. tience and open-mindness, understanding will come. And with it, direction of God.” Educational Lecture Though I have admitted those things which are not good in my life, as the 6th If I can just keep this marvelous philos- In an effort to acquaint the public with and 7th Steps make plain, I shall need ophy in mind then with God’s help I can be A.A. the Midland, Mich., Group has re- God’s help to remove both the cause and cently completed a series of five educadesire to do them. With His aid I can gain tional lectures. These lectures were prespiritual courage and a serenity and calm- sented by five psychiatrists and a member ness that will be a benefit to my husband. of A.A. Midland, Mich. Now comes a very vital step. That is Awarding Marbles the making of a list of all those whom I have offended in any way and ask God to The Artesia, N. Mex. Group is now show me the way to make amends. As awarding marbles to all members of the the 8th and 9th Steps indicate I must be group. These marbles are to be carried at much in prayer and meditation before I all times and if, at any time, a member is try to do this else I may make the wound unable to present his marble, he is fined 25 deeper. If my husband is big enough to cents. This money goes into the “Foundaadmit to me that he has done wrong, then, tion Fund.”—N. L. Artesia, N. Mex.

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up a Foundation, a General Office or a Grapevine, then we are organized for service. The A.A. book and pamphlets, our meeting places and clubs, our dinners and regional assemblies—these are services too. Nor can we secure good hospital connections, properly sponsor new prospects and On the 9th Tradition obtain good public relations just by chance. People have to be appointed to look after these things, sometimes paid people. Spe- By Bill cial services are performed. Each A.A. Group needs the least possible organization. Rotating leader- But by none of these special services, ship is the best. The small group may elect its secretary, the large group its has our spiritual or social activity, the rotating committee, and the groups of a large Metropolitan area their central great current of A.A. ever been really or intergroup committee, which often employs a full-time secretary. The organized or professionalized. Yet our Trustees of The Alcoholic Foundation are, in effect, our A.A. General Service recovery program has been enormously Committee. They are the custodians of our A.A. Tradition and the receivers aided. While important, these service acof voluntary A.A. contributions by which we maintain our A.A. General Ser- tivities, are very small by contrast with our main effort. vice Office in New York. They are authorised by the groups to handle our over-all public relations and they guarantee the integrity of our principal news- As such facts and distinctions become paper, “The A.A. Grapevine.” All such representatives are to be guided in clear, we shall easily lay aside our fears the spirit of service, for true leaders in A.A. are but trusted and experienced of b l i g h t i n g organization or hazardous servants of the whole. They derive no real authority from their titles; they wealth. As a movement, we shall remain do not govern. Universal respect is the key to their usefulness. comfortably poor; for our service expenses are trifling. With such assurances, we shall without The least possible organization, that’s perts wielding all the latest paraphernalia doubt, continue to improve and extend our our universal ideal. No fees, no dues, no of sound and script; such would be our vital lifelines of special service; to better rules imposed on anybody, one alcoholic promoters dream. “Yes sir,” he would carry out our A.A. message to others; to bringing recovery to the next; that’s the bark “My two year plan calls for one mil- make for ourselves a finer greater society, substance of what we most desire, isn’t it? lion A.A. members by 1950!” and, God willing, to assure Alcoholics But how shall this simple ideal best be For one, I’m glad we have both conser- Anonymous a long life and perfect unity. realized? Often a question, that. vatives and enthusiasts. They teach us We have, for example, the kind of A.A. much. The conservative will surely see to who is for simplicity. Terrified of any- it that the A.A. movement never gets over thing organized, he tells us that A.A. is organized. But the promoter will continue Good Reading getting too complicated. He thinks money to remind us of our terrific obligation to only makes trouble, committees only make the newcomer and to those hundreds of The A.A. Grapevine will publish from dissension, elections only make politics, thousands of alcoholics still waiting all time to time a list of books worthy of paid workers only make professionals and over the world to hear of A.A. reading and studying. The following are that clubs only coddle slipees. Says he, We shall, naturally, take the firm and recommended for your bookshelf: let’s get back to coffee and cakes by cozy safe middle course. A.A. has always viofiresides. If any alcoholics stray our way, lently resisted the idea of any general Alcoholics Anonymous, Works Publishing let’s look after them. But that’s enough. organization. Yet, paradoxically, we have Co. Simplicity is our answer. ever stoutly insisted upon organizing cer- The Steep Ascent, Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Quite opposed to such halcyon simplicity tain special services; mostly those absois the A.A. promotor. Left to himself he lutely necessary to effective and plentiful The Razor’s Edge, Somerset Maugham. would “bang the cannon and twang the 12th Step work. Escape the Night, Mignon Eberhart. lyre” at every crossroad of the world. Mil- If, for instance, an A.A. group elects a lions for drunks, great A.A. hospitals, bat- secretary or rotating committee, if an area No Little Enemy, 0. W. Bayer. teries of paid organizers and publicity ex- forms an intergroup committee, if we set Button, Button, Marion Bramhall. Alcohol Explored, H. W. Haggard and E. M. Jellinek. The Crack Up, F. Scott Fitzgerald. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others The Soul’s Sincere Desire, Glenn Clark. to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. A.A. has no If You Drink, Wilfred Funk. dues or fees. It is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. The A.A. Program of Recovery is incorporated in The 12 Steps. The A.A. book of experience, Alcoholics Anonymous, and other literature, including The 12 Points of Tradition, are available through any group or the General Service Headquarters, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y.

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New Groups The following new groups reported organization to the General Service Headquarters during the month of June: ALABAMA — Decatur, North Alabama Group; Dothan, Wiregrass A.A. Group. ARKANSAS—DeQueen. CALIFORNIA—Los Angeles, 830 Group; Rio Dell; Santa Monica, North Bay Women’s Group. COLORADO—Denver, Group #7. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA—Washington, Friendship Group. GEORGIA—Douglas; Pearson. ILLINOIS—Bushnell; Clinton. INDIANA—Bluffton; Indianapolis. MAINE—Bath; Houlton. MASSACHUSETTS—Framingham; Marblehead. MICHIGAN—Marquette; Three Rivers. MISSOURI—Tarkio. NEW JERSEY—Butler; Hoboken. NEW YORK—Jamestown, Fellowship Group; Syracuse, Pioneer Group. NORTH CAROLINA—Dunn. OREGON—Cottage Grove. PENNSYLVANIA—Warren, Main Group; Waynesboro. SOUTH CAROLINA—Georgetown. TENNESSEE—Oak Ridge. TEXAS—Gladwater; Kermit, Winkler County Group. VIRGINIA—Lawrenceville, Brunswick Group. OTHER COUNTRIES: CANADA—Ontario, Ottawa, Uptown Group. IRELAND—Belfast. KOREA—Seoul. SOUTH AMERICA—Venezuela, Estado First Things First and Keep an Open Mind Falcon. From Toronto, Canada In my mind I would look on a really bad, sodden alcoholic as somewhat beneath Near the end of my long stay in hos- Two years ago when I stopped drink- pital the psychiatrist who was assigned to me—for, hadn’t I fought a much harder ing for eight months through the reading me pointed out that I would find that peobattle—dope? of the book Alcoholics Anonymous I did ple would forget and forgive far more I figured all who knew of my plight— not attend a single A.A. meeting. I just quickly than I believed. Not keeping an and there were many—would look upon had a casual chat with the A.A. man who open mind, I did not believe him. I me with contempt. I even figured my procured the book and sold it to me. At formed my own opinion of what people local A.A. groups would look down upon that time I was neither absorbing my re- me because I had had a two-month re- were thinking about me. ligion nor A.A. I read the Bible as I lapse when I “went to town” on dope. I Mind you, I am not horsewhipping myread the A.A. book. In neither case did I felt that since working with drug addicts self too much for this way of thinking study them. And, by not attending any was something new, they would not wish but I am only saying that I am, oh, so A.A. meetings I did not have those help- me to associate with them! grateful that I have adopted the motto ful mottoes stamped in my mind—”Take What nonsense! of keeping an open mind for I know now it Easy—But For the Grace of God— All because I was not keeping an open how wrong I was. First Things First—and Keep an Open mind. Praying to a Higher Power for I know how impossible it is to invoke Mind.” strength to face the world (and that means Divine aid when one has not cultivated So, naturally, in my long, hard struggle people) on the one hand and being ana- an open mind. And by this I mean an with liquor and dope—I was not entirely lytical and critical of these same people open mind on people—ideas—advice— free of resentment and criticism of others. on the other. reading—everything.—Hugh

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News Circuit of A.A.s from All Parts of The World NYU Inaugurates Health Series—An- Successful Prison Meetings—For the Another N.A.A. Group—A Non-Alconouncement has been made of a series of past 18 months the Upper Derby, Pa. holic Anonymous group has recently been annual Health Education Institutes under Group has been conducting weekly A.A. organized in Pasadena-Altadena, Calif. The the sponsorship of the School of Educa- meetings at the county prison farm. In group meets weekly in the homes of the tion of New York University. The first of addition to being a benefit to the men be- members. these Institutes will be held from August hind the walls, this meeting has proven an 16 to September 3. Professor Morey R. excellent testing ground for new speaker Celebrate Eighth Anniversary Fields, Institute co-ordinator said, “The material. Embryo orators appear to have recognition by New York University of the Approximately 200 members and guests fewer qualms over addressing 40 or 50 inimportance of the problems of alcohol is were present at the eighth anniversary dinmates than half that number of fellow another of the many undertakings evi- ner meeting of the Harrisburg, Pa., group A.A.s. denced in recent years that the solution of held recently. The meeting was addressed the problem of 4,000,000 neglected people by an attorney from New York, N. Y. Honolulu Calling—After a slow beginin the United States and many more mil- ning the members of the Honolulu Group lions of their friends, family and associates report that the group is now well organized Vacation Invitation — The Edmonton can be achieved only through adequate un- and rounded out. A big step forward in Group, Alberta, Canada, extends a hearty dertaking of their problems.” This Insti- educating the public about A.A. was an welcome to any members of A.A. who may tute, one of the first of its kind to be open meeting held recently. Much of the be passing that way while on vacation, established in a school of education and a success of this gathering was due to the Edmonton’s “House” is open 24 hours a large university, is the first major recogni- help of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. day and a call will insure the visitors of tion of education’s responsibility towards a The group is now co-operating with other being met and personally escorted to the more complete understanding of the prob- civic organizations in order to gain the group headquarters. The members also lems of alcohol. Under the Department of recognition that A.A. enjoys in other parts volunteer to give any information wanted Physical Education and Health, School of of the world. regarding that section of the country. Education, in co-operation with the American Association for the Advancement of Sponsor Picnic—The Birmingham Serv- Growing Up—The Bronxville, N. Y. Science, the Research Council on Problems ice Guild sponsored a July 4th picnic for Group recently celebrated its second anniof Alcohol and other national agencies, the all Birmingham A.A. members. The Servversary. An active membership growth Institute will be staffed by many author- ice Guild is composed of wives and relafrom 12 original members to 60 is reities in the field. tives of A.A. members. Its aim is to ported. Open meetings have trebled and it is planned eventually to split the group promote the growth of A.A. Treatment Needed — Chicago, (INS) and organize a new one in the nearby “There are more than 750,000 who are Cedar Knolls section. ‘sick persons’ in need of competent treat- Unsuccessful ment, Dr. Robert V. Seliger told members of the American Medical Association. Dr. Banquet Marks Anniversary — The “Remember this, wavering A.A. friend, Seliger is chief psychiatrist of the Neuro- Alano Club, Spokane, Wash., recently ob- if you used to get drunk to build up the psychiatric Institute, Baltimore, Md. Term- served the third anniversary of its found- feel that you were a “big shot” you never ing alcoholism a symptom of emotional or ing with a banquet and open house. From really succeeded, and you won’t the next nervous illness Dr. Seliger said that the the original four members the group has time. As a matter of strict truth, you (all alcoholic cannot stop drinking or handle grown to nearly 300 and is steadily gaining. of us) came nearer to being a full-fledged “rat” when we were in our cups—and alcohol at will because it handles him. Dedicate New Club Rooms—The high we’d accomplish no more if we got drunk This domination,’ Dr. Seliger continued, spot in the recent dedication of the new again this very day.”—The Screwball, ‘is shown by alcohol’s interference with club rooms of the North Side Group, Louis- Nacagdoches, Texas. one or more of his important life activities, such as his job standing and ability, his ville, Ky., was a funeral service for John reputation or the harmony of his home. Barleycorn. The “funeral” was complete For any or all of these reasons, the alco- with casket and flower offerings. Other Calendar holic should be recognized as being a sick neighborhood groups in Louisville are person who needs competent treatment.’ planning headquarters which may serve as Of A.A. Events Workers in all fields of public health and social centers as well as meeting places. September 3-4—Southeastern Rewelfare are finding that alcoholism creates turmoil of all types. The psychiatrist also gional Convention, Jacksonville, Fla. News Notes—The Lawrence, Kansas sounded a warning to the more than Group reports a growing membership. October 23-24—Iowa Confer- 3,000,000 ‘heavy social drinkers in the They now have seven members. From Port- ence, Des Moines, Iowa. U.S.A.’ He said, “The dangers of heavy land, Maine, comes the word that a raffle is social drinking should be more thoroughly held at each meeting. The prize to the November 5-6-7—North Carounderstood. In industry, heavy social drink- winner is a choice of the book Alcoholics lina Groups; First Annual Convening produces inefficiency, absenteeism and Anonymous or a year’s subscription to The tion, Charlotte, N. C. serious errors in judgment.’ “. A.A. Grapevine.

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The m o r n i n g after a hard n i g h t a souse Fatties Anonymous named Oscar went into a barbershop, ”Gimme a shave, h a i r c u t , massage an’ the “Several months ago Mrs. Edna H. Mcworks, pal. . . . I gotta git in shape for a Bride of Seattle, Wash., invited five of her women friends to have lunch with her. big day,” b l u r t e d Oscar. ” H u r r y , ’cause I Because the guests, like their hostess, were need my pants pressed, too.” all overly plump, they suspected that they “Slip ’em off an’ I ‘ l l hand your pants to were the victims of a good-natured gag. the presser next door,” volunteered the “But when Mrs. McBride and her hefty barber. “This big bib w i l l cover-up while colleagues reluctantly refused a second you’re in the chair.” dessert and rose from the table, they were “Good idea,” approved our hero, hand- the founders and charter members of an ing over his trousers. organization called Fatties Anonymous. A few minutes later, in the midst of “The idea for the organization came to the shave, the wail of fire sirens sounded Mrs. McBride while she was sitting in Arriving home from a gay celebration, the waiting room of a doctor’s office thumboutside. Down the street roared the red a stewed gentleman discovered a helpless wagons; dogs and small boys giving chase. ing idly through the pages of a medical citizen slumped outside the apartment magazine. She was worried about her “It’s Sweeney’s house,” shrieked a small house door. weight and was there for a physical checklad, sticking his head in the door. “Goin’ “S’mutter, my good man?” inquired the up. like blazes . . . come on see it burn!” stew. “Do you need a boost up the stairs?” The d r u n k in the chair let out a roar The helpless one nodded. “Yessir, please, Article Attracted of alarm and fled through the door. Down jus’ help me into the third floor apart- “An article on obesity attracted her atthe street he ran, pants forgotten, face ment.” tention and she read that most fat people lathered, stumbling over the barber’s bib. Up the stairs they tottered. On the third get that way, not because their glands are For three heroic blocks Oscar trailed the floor our Good Samaritan pushed his com- out of whack, but because they eat too fire engines; then he tripped and crashed panion through the door with a cheery often and too much. ” ‘The mental makeup flat on his face. He sat up slowly, with good-night and returned outside to pick of overweight people,’ she read, ‘closely a dazed and dawning expression. A happy up his hat which had fallen off. resembles that of the chronic alcoholic. smile came over his face. “Whattim I Another drunk was lying on the ground. They stuff themselves with food in much chasing the fire for?” he muttered. “My “Goodness me,” marveled the stew, the same way that a drunkard soaks himname isn’t Sweeney.” “these fellows must have both come from self with liquor.’ the same party.” So he obligingly toted the “The doctor was kinder with his words. second drunk upstairs, “fourth floor, you He told Mrs. McBride that ‘faulty eating She Raises Cain habits’ were to blame for her increasing said,” he gasped, and pushed the drunk through the door. “Nighty, night.” And bulk. That—and the article in the medical “Havin’ a a w f u l time at home,” corndown he went to retrieve his hat which had magazine—did it. She went home and plained a Stew to his bar companion. fallen off again. called five of her most obese acquaint- “M’wife raises Cain whenever I come home As our helpful hero approached the ances. late. She hears me t a k i n ‘ off my shoes in bushes, a weaving figure stumbled to his “At their organization meeting the the bedroom, an’ the riot starts.” feet and began retreating down the path. women agreed that, if Alcoholics Anony- “S’no problem,” scuffed his friend. “Do mous can keep heavy drinkers away from “Oh, no, you don’t . . . this time I’ll hafta what I do. Get shoes off at the bottom of the bottle, a similar set-up called Fatties tell y’u t’ try the fifth floor, an’ if y’u the steps. Take your clothes, off, too— Anonymous might restrain gluttons and push me outa the fire escape up there, I’ll saves time. Roll your shoes inside the nibblers from overstuffing themselves. break a bone when I land!” bundle an’ creep upstairs quiter’n a And that the problem would be easier if mouse.” women banded together for mutual sup- “Smart idea,” agreed Stew. “I’ll try it.” port in solving it.”—The American Next afternoon, the friend walked into Weekly. the same bar and found Stew at the rail, glass in hand, sadly shaking his head. Take Note “Lousy advice,” muttered Stew, “no good at all.” “If you happen to be an animal lover, better note that Dog Week begins Sept. “S’matter?” inquired the advice-giver, 19 and Cat Week Nov. 7. The dog and cat “didn’t you undress at the bottom of the people haven’t seen eye to eye about stagstairs, roll your shoes inside your clothes ing a joint Dog and Cat Week with a and git upstairs without wifey hearing?” view to easing the overburdened calendar. “Oh, I did everything you tol’ me, but On the contrary, they’re placed them as I onny made one big mistake,” complained far apart as possible. There is also a Stew. report that Alcoholics Anonymous will “What was the mistake, pal?” select one of the intervening periods for “Wrong stairs; I got on an elevated Be Kind to Pink Elephants Week.”—Globe platform.” Democrat, St. Louis, Mo.

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Let Us Not Be Weary H e l p f u l Idea

From Rome, Ga. Wittier, Calif. “Let us not be weary in well doing—” Out here in C a l i f o r n i a an idea had de- Gal. 6:9 veloped that seems to make clear a number of things. If we are striving to live the A.A. Program every day we should not become First, the idea. On the premise that life weary because things do not just happen, is a sequence of actions of every kind and or turn out as we expected, or as we on every plane of being—we can draw the conclusion that each occurrence in our wanted them to. We should strive the harder to overcome lives is the result of previous action and our weaknesses, our fears and our weari- interaction of ourselves and others. The Unfinished Symphony Most of us, in endeavoring to work the ness. There is a weariness of spirit predominant in the world today. People are From Birmingham, Ala. 4th Step, are inclined to overemphasize the tired, full of fear and skeptical. Now we destructive actions of our past lives, par- Repeatedly, older members of the Birshould remember that the Power greater mingham t i c u l a r l y those which occurred during our group have said, “No one ever than ourselves still sits upon His throne. d r i n k i n g careers. By “overemphasizing,” reaches perfection in the 12 Steps.” That All is well with the world but the peoples we mean t h a t we attach more of the guilt does something to lessen the discouragein it are sick in body, mind and soul. feeling to these acts in our judgment of ment of the beginner—to know even older them than is logical. members still have far to go. Great Test The perfectionist is victim of overwhelm- God knows we have plenty of that guilt ing moods of discouragement. The new to clean out of our being anyway. One of the great tests of human charmember catches a glimpse of the ideal, acter comes when there is a call to push Hard to Find through hearing A.A. speeches and by assoforward even though one is tired. ciation with older members. He sets out It is hard to find a direct approach to The weariness of spirit is experienced on the upward path hopefully. Months this problem that will enable us to commost often when conditions appear to make later, his taking of moral inventory appalls pletely avoid making this error. However impossible the accomplishment of worthy him. With each step he sees his goal re- —and here is the crux it is the belief of ends. The discouragement sets in and there cede further, to unattainable heights. many of us, and w i t h good reason, that, if is a tendency to give up and find rest in The idealist tends to be impatient with we w i l l bear one thing continuously in the abandonment of purpose. the motto, “Easy Does It.” He wants to mind it will be of great help in helping us All persons possessed of noble ambiovercome in one year of A.A. life the to attain and maintain first—sobriety, then tions experience such moments. Vast sig- —serenity. wrong habits of a lifetime. nificance attaches to the attitude that These growing pains are good. Each Every constructive act, thought, or emofinally is caused to govern in such a crisis. man works out his problem in his own Those who surrender lose much. tion that we experience counteracts a preway. God watches, and He cares. We sur- vious destructive phase of our past. What render our will to Him, then snatch it back. we do now does not have to be of the same By Defiance Months later, we offer him the tarnished kind or nature as the previous tearing dream that we first found in A.A., and say, down. Most all great advances and achievements are gained by defiance of weariness; “Please make it shine again.” by the exercise of the unsurrendering Then the not-so-new member knows the Better to Love value of “Easy Does It.” Humbly, he spirit. We must refuse to be diverted It is true, that to love is better for us acknowledges the real need of honesty and from our goal by weariness and fear. t h a n to hate. But the object of the previous patience. It’s not where you are right now We must suppress fear and weariness hate may be dead. Let us fill the space that counts, it’s where, you’re headed. Every and remain at the task until our goal has taken up by that hate with kindliness and life is an unfinished symphony.—L.F. been achieved. affection for those now alive. Let us re- If we expect the ideals of A.A. to cover place carping destructive criticisms with the earth we must continue to labor in h e l p f u l praise or constructive suggestions. the face of soul-tiring endeavor. Many times, a smile of encouragement In these things there is encouragement will make up for many a disgruntled frown for all whose purposes are high and who of the past. would make this world more blessed with If all t h i s may sound Pollyanish, then the u n f o l d i n g of the years.—Anonymous. make the best of it. But, oddly enough, t h i s philosophy has helped many. Oh, Yes? With a different twist, the motto of an old time Prince of Wales may well apply “That guy’s not an alcoholic—he’s suf- here: fering from bottle fatigue!” “Honi soit q u i mal y pense.”—H.E.

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Why Is It? From Jefferson City, Mo.

Egotism “Why is it”, a member of the Jefferson From Dublin, Ireland. City, Mo., Group asks, “that so many wives, friends, husbands and relatives do It seems strange that egotism, one of the not come out to the open meetings?” alcoholic’s most common failings, should continue to show itself in two t o t a l l y op- “These same people,” the A.A. conposite ways in the behavior of some A.A. tinues, “would have given anything, when members. Here, already, we have noticed their loved ones were drunk, to have had these two types. The A.A. Drone and the them sober and industrious. Is it that these A.A. Reformer. people take this new-found sobriety, pros- The Drone, although he attends the meet- perity and happiness too much for granted, ings, makes no other noticeable contribu- leaving the hard part of the A.A. Protion to the group’s work, apart from an gram to the other wives and non-alcointermittent and sometimes underhand at- holics?” tempt at destructive criticism. Obviously, The Jefferson City Group has 45 memhe is under the impression that just by bers, most of whom are husbands. At open being a member of the group, he is making meetings where wives, husbands and a major contribution to the success of A.A. does so for one reason alone—to help friends are urged to attend, the wives serve The Reformer, on the other hand, is himself. When his non-alcoholic wife the refreshments. They have worked out. bursting with ideas for making himself comes into A.A. also, she, too, needs help. a rotating plan that shifts the burden of important. After two or three meetings he A.A. has as much to offer her as it does the work each week from one group to the can see clearly how easily and how well her alcoholic husband. other. he could organize the group, though oddly Often we hear the importance of the “It seems to us,” says the A.A., “that enough he finds himself somehow unable word “humility.” Humility is important the two or three hours a week given in this to carry out any of the essential but dull but, in my opinion, tolerance comes next. manner is a very small price to pay for and unpublicized spadework. After a time, When I think of how much tolerance I the security and happiness that sobriety he usually thinks that he is being inten- require from my husband, my children, in their families can and does give—then tionally neglected and stops attending the my relatives and my friends, I find my- again we like to see the wives and friends meetings. self with a large share of humility to bepresent at the open meetings because it Obviously both types are self-centered, gin with. gives us just that much more encouragebut either one is only an extreme develop- Certainly the alcoholic husband needs ment.”— T.W. ment of a tendency which may be present all of the assistance I can give him, but, in each one of us, a tendency which we I do think that equally necessary is help must watch and control if we are to remain for the wife. Psychologically speaking efficient members of A.A.—R.P. she has as much to overcome as he. Don’t Like It! As the wife of an A.A. I hope and pray Grateful to Non-A.A.s that the day will come when I can face St. Petersburg, Fla. From Mt. Vernon, Wash. life once more without the hidden fears that beset me for so many years. I hope “Have a drink?” I came to this town about two years ago and pray that I may never overlook an “No thanks! I don’t like it!” and began breaking ground for an A.A. opportunity to hold out my hand to one group. My first contact w i t h the owner of “Whadda y’mean, you don’t like it?” who has suffered as I have and that I the newspaper, here, resulted in his volun- always may remember that humility and “Well in 20 years of liking it, I lost 15 tary suggestion to run an ad, free. tolerance go hand in hand.—V.W. jobs, two good wives, got held up and This newspaper has continued to run our robbed once, got in jail five times, spent advertisement for us and time and again $250 for a ‘cure,’ lost hundreds and hunchanged the wording. It has run countless dreds of dollars from time out from work stories concerning our activities. with hangovers—couldn’t work—too sick, It has been over three years since I came and a judge let me know through my presinto A.A. I have been a chronic worrier ent wife that the next drunk w i l l get me and a weak sister but nevertheless I have six months straight time—no buying out. not had one slip. Tonight I am deeply I just don’t like it anymore. Some fun grateful to the help that the non-alcoholics wasn’t it. have given me and other members of our “Yeah, some fun. Give the guy a coke.” now flourishing g r o u p . — J . R . —Walt K. With Tolerance, Too From Jacksonville, Ala. When an alcoholic comes into A.A. he

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have a clear understanding of God it is definitely not a hard Step. but a great many alcoholics, before A.A., were also agnostic, n e i t h e r a f f i r m i n g nor denying the existence of a personal Deity, but very skeptical, some of us more so than others. We t h o u g h t of God more or less scornf u l l y , perhaps even h u m o r o u s l y , and it is a d i f f i c u l t problem to change an agnostic’s views o v e r n i g h t . This is one reason why we must remember “Easy Does It.” There- Why Not Today? fore, we s u b s t i t u t e for God, the term “a Power greater t h a n ourselves,” or we From St. Paul, Minn. On the 3rd Step modify God by the addition of the phrase All things look good from far away. It From Prince Edward Island, Canada “as we understand Him.” Better still, we is so easy for the human mind to make an In my interpretation of the 12 Steps, s i m p l y call this Power greater than our- Eden of the future. Why the f u t u r e ? Why I find no p a r t i c u l a r Step harder than any selves the X f a c t o r , as suggested by one not today? other, nor easier than any other. They are of our co-founders. all hard, yet they are all easy eventually; A l l of us remember from our school I believe that in A.A. man can learn to deal w i t h his own shadow by helping but to f i n d them easy, we must remember days t h a t X a l w a y s represented the unand follow the slogan “Easy Does It”; we k n o w n quantity, a standard method of solvothers. We must l i f t the darkness we carry should not try to digest or even under- ing an unknown equation or problem. unconsciously into all our dealings. stand all the Steps too q u i c k l y . The regular procedure was to let X stand It has been said so often that to get the We should be certain of the 1st Step, for the u n k n o w n q u a n t i t y , assemble all great good things of life one must give. which is a decision we a l l have to make the k n o w n factors, then t h r o u g h a process A.A. opens the way for us to give so much for ourselves. A f t e r we d e f i n i t e l y under- of e l i m i n a t i o n or supposition, we eventuto others at such a small cost. What does stand and absorb this Step we should take a l l y discovered the true v a l u e of the preit cost to give a smile or a kind word? viously u n k n o w n X. Each of us can be a living demonstration the other Steps in whatever order we feel is most suitable for our own individual Let us then, in a t t e m p t i n g to absorb the of the power of doing good through A.A. benefits of the 12 Steps, consider the Let us do it today!—E.J.F. benefit, skipping temporarily any we do not f u l l y understood and concentrating on Power greater than ourselves as the X or the ones we do understand, u n t i l we have u n k n o w n factor for the time being, for the thoroughly digested the seemingly easy purpose of making it easier for us to un- Not Enough ones. derstand m a n y points of these Steps that It is not for a person to say, “O.K., As we progress with the easy ones we w o u l d otherwise be impossible for us to I’ve admitted I can’t drink.” We can’t will simultaneously be b u i l d i n g a founda- digest; then through this “Easy Does It” skim over the Steps and regard it as be- tion under the apparently harder ones. method, we. w i l l e v e n t u a l l y solve the uning finished, for there is no end to A.A. This, I believe, will be found much faster known X factor as being the one true God, Until we have learned to be tolerant with and surer in the long run than to endeavor just as we solved the u n k n o w n X factor in those who do not agree with us, until we to digest these Steps in any given numer- t h e easiest school problem. have cultivated the habit of saying some ical order. In conclusion, do not rush to understand kind words of those whom we do not ad- The 3rd Step, “We made a decision to God. Take it easy. Let the Power greater mire, until we have formed the habit of turn our will and our lives over to the, than yourself remain as the unknown X looking for the good instead of the bad care of God as we understood him,” is factor u n t i l the solution is perfectly obthere is in others, we will not be either considered difficult by those of us who vious, then in due course, you w i l l surely happy or successful.—Camel Club Chroni- have not an absolutely clear conception recognize the true identity of God.– Anonycle,, Marshalltown, Iowa. of what is meant by God. To those who mous,

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A Program Where Helpful Advice Alcoholics Are To Drinkers Restored to Sanity A friend from Dearborn, Michigan, sends the following helpful excerpt which From Chicago, Ill. he claims to have gleaned from a news- The Alcoholics Anonymous Program is paper published in Georgetown, S. C.: a simple way of life whereby alcoholic minds are restored to sanity. It operates POLICE GIVE ADVICE TO DRINKERS on a spiritual plane in the knowledge that of. When my sponsor points out that speak of them we do—I dust them off a little, Georgetown, S. C., police have posted since God is i n f i n i t e , he gives us our sanity on the station wall a sign entitled “A if we co-operate. I say i n f i n i t e because we apply a coal of white wash here and there, but I don’t feel the so-called “lift.” Then Poster for Boozers.” It reads: have all experienced f a i l u r e s in our own If you are a married man who absoand other f i n i t e efforts to reach sanity. He, I lay them out as they really are and feel real relief. I learn that as time on the lutely must drink booze, start a saloon in then, is the only one to whom we can your own home. Be the only customer, appeal; He is usually the last. Program goes by my inventory gets more specific, my honesty more genuine. and you won’t have to buy a license. The success of the treatment depends Give your wife $2 to buy a gallon of upon the ability of the Divine Physician Seeing no defects with each new inven- whiskey. There are 69 glasses in a gallon. and the co-operation of the patient. Now tory, I call on God, because it is His Pro- Buy your drinks from your wife. When the Physician is i n f i n i t e . The patient need gram and I want to stay on it to remove the first gallon is gone, your wife w i l l only be willing. I believe t h a t in many these defects. I do this humbly, lest He not have $8 to put in the bank, and $2 to instances this willingness, even, is supplied hear me. As this process goes on from day start over in business again. by the Physician. to day, I change. I am still an alcoholic but If you live 10 years, continue to buy all I can face each day’s reality w i t h o u t an your booze from your wife, and then die anesthetic. with snakes in your boots, your widow Let Us Look Of these things I am convinced: will have enough to bury you respectably, Let us look then at the treatment specifi- One must either progress or go backward bring up your children, buy a house and cally. It consists in this: that after a pro- on this Program. lot, marry a decent man and forget all longed period of being bounced all over There is no other way for me. about you! the ring of life, having passed through the The prices in the sign referred to pre- I have peace of mind and I can keep it ropes on several occasions, having been war Southern corn whiskey, policemen through this Program. counted out some time ago, the grim said. thought arises that I may be l o s i n g . C a n The things that have happened to me it be that I have lost the fight with reality? and to my life in the past two and one-half If I kid myself that I’m not through, I’m years are explainable only through the SUBSCRIPTION BLANK in for some more beatings. I get more Higher Power.—J.W.W. The A.A. Grapevine, punch drunk. P.O. Box 328, Grand Central Annex, When I admit that I can’t live w i t h o u t New York 17, N. Y. alcohol and that I can’t live long with it, One Year $2.50—Two Years $4.50— I begin to see the t r u t h . I am an alcoholic. Outside U.S. $3.00. No high spiritual concept brings me to this admission. I admit it because I can’t For additional subscriptions enclose get off the floor of the ring. I’m whipped. separate sheet with name and address clearly printed. Make checks payable to The Grapevine, Inc. Without Losing When I learn that a Higher Power w i l l Total Enclosed help me face reality without losing every round, I go along because I’ve got to and Renewal? (please check) am too punch d r u n k to t h i n k clearly about objections. The Steps u n f o l d and as I PLEASE PRINT meet each one and attempt to put it into Name operation, I am at first, somewhat disturbed that I may not be doing each one Address very well. After f r e t t i n g awhile I soon learn that my sincere effort counts, not just how well I can perform each Step. Note: Subscriptions received prior to My first inventory of defects is very dis- 25th of the month will begin with the appointing because I can’t find any—well Have YOU told a NEWCOMER about following month’s issue. any to speak of—or that I would speak The A.A. Grapevine?

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What Causes Nosedive Was A Man to Slip? Both Ruin and The Program? Rejuvenation From Toronto, Canada Seventeen months ago I quit d r i n k i n g From Ponca, Neb. for eight months, t h r o u g h just the reading What is there about a man that causes of the book “Alcoholics’ Anonymous.” him to slip? Why, having once accepted How my ego rose then. I was the big shot. something which he so desperately wanted ing about making his speeches click. I n – I didn’t need the meetings or the fellowand needed, does he suddenly get drunk? stead of seeking help, he began to seek ship. Only old fogies and weaklings had Surely there can be nothing wrong with applause. Pride began to replace humil- to attend meetings. I could do it all by the Program. It has been effective in too ity. He began to lose his salvation be- myself. many cases to lay the blame on it; it even cause he forgot that he needed it. He no Oh yeah? proved effective for the slipper for a good longer needed to be saved because he was And then a ten-week nosedive that was period of time. It can and will prove ef- saved already. He could now turn his at- at once my r u i n and my rejuvenation. fective for him again if he chooses to use tention to things more important than the Now that I am really working the proit. If the fault does not lie within the search for God. gram and making unbelievable progress Program then it must be that the fault in every way it irks and surprises me to lies within the man himself. Either he God Not Important hear the occasional old-timer in A.A. talk never actually accepted the Program in like this:— God was not so important anymore be- “You say you’ve been dry six months? the first place, or else he accepted it with cause he had become important in him- Well you are entering the danger period. reservations. self. His prayer was no longer “Thy will Be careful! Watch out! I did so and so be done,”‘ but “My will be done.” The and so and so and so and so—” Too Much Attention poisonous vapors of self-concern began Now the old-timers may mean well. to cloud his vision. The reliance upon They may intend this for a helpful warn- But perhaps, and most likely, he grad- God was over for he had become a self- ing; but it becomes monotonous. I’ve got ually lost sight of the A.A. Program in sufficient alcoholic again, concerned about God on my side now and I am not worfavor of some other related activities and his own importance and welfare. Then ried. Hasn’t it been written “If you are thus just as gradually began re-inflating lo and behold—he slipped. an ego that had once been satisfactorily afraid of a machine you’re bound to get deflated. In view of these slips it seems essential caught in it.”—McK. Perhaps he began paying too much at- that we continue to re-examine ourselves as alcoholics and our relationship as alcotention to the related activities that have holics to the A.A. Program as our way of It Is Not The Liquor somehow become attached to A.A. The result being that he began attaching more life.—L.T.C. Two scientifically-minded topers had and more importance to these related ac- been arguing as to the cause of drunkentivities and his relation to them and less ness, and they decided to apply the prin- The September issue of The A.A, and less importance to the real A.A. Pro- ciples of logic. One night they drank Grapevine will be pocket size! Every gram. Perhaps he began to believe that whiskey and water, and got drunk. The A.A. will want to own this first edition. these activities were the Program. next night they drank brandy and water, Tell a friend about it I and got. drunk. The third night it was gin and water. They decided that as water Over-emphasis was the constant factor, water was respon- Thus the over-emphasis on the attached sible for their drunkenness. but basically unrelated activities tended to obscure in his mind his continuing need A blissful souse once discovered that he for the basic A.A. Program. He began could walk upside down on the ceiling of to drop his own A.A. in favor of con- his living room. One day his wife arrived ventionitis and banquetitis to such an ex- home unexpectedly. Our souse grinned his tent that what was once recognized as a silly, upside-down grin from the ceiling. desperate need gradually came to be con- “Lo, honey,” he confessed, “see, I can walk sidered as no need at all. His ego and upside down.” self-sufficiency began to build itself up The little woman found her voice in again. an instant. “You,” she shouted, “you’re From a program of personal salvation DRUNK!” the shift was to a program of personal Down from the ceiling crashed the souse. glorification. Instead of worrying about “Spoiled it all,” he said, reproachfully, the problem of alcohol, he began worry- “you an’ your big mouth.”

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