June 1969

“. . . many streams of influence and many people, some of them nonalcoholics, had helped, by the Grace of God, to achieve AA ‘S purpose. J 9 Bill W. in A A Comes of Age

Care and Treatment “The incomparable of Alcoholics Sister Ignatia,” Ry Sister Ignatia Dr. Bob’s partner An interview delivered in a panel discussion in pioneering the before the Catholic Hospital Association of the United hospitalization of States and Canada at Philadelphia in 1% 1 prospective AA members. Her ministry at St. Thomas Hospital This manuscript N EARLY twelve years ago, one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, Dr. Bob, was on our was sent to the staff. He volunteered the .informain Akron set a tion that he had a drinking problem. shining example ;rapevine by Pete W., Dr. Bob had often discussed the for the practice of long-time contributor, problem of alcoholism with us, with regard to auto accidents and other AA’s Twelfth Step who found it among tragedies caused by excessive drinkthe papers of an ing. Many of these cases had to be admitted to the hospital even though old-timer who has they were intoxicated. After talking left us with the families of these compulsive drinkers and realizing the misery, suffering, and sorrow brought into their homes and lives because of drinking, we became deeply in-

I terested as Dr. Bob unfolded a plan davenport, a “bar,” a coffee urn, to informal talks. A secondary I to us. and an icebox. To the rear of this value, but a most important one to i This was in 1939, just about the ward lounge is a room with a lava- the former patient, is that by visiting time we were trying to pull out of tory and shower; the new man is current AA vatients the former the depression. Hospital beds were brought there for admission to the patient helps t; perpetuate his own The role of the sponsor is not an at a premium, without any prospect ward. sobriety. easy one. He tries to appease an of adding to our bed capacity. There An imporiant point is that the The icebox is kept stocked with exasperated wife; he talks with the was very little enthusiasm around new man is gotten out of his street food and particularly with milk and employer, the landlord, the credithe hospital about admitting people clothes and into hospital attire by citrus juices, for the alcoholic is tors, and others. He explains that who were imbibing too freely. other patients in the ward. From the frequently undernourished. The pa- this is not simply another sobering- However, prompted by the grace first, he is in the care of understand- tients are encouraged to eat at will. up process. The sponsor assures of God, we very cautiously admitted ing friends. The advantage for the The coffee urn and “bar” are the them that with their cooperation and one patient, with the diagnosis of older patients who help him is that AA equivalents for the brass rail the help of his fellow AAs, his acute gastritis, under the care of Dr. they see themselves again as they’ and bottles of drinking days. charge will be given a real oppor- Bob. The patient was placed in a were upon admission. First clay-reality begins tunity to make a complete recovery. two-bed room. The next morning, Directly across the hall from our Reality for the alcoholic is drink- After registration, the sponsor Dr. Bob came to the admitting office lounge is the choir loft of our ing. It is most important that the escorts his patient to the AA ward. and very timidly requested that the chapel, which permits AA patients approach be made through another Two or three of the senior patients patient be moved to a spot where to make visits in hospital attire if alcoholic; namely, a sponsor. The in the ward take over and welcome the men who came to visit him and when they so desire, all in com- sponsor speaks the language of the the new patient. Nothing is left unmight talk with him privately. The plete seclusion. Bearing in mind that alcoholic. He knows all the tricks of done to make him feel at home, and only available space we could think the alcoholic is a person who is sick the “trade,” because of personal this reception inspires hope in his of was a small room across the hall spiritually as well as physically, we experience. heart. called the “flower room,” where believe that the ready access to Those of us who have anything Second clay-realization patients’ flowers were changed and spiritual healing may be a strong to do with admitting these patients The physical condition of the arranged. We pushed the alcoholic’s factor in his recovery. should rely upon the judgment of patient is usually much improved on bed into this room. It was there that The ward is almost wholly self- the sponsor as to when the patient the second day. His mind is beginhe received his first AA visitors. The operating. A nurses’ aide comes in is ready for the program, for the AA ning to clear. He feels encouraged men who came to visit him were to make beds, and an AA employee ward does not accept repeaters. because everyone seems interested such respectable, dignified-appear- does the heavier cleaning; but the Sponsors know this, hence they are in him. Visitors call on him, telling ing men that we could hardly be- cleaning of ashtrays, the making of very careful before bringing the pa- him, “This is how I made it.” Some lieve they had ever been addicted to coffee (the coffee urn is in opera- tient to the hospital. Above all, he of the visitors may be men with alcohol. tion twenty-four hours each day), must have a desire to stop drinking. whom he used to drink. The power We then set aside a two-bed and the washing of coffee cups are Wives, relatives, friends, and em- of example is a great incentive to room, then a four-bed room, and all done by the patients themselves. ployers may try to high-pressure the the patient. He begins to say to later a six-bed ward. Today our AA Activity helps to eliminate brooding, alcoholic into accepting the pro- himself, “If he can do it-so can I. ward has eight beds. It is simply a and the volume of such work is gram. Someone may even persuade But how am I going to make it?” At large room with accommodations in never great at any time. the family doctor to use his influ- this point, he generally has a heartone end for the beds. At the op- The function of the lounge is to ence with the hospital so that the to-heart talk with his sponsor. posite end of the room is a small provide a place where the patient prospect may be admitted into the He acknowledges his utter powerlounge with comfortable chairs, a can chat with AA visitors and listen alcoholic ward. lessness over alcohol, He honestly

admits that he has tried innumerable first drink. He has learned from his times to drink normally and has al- fellow alcoholics that it is more ways failed. He is finally ready, blessed to give than to receive, and honestly and humbly, to admit de- that it is a privilege to help others. feat. His sponsor is delighted to What a joy, too! He is kept so busy know that his patient is really honest helping others that he does not have about his drinking. This may be the time to even’think about a drink. first time the patient has admitted What a transformation takes place the fact that he is powerless to help in the lives of these men and himself. women! The next step is to humbly turn Fifth clay-plans for the future to God. “Ask and you shall re- As he leaves the hospital, he must ceive.” Patients have often said that now face his problems. The way has this is the first time they have sin- been paved by the sponsor. The cerely prayed. The “Our Father” future is in God’s hands. He has takes on a new meaning at this learned to say, “0 God, grant me point. They feel that they really be- the serenity to accept the things 1 long. cannot change, courage to change Third day-moral inventory the things I can, and wisdom to The patient makes a searching know the difference.” He is urged and fearless moral inventory of him- to guard against pride, self-pity, reself. He faces the past honestly, sentment, intolerance, and criticism; admits to God, to himself, and to to attend meetings, to do Twelfth another human being the exact na- Step work. ture of his wrongs. He has done with We have hospitalized well over alibis and reservations. “I am an 4,000 AA patients at St. Thomas. alcoholic. What a joy to be honest! They have come to Akron from The truth will make you free.” Now Alabama, South Carolina, Michhe is sincerely asking God’s help igan, Maryland, Texas, and many and the help of his fellowman. other distant places. They would not Fourth day-resolution have had to travel so far if their “Give us this day our daily local hospitals had made .it possible bread.” This is interpreted by the for them to receive the program alcoholic to mean, “I surely can stay nearer home. sober today.” The past is finished. In conclusion, may God’s grace Now, with God’s help and the help give to my weak words influence of his fellow AAs, with his clear and strength that they may pcnetratc thinking, he can control his feelings the hearts of those who have it and emotions. Reason now governs within their power to urge thc eshis life. Strong convictions are given tablishment of this great apostolate him as to wh’; he cannot take-that .in.. their …-.- res~ectivehos~itals.