According to A.A.'s "Basic Text," Alcoholics Anonymous (affectionately known within A.A. as "the Big Book"), early A.A. achieved an astounding 75% success rate among "seemingly-hopeless," "medically-incurable," alcoholics who thoroughly followed the original Akron A.A. "Christian fellowship" program that A.A.'s cofounders, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, began to develop over the summer of 1935. And Dr. Bob's sponsee, Clarence Snyder, reported in the A.A. General Service Conference-approved book DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers that early A.A. in Cleveland obtained a documented 93% success rate in working with such alcoholics.
They did it by relying on God and by basing their relationship with Him on the principles of the Bible. This comprehensive history discusses the biblical sources from which A.A.'s founders said they obtained their recovery ideas--focusing particularly on the Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James. For many A.A.s, the Bible was a standard of truth upon which they could depend for the power and guidance that they needed in their lives. Author Dick B.--an active, recovered member of A.A., a bible student, and a sponsor of over 100 men in their recovery--here shows how a knowledge of A.A.'s Good Book roots can be used effectively to produce a high recovery rate in today's Twelve Step programs.
THE PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE GOOD BOOK TITLE
Dick B. wrote The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible to provide an accurate, comprehensive statement of the basic ideas and principles early AAs took from the Bible as they were developing their spiritual program of recovery and later the Big Book and the Twelve Steps. This title by Dick B. has stood the test of time. It is much in demand. It is now used in counselor training, Salvation Army programs, A.A. meetings, spiritual retreats for AAs and their families, and in seminars and programs for people in recovery, whether in A.A., Al-Anon, or such groups as CityTeam Ministries, the Association of Christian Drug and Alcohol Counselors, Overcomers Outreach, Footprints and Alcoholics Victorious. The Clarence Snyder Spiritual Retreats for AAs and their families, numerous participants in Celebrate Recovery meetings, and the International Christian Recovery Coalition also use this title as part of their study of Christian recovery.
