Undrunk: A Skeptics Guide to AA

by A.J. Adams

Overview

A candid, often hilarious guide for anyone who "just doesn't get" Alcoholics Anonymous.

In this unprecedented book, A. J. Adams uses self-deprecating humor, entertaining anecdotes, and frank descriptions to introduce anyone who "just doesn't get" Alcoholics Anonymous to the complete "Undrunk" lifestyle.

Beginning with the story of his first AA meeting, he takes the mystery out what goes on behind closed doors, dispelling misconceptions of AA as cultlike, secretive, campy, or lowbrow. He then presents a user-friendly history and introduction to AA, explaining the Steps, Traditions, terms, and sayings--all punctuated by honest, often hilarious descriptions of his own struggles and eventual transformation to "getting" the program.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781592858354
Publisher:	Hazelden Publishing
Publication date:	07/22/2009
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	216
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

A. J. Adams is a professional writer and a member of AA. In keeping with the 11th Tradition, the author has chosen to use a pseudonym in place of his real name. Adams lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Table of Contents

Foreword Mel B. ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 A.J. Gets to an AA Meeting 5

Chapter 2 Getting It wrong and Starting Over 17

Chapter 3 Why AA? 23

Chapter 4 Some AA Basics 45

Chapter 5 The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions 65

Chapter 6 Spin Dry: An Insider's Guide to AA Lingo and Slogans 97

Chapter 7 One-Year Progress Report 161

Chapter 8 Other People 175

Afterword 193

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anomymous 195

Some Recommended Readings 197

About the Author 201

Editorial Reviews

Starred Review.

Until he bottomed out and joined up as a last-ditch effort, Adams thought of Alcoholics Anonymous (like many pre-treatment addicts) as a repository for losers or the weak. In this touching, semi-irreverent look at a global fellowship at once transparent and mysterious, Adams lays out the "12 Steps" for readers as he chronicles his own introduction to the program. The distinguishing characteristic of this memoir is Adams's skepticism and willingness to analyze the process, maintaining enough distance to translate the story for non-members while holding dear his conviction in AA's power to heal (in her foreword, Mel B. notes that "one of AA's unwritten rules... is that one should utilize the program rather than analyze it"). Adams includes a smattering of the organization's history and personal revelations, plenty of stories and much translation from AA jargon. Adams maintains a welcoming balance of candor and gallows humor with helpful explication and unflinching awareness of the life-and-death stakes, making this an eye-opening and encouraging read for those who need help with addiction, their own or a loved one's.
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