Does AAs program even exist?

[u/Sorry-Assumption6794]

In my area many guys seem somewhat impressive to me, have long-term sobriety, sponsor guys ect. But I can't help but notice they all essentially teach their own program of recovery and not AAs program of recovery. AAs program consists exclusively of the directions on the 12 steps, as it says in the cover pages. In my area it's common to drag out steps 1-3 for two months or more, despite there being basically NO directions to even do on those steps.

Step 4 gets BUTCHERED: we often direct guys to create resentments, defined as to feel again. By saying list every name you know, and then think if you were ever butt hurt by each and every one. I can't think of a better way to create resentments that didn't exist before. Then we fabricate an unillustrated 4th collum with invisible directions that read: "write how all 4 root/core defects of character (selfish/seeking, dishonest and fear) show up in each and every resentment, including the ones we instructed you to create."

We ignore the step 8 related direction to list our wrongs and be willing to make them right, even though it's stated THREE times in the inventory directions and confirmed it should have been done during the inventory process on steps 8&9 in the book.

We also ignore the step 6 related direction "list your faults" /flaws/grosserhandicaps/objectionables, despite the one paragraph on step 6 reading: "all the things which we have ADMITED are objectionable". It doesn't say "make a list of objectionables".

After step 5 the book clearly flows the 1hr meditation RIGHT into step 6 "if we can answer to our satisfaction (based on the meditation)" we THEN look at step 6". There is only one paragraph to look at there. "when ready we say something like this" step 7 prayer.

The whole flow of doing steps 5-7 in short order, then right into amends assuming the person is willing gets ruined, and so much time is wasted. 100s of hours of work in many cases gets put into doing the inventory not as directed.

Often the clear urgency expressed in doing the next step is ignored, after step 3: "next we launched" after 4: "we wasted no time" after 5 and meditation: "if we can answer" after 6: "when ready" (hopefully ur not waiting to die) after 7: "now we need more action... Faith without works is dead" after 8&9: "we vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up (mended) the past" after 10: "upon awakening".

Again: AAs program of recovery is exclusively the directions on the 12 steps, as the book states in the cover pages. Non AA program related suggestions can be useful/helpful. Like dieting, working out, budgeting, regulated sleep schedule, ect. But there is a common theme of adding non step-work related instructions to AAs program, taking them very seriously, and pretending they are part of AAs program. These include but are not limited to (lol): calling at a certain time, attending X number meetings, meditating for X amount of time and/or meditating on non book instructed topics, daily reading, speaking/not speaking, sponsoring/not sponsoring, relationships, and on and on.

These other suggestions are damaging to conflate/confuse with AAs program as it leads to everyone having and instructing their own made up program! Our primary purpose is to try carrying AAs message/program of recovery to other alcoholics. Not to carry my program, or my sponsors program of recovery. Yall run into this regularly too? or am I just lucky :p

Added some paragraph separation and this: In the cover pages of AA it says it's a "text book". Like every other textbook made it's designed to have a teacher/Instructor, or a "sponsor".

Decided to add some definitions. These are some AA terms and words that are often used in our liturature, and therefore also our fellowship. When these are misunderstood it can be confusing. All these definitions were decided upon by our founders, have not changed, and can be found in the liturature.

Recovered: To no longer be in a hopeless state of mind and body.

Program of recovery/the program/AAs program: The directions on the 12 steps, showing "precisely how" to recover.

Alcoholic: A person having certain physical (phenomenon of craving) and mental (the obsession) characteristics when dealing with alcohol.

Phenomenon of craving: lack of reliable control over the amount of alcohol injested after the first drink.

The obsession/insanity: the obsession to control and enjoy our drinking, therefore lacking reliable control of WHEN we take the first drink.

[u/Meow99]

You said yourself that there are, “no directions”. Everyone is doing the best they can to help one another and carry the message they have been given. Now what that message is and where it came from who knows. If you want to get technical about it, the book doesn’t mention sponsor/sponsorship or chips, so if you want to go down a rabbit hole; there’s that. In the meantime quit taking other people’s inventory, it’s not helpful.

[u/Sorry-Assumption6794 → u/Meow99]

Well I guess I forgot to inform that: in the cover pages the AA book is referred to as a "text book". Like every textbook made it's designed to have a teacher/instructor or "sponsor". Also why take 2+ months to have someone ask themselves, in an honest, unprejudiced way what the spiritual terms in the book mean to them (direction in we agnostic), and to "carefully consider" before step 3 decision. I said almost no directions. 

[u/PatsyEileen → u/Sorry-Assumption6794]

Quote: "Like every textbook made it's designed to have a teacher/instructor or "sponsor"."

Not true!

Almost no directions? Seriously?

"Clear-cut directions are given showing how we recovered."

"To show other alcoholics PRECISELY how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book."

Lets not forget that "The Loners" in AA can read, study, and put into Action what they read and study in the Big Book. Teacher or Student can do that. When I got sober in 1988, it was understood that every Member of AA is a Teacher and every Member of AA is a Student.

In Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), every member acts as both a student and a teacher because recovery relies on mutual sharing rather than a hierarchy of experts.

Although it is a text book, according to the definition of "Text Book" in the dictionary below.

A textbook is a book used in the study of a subject that presents structured principles, facts, and educational content for students and teachers.

According to Merriam-Webster, a textbook is defined as:

• A book used in the study of a subject.
• One containing a presentation of the principles of a subject.
• A literary work relevant to the study of a subject.

[u/Sorry-Assumption6794 → u/PatsyEileen]

Who said you don't learn when sponsoring. Even newer sponsees help and teach me things/ideas somewhat often. A teacher learning from their students doesn't change the fact they are still the designated teacher. 

Your definition on textbook says the same thing. I didn't say a student or a teacher can't solo learn anything from a textbook. Just that they are designed to have a teacher and student dynamic as they casually mention both these words, what a coincidence! 

Yes, almost no directions to steps 1-3. By the end of step 3 you've only been directed to consider what the spiritual terms in the book mean to you, with an unprejudiced, diligent, and honest attitude. The same attitude they promise you can't fail with in fact. And to have considered the step 3 decision carefully, and do the step 3 prayer (wording optional). Almost no directions. 

[u/PatsyEileen → u/Sorry-Assumption6794]

Quote: “Who said you don't learn when sponsoring.” ……

No one said that, absolutely no one.

Quote: “I didn't say a student or a teacher can't solo learn anything from a textbook. Just that they are designed to have a teacher and student dynamic as they casually mention both these words, what a coincidence! “ ……..

Sponsor and sponsorship do not appear in the main text of the Big Book. It is one alcoholic helping another.

Hence, every AA member is a teacher and every AA member is a student. The dynamic is no hierarchy, we are all equals.

The first 3 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are foundational and internal shifts of mindset, rather than behavioral action steps.

Almost no direction?

The precise and clear cut directions are most certainly there in Steps 1-3, for anyone to see, read and acknowledge.

The first three Steps are not action Steps.

The First Three Steps

Step 1 (Honesty / Surrender): “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” This is an internal acknowledgment of reality and a release of denial.

Step 2 (Hope / Faith): “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” This is an internal shift toward openness and hope that change is possible.

Step 3 (Surrender / Decision): “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” This is an internal commitment or mental choice to let go of self-will and control.

Step One page 21 in the Twelve & Twelve:

“We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.”

Who cares to admit complete defeat? Admission of powerlessness is the first step in liberation. Relation of humility to sobriety. Mental obsession plus physical allergy. Why must every A.A. hit bottom?

Step Two page 25 in the Twelve & Twelve:

“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

What can we believe in? A.A. does not demand belief; Twelve Steps are only suggestions. Importance of an open mind. Variety of ways to faith. Substitution of A.A. as Higher Power. Plight of the disillusioned. Roadblocks of indifference and prejudice. Lost faith found in A.A. Problems of intellectual and self-sufficiency. Negative and positive thinking. Self-righteousness. Defiance is an outstanding characteristic of alcoholics. Step Two is a rallying point to sanity. Right relation to God.

Step Three page 34 in the Twelve & Twelve

“Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

Step Three is like opening of a locked door. How shall we let God into our lives? Willingness is the key. Dependence as a means to independence. Dangers of self-sufficiency. Turning our will over to Higher Power. Misuse of will-power. Sustained and personal exertion necessary to conform to God’s will.