Page 110 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

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Chapter 7

WORKING WITH OTHERS

ractical experience shows that nothing will
Pso much insure immunity from drinking as
intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when
other activities fail. This is our twelfth suggestion:
Carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help
when no one else can. You can secure their confi­
dence when others fail. Remember they are very ill.
Life will take on new meaning. To watch people
recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness
vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have
a host of friends—this is an experience you must not
miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Fre­
quent contact with newcomers and with each other
is the bright spot of our lives.
Perhaps you are not acquainted with any drinkers
who want to recover. You can easily find some by
asking a few doctors, ministers, priests or hospitals.
They will be only too glad to assist you. Don’t start
out as an evangelist or reformer. Unfortunately a lot
of prejudice exists. You will be handicapped if you
arouse it. Ministers and doctors are competent and
you can learn much from them if you wish, but it
happens that because of your own drinking experience
you can be uniquely useful to other alcoholics. So
cooperate; never criticize. To be helpful is our only
aim.
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