TLDR;
Herb K. discusses Step One of Alcoholics Anonymous, emphasizing the importance of an open mind and the "set-aside attitude." He shares his personal journey through the steps, highlighting the significance of understanding addiction as a problem of the body, mind, and spirit (will). The discussion covers Dr. Silkworth's opinion on alcoholism as a disease characterized by allergy and craving, and Bill Wilson's experience with the spiritual malady of unmanageability. The ultimate goal is to help others achieve freedom through the 12 steps.
- Importance of an open mind and "set-aside attitude" in recovery.
- Addiction as a problem of body, mind, and spirit (will).
- Dr. Silkworth's opinion on alcoholism as a disease with allergy and craving.
- Bill Wilson's experience with the spiritual malady of unmanageability.
- Commitment to helping others through the 12 steps.
Introduction and Prayer [0:01]
Herb K. opens the session with a prayer for an open mind, asking to set aside preconceived notions about himself, his brokenness, the 12 steps, and a higher power. He emphasizes the importance of approaching the step work with a willingness to let go of prior experiences and knowledge, and to be open to new experiences. He also leads the group in the Serenity Prayer, asking for serenity, courage, and wisdom.
Herb's Background and Experience with the Steps [2:59]
Herb shares his background, including studying to be a Catholic priest and his initial involvement in AA to support his wife's recovery. He recounts his early, superficial attempts at working the steps, which didn't lead to significant change. He highlights the turning point when he worked the steps with a man who guided him through the Doctor's Opinion in the Big Book, leading to a radical transformation. He also discusses his subsequent journeys through the steps, each providing new insights into addiction and unmanageability.
The Model of Body, Mind, and Will [9:59]
Herb introduces a model of understanding human beings through the lens of body, mind, and will, which he will use throughout the workshop. He explains that addiction is not the core problem but a symptom of a deeper spiritual malady, which is unmanageability. He references pages 64 and 102 in the Big Book, noting that alcohol is merely a symptom, and the real issue is the spiritual sickness. He also uses the metaphor of building an arch, with Step One as the foundation, willingness as the cornerstone (Step Two), and Step Three as the keystone, held together by the building blocks of Step Four (resentment, fear, and dishonesty).
Addiction as a Problem and the Role of Professionals [15:19]
Herb clarifies that while addiction is not the core problem, it is still a problem, distinguishing between substance and process addictions. He mentions the genetic component of alcoholism and other addictions, suggesting they may stem from brain chemistry or organization. He shares a cartoon illustrating the "pathetic" state of being in the bondage of addiction, emphasizing that this bondage extends beyond the body and mind to the spirit and will.
Powerlessness and Unmanageability [17:28]
Herb discusses the concept of powerlessness, suggesting that it's not about being powerless over people, places, or things, but over addiction itself. He emphasizes that even after years of sobriety, unmanageability can persist, manifesting as doing what one doesn't want to do and not doing what one wants to do. He introduces Dr. Silkworth, a psychiatrist who ran the drug and alcohol treatment program at Towns Hospital, and his conclusion that entire abstinence is necessary for alcoholics.
Dr. Silkworth's Opinion: Allergy and Craving [19:41]
Herb explains that Dr. Silkworth's opinion is that alcoholism is a disease with a physical defect causing an allergy, with the phenomenon of craving as its sign. He challenges the group to set aside their current understanding of "allergy" and "craving" and consider the Big Book's unique definitions. He assigns readings from pages 17-23 and 108-110 of the Big Book, as well as the 20 questions for addiction on page six of "the way of life document" for the next session.
Exploring the Doctor's Opinion in Detail [30:56]
Herb begins a detailed examination of the Doctor's Opinion, emphasizing that Dr. Silkworth was a pioneer in diagnosing alcoholism as a disease. He defines allergy as an abnormal reaction to a substance, using his own allergies to figs and cats as examples. He highlights Bill Wilson's preface to the Doctor's Opinion, noting that the Big Book is a "plan of recovery" and a "textbook" with precise directions.
Bill's Perspective and the Importance of Helping Others [37:47]
Herb discusses Bill Wilson's comments on the Doctor's Opinion, emphasizing the importance of believing that the body of the alcoholic is as abnormal as their mind. He highlights Bill's poetic description of alcoholics as "mal-adjusted to life" and in "full flight from reality." Herb stresses the importance of helping others through the 12 steps, so they can find freedom.
Craving and the Phenomenon of Craving [42:17]
Herb distinguishes between ordinary craving (desire) and the "phenomenon of craving" as described by Dr. Silkworth. He explains that Dr. Silkworth uses "craving" to describe a biological, chemical trigger that occurs after an alcoholic has already taken a drink, leading to a compulsion to continue drinking. He emphasizes that this is different from the dictionary definition of craving as a desire or emotional want.
The Doctor's Opinion: Key Insights and Abstinence [52:24]
Herb summarizes the key points of the Doctor's Opinion, emphasizing the importance of understanding the phenomenon of craving as a biological imperative. He highlights that the doctor's opinion is that there is no choice once drinking has started, and that the only relief is entire abstinence. He also shares stories from the Doctor's Opinion about individuals who found recovery through the plan outlined in the Big Book.
Bill Wilson's Story: Progressive Deterioration [1:02:15]
Herb transitions to Bill Wilson's story, urging listeners to read pages one through eight of the Big Book to understand Bill's progressive deterioration due to alcohol. He discusses Bill's family history of alcoholism, his inferiority complex, and his drive to succeed. He recounts Bill's early success on Wall Street, followed by his downfall due to his drinking problems.
Bill's Bottom and Surrender [1:11:10]
Herb describes Bill Wilson's bottom, emphasizing his loneliness, despair, and sense of being trapped. He highlights Bill's surrender and his catapult into the "fourth dimension," a world of the spirit. Herb concludes by reiterating the importance of the Serenity Prayer and its relevance to the step work.
