AA to
English Glossary
To a
newcomer, walking into an AA
meeting can sometimes seem like
entering a foreign country with its
own language. Strange quotes,
acronyms, and catch-phrases are
casually thrown about in normal
conversation. To someone who has
never heard them before, it's often
very hard to follow along. It seems
that what is needed is an AA to
English dictionary for those just
beginning in the program. This page
is the start of one attempt at such a
dictionary.
The following is a
relatively short list of unusual
terms sometimes heard around AA
meetings. Please keep in mind the
definition accompanying each term is
only one persons interpretation and
is approximate at best. These
definitions were taken, adapted
and/or paraphrased from many sources
but particularly from the books,
Alcoholics Anonymous, Twelve Steps
and Twelve Traditions, and Getting
Started in AA, by Hamilton B.
A
AA Clubs:
Facilities available
for AA group meetings.
AA General Service
Board (a.k.a. the Trustees)
A board composed of
fourteen AA trustees and seven
nonalcoholic trustees that serves to
safeguard AA's Traditions and funds.
The board has the responsibility of
overseeing the General Service Office
(GSO), AA World Services, Inc., and
The AA Grapevine, Inc.
AA General Service
Conference:
A conference linking
the AA groups to the General Service
Office and Board. It serves as the
group conscience for AA as a whole.
Although the conference only meets
for six days a year, the 135
conference members are active in
conference affairs throughout the
year. Conference members are elected
as representatives from each of
ninety-one area assemblies. The
assemblies themselves are elected by
General Service Representatives
(GSRs) from all AA groups.
AA General Service
Office (GSO):
The 'main library' of
AA's shared knowledge and experience.
It helps AA fulfill its primary
purpose by:
1) providing
service, information, and AA
experience to groups worldwide;
2) publishing and distributing AA
books, flyers, fact sheets and
pamphlets;
3) supporting the activities of the
General Service Board;
4) carrying forward recommendations
of the General Service Conference;
5) dealing with the general public.
AA General Service
Representative (GSR)
A person who serves
as an individual group's link to the
General Service Conference. Sometimes
called 'the guardians of the
Traditions', GSR's are elected form
each AA group to serve on area
committees. Delegates from these area
committees are then elected to serve
as members of the General Service
Conference.
A.A. Grapevine,
The:
The monthly
periodical for AA members available
by subscription. 'The Grapevine', as
it is usually called, consists of a
monthly calendar of AA events,
regular features, and special
articles on issues and topics of
interest to AA members. It is
sometimes called 'our meeting in
print'.
AA Group:
Any two or more
alcoholics gathered together for the
purpose of sobriety provided that, as
a group, they have no other
affiliation.
AA Preamble:
A statement which
briefly explains the purpose of AA.
The preamble is read at the beginning
of most AA meetings. Is is based on a
portion of the foreword to the first
edition of the Big Book.
AA World Services,
Inc.:
AA World Services,
Inc. is a nonprofit corporation which
manages the AA General Service
Office, publishes all AA literature
and serves groups in foreign
countries that do not have national
headquarters of their own.
AA's Primary
Purpose:
To stay sober and
help other alcoholics to achieve
sobriety.
A Vision for You:
The title of chapter
11 of the Big Book. This phrase is
often used to refer to the last three
paragraphs of chapter 11 and is
sometimes read at AA meetings.
ABC's, The:
From a portion of
Chapter 5 of the Big Book. These are
three basic concepts for AA's to
master before progressing to Step
Three:
a) that we were
alcoholic and could not manage our
own lives;
b) that probably no
human power could have relieved our
alcoholism;
c) that God could
and would if He were sought.
Abstinence:
Not drinking any
alcohol at all. Abstinence, AAs
believe, is the only treatment for
the disease of alcoholism.
Acceptance:
One of AA's primary
principles. AA members strive to
accept the things in life which we
can not change, including our own
alcoholism and inability to drink
normally.
Alcoholic
Grandiosity:
This phrase refers to
an alcoholic's insistence on having
his or her own way regardless of the
will of the Higher Power or the
demands of reality. It is self-will
run riot.
Alcoholic
Insanity:
An untrue belief held
by some alcoholics that they can
control their drinking or that
somehow, someday that will be able to
drink normally.
Alcoholism:
While there is no
formal 'AA definition' of alcoholism,
most of us agree that, for us, it
could be described as a physical
compulsion, coupled with a mental
obsession. We mean that we had a
distinct physical desire to consume
alcohol beyond our capacity to
control it, and in defiance of all
the rules of common sense. We not
only had an abnormal craving for
alcohol, but we frequently yielded to
it at the worst possible times. We
did not know when (or how) to stop
drinking.
The American Medical
Association formally recognized
alcoholism as a disease in 1972. In
1956, it had classified alcoholism as
a 'treatable illness.' Alcoholism
results from a genetic predisposition
working in combination with
psychological and environmental
factors. There is no cure. Abstinence
is the only treatment.
Definition of
Alcoholism
Approved by
the Boards of Directors of the
National Council on Alcoholism and
Drug Dependence, Inc. (February 3,
1990) and the American Society of
Addiction Medicine (February 25,
1990).
Alcoholism is a
primary, chronic disease with
genetic, psychosocial, and
environmental factors influencing its
development and manifestations. The
disease is often progressive and
fatal. It is characterized by
continuous or periodic: impaired
control over drinking, preoccupation
with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol
despite adverse consequences, and
distortions in thinking, most notably
denial.
Primary refers to the nature
of alcoholism as a disease entity in
addition to and separate from other path physiologic states which may be
associated with it. Primary suggests
that alcoholism, as an addiction, is
not a symptom of an underlying
disease state.
Disease means an involuntary
disability. It represents the sum of
the abnormal phenomena displayed by a
group of individuals. These phenomena
are associated with a specified
common set of characteristics by
which these individuals differ from
the norm, and which places them at a
disadvantage.
Often progressive and fatal
means that the disease persists over
time and that physical, emotional,
and social changes are often
cumulative and may progress as
drinking continues.
Alcoholism causes premature death
through overdose, organic
complications involving the brain,
liver, heart and many other organs,
and by contributing to suicide,
homicide, motor vehicle crashes, and
other traumatic events.
Impaired control means the
inability to limit alcohol use or to
consistently limit on any drinking
occasion the duration of the episode,
the quantity consumed, and/or the
behavioral consequences of drinking.
Preoccupation in association with
alcohol use indicates excessive,
focused attention given to the drug
alcohol, its effects, and/or its use.
The relative value thus assigned to
alcohol by the individual often leads
to a diversion of energies away from
important life concerns.
Adverse consequences are
alcohol-related problems or
impairments in such areas as:
physical health (e.g., alcohol
withdrawal syndromes, liver disease,
gastritis, anemia, neurological
disorders); psychological functioning
(e.g., impairments in cognition,
changes in mood and behavior);
interpersonal functioning (e.g.,
marital problems and child abuse,
impaired social relationships);
occupational functioning (e.g.,
scholastic or job problems); and
legal, financial, or spiritual
problems.
Denial is used here not only
in the psychoanalytic sense of a
single psychological defense
mechanism disavowing the significance
of events, but more broadly to
include a range of psychological
maneuvers designed to reduce
awareness of the fact that alcohol
use is the cause of an individual's
problems rather than a solution to
those problems. Denial becomes an
integral part of the disease and a
major obstacle to recovery.
Alcoholism as a
Progressive Disease:
The term
'progressive' is used to describe
alcoholism because, as a rule, it
only gets worse over time.
Alcoholism as a
Threefold Illness:
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous describes
alcoholism as a disease of the body,
mind and spirit.
Alcoholism Cure:
This is a fantasy.
There is no known cure for
alcoholism. But there is a treatment;
abstinence. Abstinence is made
possible one day at a time through
membership in AA.
Amends:
Doing what we can to
repair the damage that our past
behavior has caused. Making amends is
an essential part of Twelve Step
recovery. In accordance with AA's
Ninth Step and Tenth Step, we make
direct amends to people we have
harmed in the past and to those we
continue to harm.
An Easier, Softer
Way:
This phrase is taken
from chapter 5 of the Big Book, 'We
thought we could find an easier,
softer way. But we could not.' Some
AA members attempt to find an easier,
softer way to recover from alcoholism
than having to work the Twelve Steps.
Anger,
Justifiable:
Anger that we feel
justified in holding on to because of
the circumstances. According to the
Big Book, there is no justification
for remaining angry about anything.
Often we 'justify' the anger so we
don't have to look at ourselves and
our own part in creating it. The
Twelve and Twelve reminds us, 'It is
a spiritual axiom that every time we
are disturbed, no matter what the
cause, there is something wrong with
us. If somebody hurts us and we are
sore, we are in the wrong also. But
are there no exceptions to this rule'
What about 'justifiable' anger? If
somebody cheats us, aren't we
entitled to be mad' Can't we be
properly angry with self-righteous
folk? For us of AA, these are
dangerous exceptions. We have found
that justified anger ought to be left
to those better qualified to handle
it. Anger, though inevitable on
occasion, should be felt and then
released as soon as possible lest it
turn into a resentment. When someone
offends, we should say to ourselves
'this is a sick person, too. How can
I be helpful?'
Anniversary
(a.k.a. Birthday):
The anniversary of
the date on which an AA member
stopped drinking. The term
'anniversary' is generally used in
the East and Midwest, and the term
'birthday' is used in the West and
Southwest to mean the same thing.
Anonymity:
The AA concept of
anonymity is expressed in this
saying, 'Who you see here, what you
hear here, when you leave here, let
it stay here.' Anonymity is so
important to AA that the word
'Anonymous' is part of its name. To
break anonymity is to reveal one?s
own membership or someone else's membership in AA or to repeat
something that was said by someone in
an AA meeting. There are only four
reasons for breaking you own
anonymity: 1) to help yourself stay
sober; 2) to help someone else stay
sober; 3) someone in your life has a
need to know; 4) to avoid telling a
lie.
Antabuse:
An oral prescription
drug that makes a person violently
ill if he drinks alcohol. Antabuse is
the brand name for disulfiram.
Any Length:
This phrase refers to
an AA member's willingness to 'go to
any length' to stay sober. It means
being willing to do whatever is
necessary to maintain sobriety and
expresses the principle of putting
sobriety first. The phrase is taken
from chapter 5 of the Big Book, 'If
you have decided you want what we
have and are willing to go to any
length to get it- then you are ready
to take certain steps.'
B
Babies:
This term
affectionately refers to people new
to AA.
Balance:
The term refers to
the AA goal of achieving emotional,
mental and spiritual balance as a
result of working the Twelve Steps.
Big Book:
The nickname given to
the book Alcoholics Anonymous. So
named, because of the unusual
thickness of the paper it was
originally printed on. Although the
book is now smaller, the nickname
stuck and is, in fact, registered.
Big Book Study
Meeting:
An AA meeting devoted
to the study of the Big Book.
Birthday:
(See Anniversary)
Blackout:
A period of
alcohol-induced amnesia extending
from a few hours to a few days during
heavy usage. While in a blackout, a
person may appear to behave somewhat
'normally' but have no recollection
of it later.
Bondage of Self:
Alcoholic
self-centeredness and self-will. The
phrase is taken from the Third Step
Prayer in chapter five of the Big
Book, 'Relieve me of the bondage of
self, that I may better do Thy will.'
Box 4-5-9:
The AA General
Service Office's newsletter which is
the GSO's primary means of
communication with the fellowship.
Breaking
Anonymity:
To reveal one's own
membership or someone else's
membership in AA or to repeat
something that was said by someone in
an AA meeting. There are only four
reasons for breaking anonymity at a
personal level:
1) it will help you stay sober; 2) it
will help someone else stay sober;
3) people in our lives need to know;
4) to avoid telling a lie.
C
Cafeteria Style:
A reference to a
saying borrowed from Al-Anon,
'meetings are like cafeterias; you
can take what you like and leave the
rest.' At least as far as AA is
concerned, there should be a few
basic exceptions to this rule for
those who wish to stay sober.
Came to Believe:
This phrase is taken
from AA's Second Step, 'Came to
believe that a Power greater than
ourselves could restore us to
sanity.' It is sometimes broken down
this way, 'Came, Came to, Came to
Believe.' First, we came physically
to AA meetings. After some time, we
came to (our senses that is) and gave
up our alcoholic delusions. And
finally, we came to believe that we
could be restored to sanity by a
Higher Power.
Care of God:
The phrase is taken
from AA's Third Step in which we
'made a decision to turn our wills
and our lives over to the care of God
as we understood Him.' The Twelve and
Twelve states, 'the effectiveness of
the whole AA program will rest upon
how well and earnestly we have tried
to come to 'a decision to turn our
will and our lives over to the care
of God as we understood Him'.
Carry the Message:
This expression is
taken from AA's Twelfth Step, 'Having
had a spiritual awakening as the
result of these steps, we tried to
carry the message to the message to
alcoholics and to practice these
principles in all our affairs.' It is
also mentioned in the Fifth
Tradition, 'Each group has but one
primary purpose- to carry its message
to the alcoholic who still suffers.'
It is the responsibility of each AA
member to carry the message of
recovery to the alcoholic who still
suffers. Helping another alcoholic is
one of the primary ways in which we
stay sober.
Cash Register
Honesty:
A technical kind of
honesty that means we don't steal. It
is often compared to another, deeper
kind of self-honesty and
honesty-with-others about who we are
which is necessary for recovery.
Central Office:
A local coordinating
office for AA groups. It also acts as
a point of contact for the general
public and as a clearinghouse for
information on AA meetings and
activities. In some cities (like here
in Houston), it is called
'Intergroup.'
Chapter Five:
The reference is to
chapter 5, 'How it Works,' of the Big
Book. Chapter 5 explains how AA works
as a program of recovery. It lists
the Twelve Steps and discusses in
detail the first four Steps. A
portion of the chapter is sometimes
read after the preamble at the
beginning of AA meetings.
Character Defects:
The defects of
character which we try to identify in
our Fourth Step inventory and which
we try to eliminate as part of our
recovery program. In the 'searching
and fearless moral inventory' that we
conduct in the Fourth Step, we
identify a list of character defects
in ourselves. In the Fifth Step, we
admit these defects to God, to
ourselves, and to another human
being. In the Sixth through Tenth
Steps, we try to eliminate these
defects with God's help and to make
amends for the things we have done
wrong.
Chip System:
The custom followed
by some AA groups of handing out
small medallions called 'chips' to
mark various anniversaries of AA
member's sobriety dates. Many AA
members, especially newcomers, carry
a chip with them as a constant
reminder of their commitment to stay
sober.
Chips:
Small medallions
commemorating various lengths of
sobriety; i.e., 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9
months; years and multiples of years.
The first chip which is usually given
out to a newcomer is called a
'desire' chip. A desire chip
signifies the recipient's desire to
stay sober for the next 24 hours.
Civilian:
AA slang for a
non-alcoholic.
Closed Meeting:
An AA meeting that is
'closed' to nonalcoholics. Only
alcoholics and those who think they
may have a problem with alcohol are
allowed to attend.
Clubs:
(See AA Clubs)
Conference-Approved
Literature:
Literature that has
been approved for publication by the
AA General Service Conference.
(Incidentally, neither this page nor
this website has conference approval.
Nor will it ever, I suspect)
Confidentiality:
Whatever is said in
an AA meeting is strictly
confidential and should not be
repeated outside that meeting.
Conscious Contact:
This phrase is taken
from AA's Eleventh Step, 'Sought
through prayer and meditation to
improve our conscious contact with
God as we understood Him, praying
only for knowledge of His will for us
and the power to carry that out.'
Keeping in touch with our Higher
Power through prayer and meditation.
Maintaining conscious contact with a
Power greater than ourselves is a key
element in AA recovery. Prayer and
meditation are 'our principal means
of conscious contact with God.'
Constitutionally
Incapable of Being Honest:
This phrase is taken
from chapter 5 of the Big Book,
'Those who do not recover are people
who cannot or will not completely
give themselves to this simple
program, usually men and women who
are constitutionally incapable of
being honest with themselves. There
are such unfortunates. They are not
at fault; they seem to have been born
that way. They are naturally
incapable of grasping and developing
a manner of living which demands
rigorous honesty. Their chances are
less than average.' The ability to be
honest with oneself is essential to
recovery.
Contempt Prior to
Investigation:
This phrase appears
in a quotation of Herbert Spencer's
contained in appendix 2 of the Big
Book, 'There is a principle which is
a bar against all information, which
is proof against all arguments and
which cannot fail to keep a man in
everlasting ignorance- that principle
is contempt prior to investigation.'
The phase is often used as a warning
against being closed to new ideas.
Open-mindedness is an essential part
of recovery.
Controlled
Drinking:
This phrase refers to
a person's decision to restrict the
number of drinks he or she has to
some predetermined limit. It is
sometimes used in reference to
alcoholics, but it does not apply to
them. Alcoholics can not control
their drinking problem by limiting
the number of drinks they have as an
alternative to abstinence. The Big
Book states, 'We alcoholics are men
and women who have lost the ability
to control our drinking. We know that
no real alcoholic ever recovers
control.' It goes on to say,'The idea
that somehow, someday, he will
control and enjoy his drinking is the
great obsession of every abnormal
drinker. The persistence of this
illusion is astonishing. Many pursue
it into the gates of insanity or
death.'
Courage to Change:
A phrase taken from
the serenity prayer, 'God, grant me
the serenity to accept the things I
cannot change, the courage to change
the things I can, and the wisdom to
know the difference.' Recovery is all
about change, and change is all about
courage. That's why those in recovery
pray for the 'courage to change.'
Courage is not the absence of fear,
but the overcoming of it. Fear is a
natural part of the disease of
alcoholism; overcoming fear is a
natural part of recovery. When we no
longer fear fear itself, we begin to
recover.
Cross-Addiction
(a.k.a. Dual Addiction):
Being dependent upon
two different substances at the same
time. AA welcomes those who are
cross-addicted as long as one of
those substances is alcohol. AA has a
singleness of purpose- recovery from
alcoholism. AA's third tradition
states, 'The only requirement for
membership is a desire to stop
drinking.' Therefore, if you have a
desire to stop drinking, regardless
of any other problems you may have,
you are welcome to join AA.
Discussion at AA meetings, however,
should be limited to topics directly
related to your alcoholism and
nothing else.
Cross-Talk:
When one AA member
directly addresses another member
during the sharing part of an AA
meeting and offers advice. In AA, we
are expected to share our experience,
strength and hope with one another
rather than offer advice or
instruction. Therefore, it is against
AA customs to engage in cross-talk
during an AA meeting.
Cunning, Baffling,
Powerful!:
This expression comes
from chapter 5 of the Big Book,
'Remember that we deal with alcohol-
cunning, baffling, powerful! Without
help it is too much for us.'
D
Daily Inventory:
Step Ten says 'We
continued to take a personal
inventory...'. This is the same kind
of inventory we took in Step Four,
except it deals with recent events
only. Our goal is to reduce the
cumulative damage our character
defects cause; keeping us on an even
keel. Some AA member's feel that this
is the only step that can be taken
'out of order', that is, practiced on
a daily basis as soon as you enter
the program. The thinking here is to
stop adding to our problems and start
practicing do things differently.
Again this is only an opinion.
Daily Reprieve:
The word 'reprieve'
means 'a temporary relief.' We have a
daily reprieve from the symptoms of
our alcoholism contingent upon the
maintenance of our spiritual fitness.
This phrase appears in chapter 6 of
the Big Book, 'We are not cured of
alcoholism. What we really have is a
daily reprieve contingent on the
maintenance of our spiritual
condition.'
Defects of
Character:
See 'Character
Defects'
Denial:
A person's refusal to
admit or accept that he or she is an
alcoholic; denial is one of the
symptoms of the disease of
alcoholism. It is this symptom that
makes recovery so difficult, because
denial must be overcome for recovery
to take place. Denial is never
completely overcome, however, and
must be guarded against during
recovery. There is a saying in AA,
'Alcoholism is a disease which
convinces you that you do not have
it.'
Design for Living:
The phase comes from
chapter 2 of the Big Book: 'A new
life has been given to us or, if you
prefer, 'a design for living' that
really works.' The phrase refers to
the AA program of recovery and to the
new life that it offers alcoholics.
Desire Chip (a.k.a. Twenty-four
Hour Chip):
A medallion given out at AA meetings
to anyone who has a 'desire' to stop
drinking for the next 24 hours.
Detox:
Slang for
'detoxification,' the process by
which some alcoholics withdraw from
the use of alcohol. Also used in
reference to a detoxification center.
Discussion
Meeting:
An AA meeting in
which a topic is suggested and
individuals discuss their experience,
strength and hope in relation to that
topic.
Double Winner:
An AA member who is
also a member of Al-Anon.
Dr. Bob:
The common nickname
for Robert Holbrook Smith M.D.,
cofounder of AA.
Drinking Dream: or
Drunk Dream
A recovering alcoholic's sleeping
dream in which he or she drinks
again. No one knows exactly what a
drinking dream means, but it can be
very disturbing to the alcoholic in
recovery.
Drunk-a-logue:
That portion of an AA
member's story that deals with the
drinking period of his or her life.
Dry:
Being abstinent from
alcohol. To those in AA, however,
being 'dry' is just one small part of
being 'sober'. Sobriety is a way of
life based on spiritual principles.
To remain dry without changing
intellectually, emotionally and
spiritually, is to be dangerously
close to the next drink. The Big Book
says, 'We feel that elimination of
our drinking is but a beginning.'
Dry Drunk (a.k.a.
Dry Bender):
A condition of
returning to one's old alcoholic
thinking and behavior without
actually having taken a drink.
Dual Addiction:
See 'Cross-Addiction'
Dual Diagnosis:
An AA member who has
an emotional or psychiatric disorder
in addition to alcoholism. The other
diagnosis may be major depression,
manic-depression (bipolar disorder),
personality disorder, panic disorder,
and so on. Bill Wilson, AA's
cofounder, was dually diagnosed with
depression.
E
Easing God Out (a.k.a. Edging God
Out):
This is what some AAs claim the
acronym E.G.O. stands for. It is a
reminder that it is God's will, not
our own which guides our life in
sobriety. When self-centered ego
returns we have rescinded our
decision to take the Third Step.
Instead of 'turning it over,' we are
'taking it back.'
Enabling:
A term used to
describe overly compassionate
behavior toward an alcoholic. This
works against a drinking alcoholic's
recovery because it keeps him or her
from having to deal with the
consequences of his or her behavior.
Examples of enabling are making
excuses for the alcoholic, or
cleaning up after one of his or her
'episodes'. The alcoholic needs to
face all the unpleasant consequences
of his or her drinking if he or she
is to recover.
Ex-Alcoholic:
There is no such
thing. In AA we might call ourselves
ex-drunks as we do not drink anymore
but we are still alcoholics. There is
no known cure for the disease of
alcoholism; even alcoholics in
recovery are still alcoholics. They
are simply nondrinking alcoholics.
Experience,
Strength and Hope:
The phrase appears in
the AA preamble, 'Alcoholics
Anonymous is a fellowship of men and
women who share their experience,
strength and hope with each other
that they may solve their common
problem and help others to recover
from alcoholism.' When we share in AA
about our recovery from alcoholism,
we are expected to share our
experience, strength and hope. We
should not offer advice, instruction,
or therapy.
F
Faith without
Works is Dead:
This phrase appears
in chapter 6 of the Big Book, 'Now we
need more action, without which we
find that 'Faith without works is
dead.'' This quote is often used to
remind us that AA is a program of
action.
Fellowship, the:
A common nickname by
those in AA for Alcoholics Anonymous.
Forgiveness:
The act of giving up
feelings of resentment toward
someone. Forgiveness of those who
have harmed us is an essential part
of Steps Four and Five.
Fourth Step
Inventory:
The 'searching and
fearless moral inventory' suggested
by AA's Fourth Step. The Fourth Step
inventory is always done in writing.
G
Geographical Cure
(a.k.a Geographic ):
While still drinking, an effort to
cure our alcoholism by getting a
'fresh start' in a new location. It
doesn't work. There is a saying
around AA, 'Wherever you go, there
you are.'
God as We
Understand Him:
See 'Higher Power.'
God of Our
Understanding:
See 'Higher Power.
God's Time:
The expression
reminds us that the events of the
world unfold according to God's time,
not our own. When we grow impatient
because the things we want are not
happening fast enough to suit us, we
try to remember that it is not up to
us to set the timetable for God's
events.
Grapevine:
See 'AA Grapevine.'
Gratitude List:
A written list of all
the things for which we are grateful.
When they are feeling scared,
depressed, or self-pitying, some
alcoholics make a gratitude list. It
is usually effective in counteracting
depression and self-pity.
Group Conscience:
The mechanism through
which an AA group makes decisions
about matters affecting the group as
a whole. The group makes decisions
expressed through a meeting held for
that purpose immediately before or
after a regular AA meeting. Every
member of the group is entitled to
vote, and everyone is a member who so
declares himself or herself.
Gut-Level Honesty:
See 'Rigorous
Honesty.'
H
Half Measures:
This phrase is taken
from chapter 5 of the Big Book, 'Half
measures availed us nothing. We stood
at the turning point.' It is a
reminder that an 'easier, softer way'
that tries to short-cut the Twelve
Steps won't bring us the quality of
recovery we seek. The phrase also
reminds us to put our sobriety first.
H.A.L.T.:
An acronym that
stands for 'Hungry, Angry, Lonely or
Tired.' It is in these states when
our resolve is the weakest. The
acronym reminds us to always try to
avoid these states in order to
protect our recovery.
Happy, Joyous and
Free:
The quotation is
taken from chapter 9 of the Big Book,
'We are sure God wants us to be
happy, joyous and free. We cannot
subscribe to the belief that this
life is a vale of tears, though it
once was just that for many of us.'
To be happy, joyous and free is one
of the goals (and rewards) of our
recovery from alcoholism.
High Bottom Drunk:
An alcoholic entering
AA who has maintained most of the
trappings of 'success'; a family, a
home, a job, a car, reputation,
health, etc.. Almost everyone
entering AA has hit some kind of
emotional bottom, but for some the
social, legal, or financial bottom
may be relatively high. The more one
has managed to retain upon entering
AA, the higher his or her bottom is
said to be.
Higher Power:
A self-defined Power
greater than ourselves to which we
ultimately turn for assistance and
guidance in our sober lives. In our
drinking days, alcohol was the Higher
Power. In sobriety, we choose a
different kind of Power to fulfill
our purposes. Since AA is
non-sectarian, the definition of
'Higher Power' is left entirely to
the individual AA member.
Hitting Bottom:
Reaching such a state
of utter hopelessness that we become
willing to admit complete defeat in
dealing with our alcoholism. In such
a state we become 'teachable,' and
are willing to do whatever is
necessary to achieve sobriety. The
bottom we hit at the end of our
drinking days is usually emotional
and spiritual. It may or may not
involve other complications such as
poor health, financial and legal
problems.
Home Group:
The group that an AA
member attends regularly and calls
home. Our home group is our strongest
link to the AA fellowship.
Homer:
A housebound or
handicapped AA member. Since homers
can attend few AA meetings, they rely
on the Big Book, telephone, or
written correspondence to stay sober.
H.O.W.:
This acronym stands
for Honesty, Open-Mindedness, and
Willingness. These are the keys to
recovery. Without openness, we won't
listen to the principles of recovery
offered to us. Without willingness,
we won't act on what we hear. And
without honesty, we won't see the
problems that have to be faced and
overcame for recovery to take place.
Humility:
'Perfect humility,'
Bill Wilson wrote, 'would be a full
willingness, in all times and places,
to find and to do the will of God.'
'Without some degree of humility, no
alcoholic can stay sober at all.
Nearly all AA's have found, too, that
unless they develop much more of this
precious quality than may be required
just for sobriety, they still haven't
much chance of becoming truly happy.'
I
I Am Responsible:
This expression comes
from the Responsibility Declaration
adopted at AA's 1965 International
Convention. The declaration reads, 'I
am responsible. When anyone,
anywhere, reaches out for help, I
want the hand of AA always to be
there. And for that I am
responsible.'
Identification:
Identification is one
of the ways in which we overcome the
denial associated with our
alcoholism. When an alcoholic in
recovery honestly tells his or her
story, and we can identify with him
or her, our denial is momentarily
overcome. This discovery formed one
of the fundamental principles of AA:
that one alcoholic could help another
alcoholic stay sober.
Insanity:
AA's Second Step
states we 'came to believe that a
Power greater than ourselves could
restore us to sanity.' Sometimes in
AA we hear insanity defined as 'doing
the same thing over and over but
expecting different results.'
Intergroup:
A local coordinating
office for AA groups. It also acts as
a point of contact for the general
public and as a clearinghouse for
information on AA meetings and
activities. In some cities it is
called the 'Central Office.'
Intervention:
The process by which
family members and/or friends of an
alcoholic get together and confront
the alcoholic about the negative
effects of his behavior. The goal of
an intervention is to break through
the alcoholics denial of his problem
and to motivate him to seek help.
Intervention is often a means of
assisting an alcoholic to hit his or
her 'bottom' long before he or she
would naturally.
Into Action:
This is the title of
chapter 6 of the Big Book. AA is a
program of action. Good intentions,
intellectualizing, and theorizing aid
the disease and not our recovery from
it- if they are divorced from Action.
L
Lack of Power:
This phrase comes
from chapter 4 of the Big Book, 'Lack
of power, that was our dilemma. We
had to find a power by which we could
live, and it had to be a Power
greater than ourselves.' As
alcoholics, our central problem is
powerlessness over alcohol. In order
to overcome alcoholism, we must first
admit that we are powerless over it.
If we admit to that powerlessness, we
are given the power we need.
Legacies:
See 'Three Legacies
of AA.'
Low Bottom Drunk:
An alcoholic entering
AA who has lost 'everything;' house,
car, family, job, health, etc..
Almost everyone entering AA has hit
some kind of emotional or spiritual
bottom but for some, the extrinsic
circumstances may be particularly
low. The more one has lost upon
entering AA, the lower his or her
bottom is said to be.
M
Maximum Service:
This phrase comes
from chapter 6 of the Big Book, 'Our
real purpose is to fit ourselves to
be of maximum service to God and the
people about us.' How do we do this'
The AA Preamble states, 'Our primary
purpose is to stay sober and to help
other alcoholics to achieve
sobriety.' The Fifth Tradition goes
on to state, 'Each group has but one
primary purpose 'to carry its message
to the alcoholic who still suffers.'
Therefore, we in AA are of maximum
service to God and others by staying
sober and carrying the message to the
suffering alcoholic.
Meeting in Print:
See 'AA Grapevine.'
Meetings:
An AA meeting is any
two or more alcoholics gathered
together for the purpose of sobriety-
provided, that as a group, they have
no other affiliation. At the heart of
AA recovery is the meetings. It is
here that the members share their
experience, strength, and hope with
one another and find recovery
N
NaltrExone:
A prescription drug
that reduces the physical craving for
alcohol in some alcoholics. To be
effective, it must be combined with a
regular counseling program including
membership in AA. It is marketed
under the trade name ReVia.
Ninety in Ninety:
This expression
refers to the suggestion to newcomers
that they make at least one meeting a
day for the first three months of
their sobriety.
O
Old Timer:
An AA member who has
been continuously sober for a
significant period of time. The
definition of 'significant' is open
to interpretation and varies widely.
There are two basic prerequisites,
however, for becoming an old timer in
AA: 1) Don't drink; 2) Don't die.
One Day at a Time:
This slogan describes
one of AA's primary strategies for
staying sober. For many alcoholics,
the concept of permanent abstinence
is too overwhelming an option. Most,
however, believe that they could stay
sober for a twenty-four hour period,
if necessary. We concern ourselves,
therefore only with the day in which
we find ourselves. If ever we feel we
absolutely, positively must have a
drink, we put it off until tomorrow
or until the next fifteen minutes if
necessary. This gives us time to call
our sponsors, get to a meeting, or
pray to our Higher Power to remove
the craving from us.
Open Meeting:
An AA meeting that
not just alcoholics but anyone who is
interested in Alcoholics Anonymous
may attend. The discussion at these
meetings, however, is limited
strictly to topics dealing with
alcoholism.
Open-Mindedness:
That state in which
the mind becomes 'teachable.' Without
open-mindedness, we cannot make the
changes in our thinking and
perceptions that are necessary to
achieve sobriety.
Oxford Group:
A spiritual,
nondenominational, evangelical
movement founded in 1921 by a
Lutheran minister, Dr. Frank Buchman.
AA began as an offshoot of the Oxford
Group. Bill Wilson wrote that 'Early
AA got its ideas of self-examination,
acknowledgment of character defects,
restitution for harm done, and
working with others straight from the
Oxford Groups...' Both Bill Wilson
and Dr. Bob were members of the
Oxford Group at the time of AA's
founding.
People, Places and
Things:
Prior to recovery, we
depended upon people, places and
things to make us happy or to change
our lives. In recovery, we take that
responsibility away from external
events and place it on ourselves. The
Twelve and Twelve says, 'It is a
spiritual axiom that every time we
are disturbed, no matter what the
cause, there is something wrong with
us.'
Periodic:
An alcoholic who
stays sober for a period of time,
loses control, goes on a spree, and
then repeats the cycle.
Pink Cloud:
The temporary
sensation of euphoria and well-being
that is characteristic to those who
are new to AA and sobriety. For most,
the pink cloud eventually dissipates.
This heralds the time to get down to
business and start seriously working
the Steps.
Power Greater than
Ourselves:
See 'Higher Power.'
Powerlessness:
See 'Lack of Power.'
Prayer and
Meditation:
AA's Eleventh Step
calls for 'prayer and meditation to
improve our conscious contact with
God as we understood Him.' One common
distinction between prayer and
meditation is this: Prayer is
speaking to God whereas meditation is
listening for His answer.
Preamble:
See 'AA Preamble.'
Primary Purpose:
See 'AA's Primary
Purpose.'
Principles Before
Personalities:
This phrase comes
from the Twelfth Tradition,
'Anonymity is the spiritual
foundation of all our Traditions,
ever reminding us to place principles
before personalities.' It is the
principles of the program, not its
personalities, that guide recovery
and keep us sober. We rely on the
Twelve Steps and their principles
rather than on one individual or
group of individuals. Individuals,
regardless of how charismatic, are
only human. Our ultimate reliance is
on our Higher Power.
Program, the:
This phrase refers to
AA's Twelve Step program of recovery
and, more generally, to AA itself.
Progress Not
Perfection:
This is a paraphrase
of a sentence in chapter 5 of the Big
Book, 'We claim spiritual progress
rather than spiritual perfection.'
When we try to do things perfectly,
we are attempting to do the
impossible. The tendency toward
perfectionism is merely a reflection
of our alcoholic grandiosity.
Progressive
Disease:
See 'Alcoholism as a
Progressive Disease'.
Promises, the:
See 'Twelve
Promises.'
R
Recovered
Alcoholic:
The foreword of the
Big Book opens with this
sentence,'We, of Alcoholics
Anonymous, are more than one hundred
men and women who have recovered from
a seemingly hopeless state of mind
and body. To show other alcoholics
precisely how we have recovered is
the main purpose of this book.' Those
who use the term 'recovered' do so
because they see themselves as having
recovered from alcoholism for the one
day in which they find themselves.
The word 'recovered' in this sense is
not interchangeable with the word
'cured.' There is no known cure for
the disease of alcoholism.
Recovering
Alcoholic:
But for semantics, a
'recovering' alcoholic is the same as
a 'recovered' alcoholic. Those who
call themselves 'recovering'
alcoholics do so because recovery is
an ongoing process which is never
fully complete.
Rehab:
A slang word for a
treatment center specializing in
substance abuse. 'Rehab' is short for
'rehabilitation center.'
Relapse:
See 'Slip.'
Resentment:
Feelings of ill will
that we hold for others usually as a
result of some perceived harm they
have done us. In recovery, we cannot
afford to harbor resentments because
they corrode our lives and can lead
us back to alcohol. The Big Book
says, 'It is plain that a life which
includes deep resentment leads only
to futility and unhappiness. To the
precise extent that we permit these,
do we squander the hours that might
have been worth while.'
Rigorous Honesty:
From chapter 5 in the
Big Book, 'They [those who do not
recover] are naturally incapable of
grasping and developing a manner of
living which demands rigorous
honesty.' Rigorous honesty is
characterized by the complete lack of
intent to deceive one's self or
anyone else.
Road of Happy
Destiny:
This phrase is taken
from chapter 11 of the Big Book, 'We
shall be with you in the Fellowship
of the Spirit, and you will surely
meet some of us as you trudge the
Road of Happy Destiny.' The road is
'trudged' because recovery requires
what sometimes seems like monotonous
perseverance.
Rule 62:
From the Twelve and
Twelve, Rule 62 is, 'Don't take
yourself too damned seriously'
S
Searching and
Fearless Moral Inventory:
See 'Fourth Step
Inventory.'
Self-Centeredness:
The Big Book says,
'Selfishness- self-centeredness!
That, we think, is the root of our
troubles.' According to Bill Wilson,
recovery means 'destruction of
self-centeredness.' The Twelve Steps
help us achieve that goal.
Self-Knowledge Is
Not the Answer:
This is a paraphrase
from the Big Book, 'But the actual or
potential alcoholic, with hardly an
exception, will be absolutely unable
to stop drinking on the basis of
self-knowledge. This is a point we
wish to emphasize and
re-emphasize...' We cannot achieve
sobriety solely on the basis of
knowledge about ourselves and the
disease of alcoholism. It requires
working the Twelve Steps.'
Self-Pity:
Feeling sorry for
ourselves or dwelling in our own
problems. We can get out of our
problems by getting into someone
else's- work with another alcoholic.
Another remedy is to write a
gratitude list.
Self-Seeking Will
Slip Away:
This is
characteristic is one of the Twelve
Promises in the Big Book. It will
come true for those who work the
program. The promise means that we
will seek to help others and to
follow God's will for our lives
rather than to seek fulfillment or
our own selfish desires.
Self-Supporting
through Our Own Contributions:
This expression is
from AA's preamble, 'There are no
dues or fees for AA membership; we
are self-supporting through our own
contributions.' AA does not solicit
nor does it accept contributions from
anyone other than AA members.
Self-Will Run
Riot:
This phrase comes
from chapter 5 of the Big Book,
'Selfishness- self-centeredness!
That, we think, is the root of our
troubles.... So our troubles, we
think, are basically of our own
making. They arise out of ourselves,
and the alcoholic is an extreme
example of self-will run riot, though
he usually doesn't think so. Above
everything, we alcoholics must be rid
of this selfishness. We must, or it
kills us!' The only solution we know
is to work the Steps.
Serenity Prayer:
The Serenity Prayer
reads in part, 'God, grant me the
serenity to accept the things I
cannot change, the courage to change
the things I can, and the wisdom to
know the difference.' This prayer is
often used as a mantra, of sorts, by
AA members. It is a powerful tool for
achieving balance when our emotions
threaten to overwhelm us.
Service:
Service is one of
AA's Three Legacies. The Big Book
states, 'Our real purpose is to fit
ourselves to be of maximum service to
God and the people about us.' We are
of service when we carry the message
to the alcoholic who still suffers
through our words, attitudes, or
actions.
Seventh Tradition:
The Seventh Tradition
(short form) states, 'Every AA group
ought to be fully self-supporting,
declining outside contributions.' AA
accepts contributions only from its
members. There are no dues or fees
for AA membership. Donations are
strictly on a voluntary basis. AA
headquarters restricts annual
donations from any AA member to a
maximum of one thousand dollars.
Anything over this amount or any
donation at all from a non AA member
will be politely refused.
Sharing:
This term is derived
from the AA preamble, 'Alcoholics
Anonymous is a fellowship of men and
women who share their experience
strength and hope with each other
that they may solve their common
problem and help others to recover
from alcoholism.' The term 'sharing'
is often used to describe an
individual's discussion at an AA
meeting.
Shotgun Sobriety:
As the phrase
suggests, this type of sobriety is
based on fear of drinking rather than
on the application of AA principles.
All of us in recovery have learned a
healthy respect for the power of
alcohol, but we do not live in terror
of it. Long-term sobriety must be
based on spiritual principles not on
fear of alcohol.
Simple Program:
This phrase is
derived from chapter 5 of the Big
Book, 'Those who do not recover are
people who cannot or will not
completely give themselves to this
simple program, usually men and women
who are constitutionally incapable of
being honest with themselves.' AA is
a simple program for complicated
people, so the saying goes. AA's
Twelve Step program is simple because
it works simply: one Step at a time
and one day at a time. Simplicity in
this sense, does not necessarily mean
ease. Working the program requires an
unwavering dedicated effort. Yet all
the strength and willingness to work
the program is freely give to all
those who sincerely ask for them.
Slip:
A common term for
relapse- drinking alcohol again after
a period of sobriety in AA. The term
is often used as an acronym as well:
S.L.I.P; Sobriety Loses Its Priority.
Slippery Places
(and Slippery Faces):
Slippery places is a
reference to actual places or
emotional states in which we are more
likely to slip. These are, of course,
to be avoided if reasonably possible.
Slippery faces refer to old drinking
buddies; the company of whom we
should avoid as well. Another similar
term is 'old playgrounds and old
playmates.' It is dangerous even
foolish to put ourselves in
situations where we are likely to be
tempted by alcohol. Even if we
believe we are now strong enough to
resist temptation, we best resist
temptation by avoiding temptation
altogether.
Smith, Robert
Holbrook, M.D. (a.k.a. 'Dr.
Bob'):
1879-1950. Cofounder of Alcoholics
Anonymous. Dr. Bob created the first
AA group in the world, AA Group
Number One, in Akron, Ohio.
Sobriety Date:
Depending on who you ask; our
sobriety date is the date on which we
had our last drink or the date in
which we sobered up from our last
drink.
Speaker's Meeting:
An AA meeting
featuring one or more designated
speakers who share their experience,
strength, and hope for the entire
meeting. The speakers talk about what
life was like before AA, what brought
them to AA and what their lives are
like now.
Spiritual
Awakening (a.k.a. Spiritual
Experience):
The Big Book description is a,
'personality change sufficient to
bring about recovery from
alcoholism.' It also describes it as
a 'profound alteration in [our]
reaction to life,' and as an
'awareness of a Power greater than
ourselves.' The difference between an
awakening and an experience is that
an awaking occurs over time whereas
an experience happens suddenly.
Spiritual Tool Kit:
This metaphor comes from chapter 2 of
the Big Book, 'There was nothing left
for us but to pick up the simple kit
of spiritual tools laid at our feet.'
The tools to which it refers are the
Twelve Steps, reliance on a Power
greater than ourselves, and prayer
and meditation.
Sponsor:
For those who are
fond of acronyms, a S.P.O.N.S.O.R. is
a Sober Person Offering a Newcomer
Suggestions On Recovery. A sponsor is
an AA member who serves as a mentor
of sorts to a newcomer in the
program. A sponsor typically helps a
sponsee to work the Twelve Steps;
shares his or her personal
experience, strength, and hope; and
helps the sponsee stay on the
recovery track. Although not
mentioned in the Big Book, per se,
sponsorship has become widely
accepted as a crucial part of the
recovery program.
Step Study
Meeting:
An AA meeting that
focuses on a study of the Twelve
Steps, usually at a rate no more than
one per meeting.
Steps:
See 'Twelve Steps.'
Stinking Thinking:
This phrase refers to
an alcoholic's reversion to old
thought patterns and attitudes.
Stinking thinking may include,
blaming others, alcoholic
grandiosity, fault-finding,
self-centeredness, and skipping
meetings. Stinking thinking is a
warning sign to an alcoholic that he
is not working the AA program and he
or she is getting precariously close
to their next drink.
Surrender:
To surrender in AA is
to effectively take the first Three
Steps. It means: 1) admitting that we
are powerless over alcohol and that
our live have become unmanageable,
2)coming to believe that a Power
greater than ourselves could restore
us to sanity, and 3) turning our will
and our lives over to the care of God
as we understand Him. Surrender is
the key to recovery. Only when we
completely surrender are we willing
to let a Power greater than ourselves
restore us to sanity.
T
Terminally Unique:
An alcoholic's idea
that his or her 'uniqueness' exempts
him or her from some part of the AA
program or the Twelve Steps. AA does
not deny that each individual is a
unique creation. However, as
alcoholics we have far more
similarities than we have
differences. There is an expression
sometimes heard in AA which seems
appropriate, 'Always remember that
you are unique, just like everyone
else.'
Thirteenth Step (a.k.a. Thirteenth
Stepping):
There is no thirteenth step in the AA
program. This term is used as a
euphemism for inappropriate sexual
advances by a member to a newcomer in
AA (such as sponsors toward
sponsees). Sponsors ought never be
sexually involved with those whom
they sponsor. This is why it is
usually suggested that (heterosexual)
newcomers choose sponsors of the same
sex, thereby avoiding the temptation.
Also, it is sometimes suggested that
newcomers not enter into new
relationships for at least a year
after getting sober. The reason being
that sexual relationships are prone
to elicit emotional extremes, making
relapse more likely. The term
'thirteenth stepping' is always used
in a negative sense.
Three Legacies of
AA:
The Three Legacies of
Alcoholics Anonymous are Recovery,
Unity, and Service. These legacies
are so-called because they have been
passed down to us from the cofounders
and old-timers of AA. The Legacy of
Recovery is contained in the Big
Book, the Twelve Steps, and Twelfth
Step work. The Legacy of Unity is
contained in the Twelve Traditions.
The Legacy of Service is contained n
every act which helps AA function or
which carries the AA message to those
who need it.
Traditions:
See 'Twelve
Traditions.'
Treatment Center:
A center specializing
in the treatment of alcoholism and
other addictions or disorders.
Twelfth Step Call (a.k.a. Twelfth
Stepping):
This term describes directly carrying
the AA message of recovery to an
alcoholic who still suffers.
Twelfth Step Work:
This term comes from
AA's Twelfth Step which suggests we
carry the AA message of recovery to
other alcoholics. Twelfth Step work
may include making Twelfth Step
calls, sharing at AA meetings,
sponsorship, and performing service
work of any kind.
Twelve and Twelve:
This is a nickname
for the book Twelve Steps and Twelve
Traditions.
Twelve Concepts
for World Service:
The Twelve Concepts
form the basis of AA's structure and
describe how the various parts of
Alcoholics Anonymous work together.
These concepts were published in a
booklet by the same name in 1962,
Twelve Promises:
This refers to a
section of the Big Book which details
the benefits AA members receive from
having worked the first nine Steps of
the AA program.
'If we are
painstaking about this phase of our
development, we will be amazed
before we are half way through.
We are going to know a new freedom
and a new happiness.
We will not regret the past nor wish
to shut the door on it.
We will comprehend the word serenity
and we will know peace.
No matter how far down the scale we
have gone, we will see how our
experience can benefit others.
That feeling of uselessness and
self-pity will disappear.
We will lose interest in selfish
things and gain interest in our
fellows.
Self-seeking will slip away.
Our whole attitude and outlook upon
life will change.
Fear of people and of economic
insecurity will leave us.
We will intuitively know how to
handle situations which used to
baffle us.
We will suddenly realize that God is
doing for us what we could not do
for ourselves. (Pg.83-84)
Twelve Steps:
'AA's Twelve Steps
are a group of principles, spiritual
in their nature, which, if practiced
as a way of life, can expel the
obsession to drink and enable the
sufferer to become happily and
usefully whole.' The Twelve Steps are
the basis of the AA program of
recovery.
Twelve Steps and
Twelve Traditions:
The title of a
collection of essays in book form
published in 1952 by Alcoholics
Anonymous as a supplement to the Big
Book. It details, as its name
implies, the Twelve Steps and Twelve
Traditions.
Two Stepper:
Slang for an AA
member who works the First Step and
then jumps directly to the Twelfth,
bypassing all those in between.
Shortcutting AA's program of recovery
by two-stepping, eliminates an
essential part of recovery. Any
resultant sobriety is therefore shaky
at best.
U
Unity:
AA's Second Legacy of
Service.
Unmanageability:
In the first Step, we
admit not only that we are powerless
over alcohol, but that our lives have
become unmanageable. Only by
accepting the unmanageability of our
own lives can we open ourselves to
change by a Higher Power.
W
Wet Brain:
An alcoholic whose
drinking has caused such brain damage
that he or she can no longer function
in society and has to be
institutionalized.
#008000 Knuckle
Sobriety:
A desperate effort to stay sober
solely through the exercise of one's
own willpower. Unless one finally
surrenders and begins to work the
Twelve Steps, such an effort is
usually doomed to failure.
Willingness:
Unless we are
absolutely willing to listen, to
change, and to work the Steps, we
won't be able to stay sober in AA.
Some have found it useful, even
necessary, to pray for willingness in
order to become willing.
Wilson, William
Griffith (a.k.a. 'Bill W.'):
1895-1971. Cofounder of Alcoholics
Anonymous and author of several books
on the subject.
| 
~~ Meetings-
What to expect ~~ 
Top of Page