THE 12 STEPS ARE IN THE BIG BOOK----PERIOD!!!
When new members read A.A.'s Twelve Steps on the wall of meeting rooms, usually in large print, they often mistake them for "the" pathway to guaranteed recovery. Unless rightfully educated they are likely to make us make up their own variations on each step and follow their own lights; thus, believing that they have followed the directions of the A.A. program. Although they may remain dry, and even contented. they may miss out on some of the best rewards that our design for living has to offer... and, remaining aloof, they may mislead others.
Working the steps "Off-the-wall" produces "off-the-wall" results; so goes an A.A. adage. The "clear-cut directions" (p.29) are found only in our basic text book Alcoholics Anonymous. The following chart will help you find each step in your Big Book:
Overview
Where we are | (Insane) Could not see the truth in drink | The Problem | Step 1: pp.xiii-25 & Chapter 3
Where we wanted to be | (Sane) Able to see the truth in drink | The Solution | Step 2:
pp.25-57
How we got there | Vital spiritual experience | Spiritual program of action | Steps 3,4,5,6,7,8,&9
pp.58-83
How we stayed there | Maintained a fit spiritual condition | Growth and maintenance Steps | Steps 10,11,&12
pp.84-103
The aforementioned "clear-cut directions" are not found in the "12X12." This book--written thirteen years after our basic textbook--was not intended to replace, but to provide a deeper view. Bill W. wrote: "... I was dubious whether anyone would care for it (The 12X12), save for old-timers who had begun to run into life's lumps in other areas than alcohol" (Pass it On, p.356). Again, the only directions for the initial process are in the Big Book.
Finally, the A.A. Steps are seldom truly taught or learned during treatment or detox. These well-meaning institutions send many newly sober alcoholics to A.A. wrongly believing they have completed a basic part of the A.A. 12-Step program. Treatment center inventories and confessions may be helpful and may overwhelm emotions; but seldom spells the deep and effective spiritual personality change that characterizes the A.A. program.
Treatment centers often adopt A.A.-style numbers: say "Step 4." or "Step 5." Though somewhat similar to the original A.A. Steps (actually, the "off the wall" wording may be exactly the same); they are usually a far cry from "our" Big Book Step process.
Sadly, as a result of an exciting "treatment center high", newcomers are often reluctant to humor their A.A. sponsors by sincerely working the Big Book program (they think they have already done it!)... The drunk tank lies in wait.
It is easily seen that the step process involves much more than simply doing the "outlines" which are read at most meetings. It is crucial that you find a sponsor who knows the step process as it is laid out in the book. Once you have learned it you can then be of great service to others. Remember, Step 12 tells us to carry this message. That does not mean something that you have just made up--it means the one out of the Big Book.
The Big Book is the only basic A.A. text--use it!
from pamphlet: A De-Briefer for Treatment Center Graduates pages 13-15