February 19

February 19 – AM          Page 92-93, Working With Others, Chapter 7

Continue to speak of alcoholism as an illness, a fatal malady.  Talk about the conditions of body and mind which accompany it.  Keep his attention focussed mainly on your personal experience.  Explain that many are doomed who never realize their predicament.  Doctors are rightly loath to tell alcoholic patients the whole story unless it will serve some good purpose.  But you may talk to him about the hopelessness of alcoholism because you offer a solution.  You will soon have your friend admitting he has many, if not all, of the traits of the alcoholic.  If his own doctor is willing to tell him that he is alcoholic, so much the better.  Even though your protégé may not have entirely admitted his condition, he has become very curious to know how you got well.  Let him ask you that question, if he will.  Tell him exactly what happened to you.  Stress the spiritual feature freely.  If the man be agnostic or atheist, make it emphatic that he does not have to agree with your conception of God.  He can choose any conception he likes, provided it makes sense to him.  The main thing is that he be willing to believe in a Power greater than himself and that he live by spiritual principles.

February 19 – PM          Page 19, There Is A Solution, Chapter 2

If we keep on the way we are going there is little doubt that much good will result, but the surface of the problem would hardly be scratched.  Those of us who live in large cities are overcome by the reflection that close by hundreds are dropping into oblivion every day.  Many could recover if they had the opportunity we have enjoyed.  How then shall we present that which has been so freely given us?
We have concluded to publish an anonymous volume setting forth the problem as we see it.  We shall bring to the task our combined experience and knowledge.  This should suggest a useful program for anyone concerned with a drinking problem.