Thursday, June 11, 2009

The "Work In" - Happy 74th Birthday AA!


Ed Negron, a former drug user, turned gangbanger, turned drug dealer, turned own best customer, turned addict, turned recovering addict (still there), turned activist, turned business manager, turned student, turned Substance Abuse Counselor, turned better and happier person, turned someone who can love and be loved (Love you Patrick), turned blogger. Check out Ed's own blog here.

Featured Every Thursday on LifeLube --- check out all of Ed's "Work-In's" here.


Yesterday, on June 10, 2009, Alcoholics Anonymous celebrated 74 years of fellowship for men and women from all walks of life who meet together to attain and maintain sobriety. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Alcoholics Anonymous was founded 74 years ago on June 10 1934, in Akron, Ohio. On that day, Dr. Robert Smith, a prominent Akron surgeon, completed his first official day of sobriety. Dr. Bob, as he was known, and William "Bill W." Wilson, a successful Wall Street stockbroker, are considered the founding fathers of the organization that has helped lead thousands through a life without alcohol.

The origins of Alcoholics Anonymous can be traced to the Oxford Group, a religious movement popular in the United States and Europe in the early 20th century. Members of the Oxford Group believed in self-improvement by performing self-inventory, admitting wrongs, making amends, using prayer and meditation and carrying the message to others.

Bill W. learned from a former schoolmate that the Oxford Group had helped others stop drinking. In December 1934, he used the group's principles and he, too, ceased using alcohol. Unsuccessful in his efforts to reach alcoholics in New York, Bill W. eventually moved to Akron for work. There, he was introduced to Henrietta Seiberling, daughter-in-law of the founder of Goodyear Rubber Co. and an Oxford adherent. She arranged for him to meet Dr. Bob, whom she had been trying to get to stop drinking for two years.

Bill W. told his story, inspiring Dr. Bob to share his own. Dr. Bob relapsed, but he recovered and took his last drink on June 10, 1935. The two men developed an approach to reach other alcoholics.

Some other facts about Alcoholics Anonymous:

* In 1938, Bill W. started writing a book to outline a program for alcoholics to follow. The Twelve Step program was developed, inspired by the teachings of others and the Oxford Group's six-step program.

* In April 1939, 5,000 copies of the Big Book titled Alcoholics Anonymous, written by Bill W., rolled off the press. The 20 millionth book was presented at a ceremony in 2000.

* The Serenity Prayer was introduced at A.A. meetings in 1941.

Source: aa.org

AA celebrates 74th birthday, The Record e-Edition, (Wednesday, June 10, 2009), NorthJersey.com

For a more detailed outline of the history of AA visit www.aa.org/aatimeline/




To read daily motivations visit my blog at thework-in.blogspot.com or to receive daily motivations via email join our Google group Back To The Basics Please .

If you are not sure how to begin your work-in or need some guidance please feel free to post a comment or email me directly at thework-in@hotmail.com, I will response as soon as I can.

(Usual disclaimer applies: The suggestions on this blog are just that “SUGGESTIONS.” My words cannot heal your pain and or addictions. Nor can I change your life. Only you can.)

“Every time you don't follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness." -- Shakti Gawain

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