Bill Wilson authored this companion to the Big Book. Bill talked about several different reasons for this second book on our Program. He was worried that the Big Book had become a worshiped totem. With this book, he wanted to dilute the reverence that was growing for the Big Book. At other times he said he wanted to capture the lesson learned since the Big Book. And lastly, he wanted to develop an elaborative text on the Traditions. He had many reasons for writing it.

We have many reasons for reading it. It elaborates and expands on the somewhat brief discussion of the Steps in the Big Book. It is a solid text for the Traditions. And it is a practical guide to bringing the Steps into all of each of our affairs.

Excellent!

These twelve traditions are useful even if you yourself do not have addiction issues. Using these traditions as steps in clearing out the negativity in your life is a good practice.

Alcohol is not a remedy for a broken heart guys...

This book is life changing

A spiritual guide to living sober, or, just living!

Helpful to those who have a drinking problem. My biggest issue with this book and the big book (alcoholics anonymous) was the "God Concept". Continually it mentions and thrives on this idea that you are "powerless over alcohol and that your life has become unmanageable." This is the centric theme of the texts but I can not accept it because I take the blame/responsibility of my actions for myself. Step 8 comes back to reality with "make amends with those you have harmed with your addiction" I can relate and understand that one. I have trouble coming up with a higher power to surrender myself to.

I may be over-intellectualizing the whole process but its in my nature to be a skeptic. It is true that these books have solved a lot of peoples problems (I have lived in a treatment center and seen it's effect on people first hand) but there is a select few who it will never work out for.

I may be a little on the masochistic side as I want to live with all my regrets and not "surrender them to God" as this book instructs. So I am a little fucked up when it comes to following the instructions to this book word for word. All that said though, this is the most effective method for dealing with alcoholism and addiction.

Was not what I expected. Did this book motivate me or help me in any way to stop drinking? hmm. I cant say that it did. But then again, it never said it would.

Everyone can benefit from doing step work! Reading makes me want to go through the steps to move towards more enlightenment, serenity, and peace. I also was fascinated at the depth of the use of spirituality and how accessible 12 Step makes it for atheist and agnostic thinkers. My understanding of the steps (for how I would do 12 Step as a person without a substance use disorder) is this:

1. Admit I am powerless in living in perfection
2. Acknowledge I need a higher power to intervene
3. Determine that I desire help from my higher power
4. Make a moral inventory of my own rights and wrongs
5. Confess to my higher power, self, and another my wrongs
6. Become ready for my higher power to remove wrongs
7. Humbly ask my higher power to remove wrongs
8. Make a list of all people harmed and be willing to make amends
9. Make direct amends with these people (unless it will harm them)
10. Continue to take personal inventory and admit when in the wrong
11. Pray/meditate on my higher power's will and power to carry it out
12. Carry this spiritual awakening to others

If you made it this far, interested? I plan to read 12 steps and traditions of narcotics anonymous next.

I have 3 copies of the 12 & 12. It is a vital companion to Alcoholics Anonymous, and personally, more influential than the book it’s about.

I’ve read AA countless times but I turn to the 12 & 12 for specific information, instruction, or clarification. All of which is provides abundantly.

I live by this book. I use the 11th step prayer every morning to this day. For anyone that has had to walk down the path of Alcohol recovery, this book is a lifesaver!

Overrated.