The Tablemate IV – What To Do About Our Drinking?

As a reminder;

The Tablemate was an early A.A. set of beginners lessons entitled ‘Alcoholics Anonymous: An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps,’ put out in the form of a little pamphlet. It was (and still is) the most successful set of A.A. beginners lessons ever devised.

And I’m drawing content from the Hindsfoot site, laboriously prepared by Glenn C. and others… We are still in Discussion #1: The Admission.

We Admit

If after carefully considering the foregoing, we admit we are alcoholics, we must realize that, once a person becomes a pathological drinker, he can never again become a controlled drinker, and from that point on, is limited to just two alternatives:

1. Total permanent abstinence.
2. Chronic alcoholism with all of the handicaps and penalties it implies.

In other words, we have gone past the point where we had a choice. All we have left is a decision to make.

We Resolve to Do Something About It

1. We must change our way of thinking. (This is such an important matter that it will have to be discussed more fully in a later discussion).
2. We must realize that each morning when we wake, we are potential drunkards for that day.
3. We resolve that we will practice A.A. for the 24 hours of that day.
4. We must study the other eleven steps of the program and practice each and every one.
5. Attend the regular group meeting each week without fail.
6. Firmly believe that by practicing A.A. faithfully each day, we will achieve sobriety.
7. Believe that we can be free from alcohol as a problem.
8. Contact another member before taking a drink, not after. Tell him what bothers you – - talk it over with him freely.
9. Work the program for ourselves alone – - not for our wife, children, friends, or for our job.
10. Be absolutely honest and sincere.
11. Be fully openminded – - no mental reservations.
12. Be fully willing to work the program. Nothing good in life comes without work.

Conclusion

1. Alcoholics are suffering from a threefold disease, not only a physical illness. Fortunately, we in A.A. have learned how it may be controlled. (This will be shown in the next eleven steps of the program.)
2. We can also learn to be free from alcohol as a problem.
3. We can achieve a full and happy life without recourse to alcohol.