The 12 Step Program - Step 12 (Part 4)

Send us Fan Mail In this fourth part of my discussion about step number 12, I would like to focus on the phrase “to others”. As a reminder step number 12: Having had a spiritual experience as a result of this course of action, we try to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. For the moment, if you happen to be in an open meeting, and do not suffer from a problem with alcohol, I would like to forget the phrase in the 12 step, to alcoholics. New strips were originally written by Bill W., 12th step said, “to others”. I believe that God, when he ensured his steps would reach the ears of ordinary people, meant for them to reach the ears of all people. Much of these 12 steps was taken directly from the words and ideas of the Oxford Group. And, the Oxford Group, (although they were primarily concerned with the Christian faith), would never have differentiated amongst alcoholics, over users, substance abusers, etc. All would have been welcomed. All would have had the same goal which, in simple terms, which have been to get right with God. However, when Bill Wilson broke from the Oxford Group, he did it because he knew alcoholics. He knew that a particular religion, or even some religious thinking, could not be forced upon, nor accepted by, alcoholics. So he decided, in this case, to go the easier, softer way. He wanted the alcoholic to not feel pressure in any particular discipline. He hoped that they would be concerned mostly with the 12-Step program, and include God, (whatever they conceived God to be), in their program. I’m sure that many of the other 12-step members felt the same way. Hence, this change in the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 steps from “others” to “alcoholics”. So, if you have problems in any area of your life other than or even including, alcohol, I urge you to ignore the word alcoholics in the current 12 steps and remember that the original 12 step said “others”. This means everyone, and that to the 12 step program applies to, everyone!