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With few edits , Chapter 9 was republished in the Second Edition in 1955 as as a powerful and practical guide for families of alcoholics. Originally written by Bill W in the fall of 1938, Chapter 9 describes the dire impact that alcoholism has on family relationships and how those dynamics are affected by the head of the family getting sober.
Though quite hopeful in tone and context, Chapter 9 is a frank discussion of the problems that still face families after sobriety including lingering consequences from past behaviors, persistent economic problems, and dad’s new, but sometimes imposing, spiritual elation that may demand family compliance, what Bill called “spiritual intoxication”.
In his analysis of Chapter 9, Big Book scholar and chronicler, William Schaberg, in his 2019 book, Writing the Big Book, The Creation of AA, summarized the “eight other profound changes the family may face once father has gotten sober. These include:
- Struggles over who now wears the ‘family trousers’;
- Dad’s new outside interests and his resulting absences;
- The need to balance alcoholic and non-alcoholic friends;
- The possibilities of becoming church members;
- The insistence on laughter and enjoying life;
- Recovery of bodily health;
- The possibility of sexual impotence; and
- The need for dad to reclaim his children’s love and respect.”
Chapter 9 offers helpful advice, based upon AA experience, for these and other problems.
Howard L, sober since January 1988, presents an inspired reading of the Big Book and encourages listeners to revisit earlier podcast episodes that feature the main chapters and stories in the First Edition of the Big Book. Enjoy listening on our website, BigBookPodcast.com, or download and subscribe to the podcast for free at Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. If you have a minute, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Also join our facebook group, Big Book Podcast Listeners, where you can share your thoughts and experiences with fellow listeners.