The High-Bottom Drunk

As Bill Sees It, 186: “The Only Requirement”[1]

In Tradition Three, A.A. is really saying to every serious drinker, “You are an A.A. member if you say so. You can declare yourself in; nobody can keep you out. No matter how low you’ve gone, no matter how grave your emotional complications --- even your crimes --- we don’t want to keep you out. We just want to be sure that you get the same chance for sobriety that we’ve had.”

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[2]We do not wish to deny anyone his chance to recover from alcoholism. We wish to be just as inclusive as we can, never inclusive.

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[3]I hardly ever hear of anyone coming to AA these days thinking that they are somehow beneath us. Conversely, many high-bottom drunks come to AA feeling as though their drinking never caused them enough, or as much, trouble as the rest of us. Having never been to jail nor ever in an emergency room because of an overdose, they feel as though their lives just might not have gotten bad enough for AA. However, after a short time hearing us, many of these same people find so many emotional similarities that their alcoholism is no longer possible to deny. At this point they have taken the First Step and see fresh hope for a new beginning. I have seen it happen so many times that I have come to understand that hitting bottom describes a spiritual collapse and not always a physical one.

P.S. Still a bit weak but feeling much better today: Bed & Chicken noodle soup yesterday pulled me through. It had to be the worst day for daytime TV ever… it was so bad I was happy when Cops came on later. It was an incredible experience.

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[1] TWELVE AND TWELVE, p.139

[2] GRAPEVINE,  p. AUGUST, 1946

[3] geo, 4,541