The steps helped each of the cofounders of aa in their own recovery from alcoholism and have continued to help countless. It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover. I graduated narrowly and took a job at a local garage. Thats the way my drinking began, as a way to make the pain go away. These 12 steps are outlined in chapter 5, how it works, of the big book. Choose from reading a page, or two from the big book then opening up to sharing. Tradition to those now in its fold, alcoholics anonymous has made the difference between misery and sobriety, and often the difference between life and death. Alcoholics anonymous is often referred to as a 12step program, and aa is the basis for many other 12step programs that have been established. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous this is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous.