The Promises of AA’s Big Book

Slowly, hopelessness gives way to hope

Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as AA, was founded in 1935 by Bill W. and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio. The Big Book and Promises are central to the program.

The primary goal of AA is to help alcoholics* achieve sobriety, and it provides a self-supporting infrastructure in which alcoholics assist others in their goal of quitting drinking.

The “Anonymous” component of Alcoholics Anonymous is intended to shield AA members from external stigma or judgement, and allowing members to remain anonymous gives them the freedom to choose how, when, and to whom they reveal their alcoholism.

Maintaining anonymity is also central to AA’s public relations strategy. AA members refrain from speaking for the fellowship, AA prefers not to advertise or self-promote, and the fellowship prefers not to participate in public affairs. So, maintaining anonymity is critical at both the individual and organisational levels.

Members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) generally follow the instructions outlined in the book Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism, also known as the Big Book, for their own sobriety and the welfare of others.

The Big Book’s many chapters dedicated to instruction, explanation, and personal success stories contain its promises, the AA Promises.

The AA Promises were intended to demonstrate the hope, possibility, and inevitable goodness that will result from working the Twelve Steps, participating in the AA community, and assisting other alcoholics in achieving sobriety.

The Promises of AA are found in Chapter 6, “Into Action,” on pages 83-84 of the Big Book.

The Promises of AA.

As outlined in Chapter 6 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholics who remain sober and work the Twelve Steps will see these Promises fulfilled:

Promise 1: We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.

Promise 2: We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

Promise 3: We will comprehend the word serenity.

Promise 4: We will know peace.

Promise 5: No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.

Promise 6: The feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.

Promise 7: We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.

Promise 8: Self-seeking will slip away.

Promise 9: Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

Promise 10: Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us.

Promise 11: We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.

Promise 12: We will suddenly realise that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

What exactly do the Promises mean?

The Big Book’s Promises primarily describe the alcoholic’s attitude change, which occurs “sometimes quickly, and sometimes slowly.” They may take some time, but “will always materialise if we work for them.”

A person who follows a good alcoholism recovery program will undoubtedly experience an internal shift that results in a new level of peace and well-being. Readers of the Big Bookwill notice the following words emphasised in these Promises, found in Chapter 6, that represent the central benefits and primary goals of recovery:

✓ Freedom

✓ Happiness

✓ Peace

✓ Serenity

✓ Benefit to others

Simultaneously, the Big Book promises the departure of these unwelcome byproducts of alcoholism:

✓ Fear

✓ Regret

✓ Feelings of uselessness

✓ Self-pity

✓ Selfishness and self-seeking

So the Promises are twofold: the person who works a good program will gain a spiritual foundation and a completely new outlook on life, while the dread and negativity of alcoholism will be removed.

Why are the AA Promises important?

There are four sources of advice for recovering alcoholics:

1. The recovering alcoholic attends AA meetings and is mentored by other fellowship members who have completed the Twelve Steps and applied AA principles in their own lives.

2. The program, the Big Book, the Twelve Steps, and their instructions all serve as guides for the recovering alcoholic.

3. The recovering alcoholic develops a relationship with a Higher Power, whatever it may be, and places their trust in spiritual guidance.

4. The final source of wisdom comes from within: the recovering alcoholic must create a positive vision of the future and the determination to make it a reality.

The Promises of the Big Book are essential because they address the fourth source of guidance, the self. They accurately describe to the alcoholic the bright future that awaits anyone who commits to recovery, and they assure the alcoholic of the outcome.

AA promises a new way of living

The Big Book promises the newcomer a new way of living and a happier relationship with life. This is contingent on working the Twelve Steps, which may initially appear intimidating, foreign, or uncomfortable. However, the only requirement for AA membership is the desire to stop drinking. If someone shows up, stays sober, and does their best, they are well on their way to keeping their promises.

*Editor’s note: We prefer person-first language, which prioritises a person’s identity over their disease. However, in keeping with AA’s history, founding principles, and the language that still exists within the fellowship, we have decided to continue using the term “alcoholic” to describe people with substance use disorders.

AA welcomes people with all types of substance use disorders, not just alcoholism. Our goal is to capture the spirit and language of the program to describe the disease of addiction, as well as to approach self-identifying “alcoholics” using the language that AA commonly uses.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism or another substance use disorder, please get in touch withAddictionsUK at 0800 140 4044 for prompt and confidential information and assistance. 

You don’t have to handle the situation alone. Substance use disorders of all kinds are common and treatable, and there is no shame in seeking help for addiction. We are here for you– from detox, through all stages of recovery.