Our first meeting introduces participants to the early lives of Bill and Lois Wilson and the foundations that eventually led to the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Family Groups. Through shared reading and discussion, participants will explore the early experiences, struggles, and spiritual influences that shaped their journey.
Discussion Goal
The goal of this discussion series is to provide an opportunity for participants to become acquainted with and discuss stories and ideas from the Wilsons’ marriage and the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon.
Through this conversation, participants can reflect on themes that are relevant to personal recovery and to carrying the message of family recovery today.
Reading for Week 1
Preface, Forewords, and Part One – Chapters 1–7
Pages xv – 95 (paperback edition)
Note: Page numbers refer to the paperback edition. E-book page numbers may vary. Chapter titles and topics will help guide readers using electronic versions.
From the Forewords and Preface
- p. xv – first paragraph of p. xvi – Foreword by Claire Ricewasser
- p. xvii – xviii through first full paragraph – Foreword by William B. Stauffer
- p. xxi (first paragraph) through top of p. xxiii – Preface by the co-authors
Chapter 1
- p. 5–6 – Lois’ roots and childhood
- p. 9 – Swedenborgian beliefs and family background
Chapter 2
- p. 13–14 (first paragraph) – Bill’s roots and early years
- p. 15–16 (first paragraph) – Bill’s early life
- p. 18–19 – continuation of Bill’s early experiences
Chapter 3
- p. 27 (second paragraph) – p. 29 – Falling in love
- p. 38 (second and third paragraphs) – Drinking begins
- p. 41 (second paragraph) – War separation
Chapter 4
- p. 45 – Struggles with pregnancy
- p. 51–52 – Temperance pledge
- p. 60 (first paragraph) – p. 61 – Hirshorn party
Chapter 5
- p. 63 (last paragraph) – p. 64 next-to-last paragraph
- p. 66 (second paragraph) – end of page
- p. 68 (second paragraph) – p. 69 – Lois’ reflections
Chapter 6
- p. 71 (second paragraph) – p. 72 (fourth paragraph) – Wall Street collapse
- p. 75 (second paragraph) – Lois’ mother dies
- p. 76 (second paragraph) – p. 77
- p. 79 – Lois and the pharmacist
Chapter 7
- p. 85 – p. 88 – Ebby, Rowland, and the Oxford Group
- p. 89 – p. 90 – Ebby and Bill
- p. 93 – p. 95 – Bill’s spiritual awakening
Discussion Topics and Questions
Family Disease and Recovery
- What did you learn about the effects of alcoholism on families and the importance of family recovery?
The Wilsons’ Love and Marriage
Looking at early lives, courtship, and marriage:
- What stands out as important?
- Did anything surprise you or spark curiosity?
Hitting Bottom and Surrender
The drinking years and the loss of the possibility of children had profound effects on their lives.
- How did that impact them individually and as a couple and influence the founding of AA and Al-Anon?
Lois and Anne Smith Hitting Bottom
During the final days of Bill’s drinking:
- What might that time have been like for Lois?
- What might that time have been like for Anne?
- What might it have been like for Bill?
- What might it have been like for Dr. Bob?
Our Roots
The foundations that shaped AA and the Twelve Steps include:
- Ebby Thacher
- Rowland Hazard
- Dr. Carl Jung
- The Oxford Group
How are these influences still relevant today?
Growing Spiritually
Bill’s spiritual awakening was a turning point.
- What it meant to Bill?
- What did it mean to Lois?
- What it meant to Dr. Bob?
- What did it mean to Anne?
- What it meant to AA and Al-Anon
- What does it mean to us?
Tom Adams writes and speaks on topics vital to the intersection of our personal lives with our community and global lives. He has for decades been engaged in and written about nonprofit leadership and transitions, spirituality and spiritual growth, how we each contribute to a more just and equitable world and recovery from addictions and the Twelve Step recovery movement.