Our second meeting continues the exploration of Bill and Lois Wilson’s journey, focusing on the later chapters of Part One and moving into Part Two. Participants will deepen their understanding of the personal struggles, relationships, and spiritual experiences that shaped the early foundations of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon.
Discussion Goal
To provide an opportunity to become acquainted with and discuss stories and ideas from the Wilson marriage and founding of AA and Al-Anon relevant to the recovery of participants and carrying the message of family recovery today
Reading for Week 2
Part One (continued) and Part Two
Sunday group begins with Chapter 6
Monday group begins with Chapter 5
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.
Monday Group Additional Reading (Chapter 5)
- p. 63 (last paragraph) – p. 64 (next-to-last paragraph) – The Broken Dream
- p. 66 (second paragraph) – end of page
- p. 68 (second paragraph) – p. 69 – Lois’ reflections
Both Groups
Chapter 6
- p. 71 (second paragraph) – p. 72 (end of 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
Part Two
Chapter 8
- p. 99 (1st paragraph)
- p. 100 (2nd paragraph) to p. 101 (1st paragraph)
- p. 102 (last paragraph) to top of p. 103
- p. 103 (last paragraph) to p. 104 (1st paragraph)
- p. 105 (4th paragraph)
- p. 106 Bill Goes Back to Work to end of p. 107
Chapter 9
- p. 109 (1st paragraph)
- p. 110 Dr. Bob Smith to p. 111 (1st paragraph)
- p. 112 Dr. Bob Struggles with Drinking to top of p. 114
- Drinking Hell to p. 115 (2nd paragraph)
- p. 116 (paragraphs 3, 4, and 5)
- p. 117 Annie and the Oxford Group to p. 118 (2nd paragraph)
- p. 120 Dr. Bob Admits… to end of p. 121
Chapter 10
- p. 123 (1st paragraph)
- p. 124 (paragraphs 1 and 2)
- p. 125 (paragraphs 1–3)
- p. 126 (paragraphs 1 and 2)
- p. 127 (1st paragraph and last paragraph)
- p. 128 (paragraphs 1, 2, and 4, plus last paragraph)
- p. 129 (paragraphs 1–3)
- p. 131 (paragraphs 1–4)
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.