Queens Big Book Study – Part 1 – Gary B. – 2008

About This Speaker Tape

Gary, a 1964 sobriety date, recounts his early days in a Wyoming 'nut house' and the isolation of early recovery in a sparsely populated state. He describes the struggle of trying to find an 'easier' path through intellectualism and various guides before surrendering to the Big Book. Marie shares the perspective of a spouse, describing the 'mask' of alcoholism and her own powerlessness over her defects.

Mickey, Gary's sponsee, delivers a high-energy, gritty breakdown of the disease, arguing that alcoholics are 'sick people' with a physical allergy. He emphasizes the 'entire psychic change' required for survival, warning against treating symptoms with medication or 'osmosis' in meetings, and insists that the bottle is merely a straw man for deeper character defects.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Gary introduces himself and his 1964 sobriety date.
• 2:15 Gary discusses the 'U-shaped chart' of alcoholism and hitting bottom.
• 6:40 Marie introduces herself and discusses the family disease.
• 10:15 Mickey introduces himself; mentions the Higher Power crafting his life.
• 13:40 Mickey describes the 'beer commercial' moment and his surrender.
• 17:20 Mickey discusses the need to 'come aside and rest a while' through the 12 Steps.
• 21:10 Gary describes the 'nut house' in Wyoming and the isolation of early recovery.
• 26:30 Gary discusses the failure of 'intellectual commentary' and the 12 and 12.
• 31:10 Gary's deep dive into Step 1 — Powerlessness and Unmanageability.
• 36:40 Marie describes the 'mask' of the alcoholic and her own powerlessness.
• 44:10 Mickey's lecture on the 'physical allergy' and the Doctor's Opinion.
• 52:15 Mickey discusses the 'entire psychic change' and the danger of treating symptoms.