How It Works — Understanding Chapter 5 of the Big Book

Chapter 5 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, "How It Works," is one of the most famous passages in recovery literature. It's read aloud at the opening of meetings around the world every day. Most members have heard it hundreds of times. But have you ever stopped to consider what it actually says?

"Rarely Have We Seen a Person Fail"

The chapter opens with a promise: rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. That word "thoroughly" is doing a lot of work. The Big Book isn't promising easy results — it's promising results for those who go all in. Half measures availed us nothing.

The Three Pertinent Ideas

"How It Works" introduces three ideas that the program considers essential: that we are alcoholic and cannot manage our own lives; that probably no human power could relieve our alcoholism; and that God could and would if sought. These aren't suggestions — they're the foundation on which the entire 12-step process is built.

Read It With Full Understanding

AABlueBook lets you read "How It Works" and the entire Big Book with the 1930s dictionary built in. When a word trips you up, tap it and see what it meant in 1939. The full text, word for word, in your pocket. Free for a year on iOS: bit.ly/aabfree.