"...to watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up around you, to have a host of friends- this is an experience you must not miss."

"...you may talk to him about the hopelessness of alcoholism because you offer a solution."

Chapter 7 is concerned with our twelfth suggestion: "Carry this message to other alcoholics!" Or, as this is worded in the steps: "12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practise these principals in all our affairs."

I think it's kind of hard for me to understand how this process works because it seems based on an altruistic ideal, but is more accurately enlightened self-interest. In our work-a-day world, we function on a psychology of scarcity - whatever you have is something I don't have and there's only so much to go around. Recovery is based on the psychology of abundance - the more abstinence you have, the stronger is my abstinence and we can increase each others' recovery ad infinitum.

When I first got into recovery, I was very needy and thought I had nothing to offer. How could I ever dream that my neediness could be a gift I could share with those who could help alleviate it? It has truly been through explaining concepts to others that I was able to develope my own understanding. And my Higher Power has always arranged that just the right question be asked at just the right time.

There is nothing that can compare to the realization that I was not the only one. Someone else also engaged in my most bizarre and shameful behaviors like eating out of the garbage and eating in the bathroom. I thought I could never admit doing these things but here were people who not only admitted them but also were able to laugh at themselves!

I think I realized the hopelessness of my condition, but I had no idea that there could be a solution. Although I'd had religious training and spiritual yearnings, I had no inkling that a Higher Power and spiritual principles could have anything to do with my disordered eating.

I love the Big Book because it gives me step by step instructions for applying spiritual principles in my life. It contains a design for living that I can share with those who still suffer so that we may all recover together.