GLOSSARY

(pp. 9-10)

This is a plain language version of the Big Book, but there are certain unusual words that we could not change or simplify. These words will always be part of the A.A. experience. You will hear them if you attend meetings, and you may hear them any time you speak with another A.A. member.

We have created this list of words and their definitions so you can fully understand everything you read in this book, and everything about the A.A. program. We hope you find it helpful.

Abstinence: Preventing yourself from doing something on purpose. Avoiding an activity, such as drinking.

Agnostic: An agnostic neither believes nor disbelieves in the existence of God or gods, or is unsure if one exists.

Amends: Making amends is important in Step Eight and Step Nine of A.A. It means finding ways to make things right with people you have hurt. It involves accepting responsibility for what you've done, stating you were wrong, explaining how you have changed, and asking what you can do and/or how you can heal the relationship.

Alcoholic: Someone who is unable to control their drinking.

Atheist: Someone who does not believe in God or gods.

Big Book: Another name for the book titled Alcoholics Anonymous. “The Big Book” is a term used by many A.A. members.

Bill W.: A.A.'s co-founder, whose story appears in Chapter 1 of the Big Book.

Binge: Drinking very large amounts of alcohol in short periods of time. (See also: spree)

Chronic: A problem or condition that lasts for a very long time, is difficult to change, and may come back after going away for a short time.

Cravings: An irresistible urge to drink. Obsessive thoughts about alcohol that compel the drinker to start drinking and keep drinking.

Defects of character/character defects: Personality flaws or shortcomings that get in the way of your spiritual growth, e.g., jealousy, impatience, self-pity. Addressing our defects of character (or “shortcomings”) is the focus of Steps Six and Seven.

Delirium tremens: Also called “the shakes” or “the DTs,” delirium tremens takes place when a chronic alcoholic suddenly stops drinking. It is a sign of severe alcohol withdrawal, meaning the physical body is struggling to work correctly without alcohol in its systems. The most common symptom of delirium tremens is body tremors or shaking, but symptoms also include irritability, confusion, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, hallucinations, and seizures.

Detox: This is short for “detoxification.” It is a monitored recovery period, often at a hospital, during which an alcoholic attempts to get alcohol out of their body and system. Detox is the process of returning a heavy drinker's system to normal after extended abuse of alcohol.

Dry/dry drunk: Someone who has stopped drinking but hasn't changed the way they think or feel in any positive way. Dry drunks often relapse into drinking. Many dry drunks also still show many of the same behaviors as when they were drinking alcohol. In other words, they are not truly “recovering” from alcoholism.

Fellowship: Members of A.A. sometimes refer to themselves as “the Fellowship,” meaning a group of people with shared experiences who care for and support each other.

God as we understood/understand God: Your own ideas and feelings about a Higher Power. A version of faith that feels true and powerful to you.

Higher Power: A force or power that is stronger than you are. Something that influences events in the universe.

Inventory: Inventory is important to Step Four in A.A., where it's described as a “searching and fearless moral inventory.” This is a structured list that includes resentments, fears, and the hurt you've caused with your alcoholism.

Relapse: When an alcoholic who has stopped drinking for a period of time begins to drink again.

Self-seeking: Acting in a way that puts our own self-centered needs first.

Serenity: A state of feeling calm, peaceful, and untroubled.

Sober/sobriety: The dictionary definition of these words focuses on one thing: NOT using mood-altering chemicals such as alcohol or narcotics. In A.A., we think about sobriety a little differently. First, in A.A. we focus only on alcohol. Second, our definition includes not drinking (or staying “dry”), but it also includes changing our outlook so that we can lead better, healthier, and more peaceful lives.

Spree: Drinking very large amounts of alcohol in short periods of time. (See also: binge)

Vital spiritual experience: A powerful emotional event that allows an alcoholic to feel connected to a Higher Power. It also changes an alcoholic's attitude about drinking.