There was no philosophy, no program geared specifically to the singular situation of the alcoholic — that is, until a series of happy coincidences in 1935 brought together a swaggering New York City stockbroker and a humble Ohio doctor and together they ushered in a new hope for the suffering alcoholic.

Bill Wilson was a World War I veteran, an ambitious and driven man who returned from the trenches to make his mark on the world. He enjoyed great success in the stock market during the Roaring 20s, while sinking deeper and deeper into the morass of alcoholism. When the stock market crashed and America was flung into the Great Depression, Wilson was one of the many casualties, and his escalated drinking sent his life into a maelstrom more chaotic than the plunging Dow Jones. Wilson and his long-suffering wife Lois went through a living hell. He was in and out of hospitals, staying sober for brief spasms, and relapsing with an ugly vengeance. There seemed to be no hope. His doctors told his wife to prepare for the worst. Wilson was written off as a man destined to die miserably or end up in the madhouse.

A Timely Visit from an Old Friend

Wilson was visited by an old friend who claimed to have found religion. He was a member of the aforementioned Oxford Group. He was an old drinking buddy, and Wilson was inspired by his story. He was struck by his friend's talk of a concept of a power greater than ourselves. Many people who were resistant to organized religion had a problem staying sober through the auspices of those who would insist you “listen to the sermon” in order to get the assistance. Whether it be for reasons of pride, prejudice, or principle, many people couldn't get past “the God thing.” Bill Wilson was one of these men, but beaten down as he was, a desperate alcoholic who had lost it all and was in danger of losing his life, it was suddenly not much of a leap of faith to conceive of something, anything greater than the great “I am.” He found strength in his friend's message and committed himself to sobriety.

Bill's Crisis

But wait, we have yet to begin at the beginning. On a business trip to the Midwest, Bill Wilson had a crisis. He was craving a drink yet struggling desperately not to take the first one because he knew that once he took the first drink, all bets were off. The cocktail lounge in the hotel lobby was awfully tempting, but instead he desperately called around town with what was then a strange request: He was looking for another alcoholic to talk to. He wasn't in the proselytizing business. He had no desire to save the man's soul. He was motivated by enlightened self-interest. Talking to another alcoholic was therapeutic for him.

Bill Wilson was introduced to Dr. Bob Smith on that fateful day. Smith, who also had exposure to the Oxford Group in his hometown, reluctantly granted a few minutes of his time. The two men then ended up gabbing for several hours. And thus one of the most influential and beneficial movements of the twentieth century was born — Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

The Birth of Alcoholics Anonymous

The premise of Alcoholics Anonymous is a simple one: Get a group of people together who are simultaneously struggling to combat a common problem. People who have shared the same experiences can gain strength from each other and find hope for the future. The notion of a sober alcoholic helping a down-and-out drinker for his own benefit was new. Certainly, an element of compassion and altruism was present, but the primary motivating force was in the individual's recovery. The act of kindness was rewarded with the strengthening of one's own commitment to staying sober.

This motley confederation of recovering alcoholics started slowly in Akron, Ohio, and New York City. But what kind of philosophy could they devise to stay alive and thrive, to save themselves and offer their message of hope to the multitudes of people suffering from this terrible affliction?