The first personal story in the big book, Dr Bob's tells us about his alcoholism and recovery from it.

Encouraging the carrying of the message of recovery to others, this chapter helps us understand life in recovery.

Information for those who want to know more about how to deal with an employee who drinks too much.

Further information and guidance on how homes can be restored once the individual recovers from alcoholism.

A discussion of how to perhaps repair domestic situations as well as how partners of alcoholics can help themselves.

This chapter talks about working with others - that is, helping other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Nothing insures us more against drinking than helping others.

Further instructions of how we can progress with the program and put it in to practice.

This chapter begins to give real hope and practical suggestions on how to overcome alcohol.

The fourth chapter discusses expanding the spiritual solution and how the 12-step program is not a religious program but a spiritual one.

"We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed. We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking."