Big Book Study: Promises of Recovery (Part 15 of 15)Big Book Study: Promises of Recovery (Part 15 of 15)
Sober Cast: An (unofficial) Alcoholics Anonymous Podcast AA
Ian and Jonathan share their experiences of moving from restless, meeting-based sobriety to living the AA Big Book promises through the 12 Steps. The session focuses on permanent recovery, spiritual growth and finding a new purpose rooted in service.
51:12•8 Oct 2026
Promises of Recovery: Turning Big Book Words Into Real Sobriety
Episode Overview
- Meeting attendance alone is described as a "far cry from permanent recovery" compared with working the 12 Steps from the Big Book.
- The well-known Ninth Step promises are linked to doing all the steps in order, not just waiting for them to come true.
- Both speakers stress that the obsession to drink can be removed and replaced with a sense of purpose and service.
- Living in steps 10, 11 and 12 is presented as key to staying in fit spiritual condition and experiencing ongoing promises.
- The ultimate promise highlighted is the "joy of living", found through helping others and practising these principles in daily life.
“If you’re going to take away the thing that I’ve been using to escape my life, you better have something to give me in return.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This AA Big Book study session brings together Chris, Ian and Jonathan for a no-frills, straight-talking look at the Promises of Recovery and what they actually look like in real life.
Aimed at people in Alcoholics Anonymous – especially those who feel stuck on “meeting-based sobriety” – this workshop-style talk keeps things simple: it’s about the 12 Steps as laid out in the Big Book, and the hundreds of promises tied to doing that work.
Chris sets the tone by contrasting revolving-door relapse with the idea of “permanent recovery”, reminding the room that, “If you’re going to take away the thing that I’ve been using to escape… you better have something to give me in return.” Ian shares how long he suffered before seeking a Big Book sponsor and learning that the famous page 83–84 promises don’t just magically appear; they’re linked to actually doing the steps from the beginning.
He talks candidly about being 18 months sober and still suicidal before going through the process properly, and about the relief of having the “problem removed” after completing amends and living in steps 10, 11 and 12. Jonathan brings a younger perspective, describing years of sitting at the back of meetings, criticising everything and everyone, and then reaching a point where the “screaming monkeys” in his head forced him to take action.
For him, “a new freedom and a new happiness” turned out not to mean life going his way, but having “a choice not to listen to what’s going on in my head” and a purpose centred on service rather than ego. You’ll hear plenty of humour, some tough honesty, and a clear message: if you’re alcoholic and want the AA promises, the Big Book’s path is there – are you ready to walk it?
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