The Big Book and Everything Built Around ItThe Big Book and Everything Built Around It
Alcoholics Alive!
Shank and Wayne talk about the central place of the Big Book in AA, questioning the growing use of worksheets and extra literature. They share their experiences with alternative tools and stress keeping recovery simple by following the directions already laid out in *Alcoholics Anonymous*.
45:42•30 Jun 2026
Keeping Sobriety Simple: Why Shank and Wayne Stick to the Big Book
Episode Overview
- Early AA members often spoke of being cured of alcoholism, and the hosts argue this confident language can still be useful when framed as recovery from a hopeless state of mind and body.
- Page 164 is highlighted as a simple daily guide: ask God each morning how to help others, keep your own house in order, and remember you can’t pass on what you don’t have.
- Shank and Wayne state that the full programme of recovery is already in the Big Book, and extra materials may add complexity without adding real value.
- They express concern that many meetings focus on self-help and outside topics instead of directing people to the steps and a relationship with a higher power.
- The hosts suggest that if AA as written doesn’t work for someone, they should honestly seek another path rather than trying to reshape AA away from its original book.
“Everything that I need is in the book Alcoholics Anonymous.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This chat between Shank and Wayne on *Alcoholics Alive!* zeroes in on one thing: the book *Alcoholics Anonymous* (the Big Book) and all the stuff that’s grown up around it. You’ll hear them start with AA No.
3, a story they see as a simple, powerful example of how AA originally worked: a few straightforward questions, a willingness to believe in a power greater than yourself, and a man who “stayed sober the rest of his life.” They talk frankly about the word *cure* and why many early AA members, including Bill W. and Dr Bob, used it confidently. One line that sums up their attitude: “If you want to get better, you can get better.
Both share that they’ve tried loads of these extras – from treatment worksheets to meditation books, therapy and other programmes – and found that, in their words, “everything that I need is in the book *Alcoholics Anonymous*.” They question meetings that rarely touch the Big Book, joke about “there’s a worksheet for that”, and push back on the idea that you “can’t do a fourth step out of the book.” For them, the Big Book isn’t outdated; it’s central, practical and clear enough if someone is willing to sit down and actually use it with another alcoholic.
Here’s what you do.” From there, Shank and Wayne focus on a key passage on page 164: “Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little.” They challenge how this line is now used to justify piling on study guides, workbooks, worksheets and alternative readings.
The tone stays direct, funny and occasionally cheeky, but the message is serious: keep it simple, stick to the programme in the book, and use other tools only as extras, not replacements. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re overcomplicating recovery with too many add-ons, this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear today.
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