The Bludgeoning

So it is by circumstance rather than by any virtue that we have been driven to A.A. 

Faced with alcoholic destruction, we soon become as open-minded on spiritual matters as we had tried to be on other questions.  In this respect alcohol was a great persuader.  It finally beat us into a state of reasonableness.

To be doomed to an alcoholic death or to live on a spiritual basis are not always easy alternatives to face. 

Under the lash of alcoholism . . .  The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker.  The persistence of this illusion is astonishing.  Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death.

So it is by circumstance rather than by any virtue that we have been driven to A.A.

It would appear here that Bill and Bob are suggesting that most of us don't suddenly wake up one bright, shining morning and exclaim: "Boy, everything in my life is great. I have plenty of money, a nice house and cars, a doting family, and everyone at work loves me. What the hell - I think I'll go to Alcoholics Anonymous!"

Good, meaty, clear as hell, straight-shooting phrases: gates of insanity or death, driven to AA, lash of alcoholism, doomed to an alcoholic death, beat into a state of reasonableness. I'm not normally a big fan of violent imagery but sometimes we have to take off the kid gloves and tell it like it is.

We were in a position where life was becoming impossible and if we had passed into the region from which there is no return through human aid, we had but two alternatives: one was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could, and the other, to accept spiritual help.

Absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self-knowledge.

We alcoholics have lost the ability to control our drinking.  We know that no alcoholic ever recovers control.

Because most alcoholics don't want to . . . you know . . . actually stop drinking the founders made sure to stick in these reminders. It's over. You're done. You're toast. You've tried everything and nothing has worked. You are out of options. It's enough with the bright ideas already.

Why don’t you try some more controlled drinking?

They sound like the philosophy of the man who, having a headache, beats himself on the head with a hammer so he can't feel the ache.

Yes, we know there's at least one more thing you need to try: controlled drinking. Get mellow and then stop. Yes, yes, that's going to work this time. And the hammer analogy - some more violent imagery to hammer home the idea that We. Are. Done.

Someone who knew what he was talking about once remarked that pain was the touchstone of all spiritual progress.

For people who hate pain so much we are sure eager to endure as much of it as possible