Framed Letter from Bill W. to Sybil - Vitamin B3 package - 1965

Bill Wilson enlisted help to spread the word about using vitamin B3 (niacin) for treating alcoholism. Sybil Willis, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous from Los Angeles, assisted him in this endeavor. Wilson was quite enthusiastic about the potential benefits of niacin after his personal use and the initial research done by Dr. Abram Hoffer and Dr. Humphry Osmond. Sybil Willis was involved in reaching out to other AA members who might be interested in participating in trials and reporting their experiences.

Wilson's initiative was part of a broader exploration into how nutritional therapy could support recovery from alcoholism. Despite the promising reports from some participants, this approach did not become a mainstream method within AA, primarily because AA traditionally avoids endorsing specific medical treatments. Nonetheless, Wilson’s advocacy for niacin helped to open discussions on the role of nutrition and biochemistry in addiction recovery.

Bill W was a visionary!

Bill Wilson's advocacy for niacin as a treatment for depression and alcoholism indeed led to some tensions with the board of trustees of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The main concern from the trustees revolved around AA's foundational principle of not endorsing any specific medical treatments, as AA is primarily a spiritual program aimed at helping individuals achieve and maintain sobriety through its Twelve Steps.

Here's a more detailed look at the dynamics and specific actions:

1. Non-Endorsement Policy: AA's tradition of not endorsing specific medical or psychiatric treatments was at the core of the trustees' concerns. AA was founded on principles that emphasize spiritual growth and community support rather than medical interventions. The trustees were wary of associating AA too closely with any particular medical treatment, including vitamin therapy, fearing it could alter the organization's focus and foundational principles.

2. Separation of Ideas: To address the issue, the trustees strongly emphasized the separation between Wilson's personal endorsements and the official stance of AA. They wanted to ensure that AA meetings and literature did not promote niacin or any other specific medical treatments as part of the recovery process, preserving the organization's neutrality regarding medical and pharmaceutical interventions.

3. Continued Advocacy by Wilson: Despite the resistance from the trustees, Bill Wilson continued to promote the use of niacin personally and through external writings and communications that were not officially part of AA's endorsed materials. He believed strongly in the potential benefits of niacin, particularly for alleviating depression, which he saw as a common ailment among those with alcoholism.

4. Publications and Communications: Wilson took his message outside of AA's official channels, using other platforms to communicate his findings and experiences with niacin. He wrote articles and spoke publicly about his views on the potential benefits of niacin, making it clear that these were his personal opinions and not the official position of AA.

5. Research Encouragement: Despite the disagreements, Wilson also encouraged independent research into the use of niacin and other nutritional therapies, hoping that more scientific backing would lend credibility to his observations and experiences.

The discourse between Wilson and the AA trustees illustrates the tension between the program’s spiritual approach and the exploration of medical treatments for addiction-related issues. Wilson's work with niacin remains a notable example of how AA members have explored various methods to aid recovery, even when such methods diverge from AA's core principles.

In a letter dated January 6, 1966, Bill Wilson writes to Sybil Willis (while questioning if he's used the correct last name following her separation from Jim Willis) concerning his findings regarding Vitamin B3 as a treatment for depression and schizophrenia. He indicates he's enclosed a couple of copies of his presentation to A.A doctors (one of Sybil's copies included with this package). Stating the benefits he has found in his study, he expresses his belief that many AA's are afflicted with such mental health issues and could well benefit from the use of this vitamin. He goes on to state that many are already benefitting and many more similarly could. Being aware of the "grumblings" and talk of his violating traditions that some are talking about, Bill asks if she's heard of these benefits and if she'd know anyone in the fellowship that might find this useful....