Waco, Texas A.A. Auxiliary — Early Family Recovery & Twelve Step Pamphlet — Alanon Club
Offered here is an unusual early pamphlet produced by the Waco, Texas A.A. Auxiliary, associated with the Alanon Club at 1424 Columbus Avenue in Waco.
Created for the non-alcoholic family members of Alcoholics Anonymous members, the pamphlet provides a fascinating look at the way spouses and families adapted the principles of A.A. to their own lives during the formative years of the family recovery movement.
Rather than simply describing Alcoholics Anonymous, the pamphlet presents a complete “Twelve Step Program for the Non-Alcoholic,” accompanied by commentary explaining how the principles could be applied by someone living with an alcoholic.
The A.A. Auxiliary
Before Al-Anon Family Groups developed into the organized fellowship known today, wives, husbands and other relatives of A.A. members frequently gathered informally or organized local groups commonly described as A.A. Auxiliaries, Family Groups, Non-A.A. Groups, or similar names.
These groups addressed a problem that became increasingly apparent as Alcoholics Anonymous grew: sobriety could dramatically change the life of the alcoholic, but the alcoholic’s family had also been profoundly affected and often needed its own program of recovery.
The Waco Auxiliary explains its purpose directly under the heading “The Object of the Auxiliary”:
“To encourage wives and families of the Alcoholic to attend the meetings in order to better acquaint ourselves with the A.A. program and the study of alcoholism…”
The passage continues by emphasizing the family’s understanding of the A.A. member as an important factor in recovery.
Twelve Steps for the Non-Alcoholic
The most historically interesting portion is headed:
“TWELVE STEP PROGRAM FOR THE NON-ALCOHOLIC”
Rather than merely reproducing A.A.’s Twelve Steps, the pamphlet adapts them specifically to the experience of the family member.
The First Step begins:
“I admitted I was powerless over an alcoholic—that my life had become unmanageable.”
The text that follows describes confusion, resentment, nervousness and the need for self-examination.
Other Steps similarly shift the emphasis away from changing the alcoholic and toward changing the attitudes and behavior of the non-alcoholic family member.
The Twelfth Step concludes with carrying the message to “alcoholics and their families” and practicing the principles in daily life.
For collectors of early family-group material, this provides a revealing snapshot of how A.A.’s principles were being interpreted for non-alcoholics at the local level.
Advice for the Alcoholic’s Family
Additional material offers practical suggestions for living alongside a newly sober A.A. member.
Among the subjects addressed are allowing time for meetings and Twelve Step work, maintaining patience during early sobriety, avoiding resentment over time spent helping other alcoholics, and developing a more positive approach to family life.
The pamphlet also contains the Serenity Prayer and concludes with a “Just for Today” reading.
The “Alanon Club” Name
The front identifies the location as:
Alanon Club 1424 Columbus Ave. Waco, Texas
This is particularly interesting historically. The wording should not automatically be interpreted as proof that the pamphlet was issued by the national Al-Anon organization. The cover specifically identifies the issuing group as the “Waco, Texas A.A. Auxiliary,” while “Alanon Club” appears as the name of its location or associated club.
That distinction makes the pamphlet especially useful for studying the sometimes fluid terminology used by local A.A. family groups during this period.
Item Details
Title: Waco, Texas A.A. Auxiliary
Organization: Waco A.A. Auxiliary
Location: Alanon Club, 1424 Columbus Ave., Waco, Texas
Format: Stapled pamphlet
Date: Undated
Contents: Twelve Step Program for the Non-Alcoholic; family recovery guidance; Serenity Prayer; Just for Today
Subject: Alcoholics Anonymous / A.A. Auxiliary / Family Groups / Early Al-Anon History
Condition
The pamphlet remains in Very Good vintage condition.
The pale green paper covers show age toning and discoloration, most noticeably around the edges and portions of the rear cover. There is light handling and edge wear consistent with age.
The original staples remain in place, and the interior is clean, complete and highly legible.
Please review all photographs carefully for the most complete representation of condition.
Historical Significance
This is the kind of small, locally produced recovery-history material that can be particularly revealing because it documents practices that were developing outside the major A.A. publishing centers.
The pamphlet preserves the Waco A.A. Auxiliary’s own adaptation of the Twelve Steps for non-alcoholic family members and documents an early effort to address the effects of alcoholism on the entire family.
It would make a strong addition to a collection centered on early Alcoholics Anonymous, A.A. Auxiliaries, family groups, Al-Anon history, Texas A.A. history, or the development of Twelve Step programs beyond the alcoholic himself.
