{"product_id":"waco-texas-a-a-auxiliary-early-family-recovery-twelve-step-pamphlet-alanon-club","title":"Waco, Texas A.A. Auxiliary — Early Family Recovery \u0026 Twelve Step Pamphlet — Alanon Club","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOffered here is an unusual early pamphlet produced by the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWaco, Texas A.A. Auxiliary\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, associated with the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAlanon Club at 1424 Columbus Avenue in Waco\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eCreated 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eRather than simply describing Alcoholics Anonymous, the pamphlet presents a complete \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Twelve Step Program for the Non-Alcoholic,”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e accompanied by commentary explaining how the principles could be applied by someone living with an alcoholic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe A.A. Auxiliary\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBefore 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 \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eA.A. Auxiliaries, Family Groups, Non-A.A. Groups, or similar names\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThese 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe Waco Auxiliary explains its purpose directly under the heading \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“The Object of the Auxiliary”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e“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…”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe passage continues by emphasizing the family’s understanding of the A.A. member as an important factor in recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTwelve Steps for the Non-Alcoholic\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe most historically interesting portion is headed:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“TWELVE STEP PROGRAM FOR THE NON-ALCOHOLIC”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eRather than merely reproducing A.A.’s Twelve Steps, the pamphlet adapts them specifically to the experience of the family member.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe First Step begins:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“I admitted I was powerless over an alcoholic—that my life had become unmanageable.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe text that follows describes confusion, resentment, nervousness and the need for self-examination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOther Steps similarly shift the emphasis away from changing the alcoholic and toward changing the attitudes and behavior of the non-alcoholic family member.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe Twelfth Step concludes with carrying the message to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“alcoholics and their families”\u003c\/span\u003e and practicing the principles in daily life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdvice for the Alcoholic’s Family\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAdditional material offers practical suggestions for living alongside a newly sober A.A. member.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAmong 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe pamphlet also contains the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSerenity Prayer\u003c\/span\u003e and concludes with a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“Just for Today”\u003c\/span\u003e reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe “Alanon Club” Name\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe front identifies the location as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlanon Club\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e1424 Columbus Ave.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eWaco, Texas\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis 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 \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“Waco, Texas A.A. Auxiliary,”\u003c\/span\u003e while “Alanon Club” appears as the name of its location or associated club.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThat distinction makes the pamphlet especially useful for studying the sometimes fluid terminology used by local A.A. family groups during this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eItem Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e Waco, Texas A.A. Auxiliary\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrganization:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Waco A.A. Auxiliary\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLocation:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Alanon Club, 1424 Columbus Ave., Waco, Texas\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Stapled pamphlet\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Undated\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eContents:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Twelve Step Program for the Non-Alcoholic; family recovery guidance; Serenity Prayer; Just for Today\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubject:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous \/ A.A. Auxiliary \/ Family Groups \/ Early Al-Anon History\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe pamphlet remains in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eVery Good vintage condition\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe original staples remain in place, and the interior is clean, complete and highly legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the most complete representation of condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis is the kind of small, locally produced recovery-history material that can be particularly revealing because it documents practices that were developing \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eoutside the major A.A. publishing centers\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIt would make a strong addition to a collection centered on \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eearly 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67600424730866,"sku":null,"price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/060ECA41-AA6C-4C4E-BFFE-AC6B560F7C26.jpg?v=1790700999","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/waco-texas-a-a-auxiliary-early-family-recovery-twelve-step-pamphlet-alanon-club","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}