Big Book Meaning of Insanity

Step Two: “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

I came into AA after a long, nonstop toot with the usual accompanying delirium tremens. During my first meeting I was still hearing “non-existent” music, and for several more weeks my emotions were a roller coaster. For a normal person, that might warrant a diagnosis of schizophrenia with a bipolar disorder, e.g., insane. However, I have come to believe the Big Book’s use of that word is in the context of something quite different.

I finally realized, only after studying the Big Book for some time, the concept it was trying to get across to me.

Two examples: I found on page 36, in Jim’s story, he came to the erroneous conclusion that he could safely drink whiskey so long as he mixed it with milk. As foolish as this may sound, no medical professional would clinically declare him insane. Alcoholic, yes. Insane no. Then I found on page 37: “Whatever the precise definition of the word may be, we call this plain insanity.”

We fellow alcoholics might simply consider this as “Alco-logical” thinking. I believe this is what Bill W. meant to get across to us:

• Sane: When an alcoholic can see and act on the truth in drink.
• Insane: When an alcoholic cannot see and act on the truth in drink.

By Bob S.