Disclaimer: Not Anti-AA, But Pro-Reality (Book Excerpt pg. 11 to 13)

Let’s be clear: The rooms of AA saved my life.

This book isn’t anti-AA. If AA works for you, please stay. But if you’re among the millions who’ve tried and failed – who yearn for Jesus rather than vague ‘higher powers,’ who prefer data over dogma and options over absolutes – this book is for you.

Let me be crystal clear: If the Steps work for you now, if they’ve worked in the past, or if you believe they can still be your solution – especially if the thought of drinking again terrifies you – stay with the program. You’re welcome to read this book now or save it for later. My greatest hope is that no one makes the same leap of faith I did, only to find themselves hauling a new wheelbarrow full of regrets.

AA gave me tools to survive, but also unwritten rules that made no sense. Why was it when mentioning you took antidepressants met with the evil eye? Why were we glorifying “drunkalogue” war stories as wisdom? Most damaging of all—why did they insist recovery was an all-or-nothing choice between sobriety or death?

Here’s the truth I discovered:

AA taught me how to survive. This book will teach you how to live. Consider it a self-help guide to finding a truce between alcoholic abstinence and moderation with Jesus leading the way.

The Hard Conversation We Need to Have

In an era of quick fixes—from COVID miracles to addiction “cures” I won’t insult you with:

• Cherry-picked studies
• An app that will fix all this
• Pharmaceutical drugs with a thousand side effects
• Scientific debates you’ve heard before such as, “Trust the Science”

Instead, I offer:

• Real and hard-fought lessons from my own relapses planned and unplanned
• Practical solutions that don’t require a medical degree
• This radical idea: True recovery shouldn’t demand absolute abstinence

If You’re Holding This Book…Maybe you’re like I was—skeptical but searching. If someone asked me today, “Chris, how are you healthy and still drinking?”, here’s exactly what I’d say:

“It’s possible—but it’s been a war, a journey and a lesson in faith. Read these books in order:

1. The Bible (start with the New Testament, focus on the red letters)
2. Alcoholics Anonymous (yes, seriously)
3. This one (you’ll understand why when done)”

“If you’re struggling now with going on a bender, I’ll take you to AA and sit in the meeting with you—take what helps, leave what doesn’t.”

Are you ready? Let’s be doers, not victims.