Dr Bob’s Nightmare

The 12th chapter is Dr. Bob’s story — the story of Dr. Bob Smith, co-founder of our fellowship. Many people speak of the first 164 pages of the Big Book as the essential core of our program, and rightly so. That is where we find the instructions for how this program works.

But we should not forget that recovery is not sustained by instruction alone. The assurance of success is forged in one simple idea: one drunk helping another.

We have 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, and 12 Concepts of Service. And in many ways, the 12th chapter — Bob’s story — connects them all. Having had a spiritual experience, I carried the message to Bob. In doing so, that connection helped save me as well. From there, the message moved outward — one person to another — growing into a fellowship rooted in recovery and in service.

This website is dedicated to that spirit of service, and to Dr. Bob. We hope that all who find it will use it to support their own recovery — and, in turn, be of service to the next person who still suffers.