Amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic

Alcoholics Anonymous is ranked as one of the most important social developments of the last century. It changed the world. The Founders reframed how the medical profession and society viewed addiction. With the 12 Steps, they created a program of living which saved millions of people. The fellowship they birthed grew to an astounding size, with millions of people around the world participating. The growth in the early decades was spectacular.

And they were all amateurs. AA was a decidedly amateur enterprise. The Founders and many leaders for the first decades were unqualified amateurs. And for decades, the message of hope for addicts was carried by even more amateurs. Amateur Twelve Steppers from AA groups reached out to alcoholics. The early AAs did prodigious twelve-step work, which, in the day, often included housing and feeding the new pigeons.

AA now has a professionally staffed organization in New York and Central Offices worldwide. Professionals have assumed much of the workload in AA. In the world of Recovery, we have professional treatment centers, certified counsellors, and recovery coaches to help addicts. Professionals lead interventions with families and businesses. Social workers and other professionals do the triage work on the streets with addicts and alcoholics.

Increasingly, professionals dominate the addiction world, and recovery is becoming more and more professional.

One of the consequences is diminished Twelve Step work among AA amateurs. In 12-Step meetings, you can talk with dozens of people before encountering someone who has made a recent twelve-step call. Many have been involved in 12-Step programs for years and never made a twelve-step call or sponsored anyone.

Some of us yearn for the old days of amateur enthusiasm. Not only would we benefit from doing more old-time AA service, but we might also do a better job.

How could amateurs match the professionals?

Amateurs, though not skilled, often brought love, passion and commitment. Still, wet pigeons knew that there was no ulterior motive or interest. The twelve-stepper is an amateur drawing on his or her experience and strength. The process of identification that Dr. Bob recognized is allowed to work. Amateurs bring a different quality to the addict and alcoholic.

Amateurs don’t have the expertise, but they have the experience. And that can be a worthy match.

Remember, the ark was built, sailed, and landed by Noah, an amateur. The Titanic was built, sailed, and sunk by professionals.