Explanation

Recovery taboos :

• That there is a "Program" and that "program" is outlined in the Big Book.
• That the Big Book is divinely inspired.
• That the Steps work.
• That divine intervention is necessary to remain sober.
• That reliance upon the divine is necessary to remain sober.
• That a reasoned understanding of recovery is suspect and dangerous to "real" sobriety.
• That sobriety is a "gift" rather than a skill.
• That alcoholism is a disease of the body, rather than the physical and mental damage caused by poor adaptations to stress.
• That alcoholism is ONE disease rather than several.
• That alcoholism is substantially different from other mood-altering substances or behaviors.
• That time since a person's last drink is the most significant measurement of recovery.
• That a moral inventory, confession, and amends are essential to continuous sobriety.
• That you're "as sick as your secrets," in other words, that secrets are counter-productive to solid sobriety.

I'm not saying that any of these propositions are untrue. What makes them taboo (superstition) is the way these propositions are held in the mind of the believer. They are accepted and recited without any consideration of alternative explanations. The believer becomes threatened and angry when counter-examples or alternative explanations are suggested.

Birthmarked newborns:

• People who are unwilling to make a moral inventory.
• People who are unwilling to make a confession.
• People who are unwilling to make amends.
• People who have taken these Steps and who have received little or no relief.
• People who are unwilling to speak in terms of divine help or reliance.
• People who think about their addiction and recovery.
• People who are addicted to street drugs.

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together [his] friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
—Luke 15:4-7.