What is a Big Book Militia?

My first blog is a brief interview with Ben P. Ben is an inspiration and a poster child for what God does in our lives when we let him. If you were to run into Ben at a meeting you would guess that he had double digit sobriety. The truth is that he just recently picked up a 1 year chip. Reminiscent of Bill W. And Dr. Bob themselves, Ben worked the steps quickly and immediately started living the 12th step. He does not shy away from letting people know that he is a recovered addict and his hand is always extended to help a fellow addict. Ben and some other like-minded men started carrying the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to rehabs, detox centers, and meetings. That group has been coined the Big Book Militia.


Q: I have been to a number of meetings where there are recovered addicts that have praised the BBM. What is all of this fuss about?

The fuss is actually excitement from RECOVERED people who have found freedom from the obsession to drink or use. That solution was carried to them straight out of the Big Book. The core people who call themselves the BBM have been around recovery for several years and never really had clear cut precise directions for getting recovered. So naturally when they found this solution, they are very excited.

Q: What does BBM stand for? Who came up with that name?

Big Book Militia.
One night while visiting an open discussion meeting, 5-6 men from Ebby’s Place (men’s sober house) were called out after the meeting by a newcomer. As usual we all rolled into the meeting with our big books and shared SOLUTION in the meeting. The newcomer laughingly called us the big book mafia. As the weeks went on it somehow turned into the Big Book Militia as a joke. A joke that we were very proud to be a part of.

Q: Exactly what does the BBM do and why?

All we try to do is follow the precise directions laid out in the Big Book. We are currently carrying that message to over 100 people weekly in our normal commitments. We do this because the big book is very clear as to how to maintain sobriety. A spiritual experience and part of that experience that insures sobriety is by working with new guys and or carrying the message. We have tried for years avoiding this and what we ended up avoiding was sobriety.

Q: What does the BBM mean to you personally?

The BBM has been an awesome group of people that are excited about being recovered. I am proud to be a part of this experience. Most people’s ideas of 12 step rooms are filled with smoke and crotchety old men. We are a far cry from that. We are young , very excited and even more passionate about the solution that was passed on to us from the Big Book.

Q: Anything you would like to add?

I’m not real thrilled about hearing talk or praise about the BBM in meetings. Just last week I had to tell to (some members) to tone it down a bit in the meeting. Outside of the meeting, hell yes we are the BBM and were damn proud of it. It has proved to be a conduit for getting the attention of people who are desperately seeking relief from the obsession to use or drink. All we are doing is carrying the message (the black letters) from the Big Book. Every person that affiliates himself or herself with the BBM, knows that their only hope is a spiritual experience as a result of working ALL 12 steps. I personally have 35 desire chips and have wasted 21 years of hearing opinions and clichés around our rooms and am proud to know without a shadow of doubt that this solution in the Big Book has saved my life. Hell yes I’m proud to be a part of the BBM, lives are being changed.

Q: I know that you are also the founder of Ebby's Place in Ft Worth, which is a sober living home for men struggling with addiction. How can we help with that?

We are currently having major financial difficulties. Seven weeks ago I walked away from a 15 year career to focus solely on the sober house. Watching men’s lives change right before my eyes has proved to be an experience that would be hard to put into words. We experienced several growing pains in the process of housing 13 men. The financial burden was caused by several decisions made to expand and it has left us in a huge need. We are asking for donations to help us get through this tough time. Part of this donation will go towards making us non-profit as this is our goal. The paperwork has already been taking care of, but we are short of the finances. Donations can be made thru PayPal at bsober@hotmail.com