The Doctor's Opinion
A letter from Dr. Silkworth to Alcoholics Anonymous.
This letter is also in the the beginning of the
Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Dr. Silkworth's
letter "To whom it may concern"
This is a photocopy of his original letter dated
July 27, 1938.
The Little Doctor
Who Loved Drunks
Dr. William Duncan Silkworth, M.D. -from which this
web site, Silkworth.net, gets its name.
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The Prevention
of Alcoholism
A Challenge to the Catholic Clergy. The "Blue
Book" -National Clergy Conference on Alcoholism,
1960
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Alcoholism as a Manifestation
of Allergy
"It is our purpose to show that there is a
type of alcoholism characterized by a definite symptomatology
and a fixed diagnosis indicative of a constant and
specific pathology; in short, that true alcoholism
is a manifestation of allergy."
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Reclamation of
the Alcoholic [also see original
document]
"To such patients we recommend “moral psychology,”
and in those of our patients who have joined or
initiated such groups the change has been spectacular."
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A New Approach
to Psychotherapy in Chronic Alcoholism
"One powerful factor is that of self-preservation.
These ex-alcoholics frequently find that unless
they spend time helping others to health they cannot
stay sober themselves."
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Psychological
Rehabilitation of Alcoholics
This is an expanded letter from Silky, parts of
which can be found in the Big Book pages xxiii to
xxx called "The Doctor's Opinion".
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A Highly Successful
Approach To The Alcoholic Problem
Confirmed in Medical and Sociological Results -Medical
Record, Vol. 154, August 1941, New York
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Dr. Silkworth’s
Rx for Sobriety
Anyone who tried to impress a drinking alcoholic
with the approach, “You can’t have your cake and
eat it, too,” would probably draw a scornful, “So
what! Who wants any cake? Tony, make it a double
this time.”
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Slips and
Human Nature
"The mystery of slips is not so deep as it
may appear. While it does seem odd that an alcoholic,
who has restored himself to a dignified place among
his fellowmen and continues dry for years, should
suddenly throw all his happiness overboard and find
himself again in mortal peril of drowning in liquor,
often the reason is simple."
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Dr. William Duncan
Silkworth -1873 – 1951
WILLIAM DUNCAN
SILKWORTH, MD (1873-1951)
Researched/written for: The Round Table of AA History
by Mike O., of The Just Do It Big Book Study Group
of Alcoholics Anonymous, DeBary, Florida. Updated/revised:
1999, 2000, and 2001.
Dr. Silkworth
on Jesus Christ
Written by Dick
B., renowned author of many books on Alcoholics
Anonymous history and its biblical roots.
A.A.,
Dr. Silkworth, and the “Great Physician”
Written by Dick
B., renowned author of many books on Alcoholics
Anonymous history and its biblical roots.
Dr. Silkworth Grapevine index
Alcoholics
Anonymous . . . experience the history . . .
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