As an internationally respected teacher and lecturer on the Twelve Step
method introduced by Alcoholics Anonymous, Joe McQ knows that
sponsorship is a key construct for the success of the program because it
involves moving a person through the Twelve Step process to recovery. In
the early days of AA, sponsors would come to the alcoholic's home and
talk him through Steps 1 and 2, and when they were thoroughly convinced
he was ready, they would start him on the program. Step 12 is the
foundation of sponsorships: "Having had a spiritual awakening as the
result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, to
practice these principles in all our affairs." Carry This Message
addresses McQ's concern that sponsors have lost some skills in working
with alcoholics. AA sponsors need to refocus on the Big Book, on the
Twelve Steps, and on their message, urges McQ, to recognize the value of
the program and to return to its roots and essence. Directed to
sponsors, this is a companion book to The Steps We Took, offering tools
for helping others find recovery and new life through the Twelve Step
program.