Joe McQ., an internationally respected teacher/ lecturer on the Twelve Step method, offers countless analogies, insight, explanations and elucidations of these principles, drawing from his own recovery experience and those of the hundreds he has helped.

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 conviced he was ready, they would start him on the program. However, with the advent of treatment centers over the last twenty--five to thirty years, Steps 1 and 2 --the Steps which place the alcoholic in a "box" and force him or her to begin the program--have been supervised by those other than AA sponsors. 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 accoholics, to practive these principles in all our affairs." "Carry This Message address McQ's concern that sponsors have lost some skills in working with alcoholixa. AA sponsors need to refous 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, Carry "This Message is a companion book to "The Steps We Took, offering tools for helpin others find recovery and new life through the Twelve Step program.