Twelve-Step slang's definitions

Club Betty

The Betty Ford Center (BFC). A very comfortable drug and alcohol rehab in Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs area), California. Term used by current and former (alumini) patients of the center.

"While getting clean at Club Betty, I took in sun on my patio with the mountain view, hung out at the pool, and worked out with the personal trainer."

by Twelve-Step slang November 10, 2004

Friend of Bill W.

A member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and therefore (usually) a recovering alcoholic. Derived from the name of Bill Wilson (Bill W.), one of the founding members of AA.

If you are at an airport and have a temptation to head to one of the bars, instead have "Bill W." paged, as code for your need for someone from the program come have a "meeting" with you.

by Twelve-Step slang October 24, 2004

Big Book

The "bible" of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The book which is actually entitled simply "Alcoholic Anonymous," was written by Bill W., a New York stockbroker, after founding the group with Dr. Bob in a kitchen in Akron, Ohio.


Contains many first person accounts in narrative form of battles with the "cunning and baffling" drink. These narratives are replaced and updated with more contemporary drunkalogues periodically by the bureaucracy controlled from AA World Service Office (WSO) in New York City.

"I'm going to a Big Book study meeting tonight, as part of my 90 in 90."

by Twelve-Step slang October 24, 2004

program people

Persons who are members of Twelve-Step groups (programs), e.g., AA, NA, CA, MA, SA, SLA, OA, CODA, and PA.

Bill hangs out only with program people since he got sober.

by Twelve-Step slang October 24, 2004

doing some homework

An addict/alcoholic who has relapsed.

"You haven't seen me at meetings for months becuase I was out doing some homework."

by Twelve-Step slang October 24, 2004

eating pills

The action of an addict who consumes large amounts of pharmaceuticals, by mouth.

"I was eating at least 40 to 50 Vicodins a day before I checked myself into rapid opiate detox."

by Twelve-Step slang October 26, 2004

earth people

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) speak for non-alcoholic/addicted persons.

Also referred to as normal people.

"I wish I was like that earth person who just left the bar with her drink glass still half full!"

by Twelve-Step slang November 17, 2004