H.A.L.T.

Question: Can you give any in depth information on the hungry, angry, lonely & tired theory? I'm leading a beginners meeting and can't find any resource from literature to back this acronym.

Answer: The idea is that if you allow yourself to become to hungry, angry, lonely or tired that relapse is more likely.

This is a concept that has it's origins someplace other than AA. While it may be good advice, it would seem to be more in line with "relapse prevention" concepts common to many rehabs. We don't know of any AA literature that covers the H.A.L.T. acronym.

For many types of drinkers learning these "tricks of the trade" are very helpful in remaining sober. The AA approach is centered on having a spiritual awakening and not so much on how to avoid drinking or changing habits. AA evolved to help the "hopeless" variety of alcoholic, the type for which all other lesser approaches fail.

From page 101 of The Big Book:

In our belief any scheme of combating alcoholism which proposes to shield the sick man from temptation is doomed to failure. If the alcoholic tries to shield himself he may succeed for a time, but he usually winds up with a bigger explosion than ever. We have tried these methods. These attempts to do the impossible have always failed.