Posted on 12/11/2004 5:37:20 AM PST by RobFromGa
I just wanted to bump this thread because I think it is one of the most important I have ever read.
"AA will say you'll always have the desire to drink. I wonder if you would disagree?"
I've been sober over 18 years and went to thousands of AA meetings and never heard that. Though, AA has taught me this, once an alcoholic always an alcoholic, which means that I'm never cured, just on hold one day at a time.
I can honestly say that once I truly surrendered to the fact that I could never drink again (safely) without the help of God, that my desire to drink was gone. Which for me, proved to be enormously difficult, I just could not give up that last shred of control, despite having hit bottom. But It was AA, and a very patient sponser, that helped me get to the point where my understanding of God's will for me, and not my own, would bring the release from this long struggle, and it did.
Rob, thanks so much for starting this thread, and passing it on. I believe you've helped some FReepers, and me as well. It's always a good reminder and a spiritual boost when someone openly admits they've choosen to take the first difficult steps towards a sober life. Thank you.
I agree with Kawana and TexasCowboy's take on 'surrender', because for me, my will is the problem. But whatever it takes, whatever works, especially early on is good, and there is no right or wrong, only sober.
To hundreds of thousands of us, the importance is life or death.
"Once you're a pickle, you'll never be a cucumber again."
a pickle is Still a cucumber
Wow, just saw this. Congrats, Rob.
Post #107 bears repeating, thanks kanawa ...
The portion of the Big Book known informally as 'the promises' holds out hope for all sufferers of this affliction.
"If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.
We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.
We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
Self-seeking will slip away.
Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
We suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
.......
We will seldom be interested in liquor. If tempted, we recoil as if from a hot flame.
We will see that our new attitude has been given to us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is the miracle of it.
We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality - safe and protected.
We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us.
We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our experience.
That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition."
A tough task, well done!
Well, your post is very very touching. God bless you and may He help you every moment!
I don't drink (I'm mormon) nor am I tempted to drink, but when I go to events or some social gatherings inevitably I run across people who think is 'strange' that I don't drink.
Its essentially social pressure.
Of course I tell them to go to **** (or at least think it), but there is a point to be made...
All the people who read this should be careful about how they treat others, even unintentionally. Accept people for who they are. It can make all the difference in the world for someone who may be struggling.
Exactly!
Thank you for the Promises.
Outstanding, Rob.
Thanks FP.
Eagles Up,
RobFromGa
You are welcome. Thanks to kanawa, too.
First congrats to you and Rob both.
My post wasn't directed towards either, but rather towards everyone else. Especially those who find themselves in situations where they can influence others.
I am basically saying be aware of those around you and be a real friend--by supporting those who may (or may not) struggle.
Old hangouts, old hobbies and old drinking buddies must be dealt with.
And it will take time for even those closest to you to really believe that you really mean it "this time" as compared to all the past times you had said you changed.
Patience is required.
Never understood beer drinking...tasted like what I imagined horsepiss would taste like. Never understood it when the price of buttermilk was so cheap. I am very happy for your victory. Your family will likewise be happy and grateful. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Wise thing to do.
Any offense that might have caused someone was, and still is, irrelevant.
True! If one is making big changes, cut the old baggage loose. Sometimes thats the only way up.
No drunk likes a sober, so friendship with a drunk is not conducive to my serenity.
My post is not directed at drunks vs non-drunks. But rather 'social drinkers' who may not be in either category. The road to hell is a gradual slope, not a cliff.
I think maybe it depends largely on age too...people who are a little older in some ways are better to hang out with than people around the twenty somethings....
Again, I don't drink at all. I am a teetotaler. Not a drop.
If though I go to a social event and people are 'weirded out' that I don't toss a few back... I can only imagine what kind of impact that would have on someone who is struggling with alcoholism.
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