Let's see ... what always helped me then and what helps now, 20+ years later ...
1) The Lord is my Shepherd ... I shall not want ... He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ... (*maketh* is the key word here - He does not *request* nor *suggest* that we lie down - He *makes* us) ... He leadeth me beside the still waters ... He restoreth my soul ... He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake ...
Yea, though *I'm right now walking* through the Valley ... of the Shadow of Death ... I will fear no evil ... for Thou art with me ... Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me ... (now my favorite part) ... Thou preparest a table before me *in the presence of mine enemies* ... (hey, I'm at a banquet fit for Henry VIII and there's old Barnswoggle, my arch-nemesis, in leg irons without a fork and just 2 feet from the table!) ... Thou anointest my head with oil ... my cup (of hot chocolate) runneth over ...
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me (as the wake follows the speedboat) all the days of my life and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever ... Amen!
2) On gratitude, my sponsor asks me: Do you have a roof over your head? Food on your table? Clothes on your back? A little money in your pocket? Then, you've got it made!
3) If that doesn't work, a written gratitude list comes next: roof, food, clothes, spare change ... computer with which to email RobFromGA ... Free Republic ... RobFromGA ... Internet connection ... phone/cable ... hands for typing ... coordination to type ... eyes to see monitor ... breath ... feet to stick in my mouth ... mouth for sticking feet in ... you get the picture!
4) Quick trip to the 4th Step: "I can't. He can. I think I'll let Him."
5) You may sit down and cry once a day, for as long as you want to. Go ahead, try it. (I never last longer than 5 minutes.)
6) Just constantly repeat the one-word prayer that everyone knows, over and over, out loud or to yourself ... "Help!"
If he can sit still enough and/or focus enough to read, I recommend "A New Pair of Glasses" by Chuck C.
Keep Coming Back
It Works if You Work It
Easy Does It
Let Go and Let God
Rarely Have We Seen A Person Fail
Stay in the Here and Now
Fake It Till You Make It
Just For Today
K.I.S.S.
When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on!
We get a daily reprieve, contingent upon our spiritual condition.
First Things First
God is the Easier, Softer Way
Good Orderly Direction
If you think the program is too simple, go out and drink some more. By the time you get back you'll be simple enough for the program.
Willingness, honesty and open mindedness are the essentials of recovery. But these are indispensable.
HALT - don't let yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired
Excellent advice....