Tuesday, August 01, 2006
A.A.: More About Alcoholism: Look For the Similarities
"To be gravely affected, one does not necessarily have to drink a long time nor take the quantities some of us have. This is particularly true of women."
Alcoholics Anonymous
More About Alcoholism
Page 33
My personal experience with the progression of the disease ended with feeding serious bodily cravings with large quantities of alcohol over long periods of time and suffering harsh physical withdrawal if I went without. However, from meeting several hundred other alcoholics of all varieties through Alcoholics Anonymous, I have observed in others, that drank much smaller quantities and much less frequently, the same feelings of desperation and hopelessness that I felt toward the end of my binge episodes.
To be sure, the physical cravings and withdrawal are painful, but there is also much pain between our ears. The psychological aspect of addiction, which brings dread and hopelessness, begins to manifest early in the alcoholic progression.
I'd like to think that it's because of the positive word of hope being spread by alcohlics carrying the message that has resulted in a greater number of "low bottom" drunks seeking help. But the reason doesn't really matter. What's important is that we recognize that AA can help all who want help if they have the capacity to be honest. If I am honest, I admit that I could have gone much lower than the pain it took me to accept help, but I'm grateful that I didn't. Why would I then be skeptical of others who also did not have to hit "rock" bottom?
Look for the similarities -- not the differences.
Get the latest edition of:
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA Services
aa addiction alcoholism recovery sponsornet substance abuse
Alcoholics Anonymous
More About Alcoholism
Page 33
My personal experience with the progression of the disease ended with feeding serious bodily cravings with large quantities of alcohol over long periods of time and suffering harsh physical withdrawal if I went without. However, from meeting several hundred other alcoholics of all varieties through Alcoholics Anonymous, I have observed in others, that drank much smaller quantities and much less frequently, the same feelings of desperation and hopelessness that I felt toward the end of my binge episodes.
To be sure, the physical cravings and withdrawal are painful, but there is also much pain between our ears. The psychological aspect of addiction, which brings dread and hopelessness, begins to manifest early in the alcoholic progression.
I'd like to think that it's because of the positive word of hope being spread by alcohlics carrying the message that has resulted in a greater number of "low bottom" drunks seeking help. But the reason doesn't really matter. What's important is that we recognize that AA can help all who want help if they have the capacity to be honest. If I am honest, I admit that I could have gone much lower than the pain it took me to accept help, but I'm grateful that I didn't. Why would I then be skeptical of others who also did not have to hit "rock" bottom?
Look for the similarities -- not the differences.
Get the latest edition of:
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA Services
aa addiction alcoholism recovery sponsornet substance abuse
# posted by Bill B. @ 11:00 PM 
