Wednesday, August 09, 2006
A.A.: More About Alcoholism: A Perfect Day
"It was the end of a perfect day, not a cloud on the horizon."
"... the thought came to mind that it would be nice to have a couple of cocktails with dinner. That was all. Nothing more. I ordered a cocktail and my meal. Then I ordered another cocktail."
"... it struck me a highball would be fine before going to bed, so I stepped into the bar and had one. I remember having several more that night and plenty next morning."
"Not only had I been off guard, I had made no fight whatever against the first drink. This time I had not thought of the consequences at all."
Alcoholics Anonymous
More About Alcoholism
Page 41
This story sends a chill down my spine. It reminds me all too well of those times when I had been "on the wagon" and everything was going well. As with the fellow in the story, I knew I couldn't drink "successfully" and I had quit for a while on my own. Then I'd have a memory or grandiose thought of some reckless and carefree event where drinking made everything perfect.
Of course I knew better, but this mental image was so vivid that I never consulted my honest recall or rational thinking. I just blindly followed the seduction of immediate gratification and pleasure conjured up by this dream. Once I took the first drink, it was all over. Just one sip and I couldn't stop. It didn't matter that I had worked so hard to impose my will power and the result was generally positive. I didn't even consider that I had been warned that if I didn't stop I would lose my job or my family or my freedom.
"Remember that we deal with alcohol -- cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power -- that One is God. May you find Him now!" Alcoholics Anonymous, Page 58-59.
I have witnessed God's grace and mercy at work in my life and I am grateful. Today, because I work the steps, the seductive mental images are less frequent and less powerful. But, they do still occur -- it might be hearing an old song or beer commercial on the radio or passing by an old building or seeing a friend that I hadn't seen in a while or just watching a white puffy cloud move across a blue sky. So, I have to be ready. Staying active in Alcoholics Anonymous keeps me on my toes -- not in a fearful, defensive way, but head on. I can't imagine a better way to live -- as God intended.
Get the latest edition of:
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA Services
aa addiction alcoholism recovery sponsornet substance abuse
"... the thought came to mind that it would be nice to have a couple of cocktails with dinner. That was all. Nothing more. I ordered a cocktail and my meal. Then I ordered another cocktail."
"... it struck me a highball would be fine before going to bed, so I stepped into the bar and had one. I remember having several more that night and plenty next morning."
"Not only had I been off guard, I had made no fight whatever against the first drink. This time I had not thought of the consequences at all."
Alcoholics Anonymous
More About Alcoholism
Page 41
This story sends a chill down my spine. It reminds me all too well of those times when I had been "on the wagon" and everything was going well. As with the fellow in the story, I knew I couldn't drink "successfully" and I had quit for a while on my own. Then I'd have a memory or grandiose thought of some reckless and carefree event where drinking made everything perfect.
Of course I knew better, but this mental image was so vivid that I never consulted my honest recall or rational thinking. I just blindly followed the seduction of immediate gratification and pleasure conjured up by this dream. Once I took the first drink, it was all over. Just one sip and I couldn't stop. It didn't matter that I had worked so hard to impose my will power and the result was generally positive. I didn't even consider that I had been warned that if I didn't stop I would lose my job or my family or my freedom.
"Remember that we deal with alcohol -- cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power -- that One is God. May you find Him now!" Alcoholics Anonymous, Page 58-59.
I have witnessed God's grace and mercy at work in my life and I am grateful. Today, because I work the steps, the seductive mental images are less frequent and less powerful. But, they do still occur -- it might be hearing an old song or beer commercial on the radio or passing by an old building or seeing a friend that I hadn't seen in a while or just watching a white puffy cloud move across a blue sky. So, I have to be ready. Staying active in Alcoholics Anonymous keeps me on my toes -- not in a fearful, defensive way, but head on. I can't imagine a better way to live -- as God intended.
Get the latest edition of:
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA Services
aa addiction alcoholism recovery sponsornet substance abuse
# posted by Bill B. @ 10:48 PM 
