Despite caustic, contradictory commentary in opposition to the reality, Alcoholics Anonymous does not demand that you be convinced you are an alcoholic. Once again, from Mel B.;
“In other words, the AA founders were not zealously committed to the task of convincing any person that he might be an alcoholic, or of citing scientific proof that he could never be a controlled drinker. This was something the individual would have to decide for himself, even at the cost of getting drunk again. Is it irresponsible to tell an alcoholic to try drinking again if he thinks he can get away with …read more

But I cannot tell you I have another recovery. It is possible I will only be given this opportunity once and I am taking it for all it is worth!
“For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. If he did not work, he would surely drink again, and if he drank, he would surely die. Then faith would be dead indeed. With us it is just like that.”
I’m grateful this works for me. As does this;
“Here and there, once …read more

From “That Ain’t In The Book,”
“We must change playmates, playgrounds, and playthings”

Page 100-101: “Assuming we are spiritually fit, we can do all sorts of things alcoholics are not supposed to do. People have said we must not go where liquor is served; we must not have it in our homes; we must shun friends who drink; we must avoid moving pictures which show drinking scenes; we must not go into bars; our friends must hide their bottles if we go to their houses; we mustn’t think or be reminded about alcohol at all. Our experience shows that this is not …read more

Dr. Bob speaks of why he passes recovery on and also mentions something I can identify with…
From pages 180-181;
“I spend a great deal of time passing on what I learned to others who want it and need it badly. I do it for four reasons:

Sense of duty.
It is a pleasure.
Because in so doing I am paying my debt to the man who took time to pass it on to me.
Because every time I do it I take out a little more insurance for myself against a possible slip.”

The sentence I can identify with because I attempted to place blame on …read more

From page 181 in the Big Book;
“If you think you are an atheist, an agnostic, a skeptic, or have any other form of intellectual pride which keeps you from accepting what is in this book, I feel sorry for you. If you still think you are strong enough to beat the game alone, that is your affair. But if you really and truly want to quit drinking liquor for good and all, and sincerely feel that you must have some help, we know that we have an answer for you. It never fails, if you go about it with one …read more

“Then would come oblivion and the awful awakening to face the hideous Four Horsemen”
Terror – Extreme or intense fear.

Bewilderment – Confused or perplexed.

Despair – To give up all hope or expectation.

Frustration – Dissatisfied, agitated, and/or discontent because one is unable to perform an action or fulfill a desire.

It’s no coincidence that they follow directly the seeking out of “sordid places, hoping to find understanding companionship and approval.”
It is also no coincidence that shortly thereafter we find;
“He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know …read more

Of course it is common sense to suggest to a newcomer to change their playmates and playgrounds! If they don’t they’ll put themselves right back in a place where alcohol, drugs or whatever, can influence their thinking and actions. Certainly, in the beginning – how many of us are spiritually fit enough to go there?
Yet, there will come a time…
We must change playmates, playgrounds, and playthings???
Page 100-101: “Assuming we are spiritually fit, we can do all sorts of things alcoholics are not supposed to do. People have said we must not go where liquor is served; we must not have …read more

The First One!
From “Living Sober” we’re told something profoundly simple on page 3;
“We have found that for us recovery began with not drinking – with getting sober and staying completely free of alcohol in any amount, and in any form. We have also found that we have to stay away from other mind-changing drugs. We can move toward a full and satisfying life only when we stay sober. Sobriety is the launching pad for our recovery.”
That ain’t middle-of-the-road psycho-babble, that is directly out of AA approved literature! This is for those who have questioned the presence of the word “abstinence” …read more

Taking the queue from today’s Daily Reflection – “The Limits of Self-Reliance” which leads us to page 68 in the BB;
“We reviewed our fears thoroughly. We put them on paper, even though we had no resentment in connection with them. We asked ourselves why we had them. Wasn’t it because self-reliance failed us?”
I had been taught, by those who did not know, that if I wanted something done right, I had to do it myself. Little did they realize I had no clue how to do things right! But I did it again and again…
“Self-reliance was good as far as …read more

This is worth repeating…
The Hideous Four Horsemen:
Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration, Despair

Hideous? – Hateful; shocking. Syn. — Frightful; ghastly; grim; grisly; horrid; dreadful; terrible.
Terror – Extreme or Intense Fear
Bewilderment – Confused, Puzzled, Befuddled, Disorientated
Frustration – The feeling of annoyance when one’s actions are criticized or hindered
Despair – Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.