Recovered Alcoholic

My name is Hilarie and I am a Recovered alcoholic; “..but I soon found out that when all measures failed, work with another alcoholic would save the day. ..It is a design for living that works in rough-going." (Big Book, page. 15). It's truly amazing the way this program works. Yesterday while responding to a sponsee, I was able to relate and then verbalize something that I am struggling with; hopefully helping her with my experience with it. The night prior I practiced using all our tools; prayer, meditation, restraint of pen and tongue, inventory...all that kept me from reacting to the situation which is wonderful, but I still woke up heavy. As soon as I corresponded with her, that weight that I woke up with was lifted. I went on to have a wonderful day.  This kind of relationship establishes trust and keeps me right sized. Yes, I am her sponsor, but I am human. My sponsor is my sponsor, but she is human. We can learn and grow from our sponsors without putting t...

Topic for the week:  Step 10  "Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it." It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities.  "How can I best serve Thee - Thy will (not mine) be done."  These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will. Asking ourselves these question each night, writing  about it, discussing things with our sponsor to get a different  perspective...ect... we have daily tools to grow that have been laid at our feet... When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Wer...

I had NO idea the solution was God when I first got here. I thought "I" will just stop drinking, go to a few meetings, and my life will just be better. First, "I" didn't just quit drinking...if it would have been me, I would have done it along time ago. It was all God. What he did was separate me from alcohol and gave me the will to live. What I did with that separation was up to me. It was a reprieve, then a removal of the obsession to drink, just for a moment. Full God reliance came later, which I learned through the Steps.  I had to replace my higher power, alcohol, with a new Higher Power-God...At that time it was a Group of Drunks.  I started to rely on God the way I relied on alcohol. Instead of going to the liquor store, I went to a meeting.  Instead of my afternoon drink I called my sponsor. Instead of passing out at night, I prayed. Instead of complaining, I wrote gratitude lists.  Instead of worrying, I wrote down my fears and put them in ...

  “Recovered”  We are not cured of alcoholism. Recovered, but not Cured? That presents a conflict to some Alcoholics. If we were cured, we would be able to drink responsibly. No, we are not cured.  The allergic reaction to Alcohol will remain with us for our lifetime. But we have been Restored to Sanity. That was the problem. “The main problem of the Alcoholic centers in his mind, rather than in the body.” [p.23]  We are now Sane where Alcohol is concerned. Consequently, we have Recovered. 

Contempt Prior to Investigation     "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which  cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance —that principle is  contempt prior to investigation. "  Most members of A.A. are familiar with this oft repeated quote. The concept has become part of the A.A. way of life.  (Big Book - Appendices II -  Big Book - Appendices II - Spiritual Experience - (pp. 567-568)   con·tempt: the feeling that a  person or a thing  is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn. pri-or: existing or coming  before in time,  order, or importance. in·ves·ti·ga·tion: the  action of investigating something or someone ; formal or systematic  examination or research. My life prior to AA was nothing but  contempt prior to investigation . Assumptions, judgments-and I had the answers for everything, so there ...

(Dr. Silkworth is talking about Bill asking him if he and the others could speak with the alcoholic patients in Townes Hospital) Many years ago one of the leading contributors to this book came under our care in this hospital and while here  he acquired some ideas which he put into practical application  at once. Later,  he requested the privilege of being allowed to tell his story to other patients here and with some misgiving, we consented.  The cases we have followed through have been most interesting; in fact, many of them are amazing. The unselfishness of these men  as we have come to know them,  the entire absence of profit motive, and their community spirit,  is indeed inspiring to one who has labored long and wearily in this alcoholic field. They believe in themselves,  and still more in the Power which pulls chronic alcoholics back from the gates of death. -Doctors Opinion pg xxvii The power that pulled me back from the g...

Step Six “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” “THIS is the Step that separates the men from the boys.”So declares a well-loved clergyman who happens to be one of A.A.'s greatest friends. He goes on to explain that any person capable of enough willingness and honesty to try repeatedly Step Six on all his faults— without any reservations whatever— has indeed come a long way spiritually, and is therefore entitled to be called a man who is sincerely trying to grow in the image and likeness of his own Creator." 12x12 Pg63 This is the Step where "rubber hits the road", as my favorite speaker puts it. Also, another speaker says, "if nothing changes, nothing changes" so I see this as a Step toward real change.  God of course decides what defects get removed and when; I just had to become willing. Part of that willingness for me was to identify the defect and then practice the opposite of the defect. Just like with ...