Alky No More
Three of my closest friends are alcoholics. One is busy
killing himself and the other one has been clean and sober for
15 years now. The third friend used to work as a drug and
alcohol counsellor and he thought he knew everything there was
to know about alcohol and drug abuse treatment.
This good friend would watch AA Meetings that occurred at
the facility, but only as a staff observer. He was too proud to
admit he needed the 12 Steps. He eventually went back on the
booze, even though he hadn't had a drink for years. And lately
we've lost touch again.
The one close friend who is clean and sober and 'in
recovery' originally busted after his first alcohol and drug
abuse treatment. Later he did a second detox and got seriously
into the Alcoholics Anonymous program. And recently, he married
a woman he met in A.A.
They've been together a few years now, and go to A.A.
Meetings together. Both are so much healthier and happier for
their relationship, and for the Fellowship. It's great to
see.
Now I'm a foodie, I'm not an alcoholic, and I'm in a
different fellowship. But I've been to thousands of 12 step
meetings over the years, and I've done scores or hundreds of AA
meetings as well. There's no difference except the substance a
person uses to medicate themselves with. The pain and the
self-destructive behaviour is the same. So are the destroyed
relationships.
If you really want to get well, please accept this one tip
from me... Don't try to do it alone. Be humble. Get yourself
some professional alcohol and drug abuse treatment and do the
detox and rehab. Dry out.
Then find a fellowship like AA, actually I don't know of
anything better than AA, and get yourself a sponsor. That's a
more experienced person who is well into their recovery and who
can help you work through the 12 Steps.
It's too hard to think about living the rest of your life
without a drink; but you can hang on just until tomorrow
without one. And with Fellowship like Alcoholic Anonymous, you
can stay clean, dry and sober. One day at a time.
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Remember we are dealing with Alcohol... Cunning,
Baffling, Powerful. |
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