Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
AA slogans, like "Live and Let Live" or "This Too Shall Pass" or "Easy Does It" or "First Things First" or "Think Think Think" exist because they are simple embodiments of important things for a recovering alcoholic to remember, and their very simplicity makes them easier to recall in times of duress.
But as we listen to each other, and offer occasionally unsolicited input -- which again, can sometimes be a helpful, even lifesaving thing to do -- I've come to believe we need to temper that practice with a caution against rushing to throw some book quote or slogan at someone out of ... impatience with listening to their problem? A false sense of superiority? The need to appear to always have the answer? Some dark combination of all three, perhaps, with even darker things hidden underneath, too. (Ego ego ego).
http://mrsponsorpants.typepad.com/mr_sponsorpants/new_old_expressions/
But as we listen to each other, and offer occasionally unsolicited input -- which again, can sometimes be a helpful, even lifesaving thing to do -- I've come to believe we need to temper that practice with a caution against rushing to throw some book quote or slogan at someone out of ... impatience with listening to their problem? A false sense of superiority? The need to appear to always have the answer? Some dark combination of all three, perhaps, with even darker things hidden underneath, too. (Ego ego ego).
http://mrsponsorpants.typepad.com/mr_sponsorpants/new_old_expressions/
Things talked about required investigation , determination and action Mainly in wanting to fess up to my reactions and lack of social skills ! :)
Billy
Talk about unsolicited advice. yikes. I find the internet to be less bossy or egotistical than a lot of meetings I've attended. Some meetings have the self appointed guru who always waits to share last and critiques what's been shared by others. Can you say ego?
After the sponsor I had told me to stop taking meds, which I didn't start taking till I was 7 yrs sober I was in a quandary. He didn't know what he was talking about and he certainly wasn't a doctor so I found another sponsor and another meeting. That whole incident changed my outlook on being open when I shared. I went from sharing whatever was on my mind to tempering what came out of my big mouth.
This forum seems to be pretty supportive from what I've seen in my short time here. Good article though
Think think think about it.
Uncle Baldy... I love you most.......
The Exact Nature...
hidden down under all the denial, the pain, the shame from the misinterpretation of life experiences which have us in belief that we are flawed as a human being...... we are not... we have beliefs which have us in conflict with ourselves and others.
I did go out and drink at 7 yrs sober .... one of the reasons behind the drink and the mindset and then the behavior was the fellowship and the slogan shotgun.
It is NOT THE ONLY REASON by any means....
if to drink means to live for another chance at sober living I'll take it...
I DO NOT SUGGEST IT!!!!!!!
I am..... By The Grace of a Power Bigger than me and the fellowship, still alive to tell the story, and happily almost 14 yrs sober second time around. By all earthly means I should have been dead.
However, I believe part of my responsibility is to be accountable for my experience and to share it in a conscientious way, here or in a meeting.
I am saved by Grace so I can be part of the solution and not part of the problem. I do not curb my mouth about the subjects anymore, I am careful with the subject.
I know very well that I may be the only Big Book someone ever sees, (or hears) and so I'd better know what I'm talking about because lives are at stake here. It is a very serious exchange of either medicine or poison.
We are not Doctors and the suggestions of meds or no meds or suggestions of this slogan, or that slogan are prescriptions for life or death in many cases.
The only suggestion we should ever have is for the other person to go check it out with a professional.
"Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do for the man who is still sick. The answers will come if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven't got."
It is my personal opinion that we must be careful not to transmit something we haven't got, from a disorderly house.
Okay, soap box is over.
God I love you guys. Thanks as usual Nemo, you always have such cool input, Jimmy and Greg you too. I have had to take meds for all but 2 yrs of my 20 plus around the rooms and I would be dead if I listened to the suggestions of many of the well meaning people who shared around me throughout the years.
I feel as if I've had a real meeting today and it's all you guyz's fault! Thank you, from the bottom of my stubborn little heart...... being stuck at home too much is not so good for me... you all help me outta the feelings of isolation being homebound brings on.
In Love Light Truth & Service
'Stubborn' TerrieAnn
ralop
When I was faced with either following my doctors advice or that of my sponsor regarding taking medication it was a hard time for me. My sponsor had helped me greatly that first 7 yrs sober and I loved him but I kept having bipolar episodes sober. I mentioned to him this section of the Big Book on page 133 from the Family Afterward........
"But this does not mean that we disregard human health measures. God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons. Most of them give freely of themselves, that their fellows may enjoy sound minds and bodies. Try to remember that though God has wrought miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or psychiatrist. Their services are often indispensable in treating a newcomer and in following his case afterward."
He wasn't swayed in his opinion so I sought out another mentor if you will.
Terrie, I'm with you... I did it the Fellowship way and didn't drink for a lot of years but was not serene by any means. I had God in my life, but was living on self will for sure. Took a relapse... a long one... and crawling back to the rooms.
I thank God for a friend taking me to a local Big Book Study meeting. Couldn't believe what was in there. Me all over those pages. The identification was strong and immediate. I always knew I couldn't take one drink without wanting an entire bottle, but now I understand why.
For all the work I put in, I have reaped so many rewards. I don't question why things happened the way they did. I'm grateful I was brought to where I am today however I got here.
God does a much better job at running my life than I ever did. A sick mind cannot cure a sick mind. That I know.