This is an often heard slogan in the rooms, and there is much truth to it.
My reaction and course of action can appear a bit different from some of the folks in the meetings that I attend.
I preface my method by stating that If I fail to address my clinical depression, I won't be able to
get out of bed. For me that brings into play the slogan,"first things first".
No amount of prayer, meetings, or sponsors can treat my condition.
I will not tolerate any "old-timer" criticism or contempt, in an effort to label my psych med regimen a sign of weakness or a crutch.
That IS my starting point that allows me to ask for help, attend meetings, and try to
assist another addict seeking help. Next on my mental agenda, is an admission that I can't drink or use safely; and finally, that no matter what happens, there is NOTHING that a drink or drug will improve or remove.
Remembering the effort I expended in thinking about, buying, consuming and maintaining
my buzzed state is important. In the past I only put a minimum effort into recovery. Now I
make a concerted effort to address every aspect of my recovery; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
When a newcomer asks me, "how many meetings a week should I attend?", I have to ask them,"how often did you drink? The weekend warrior might be able to get along on 2 or 3 meetings a week. I was a daily drinker, so for me it's a good idea to do something positive on
a daily basis.
Any lengths should include proper nutrition, exercise, prayer, meetings, professional help(if needed), and helping others by being available.
Retaining the willingness to improve is a valuable tool in the box of recovery.
Never fear the reactions or judgments of anyone, when it applies to your personal quest for freedom from alcoholism and drug addiction.
1 comments:
HOW IT SUCKS
Rarely have we seen a person fail who thoroughly followed us home. Those who are not BRAINWASHED are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this garbage, usually men and women who are constitutionally capable of thinking for themselves. There are such fortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born premature. They are naturally capable of building and developing muscles, which demands rigorous training. Their chances are 6/4 on.
There are those, too, who are gravediggers and undertakers, but many of them do become ZOMBIES if they have the capacity to be dishonest. Our stories disclose in a twisted way, who we like, what happened, and who we hate now. If you have decided you want a cup of tea and are willing to go to any lengths to become emotionally shutdown, SHIFT SHAPING REPTILES - then you are ready to take certain steps. At some of these we balked, we thought we could find someone to 13th Step. And we realised, we could. With all the madness at our command, we beg of you to become Bill Wilson Clones - from the very start. Some of us have tried to hold on to our BIG BOOKS and the result was nil until we let go of our SPONSORS. Remember that we deal with alcohol, frothy, bubbly, and powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is one who has all power that one is the BARMAN. May you find Him now!
Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the bar. We asked the BARMAN for a couple of stiff whiskies. Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program to INSANITY:
1.We admitted we were powerless over Coca - Cola, and decided to drink Pepsi, instead.
2.Came to believe that Cold Power was a detergent.
3.Made a decision to turn our heads when we saw an attractive blonde.
4.Did a body search of the new members.
5.Admitted to our DOG, to elves, and to another super being the exact nature of our songs.
6.Were entirely ready to have SUPERMAN remove the effects of kryptonite.
7.Humbly asked CLARK KENT to remove our brains.
8.Made a list of all persons who owed us money, and became willing to charge them interest.
9.Made direct hits wherever possible, except when someone moved the target.
10.Continued to talk crap and when we were wrong, promptly talked more crap.
11.Sought through our mail and computer to improve our conscious contact with BATMAN, as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of ROBIN and the return of SPIDERMAN.
12.Having had a stroke as the result of these steps, we tried to carry out the garbage, and fell flat on our backs.
Many of us exclaimed, "What an order! I can't go through with it." Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain their homes and 13th Step the newcomers, at the same time. We are not psychopaths. The point is, that we are willing to become psychotic. The principles we have set down are guides to psychosis. We claim that Bill Wilson was a psychopath.
Our description of the landscape, the chapter to the Gnostic, and our family photos before and after make clear three pertinent ideas:
(a) That we were ugly and could not manage our own appearance.
(b) That probably no photographer could have improved our looks.
(c) That a PLASTIC SURGEON could and would if he were sought.
PEACE BE WITH YOU
MICKY
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