You know, so tell them...share your story

"Cling to the thought that, in God's hands, the dark past is the greatest possession you have; the key to life and happiness for others. With it you can avert death and misery for them." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 124~

No one knows what the Hell of addiction is really like except for one who has been there. Though you may not specifically what their other problems are, we know what is at the bottom of it all - that dark, lonely, painful, shameful place. Share your story, share it often with others who are in recovery or wanting to be, for they need to know they are not alone, that there is hope, and that there is a promise for a new life if they stay in our midst...

Abstain and....

"Sometimes we hear an alcoholic say that the only thing he needs to do is to keep sober. Certainly he must keep sober, for there will be no home if he doesn't. But he is yet a long way from making good to the wife or parents whom for years he has so shockingly treated."~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 82~

Not drinking, not using, whatever the addiction - there is so much more than just not doing it. In AA, and similar programs, the way to follow is already mapped out in the "steps". Addiction is an illness, a very deep rooted one, that must be handled/attacked from many angles to be cured/successfully treated. It's about what lead up to being addicted - all of the mental/psychological trash that is left behind even when you are no longer partaking. The steps lead you along the proven path to heal not just the body, but the mind and spirit also.

The 'fine line' of addiction...

"Some drinkers have excuses with which they are satisfied part of the time. But in their hearts they really do not know why they do it. Once this malady has a real hold, they are a baffled lot. There is the obsession that somehow, someday, they will beat the game. But they often suspect they are down for the count."~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 23~

Now that is the basis for almost all of us who have an addiction - we somehow thought we could stop any old time we wanted to. We thought we were always in control of the situation, we were still the Master of our life. HA! Alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, eating - it really doesn't matter the poison, once you crossed that 'fine line' somewhere back in your addiction career you relinquished mastery of your destiny and let the poison take over. What we didn't realize until it was all too late was that we were never in control no matter what we, or others said about it. That is the mystery of addiction - where was that fine line? When did I cross it? How could I not have known?
It is so much better to not worry where the placement of 'the line' is - just abstain and take the mystery out of the equation.

It really is -"One day at a time"

"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."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 85~

I don't have to worry about yesterday as it is already gone and is now history. Tomorrow will happen whether I am still here or not when it gets here, but it isn't here yet. BUT, right now, I have to keep straight with God and in MY own head that no matter what - I will not use, drink, or take because that will NEVER solve any problem I can ever come up against.
Even last month when my much loved mother turned ill and passed away, I felt like 'doing' something to ease the pain and confusion, but didn't - didn't even come close. I am still here, clean and sober, knowing that she is looking at me from Heaven - proud of her 'recovered' son. I love you Mom!

We all have to stop eventually, why wait any longer?

"Upon therapy for the alcoholic himself, we surely have no monopoly.Yet is is our great hope that all those who have as yet found no answer may begin to find one in the pages of this book and will presently join us on the high road to a new freedom."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Foreword To Second Edition, pg.xxi~

AA is not, regardless of what it's members tell you, the only way to get clean and sober. It is the best way to get started and stop the madness, in my opinion though. It got me out of the old habits and with people who wanted to live a different, more peaceful, way. It is EXTREMELY frightening to go to that first meeting, especially if you go alone. But rest assured, everyone there will know how it feels, what you are feeling, because they have been there themselves. Once you get onto solid ground then you can spend some time looking at other options while you 'work' your program.

Out with the old, in with the new...

"...I humbly offered myself to God, as I then I understood Him, to dowith me as He would. I placed myself unreservedly under His care and direction. I admitted for the first time that of myself I was nothing; that without Him I was lost. I ruthlessly faced my sins and became willing to have my new-found Friend take them away, root and branch."~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, pg. 13~

I grew up in a religious family and have been spiritual throughout most of my life, some years more than others, but it was not until I finally quit drinking and drugging did I feel free and felt God’s presence. I was fortunate, it was a life saving and life changing event when I gave it all up and put myself at the feet of God. I had prayed for many things over the years and called on Him several times, but when I gave my up completely to Him everything changed in me. I had an epiphany; I woke up at that instant and have not looked back. I still deal with the repercussions from my stoned and drunk days, but I know that if trust in Him and not in myself, all will be well and good in the end. What a relief!
Everyone is different and many people have abstained with other methods, but I truly feel it is more than just about not using, or not drinking, it is about leaving the past behind, cleaning the temple, and living anew.

It is so much more than just quitting...

"Cessation of drinking is but the first step away from a highly strained, abnormal condition."~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 122~

It is such a misconception that if one can just quit drinking/using/abusing then all their troubles would be over. That, however, is not the case in the overwhelming majority of addictions. To truly recover you must not only quit, but also rid your life and lifestyle of as much addictive causing behavior and influences as possible, then get on some kind of preventative, or maintenance program. Addiction is a chronic illness and the only way to cure it is to get rid of the causes, some of which you probably never knew were contributing to the problem. That is where interacting with other addicts/alcoholics is so important, they help you to flesh out all of that bad stuff and work through it, and vice-versa.