Miracles happen every day...

"The age of miracles is still with us. Our own recovery proves that!"
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 153~

Every day I thank GOD for His love, blessings, mercy, grace, and forgiveness! I truly was a hopeless case, so tangled up in lies, deception, shame, and pain that I couldn't even care about myself. One day, about 2 months before I got clean and sober, God spoke clearly to me while I sat in my own hopelessness and loneliness - He said "Don't worry Glenn, everything will be alright." At that time I was again at death's door, a physical and emotional wreck. I did not care if I lived or died prior to hearing those words. GOD in all of His power, grace, mercy, and forgiveness pulled me up and out of the self-imposed pit of quicksand I was sinking in and saved me. Miracles do happen - I am one...

It doesn't matter where you are...

"We meet frequently so that newcomers may find the fellowship they seek." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, pg. 15~

Just about no matter where you are you can find a meeting almost any time of the day on any day. There are very few excuses good enough to keep you from getting to a meeting, regardless if it is your first one or your 1000th. We realize that we need to be available when someone decides to finally change their life from eminent death to renewed life. It doesn't matter who you are or where you are at in life, when you are ready, we are there. If by chance there is not a meeting starting when you are ready, we are always available in an emergency. Hot-lines, call- lists, hospitals, or a friend can get you in touch with someone who cares and understands.

Seeing is believing...

"When we saw others solve their problems by a simple reliance upon the Spirit of the Universe, we had to stop doubting the power of God. Our ideas did not work. But the God idea did." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, Page 52~

Regardless of the type of program you end up staying with, it is important to meet regularly with with others who are in recovery for your type of addiction. In the beginning it is best to meet several times a week for added strength and encouragement. Just seeing those who are successful in recovery is enough reason to be there yourself, it gives you the hope and the promise that things will all work out for good if you stick with it. I know we are an odd lot, especially when you first start going to meetings, but we all mean well and know exactly where you are or have been. The longer to meet with us, the more you will come to like, enjoy, and trust us. We only mean well, we just have a weird way of showing it - but we want to help you. Helping you also helps us get stronger and more recovered ourselves. So do it for you, and us.

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!